Five things you need to know today

Scottish Banksy, art at the Scottish National Gallery, Great British Sewing Bee judge is made Chancellor of QMU and calls for easy wins on street safety

Sustrans call for zebra crossings on side roads to be legalised

A Sustrans report "Transforming Mobility" published on Tuesday will call for changes to transport so that disabled people are not "further excluded in society". The report says that around half of disabled people in the UK think government could do better. One of the proposals in the report is to legalise zebra crossings on side streets. This was called for in Edinburgh previously by Cllr Neil Ross.

An Edinburgh man with sight loss is featured in the report. Joe who is registered blind speaks about the everyday issues he faces getting around the capital. He said: “I like walking around independently like a sighted person, but not all the time I can manage it, because, for example, on some pavements, the dropped kerb is not very obvious.

“The other thing I think should be improved is that not all the traffic lights have the beeping sound in Edinburgh [...] the beeping sound is useful because it can help me to cross the road in a straight direction.

“I think when the council or the organisations have meetings, they should ask some blind people to join in the meeting to give advice, or do testing by looking for some blind people to do it.”

The report will be launched on Tuesday at Portcullis House and can be read here.

Queen Margaret University confer honorary degree - and appoint a new Chancellor

On Monday Queen Margaret University conferred an honorary degree on Carol Rogers who conducted the forensic investigation which brought murderer Peter Tobin to justice. Before then at a ceremony in Usher Hall the university appointed its new Chancellor, Patrick Grant. He is well known to many as a judge on the Great British Sewing Bee and also as founder of a sustainable clothing social enterprise.

Read more here.

L-R Carol Rogers Forensic Scientist, Patrick Grant Chancellor of Queen Margaret University (QMU) and Principal of QMU Sir Paul Grice Great British Sewing Bee judge, Patrick Grant, was installed as Chancellor and forensic scientist Carol Rogers was honoured at the first of QMU’s 2025 graduation ceremonies Patrick Grant is a prominent figure in the British fashion industry and founded the social enterprise Community Clothing Scotland’s leading forensic scientist, Carol Rogers, Forensic Operation Lead - Major Crime (Sexual Offences), was awarded an honorary degree. Carol, who is best known for her work on serial killer Peter Tobin’s case, was honoured for advancing the field of forensic science, particularly in relation to investigations of sexual offences across Scotland. Carol was awarded the title of ‘Doctor of the University, Honoris Causa’ by QMU. PHOTO Alan Simpson 7 July 2025

Scottish Banksy

Scotland’s Banksy, the artist, The Rebel Bear, had a one day exhibition at Mill Road Industrial estate, Linlithgow on Sunday.

In a fusion of urban art and industrial space in the royal burgh, Scotland’s mystery street artist linked up with BOXXS Self Storage for the exhibition. The Rebel Bear is best known for their Glasgow street painting Fear and Love, of a male-female couple dropping their face masks to have a kiss.

Soft play at Dynamic Earth

At Dynamic Earth young children under 6 can set sail on a magical underwater adventure at the city’s leading Science Centre and Planetarium.

With the launch of Ocean Commotion Soft Play the venue is now offering accessible, stimulating and interactive engagement opportunities for little ones who may need to let off some steam but also to spark their curiosity in our planet.

Children from babies to 6-year-olds can expect to explore, climb, splash (not literally!), and play away in the ocean-themed interactive costal escape. No booking required for this fun which costs £4 per child to engage in interactive soft play.

A spokesperson said: "With every corner of Ocean Commotion designed to boost your child’s development through play, whether they are learning to crawl, climb, or conquer new challenges, kids are sure to have some fintastic fun beneath the waves."

• Sea Turtle Sanctuary – Allow your littlest adventurers to safely drift, crawl and discover Dynamic Earth’s serene ocean cove.

• Toddler Tidal Zone – Let wee ones (recommended 12 months plus) build, slide and grow their confidence as they explore the world around them.

• Junior Deep-Sea Discovery Zone – Bigger adventures for your budding explorers. Take the training wheels off and scale Dynamic Earth’s rock-climbing reef, before taking part in interactive activities that fuel both skill and imagination

The £4 ticket allows unlimited access to Dynamic Earth’s world beneath the waves (although time limits may be imposed at busy times).

PHOTO Robin Mair Photography

A Vase of Flowers back on display at the National

Scotland’s own A Vase of Flowers by Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin has returned home to the National Gallery at The Mound following a special appearance in Paris for the launch of Dior’s Summer 2026 men’s fashion collection.

Dior’s newest Creative Director Jonathan Anderson was inspired by the beauty of everyday objects, similar to Chardin’s art, making A Vase of Flowers the perfect backdrop for the fashion show. With a star studded turn out in Paris, visitors to the National can also once again experience the beauty of the everyday, with the painting back on display in Edinburgh and free to visit.

PHOTO Max Cornwall

Weather from the Met Office for today - Sunny changing to partly cloudy by nighttime. Maximum daytime temperature: 21° Celsius low of 14°.