Julie Currie
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Some guys have all the luck...Rod has had an incredible career but also knows what it’s like to get a cancer diagnosis and is more than happy to support Maggie's as a result.

Put your bid in for a dinner date with Rod Stewart

Super Santa...Anas Sarwar hopes to spread the joy of Christmas across Scotland this year. (Pic Wattie Cheung)

Generous Scots asked to dig deep for Toybank Appeal

Time capsule...Val McDermid has contributed work for the Future book but readers will have to wait a while for the ending which will be revealed when the time capsule is opened in 10 years time! (Pic: Rob McDougall)

A new chapter for Book Week Scotland 2020

Open for business...You can get all your Christmas gifts, while helping CHAS and local businesses too.

One Stop Christmas Shop for CHAS is now open

VIP....don't forget this very important posting date to make sure your wee one's letter makes it to Santa on time!

Don’t miss the last post for letters to Santa!

Wired for sound...but 68.2 per cent of people polled in the UK favoured a ban on cyclists wearing headphones.

It’s time to debate headphone ban for cyclists

New focus...on cycling during the pandemic could be lucrative for our tourism market. Here, cyclists enjoy the paths in Glentress Forest . (Pic: David N Anderson)

Dive into Scotland’s first Adventure Tourism Week

Take a walk on the wild side...this autumn to help maintain your well-being but please mind the Scottish Outdoor Access Code when you do. (Pic: Lorne Gill)

NatureScot is asking us all to Make Space for Nature

Free for all...join the debate as the Festival of Politics moves online this month.

Open invite to the online Festival of Politics

One in 10 Scottish drinkers – some 370,000 adults – admitted drinking more than they normally would throughout lockdown, even as restrictions eased. (Pic: Rob McDougall)

Scottish Government must act now to avoid wave of alcohol-related issues

New danger for wildlife...face masks and gloves cannot become part of the new normal in our throwaway society.

Scottish beaches awash with discarded PPE

Destructive pest...squirrels can cause real headaches if they get into your roof space.

Protect your home from destructive invaders

Light in the darkness...of a Covid winter is being spread by Alison Johnston's grandson, Dougal MacAllister (5) at his home near Haddington.

Shine a light or send a note of kindness this winter

It’s time to give back...to some of the charities across the country which have been there for us during the pandemic.

#GivingTuesday will give us all a chance to give back

Hungry hogs...it's a race against time for the SSPCA to get the hogs in its care to a healthy weight in time for hibernation.

Help the SSPCA feed hungry wee hogs

A time to reflect... but most of the usual memorial services across Scotland cannot take place today.

Remember Scotland’s fallen heroes on your doorstep at 11am

Gary McLeod, who served for 36 years as an officer with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and laterally teaching and mentoring officer cadets, found that the city streets were far emptier than usual.

Help our heroes with a donation to the Scottish Poppy Appeal

It has been a far from normal year, with the Covid-19 pandemic affecting communities across the globe.

Julie Currie

Packing them in...the 2021 Royal Highland Show will have fewer visitors but RHASS is commited to hosting the event. (Pic: Cameron James Brisbane)

Public rally to save Royal Highland Show

Traditional workers...Konik ponies will be called into service to help restore the largest floodplain fen in the UK.

RSPB Scotland’s 100% For Nature project

Dirty campers...have strewn the countryside with their discarded rubbish, leaving sites like this for land managers and their staff to clean up.

Scottish land managers report increase in abuse from the public

Pandemic casualty...with so many events cancelled due to Covid-19, creative freelancers have been hit hard.

Hardship Fund for creative freelancers opens for applications on October 26

Avian flu...being transmitted by migratory birds could pose a risk for poultry keepers in Scotland this winter.

Take action now to reduce risk of avian flu

Engaging young minds...Gilly and her colleagues might not be able to visit schools but still want to engage with pupils. (Pic: Phil Wilkinson)

SSPCA takes its Animal Wise education programme online

Consumer champion...Matt Allwright is raising awareness of a new hotline which aims to stop fraudsters illegally targeting Covid-19 support schemes.

Crimestoppers launches new Covid Fraud Hotline

An oral therapy, Siponimod is simpler to administer and reduces the risks associated with regular injections.

Scotland is leading the way in new treatment for MS

Royal connection...found in the heart of Royal Deeside, at the gateway to the Cairngorms National Park, Braemar is encircled by mountains, valleys and woodlands. (Pic: Damian Shields, VisitScotland)

Forget Route 66, Find Yourself on the North East 250

Last resting place...the Huskyan documented the area where 835 souls perished on October 14, 1939.

Film pays tribute to the 835 souls lost on HMS Royal Oak

Hard at work...the SCAA continued to deliver its life-saving service during lockdown but had to cancel talks, which the charity is now offering online. (Pic Graeme Hart, Perthshire Picture Agency)

Story of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance is going digital

A team of experienced volunteer speakers is going digital to ensure Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) takes its life-saving story to thousands of people across Scotland.

Julie Currie

Roll up your sleeves...from local streets to sandy beaches, Scots are being encouraged to get litter in the bag in communities across the country. (Pic: Keep Scotland Beautiful)

Keep Scotland beautiful by organising a local litter-pick

Hard work...begins now for writer and artist Andrew Redmond Barr, following his successful Crowdfunder.

Public rally to support a new Atlas of Scotland

The 2007 Act prohibits trading in most large shops on Christmas Day and gave powers to the Scottish Government to stop them opening on New Year’s Day too – but it has never been enacted.

Petition to end New Year Day shopping in Scotland receives unanimous backing

Simple and clear message is advocated in the posters, now available to local shops in light of tightened restrictions.

Please be patient and kind in local shops

Innovative toolkit...is designed as an introduction to Braille for younger Scottish school pupils but it could also benefit children in secondary schools.

Braille Lego bricks will help Scottish school pupils

A walk...is the best medicine to cope with pandemic stress, along with keeping in contact with our family and friends.

Good news for Scotland on World Mental Health Day

With views like this, it's little wonder people from all the world and closer to home return, time and again, to take in the West Highland Way. (Pic: Ross Pollock)

Many happy returns to the West Highland Way as it marks its 40th

Enjoy a real life encounter...with Rexy, the willow dinosaur, at Logan Botanic Garden in Dumfries and Galloway.

Get back to nature with the Scottish Trees Festival

Global protests....like this one in Glasgow Green on St Andrew's Day in 2018 will be among the topics covered in the free four-week course. (Pic: John Devlin)

Free online course on the History of Slavery in the British Caribbean

Larry Flanagan, EIS general secretary, said: “It is simply unacceptable for local authorities to fail to keep individual risk assessments for teachers up-to-date."

EIS: councils must update teachers’ risk assessments

Masking up...staff at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions are not letting Covid-19 spoil their visitors’ experience.

Visitor attractions in Scotland are good to go

Kona Electric...the new addition to the Police Scotland ultra-low emission blue light fleet.

Force gears up to meet its fleet ambition by 2030

Artist's impression...of what the newly-discovered dinosaur would have looked like. (Pic: Michael Skrepnick)

University of Edinburgh-led team discovers new species of dinosaur

On the hunt...for spooky stories the length and breadth of the country for this year's Scottish International Storytelling Festival. (Pic: Colin Hattersley)

Book in for Scottish International Storytelling Festival

Cook up a storm...with a charity dinner party at home this month for the chance to win a meal for two at top St Andrews restaurant, Haar, run by Masterchef: The Professionals finalist Dean Banks.

Host a Great CHAS Dinner Party this October

Original launch...Age Scotland first published the guide in 2018 with support from its Unforgotten Heroes partners.

Free veterans’ guide to later life in Scotland

John Beardsmore (65) is sharing his story this Breast Cancer Awareness Month to help men across Scotland.

Men Get Breast Cancer Too, just ask John – he’s had it twice

It's time to savour....a wee taste of Scotland and support the Scotch whisky industry by visiting distilleries and sampling their tasty offerings.

Keep the spirit of Scotland alive: enjoy a wee dram!

Affordable homes...Shelter Scotland's #BuildScotlandsFuture campaign is calling for a commitment to build 37,100 social homes over the course of the next parliament. (Pic Scottish Federation of Housing Associations)

Help Shelter Scotland to #BuildScotlandsFuture