- Hibs won The Scottish Cup
- Church approves same sex marriage for ministers
- Scotland has more powers from today
- What’s on in Edinburgh this week
- At The Usher Hall this autumn
It was a momentous weekend for everyone down at Easter Road. We tried to bring you a flavour of the party and the parade and since almost 1000 of you watched our Periscope live we think you may have enjoyed it.
Here is our edited Periscope video filmed from the balcony at the City Chambers:
To those of you who are not football fans there is much more here on The Edinburgh Reporter for you!
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is meeting in Edinburgh this week, and over the weekend it decided by 339 votes to 215 to recognise same sex marriage by Ministers and Deacons. Previously the Church had acknowledged same-sex civil partnerships.
But the decision is said not to compromise the Church’s traditional view of marriage between one man and one woman.
Speaking at a press conference, the Very Rev John Chalmers, Principal Clerk to the General Assembly, said: “We had a debate which made very clear that we were not interfering with our theological definition of marriage and were not going to the place where ministers or deacons could themselves conducting same sex marriages.
“It is an entirely different discussion.
“Today’s decision means it will be possible for kirk sessions and congregations to depart from the traditional understanding of marriage to call not only potentially a minister in a civil partnership but one who is in a same-sex marriage.
“In some ways we crossed the Rubicon last year when it was agreed that kirk sessions could call someone in a civil partnership and for many people what today was about was simply tidying up and making the law of the church consistent with Scots law.”
New powers for the Scottish Parliament will be used to create a fairer country, Constitution Secretary Derek Mackay has pledged.
From today, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government receive new powers through the Scotland Act 2016.
Many of these powers allow for legislation to be taken forward in areas including equal opportunities, consumer advocacy and advice, competition and transport.
The social security powers which are being devolved will be transferred at a later date, while most of tax powers which are being transferred will also take practical effect at a later date.
Mr Mackay said:
“The Scotland Act sees the most substantial change to the powers of the Parliament since devolution.
“From today, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government have new powers over many areas, notably in equality, consumer advocacy and transport. Reflecting our priorities, we are already working to use these powers as quickly as possible, to tackle inequality and create a fairer, more prosperous country.
“That includes our plans to promote equality by legislating for gender balance on the boards of public bodies.
“Our consumer and competition strategy will take account of Scotland’s geographic, social and economic circumstances. We will use the newly devolved consumer powers to develop a robust system which protects and empowers consumers and supports businesses which are innovative, efficient and fair. And we will also remove employment tribunals fees that act as a barrier to justice.
“On transport, we’ll allow public sector operators to bid for future rail franchises and integrate the British Transport Police into Police Scotland, while retaining the specialisms that are highly valued by the rail industry and passengers. And we will look to attract more international flights to Scotland, boosting investment and jobs, by reforming Air Passenger Duty, which under the UK Government is one of the highest taxes of its kind in the world.
“While the Scotland Act does not go as far as we would wish, we will always use all the powers available to us in the best interests of Scotland.”
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[mc4wp_form id=”169103″]Head over to our weekly listing here to find out what is on across the city this week. Rosemary Kaye has found so many things we have not bothered to count them!
We have not even had the Festival yet, but already The Usher Hall, an international destination for live music and run by the City of Edinburgh Council, has announced its own season of international orchestras.
Garnering an enviable reputation among conductors, orchestras and soloists, Sunday Classics 2016/17 features a spectacular new season with a rich variety of international stars and orchestras. Sunday Classics continues to provide audiences with an extensive range and depth of performances which is sure to appeal to everyone.
Councillor Richard Lewis, the City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture Convener, said: “As one of the world’s most outstanding concert venues and with an exceptional sound, the Usher Hall is the perfect place to rediscover a favourite arrangement or enjoy classical music for the very first time. Packed with international performers and orchestras, our yearly classical programmes promise to bring music from all over the world to Edinburgh.”
Karl Chapman, Cultural Venues Manager, Usher Hall said; “Whether you are new to classical music, or know it well, we would love to see you. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than with these world renowned orchestras, conductors and soloists in the fine acoustics of the Usher Hall”.
From 2 October, audiences can revel in Sunday Classics from:
Stéphane Denève conducts Brussels Philharmonic (2 Oct)
Vladimir Fedoseyev conducts Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra with Jennifer Pike (violin) (23 Oct)
Miloš Karadaglić – Bach to Beatles with Royal Northern Sinfonia (13 Nov)
Libor Pešek conducts Czech National Symphony Orchestra with Natalie Clein (cello) (20 Nov)
Gabriela Montero (piano) Alison Balsom (trumpet) perform with Zurich Chamber Orchestra (4 Dec)
Yuri Temirkanov directs St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra with pianist John Lill (22 Jan)
Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra are conducted by Yutaka Sado with Emma Johnson (clarinet) (5 Mar)
Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra with violinist Gidon Kremer (26 Mar)
Yuri Simonov directs Moscow Philharmonic with Freddy Kempf (piano) (28 May)
SWR Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart are directed by Christoph Eschenbach (25 June)
The audience is invited sit back and relax and enjoy the music on Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are now available via the Usher Hall’s box office www.usherhall.co.uk
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
