Doolan Award
The Nucleus Building, University of Edinburgh by Sheppard Robson has been shortlisted for the 2025 RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award which is Scotland’s most prestigious annual architecture prize.
The shortlist explains why this building is included: “Designed as the vibrant new heart for the University of Edinburgh, this building provides a much-needed focal point and meeting place for students and staff, seamlessly uniting a rich variety of teaching, learning and social environments. From quiet individual focus to lively collaboration, this diverse array of spaces allows the building to support different ways of studying, teaching and socialising. This not only creates a resilient and responsive learning environment for a world-leading academic community, but also seeks to enhance the wider student and staff experience. Proudly integrated into the local community, the Nucleus Building is a considered, enduring and generous example of civic architecture, that responds to a multifaceted brief and sets a powerful precedent for Scottish university design.”
Nucleus. University of Edinburgh King’s Buildings Campus.
Elsie Inglis Statue – decision due next week
Plans for a proposed statue to medical pioneer, Dr Elsie Inglis, on The Royal Mile will take another step forward next week.
The application to put the first statue of a woman on the High Street is to be considered by the Development Management Sub-committee of The City of Edinburgh Council on 1 October.
As the planning committee papers are not yet published (but will be made public here in the days leading up to the meeting), it is not yet known whether the officers will recommend approval or not, but the body behind the statue hope that the public hearing will be confined to planning issues.
Do the math!
Schools, libraries and visitor attractions across Edinburgh are set to take part in this year’s Maths Week Scotland (22 – 28 September 2025), which has a theme of Wild Maths.
Funded by the Scottish Government and coordinated by National Museums Scotland, Maths Week Scotland is now in its ninth year and features over 75 events for families and schools across Scotland as well as almost 20 online webinars and competitions. All are aimed at turning Scotland into a maths-positive nation.
At the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, children’s author, David McPhail will host Legends, Myths and Maths, a fun-filled, interactive talk for families exploring the myths, stories, wildlife and landscapes of Scotland, with hidden maths. Museum on the Move school sessions will teach pupils about the planning, weighing, measuring and teamwork involved in moving museum objects and the Museum is also running Wild Maths for Wee Ones.
More information about maths for adults and children here.
Debate at the Edinburgh Union
The Edinburgh Union will host its inaugural debate on Monday 22 September, with a panel of senior Scottish politicians debating the motion: This House Believes Scotland Should Be Independent.
The debate will feature Fergus Ewing MSP and Ben Macpherson MSP, representing the case for independence, opposite Baroness Annabel Goldie, former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and Daniel Johnson MSP, representing the case against.
Adding to the politicians, two student speakers will join the debate, taking opposing sides on the motion, and bringing the perspectives of Edinburgh’s student body directly into the discussion.
The debate, taking place just months ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections, promises to be a lively and timely discussion on one of the most contested questions in Scottish politics.
Founded in 2025, the Edinburgh Union, which is part of the Edinburgh Political Union, is the University of Edinburgh’s newest debating society. It seeks to provide an apolitical platform dedicated to debate and open dialogue. With political and social conversations growing increasingly polarised, the Union’s mission is to develop an environment where ideas can be challenged constructively and where participants from all backgrounds feel empowered to engage in discussion.
This week at the council
Monday, 22nd September, 2025
- 9.30 am Licensing Board – Dean of Guild Court Room – City Chambers
- 10.00 am Edinburgh Integration Joint Board Today is World Falls Prevention Day and the EIJB will consider a report from the Edinburgh Health and Social Care on the importance of preventing falls. The report is written in corporate speak but an interesting line considers the financial implication – “Falls impose a significant burden on health and social care services in Scotland, costing over £470 million annually. In Edinburgh during 2023/24, there were 2,866 hospital admissions due to falls, 72% involving people over 65, with three older adults admitted daily for serious fractures, occupying around 65 beds each day.”
Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025
Wednesday, 24th September, 2025
Thursday, 25th September, 2025
Friday, 26th September, 2025
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
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