This years SYFA approved event has attracted 72 teams covering three soccer seven age groups (under 9′s, 10′s and 11′s).  The tournament will take place at the Armadale Academy Sports hub, just on the edge of the town.  The venue which boasts grass pitches and the latest synthetic pitches is a favourite with the Falcons and is sure to play host to some exciting matches in this football mad town.

The teams will play 5 games each day with a range of activities for the players and non players to add to the fun.

This week, McArthurGlen’s Livingston Designer Outlet will be unveiling the major refurbishment of their Ted Baker store, transforming the current premises into a contemporary designed, Scottish-themed store.

The announcement comes as the outlet last week revealed sales of menswear gained significant momentum over the first quarter, increasing by +17.95% year-on-year from 26 December 2011 to 18 March 2012.

Taking inspiration from the Scottish emblem thistle and celtic heritage the re-fitted store will include tartan patterns, paisley prints and shades of mustard brown and deep blue with a modern twist.

The store is due to re-open on the 10^th May with in-store activity taking place over the weekend including in-store drinks and nibbles, free giveaways, the chance to win a £250 Ted Baker Shopping Spree and a free Ted Tote bag with every purchase over £75.

Karen Stewart, McArthurGlen’s Livingston Centre Manager, says;“Ted Baker is undoubtedly one of the most popular brands in the centre, and the new store fit looks great. As a brand which started in Glasgow it’s great to see them cementing their Scottish roots with the Celtic theme.”

Ted Baker offers a wide range of collections including Menswear, Womenswear, Accessories, Fragrance, Footwear, Eyewear and Watches incorporating their signature rich prints and sharp silhouettes, all at up to 60 per cent less.

Craig Smith, Brand Communication Director at Ted Baker, says; “This year will mark our 9th year at McArthurGlen’s Livingston Designer Outlet and the store has served us very well during that time but we felt we wanted to refurbish the store with a bright new look that would appeal to our enduring fans north of the border, incorporating bold and quirky Ted Baker prints, arresting found objects from Ted’s travels and bespoke furniture that sit proudly in his new home with a slight Scottish twist.”

With over 75 brands including Phase Eight, Lacoste and LK Bennett at up to 60% less, McArthurGlen’s Livingston is the must-visit shopping destination for men and women looking for summer fashion.

For more information on McArthurGlen’s Livingston Designer Outlet please visit: livingstondesigneroutlet.com or call: 01506 423 600

You can follow McArthurGlen’s Livingston Designer Outlet on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/livingstondesigneroutlet

For all further information, please contact:

Jo Rowley or Fiona Campbell – Rain Communications

Tel: 0207 828 0118

First.surname@raincommunications.co.uk

Hopetoun is one of the finest stately homes in the UK and offers a stunning setting for the Scottish Birdfair.   The event will be awash with wildlife and history.

The Scottish Birdfair has something for everyone – from the most dedicated birders, to garden birdwatchers and those with a more general interest in wildlife.  There is also the chance to shop for all things nature, from optics to art.

You can find out more about this exciting event either from our events page or from The Scottish Bird Fair website.

So what do you have to do to be in a with a chance of winning? Just like our facebook page and you’re done!

Good luck!

- Discussion on changes to the budget for 2012-13

- West Lothian’s STEAM Report for 2011

- The opportunities that the Skills Academy presents

Over the Easter weekend, like-for-like sales of menswear were up +39% as male shoppers headed to McArthurGlen’s Livingston Designer Outlet to spring clean their wardrobes. In addition to the boom in menswear sales, McArthurGlen’s Livingston today reports a year-on-year overall increase in sales for the Easter weekend of +2.7%.

The cool weather over the Easter weekend drove visitors to McArthurGlen’s Livingston, spurring not only sales of menswear but like-for-like sales of womenswear, which also rose by +20.2%, compared with the same four-day Easter period last year. Shoppers were looking for Spring bargains in power pastels, florals and vintage paisley prints, with savings of up to 60 per cent from brands such as Ted Baker and Karen Millen.

Perfume and cosmetics sales also proved particularly strong showing a 57% increase in like-for-like sales compared with last year, while entertainment saw sales rise by +45.7% year-on-year.

The Easter results follow steady quarterly UK sales growth for McArthurGlen’s Livingston. Sales of menswear gained significant momentum over the quarter and increased by +17.95% year-on-year from 26 December 2011 to 18 March 2012. The strong sales of menswear reveal a growing trend for male shoppers to seek investment fashion purchases at lower prices.

Karen Stewart, Centre Manager at McArthurGlen’s Livingston, says: “With a leading offering of more than 75 fashion and designer brands, we are in a strong position to capitalise on the growing number of shoppers seeking the best fashion for less. Consumers today are looking to invest their money in top quality products, and the breadth of our fashion offering from Ted Baker to Lacoste provides them with premium fashion for up to 60 per cent less.”

Jaye Thompson, Executive Fashion Director at In Style, says: “In this challenging economic moment, it’s not that people have stopped buying fashion, it’s just that they’re asking more from the fashion they’re buying. This is all part of the trend for ‘investment dressing’ – choosing and wearing fashion pieces that offer longevity and value for money and it is McArthurGlen’s Livingston Designer Outlet that caters to this need.”

Nick Bubb, retail analyst, comments: “UK fashion retailers have been helped by good early spring weather and an earlier Easter this year, but these notably strong trading results from McArthurGlen’s Livingston Designer Outlet go beyond such timing issues and clearly show that the designer outlet market is continuing to significantly outperform the national average.”

www.livingstondesigneroutlet.com

The ship that never sailed

Blackness is often referred to as ‘the ship that never sailed’. This is because of its appearance, for from the seaward side it looks just like a great stone ship that has run aground.  The pointed stem projects into the water, while the square stern stands beached on dry land. The castle’s three towers add to the effect – the small ‘stem’ tower at the prow, the tall ‘main mast’ tower at the centre, and the solid ‘stern’ tower at the rear.

A formidable artillery fortification

In 1537, James V (1513–42) embarked on an ambitious programme to convert the 15th-century castle into a formidable artillery fortification. The looming threat from Henry VIII’s Protestant England was the catalyst. The work was completed in 1543, just as the ‘Wars of the Rough Wooing’ were about to erupt.

Mighty Blackness had none of the subtlety of the great Italianate artillery fortifications. Instead, a brute mass of masonry (the ‘stern’ tower) confronted bombardment from the land, with defensive cannons firing through yawning great gunholes positioned to give all-round firepower. The vastly strengthened castle withstood various sieges, until in 1650 Oliver Cromwell’s heavy guns devastated the defences, forcing the garrison to surrender.  The scars of that bombardment are still in evidence today.

A state prison

Dour Blackness was no suitable residence for a nobleman. It was a garrison stronghold first and foremost. It also came to be used as a state prison for those whom the reigning sovereign wished to see safely out of the way.

Countless noblemen were held here during the later Middle Ages, none more important perhaps than Cardinal David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews, in 1543. In the notorious ‘Killing Time’ of the 1670s and 1680s, many a Covenanter (religious dissident) was incarcerated here by Charles II and James VIII. In the later 18th century, Blackness served as a prison of war for foreign sailors and soldiers captured during the wars with France, Spain and the fledgling United States of America.

Accessibility

Parking is available at the site. Visitors with disabilities can be set down closer.

Wheelchair Access

The ground around the Castle is uneven with some areas of gravel and grass.  Cobbles make it difficult for visitors using wheelchairs.  Toilets are not adapted to facilitate ease of access with a wheelchair.

Special Rates

Standard costs apply.

Driver Incentives

Free entry to the Castle.

Visit Duration

Around an hour and a half.

Opening Hours

1 April – 30 September,  Open 7 days, 9.30am – 5.30pm

1 October – 31 October, Open 7 days, 9.30am – 4.30pm

1 November – 31 March, Open Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat &  Sun, 9.30am – 4.30pm.

Booking or  Enquiry:

hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk / Tel. 0044 (0)131668 8831

Accessibility

Visitors are dropped off in front of the Burgh Halls just off the main high Street which is located around 100 yards down from the Palace.   Just before your arrival you can call the Burgh Halls (Tel: 00 44 (0)1506 282720) and staff there will greet you.

For parking – two free spaces are available in the bus station directly across the High Street.   To reserve a place it is recommended that you phone in advance (Tel: 0044 (0) 1506 847909).  The bus station area is for parking only, it is not the drop off point.

Wheelchair Access

The Palace has partial access.  Visitors can access the ground floor which has views of the main building and the magnificent fountain.

Special Rates

• 10% admission discount to the palace on groups of 11 or more
• Free guided tour
• 10% discount off bill in the Burgh Halls café.
• 10% off all purchases from Truly Scrumptious cake shop – located by the drop off point.

Driver Incentives

• Free tea or coffee at the Burgh Halls
• Free entry to the Palace.

Visit Duration

Your visit will take around 45 minutes to 1 hour plus time to walk around the Peel overlooking the loch plus any time in the Burgh Halls café .

Booking or  Enquiry:

hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or phone the sales support team Tel. 0044 (0)131 668 8831.