Local Round-up: Andrew talks his way to debate prize

Andrew Niven from Edinburgh's Stewart's Melville School emerged victorious in the Scottish Parliament's rescheduled St Andrew's Day debate.

The 15-year-old was among young debaters from five schools and 11 universities across Scotland who took part in the contest.

After the first two rounds of the competition, which dealt with votes at 16 and Scottish history, the final debate was on child poverty.

The event was organised jointly with the English Speaking Union.

Pupils cook up storm for Tom

FOUR local pupils were cooking for Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchen as part of this year's Rotary Young Chef Competition at Corstorphine High School.

Rebecca Harley was the winner and was presented with a certificate and a signed copy of one of Mr Kitchin's cookbooks.

Make more of the outdoors

People across Edinburgh are being encouraged to get outdoors more, with the help of two free publications from Scottish Natural Heritage.

The leaflets give details of places around the city to visit all year round. The emphasis is on fun for free, with suggestions for simple outdoor activities.

Future of education in the spotlight

THE future of higher education in Scotland will be debated at a conference at the Storytelling Centre in the High Street on February 22.

Speakers will include Professor Stefan Collini, author of a major critique of the Browne Review which paved the way for increased tuition fees south of the Border.

The event has been organised by the University and College Union Scotland and EIS University Lecturers' Association.

Environmentalists set to meet

A MEETING of environmentalists in Fountainbridge and Craiglockhart is to take place next week.

The Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart Green Team will meet at the Royal Ettrick Hotel in Polwarth on February 17 at 8pm. The meeting is open to the public.

Get taste for adventure with explorer's lecture

Polar adventurer Ben Saunders will be giving people a glimpse into his life at a talk in the Capital.

Mr Saunders has been described as "the next Sir Ranulph Fiennes", with three North Pole expeditions under his belt. He is also the youngest to ski solo to the North Pole, and holds the record for the longest solo Arctic journey by a Briton.

He will be giving a talk as part of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society's Inspiring People programme on February 16 at 2.15pm.