Local Round-up: Ex-politician Canavan to discuss career

FORMER MSP Dennis Canavan will be at the National Library of Scotland, on George IV Bridge, on Tuesday next week at 6pm to discuss his autobiography, Let the People Decide, with BBC political correspondent Brian Taylor.

Mr Canavan was a Labour MP for 26 years, but was vetoed by the party leadership as a candidate for the Scottish Parliament, so he stood as an independent and won the biggest majority of any MSP in the 1999 election, retiring in 2007.

Authors book their places

The line-up for this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival is set to be announced next week.

Since 1983, the festival has grown in popularity and last year hosted talks by authors including Joyce Carol Oates, Lionel Shriver and Philip Pullman.

This year it runs from August 13-29.

Investing in a name change

Investment management firm Rensburg Sheppards has changed its name to Investec Wealth & Investment.

The company has an office in George Street. Edinburgh divisional director Fenella MacLean said: "The brand visibility of a major financial institution will help us compete with the big players."

Garden show set to blossom

Gardening Scotland 2011 will open on Friday at The Royal Highland Centre.

Soldiers from Royal Scottish Borderers will be at the launch wearing the Poppyscotland, which has been bred for the show in addition to hundreds of thousands of flowers.

Search starts for young science stars

EDINBURGH University is launching a new science-based talent competition for all secondary school pupils in the Capital.

Make Me A Scientist! is a reality television-style science show in the style of X Factor and Britain's Got Talent.

The top prize for the winning school is 500 of Waterstone's vouchers.

Schools are being invited to submit auditions until September 10.

Education Secretary goes back to school in city

EDUCATION Secretary Michael Russell was set to visit Tollcross Primary today.

He was due to be joined by new Minister for Learning and Skills Alasdair Allan, and Minister for Children and Young People, Angela Constance.

During their first visit as the newly-appointed ministerial team for education, they were set to outline their priorities for education, as well as meet Tollcross Primary's acting headteacher Alice Brown and pupils to see Curriculum for Excellence in action.