Archie Goodburn celebrates outside McEwan Hall following his graduation with a first-class degree in Chemical Engineering
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
University swimmer Archie Goodburn celebrates two major milestones, graduating before preparing to represent Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Graduating with a first-class undergraduate master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Archie now turns his focus to competing on the international stage at Glasgow 2026, where he will compete alongside a record University contingent of athletes, coaches and staff.
A member of the University’s Performance Swimming programme, Archie balanced the demands of training over the last seven years while studying, supported by the elite sports programme, which is designed to help talented student athletes excel in both their studies and sporting careers.
Archie has also balanced training, competition and his degree programme alongside significant health challenges, having been diagnosed with a rare brain tumour, known as an oligodendroglioma, in 2024.
Since then, Archie has shown extraordinary resilience and unwavering positivity, continuing to excel in both his sport and studies, while becoming a passionate advocate for improved treatment and funding for brain cancer.
He continued to excel academically and chose to research a novel nanoparticle-based brain cancer drug delivery method for his master’s thesis following his diagnosis. Archie was also awarded the University’s prestigious Principal’s Medal in 2024 and was one of six UK finalists in the IChemE Young Engineers Award for Innovation and Sustainability, recognised for his work on Clean Energy and Climate Action.
His inspiring journey has not only highlighted his remarkable strength but has profoundly impacted his teammates, staff members and the wider University community.
Following graduation, he will compete at Glasgow 2026 in the largest ever swimming programme at a Commonwealth Games, taking part in the 50m breaststroke on Friday 24 July and the men’s 4 x 100m medley relay on Wednesday 29 July.
Archie has represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games and Great Britain internationally, becoming British champion and setting Scottish records during a career that has established him among the country’s top breaststroke swimmers.
Archie is among 21 University athletes selected for this summer’s Commonwealth Games, competing in six sports including swimming, athletics, netball, judo, weightlifting and basketball.
Archie will compete in the Men's 50m Breaststroke and Men's 4 x 100m medley
World-class University coaching staff have also been selected to support national squads at the Games, including Performance Swimming Head Coach Mat Trodden and Performance Swimming Coach Danny Kirkham, both of whom work with Archie and will join Team Scotland this summer.
This strong showing reflects the depth of talent developed through the University’s world-class performance sport environment and highlights the breadth and strength of its performance sport programmes, delivered by Edinburgh Sport, the University’s specialist sport and physical activity service.
Archie explained: “Graduating from Edinburgh is a moment of immense pride that I’ll never forget and doing it just days before a home Commonwealth Games makes it all the more special.
“I’m hugely grateful to the University for the support I’ve received throughout my degree, both academically and through the Performance Swimming programme. Balancing the two would simply not have been possible without it, and it’s been a privilege to study here.
“Chemical Engineering gave me the freedom to explore subjects I genuinely care about, from green rocket fuels to nanoparticle research, and I’ve loved every minute of that intellectual challenge. Now I can’t wait to put on the Scotland cap in Glasgow and race in front of a home crowd.”
Mark Munro, Director of Sport and Active Health at the University of Edinburgh, explained: “Archie’s graduation is a fantastic achievement and reflects the determination, discipline and commitment he has shown both in his studies and in the pool. Balancing the demands of a degree with competing at the highest level of competition is no small feat.
“Archie embodies what is possible when talented student athletes are supported to pursue excellence across all aspects of university life. We are incredibly proud to see Archie graduate before competing in a home Commonwealth Games and wish him every success in Glasgow.”
Professor Guangzhao Mao, Head of the School of Engineering, added: “We are incredibly proud of what Archie has achieved across competitive swimming, chemical engineering and his tireless advocacy for people living with brain diseases. His accomplishments reflect not only exceptional talent and determination but also a deep commitment to improving the lives of others.”
Parking meter on North Berwick high street
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Parking wardens have handed out a dozen £100 fines a day on average in the first two weeks of new charges being introduced in a seaside town.
East Lothian Council says it has issued 167 fixed penalty notices in North Berwick since June 26 when the charges first came into force on the streets and in car parks.
The controversial parking management scheme has seen protests outside council meetings, on street meters vandalised before they were even operational and calls for it to be stopped until the impact on local trade and residents can be investigated.
At a meeting of East Lothian Council last month it was claimed some shop owners and hospitality businesses had said takings had fallen by up to 60 per cent compared to the same time in the previous year after the scheme was introduced with one saying they were down £1,000 a day.
Conservative councillors called for the charges to be paused for a review but lost their vote after Labour councillors and the SNP group brought their own motions which allowed it to continue.
Local SNP councillor Liz Allan, who represents the North Berwick Coastal ward, was later suspended by her group for backing the Conservative call to stop the charges.
North Berwick is the first in East Lothian to introduce parking meters and permits, with East Lothian Council estimating it could bring in more than £1 million a year once original costs are recouped.
Haddington, Dunbar, Musselburgh and Tranent are all due to have a similar parking charge system introduced with calls for their schemes to be delayed until a review of North Berwick is undertaken also rejected by East Lothian councillors.
A council spokesperson confirmed the number of parking fines issued in North Berwick between June 26 and July 9 was 167 but added that some “may be subject to cancellation or challenge” while some may relate to restrictions in place ahead of the new scheme being introduced.
Power tools now available in the Lend and Mend Hub
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Gorebridge Library has expanded its Lend & Mend Hub as it aims to drive community-led sustainability by providing locals with the means to build, mend and recycle household items.
Originally launched in 2022, the Hub has already become a valued resource for locals seeking to learn new skills, reduce waste and embrace more sustainable habits. The latest expansion introduces a new collection of power tools, sewing machines and even cake tins for free community use, enabling more people to take on projects without the cost or storage barriers that often prevent access.
The Hub is part of the Scotland‑wide Lend & Mend network, a pioneering initiative managed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), which supports communities to adopt circular economy habits by providing the tools, skills and confidence to repair and reuse everyday items.
Co‑designed by SLIC and Midlothian Libraries, with input from local residents, the launch of this new expanded collection reflects real‑world community needs, while encouraging repair and reuse over disposal.
Alison Nolan, chief executive of SLIC, said: “By offering free access to equipment that many households may not be able to afford, the Hub aims to reduce inequalities, build confidence and empower people to make sustainable choices in their everyday lives.
“Public libraries are uniquely placed to support this kind of practical climate action. By co‑designing these Hubs with local teams, we ensure they reflect the needs of the communities they serve, providing free access to tools, resources and learning that help people save money, reduce waste and build new skills.
“The expansion of the Gorebridge Lend & Mend Hub marks another exciting step in a movement that began with a simple idea – helping people repair and reuse what they already have. By adding additional equipment to the collection, the Hub is opening up even more opportunities for people to maintain, improve and personalise their homes in a sustainable way.”
All Midlothian Library members can access the Lend & Mend Hub at Gorebridge Library. For more information about Scotland’s Lend and Mend Hubs, including SLIC’s executive summary of the project’s impact, visit: https://scottishlibraries.org/lend-and-mend-executive-summary/
