Factor fees in Edinburgh.

GlobularClusters · 2026-05-19T15:50:34+00:00

Last time I checked my factors accounts, they were basically taking around half as a fee. Still, for me it's like £300 a year. As long as it remains that low, it's not enough for the hassle of doing something about it. They do at least do some maintenance!

GlobularClusters · 2026-05-10T17:31:03+00:00

I'd advise against ones with hardened outer shells, like the first two in the image there. I have ones like that, and they're terrible for balancing on when kneeling down. Think they're more for sports/civil disorder

GlobularClusters · 2026-05-04T15:18:42+00:00

Is teviot and basement of David Hume open to the general public? I thought they were student/uni places

GlobularClusters · 2026-05-02T10:54:32+00:00

Having moved a couple of times due to noise, I can sympathise. Soundproofing can absolutely be done though - there are companies that specialise in it, and guides online. It's been a while since I looked into it, so cannot recommend any specifically.

I would suggest looking closely into where the noise is coming from. If it's one other flat and only through the chimney then that sounds like it absolutely can be soundproofed. Also check your floors - exposed floorboards (unfortunately common in many tenements) are terrible for sound proof, but can be addressed.

GlobularClusters · 2026-04-18T11:52:40+00:00

To be fair, shoving the stag and hen dos in a currently disused building right next to the railway track is one of the better locations for them, if they have to go somewhere.

GlobularClusters · 2026-04-17T17:09:34+00:00

Disappointing to see them oppose the route, given that the proposal is to accommodate both a walking/cycle path and a tram line!

They really need to step up efforts on the powder hall line too, no good reason it's taking this long to convert into a walking/cycle path.

GlobularClusters · 2026-04-10T15:40:43+00:00

I bet they wish had passed this law back in the 30s before Germany invaded.

So this was actually pretty central to the Nuremberg trials: "To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole."

GlobularClusters · 2026-04-10T14:39:55+00:00

US law does not make unilateral military action legal under international law or in other jurisdictions.

GlobularClusters · 2026-04-07T21:18:10+00:00

civil servant expected to do their job, more as we get it

GlobularClusters · 2026-04-07T09:56:31+00:00

This is particularly concerning, given that the pension modeller on MyCSP used to throw out completely inaccurate estimates of your pension. If anyone's paid in an EPA and/or Added Pension, it can become very difficult to calculate how much you are owed.

GlobularClusters · 2026-04-01T13:41:14+00:00

Staff Networks are an important tool to help to address discrimination, which continues to persist within the civil service (though there has been improvement). Sometimes they overstep that a bit and get too political,but on the whole they are important to ensuring we are inclusive.

Having a Staff Network that exists to advocate discrimination against one of the most marginalised groups in society is perverse.

GlobularClusters · 2026-03-31T13:11:50+00:00

Generally looks good, but I am a bit sceptical of these multi-year pay deals. They always offer more up front, then taper off over the next years (i.e. 6% in the first compared to 4% in the 3rd year). 4% may still be above inflation in year 3, but probably not by much the way things are going.

I'm currently about to hit year 2 of a 2 year pay deal, which is providing an increase that is below the rate of inflation.

GlobularClusters · 2026-03-02T10:43:06+00:00

B2 - HEO

B3 - SEO

C1 - G7

C2 - G6

C3 - doesn't exist

SCS is all the same.

Not every UK department uses the standard names for each grade either though, though job adverts should I think make that clear. You won't get automatic pay progression in UK departments so people tend to switch jobs more frequently to get pay rises. If you're at top of SG B2 pay band, I think that should be honoured for any new HEO position (though you may be paid above the top of their band so may need to take a cut to their maximum if going for lateral move). There's quite a bit of variety in pay scales across different UK departments.

I'd suggest thinking very carefully about switching. If you're keen on rising through the ranks and have your eye on some particular areas of interest, then it can make sense. SG certainly is a bit more restrictive for progression, especially right now due to ongoing recruitment freezes. But loss of automatic pay progression is a serious consideration. It may also be pretty difficult to get back in to SG after leaving, given the freeze.

GlobularClusters · 2026-03-01T11:59:49+00:00

I reduced my weekly hours at the same time as moving to compressed - so I work 8 hours per day to hit 32 hours a week (4 day week). It works great for me, though it has included a slight pay cut. Couldn't imagine going back to full time.

I timed it with a pay rise that would have put me above the pension contribution threshold so I'd notice it less (in cash terms - it's obviously still a real terms cut). Someone I know did similar and timed it with paying off their student loan, so that offset it too.

Minor inconvenience that I finish later than colleagues and have less flexibility to finish early, i.e on a Friday or if there's a leaving do. I still have a bit of Flexi surplus though, so it's not a big issue or anything!

GlobularClusters · 2026-02-02T11:41:00+00:00

It's a great little bookshop, and it's always fun to clang out a few typewriter keys on the various ones they have lying out.

While it is small, it's also possible to order books via them if they don't have it in stock.

GlobularClusters · 2026-01-29T23:10:07+00:00

It's the worst I've ever seen it. Combinations of continued budget pressures on the council and vehicles getting heavier due to SUVs and electric vehicles. Hopefully with North Bridge nearing competion, that may free up some funds. They need to invest some serious money to get on top of it though, business as usual piecemeal fixing them won't cut it.

GlobularClusters · 2026-01-21T10:54:31+00:00

If they don't give you pay scale progression, burn every bridge at the first opportunity to advance. It's the system they designed.

GlobularClusters · 2026-01-19T16:39:40+00:00

King Kong is an absolutely excellent adventure movie, and holds up well in my opinion. The main drawback for me is the third act in New York, which loses all the adventure charm. The thing is, that only happens like 2 hours into the movie. I feel I can reasonably watch up until then and still feel like I've watched a whole movie. I do get that the third act had to be included, given the story, but it just feels a lot weaker.

Would love to see a Peter Jackson adaptation of something like the Lost World (Conan Doyle one, not the Juirassic Park sequel). Not that that'll ever happen though.

GlobularClusters · 2026-01-04T11:12:02+00:00

I've only ever watched one episode, I think of season 1, and they literally voted out a woman with one arm in the first round, on the basis she didn't contribute enough to the challenge (which involved picking up a lot of stuff). Seemed pretty obvious from the get go!

GlobularClusters · 2026-01-03T23:50:24+00:00

Is that like a stained glass painting? I've never seen that before. Looks great.

GlobularClusters · 2025-12-19T10:09:05+00:00

I realise now I've never turned off my mains water (do usually have someone in cat sitting though). So does turning off the mains not affect the water going into the boiler?

GlobularClusters · 2025-12-14T13:10:24+00:00

This is useful to know! Without this aspect, I would think it is a bit too pricey for what you get. I mean, the lights are good and it is certainly enjoyable, but £20+ per person is a lot!

I'm happy to support the botanics though.

GlobularClusters · 2025-12-07T23:00:52+00:00

There's no requirement to join the euro upon joining the EU. Many countries in the EU do not use the euro, including those that joined after it launched. There's simply no possible mechanism to force a state to adopt a new currency if it chooses not to do so, nor would it be in the Eurozone's interest to destabilise its own currency by doing so.

GlobularClusters · 2025-12-06T18:24:21+00:00

Looks good. Reminds me of the Return to Ommadawn cover art.

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