THE SNP’s annual conference is set to run from Friday to Sunday in Edinburgh with a major focus on how the party moves forward following a huge setback at the General Election.
But as well as resolutions being discussed and policy being debated, a variety of organisations will be running fringe events at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Siscussions being held on everything from delivering independence to how Scotland can lead the world in brain research.
Here is The National's pick of some of the key fringe events over the weekend.
Book launch of Inside the Indyref
To celebrate the launch of SNP MP Pete Wishart’s book Inside the Indyref, the Perth and Kinross-shire MP will join Lesley Riddoch for a key talk 10 years on from the referendum.
Wishart (below) aims to take readers through the ups and downs of the Yes campaign in his book and he will discuss looking back on his diaries from the time in detail before taking questions from the floor.
The event will be on Sunday at 9.15am in the Carrick Room.
Paving the way: How can Scotland tackle pensioner poverty?
With the UK Government recently making the Winter Fuel Payment means-tested rather than universal and this having to be replicated in Scotland as a result, this discussion led by charity Independent Age will surely be key.
The event will involve a panel of Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart, Independent Age chief executive Joanna Elson, and Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly, who will discuss whether Scotland can lead the way by becoming the only nation in the UK to have a pensioner poverty strategy.
They will also look at whether a Minimum Income Guarantee could provide a key solution to end poverty for all ages.
This will take place on Friday in the Kilsyth Room at 12.30pm
Ending child poverty: good for children, good for economy
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes (below) will be speaking as part of the panel for this event which will look at the impact Scottish Government policies have already had on levels of child poverty and why it is essential investment continues.
Child poverty is costing the Scottish economy £2.4 billion a year with one in four children locked in deprivation.
Forbes will be joined by Satwat Rehman from One Parent Families Scotland, Claire Telfer from Save the Children, and John Dickie from the Child Poverty Action Group.
The event will be at 4.30pm on Friday in the Menteith Room.
The simple three-point strategy to deliver independence
This will surely be a popular event hosted by the SNP Peterhead branch with the team behind Believe in Scotland.
Gordon MacInytre-Kemp will take the audience through Believe in Scotland’s strategy. There will also be a discussion around how the grassroots arms of the independence movement can work better together and facilitate a new national conversation that can “knock down Westminster’s barriers”.
MacIntyre-Kemp will deliver a presentation followed by a Q&A, which will be chaired by MSP Karen Adam.
This will take place on Friday at 4.30pm in the Moorfoot Room.
Brain health research: How Scotland can lead the world
A fascinating chat is being hosted by the University of St Andrews where an expert panel will talk about how science, medicine and policy in Scotland is reducing the impact of neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Through a unique partnership between universities, Scottish Brain Sciences and Brain-ARC, experts will discuss how the nation has a great chance to lead the world in this area.
The panel will involve Health Secretary Neil Gray and Scottish Brain Sciences CEO Professor Craig Ritchie, as well as other academics.
It will be on Saturday in the Carrick Room at 12.30pm.
Changing Scotland: Why Trade Unions are Key
The SNP Trade Union Group (TUG) will give delegates and members a chance to examine the political challenges face the party and the cause of independence with some of the country's leading trade unionists and members of the TUG.
The event will look at how the party can build momentum towards transformational change in areas like the economy and energy, land and tax and public services.
Scottish Trade Union Congress general secretary Roz Foyer, RMT regional organiser Gordon Martin and former MPs Tommy Sheppard, Deidre Brock, and Chris Stephens will be involved.
It will take place on Sunday at 12.30pm in the Tinto Room.
