Heriot-Watt MSc Brewing and Distilling 2024 graduate, Bella Perez
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
This International Women’s Day, Heriot-Watt University celebrated the success of Bella Perez, a 2024 graduate of its MSc Brewing and Distilling programme.
In less than two years, Bella has risen to become Head Brewer at 71 Brewing, joining a growing number of women working in the industry in Scotland.
Although modern beer production has long been dominated by men, historically, brewing was a woman’s responsibility. Beer was brewed in the home as a safe substitute for water.
Bella’s appointment as Head Brewer is not only a personal milestone but is also part of brewing tradition.
“People are often surprised to meet a woman head brewer,” she said. “But women belong here. We always have. International Women’s Day is a reminder of how important visibility is—and why creating space for other women matters.”
Bella grew up in California. Childhood car journeys past the local Budweiser plant and the region’s thriving craft beer culture sparked her interest in brewing. In 2016, an international study trip confirmed her passion for fermentation science. This became her focus when she returned to UC Davis in California.
After nearly a decade working across the US—at MillerCoors in Colorado, craft breweries in California, and as a shift lead brewer in Oregon—she looked to further her progression in an industry where women remain underrepresented in senior production roles.
“I’d been working three jobs at one point and felt stuck,” she explained. “I loved brewing, but to move into upper management you need more than experience—you need technical proof of concept.”
That next step arrived through a scholarship from the Michael James Jackson Foundation, which supports brewers from underrepresented backgrounds. With a Cuban parent, Bella was eligible. The organisation funded her Master’s degree at Heriot-Watt University, home to one of the world’s most respected brewing and distilling programmes.
Bella describes her time at Heriot-Watt as transformative.
“It made all the difference. The Master’s gave me the scientific foundation, the research skills and the professional credibility I needed. Combined with my experience, it opened doors that simply weren’t available to me before.”
Within months of graduating, she was appointed Head Brewer at 71 Brewing, a Dundee-based independent brewery known for innovation and global reach. Her role involves overseeing production, recipe development, quality, and sensory training for an international team – including seven Heriot‑Watt alumni.
Professor Dawn Maskell is head of the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University. She said: “Each year, more women choose to study brewing and distilling at Heriot‑Watt, and their presence in our classrooms and laboratories is changing the face of the sector.
“Seeing graduates like Bella move into senior production roles is a powerful reminder of why representation matters and why supporting women into technical leadership positions is so important for the industry’s future.”
Today, Bella is part of a growing cohort of women shaping Scotland’s brewing. She is the driving force behind this Sunday’s inaugural Cailleach Festival, Scotland’s first beer festival dedicated to showcasing women working in production roles from across the country.
By bringing together female leaders from breweries large and small, the festival aims to increase visibility, foster mentorship and challenge lingering assumptions about who makes beer.
“For young women entering the industry, seeing someone who looks like you in a senior role can be transformative,” Bella said. “Representation shapes possibility.”
Despite progress, Bella acknowledges the challenges women still face. Brewing remains physically demanding, technically complex and often male-dominated. “You need to be thick-skinned and creative.
“It’s hands-on, heavy lifting, long days. But if you like getting your hands dirty, starting with a list of raw ingredients and turning them into something you’ve made yourself, brewing is definitely for you. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
Bella is clear about the message she wants to share on International Women’s Day: “Don’t let the demographics of an industry tell you whether you belong. If you’re passionate, capable and determined, there is a place for you.
“Brewing needs more women. Science needs more women. Leadership needs more women. Progress is never accidental. It comes from women supporting women—and from institutions like Heriot-Watt believing in our potential.”
RCDSs doctor
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
New national figures show that Scotland’s Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDSs) are continuing to make a real difference for patients, providing earlier diagnoses for people with non-specific symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue.
The first annual report from Public Health Scotland (PHS) shows that more than 3,400 patients were referred to one of the 5 RCDSs live in Scotland in 2024. Almost 1 in 10 of those patients were diagnosed with cancer (9.3%), in line with similar services across the UK.
For patients diagnosed with cancer through a RCDS, the average time from referral to diagnosis was just 15 days. For patients who did not receive a cancer diagnosis, the average time from referral to outcome was 25 days.
RCDSs give GPs a fast-track route to refer patients with non-specific but concerning symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue or persistent pain. As these symptoms do not clearly point to a single type of cancer, or other condition, patients often experience a delayed diagnosis.
Led by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD) and commissioned by the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Earlier Programme, Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services were designed to address a gap in traditional site-specific cancer pathways. They bring together coordinated assessment, clear communication and faster access to tests and onward treatment. The most common cancers detected through the service are lung, lymphoma and colorectal cancers.
There are now currently 6 RCDSs operating across NHS Fife, NHS Dumfries & Galloway, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Borders and NHS Forth Valley.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said:
“Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services are transforming the experience of thousands of patients across Scotland who are living with the worry of unexplained symptoms. Getting answers quickly can make an enormous difference, and it is fantastic to see these services delivering exactly that – fast, compassionate care at a time when people need it most.
“I want to pay tribute to the dedicated teams working across our Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services. Their commitment to patients shines through in the feedback we are hearing, and Scotland’s NHS is lucky to have them.
“As we work to ensure excellent cancer care is available to everyone, I look forward to seeing how these services can be developed and reach even more patients across the country.”
Ross MacDuff, Joint National Clinical Lead for Earlier Cancer Diagnosis at the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, said: “The evidence continues to show that Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services are doing what they set out to do – find cancer, at pace.
“The services allow GPs to act on their clinical concern, giving them a single place to refer to.
“Positive patient experience is overwhelming, with RCDS navigators ensuring clear communication and shared decision-making from the point of referral.”
With Scotland’s Cancer Strategy aim to reduce health inequalities, over a quarter of RCDS patients referred were from the most deprived areas.
The findings build on earlier evaluation work by the University of Strathclyde in 2024, which found that the RCDS model reduces patient anxiety, avoids unnecessary referrals and helps people access care more quickly.
One patient said: “I was triaged by an exceptionally caring nurse specialist who guided me through every step. The service was professional, fast and kind, it made a very anxious time easier.”
Another added: “I was very anxious about the appointment, but the team’s warm and professional approach soon put me at ease.
“They listened carefully and took time to explain everything. More GPs and patients should know about this service.”
This work forms part of CfSD’s ongoing commitment to delivering innovative and sustainable services that meet patients’ needs now and in the future.
Read the full RCDS Annual Report here.
Midlothian local Vivienne Gaynor
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is marking International Women’s Day (March 8) by recognising the strength, resilience and leadership of women living with long-term health conditions.
Vivienne Gaynor, 64, from Midlothian, has joined the charity’s Voices of Experience Panel to bring her years of lived experience and self management knowledge to the charity and help shape CHSS’ work, services and healthcare messaging.
Diagnosed with asthma in her 40s and later with COPD and emphysema at 50, Vivienne, now 64, had to leave her job as a mental health advocate as her own health deteriorated.
Despite the challenges of multiple chest conditions, angina, complex medication, and dealing with the effects of a seizure caused by a medication change, she has remained committed to helping others navigate their own health journey.
Vivienne, who lives in Loanhead, said: “I’ve always been very good at managing my own health, and that’s so important when you are living with a lung condition.
“Covid was difficult. I was shielding for months, but I struggled with my inhaler and couldn’t see a doctor. When I was eventually able to see a doctor, I was put on to the strongest inhaler possible. I’m still on that now.
“I have angina, too, so I take lots of medication for different things, and sometimes they can have adverse effects on me. I had a seizure a couple of years ago and the doctors thought I’d had a stroke, but it was caused by a change in medication. That seizure affected my memory quite badly, and it took a long time to recover from it.
“I think it’s so important for people to know they can get support, particularly when they are first diagnosed and are scared about what’s happening.
“That was part of my motivation for joining CHSS’ Voices of Experience Panel. I also want to make sure that people get the right medical and health information. It’s so easy to read things on social media that are wrong or misleading. And that can have a negative effect on someone.
“I’ve been dealing with these chest conditions for a long time, but even I am learning all the time about the effects on my body and my health. I want to make sure everyone is properly informed.”
Over the years, Vivienne has faced difficulties with her health however, those challenges have only reinforced her desire to support others.
CHSS’ Voices of Experience Panel is made up of people across the country living with chest, heart, or stroke conditions who share their insights to shape services, campaigns, and information resources. Vivienne’s contribution will help strengthen the charity’s mission to make sure no life is half lived.
In Scotland, women continue to face significant health inequalities particularly across stroke, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and Long Covid.
Women face unique and disproportionate risks, yet the health system often does not fully account for these differences. This leads to poorer outcomes that could be prevented with targeted, gender‑aware care.
CHSS is well‑placed to drive this change through services, advocacy, and by amplifying the voices of women with lived experience.
CHSS is committed to supporting women’s health through our Advice Line, Health Defence Hubs, Community Healthcare Support Services, education programmes, physical activity initiatives, and women-focused peer support. All of which are allowing us to strengthen awareness and improve access to support.
Jessica Wilson, Women’s Health Strategic Advisor at CHSS, said: “Women in Scotland are disproportionately affected by chest, heart, stroke, and Long Covid conditions. And too often, they face barriers to diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term recovery.
“At CHSS, we’re here to change that. We support women at every stage of life through our range of services including; confidential advice and guidance through our advice line, health information resources like out HEARTe15 module about women’s heart health and Peer Support which is available across Scotland.
“These services make a real difference. But we know there’s more to do; and that starts with listening to women.
“We’re developing our refreshed CHSS Women’s Health Plan that will be launched in 2026, and we need women’s voices at the heart of it.”
To join the Voices of Lived Experience Panel click here.
If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and are looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.
