A devastating storm that hit the east of Scotland last year caused five years’ worth of erosion damage to Musselburgh’s beaches in just a couple of days, a new report has disclosed.

The impact of Storm Babet, during which 30,000 homes lost power and flooding occurred further north around Brechin last October, on East Lothian’s biggest town has been revealed by independent consultants Dynamic Coast.

It says around 4,000 cubic metres of sediment was removed from the beaches during the storm.

The report, which has been published in East Lothian Council’s Members Library states: “Storm Babet caused beach sediment loss and erosion of the vegetation edge at the upper beach, with longshore redistribution of beach sediment to the west. 

“In places, this storm caused the equivalent of five years’ worth of erosion over a couple of days and removed around 4,000 m3 of sediment from the Musselburgh beaches.”

The report says that despite the damage East Lothian’s coastline was fortunate the storm did not hit during spring tides which would have made the impact far more severe’.

And it warns: “Whilst Storm Babet has not significantly compromised the existing flood management structures or natural defences (dunes etc), the natural resilience of the beach has been reduced, particularly adjacent to the existing defences in the west.

“For this reason, the evidence suggests that council officers have little time to waste in planning short term coastal resilience measures, including nature-based enhancements.”

The local authority has been pushing ahead with its Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme despite protests from some parts of the town.

The scheme has sparked controversy in the town after costs soared from the original £8.9million in 2016 to a current estimate of £53.9million.

The report from Dynamic Coast, which has been produced to support the council’s work to update coastal change analysis warns that a proposed future flood protection scheme using artificial flood barriers without including ‘beach nourishment’ will not work as they are not designed to deal with coastal erosion.

It states: “Under this scenario, anticipated beach erosion and lowering is expected to negatively impact the existing and proposed flood management structures, initially within limited sections by 2040 but across the majority of the shore front in later decades.”
However it also says options to be considered include creating a ‘more resilient’ structure which could withstand erosion but would risk the town losing its beaches altogether.

The report recommends the council introduce a beach monitoring system and recommends that more resilience is introduced at its most vulnerable areas, including nature-based approaches, as well as beach feeding.

It says: “We suggest that the evidence means that the council consider this as an urgent task, and we recommend that no time should be wasted in developing these resilience and adaptation actions.”

It also recommends the council carry out a Coastal Change Adaption Plan for the entire East Lothian shore but make Musselburgh its priority.

The report has been lodged in the members library for noting.

by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Robyn McAlpine successfully flew the flag for Scottish squash at the Grange Open sponsored by Bellfield Brewery and Commercial Water Solutions.

Teenage top seed McAlpine, from Glasgow, defeated Carys Jones (Gloucester) 11-4, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5 in the final.

The men’s trophy went south with Sam Osborne-Wylde seeing off the challenge of Paul Broadberry in straight games.

Homes hopes in the Grade A event were carried by Grange mini league secretary Robert Koenig who lost out to Sam Collins (Borders) in the final.

In Grade B Bettina Buchmann overcame Emmanuel Acheampong, also from Edinburgh, in the final.

The Scottish Government Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) said it could not accept the council’s view that a primary school for up to 100 pupils on Calder Road would cause an ‘inappropriate’ level of disturbance for local residents.

Edinburgh’s first Muslim faith school will open after the council’s concerns over noise issues were dismissed in a successful appeal to The Scottish Government.

The appeal outlined planners’ “bizarre” conclusion that people living in nearby properties would be “detrimentally impacted”. 

Businessman Akeel Umar, who is behind the project, blasted a lack of “factual data” and “technical information” to support the council’s ruling made last year.

Speaking this week after it was overturned, he said: “We are delighted to hear of the appeal outcome and look forward to serving the local communities as an educational setup, food bank, local support services hub and much more. 

“We truly believe the setup at 21 Calder Road will be of a great benefit to the local community.” 

But a local councillor worried that the school will attract ‘people from all over Lothian and beyond travelling by car’ said his constituents were left “angry” by the outcome, adding: “They feel ignored and they feel powerless. The planning system has failed them.”

In plans, Mr Umar’s charity World Care Foundation argued there was a growing need for a school for Muslim children, as the capital’s Muslim population had risen from 11,000 in 2011 to 14,00 in 2018, adding it was “set to rise” further. 

While being “underpinned by core Islamic values,” the private ‘Eden School’ being set up in the former governor’s house at HMP Edinburgh, formerly Saughton Prison, will be “open to all”. 

Hundreds of locals – 209 in total – lined up to object to the proposal they said would create parking chaos in the area and generate excessive noise from youngsters playing. But 628 letters of support were also received by the council. 

Hitting out again after the appeal was lodged, one resident living close to the site said the school “would not in any way benefit the local community” while arguing extra traffic and drop-off and pick-up times would “exacerbate safety issues at an already busy junction”. 

This would be “unacceptable” to those who moved to the area for its “quiet” nature, they said. 

In another objection, it was put forward that the “safety of our community” had to take priority over “a private school being erected”. 

However the Government’s planning reporter who reviewed the case was urged to see the plans as a “fantastic opportunity” to breathe new life into a vacant building” and “reduce inequalities in education services in the region” in the appeal statement submitted on behalf of the Foundation. 

“It is difficult to consider a primary school being described as an ‘inappropriate use in a residential area’, as that is where they tend to exist,” it said. 

It was also pointed out Edinburgh Council planners appeared to have “over-ruled the conclusion” of the council’s own environmental protection department who raised no objections in response to the application. 

“It is very difficult to appreciate how the planning authority came to its conclusion in the face of the noise consultant’s report, and the lack of objection from the Council’s own experts in Environmental Protection,” it added. “This may be due to pressure from the large number of representations received, some of who were objecting to the proposals, however, that is not a reason in itself to refuse a proposal.” 

The council was also accused of ‘unacceptable practice’ by refusing the plans without any advanced warning to the applicant “advising that it was deemed to be unacceptable, thus giving the appellant no opportunity to provide further information and resolve any concerns”. 

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service last year after the council’s refusal of his plans, Mr Umar said: “We find the outcome quite strange and bizarre. 

“We find it very worrying and quite shocking that two of the internal departments from the council did not object to it. The planning officer did object but did not have any technical grounds – it was just personal opinions. There was no technical information given.”

He said the conclusion reached by the local authority appeared to him as having been influenced by a prejudice toward the Muslim community. 

Allowing the appeal and giving the go-ahead, Government reporter Stephen Hall said any noise generated from the educational facility would be mostly drowned out by traffic from the nearby Calder Road dual carriageway. 

In a report, he wrote: “The assessment was considered by the council’s environmental protection team, which offered no objection. The assessment and the environmental protection response are the most authoritative pieces of evidence before me on this matter. 

“The school proposed in this instance is significantly smaller than a typical school and so would, I anticipate, be associated with relatively lower levels of noise, particularly from children playing. I therefore cannot accept that the likely levels of noise and activity associated with this small primary school are inappropriate for a residential area.” 

Addressing concerns over parking pressures being exacerbated, Mr Hall added it was anticipated less than half of pupils – around 44 per cent – would arrive by car. 

“By staggering the start times for different classes this is claimed to produce a maximum number of trips arriving at the school within a 15-30 minute period of around 15- 18 vehicles,” the report stated. 

It further said the number of cars accessing the school could be reduced through “encouraging car sharing, promoting safe drop-off points away from the immediate environs of the school, and coordinating a dedicated minibus service”. 

Mr Hall said: “It seems unlikely that the level of traffic generation would be such as to occasion tailbacks onto Calder Road or encourage a significant increase in drivers choosing to use the tortuous traffic-calmed route via Gaskell Street to access the school.”

Independent councillor for Sighthill/Gorgie Ross McKenzie said the decision “makes a mockery of The Scottish Government’s own planning policy”. 

He said: “The application was recommended for refusal by planning officers and was refused by committee because of the impact it will have on surrounding residential streets. 

“The applicant is clear that the school will attract people from all over Lothian and beyond, and it’s obvious that most of those people will be travelling by car. It’s difficult for me to look my constituents in the eyes after a decision like this – we are telling Edinburgh residents that they need to reduce car use and at the same time allowing a development that will introduce more external traffic onto their streets. 

“With no right of appeal for communities, there is nothing that can be done to stop this now. People in the area are angry, they feel ignored and they feel powerless. The planning system has failed them.”

by Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

Gracemount Mansion Development Trust has been given £167,340 to buy Gracemount Mansion in the south of Edinburgh in order to redevelop and reopen the asset as a community hub.

Eleven grants adding up to £1,833,622 have been given to Scottish communities in the latest round of awards by the Scottish Land Fund.

The fund backed by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership by the National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), reopened to applications in April 2021.

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, said: “Over one million people across Scotland now live in communities where assets have been acquired with funding from the Scottish Land Fund. This is a remarkable milestone and displays just how large an impact the Fund has had on communities across Scotland.

“Community ownership is an effective way to revitalise local areas and improve the lives of residents . The latest recipients are no exception and I know that their projects will bring countless benefits to their communities.

“I’d like to congratulate the groups involved and I look forward to seeing their projects, and their communities flourish as a result.”

Lindsay Aitken, Chair, Gracemount Mansion Development Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the Scottish Land Fund. The funds awarded will enable GMDT to purchase Gracemount House and surrounding grounds fromThe City of Edinburgh Council, as well as a significant contribution towards the essential works required to partially reopen Gracemount Mansion as a community hub in 2025. 

“With further funding, the full reopening of Gracemount House will bring back a much needed and desired facility and resource for the community and beyond. We must say a huge thanks to the Project team who have progressed the project, GMDT charity Trustees and Members, Friends of the Mansion, the local community, stakeholders, CEC, and of course to the SLF and National Lottery for the funding.”

The bonus handed to the boss of an Edinburgh Council-owned firm last year was the highest awarded by any UK local authority, it has been revealed. 

Marshall Dallas, chief executive of Edinburgh International Conference Centre, was paid £72,280 on top of his £158,711 salary – which sparked comment from some councillors. 

An annual ‘Town Hall Rich List’ has highlighted the payment as the biggest bonus given to any UK employee of a council or their arms-length companies. 

The second highest – awarded to Peter Duthie of Glasgow City Council’s Scottish Event Campus – was £39,220.

Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) – which is fully owned by the council but operates commercially as an arms-length company – said the £72,000 related to its new 350-bed hotel and hotel school being built at Haymarket as well as “the operating performance of the conference centre”.

Mr Dallas was questioned over his remuneration package, which is £37,000 more than the Chief Executive of Edinburgh Council, Andrew Kerr, at a meeting in November. 

He told councillors it wasn’t appropriate to comment on individual bonuses and the awards were “calculated based on what we’ve achieved as a company” and “nothing else”. 

Cllr Kate Campbell, SNP convener of the scrutiny committee, said the EICC “made a loss last year of just under £600,000” in 2022-23. 

She asked: “What is it that the board felt was so exceptional about performance that year that it merited a £72,000 bonus and actually an increase in pay of 46 per cent in that year when the EICC made, as we can see through accounts made a loss?”

Mr Dallas said the company “originally achieved a £700,000 profit” during the financial year, adding the loss was “down to book adjustments, not the performance of the company”.

Chair of EICC, Labour councillor Lezley Marion-Cameron, said: “I would remind colleagues the EICC is a limited company, it’s very different from the council and it’s proven highly successful over the years. And it’s delivering huge economic and other benefits for this city.”

However council leader and Labour group leader Cammy Day has said he did “not agree with bonuses like this in arms’ length companies”.

Commenting after Mr Dallas’ bonus was revealed in council accounts published last September, Cllr Day said: “As a council we have publicly discussed and strongly urge restraint amongst these companies with regard to bonuses. I will stress this to the board and have asked officers to look into this situation.”

Edinburgh East SNP MP Tommy Sheppard said: “This seems like an eye-watering sum and it is not a good look. You would think the council would be more aware of the perception of payments like this.”

The bonus was paid while in other areas of spending cuts were made to balance the authority’s books earlier in the year. For example £80million was cut from the council’s budget overall and the city’s health and social care services in 2023 was reduced by £33 million.

by Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

Mike Goldsmith, left, and Jim Hiddleston, from Rosslyn Rhinos, won the Open Pairs when Penicuik pétanque club held their open tournament. The event was held over two days and was sponsored by Wellbeing Essentials and Rab’s Cabs with assistance from the local rugby club.

A total of 112 players descended on Montgomery Park from as far afield as Fochabers and Troon as well as nearby Newtongrange.

Ten pistes were open for play in the annual season curtain-raiser despite challenging weather conditions in the build up.

Fochabers, represented by Robbie Stronach, Shirley Legge, Johnnie Wilson were rewarded for their journey south by retaining the triples trophy.

Dalry plans

A local engagement event will be held on Thursday 11 April at St Bride’s Centre focusing on the new proposals for Dalry which the public is now being consulted on. Cllr Scott Arthur commented these are intended to make the area greener, healthier and a more vibrant place to work, live and visit.

He said: “The plans for the town centre aim to create a more attractive place, and have been designed with community input to make it easier to access local shops, schools and services with wider pavements, better cycling provision and reduced bus journey times.

“Ideas include features to create better spaces to spend time, with trees and nature, planting, public art, and opportunities to rest.”

The plans for the town centre aim to create a more attractive place, and have been designed with community input to make it easier to access local shops, schools and services with wider pavements, better cycling provision and reduced bus journey times.

Ideas include features to create better spaces to spend time, with trees and nature, planting, public art, and opportunities to rest.

General Election 2024

It could happen any time until 28 January 2024, but candidates are being lined up for all the major parties and for all the constituencies in Scotland. If that is you then get in touch. If you are a voter then please do tell us the questions you would like to put to any candidates in your area.

You will find our coverage here.

editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk

Filmhouse fundraiser

The fundraising for the Reopening of The Filmhouse continues apace.

The target is £300,000 and the balance is quite small – in fact it is likely that with Gift Aid the target has been reached. But the Crowdfunder remains open for anyone to donate any last minute sums should you wish to.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/filmhouse-open-the-doors

With the recently announced UK Government funding the doors will reopen in the autumn.

Murrayfield Community Council meeting

The community council meets next week on 16 April at 7.45pm in Saughtonhall Community Centee 22 Saughtonhall Avenue.
Out of all the levels of political representation (who all have a standing invitation to these regular meetings only Cllr Alan Beal attended the last one on 5 March. Presumably community councils can begin to expect an influx of politicians and prospective politicians visiting them in the next few months.

From last month’s minutes (still in draft form) it appears that the council are paying for hanging baskets on Roseburn Terrace for the shops to hang outside. Also there has been a large puddle outside Dine for some time and this had not yet been resolved.

Much discussion took place over the Roseburn Path and the anticipated tram extension. It is notable that Cllr Beal said that in relation to the tram he had “no idea where the funding would come from”. In the past the Scottish Government were persuaded to fund some of the tram projects.

And there was discussion of the impending opening of the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) – which has now happened.

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A new development is being built in the heart of Musselburgh.

Set on the banks of the River Esk, The Wireworks, created by property developer Dundas, has announced the sale of its latest block of flats after selling out on the two previous releases.

The flagship site comes fitted with high spec one, two and three-bedroom apartments with the developer expecting high demand, with the new releases following the launch of the development’s show apartment earlier this year – which was fronted by leading Interior Designer Carol Yates.

Heading up the customer service operations at The Wireworks is Product Specialist, June Pernet. She has urged prospective buyers to seize their opportunity to purchase the in-demand flats.

June said: “We’ve always wanted to create a truly exceptional living experience at The Wireworks and the overwhelming demand we’ve witnessed for the previous two blocks is a testament to the superb quality of the homes our team has worked to deliver.

“It’s encouraging to see that homebuyers have responded so positively to the development and we’re delighted with the initial feedback from those who have bought homes, and we can’t wait to see this development turn into a vibrant community in the months to come.

“Initially, we’re seeing a strong response from the market to our homes, and we expect this next phase to generate a lot of interest among buyers.

“I’d urge anyone who is in the market and is interested to reach out to our team as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a fantastic opportunity to be part of an incredible development.”

The Wireworks currently has seven plots available in block three of the development, starting from £269,995.

Each apartment comes equipped with an ensuite and a balcony, as well as a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living room with top-of-the-range specifications.

Hive-controlled heating, contemporary kitchens with SMEG appliances, Porcelanosa bathroom tiling and hyperopic broadband are some of the high-specification features within the properties.

Dundas is also due to release its much hyped penthouses in Spring – believed to be the only homes of its type in East Lothian.

The Wireworks is a £35million redevelopment of the former Brunton Wireworks site in Musselburgh and will bring to market a range of high-spec one to three-bedroom apartments.

Designed by Michael Laird Architects, The Wireworks is inspired by the location’s industrial heritage, while the contemporary homes have been designed to be practical, light-filled, and spacious.

Dundas has a mission to create homes that make people feel great. Headquartered in Livingston and proudly Scottish, it has a track record of building well-designed homes that are higher spec than a vast majority of competitor properties.

The award-winning Scottish property developer’s main aim is to always make the buying process one that’s smooth and stress-free.

https://www.dundas.co.uk/developments/the-wireworks

Edinburgh Open Workshop – We are Open to Everyone

Join the makers at Edinburgh Open Workshop on Saturday 27 April as they throw open the doors and welcome families from across the city to a Family Fun Day.

Enjoy guided tours of the 17,000 square foot facility with demonstrations from resident makers on how to use specialist woodworking, welding and textile machinery. Try out taster sessions in screen printing and wood turning and make your own planter or laser cut sign to take away.

DIY enthusiasts can speak to our experts and ask their advice on any future home improvements or crafting projects, and we will provide a free cut-to-size service for smaller jobs that require specialist tools.

For those interested in learning a new skill or building on existing knowledge, our team will be on hand to discuss the various courses and workshops available, with the option to sign up if you find something you’d like to try.

Co-director Natasha Lee Walsh said: “This is our first ever Family Fun Day and, building on the success of our previous events, we can’t wait to welcome members of the public to the Edinburgh Open Workshop and show them what we do here.

“EOW provides professional makers, students and DIY enthusiasts with training, support and a flexible, fully equipped place to work. We are delighted to be opening our doors and inviting local residents to join our community of artists and crafting professionals, show off our amazing facilities and specialist equipment, and inspire visitors of all ages to try something new.”

When:

Saturday 27th April, 10am – 4pm

Where:

39-41 Assembly Street, Leith, EH6 7BQ

Tickets: Entry is free

Tours:

Group tours will start every hour on the hour leaving from the main entrance. Places do not need to be booked in advance.

Taster Sessions:

We will be offering drop-in taster sessions in planter-making, a cane weaving course and wood turning demonstration (aged 13+). Children are welcome to take part but must be accompanied by an adult. Spaces can either be booked in advance to guarantee your slot on 0131 555 6866 or just turn up on the day.

400 tonne roof installed on new Marchmont storm water tank

A major investment by Scottish Water to tackle sewer flooding in Marchmont has reached a key milestone.

The utility company has announced that the roof of the new storm tank was lowered into place in 41 sections by a 200 tonne crane over the course of a week last month.

Made up from reinforced concrete beams and slabs, the new roof weighs over 400 tonnes and covers the 15 metre wide by 20 metre deep tank.

With this key section of work complete, the next phase of the project is to finish installing larger sewer pipes in the local network and a new underground chamber that will divert storm flows into the new tank.

Once complete the area will be covered in soil and planted with grass and wildflower seeds.

The new storm tank will be able to hold around 3.5 million litres of storm water and will help reduce the risk of flooding to properties in the Marchmont area of Edinburgh.

Scott Fraser, Corporate Affairs Manager, said: “We are delighted that this impressive piece of engineering, key to help alleviating the internal and external sewer flooding in the area, has reached this major milestone.

“When you see the sheer scale of the storage tank you get an appreciation of the amount of storm water that will be held back from the local sewer network during periods of heavy rainfall.”

Paul Milligan, Communications Manager at Scottish Water’s alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance who are delivering the work said; “Our teams have worked tirelessly to deliver this major new piece of infrastructure that will benefit this historic part of Edinburgh for decades to come.

We would like to thank everyone for their continued patience and understanding while we work to complete this work.”

The project is estimated to be completed by Winter 2024.

www.scottishwater.co.uk/marchmont 

Tracy Gilbert is the Scottish Labour Candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith.

As the Scottish Regional Secretary for the trade union USDAW, she represents more than 37,000 retail and distribution workers in Scotland. An experienced campaigner she fights and wins for workers every day.

“I grew up in a mining town in Midlothian during the 80s, I saw how politics impacted on my family and our community. I thought things would never be that bad again, but I was wrong. That’s why I decided to stand for election as far too many people living in Edinburgh North and Leith are being left behind, and I want to deliver a better future for my community because we deserve better”.

Tracy, who lives in Leith, also has a wealth of experience in advocacy work in her current role but also from her previous work in housing and in various voluntary roles.

“Edinburgh is a wonderful city with thriving businesses and world class arts, hospitality and retail. However, Edinburgh is a tale of two cities. Every day I speak to people working hard to make ends meet, to pay the bills, to heat their homes, that’s if they can get a home to begin with. For far too many people work doesn’t pay and so many families are struggling”.

“A UK Labour Government will deliver the security our community needs. From delivering a New Deal for Working People, to sprinting to clean energy to provide climate leadership and cut energy bills. Only Labour is offering the change our area is crying out for.”

“I am proud to call Edinburgh North and Leith my home and it would be honour of my life to serve the people who live here, the businesses that invest here and the workers that support our community.”

Storm Kathleen

There was some storm damage in the city over the weekend, particularly on Saturday when a mature tree in the private gardens on Queen Street fell down.

Read more and see all the photos here.

Holyrood Art Club Exhibition 2024

The Annual Exhibition moves to a new venue for 2024 at the Edinburgh Photographic Society at 68 Great King Street. Members have produced up to two hundred paintings in different mediums, and you can expect a varied subject matter. Entry is free.

Open daily 10.00am to 5.45pm including Sunday. Closes 4.30pm on the final day, Saturday 20 April.

More details here.

Investment in play parks in the city

There are plans to improve the playground in Dumbiedykes and the council (through Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust) is currently running a consultation until 1 May to find out what local people would like the park to look like. You can find that here.

The Scottish Government began a five-year funding round in 2021 to improve access to premium play parks for children. This long term funding makes it possible for more renewal and refurbishment of parks in the city. Some, such as Montgomery Street Park have already been refurbished and other plans such as a skatepark in Burdiehouse Valley Park are yet to be done.

Funding of £122,000 has been awarded to the playground in Dumbiedykes, where designs have to be finalised. Play areas at Leith Links and Taylor Gardens have been added to the council’s investment programme along with Keddie Gardens and Tolbooth Wynd as part of the wider
Edinburgh Nature Network – Linking Leith parks projects. In addition a contract has been awarded for work to be carried out in the park at Princes Street Gardens where work was due to begin a short time ago to make the park ready for the summer holidays.

A total of £4.9m from The Scottish Government will be spent in Edinburgh on 189 areas which among them have more than 900 pieces of play equipment, and other monies can be sourced from Section 75 agreements which run alongside planning permission and become the liability of developers of particular areas.

New Town & Broughton Community Council meeting

The busy community council meets tonight.

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Serial trophy winner Dan Da Costa is returning to Carlton cricket club for 2024 in a move that will be of particular interest to the Scottish national selectors.

South African born Da Costa, 24, had an outstanding debut season at the Grange Loan club hitting 1047 runs in Eastern Premiership and Scottish Cup fixtures.

That meant winning the club’s annual batting prize as well as awards for six-hitting and wicket-keeping topped off by the “Players Player of the Season” for 2023.

According to the web-site of the professional cricketers’ agency World Sports Exchange Dan will “remain in Scotland long term to continue to qualify for the national side”.

On the subject of the Scotland team current internationalist Chris McBride, 24, will join Carlton from Dumfries.

All rounder McBride caught the eye by hitting 56 when Scotland chased down an Irish total of 286 in last year’s ODU World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

Carlton open their East Premiership campaign on Saturday 27 April at home to local rivals Watsonians.

Watsonians recently announced on X they had completed the signing of Afghanistan International all-rounder Noor Ali Zadran, an opening bat/ medium fast bowler.

Sam McGurk top scored with ten points but Stellar Monarchs Academy were beaten 56-34 at Leicester Cubs in the National Development League.

Scot Wilson, Monarchs’ team manager, said: “I could make excuses and say it was the first match of the season for most of our lads, whereas Leicester were already up and running in their season.

“That would be unfair to Leicester as they were simply better than us. They were faster out the starts and hungrier than us for the majority of the day.

“We never really got a foothold in the meeting and it was damage limitation by the midway point. Sam McGurk was our bright point, he kept us competitive, but he will need his team mates to give him a lot more support if we are to win matches.”

Wilson added: “It’s a good group of boys we have here though. They’ll regroup and look to put things right against Oxford a week on Friday at Armadale.”

Connor Coles but would probably be reasonably happy on his return from a bad injury at the end of last season, scoring seven points.

Leicester Lion Cubs (56): Joe Thompson 15+0, Vinnie Foord 4+1, Tom Spencer 7+1, Arran Butcher 4+0, Max James 7+2, Luke Crang 11+0, Sonny Springer 8+2

Edinburgh Monarchs Academy (34): Connor Coles 7+1, Mason Watson 3+1, Sam McGurk 10+0, Dayle Wood 4+0, Max Perry 6+0, Mark Parker 2+1, Kyran Lyden 2+1

Fife Flyers travel to Sheffield Steelers, the newly-crowned Elite League champions Sheffield Steelers, on Friday (19.00) in their ice hockey play-off quarter-final. The Kirkcaldy club then host the Yorkshire combine on Sunday (17.15).

The final night of the regular season saw Dundee Stars beat Fife 4-1 at Kirkcaldy but Flyers had already qualified after their 6-2 victory on Tayside on Saturday.

Stars won the opening session at The Fife Ice Arena 1-0 and the second 2-0 before Troy Lajeunesse scored from a penalty shot after 46 minutes but Brendan Harms completed the scoring with a goal less than two minutes from time for a 4-1 win.

Earlier, Ryan Valentini and an Anthony Rinaldi double put the visitors 3-0 ahead after 36min 47sec.

The rest of the quarter-finals are Cardiff Devils v Dundee Stars, Belfast Giants v Coventry Blaze and Manchester Storm against Guildford Flames.

Flyers finished in the eighth and final qualifying spot with 51 points, the same as Dundee Stars and one place behind Coventry Blaze following Sunday’s results.

Blaze edged Guildford 4-3, Glasgow Clan were whipped 8-5 at Braehead by Devils and Nottingham earned a 3-2 overtime win over Manchester Storm.

Clan finished bottom of the ten-strong league with 49 points from 54 games while Nottingham Panthers had 50 points and were ninth.

PICTURE: Fife against Sheffield earlier this season. Picture courtesy of the Elite League

A late St Johnstone goal from Tony Gallagher sent the visitors away with a 2-1 victory over Hibs in Leith.

Results elsewhere mean Hibs can still finish in the top half, but they must rely on Dundee dropping points in their remaining two fixtures.

With Hibs battling for top six and St Johnstone looking to avoid relegation the first half failed to live up to the occasion.

The game wasn’t helped by the blustery wind conditions that led to Edinburgh City’s game at the nearby Meadowbank stadium being called off after 24 minutes.

Hibs dominated possession early on but failed to turn it into any clear-cut chances, however, they did have a penalty claim within the opening 10 minutes.

Emiliano Marcondes went up to contest a header with Dimitar Mitov, who whilst attempting to punch the ball clear, made contact with the Hibs midfielder’s head.

Despite replays showing Mitov had failed to touch the ball, referee Grant Irvine waved away Hibs’ appeals, and no penalty was awarded.

A first half with only one shot on target was summed up late on when the strong wind comically sent a Marcondes effort from outside the box backwards and the sides went in on level terms.

Almost straight after half-time, the second half delivered what the first lacked and St Johnstone opened the scoring.

Adama Sidibeh found himself through on goal after a long ball forward and with all the time in the world, the striker calmly finished past David Marshall to open the scoring after 49 minutes.

Not long after Hibs had equalised, Nathan Moriah-Welsh broke well through the midfield, he played in Myziane Maolida out wide whose effort rebounded perfectly to Chris Cadden and the defender did well to finish through the defending bodies on the line.

The goal spurred Hibs on as they looked to take the lead, minutes after his goal, Cadden could have doubled his tally after a well worked corner routine, but his effort sailed over the bar.

The home side continued to push on, both an ambitious backheel flick from Adam Le-Fondre and a close range effort from Maolida were well kept out by Mitov who was brilliant in goals for St Johnstone throughout.

With 82 minutes on the clock and against the run of play, St Johnstone grabbed the winner with just their second shot of the game, Tony Gallagher, with his back to goal found a way to score past Marshall from a corner kick.

A Saints sucker punch looked to have all but ended any chance Hibs had of finishing in the top half of the table as boos swirled around Easter Road at full-time.

Only a comeback from two goals down by Motherwell at Dens Park keep Hibs top six ambitions alive, who will reflect on the disappointing loss as a missed opportunity to overtake Dundee heading into their final game of the season against Motherwell.

Nick Montgomery said: “It’s a game that we know that we needed to win. It was a game where we expected three points and everybody expected three points, but that’s football. It’s a cruel game.

We have 72% possession, and we lose to a team that has two shots on target. So that’s football at times, but we have to accept that. That’s not good enough.”

The home support let their feelings known after the full-time whistle, Montgomery said: “I can understand the frustration. I’m frustrated, the players are frustrated. It’s a game that we should have won, I feel, but we have to be better in both boxes and that’s what really let us down today.”

Hibs last game before the split is Motherwell away at Fir Park, which they must win if they are to have any chances of finishing in the top-six, but it is out of their hands as Dundee would need to lose their remaining games against Rangers and Aberdeen.

The Scottish men’s hockey cup will be coming back to Edinburgh as Grange and Watsonians will contest the final.

Grange came from 2-0 down with a treble-whammy in the final quarter to edge holders Western Wildcats 3-2 at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre in the second semi-final while Watsonians were also 1-0 behind to Kelburne but then hit six straight goals.

Fraser Moran scored early for Western after a reverse stick strike and near the end of a first quarter, which Grange initially dominated, Hamish Galt finished low with another reverse stick strike for 2-0.

Grange, the current men’s Premiership leaders, left their comeback late. Indeed, it was not until the final quarter that they opened their account, Joe Waterston providing the lifeline.

Waterston was on the mark again soon after to level and with three minutes remaining Aidan McQuade sent a drag flick into the net.

Martin Shepherdson, Grange’s team manager, said that Grange edged the play in terms of chances created in the second and third quarters and he added: “The fourth quarter saw a fightback by Grange with two volleyed, open play goals from Joe (Waterston) after 57 and 60 minutes.

“The game looked like it was heading for a shootout but Grange earned a short corner with three minutes to go and Aidan (McQuade) scored. Grange immediately pulled their goalkeeper but we held out for an excellent victory.

“As usual between these two teams, it was a high quality and hard-fought context.”

Earlier, in the first semi-final, a rebound was converted by Kelburne player Michael Nicol and it was not until mid-way through the second quarter that Daniel Cain levelled for the Edinburgh club.

That started a goal blitz and Andrew Campbell put Watsonians ahead 2-1 before Max Johnstone fired home from a penalty corner. His goal was followed by another from Scottish international Duncan Riddell who netted from close in and Owen Hunter made it 5-1 before Tom Swarbrick deflected home to complete the scoring. 

PICTURE: Joe Waterston (white shirt) in a recent men’s Premiership clash at Fettes against Western Wildcats. Picture by Nigel Duncan

Emily Dark netted a double as Watsonians won their third straight women’s Premiership title at wind-swept Tipperlin with a comfortable victory over Western Wildcats.

The Edinburgh combine secured an early lead but the Auchenhowie squad hit back only for Watsonians to secure their second within two minutes and regain control of the game.

Keith Smith, their coach, said they did what they had to do to earn a 3-1 victory and he declared: “There is more on the horizon.”

The playcaller eyes victory in the Scottish Cup and also the play-offs and the league triumph was, he said, reward for a lot of hard work by the dedicated squad over a long winter.

Watsonians have also had the distraction in the second-half of the season of competing in European indoor and outdoor competitions but Smith said: “We do dominated the game (against Western).

“Yes, we could have been more clinical, but we always felt confident we would win and winning three titles in a row is a great achievement.”

He added: “Our squad handles pressure pretty well and scoring within two minutes of Western was a really good response.

“Now we have a cup semi-final and the play-offs ahead of us so the work does not stop here, but the attitude of the squad is first class and they have been rewarded with another title.”

For the record, Dark opened the scoring but Katherine Holdgate saw her penalty strike saved before Emma McDairmid levelled for the visitors.

Mairi Drummond fired home low into the bottom left-hand corner while lying on the ground then, later on, Dark completed the scoring with a thunderous penalty corner strike high into the net giving the Western goalkeeper no chance.

Meanwhile, it was a double celebration for Watsonians as their men strolled into the final of the Scottish Cup by thrashing Kelburne 6-1 at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre.

And a 3-2 victory by Grange over defending Scottish Cup holders Western Wildcats at the same venue sets up an all Edinburgh final.

PICTURE: the victorious Watsonians women’s squad celebrate their title win at George Watson’s College. Picture by Nigel Duncan

WATCHING BRIEF: Keith Smith (left), Watsonians women’s coach, and his assistant David Knipe in the dugout at Tipperlin. All pictures by Nigel Duncan

An important early oil painting by the late East Lothian artist John Bellany has fetched more than £36,000 at auction in Glasgow.

The Players was completed in 1967 when Bellany, from Port Seton, attended the Royal College of Art in London.

Considered a pivotal piece by Bellany, it featured the acclaimed artist alongside a long-haired companion, playing musical instruments.

The 1.83m x 1.61m oil painting on board was the Highlight of McTear’s Scottish Contemporary Art Auction, where it was sold to a collector for £36,840.

Magda Ketterer, McTear’s Director, said demand for work by the artist, who died in 2013, has never been higher.

She added: “These early pieces are amongst Bellany’s finest.”

Fife Flyers’ head coach Tom Coolin celebrated claiming an Elite League play-off spot with a 6-2 win at arch rivals Dundee Stars and declared: “We did what we needed to do.”

Kyle Osterberg claimed a glory treble in the welcome win and Flyers’ No 1 goaltender, Shane Owen (pictured), was outstanding and the result leaves the Tayside team scrambling for a slot in the top eight which guarantees a play-off position.

As it stands Fife are sixth with 51 points with one game remaining at The Fife Ice Arena on Sunday (17.15) against Stars.

Coventry Blaze are seventh with 50 points from 53 games with Stars on 49 points with one game remaining.

Below them and currently out of the play-offs are Glasgow Clan in ninth spot with 49 points from their 53 games with bottom-markers Nottingham Panthers on 48 points from their 53 starts.

Sunday’s fixtures see Clan hosting Cardiff (17.00), Coventry entertaining Guildford Flames (17.30) and Nottingham at home to Manchester Storm (16.00).

On Saturday, at the Dundee Ice Arena, the sides were locked at 1-1 after the first session but Flyers won the middle period 3-1 and closed out the game with a 2-0 third-period scoreline.

Disappointed Stars head coach and director of hockey, Mark LeFebvre, whose men outshot Flyers 62 to 36 according to official figures posted on the Elite League website, said: “It is all to play for (at Kirkcaldy). It is one game, that’s all. For whatever reason, we opened ourselves up and played run-and-gun and did not play simple hockey (in Dundee).

“We played right into their hands. We played the way they wanted to play. They play open style hockey, a lot of run-and-gun and getting in behind and we know that but we decided to play that way.

“We had some opportunities at their end we did not capitalise on so it was not a lack of chances in front of their net. We have to go there and play. 

“We were very perimeter (at Dundee) and we have to go into dirty areas to score goals. They did that and they capitalised on our mistakes.

“You can’t give guys like Osterberg, who is their best player, chance upon chance off the rush and he scored a hat-trick.”

LeFebvre said: “It is all to play for. It is a tough building but we have won their twice this season.”

The wins have come, he said, by playing the right way, playing simple hockey. It is our last chance. We have to win just one hockey game. I have every confidence in the guys to get it done.”

Delighted Coolen said: “I thought we were able to turn some pucks over and we took advantage of a power play which was a big goal for us. We played pretty well.

“I don’t know if the shots on the board are correct as I thought we had more than our fair share of shots but all in all we did what we had to do. We scored when we needed to and we only gave up two.

“I am pretty happy with the effort and Shane Owen did a great job in the net and all in all it was a big win for our team.” 

Chris Harris feels there are promising signs despite Glasgow Tigers’ 48-42 defeat at Berwick Jewson Bandits in the BSN Series. 

Tigers’ rider Lee Complin was ruled out from the meeting after being deemed ineligible to race by the referee and that meant Glasgow, sponsored by Allied Vehicles, had to track with only six riders. 

Berwick took advantage and powered to an early six-point lead, but Tigers fought back and the meeting was level at 33-33 after Heat 11.

Outstanding Harris, who collected 15 points from six rides, said: “It was tough to start the meeting losing Lee Complin the way we did. We battled hard, but it wasn’t quite good enough on the night.” 

Harris is a former Berwick racer and knows the track well. He said: “It’s a tough track to come to and you can’t be afraid to attack it.” 

The veteran rider added: “There were promising signs (for Glasgow). It was tough to lose our winning streak here but that was always going to happen one day.

“But there’s lots of potential. Young James Pearson had a couple of good rides and the same for Ace Pijper. There’s a few teething problems but we can iron them out before next week.”

For the record, Tigers are next in action for the first home meeting of the season on Friday against Edinburgh, also in the BSN Series. 

Berwick 48: Lewis Kerr 13+1, Rory Schlein 8, Jye Etheridge 7, Bastian Borke 6+1, Drew Kemp 6+1, Danyon Hume 6, Freddy Hodder 2+1.

Tigers 42: Chris Harris 15, Leon Flint 8+1, Steve Worrall 6+1, Paul Starke 5+1, James Pearson 4+1, Ace Pijper 4.

PICTURE: Leon Flint, a former Berwick rider, leading Heat 10 on Saturday at Berwick. Picture by Taylor Lanning

Britain’s Speedway Control Board have issued a statement after Glasgow Tigers’ rider, Lee Complin, was withdrawn from the Berwick Bandits v Glasgow Tigers BSN Series qualifier in the Borders on Saturday.

The statement reads: “At the Berwick v Glasgow BSN fixture on Saturday 6th April 2024, four riders, two from each team, had been randomly selected for an Anti Doping test.

“Glasgow rider Lee Complin was one of the four riders selected and, unfortunately, Mr Complin’s test had comeback as a non–negative result, therefore has been excluded from the event.

“The sample test will now be sent to the laboratory for further analysis. Mr Complin’s SCB Registration will be suspended until the results have been confirmed from the laboratory.”

A rare surviving complete copy of the first lavishly illustrated encyclopedia of the Scottish clans, dedicated to Queen Victoria, has fetched more than £1,000 at auction.

James Logan’s The Clans of the Scottish Highlands was published in London in 1845 to commemorate the centenary of the last Jacobite uprising.

Scottish actor-turned artist R.R. McIan produced 72 images of clansmen for the book, in two large volumes, which is now regarded as the most complete record of Highland dress of the day.

Dedicated to Queen Victoria with her consent, the book, which was available only on subscription, fed a romanticised vision of Scotland created by the work of Sir Walter Scott.

It may even have helped inspire Prince Albert to buy Balmoral Castle in 1852 after its previous owner, Sir Robert Gordon, died.

The rare complete first edition went under the hammer at Bonhams in Edinburgh, where it was sold to a private collector for £1,088.

Gordon McFarlan, director, Bonhams Edinburgh, said “Logan and McIan’s work was published a century after the Jacobite rising, at a time when Sir Walter Scott had revived interest in Scotland and the Highlands.

“It was produced in two volumes, which would have been found in the grand country houses and libraries of the aristocracy.

“Inside, the list of subscribers includes the Queen and Prince Albert. There is every reason to think they took a great interest in it, and it may well have helped to inspire the purchase of Balmoral.

“Historically, a lot of these grand volumes would have been broken up and individual plates framed and hung on the wall so it is even rarer to find a complete first edition like this.”

The Clans of the Scottish Highlands emerged at a time when Sir Walter Scott had helped create a romantic view of Scotland. After King George IV’s historic visit in 1822 – stage managed by Scott – tartan became almost instantly popular.

Scots scholar James Logan described the Highland dress as “undeniably the most picturesque and original costume in Europe”.

Robert Ronald McIan, who left Scotland in his late teens to become an actor in London, gained a reputation for playing Highlanders on the stage but gave up acting to paint.  He is said to have employed actor friends to model for his clan pictures.

BSN Series: Berwick Jewson Bandits 48, Glasgow Allied Vehicles Tigers 42

Berwick Bandits snapped a 13-match losing run to Glasgow Tigers with a confidence-boosting 48-42 victory in a BSN Series qualifier inspired by No 1 Lewi Kerr who led from the front with 13 points.

Bandits also scored solidly throughout and the result maintained the Borders club’s unbeaten start to 2024.

Kerr (pictured by Taz McDougall) set the tone with a tapes to flag victory over Glasgow’s former GP star, Chris Harris, in the opening heat of the BSN Series qualifier.

Freddy Hodder and Bastian Borke won Heat Two 5-1 but the home side was brought down to earth as former Bandits Paul Starke and Leon Flint showed they still know the fastest way around Shielfield Park.

Steve Worrall kept Berwick skipper Rory Schlein at bay and former Bandit Ace Pijper pipped Borke for third place to level the scores.

Danyon Hume ended a string of drawn heats by roaring under James Pearson and with Borke comfortably third Berwick were in front again.

Harris created an opening for Pearson to join him for a match-levelling 5-1 in Heat 11 and Berwick fans began to get an unpleasant feeling of impending déjà vu.

Jye Etheridge and Borke, however, powered from the gate in Heat 12 while Kerr and Schlein roared clear in crucial Heat 13, Harris producing a cutback to pass the Australian but Kerr was off into the distance and Berwick fans began to believe.

Tigers’ boss Cami Brown named skipper Harris, a former Berwick rider, as a tactical sub in Heat 14 and the Cornishman obliged with a comfortable win.

Behind him, Kemp tucked in for second place but the real action was at the back as Borke put real pressure on Starke and was just half a wheel from catching him at the flag.

Kerr settled any nerves the home fans may have had by passing Harris to win the final heat and Edinburgh are next at Shielfield before Bandits take to the road in the remaining BSN qualifiers.

Bandits: Lewis Kerr 13+1, Danyon Hume 6, Jye Etheridge 7, Drew Kemp 6+1, Rory Schlein 8, Freddy Hodder 2+1, Bastian Borke 6+1

Tigers: Chris Harris 15, James Pearson 4+1, Leon Flint 8+2, Paul Starke 5+1, Steve Worrall 6+1, Lee Complin withdrawn, Ace Pijper 4

Coach Tom Coolen has no injury concerns as Fife Flyers square-up to arch rivals Dundee Stars on Tayside on Saturday (19.00) and at Kirkcaldy on Sunday (17.15) with an Elite League play-off spot on the line.

The experienced coach (pictured courtesy of the Elite League) said: “They (Dundee) are a very competitive team, they work hard, and then can score goals. We will have to be at our best to match that.”

Sound defence and capitalising on chances will be keys to the outcome according to Coolen who said: “Two wins and we are 100 per cent in the play-offs.”

The Canadian believes his men have played good hockey in the last month, hockey which sees them sitting in seventh spot in the ten-strong table, but they are one of five teams in the play-off mix along with sixth-placed Dundee and Glasgow Clan who occupy the eighth and final play-off slot.

Coolen added: “If we play at the level we have been in March then we give ourselves a chance of being in the play-offs, however, the season comes down to 120 minutes of ice hockey.

“Five teams are battling for three play-off spots and we have 49 points. Dundee and Glasgow also have 49 points but Coventry have 48 and Nottingham 46. I’d rather be on 49 points than 48 or 46.

“Our focus is on the game in Dundee. Win that and we will see where that takes us ahead of Sunday.”

Hearts collected three valuable points to move onto 59 and consolidate third place in the cinch Premiership with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over battling St Mirren at Paisley.

Fifth-placed Saints were 2-0 down but scored late on to put pressure on the Gorgie men but the visitors held out to stay 11 points ahead of Kilmarnock who are fourth. They edged Ross County 1-0 at Rugby Park.    

Earlier, travelling fans had a shock when skipper Lawrence Shankland was not named on the team sheet, and Hearts’ head coach, Steven Naismith, explained that the Scotland striker had been ill.

Beni Baningime, who has ill in midweek, was another omission but Hearts threatened early on and Cammy Devlin had a chance from a free-kick but sliced his effort from 25 yards well wide of the Saints goal.

The home side, with the wind behind them, made it tough for Hearts who failed to find their rhythm but the visitors kept working and were awarded a penalty for handball on the half-hour mark after a VAR check.

Up stepped Jorge Grant who slotted home and the scoreline stayed the same until the break.

Toby Sibbick replaced Stephen Kingsley as Hearts made a change at half-time and Kenneth Vargas poked an effort wide from the edge of the box.

St Mirren upped the pressure and Hearts’ goalkeeper Zander Clark saved at the back post following a corner. 

The Jambos made another change, Aidan Denholm replacing 18-year-old Macaulay Tait as The Buddies continued to push for an equaliser and Clark was again involved, palming the ball away.

After 63 minutes the Men in Maroon doubled their lead when Alex Cochrane sent over a corner with the wind assisting and Mikael Mandron was credited with an own goal as the ball nestled in the net.

The Buddies recovered and five minutes later the home side were back in the game and it came from a breakaway. It ended with Toyosi Olusanya sending the ball behind Clark to open Saints account and set up a tense finish.

That signalled more changes from the Jambos as Nathaniel Atkinson and Barrie McKay were introduced with Alan Forrest and Dexter Lembikisa departing.

Then Hearts had a massive chance when Devlin robbed Alex Gogic and tried to find Vargas but the ball was scrambled away. 

And the visitors survived a VAR check on a possible penalty before sending on Scott Fraser for Grant. Six minutes of added time were confirmed and Hearts survived to claim only their second win in six league games.

PICTURE: Jorge Grant playing the pain game earlier this season.

An event was held by the organisation Let Women Speak at The Mound Plaza earlier on Saturday.

The organisers explain that their movement aspires to foster a community in which all women feel empowered to speak.  “We achieve this through our free speech events, they are free to attend.  We are so proud that women across the world are using the #LetWomenSpeak hashtag as a rallying cry.”

As expected protesters countered the message of the rally with one of their own on their home-made placards. Look for #LetWomenSpeakEdinburgh on Twitter.

Storm Kathleen with winds of up to 70 mph has hit the city centre in Edinburgh with a mature tree in the private gardens on Queen Street being blown down over the road.

After a lengthy nine-month stint on the sidelines, right-back Chris Cadden has made his return to the Hibs first team.

The 27-year-old suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon on the final day of last season against Hearts at Tynecastle, and as a result, had to go through a lengthy rehabilitation process.

Ever the professional, Cadden worked relentlessly off the pitch and finally returned in the Scottish Cup tie away to Inverness in February.

An occasional cameo off the bench followed that, including a standing ovation from the home crowd in his first game back at Easter Road against Ross County.

Then, after an injury to Lewis Miller, head coach Nick Montgomery handed Cadden his first start since his return in one of Hibs’ biggest games of the season, the quarter-final with Rangers.

Hibs lost the game 2-0 after being reduced to nine men, and Cadden played the duration of the action-packed 90 minutes, looking back to his best with his trademark bombing runs down the right flank.

Cadden said: “For me personally, it was great to be back out there. It’s been a long, long journey, just over nine months.

Despite the occasional substitute appearance, the former Scotland international always had his return to the starting eleven as a target he said: “I didn’t think it would go that long.

But no, it was great. The first start was the milestone. I think that was the milestone I thought I would be truly back.

“I know I came on a couple of times, but I always say my first start is the real one, that I’ll be back. It didn’t end the way I wanted it to. But no, personally it was good to get back out there.

“I’ve just been working really hard, so hopefully the hard work pays off. It was a pretty hectic game to get thrown into as well. Aye, it was madness to be honest, it was madness.”

A concerning moment during the game was fan favourite, Martin Boyle, getting stretchered off the pitch after a nasty clash with Rangers defender John Souttar.

Boyle was rushed to hospital and after undergoing tests was released the next day, suffering from a concussion.

The Australian international was then unable to play until he displayed at least six days of concussion-free symptoms.

Hibs will hope that Cadden and Boyle can reconcile their right-wing relationship soon enough, as they approach three crucial games ahead of the Scottish Premiership split.

Fuelled by personal encouragement from three times F1 champion Max Verstappen 16-year-old Trinity Academy student Rachel Robertson is revving up to take the traditionally male world of go-karting by storm.

Rachel, who began racing go karts competitively just over 18 months ago, has made such rapid progress that on 21 April, at the PF International Circuit, Lincoln, she will contest her first British Championship race in the Senior Rotax class.

That will mean crossing swords with fellow competitors who have been behind the wheel for up to 10 years but Rachel is unfazed.

She says: “I’ll be one of the only girls and I’ll be racing against some incredible drivers but I know I’m fast enough to compete near the front.
“I know I’m going to keep getting better and I’d love to progress to race professionally at the highest level.

It is an indication of her talent and swift progress that Rachel was identified as part of a group invited to meet Verstappen at a collaboration between Red Bull and Honda Europe.

Dad Colin explains: “The call came out of the blue and I was asked if Rachel was ok to come down to Formula Fast Karting, Milton Keynes, and help Red Bull Honda Europe tell the story of how things start for many drivers.”

British world champion Lewis Hamilton started in go karting and coincidentally has hailed Larkhall, where Rachel races, as his favourite track.

“A non disclosure contract was initially involved and when Rachel arrived Max Verstappen was there to offer words of encouragement.”

Now Rachel has hopes reinforced that she might follow in the tyre tracks of fellow Scot Susie Wolff, from Oban, who progressed from karting to Formula 3 and is now managing director of the F1 academy.

But how did this remarkable journey start for Rachel?

“I always loved scooters, bikes and driving games growing up and when I was aged 8 I remember asking my dad to take me go-karting. He took me to a place called Race Land near Tranent which was great but after I went a few times it shut down and we didn’t find anywhere else.

“When I turned 14, I asked my dad to take me again. This time we went to Xtreme Karting at Newbridge. I loved it. The team there said I should try outdoor rental karts at Larkhall and, after a few months, I was winning competitions against drivers much older and experienced than me. 

“The next big jump was to get my own kart and start racing in the owner kart competitions in Scotland. My dad and I didn’t really know what we were doing at first but we learned quite fast and joined a team, LM Motorsport.

“I started podiuming in some of the Scottish races after only a few races so we made a decision to start competing at a UK level. I joined an English team, Guy Cunnington Racing, and, less than a year after I got my own kart, I competed in the British Kart Championships against some of the best drivers in the world my age.”

One of these opponents was Thomas Bearman, younger brother of Oliver, the 18-year-old who debuted for Ferrari in the recent Saudi Arabian grand prix and finished seventh.

Colin Robertson is well aware of the pitfalls to be overcome, not least financial, but this Edinburgh accountant has willingly joined in the quest by serving as mechanic, driver, etc.

“It shouldn’t be possible for Rachel to compete as well as she does after such a short space of time and she is getting better all the time in trying to create awareness and attract sponsorship because it is an expensive sport.

“A new kart can cost around £4000 with the engine about £2500” says Colin who has had to invest in a van and adds:

“Tyres are also expensive – about £200 – and on occasions we have had to practice with used tyres which can take a few 10ths of a second off lap times whereas wealthier rivals are much better placed with budgets that can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“However, before taking the plunge there were plenty of assurances from experienced people in go karting that Rachel was exceptionally quick from the start so she is giving it a go with a back-up plan in place.”

If a professional career doesn’t follow then a job as a mechanic holds appeal to the extent of undertaking work experience last month with local garage Doig Motor Engineers, Leith, where she impressed owner Robert Doig, who says:

“It’s been great being able to support Rachel on her motorsport journey. She’s obviously a very talented driver but we’ve been really impressed at her mechanic-ing skills while she’s been with us for work experience. She picks things up so quickly and I’m sure she could be a top mechanic as well if she wants to be.”