Edinburgh based Emma Guthrie, who is Girlguiding’s International Commissioner, is running the TCS London Marathon to raise funds for the charity in May.

She has been involved with the charity for 25 years and hopes to inspire girls to know that they can do anything. Her fundraising will help more girls to access the opportunities that Girlguiding provides.

Emma is one of ten volunteers who will run on behalf of Girlguiding, and has been training while volunteering and working full-time.

She aims to raise around £2,000 and has already reached £600. Anyone can donate here.

Emma said: “I am really excited and proud to run the London Marathon for Girlguiding. Girlguiding has given me a space to challenge myself, learn and grow in a place where I feel supported and empowered. It has given me so much and I’m delighted to be able to give something back.

“Over my 25 years in guiding I have visited new places, made new friends, pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and learnt new things about myself and the world. It’s because of guiding that I can take on challenges and push myself to achieve things I never thought possible.

“Now my role as Assistant Chief Guide has come to an end, there was no better final challenge to finish my term than running the London marathon for the charity I hold close to my heart.”

She joined as a Brownie and has been involved with the organisation since 2007, becoming a Ranger unit leader in Edinburgh, Assistant Chief Guide and now her current ambassadorial role.

Catriona a Ranger Leader in Emma’s unit she leads in Edinburgh, said: “We’re all so proud of Emma running the marathon. She is a fantastic leader and has our team in awe at all she has achieved. She is always fun, considerate, caring and empowering to all girls of our unit, and helps us to demonstrate that our members can do anything they set their minds to.”

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has promoted five Scottish-based lawyers to its partnership, boosting its sector-focused professional services capabilities.

Taking effect as of 1 May, the firm’s 25 new partners are based across the firm’s network, with 14 in the UK, five promoted in Asia Pacific and six across EMEA, bringing the total number of partners to 480.

The firm has also promoted two new partners in the firm’s professional services practice group Vario, while Glasgow-based Susannah Donaldson, (main image) the firm’s co-head of its Equality Law group, has been promoted to partner as the firm continues to embed its support for clients in their diversity and inclusion journey.

Stacy Keen, a specialist in financial crime,  investigations and compliance, along with Glasgow colleagues Ross McDowall and Lesley-Anne Todd, have also been made partners. Ross is dual qualified in Scotland and England and Wales and advises on all aspects of environmental, planning, and property law, while Lesley-Anne, also dual qualified, has a wide range of commercial real estate experience with a background in development and investment acquisition, asset management and disposals. Edinburgh based banking lawyer, Howat Duncan, completed the quintet of new Scottish partners.

The firm have also promoted three Scottish senior associates to Legal Director – Michael Duffy (energy and infrastructure); Jennifer Oliver (projects and construction); and Elaine McLean (EU and Competition).

Katharine Hardie, Chair of Pinsent Masons Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “Each promotion is well deserved and adds to our strength in being able to offer clients in Scotland, and those engaged in wider international jurisdictions and transactions, the very best of legal talent and wide-ranging experience.”

Senior partner at Pinsent Masons, Andrew Masraf, said: “I am incredibly proud of all of our new partners taking the next step in their careers as we recognise the tremendous talent that will help shape the future of our business.

“This year’s partner promotions show our commitment to invest across our sectors, our diverse skill sets, our priority investment areas and our locations enhancing our partner capability, capacity and expertise.”

Pinsent Masons employs more than 600 lawyers, professional services and support staff in Scotland in their Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen offices.

Authentic looking Roman soldiers will bring a sense of danger to the annual Passion Play which will be performed in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens West this Saturday.

Soldiers of the Antonine Guard, one of Scotland’s leading living history societies, will perform the roles of Roman soldiers in the Edinburgh Easter Play, using authentic costumes and weaponry to bring the threat of Roman occupation to life. 

They will join a cast of more than 100 people of all ages and backgrounds who will create the play which is performed in front of the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Director Suzanne Lofthus said: “It’s easy to forget that the events of the first Easter took place in an occupied nation. The Roman occupation was brutal and violent. Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross.

“The Antonine Guard have brought a new sense of threat into the play and look magnificent in their Roman costumes and armour. It will truly feel that we are in an occupied nation – sadly something we still understand in the world today.”

The Easter Play team has staged a new version of the story in Princes Street Gardens every year since 2005, attracting crowds of up to 3,000 people.

The Antonine Guard was founded in 1996 to promote awareness of Scotland’s Roman heritage, and has taken part in events across the UK and overseas bringing history of life.

John Richardson, one of the founders of The Antonine Guard, said: “This is a great opportunity to bring history alive to the audience who may not be familiar either with the story or with the Romans. 

“Although crucifixion was a ghastly deed, the actual Roman soldier was doing just what he had been ordered to do by the State, and we can see this approach even today around the world.”

The traditional Passion Play has a twist, however: the part of the Narrator, traditionally played by a man, is being played by Alison Parkinson, in the role of Mary Magdalene. 

Parkinson said: “In our version, she is a female disciple, right up there and part of the action. The historical research I’ve done suggests this is quite correct, there were women who followed and supported Jesus’ ministry.

“I hope that having the story narrated by a woman will give a different perspective, and show people that there is a story there for women too.” 

The first Easter Play was performed in Princes Street Gardens in 2005. Past productions have included a series of monologues by characters on the fringes of the story and a hard-hitting contemporary production set in a near-future Scotland.

In 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions prevented a live performance, the play was redeveloped as an audio play and a series of short films, Scenes from the Passion, made under lockdown conditions, which were watched by 5,000 people online.

The 2022 play, Hope Rises, which imagined the story being told by a group of refugees, was one of the first outdoor performances in Edinburgh city centre as restrictions lifted.

The Edinburgh Easter Play is a production of Cutting Edge Theatre. Cutting Edge, which offers training in performing arts for disabled people through its INSPIRE programme, is making this year’s production the most inclusive to date with integrated BSL interpretation and audio description.

Law firm Balfour+Manson with offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen have appointed Graeme Thomson to be Head of their Private Client department from today.

Mr Thomson has been a partner in the department since January 2021 and will now have a strengthened team with Greg Lawson, Senior Associate, and Secretary Barbara Stephen who take up their roles in Aberdeen. He will replace Shona Brown who will continue to work in the same department as Partner.

Mr Thomson recently graduated from Open University with a first class honours degree in Mathematics.

Elaine Motion, Executive Chairman of Balfour+Manson, said: “Graeme is a great lawyer and an excellent leader and we are delighted that he is taking on this new role. It is vital that we constantly refresh our senior team to ensure we continue to deliver the exceptional client service we are renowned for, in an ever-changing and challenging business world.”

The appointment follows the recent arrivals of Scott Foster as Chief Operating Officer and Simon Mayberry as Head of Employment.

Mr Thomson qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and moved to Balfour+Manson in 2018 after heading up the private client team at a small family-run law firm.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to leading an excellent private client team and ensuring our clients continue to receive the very best personalised service from Balfour+Manson.”

Amy McKay has been promoted to Senior Associate in the Private Client team and Debbie Fisher who joined as a trainee in February will qualify in May.

Josh Pickering makes his debut as captain of Edinburgh Monarchs when arch rivals Glasgow Tigers visit Armadale in the BSN Series on Friday (tapes-up 7.30pm).

The popular Aussie is entering his seventh year with the club and should slip easily into the role. He backed up last year’s skipper Sam Masters and supported the team in any way he could last summer and he said: “Nothing will really change, I’ll just continue being me.”

The 26-year-old (pictured) added: “We are a team and everybody will be helping each other and keeping that good atmosphere.”

The club, backed by title sponsors, Edinburgh-based tech firm, Stellar Omada, also track Kyle Bickley, Jacob Hook, Kye Thomson, Lasse Fredriksen, Paco Castagna and former skipper Craig Cook.

Glasgow track Ace Pijper, son of former Monarchs skipper, Theo Pijper, Lee Complin, Marcin Novack, Tom Brennan, Benjamin Basso, former Monarchs rider, Claus Vissing, and 40-year-old, Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris, a former Rider of the Year at Berwick Bandits, in their line-up.

Elsewhere, Birmingham Brummies have named ex-Monarch, Justin Sedgmen, as their club captain for the new Cab Direct Championship season. The Aussie enjoyed a successful campaign with the Midland club last year after joining in May.

So, a reminder that tapes go up on Monarchs season at Armadale in West Lothian at 7.30pm on Friday.

This evening’s Science Festival event was to be a discussion between the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and Patricia Espinosa the Ambassador of Mexico to Germany.

Now Ms Sturgeon has cancelled her appearance in light of recent events.

MSP Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, has stepped in to speak about the country’s efforts to deal with a climate emergency.

Following the announcement that Nicola Sturgeon will no longer be attending A Climate of Change, a spokesperson for Nicola Sturgeon said: “In order to keep the focus of this event on the critical issue of the climate emergency and Ambassador Patricia Espinosa’s contribution, Nicola Sturgeon has made the decision not to participate this evening.

“She is grateful to the Festival and Ambassador Espinosa for their understanding, and to Màiri McAllan for taking her place.”

Tickets are still available here.

Peter Murrell arrested

Police Scotland confirmed last night that 58-year-old Peter Murrell was released by them at 6.57pm without charge. He had been in police custody for around twelve hours. A report will be sent to the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal.

A spokesperson for Ms Sturgeon said on Wednesday that she had “no prior knowledge” of any action which might be taken by Police Scotland.

The spokesperson also said: “Ms Sturgeon will fully cooperate with Police Scotland if required, however at this time no such request has been made.”

The story began early on Wednesday morning when the police arrived at the couple’s Uddingston home to arrest the former SNP Chief Executive Officer in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the SNP. Mr Murrell stepped down on 18 March from his position after it was discovered that the number of members had fallen from the party’s official statements made to media.

Searches were conducted at a number of addresses, including the SNP HQ in Jackson’s Entry, just off the Royal Mile.

North Bridge reopens to two way traffic

North Bridge will reopen to two way traffic on 21 April. It has been closed to northbound traffic since November 2021 as part of the deck was demolished and replaced, waterproofed and resurfaced. This is all part of the North Bridge Refurbishment Project which is costing more than four times the original estimate of £20 million and will be delivered late partly due to the pandemic and partly due to the work involving much more than originally thought.

Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Scott Arthur, said: “The reopening of North Bridge to two-way traffic will be great news to many and I’d like to thank all those who live in and travel through the area for their patience while this essential work was carried out. In particular, I would like to thank the local business community and bus passengers for their patience.

“So much of what happens in the North Bridge Refurbishment Project goes unseen, but it’s a huge, complex scheme involving intricate, specialist skills and significant repairs to decades-old infrastructure.

“The partial closure of the bridge to traffic has allowed the team to carry out crucial work to restore and reinforce the deck for future generations. I look forward to seeing the project unfold further as the bridge’s façade is revived to its former glory.

“North Bridge was constructed by Sir William Arrol after he completed both the Forth Bridge and Tower Bridge, and this work should ensure it maintains the same iconic status.”

Lothian Buses will reintroduce northbound services shortly after the reopening of North Bridge. For the most up to date travel information visit the Lothian Buses website.

Easter egg trails at Newhailes

Find an Easter egg on a trail anytime between Friday and Easter Monday at Newhailes House & Gardens near Musselburgh. Booking advised.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/easter-egg-trails-at-newhailes-2023-tickets-521221657007?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

At Dynamic Earth

Tonight and tomorrow there will be a show for over fives at the Planetarium at Dynamic Earth. The show lasts for 45 minutes from 7.30 and tickets are £12/£10.

Don’t Panic is a show to prove that there is a lot of cause for optimism depute anxiety around climate change.

More details here.

Take out a newspaper subscription

The April issue of our paper is out now. It is at the usual stockists, but if you would like to subscribe to ensure you get your own copy, then subscribe before 10 April and we will mail you the April issue.

Our newspaper includes many stories that may or may not be included on our website, but they are always presented a little differently. You will see some terrific photos in our middle page spread this month.

Sign up here. Our subscribers help us to keep the rest of our news free to access (and we love them a little bit more…)

Edinburgh resident Lach (pronounced “Latch”) is a bona fide music legend, who has turned his hand to writing now with his first novel, Langdimania, which is published today.

This is a genre-busting fantasy adventure for young adults. LANGDIMANIA is fiction but draws from experience of a father telling his son bedtime stories, a husband mourning his wife, a grown man trying to make some sense of childhood experiences.

A high school boy called Army Is the hero whose quest transports him between the real and imagined worlds. There is also a dream girl who features as heroine.

This is a novel that, for young readers and adult readers of young-adult fiction alike, asks as many questions as it offers answers and raises weighty themes, including: identity and sense of self, otherness and difference, power and control, objective reality and subjective personal experience, moral accountability, teenage mental health, the discovery of romantic love and parental presence (or absence) and its effects.

Lach is a New Yorker and established the Antifolk music and arts movement in the eighties. This was a reaction to the remnants of the folk music of the sixties. He has been credited a a key influence on artists such as Beck, Regina Spektor and Suzanne Vega. He will appear at a concert at Sneaky Pete’s on 25 April along with Martin Metcalfe of Goodbye Mr Mackenzie. This is a free but ticketed event. Tickets here.

Listen to his back catalogue at www.lach.bandcamp.com 

He came to Edinburgh in the early years of the 21st century to bring his comedy to the Fringe. He went on to perform at The Stand, Gilded Balloon and Voodoo Rooms before touring the UK with his one man show. His monologue series The Lach Chronicles became a three part BBC Radio 4 hit listed as a top pick in every major UK paper.

Langdimania is published on 6 April in paperback (£8.99) by The Book Whisperers, available through Amazon.

It will be a bitter-sweet return when pianist Gwilym Simcock appears at the Queen’s Hall with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra on Thursday 27 April.

Now an internationally acclaimed musician, whose recent activity has included touring the world with superstar guitarist Pat Metheny, Simcock was considered a new kid on the block when he shared the Queen’s Hall stage with his mentor and fellow pianist John Taylor in 2008.

“Fifteen years ago almost to the day,” says Bangor-born Simcock, who at the time of the concert with Taylor had recently become the first jazz musician to be given BBC New Generation Artist status.

“We didn’t get to play piano duets too often, because there are not many venues that can provide two grand pianos. So that was memorable in itself. But of course, JT, as everyone knew him and who was a great guiding light for me as a student at the Royal Academy of Music and Drama, passed away in 2015. I’ll be thinking of him this time, I know.”

Simcock had already been earning praise for his musicianship for some time when he went to London to study at the Royal Academy. At the age of eleven, in 1992, he had achieved the highest marks in the country for his Associated Board Grade 8 exams on both piano and French horn. He went on to study these two instruments plus composition at the prestigious Chetham’s Music School in Manchester where two teachers – pianist Les Chisnall and Steve Berry, who had played bass in the anarchic London big band Loose Tubes – introduced him to jazz.

“JT was brilliant but other tutors at the Academy also helped me to develop as a jazz pianist,” says Simcock. “Nikki Iles, Nick Weldon and Geoff Keezer were great guides, too.”

Simcock graduated with a first-class honours degree and the Principal’s Prize for outstanding achievement and was soon showing his ability to shine in both classical music and jazz as a professional. He has undertaken commissions for the Aronowitz Ensemble and the Britten Sinfonia and his jazz experience includes work with vocalist Bobby McFerrin, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, saxophonists Lee Konitz and Peter King, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Bill Bruford’s Earthworks. Along with British guitar legend Mike Walker he co-leads the Anglo-American supergroup The Impossible Gentlemen.

The late, great jazz pianist and keyboards player Chick Corea described Simcock as “an original, a creative genius” and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra’s artistic director, saxophonist Tommy Smith is a long-time admirer. “When I heard Gwilym playing a solo piano concert, I was transfixed and loved every minute,” says Smith, who has commissioned Simcock to compose a new work, entitled Release, for the tour that brings Simcock and the SNJO to the Queen’s Hall.

Simcock, who was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 2011 and has worked with top European ensembles including the NDR Big Band, is delighted to be joining the SNJO on tour.

“It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to write for such a brilliant, world-famous ensemble,” he says. “As a composer, you want your music realized to the highest level, so I’m extremely excited to create this programme of music, especially for the SNJO.”

The commercial arm of a historic Royal College has joined the ranks of fintech firms, EV charging providers and plastic-free shopping ventures as the winners of a prestigious innovation award.

Surgeons Quarter (SQ) has become the first hospitality business to win the Innovation in Business category at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s recent business awards.

The entry highlighted the company’s unique offering of being the only hospitality organisation in the city to provide an events package which includes travel. The package includes the process of booking meeting space and accommodation as well as organising and booking delegate travel and providing event management at one of SQ’s four meeting venues.

The innovative launch of travel agency SQ Travel took place during the pandemic. It was initially set up to streamline travel for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and in particular for surgeons carrying out examination work on behalf of RCSEd. 

It has subsequently supported travel needs for hundreds of delegates and has quickly expanded into providing both business and leisure travel for college members, guests and now the general public.

Scott Mitchell, Managing Director at Surgeons Quarter, said: “While RCSEd continues to lead the way in surgical practice, we apply the same world-class standard of care in hospitality”.

“To be the first hospitality business to bring home the award is an extremely rewarding achievement especially as we pride ourselves on being a pioneering enterprise with the same ambition as our parent organisation.”

In recent years Surgeons Quarter has also established itself as a sector leader for promoting innovative sustainable practice. It has held a Green Business Tourism Gold Award since 2008, removed plastic bottles from all rooms in its Ten Hill Place Hotel saving an estimated 80,000 single-use bottles and £22,000 per annum, installed six EV charging points in the hotel car-park and powered its hotel by wind and hydro technology sourced in Scotland.

Scott added: “Our innovation is enabled by the brilliant team we have, who have weathered recent economic storms and remained positive and open-minded to change and opportunity.”

Surgeons Quarter’s profits go towards the RCSEd’s charitable objectives of improving surgical standards and patient outcomes worldwide.

SQ Travel uses systems provided by Hays Travel Independence Group allowing it to benefit

from the Hays Travel Group’s expertise, buying power, technology, and back-office functions. Its independence is key to impartial advice and the best offers available.

https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/

Social Print and Copy CIC (SP&C), Scotland’s leading supplier of copier and print solutions to the third sector, is primed for significant job creation following funding of £250,000 from responsible finance provider Social Investment Scotland (SIS).

Based in Edinburgh, the asset-locked social enterprise aims to triple its workforce in the next two years as it looks to expand across the country.

The company was formed in 2019 by a group of leading charity partners and print industry professionals intent on changing the way the third sector met its printer and copier needs.

The funding boost will help SP&C play a significant role in helping people and businesses with their digital transition, while at the same time creating job opportunities.

Welcoming the funding, founder and CEO Ian Gray said: “The support from Social Investment Scotland is very much appreciated and is a critical aspect of our plan to create jobs.

“The funding is going to help us with our business growth which is very timely as we are working on some very exciting projects which are going to have a positive impact on local communities across Scotland.

“We pride ourselves on being a social enterprise which supplies printing and photocopying technology with transparency at a fair price while creating employability opportunities without barriers. The more success we have, the greater the platform for providing training opportunities for young people.

“We have been working hard on our development and thanks to the funding in place, we can build on the good work already done, accelerate the next phase of our expansion and focus on making even bigger differences to people’s lives.”

Social Investment Scotland was established in 2001 to provide a new finance model for Scotland’s charities and social enterprises and has since invested over £120 million across Scotland.

Head of Investments at SIS, Chris Jamieson, said: “The £250,000 funding came as a package from Social Investment Scotland’s Social Growth Fund with an additional 10% grant of £25,000. We understand that the new investment will enable SP&C to provide help to third-sector and public body customers with their managed print solutions, creating energy and cost savings while supporting their journey towards net zero.

“The investment will also allow SP&C to deliver social and community benefits through upskilling and educating young apprentices between 16-24 years, providing employability and qualifications to those interested in sales and procurement in the third-sector.”

Families planning a short break in Edinburgh to enjoy the Easter holidays can take advantage of value-for-money travel from the city’s tram system.

Offering unlimited travel for up two adults and up to three children between the airport and the city centre, Edinburgh Trams’ ‘Family Day Tripper’ costs just £8 and is just the ticket for exploring the city.

Along with other tram tickets, it can be purchased online before travel here and then printed out or downloaded onto a smart device to show to Edinburgh Trams staff when getting on board.

Edinburgh Trams Managing Director Lea Harrison said: “This value-for-money ticket deal is always popular with families during the school holidays, and it looks set to prove a hit once again this Easter.

“It offers small groups with under 16s a great way to save money while sightseeing in the city or simply having a nice day out, whilst also avoiding the risk of losing valuable leisure time stuck in traffic jam!

“What’s more, those driving into Edinburgh can leave their cars at Ingliston Park & Ride, which has over 1,000 free parking spaces available and is just off the A8/Airport junction, before completing their journey by tram.

“With trams from every seven minutes, seven days a week, that serve many top attractions, we’re here to help residents and visitors to make the most of what the city has to offer.”

DM Hall, one of the country’s biggest independent firms of Chartered Surveyors, has acquired the Edinburgh architectural reporting business, AWA, for an undisclosed sum.

AWA offers an architectural reporting service which gives solicitors and home owners peace of mind when alterations have been carried out without consent. The company will either confirm that no planning consent was needed or provide a clear way forward and help to resolve any potential issues.

Robert Cunningham, who has led AWA from his Slateford Road office for the last thirty years said: “I am very pleased to pass on my business to the property professionals at DM Hall.

“I know that my several hundreds of clients and contacts will be in safe hands and will continue to be served to the highest levels of professional, quality service by them, both in Edinburgh and across the country. To ensure a smooth transfer of business I will be working in conjunction with DM Hall for the next six months.”

For more than 20 years DM Hall has provided a similar reporting service which it has now reinforced as a means of maintaining this vital service to conveyancing lawyers.

Calum Allmond, Head of Architectural Services and an Associate at DM Hall who has overseen the acquisition, said: “AWA has a well-deserved reputation for providing clear and reliable advice where works have been carried out without consent.

“We are delighted to be able to continue this service to conveyancers and home owners all across Scotland. With staff across the central belt and beyond DM Hall Architectural Services will continue to provide the comprehensive service the country has come to expect from AWA and DM Hall.”

DM Hall Managing Partner, John McHugh, said: “The acquisition of a long-established and highly regarded businesses like AWA is a welcome step in the steady growth of our Architectural Services arm and marks a further advance in DM Hall’s capability to serve the widest possible range of our clients’ residential and commercial property requirements.”

Celebrate Easter a the Edinburgh Science Festival this weekend.

Visit the Festival’s premier family area at City Arts Centre – with its five floors of hands-on science workshops and activities for children aged between 3 and 12.

Families can explore the chemistry behind producing your own slime in Splat-tastic, delve into the world of motion in Speedy Sails, uncover the mysteries of dinosaurs which roamed the Earth millions of years ago in Dig Up a Dinosaur or perform a surgery using real-life equipment in E.R. Surgery.

The photos below feature Dorothy (4 years old), James (1.5 years old), Kofi (1.5 years old) getting eggsperimental with Imagination Playground, one of the City Art Centre activities.

The husband of the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and the former CEO of the SNP, Peter Murrell was arrested at the couple’s home in Glasgow this morning.

Police Scotland confirmed this morning that a 58-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the ongoing police investigation into the political party’s funding and finances. The man is in police custody and has not yet been released.

Officers have been conducting searches at several addresses as part of the investigation. One of those is Gordon Lamb House in Jackson’s Entry in the Old Town where there was police activity for most of the day.

Police were seen leaving the party’s HQ just opposite the BBC Edinburgh studios at around 4 o’clock with six green boxes. They were also carrying two blue bundles which may have been a kind of tent structure put up inside the building.

Peter Murrell resigned as Chief Executive on 18 March when the matter of membership numbers came to light. The Head of Comms, Murray Foote, had resigned the evening before as he had advised news outlets of incorrect numbers – which were handed down to him by SNP bosses.

Earlier in the day another former First Minister, Alex Salmond, was spotted by photographers going into the BBC with his colleague former MP, Tasmania Ahmed Sheik.

The First Minister, Humza Yousaf, who was sworn in only last week said this to the BBC:

The Edinburgh-based maritime publishing experts, Witherbys has appointed David Balston as their chairman.

Mr Balston was in the Royal Navy for 32 years and then joined the UK Chamber of Shipping in 2010 as Director of Safety & Environment. His team there delivered a regulatory climate to maintain high environmental and safety standards for British shipping companies. In 2014 he was appointed Director of Policy raising the profile of the Chamber ensuring it was at the heart of major issues affecting the shipping industry.

While in the Navy he commanded a Trident submarine carrying strategic deterrent. He also held a number of key managerial and strategic positions in the UK and UK military and political areas. He advised the British Prime Minister on the nuclear deterrent and was the communications manager for the government crisis management operation, COBR.

David said: “I continue to admire Witherbys for the quality of its industry leading publications, its ethics as a business and the treatment of its people. This is an exciting opportunity to build, support and innovate the maritime industry through delivering valuable content, services and technical standards.”

CEO at Witherbys, Iain Macneil, said: “Having known David for ten years prior to him joining the board as Deputy Chairman, I am delighted that he has accepted the role of Chairman. David has a firm knowledge and understanding of the development and implementation of guidelines, recommendations and best practice among the main shipping trade associations from his time at the UK Chamber and that understanding combined with his calm and steady leadership are all key values in this role at Witherbys.”

www.witherbys.com

Scottish international Chris Empson won the 12-round winter league hosted by the Bass Rock Shore Angling League.

The Dunbar-based angler recorded 50 points and only edged former pace-setter Shaun Gardner from North Berwick by three points thanks to his win in the final leg. Barry McEwan, another Scottish international, was third overall on 38 points.

Jimmy Green from Musselburgh was fourth with 34 points with James Ogilvie, the organiser, fifth 14 points adrift and Steven Biskup (North Berwick) was sixth four points further back.

Stuart Fairbairn (Haddington), Grant Olesky (North Berwick) and Robert McNess (Edinburgh) were joint seventh on ten points with Edinburgh-based William Stafford eighth on eight points and Alan Brown (West Barns) was ninth on six points.

Over the series, McEwan from Port Seton had the heaviest fish, a 4lb 7oz cod, with Ogilvie second with a 3lb 2oz fish and Fairbairn third with one of 3lb 1oz and eight anglers fished the final leg, a North Berwick Rover, in flat calm seas and drizzle from start to finish. Empson was the only angler to weigh in. His codling of 2lb 1oz lifted the match and the heaviest fish prizes.

The club hold their annual meeting on Wednesday, April 12, in The Golfers Rest, North Berwick (7pm for 7.30pm start) which will decide the start date for the summer league.

Elsewhere, Empson (pictured) came third in the Newhaven Sweepstake organised by Ian Campbell with seven fish. David Cooper (Edinburgh) was second with nine fish and Stephen Barrett first with eight fish but more points. He also won the longest fish prize with a 31cm codling. 

Grange start their challenge in the EuroHockey Club Trophy, Division One, in Vienna, Austria, on Friday with a joust against hosts Post SV at (16.15 EST).

They then clash with Ukraine side OSHVSM HC Phoenix Zytomyr Region, on Saturday (15.45) and their last Pool A qualifier is against Cardiff and Met from Wales on Sunday also at (15.45).

Pool B features CasaPia Atletico Clube (Portugal), Grasshopper Club Zurich (Switzerland), OKS-SHVSM Vinnitsa (Ukraine) and Slagelse HC (Denmark). The ranking games are on Monday.

Grange go into the tournament on a downer after being thrashed 5-0 by Western Wildcats in the Scottish Cup semi-final at the Glasgow Hockey Centre last Saturday, but they lead the men’s Premiership having drawn one and won 13 of their 14 league games so far this term.

The absence of top marksman Fraser Heigh, who is now in Australia, will be a handicap against crack European opposition where chances will be at  a premium, but team manager, Martin Shepherdson (pictured right by Nigel Duncan), said he has depth in the squad.

The Beltane Fire Festival takes place on Calton Hill on 30 April 2023.

The photos below taken by the late John Preece show the reinterpretation of an ancient Iron Age Celtic ritual which has taken place here since 1988. It is the largest of its kind with many people visiting from abroad to take part.

This year the traditional tales of the Procession of the May Queen and the Death and Re-Birth of The Green Man will be retold. There will be revellers, acrobats, fire play, drummers and dancers, puppeteers and poets all taking part.

Festival Co-ordinator Tom Watton said: “It is an honour to facilitate all of the hard work and dedication of the Beltane volunteers who over the last ten weeks, have been busy preparing for another spectacular one of a kind fire festival. Come and join us this year as raise the Beltane toast: to the earth our mother and the fire our host!”

https://www.citizenticket.com/events/beltane-fire-society/beltane-fire-festival-2023/

The Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre (ESPC) is responsible for the marketing of many properties in and around Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders.

The organisation has just released its report on house prices in the area which is showing a return to “more normal levels last seen in 2019”.

The report finds that the average house price in the whole area has risen by just 1% to £270,284. New property listings have dropped by just under 3% in the period January to March 2023, and the properties sold on average in 28 days. The ESPC claims that shows that buyers are still acting quite quickly to find their new home, and demand is backed up by almost a quarter of properties which went to a closing date. This is much the same level as in the first quarter of 2019, so shows a return to pre-pandemic activity.

An average property has achieved 102.8% of the Home Report valuation when sold on the open market.

During the first quarter of this year interest rates have risen 11 times to 4.25%. There is also a cost of living crisis, but despite all of that the property market is still attracting buyers, albeit at a slower rate than previously.

In Edinburgh the average price of three bedroom homes in Blackhall, Davidson’s Mains and Silverknowes has risen by around a quarter to £476,495.

Property hotspots include South Queensferry where listings rose by 37% and St Andrews where listings rose by 36.8%.

Paul Hilton, CEO of ESPC, said: “The post-pandemic era has seen an incredibly buoyant property market with a distinct lack of housing stock, coupled with high selling prices and quick selling times. However, in the first quarter of 2023, we are seeing clear signs that the market is cooling and returning to more normal levels last seen in 2019.

“Due to the cost-of-living crisis and interest rates increases, we can see that buyers are taking affordability into account reflected in a slightly slower speed of sale and some reduction in sales volumes. There has been continued interest in out-of-town areas such as South Queensferry, Dunfermline and Musselburgh which are popular with first-time buyers who are seeking homes with more space and good transport links to the city centre.

“If you are thinking of buying or selling in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife or the Borders, it is crucial to seek expert advice from a solicitor estate agent and monthly affordability advice from ESPC Mortgages.”

On 11 and 12 May the Design It Build It conference will take over the EICC in a bigger version of the in person format used last year.

This conference is nothing to do with housebuilding. It is about building digital products and experts from Netflix, Instagram and Github will present to the delegates sharing their knowledge and experience.

Conference director Andy Greener said: “I’m incredibly excited to bring the Design It; Build It conference back to Edinburgh this year. My focus is on providing delegates access to actionable insights and strategies to take their product development to the next level. With a fantastic lineup of speakers, we are confident that our delegates from across the world will leave feeling inspired and with brand new ideas to apply to their work.”

 DIBI also offers an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and build valuable connections in the industry. Plus, there are more opportunities for those interested to get more involved with the conference by attending workshops lead by industry experts and meet the speakers over dinner on the eve of the conference. 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s best and brightest. You can Register now for Design It; Build It 2023.

To see the full lineup and get more information, visit the conference website. Here is a flavour of what happened last year:

An Edinburgh private school’s huge new sports hall has been refused planning permission over concerns it would be an “over-dominant addition” to the rural landscape.

Clifton Hall School’s plans were dealt a blow after the council ruled the proposed gym block was not a “high quality design” and would be built using “inappropriate materials”.
Planners also said the construction could disturb archaeological remains dating back to the middle ages.
Plans lodged by the £4,760-a-term independent school near Newbridge, which boasts a tennis court, swimming pool and a rugby pitch, described the proposed newest extra curricular building as “an indoor sporting facility”, and state that “the building footprint is 648m²’ by six metres high.
However they failed to get approval as planning permission was refused on Monday (April 3).
Clad with metal sheeting, the council said the warehouse-like structure proposed to be erected beside the school’s artificial football field would be “relatively industrial in design”.
In a scathing assessment, planners said it would be “an inappropriate scale and design and would detract from the landscape quality and rural character of the area”.
They added: “The proposal is unacceptable in terms of its height and form, scale and proportions, position on the site and materials and detailing.
“The proposal is of a poor quality and inappropriate design and would have a negative impact on its surroundings and the character of the wider landscape.”
Furthermore they said if permission was granted a “programme of archaeological mitigation” would need to be undertaken as the site is “regarded as being of archaeological potential”.
They said: “Construction of the new structure could disturb archaeological remains dating back to the medieval period associated with the development of Cliftonhall House and Estate.”
The applicant has until July 3 to appeal the decision.

by Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.

Police Scotland have arrested a 58-year-old man today, Wednesday, 5 April 2023, as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.

The man who we understand to be Peter Murrell, the husband of former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives.

Officers are also carrying out searches at a number of addresses as part of the investigation.

A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

The matter is active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media.

As the investigation is ongoing Police Scotland say they are unable to comment further.

An SNP spokesperson said this morning: “Clearly it would not be appropriate to comment on any live police investigation but the SNP have been cooperating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so. 

“At its meeting on Saturday, the governing body of the SNP, the NEC, agreed to a review of governance and transparency – that will be taken forward in the coming weeks.” 

Former Edinburgh Capitals star Marc LeFebvre has already started his search for fresh talent after being appointed head coach to Viaplay Elite League club, Dundee Stars, for the second time, and the popular Canadian will also double-up as director of hockey operations.

The 40-year-old native of Kanata, Ontario, has spent the past six seasons coaching in North America and Europe and he takes over from Jeff Mason after a disappointing season which saw Stars, sponsored by Trade-Mart, prop up the ten-strong table.

LeFebvre (pictured by Derek Black courtesy of Dundee Stars) previously led the Stars to back-to-back seventh place finishes in the Elite League with an overall regular season record of 42-45-17 (wins-losses-overtime losses).

He also guided the Stars to a playoff quarter-final in his first year before taking the team to their first semi-final and appearance at the Elite League play-off weekend in Nottingham.

LeFebvre said: “It has been a surreal 24 hours here after I talked to Steve Ward and we reminisced about some old times in the two season that I was previously in Dundee, and we talked about how we want things to work going forward. I jumped at the opportunity to take control of the Stars again and I am looking forward to getting things going.

“Hockey is about the play-offs, so our goal is to get in the top eight again, qualify for the play-offs and then go from there and, obviously, we want to win as many trophies as possible.”

LeFebvre continued: “I have learned a lot, in terms of others things I did not have before my first time around in Dundee, so I am excited to bring those experiences with me back to Dundee now and building a team off of that.

“It was two of the best seasons of my coaching career as I have so many good memories from both on and off the ice in Dundee with being so close to the play-off weekend in the first year then when we made it in the second season.

The playcaller added: “I have been keeping a close eye on the Elite League and I am always looking at players whether it is in the Elite League or other leagues.

“The Elite League compared to other leagues is a completely different animal. You can’t just go by the social media because you do not see a lot of that in France or Denmark or even the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League).

“However, the league is in a very good place right now, so again I am excited to get back and one thing is, you can always go home and the Elite League feels like a home for me, especially in Dundee.”

LeFebvre is well known in British hockey after playing for Sheffield Steelers, Coventry Blaze and Edinburgh Capitals throughout the 2000’s. He won league and play-off titles with Steelers and then stepped behind the bench in Sheffield as an assistant coach in 2013 before becoming head coach at Blaze.

Since then, he has coached in the United States’ Federal Hockey League, Hungary’s MOL Liga and Under 20’s League prior to his first move to Tayside.

After his success in Dundee, he departed to join the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones, an affiliate club of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, where as an Assistant Coach, he was able to work with the Sabres talent pool of future NHL players.

A year later he was doing the same job but with Orlando Solar Bears and working with the National Hockey League (NHL) talents from Tampa Bay Lightning and San Jose Sharks.

In 2019, LeFebvre then made the move to Denmark to become head coach of the Odense Bulldogs for two seasons and moved to France to take charge of Chamonix Pioneers in 2021.

Drones used to smuggle drugs and phones into prisons – most fly to Saughton

The justice magazine, 1919, has reported its findings after making a Freedom of Information request to The Scottish Prison Service, revealing that HMP Edinburgh has detected the highest number of drones being used to bring drugs and phones into any Scottish prison. Eleven drones have been detected by HMP Edinburgh since 2021.

Nine unauthorised drones have been found in the last three months. Between August 2020 and July 2021, almost 9,000 items of mail sent into Scottish jails tested positive for an illegal drug.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) says it is using “all technological and intelligence tools available” to tackle the issue of drugs being brought into the estate. An SPS spokesperson said: “We work with Police Scotland, and other partners, to take action against those who attempt to breach our security, via drones or by other means.
“These efforts have led to a significant reduction in drug take incidents in our establishments, and as a result, the harm caused to the health and wellbeing of those in our care.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We continue to support the Scottish Prison Service and Police Scotland’s joint efforts to prevent the supply of illegal drugs.
“SPS continues to work tirelessly to adapt its security measures to prevent, detect and deter the introduction of contraband in prisons.”

Citizen Ticket

The Citizen Ticket organisation has just appointed a new chair, Carolyn Jameson who was an executive and Chief Legal Officer with Skyscanner. She played a key role in the £1.4 billion sale of the business to travel giant Ctrip.

The business was founded by Edinburgh businessman Harry Boisseau who said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Carolyn as our new Chair, an appointment which underlines our ambition to become the most fundamental platform for events and experiences while making a lasting positive impact to our planet. 

“Carolyn is a highly skilled and experienced operator within the global tech sector and a key player who has helped scale major technology businesses to reach their full market potential. She brings real substance to our team and will be a major contributing factor to our future success and growth.” 

Read more here.

Porty Central

Porty Central the charity behind the Portobello Town Hall reopening for the community has raised the initial £25,000 they need to open the doors. But you can still donate to help them create a financial cushion for the first few months while the trustees get things going.

The council have made the hall wind and watertight for Porty Central to take it over and offer it to local groups and people for bookings. They envisage weddings, parties and markets taking place in the hall and the car park from this summer.

This story has been ongoing for quite a while – read more here and here.

At Edinburgh Science Festival today

Edinburgh author and CBeebies screenwriter, Emily Dodd, will take children over the age of seven on a scientific story adventure today at 2pm. The hour long session will take place at the Auditorium in the National Museum of Scotland.

More details here.

Take out a newspaper subscription

The April issue of our paper is out now. It is at the usual stockists, but if you would like to subscribe to ensure you get your own copy, then subscribe before 10 April and we will mail you the April issue.

Our newspaper includes many stories that may or may not be included on our website, but they are always presented a little differently. You will see some terrific photos in our middle page spread this month.

Sign up here. Our subscribers help us to keep the rest of our news free to access (and we love them a little bit more…)

Police have named a man who died following a disturbance on Granton Crescent, Edinburgh.

Charles Paul, 69, was found with serious injuries after officers were called to a property around 11.20pm on Saturday, 25 March, 2023. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 36-year-old woman was taken to Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

A 28-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 27 March, 2023.

Study finds retirees prefer to live near cities rather than in the country.

New research has found approximately a quarter of all luxury new build homes in UK towns and cities are being bought by over 60s.

Findings from leading property agents, Savills, revealed downsizers are increasingly viewing accessibility as the most important factor when relocating from their family home – dispelling the notion retirees set their minds on a country retreat.

Independent property developer Dundas has experienced an increase in the trend, with interest from over 60’s up 35% since the start of the year.

According to the Livingston-based firm, 20% of all enquiries have been driven by potential buyers looking to downsize – with The Wireworks development in Musselburgh generating the most interest.

Head of Sales and Marketing at Dundas, Craig Fairfoull, said: “Over the first quarter of 2023, we have noticed a stark increase in downsizers looking to purchase homes that fit their needs for accessibility, with proximity to shops and bars, theatres and galleries a catalyst in making the switch from their larger family homes.

“Musselburgh lends itself perfectly to this trend, with excellent transport links to Edinburgh’s city centre and a plethora of convenient amenities and facilities in the town. As a result, we have experienced an increase in enquiries for our development, The Wireworks.

“Our development is in the ideal location for those wanting to downsize, with specially designed, high-quality one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments that create a home with low maintenance, helping buyers to enjoy life without the hassle of upkeeping a larger home.”

Savills’ research also found energy usage to be a key concern for downsizers with new builds in Scotland saving on average more than a quarter on energy costs compared to second-hand properties.

The Wireworks prides itself on its energy efficiency, with all its homes having an EPC rating of B or above, helping homes to be cheaper to run than older properties.

Prices at The Wireworks range from £186,995 to £339,995 with apartments varying from 517square feet to 1,055 square feet in size.

Dundas Estates 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 Livingston-based developer is focused on building welcoming, integrated communities, and making the journey of buying a home more straightforward, inspiring and fun.

It is also committing, through Section 75 payments which are attached to planning permissions, to contribute up to £400,000 along with the other partners which will be invested into local schooling and infrastructure.

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

An Edinburgh care company has put a call out for staff as it expands to fill the gap left by struggling social care services.

Eidyn Care is a multi-award-winning, private, care-at-home organisation run by Andrew and Rebecca McLennon. Combining their nursing and consulting expertise, the couple launched the business in 2017 to provide palliative care at home for people across Edinburgh. The company has recently tripled in size, having acquired another care company with the help of business advisors dealmakers.co.uk – and now has 170 clients across Edinburgh and Fife – with requests from potential customers every day.

“We train our teams to provide personal care, but we are seeing an increasing need to provide companionship to older or vulnerable people who are suffering from loneliness since the pandemic,” said Andrew. “We have therefore expanded to provide a joined up and measured approach, ensuring people get the best possible support tailored to their needs – but are noticing that the demand for care is outstripping the supply or actual carers.”

The majority of people joining Eidyn Care to support the customers are women between the ages of 40 – 60, looking for supplementary income or wanting to provide for their local community. According to Age UK, 100,000 elderly people in Scotland feel lonely most or all of the time and Andrew and Rebecca are determined to tackle that with their growth plan.

Jonathan Jay, founder of Dealmakers, added: “The wonderful team at Eidyn is already helping hundreds of people in the region through their professional and compassionate care at home services, with an eye on delivering quality care to more of those in need, providing dignity to them and saving them thousands on care home costs.”

Old eyesore payphones have been removed from Edinburgh city centre following calls for action to be taken to rid the streets of the “grotty” boxes.

Two phone boxes at Hunter Square which a councillor said had turned into public toilets and convenient hiding places for drug dealers were finally taken away by BT,  alongside three from Hanover Street which had also been badly vandalised and were leaning to one side.

Despite dozens of other dilapidated kiosks across the city being the focus of negative attention, BT said no more removals are currently planned – and is persisting with its efforts to get permission to replace them with ‘Street Hub’ digital advertising billboards, despite repeated rejection of the plans by the council.

Finlay McFarlane, SNP councillor representing the City Centre, said the Capital continued to be “held to ransom” by the telecoms company which he said has a “responsibility to the general public”.

He added he would “keep on pushing” for more removals, particularly in the Old Town where he described the “dirty” units as a “public health risk”.

As footage emerged of the disused call boxes being loaded onto a truck and taken away on Sunday (April 2) Cllr McFarlane welcomed news they had “bit the dust” in a celebratory tweet.

Speaking to the LDRS he said even the police had been pushing BT to get rid of the Hunter Square payphones.

“They were associated for a very long time with antisocial behaviour, public urination, defecation and also they are a convenient way of hiding from CCTV cameras if you want to deal drugs or things like that,” he said.

“They were so run-down and grotty looking.”

He added phone boxes are also “barriers to people with disabilities trying to get around the city”.

The councillor has been critical of BT’s plans to replace 50 redundant kiosks in Edinburgh with new ‘Street Hubs’. Applications to install the double sided advertising screens, which are already in operation in other cities and offer phone charging, free calls and wi-fi, have failed to get the backing of planners.

Bids for the three-metre high digital units relate to payphones across the city including on Dundas St, Gorgie Road, Ferry Road and Fountainbridge, many of which have now been rejected twice following appeals by BT.

The council ruled that they go against planning policy, describing them as “advertisement clutter” which take up too much pavement space and obscure views.

Officers continued to refuse applications last month, throwing out plans for Street Hubs at Haymarket, Brandon Terrace, Brunswick Street, Bernard Street and Piersfield Terrace.

However it is anticipated once the council’s planning system has been exhausted, BT will lodge appeals with the Scottish Government in the hope it will overrule the local authority as was the case in Dundee.

Cllr McFarlane said this would be a “lethal and permissible” move.

He said the city was being “held to ransom,” adding: “They know that once [the payphones] are gone there is not a hope in hell of getting planning permission to put anything new in, so they’re trying to leverage these Street Hubs in for better or worse through the promise of removing large swathes of these redundant phone boxes.

“They are designed as a big billboard; advertising for advertising revenue – to make money. They are distracting, they’re super bright and also what I would say is in other cities where they have them, in Glasgow for example I walked past one the other day and it was all smashed to pieces.”

City leader Cammy Day said officials have engaged with BT regarding phone boxes but added the company has “no obligation”  to remove them and the council “has no powers or ability to instruct their removal”.

Cllr McFarlane called for “more joined up thinking and a bit more impetus” from the council leader. He added: “It should not be up to individual ward councillors to push and fight with [BT] ourselves.”

And he said the council should take some inspiration from London’s Camden Council who “served notice on 19 phone boxes on one road”.

“They are basically saying that they were put in with permitted development rights subject to the condition that they should be removed if they are no longer required for telecoms purposes through a breach of condition,” he explained. “What they’ve been able to do is say ‘well we only need one every 400 metres, there are 30 within the space of one kilometre on this street therefore we are ordering you to remove them’.”

Cllr Day said officials would “speak to colleagues in other authorities, including the Camden Council, to identify best practice and will adopt processes which could successfully put maximum pressure on BT for the removal of redundant phone boxes”.

by Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.

The council is trying out a new service in Gorgie/Dalry to help people reach the services that the council has on offer.

The test site is called Citizen Space and it is in Tynecastle Community Wing which will allow local residents there to contact council services in a more convenient setting – and face to face.

The team manning Citizen Space has been specially trained to help people right away with things like ordering a wheelie bin, or reporting street lights which have gone out. Matters which might take a little longer can be dealt with in a longer session. This is part of the council’s 20 minute neighbourhood strategy which is rolling out support in local areas. A 20 minute neighbourhood is one where people can get to by public transport or by walking, wheeling or cycling, to meet most of their daily needs such as accessing a GP, dentist, shops and now council services within a short distance from their home.

Council Leader Cammy Day, said: “We want to make sure that everyone living in Edinburgh can easily reach the services and support that the Council offers. We’re working with our local partners and communities to plan and deliver services that meet everyone’s needs in a better way.

“Citizen Space at Tynecastle Community Wing provides exactly that – a new convenient and welcoming space that’s making it easier for people to use our services and receive advice. This is all part of our plan to support everyone’s wellbeing and end poverty and isolation in Edinburgh. These local community hubs will bring daily services together for everyone to help create more social and liveable communities.”