Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following an assault in the Meadows.
A 19-year-old man was seriously injured after being struck on the head with a bottle on Melville Drive near the junction with Argyle Place around 4am on Sunday, 29 January, 2023.
Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened is urged to contact police.
Also, anyone with relevant dash cam or private CCTV footage should get in touch.
If you have information contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 3209 of 29 January, 2023. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Staycation Scotland lists refurbished Schloss Roxburghe
SCHLOSS Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course in the Scottish Borders has recently joined Destination by Hyatt and completed an extensive refurbishment, including upgrading its bedrooms and installing a new Winter Garden spa with heated infinity pool. The destination has now become one of the first Scottish hospitality businesses to engage with the new look Staycation Scotland (Accommodation) Ltd.
A vibrant accommodation consortia, jointly created by Rosemary McLennan of The Scottish PA Network, and Alex McKie, Group Managing Director of The Fusion Group of Companies, Staycation Scotland enables businesses like SCHLOSS Roxburghe to sign up and connect direct to both individual and group leisure markets.
With another lucrative staycation year beckoning in Scotland, Staycation Scotland brings together many of the nation’s leading accommodation providers. Its central portal enables consumers to quickly and easily book short breaks. For the businesses involved, a new range of features and benefits are included, such as a fully dedicated partner phoneline for member businesses to update their page and place offers and promotions, alongside a new group and special events offering for hotels and self-catering businesses to connect to large existing databases, email pushes, blogs and social media.
With many years of invaluable experience in the industry, Rosemary has a wealth of knowledge and publishes her own blog on the Staycation Scotland platform. There’s also numerous special offers, news, tips, and inspirations for trips for consumers to browse.
SCHLOSS Roxburghe is the perfect getaway at just over an hour’s drivetime from both Edinburgh and Newcastle, and offers midweek stays in its new Estate Rooms with a 25% discount on the Best Available Rate. (Offered subject to availability Quote Staycation Grand Opening.)
The rates include use of the fantastic new Winter Garden Spa and leisure facilities and an additional 20% discount on any beauty treatments. The rate is subject to availability and valid up until 31 March 2023.
SCHLOSS Roxburghe, which was formerly owned by the Duke of Roxburghe, and dates back to the 12th Century has sympathetically added 58 contemporary bedrooms and suites. It has a new restaurant, alongside a purpose built banqueting suite. Luxury cottages, set apart from the main house, make up a comprehensive accommodation choice.
“This is an absolutely brilliant offer to kick off our new platform, and our thanks go to the team at SCHLOSS Roxburghe whom we are delighted to have on board,” said Rosemary.
“It’s very much this type of offer we welcome to the platform at this time,” she added. “We want to provide maximum appeal to our discerning short break consumers. We are all about offers and pricing with real substance, using the platform to draw attention to new products, to added value, and to highlight choice across a wide range of quality three, four and five star accommodation. Members can highlight whatever they wish. Our platform will always be fresh and up to date.”
“We are keen to attract as many new member businesses as possible. Be creative with us – and remember there is always strength in numbers,” finished Rosemary.
Debbie Phillips, SCHLOSS Roxburghe Business Development Manager, said: “We wish Staycation Scotland every success. Having just joined Destination by Hyatt, which is extremely exciting for us, and having completed this major refurbishment, we are primed and ready to go, looking to spread our offering as far and wide as we can. Staycation Scotland is providing us with an instant way to connect with our potential customers.”
For Business member enquiries on Staycation Scotland please email info@staycationscotland.com or call Rosemary on 07816 310757.
Edinburgh Science Festival 2023 – Let’s experiment!
The message from the science festival team is a simple one: Let’s experiment!
This year’s programme uses 31 venues and intends to get everyone hands on with science which is at the heart of all scientific disciplines. The festival is mindful that this is a year of transition out of the pandemic and stabilisation into a new phase building on the success of previous festivals, and one third of the programme is free to access.
The city will become a living laboratory with experimentation in formats, approaches and partnerships, providing new ways for audiences to interact with science and scientists.
The main place to go for families is as before the City Art Centre where access is free
At the National Museum of Scotland FutureFest and EarthFest themed weekends will mark the beginning and end of the festival
Large scale outdoor photography exhibition called Cherish: Shaping our Planet is included in a long list of free events
Big Ideas talks with some of the foremost scientists and researchers such as Professor Marion Nestle who will be the recipient of this year’s Edinburgh Medal at a ceremony to be held at the City Chambers, Benita Matofska, Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Lord Martin Rees, Florence Schechter of the Vagina Museum, Marcus Chown, Professor Anil Seth and author Louise Gray.
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon will talk to Ambassador Patricia Espinosa the former Executive Secretary of the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC 2016-22).
Amanda Tyndall, Festival and Creative Director at Edinburgh Science said: “As we emerge from the disruption of the past few years and confront ongoing wider-world challenges, we remain in a period of transition and stabilisation but are excited by a whole-hearted return to live, hands-on science experiences. We call on audiences of all ages to join us in celebrating all things experimental!”
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are proud to support Edinburgh Science Festival for its part in inspiring the next generation of scientists across Scotland.
“I am sure this year’s festival will build on its successes of the past, which will help to reinforce both the festival and Scotland’s place as one of the world’s leading scientific nations.”
Cllr Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener said: “Once again the fantastic Edinburgh Science Festival will transform the city into a celebration of science and technology which lets us all experiment!
“We very much look forward to hosting families in our City Art Centre where there will be 5 floors of hands-on science for children as young as three. It’s a perfect day out for the family in the Easter Holidays with six new workshops around construction, creative coding, technology and LEGO as well as all-time favourites E.R. Surgery and Splat-tastic. The unique mix of art, workshops, talks, photography and interactive exhibits included in the festival programme make science and the concepts being explored more accessible and entertaining for all ages.”
Stephanie Maia with daughter Valentina (age 7) experimenting with dry ice at Summerhall, one of the Festival venues.Stephanie Maia with daughter Valentina (age 7) experimenting with dry ice at Summerhall, one of the Festival venues.
Five things you need to know today
New radio station on air in Edinburgh from today
Mike Osman
From today the newest radio station Great British Radio on the DAB network will take to the airwaves in Edinburgh and the immediate region with a mission to get Britain laughing and feeling positive.
The station promises uplifting music and stories with content on air 24 hours a day.
Every day will begin with three hours of original exclusive comedy from impressionist Mike Osman. He has regularly performed as Donald Trump and it may appear that he has guests on the show – but it will really just be Mike in the studio.
Half term suggestion – The Real Mary King’s Close
Calling all brave and curious explorers, this February The Real Mary King’s Close is shining a light (or lack of) onto Edinburgh’s history, illuminating the lives of former residents and unravelling truths about their deaths with Lantern Led Tours.
The new Lantern Led Tours are available for a limited time only during Half Term, where guests will descend into complete darkness with the only light source being the flicker of their lanterns, as they explore Edinburgh’s history.
Hidden beneath the Capital’s iconic Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s best underground experience is ready to send those daring to on a time-traveling adventure. The one hour guided tour will transport customers to another era, with eerie interactions from two insidious characters that used to strike terror into people’s hearts at their very sight.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “The Real Mary King’s Close is a place filled with excitement and mystery, where strange revelations of Edinburgh’s ominous past come to life. We are so excited to launch our Lantern Led Tours and elevate the experience to a whole new level. This is a great activity to do with family and friends over the February holidays, so come along and find out who is the bravest of the bunch.”
The tours will be running Friday 10th to Sunday 12th February and Friday 17th to Sunday 19th February from 7pm-9pm every 15 minutes. Prices are £25 per adult / £19 per child (5 to 15yo – no under 5 allowed).
Life-saving defibrillators for Edinburgh care homes on Valentine’s Day
Several care homes in Edinburgh will have defibrillators from today. The equipment is public access and the funding has come from the City’s community benefit scheme.
Thanks to a donation from the Council’s energy supplier Utilita, the life saving devices will be installed at complexes in Gilmerton (30 Ravenscroft Place), Granton (26 Granton Crescent), Piershill (13 Moira Park) and Sighthill (117 Calder Gardens).
Cllr Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “We now have over 80 public access defibrillators in Edinburgh and this initiative is putting even more of these important devices on the map. The four now installed at our sheltered housing complexes will provide extra reassurance for those in our care but will also be accessible to neighbours and people passing through.
“As part of our community benefits scheme, we work with Council suppliers to help them give back to the city and Utilita is one of our biggest energy suppliers. We have a contract to switch all empty Council homes to Utilita, making sure that tenants have smart meters and welcome credit in their new home. This project has been made possible thanks to their community benefits donation. I’d like to thank them and everyone involved.”
Edinburgh Science Festival 2023
Edinburgh Science Festival – The Festival’s 2023 programme is revealed at 10.30am on Tuesday, 14 February: www.sciencefestival.co.uk The photo call features Stephanie Maia with daughter Valentina (age 7) experimenting with dry ice at Summerhall, one of the Festival venues. PHOTO Ian Georgeson
The Edinburgh Science Festival will unveil its full programme for the Easter holidays this morning. We will bring you news as soon as we get it.
Edinburgh Science Festival is the first and one of the most respected science festivals in the world, taking place between 1 and 16 April 2023. Known for producing world-class live events, this year’s Festival invites everyone to get hands-on with science and embrace the concepts of experimentation, innovation, creativity, curiosity and invention that lie at the heart of its 2023 theme – Let’s Experiment!
The Festival’s 2023 programme is revealed at 10.30am on Tuesday, 14 February: www.sciencefestival.co.uk
Please subscribe to The Edinburgh Reporter
Today would be a good day to buy a subscription to The Edinburgh Reporter monthly newspaper as our February paper is now with our stockists in various locations in the city.
Among others all branches of Farmer Autocare have papers as well as Birthlink on Lower Gilmore Place, and both Leith and Central Libraries.
If you are able to subscribe, then it would help us to keep our online coverage free to access, and also ensure the future of our newspaper for this coming year. And if you do, then thank you.
Race day will raise funds for charity in memory of popular young farmer
A charity set up in memory of an agricultural student who died tragically young will benefit from Musselburgh Racecourse’s next race day on Sunday (19 February).
Funds will be raised at The Thomas Sherriff Young Farmers Raceday for the George Crawford Legacy Trust, set up to honour the skilled Borders horse rider who lost his life in a road accident in 2018 aged only 20.
George, the son of farmers Cameron and Mary Crawford of the Pavilion estate in Melrose, represented Scotland at eventing and was quick to turn his hand to many sports. He was described as a “natural leader” with a sense of fun and freedom and applied a “glass half full” attitude to life.
Popular and talented young farmer, George Crawford
The East Lothian track is appealing to the farmer community to support the race day, which is sponsored by leading farm machinery and ground care equipment supplier Thomas Sherriff & Co, and is supported by the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC).
SAYFC members can take advantage of a Young Farmers admission package costing only £7 if booked in advance using this link and £2 from each ticket will be donated to The George Crawford Trust.
The Trust aims to provide opportunities for young people, of all abilities, and from all walks of life, to reach their full potential, and encourages youngster to make the most of their drive and determination to achieve a better outcome.
Since its inception the Trust have made 53 awards including to nine groups or clubs, there is no minimum or maximum award value and young people of all physical and mental abilities are encouraged to apply for awards, which are reviewed quarterly by the board of trustees who have been nominated by George’s family.
Trustee spokesperson, Irene Thomson, said: “We want to give young people a ‘leg up’ in life by enabling them to experience opportunities, participate in events, learn new skills, start a business, gain greater independence, get equipment they need, challenge themselves or help them be their best version of themselves.
Special admission price for young farmers and £2 from each ticket donated to charity
“The Trust makes awards to a wide and diverse range of individuals and groups, and in the past has supported a range of sporting individuals from mountain bikers to swimmers, funded the purchase of equipment from a specialist bed to a hockey stick, and made awards to agricultural students and kids participating in pony racing.
“We are incredibly grateful to Musselburgh Racecourse and SAYFC for this fabulous opportunity to raise awareness and hopefully some funds to continue the valuable work of the George Crawford Legacy Trust.”
Main sponsor Thomas Sherriff & Co Ltd was established in 1816 – the same year as Musselburgh Racecourse – and is a leading supplier of agricultural and turf machinery across the Borders and Northumberland.
Managing Director Richard Lyall, said: “We have a strong history of supporting the racecourse in terms of supplying and maintaining course machinery and our relationship with ‘Young Farmers’ goes back several decades, so when the opportunity arose to sponsor the race day and to support the excellent George Crawford Legacy Trust, we were delighted to get involved.”
Young Farmers Race Day at Musselburgh – a great social occasion
Courtney Bell, Vice Chair of the Borders region of the SAYFC, said she hoped the race day would become an important fixture in the farming calendar and would be helped by a date switch from March last year which fell in lambing season.
Courtney said: “The change in the date should allow more people to attend and it is a fantastic opportunity for the farming community to come together and enjoy a great social day out before the hard work begins on lambing and we get into our busy time of the year.
“The race day is something different from other events in the farming calendar and we hope it will attract people from all kinds of backgrounds and increase awareness of the SAYFC while raising funds for a wonderful charity.”
Gates open at noon on Sunday 19 February. Racegoers who purchase tickets before midnight on 18 February will benefit from a £3 discount on the race day admission price. DJ Colin McArdle, who is well known in the farming community, will keep the party going throughout the afternoon.
It’s a double for Edinburgh’s Hearts and Boroughmuir Thistle as Emma Brownlie and Courtney McAvoy collect the January 2022/23 Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL) Player of the Month awards.
Brownlie becomes the first Heart of Midlothian player to win the award since February 2019. Rachel Walkingshaw was the winner when Hearts were in SWPL 2.
The defender started in all three matches in January where they faced Rangers, Aberdeen, and Celtic. The Jambos picked up four points including an impressive 0-0 draw at home to Rangers and a 1-0 away win against Aberdeen. Brownlie’s well placed free-kick was the difference at the Balmoral Stadium.
Brownlie has been a key part of Hearts’ success this season at the back, conceding just 18 goals from 18 games. In comparison, the Jambos conceded 66 goals in 27 games last season.
In SWPL 2, Courtney McAvoy becomes the first ever Boroughmuir Thistle winner of the award. Two players have been nominated in the past for the club, Tegan Browning (November 2020) and Samantha Duncan (September 2021).
McAvoy had scored four goals before January, adding five goals to her season tally in the month alone. This included the only goal in their 2-1 loss to Kilmarnock, the equaliser in their 2-2 draw away to East Fife, and a hat-trick in their 3-2 win over Montrose.
With McAvoy’s goals, Boroughmuir Thistle picked up seven points from a possible 12 including victories over the current top two sides in Montrose and Gartcairn.
The nominees for the January SWPL award were Amy Gallacher (Celtic), Danni McGinley (Dundee United), and Hannah Stewart (Aberdeen) and for the SWPL 2 award the nominees were Abby Robinson (Kilmarnock) and Morgan Steedman (St Johnstone).
Emma Brownlie of Hearts receives her SWPL 1 Player of the Month for January 2023 at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland on 13 February 2023.Courtney McAvoy of Boroughmuir Thistle receives her SWPL 2 Player of the Month for January 2023 at the Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland on 12 February 2023. PHOTO Malcolm Mackenzie/SWPL.
Quartermile nursery will reopen after new lease agreed
The business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of the leasehold interest of the former Nightingale Nursery in Edinburgh.
The vacant day nursery setting was once registered to care for up to 48 children. It is located on Nightingale Way in the Quartermile/Bruntsfield/Marchmont area of Edinburgh, just a few minutes’ walk from The Meadows.
The business was owned by Hillcrest Enterprises since 2019 and was recently sold to allow the company to focus on its core business. Following a sales process with Christie & Co, a new lease has been agreed with Alan and Susan Govan who run Primrose City Nursery in Glasgow.
Angela Linton, Chief Executive at Hillcrest Enterprises, said: “Following our decision to step away from Nightingale Nursery to focus on our main service offering, we’re delighted that the nursery will be given a new lease of life and will continue to offer a high-quality and friendly childcare solution in the heart of Edinburgh. The new proprietors come with vast experience and we’re confident that they will be able to take Nightingale Nursery to the heights that it is capable of.”
Alan Govan, new co-owner of the site, said: “Having made the decision to expand from a single-site operator in 2018 to now a group of four Glasgow-based nurseries, we have been looking for an opportunity to move into the Edinburgh market and Nightingale Nursery was in the ideal location. We are hoping to continue our expansion in 2023, adding more settings to our portfolio.”
Martin Daw, Senior Director at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, said: “We were delighted to act on behalf of Hillcrest Enterprises to source a new operator to reopen the setting. The nursery represented a great opportunity for new entrants to the sector as well as experienced operators. It’s great to be able to help Primrose City Nursery expand their service into Edinburgh.”
Nightingale Nursery was sold for an undisclosed price.
Hearts have a major hurdle to negotiate if they want to progress to the semi-final of the Scottish Cup having drawn cinch Premiership pace-setters Celtic in the feature tie of the round.
However, the tie will be at Tynecastle Park on the weekend of March 11 and full fixture details of the mouth-watering quarter-final will be confirmed shortly.
Hearts qualified for this round by beating cinch Championship side Hamilton Accies on Friday and Celtic brushed St Mirren aside at Parkhead.
The pair met at Tynecastle on October 22 in an classic which ended 4-3 in favour of the Glasgow combine, Taylor netting the game-winner after 76 minutes. Lawrence Shankland (pictured by Nigel Duncan) claimed a treble in the match for Hearts, including netting two penalties after 45 and 65 minutes.
Hearts and Celtic have clashed in the final in 2019 and 2020 with the Hoops winning both games.
Rangers host second tier side Raith Rovers while Inverness Caley thistle entertain Kilmarnock and Falkirk, who beat Darval 5-1, host Ayr United which means a non-Premiership club will be in the final four.
ScotHot looking for talented newcomers to the hospitality industry
ScotHot, Scotland’s leading showcase event for food, drink, hospitality, retail, and tourism, is on the hunt for the industry’s most talented newcomers to form its ‘hotlist’ as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations.
Ahead of the event next month, ‘ScotHot’s 50 Rising Stars’ list will recognise and celebrate those making their mark within their respective sector – acknowledging Hospitality Heroes, Champion Chefs, Rising up in Retail, Brilliant in Beverage or Tourism Trendsetters.
Nominations are now open via ScotHot’s online form, where individuals can nominate their colleagues, friends, employees, and role models in each category. Entries to the 50 Rising Stars list are not limited by age and anyone can be nominated provided they have ten years’ experience or less within the industry.
Each of the five categories will be made up of 10 nominees to form the 50 List, with those shortlisted honoured with an exclusive drinks’ reception event and will take their place on the wall of fame at ScotHot23 in Glasgow.
The final ScotHot’s 50 Rising Stars list will be decided by a panel of judges including Toby Wand, Managing Director of the 365 Events team behind ScotHot23, and David Cochrane, Chief Executive of Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland.
Toby said: “After the challenges presented by the last couple of years, we really want to shine a light on the emerging talent in the sectors represented at ScotHot23. This list is a representation of those individuals making a mark in the industry and will give them a platform to be recognised for their hard work.
“It is fantastic to be back and we cannot wait to welcome our partners, sponsors, exhibitors, and guests to ScotHot at the SEC in March.”
ScotHot23 will return to the SEC Glasgow from 8 – 9 March 2023. Now in its 50th year, ScotHot23 offers an unmissable opportunity for delegates to meet with suppliers, network with others to share ideas and inspiration, and learn about the latest trends from across the industry.
This year’s event will be supported by major partners including VisitScotland, Scotland Food & Drink, Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), Scottish Licenced Trade Association (SLTA), Scottish Licensed Trade News (SLTN), HOSPA, The Scottish Chefs, The Staff Canteen, The Guild of Fine Food, The Caterer and Drink Think, and is expected to welcome an estimated 7,000 visitors over the two-day showcase in Glasgow.
Nominations are now open for ScotHot’s 50 Rising Stars and will close to entries at 5pm, Friday 17 February 2023: https://www.scothot.co.uk/
Sheppard opposes more student accommodation at Jock’s Lodge
MP for Edinburgh East. Tommy Sheppard, has supported local campaign group “Save Jock’s Lodge” to oppose the plan to build a major student development at the corner of Restalrig Road South and London Road.
More than 1,600 comments were submitted to The City of Edinburgh Council, with 1,066 opposed to the application from developer Alumno Group and 533 comments in support. The deadline for public comments was 10 February 2023.
Sheppard, who has consistently voiced strong opposition to the development, formally submitted his objection to plans on Friday arguing that it would lead to an “excessive concentration of purpose-built student accommodation” in the area.
Within the last decade, no fewer than eight purpose-built student developments have been approved within a mile radius of Jock’s Lodge. Sheppard points out that these eight sites amount to more than 1,800 student bedrooms either already built or consented to.
He also highlighted how the seven-storey proposed structure would “radically” alter the appearance of the historic junction.
Mr Sheppard said: “We cannot allow purpose-build student accommodation developers to run rampant in this part of the city. If the application is approved, we’ll see an increased hollowing out of the local community. There comes a point where we need to be able to say enough is enough.
“Credit goes to the Save Jock’s Lodge Campaign and local Councillor Danny Aston who have mobilised local people to oppose this unnecessary and unwanted development. I urge planners to listen to residents and reject this application.”
The Edinburgh MP says he notes the “tremendous positive effect” that Edinburgh’s world-class universities and students make to the city, but he has previously spoken out against purpose built student accommodation. In an Edinburgh Evening News Article in August 2022, Sheppard said: “The lack of affordable housing in Edinburgh is one of the biggest social issues facing the city, and opportunities to build new quality social homes must be prioritised and maximised where possible.
“Yet developers continue to throw up sardine tin accommodation from which they can make huge profits, rather than build homes for families to avoid the legal obligation to provide a proportion of affordable homes. Sustainable communities need residents to be settled, not transient.”
Consultation opens on future plans for Portobello
The City of Edinburgh Council has opened a consultation on active travel and ways of making it easier to access Portobello town centre by walking, wheeling, cycling and/or public transport.
The council wants to improve the quality of the streets and public spaces and will use this initial consultation to develop the outline of a plan for improvements in the community.
This is part of the council’s policy on 20 minute neighbourhoods which is being implemented all over Edinburgh in a bid to help small local businesses in the town centres. The 20-Minute Neighbourhood strategy was launched in June 2021 with a vision to enable a net zero Edinburgh where everyone can live well locally.
People can now share their thoughts on how Portobello town centre could be improved by commenting either online or in person at Portobello Library. The online survey is available until mid-April, where people can identify specific parts of the local area that could be improved.
Paper copies of the survey and feedback cards are available to fill in and submit by the community board at Portobello Library.
Cllr Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We know our town centres like Portobello have many of the essential local facilities and services we value but could be much more liveable and pleasant places for both residents and visitors. We want to work with the local community and businesses to develop a plan that will encourage people to access the high street via active and sustainable travel and increase the quality of public spaces in the area.
“This all ties into our plans to reshape our transport network in order to cut congestion and reach net zero by 2030. Portobello town centre provides vital local services to communities across the east of Edinburgh and beyond, and we want to hear from everyone who uses the area. This is an initial opportunity for people to work with us and make sure their views shape the approach used to understand how the town centre could be better for them, however they use it.”
Nico Ferguson, Senior Grant Advisor for the walking and cycling charity, Sustrans, said: “Safe, convenient, and accessible links with local amenities, such as supermarkets, schools, and leisure facilities, are an essential part of any bustling community. By improving walking, wheeling, and cycling links along Portobello High Street, we hope to make this a reality for everyone.
“We look forward to hearing the views of the local community and strongly encourage everyone who can to take part.”
The City of Edinburgh Council has been awarded Places for Everyone funding to develop a concept design for an improved Portobello high street. Places for Everyone is an active travel infrastructure fund backed by the Scottish Government and administered by Sustrans. The Places for Everyone programme provides support and expertise to help deliver walking, wheeling, and cycling improvements across the country.
Hibernian FC has announced that they have signed Mikey Devlin on a short-term deal
The 29-year-old has put pen-to-paper on a contract that runs until the summer of 2023.
Playing on the international stage, in the Scottish top-flight, and in European competition, Devlin signs after a successful trial period with the Club and adds valuable experience to the backline.
He joins Hibs as a free agent but started the 2022/23 campaign in the English League One with Scott Brown’s Fleetwood Town side.
Hibernian FC Manager Lee Johnson said: “We’re delighted to bring Mikey to the Club and add depth in our defensive area.
“We have been impressed with him in training over the last week, and by bringing him in permanently it gives us the perfect blend at centre-half having two experienced players and two talented youngsters.
“He’s a good character and his experience of Scottish football will benefit the group. We look forward to continuing working with him.”
Edinburgh events to mark one year since invasion of Ukraine
Edinburgh will hold a range of events to mark the one year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.
The Rt Hon Lord Provost Robert Aldridge along with Hanna Beaton-Hawryluk, Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, met at Edinburgh Castle on Monday morning with other partners to announce the plans. There are some joyful events among others which will allow people a poignant reminder of those lost during this past year in the conflict.
Unbroken (Незламні), Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High St, EH1 1SR. An evening of song, poetry and music. More information and buy tickets.
24 February
Wreath laying at the City War Memorial, City Chambers, Royal Mile. Starts 2pm. Open to all.
Vigil for Ukraine at University of Edinburgh, Bristo Square. Starts 4pm. Open to all.
Ecumenical Prayer Service with the Ukrainian Catholic Church and Archdiocese of Edinburgh & St Andrews at St Mary’s RC Cathedral. 61 York Pl, EH1 3JD. Starts 7pm. Open to all.
The Other Side of War: Testimony of the Ukrainian Soldier at St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, 5 Lothian Rd, EH1 2EP. Starts 7pm. An evening with Ukrainian soldier Sergiy Sylantyev for a unique informal discussion. Charity event. More information and buy tickets.
25 February
March in support of Ukraine, Edinburgh Castle to Scottish Parliament. From 12 noon to 3pm. Open to all
28 February
Salute to Ukraine Concert at the Usher Hall. 7pm. Outstanding Scottish and Ukrainian musicians, writers and poets come together in an act of remembrance and solidarity. More information and buy tickets.
The Rt Hon Lord Provost said: “I am privileged to launch the ‘Ukraine Forever’ events programme on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council and our capital city. On this most sombre of anniversaries, we are reminded of the terrible consequences of Russia’s illegal invasion during the past year.
“Thank you to our partners, colleagues, and the Ukrainian community for their excellent work to deliver a programme that is designed to help residents and Ukrainians living in Edinburgh to reflect on the anniversary, raise vital funds for Ukrainian frontline charities, and celebrate the incredible actions of the Ukrainian community here in the capital.
“The ‘Ukraine Forever’ programme will hopefully show the people that are here from Ukraine see the solidarity of feeling that there is here in Edinburgh.”
Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk said: “As we approach the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion against Ukraine, we hope this programme of events will provide an opportunity for both residents of Edinburgh and Ukrainians living in the city to come together to commemorate the human sacrifice in the defence of Ukraine.
“We’d like to thank all partners, both from the city and within the Ukrainian community, for the compassionate and collaborative approach to coordinate this events programme. The first anniversary is a really important, but sombre, milestone to ensure that the profile of Ukraine’s fight is kept at the forefront of societies discourse in the coming year ahead. We need all of your help to continue supporting Ukraine”.
‘Ukraine Forever’ is a collaborative partnership of events between the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC), the Scottish Government, Associations of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), Help Ukraine Scotland, and Consulate of Ukraine in Edinburgh.
University to team up with inland surfing company in research programme
Edinburgh Napier University is to team up with the developers of the first inland surfing destination near Ratho in a formal research partnership.
The £55 million Lost Shore Surf Resort is being built at Ratho in a 60 acre country park by the company formerly called WaveGarden Scotland, and is expected to become a major leisure and tourism destination. The new park with waterfront restaurant and food market, and surf school offering surf therapy will open in summer 2024. The resort will also include a publicly accessible green space.
The research will focus on surfing but will also develop research and teaching opportunities for those in the hospitality and tourism sectors. The company will provide the university with onsite office space and amenities free of charge. The developers already funded a surf therapy PhD undertaken by Dr Jamie Marshall and completed last September.
Andy Hadden, founder of Tartan Leisure Ltd which is developing Lost Shore Surf Resort said: “Scotland’s first inland surf resort is coming ever closer to opening and it is exciting that we can reveal this collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University.
“The Lost Shore Surf Resort has always prioritised evidence based practice and rigorous research within our project. Indeed, that is why we funded the world’s first PhD exploring surf therapy with Dr Marshall and the university. We can now continue this relationship and will take surfing based research to new levels alongside our partners in the SurfLab.
“As part of our collaboration, Lost Shore Surf Resort will provide office space as well as all amenities, utilities and WiFi free of charge to the university. Where possible, we will also provide free use of the wave pool for pioneering research and teaching opportunities.”
Dr Jamie Marshall, Research Fellow School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Lost Shore Surf Resort will provide world class facilities to Scottish surfers of all abilities. The uniquely controllable environment will also allow for specialised research not possible in other contexts.
“With funding from Lost Shore Surf Resort, I undertook the world’s first surf therapy doctorate at Edinburgh Napier University to better understand how surfing is being utilised to support a range of vulnerable populations around the world. I am thrilled that the SurfLab collaboration will further deepen ties and ensure Scotland is at the forefront of all aspects of surfing research.
“Studies consistently show that exposure to our seas, lochs and waterways (blue health) can be great for our mental wellness and Lost Shore Surf Resort will allow people to do this in a controlled environment. This venture will help us better understand how we can harness, and optimise, the power of surfing to improve wellbeing both within intervention contexts, and for the general population.”
Professor Gary Hutchison, Dean of Applied Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University, added: “I am delighted to see our partnership with Lost Shore Surf Resort continue to grow through this new and exciting initiative. The Lost Shore team have a desire to understand their impact on performance, wellbeing and society. The alignment of this vision, with our own academic signature and expertise, creates an exciting space to deliver research, innovation and knowledge exchange that will not only enhance local communities but will have impact globally.
“As the top Scottish modern university for research power and impact we pride ourselves on being the home of difference makers and it is initiatives such as this that will benefit our students, staff and wider community. It has been a real pleasure to work with this ambitious and innovative organisation and I have great optimism for the future.”
Five things you need to know today
This week will be much the same as last week according to the Met Office who forecast a little rain on Wednesday afternoon, and otherwise dry weather with high of about 11°C.
It is half term week for Edinburgh schools, but the Edinburgh Science Festival will announce its programme on Tuesday at an event at the Museum, and the Scottish Labour Party conference will take place at Assembly Rooms from Friday.
Here is a snapshot of the news this Monday:
Teenager found injured in Dumbiedykes dies in hospital – man arrested
An 18-year-old man found in Viewcraig Street in the early hours of Sunday morning died later in hospital. Police announced on Sunday night that a 19-year-old has been arrested in connection with the death. The investigation continues.
The funeral of the firefighter who died from injuries sustained while dealing with the large scale fire which broke out in the former Jenners building on 23 January will take place this Friday at St Giles Cathedral.
The council decision to ban all strip clubs in the city has been found unlawful by a Judicial Review at the Court of Session.
The decision was only issued on Friday and will mean that the four licensed venues which already operate can continue to stay open. Lord Richardson who heard the judicial review said the council’s legal advice was wrong.
If you fancy something that will take you away from Edinburgh for a while then read Rosemary Kaye’s guide to the Berwick Film Festival which begins on 3 March.
Today would be a good day to buy a subscription to The Edinburgh Reporter monthly newspaper as our February paper is now with our stockists in various locations in the city. Among others all branches of Farmer Autocare have papers as well as Birthlink on Lower Gilmore Place and both Leith and Central Libraries.
If you are able to subscribe, then it would help us to keep our online coverage free to access, and also ensure the future of our newspaper for this coming year. And if you do, then thank you.
The TK Maxx Edinburgh Straiton will reopen next week after relocating to another unit in the Straiton Retail Park.
Opening its doors at 10.00 am on Thursday 16 February, the labels-for-less retailer offers everything from fashion for the entire family, to accessories, beauty, and home, all under one roof.
Spanning across 20,452 square feet, the newly located TK Maxx store will be packed with designer labels and one-off gems at up to 60% less than the RRP. Shoppers can expect several new deliveries every week with new treasure to find every visit. So, stop by often to see our latest designer finds and unique gems, all with amazing savings.
The plan is for the existing store to remain open in its current locations until 13 February, and then for the new store to reopen on 16 February.
The store which specialises in offering branded goods at discounted prices, has given all of its employed associates the opportunity to move across to the new store as part of the re-opening.
Store Address: 11 Straiton Mains Straiton, Loanhead, EH20 9PW
Man arrested after teenager dies in hospital
Around 3.45am on Sunday, 12 February, 2023, officers were called to a report of an 18-year-old man found injured in Viewcraig Street, in the Dumbiedykes area of Edinburgh.
Emergency services attended and he was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died a short time later.
A 19-year-old has been arrested in connection with the death and the investigation continues.
Detective Inspector George Calder, of the Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the young man’s family and friends at this very difficult time.
“We have a dedicated team of officers working on this investigation and extensive enquiries are ongoing at this time. I would ask anyone who was in Viewcraig Street and the surrounding area, in the early hours of Sunday morning, and who may have seen or heard a disturbance, or witnessed anything suspicious, to please get in touch with us.
“I am also keen to speak to anyone with any CCTV, dashcam or any other footage that they think would assist the enquiry. We will have a continued police presence in the area and anyone with any concerns can approach these officers”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting reference 0752 of 12 February, 2023. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.
Johan Eriksson claimed a double as Dundee Stars put the skids under arch rivals Fife Flyers ahead of their Viaplay Challenge Cup semi-final, second-leg in Sheffield.
The Kirkcaldy club lost 5-2 to Dundee Stars at The Dundee Ice Arena on Saturday and 4-3 at The Fife Ice Arena on Sunday and that is back-to-back defeats for Fife against a club which props up the ten-strong Viaplay Elite League.
Not ideal preparation then for Wednesday’s trip to one of the league heavyweights looming.
Fife led 1-0 and 2-1 but Stars turned the tables and slotted a fourth through top marksman Elijiah Barriga with less than nine minutes remaining.
Chris Gerrie gave Flyers some hope of salvaging something from the game with a strike after 57 minutes but Fife were unable to score again leaving Todd Dutiaume (pictured) and the Kirkcaldy coaching staff with a real headache ahead of the visit to The House of Steel for the Challenge Cup game on Wednesday.
Then the Scots aim to hold onto a slender 3-2 lead from the first-leg in Kirkcaldy.
Funeral of Barry Martin to be held at St Giles
Firefighters from all over Scotland will join the family and friends of Barry Martin in paying tribute to him at a funeral service to be held at St Giles’ Cathedral on Friday.
The 38-year-old firefighter from Fife died on Friday, 27 January 2023 following the serious injuries he sustained during a large-scale fire at the former Jenners building in Edinburgh earlier that week.
At midday on Friday, 17 February, the funeral cortege will make its way from the base of the Royal Mile, arriving at the Cathedral at 12.30pm when the service, by invitation, will begin.
In March last year the council imposed a ban on licensing any sexual entertainment venues (SEVs) in the city from 1 April 2023 onwards by imposing a nil cap on the number of such venues.
Following an action in the Court of Session raised by owners of venues operated as SEVs, a member of security staff at one of the venues and also a trade union, the United Sex Workers, Lord Richardson has determined that the ban should be overturned. He stated that the council’s legal advice was wrong. He said the council had failed to provide a policy statement on the number of SEVs which it would allow, although the judge said the determination would not have to be “elaborate or detailed”. But in any case the policy statement proceeded the same erroneous legal advice and it fell short of explaining reasons for the nil determination.
The judicial review hearing took place on 1 and 2 December 2022 and evidence was led that the council had held a consultation in April and July 2021, followed by deputations who presented their case to the council’s Regulatory Committee on 31 March 2022. At that point the council was to set the appropriate number of SEVs it would allow in the city and draft a licensing policy statement. The judge said the committee could have been in no doubt as the effect the ban would have on the livelihoods of those who presented to them.
The council was advised by officers to have due regard to the safety of women and girls and the prevention of violence against them. And officers warned that if the number of licenses was reduced to zero that would lead to premises closing and a loss of income for owners and staff.
The Scottish Government’s Equally Safe Strategy defines sexual entertainment as a form of violence against women and girls. Other local authorities have set a nil cap on the number of SEVs but that was usually where there had not already been any such premises in operation. In Edinburgh there were four such venues operating with licences.
The council approved the nil cap policy in October on the basis that the council should work with others (the Scottish Government) to reduce demand for commercial sexual exploitation. But it also granted a motion lodged at full council on 27 October by Cllr Lewis Younie to reconsider the nil cap as it might lead to ‘the further deterioration of performers’ safety in the city’.
Commenting on the decision, Steve MacDonald, a spokesperson for the Club Operators Action Group said: “The Club Operators Action Group would like to take this opportunity to thank the court and our legal team. The decision is, of course, very welcome.
“We look forward to working with the Regulatory Committee and the Licensing Board in continuing to provide a proven safe working environment for all our staff members, customers and particularly our performers.
Importantly, we also acknowledge the support of the USW Union – our partners in this action, as well as the continued support of the Police and the LSO in assisting the clubs in maintaining the licencing objectives.”
Teenager dies in hospital after being found injured in street at Dumbiedykes
A man has died after being found on Viewcraig Street in Dumbiedykes in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 3.45am on Sunday, 12 February, 2023, officers were called to a report of an 18-year-old man found injured in Viewcraig Street, in the Dumbiedykes area of Edinburgh. The street remains cordoned off while police conduct their investigations.
“Emergency services attended and he was taken to Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died a short time later.
“His next of kin are aware.
“The death is currently being treated as unexplained.
“Officers remain at the scene and enquiries are ongoing.”
Flint and Bickley seeded for under-21 championship
Berwick Bandits skipper Leon Flint (pictured) and Kyle Bickley of Edinburgh Monarchs are two of ten seeded riders for the British under-21 championship at Glasgow on August 27.
The top six from the qualifier at Workington on Sunday, May 28, which includes Ace Pijper, son of former Glasgow, Edinburgh and Berwick star, Theo, join the seeded riders in Glasgow.
BRITISH U21 QUALIFER DRAW: 1 Ashton Boughen, 2 Vinnie Foord, 3 Freddy Hodder, 4 Luke Harrison, 5 Harry McGurk, 6 Sam McGurk, 7 Ben Trigger, 8 Luke Killeen, 9 Archie Freeman, 10 Ace Pijper, 11 Nathan Ablitt, 12 Elliot Kelly, 13 Max Perry, 14 Jody Scott, 15 Mickie Simpson, 16 Sam Hagon.
BRITISH UNDER 21 FINAL – SEEDED RIDERS: Connor Bailey, Kyle Bickley, Jason Edwards, Leon Flint, Dan Gilkes, Drew Kemp, Jake Mulford, Anders Rowe, Dan Thompson, Joe Thompson.
Meanwhile, Armadale will host round three of the British Youth Championship on June 3.
The series will be raced over seven rounds, once again encompassing three categories – 500cc, 250cc and 125cc. Rounds at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Workington and Redcar will feature all classes whilst Scunthorpe, Belle Vue and Kent will split their British Youth offerings to provide additional racing to their league fixtures on those dates.
SCHEDULE: Round 1 – Scunthorpe (500cc/250cc), May 5 / Belle Vue (125cc), May 12; Round 2 – Glasgow, May 14; Round 3 – Edinburgh, June 3; Round 4 – Workington, June 4; Round 5 – Redcar, June 17; Round 6 – Scunthorpe (125cc), July 7 / Belle Vue (500cc/250cc), July 21; Round 7 – Kent (500cc/250cc), August 6 / Kent (125cc), September 10.
Packed programme at the 18th Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival
Independent cinema is under threat. Edinburgh’s Filmhouse and Aberdeen’s Belmont Cinema have been forced to close their doors, and the cost of living crisis is affecting funding for all creative industries.
In the midst of all this gloom, however, an annual celebration of new cinema and artists’ films is taking place next month. The three day 18th Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival opens on Friday 3 March, and offers a packed and varied programme of new work, retrospectives, discussions, performances and exhibitions – plus two club nights, just for fun.
Festival Director Peter Taylor said: “We could not be more excited to welcome audiences back to our fully in-person festival this year. As our new Spring festival dates promise, the festival has a new energy and a new lease of life and one which is reflected in a programme of screenings and events which is just as eclectic and exciting as ever. Across the town, we look forward to collectively sharing these new and retrospective works with cinema-lovers as well as offering up more than a few surprises along the way.”
The festival will focus on five themes: New Cinema Awards. Essential Cinema, Propositions, Filmmakers in Focus, and Screentime.
Deborah Stratman: Last Things
The work of 23 New Cinema Award winners – selected from 918 films submitted via an open call – pushes against boundaries of genre, form and convention. In Last Things by Deborah Stratman, based on two short stories by J.-H. Rosny, science meets speculative fiction in a reflection on evolution and extinction. Sophia Medoidze’s Let us flow uses innovative audio-visual techniques; set in the mountainous region of Tusheti in NE Georgia, it considers the importance of ritual, the maintenance of community ties and the way in which modernisation and migration are transforming rural landscapes.
Let us Flow: Sophia Medoidze
And in Ungentle by Huw Lemmey and Onyeka Igwe John le Carré meets Derek Jarman in a subtle reflection on the complex relationships between the development of British espionage and male homosexuality. Voiced by Ben Whishaw, the film draws on the life stories of famous historic operatives, from Anthony Blunt and Guy Burgess to Noel Coward and Hardy Amies, to explore the tensions between loyalty and lust that ran parallel in the lives of spies and gay men.
Ungentle: Huw Lemmey and Onyeka Igwe: image (c) Morgan K Spencer
Essential Cinema is a pluralist retrospective series, proposing revisions and additions to what might be considered canonical cinema; it includes Jon Moritsugu’s Asian freak-out magnum opus Terminal USA – ‘a maximally irreverent slice of early 90s punk culture’, and Helena Solberg’s debut short films The Interview and Noon, alongside her feature film From the Ashes: Nicaragua Today, which brings a multi-layered feminist perspective to a political and societal portrait of post-1979 Nicaragua.
Terminal USA: JOn Moritsugu
Filmmakers in Focus will present the first UK retrospective of acclaimed film-making duo Markku Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui whose narrative and documentary features centre people, stories and perspectives indigenous to the Arctic Circle, particularly the Nenets, Lapsui’s own nomadic tribe, living for centuries in regions of the Extreme North.
Anerca, Breath of Life by Lehmuskallio and his son Johannes centres on performance and the importance of song. Shot over several decades, the film speaks against the continued infractions of the rights of the indigenous people of the Arctic Circle while also expressing the joy, pain and energy of these individuals and communities through performance, conversation and cinema. The landmark film 7 Songs from the Tundra, the first film made in the Nenet’s language, is an anthology of seven vignettes demonstrating the clash of cultures between the Nenets and Soviet-Russians.
7 Songs from the Tundra: Markku Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui
And in Propositions filmmakers and critics will offer, in the discursive setting of a screening, discussion or performance, first hand perspectives expanding their work and contextualising aspects of their research and practice. This will include In Focus, a conversation with Markku Lehmuskallio and Anastasia Lapsui, Code Names, an in-person screening performance by Iranian artist Maryam Tafakory, and The Pleasures of Unbelonging, in which Christopher Ulutupu, an artist of Samoan/Niuean/German descent, creates new narrative forms through a ‘richly pop, queer and celebratory Pacific lens’.
Code Names: Maryam Tafakory
Screentime is filmmaking and cinema programming with and for young people. This will feature two short films produced by Berwick Young Filmmakers and the premiere of Bridge to the Future, a collaboration made as part of a wider community project around the conservation of the Union Chain Bridge, which spans the border between Scotland and England.
Hidden Among Clouds: Christopher Ulutupu
And that’s not all! Four exhibitions will run 10am-5pm daily. culture (cultuur) by Fairuz Ghammam explores aspects of (auto)biography, shared authorship and collaborative practices, staged as a walk through Ghammam’s home town of Kortrijk. Kamal Aljafari’sParadiso, XXXI, 108 repurposes found footage from Israeli military propaganda and transforms it into a fictional drama of men playing at war. Christopher Ulutupu’s Hidden Among Clouds draws on Ulutupu’s experiences of growing up in a large Samoan family in the mainly Pakeha populated region of Nelson to imagine stories of Samoan mythology and question the moral virtues they uphold, while Yu Araki’stempo is a quiet, atmospheric portrait of an elderly store owner in the small town of Yagi, Kyoto Prefecture.
Hidden Among Clouds: Christopher Ulutupu
Finally, after all that sitting down, you’ll need some exercise. On Friday and Saturday nights you can dance the night away at Festival Club, where DJs Miss Mobile Disco and Noodle invite you to ‘get up, get down and get on out to party’ at Magdalene Fields Golf Club from 10pm.
The Maltings: (c) Erica Stevenson
Events will take place all over Berwick-upon-Tweed. The festival hub will be The Maltings overlooking the 17th century Berwick Bridge and the river Tweed; other festival venues include the Magdalene Fields Golf Club, the Town Hall Council Chamber, The Magazine, The Gymnasium, Berwick Visitors Centre and even a former shop on Marygate.
Berwick is just over an hour’s drive from Edinburgh. It can also be reached by bus (Borders Buses service 253) or by LNER trains. The festival encourages the use of public transport or car-sharing wherever possible.
Full details of the festival, ticket prices, venues and accessibility can be found on the festival’s website here. If you are over 18 you can also volunteer to help at the festival – closing date for this is 24 February.
First 2023 exhibition at Art & Craft Collective opens next weekend
The first 2023 exhibition at Southside gallery Art & Craft Collective opens on Saturday 18 February.
‘Nature’ by stippling/pointillism artist David Esson contains work inspired by the wildlife around his base in the Highlands. It is his first solo show in Edinburgh.
David’s work engages the viewer directly through his elegantly detailed designs that reflect a deep love of nature, each piece is made entirely out of dots that have been positioned precisely with care. Gorgeous textures and atmospheric depth are all part of this exclusive collection.
David will be in the gallery between 2 and 3.30 pm for the opening to discuss his fascinating process and the inspiration for his work. The exhibition continues until Saturday 25 March.
Art & Craft Collective 93 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1QG
Housebuilder opens the door to three-storey townhouse in Cammo
Maximalism, eye-catching colours and unbridled joy are key themes adorning the inside of David Wilson Homes’ newly launched show home at Cammo Meadows in the north-west of Edinburgh.
As the region’s only three-storey show home, the three-bedroom Ashworth from the five-star housebuilder showcases multifunctional rooms fit for modern family living, designed by leading interior specialists Show Business.
A palette of bold, energetic colours has been used throughout the home, invoking feelings of cheerfulness and happiness – acknowledging a key interior trend for joyful, uplifting and mood boosting spaces recently identified by Wunderman Thompson in its annual trend report.
And with various paint brands proclaiming shades of red as their 2023 “colour of the year”, including Pantone’s Viva Magenta, a deep rose shade was selected for the ground-floor family dining room, working as both a grounding neutral and a touch of drama, complemented by a calming teal shade on the opposite wall. Relaxed textures create a laid-back feel to the room, including wood, soft accessories and fur throws.
Alix Riding, creative account manager at Show Business said: “Personality is key when it comes to styling a three-storey home, due to the vast amount of space. In this particular home we injected some fun and humour into the rooms with styling pieces such as artwork featuring jumping dogs and children’s artwork, as well as canvasses covered with splashes of paint to add a playful element. Pulling colours from wallpapers is a good guide when choosing cushion colours, and don’t be afraid to mix and match different patterns as this adds to the theme of fun and playful.”
Upstairs, subtle touches of maximalist wallpaper make a statement, including animal print in the family bathroom and striped wallpaper on the stairwell. To demonstrate the flexible nature of a three-storey house, the first-floor lounge with Juliet balcony takes an escapist “getaway” style to invoke a sense of calm above the hustle and bustle of family life downstairs.
The main bedroom with en-suite is on the top floor, featuring smooth velvets and panelled walls to create a smart look with a wow factor.
Anne Ross, sales director at David Wilson Homes East Scotland, part of Barratt Developments Scotland, said: “We’re really excited to reveal the east of Scotland’s first ever three-storey show home at Cammo Meadows, featuring three uniquely designed floors created for modern family living and with the latest design trends in mind.
“The house sits within a lovely community in the north-west of Edinburgh, less than ten minutes to the beach and just six miles to the city centre.”
House hunters are welcome to tour the show home at Cammo Meadows to get a feel for the property first-hand, as well as discover the surrounding area. A mix of three and four-bedroom homes are available, with David Wilson Homes offering incentives including up to £30,000 towards a mortgage, deposit or moving and running costs.
Modern building methods and materials also mean owners of new build homes can enjoy savings of up to £2,600 per year on energy bills, according to the HBF “Watt a Save” report published October 2022.
A new exhibition will open on 15 March and will showcase the work of photographer, Murray Close.
Close has had a stellar career as a film stills photographer. His first experience on a film set was working with none other than the brilliant Stanley Kubrick on The Shining, the horror film with Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall.
As a stills photographer, his first full length feature was on the low budget Withnail and I. The British cult classic launched Murray’s career as well as those of Richard E Grant and Paul McGann.
Murray has gone on to work on films such as Mission Impossible, The Hunger Games, Harry Potter and The Matrix.
This will be a rare chance to see his work “in the flesh”, and prints will be available for sale with prices ranging from £150-£950.
The exhibition is free and runs from 15 March 2023 until 15 April 2023, Wednesday to Saturday.
Please note opening times can vary so please call if travelling a distance. 07740 870579.
Love around the Quarter – the Crazy in Love booth awaits
If you are out ooking for the perfect gift for that someone special, or planning a date night, St James Quarter could be your go to destination.
From heavenly scents at H Beauty, champagne truffles from Hotel Chocolat, jewellery to treasure at Beaverbrooks, premium beauty at Rituals and Aesop, luxury leather goods at Coach and Kate Spade, stylish homewares at John Lewis and new season fashions at Boss and Zara – there’s plenty of Valentine gift ideas.
There are creative cocktails in The Alchemist, authentic Mediterranean sharing platters at The Real Greek and mouth-watering burgers at Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger. EL&N will provide the ideal date day with Insta-worthy shimmering mocktails and ruby pink hot chocolates alongside delicious cakes coated in lashings of heavenly buttered cream.
Visit Everyman Cinema to enjoy a first-class movie going experience and cosy up on a comfortable love seat. Those wanting to indulge in a little luxury can visit acclaimed restaurant Duck & Waffle to enjoy a specially curated Valentine’s Day set menu with champagne on arrival, snacks for the table, a choice of specially created dishes and delightful pink truffles to finish.
As part of St James Quarter’s Valentine’s celebrations, visitors are invited to visit the ‘Crazy in Love’ booth on Level 2, outside John Lewis, to record a video reciting the craziest thing they did for love to be in with a chance of winning an incredible date night experience at St James Quarter; to be enjoyed with your Valentine, Galentine, best buddy or favourite family member – the choice is yours.
St James Quarter will be sharing its own tokens of affection with guests by giving away a limited number of beautiful fresh red roses to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Those who are lucky enough to receive one of these beautiful blooms will also be in with a chance to win a £50 gift card through an exclusive prize draw, redeemable at The Quarter.
Are you #CrazyInLove #LoveAroundTheQuarter
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Loveis truly around The Quarter this Spring. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or your significant other this Valentine’s Day, St James Quarter is the go to destination for that perfect gift or date night with a difference.
“We are looking forward to hearing all the crazy in love stories and are inviting guests to vote for the winner via our YouTube channel.”
Valentine’s day activities and retailer events will be taking place at St James Quarter until 14th February. Keep up to date with the latest info via the @StJamesQuarter Instagram page or by visiting the website: https://stjamesquarter.com/event/valentines-day
Consultation on north south tramline will be held later this year
Edinburgh residents will be consulted on a plan to extend the capital’s tram line with a spur from Granton, through the city centre and towards the Royal Infirmary later this year, according to a report discussed by councillors last week.
Plans for the new line will be put to the public after the extension to Newhaven opens in the spring.
The council’s transport convener said the next phase will open in 2035 “at the latest”.
While the authority says building more tram routes is integral to cutting congestion and meeting ambitious climate targets, news of further disruption, roadworks and risk to the city’s finances may not be universally welcomed. As one councillor warned “you cannot spend what you don’t have”.
Meanwhile councillors have called on officials to look into the options for a “relatively short western extension” to Newbridge and Ratho Station – areas currently under-served by public transport. Almond councillors Lang and Work are particularly keen that such an extension is looked at – particularly as Cllr Lang said that the West Lothian Council is the fastest growing local authority in Scotland.
Transport Convener Cllr Scott Arthur said during a City Chambers meeting this week that a north-south route, estimated to cost £1.2 billion, is “at the absolute heart of everything we’re doing in the transport domain right now”.
He added its importance is “reflected” in The Scottish Government’s STPR2 plans.
A report published by Transport Scotland last year which sets out transport investment priorities over the next 20 years included developing mass transit in Edinburgh and the south-east, which has given the council hope the Scottish Government will fund the Granton to Little France tram line.
A separate report which went before councillors on Thursday said a strategic business case (SBC) was “making good progress” with work ongoing to “finalise alignment options for the southern section of the line”.
It stated: “A three month public consultation is planned for later this year. This will present the primary findings from the work completed so far and the outcome of the consultation will be used to complete the SBC.”
Cllr Arthur said the north-south extension “will open in 2035 at the very latest”.
He said: “There is always tension between getting delivery right and filling the potholes and having the ambition to take our city forward. Let me be clear. If we focus all our attention on the day to day, we will be left behind, because we compete with other cities all the time for investment. A key part of that is around our climate ambitions and also our willingness and our desire to cut congestion.
“We are doing this not because building trams is an ideology, we are doing this because we believe the economic case stacks up. We will build our case in the coming months and that will illustrate that the costs are exceeded by the benefits. If that is not the case then it won’t happen, but I am confident the benefits will be there to make this investment worthwhile.”
Cllr Danny Aston said there was “a strong case for an expansion westwards beyond the current start of the line at the airport serving the rapidly-growing communities of Newbridge and Ratho Station”.
He noted that both are “areas currently very under-served by existing transport links”.
Cllr Cammy Day the council leader also put in a plug for line 1b from Granton, which is one of the areas of the city with the lowest car ownership and highest levels of poverty. He reminded councillors it will also be an area where 3-4,000 homes will be built.
Councillors agreed to bring forward a report on the issues and options that would come with the “relatively short extension”.
The Conservative councillor, Marie-Clair Munro, said that even if another tram extension is desired by residents “we simply don’t have the money”.
She said: “Edinburgh residents have made their views very clear to I think nearly every councillor sitting here today – they want good travel, yes they want active travel, but they want their city’s roads and pavements repaired.
“You cannot spend what you don’t have.”
The Green group’s Alex Staniforth hit back, saying: “£1.2 billion is a lot of money and honestly maybe we’re not sure where we’ll get it.
“And these projects can be quite disruptive – trams and active travel – but do you know what would cost us more, would be more disruptive? Climate change and climate chaos.”
by Donald Turvill
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.
Prize guys David Cooper (left) and Mike Kyle collect vouchers after their success in the inaugural Edinburgh Winter Shore League sponsored by Edinburgh Angling Centre and the Fishing Megastore.
It was a close finish with Cooper, a self-employed painter and decorator, taking the title by only two points from Gordon Lyall to earn the £100 prize voucher from sponsors. Stevie Souter was third with 36 points but he wins the second place voucher of £60 as Lyall is a member of staff at the Edinburgh Angling Centre.
Midlothian-based Kyle was third and won a £40 voucher and Ian Campbell, the organiser, said that the event proved a great success. The only woman competing, Edinburgh-based Buffy McAvoy, a member of the Scotland women’s sea fishing squad, was 15th.
A total of 23 anglers fished the eighth and final leg at Newhaven and there were no blanks. Midlothian-based Kyle topped the podium with 23 fish with Lyall second on 20 fish and Campbell third on 13 fish. The longest fish was recorded by Kevin McNeish, a 28cm codling.
Overall, the top 20 were: 1, David Cooper 39 points; 2, Gordon Lyall 37; 3, Stevie Souter 36; 4, Mike Kyle 35; 5, Chris Cooper 34; 6, Stevie Burns 28; 7, Steven Barrett 27; 8, Stewart Falconer 19; 9, Ian Campbell 18; 10, Chris Barrett 16; 11, Ryan Venters 16; 12, Gus Brindle 13; 13, Dave McKervail 11; 14, Chris Anderson 9; 15, Buffy McAvoy 8; 16, Lindsay Bell 8; 17, Barry McEwan 7; 18, Cameron Cunningham 6; 19, Kevin McNish 6; 20, Alan Haggon 5.
Only the top five scores of the eight legs counted for final placings and Campbell thanked Arbroath-based Stewart Falconer, David Cooper and Kyle who helped organise the matches.
He said that 40 different anglers took part in the league, some only attending a match or two, and others grinding their way through most legs and he added: “It has been great to see so many new faces and hopefully some have caught the match bug and we will see them again.”
Campbell added: “A wee special mention to guys like Chris Cooper, Chris Anderson, Steven Barrett and Ryan Venters who are either relatively new to competition fishing, or had never fished a match in their lives, but fished most legs and picked up some fantastic results along the way. Hopefully, they are the future of match angling in Scotland.
“And a special mention to the only lady to enter, Buffy McAvoy, who turned up and competed with the men, ending with a very respectable top half finish.”
He added: “There were a couple of hard matches in there but, generally, the fishing was pretty good and over the eight legs there were 1,062 counting fish caught, an incredible number.”
Jambo joy after Scottish Cup victory
Hearts progressed into the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup with a 2-0 win over cinch Championship side Hamilton at the rain-soaked New Douglas Park thanks to goals from Stephen Humphrys and Cammy Devlin.
Humphrys made it two goals in two games when he collected a ball from Josh Ginnelly and fired a left-foot shot beyond Hamilton goalkeeper Ryan Fulton after 29 minutes.
And Devlin netted the second after good work down the left by Alan Forrest who cut the ball back towards the penalty spot. Devlin stabbed home under pressure after 79 minutes.
The Tynecastle team claimed their fifth Scottish Cup quarter-final berth in six seasons despite a spirited performance from the Lanarkshire side who prop up the Championship table.
Robbie Neilson’s men dominated the first-half, enjoying 79 per cent of the possession, but Hamilton rallied in the second-half despite playing 120 minutes of football in the SPFL Trust Trophy semi-final on Tuesday.
Robert Snodgrass, named captain in the absence of suspended skipper, Lawrence Shankland, was the undoubted Man of the Man, controlling fro midfield, as Hearts had 20 shots on the opposition against four in return.
Overall, the Men in Maroon, who are third in the cinch Premiership, had 74 per cent of the possession during the televised tussle and Neilson told BBC Scotland: “First-half we controlled but second-half I thought we were poor to be honest with you. We had a few chances but ultimately it is about being in the draw on Monday.”
Goalscorer Humphrys also told the broadcaster that his aim was to get in the right position and he said: “The ball came from Gino (Josh Ginnelly). I made the run shipped it onto my left foot and scored the goal.
“It is another goal and two from two now and I will just keep building on that.”
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