The Dell Directory November 2023

November 2023

rance Day mb

vember No

urday, 11 th Sat

Reme LOCAL HISTORY:

COMMUNITY: STARGAZING:

r e b m e v o N

THIS ISSUE

T

he nights are drawing in and it’s the season for fireworks, winter fayres and the Pentlands Book Festival!

Shopping at local fayres makes a huge difference to the charities and organisations who use these events to fundraise. It also means you find unique and often handmade gifts, and are supporting local businesses, so it’s a win for everyone, often with some home baking on the side! The Colinton Tunnel have recently released a 1000 piece jigsaw which is a wonderful local gift idea, as well as a Colinton Tunnel colouring book. They are available via their website, see page 45 for details.

The dark and wintry nights are ideal for stargazing – a guest column from the Planetarium Manager at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh shares his tips for what to look out for in the sky this month, see page 31.

I hope you enjoy the magazine this month.

As ever, do let me know.

P45 Local History: Marvellous Merchiston............. 8 Health: All things Acromio-clavicular.............12 I Love Food: Tempting Tastes of Autumn....20 Wine: Lovely legs.................................................22 Stargazing: The wonder of Scotland’s Dark Skies..............................................................29 Local Environment: Good as Gold.................32 Lynne’s Column: The end of an era...............38 Puzzles....................................................................40 Community: Community Chest Awards.......41 Local Walk: Around Threipmuir.......................42 What’s On..............................................................44 Community: Colinton Tunnel - Puzzle...........45

COVER IMAGE: Remembrance Day Saturday, 11th November 2023

All enquiries, E: editor@konect.scot M: 07854 492638

The Dell Directory is delivered monthly to 5,500 homes in the Colinton, Craiglockhart and Kingsknowe areas. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe THE DELL | 3

GERRY AITKEN Painter & Decorator Juniper Green

Get in touch for a FREE Estimate: T: 07798 565 321 • E: junigig@aol.com

4 | THE DELL

THE DELL | 5

6 | THE DELL

THE DELL | 7

LOCAL HISTORY

If your home was garrisoned by soldiers and under threat of bombardment, you might pick somewhere else to get married. But 22 year old John Napier, namesake of Edinbugh Napier University, signed his wedding contract with his 16 year old bride at home in Merchiston Tower in just those circumstances in April 1572.

The hobbyist mathematician and seventh Laird of Merchiston would probably have preferred to be remembered for his works of theology.

He changed the world, but not in the way he imagined - his invention of logarithms is the work for which he is most celebrated.

John Napier was born at Merchiston Tower (now one of Edinburgh Napier University’s campuses) in 1550. We don’t know what he studied but he went to the University of St Andrews at the age of 13. There is no record of him graduating from there; he most likely finished his education in Europe, arriving back in 1571, aged 21, when Scotland was in the grip of a civil war in which his family was reluctantly involved. Four years previously, Napier’s maternal uncle Adam Bothwell, the Bishop of Orkney, had performed the coronation of baby James VI after his mother’s forced abdication, and civil war ensued between supporters of the deposed Catholic queen and supporters of the baby king (or rather, of the Regent who ruled in his minority). Merchiston Tower, being in a strategic location, was garrisoned by the Regent’s men to prevent supplies reaching the Queen’s supporters holding Edinburgh. The Tower was severely bombarded by the Queen’s men in May 1572 in a failed attempt to gain control. Archibald Napier, John’s father, whose loyalties appear to have been ambiguous, probably stayed in the tower throughout, although it is unknown if the rest of the family did.

John and his new wife moved to Gartness Castle 8 | THE DELL

(on the western edge of Stirlingshire today).

He took the task of running the Napier estates very seriously. He was known in Edinburgh as “Marvellous Merchiston” as he was always working on ideas to improve productivity. He experimented with salt fertiliser, invented an apparatus to remove water from flooded coal pits, and built land surveyancing devices. Part of the inheritance was the title of the King’s Poulterer, and the “Pultrielands” at Dean Village a plot of land for raising poultry to be supplied to the king on request.

But Napier considered himself first and foremost a theologian. The Reformation in Scotland was young, it was a time of religious and political turmoil and he was a fervent protestant. In 1593 he published what he considered to be his most important and urgent work, “The Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. John” - detailed exposition that the Pope was the Antichrist. He sought to alert the king to “the apparent danger of Papistry arising within this Island… .” fearing, like many, threat from Catholic Spain.

Following the publication of the “Plaine Discovery” (which gained him international recognition) Napier worked on designs for various instruments of war - “designed by the Grace of God, and the worke of expert craftsmen.” He was covering all bases, evidently, in the case of a Spanish invasion - if the theological writings didn’t head off the catholic threat, he wanted to make sure

Scotland had some new weaponry! It included two kinds of burning mirrors, a piece of artillery, and a metal chariot from which shot could be fired through small holes.

At this time, Napier also turned his attention to developing a means of simplifying the very long and complicated calculations he needed for his work on astronomy.

From 1594 he worked on a methodology, finally publishing what he called logarithmic tables twenty years and seven million calculations later, in 1614. It was a mathematical breakthrough immediately taken up enthusiastically by scientists as it saved them years of calculations and allowed radical progress in astronomy and navigation.

He made other signification contributions to mathematics including promoting the use of decimals, and “Napier’s bones” - numbering rods for multiplying, dividing and taking square roots and cube roots. Made of ivory, they looked a little like bones, hence the name. He also described a method of using metal plates in a box to rapidly perform multiplication and division problems - the earliest known attempt at using a type of calculating machine.

For Napier, though, mathematics was a hobby, a means to an end that he worked on as and when he had time besides his theological work.

The Statistical Account of 1795 says: “Adjoining the mill at Gartness are the remains of an old house in which John Napier of Merchiston, Inventor of Logarithms, resided a great part of his time (some years) when he was making his calculations. It is reported that the noise of the cascade, being constant, never gave him uneasiness, but that the clack of the mill, which was only occasional, greatly disturbed his thoughts. He was therefore, when in deep study, sometimes under the necessity of desiring the miller to stop the mill that the train of his ideas might not be interrupted.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly he cut an eccentric figure. The Statistical Account also records he “used frequently to walk out in his nightgown and cap. This, with some things which to the vulgar appear rather odd, fixed on him the character of a warlock.” But stories of his supposedly magic

powers have been exaggerated over time.

With James VI on a fanatical quest to eliminate witchcraft, had Napier seriously been suspected of anything he would not have been spared. It’s more likely that the nightgown was academic garb, and that his incredible and diverse output led him to appear eccentric and misunderstood.

He moved back to Merchiston with his family on the death of his father in 1608, until his own death in 1617.

I visited Merchiston Tower last month to wander through the rooms and get a feel, if possible from this distance in time, of the building that was first and foremost a family home but swept up in turbulence. Its matter-of-fact integration into the Napier University campus, with a modern corridor running right though it, somehow echoes for me the way the Archibald Napier carried on business as usual; the marriage in the garrisoned home; and how John Napier’s monumental invention of logarithms was almost incidental to what he considered his main life’s work. One thing is for sure, he would be very happy to see his home part of a place of higher education.

Merchiston Tower: Now one of Edinburgh Napier University’s campuses

This article was originally printed in the Dell Directory February 2018, and was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne, Dell Directory editor THE DELL | 9

10 | THE DELL

THE DELL | 11

HEALTH

Chances are, that unless they are giving you pain, you will not have thought much about your Acromioclavicular joints.

The AC joint as it is known, is the small joint between the end of your collar bone, the Clavicle, and the Acromion which is part of your shoulder blade. It can be found at the tip of your shoulder and it is an important wee joint that helps ensure that we have a full range of movement at our shoulder. However, they can cause problems and these problems fall into two main categories – pain due to local trauma disrupting the joint and the ligaments around it, or to Osteoarthritis of the joint.

AC joint injuries can happen in high impact contact sports such as rugby or American football but the AC joint can also be injured

in falls. We have seen people with a sprained AC joint after a fall on the golf course or off a bicycle. Sports which involve repetitive throwing or weight lifting overhead can also cause local pain at this joint and the ligaments supporting it. Men are far more likely to injury their AC joints than women, with the ratio being 5:1, and the most common age group affected are those in their 20s, indicating the dangers of high impact sports to this joint.

With a traumatic AC joint injury there will be pain over the lateral edge of the shoulder, there may be local swelling and there may be an obvious “step” where the end of the collar bone and the acromion bone are no longer level, with the collar bone sitting high compared to the Acromion. Treatment will depend on the extent of injury. Type 1 or 2 sprains where there has been a stretch or partial tear to the ligaments can be treated conservatively with the use of ice and medication for pain, rest in a sling for between 1 and 3 weeks followed by physiotherapy to strengthen muscles to regain movement and function. The shoulder can function as normal even with the “step” deformity remaining.

More extensive injuries with complete rupture of ligaments may require surgery.

Osteoarthritis of the AC joint occurs in middle age due to the degeneration of the cartilage disc at the joint. This pain will often be well localised, meaning that people can point to exactly where the pain is coming from. Pain will be made worse by reaching across the front of your body as if going to scratch your opposite shoulder. Treatment for this includes local medication, physiotherapy to mobilise the affected joint and strengthen the muscles around the shoulder. Modifying activities during the acute phase is sensible to let the irritated joint settle. If pain continues, a steroid injection into the joint can provide relief but research shows that this relief may last for up to 3 months, but could be as little as 2 hours.

Our AC joints may be small but they deserve to be looked after. If yours are causing problems, do find out what can be done to help.

The health column is contributed by McNaughton Physiogrange, Edinburgh www.physiogrange.co.uk

12 | THE DELL

For Recovery And Beyond Knowledgeable Experienced Friendly Physiotherapy Relief from Back and Neck pain, Muscle Aches and Sports Related Injuries Make an appointment with us

0131 337 5135 Online booking now available

www.physiogrange.co.uk No GP referral required Free Parking

Gillis Centre 100 Strathearn Road Edinburgh EH9 1BB

Award winning care homes

We’re proud to be recognised for our excellence in care, winning more awards than any other provider in the last three years.

If you’re considering a care home, call 0330 828 0494 or visit careuk.com/edinburgh

Trusted to care Cairdean House, Colinton Lauder Lodge, Portobello Murrayside, Corstorphine

THE DELL | 13

14 | THE DELL

THE DELL | 15

WEIR GAS SERVICES Former Scottish Gas engineer

Tel: 07981

366 988

Central heating - service, repairs Gas fires, cookers, hobs installation, service & repairs General Plumbing services Garden taps, washing machines, dishwashers Landlord safety inspections email : lesweir@blueyonder.co.uk

16 | THE DELL

Made to measure curtains & blinds • Large selection of blinds, hundreds of fabrics to choose from at home • Tracks, Poles & Pelmets • Upholstery & Re-Upholstery • Re-spray service • Soft Furnishings • Outdoor Upholstery • Lampshades • Houles Paris Luxury trimmings • Public & Commercial spaces service

Call me for a free in-home appointment: Marc Van Cartier-Kerr 07935 819068 Visit: marcvck.com Email: marc@marcvck.com

Marc Van Cartier-Kerr ARTISAN

THE DELL | 17

18 | THE DELL

THE DELL | 19

I  FOOD

How much of your day has to do with food? Thinking about it, buying it, preparing it, fretting about the fats or carbs in it, savouring it, dealing with leftovers, daydreaming about more food … I realised a long time ago that I was fairly consumed with what I consumed! Some people eat to survive. For others, like me, thoughts of breakfast get us out of bed in the morning!

The tempting tastes of autumn

At this time of year I struggle with decisions about what to eat.

A strong voice inside urges me to be very careful about calories and saturated fats.

It warns me that with only seven or eight weeks until Christmas, now is the time to get some weight off, or at least not gain any. If I don’t show self-control now, and therefore enter the Christmas season on the heavy side, the result will be obvious as I walk (or waddle) into the new year.

The problem, of course, is that this inner voice isn’t the only one I hear. Another one – just as strong or stronger – starts up the minute the weather starts getting cooler.

And it tells me I need warm, hearty meals with plenty of melted cheese and potatoes in them! I need a cooked breakfast with all of the trimmings, and maybe a pain au chocolat and coffee afterwards, just for good measure. And, of course, I need pumpkin bread and hot apple crumble with ice cream and hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon. “This is no time to control yourself!” it screams. “You need to bulk up! Winter is coming and you need comfort food, and plenty of it, if you are going to LIVE!” Sometimes I show amazing willpower, but often I believe that voice.

So I try to find ways to enjoy the wonderful tastes of autumn, but be sneaky about the way I do it. You may do this too, or you 20 | THE DELL

may like the idea and want to try it. If so, here are two easy suggestions for you – one savoury and one sweet: 1) a simple ratatouille. Slice three or four courgettes, and a few onions, and brown them in a frying pan with a clove or two of pressed garlic (I use low-fat spray oil). Wash and thickly slice some mushrooms and throw them in too! Season with salt, pepper, oregano and basil, add a can of chopped tomatoes, and then simmer. The result is delicious – especially if you top it with a little grated parmesan.

2) Baked apples. Core Bramley apples and fill the holes with a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon (mixed with some soft butter if you have the calories to spare) and some raw oats or nuts. Bake for half an hour or so, or until the apples are cooked through.

Top with half-fat crème fraiche and more cinnamon for a filling and comforting dessert.

Hopefully I’ll make it to Christmas using tasty but strategic dishes like these. If not, you will be seeing a lot more of me in January!

I FOOD is contributed by Suzanne Green.

Suzanne, is a freelance writer/editor. She is married to Andy and they have two adult daughters.

THE DELL | 21

WINE TASTING

Have you ever heard someone refer to the ‘legs’ of a wine, or perhaps the ‘tears of wine’ and wonder what they are referring to?

When you next have a glass of wine (making sure to leave enough room to swirl the glass!), give the glass a gentle swirl. Encourage the wine to travel up the side of the glass and settle down again.

Hold the glass up to the light and soon enough you should start to see colourless liquid travel down the inside of the glass, a little like a rain droplet running down a window. At this point, you note whether the legs or tears are thick and slowmoving or thin and quick moving. So, what does this mean, is it important?

This phenomenon is an example of the Gibbs-Marangoni Effect and provides a visual guide to the alcohol content of wine! Dense, slow-moving legs indicate an alcohol content between 12%- 15% (higher for fortified wines). The quicker and thinner the legs, the lower the alcohol, perhaps between 8%-11% alcohol.

Both alcohol and water evaporate, with alcohol evaporating quicker than water.

The more alcoholic the wine, the longer it will take to evaporate.

Don’t be discouraged if you think the legs in your glass are lacking. Legs have no bearing on the quality of the wine. Swirl the wine and guess the alcohol content, then look at the back of the bottle. It’s a fun game and after some practice, you might impress your friends by accurately guessing the alcohol content!

The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Juniper Green with her husband and three children. For wine recommendations, reviews and details of future tasting events, please go to swirlsipsocialise.com 22 | THE DELL

boiler cover plans from as little as £13.99 a month

Plumbing Heating Joinery Gas Fitting Maintenance Servicing & Repairs

We can offer 0% finance for your project*

Bathroom Design & Installation Specialists Landlord Gas Safety Checks Boiler Breakdown Cover Tel: 0131 441 7999 Mob: 07738 006 781 E-mail: admin@owengibbandsons.co.uk

34 Bridge Road Colinton, EH13 0LQ

*We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 947495. We are a credit broker and not a lender.

www.owengibbandsons.co.uk THE DELL | 23

26 | THE DELL

THE DELL | 27

28 | THE DELL

STARGAZING

THE WONDER OF SCOTLAND’S DARK SKIES Our dark autumn and wintry nights offer an excellent opportunity to observe almost directly overhead the beautiful starlight arc of the Milky Way, our home galaxy.

In winter, the classic hour-glass-shaped Orion (the Hunter) dominates the southern sky. The three ‘belt’ stars of the Hunter point down and left towards the bright star Sirius and up and right towards the V-shaped constellation Taurus. Of course, don’t forget to observe the Moon – it’s an incredible sight in binoculars.

On the 17th / 18th November (Leonids) and the 13th / 14th December (Geminids) you may see shooting stars. Watch out too for the slow-moving ‘star’ of the International Space Station (ISS) as it makes bright evening passes in the southern sky from November to January. Be sure to give them a wave!

The Northern Lights (aurora) are spectacular and can be observed with the naked-eye from Scotland. Faint aurorae can appear white and low towards the north. You may get rewarded with beautiful greens and pink colours too.

Want to know more? At Dynamic Earth, our fantastic 6K resolution planetarium hosts presenter-led shows like ‘Whats Up’ and ‘You are Here’, furthering understanding of Earth’s place in the Universe and revealing more about the stellar wonders that lie far above our heads. Do pop in!

The stargazing column is contributed by Dr Alistair Bruce, astronomer and planetarium manager at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh’s world class science centre and planetarium, and the UK’s leading earth science engagement charity. dynamicearth.org.uk THE DELL || 29

30 | THE DELL

THE DELL | 31

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Now, you might be thinking you already know what the smallest bird in the UK is. The little Jenny wren, surely? It’s actually the elusive goldcrest!

Weighing the same as a 2 pence piece or 4 skittles (all measurements shall henceforth be done using skittles) this tiny little bird takes the crown for our smallest bird and though this picture doesn’t show it overly well, that crown is actually a stripe of gold running between its eyes to the top of its head.

This has been a lot of fun to research, so here’s my top 3 facts about these little birds. In Sweden, they’re called “Kungsfågel” which translates to “the king bird”. I found out when I went there to photograph golden eagles, which are just a touch bigger than the goldcrest. There’s also a myth they rode on the back of woodcocks during migration, earning them the name “Woodcock pilot”. The collective name for them is a goldcrest cuddle! That’s just adorable if you ask me.

Although we have a healthy breeding population here, their numbers swell in winter as we’re joined by their 32 | THE DELL

Scandinavian friends. I’d been at Beecraigs photographing crossbills when I heard the high pitched chatter of this little bird (they sound similar to long tailed tits if you’re keeping an ear out) foraging for insects in the pine trees.

Over the years, this is the best photo I’ve got because they have ants in their pants and barely sit still.

This column is contributed by Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson, who grew up in Edinburgh and now live in West Lothian. Together they run Scottish Sisters Photography and travel around the country to watch and photograph amazing wildlife and scenic landscapes.

Follow them on Facebook: @ScottishSistersPhotography

THE DELL | 33

34 | THE DELL

THE DELL | 35

36 | THE DELL

THE DELL | 37

BREAKING NEWS

"The End of an Era" Says, Lynne Arnot

ABOVE: A very rudimentary sketch,

by Lynne Arnot

Six years ago, almost to the day, I started a Life Coaching/Personal Development night class. I had turned 50 that year and celebrated with a series of events peppered throughout 2017 that had included appearing as a contestant on a TV quiz show and walking 26 miles round stunning Loch Lomond for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The night school was held in a classroom at Firrhill High School so it had the added bonus of allowing me a peek inside “the big school” which seems like such a scary place when your first born has just left the cosy confines of primary school.

On that first week, the teacher asked us all to draw a picture of our life goals on a large sheet of paper.

Now, anyone who’s ever had the misfortune to play Pictionary with me will tell you that drawing definitely ain’t one of my skills. He encouraged us, though, to sketch down what we could, even if it was largely stick men and text. The quality of the image mattered less than the intention behind it, he assured us.

Amongst my scribbled images of hot tubs, beaches and boat trips I sketched a

very rudimentary book or magazine with my name on it as I had long harboured a desire to write. What exactly I wanted to write I was unsure of but I definitely wanted to see my name in print.

In January 2018 I pushed my goal a little further and sent off a piece to my local magazine, The Dell Directory. To my absolute delight, the editor liked it and agreed to include it in the February edition. She even went as far as to suggest I would be welcome to send in more for future editions.

So, I did. In February 2018 I excitedly turned the pages to see my little piece with my name on it in print and over the months I was delighted to see it become “Lynne’s Column”.

Fast forward six years and so much has changed. I now

only have one child at school and one poised to turn 18, my husband and I now work from home with our dog for company and we’ve all weathered a global pandemic.

Through it all I’ve been lucky enough to share my thoughts and musings with you all each month. I never imagined from that (literally!) sketchy beginning I’d become a regular magazine columnist.

The power of visualisation right there!

Six years is longer than I ever dreamt of and I feel that now is the time to embark on new challenges so I’ve made the difficult decision that December will be my last column (I hate endings ).

I will sign off properly with much gratitude next month but for now I will return to the drawing board to see what other dreams might come true.

Lynne lives in Colinton with her husband and two children. She dreams of being a freelance writer when she grows up but mostly just avoids growing up!

38 | THE DELL

Support for PC’s, Laptops, Wi-Fi, Printers & software.

We can visit your office / home or please drop into our office at Bridge Road to speak to us…. ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

Small Business Office 365 Business Email Video Conferencing VOIP Phones Virus Protection Cloud Storage Backup of Data Flexible IT Support

➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

Home PC / Laptop Repair SSD Upgrade Virus Removal Data Backup Networking & Wi-Fi Adhoc Support

Call us on 0131 510 9300 or email: info@worx24.co.uk 30-32 Bridge Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0LQ THE DELL | 39

58mm Vertical [LEFT]

NOVEMBER CROSSWORD

^^^ Solution in the December edition of Konect ACROSS: 1. Brass instrument (7), 5. Two wheeled transport (5), 8. More fortunate (7), 9. Room under the eaves (5), 10. Not sour (5), 11. Adore, revere (7), 12. Come to an end (6), 14. Irritates, annoys (6), 17. Used for cigarettes (7), 19. Seashell (5), 22. Regulations (5), 23. Holiday home (7), 24. Found in the spine (5), 25. Ruin (7).

DOWN: 1. Informs (5), 2. Male relative (5), 3. Artist (7), 4. Flung (6), 5. Seat (5), 6. Fasteners (7), 7. Gets away (7), 12. Went into (7), 13. Small stones (7), 15. Accompanies (7), 16. Compelled (6), 18. Supports for broken bones (5), 20. Not ever (5), 21. Useful (5).

^^^ Sudoku solution on page XX 44

NOVEMBER SUDOKU

40 | THE DELL

SMALL AD

BIG Impact

To be included in The Dell Directory, please contact us.

Our details are on P3.

ADD SOLUTION DETAILS

The Community Chest is to be opened up again in December, providing grants to local organisations towards projects of value to the community, and applications are invited with a closing date of 30th November.

Currie Balerno Rotary set up the Community Chest in 2017 and it is now funded and managed jointly by Rotary and the Balerno Village Trust under the new banner of Pentland Community Chest, reflecting its geographical coverage. Since 2017, applications have been received from organisations and schools in the area and 95 grants have been made totalling some £33,000.

In the half-year period to 31st May 2023 grants were awarded to the following: Wildfire Explorers Scout Group; Ravelrig RDA; Nether Currie Primary School PTA; Harmeny Education Trust; Currie Star Football Club 2008; West Edinburgh Stingrays Water Polo Club; and Pentlands Gymnastic Club.

We are delighted to be supporting such a range of organisations, showing the Community Chest to be effective across our local community. The next awards will be made in December in response to applications received by 30th November.

Don’t miss the deadline.

Information about the Community Chest and an Application form are available from links on the Pentland Community Chest website at pentlandcc.org.uk Organisations in part of Colinton CC area are eligible for grants, please contact us to check eligibility

THE DELL | 41

Morning mist still clings to West Kip as I look out over the reservoir. The gentle lap of water against the levee is not the only sound. I hear geese calling in the distance too – at turns both melancholy and joyful. It is the sound of autumn.

This clockwise circuit of Threipmuir Reservoir can be accessed either directly from the Threipmuir car park, or from Harlaw (turning right past the visitor centre and walking to the southern end of Harlaw reservoir).

Walking eastward along the top of the levee between Harlaw and Threipmuir reservoirs, I scan for water birds and see goosander, tufted duck and, farther out, a raucous raft of gulls bobbing upon on the wind-whipped surface. I head towards the narrows at Black Springs, dazzled by the low sun’s reflection.

The dark bulk of Black Hill looms closer, like a surfacing leviathan, and, as its outline obliterates the sun, it adopts the rust-brown hue of autumn bracken. In a band of glassy calm in the lee of a small promontory a heron hunts. Mallards rest by the bank while a mute swan cob glides elegantly amongst reeds in the easternmost shallows. I traverse the small

42 | THE DELL

causeway and begin a gradual climb up and across the hill’s flank. Before long I am jolted as red grouse burst from cover right in front of me, emerging from heather to which the last purple blooms cling. Sheep graze in pasture below and eye me warily as I stop to take in fine views north across the reservoir to the Forth Bridges and Fife beyond. Stonechats line up along the barbed wire ahead, females dressed in dusky brown while the males sport a dapper black mask and red bib.

Just as their name suggests, the calls of these little birds resemble two rounded pebbles being clicked together. They track my progress, maintaining a cautious ten metre distance, but only as far as the young conifer plantation where they take up positions upon the topmost sprigs, like Christmas decorations.

greeted by a cacophony of honking and flapping as a host of greylag geese take to the air. It’s a stirring site – one of which I don’t think I will ever tire – and a fitting end to this autumn morning’s walk.

Walk time 2.5-3 hours

A piercing ‘kee-ew!’ cry draws my attention left to the southern skyline, where three buzzards soar the thermals, silhouetted against the pale blue. The path now descends steeply, turning south into Green Cleugh. I double back along the lower path that will lead me north again. I am now in the sheltered crucible of the plateau, remarkably warm away from the autumn breeze. Indeed, here, upon these sun-baked stony paths, lizards will bathe in the warmer months. The path wends its way through gorse-topped dune-like hummocks of glacial deposit before emerging at a gate by Bavelaw Castle.

Gravity is on my side now and I descend the steep beech-lined drive at a cheerful yomp. The trees are in full splendour of the season, their leafy palette boasting a full range from pale greens to russet browns.

On reaching the bottom of the hill I take a minor detour to the Robin Aitken bird hide, accessed along a short boardwalk off to the left. On my way there, a pair of dragonflies, in mating clinch, whirl past and settle upon the wooden slats. Their eggs will soon be laid beneath the water’s surface, where next year their nymphs, voracious little predators, will terrorise the shallows. The hide itself looks out over the western end of Threipmuir. I open the viewing window to reveal a bustling scene of greylag geese, mallard, teal, and mute swans, all watched over by a cormorant, dark and statuesque, drying itself upon a post.

I return to the roadway, crossing Redford Bridge then heading back towards the reservoir past Threipmuir car park, the path fringed with the gold of fallen pine needle and birch leaf. Emerging back at the northern shore to return to my starting point, I am This article was contributed by William Weir. William is a scientist and amateur writer/photographer who lives locally. In his spare time he enjoys exploring the trails and wild spaces of West Lothian and the Pentland Hills.

THE DELL | 43

SOLUTION TO OCTOBER CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 1. Straws, 4. Heated, 9. Neutral, 10. Tired, 11. Teeth, 12. Unaware, 13. Competition, 18. Grandma, 20. Awful, 22. Organ, 23. Extract, 24. Easier, 25. Breezy.

DOWN: 1. Sanity, 2. Route, 3. Worship, 5. Extra, 6. Tornado, 7. Dodged, 8. Illustrated, 14. Oranges, 15. Tractor, 16. Ignore, 17. Glitzy, 19. Dunce, 21. Flare.

SOLUTION TOSUDOKU SUDOKU SOLUTION TO ON PAGE 40 XX

Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement.

We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU. Magazine Design: Alan Stewart Design M: 07729 911858 E: hello@alanstewartdesign.com W: www.alanstewartdesign.com

44 | THE DELL

SOLUTION TO OCTOBER CROSSWORD MONDAY 6TH NOV TO MONDAY 20TH NOV Pentlands Book Festival - Huge range of events covering novels, poetry, crime, journalism, history and more. Events are free, with the opportunity to donate, and will be held at Currie and Colinton Libraries and various other locations. See www.pentlandsbookfestival.org for full programme. Tickets available at Colinton and Currie libraries or online on Eventbrite – Search: 'Pentlands Book Festival ' THURSDAY 9TH NOVEMBER Power of Attorney – free lunchtime talk - 12.30pm 1.30pm, part of our monthly Let's Talk Care series, supported

by Allingham & Co Solicitors. The Hub@531, 531 Lanark Road, Juniper Green, EH14 5DJ. Free drop-in.

SATURDAY 11TH NOVEMBER ACROSS: 1. Straws, 4. Heated, 9. Neutral, 10. Tired, 11. -Teeth, 12. Unaware, 13. Competition, 18. Grandma, Balerno Farmers Market Main Street, Balerno, 20. Awful, 22. Organ, 23. Extract, 24. Easier, 25. Breezy.

9.00am to 1.00pm DOWN: 1. Sanity, 2. Route, 3. Worship, 5. Extra, MONDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 6. Tornado, 7. Dodged, 8. Illustrated, 14. Oranges, 15. Tractor, 16. Ignore, 17. Glitzy, 19. Dunce, 21. Flare.

When Nature Calls - Water of Leith Conservation Trust host a talk by Scottish Water, who will explain how the TOthey SUDOKU network operates, their plans toSOLUTION transform how deliver ON to PAGE XXthe risk of litter their services and their campaigns reduce ending up in the environment. Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Rd, EH14 1TQ. 7.30pm. £4, free for members.

Limited places, book via www.waterofleith.org.uk MONDAY 27TH NOVEMBER ‘A Year at Dawyck Botanical Garden’ - Talk by Thomas Gifford, Supervisor at Dawyck Botanical Garden.

Hosted by Colinton Garden Club, Upper Hall, Dreghorn Loan, 8pm. We are a friendly and thriving club and new members are very welcome. www.colintongardens.org.uk PENTLAND PROBUS CLUB EVENTS - All meets are in Juniper Green Parish Church Hall, Lanark Road 10.00am - 12noon. New members welcome. Further details from our Club Secretary Leslie Hannaford 0131 Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept 453 3012 or lesliehannaford@blueyonder.co.uk responsibility for loss or damage caused

by error in the printing an advertisement.

Unicorn” an ofillustrated WED 1ST NOV - “Operation We do not endorse any advertisers in talk by Tim Purves. this publication.

All material is accepted WED 15TH NOV - “Artic Convoys” an illustrated talk for publication on the understanding it is

by Leona Thomas. copyright free. No part of this publication WED 4TH DEC - “Housing Disabled Veterans may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

Scotland”, an illustrated talk

by Bob Kemp Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston,

WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR West EVENT LothianHERE? EH54 6GU. COMMUNITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE Magazine Design: FREE OF CHARGE. Alan Stewart Design M: 07729 911858

EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE E: hello@alanstewartdesign.com W: www.alanstewartdesign.com MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE.

The Colinton Tunnel – a puzzling underground art movement?

New from the underground team is our recently-released 1,000 piece jigsaw, which features a selection of the most popular images from the Colinton Tunnel mural.

The crowd awaiting the arrival of the Balerno Pug is at the centre, surrounded by a border of smaller images from within the mural. It's a great jigsaw for puzzle enthusiasts. We gave a copy to the Swing Café at Colinton Kirk, whose visiting puzzlers took almost two weeks to complete it, so we know that it’s puzzling.

Our initial production run sold out really quickly, so our tunnel elves have had to get busy making more.

We have now got stock ready for you to order for Christmas (or just for yourself!). Visit our wee web shop at colintontunnel.org.uk to order. At £20 including p&p, it's great value – as are the other items in our small range of tunnel souvenirs.

All proceeds go directly to keeping the mural bright and fresh.

Those tunnel elves never rest! As you may have spotted, some elements of the mural have been brightened up, others have been completely replaced and there are a few new images for you to find. Even better, the whole mural has had a wash thanks to the efforts of our friends at the Water of Leith Conservation Trust and a group of Scouts who were having their annual camp at the Bonaly Scout Centre.

They were brilliant!

Finally, the Pentlands Book Festival (PBF) is almost here. As readers will know, there’s always an engaging and stimulating selection of events at venues along the Water of Leith villages. We’re pleased to say that Mike Scott and Eddie Banks from the tunnel mural team will be talking about their work and (because it’s a book festival) the Colinton Tunnel Colouring Book which they coauthored. They will be in Colinton Library at 11.00 on Saturday 18th November. Get your tickets from local libraries or book through the PBF website: pentlandsbookfestival.org This article was contributed by The Colinton Tunnel, colintontunnel.org.uk The Colinton Tunnel is a Scottish Charity, SC048476

THE DELL | 45

SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...

ST CUTHBERT'S PLAYGROUP - 10.00am - 11.30am - Every Monday during school term time. £2 per family. Toys, snacks and a fun songs!

St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. Contact Rev Nicki McNelly for more information: stcuthbertsrector@gmail.com FORGET ME NOTES - The Forget Me Notes Project is a charity that uses music to build community and combat isolation in a variety of settings On the first and third Monday of each month - 2.00pm - 4.00pm in St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. Join us when you can, for an hour of music and memories, followed by refreshments. All welcome. Please contact Rev Nicki for more information: stcuthbertsrector@ gmail.com (www.forgetmenotes.org.uk) COLINTON FRIENDLY BRIDGE CLUB - Held in St Cuthberts Church Hall every second Tuesday afternoon between 2.00pm - 4.00pm. Please contact Ken McLeod on 0131 466 0888 for more information.

TEA AND TOTS - Stay and play for ages 0-5 with their parent/carer - all are welcome! Toys, crafts, refreshments, song-time and more. Every Thursday during school term time, 10am-11.30am at Redeemer Church, 64 Bridge Road, Colinton, EH13 OLQ. FREE. E: admin@redeemeredinburgh.org T: 0131 441 7327 ST CUTHBERT’S BADMINTON CLUB was created about 1946. It meets in the Church Hall in Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. It is non-competitive and meets on Monday evenings at 8.00pm between September and Easter. For details, call Archie Clark on 0131 449 4703.

PENTLAND BRIDGE CLUB - Come and play duplicate bridge in a friendly atmosphere. We meet in St Margaret's Court, Juniper Green on Thursdays at 7pm. Table money £3. Less experienced players made very welcome. For further information see www.bridgewebs.com/pentland or email mthjkb@gmail.com COLINTON LITERARY SOCIETY - Meetings start with coffee, tea and wine at 7.30pm and are held at Dreghorn Hall, 22 Dreghorn Loan, EH13 0DE. Full programme details are at www.colinton-parish. com/colinton-literary-society.html COFFEE, CAKE AND COMPANY - Drop in for a free coffee between 10.30am and 12pm on Mondays from 4th September at Redeemer Church 46 | THE DELL

Edinburgh, 64 Bridge Road EH13 0LT. We are mostly retired people, but all ages are welcome!

More details at redeemeredinburgh.org/ccc THIS MUM RUNS - We are a small group of local women (not just Mums!) who support and empower each other to be healthier and happier. We meet Wednesday’s at 7:30pm at the bottom of Thorburn Road, or Sunday’s at 8am in Spylaw Park for a quick warm up, 30-minute run at the pace of chat/your pace, and then a gentle cool down. We’d love to see you there! All free, run by friendly local volunteers www.thismumruns.co.uk/join-a-local-run WAVERLEY SPEAKERS CLUB - Meets in Morningside Parish Church (from 19th September), fortnightly on Tuesdays at 7.15pm. Our aim is to improve members’ public speaking skills in a supportive atmosphere. Each evening has three prepared speeches of eight minutes, evaluated constructively by another member. Eight impromptu short speeches follow, also evaluated.

New members will be made most welcome.

Contact i.wright237@btinternet.com LOCAL FLORAL ART CLUB - Sit back and enjoy relaxing evenings watching a floral demonstration with lively & interesting chat. You might even win one of the arrangements. Meet: Boroughmuir Rugby Club, Meggatland, off Colinton Road EH14 1AS. 7.30pm - 9.30pm on the 1st Monday of the month from September. Wine/tea/coffee available.

Contact: Joyce Rutherford on 0131 443 2536 or joyce.rutherford@btinternet.com COLINTON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB - We meet fortnightly from September to end of March/beginning of April in St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue from 7.45 - 9.15. We have an excellent teacher and live music so come and join us, with or without a partner, you’ll be made very welcome. Tel: 07751186359 or 07483814988.

PUPPY & ADOLESCENT DOGS GROUP CLASSES - A great way to socialise and learn all the basic obedience tricks for your pup. Group classes take place in a puppy-proof garden at 2 Woodfield Park. It’s a block of 5 classes spread over 5 weeks. Classes take place on either Saturday or Sunday morning and last for 45 min.

For more information visit headstartdogtraining. com or call 07366 464040.

THE SWING CAFÉ - Tues to Sat 10.00am2.00pm. Please come for breakfast (10.00am-

12.00noon), lunch (12noon -2.00pm) or some delicious home baking (available all day). We welcome groups and if you would like to book a table, please contact 07514 689258.

There are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options. Under 12s are invited to enjoy a children's menu. Sit in or take away. We look forward to welcoming you.

DESTINATION JUDO @ CRAIGLOCKHART - Craiglockhart sports Centre. Wednesdays 3.45pm (5-8 year olds) and 4.30pm (9+ year olds). Judo is a dynamic sport based on a combination of balance, co-ordinationation and reaction. Most importantly judo helps children become more self aware, disciplined, and polite. Of course we teach all this in a fun way. For information please email callum@ destinationjudo.com or call 0131 467 9043.

COLINTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Want to know about local history?

W: www.colintonhistory.org E: enquiries@colintonhistory.org COLINTON GARDEN CLUB - Club members share their love of gardening, gardens and nature, and work together to preserve and add value to our quality of life here in south-west Edinburgh. Monthly members’ meetings on a Monday, in the upper Hall, Dreghorn Loan and start at 8.00pm. We are a friendly and thriving club and new members are very welcome, plus outings and events. The annual subscription is £8.00.per household.

For more information see: W: www.colintongardens.org.uk E: membership@colintongardens.org.uk LUNCHCLUB - Every Wednesday 1pm – 3pm, 3 courses £4. Spaces are limited, first come first served. Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU. Please visit: oxgangsneighbourhoodcentre.org.uk PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP - Tuesdays, am session and pm session for two age groups (all under 5s). Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU. T: 0131 466 0678 E: oxgangsneighbourhoodcentre@gmail.com

THE DELL DIRECTORY

OXGANGS NEIGHBOUR CENTRE CAFÉ 10.00am to 1.00pm. Bacon rolls, baked potatoes, toasties, specials, teas, coffees and cake. Sit in or takeaway.

To include your Club or Class, please email details, up to 75 words, to editor@konect.scot Not-for-profit groups are FREE. There is a small charge for businesses. See konect.scot for further information.

THE DELL | 47