Konect Queensferry June 2025

JUNE 2025

LOCAL HISTORY:

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT: LOCAL WALK:

The NEW monthly community magazine for Queensferry, Kirkliston, and Winchburgh

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spent a very pleasant afternoon at Hopetoun House one day last month. I’d not written about it before, so thought it was time to highlight it as a local place of interest and well worth a visit, see pages 8-9.

I will be doing the Tough Mudder event at Hopetoun this month, so if I survive that I will be back with the July issue!

The walk feature this month takes us into the Heriot-Watt campus, thanks as ever to our knowledgeable guide William Weir who shares his highlights of the flora and fauna, see pages 26-27. It’s nice to be reminded that there is a lovely series of carefully thought-out trails to be enjoyed within the campus, and if work or other commitments take you round the bypass to the south of the city it’s an easy one to fit in a walk and breath of fresh air on your way back.

Loneliness Awareness Week takes place in June, run by The Marmalade Trust who say, “It’s all about creating supportive communities by having open, honest conversations. Loneliness is a natural human emotion - we are hardwired to need social connections. By talking about it, we can support ourselves and others.” That’s an attractive vision for our communities! There is plenty going on this month, for all ages and interests. Browse the What’s On and all the Clubs & Classes. This section is a core part of Konect every month. There is something for everyone and we know it has made a difference to a lot people over the years.

As ever, thank you for reading Konect, I hope you enjoy the magazine this month!

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

Local History: When the king ate turtle soup at Hopetoun.................................................................8 Film Review...............................................................10 Life coaching: Mind those boundaries...........13 Puzzles...............................................................14 / 21 Interiors.......................................................................15 Local Environment: Fluffballs on the move....18 Wine: Sancerre by any other name..................24 Recipe: Making food your summery................25 Local Walk: Around Heriot-Watt........................26 What’s On: June Events.......................................28 Clubs & Classes......................................................31

COVER IMAGE: June: It’s summertime!

Konect is delivered to 7500 households in Queensferry, Kirkliston and Winchburgh.

Copies are also left at libraries, community centres and other locations throughout the area.

It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe QUEENSFERRY | 3

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WHEN THE KING ATE TURTLE SOUP AT HOPETOUN Way back in the mists of time, the hamlet of Abercorn was briefly the seat of the Bishop of the Picts; then the location of a medieval castle which was destroyed by the crown during the infamous spat between James II and the Black Douglas; then, on the former castle lands, the magnificent Hopetoun House was built, where King George IV dined as a friend.

Such is the cycle of fortune, and Hopetoun House, commissioned by a widowed Lady Hope for her son, is today a Georgian time capsule, a family home, a spectacular events venue, a film location, and a wonderful place to while away a summer’s day exploring both indoors and out.

The historic Hope family’s rise to prominence dates to when Sir James Hope (1614-1661) acted as lawyer for a lead mining heiress, Anne Foulis. Anne was defending her right to inherit her father’s lead mining fortune at Leadhills in Lanarkshire. Esteemed legal talent was in the family - James’ father was King’s Advocate for Charles I. Sir James won the case for Anne, client and lawyer fell in love, and married. Thus the valuable lead mines came into possession of the Hope family, giving their fortune and status a huge boost.

James and Anne’s son, John Hope, purchased the lands of Abercorn in 1678, where he planned to build a magnificent house for himself and his family.

He also purchased the Barony of Niddry Castle.

But tragedy struck before John managed to build his house.

At just 32 years of age, and

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with two very young children, John was one of many passengers lost at sea when HMS Gloucester, carrying the Duke of York and an entourage of courtiers to Edinburgh in 1682, was wrecked off the English coast. Family tradition has it that John gave up his place in a rescue boat for the Duke of York, sacrificing his own life for that of the future King. (The wreck was identified just three years ago, in June 2022, and Royal Museums Greenwich website provides fascinating detail about the journey and the shipwreck, rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/ hms-gloucester-shipwreck-history-james-ii) John’s widow Lady Margaret Hope took on management of the family businesses until their son Charles was of age. (He was just one year old when is father died). And, in 1699, on the occasion of Charles’ marriage, Margaret commissioned the building of Hopetoun House. Perhaps she and her husband had discussed the vision for it before he died, or perhaps the brief she gave the architect was entirely her own. In any case, she entrusted the work to the renowned Scottish architect William Bruce. Bruce’s work today remains in the central core of the original home. There were also formal gardens in French style behind the house.

Charles was created the first Earl of Hopetoun in 1703, just after he turned 21. The title was possibly granted in recognition of his father’s sacrifice for the Duke of York back in 1682. Charles decided to extend the house considerably, and in 1721 he commissioned William Adam to create a much grander, more palatial home. This is the house we see today.

The work took a long time – so long in fact that Charles didn’t live to see it completed, neither did William Adam. William’s sons John and Robert, also renowned architects, finished the interiors. The house was completed in 1767.

Many members of the Hope family had distinguished military and political careers.

The 4th Earl (1765 - 1823) was described

by Napoleon Bonaparte as one of the most formidable generals in the British Army - a compliment indeed from a brilliant military leader. There is a statue of the 4th Earl in the courtyard of Dundas House, the former headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland, of which he was Governor. He served as LordLieutenant of Linlithgowshire, as did several subsequent generations of the family. The 7th Earl was the first Governor General of Australia.

For a family with many close links to the royal family, Hopetoun has received only one royal visit. In 1822, George IV visited for lunch at the end of his state visit to Scotland. It was the first state visit to Scotland from a reigning British sovereign in 170 years. It was carefully stagemanaged by Sir Walter Scott and included a lot of tartan pageantry. Highland dress had been banned following the Jacobite rebellions, but the ban had been repealed some 40 years previously; the decision to dress the King in Highland outfits was seen as an act of reconciliation. On his last day in Edinburgh, the King arrived at Hopetoun House at 1:15pm where crowds were waiting (in the rain) to see

him and where a lavish, multi-course lunch had been prepared. But the King limited himself to some turtle soup and three glasses of wine. Using Lord Hopetoun’s sword, he then knighted Sir Henry Raeburn, the Scottish portraitist, and Captain Adam Ferguson, Keeper of the Regalia in Scotland, and within 2 hours he was off again, heading to Port Edgar where the Royal Yacht waited to take him back to London.

Uniquely, many of the rooms at Hopetoun remain unchanged from when they were built, so you get a peak into real Georgian style.

Much of the furniture is original, along with artwork collected by the various earls. Fans of the time-travel fantasy TV series Outlander flock to Hopetoun House as it was used as a filming location, but just a visit is in itself a form of timetravel - as you wander through the rooms you may as well be in Georgian times.

A visit is highly recommended. The excellent guides at Hopetoun can provide much more detail – guided tours are available at specific times as part of the entry fee. Besides the fascinating interiors, furniture, art and family stories, the grounds provide serene walking trails through a variety of designed landscapes.

There is of course an excellent tea room.

See www. hopetoun. co.uk. Open for the season until 28th September.

This article was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne after a visit and guided tour of Hopetoun House.

Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines QUEENSFERRY | 9

Hayao Miyazaki is a filmmaker who requires no introduction. He is simply one of the greatest minds working in animation today, and when he eventually decides to commit to retirement, the animation landscape will never be the same.

However, as an anime lover, my biggest blind spot is ironically Studio Ghibli films. I have only really watched My Neighbour Totoro, The Boy and The Heron, and Spirited Away. So, I felt it was only right to check off another film on my watchlist by watching Howl’s Moving Castle, which represents Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli at their best. It follows Sophie, a young woman who is cursed with an old body by a witch. The only way for the curse to be lifted is with the help of Howl, a flamboyant and insecure wizard.

Howl’s Moving Castle is nothing short of stunning—a gorgeously animated film that blends hand-drawn animation and CGI to bring this industrial world to life. It is also a beautiful love story about discovering the

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beauty within us and that there is more to beauty than mere appearances.

However, the most impactful aspect of the storyline is the film’s anti-war messaging. From how war permanently changes the people involved to how it destroys our environment, and that there are no victors when it comes to war, everything about Howl’s Moving Castle is simply incredible. There is no other film like this, and from beginning to end, you will be in sheer awe of this exquisite work.

Available to stream on NETFLIX

The Film Review is contributed by Robert Ewing. Robert is passionate about film as an art form, and shining a light on films that may not be on people’s radar. Robert is from Kirknewton.

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LIFE COACHING

There are many areas of our lives where we could all benefit from being aware of our boundaries and those of others, but, for many of us, it’s not something we pay attention to.

What most of us do instead is seethe quietly when someone else puts an additional task on top of everything we are juggling in our busy lives.

Like so much in most of our lives we assume ‘roles’ at work, in our friendships, relationships and with our family and these ‘roles’ very easily become our norm. We find ourselves being the one who always steps in to help with shopping, to provide a shoulder to cry on for our friends and the one who always says ‘yes’.

Setting boundaries that are right for us requires self awareness and we need to be clear about

our own needs and express them to ourselves and others. This is easy to say but, for those of us who were raised as ‘people pleasers’ telling people what we need can be really difficult.

If all our lives we have tried to please the people around us, the first steps in setting those boundaries can be challenging. But, we can start by respecting our own boundaries, deciding what we are going to do and being clear about what we are not going to do. When it comes to family this can be challenging but all our relationships will benefit from honesty and it’s all so much better than seething quietly when yet another demand lands on our overloaded plate.

The Life Coaching column is contributed by Francine Orr, NLP coach, hypnotherapist & reiki practitioner. Francine is available for appointments at Forth Physio, Queensferry, and at Linlithgow Chiropractic. She is also available online. See orrganise.co.uk

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The crossword solution will be published in the JULY edition of Konect

JUNE CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 7. Eighth month (6), 8. Son of a monarch (6), 9. Knock unconscious (4), 10. Family member (8), 11. Award (7), 13. Strangely (5), 15. Begin (5), 17. Fun-loving (7), 20. Single-storey residence (8), 21. A long walk (4), 22. Obstructs (6), 23. A rat (6).

DOWN: 1. Mumble (6), 2. Destroy (4), 3. Gazing (7), 4. A fruit (5), 5. Annual celebration (8), 6. Place of learning (6), 12. Fight (8), 14. Scowls (7), 16. Ridicules (6), 18. Mean (6), 19. Nearby (5), 21. Conceal (4).

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We’ve all been there: staring at the same wall colour samples for months, feeling bothered by a room that just isn’t quite right, yet unable to move forward.

It’s easy to underestimate how much mental energy we lose to indecision. The longer we sit with unresolved choices, the more they sap our mood, cloud our focus, and quietly weigh us down.

When it comes to our homes, indecision can stem from a fear of making the wrong choice but doing nothing can feel worse. It creates a low-level stress that hums away in the background when we are trying to relax.

The good news is that you don’t need to have all the answers. Sometimes we just need someone to step in, listen, and offer a clear, thoughtful direction. That’s where working with a designer can be transformative, not just for your home, but for your peace of mind.

The interiors column was contributed

by Carla Mackay. Carla helps clients in Queensferry and the surrounding areas create beautiful, comfortable homes. www.carlamackayinteriors.co.uk QUEENSFERRY | 15

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Few sights can melt a heart faster than a trail of tiny mallard ducklings wobbling after their mum.

Covered in soft yellow and brown down, these little paddlers are born adventurers. Mallards usually lay 8–13 eggs, and after about 28 days of incubation, all ducklings hatch within 24 hours of each other - because no one wants to be left behind!

Mallard ducklings are precocial, which means they’re up and moving almost immediately.

Within hours of hatching, they’re following mum to the nearest water source, learning to swim, dive, and dabble like pros. They might look like they’re just splashing about, but they’re busy picking up essential survival skills—and the odd water flea or two.

Staying warm is a full-time job when you’re a fluffy ping-pong ball, so ducklings huddle together or tuck under mum’s wings when they’re tired. While they can feed themselves from day one, mum keeps a watchful eye, warning them of danger and sometimes performing a very convincing “broken wing” act to lure predators away.

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In just two months, these fluffballs grow into fully feathered young ducks, ready to take their first flight. Until then, they’re busy exploring the world one paddle at a time adorable, curious, and just a bit clumsy.

So next time you see a family of mallards on your local pond, take a moment to admire the ducklings’ determination. They’re not just cute - they’re tiny dynamos navigating life’s big pond.

This column is contributed by Clare Harte, who lives in West Lothian. Clare spends much of her time travelling around Scotland looking for and photographing our wonderful wildlife.

Follow her on social media as Clare Harte Photography for more wildlife content.

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Lesley loves nothing better than spotting and picking a lovely flower in the garden and then choosing other blooms that look good with it to create a delightful posy for indoors.

She has a collection of glass vases and jam jars for her posies and maintains a ‘tablescape’ display on the table in our hall, using several vases.

This tablescape in mid-May had ten vases filled with just a few different flowers. The repeating white flowers of Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) hold the whole tablescape together, supported by Granny’s Bonnet (Aquilegia seedlings) and the purple globes of Allium and Chives. Sometimes each of her vases

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will contain different flowers because these are what she found around the garden.

We believe that every garden should be able to offer a small posy of flowers throughout the year, whether it is flowers, leaves or seed heads. You will enjoy examining the flowers close up in your home. The tablescape may be too much work for you to keep going every week, refreshing the water and replacing dying blooms. But try it for special occasions!

The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens.

Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.

JUNE SUDOKU

The crossword puzzle can be found on page 14. See page 31 for solutions.

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WINE

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS! “Unearthed Edinburgh” photography competition, by Edinburgh Libraries

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is powerful, vivid and distinctive. On the nose you find tropical fruit mixed with gooseberry and grapefruit, layered with floral honeysuckle.

The winemaker’s goal is to produce the best example of Sauvignon Blanc they can. They have explored every angle and produced a polished, precise expression of the grape variety. You’ll be forgiven for thinking this is the best example of Sauvignon Blanc available!

However, have you tried Sancerre?

Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc grown in the Loire region of France. The wine is named after the place it comes from, rather than the grape variety. Here, the winemaker invites you to not only experience their best expression of the grape variety, but to taste where the wine comes from. This is the idea of ‘terroir’.

Sancerre from the northern hemisphere is less tropical in character than that produced in NZ. When I taste Sancerre, I’m reminded of a summer herb garden after the rain. There’s petrichor, wet stone, green herbaceous notes of broken leaf. Sancerre has an incredible freshness and minerality that I haven’t found anywhere else.

Generally, Sancerre and NZ Sauvignon Blanc are fermented in stainless steel tanks, rather than oak casks. The wine is dry, the acidity is racy and mouthwatering. Both styles can be enjoyed on their own or but also with food, I’d have either with shellfish, or a goat’s cheese salad.

Why not experiment? If you usually buy Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, why not try Sancerre and visa versa?

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 24 | QUEENSFERRY

Run by Edinburgh Libraries, the theme celebrates both the city’s wonderful green spaces and gardening as forces for creativity, resilience and connection. We welcome photos which celebrate any green space in the city, from the Meadows to your window box!

The competition is free to enter and open to all. All entries must be submitted via Edinburgh Collected (edinburghcollected.org) where they will become part of a community archive of Edinburgh memories.

Tell us in the accompanying description what makes the picture special to you and remember to add the tag “unearthed”. Entries will be judged on both their photographic merit and on the accompanying text.

THERE ARE FANTASTIC PRIZES TO BE WON! • 1ST PRIZE – £100 book token • 2ND PRIZE – £50 book token • 3RD PRIZE – £25 book token The competition runs until 31st July 2025.

Make sure to read the Unearthed Edinburgh competition guidelines and terms and conditions - zurl.co/BvAtt - or if you have any queries, contact informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk

FOOD & DRINK

Makingyourfoodfeel Summery To us in Scotland June is often the kindest month and with luck we can enjoy the wonderful very long days, flowers and food from the garden or allotment.

Gardeners may have their first new potatoes and broad beans, herbs will be well up and there are elderflowers, sorrel and garlic leaves we can harvest from the wild.

June is often a month people plan for outside events, galas and weddings. Summer celebration food is a British strength. Think of cold, decorated poached Scottish salmon, bowls of strawberries and meringues and puddings decorated with crystallized flowers or fruit. Rare roast beef sliced thin with tiny new potatoes and mint, followed by stewed apricots and cream are all simple and delicious.

This may all be a bit of a dream when you have a family to feed, not enough time and less in the budget than you hoped. There are still ways to make your food feel summery and leave you with to time to enjoy the long days and good weather if we get any.

PASTA WITH CREAM AND NEW VEGETABLES - Cook which ever shape of pasta you most enjoy and when it is ready have the following ready to add:

• A dash of olive oil • 1 egg beaten into ¼ pint double or whipping cream • Cooked asparagus chopped or new tiny broad beans or fresh peas just cooked.

• A rasher or 2 of thin crisp cooked bacon per person, broken up • Salt and a good grinding of black pepper • Chopped chives or mint or sorrel leaves.

Chose the herb which will go best with the veg you are eating. eg. mint with peas.

At the last moment add the veg, oil, herbs, bacon and then the cream and egg to the hot, drained pasta. Give it a quick mix to coat the pasta with the rest of the ingredients and there you

Flower Petal Salad are…a quick summer meal making expensive ingredients go further and still tasting good.

FLOWERS IN FOOD - There are several flowers which are good to eat and when added to salads or as decoration to puddings give the dish a summery look, including nasturtiums, snapdragon, violas, borage, chive flowers and pot marigolds. For fun you can crystallize rose petals with egg white and caster sugar and use them on cakes. Both violets and roses can be found in the cake decorating shelves of the super-market.

ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL - On a dry day pick about 10 big heads of elderflowers. If you can, take them home quickly or keep them in a paper bag till you are there. This is because the dry flowers carry the yeast which will give the syrup a genuine flowery taste. If the flowers are wet they will make an unpleasant flavoured brew.

Put the elderflower heads in a heat proof bowl.

Slowly dissolve 450gm of sugar in ¾ pint of water. When this is done bring the syrup to the boil and then pour it over the elderflower heads.

Cover with a clean cloth and set aside to go cold.

Leave for a day to steep.

Bottle in a screw topped jar and keep in the fridge.

This can be diluted to taste with fizzy water, used to make elderflower water ice or be added to the fruit when cooking gooseberries.

This recipe and food notes were contributed

by Anne Pinkerton. Anne is a local cook who believes that everybody can enjoy seasonal food and can have pleasure preparing meals for their family and friends.

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The dawn chorus is still in full swing. A joyful, chaotic choir of birdsong emanates from the campus’ Central Woodland and lifts my spirits as I begin my walk, striding along a sun-streaked path beneath the clear blue of a pristine spring morning.

There’s a wonderful array of paths and routes on offer through Heriot Watt’s landscaped grounds – the Discovery Trail, the Tree Trail, the Bird Trail, the Heritage Trail - which to choose?

Today, I’m doing a loop within a loop, to take in a selection of the best this local campus has to offer. Starting at Car Park K, I head south, soon coming to an old, whitewashed milestone (reclaimed from the A1 near Dunbar). Turning right here takes me through a grassy area of elegantly curved stone brochs. One of these sits atop a mound and I ascend to stand there a while, taking in the songs of chiff chaff, chaffinch and thrush, which echo from the woods through air thick with the heady scent of hawthorn.

At the halls of residence buildings, I bear left, entering the wood and passing beneath a

canopy of lime-green new leaves. Wild garlic is in abundance, each flowerhead an umbrella of delicate white star-like blooms. One clump is situated by some railings, a little way beyond which stand a neat array of gravestones. This peaceful spot is small burial ground once used by the Gibson-Craig family who, for centuries, owned the estate. The Heritage Trail and Tree Trail coincide here and lead me past a splendid array of specimens, from Mountain Hemlock of North America to Sawara Cypress of Japan. It’s a squirrel paradise; I watch one pair engaged in a spiral chase up a nearby trunk, the leader gripping a sprig of foliage between its teeth.

I emerge at the south-west corner of The Lawn, once overlooked by Riccarton House (now the site of the University Library). Here, a blackcap sings its twisting, turning song from the top of a large holly. Going past the library, I come to what was the fire pond for the old house, now home to an industrious moorhen who is busy adding material to its nest island. Enormous sequoiadendron, the giant redwoods - nature’s skyscrapers - stand sentinel here, their silent strength lending and air of calm as I pass beneath an elevated corridor to reach The Loch.

The centrepiece of the campus, The Loch is a beautifully landscaped oasis. Majestic trees and benevolent blue skies are reflected in its gently rippled surface. The sharp, high-pitched cry of a coot rings out from near a tree-topped island while a heron hunches on the far bank, watching as mallards dabble. Crossing the bridge at the eastern end, I stop by the

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shore as a family of Canada geese paddle over. They are remarkably bold and even seem keen to show off their brood – two adorable golden, fluffy goslings.

From here I cut diagonally across the grass, down some steps, and back beneath the elevated walkway, following signs for the chaplaincy. I turn left, then right to bring me back to The Lawn and trace its north and western edge. I’m back at the library now, but this time turn with my back to it and head west. On the right are tall oaks and Scots pine, their tops a cacophony of caw-ing from the resident rookery. Turning left at another halls of residence building, I cross the road (The Freeway) and strike out towards West Gait and the edge of the campus.

GET THE ROUTE ON Just before a ‘Road OS MAPS! closed’ sign, I turn onto a path which takes me to the north edge of the estate, following a wooded route parallel to the A71. In the shade, trunks of young rowan, beech and cherry are spotted with prettily patterned snails. Finally, the path turns parallel to Currhiehill Road again and, on reaching Boundary Road North, I turn left, back into the campus, following a pleasant, pine-lined forest path to arrive back at the brochs, and my starting point.

A university’s campus is in many ways a miniature community - a world within a world.

In the way Heriot-Watt have woven the natural fabric of the estate into theirs, I feel I’ve found many little worlds here today. Why not see which of them you can uncover?

Now a chance to really stretch the legs. Just before reaching Curriehill Road, I turn left and follow a wooded path uphill and round the perimeter of the campus. The cool shade of the trees is welcome as the sun arcs higher.

It’s also a chance to savour the joys of the late spring wood. Fragrant carpets of bluebells nod demurely as I pass. Two young woodpigeons cause a commotion in the branches high overhead, testing their wings on their nest. After some effort one fledges successfully, making off through the trees, wind whistling in its wings.

Shouts from a football match signal that I’m passing the Oriam. I round the back of the building and pass the car park which bustles with weekend sports club drop-offs. I cross the Avenue to walk alongside Boundary Road East, continuing on the verdant Hermiston Walk.

To my right is woodland again, dense with Rhododenron, Holly, Laburnum and Oak. The gentle trickle of a small stream is my relaxing

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.

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CREDIT: All image by William Weir

soundtrack. I then turn left to walk the length of the campus on Research Avenue North, the way lined with young lime trees, as willow warblers’ laidback calls drift across the fields.

SATURDAY 7TH JUNE A Summer Sequence - Linlithgow String Orchestra’s summer concert, featuring works by Strauss, Borodin, Binge and MaxwellDavies. 7.00pm at Priory Church, Hopetoun Rd, South Queensferry. Tickets at the door £10/£8/£2 or via linlithgowstringorchestra.co.uk (See p24) SATURDAY 7TH JUNE Make Do and Mend Cafe - A Great Big Green Week event at Queensferry Parish Church. Come along and learn how to upcycle furniture, take up a pair of trousers, sew those pesky uniform badges on, ask some DIY questions, turn your old cups into bird feeders and what to do with those old birthday cards.

All with a cuppa and meeting new people.

10.00am-12noon SUNDAY 8TH JUNE Kirkliston Heritage Trail Guided Walk Enjoy a lovely afternoon walk, guided by a local history expert learning all about the rich past of our lovely village of Kirkliston. In conjunction with Kirkliston Heritage Society, Kirkliston Gala are delighted to invite you on a historical walk around Kirkliston village. Your local guide is an expert on the rich history of Kirkliston and will share personal stories along the way as well as pointing out all of the places of interest en route. This is a gentle walk, looping round the village, starting and ending at Kirkliston Community Centre, 2.00pm – 3.00pm MONDAY 9TH JUNE Connections Cafe - At Queensferry Parish Church. Drop by for a warm cuppa, delicious home baking, and the chance to meet someone new! 10.00am – 12noon.

MON 9TH JUNE TO SUN 15TH JUNE Book Swap - A Great Big Green Week event at Dalmeny Church Hall. Stopping by the hall for a group or coming into the cafe?

Browse a selection of books - you might find your next favourite read. Got a book you’ve already enjoyed? Leave it behind for someone else to discover.

SATURDAY 14TH JUNE Kirkliston Gala Day - A fun filled day for all the family, for everyone that lives in the Kirkliston area. See www.kirklistongala.co.uk for updates SUNDAY 15TH JUNE Kirkliston Village Market - A village market serving locals with quality produce and products from independent businesses in and around Kirkliston. Third Sunday of every month, corner of Manse Road/Liston Place, 11.00am – 3.00pm. See kirklistonvillagemarket.com FRIDAY 27TH TO SATURDAY 28TH JUNE Spectacular Jousting - Annual event at Linlithgow Palace from Historic Environment Scotland. Experience exhilarating horsemanship and impressive skills at the brave and courageous knights battle it out. Hear the thundering of hooves and the clash of lances as our four champions take to the arena for this spectacular show. Wander through the living history camp to experience life in medieval times. View beautiful birds of prey in flight and be entertained by the antics of the court jesters.

11.30am-4.00pm, tickets from £10, booking essential, www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-aplace/whats-on SATURDAY 28TH JUNE Winchburgh and District Children’s Gala Day - See the event Facebook page (search: ‘Winchburgh Gala Days’) for updates SUNDAY 29TH JUNE RNLI Queensferry Open Day - Our annual Open Day returns to Hawes Promenade in South Queensferry with lots for all the family to see and do. Alongside our lifeboat proudly on display we will have a range of stalls and activities. 12.00pm - 4.00pm. Please check RNLI Queensferry Lifeboat Facebook page for further details.

RNLI QUEENSFERRY FUNDRAISING TEAM seek new volunteers to support local fundraising events and activities including bucket collections, Open Day and Christmas activities; time commitment is flexible. If you would be interested in learning more, please do get in touch: queensferry.fundraising@gmail.com

WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE. EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE. 28 | QUEENSFERRY

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

QUEENSFERRY TENNIS CLUB - Queensferry Tennis Club is a welcoming and vibrant community-based tennis club offering a friendly environment for tennis players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. QTC provides a space for social play, competitive matches, and coaching opportunities with Neil Harden from Deuce Academy. The club’s inclusive atmosphere fosters a strong sense of community, where members can come together to enjoy the sport while building lasting friendships. Please email queensferrytennis@gmail.com for more information KIRKLISTON COMMUNITY CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS - The benefits of being outdoors are well known and you don’t have to go far locally to enjoy it. Come and join in some activities with KCCV and help to maintain the village planters, a small orchard, wildflower area, public gardens and spaces as well as our monthly litter picks. We’re a small friendly group aiming to enhance Kirkliston. For more information contact www.kccv.org.uk or message 07925 383569.

WINCHBURGH STORYTELLERS - A chance to make friends and practice telling stories / hearing new tales, in a safe supportive space. Everyone’s welcome to come and listen and/ or participate.

A story can be myth, legend, life story, fairy or folk tale- 10 minutes maximum. It’s all about oral storytelling, not reading aloud.

We meet on the last Tuesday of the month at Winchburgh Community Centre, 7.30pm to 9.00pm. For more information go to marytatterhoodtales.wordpress. com/winchburgh-storytellers RUNTRIBE QUEENSFERRY - A free, friendly and sociable run club based in South Queensferry who meet every Tuesday 6.25pm at the Seal Monument. The aim of our club is not about time or distance, our aim is to run, socialise and have a good time whilst doing it.

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We also go for an optional drink at the pub after our weekly session.

To find out more, message Emily on 07395 817833 or follow on instagram @RunTribe_queensferry.

YOGA & CHAIR MOBILITY - Yoga: Fridays 09.30- 10.30.

Kirkliston Community Centre. For mixed ability students. Classes include asana, movement, pranayama and relaxation.

Chair-Based Mobility. Tuesdays 1.00-2.00pm (with optional extra 30 mins for refreshments) Winchburgh Community Centre. A class for anyone who would prefer to sit. Includes some standing practice, breath work and mindful movement. Ideal for anyone with movement restrictions.

One-to-One sessions can be arranged in person or via zoom.

For more info E: yogawithjo21@hotmail.com or, facebook.com/yogajostilwell LITTLE ARTISTS ART CLUB FRIDAYS - A relaxing class, to unwind & get creative before the weekend ahead. Fridays 12.45-1.45 South Queenferry P1-7. Each week we will focus on a different animal or nature piece, learning facts & working in two different age groups, pencil work in colour/monochrome.

For information please contact 07591990020 or see Instagram everychildisanartist_ DANCE FITNESS - Wednesdays South Queensferry. P1-2, 3.003.40pm, P3-7, 3.40-4.30pm. Each week, we will learn a new routine together as a group, to some great music. Children will have the opportunity to suggest their favourite songs. Dance Fitness is for boys and girls of all ages. This class can either compliment your present dance school classes or be a brand new class for you.

HAPPY BODY STUDIO - PILATES & FITNESS - Pilates for all: Monday 18:00 & Thursday 9:30am. Kirkliston Community Centre.

Mum & Baby Postnatal Pilates: Thursday 11:0am, Conifox Adventure Park.

Personal Training & 1:1 sessions available. Pilates is a form of movement that emphasises the activation & strengthening of the core muscles. Pilates can help us improve movement, ease general aches & pains & strengthen our core & stabilising muscles. Everyone can benefit from Pilates. Very suitable for beginners. To learn more visit: www.happybodystudio.com WINCHBURGH WARRIORS NETBALL CLUB - We are a recreational netball club for anyone over 18. We will support you whether it’s your first time, or it’s been a long time - we got you! Sessions are every Monday 18:45-19:45 at the Winchburgh Sport and Wellbeing Hub (Xcite). First session is free, then £4 thereafter. If you have any questions, drop us an email info. winchburghwarriors@gmail.com.

ABERCORN CURLING CLUB - Play weekly on Tuesday evenings at Kinross Ice Rink from September - March with league games and competitions to take part in. All ages and abilities welcome, from beginners to those who’ve curled before. No equipment needed for beginners.

Transport can be provided. Fancy a go? Taster sessions can be arranged. It’s active, social and fun. For more information contact abercorncc@gmail.com YOGA - Whilst moving our bodies in a way that feels good is important, it’s not the only thing that can improve wellbeing. In this Yoga class there will also be breathwork, discussion, meditation and more. It’s not some obscure practice that only the limber and enlightened can do, this is for everyone who has an urge to connect with themselves and their community. 9am Saturdays, Thomas Chalmers Centre, bookwhen.com/ramyoga.

Pay as you feel - £1-£10 per class CLEANFERRY - CleanFerry is a group of local volunteers dedicated to reducing the amount of litter in and around

South Queensferry and Dalmeny. Evidence shows that cleaner environments have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing and more SOLUTION TOcommunity.

MAY widely benefit the Whether you want to do meet CROSSWORD new people, do something with friends, gain credit for your Duke of Edinburgh or simply feel good about helping the community CleanFerry is keen to welcome new volunteers. If interested email cleanferry2@gmail.com SOUTH QUEENSFERRY BABY AND TODDLER GROUP - Thursdays 9.30am – 11.30am at the Church Hall on The Loan, SQ. Mums, Dad’s, Grandparents, Carers all welcome. A small fee of £3.00 is payable to cover the rent of the hall, snack for little ones and tea/ ACROSS: Scrape, 8. Lumbar, Sofa, coffee for7. the adults.

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If interested, please contact 07980 321989 or email maureenandjohn1@hotmail.co.uk FRIENDSHIP CLUB - A friendly group that meets at the residents lounge at 40 Shore Road, Queensferry to enjoy various entertainments eg. quizzes, games, occasional guest presenters and tea/ coffee/delicious cake. First Wed of each month, 2.003.30pm. £2 per meeting. For more information contact Lorna Russell on 0131 331 5570 or email lorna.russell@qccc.org.uk WINCHBURGH SPEAKERS CLUB - Would you like to accept Disclaimer: The publisher cannot develop your speaking skills, responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in thenerves, printing ofgain an advertisement. overcome We do not endorse anystrong advertisers in confidence, build this publication.

All material is accepted leadership skills, and improve for publication on the understanding it is your communication in a relaxed copyright free.

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Contact: president@ Alan Stewart Design winchburghspeakersclub.org.uk T: 07729 911858

FRIENDS OF FERRY GLEN - A volunteer garden team that maintains local areas through weeding and planting, as well as special projects. The group also enjoys tours, social outings and events together. Contact Neil mckinlayassociates@hotmail.co.uk KIRKY CRAFTERS - Meet new friends and explore your creative side. Meet Thomas Chalmers Centre, The Square, Kirkliston.

Fortnightly on a Monday except July and August. For more information please contact Ann on 0131 333 1834 or email ann_ denholm@btinternet.com SUPPER CLUB - Run by Queensferry Care, for people with a diagnosis of dementia, or other cognitive impairment, and their carer. This could be a family member, friend or neighbour. This is a unique service in that we support both the carer and the cared for person. It provides an opportunity to meet with others to enjoy an evening meal at The Haven (Queensferry) or a local restaurant. For information contact mail@qccc.org.uk KIRKLISTON LUNCH CLUB - Meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the Kirkliston Community Centre, 16-18 Queensferry Rd, Kirkliston EH29 9AQ. It is for any older person who’d like to meet and eat with others. The cost is no more than £5. Run

by Queensferry Care, for more information please contact mail@qccc.org.uk KIRKLISTON KNITTING GROUP - From beginners to experienced knitters. Meet at Kirkliston Library on Mondays 1.30pm. 16 Station Road, Kirkliston, EH29 9BE. 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 INFORMATION.

SOLUTION TO MAY CROSSWORD

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SOLUTIONTO TOSUDOKU SUDOKU SOLUTION XX ON PAGE 21

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 T: 07729 911858

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