The Edinburgh Reporter January 2025

Council chaos after resignation

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Takes the biscuit

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE YEAR STARTS with good news for the team at The Biscuit Factory. Our photo above shows (left to right) Holly Dobbin, Murray Clarke, Fiona Hamilton and Michael Johnstone who run the old Crawford’s Biscuits on Anderson Place. This is the first location in Edinburgh to be granted a S.50 planning certificate under the newly adopted City Plan 2030, and ensures that the premises can continue be full of activity and

events throughout 2025.

Fiona Hamilton, Managing Director of the Biscuit Factory, said: “We are so happy to finally be able to move forward with my original plans for the Biscuit Factory. Through our events and bar management the Biscuit Factory has been able to supplement the rents of over 20 local businesses housed inside our walls allowing them to thrive, collaborate and support the Leith community and each other. With the Council’s ruling we are now able to comfortably execute

our plans for building accessibility and environmental improvements as well as continuing to offer up a fantastic events space as well as a nice co-working space to enjoy a drink.”

The newest attraction will be the new Factory Floor Café which will be open from Monday to Friday 7am to 3pm.

On 18 January the Open House with new neighbours PLATFORM_ will be an opportunity to thank customers and clients for their support over the years, and will also be a

chance for locals to meet the many businesses which have their home in Bonnington.

On 25 January the Alernative Burns Night is an invite to everyone to join the fun with a haggis burger, whisky, poetry and ceilidh dancing.

And then in April the Biscuit Factory Beverage Festival returns for a second year hoping to build on the success of the first with beer, wine and spirits galore on offer.

www.biscuitfactory.co.uk/

A MONTH IS a long time in the news cycle. There was an unexpected amount of political news this last few weeks with a new council leader appointed following Cllr Cammy Day’s sudden resignation in December. It remains to be seen whether Labour can continue to run the council effectively, and whether it will be strong enough to stave off chaos at the City Chambers - particularly with big decisions regarding the Tourist Tax and setting a budget for the city while making savings of around £30 million in the next year and £109 million by 2028/29. During the leadership crisis, the Liberal Democrats came under fire for their lack of positive action. Even though the group has more elected members than Labour, the 13 councillors did not propose taking over power on the Royal Mile, perplexing their critics. The SNP and Green groups tried to form a new coalition administration but failed to get enough votes in support.

Meantime, the housing emergency in Edinburgh continues, with news that the council had placed people in unlawful accommodation since the pandemic - that is B&Bs with no proper licence. Council lawyers advised that the practice could not continue. A flurry of activity ensued and the council brought 500 council owned homes back into use for tenants - some 200 in just two weeks. The outgoing Housing Convener, now the new Council Leader, told The Edinburgh Reporter that this pace will continue, but that too remains to be seen.

On 23 January the second by-election to be held in Colinton/Fairmilehead in three months will take place - this time to elect two councillors. The two vacancies came about when SNP councillor, Marco Biagi, resigned to work for the government and the new LibDem councillor who lasted only six days in November.

The Edinburgh Reporter continues to bring our readers breaking news online, and a more considered and different version each month in these pages. We hope you enjoy reading our articles in both.

Phyllis Stephen, Editor

Planning news

Plans have been lodged with the planning department for the refurbishment of the Cooper’s Rest on Easter Road. The proposal is to reopen it as a gastropub. This is a joint venture between Newbarns Brewery and the team at The Palmerston at Haymarket. Previous plans have included consent for a residential conversion.

GRAHAM will be the lead contractor on the refit of Brunstane Primary School. And the same firm is also working on the Build to Rent development at Bonnington where 464 homes are being created including 25% of intermediate market rent properties. The developer is PLATFORM_ and they are now in possession of the first phase which has been completed. There are apartments alongside a gym, yoga studio, co-working space, lounge, guest rooms, private dining room, screening room, spin room, outdoor landscaped areas, a kids’ soft playroom, and an outdoor play area. There are four commercial units which are part of the development and a new access road has been constructed connecting Anderson Place and Bonnington Road Lane.

The new £50 million 13,500 square feet

Usher Building at the Bioquarter near the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh has been completed and will open to the public in spring. The four storey building will be home to the Usher Institute where data driven solutions will be found for health and social care challenges. The project, funded through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal will accommodate more than 900 students and researchers.

Edinburgh Collected

THE IMAGE ABOVE SHOWS the Judges, Officials And Exhibitors, at the Toy Dog Society Of Scotland Show, 1st January 1912. Toy dog generally means a small dog - although not all are small enough to fit in a handbagt includes Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas. It is interesting that there are no dogs in the photograph - and there are no details about where the image was taken. The historic photograph was shared by the Living Memory Association by posting it to Edinburgh Collected which is the online community photo archive managed by Edinburgh City Libraries. edinburghcollected.org

Wider plans to develop the Bioquarter in a £1 billion public-private partnership (PPP) scheme are understood to be on hold in the face of market conditions, and partner procurement is said to have stopped meantime.

Edinburgh BioQuarter was one of the first places in the UK to co-locate academic research, clinical delivery and commercial research at scale.

the region of around 20,000 people. You will find copies at all branches of Farmer Autocare,

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Editor: Phyllis Stephen

Designer: Tammy Kerr

Photos: Martin P McAdam

New route to get to the canal

By JACOB TELFORD

EDINBURGH WELCOMED the latest addition to its dedicated active travel route this month with the opening of the Roseburn to Union Canal path.

The £17million walking and wheeling route was officially opened with an inaugural group cycle ride and walk from Sauchiebank to Dalry Community Park.

The route also links to the City Centre West to East Link along with the other established path networks in the local area.

Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme, which is funded by the Scottish Government, financed 100% of the design costs and up to 70% of construction costs totalling £11.6m.

The council financed the remaining £5.4m and led the project’s delivery.

Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson was joined by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop, Scotland Director for Sustrans, Karen McGregor alongside groups of local schoolchildren and representatives of the Dalry community, to cut the red ribbon marking the opening.

The area has transformed public spaces along the route, creating a green corridor with enhanced walking, wheeling and cycling connections alongside bringing disused areas back into community use.

Dalry Community Park itself is one of the

Two new bridges have also been installed along the route over the Mid Calder railway line and Dalry Road.

Planning ahead

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

A JUDGE FROM THE TV programme Scotland’s Home of the Year has devised a virtual reality (VR) model of what a new Social Bite Village would look like.

Danny Campbell is owner of HOKO Designs as well as a presenter and judge on the show. He met with Josh Littlejohn, MBE, to show the proposed new designs using VR.

Social Bite has submitted a planning application to move the Edinburgh Village to a new waterfront location in Granton.

The charity plans to continue the essential support the charity provides. Social Bite is the charity which aims to combat homelessness. It plans to relocate its Edinburgh Social Bite Village to a picturesque spot north of West Shore Road on the Granton Waterfront. If approved, the move

would take place from early 2025.

The plans for the relocation, made in consultation with charity partner Cyrenians, will ensure that up to 16 residents, at any one time, who have experienced homelessness will continue to enjoy a stable and supported communal way of living with the bonus of extensive views of The Forth Bridges across the water – a sight many former and current villagers have grown fond of

Josh Littlejohn said: “It was great to welcome donors and supporters to The Pitt and share the village model with them. HOKO Design’s 360 VR experience really brings the village concept to life. It helps to capture imaginations and illustrate our vision in a way that hasn’t been possible for Social Bite before.

“The accessibility of a VR experience means that wherever Social Bite’s supporters are, they

planting and seeding planned for next year.

Transport and Environment Convener, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson said: “It was a real pleasure to open the brand new Roseburn to Union Canal active travel route today. This project will breathe new life into Dalry, revitalising previously less used community spaces and the community play park, whilst making it easier and safer for residents and visitors to get around and keep Edinburgh moving.

“Expanding active travel routes in the Capital is a key priority for us and remains central to our goal of becoming a net zero city by 2030, by providing people with more options for safe, sustainable travel.

“I have no doubt that this route will be a great success as we carry on with delivering a greener,

healthier, and more sustainable city for all.

“I’d also like to thank all our excellent colleagues for their hard work and to Transport Scotland and Sustrans who have been instrumental in seeing this project completed.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said: “£11.6 million of Scottish Government funding was awarded to the Roseburn to Union Canal active travel project through the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme.

“Ambitious projects such as this are making it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle –tackling poverty and protecting the environment – but there is so much more we wish to achieve. Over £155 million has been invested this year and through the Draft Budget for 2025-26, we intend to invest over £188 million to help people leave their cars at home and to choose healthier and greener transport options.”

can take part in a village walkthrough and feel inspired by the possibilities of what a donation to the project could create. It’s an invaluable tool for building support whilst also building the villages, and we’re so grateful to HOKO for all the work they put into creating the simulation.”

Danny Campbell said:  “Everyone deserves a home, but moreover,

everyone deserves a home which is safe, warm, and built for purpose.

The Social Bite Villages and Nest Houses are exactly that—they have been built with the people who will live in them in mind, offering each person a sanctuary of their own within a community that isn’t just functional but designed to help people thrive.

“Working with Social Bite to

create a Virtual Reality model showcasing the vision for the Social Bite Villages has been an honour. The care, attention to detail, and high level of quality of these villages will go a long way in providing people experiencing homelessness with a home and a community they can be proud of, contribute to, and that will help them break the cycle of homelessness.”

New path will be a safe way to travel

The official opening day

Around 200 semi-mature trees have been planted with further

green spaces that has been upgraded with new play equipment.

New council leader appointed

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE LABOUR GROUP at The City of Edinburgh Council hung on to power by its fingernails, despite attempts by the SNP and Greens to form a new coaltiion in a bid to rid the city chambers of the taint of recent scandal.

The new Labour Group Leader, Cllr Jane Meagher, joined the meeting virtually from a family holiday. She had been chosen by a 4-3 vote only a few days before at a second group meeting convened for the purpose.

At the City Chambers the online connection appeared to be digitally sound, but the new leader had to be challenged by Green councillor, Ben Parker, before she made any contribution to the debate.

Cllr Parker said: “Cllr Meagher is the proposed council leader. I find it surprising that she has not indicated her desire to speak in this very important debate. I and many others in this room and across the city will be very interested to hear what she has to say, what her plans are for the leadership of the city.”

A short time afterwards the Lord Provost advised that Cllr Meagher had indeed asked for

Liberal liabilities

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE COUNCIL PAID OUT almost £80,000 to hold a by-election in November, and it will cost a similar amount to hold a second byelection this month.

After the November by-election in Colinton/Fairmilehead the newly elected councillor, Liberal Democrat Louise Spence, resigned after just six days in office. It emerged that she was moving to Dubai and a property she owned was on the market. Previously it had been available for rent, although neither Ms Spence or her husband appear to be registered landlords.

Despite several attempts to contact Ms Spence we have had no response to requests for comment. The party suspended her claiming not to have known about her plans to move abroad, but still represent the area remotely.

This sparked fury among the other political groups on the council. One of the criticisms was the matter of cost and apparent waste of public funds. The Edinburgh Reporter asked similar questions just after the by election but the council was not able to

permission to speak to the assembled meeting in Edinburgh from her desk around 5,000 miles away. After the meeting the new Council Leader issued a statement which echoed her remarks made to the assembled councillors in the capital.

She said: “This has been an extremely difficult and damaging time for the Council. Today was an opportunity to restore stability and to get on with the business of running the city.

“As we count to down to 2025 – and to the challenging budget and other decisions that await us in the new year – we need stability, confidence and consensus.

“I know from speaking to colleagues from other political groups that they agree – and that’s what I’ve committed to.

“I am, by my nature, a consensus builder –willing to take on board others’ views, willing to compromise and willing to take the type of decisions that will help and benefit the people of Edinburgh – particularly those most in need of our support.

“That’s the kind of leadership we need, and that’s what I’m determined to deliver for the

city I’ve lived in for 50 years.”

A short time after her role was approved, the new Council Leader told The Edinburgh Reporter that it had all been a whirlwind couple of weeks. She claimed she had not known anything about the allegations made against Cllr Day until someone sent her a screenshot of The Times article on 6 December. She said it was “such a shock”.

She hopes that her decades-long experience as a council officer would help her in her new role. She said: “I understand the council’s way

quantify more than an estimate of around £80,000 at that time.

Cllr Jason Rust the Conservative councillor in Colinton/ Fairmilehead, and the only elected member for the ward until the January by-election, lodged a formal question over the costs of the November by-election. He asked that the costs were broken down under the following headings.

The Finance Convener supplied some figures as follows:

a. hire of polling stations

- £3,427.73

b. payments to polling station staff - £10,203.05

c. payments to election count staff - £406.50

d. production of ballot papers

- £14,050.35

3. (e) publication of notice of poll and all advertising - £468.00

f. council staff time - £1,977.33

g. any other third-party payments and all other costs

- £46,225.91 for third party and all other costs

The bulk of the costs are therefore unaccounted for in any detail. The second by-election in three months will be held in this ward on 23 January to fill two vacant councillor positions. There are 13 candidates.

of working from that point of view.”

Cllr Meagher was elected to represent Portobello and Craigmillar in May 2022, and was quickly appointed as Housing Convener. Only one member of the Labour group does not hold a convenership - backbencher, Katrina Faccenda, who abstained in the important vote. Asked whether there will be any repercussions from that the new Council Leader said she would not know until Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, the Chief Whip took a decision and that she would be speaking to him about it.

A new subscriber

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE DEPUTE LEADER of The City of Edinburgh Council said she had to subscribe to The Times to read breaking news about the former Council Leader.

The paper first broke the news of allegations against Cllr Cammy Day of a police investigation into his “inappropriate behaviour”.

Cllr Mandy Watt said she was at the Labour group’s Christmas party when she was first told.

She said: “I first became aware of a serious issue on 6 December when Christmas parties were being held and Cllr Chas Booth showed me the headline in The

Times on his phone.”

Cllr Cammy Day resigned as council leader (but not as a councillor) in December.

Scottish Labour administratively suspended the Forth councillor, when articles by The Times and Sunday Mail exposed allegations against him of bombarding Ukrainian refugees with texts of a sexual nature. The Sunday Mail has since revealed that a complaint to Scottish Labour was made more than two years ago.

The Ethical Standards Commission confirmed that one complaint against Cllr Cammy Day is being investigated, but would not confirm when it was made.

Cllr Jane Meagher new Council Leader

Cllr Cammy Day

Labour hold on (just) at City Chambers

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE THIRTEEN LIBERAL DEMOCRAT

councillors in Edinburgh came under fire from other groups of councillors both before and during a meeting to choose a new council leader.

The group leader, Cllr Kevin Lang, was accused of trying to play kingmaker in ensuring that it was his choice of Labour leader who was eventually picked. And it was only Cllr Lang who made any spoken contribution to the debate from the LibDem benches. A variety of councillors in other parties, including some backbenchers, spoke out during the debate.

There was also open condemnation of the lack of engagement by the Liberal Democrats with any other political parties in the run up to the decision - particularly from the SNP and Green groups who proposed a new coalition to run the council making a “fresh start”.

Cllr Simita Kumar, leader of the SNP Group, said that she did not take Cllr Lang for someone who “lacked self-confidence or who didn’t believe in his ability as council leader. What is the point in being the second largest group on the council and refusing to be a part of the solution?”

Conservative group leader, Iain Whyte admitted that while there had been a lot of discussion between groups it was “not all parties who were involved”.

Cllr Katrina Faccenda (Lab) who ultimately abstained from the vote to choose between the Labour status quo and a new coalition said on X ahead of the meeting: “The word is the reason the 13 Libdems are willing to settle for (the status quo) js that their leader does not want to

lead the council which is strange. I think it also a political game to pretend they are winning in opposition while taking none of the flak of being in administration.”

Cllr Amy McNeese Mechan, SNP, said she was disappointed to hear that an approach from her party to the LibDems had “not been passed on to everyone”. She said to the Liberal Democrat councillors : “I have worked closely with many of you. It does not seem liberal to me to refuse to discuss all the commonalties we have, nor does

From Crisis to Community: Tackling Hunger in Scotland

By FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MSP

I MET with representatives from the Trussell Trust, a leading anti-poverty charity and food bank network committed to ensuring that no one in Scotland relies on a food bank.

The growing reliance on food banks is primarily driven by financial hardship. Many people cannot afford to eat, stay warm, and pay their bills. Hunger, therefore, is not just a matter of food shortages but an issue of income—one that intersects with several policy areas, including work, social security, mental health, and care.

While addressing food insecurity may seem overwhelming, there are steps we can take to limit hunger and mitigate its impact on communities. The key is ensuring that the social security system adequately supports those in need, providing timely access to assistance, and coming together as a

community to support those in need.

In their efforts to alleviate food insecurity, the Trust has identified four essential building blocks needed to end the hunger crisis.

These include:

1. A supportive social security system that provides a safety net for those in need.

2. The affordability of essentials, ensuring that everyone can meet their basic needs.

3. Efficient access to support services, including financial advice and trauma-informed mental health care.

4. Dignified support tailored to people’s real-life circumstances, such as enhanced services for disabled individuals.

To truly eliminate the need for food banks, the income from work and social security must cover the cost of essentials. This is why the Trussell Trust

it feel very democratic that you were not all allowed to vote on the opportunity. You are all elected and I would hope that had that opportunity too.”

Cllr Lang said that it was a set of circumstances that even the Lord Provost, the longest serving councillor with over 40 years under his belt, may not have seen before. He said that he wanted to focus his remarks on the need to make a decision and not postpone any decision to the New Year. He said:

“I don’t think things will be discernably different in one or three months. We know that we have to make a big decision on the Visitor Levy and weeks later on the budget. I refuse to believe that it is in the best interests of the city or the council to leave a vacuum over that period , over recess and through January into February while these big decision are to be made”

Cllr Kumar said: “We put forward a bold, progressive and positive proposal for change at the Chambers, after all the recent upheaval – a fresh start.

“I’m disappointed that there was not sufficient support for that. Instead, the Lib Dems and Tories have got together to keep this ailing and discredited Labour administration to keep limping on. This is not in the interests of this city.”

Green co-leader

Cllr Susan Rae said: “Of course I am disappointed that our progressive vision for the city has not been adopted today, and that it will be the people of Edinburgh who will suffer from the continuation of a directionless super-minority. Despite it being clear that individuals in all parties do not have faith in Labour to provide the solutions to the multiple crises we are facing, it seems that party loyalty and paid positions have more sway for Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Tories than doing their democratic duty to the people who elected them. I have huge respect for those who spoke out against their parties, at potentially great personal and political cost.

“This isn’t the end of our commitment to climate and social justice, and Greens will continue to push for the positive changes Edinburgh needs from opposition.”

is advocating for increased universal credit, ensuring that people have enough money to afford food, toiletries, and other essentials. They also call for an increase in the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week to help families with young children facing food insecurity.

I’d like to highlight the scale of the work the Trust operates, with 1,400 food banks, supported by 36,000 volunteers and hundreds of community groups and schools. Last year alone, they distributed 3.1 million emergency food parcels— just one organisation in a broader effort. Between April 2023 and March

2024, 262,400 emergency food parcels were handed out, with 156,200 of these going to families with children. This marks a significant increase from five years ago, underscoring the scale of the crisis. These figures point to a shocking reality: approximately 1.2 million Scots living with food insecurity.

I’d like to highlight the community of my constituency office, Leith, and how it exemplifies how people can come together to support those in need. This vibrant community is home to several resources aimed at alleviating hunger, including numerous food

banks and pantries. These are located at various sites across the community, including South Leith Parish Church, Leith St. Andrews Church Hall, Pilrig St. Paul’s Church Hall, and St. Margaret’s Parish Church, among others. The work of the Trussell Trust and communities like Leith are examples of Scotland’s residents coming together in times of need. These hard times are often exacerbated over the holiday season, but I invite you to support ending food insecurity by supporting the Trussell Trust and donating to your local food bank all year round.

Cllr Simita Kumar

Foysol meets charity representatives

Trams and buses 100 year history told in new book

By STAFF REPORTER

SEVENTY YEARS AGO the citizens of Edinburgh were up in arms because the corporation wanted to get rid of their beloved trams, but to no avail and the last tram sailed into Shrubhill depot in November 1956. Fast forward more than half a century and Edinburgh citizens were up in arms again, bemoaning the chaos caused by the building of our new tramway and the spiralling costs. In spite of calls to abandon the project, the new trams started running to the airport in 2014 and are now firmly established, with more routes likely to follow.

Both scenarios are described in a new book, A Century of Edinburgh’s Trams and Buses, by Edinburgh-born author, Gavin Booth. It tells the story of the creaking system inherited by the corporation in 1919, when cable cars provided the city’s transport needs – or more often when they didn’t as all the trams came to a halt when the underground cable broke. This was happening on an almost daily basis and the locals were looking for something more efficient, like the electric trams that served the adjoining burghs of Leith and Musselburgh. Edinburgh quickly set about changing over to electric trams and by 1923 the transformation was complete. The corporation

also started buying motor buses in 1919, fairly basic vehicles running on solid tyres over the city cobbles. Buses had became more sophisticated by the 1930s, with pneumatic tyres and diesel engines, and while the tramway continued to expand, the buses served the places where the trams didn’t.

In the days before private motoring became affordable, the number of passengers that travelled by corporation tram and bus reached an all-time peak in 1950 when over 286 million journeys were made – more than 780,000 a day, which works out at over 600 journeys for everyone living in the city.

Today, Lothian Buses carries over 110,000 million customers a year over an area that has expanded greatly to encompass East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian with a fleet of over 700 low-floor easy-access buses and is investing in new battery electric buses with a view to achieving net zero emissions over the next decade.

The story is told in the fully illustrated 144-page book A Century of Edinburgh’s Trams and Buses by Gavin Booth, which is available price £40 plus £2.95 post & packing from the publishers, Fawndoon Books (www. fawndoon.com).

Looking back at significant historical dates this month

7 JANUARY

In 1912, Sophia Louisa Jex-Blake, physician, teacher, and feminist, died; she led the campaign to secure women access to a University education when she and six other women (collectively known as the Edinburgh Seven) protested, leading to a change in the law.

8 JANUARY

In 1660, the Mercurius Caledonius ‘Comprising The Affairs now in Agitation in Scotland With A Survey of Forraign Intelligence’, arguably Scotland’s first newspaper, was founded in Edinburgh by the

playwright Thomas Sydserf; it contained domestic news such as reports of parliamentary debates, as well as reports from abroad and reprints of news from London newspapers.

10 JANUARY

In 1864, Margaret, Lady Moir, (pictured above left) was born in Gorgie; in 1919, she was one of the founders of The Women’s Engineering Society (WES); she and other members of the WES worked tirelessly to set up training courses for women engineers and encourage women to take up

engineering as a career. ,

17 JANUARY

In 1513, King James IV issued regulations to deal with the pestilence and ordered the provost, baillies, and council to put them into effect.

20 JANUARY

In 1671, the council granted permission to Mr John Alexander, a teacher from Poland, to establish a school for learning German and Polish.

24 JANUARY

In 1890, Candida Louise Hay, Marchioness of Tweeddale, was at the controls of the first locomotive (pictured left) to cross the newly completed Forth Bridge.

25 JANUARY

In 1784, Dr Alexander Webster, (photo right) Edinburgh-born

Minister of the Tolbooth Church, founder of the Widows’ Scheme of the Church of Scotland, and known for Webster’s Account of the Population of Scotland in 1755, died.

26 JANUARY

In 1861, the One O’Clock Gun was fired for the first time in Edinburgh; the gun was created to complement a time ball on Nelson’s Monument, which proved of no use in foggy conditions; the original gun took four men to fire and was connected to the Royal Observatory’s clock by a 4,000-foot electric cable.

27 JANUARY

In 1527, King James V wrote to Abbot George Crichton of Holyrood expressing his appreciation of the ‘good, faithful, and gratuitous service’ provided by the provost, bailies, council, and community of

Edinburgh since the death of his father at the Battle of Flodden. And in 1894, Edinburgh-born gun maker Alexander Henry died.

Compiled by Jerry Ozaniec, Membership Secretary of the Old Edinburgh Club, membership@ oldedinburghclub.org.uk

Granton

The tram terminus at Granton was always a busy one. Three trams and a corporation bus prepare for their next journeys.

Last tram Crowds turned out on 16 November 1956 to witness the last tram procession. Here the very last tram heads into Shrubhill depot for the last time.

Tram and passengers at the Foot ‘o’ the Walk.

North Edinburgh Arts – from locking down to looking up!

New centre - owned, used and loved

By LESLEY HINDS CHAIR OF NEA

THE LAST STAGES have been reached for North Edinburgh Arts (NEA) new expanded building, café and garden, part of the MacMillan Hub. NEA’s unique facility is owned by, and sits in the heart of, its local community. The expanded and refurbished venue, due to open early in 2025, runs to 2000 square metres and hosts a 96 seat theatre, 72 seat café, welcome area, two wood workshops, five multi-purpose studios, six artist studios, music room, four offices, greenhouse, and community garden. It will soon be bustling with a creative and community programme, enjoyed and shaped by the people who use it.

NEA has worked hard to raise over 80% of the original capital costs, nearly £3.5m, from private and public funds, and continues endeavours to secure the rest, offering thanks to the many existing and future funders. The majority of their revenue funding is also in place for 2025-2027, to allow for an exciting programme, responding to community need, interest, and enthusiasm, building on NEA’s fifteen years of operation by the current team. Swinging into action as a much needed community hub and food distribution point during the pandemic, the NEA team decanted from the much loved venue in 2021, as the construction teams moved in to ensure the building was made fit for purpose for the next generation of residents.

The NEA Board and team led the proposals for MacMillan Hub, from as far back as 2019, liaising with Council colleagues to replace initial plans for separate library, early years, and arts buildings. NEA also introduced the award winning architect Richard Murphy Associates to the project, whilst seeking and gaining Community Ownership of their asset thanks to the Scottish Land Fund following overwhelming community support and agreement from elected officials. This was to ensure the refurbished and expanded building reflected the needs of the local community and was secured for current and future generations.

It has been a long and winding journey for all involved – nearly six years from first ideas to

final completion with many frustrations along the way for NEA members, tenants, visitors, team, and Board alike. Additionally NEA encountered delays to the original opening date because of defects found in the construction of the existing building, completed back in 2001.

An extensive set of repairs and improvements have been completed, more than making good the unexpected shortcomings of the past. Despite all the challenges, expected and unexpected, North Edinburgh Arts now looks forward to celebrating with a return to the venue early in early Spring. However, their programme never stopped; throughout Covid, closure, construction and all, the team and programme popped up all over North Edinburgh. Their

thanks go to West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, and Pilton Youth & Children’s Project, amongst many others, for hosting the NEA team, their regular programme, and special events, over the past three years.

Lesley Hinds, NEA Chair and Mary Keegan, NEA Vice-Chair, said: “The NEA Board want to thank the team, participants, volunteers, tenants, and visitors for their patience during the last few years. NEA now looks to the future and the completion of this amazing building; from 2025 – owned, used, and loved by the people who live nearby, and welcoming to visitors from across the city and beyond.”

Salvesen

By STAFF REPORTER

DR ALASTAIR SALVESEN, CBE, CA, MBA, HON DSC, HRSA, FRSA, businessman and member of the well known Salvesen family has died aged 83.

Dr Salvesen first qualified as a chartered accountant and became a very successful businessman in his own right with forays into the fish and seafood business. He was chair of Dovecot Studios and was also a Trustee of The Salvesen Mindroom Centre to which he gave its name. Dovecot Studios issued a statement saying: “The news of Alastair Salvesen’s untimely death has been received at Dovecot as a devastating shock.

“Alastair Eric Hotson Salvesen (1941–2024) was a great man for Scotland and a steadfast and generous supporter of the arts and culture. As the Chair of The Dovecot Foundation, Alastair’s heart was in Scottish tapestry. He and his wife Elizabeth were determined to ensure the future of tapestry at Dovecot Studios through the training and nourishment of new generations of weavers.”

Dr Salvesen was also co-founder of the Salvesen Mindroom Centre. A spokesperson for the Centre said: “In addition to his pivotal role as Co-Founder of the Salvesen Mindroom Centre, it was due to Alastair’s initiative that the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre was founded at the University of Edinburgh. His donation recognised the fundamental importance of linking scientific, medical and societal research with high quality outreach in delivering evidence-based support to those in need.”

NEA are moving in 2025

Muirhouse Library

The best party you’ll never go to?

By TIM MAGUIRE, HUMANIST CELEBRANT

THE CO-OP recently published a study which said 70% of us want a celebration of life when we die. That change in our attitude to death has happened over the almost 20 years that I’ve been a humanist celebrant.

Funerals can be depressing, but humanist ones are uplifting, because we celebrate the life more than we mourn the death. When I

started, people told me that was a weird way to look at it, but they don’t think that now.

In a humanist funeral, we’re not talking about death; we’re talking about life but more importantly, we’re talking about love, and just as there’s no one way to express our love, there’s no one way to leave our life.

Just a few months ago, I compered a living funeral for a lady living with a terminal diagnosis, and 70 people flew from around the world just so

they could tell her how much they loved her before she dies. In theory it was ‘a living funeral’ but in reality, it was just a great party.

Having said that, not all funerals can be celebrations of life, and it would be wrong to insist that they should be.

I once conducted a funeral for a young woman who had fallen to her death in the Alps, the morning after she had accepted her boyfriend’s proposal of marriage. Her death

The Rig is back for Season 2

By LÍAM RUDDEN

WHEN WE LAST SAW THEM, Magnus and Fulmer were being helicoptered to who-knew-where, as the first season of The Rig reached its devastating climax. While fans of the hit sci-fi series were sure to be delighted by the announcement that both characters would return for the second season, none were as pleased as Edinburghborn Iain Glen and Line of Duty favourite Martin Compston, who reprise their roles of Magnus and Fulmer respectively.

For Glen, it’s allowed him to return home to work, again, something he reflects hasn’t happened that often in his long career.

He recalls, “A series called The Fear was the break out job for me moving away from Scotland as I played the Cockney head of a protection racket. I remember thinking at the time, “Why haven’t you got Gary Oldman or Tim Roth to do this?” But I was so chuffed to get that job.”

As a result of the impact of that character, Glen never got to work in his homeland as often as he would have liked making The Rig a very special project for him.

He says, “A lot of stuff from America used to come through London but I was always keen to do stuff in Scotland; I did Silent Screen with Peter Mullen way back in 1990 and then just didn’t work in Scotland again. But now, things feel like they are coming back. We’ve all been talking about how proud we are to be doing The Rig, which is very much a Scottish show set initially on an oil rig in the North Sea, and shooting it in Edinburgh.

“It was fantastic to be back. My mum’s still here and doing the first series it was lovely to be on a job that allowed me to spend time with my mum and dad.”

Glen is currently sitting alongside Compston in Edinburgh’s W Hotel, which has glorious views of the castle and city beyond. It’s a city

Compston admits he loves, “I do, I love it here,” he confirms. “My wife, being an American, sees it as a bit of a fairytale city; where else have you got a castle on top of a volcano? It’s magic and we were so lucky to film this job here. We stayed at The Meadows during the filming of Season 1 and, one day, I met the actor Phil McKee while I was out jogging around the park. He asked, ‘What are you doing?’ and I said, ‘Filming this thing called The Rig’... and now he’s been cast in Season 2 as well, which is great.”

Picking up immediately after their escape from the North Sea tsunami that has devastated the coasts of the UK and Northern Europe, Season 2 opens with the surviving Kinloch Bravo crew being taken captive.

Glen elaborates, “We find ourselves in the Arctic Circle, on this very high-tech rig called the Stac. It is a monumental but mobile unit that is investigating the sea floor for precious metals and minerals. These are becoming more of the focus of

was particularly tragic, but as the mourners were leaving, one of them grabbed me by the shoulders and said, “Thank you, thank youthat was so uplifting!”

What he helped me realise was that the way to make such an appalling situation better is to talk about how we feel, and I think it’s that openness and honesty that people are looking for when they choose to have a humanist funeral.

energy companies - as alternative assets they can exploit to produce power in this electronic age.”

Compston laughs, “When the first series ended and we headed off on the choppers we had no clue where we were going, but we were hoping for somewhere a bit hotter. We didn’t know until we

got the last scripts for Season 1 whether we would survive, but if you didn’t make the chopper then it was very unlikely you were surviving, so it was nice to see my name on there.”

The Rig Season 2 premieres on Prime Video on 2 January 2025

At Faye Yerbury’s final party

Tim in full flow

Stars Martin Compston and Iain Glen with Emily Hampshire who plays Rose

The Astronomical Sky over Edinburgh for 2025

By PHIL DALY

THE NEW YEAR marks a new beginning, so what does the astronomical sky over Edinburgh and Lothian look like in 2025?

Edinburgh will experience one partial solar eclipse on 29 March lasting just under 2 hours. Always remember, though, to wear suitable eye protection when viewing any type of solar eclipse. There will be two total lunar eclipses viewable from Edinburgh and Lothian. The first is on 14 March and lasts 2 hours and 40 minutes before sunrise. The second is on 7 September and lasts 2 hours and 7 minutes after sunset when the eclipsed Moon rises. A total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a ‘Blood Moon’ because the lunar surface takes on a deep red/copper colouring.

The Moon will have 13 first quarter phases but 12 last quarter, full and new phases. There is an astronomical ‘Black Moon’---defined as the 3rd new moon within an astronomical season---and occurs on 23 August. The longest Synodic month---the time between new consecutive new Moons---is November’s Beaver Moon. The shortest is May’s Flower Moon.

Full Supermoons will occur in October, November and December with the 5 November Supermoon being the closest ‘full moon perigee syzygy’ all year at 356,980 km.

Full Micromoons will occur in March, April and May with the furthest ‘full moon apogee syzygy’ occurring on 13 April at 406,006 km. The March full Micromoon will also coincide with the total lunar eclipse mentioned above.

For 2025, the equinox and solstices are as follows: the Vernal (spring) Equinox falls on 20 March at 9:01 am, the Summer Solstice on 21 June at 3:42 am (BST), the Autumnal Equinox on 22 September at 7:19 pm (BST) and the Winter Solstice on 21 December at 3:03 pm. Earth will be at perihelion (closest to the Sun) on 4 January at 147,103,682 km and at aphelion (furthest from the Sun) on 3 July at 152,087,740 km.

A rare 6-planet parade will occur starting after sunset around 10 January and will last for several weeks. Planets visible (from east to west) are Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus and Saturn. The middle planets in the parade, Uranus and Neptune, will require binoculars or a telescope to see but all

the others will have naked-eye visibility. In late February, Saturn will set earlier and be replaced, briefly, by Mercury. Perhaps, the most spectacular conjunction of YEAR, though, will be Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, rising side-by-side on 11 August around 3 am.

For the inferior planets: Mercury will be closest to Earth in July and Venus in March. They will be furthest away in February and December. For the superior planets: Mars and Jupiter will be closest in January, Saturn and Neptune in September and Uranus in November. Pay particular attention to Mars, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune during their closest approaches as this will also coincide with opposition where the Sun-Earth-Planet orbital geometry is a perfectly straight line. This makes for the best view. Mars will be furthest from Earth in November, Jupiter in June, Saturn and Neptune in March and Uranus in May.

That said, don’t be surprised when observing Saturn that he appears to have lost his famous rings! Every 15 years or so, the ‘Ringed Planet’ appears edge-on from Earth and the rings---barely a few miles thick---seem to disappear. So it is between March and November 2025.

The most propitious date for completing the ‘Messier Marathon’---observing all known Messier objects in a single night---is 29 March since the Moon is new. A week earlier, on 22 March, would make a good test run. A week before that, close to the Vernal Equinox, is also the best time to look west after sunset and see the zodiacal light. This is light reflected off dust within the solar system.

Latest calculations suggest 37 meteor showers will have naked-eye visibility in 2025. If we restrict ourselves to those that have a ZHR above 20, so producing the most shooting stars or fireballs, we should be ready to observe the peak of the Quadrantids on 3-4 January, the eta-Aquariids on 5-6 May, the spectacular Perseids on 12-13 August, the Orionids on 21-22 October and the equally spectacular Geminids on 14 December. However, with nearly 7,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, be wary of false positives!

Each month, in the online edition of The Edinburgh Reporter, Phil Daly writes a more detailed ephemeris in the “Astronomical Sky Over Edinburgh and Lothian” series of articles.

SCOTTISH CHELTENHAM TRIALS

SAT 1ST & SUN 2ND FEBRUARY

eclipse over Arkansas, USA

Jason Donovan

After more than a quarter of a century, Neighbours

heart-throb Jason Donovan returns to his most outrageous role ever, at The Playhouse

By RICHARD BARBER

Jason Donovan is making a much anticipated return to one of his most famous roles: playing Frank-NFurter in Richard O’Brien’s anarchic musical, The Rocky Horror Show. So, the question has to be, why?

“In a nutshell,” he says, “I’m a fan. I love the show; I love the music; I love the character. I was touring my own show about five years ago and included Sweet Transvestite from Rocky as a key moment in my musical career. It went down a storm.”

He subsequently emailed producer Howard Panter saying that he’d read there was to be a 50th anniversary production of Rocky Horror and he’d love to be involved. And so it came to pass, first in Sydney and Melbourne and now on the UK tour.

The Rocky Horror Show is a musical with music, lyrics and book by Richard O’Brien. A humorous tribute to various B movies associated with the science fiction and horror genres from the 1930s to the early 1960s, the musical tells the story of a newly engaged, clean-cut couple getting caught in a storm and coming to the home of a mad transvestite scientist, Dr Frank N Furter, unveiling his new creation, Rocky, a Frankenstein-style monster in the form of an artificially-made, fully-grown, physically perfect muscle man complete with blond hair and a tan.

The show was produced and directed by Jim Sharman. The original London production premièred at the Royal Court Theatre (Upstairs) on 19 June 1973. It later moved to several other locations in London and closed on 13 September 1980. The show ran for a total of 2,960 performances. On the 50th anniversary of the musical in 2023, it is said the production had been performed in 20 different languages and seen by 30 million people globally.

He’s the same performer but how does Jason feel about tackling the role over 25 years later?

“I don’t feel uncomfortable playing Frank at 56 – and, of course, I have personal reasons for being grateful to the show.”

The stage manager on that late 90s touring production was a young woman called Angela Malloch. “I’d be backstage waiting to go on,” recalls Jason, “and I’d get chatting to Ange.” The blossoming friendship turned into romance but the relationship hit the buffers. Shortly afterwards, Angela found out she was pregnant. It was an ultimatum time.

“If the relationship had any chance of working, she told me, and if I was going to have any involvement in the life of our child, I would have to give up the self-indulgent hedonistic lifestyle of the 90s and take greater control of my life. And I did.” It’s something that happened gradually rather than immediately.

“You either seize your opportunities or you don’t”. But, in the end, he says, you’ve got to want to change. “Elton John said it and it’s true, ‘nobody can do it for you’.”

It was a major turning point in his life and the beginning of a relationship – the couple finally married in 2008 – that has stood him in good stead from that day to this. The couple have three children: Jemma is 24 and an actress; 23-year-old Zac is a TV producer in Australia and Molly, 13, is still at school.

In the meantime, their father has graduated from small-screen fame as Scott in the long-running Australian soap, Neighbours, to chart-topping pop stardom and now, among much else, as a stalwart of musical and straight theatre in a diverse number of productions.

He played Joseph in the original production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, returning as Pharaoh in the 2019 revival which brought him back to The

Yes it is Jason!

Jason as Frank in The Rocky HorrorShow

Playhouse, and has subsequently appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, had two stabs at playing drag artist Mitzi in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, another show that brought him to The Playhouse, as did Million Dollar Quartet in which he played music mogul Sam Phillips. He also played the demon barber of Fleet Street himself in Sweeney Todd and as Lionel Logue in The King’s Speech.

But it is Dr Frank-N-Furter who occupies a special place in his heart. “One of the reasons I love Rocky is because it’s a short show. It says everything it needs to say and nothing more. There’s no unnecessary padding. It means nobody gets bored and you leave them wanting more.”

Fine but, hand on heart, what’s it like climbing into those fishnet stockings and high heels seven times a week? “In many ways, very easy, I put on the costume and there’s Frank all over again. I’m in touch with my feminine side but I come from a masculine sensibility. The character embraces both sides of me, a strength and a vulnerability as well as danger and denial.

“Look, I come to the role as an actor. I always dreamed of fronting a rock band and this is about as close as I’ve got. When I put on those high heels, I become that rock ‘n’ roll star. It makes me feel powerful, tall, in charge. And audiences love it. As I look out from the stage, I see a beautiful landscape of people wearing outrageous costumes. It’s not hard to see why.

puts on

In many ways, Rocky is panto for adults. The costumes are just as much a part of the show as the characters and the music.”

All right but what about the wear and tear on his back? He laughs. “I spend a lot more time in physio these days, something I’ve put in as an appendix in my contract! I’m in my mid-50s. I’m aware of having to look after myself.” With regular exercise? “Yes, but not obsessively so. Mental health and physical fitness go hand-in-hand for me. This life is a

long journey, you hope. My dad gave me the tool of a good work ethic linked to physical activity. I don’t go to the gym, I’m not interested in lifting weights but I swim, I ride my bike. I stretch. I steam. I do those things more or less on a daily basis. In fact, they’ve become a borderline addiction. And, of course, doing the show is a work-out in itself. I put a lot of energy into my performance.”

He’s also sensible about his eating regime. “Within reason but then I’m lucky. I seem to

burn a lot of fat naturally. Trouble is, you get to my age and you’re in sniper’s alley, increasingly, you’re dodging a lot of bullets. There’s a bit of arthritis here, deteriorating eyesight there. If I take off my glasses, I can’t see whether the bottle contains shampoo or conditioner!” he laughs.

“Although my vocals were never my strongest point back in the day, since Joseph, I have worked really hard and through 30 years of strengthening my vocal cords – they’re a muscle like anything else – I’ve become a better singer. Rocky now plays to my strengths, less musical theatre, more edgy, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. More me really!”

Touring at any age is demanding and Jason admits, “On tour, I wake up a little later; there are no domestic chores to tackle, no trimming the ivy or doing the washing. And I’m a seasoned professional when it comes to locating any M&S or Waitrose. I do try and get home at weekends, though, and not agree to more than three or four weeks away at a stretch. But if I want to play Frank – and I do – I’ve got to travel. It comes with the territory.”

He adds, “I’ve reached a point of great contentment. As long as I have my family and my health, as long as I have a good life/work balance, I’m happy. I like to think I work to live, not the other way around.”

Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show plays Edinburgh Playhouse 20-25 January

Playing the Pharaoh in Joseph

Jason

the fishnets and becomes Frank

Explosive discovery

A unique police archive reveals wartime secrets left by German bombers reports Stephen Rafferty

Three unexploded bombs dropped during a German raid in 1940 remain buried under Edinburgh streets, a fascinating police archive of wartime bombing raids has revealed.Official reports on the death and destruction caused over a four year period and sent to the city authorities and the War Office, including crime scene police photographs, will go on display in a special exhibition from 1 May at the Edinburgh Central Library and will feature in a series of lectures.

Details contained in the valuable archive were known only to a small circle of officials due to war time news reporting restrictions, but it gives a unique insight into how the city dealt with up to 15 bombing raids over Edinburgh and Leith from 1939 to 1942.

The archive had been passed to Edinburgh Lothian & Borders Police Historical Society which will mark the 80th anniversary of the

end of WW2 with the exhibition, a number of lectures and publication of a book.

Retired police chief, Tom Wood, said the incidents just remained in “living memory” of people who experienced the bombings and the Society was keen to hear from victims, relatives, friends and neighbours who remember them, so that an oral history could be collected.

He said: “The archive is a collection of the usual tragedy, comedy and farce and is an important and fascinating history of this extremely dangerous time, which was at the peak of the Battle of Britain and when German invasion was thought to be imminent.

“There will be some people who will still remember this dark episode and we would really like to hear from them so that we can obtain first hand their memories. To this day, few people know about the extent of bombing over Edinburgh and sadly there is no memorial to the 19 people who lost their lives.”

In an early morning raid on 4 August, 1940, five bombs were dropped over Portobello, all

which failed to explode. Two which landed in Abercorn Park and were 100lb or 150lb high explosive bombs were later recovered by soldiers from the Royal Engineers and detonated in King’s Park.

But three other shells which landed in gardens in Abercorn Terrace and Argyle Crescent and on the street at Mount Lodge Place were more difficult to recover because of the soft sandy soil common in Portobello.

The Chief Constable’s report states: “Digging and pumping continued with a view of uplifting the other three, but without success and it was decided to leave them. They were then at depth of about 30 feet. Holes filled with 3ft. of concrete covered with earth. At 09.00 of 8th August the barricades were removed, Military withdrawn, and evacuees returned.”

One of the most tragic incidents happened on 29 September, 1940, at 27 Crewe Place in Drylaw, when five-year-old Ronald McArthur

and his seven-year-old sister Morag were killed in a raid which injured 14 others, seven seriously who were detained at the Western General Hospital.

And the official report reveals that the siblings and other victims may have avoided death and injury if air raid sirens had been sounded earlier, giving them time to take refuge in an “Anderson” bomb shelter - which was later found to be undamaged.

The policy at that time was to delay air raid warnings so as not to disrupt industrial production. The archive records: “Following on from this raid a strong demand developed amongst the public and in the press for more frequent use of the siren. Attack has usually taken place before the sirens have sounded, as in this case, and it was alleged that if warning had been given in time the two children and perhaps all the others, would have been in their shelters and consequently safe.”

But the plea fell on deaf ears: “A meeting of Divisional Wardens at Leith expressed strong views to this effect and a report by the Divisional Adjutant embodying these views was sent to Senior Regional Officer Major R. Barclay-Brown. He rejected the idea of making any more frequent use of the sirens.”

Tom Wood added: “We would especially like to hear from any of the McArthur family of Crewe Place. The authorities did in fact change their policy around the earlier use of air raid sirens but sadly that came too late for the McArthur children who may have otherwise been saved.”

One famous incident featured in the archive became the stuff of legend after the Portobello home of the then Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Sir Henry Steele, was allegedly “strafed” by German war planes. It was claimed a mirror on the Lady Provost’s dressing table had been shattered by German machine gun bullets but the truth is the culprits may have been based closer to home.

A photograph of the shattered mirror is in the archive and Tom Wood added: “It is highly unlikely a German bomber was strafing residential homes in Portobello and would be more concerned about the Spitfires on its tail in hot pursuit. The propaganda at that time would much rather have it that ‘the Hun’ was attacking innocent civilians rather than a case of wayward friendly fire from the RAF or our own air defence crews.

“In fact, a congratulatory letter from the Chief Constable to the officer in charge of air defence after two German aircraft were shot down, effectively says ‘well done chaps, but can I just remind you that if you are firing due south from the River Forth - what goes up

must come down. Have care’.”

There are plans to publish a book, “The Bombing of Edinburgh and Leith” which will capture the contents of the archive and commemorate the 19 people who died in the various wartime raids and those injured.

The exhibition at Central Library, George IV Bridge will take place from 1 May-30 September. The first lecture, at The City Art Centre on 30 May, is already fully booked, but more tickets will be announced in due course. For anyone who has memories of the bombing raids and wants to get in touch please contact sec.elbphs@gmail.com

Borders Police Historical Society with the wartime

Place where Ronald and Morag McArthur perished

Place “Anderson” bomb shelter which survived the

Above top - The Caledonian Distillery in Duff Street, Dalrylevelled by a 500lb bomb on 27 September, 1940.

Above bottom - Abercorn Terrace, Portobello and Air Raid Report of 4 August, 1940.

Cleared for take off

By STAFF REPORTER

PLANNING PERMISSION has been granted for a major new development of 3,000 homes on the old (and little-used) north-south runway at Edinburgh Airport.

Crosswinds Developments will now proceed to design the finer details of the new village which will have a mixture of one, two, and threebedroom flats and townhouses, aimed at “inter-generational living”. There is also a hotel and 500,000 square feet of commercial space included in the proposal for a development where vehicles will be excluded from some of the streets. This will be a 20-minute neighbourhood promoting active travel with more than 9 km of walking and cycling routes, including a walking route from home into the nearby airport.

The decision by the council’s planning committee follows the recent approval of the adjacent ‘West Town’ development, which is expected to deliver 7,000 homes on a neighbouring site. Councillors complimented the application for outline permission which “ticked all the boxes”.

The approval of Elements under the newly adopted City Plan 2030 is regarded by the developers as a milestone moment. They believe that the site’s key position unlocks the west of the city, allowing for more housing and infrastructure projects in future.

John Watson, chief executive of Crosswind Developments, said: “After many years working with the local government and our neighbours, this approval marks a critical moment for West Edinburgh, and the city more widely, allowing us all to take the next step towards delivering new homes the city so desperately needs.

“The Elements site is central to the wider vision for West Edinburgh. Aside from delivering 3,000 new homes, the site will also provide key transport links, green space and a primary school which will help ensure these major housing developments also become a

thriving community.

“Crosswind and other developers have been working for many years to get to this stage and it is essential that we continue to work in collaboration with each other – and a wide range of other private and public stakeholders – to deliver a decade and more of exciting development in the west of Edinburgh. Today’s decision marks the beginning of a new chapter which will see plans for the Elements site

Edinburgh Gin moves into new home

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

EDINBURGH GIN has just opened a new distillery. The Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches will welcome visitors to really get to know about how gin is produced and taste the end product.

This is now the only distillery the company will operate from built upon the site of the Trinity Church where the roots of botanical exploration were first planted centuries ago.

The new distillery features many historic arches and exposed brickwork, The floor to ceiling windows offer a room with a view, and

there is a roof terrace where guests will be invited to spend some time.

The copper stills are the most important part of the distillery.These new 2,000L stills - named Annie and Lina after two of the first female gardeners to work at Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh in 1897 - have been engineered with precision in Germany by coppersmiths Carl. Joining Annie and Lina there is a smaller still - named Matildato be used for experimental development. Together, the new stills serve as more than just functional equipment, and are symbols of Edinburgh Gin’s

become a reality, transforming Edinburgh and creating new homes for its people.

“It’s at times like these when we can appreciate that we have supportive, world-class infrastructure investors backing us and to understand that their patience and dedication has been essential in allowing us to get to this stage. Without the right inward investors supporting Scotland, projects of this scale cannot move forward.”

commitment to excellence.

These three copper stills are set to be the beating heart of the distillery and will ensure that every single bottle of Edinburgh Gin embodies the wonder-filled essence of the city’s spirit.

Finlay Nicol, Distillery Manager at Edinburgh Gin stated, “This launch is a true milestone for the brand,

Chris steps up for veterans charity

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

BAILIE CHRIS AHERN is the newest Ambassador for Veterans Housing Scotland.  He was first elected as a Councillor of the Perth City Ward in 2017 and re-elected in 2022.

Chris is a veteran of the Royal Air Force and having served at home and in Germany was delighted to become the Armed Forces and Veterans Champion for Perth and Kinross in 2017. He said: “I have made the issues of veterans and awareness of veterans a priority. I have, along with the Perth Veterans Association, secured the erection of a new War memorial in Perth, something that veterans and families In Perth & Kinross have been asking for, for a long time.

“Veterans Housing Scotland are doing amazing things for veterans.  I am delighted to be able to be involved in sharing their story and ensuring that our veterans are able to live in comfort and safety. Securing a safe home is vital in helping veterans mental health by providing a secure base for them and their families provided by an organisation that understands their needs.”

Kevin Gray, Chief Executive of Veterans Housing Scotland, added:

representing our relentless dedication to innovation and excellence in all things gin. We believe this is more than just a distillery — it’s a testament of our rich heritage, knowledge and commitment to sustainability, and our brand new stills alone are an embodiment of this.”

www.edinburghgin.com

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris to our team of VHS Ambassadors.  His knowledge and passion for our sector coupled with his own military experience are extremely valuable for us and we are grateful that he has chosen to work with us.”

Other VHS Ambassadors include TV Presenter Lorraine Kelly and business entrepreneur John Jenkins.

For further information on Veterans Housing Scotland please visit www.vhscot.org.uk

Lorem

Bailie Chris Ahern

Lorem

New car-lite village

More than 3,000 homes to be built

By SUSAN MANSFIELD

MORE THAN 300 PAINTINGS by some of the top artists working in Scotland today will grace the walls of the RSA Upper Galleries on Princes Street, Edinburgh, in what will be the first major exhibition of 2025.

RSW show begins the year Turner tour

The 144th Open Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour (RSW), which opens on Saturday 11 January, promises to be a showcase of the best work currently being made in waterbased media.

It includes more than 200 paintings by RSW members and a further 100 by non-members, selected from open submission.

The free exhibition will share the building with the annual show of Turner watercolours by the National Galleries of Scotland, which this year displays the Vaughan Bequest paintings from the National Gallery of Ireland, allowing visitors to browse the work of contemporary watercolourists under the same roof as a past master of the medium.

RSW President Anthea Gage said: “The RSW Annual Show is a wonderful combination of traditional watercolour and artists who are pushing the boundaries of what we can do with water-based media.

“We are conscious that we have a history, a tradition to maintain, and at the same time we produce exhibitions which are incredibly exciting. We are delighted to see a huge variety of different approaches from both members and non-members.

“I love the opportunity of scale of being in the RSA Galleries. People think of watercolours as being small, but now water-based works can

be as big as you want to make them, with beautiful intense colours. We look forward to surprising people with the skill and ambition of this work.”

The 144rd Open Annual Exhibition of the RSW

A journey into the Cosmos

By STAFF REPORTER

COLONEL CHRIS HADFIELD is coming back to Edinburgh in June when he will talk about being an astronaut and space commander, as well as a spacewalker and bestselling author. He will use unseen images taken from the James Webb Space Telescope and the International Space Station to illustrate hhis talk with breathtaking views of Earth, the Moon and Mars.

Chris said: “I am so excited to be coming to talk about the amazing recent events in space, from failing spaceships and private spacewalks, to stunning new images of Earth and James Webb’s universe, and humanity beginning to settle on the Moon and then Mars.

“The latest of exploration and high technology, where space fans will have the chance to ask me questions directly. A shared evening of discovery and wonder like no other.”

An experienced astronaut, engineer, and pilot, Chris came to global prominence in 2013 as he captivated the world from the ISS, documenting his journey, daily life on board and even creating the first music video made in space with his hugely popular cover of the David Bowie song ‘Space Oddity’.

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE NATIONAL GALLERIES OF SCOTLAND is celebrating the 250th birthday of Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) in an exchange of paintings with the National Gallery of Ireland. Some 30 watercolours which have never been seen in Scotland will be on display at the National throughout the month.

Since 1901 Turner’s art is shown in London, Dublin and Edinburgh, in accordance with the wishes of art collector, Henry Vaughan, who bequeathed his collection of 200 artworks.

The watercolours may only be shown in January when light levels are at their lowest. Turner toured around Britain extensively. One of the paintings on display will be the panoramic “Edinburgh from Below Arthur’s Seat” shown above.

Upper Galleries, Royal Scottish Academy, Princes Street

11 January - 5 February 2025 Open daily 10am-5pm

A parallel exhibition will showcase many of the works online on www.rsw.org.uk

www.nationalgalleries.org

Listen up

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

ON 20 JANUARY an award-winning podcast series returns with a new second season - Tape Letters Scotland. This has been created as part of the Tape Letters Scotland Project. It was the subject of an exhibition at Museum of Edinburgh and told the story of Pakistanis who migrated and settled in Scotland between 19601980 and how they communicated with family back home.

As international phone calls were prohibitively expensive families in Scotland and in Pakistan recorded and sent messages on cassette tape as an unusual, but effective, method of communication.

The podcast features original tape recordings and oral history interviews with Scottish-Pakistani families.

Produced by Steve Urquhart, the series is split into four episodes, each referencing the record and playback functionality of the cassette tape system: PLAY, REWIND, PAUSE and FAST FORWARD. From sharing moments of joy to ones of heartbreak, series narrator Tabassum Niamat takes listeners on a journey charting the experiences of individuals and families using tape letters, as well reflecting on questions around migration, language, identity and what it means to be Scottish-Pakistani.

Anne Skinner, Chiaro di Luna lores

A celebration of Turner

CAFÉ SCENE: BASTARD BARISTA

By Charlie Ellis

A legitimate hidden gem

A MAJOR THEME of histories and sociological studies of Edinburgh have been the city’s hidden aspects. These include the powerful institutions which quietly wield power and influence. Also, the “the custom” of its inhabitants of “lying low in catacombs” - to quote the architectural historian, Charles McKean.

Covert coffee spots

We shouldn’t be surprised that these “customs” pervade many aspects of the city, even its specialty coffee scene. Some of the best places are found in slightly covert places. These include Williams & Johnson, tucked behind Custom House in Leith, and Gamma Transport Division, hidden away in the placid backstreets of Comely Bank.

The Bastard Barista on Queen Street is another. I was recently given a tip about this place - my informant telling me not to be put off by the name or its slightly concealed location. You enter by heading down into the basement and then through a rather heavy front door. So heavy that you’re not initially sure whether the place is open. However, as I stepped in, I felt immediately embraced by a warmly lit café, buzzing with chilled conversation and the hissing of the coffee

machine. I had the sense of entering a secret meeting place. Thankfully, no suspicious eyes were cast on me, and there was no painful initiation ceremony to go through!

Instead, there was an appealing aroma of freshly ground beans - and an array of good coffees available on their “What’s in the grinder?” board. They offer house espresso, a guest, a decaf, a V60 and AeroPress coffee.and apparently “Edinburgh’s best matcha”. Plus, a nice selection of baked goods, which they are happy to warm up for you.

Beans by Kickback Coffee Roasters features prominently - an independent roaster based in Macclesfield, Cheshire. The V60 coffee is made using coffee by renowned Edinburgh roasters, Cult. For those not familiar with the AeroPress, this simple pair of plastic tubes is perhaps the best way to make good coffee, inexpensively, at home. In contrast to the traditional Moka pot. it gives them a much cleaner flavour.

Focus and precision

As always, having good beans is no guarantee of good coffee. On my first visit I saw the baristas showing the type of focus and precision needed to get the best from specialty beans. This care was also evident in the heating

CROSSWORD

By Aldhelm

and stretching of the milk, which was done at low volume. Not the harsh screeching you sometimes hear. Their efforts were manifest in the excellent cup I had, which had stark but satisfying flavours.

Behind the counter, the baristas worked with busy efficiency and good teamwork. This is something I saw a lot of on a recent trip to London. There, the best coffee spots have a constant stream of customers, so require well oiled teams of baristas. Though less common, it can happen in Edinburgh. Somewhere such as the Bastard Barista will get waves, especially mid-mornings - they seem adept at dealing with them. This helps to add to the unrushed feel of the place.

The interactions I saw with customers were warm and good humoured. One set of tourists paid for their drinks and cakes using a few handfuls of coins that they had presumably picked up during their stay. Rather than finding this annoying, the barista assisted with the counting, helping them to weed out some stray coins from other currencies!

Far from soulless

The humour is also found in the loos, where the left hand cubicle is the Men’s, while the other is the for

7 HOMELY RETAIL (anagram) (3, 5, 4)

9 French ‘Mister’ (8)

Beam above a door (6)

Elf, imp (6)

Cheap, inexpensive (3-5)

Renaissance (7)

Satisfied, happy (7)

Seeking retaliation (8)

Part of the foot (6)

Indicator (6)

(13)

1 Aura, air (10)

2 Sweating (10)

3 Logical, consistent (8)

4 Ireland’s patron saint (7)

5 Lucky charm (6)

6 Scheme (4)

8 Untrue (5)

13 Meat roaster (10)

14 Squeezebox (10)

17 New, novel (8)

18 Rubbery, stretchy (7)

19 View, landscape (5)

20 Go after, ensue (6)

23 Close by (4)

females as “Women are always right”!

The character of the place is also evident in the unusual but impressive styling of the place. On my second visit I found myself sitting beneath a stuffed squirrel, caught mid bite through an electric lead. I also discovered a charming secret nook, opposite the front door. A small group were warming their cockles there on a bitterly cold morning. The Bastard Barista is very far from a soulless place.

The Bastard Barista has clearly already built up a substantial number of regulars, with several of them featuring on the wall in annotated Polaroid snaps. Friendly gestures were given to those regulars who

stepped in and unfinished conversations from previous days resumed with gusto.

In this review, I’ve had to overcome the dilemma inherent in giving publicity to a hidden gem. The Bastard Barista is further evidence that in Edinburgh you can be just a few metres from tourist hotspots, and still find relative tranquillity. At the Bastard Barista, those few steps down into the basement take you into a different realm. Or, as they accurately put it themselves,  “a little gem nestled comfortably beneath Queen Street”.

Bastard Barista, 15 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JE.

Stiletto, 25 Canonisation.

Down: 1 Atmosphere, 2 Perspiring, 3 Coherent, 4 Patrick, 5 Amulet, 6 Plan, 8 False, 13 Rotisserie, 14 Concertina, 17 Original, 18 Elastic, 19 Vista, 20 Follow, 23 Near.

Vine dining is dram good

New range of sauces is far from bog standard

IN A REMARKABLE PIVOT that bridges Scotland’s whisky heritage with contemporary cuisine, an award-winning Bloody Mary mixer has transformed into something unexpectedly delicious: PEAT’D, a revolutionary range of peat-smoked tomato sauces that’s redefining the boundaries of flavour.

The concept is brilliantly simple yet innovative. Using offcuts of peat from the Isle of Islay’s legendary distilleries, PEAT’D infuses traditional tomato sauces with the deep, rich smokiness typically reserved for fine whisky. It’s what founder Hannah Brown playfully calls “Vine Dining” – a clever fusion of Scottish tradition with Mediterranean staples.

The sauce range, which includes Original, Garlic, Chilli, and Truffle varieties, stands in striking contrast to its Italian-inspired competitors. While traditional tomato sauces lean heavily on their Mediterranean heritage, PEAT’D proudly embraces its Scottish roots with bold, contemporary packaging that

practically leaps off the shelf.

What’s particularly fascinating is the precision behind the peat-smoking process.

Each 305g jar contains exactly 0.0006g of peat – enough to impart that distinctive smokiness while ensuring sustainability.

But PEAT’D isn’t just about taking from the land; Brown and her team have spearheaded an industry-wide initiative, partnering with small and medium-sized distilleries to support peatland regeneration, with a particular focus on small crofters. This initiative is set to launch in early 2025.

The journey to PEAT’D is as intriguing as the product itself. Founded by serial drinks entrepreneur Hannah Brown, she initially launched “Tongue In Peat,” a Bloody Mary mixer that garnered three Great Taste awards and was crowned “the UK’s best Bloody Mary mixer.” Despite its critical acclaim and international export success, the niche market limited its growth. The breakthrough came when Brown

noticed customers were cooking with the mixer rather than drinking it – a revelation that sparked the transition to PEAT’D.

“We are so delighted we made the switch!” Brown enthuses. “While Tongue In Peat will always hold a special place in our hearts, PEAT’D feels like a much more viable, healthier, and exciting direction. The response to both the taste and design has exceeded our wildest expectations.”

The versatility of these sauces extends far beyond pasta. Chefs and food influencers have embraced PEAT’D in creations ranging from Ratatouille Orzo and Gazpacho to more adventurous dishes like Truffle Tomato soup

Kerry’s De-Vine Tomato Soup

The ‘Ultimate Tomato Soup’ recipe listed on the PEAT’d website, curated by Lucy and Lentils, left me confused as it had omitted the roasted peppers and butterbeans, listed in its description.  So I set about creating my own De-Vine Tomato Soup, served with a cheese scone. This warming starter serves 4.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tbs olive oil

• 1 red onion

• 500 g vine tomatoes

• 2 gloves of garlic

• 1 x 240g jar of roasted red peppers – (I used Lidl’s own)

• Jar of PEAT’d Truffle Sauce

• 150 ml of single cream

• 1 tbsp dried rosemary

• Basil dressing

• 10 g basil leaves finely chopped

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tsp white wine vinegar

START by preheating the oven to 200ºC (fan) and adding the tomatoes, quartered red onion and un-peeled garlic cloves to a large roasting tray, drizzle in olive oil, salt and pepper, and dried rosemary then pop in the oven for 30 minutes.

ONCE ROASTED, give the tray a shake ensuring everything is evenly roasted then pop back in for around 10 minutes.

ADD the roasted vegetables, and the jar of drained red peppers to a blender (a Nutri-bullet worked well) along with the cream and PEAT’d Truffle Sauce until smooth. Heat gently in a small pan and serve piping hot with a cheese scone.

TO MAKE the basil dressing simply chop the basil and mix with the other ingredients and drizzle over the soup.

and even a savoury Watermelon and Tomato sorbet. It’s the ultimate kitchen hack – just twist, pour, and transform any dish with that distinctive smoky depth.

As someone who appreciates both innovative cooking and a good dram, I can attest that PEAT’D delivers something unique to the kitchen. This isn’t just another sauce – it’s a culinary revolution in a jar.

Cheese Scone

Makes 5-6 scones

INGREDIENTS:

• 225g/8oz self-raising flour

• pinch of salt

• 55g/2oz butter

• 25g/1oz mature cheddar, grated

• 150ml/5fl oz full-fat milk

HEAT THE OVEN to 220C/200C Fan/Gas

7. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

MIX TOGETHER the flour and salt and rub in the butter. Stir in the cheese and then the milk to get a soft dough.

TURN onto a floured work surface and knead very lightly. Pat out to a round 2cm/¾in thick. Use a 5cm/2in cutter to stamp out rounds and place on the baking sheet. Lightly knead together the rest of the dough and stamp out more scones to use it all up.

BRUSH THE TOPS of the scones with a little milk. Bake for 12–15 minutes until well risen and golden. Cool on a wire rack.

Culinary capers in the capital with Kerry Teakle

From cosy, intimate dinner theatre to grandiose rock operas and evergreen cult musicals, Edinburgh’s theatreland roars into 2025 like a Bat Out Of Hell ready to do the Time Warp again...

Welcome to the first Must See Theatre of 2025.

I hope I find you ready for another exciting year of theatre... Moulin Rouge, Dear Evan Hansen, Tina!, Ghost Stories and Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet are all heading to the capital for the first time, while old favourites such as Mary Poppins, War Horse and Mamma Mia! are returning. There’s certainly an amazing choice with something for everyone and it all starts right here and now.

In the past, come January, Edinburgh’s theatres have often allowed themselves a period of respite after heavy festive schedules. I can remember some years when many happily remained dark until February. Not any more - well not as far as The Playhouse and The Royal Lyceum are concerned anyway. The former hits the ground running with two popular rock musicals while the latter looks to the Bard to attract audiences.

Over at Greenside Place, no sooner has Donny Osmond unbuckled his gold tartan kilt

for the last time, than the cast of Bat Out Of Hell (6-11 January) arrive to open a brand new UK tour of the popular rock opera that showcases the music of Jim Stienman, songs that were all hits for Meatloaf. If you saw Bat Out Of Hell on its last visit to The Playhouse, then the cast will be familiar, with three returning leads, albeit in a production that will look very different.

The piece still tells the story of Strat, the forever young leader of a rebellious gang, The Lost, as he falls in love with Raven, the beautiful daughter of Falco, the tyrannical ruler of Obsidian. This time around, however, it will be performed on sprawling multi-level platforms set to transport audiences from Raven’s bedroom to the underground world of The Lost and beyond, with show producers promising “a visual feast that pushes the boundaries of live theatre”.

Reprising their roles for this “epic”production will be Glenn Adamson, Sharon Sexton and Rob Fowler as Strat, Sloane, and Falco, respectively.

Singing along is encouraged at I Ran With the Gang

They’ll be joined by Katie Tonkinson as Raven for an evening of rock anthems including, I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer For Love, and, of course, Bat Out of Hell. All will be delivered with the backing of a live, heart-pounding, powerhouse eightpiece band, so, altogether now, “The sirens are screaming, and the fires are howling...” Only, don’t sing along on the night.

Running time 2 Hours 40 Minutes including interval. Tickets £15-£84 from https://www. atgtickets.com/shows/bat-out-of-hell/ edinburgh-playhouse/calendar/2025-01-06

Richard O’Brien’s cult hit musical, The Rocky Horror Show (20-25 January), keeps The Playhouse rocking later in the month as Jason Donovan returns to the role of Frank N Furter a quarter of a century after he first donned a basque and fishnets. How does he feel about that? Well, you can find out on pages 10 and 11 where the man himself talks to The Edinburgh Reporter.

The Rocky Horror Show, now in its 52nd year, is the outrageously interactive tale of two young, all American sweethearts, Brad and Janet, who find themselves thrown into an unexpected voyage of discovery when a tyre on their car blows out in the middle of a storm, in the middle of nowhere. Seeking help at a nearby castle, they find themselves thrust into the debauched realm of cross-dressing alien scientist, Dr Frank N Furter and his beautiful creation, Rocky. Will they come out of their adventure untainted? Of course, they won’t.

Another musical with a well known soundtrack, expect to hear Science Fiction, Sweet Transvestite, Toucha Toucha Touch Me and don’t forget to be upstanding for The Time Warp. And remember, don’t dream it, be it!

Running time 2 Hours including interval. Tickets £15-£74 https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/ the-rocky-horror-show/edinburghplayhouse/calendar/2025-01-20

A week later The Royal Lyceum springs back into life with a very special production of The Merchant Of Venice (22 January-15 February), starring two-time Drama Desk Award winner John Douglas Thompson as Shylock, alongside a diverse company that “evokes a

culture…Shylock, for me, represents all those others. And I feel that we do live in this world where large groups of people, different people, are being persecuted for their differences. And this allows me on some activist level, to speak to that as an actor.”

Running time 2 Hours 30 Minutes plus 20 minute interval. Tickets £18-£38  https:// lyceum.org.uk/events/the-merchant-ofvenice#dates-and-times

Now, if you fancy your theatre with something a bit more substantial than a pie or a pint, Dine on Cambridge Street could have just the answer for you throughout January - Dinner Theatre. It’s a concept still somewhat of a rarity in Edinburgh unlike other cities where food and entertainment often go hand in hand. Dine, which you’ll find above The Traverse, has been righting that wrong for the past seven years and at the start of 2025 has a number of theatrical presentations, each preceded by a three course meal from the kitchen of Michelin Chef, Stuart Muir.

close, Edinburgh’s very own Master of the Musicals, Les Miserables and West End legend, Jeff Leyton, returns for three evenings of musical theatre classics, from 27-29 January. Dine musical theatre evenings usually sell out, so book now to avoid disappointment.

Tickets, various packages, https://dineedinburghevents.giftpro.co.uk

Finally, if you’re escaping to London this month and looking for something timely and powerful, check out Firebird (9 January-9 February) at London’s King’s Head Theatre. Drawing on a true-life Cold War story, Firebird, a new play by Richard Hough based on the memoir by Sergey Fetisov and screenplay by Peeter Rebane and Tom Prior, follows a handsome, soulful young soldier who embarks on a clandestine affair with a charismatic fighter pilot on an Air Force Base in Soviet-occupied Estonia at the height of 1970s Communist rule.

deeply stratified Venice” reflecting the “grievously fractured world” we live in today.

The New Audience production of William Shakespeare’s play about corrosive bigotry and blinding vengeance is poised at the radioactive intersection of race, class and religion in director Arin Arbus’s production. A mediaeval centre of trade and an early mercantile state, Venice is often considered a birthplace of capitalism. “Perhaps not coincidentally,” notes Arbus, “it’s also the birthplace of the original ghetto.”

Within the world of Shakespeare’s predominantly Christian Venice, Shylock is treated as a second-class citizen or worse. Thompson, says, “Shylock is, in my mind, a proxy for the other, if you will. Whether that other is Black, whether that other is immigrant, whether that other is based upon gender, whether that other is based upon sex, whether that other is based upon religion,

On Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 January, there’s another chance to enjoy an intimate, post-dinner performance of my very own smash hit Fringe show, I Ran With The Gang: A Tribute to Original Bay City Roller Alan Longmuir. Look out your tartan and get ready to sing along to old favourites like Bye Bye Baby, Summerlove Sensation and Shanglang having watched Alan’s story brought to life by a company of three actors. I Ran With The Gang’s last three visits to Dine sold out quickly so don’t hesitate.

The following week, on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21, Keith Jack is back. Yes, Dalkeith’s very own star of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat always packs them in with his one-man show when he visits Dine. Again, a three-course meal is followed by an up close and personal performance of

Starring Theo Walker and Robert Eades, the story comes to the stage for the first time after an acclaimed multi award-winning 2021 film version, and the publication of the English translation of the original memoir.

Producer James Seabright, says, “I’m excited to be marking the first birthday of the new King’s Head Theatre with the world premiere stage version of Firebird, which won such widespread acclaim as a film that I was delighted to secure the stage rights, allowing me to commission this adaptation by Richard Hough. His play chillingly evokes the Soviet Union in the Cold War, in a powerful and moving true story of forbidden gay love brought to life by a cast of four in Owen Lewis’ production.”

Running time TBC. Tickets £10-£32.50 https:// kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/firebird As ever, until next month’s spread, you can keep up to date with all my theatre news, views and reviews at www.mustseettheatre.com

The cast of Firebird

John Douglas Thompson plays Shylock

Alan irons out race rivals

“NEVER LET THE OLD MAN IN.” These words will continue to inspire Edinburgh’s Alan Bremner as he reflects on a third place in his age-group (65-69 years) at the World Ironman Championships in Hawaii.

Initially Alan was disappointed with his performance, revealing: “I’d gone out 19 days early to prepare properly for the heat and humidity and really wanted to win as it would have been the ideal way for me to finish triathlon.

“However, the more I thought about my fellow competitor’s words to me and the need to keep inspiring other older athletes the more I want to keep going.

“In addition to that I have had to understand that 2024 was a pretty good year for me in my

sport.”

Indeed. For Alan, president of the David Lloyd Newhaven Harbour triathlon club, was sole qualifier for the Hawaii event from a race in Lanzarote and from there warmed up by winning the gruelling Alp d’Huez Triathlon.

There are other reasons to keep going although on return he has had to undergo delayed double hernia surgery.

Among those encountered in Hawaii were Billy Monger (former winner of the Helen Rollason Award for facing down adversity at the BBC Sports Personality Awards), who, as a top motor sport prospect, lost both legs in an accident.

Monger smashed the course record in Kona,

Jacob jumps in to opening Grand Slam tennis event

EDINBURGH TENNIS ACE JACOB FEARNLEY has gained direct entry to the opening Grand Slam event of the season - the Australian Open - in Melbourne from January 12-26. Initially, Jacob was one place outside the required ranking to gain direct entry at No 99 due to players such as Nick Kyrgios and Kei Nishikori using rankings protected after injury troubles to play.

But the withdrawal of Austrian star Sebastian Ofner opened the door for No 1 alternate (reserve) Fearnley to feature from the outset and guarantee himself a share of

record prize money this year of $Aus 86,500,000. A major ranking point boost will also be on offer from the 128 player draw completed by wild cards and qualifiers.

It had already been decided that Jacob, who climbed the most number of ranking places on the ATP tour this year - 547 - on the way to winning four times on the second tier Challenger Tour would play preliminary tournaments down under.

Jacob will join fellow Britons Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie in the men’s main draw.

Hawaii, for a double amputee by two hours. Additionally there was a competitor with stage four cancer, Alan recalled.

One real highlight for Alan was a local old lady presenting him with a home made Saltire when she heard he was Scottish and no Scottish flag might be available (it was).

Less well received were a host of jellyfish stings and who knows how things might have turned out in the swim part of an event which also includes running and cycling with a bike Alan had specially flown out.

“We heard later there were sharks in the water while we were racing but at the time I was not aware” said Alan with an element of

Selman bronze

CORSTORPHINE ATHLETICS CLUB have led the praise for their ultra distance runner Dougie Selman who has returned from the world 100k championships in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), India, with a bronze medal as part of Team GB.

Selman finished 29th in a massive field 13 places behind fellow Scot Chris Richardson from Aberdeen who was also in the GB and N Ireland line-up.

Runners had to endure heat and humidity which meant the race over 20 laps of a 5k course started at 6am local time.

Corstorphine AC said on social media: “Well done to Dougie Selman for completing the World 100km Championships in 29th place in the men’s race.

“You’ve done us proud.”

Scottish Athletics added: “It was a first GB and NI championships for both Chris and Dougie after years of hard work in our sport and we send our warm congratulations to both and their families, coaches and support teams.”

Japanese runners occupied three of the

IAU

Dougie Selman in India

Kai is uncatchable

KAI GOLDER has proved unstoppable on two wheels this year – and the Edinburgh lad is still only 10-years-old.

From 59 races have come 59 wins including three Scottish Championships in Minimoto and Supermoto mini GP class.

Compiling these successes has taken him from Stranraer to Golspie via Crail and Knockhill in Fife accompanied by dad Kevin, mum Bobbie and younger brother Taylor, 5, who has ambitions to achieve similar feats.

MiniGP bikes have a140cc four stroke engine with manual 4 speed gearbox and clutch. They can reach speeds of around 60-70mph

As for Minimotos, where Italian legend, Valentino Rossi, started out, they are 40cc and capable of speeds of around 60mph.

Kai’s dad, Kev, himself a former racer, says:

“During the season we travel all over Scotland with the van and caravan spending nearly every other weekend away with the aim to have fun and enjoy racing and socialising.

“On the off season we usually make the annual trip to Spain for practice. Kai also likes to ride his dirt bike alongside Taylor who is his biggest fan

“Kai is also a keen footballer and plays for

Darts dream is in the post for Davidson

EDINBURGH POSTMAN Andrew Davidson, 29, (above) continues to deliver on the darts oche, and is off to qualifying school in Milton Keynes on 6 January where he hopes to move a step nearer competing among the arrows elite.

Last year ended well for Andrew – he has taken effectively a work sabbatical to see where his darts talent takes him – when following up success in the Welsh Open with victory in the Maltese Masters tournament at which he won the Pairs (with Owen Whiteside) the previous day.

“I’m coming into form at the right time for a week long qualifying school and there could be around 20-25 cards up for grabs depending on how many players have been able to maintain their ranking over a two year period” said Andrew.

November couldn’t have gone any better for the ex-George Heriot’s School student with the Maltese

sojourn in which he also reached the semi-final of their Open earning him around £2,000.

The chance to boost his current WDF ranking of 31 would likely help him to reach world championships at Lakeside, Surrey, late in 2025.

Andrew feels he is hitting his stride at an exciting time for the sport, too, thanks to 17-year-old Luke Littler who is commanding so much attention.

“The viewing figures when Luke reached the Professional Darts Championship (PDC) final against Luke Humphries were the highest recorded for a Sky Sports event outwith football” said Andrew.

“He is making darts appeal to more and more people and that has got to be good news for the sport.”

And up-and-comings like Andrew Davidson who initially intended a six month sabbatical but now feels encouraged to give himself more opportunities, full time.

Newtongrange Star 2014s while also enjoying mountain biking and socialising with friends.“

His ambition is to become a full-time professional motor cyclist.

Meanwhile, Kev has previously spoken about the emotions attached to seeing his son hurtle round a track with his nose inches from the tarmac.

“Yes, my heart has been in my mouth sometimes – and his mum’s too.”

Winter winners

MEADOWS TENNIS CLUB rounded off a memorable 2024 season by winning the East of Scotland Winter League Cup.

Pictured are the four players who defeated Mortonhall in the final, left to right - James Thomson, Vazkresia Valeva, Jamie Ran and Ben Baker.

Matches consisted of doubles ties which followed on from a round-robin series of fixtures in which there were contributions from Iona Senew, Niklas Heinemann and captain Zuzanna Stepnicka.

Another great achievement for the club was getting the women’s 1st team into Division One of the VMH Solicitors Leagues.

However, with some of the key players in that team moving on the club are now actively recruiting for next season.

For more info see: www.meadowstennis.co.uk

Portobello creating waves

PORTOBELLO ASC emerged as top dogs both collectively and individually when another instalment of the BMC Cupcommemorating the late water polo coach and administrator, Brian Campbell - took place in Dunfermline.

Porty under-18 boys successfully

defended the main event in the most nerve wracking manner when they defeated Rotherham on penalties after the teams had finished 9-9, Ben Williamson grabbing a “hat-trick”. Earlier they had overcome Stirling and Celtic Dragons in knock-out ties.

Meanwhile, in the under 14

development tournament, Porty again came out on top followed by Warrender (5th) and Edinburgh-based Stingrays (7th). Joe Mathieson of Portobello was top goal-scorer in the under-18 event with 22 while his colleague, Struan Bailey, was named leading goalkeeper.

Kai with top fan (and brother) Taylor

Winning Meadows finalists

Under 14s were victorious

10-year-old Kai Golder in two wheeled action

Injured duo looking toward better 2025

By NIGEL DUNCAN

TWO HEARTS PLAYERS in particular, Calem Nieuwenhof and Gerald Taylor, will be glad 2024 is over and will look to 2025 to kick-start their careers again after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.

The talented due have been in rehabilitation as their team-mates have struggled to find consistency in the William Hill Premiership and in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Aussie-born Nieuwenhof, who joined the Men in Maroon from A-League side, Western Sydney Wanderers, has had a particularly frustrating time since injuring his hamstring in a 2-0 win over Celtic at Tynecastle in early March.

The club’s medical team hoped the popular player would not require surgery but he went under the knife. Then, as he continued rehabilitation, Nieuwenhof suffered a setback. He trained on his own for a spell but has, however, been running again and has also taken part in the club’s training sessions at Riccarton, which is a positive step after several dark months.

The Sydney-born player, who was once voted into the PFA A-League Team of the Year back home, emerged as a key man during last season and there is no doubt that he has been missed while he recovers from the first serious injury of his

professional career.

It was no surprise when the 23-year-old, who celebrates his 24th birthday on February 17, was left out of the club’s Europa squad along with Spanish forward Musa Drammeh and third-choice goalkeeper, Ryan Fulton, but the Aussie is desperate to get back in a maroon shirt again.

Hearts’ head coach Neil Critchley is also keen to see the Australia under-23 player perform, but the former Blackpool boss does not want to put any pressure on the talented midfielder.

Critchley, despite the club’s difficulties on the pitch, has been patient with the man from Down Under who was Hearts’ second signing during the summer signing window in 2023, making his debut on August 5 that year and, since then, he has made 29 appearances, scoring two goals, according to the club’s website.

Costa Rica-born defender, Taylor, has only made eight appearances for the Jambos on a one-season loan from Liga FPD club, Deportivo Saprissa.

The ex-Uruguay de Coronado player, who has made appearances for the Costa Rica national team, and represented them at the 2024 Copa America, joined the Jambos on July 10, 2024, and made his debut on August 3.

Taylor is regarded as one of the country’s rising stars and it was not

Hibby New Year

By JOHN HISLOP

AT THE START OF THE SEASON the prospect of relegation for Hibs was inconceivable.

A new albeit inexperienced head coach and a host of incoming players  provided some optimism for the long-suffering fans.

However, the team has had the worst start to a season since 1979/80 when they won two and drew three of their first 16 games, resulting in the departure manager Eddie Turnbull and eventually relegation.

At the time of writing David Gray is the Hibs head coach and victory over Ross County moved the team from bottom of the table to eighth.

Nigel Duncan

difficult to see why as he rampaged down the right flank on his league debut against Rangers, leaving Ibrox defenders in his wake in the 0-0 draw.

However, injury struck at Paisley on September 21 and the right-back did not re-appear for the second half after starting in the 2-1 away defeat, a reverse which proved to be Steven Naismith’s last game as manager.

It was Liam Fox, Hearts’ then interim manager, who provided the news that Taylor would be sidelined “for a long period of time” after suffering a knee injury.

He, like Nieuwenhof, is making progress, according to club officials, and Critchley believes the player, who impressed the head coach in early season games, is moving in the right direction. His injury, however, has provided teenager Adam Forrester with a platform to play in the first team and he has impressed.    Japanese forward, Yutaro Oda, has also suffered injury setbacks since joining the Jambos from J League side Vissel Kobe on a three-and-ahalf-year deal for an undisclosed fee in January 2023, making his debut eight days later.

Since then he has made 53 appearances, scoring seven goals, but spent several weeks recently on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and he will also hope that 2025 brings a regular starting slot for the ambitious Capital club.

Whether Gray is still in post in January will depend on results and performances in the three remaining games of 2024, away to Aberdeen and Hearts and at home to Kilmarnock.

Whoever leads the club into its 150th year, its immediate future of could depend on comings and goings in the January transfer window.

On a positive note Garvan Stewart has been appointed as the new Head of Recruitment.

The 38-year-old has spent the last 12 years at English Premier League side AFC

Analysis and Head of Recruitment Analysis, where he worked closely with former manager Eddie Howe.

An expert in his field, Stewart’s skillset will allow the club to reap the rewards from Black Knight Football’s scouting and player data resource.

In addition, the highly rated Kieron Bowie is expected to return to action following a serious injury and will no doubt add some much needed firepower up front.

However the arrival of new faces could depend on departures. It was reported that the club turned down offers in the region of £2m for the enigmatic Elie Youan but a similar offer would be harder to resist this time.

Gray inherited a bloated squad and although he had managed to offload a number permanently and on loan there are still several players, including some high earners, who are content to remain at Easter Road with little prospect of playing.

These include Harry McKirdy, Nohan Kenneh and Luke Amos, while the likes of Dylan Levitt, Nathan Moriah-Welsh and Jake Doyle-Hayes could benefit from a move and also free up some cash.  Hibs could go on a run and finish top six but at the moment most

Alan Rennie

Ian Jacobs

Hoping for a better 2025, Calem Nieuwenhof (left)

Elie Youan scoring in the 3-1 win against Ross County

Kieron Bowie could add much needed firepower

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