First baby sloth born in Scotland at Edinburgh Zoo
3
A round up of the new MSPS representing the capital
5
Art student’s tartan design standout piece at exhibition
9
Private rooms at Palace of Holyroodhouse open to public
15
Official opening of refurbished Juniper Green tennis courts
21
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
EDINBURGH’S REGENERATIVE FUTURES
FUND has announced £15 million over the next decade with its final funding decisions. The charity is making a commitment to communityled change with the long term awards. Eleven
organisations and collaborative partnerships have been selected to receive support following an open application process. Projects supported include those building financial security and tackling stigma around poverty within Edinburgh’s Sikh community, supporting paid opportunities for Black creatives to address
structural barriers in the arts sector, and codesigning local food and medicine production and distribution. Each award will be worth up to a million pounds over ten years, offering long-term, unrestricted funding designed to enable deep and lasting change in Edinburgh. Funding decisions were made by a
Residents’ Panel made up of local people with lived experience of poverty and racism.
CONT PAGE 4
L-R Kanie, Hannah, Kirsty and Heather of Cables
Residents are one of the groups chosen for funding.
THIS LAST MONTH has passed in a whirl of politics and elections. The new Members of the Scottish Parliament have been given their laptops and allocated rooms at Holyrood, and now they will set to work under the guidance of the new Presiding Officer, Kenny Gibson.
Our article on page 5 examines some of the new politicians who will represent Edinburgh and the immediate area.
Our spread on Pages 12-13 is a look at some of the people who have come to live in Edinburgh and is part of the councilbacked “Edinburgh is Our Home” initiative. The interviews will also become podcasts and will feature on The Edinburgh Report shortly. The project was trailed in last month’s paper and is a celebration of diversity in Edinburgh which contrubtes so much to our capital city and its culture.
Sport has been big news in Edinburgh in the last month with Hearts disappointed at Celtic Park amid ongoing controversy over penalties and VAR. Our columnists bring you their spin around the local news on pages 20 to 23. I was in Gorgie on the day of the final match, and hope was so high among the fans I met in a couple of the pubs there, and it was painful to see photos of the liveried double decker bus all ready for the Victory parade that did not take place.
SPIJI stands for the Scottish Public Interest Journalism Initiative, a body set up to promote and protect Scottish journalism.
The chair Richard Walker, founding editor of The National, has asked the new Culture Secretary, Màiri McAllan to respond to a promising move from Westminster.
(Full disclosure - I also sit on the SPIJI board).
The UK Government has launched a new £12 million Local Media Action Plan to boost public interest news, mainly in England and Wales.
Now the new Scottish Government has been asked to take similar steps to help the sector which is facing a real crisis. The creation of SPIJI was one of the strong recommendations of a Scottish Government working group set up in 2021 to look into the future of Scotland’s news industry, and the idea was welcomed by the Scottish government, which undertook to provide support for the next steps in setting it up. Yes it has taken years to get this far, but SPIJI is hopeful of making real progress this year.
Phyllis Stephen, Editor
At Midlothian Snow Sports Centre an application has been made to create a zip line with a network of lines and wire bridges through the woodland area and also to replace the chairlift hut at the upper chairlift station. The application was made to Midlothian Council in February but no decision has yet been made.
The long running saga of land at Cramond Road North owned by AMA and on which they are bound to construct sports and leisure facilities continues. Anyone with a long memory may recall “Dunf” which was the purpose built PE teachers college, eventually a part of Moray House and where there were outdoor hockey pitches and athletics tracks. The Cramond campus closed in 2001.
A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) has been submitted covering the sports and leisure facilities including a synthetic pitch, an active loop and sports pavilion featuring a gym, padel tennis and other uses, later living accommodation, a Care home, residential flats and commercial premises which includes shops and professional offices, space for food and drinks businesses and landscaping, open space and car parking. Finally two dates have
been fixed vover the summer when the public consultation events will take place. The first is 24 June from 3pm to 8pm and the second is on 26 August from 3pm to 8pm both at Cramond Kirk Hall.
There were also public consultation events in 2023
The Cramond, Barnton and Cammo Community Council has been instrumental in making the developer progress this application.
Also in Cramond (and another long running planning matter) a retrospective planning
application has been made in relation to the boardwalk. Comments are due by 12 June for anyone who is interested. This is the structure which was built over the main gas pipe at a cost of at least £50,000 to the council.
Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust undertook the work on the council’s behalf, but failed to apply for planning permission – even though the structure is in a conservation area. As it stands the boardwalk does not link up with the promenade – the Transport and Environment Convener said the council will do that final stage of work once planning permission is granted. 26/00056/FUL
copies at all branches of Farmer Autocare, at Summerhall, the EICC, LifeCare,
for local stockists. If you can help please get in touch. If you would llke to subscribe please use the QR code below. ter.ooo/subscribe
The Linne’s two-toed sloth boy was born last month to first-time parents Feira and Nico, both aged six, in a historic milestone for the The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).
Keepers have named the baby boy Atty in honour of Sir David Attenborough who just celebrated his 100th birthday. For the first six months of his life he will grip tightly to mum
Feira’s stomach and will soon begin learning which leaves are safe to eat by sampling food directly from her mouth.
Jess Brown, head keeper said: “This is groundbreaking not just for Edinburgh Zoo, but for Scotland. Seeing a sloth baby clinging to mum for the very first time has been so special for the whole team and we can’t wait for visitors
to see little Atty.”
“He is already showing plenty of personality and visitors might spot a tiny face peeking out from mum’s fur. Nico and Feira are both beautiful animals and a fan-favourite with our visitors so we’re confident he’ll be a big hit!”. Mum and baby are currently resting. Visitors can share in the good news and visit the sloth house
Looking back in history with the local history society
now. Opening times of the sloth house will sometimes vary over the coming weeks and visitors are recommended to check opening hours on arrival at the zoo.
Visitors can book zoo tickets to say hello to the baby online in advance and save at edinburghzoo.org.uk/tickets
2 June
In 1581, James Douglas, Earl of Morton, was executed on the Maiden, a form of guillotine which he himself had imported from France; In 1580, Morton was accused of being complicit in the murder of Mary’s estranged husband, Lord Darnley, and was sentenced to death; his head, however, remained on “the prick on the highest stone” (a spike) on the north gable of the ancient Tolbooth of Edinburgh (outside St Giles Cathedral), for eighteen months.
9 June
In 1573, Sir William Maitland, the man Mary Queen of Scots named ‘Secretary Maitland’, died at Leith Prison. And in 1648, Alexander
Denholm, a baker, was imprisoned in the Tolbooth for a second time for his reckless behaviour and actions in making some rash comments to the Duke of Hamilton in the High Street; he was armed with a sword and a pair of pistols without permission of the magistrates. Also in 1991, the Palace Hotel on the corner of Princes Street and Castle Street was accidentally set on fire.
10 June
In 1903, the floral clock in Princes Street Gardens began operation – driven by clockwork and with only an hour hand, it was the first of its kind in the world.
16
In 1831, scientist James Clerk Maxwell was born at number 14 India Street, Edinburgh; on his arrival at the Edinburgh Academy in 1841, he was nicknamed ‘daftie’ by his classmates, due to his home-made clothing and rustic accent; despite the teasing, he excelled at the school, producing a paper on mathematical curves at the age of fourteen – this impressed scientists of the day so much that it was presented to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
20 June
In 1941, one of Edinburgh’s most serious and tragic public transport accidents happened at Inchview Terrace when a bus swerved and collided violently with a tramcar, which was travelling in the opposite direction; the side of
9th June
the bus was ripped off and those on the affected side were either killed or injured; a kitten escaped from a basket and jumped on the face of the bus driver causing him to lose control.
25 June
In 1992, a major fire broke out at the former Ritchie’s building, rendering it to little more than pile of rubble and ash; the authorities were left with little choice but to demolish the blackened structure.
Pioneering fund announces long-term awards tackling poverty, racism and climate change in the city marking a major milestone in the ten-year commitment to community-led change.
Eleven organisations and collaborative partnerships have been selected for financial support from this year.
One of the city organisations which will receive up to £1 million of funding over the next decade is the Cables Wynd House Residents Group with Making Rights Real.
A spokesperson for the group said: “Thank you to the Regenerative Futures Residents’ Panel, funders and staff for their belief in the power of Cables Wynd House residents using human rights to improve their housing conditions. Over 75 residents young and old completed our third housing human rights monitoring survey this year. The results tell us housing conditions are not improving. We will work hand in hand with residents to make real changes in how housing services are delivered for social housing tenants in Edinburgh.”
The group supports and empowers tenants in Cables Wynd House in Leith and also in other Edinburgh council housing, “using human rights monitoring to improve housing conditions and strengthening collective power to drive lasting housing systems change”.
From mould and broken lifts to international recognition and a landmark £69 million council investment in refurbishing the multi storey blocks, residents are actively proving that those most affected by poor housing can drive systems change themselves.
Working with Making Rights Real, the group is training residents to monitor housing and human rights, gather evidence and negotiate directly with decision-makers - with plans to share the model across Edinburgh so more communities can use human rights to demand safe, dignified homes.
The Fund is supported by a coalition of national and local funders, including charitable foundations, local authority and philanthropic partners, who pooled resources but stepped back from decision-making to place control within communities.
Those who have already committed funding towards the pooled Fund include the City of Edinburgh Council, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, The Robertson Trust, Turn2us Edinburgh Trust, and Foundation Scotland, who also host the Fund. Recent local philanthropic support from Tom Ward and other local philanthropists reflects growing confidence in the Fund’s approach. The Fund continues to welcome new funding partners supporting long-term, community-led change.
Leah Black, Co-Head of the Fund, said: “Reaching this stage is hugely significant, allowing organisations and partnerships to turn long-held ambitions into long-term action. The Regenerative Futures Fund represents a real shift in how funding can be transformational when communities are placed at the centre.
“We are deeply grateful to all involved, and to the Residents’ Panel whose time and insight shaped every stage of this journey. In the wealthiest city in Scotland, where 17% of people – including 21% of all children – live in relative poverty, we are operating in a complex environment. Poverty, racism and climate change are interconnected, real and present challenges for us all, and tackling
them requires long-term commitment, trust and collective action.”
The Residents’ Panel said: “This wasn’t just about selecting projects, it was about responsibility to the city and the future. We wanted to create a better Edinburgh and that has driven this work from the very beginning. We’ve seen the strength, creativity and ambition that already exists across the city, and this process was about giving groups the capacity and trust to deliver the real change we all need to see. It has been a real privilege to be part of something that is so grounded yet so innovative.”
Giles Ruck, Chief Executive of Foundation Scotland, said: “The Regenerative Futures Fund represents something quite rare in the funding world. It offers long-term, collaborative funding, where those who already hold the expertise and lived experience of the issues this fund is designed to challenge, are leading. We need to see more of this. It puts trust in communities and gives organisations the time and flexibility they need to address complex challenges. This Fund offers a powerful alternative to shortterm thinking and could influence placebased funding far beyond Edinburgh.”
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “We’ve been clear in setting ambitious targets to address poverty, reach net zero by 2030 and to tackle racist rhetoric in Edinburgh. This significant support will help us to move closer to our goals while backing grassroots projects and organisations which are already make a real difference across the city, selected by the people who live here.
“The challenges we face are real – that 17% of our residents still live in relative poverty is simply unacceptable, while people continue to face racism and exclusion, all while the climate crisis looms large. This funding will provide a welcome boost to a range of organisations addressing these challenges, and I look forward to seeing more from the projects it will help to deliver.”
Over the coming months, the funded groups will begin long-term delivery work in Edinburgh, focused on tackling the root causes of poverty, racism and climate inequality through community-led approaches.
The Regenerative Futures Fund will continue as a learning and collaboration network across the city, supporting knowledge-sharing and connection.
By ALEXANDER LAWRIE
A FORMER Scottish Labour MSP who was arrested last year in connection with possessing child abuse images is also facing allegations he narrowly struck a pedestrian in his car while twice the drink drive limit.
Colin Smyth is alleged to have driven a car dangerously by speeding and mounting a pavement before colliding with electric bollards outside the City Chambers in Edinburgh.
Smyth, 53, is claimed to have just missed the pedestrian before repeatedly exiting and entering and revving his vehicle during the alleged incident on November 2 last year.
The father-of-two, whose address was given as the capital’s Holyrood Road, is also accused of driving the vehicle with 102 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood at the city’s High Street.
Court papers state Smyth is facing a third charge of failing to report the alleged accident to police within the required 24 hour period.
The alleged offences are all said to have been committed after Smyth was granted bail at Dumfries Sheriff Court on October 22 last year.
Smyth failed to show up for the summary hearing held at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month and the case against him was continued without plea for four weeks.
FORMER Scotland star Leigh Griffiths is facing criminal allegations of conspiracy and being concerned in a fraudulent scheme.
Griffiths was due to appear on petition at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday May 21 but was unusually allowed to be absent when the case against him called.
The former Celtic and Hibernian striker, whose address was only given as Glasgow, is facing two charges on indictment of conspiracy and concerned in a fraudulent scheme.
The 35-year-old footballer’s lawyer made no plea on his behalf and the case against him was committed for further examination.
Sheriff John Cook granted Griffiths bail at the conclusion of the private petition hearing.
He is now expected to stand trial alongside three other professional footballers - Marc McNulty, 33, Paul McGowan, 38, and Keaghan Jacobs, 36who all faced the same charges when they appeared on petition on March 5 this year.
McNulty, from Edinburgh, McGowan, from Airdrie, Jacobs, from Edinburgh, all made no plea and the case was committed for further examination.
Fifth accused Conan McDiarmid, from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, also appeared in the dock to face the same allegations in March.
Griffiths won 22 international caps for Scotland and played for a series of clubs including Celtic, Hibernian, Dundee, Livingston and Wolves in a glittering 20 year career.
He is currently plying his trade with NPL Western Australia side Stirling Macedonia after moving down under to play for State League 1 outfit Mandurah City four years ago.
McNulty has made two appearances for Scotland and is currently playing with Scottish League Two outfit Spartans FC. His former clubs include Livingston, Hibernian, Dundee Utd, Coventry City and Reading.
McGowan started his career with Celtic before moving on to play for clubs including Greenock Morton, St Mirren and Dundee. Jacobs is a South African national who had two spells with Livingston between 2007 and 2015 and again between 2017 and 2022.
The midfielder played a total of 252 games for the West Lothian club scoring 23 goals and has also played for Falkirk, Arbroath and South African outfit Bidvest Wits.
McDiarmid played as a defender with a number of amateur clubs including Edinburgh United and Whitehill Welfare before he retired in 2020 and moved into management.
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
Now that the dust has settled – who are the new MSPs representing the capital? Edinburgh, along with the rest of Scotland, went to the polls last month in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
There were several alterations to parliamentary constituencies as part of the boundary reviews carried out beforehand, including substantial changes around the Merchiston area, and large sections moving from Edinburgh Southern into Edinburgh Central.
Edinburgh North Eastern was also renamed Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith after public consultation.
A total of 13 MSPs were elected for the city area - six constituency MSPs and seven regionals, made up of a mix of representatives from across the political spectrum.
In addition Edinburgh councillor, Kate Campbell, was elected as MSP for the new Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh and Tranent constituency, and Colin Beattie was returned as MSP for Midlothian North.
EDINBURGH CENTRAL: Lorna Slater, Scottish Green Party won the party’s first constituency with a majority of 4,582 taking it from the SNP’s Angus Robertson. She said at the count: “This is a credit to decades of hard work by Green MSPs, councillors in Edinburgh. This is building on the hard work they have done as well as an amazing campaign run by our volunteers. This is the next step for the Scottish Greens and it shows that people in Edinburgh Central really want to build a fairer and greener Scotland.”
KATE NEVENS - SCOTTISH GREEN
PARTY is a former Middle East Manager for think tank, Chatham House. She said she wants to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, find solutions to the housing emergency, and improve healthcare by tackling the “unequal, oppressive systems” that are “harmful to marginalised communities” in Scotland.
She also said that she wanted to abolish prisons, but the party later published a statement walking back some of her more extreme views.
ANGELA ROSS - REFORM UK We spoke with Ms Ross a couple of times during the campaign, once just two
EDINBURGH NORTH EASTERN AND LEITH:
Ben Macpherson, Scottish National Party (3,071 majority). Ben was pleased to be re-elected. He said immediately after the announcement: “I am grateful and proud that this is the third time I have been elected in this party of the city. Obviously the boundaries have changed significantly in this election. I am proud to be representing Leith again and also the communities that are coming in from the east and will be as diligent for them as elsewhere.”
When the Boundary Commission planned to remove Leith from the name of the constituency Macpherson campaigned hard to have it retained.
EDINBURGH NORTH WESTERN: Alex
Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Liberal Democrats (13,016 majority). The LibDem leader was elected for the third time. He said: “It never gets tired, it never gets boring. I am so grateful to my constituents in the new constituency of Edinburgh Western for putting their faith in me once again. I absolutely love the constituencies I serve and pledge not to let them down.”
Mr Cole-Hamilton – who had previously received the highest number of votes ever cast for a single candidate in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election with 25,578 – took the seat this time with 22,959 votes to second-placed Lyn Jardine’s (SNP) 9,943.
Speaking to The Edinburgh Reporter during the campaign, he branded the Scottish Government’s efforts to help out homes struck by the surge in heating oil prices in recent months “paltry”.
EDINBURGH NORTHERN: Cllr Sanne
Dijkstra-Downie, Scottish Liberal Democrats
days before the election, when she and her colleague, Thomas Kerr MSP, convened a press call at Lasswade Road telling the press that the council was to let the 100 newly renovated flats to single male refugees. This was afterwards roundly refuted by the council.
Ross said that a lot of people talked about the cost of living. Asked if that was a result of Brexit etc, she said:
“Brexit was a long time ago now. It was a democratic decision by the British people who took that vote and it was only fair that that vote was then implemented appropriately - I don’t believe it was. I believe that the government, the Conservatives, did
(2,493 majority). The new MSP arrived at Holyrood on her bike – but for the Dutch-born MSP that is quite normal. Her surname means “from the dykes”. She took the oath in Dutch and English, and will also continue as a Forth ward councillor for the next year until the May elections. The area she would like to concentrate on is proper funding for local government, but she has also worked as a fundraiser for climate research scholarships and education and this is what she “cares passionately” about.
EDINBURGH SOUTHWESTERN : Cllr Simita Kumar, Scottish National Party (3,289 majority) Ms Kumar was SNP Group leader on the council, but has since resigned from that
not then follow through with a lot of the policies and procedures that should have been enacted.”
IRSHAD AHMED - SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY Mr Ahmed would not give The Edinburgh Reporter an interview before the election, referring us to his social media adviser.
MILES BRIGGS - SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST PARTY Miles has been an MSP since 2016. A focus during the campaign was to have parking charges in East Lothian scrapped. He was one of those who benefitted from the
position. She will remain a councillor until next May. She has become a Junior Minister in the Cabinet with responsibility for Equalities & International Development.
Before the election she had already been described as a rising star. She said: “These are lovely labels, but I’m more focused on the task of the day.
“It is such a privileged position to be elected, it truly is. For me, it’s about understanding what I stood for in the first place, what are the differences I can make, and how can I work hard to achieve them.”
EDINBURGH SOUTHERN: Daniel Guy Johnson, Scottish Labour Party (4,963 majority). Johnson retained his seat in an area which is Labour dominated with Ian Murray as the local MP since 2010. He also arrived at Holyrood for the new term on his bike - one that he has built himself. He said: “I am truly humbled. I treat it with a great deal of respect, the trust that people place in you when they vote for you. I certainly didn’t take being returned for granted. Above all else people want a person who will work for them.”
Tories promoting the second peach ballot to vote Conservative, but was the only one on the list to be returned.
Q MANIVANNAN - SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY has caused a stir since the election over their visa status. They said: “The response I have found on the doorstep is that people don’t really care about where I’m from, despite what the right wing would like you to believe.
“What they care is if I know enough to fill the potholes, if I know that Ashley Terrace still needs a pedestrian crossing, or if I know that Leith Walk still has problems in its cycle lanes”.
KATHERINE SANGSTERSCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY – we have yet to speak to Ms Sangster and hope to do so soon.
KAYLEIGH FERGUSON KINROSSO’NEILL - SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY said that “her skin crawls” when hearing the Reform UK party’s Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord, talk. Making comparisons to Trump’s America, she called the party “an extreme danger to Scotland, society as a whole, and Britain as well” but acknowledged that she “can understand why they won so well”.
By ROSS CHALMERS
THE CITY of Edinburgh Council will introduce two new nature reserves, with a third set to be expanded.
Under new plans, Wester Craiglockhart Hill and Little France will be designated as Local Nature Reserves, while the existing nature reserve at Easter Craiglockhart Hill would be greatly expanded.
Local Nature Reserves are special protected areas of conservation in Edinburgh to preserve flora and fauna by preventing urban developments and environmental damage, while offering opportunities for recreation.
Council officers, who recommended that city councillors approve their plan to bring about the nature reserves say that each site has presented special opportunities for the study and research of British flora and fauna.
Little France Park, the largest of the three sites, for example, has been described as a “naturalised site” with locally rare and desirable habitats comprising reclaimed farmland, semiimproved grassland, newly planted woodland and specimen trees, wetland and open still
water areas, a blue corridor, species rich grassland, and scrub.
The park has a significant number of skylark, buzzard, kestrel, and yellowhammer birds reliant on the local ecosystem, while being particularly rich for locally rare butterflies and other invertebrates.
Recent surveys on Wester Craiglockhart Hill identified the presence of national and locally important plant species, such as welted thistle and common rock rose, as well as protected species of bats and badgers.
The hill is also believed to have significant education potential, being adjacent to Edinburgh Napier University and within walking distance of two high schools.
All three sites are managed by Edinburgh Council’s Parks and Openspace scheme, with smaller local “Friends of” groups handling the day-to-day management.
The expansion to LNRs at Craiglockhart Hill is understood to have been influenced by the local community council and “Friends of” groups.
The plans were approved by Edinburgh Council’s Culture and Communities committee
on 14 May.
In response to a question from Conservative councillor Marie-Clair Munro at council, Parks, Openspace Development and Visitor Services Manager, Steven Cuthill said that while the designation would introduce new protections for wildlife, little would change on the ground for residents and there are no plans to restrict future access.
Following a question about the measure’s impact upon Edinburgh’s declared nature emergency, Mr Cuthill added: “I suppose that the scales would be maybe tipped a little bit more in favour of wildlife and habitat enhancement, rather than sort of public use.
Although, recreational use and other uses
By RYAN NIXON
MORE THAN £65,000 has been raised by bargain hunters browsing the Edinburgh New Town Church Book Sale.
The Edinburgh New Town Church Book Sale, held in support of international development agency Christian Aid, has been taking place annually for more than 50 years and has raised more than £3m for the charity’s flagship appeal Christian Aid Week.
Thousands of people can be found each year browsing boxes of hardbacks, paperbacks, classics, cookbooks, biographies and more. There are also toys, puzzles, CDs, DVDs, ephemera.
Among the donations this year have included a ballet pointe shoe signed by Prima Ballerina Assoluta, Dame Alicia Markova; a 400-year-old book of speeches Charles I gave in Parliament; and some Ian Rankin books signed by the author with cryptic puzzles.
Dame Markova is considered by many to have helped shape the future of classical ballet in the UK and was the co-founder of the London Festival Ballet in 1950 – which become English National Ballet.
The book sale organisers are in touch with the English National Ballet School and Capezio (the company which made the shoe) about how it might be used for a future fundraising event.
Julia Forsyth, one of the book sale organisers, said this year’s had
been “absolutely fantastic”.
She said: “The church was buzzing from the moment the doors opened, with people leaving carrying armfuls of books and with huge smiles on their faces.
“We raised around £67,000 which is an extraordinary result and reflects the incredible generosity of everyone involved, our donors, customers and especially our volunteers, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the sale happen.
“This event is powered entirely by community spirit, kindness, and generosity.”
Head of Christian Aid Scotland Val Brown
said: “We are enormously grateful for the dedication of the church, the volunteers and all who support and make the Edinburgh book sale possible.
“For more than 80 years Christian Aid has worked to call for justice and give support to some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world – people of all faiths and none – to lift themselves out of poverty.
“The Edinburgh book sale has supported so many people across the world for over half a century, which is an amazing act of keeping hope alive.”
have been or will continue, but the priority is more on the nature and wildlife side.”
Concluding, Culture and Communities
Convener, Councillor Margaret Arma Graham welcomed this designation because of historical attempts to develop on and around Easter Craiglockhart Hill.
SNP Councillor Finlay McFarlane passed a motion to explore whether a similar designation could be introduced on the Western side of Calton Hill.
Little France Park covers an area of 45 hectares, while Wester Craiglockhart Hill covers just over 10 hectares.
The Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve would be expanded from around 10.5 hectares to around 20 hectares.
By TOM WILSON
PLANS TO DEMOLISH a block of flats in Gorgie have been thrown into chaos as the building is “likely” to receive listed status. Westfield Court has faced uncertainty over its future for months amid severe problems.
While the City of Edinburgh Council is a minority owner, it remains as the factor of the building.
In a media briefing on 22 May, council officers said that they were forced to halt plans to buy up flats in the block after receiving notice that the building will “likely” be listed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
A housing committee meeting planned for 1 June would have recommended councillors to proceed with the buyout. However, a council officer said that there would now be “no recommendations for signing off from councillors at the next committee.”
Officers have recommended to the committee that to bring forward a report “to provide clarity” on the HES decision.
A HES spokesperson said that their “early view is that this innovative multi-storey block is of sufficient interest for listing, but we have not yet made a decision.”
By ROSS CHALMERS
A GROUP OF TRAVELLERS, who had occupied the historic Huly Hill site in West Edinburgh, have been evicted by Edinburgh Council, with locals left to foot the bill for concrete blocks to prevent their re-entry.
Dozens of caravans are reported to have left the site “in an orderly fashion” just two weeks after forcing entry, but have left piles of rubbish, felled trees, and a destroyed fence in their wake.
The local community was quickly mobilised to shore up the site, placing concrete blocks at the hole in the fence, where the group are alleged to have broken through to gain access, while the council is currently undertaking a clean-up.
The council confirmed that they served the group with eviction notices under two weeks after their arrival.
The Huly Hill site in West Edinburgh, near the airport, is of significant historical interest as an ancient burial cairn. Some believe the cairn and stone circle could date back to 2500 BCE.
Despite this, the site has been a frequent target for traveller groups, and locals were left furious last summer, when piles of rubbish were left at the millennia-old site.
One local resident, who did not want to be named but who represents the Newbridge and Ratho Station Community Association, said that the mess “wasn’t as bad as last time”, but that serious questions remain for the council
He said: “When they arrived, they broke a couple of fence posts, and there was, I think, about 20 to 25 caravans in the end.”
After the last time travellers were kicked off the site, the local community banded together to install concrete blocks at re-entry points to prevent the return of the group.
Last month, however, the travellers ignored these blocks and are alleged to have broken through the fence to gain entry.
The Newbridge and Ratho Station Community Association – a coalition of locals and businesses – have been forced to once again foot the bill for new concrete blocks.
Their spokesperson hopes that the problem has now been permanently solved, but cannot be sure:
“You just don’t know do you? Last time when we placed a few concrete blocks, we hoped that
that would be it.
“But the travellers have got nowhere to go so, in desperation, I guess they just cut down the posts and get into whatever property they can.”
On the council covering the cost of the clean-up effort, he said: “It’s not really the council that’s covering it -it’s all of us, because we’re all taxpayers, ultimately.
“Putting in some sort of mitigations once, and doing it properly, in my mind, would be the way to stop something like this from happening, but it just seems like there’s part solutions each time.”
A council spokesperson confirmed that eviction notices had been served to the group, but that no forced evictions were necessary.
They added: “We’ll continue to work with the local community to find appropriate measures to discourage further illegal access.”
By ROSS CHALMERS
MUHAMMAD was the most popular baby name in Edinburgh in 2025, with 34 babies born in the capital bearing the name of Islam’s final prophet.
The name was also the most popular in Glasgow, and ranked fourth nationwide, behind Noah, Luca, and Rory.
Lily was the most popular girls’ name in Edinburgh, ahead of Emily, Isla, Sofia, and Freya.
Nationwide, Freya ranked as the most popular girls’ name and climbed from third place to top the rankings, ahead of Isla and Olivia.
The top three most popular boys’ names in the City of Edinburgh Council area were Muhammad, Noah and Rory
The top three girls’ names were Lily, Emily and Isla.
Emily and Isla were tied for second place, while Maeve, Maya, Nina, Sophia, and Sophie were tied for 7th place.
NRS Statistician Anouska Pandya said: “NRS sends congratulations to everyone who welcomed babies in 2025.
“It’s always exciting to see a name reach the number one spot for the first time. Freya has taken a long time to reach the top. The name ranked 578th in the 1970s and rose in popularity each decade until arriving at number 1 in 2025.”
HOW ARE YOU FEELING IN YOURSELF? Is your emotional fuel tank healthy? For many, these aren’t questions we ask often. And yet, they really should be… Good psychological resilience is synonymous with mental wellbeing. However, we need to establish three key objectives if we are to attain this resilience:
1. STRESS REDUCTION – whilst stress is an essential evolutionary motivator to stay safe, too much of it can be truly harmful. On a biological level, stress causes a spike in the hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which, if persistent have a negative effect on both the body and mind. Too much of these hormones can put stress on the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Mentally, sleep can be affected and cognition impacted.
2. SUPPORTING RELAXATION
– an alien concept to most of us. But relaxation is not being lazy. It is instead an essential investment to make every day. It allows the body and mind to reset. It has the reverse impact of cortisol and adrenaline. When we are properly relaxed, our bodies switch to recovery mode and our cells regenerate and repair.
3. FINDING PURPOSE – this may sound fanciful, but those of us with a purpose are generally happier and more content. We all know how sitting, doom scrolling on our phones can have a negative effect on our wellbeing. Having a plan, even a loose plan, gives us structure and with every meaningful action we take, we find more purpose and fulfilment.
So, how do we go about putting these three things into practice? Planning time to dedicate to physical activity, particularly
brains also has a nourishing effect on our overall health – whether that be reading a book, taking up a new craft, or simply chatting over abstract ideas with friends, the action has a protective effect on our health. And finally, working on our brain connections through puzzles and games can really flex our mind muscle! Work, Rest and Play – we need to devote time to each of these areas of our lives if we are to enjoy genuine mental wellbeing.
Keen to explore ways to improve your Mental Wellbeing? Our GPs offer assessments, lifestyle interventions, transformational coaching and general health support that can help fulfil your goals.
www.your.gp We’re open 7 days. Here for you. YourGP.
By GEORGE MAIR
SCOTLAND’S oldest palm tree, which had to be cut down after 230 years in a botanical garden, will live on, it can be revealed, after its offspring was planted in a newly restored glasshouse in its place.
The “legendary” 55ft tall Sabal mexicana palm was a treasure of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) after it was shipped to the Port of Leith via Germany in the 1790s.
The oldest plant in the garden’s Living Collection of over 13,500 species, it grew in RBGE’s former site in Leith Walk until the entire plant collection was transported to its current home in the city’s Inverleith in 1820.
One of only two plants in the A-Listed Victorian glasshouses, dating back at least 200 years, the much-loved palm was dismantled in 2021 to make way for a multimillion pound restoration project.
It had grown too large to be moved intact, but horticulturists have ensured the celebrated tree will live on through its progeny.
Young plants from seeds collected in 2016 have been growing in pots in a research glasshouse for the last ten years.
Now one of these offspring has been given pride of place in the recently restored glasshouse where it is hoped it too will reach an impressive height over the next 200 years.
A time capsule commemorating the restoration of the palm house has been buried near the newly planted palm, to be opened in 44 years (2070) to coincide with the Garden’s 400th anniversary.
Sadie Barber, RBGE’s Deputy Curator of Glasshouses, said: “Our legendary palm tree had been part of the Botanics’ collection since the late 1700s, and was officially recorded in 1822 after the collection was moved from Leith Walk to Inverleith.
“It grew in the palm house for the next 200 years so it was intrinsically linked to us. It was taken out as it had outgrown the glasshouse and was reaching the roof, which coincided with the renovation.
By TOM WILSON
INCREASING use of vapes and nicotine pouches among teenagers is having a significant impact on schools across Scotland, new research jointly led by the University of Stirling and the Scottish Centre for Social Research has shown.
The study found that pupils’ use of vapes is affecting attendance, behaviour, and the wider school environment.
Staff said some youngsters are showing signs of nicotine addiction, and teachers are having to spend time and resources responding to the issue.
The study involved focus groups
“We were sorry to see it go, so are delighted that we can keep its story going.”
The palm was originally thought to be another species, Sabal bermudana, which is native only to Bermuda and is classified as endangered.
When the palm was dismantled experts conducted analysis and identified it as an example of Sabal mexicana – a more robust species native to the southern states of North America that was yet to be described to science for around 40 years after it first went on display in Edinburgh in the 1790s.
Originally kept in the RBGE’s tropical glasshouse, the discovery meant that its offspring could be planted in the restored glasshouse, which is now a temperate space showcasing palms and ferns.
The young palm is currently a “shuttlecockshaped” collection of fronds, and will not flower for at least five years or develop a recognisable trunk for up to another decade.
A slow-growing species, over many decades it too could eventually reach a height of over 55 feet.
Ms Barber said: “We thought we would need a tropical space to grow it but Sabal mexicana is a hardier species, which meant we could bring it back to its home.
“It was a happy surprise.”
She added: “It’s currently no more than a couple of metres tall and hasn’t yet formed a trunk so it’s a series of large fan-shaped palm leaves.
“It could be another ten years at least before we start to see a trunk, but it could still be here in another 200 years – that’s the plan.
“There is something wonderful about the slowness of nature. It is very calming.”
Kevin Bannon, Senior Horticulturist at the Garden, looking after the new palm house, said: “When we removed the plants in 2021 we couldn’t keep the Sabal mexicana because it was so tall.
“By bringing a new seedling in we were able to continue its story and maintain that connection with the past.
“Hopefully, visitors will be able to watch it grow for another 200 years.”
• The time capsule was buried with the Sabal mexicana progeny for a future generation of horticulturists to uncover in 2070.
• The tubular capsule, which is geolocated, contains an introduction to the restoration of the palm house as well as images of the horticulturalists who have been involved in the emptying and replanting of the building, a map of the Garden and some items from the RBGE gift shop.
• It also contains the front and back covers of a newspaper from the day it was buried, on 14 May. The front page shows an image of King Charles sitting alongside Queen Camilla as he reads the King’s Speech in the House of Lords.
• The sports page will remind those who open the capsule in 2070 about the Celtic FC penalty kick drama from the previous evening’s controversial match against Motherwell, which set up the final day league title decider against Hearts.
and interviews with 77 pupils aged 14 to 16, and 13 members of school staff, across four secondary schools in Scotland’s central belt.
Dr Allison Ford, Associate Professor at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health, and principal investigator of the New Nicotine Products (NNPs) in Scotland study, said: “Pupils reported widespread use of NNPs, missed classes and played truant because they were using these products in a variety of places, including school toilets, and outside school grounds.
“A few pupils felt they were addicted to nicotine and reported adverse health effects.
“School staff adopted a range of
approaches to address the issue, including regular patrols and sweeps of school areas, monitoring toilet facilities, and visiting neighbourhood shops to encourage more robust retail practices.
“They are also confiscating vapes and issuing exclusions or detentions for their use.
“However, staff said they have limited knowledge of vapes and nicotine pouches and felt less confident addressing the risks, compared with tobacco-related teaching.”
One teacher told researchers: “I’ve got a pupil who vapes every 20 minutes. [They are] up ‘till four in the morning…[and] really struggling to get to classes.”
“I’ve got a pupil who vapes every 20 minutes”
Another said: “There’s a couple in here that are totally addicted to it… and they’ll tell you, they’re very upfront about it.
“So that is having an impact on behaviour, because it’s like if they don’t get out of class they’re getting more and more agitated.”
Co-author Professor Jamie Pearce, personal chair in health geography,
University of Edinburgh, said the UK Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which was granted Royal Assent on 29 April, could help address the issue.
He said: “The Tobacco and Vapes Act will introduce age restrictions to prevent under-18s from purchasing nicotine products, ban free distribution, and enable regulation of flavours, packaging, and display.
“A wider societal approach is needed to address the use and impact of vapes and other nicotine products among young people.
“Restrictions on availability, accessibility, marketing, price, and flavourings are likely to be required and should be implemented as quickly as possible.”
We’re
By RYAN NIXON
A CONTEMPORARY TARTAN DESIGN
by an Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) student was the standout piece at Exhibition: Coordinated – a fashion showcase on Multrees Walk.
Held at Genesis Studio Edinburgh, the exhibition featured 10 selected final designs from an original cohort of 23 secondyear fashion students, each chosen to represent the strength and originality of the students’ work.
Leading the showcase was Megan Atkinson’s design, Inscribed in Tartan. Described as a contemporary reinterpretation of her own family tartan, the design is inspired by the heritage of the Scottish kilt and reshaped into a “refined, feminine silhouette”.
The event marked the culmination of a collaboration between Multrees Walk and ECA, which saw students mentored and supported by leading retailers including Harvey Nichols and Johnstons of Elgin.
Throughout the project, students were tasked to create commercially minded garments that balanced innovation with
sustainability, customer profiling and commercial viability.
Professor Mal James, programme director and personal chair of Fashion Design, BA (Hons) Fashion at ECA, said: “Having our students’ designs exhibited within Multrees Walk was a hugely rewarding opportunity.
“To see their ideas showcased in the city’s luxury fashion district, alongside some of the world’s leading brands, was a powerful celebration of their hard work, talent and creativity.”
Dr Patricia Wu, year two fashion lecturer and academic project lead, added: “This collaboration gave students invaluable experience in understanding the relationship between designers and real-world customers.
“It encouraged them to consider consumer needs while expressing their own unique design identities.”
Leigh Aitchison, centre manager at Multrees Walk, said: “We were truly impressed and inspired by the students’ creativity, their passion for research and the originality they brought to their final designs.
“It was fantastic to celebrate their achievements through this exhibition.”
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
A LOCAL COMPANY has begun building the first phase - 146 new homes – at the New Village at Edinburgh Park.
S1 Developments has permission to build 397 new homes, and a further 160 affordable homes will be provided by Places for People. Once complete there will be 864 rental homes including more than 200 mid market properties. Living at Edinburgh Park will allow residents easy access to the tram and train, a multi-sport recreation area which is planned, a square with cafés, a children’s play areas. The art trail featuring work by Leith’s famous son, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, and the independent bakery, Patina, are already features of the area along with premier office space.
Dan Teague at S1 Developments, said: “The New Village will be a neighbourhood
that places connectivity and quality of life at its heart. Every element, from the landscaped green spaces and access to
amenities and cultural attraction, has been carefully considered to create a place where people can feel part
of a community. “Breaking ground on the first homes marks an exciting moment in our collaboration with Parabola
to create a vibrant new future for Edinburgh Park.”
The S1 development is made possible with funding from Bank of Scotland.
Graeme Steel, Relationship Director at Bank of Scotland, said: “This is an important milestone in the transformation of Edinburgh Park. The New Village is shaping a new era of residential-led regeneration, delivering quality, sustainable homes alongside the amenities and public spaces needed to support building a thriving community where people want to put down roots. We look forward to continuing our support for S1 Developments on a project that will unlock and deliver significant long-term economic and social value for the city, contributing towards much needed housing stock and cementing our ambitions to unlock scalable financial models for regeneration and housing delivery.”
This issue, we mark the launch of a new campaign to celebrate the many benefits immigration brings to our city
EDINBURGH’S DIVERSITY is one of the city’s great strengths, adding to the cosmopolitan nature of the capital.
Many who have made Edinburgh their home have contributed hugely to the city’s story.
ACCORDING to the latest version of Edinburgh by Numbers “In the ten years to 2024, Edinburgh’s population grew by 9.4% from an estimated 485,270 to an estimated 530,680 people. In the same period Scotland’s population grew by 4%.
Overseas migration is the “main driver of population change in Edinburgh. The net effect of births and deaths on Edinburgh’s population from 2013 to 2023 was 4,485. The net increase in the population simply from counting births and deaths reduced in the 10 years from 1,261 to just 20.
However, the net effect of migration was more than ten times higher at 51,540 and, with out migration, our city’s population would be static – or even in decline.
THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL is very aware of its role in fostering trust, inclusion
including the NHS, police, universities and colleges to develop anew campaign, ‘Edinburgh is Our Home’.
To mark the launch of this, The Edinburgh Reporter has spoken to people who have come from elsewhere but who now call Edinburgh home – and who are making a welcome and positive difference to our city.
This article features excerpts from the first in a series of interviews which we will share on our podcast channel, The Edinburgh Report, and on the Council’s and our social media channels from 1 June.
THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKEN to The Edinburgh Reporter include Simita Kumar, who was recently elected as MSP for Edinburgh Southwestern. Previously, she was the SNP group leader on Edinburgh Council, but began as a modern apprentice with Glasgow City Council. Later she studied psychology with criminology and worked with NHS Lothian. She had little choice but to move to Scotland with her family. She was a teenager living in Fiji when her parents decided to move to the UK so that her father could work in Glasgow as a
“We are a city of migrants. Many of us are migrants or have migrants in our families. Many have lived here for generations and some of the city’s best loved institutions are only here thanks to immigrants. We all benefit from this, and our city and its culture are all the better for it.
“The same is true, of course, in the other direction, with many people choosing to leave Edinburgh to contribute to other societies across the world – something us Scots have done for hundreds of years.
“Unfortunately, with a rise in racist language, political rhetoric and high profile antiimmigration protests across the UK, we know that some in our communities are understandably feeling uneasy or unsafe.
“Everyone has the right to feel comfortable in
Simita’s two older sisters remained behind to finish school and have since gone to live in Australia and New Zealand. She describes her background as working class, and said they were poor when they came to live in the UK. But she said: “We did not know we were poor because my mum and dad created a home and an environment where it was just so loving. Hand me downs didn’t feel like hand me downs – it was just what you did.”
their home, on their street, and in their neighbourhood – and we need to remind ourselves of the importance of community spirit and tolerance.
“That’s why I’m delighted to be launching a new campaign – ‘Edinburgh is Our Home’ –which will showcase and celebrate the positive contribution immigration makes to our city, while promoting understanding, acceptance and interest in our city’s many cultures and communities.
“We’ll hear from many of the individuals and organisations who help make this possible – including the four inspiring people featured in this issue – and I’m really looking forward to hearing from many more in the weeks and months to come.”
But she said it was a strange time when the family first moved, but now the whole family speaks every day on WhatsApp and retains a connection. She had always understood her two sisters would come to join the rest of the family, but that is not how it turned out. It was not all sunshine when they moved however and Simita remembers well that they had their windows broken so many times they had the local tradespeople on speed dial. She says that witnessing overt racism nowadays is “quite challenging”.
SABINA KADIĆ-MACKENZIE, moved from Bosnia when she was just nine years-old. She is now a Senior Partner with city public affairs company, Charlotte Street Partners. She came to Scotland to study journalism at Stirling University, and is now Chair of the charity,
Beyond Srebrenica. Her journey with her two sisters - one of whom is her identical twinand her mother, while leaving her father behind was also heartbreaking – but for different reasons. Her father ran his own engineering business and her mother was “an accomplished electrical engineer”.
She explained that if they had not left war-torn Bosnia that very day then she may not have survived. She said: “Sanski Most is one of the most beautiful parts of the world you could ever visit sitting on nine rivers, surrounded by lush valleys and waterfalls. It is a town now synonymous with war crimes and the genocide.”
For a nine year-old the change was simple – the invitations to birthday parties simply stopped. She was warned not to talk to certain neighbours or play with certain friends. Then soldiers with guns arrived, and the family had to leave to survive, travelling to Ljubljana, through Slovenia to Harrogate with the help of a Yorkshire church group.
She now chairs Beyond Srebrenica a charity to teach the lessons of the Bosnian genocide, in the hope of creating a more peaceful and tolerant society.
VINEET LAL runs the Saroj Lal awards in Edinburgh the winners of which will be
announced this month. He has a background in languages and while he previously worked with VisitScotland he now works as a literary translator. He moved with his family from Singapore where he was born to live first in England and then in Edinburgh.
He was just three years old when he came to live in the UK along with his parents and sister. His father had been a postgraduate student in Birmingham and was then offered a job at Napier College of Science and Technology, now Edinburgh Napier University. His mother and father were both born in British India and both were active in campaigning for better race relations, and his father Amit founded the Edinburgh Hindu Mandir on St Andrew’s Place.
His first memory is of playing outdoors on Smith’s Place in Leith where he “was very much a child of the street”.
His answer to the question Where do you come from? is Edinburgh, but he explained: “When people ask me that, I think for people of colour there is an expectation of what the answer should be. If I say Edinburgh it’s never enough. People will sometimes say ‘But where do you really come from?’
“My emotional home is here.”
Vineet was clear, however, that the recent political climate is both “depressing and divisive” and he said: “For the first time in my living memory, I’m starting to question the extent to which Scotland will remain that open, welcoming society that I have been so used to – and something I have championed throughout my adult life.”
EVANS EGHAN is engaging and fun, and it is not hard to see why he has been the President
of the Edinburgh Napier Students Association. Even in his “official” photo you can see there is the beginning of what will be his next laugh. Evans is from Ghana, and he has been in Edinburgh for three years studying a Masters in Marketing with Festival and Event Management – and also being presidential. He is planning to go on and study for a PhD after this summer, and he already has plenty of festival experience under his belt –including The Napier Student Film Festival and the Accra Indie Film Festival in Ghana.
His journey to Scotland - to the home of the festivals – was possible after he obtained a full Chevening scholarship. He was first an international ambassador at Napier and then realising how many African students there were in Edinburgh, he founded a new society and the Napier African Festival.
While he misses Ghana - he goes home once a year to see his huge family - he found integrating into university life easy through the routes of sport and church – and social media.
As president he has upturned the role, by going out to meet students rather than waiting in a “spartan office” for them to come to him. He has been an actor and filmmaker as well as festival organiser, and he is preparing to make an ABC News documentary later this year.
He takes the role of president very seriously. He said: “Becoming president of the Students
Association has really reminded me of what more I can do for people, not just me.”
But this experience and education is just preparation for his life’s ambition – he will go home to Ghana eventually where his childhood dream is to become president – this time of his country.
Edinburgh is Our Home will be widely shared on social media from 1 June.
NEILSONS HAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED a new website following a major digital redevelopment project aimed at creating a faster, smarter and more modern experience for buyers, sellers and legal clients across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Completely rebuilt from the ground up, the new website introduces a range of enhanced features including AI-powered property search, enhanced property detail pages with nearby location insights and an AI-powered property Q&A, faster and more intuitive browsing across desktop and mobile, advanced search filters, easier appointment booking and expanded property and legal guidance content.
The launch reflects the continued growth of Neilsons, currently number one for residential property sales in East Central Scotland and who now sell over one in every ten local properties.
The website has also been designed with future development in mind, allowing the firm to continue evolving its digital offering as
technology and client expectations change.
Jenna Spence, Operations Director, said:
“We wanted the new website to better reflect the Neilsons business of todaymodern, ambitious and focused on delivering the best possible client and user experience.
“The way people search for property online is changing rapidly, particularly with the rise of AI and more conversational search behaviour. We felt it was important not just to keep up with those changes, but to get ahead of them, and I’m delighted that Neilsons is one of thefirst in Scotland to introduce these cutting-edge property features.
“At the same time, we appreciate not everyone wants to search for property in the same way, so we’ve made sure the website still offers the best of both worlds. Traditional search remains at the heart of the site, but users now also have access to much more advanced search and filtering options which have been carefully curated based on user feedback and behaviour.
9/1 Doune Terrace, Edinburgh EH3 6DY
Offers Over: £720,000
Viewing: By appointment, contact Neilsons 0131 625 2222
EPC Rating: D Council Tax Band: F
An iconic Edinburgh address, beautifully restored to offer an exceptional modern home
Exceptional A-listed ground floor apartment set within Edinburgh’s prestigious Moray Feu, moments from Stockbridge and the Water of Leith. Beautifully blending Georgian grandeur with contemporary style, this elegant three-bedroom home enjoys access to stunning private gardens in one of the city’s most sought-after addresses. Full details and Home Report available from Neilsons.
“Every detail has been carefully considered, from the user experience and booking journeys to the content structure, mobile performance and AI-powered features. We’re incredibly proud of the result and look forward to continuing to build on it moving forward.”
Neilsons says the investment forms part of
its wider strategy to continue growing the business while improving accessibility, transparency and client service standards across both estate agency and legal services.
The new website is now live at: www.neilsons.co.uk
Neilsons Solicitors and Estate Agents is looking forward to joining the community at this year’s Corstorphine Fair on Saturday 6th June, the largest community-run event in Edinburgh, as the popular biennial event returns to St Margaret’s Park.
Representatives from the local firm said they are proud to once again support the fair and the local community, with the Neilsons team set to raise funds on the day for their charity partner Four Square.
Visitors to the Neilsons stand will be able to try their luck in a fun tombola and a football raffle not to be missed featuring signed
shirts from both Heart of Midlothian F.C. and Hibernian F.C.
Amy Howard from Neilsons said: “As a local business, we’re incredibly proud to support our community and to be part of such a fantastic event.
The Corstorphine Fair is always a great day out and brings together so many people from across the area.
“We’re looking forward to meeting everyone on the day, raising money for Four Square and hopefully giving away some brilliant prizes along the way.”
Neilsons added that it is especially pleased to support the fair at a time when events such as
Corstorphine Fair and other local community fairs have faced increasing financial pressures due to rising licensing costs, as recently highlighted by The Edinburgh Reporter.
The firm is encouraging local residents and visitors alike to come along, enjoy the festivities and meet the Neilsons team at what promises to be another memorable community occasion.
By OLIVIA THOMAS
THE PRIVATE ROOMS in the Palace of Holyroodhouse which Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II used during her visits are now open to the public.
The tours run for a short time only with small groups able to go behind the scenes to discover more about the rooms and the way they were used by the late monarch and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Visitors can see the Royal Breakfast Room, the Dressing Room where the Queen prepared ahead of the Royal Garden Party or other engagements. There are some of her outfits and accessories on display and each has its own story to tell.
The Sitting Room is perhaps the most interesting as it is where the Queen worked on documents in the red dispatch box or watched horseracing on TV.
After the tour, visitors can also see the State Apartments and the historic apartments of Mary Queen of Scots.
The tours will run until 10 September and require booking in addition to the standard ticket. Those in receipt of Universal Credit and other benefits may purchase £1 tickets. Standard tickets can be converted into an annual pass so that visitors can return as many times as they wish during twelve months.
www.rct.uk/visit/palace-of-holyroodhouse
By OLIVIA THOMAS
The Scottish Textiles Showcase has announced a new course to help people who have given up knitting pick up their needles once again.
The two-week small, friendly knitting refresher course is perfect for anyone who hasn’t knitted for a while and would love to start again.
Under the expert tuition of professional knitting and crochet teacher, Samira Hill, the class will learn to make a gorgeous Aran wool hat with Di Gilpin’s Aran yarn. The classes are taught in a relaxed and encouraging environment, to make sure every knitter learns and gains confidence in all essential knitting skills.
Kitty Bryce-Gardyne, Scottish Textiles Showcase director commented, "We're delighted to welcome Samira back to lead this new course and hope that anyone who's keen to get knitting again will come and join like-minded folk, surrounded by gorgeous textiles!"
The course runs on Tuesdays 9 and 16 June from 5.45pm - 7.45pm, at the Scottish Textiles Showcase Edinburgh store on St Mary's Street, just off the Royal Mile.
The total cost includes all patterns and wool - just bring your own needles.
Find full details and book your place at scottishtextilesshowcase.com
By ROD WHITE
I CAN’T BELIEVE HOW QUICKLY the last 12 months has gone. As you may know, Filmhouse reopened, refurbished, last June and the great news is people seem to like it. I’d say the place has never been, or looked, so good. If you’ve not been in yet, you really must come in and check it out!
We’re into the summer months now – traditionally a quieter period in the annual flow of new-release cinema – though one that invariably throws up a blockbuster or two. Filmhouse doesn’t regularly get involved in those, but there are exceptions. Indeed, a couple of them this summer are very much to our liking. It’s too soon to talk about the July one…
From 12 June, we’re throwing our lot in with Steven Spielberg, who has been pondering the “what if we’re not alone” question for quite some time – Disclosure Day asks the question what would
happen when we actually do find out there is other sentient life in our Universe. The film stars Josh O’Connor (who seems to have been on our screens an awful lot since reopening!), Emily Blunt and Colin Firth.
Those of you who were lucky enough to catch Sara Dosa’s Fire of Love back in 2022 will be delighted to hear she’s back with Time and Water, which does for glaciers what the earlier film did for volcanoes!
Based on the eponymous book by renowned Icelandic writer, poet, and environmental activist Andri Snær Magnason, the film explores his family history (mostly through superb home movies) and its abiding relationship with his country’s glaciers, the first of which “died” in 2014.
Back in 2021 – in an immediately post-Covid world and aware of being asked repeatedly by customers for them to screen films of an uplifting nature – the American Cinemathèque in LA
decided to double down on the misery, and thus Bleak Week was born.
Expanded to nearly 100 cinemas across the world, Filmhouse proudly takes its place for the 5th edition. Highlights include: Elem Klimov’s Come and See and a preview of the recent restoration of Studio Ghibli’s Anime classic, Grave of the Fireflies. Come wallow!
Come and See
By Charlie Ellis CROSSWORD By Aldhelm
BOOKS N’ CUP, on Raeburn Place in Stockbridge, is consistently busy. This puzzles even some of its regulars. The space, with exposed brickwork, leather seating, and a cheerfully cluttered counter, is less sleek Edinburgh coffee shrine and more comfortable neighbourhood den.
My first impression took in an exposed pipe, a dominating glass counter, and an aesthetic that felt assembled rather than designed. Yet the place is always full. What’s going on? The coffee tells part of the story, but perhaps not the part you’d expect.
NOT COURTING THE CONNOISSEUR
The drinks people order at Books N’ Cup are revealing. The menu is espresso-based, but customers overwhelmingly choose drinks where milk far outweighs coffee: lattes, mochas, hot chocolates, often flavoured. The most praised item in customer reviews is the “Black Forest Latte,” described by one enthusiastic
visitor as the best latte they had ever tried.
This is not the clientele that frequents Edinburgh’s specialty coffee scene, where the serious drinker orders a cortado or an espresso, or opts for a pour-over to draw out the deeper subtleties of single-origin beans and discuss these with the highly trained baritas. Books N’ Cup is not competing for those customers and makes no apparent effort to attract them.
The reviews confirm a different set of standards. One captures it neatly: “My coffee on this day was a little on the weak side but they were very busy. Have been there on other occasions and it’s been fine.” “Fine” is not the word a coffee enthusiast reaches for when paying over three pounds for a drink. But that misses the point entirely. People are not coming here primarily for the coffee.
The café’s real strength is that it functions as a Third Place, the sociologist Ray Oldenburg’s term for
spaces in our lives that are neither home nor work: places where people can simply show up and exist, without agenda or pressure. The very long opening hours (7.30am-10pm) are key to this-such opening hours make it an outlier in the city.
On any visit to Books N’ Cup, you might see an older couple working through a crossword, students sharing gossip, middle-aged men dissecting last weekend’s golf, or overhear a fragment of conversation that stops you in your tracks. Unlike some of Edinburgh’s more refined specialty coffee shops, which can feel faintly unwelcoming to anyone over fifty or without a slim laptop, Books N’ Cup attracts a strikingly broad mix of people.
Reviewers consistently highlight atmosphere over menu, describing it as “a great place to do some work or reading” with a “cosy, relaxed vibe.” There is no pressure to be cool, and no requirement to distinguish a washed Peruvian single-origin from a house blend. Specialty coffee places can seem snobby due to a rigid focus on quality and specific brewing standards, which may feel intimidating to newcomers. At Books N’ Cup you can order a large, syrupy latte without anyone raising an eyebrow. That sense of welcome is central to the café’s success, not incidental to it.
Two practical factors sharpen the appeal further. First, the café works well as a workspace – if you are someone who is energised by a general hubbub and not needing a library atmosphere in order to focus. There are also designated “no laptop” tables implicitly signal that laptop use is fine everywhere else.
FIT LOW HEATER (anagram) (5, 2, 5)
Woodland spring flower (8)
Boating centre (6)
Sewing implement (6)
Catching sight of (8)
Being successful (7)
Ship’s weight (7)
Consenting
1 Very hot, torrid (10)
2 Numbers at a sporting event (10)
3 Liberty to act (4, 4)
4 Not connected to the internet (7)
5 Allow, let (6)
6 Celebrity (4)
8 Common parlance (5)
13 Obedience, compliance (10) 14 Disregarding, abandoning (10)
17 Went past (8)
Versus (7) 19 Orange colour (5) 20 Pay no attention to (6)
Small bay (4)
The seating, tightly packed perhaps but cosy, suits those who like ambient noise around them while they work. For a writer, the proximity to other conversations may be a bonus: overheard fragments have a way of sparking ideas.
Stockbridge now attracts visitors in significant numbers, and there is real demand for large, welcoming, late-opening spaces, particularly in the cold and damp months when a
stroll with a takeaway loses its appeal. This year, that nip in the air continued well into May.
Books N’ Cup meets that demand directly. Starbucks, Costa, and Caffè Nero are all within a short walk.
Books N’ Cup holds its own against all of them, not by out-competing them on coffee, but by being somewhere people actually want to stay.
Books N’ Cup, 16 Raeburn Place, EH4 1HN
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
IT’S JUNE, and according to the forecasts, it will be Taps Aff weather for a lot of the month (and don’t blame us if it’s not, we just want to bring some suggestions of outdoor spaces and that summer staple, ice cream).
There are many beer gardens in Edinburgh, but one of them has just re-opened after being closed for two years. The University of Edinburgh’s Teviot, which is the world’s oldest purpose-built student union, is reopening the gates in the picket fence to its beer garden. The space is now open seven days a week from 4pm. Teviot was recently completely overhauled and the outside bar has been renamed as the Union Social Garden, linking it with the indoor Union Social bar. There are beach hut booths, HD TVs and picnic benches to sit on while enjoying the World Cup, or enjoying the outside space during Pride Edinburgh which will be hosted in Teviot and Bristo Square on 20 June. At other times the garden will be energised by a number of DJs and live music. During the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Teviot will once again be home to Gilded Balloon productions.
John Rappa, Edinburgh University Students’ Association’s Vice President for Activities and Services, is excited by the newest spot on campus: “From day to night, Teviot boasts an incredible range of social spaces and student-friendly prices for everyone to enjoy. As the city sees its first peeks of sunny weather, Union Social Garden is the place to be – for students, tourists and staff alike.”
On George Street a number of businesses have been preparing for the outdoors this summer
with outdoor dining areas being constructed from new. A spokesperson for Hard Rock Café Edinburgh said the restaurant will have better seating arrangements, as well as jumbo margaritas.
The terrace is operated on a walk-in basis, so there should always be a table for any number of guests. The Tex-Mex dishes, they say, are “designed for summer socialising”. And there will be complimentary guacamole on days when the thermometer reaches 18 degrees or more.
Nick Chiverton, General Manager, Hard Rock Café Edinburgh, said: “Reopening the terrace for summer is always a big moment for us, but this year feels especially exciting with the refreshed setup and enhanced seating. George Street always comes alive during the summer months, and we wanted to create a space that feels relaxed, social and somewhere people can genuinely enjoy spending time.
Whether it’s cocktails after work, a spontaneous drink in the sun or somewhere to start an evening during the Fringe, the terrace has been designed to feel easy, welcoming and fun throughout the day and
into the evening.”
One city business which is celebrating its fourth decade in Edinburgh, Howies has renovated its premises ahead of the summer months. The business was founded by David Howie Scott in 1990 and has endured through serving “honest seasonal Scottish food, looking after people properly, and creating restaurants that feel part of the city rather than apart from it”.
Louis Scott, who now runs the business, was adamant he wanted it to be a relaxing space. He said: “We didn’t want this to feel like somewhere you come in, eat and leave. There’s enough of that already.”
But in summer – everyone has to have an ice cream. At Winchburgh Marina (a short ride on a bike along the canal), one West Lothian business has established a gelato shop. Owner, Marguerite Spina, draws on her Italian roots to produce small batch gelato, using traditional Italian machinery and selling her carefully crafted product from a colourful beach hut. Since 2022 Villaggio Gelato has sold more than 15,000 cones and 1,000 tubs in its store and
at events. The business has created two jobs and Marguerite has now developed a “churn at home” gelato kit with help and direction from the Business Gateway. She was inspired by her brother to create the kit, allowing customers to have a taste of gelato at home.
Marguerite’s gelato has already had some industry recognition, and the business was awarded five bronze medals for different flavours at the Royal Highland Show Dairy Championship Awards, highlighting the quality and consistency of her products.
Another place to get your ice cream fix is Joelato which has outlets in Stockbridge, Bonnie & Wild and in the Balmoral Hotel. The firm has collaborated with The Balmoral to create a refined Scottish take on a nostalgic classic – The Balmoral Berry Ripple. The iced delight features a silky custard base layered with Scottish oats and a “vibrant ripple” of a blend of blackberry and raspberry jam.
Chef Paul Hart of The Balmoral said: “This partnership with Joelato has been a wonderful opportunity to reinterpret a classic flavour through a local lens. The Balmoral Berry Ripple captures a sense of nostalgia while celebrating exceptional Scottish ingredients in a playful and modern way.”
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has opened its new look Garden View Deck & Bar, in association with Maison Pommery & Associés.
For the first time, the bar will extend its opening hours during the summer months. The Deck & Bar is open from 12pm to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 12pm to 4.30pm on Sundays, offering the perfect weekend lunchtime escape with a view.
Mr Miyaki, Bluey and The Bard, along with a Pulitzer Prize-winning play and a whole playground of theatrical entertainment for kids is just waiting for you on Edinburgh stages this month.
JUNE IS HERE and with less than eight weeks until the Fringe rolls into town, the press releases and pleas for reviews are already in full flow. As usual, I’ll be putting together my Top 5 Must See shows from each category in the programme for August’s Must See Theatre Spread, including a round-up of Edinburgh companies taking part in the festival – amateur and professional. So, if you have a show on in August, let us know and don’t forget to include a hi-res press/publicity shot (not your poster).
Right, onto the matter in hand. Mr Miyagi is heading to the Festival Theatre this month in the stage musical of the iconic 80s generation defining movie, The Karate Kid The Musical (23-27 June).
A coming of age story that celebrates resilience, mentorship, and the quiet strength that bridges generations, it revolves around Daniel, a new kid in town trying to fit in. When he becomes the target of Cobra Kai’s star student, Johnny, he’s underestimated and
outmatched. Enter Ali, Johnny’s ex, who sees something in Daniel that no one else does. As Johnny refuses to step aside, teenage rivalry turns into something more sinister until Mr Miyagi teaches him that karate isn’t about fighting, it’s about balance, respect and that the greatest victories are won from within.
Running time 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval, tickets www.capitaltheatres.com
Staying at the Festival Theatre, for now, where there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained this month. The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 2026 (until 7 June) takes over the Festival Theatre’s Studio as Imaginate presents an exciting lineup of performances for children aged 0 to 15yrs and their families or, as they describe it, ‘a nine day extravaganza of circus, dance, storytelling and theatre’.
Full details here https://www.capitaltheatres. com/festivals/edinburgh-international-
childrens-festival-2026/ And there’s more, you’ll also find the Children’s Festival in its traditional home at The Traverse, full details of The Trav’s programme is here https://www. traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/edinburghinternational-childrens-festival-2026
Not to be left out, The Playhouse brings Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli to their Greenside Place stage in Bluey’s Big Play (18-21 June). A stage version, featuring ingenious puppets, of the Emmy award-winning children’s TV series, Bluey’s Big Play is packed with music, laughter and fun for the whole family. When Dad feels like a little bit of afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans. Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. This is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life.
Running time 50 minutes, no interval, tickets https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/blueysbig-play/edinburgh-playhouse/
Co-produced by the Royal Lyceum with Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre, Sweat (until 13 June), Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play delivers a gritty portrait of America’s working class, a place where the fate of each generation unravels into the next.
In a small Pennsylvania town at the dawn of the twenty-first century, friendships are forged in sweat and laughter. For decades, Tracey and Cynthia have stood shoulder to shoulder on the factory floor and at the end of Stan’s bar, bound by a shared past and hard-earned pride. But when whispers of layoffs grow louder and opportunity turns into betrayal, a community built on solidarity begins to splinter, as bitter resentments and unspoken racial divides rise to the surface.
As Tracey and Cynthia’s sons, Jason and Chris inherit the fallout of a system that has
already failed their mothers, rage and desperation explode in ways no one could have foreseen.
Described as a powerhouse social drama of loyalty, loss, and the fight for survival in an unforgiving world, Sweat is one of this month’s sure fire Must Sees.
Running time 2 hours 40 minutes, including 20 minute interval, tickets https://lyceum.org.uk/ events/sweat
As Sweat moves out of the Grindlay Street theatre, the Bard arrives in something very different. The Burns Project (24 June-5 July) is an immersive experience with unprecedented access to Robert Burns’ private letters.
Exploring the man behind the legend in all his brilliance and contradiction, the production
blends letters, poetry and live music as Scottish performer James Clements and musician Lisa Rigby bring Burns to life.
Co-created with the National Trust for Scotland and directed by multi award-winning director Cora Bissett, the production comes to the Lyceum after a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, two national tours and a US tour.
With strong language and swearing, this piece includes direct and indirect discussion of gender, race, sexual situations and enslaved people with a 14+ age recommendation.
Running time 60 minutes, no interval, tickets https://lyceum.org.uk/events/the-burnsproject
At Traverse 1 this month, the world premiere of The Table (18-20 June), by Christine
Devaney, Maria Oller and Jo Timmins, takes up residence for three days only. The piece, which finds three Edinburgh companiesCurious Seed, Lung Ha and Lyra collaborating, is set in a world we’ve built together and now we have to figure out how we all live in it at once.
Blending movement, live music, text, and playful imagery, The Table offers a multilayered performance experience that invites us to think about where we belong and how we show up for one another.
Running time TBC, tickets https://www. traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/the-table
Finally, if you’re heading to London and are a fan of Judy Garland, here’s my theatre break recommendation for June, Peter Quilter’s End Of The Rainbow (until 21 June), starring Jinkx Monsoon as Garland, Jacob Dudman as Mickey, and Adam Filipe as Anthony, at the Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
Blending the voice, the sparkle and the chaos of Garland with some of her most unforgettable songs, End of the Rainbow charts the final chapter of Garland’s life, pulling back the curtain on Hollywood’s sweetheart and revealing a life lived under the relentless gaze of fame, where every triumph and heartbreak is played out in technicolour. Witness and celebrate Garland’s extraordinary talent, resilience, and the human story behind the legend in a performance that will stay with you long after the lights go down.
Running time 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval, tickets https://sohotheatre. com/events/jinkx-monsoon-as-judy-garlandin-end-of-the-rainbow/
Until July then, do check out all my reviews on MustSeeTheatre.com, where you will also find my new podcast, Theatre Pod with Liam Rudden, the first edition finds me in conversation with Les Dennis talking all things theatre. If you enjoy it, subscribe free to be notified when each new podcast goes live.
In the meantime, here’s to another month of exciting theatre-going.
Liam
EDINBURGH SOUTH WOMEN
FOOTBALLERS secured a play off for a place in the National League pyramid after capturing the SWFL East title.
Coach Alfie Smith’s team needed a home win over Murieston to overtake leaders Edinburgh University – and got the job done with a 5-0 victory at Holyrood High School.
South, who only played their first game in 2021, lost just one league game all season. They now face SWFL champions Giffnock in a one-legged promotion play off at Ochilview, home of SPFL side Stenhousemuir. The contest was due to take place on 31 May.
Alfie said: “I couldn’t be more proud of these players. They are fine footballers and great characters.
“We’ve had to work really hard to win this title, including scoring a 96th-minute winner
“The way the SWFL pyramid is structured, unfortunately, means that even winning your league doesn’t guarantee promotion. A lot of clubs would love to see that changed, and we’ve been in discussions with the league about opening up the pathway for the many ambitious clubs currently feeling a wee bit stuck in the regional leagues.
“But for now, our path to League One involves winning a play-off. We know how difficult it will be to defeat another team of champions.
“South is a great community club with over 1000 players at all age levels, and the team was set up – a couple of years before my time – to give girls a platform to play senior football. We’d like to think we’re providing just a little bit of inspiration to the girls who put so much work into their own games every week. This win is for them, as well.”
South, who also reached the SWFL Regional
A QUARTER CENTURY of dedicated service to Dalkeith Thistle football club has seen Barclay Ewing honoured with having the King’s Park stand named after him.
John Landels, manager of the East of Scotland League club, says:
“Barclay has done it all for our club – from putting out the training gear including balls, bibs and cones – to serving as chairman
EAST OF SCOTLAND TENNIS
JUNIORS have been distinguishing themselves on the competitive front, among them Fraser Newcome of Thistle who is displaying his “Romanesque” trophy after finishing runner-up with local partner Max Senjug in the 14 and under Tennis Europe Salona Cup doubles in Croatia. There was an inspired effort from the East under-14 girls team who
secured silver medals in the National County Cup finals at Nottingham, losing narrowly to Surrey in the final.
Pictured alongside captain Kirsty Robertson are Kana A, Natalia A, Shanaaya R and Alexa P.
Also the under-8 girls won their county cup in Aberdeen. Pictured with captains Michael Millar and Julia Janowska are Molly G, Lily DS, Celine W and Thea W.
and to running the line.
“He is immensely respected by the players who were all on board with the decision to spring this surprise on him before our league game against Harthill.
“Barclay’s wife, Cathy, and daughter Laura, who runs our snack stall, gave their approval when I ran the idea past them around Christmas and somehow we managed to keep it a secret.”
A former firefighter, Barclay, 79, is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve when it comes to Dalkeith Thistle.
“Barclay is well known for having an opinion but it is all in a good cause and the players have long regarded him as one of the lads.
"It was also pleasing to make a long service presentation to him at a social function later in the day" said John.
IAIN VEITCH has now won the ROC Wales endurance triathlon four times, but this year’s triumph will always be special.
The Peebles athlete, 44, said: “My son, Reuben, travelled to Snowdonia with me and on the eve of the main event, won the kids race along the local beach.
“Not only that but when I crossed the finishing line Reuben was able to run alongside me and also present my medal which made for a real family occasion.”
The line of succession seems clear but Iain, winner of the internationally renowned SaharaMan title at the beginning of this year still has fresh fields to conquer.
Prime among these is the Celtman in the north of Scotland on 13 June, an event in which he has competed twice previously finishing runner-up in 2025 with a dubious distinction.
“Last year I was the fastest non-winner ever and I didn’t know quite what to feel about that!
“Seriously, I ran a pretty good race but didn’t execute well enough.
“The previous attempt in 2024 came a few weeks after I’d broken vertebrae in my back.
“This could be my last attempt to get CeltMan as there is a limit to how much I can expect from a support crew necessary to compete at this level. “
Beyond Celtman, Iain outlined the tantalising prospect of racing in the shadow of Mount Everest.
“I see there is a Himalayan triathlon which I’d like to have a crack at albeit it will present fresh challenges like the rarified atmosphere.
“Another SaharaMan is also a possibility.”
First up is CeltMan and Iain would like nothing more than a rumour circulating among the triathlon fraternity that the great Alastair Brownlee, twice an Olympic champion, could test himself in the more rough and ready version of the sport across more rugged terrain.
“So far it is only a rumour and I seriously doubt if Alistair will be on the entry list which organisers always keeping tight lipped about.
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY came together to celebrate the official opening of the newly refurbished tennis courts in Juniper Green.
One of the club’s longstanding supporters, Sue Webber, former MSP, officially open the new playing facilities by cutting the green ribbon ahead of play commencing on court. Throughout the afternoon, scores of children took part in junior coaching sessions delivered by Accelerate Tennis, bringing energy and excitement to the courts.
The special event showcased not only the transformed tennis courts which the club had
been obliged to raise around £100,000 to refurbish but also the strong community spirit surrounding the historic club.
Local MP, Dr Scott Arthur, was also in attendance and praised the redevelopment, describing the venue as “a fantastic facility that brings joy, connection, and real value to so many lives.”
Those interested in becoming members can find more information at https://clubspark.lta.org.
uk/JuniperGreenTennisCourts/Membership/ Join
“What
and his
have done for the
just can’t be overestimated including in terms of attracting new athletes.”
But back to where we started at ROC Wales where Iain’s winning margin was around 11 minutes although there was no chance of bettering the course record he already holds due to adverse swimming conditions which meant a shortened section.
By JOHN HISLOP
HIBS 150TH ANNIVERSARY season which began full of promise, finally petered out to a fifth-place finish.
A successful summer transfer window saw the squad size vastly reduced and a number of quality players arrive, including John Mulligan from Dundee, Jamie McGrath from Aberdeen, Raphael Sallinger from TSV Hartberg, Miquel Chaiwa from Young Boys, Dan Barlaser on loan from Middlesbrough, and hugely experienced Scotland international defender Grant Hanley from Birmingham City. Thibault Klidjé also signed from Luzern for a record fee.
During pre-season Hibs player German side Rot Weiss Essen in a friendly to mark the 70th anniversary of their European Champions Cup tie and before kick off, the East Stand was officially renamed in honour of Hibs legend Pat Stanton.
The previous season’s third place would normally have guaranteed group stage European football, but Aberdeen’s shock Scottish Cup victory meant Hibs were drawn against Midtjylland in a Europa League qualifying game.
After their narrow defeat Hibs entered the Conference League in the third qualifying round.
They were drawn against Serbian club Partizan Belgrade and progressed to the play-off round by winning 4–3 after extra time.
Highlight of the night was Kieron Bowie’s wonder goal which subsequently won the goal of the season award although it would easily have won the goal of the century had that accolade been available.
Hibs came back from 2–0 and 3–1 down in the play-off round against Polish side Legia
Warsaw but a stoppage-time equaliser and an extra-time winning goal won the tie for Legia.
After that match David Gray said he was “immensely proud” of the team, which he believed had produced the best performance of a Hibs side in European competition during his lifetime.
So Hibs started the league campaign full of confidence and a 2-1 victory over Dundee at Dens Park heightened expectation.
However, a run of six draws followed by a last-minute defeat to high-flying Hearts at Tynecastle brought everyone back down to earth. Three successive victories over the festive period, including a 3-2 win over Hearts cheered up the fans although they looked enviously across the city and watched their rivals deservedly lead the league.
Having qualified for Europe meant Hibs entered the League Cup at the last 16 stage and a victory over Livingston set up a quarter final tie against Rangers. A 2-0 defeat at Ibrox however ended hopes of a trip to Hampden.
Similarly, a 1-0 defeat to Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup ended prospect of silverware.
The January transfer window saw Bowie move to Italy for a reported £6m and Klidje join Danish Superliga club Randers FC on loan.
Felix Passlack, Ante Suto and teenagers Dale Scarlett, Kai Andrews and Owen Elding arrived as Hibs set their sights on a second successive top-six finish. This was achieved with games to spare.
The first game after the split however ended in a 2-1 defeat to Hearts after Sallinger and Passlack were sent off. That result left Hibs with a mountain to climb to reach fourth place and although Gray’s men managed to claw back
Motherwell’s lead to one point, a final day defeat at Easter Road ended that ambition.
Highlights of the season included victories at Celtic Park and Ibrox, the first time Hibs had won at both grounds in the same season since John Blackley’s side did more than 40-years ago.
McGrath was voted Fans’ Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year with Mulligan voted Young Player of the Year at the End of
By NIGEL DUNCAN
HEARTS SWEPT THE AWARDS after head coach, Derek McInnes, and Claudio Braga secured the silverware at the Scottish Football Writers’ Association dinner.
McInnes was also William Hill Manager of the Year, PFA Scotland Manager of the Year and Glen’s Premiership Manager of the Season.
Braga was also the William Hill Player of the Year, PFA Scotland Player of the Year, Glen’s Premiership Player of the Year and Heart of Midlothian Players’ Player of the Year.
There were also other positives
– Captain Lawrence Shankland and evergreen goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, are in the Scotland squad for the World Cup in Canada, America and Mexico.
Goalkeeper Liam McFarlane and James Wilson trained with the Scotland squad ahead of the FIFA
event with McFarlane travelling across the Atlantic with the squad as training goalkeeper.
However, the trophy which they and the rest of the club craved eluded them – the William Hill Premiership which slipped away in the last minutes of the final game at Celtic Park.
Hearts bosses praised the squad in a statement. It read: “This season has seen Hearts capture the imagination of football fans, not only in Scotland, but the world over.
“We pay tribute to Derek McInnes, his staff, the first team and the supporters, who have done the club proud this season. None of them deserved the disgraceful scenes that unfolded.”
Another statement thanked the club fans for their “magnificent backing” during the campaign.
And it added: “This has been an excellent season for Heart of Midlothian. However, it represents only the very beginning of our plans
for long-term, sustained success.
“We look ahead to next season with confidence, supported, as ever, by the exceptional backing or our fans, sponsors and partners.”
Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to former Hearts and Celtic midfielder and defender, Mike Galloway, following his death, aged 60.
He joined the Men in Maroon in 1987 and scored 22 goals in 86 appearances before moving on to Celtic Park where he played 160 games.
He also had a brief spell at Leicester City but his playing career was cut short after a road accident.
Hearts have also confirmed the death of Jimmy Irvine, described as a powerfully-built attacker who then manager, John Harvey, brough to Tynecastle in 1967. He scored 16 goals in 51 appearances but his career at Gorgie was affected by a number of injuries.
Season Awards ceremony.
Rosie Livingstone won the Women’s Player of the Year and Women’s Goal of the Season awards.
Duncan Reid won the Staff Member of the Year and Joseph McGrath won the Academy Player of the Season.
And finally, Martin Boyle picked up a Special Recognition Award for his services to the Club.
By NIGEL DUNCAN
BARRIE MCKAY slipped the ball to Stevie May to open the scoring for relegated Livingston in their final game in the William Hill Premiership which ended in a 4-1 defeat.
It was a glimpse of McKay’s talent but could it be the last really positive move made by the former Hearts forward in his Premiership career?
The 31-year-old, who numbers Rangers and Nottingham Forest as two of his former club, is now looking for pastures new after being out of contract at The Home of the Set Fare Arena.
Macaulay Tait returns to his parent club, Hearts, and will the 20-year-old have a future even in a large squad next season?
Meanwhile, the West Lothian club have confirmed that Academy graduate Sam Culbert has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2029.
Culbert has continued to progress through the ranks, earning opportunities in and around the first-team environment through his hard work and development.
He has also gained valuable
senior experience through a number of loan spells, allowing him to test himself in a competitive environment and further develop his game.
His attitude and application have consistently impressed coaching staff, making him one of the bright prospects within the club’s development pathway.
David Martindale, the club’s sporting director, said: “Sam is a player we’re really pleased to keep at the club. He’s worked hard for his opportunities and has shown real progress over the last couple of seasons. He was one of the first batches of young players to come into the Academy when we relaunched it, and has continued to work through the age groups ever since.
“His loan spells in the last few seasons have been incredibly important for him, getting minutes in the men’s game alongside his spell at East Fife last season on a Co-operation Agreement, where he played a big part in helping them retain their place in League One.
“Sam now moves from a youth-team developmental contract, to a first-team player and we’re looking forward to seeing how he develops here.”
“If
