Set in stone
Culinary capital Picture book
Elegant display
The Apprentice Pillar voted favourite feature at Rosslyn An exhibition of Edwardian art and fashion
Rocky road
May 2026
Remfry Framed by
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
ARTIST DAVID REMFRY brings his lyrical artistic vision to Edinburgh, with 30 evocative paintings, including a portrait of his friend, Alan Cumming, and his first-ever tapestry, created in collaboration with Dovecot Studios on Infirmary Street.
Remfry is known for his large-scale watercolours of dancers and his drawings of neighbours and friends created while living in New York.
He is a Royal Academician who is adept at recording both people and place. He has long been fascinated by textiles, modelling colour and pattern in his paintings through furnishings, and the drapery and folds of fabric on the body.
The exhibition at Dovecot features paintings and drawings chosen to convey the sense of dialogue implicit in the work of the tapestry studio and between the artist, subject, and space.
The artist is someone who constantly observes the world around him, and connects memory with place before committing his perceptions to paint.
From hotel interiors to crowded dance halls and even undefined spaces, he approaches his compositions as something to be carefully considered, framed, or even erased, giving equal weight to what surrounds the subject as to the subject itself.
The works on display until 12 June span five decades of Remfry’s career, from McGilchrist Sisters, begun in 1971, to the new tapestry Chandelirium, completed in 2026.
Editorial
MAY IS OFTEN A LOVELY MONTH in the year when the weather gets better, there are two bank holidays to enjoy and a half term for schoolchildren to look forward to.
This month will also bring the rather wishy washy election campaign to a head with the Scottish Parliamentary election being held on 7 May. This is being held against a backdrop of rising inflation –and the cost of living is the main focus for voters.
In a break from tradition in Scotland, the counts will be held the following day on 8 May, with all votes in Edinburgh and Lothians assessed at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston. This means there will be no overnight coverage with journalists and candidates staying up all night to wait for exciting photo worthy moments.
Polls are all over the place as usual, and the only thing that is sure is that by the weekend after the election there will be 129 newly elected Members of the Scottish Parliament (some of whom will form a government).
If politics is just too much to bear, then retreat to the theatre with Lìam Rudden’s suggestions on Pages 18-19 both for theatres here and in London.
In local news, there will be a meeting of the Traffic Regulation Orders SubCommittee on 12 May when the decision on retaining traffic measures put in place on Braid Road four years ago will finally be determined. This has been delayed by a hearing of the Standards Commission who censured two councillors – Cllrs Munro and Ross – for failing to declare an interest in deciding to rip out the temporary measures. Later in May – at the full council meeting on 21 May – the censure will be discussed.
Our sports pages are full of local sporting prowess, as well as news from the three football teams around the city – Hibs, Hearts and Livingston. Read pages 20 to 23.
Edinburgh is our Home is a new campaign coordinated by The City of Edinburgh Council which will highlight the diversity in the capital city, and tell stories of people who have come to live here from a range of other countries.
The Edinburgh Reporter will begin to tell some of these stories next month. Please get in touch if you would like to share your story or know someone else who might. editor@ theedinburghreporter.co.uk
Phyllis Stephen, Editor
Planning News
ST JAMES QUARTER TO WESTFIELD
St James Quarter is being rebranded.
Nuveen Real Estate off-loaded its 25% stake in St James Quarter to Unibail-RodamcoWestfield (URW) in a deal which is creating a new Westfield destination in the capital. This is the third in the UK and now the planning application for the new branding on the building has been lodged with the council. The illustrations show the name Westfield on an illuminated red sign on the exterior of the building on three sides.
CRAIGMOUNT HIGH SCHOOL
A reminder that a second consultation event will take place on 13 May related to the proposed extension of Craigmount High School to accommodate 400 more pupils taking the school roll to 1800. The two storey extension will have indoor and outdoor sports facilities and extra classrooms. Extra car parking will also be created with new landscaping around the school. The consultation event will be at the school from 10.30am to 2.00pm. There is also an online consultation on the council website where the display boards from the first consultation event can be viewed. Reference number 26/01124/PAN
EDINBURGH BIOQUARTER
Two consultation events are being held to exhibit details of the proposal for a mixed use development with offices, laboratories and training facilities. The plan also incorporates houses, flats, build to rent homes, student flats and affordable homes in the new area created at Edinburgh BioQuarter near the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Scottish Enterprise (SE) has lodged the Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) and is holding two
Spring class roll call
events – one on 30 April at Nine BioQuarter and one on 9 June at Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre. In the papers, SE’s agent says that details have been sent to all elected politicians. In what is a minor error, the accompanying papers say that MSPs have been notified (while recognising the purdah around the election period). The application names Ash Regan (Edinburgh Eastern), and Gordon Macdonald (Edinburgh Southern). (It should have said Daniel Johnson).
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Phyllis Stephen
Tammy Kerr
Visual of new building at Craigmount High School
Tiptoe through the tulips
The Scottish Tulip Festival at Craigies Farm just outside Edinburgh has attracted hundreds of people. In a celebration of spring, the farm opened their gates to people simply wanting to soak up the colourful display. This is not a pick your
own event, rather an opportunity to admire the blooms. It is not known exactly how long the flowers will last.
https://edinburgh.org/event/scottishtulip-festival/
Get set to race pigs and raise funds for FetLor Youth Club
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
A group of parents and carers of the young people who attend FetLor Youth Club in North Edinburgh are organising a different kind of fundraiser, a Pig Race night.
Yes you read it correctly – but there are no live pigs involved – only toy battery-operated pigs which will be allowed to race free, and which squeak while they jostle for position on the eight feet long track.
Cracklin’ Rosie Racing Pigs provide the “livestock” and they say: “The pigs are cute and cuddly with a turn of speed that will amaze and frustrate you. They wiggle, they grunt and they move like lightning (sort of).”
The idea is to raise funds to help cover about a fifth of the expected costs of staging the young people’s summer programme. There will be activities, outings and experiences included in the summer holiday schedule, but they need a bit of help in paying for it.
THE FETLOR GROUP ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR:
• Businesses to sponsor a race for £50
• Raffle prize donations from local businesses
• General donations towards the fundraising target
A spokesperson for the club said: “There are fun ways for people to get involved on the night by naming, vetting, training, or owning a pig for £2.50, as well as purchasing raffle tickets for £1 per strip.”
Donations can also be made through
Just Giving
https://www.justgiving.com/page/tracygaven-4
Image: Alan Simpson Photography
Admiring the tulips at Craigies Farm
FetLor is a lively centre for young people in north Edinburgh
Notes from the campaign trail
By OLIVIA THOMAS
In a series of interviews, The Edinburgh Reporter has grilled candidates over their policies and what they have said while campaigning and at hustings.
Once the votes have been cast on 7 May some of these people may represent your area of Edinburgh:
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Lib Dems, Edinburgh North Western) was asked about the temporary moratorium on data centres imposed in Edinburgh.
He said: “I don’t think Edinburgh is an appropriate place for data centres at all, but actually I think it’s a tremendous growth opportunity for communities in the far north, which are being depopulated because there’s no jobs for young people.
“They’re right. They’ve got renewable power on their doorstep which you could use to power these data centres.
“So this would honour our commitments to net zero, making sure that they are sustainable through renewable power rather than energy intensive drawdown that they would have here.
“I think we could be world leaders in this, and I don’t think that and our commitments to net zero are mutually exclusive.”
David Thomson (Reform) is a rookie candidate and we asked his reasons for standing. He said: “Perhaps in my naïveté, I actually think it’s about helping the community. I wouldn’t care who I worked with if it was going to benefit the community. I wouldn’t just dig my heels in.
“If it makes sense and if it’s going to better people’s life, put money back in their pockets and improve education or improve the public sector services, I’d be all for it. I don’t care who comes up with the idea – nobody has an authority on great ideas.”
The SNP’s Deidre Brock is standing in Edinburgh Southern. She was widely quoted after a hustings as saying that children did not need to learn the three Rs - reading, writing
Edinburgh Sheriff Court round up
By ALEXANDER LAWRIE
AN Edinburgh child sex offender moaned to police “I can’t believe I’ve done this again” after he was caught in an online sting.
Willum Webster was caught by a vigilante group after he sent a series of horror images and videos of a male performing a solo sex act to a person he believed to be a teenage schoolgirl.
Webster, 35, posted the material to a social media profile belonging to ‘14-yearold Sophie’ and also asked the ‘child’ to send him indecent images of herself in return.
The offender also begged ‘Sophie’ to perform a sex act for him and told her what sexual positions he wanted to carry out with her.
Webster was in fact in contact with an adult decoy belonging to the Irish organisation Justice Reborn and a group of activists confronted him at his home in the Piershill area of the capital on January 31 this year.
victim’s age” during shocking attacks at a hotel in Barrow, Cumbria between 2014 and 2016.
Raeburn met the child online before luring them to the hotel where he used his phone to record himself carrying out the assaults on the youngster.
Raeburn, formerly of Haddington and Port Seton in East Lothian, was eventually arrested after the child bravely confided in a relative.
The former NHS manager was sentenced on 9 April after being found guilty by a jury of five sexual offences following a trial at Preston Crown Court earlier this year. He was also made the subject of a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and had his name added to the sex offenders register for life.
The court also issued a lifetime nonharassment order banning the predator from having any contact with the young victim.
and arithmetic. She cleared this up in an exclusive interview with us. She said: “Of course that is not what I said. It was a Labour activist who picked that up. I was trying to say that in this complicated world children need more than reading, writing and arithmetic to navigate that very complex landscape we face.
“I was attempting to defend the SNP’s Curriculum for Excellence (CfE). The Conservative candidate was making noises about the CfE and saying we should just concentrate on the basics. That is what I took from her and before I gave my whole answer I was cut off. Both of my children went through school using the CfE and really flourished. It just shows the silliness of this period in the election. Labour were desperate to deflect bad news of course with reports of leader Anas Sarwar trying to make a deal with the Reform leader.”
Dr Oliver Thomas, Scottish Labour (Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith) said that fixing issues within the NHS are a priority for him. He admits that, as a doctor, he ”turned straight to” the NHS chapter of the Scottish Labour manifesto.
He says: “My entire career, we’ve been promised the moon on a stick.
“You know, the constant ‘NHS recovery plans,’ or we get all of these ideas, ‘this is going to work.’”
He added: “Everyone seems to think they know how to fix the system, but they never asked the right people.
“That is a real problem in our politics, more generally, that we put together white papers and they go out to consultation, and then you ask stakeholders for consultation at that point, instead of involving them at the start and having the right voices in the room to make better policy.”
The independent candidate for Edinburgh and Lothians East, Jeremy Balfour, said that his lack of party affiliation has resonated with voters, who he says “are very weary that you’re just going to get a clone of a politician.”
Charles Dundas (Lib Dems Edinburgh Central and third on the list) said the main feeling he encounters on the doorstep is
A VIOLENT thug who battered a pet dog to death with a metal pole has been jailed for more than two years and banned from owning animals for the rest of his life.
Dean McKay launched the savage attack on the German Shepherd named Goldie after chasing the animal’s owner Kyle Pugh into an Edinburgh supermarket in May 2024.
McKay, 38, kicked the dog to the body before killing the animal by smashing it over the head with the metal pole resulting in the pet suffering a broken neck.
McKay and accomplice Daniel Devlin then fled before police officers - including an armed response team - raced to the scene and sealed off the area surrounding the supermarket.
Devlin, 39, was traced and arrested soon after while McKay handed himself in to a local police station four days later.
The pair pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by approaching Kyle Pugh while in possession of a hammer and a knife at Calder Park in Edinburgh when they appeared at the city’s sheriff court last month.
A SCOTS paedophile who was found guilty of sexually abusing a young child in the north of England has been jailed for 14 years.
Craig Raeburn, 61, repeatedly preyed on a child “despite being fully aware of the
disappointment and frustration with the established parties in Holyrood and Westminster.
“People are always keen to talk about the other parties and how much they dislike them,” he explained.
“People that voted in the general election in 2024 feel very let down by the Starmer government, and people who voted for the SNP over the last 20 years feel very similar.
“Alex [Cole-Hamilton] gives the party line that they feel they’ve run out of steam, but that’s not just propaganda, that’s not just spin, that is something you genuinely hear from people.
“After 20 years, it’s time for someone else to have a chance.”
AN OFFICE worker embezzled almost £800,000 from her scrap metal merchant employers splashing the cash on luxury cars and lavish gifts for her family.
Jennifer Conquer stole the huge sum while working as an administrative assistant with Brookfield Metals Recycling Ltd in Linlithgow, West Lothian over a four year period.
Conquer, 39, worked alone in the company’s office and made more than 1,200 payments from the firm’s account into her own and one belonging to her twin sister, Hazel Dryburgh.
Conquer spent the embezzled money on buying up luxury vehicles, paying for expensive treats for her friends and family and using it on everyday living expenses.
She also made payments totalling more than £25,000 to Dryburgh who used the stolen cash to buy two top of the range Land Rovers with personalised number plates.
Conquer pleaded guilty to embezzling £798,743.23 while employed with Brookfield Metals Recycling Ltd between June 2017 and September 2021 when she appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 2 April. Dryburgh, of Blackridge, West Lothian, pled guilty to a charge of receiving a quantity of money obtained through criminal acts and use it for personal gain between December 2020 and June 2021 during the same court hearing.
Lorna Slater (Edinburgh Central) clarified the Greens view on prisons after fellow candidate, Kate Nevens, said she wanted to abolish them. Ms Slater said: “There will always be a need to detain people who are dangerous, people who have committed violent crimes, people who are sexual predators.
“That will always be the case. What the Scottish Greens believe, though, is that the system itself needs substantial reform.
Whoever is elected will represent all the people in their constituency or region in The Scottish Parliament - and one of the 129 will replace outgoing Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone who is stepping down.
All change at Holyrood
The Edinburgh van that served 13,000 meals to the homeless last year
By ROSS CHALMERS
A VOLUNTEER-POWERED CARE VAN has been serving hot meals to the needy on the streets of Edinburgh and the Lothians since 1990.
The Edinburgh Care Van patrols the streets every day, seven days a week, come rain, wind, or shine, serving hot food, soup, drinks, warn clothing, blankets, and toiletries to homeless people.
Last year alone, a partnership between the Bethany Christian Trust and the Edinburgh City Mission, their teams served more than 13,000 meals to people in the capital.
Teams of volunteers from more than 40 churches of all stripes give their time on a rota basin to provide meals and conversation, ensuring “nobody has to face the night alone”.
Around 600 people currently collaborate on running the van. One of these volunteers, Mattie Biniek, described his experiences providing support, sustenance, and community on four wheels:
“I’ve only been out on the van a few times,
but it’s already had a real impact on me. It’s about stopping, looking someone in the eye, and letting them know they matter, and hearing them.
“A hot drink and a conversation can mean a lot more than people realise. I think it’s extremely important that we have something so community driven in a time where community really feels like it’s fading away.”
He added: “There were times when people would look to their neighbours for support, but in today’s world, everybody is too busy to look after their neighbour.
“That’s why it’s so important that projects like this exist. Realistically, everybody is struggling with something these days, but it’s very easy to forget that there are others out there also struggling, and some are in much worse positions than yourself.”
Mattie, who works with the young wing of the Edinburgh Jesuit Church, said that lending an attentive ear and listening to people’s stories can be as impactful as the food they hand out. He wants to do his part to make sure that nobody is left without that crucial lifeline:
“At the Care Van, you hear many stories from different individuals from across the country, in a huge range of situations.
“People who have recently found themselves in a struggle, as well as people who are finally finding some luck in their lives.
“All of them come together at the Care Van to support each other, and to find support for themselves, be it company, or a bite to eat.”
He went on to describe a random act of kindness extended by a former recipient of the van’s support: “The last time I went, I was approached by a man who spotted the Care Van parked outside his house.
Kiltmaker wants UNESCO protection
By RYAN NIXON
AN EDINBURGH kiltmaker is appealing for UNESCO protection for hand-sewn kilts, claiming that Scottish customers “should not have to be charged VAT on their own national dress”.
Howie Nicholsby is the proprietor of 21st Century Kilts on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, and has been involved in the industry since he was 18.
The 47-year-old has also been a part of New York’s famous Tartan Week since the early noughties, and has outfitted nearly every grand marshal, including Sam Heughan at this year’s iteration.
However, whilst a proud producer of handmade kilts, Howie believes that the art is under threat and has warned that the industry risks becoming diluted by lower quality options.
He explained: “What we’re trying to do is protect proper, hand-sewn kilt making - stuff that is hand-stitched, not machine-made inside out.
“We’re trying to get UNESCO protection for the art of hand-sewn kilt making. I’m at a point now, having grown up in the industry, where I truly believe we’re the last honest kilt company in the business.
“Every other kilt shop will offer
machine-stitched kilts - cheaper options, but they’re not good options, and it’s like a false economy.
“There are companies out there that promote that they can make a kilt in 40 hours - that is ridiculous.
Our waiting time is 12 weeks but our kilt maker can make a kilt in 10 to 12 hours, which is affordable.
“Someone promoting that they can make a kilt in 40 hours is not a proper kilt maker, they’re a hobbyist. They cannot make a sustainable living if minimum wage is around £12.
“Twelve times 40 hours is £480 of workmanship. Our kilts are £900, the fabrics are £300, the straps and buckles are £50 - they can’t be making money
“It’s like a hobby, which ruins the industry because A. the person isn’t getting a proper kilt and B. it affects the people who are doing it properly.”
Howie has said that Scottish customers should not have to pay the same amount of VAT on a kilt as they do on “a cheeseburger at McDonald’s”.
He said: “We need the media to back us in a future idea with the Scottish Government that a company like us would not have to charge a Scottish customer 20% tax
on their own national dress, made in Scotland, employing Scottish people.
“The fabrics are made in Scotland, why should you pay 20% on your national dress? Every single tourist now gets tax-free.
“You pay the same tax on a cheeseburger at McDonald’s - VAT - as you do on a beautiful kilt outfit handmade.
“My point is that Scotland needs to have a variable VAT rate, and a small business like us who make and produce beautiful Scottish products shouldn’t have to charge our customers that flat 20% VAT.
“I am not a politician, but it’s just an idea to protect Scottish jobs and Scottish production. We’re a small country - it’s not xenophobia, it’s not protectionism. It’s maintaining what we do well.
“Otherwise, things like the military and the Scottish regiment, their outfits are now made abroad in the likes of Pakistan and China, and the stuff is bought in.
“That’s a false economy as well, because the military should look good and the uniform should last. So if the government bodies don’t support small businesses like us in Scottish industry, it’s all going to disappear.”
“He came outside and handed me a bag of dog food; he said: ‘About 10 years ago, I myself used to use the Care Van, and it got me through a really difficult period in my life. I know the work you guys do, and I know that there is also a lot of homeless people around with dogs to keep them company, who also need to be fed’.”
“This goes to show how big the impact of the Care Van is, and how important it is that projects like these continue to operate.”
The van relies on support from the community, who donate essentials like food,
Images: Chris Munn
Care Van on Market Street
A year in the life of a museum
By FRANCES ANDERSON
This month the Palestine Museum Scotland celebrates its one year anniversary since opening its doors on Dundas Street in the New Town.
As part of the Palestine Museum US, founded by Palestinian American businessman, Faisal Saleh, the Scottish museum is the first and only Palestine museum in Europe. The Palestine Museum US in Woodbridge, Connecticut, opened in 2018 and is the first museum in the Americas devoted to Palestinian art.
Saleh was born in El-Bireh (Ramallah), to a refugee family from the pre-1948 Palestinian village of Salameh (Jaffa). Arriving in the United States in 1969 at age 17, he earned a BA in Economics and an MBA in Business Management and founded several companies.
Saleh said: “We chose Scotland for our museum expansion because of the strong support provided by the Palestine solidarity movement.”
He said: “Managing a large number of volunteers has been a challenge. As the first all-volunteer museum of its kind, we have multiple functional teams, including a staffing team, an events team and others. We now have talented teams of volunteers committed to the Palestine cause, and I’m proud of their dedication.
Visitors vote for favourite feature at Rosslyn
By RYAN NIXON
A highly decorated stone pillar, reputedly carved by a mason’s apprentice, has been named the favourite feature of Rosslyn Chapel in a survey of visitors.
Research was carried out for Rosslyn Chapel Trust by Shanks Research Consultancy over the past year and sampled 4,414 visitors.
The Chapel’s famous Apprentice Pillar was named by 53% of visitors as their favourite feature, with carvings of Pagan figure the Green Man, the Angel Playing Bagpipes, the Seven Deadly Sins and the Mason’s Pillar also named among the most popular.
Rosslyn Chapel, in Midlothian, was founded in 1446, and practically every surface inside and outside the building is carved in an outstanding display of medieval craftsmanship.
According to legend, the Apprentice Pillar was carved by the master mason’s young apprentice, while the master mason was travelling abroad to seek inspiration for
“We’ve had huge support from the general public and the local Edinburgh community and tourists.
“Visitors have made generous donations and purchased art and merchandise and our neighbouring galleries have shown interest and support.
In August 2025, we hosted over a dozen events, including book launches, talks and discussions, and we’re looking forward to an even busier year.”
The Palestine Museum US will present an exhibition of Palestinian tatreez (embroidery) at the international 2026 Venice Biennale in May this year.
The exhibition, titled “Gaza – No Words – See the Exhibit”, features 100 embroidered works created by Palestinian women in refugee camps and villages in Lebanon, Jordan and the West Bank. Each piece consists of 55,000 stitches and depicts scenes from the genocide in Gaza.
Mr Saleh said: “We are honoured to bring this important work to the world’s stage.”
Palestine Museum Scotland, 13a Dundas Street, Edinburgh EH3 6QG
@palestinemuseumscotland
Open daily 11am - 6pm
carving this important pillar himself.
When he returned, he is said to have flown into a jealous rage on seeing the outcome of his apprentice’s work and struck the apprentice on the head, killing him.
The master mason was then said to have been put to death for this act of murder.
Inside the Chapel, a carved face of the master mason continues to look down at the famous work of his apprentice.
The Chapel came to global prominence when it featured in Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code and the subsequent 2006 film.
The site attracted 159,000 visitors between April 2025 and March this year and is open all year round.
Booking now open for Summer Holiday Camps
By OLIVIA THOMAS
The Easter Camps at George Watson’s College (GWC) were declared a great success by the children who attended and by the school - and GWC is set to do it all
over again this summer.
Each holiday camp has a focus including Art (there is an intriguing one called Mythical Creatures and Hidden Worlds), Music, Drama, Stage and Screen, Dance, Book Binding and Multisports. There are also Higher Ready Study sessions for any students who might benefit from a bit of extra tuition which run from 3 to 6 and 10 to 13 August. Each camp is intended for a specific age group, and all the details are on the school’s website.
The camp leaders are experienced at making sure each young person who attends fits right in. The school has an ethos of community and inclusion and this extends to the holiday activities which are run in the school and the school grounds.
The promise is that the activities on offer will turn into shared experiences where new friends are made and new interests might turn into lifelong hobbies. The summer break is long enough to spend a few days or a week at GWC learning new skills while making memories.
For more details on the camps get in touch with GWC by email camps@gwc.org.uk
Founder of Palestine Museum US, Faisal Saleh
The Apprentice Pillar
Having fun at camp
Image: Frances Anderson
‘Edinburgh is our Home’
By CLLR JANE MEAGHER
EDINBURGH IS A PROUD, welcoming and diverse city. Our biggest strength lies in those who live here – people from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds.
From our long-standing links with the people of Italy, Norway and Poland during and after World War II to the thousands of Ukrainians, Afghans and Syrians who now call Edinburgh home, we’re proud to be a city of sanctuary – welcoming all those who come here in search of a new or better life.
None of this is new: 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 incomers. 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 (and Scotland) to contribute to other societies across the world – something we Scots have done so successfully for hundreds of years.
The good news is, thanks to our warm welcome (not to mention our beautiful city and quality of life) Edinburgh is becoming ever more culturally diverse. Indeed, we are now the country’s most diverse city, with a quarter of all people coming to Scotland choosing to make Edinburgh their home.
Unfortunately, however, this news isn’t all good. With a rise in racist language, political rhetoric and high profile anti-immigration protests across the UK, we know that some in
uneasy or unsafe.
We need to remind ourselves of the importance of community spirit and tolerance. Everyone has the right to feel comfortable in their home, on their street, and in their neighbourhood.
That’s why I’m delighted to be launching a new campaign – ‘Edinburgh is our Home’ – in next month’s issue of The Edinburgh Reporter, on the Council’s digital channels and elsewhere.
This citywide effort will involve us working with our partners across all sectors to share real-life stories of people who have come to
Edinburgh and made it their home.
It will showcase and celebrate the positive contribution immigration makes to our city and promote Edinburgh as an inclusive and welcoming place, with a firm focus on the individuals and organisations who help make this possible.
I’m looking forward to getting started with the campaign and am hopeful that it will promote understanding, acceptance and interest in our city’s many cultures and communities.
New stats on Edinburgh Airport
By TOM WILSON
Edinburgh Airport delivered £2.7 billion of economic value to Scotland in 2025 and supported almost 44,000 jobs, according to a new report.
The study, carried out by BiGGAR Economics, shows the airport’s contribution has grown significantly since 2019, driven by “rising passenger numbers, expanding international connectivity and increased investment from the airport’s owners”.
The analysis found that tourism remains the airport’s single largest contribution, generating £1.8 billion in visitor spending across Scotland, while also handling over £500 million worth of air freight.
It also found that, overall, Edinburgh Airport supported £3.9 billion of economic activity and almost 72,000 jobs across the UK.
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “Edinburgh Airport plays a vital role in supporting Scotland’s economy, from tourism and trade to jobs and investment.
“This report demonstrates the scale of our contribution and the confidence airlines, businesses and passengers place in Edinburgh as a global gateway, and in Scotland as a place to do business. That confidence cannot be taken for granted.
“Any incoming government must make economic growth a clear priority and provide the long-term policy certainty and stable operating environment that businesses need to commit investment and plan for the future.”
Health and wellbeing with
My name is Dr Katie Cathrow, Medical Director at YourGP Clinic.
I’m delighted to be offering a new feature focusing on all things health and wellbeing in The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-trained, I work both in the city and the Scottish Borders.
An NHS doctor for the past 22 years and a private doctor for 11, I have a solid understanding of the
HOW DO WE ACHIEVE WELLBEING?
I use the six pillars from the British Society for Lifestyle Medicine:
• HEALTHY EATING: we know the value of good nutrition, minimising UPFs and enjoying a balanced diet
• PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: a wellrecognised feature in maintaining a healthy body and mind
• MENTAL WELLBEING: the state of psychological resilience brought about by minimising stress, supporting relaxation and finding purpose
challenges facing Scotland and its patients. I thrive on working with patients to maximise health with traditional and innovative practices. Join me in exploring our Health and Wellbeing and how we can make people in Edinburgh healthier, both inside and out.
So, what is wellbeing? Intimately connected to a physical state of health, wellbeing includes a state of
SLEEP: an under-recognised requirement for overall wellbeing – without quality sleep our bodies struggle to function, making other aspects of health difficult to achieve
• HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS: the value of social connection and meaningful relationships. These form the basis of our support network and provide the grounded stability that we all need.
• MINIMISING HARMFUL SUBSTANCES: not just the obvious top 3 that we can all
Organisation, it is “the positive state of being healthy, happy, and prosperous, encompassing physical, mental, and social health rather than just the absence of illness. It involves life satisfaction, a sense of purpose, and resilience - a key indicator of quality of life.”
identify – smoking, alcohol and drugs, but also addictive behaviours including gambling and too much screen time.
Over the course of this series, I’ll be exploring these pillars more deeply - sharing practical tips and offering ideas to help improve your wellbeing.
To discuss any issues relating to your health and wellbeing, go to www.your.gp We’re open 7 days. Here for you. YourGP.
The City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Jane Meagher
Image: Martin P McAdam
Westfield Court future still uncertain
By TOM WILSON
A COUNCILLOR described Edinburgh Council’s handling of a troubled Gorgie block of flats as an “ethical and moral failure” during a meeting with residents.
The meeting, organised by tenants’ rights campaign group Living Rent, heard testimony from residents and took place at Gorgie Mills Bowling Club.
Westfield Court has faced uncertainty over its future for months.
While the City of Edinburgh Council is a minority owner, it remains as the factor of the building.
A report submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council’s housing committee in November recommended the Council should buy back homes from residents to pursue demolition due to the “abortive” cost of “essential repairs.”
In December, residents and tenants interrupted the committee’s meeting, with campaigners following housing convener Tim Pogson out of the chamber.
Wednesday’s meeting was also attended by Councillors Dennis Dixon, Ross McKenzie, and Ben Parker, along with senior council officers.
Cllr Parker was the only member of the Council’s housing committee in attendance.
During the meeting on Wednesday, residents of Westfield Court described the history of the building as well as issues they had been facing.
Several residents described their ceilings collapsing due to leaks from broken pipes, with others explaining that family members became so ill from the building’s condition that they were unable to return to work.
One resident alleged the Council’s oversight “is so extreme it borders on criminal negligence.”
Some residents claimed that the Council had falsified records of asbestos in the building.
Gareth Barwell, corporate director of place at the City of Edinburgh Council and present at the meeting, later responded to residents that he was “willing to say professionally that I don’t believe that my team would falsify information” but that all the information at the meeting would be investigated.
When asked by Barry Will, community organiser for Living Rent in Gorgie, whether the Council had failed in its duty as a factor, Cllr McKenzie responded: “I’m not an expert on
factoring law. You would genuinely need to have 22 solicitors stand there and beat that out.
“I believe there’s been an ethical and moral failure, but I can’t sit there and say to the letter off the law on this because I don’t have that understanding. Sorry for the cop out.”
Mr Will concluded the meeting by thanking Mr Barwell and Graeme Reid, the Councils’ head of high-rise management and
investment, for speaking to residents.
Mr Will said: “You’ve at least committed to the different demands that residents in the room have.
“We will be making sure that you’re held accountable to those commitments.
“Historically, you’ve not followed through with the commitments and promises that you’ve made to residents.”
“That is not going to continue any longer.”
Keith Broomfield
This is the Neilsons team at the Scottish Legal Awards 2025 at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, where the firm won a hat trick of awards – Firm of the Year (under 250 employees), Property Team of the Year and Marketing and Business Development Team of the Year. The awards were presented by TV and radio personality, Des Clarke.
Westfield Court has been under threat of demolition by the council
THE OLD EDINBURGH CLUB
2 May
In 1597, bonfires lit up the night sky above Holyrood on the arrival in Leith of King James VI and his new Queen, Anne, daughter of the King of Denmark.
3 May
In 1544, major hostilities in what Walter Scott later named ‘The Rough Wooing’ began with an attack on Edinburgh led by the Earl of Hertford and Viscount Lisle.
5 May
In 1508, the provost, bailies, and council ruled that Fleshers should have their stalls and stands protected by stout canvas awning and the meat on sale covered with proper wrapping. Also, those selling the meat should be appropriately dressed with clean aprons.
6 May
In 1544, a letter sent to Lord Russell, Lord Privy Seal of England, the writer stated that “It was determined we were to ruin and destroy Edinburgh with fire. This we did not fully achieve. However we set fire to three or four parts of the town.” And in 1870, Sir James Young Simpson, who pioneered the use of chloroform in childbirth, died in Edinburgh. In 1941, a 1,000-pound bomb was dropped on Milton Crescent and 100 incendiaries at Jewel Cottages - four were killed and two injured.
8 May
In 1366, at Holyrood Abbey, a council was held in which discussion over a peace with England took place. It was agreed that the assessment to raise money for the King’s ransom should be voluntary and the Scottish Mint was also ordered to manufacture new coins for this purpose. And in 1826, Sir Henry Duncan Littlejohn, surgeon, forensic scientist, and public health official, was born in Edinburgh.
9 May
In 1909, Robert Garioch Sutherland, Scots language poet and translator, was born in Edinburgh. And in 1911, the famous illusionist, The Great Lafayette (Sigmund Neuberger) died in a devastating fire at the Empire Palace Theatre in Edinburgh on Nicolson Street (now the site of the Festival Theatre). He is buried at Piershill Cemetery with his dog, Beauty. Also in 1957, a massive fire at Bell’s Brae in the Dean Village destroyed the premises of the largest theatrical costumiers outside London.
11 May
In 1660, a report delivered to the council on St Paul’s Work recommended that a seat be provided for the children in the community loft and beds and other necessities should be provided for the children.
16 May
In 1402, at a council general held in Edinburgh, King Robert III (whose Christian name was John) officially pardoned the Duke of Albany and the Earl of Douglas for the death of David Stuart, Duke of Rothesay (the king’s son and heir apparent).
17 May
In 1532, King James V established paid judges to sit as the Court of Session, the highest civil court in Scotland. And in 1590, Anne of Denmark was crowned Queen of Scotland in the Abbey Church at Holyrood.
21 May
In 1650, James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, was executed by hanging at the Mercat Cross. And in 1874, the foundation stone of St Mary’s Cathedral was laid by the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry.
22 May
In 1562, the Town Council ordered fornicators to be dooked in the Nor’ Loch. Also in 1859, Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, was born in Edinburgh at 11 Picardy Place.
25 May
In 1726, the first circulating library opened in Edinburgh. And in 1859, the last performance at the Theatre Royal in Shakespeare Square was staged. Also in 1896, the Foundation Stone of the New North Bridge was laid.
28 May
In 1573, the siege of Edinburgh Castle finally ended. And in 1811, Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, died in Edinburgh at the age of 69. Also in 1905, construction of the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh commenced.
29 May
In 1687, the Order of the Thistle was founded by King James VII who decreed that the Abbey Church at the Palace of Holyroodhouse be converted to a chapel for the Order of the Thistle. However, he was deposed in 1688 and the chapel had been destroyed during riots.
30 May
In 1936, Portobello Open Air Pool was opened at a cost of £90,000.
31 May
In 1878, Eugene Chantrelle, a Frenchman, was executed in Calton Jail for poisoning his wife, Elizabeth. And in 1962, the Gaumont cinema was destroyed by fire. Also in 2014, Trams returned to Edinburgh streets.
Lal
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
AN Early Day Motion lodged in the House of Commons by Tracy Gilbert, MP, has recognised the contribution of Amrit Lal to his adopted city of Edinburgh. His son, Vineet, wrote about him: “Amrit, who has died aged 93, lived a life defined by constant upheaval and perseverance in the face of obstacles. Born in rural Punjab, educated in villages and towns across pre-Partition northern India, and forcibly shaped by hardship into a young apprentice, engineer and educator, he eventually settled in Edinburgh, where his enduring legacy would be the Mandir itself.
Together with his wife, the trailblazing race relations campaigner Saroj Lal, he gave the city’s Hindu community a permanent spiritual and cultural home. He was born into crippling poverty on 9 September 1932 in Jandali Kalan, near Ahmedgarh in the Sangrur district of Punjab.
The Early Day Motion reads: “That this House commemorates Amrit and Saroj Lal, founders of the Edinburgh Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre; notes that a memorial service was held for them in March 2026 following Amrit’s passing earlier this year and Saroj’s passing in 2020; understands that both Amrit and Saroj worked tirelessly throughout the 1980s to find and create a permanent home for Hindu worship and culture in Edinburgh and further notes that following years of work, they founded the Edinburgh Hindu Mandir on 13th November 1993 on St Andrews Place which has gone from strength to strength since.”
Obituaries for both Saroj and Amrit Lal can be read in full on our website.
Sir Henry Littlejohn
David Octavius Hill
St Mary’s Cathedral
Wild horses reach new heights at Edinburgh Zoo
By GEORGE MAIR
A pair of rare horses once extinct in the wild are enjoying panoramic views of the Scottish capital for the first time – after moving into a new home at Edinburgh Zoo.
Male Przewalski’s horses, Och and Tomor, have been transferred to a new hilltop habitat at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
The world’s only true wild horses, Przewalski’s were once extinct in the wild until a small captive-bred population was reintroduced in Mongolia in the 1990s.
The breed – also known as the takhi or Mongolian wild horse – is now listed as an endangered species.
Johnny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “Our two takhi boys, Och and Tomor, have moved to a large habitat at the top of Corstorphine Hill.
“With stunning views over Edinburgh, their new space features a pond, gorse and plenty of grass to graze.
“On clear days, visitors can see Edinburgh Castle, across to Leith and all the way out to the Firth of Forth beyond.”
Och and Tomor arrived at Edinburgh Zoo in 2021. The species’ return from extinction in the wild shows the importance of carefully managed captive populations for safeguarding threatened wildlife.
Once the rare horses settle into their new hilltop home, they will eventually share the large open space with the zoo’s camels.
A glimpse through an album
ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTORS to the Edinburgh Collected community archive is the Living Memory Association. Over the years they have added more than 5,000 picture memories from their archive to Edinburgh Collected.
As well as standalone images, they have compiled many scrapbooks, the latest of which Edinburgh City Libraries have been exploring in more detail.
This intriguing collection of photographs came from a donated Edwardian leather-bound Leith Photograph Album.
Little is known about the people featured in the photographs, but the title page is dedicated to Cherry and Maggie Grego, presumably on the occasion of their marriage in 1909.
A little bit of detective work suggests that the pictures and clippings here refer to Cherry and Maggie’s progress through life in Victorian and Edwardian Edinburgh, from Cherry establishing himself successfully in business and their marriage at Star of the Sea Church in Leith.
n Could this be “Cherry” Grego pictured with his siblings?
His grandfather, Ciri Nevo Grego, came from Italy and settled in Scotland where Cherry’s father, Donald, was born in Perth.
Cherry’s grandfather was a poulterer and his father a photographer.
Cherry was born on 17 May 1869 in Dundee but by the 1881 Census we can see that he has moved with his family to South Leith, living at 131 Bonnington Road.
Unfortunately, as is often the case with old family photos, there is little to help identify the people within them.
There are though some cabinet cards attributed to the photographic studio of D. Grego. Knowing that Cherry’s father, Donald, worked as photographer in Dundee this strongly suggests that these photographs were taken at his studio.
And the fact that they’re included in the album leads us to think that there must be a family connection between the sitters and the album owner.
Our thanks to the Living Memory Association and Edinburgh Libraries’ online community
n Pictured above is the dedication page in a family photograph album given to Cherry and Maggie by Tom McCinsky. The inscription tells us that Cherry and Maggie were married on August 2, 1909.
album of Edinburgh memories
n In the 1891 census Cherry/Cirinevo is listed for some reason as Stephen C Grego whose occupation is listed as “assistant Spirit Dealer” and the family are living at 26 Glover Street in Leith, with his father Donald’s occupation now also listed as a Spirit Dealer. This must have been quite a lucrative occupation as the household employs a Domestic Servant.
Consulting Post Office Directories held in the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection within Central Library, there are several entries in the 1905 directory for the Grego family. Cherry is now himself a Spirit Merchant with an address at 7 Bernard Street, Leith. The directory also records entries for
his father Donald, brothers and his sister-in-law Margaret who appears to be running The Pilrig Arms on the corner of Leith Walk and Iona Street. By 1915, Cherry was living at Hawkfield, Restalrig Road and had a shop, saloon and cellar at 7 Bernard Street.
The 1920 Post Office Directory lists him with premises still at Bernard Street, together with an additional shop at 4 and 5 Leith Street and by then living at 7 South Fort Street.
n Cherry and Margaret’s marriage notice in the Edinburgh Evening News, Tuesday 3 August 1909, via British Newspaper Archive. Tragically, Margaret, the second of Cherry’s three wives, died in 1912, just three years later.
Concentrating on the Grego side and using the library’s resource, Ancestry, researchers were able to find in the 1881 Census, Cherry’s father Donald aged 43, born in Perthshire, living in Leith with a son, Cirinevo (Cherry) aged 11, born in Dundee.
Another look at Scotland’s People at the marriage certificate of Donald, we find the name of his father, Nevo. Researchers traced Nevo (under the name Neva) in Ancestry and discover in the 1871 Census, that Nevo was born in Italy.
n Cherry himself died in 1943 aged 74 at the Eastern General Hospital at Seafield, as this clipping from the Edinburgh Evening News of Thursday 12 August 1943, via British Newspaper Archive, details.
First time buyer focus
Taking your first step onto the property ladder is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel daunting. The Edinburgh property market is notoriously challenging for first-time buyers. The competitive ‘offers over’ system, comparatively high property prices versus the rest of Scotland, and limited government support, can all make the process feel overwhelming. In addition, Help to Buy schemes are now more restricted than in previous years.
According to recent data from the Office for National Statistics and Registers of Scotland, the average first-time buyer in Edinburgh in 2025 was around 32 years old, with the average purchase price sitting at approximately £260,000. While affordability remains a challenge, Edinburgh property continues to represent a strong long-term investment, with forecasts suggesting that house prices across Scotland could rise by as much as 27.6% by 2030.
Neilsons strongly recommend that prospective first-time buyers take the following steps to put themselves in the best possible position:
First and foremost, speak to a solicitor. In Scotland, you cannot buy or sell property without one, so engaging a trusted legal adviser early on is essential. Neilsons offer free initial consultations and expert guidance throughout the process, and do not charge for
noting interest or submitting offers.
Remember that selling agents act on behalf of the seller, so their guidance on pricing is not impartial. Having your own solicitor ensures your interests are fully protected - it is one of the key strengths of the Scottish home-buying system.
Next, speak to a whole-of-market mortgage broker. Unlike banks or building societies, which can only recommend their own products, a broker can access a wide range of lenders. This can help you secure a mortgage deal that may save you thousands over the lifetime of your loan. If you do not already have one, Neilsons can recommend someone from their panel of trusted firms.
Then comes the exciting part - viewing the properties. Set your search criteria carefully, balancing budget with the lifestyle you want. A larger property further from the city centre may appear better value, but commuting costs, both financial and social, can quickly offset that benefit. In many cases, a smaller property in a well-connected area can offer a more enjoyable and sustainable lifestyle. It is also important to think long term. Consider how your needs may evolve over the next two, five or even ten years. Whether it’s space for a growing family or proximity to work and amenities, choosing a home that can adapt with you is key. Equally, consider the investment potential of different areas, as some parts of the city are likely to outperform others.
PROPERTY OF THE MONTH
8/2 Chancelot Terrace, Edinburgh EH6 4ST
Offers Over: £250,000
Viewing: By appointment, contact Neilsons 0131 625 2222
EPC Rating: C
Council Tax Band: C
A stunning traditional tenement ideal for First Time Buyers
Beautifully presented first-floor flat in a traditional Trinity tenement, close to the city centre and within strolling distance of Newhaven - recently voted one of the UK’s top places to live. Move-in ready, featuring a bright reception room, modern kitchen/diner, double bedroom, stylish bathroom, gas central heating, double glazing, shared garden, and unrestricted parking.
Neilsons recommend looking at both ends of the tram line for strong value and excellent connectivity. Areas such as Newhaven and Granton offer a diverse mix of properties, from traditional tenements and historic fishermen’s cottages to modern flats and townhouses, and represent particularly good value. Newhaven was recently voted as one of the best places to live in the UK, noting the scenic harbour, community spirit and artistic scene as particular benefits.
Towards the other end of the tram route, South Gyle is an increasingly attractive option, with strong future potential driven by major investment, including the new Edinburgh Park Arena, an 8,500-capacity venue backed by an
£80 million development. The area offers a good mix of modern housing, from flats and small houses to larger family homes. The supply of houses stands out in the wider Edinburgh market, where the city’s housing stock is heavily weighted towards flats.
Around 69% of homes in the city are flats, giving Edinburgh one of the highest proportions of flatted accommodation anywhere in the UK.
For more insights and practical advice, visit the Neilsons website where you can book your free consultation or read the company blog, with further tips to guide you on your property journey.
NEILSONS TOP TIPS
Making the most of your garden when selling your home
Outdoor space has become more important to buyers. Research shows that a nice garden can add as much as 20% to a property’s value, and around 60 to 70% of buyers prioritise homes with access to outdoor space. In Edinburgh where many properties are flats or tenements without private gardens, even a modest, well-kept outdoor area can significantly increase interest and influence the final sale price.
Neilsons encourage sellers to prepare their garden for sale with these tips:
1. Treat the garden as an extension of your home - a bit like an additional
room. Simple steps such as mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, and cleaning patios make a real difference. Add a seating area to help buyers see the space as usable and inviting.
2. Keep the area neat and low-maintenance. Clear weeds, remove any dead plants, and tidy borders. Simple finishes like gravel or bark create a clean look.
3. Show how the space can be used. Smaller gardens can appear spacious when their purpose is clearly defined. Position furniture to suggest areas for dining or relaxing, helping buyers
to visualise how they might enjoy the space themselves.
4. Maximise light and space. Cutting back shrubs, removing clutter, and allowing more natural light into the space will create a brighter, more open environment, something that also works well in marketing photography.
5. Add subtle finishing touches. A few carefully chosen details, such as potted plants or outdoor lighting, can enhance the overall presentation. Aim to create a welcoming atmosphere without overwhelming the space.
Newhaven is recommended for first time buyers
Edwardian opulence on show
By OLIVIA THOMAS
A WARTIME PORTRAYAL of North Queensferry is among the 150 works on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in an exhibition of Edwardian treasures.
The Edwardians: Age of Elegance is on at the King’s Gallery with art and outfits showing the lives of King Edward VII and his wife Queen Alexandra, as well as their son King George V and his wife Queen Mary.
This was, in contrast to today, a period of “great opulence” and change.
The outfits which were worn at King Edward’s coronation are on show and definitely worth close examination. Queen Alexandra’s dress was nothing short of spectacular, designed by Morin Blossier of Paris, and featuring a mauve velvet mantle and a gown laced with thousands of tiny gold spangles.
The Coronation took place in Westminster Abbey where the electric light caught the decorations on the dress making it glitter as Her Majesty walked. The Royal Collection Trust have spent more than 100 hours preparing the dress ahead of it being displayed.
Kathryn Jones, curator of the exhibition, said: “Alexandra’s choice of a shimmering gold fabric would have been incredibly novel; while the dress may have darkened over time, descriptions in contemporary newspapers described the new queen as appearing in an extraordinary blaze of golden light thanks to the new electric lighting.
“It’s the first time the dress has been displayed
outside of London, and is one of many powerful examples of how Edward and Alexandra, followed by George and Mary, held onto tradition but were not afraid to do it in their own way. We hope that visitors to the exhibition will come away with a renewed appreciation for this fascinating period, as Britain stood on the cusp of the 20th century, before the upheaval of World War I.”
The glamour of the era came to a definitive end with the outbreak of World War I. George, as Head of the Armed Forces, recognised the significance of living through a far-reaching war and collected works that recorded and honoured the sacrifices made by so many.
A notable addition to his collection was Air Station, North Queensferry by official war artist Sir John Lavery, an Irishman who had moved to Glasgow at a young age.
A sober portrayal of the Grand Fleet’s military operations at the Firth of Forth, the painting was among George’s military collections – which also included bleak scenes of the Western Front by pioneering female photographer Olive Edis. The decadence of the era was gone, leaving in its place a more restrained and dutiful monarchy.
Tickets for the exhibition are on sale at www. rct.uk with £1 tickets for those who receive Universal Credit and other benefits. Other concessions on the website and standard tickets bought from the Royal Collection Trust can be converted into a year-long pass giving unlimited entry for 12 months.
A PERSONAL GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON AND FILMS AT FILMHOUSE THIS MONTH
By ROD WHITE
THE WORLD OF FILM DISTRIBUTION is always a seasonal affair. The first few months of the year are usually dominated by the Award Season hopefuls (and this year was no exception) but come April and May, we’re very much in a new cycle with the films now not being the ones that have enjoyed being talked about for months.
First up from our May programme, and speaking of awards, Romeriá is very likely to be figuring in the Not In The English Language category conversations later this year. Finally released in cinemas following its Cannes competition slot in 2025, it is the beautifully told, autobiographical tale of director Carla Simón (of Summer 1993 and Alcarrás fame) on her quest to find out more about her long-deceased birth parents, via an extended – and ultimately illuminating – visit to
her father’s family in Vigo, on Spain’s north west coast.
László Nemes set the heather alight back in 2015 with his debut feature, Son of Saul, and whilst his second feature, Sunset (2018), was perhaps a little too perplexing for its own good, the same cannot be said about his latest, Orphan. In the aftermath of the 1956 Hungarian uprising, a teenage boy, Andor, is reunited with his mother. Brought up on – and desperately clinging on to – tales of an idealised, heroic father, he now finds himself confronted with a brutish man who claims to be his real father…
This month is the 50th anniversary of the cinema release of seminal political thriller, All The President’s Men, so it seemed like the perfect excuse to revisit Alan J. Pakula’s terrific, unofficial ‘paranoia’ trilogy (completed by Klute and The Parallax View) from the 1970s. I don’t know about you, but ATPM is one of those films that, when it comes on the telly, I just can’t channel-hop past it and invariably find
myself watching it, with no regret(!), all the way to the end. And I recently watched Klute again for the first time in a very long while. Now there’s a film that stands up spectacularly well across the 55 years since it first graced a cinema screen.
Rod White has been the film programmer for Filmhouse since it reopened in June 2025, and previously from 2004 to 2022.
Romería
All The Presidents Men
Orphan
CAFFEINE CULTURE
Take
Edinburgh has long prided itself on its coffee culture. A short train ride west, though, is quietly producing some of the most rewarding café experiences in Scotland. These are to be found in an often overlooked segment of Glasgow – the old High Street.
A FAVOURITE RETURNS — BIGGER AND BETTER
Stepping out of Queen Street Station, the first thing many visitors need is a good coffee. For those familiar with Glasgow, Spitfire Espresso has long been a reliable answer – just a few minutes from the station on Ingram Street, in an Art Deco building. There was a moment of anxiety on a recent visit when its familiar home appeared to be mid-refit, but Spitfire had simply relocated, a few streets north-east onto the High Street.
On arrival, the move had clearly been more than a sideways step. The new corner site is substantially larger than the old premises. It has an airy, relaxed atmosphere and –on a sunny day – remarkable light. As the manager puts it, “the walls are made of glass.” During a run of bright days shortly after opening, sunshine streamed in and transformed the place entirely. It was then, he said, that he truly felt confident about the move – he was already looking forward to summer.
A SKETCHY FEW WEEKS
The journey to get there had not been straightforward. After a decade at the Ingram Street site, the landlords pushed for a significantly higher rent, apparently calculating that a business would pay almost anything to stay in that location. They calculated wrongly. What followed, in the manager’s own words, was “a sketchy few weeks” while the search for affordable,
By Charlie Ellis CROSSWORD
alternative premises dragged on, and the prospect of closing altogether loomed as a real possibility. It should be noted that Spitfire also has a West End outpost at 387 Great Western Road and a roastery on Osborne Street. In the end, the new High Street site has proved a genuine upgrade.
The coffee remains a major draw. Spitfire’s exclusive Gunnerbean blend – Colombian and Brazilian beans roasted to bring out chocolate and nutty notes – is excellent as an espresso or with milk. The cortado I ordered was punchy but smooth. But what strikes you as much as the coffee is the welcome. Staff greet every customer at the door and usher them in so no one hovers uncertainly near the entrance. “Come on in, guys.” For first-time visitors –that warmth matters.
The seating caters to everyone: a sofa corner for those settling in; group tables, snug spots for pairs and a handful of tables for laptop workers.
The retro 1940s and 50s aesthetic carries across from the original, with the distinctive Spitfire blue prominent throughout, giving the place a coherent identity at a time when specialty coffee shops can blur into one another. Perhaps we have reached peak Scandi-minimalism?
THE HIGH STREET’S HIDDEN GEM
Further up the High Street, closer to the Cathedral, a newer arrival is already making its mark. Rest Coffee has been only been open for a few months, but it would be a shame to walk past without going in. After a blustery visit to the Necropolis, the snug lounge at the back is exactly what you need: calm, cosy, and properly warming. Rest Coffee is a new sister café to the highly regarded West End spot, Level 11 coffee hub.
The coffee, using beans by London based Ozone, rewards attention. A thick, vibrant crema is the first good sign, and the cup
TANNERS KNIFE (anagram) (12)
Cloth materials (8)
Small wave (6)
Approval, agreement (6)
City in South
itself delivered: rich and full of flavour. It is the kind of coffee that suggests real care in sourcing and preparation.
The manager, when I visited, was happily comparing notes on the best spots in both Glasgow and Edinburgh — the conversation of someone genuinely engaged with the craft.
As she noted, good new places are not hard to find in either city (“I think I’ve missed a few new ones”). Rest is certainly among the leading newcomers in Glasgow.
By Aldhelm
1 Male scent (10) 2 Naval vessel (10) 3 Bone frame (8)
Strange, odd (7) 5 Go without food (6) 6 Hobble (4) 8 Topic (5) 13 Tested for a role (10) 14 Lying, deceit (10)
Spitfire Espresso on the High Street in Glasgow
Spitfire Espresso merchandise
The Edinburgh Reporter recommends
Sample fresh city flavours
From rising culinary stars to pizza heaven
By OLIVIA THOMAS
THERE ARE ALWAYS GOOD THINGS to eat and drink in Edinburgh but it is a case of knowing where to look, and we hope to give you some inspiration this month with some new openings and news of rising stars on the capital food scene.
The Cateys have been announced – the most respected hospitality awards in the UK.
The nominations for the awards for the best talent in restaurants around the UK include three from Edinburgh, Nàdair from chef patron couple Alan Keery and Sarah Baldry, Moss in Stockbridge from chef director Henry Dobson and head chef Dylan Pinder, and Barry Fish in Leith from chef patron Barry Bryson. Previous winners of an award include the city’s The Kitchin Restaurant as well as Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles.
Legendary pastry chef, Ross Sneddon, Regional Executive Pastry Chef of Rocco Forte Hotels, The Balmoral Edinburgh and Browns London has also been named as a finalist for Pastry Chef of the Year Award.
Well done to all nominees and we look forward to hearing the results in July.
A (BIG) PIECE OF THE BIG APPLE
A new pizza and pasta bar has opened at Bonnie & Wild in St James Quarter with a slice of New York, featuring sizzling sounds in the kitchen and “the best pizza you will ever taste” on the plate.
Ivan Stein of The Gannet brings Flùr to the restaurant at Bonnie & Wild which is made up of many kitchens, after many weeks of prep
with a charity pop-up at The Palmerston along the way.
The pizza consultant Anthony Falco flew in from New York City to develop the flavours and the recipe.
Flùr is Gaelic for flour, and the idea is that the pizzas will have a real Scottish twist.
Sure, there are the familiar margherita and pepperoni classics, but there is also a nduja and honey pie and one topped with homemade salsiccia sausage. Mouthwatering or what?
Award-winning chef, Ivan, said: “Flùr is inspired by the amazing New York pizzas, but I’ve sourced the ingredients from local suppliers, including Scottish milled flour, so we can really showcase the best of what our country has to offer, which of course fits perfectly with the wider vision at Bonnie & Wild.
“After visiting New York and sampling the amazing food scene, I wanted to bring a flavour of that back to Scotland, and opening Flùr at Bonnie & Wild seemed the perfect way to do it, and it’s been fantastic to have the legendary pizza expert Falco with me on that journey!”
Anthony Falco said the new Flùr pizzas are some of the best he has ever sampled. He said: “Unlike most of my clients, Ivan had his own sourdough culture that he’s been feeding with Scottish rye. Along with our flour blend, a biga*, and 48-hour proof, resulted in some of the best pizza I’ve ever made.”
He added: “I hadn’t made any pizza in Scotland before but the first thing I did when I arrived in Edinburgh was test the water. I think Edinburgh’s tap water is probably some of the
best on the entire planet. Water won’t automatically make your pizza great but it’s a huge factor.”
On changing pizza trends, Anthony said: “When I started as a pizza consultant nine years ago, everyone was really into wood-fired, Neapolitan, and Neapolitan-ish pizza. I’ve noticed that people are really looking to New York for the larger format crispy pizzas and also looking to the new wave of New York pizzerias that focus on fermentation and high quality ingredients.”
Ryan Barrie, Managing Director at Bonnie & Wild, said: “I’m so excited by Flùr, and I think it’s going to be massive. I love the branding, the vision and most of all the food they’re producing. I think visitors to Bonnie & Wild are going to be blown away by the pizza and pasta from Flùr, and it’s another addition to our Scottish marketplace from another brilliant chef at the top of their game.”
*In case you need to know (and to save you googling it) - Biga is a sourdough alternative made a day ahead.
Mutton soup at Moss Restaurant
Flùr pizza at Bonnie & Wild
The best of local produce at Nàdair
Alan and Sarah from Nàdair
Dylan Pinder Head Chef of Moss
Football, The Kinks,
Five
cakes, ghosts, the
Freshwater
and theatre on the small screen, there’s a varied choice in Edinburgh’s theatres this month... or will you opt for theatre in your front room?
‘LESLEY MANVILLE: Audiences Taking photos during curtain calls is insulting…’ - It is headlines like this that makes me despair of some actors. She obviously needs a good PR. If that really is what Manville believes, it sums up all you need to know about the inexplicable entitlement some actors display, who pay no heed to the advice not to bite the hand that feeds.
I can hear many of you disagreeing already, but bear with me, I do get where you’re coming from, but the reality is that the evolution of theatre etiquette is ongoing; back in Shakespeare’s day you could buy oranges to throw at the actors you didn’t like - imagine that now.
The changing attitudes of theatre-goers are driven by many things, not least the influence of venue managements - not that long ago you would have never thought of ordering drinks directly to your seat. Any social contract that may once have existed between audience and performer has long since been ‘rewritten’ and rightly so. Filming walk-downs is all part of that evolution, openly encouraged by many producers - the images might be shonky but
when shared on social media, their promotional value is priceless.
The survival of theatre relies on attracting new and younger audiences. That audience doesn’t come with the deference of their forebears - after all, in their world, anyone can be a star, they just need enough followers or a slot on Britain’s Got Talent.
Ironically, the big change in audience behaviour came when producers courted TV audiences through reality shows such as Any Dream Will Do? These star searches gave a whole new telly audience a sense of ownership of live theatre productions. They engaged them, reinforcing the message that theatre is for everyone. not just a middle-class elite, although with ticket prices as they currently are, the exclusion of some sections of society is still to be fully addressed.
While these ‘search for a star’ shows are clever marketing ploys, they come at a cost - again, ironically, they’re not that new when you consider how many of today’s ‘National Treasures’ were discovered on programmes like Opportunity Knocks and New Faces.
But back to the curtain call. Applause,
Image: Jessica Shurte
Relive the hits of The Kinks in Sunny Afternoon
Dawn Steele in Black Diamonds at the Lyceum
standing ovations - which are given for anything and everything these days - and the filming of walk downs are all part a new social contract between audiences, producers, venues and, by default, the actors they hire. In defence of those who do film curtain calls, I’d offer this, making a digital memory of the walk-down is just like having a selfie with your favourite star, a way of showing appreciation, so take the compliment and be pleased that your performance moved people to want to do that. To think such behaviour is insulting is one thing, to voice it and publicly denigrate people who have sometimes paid inflated prices to help keep you in work is to display some sense of entitlement. Time to get used to it.
Talking of fans, I hear there was almost as much drama off stage as on stage at the Lyceum during the run of the musical, One Day. So great was the demand for Jamie Muscato at the Stage Door post-show that extra security had to be hired to keep control of the dedicated fanbase who turned up night after night to see him.
Staying with the Royal Lyceum, a tale of ‘family, football, and finding your way home’ comes to Grindlay Street this month when Gary McNair’s stage adaptation of Ron Ferguson’s novel Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil (8-23 May) kicks off.
When Sally returns to Cowdenbeath for her father’s funeral, she’s pulled back into the world of ‘The Blue Brazil’ – the trials, triumphs, and unbreakable loyalty of a small-town football club with a big hear
With original music performed live by Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross, Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil is billed as more than a football play, but as a story about ‘belonging, loss, and the songs we carry with us.’
Running time TBC, tickets here https://lyceum. org.uk/events/black-diamonds-and-theblue-brazil
If country music is your thing, the Festival Theatre is the place to head, but be quick. The Ballad of Johnny and June (until 2 May) takes you inside the soaring highs and shattering lows of the lives of June Carter and Johnny Cash. Told through the eyes of their son, John Carter, American musical theatre star Christopher Ryan Grant, who originated
the role of Cash in New York, is joined by Christina Bianco as the legendary couple. Expect to hear the hits I Walk the Line, Ring of Fire and I’ve Been Everywhere.
Running time 2 hours 25 minutes, including interval, tickets here https://www. capitaltheatres.com/shows/the-ballad-ofjohnny-and-june/
Over at The Playhouse this month they have two musicals and a spooky play well worth catching. First up is Sunny Afternoon (5-9 May), the story of iconic Sixties’ rock band The Kinks.
Following two years in London’s West End and a sensational first UK tour, a hybrid cast drawn from both productions hits the road. A story of friendship, fame and rock history, set to a soundtrack of era-defining songs, the true story of The Kinks features hits like You Really Got Me, Lola, and All Day and All of the Night.
Capturing the spirit and swagger of one of the most influential bands of the British Invasion are Danny Horn as Ray Davies, Oliver Hoare as Dave Davies, Harry Curley as Peter Quaife and Zakarie Stokes as Mick Avory.
Running time 2 hours 40 minutes including interval, tickets here https://www.atgtickets. com/shows/sunny-afternoon/edinburghplayhouse/
Something a bit more homely heads to Greenside Place the following week, Waitress (12-16 May), starring Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna and Les Dennis as Old Joe.
Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert piemaker who dreams of some happiness in her life. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness.
Be warned, Waitress contains strong language, themes of domestic abuse and sexual innuendo with discretion advised for parents with children under 13.
Running time 2 hours 40 minutes, including interval, tickets here https://www.atgtickets. com/shows/sunny-afternoon/edinburghplayhouse/
of The Freshwater Five (15-16 May), a richly drawn theatrical investigation into the tragic downfall of five fishermen on the Isle of Wight who were sentenced to a total of 104 years for conspiracy to import £53m worth of cocaine in 2011… ten years later new evidence came to light that cast doubt on the original convictions.
Running time 1 hour 15 mins, tickets here https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/ the-freshwater-five-spring-26
Now, if you fancy a London theatre break, without all the hassle of having to book travel and accommodation, Marquee TV lets you enjoy the best plays and musicals from around the UK. To celebrate adding Othello, starring David Harewood and Toby Jones at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, to their streaming service, Marquee TV are offering readers of MustSeeTheatre.com a promo code to save 30% on an annual subscription to the channel. If that works for you, visit https://mustseetheatre.com/ watch-othello-starring-toby-jones-onmarquee-tv-from-1-may-promo-code/
From an old favourite to a new favourite, 2:22 A Ghost Story (25-30 May). Starring EastEnders’ James Bye, Natalie Casey, Grant Kilburn and Shvorne Marks, this supernatural thriller, written by Danny Robins the creator of the BBC’s Uncanny, is the story of Jenny, who believes her new home is haunted, and her husband Sam, who isn’t having any of it. When old friend Lauren and her new partner Ben come for dinner, belief and scepticism clash… but something frightening is getting closer as the clock ticks ever nearer to 2:22.
Gary Lucy fans should note that ‘due to circumstances beyond his control’ he is no longer joining the 2026 leg of the 2:22 A Ghost Story UK leg of the tour as Ben.
Running time 2 hours including interval, tickets here https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/222-a-ghost-story/edinburgh-playhouse/
Never one of my favourite of Shakespeare’s tragedies, this production of Othello is something very special - Toby Jones, unlike any Iago you have seen before, is mesmerising.
You can read my review of the Othello here https://mustseetheatre.com/davidharewood-toby-jones-excel-as-exhilaratingothello-transfers-to-small-screen-review/
Finally, huge congratulations to Allan Stewart who won the Stanley Baxter Award For Best Dame at this year’s Pantomime Awards, a great way to mark 50 years in pantoland, the majority of which has been at the King’s Theatre. Well deserved, Allan.
Read more about the awards here https:// mustseetheatre.com/pantomime-awards2026-honour-winners-allan-stewart-lesleyjoseph-brian-conley/
David Benson in My Life With Kenneth Williams
The Freshwater Five sail into Traverse 1
Rachel gears up for Montreal GP
EDINBURGH MOTOR RACING PROSPECT, Rachel Robertson, 18, continues to dazzle in her first full season in F1 Academy races.
The series, which runs in support of the main Formula One programme on the same tracks over the same weekends, saw Rachel finish tenth out of 18 competitors in her opening race in Shanghai last month.
Alas, she didn’t finish her second race, remarking on social media “made a rookie error in race two but it is all part of the learning.”
Rachel’s dad Colin, a former Trinity Accies and Heriot’s rugby player, told The Edinburgh Reporter: “Considering Rachel has a lot less
experience than most of her rivals it was a decent start especially as she proved she has the pace to be competitive in PUMA car operated by Hitech .
“After the scheduled race in Jeddah was cancelled due to the Middle East conflict, it is on now to Montreal (22-24 May) and then Silverstone (July 3-5) when family and friends will be there to lend support.”
Rachel has also been grabbing headlines off the track, notably featuring on the front page of The Times with a photograph captioned “meet the latest British prodigy shaking up the world of F1.”
Edinburgh gymnast in GB development squad
Edinburgh teenager Olivia Murphy has been selected for Great Britain Gymnastics development squad – the only Scot in a group of around 30. A member of the Meadowbank club, Olivia, 13, has been travelling to Lytham St Annes for training under the supervision of her coach, Amy Heron.
Olivia’s grandad, Martin Murphy, said: “Olivia specialises in bar, horse, floor and beam exercises.”
The Meadowbank club are equally delighted with Olivia’s progress and
posted on social media about her “strong and consistent” performances at Scottish and British Championships earlier this year.
The post adds: ”This opportunity is something incredibly special and a true reflection of the dedication and hard work Olivia puts in. Dreams really do come true. Big appreciation to the performance team at @scotgymstagram for their guidance and support.
“Shout out to all the coaches at Meadowbank Gymnastics Club.”
Endurance ace Iain has unfinished business to sort with
Endurance athlete Iain Veitch is preparing to tick the one box that has eluded him in a glittering triathlon career.
Fresh from winning the famed Saharaman event in Algeria at the start of this year, the 44-year-old, from Peebles, has now set his sights on the CELTMAN! Extreme Scottish Triathlon. An event regularly referred to as “brutal”, featuring a 4km swim in jellyfish infested Loch Shieldag, a 42km mountain run over two Munros and a 200km cycle around the Torridon region including the N500.
“If I had managed to win instead of finishing runner-up last year and third in 2024 I don’t think I’d have entered CELTMAN! said Iain when hinting at unfinished business.
“A few weeks before the previous race I slipped and broke a vertebra in my back while training. So, considering that background, I’m keen to see how I perform having produced a good
performance overall to finish second last year (in 11:13:49).
“Considering much of my training had been done in winter, wearing a head torch and battling icy temperatures, I am chuffed at going out and winning in North African heat.” Iain
“It is safe to say it is a major box to be ticked in and I want to try and win before I get any older having sworn I wouldn’t go back!”
By way of a warm up for the 13 June event, Iain will travel to Snowdonia to contest THE ROC WALES which, by comparison with CELTMAN!, is “only” a 1.5km sea swim, a 100 km cycle and a run up and down Snowdon.
Iain has won the event twice including with a course record and was runner up in 2025.
Meanwhile, reflecting on his Saharaman achievement, Iain said: “I was genuinely taken aback by the reaction which included a man coming up to me in the street and saying ‘thanks for putting Peebles on the map!’
Olivia Murphy selected for squad
Rachel Robertson shaking up F1
Veitch is ready to take on his next triathlon
Council to support the 2026 East Open tennis tournament
EAST OF SCOTLAND TENNIS has received funding support from The City of Edinburgh Council for the 2026 East Open.
The district’s flagship tennis and padel event is being held at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre (seniors on 21-24 May, juniors on16-19 May) with the padel being hosted at Edinburgh Park.
The tournament is also part of the Tennis Scotland Tour and will bring together competitors from across the district, as well as players from throughout
Scotland and the wider UK, reinforcing its status as one of the leading events in the Tennis Scotland calendar.
The East Open continues to grow in stature each year, with over 400 competitors and the event dates back to the 1920s, attracting a diverse field of entries ranging from emerging local talent to experienced national players. Padel was recently added to the programme to showcase growth and recognise the need for local competition for padel players also.
The Council’s backing reflects a wider
Harold chips in to help cystic fibrosis charity
A LIBERTON GOLFER is hoping to raise up to £5,000 for the cystic fibrosis charity on his home course after his first grandchild was born with the condition.
The event is open to all and Harold Feather is recruiting teams of four players at £30 per head for an event on 26 June.
Also attending will be his grandchild, Harry who has just celebrated his 1st birthday.
Harold said:”Following the routine newborn tests, Harry was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis a few weeks later.
“This came as a massive shock to all of us, especially as we had no understanding of the condition and what this actually meant.”
Inspired to do something that could help
both Harry and other families affected by cystic fibrosis, Harold decided to organise and host a charity golf day in aid of the trust.
“I have three reasons for organising the golf day: to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis; to raise as much money as possible for Cystic Fibrosis Trust who, as I’ve found out over the last few months, do an awful lot to help all cystic fibrosis families cope with the challenges and my final objective is to have fun,” said Harold.
And Harold isn’t the only family member who has taken to fundraising for lifechanging research. Harry’s aunt Katie took part in the TCS London Marathon on 26 April.
For information about taking part in the golf day see: events@cysticfibrosis.org.uk
commitment to promoting active lifestyle and supporting community sport at all levels.
By investing in events like the East Open, the City of Edinburgh Council aims to create more opportunities for participation, inspire future players, and strengthen the city’s sporting profile.
Culture and Communities Convener
Margaret Graham said “Sport and physical activity play a vital role in improving health and wellbeing, while also bringing communities together.”
Viki Mendelssohn, Chair of East of Scotland Tennis, added: “We have also added a tennis club event to this year’s programme which will be hosted at the Meadows.
“Tennis in Edinburgh is booming, with over 3,500 people now taking part in our VMH Solicitors East of Scotland Leagues alone. That level of engagement shows just how strong and inclusive the tennis community has become. The funding plays a vital role in helping us deliver an event of scale and quality for all participants.”
Doubles title for East stalwart
doubles title along with Cameron Fryer at Scotstoun, Glasgow.
The pair lived dangerously, relying on third set champions tie-breaks to come through quarter final and semi-final ties.
The final, against Nemanja Malesevic and Nicolas Rosenweig, was a 6-4, 6-3 win for McIntosh, playing out of Whitecraigs, and Fryer who represents St Serfs in Edinburgh as well as Thorn Park (Glasgow).
The ladies title was won by GB
Postal Bowling Club opened for the 2026 season with Irene Clark delivering the first jack.
President Colin Forfar welcomed members and guests and this was followed by a game between a President’s and Vice President’s team.
EAST OF SCOTLAND tennis stalwart Euan McIntosh captured the £10,000 Tennis Scotland indoor men’s
pair Leah Bush and Teodora Prisadnikova.
Harold is hosting the charity event
Irene Clark throws the first jack
Image: Ian Jacobs
Net gains for the East Open
Rocky rolls up
By JOHN HISLOP
ROCKY BUSHIRI is heading to the World Cup and could face superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, or potentially Hearts striker Claudio Braga in the opening game.
The Hibs defender was an unused substitute in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 1-0 international play-off win over Jamaica in the continental playoff final in Guadalajara, Mexico last month.
That victory secured their place in the World Cup finals after a 52-year absence since its only previous appearance.
On that occasion, the team known as Zaire opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Scotland in Dortmund.
They then lost 9-0 to Yugoslavia and 3-0 to Brazil.
The authorities declared a last-minute public holiday to mark the latest qualification.
And as part of the celebrations President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi received the national team delegation at the People’s Palace, while the crowds took to the streets of the capital, Kinshasa, to welcome the heroes, as the open-top bus toured the city streets.
Bushiri was born in DR Congo but his family moved to Belgium soon after.
He played for Belgian U19 and U21 teams before switching his international allegiance to DR Congo in March 2023, making his full international debut for them later that year.
He signed his first professional contract with Oostende in June 2017 becoming the youngestever debutant for Oostende in December.
Bushiri joined Norwich City in 2019 on a four-year deal and had loan spells with Blackpool and Belgian sides Sint-Truiden, KV
Mechelen and KAS Eupen.
He originally joined Hibs in January 2022 and has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the Club, and solidified himself as a fans’ favourite.
His last-minute goal against Aberdeen last season was widely credited as being the moments that kick started Hibs season where they rose from the foot of the table to finish third.
Speaking to the media, Rocky discussed the historic achievement and his own personal feelings regarding a “dream come true” qualification for this Summer’s tournament in North America.
“(World Cup qualification) was the target for DR Congo. And I’m very grateful to be part of the group that has achieved going to the World Cup after 52 years. It is a dream come true.
“As a young footballer, when you start playing football, that is the ultimate dream. I hope to be part of the squad, I’m very grateful.
“It was amazing. One of the best feelings I’ve ever felt. It’s a project we started two or three years ago when the new manager (Sébastien Desabre) came in. He put the processes in place. One of the targets was going to AFCON, we did that and reached the semi-final. And now we have qualified for the World Cup.
“It’s our hard work and sacrifices behind it, while performing for your club otherwise you will not be a part of it. It’s a very good feeling.
“Playing as a senior international player is something extra in your career. You create memories and you have experiences you will be able to talk about later when you retire. It is something different you can’t explain.
“You meet boys from everywhere, playing in different countries, but you all come together for a short period of time to defend your
country. You always go back, you stay connected. It keeps you connected to Africa, as you are here in Europe.
“Football is played in a different way, so every one brings a different experience from their own league to create something. That’s the beauty of it.”
Hibs head coach David Gray was delighted for the 26-year-old, despite him missing the game against Kilmarnock due to a late return from the celebrations.
He told Hibs TV: “We’re obviously delighted for Rocky, qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, which is brilliant news.
“It is a really special moment for Rocky. I think any young player dreams of playing at a World Cup. It’s something everyone aspires to.
“For these players, they’ve now got the opportunity to do it, which is brilliant. He fully deserves it for his performances, and I wish him all the best when he goes.”
DR Congo have been drawn in Group K and will face Portugal in Houston on 17th June in their opening fixture before games against Colombia in Estadio Akron near Guadalajara on 23 June and Uzbekistan four days later in the MercedesBenz Stadium in Atlanta.
And if the thought of facing Ronaldo wasn’t enough, the president also announced that each player on the national team would be given a house and a car, in recognition of the historic achievement.
Leonard integrating with the squad at Tynecastle
By NIGEL DUNCAN
MARC LEONARD is no stranger to Tynecastle having spent time in Hearts’ Academy. Since leaving Edinburgh, he has undergone two loan spells at Northampton Town, logging over 90 games, before rejoining the Jambos in January this year from Championship contenders, Birmingham City.
And the 24-year-old Glaswegian, who has made more than 160 competitive outings down south, said he has had no problems integrating with the current squad.
Leonard knew several players in the squad, having been on the field against them and he got to know of Cammy Devlin through former Hearts defender, Alex Cochrane, who plays for City.
The talented player said: “Everyone has been so good (at Hearts) and, as soon as I came in,
I got that feeling. The boys have really helped with that.”
Fans have also warmed to the player who has stepped in to provide cover, with injuries to several key players in midfield including Tomas Magnusson, Oisin McEntee, Beni Baningime and Cammy Devlin and he is excited to be involved in the race for the William Hill Premiership title.
The Scotland under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-21 cap has not been surprised at the standard north of the Border and admitted to watching the Men in Maroon on television before he made the move.
After speaking to Derek McInnes, Hearts’ head coach, Leonard felt that he would fit in if he could play to his ability.
He admitted that there are a lot of good players at Tynecastle and it is a big squad, but knowing the club from his Academy days made the decision to move easier.
He added: “It just felt right. You get that feeling, that excitement, you speak to family about it.
“I knew that coming here, to a team top of the league, that game time was not going to be a given and I am really grateful. The manager has obviously put a lot of trust in me and I am just happy.”
The midfielder has two years left on his contract at Birmingham and he said: “Hearts are a club I hold very close to my heart, my family have good ties with the club, they come to every game, but I am tied to a contract with Birmingham.”
He has enjoyed his time in Britain’s so-called second city but has no idea where his future lies.
Leonard conceded: “I am happy where I am, I have loved every minute and we have had a good season so far.
“We have put in a lot of strong performances. We know how to win games, but every games comes with its challenges.”
Image: Alan Rennie
World Cup call up for Rocky Bushiri
Marc Leonard happy at Hearts
Image: Ian Jacobs
Aidan’s hopes dashed
By NIGEL DUNCAN
Aidan Denholm left Hearts to journey along the M8 to join former team-mate, Macaulay Tait, at The Home of the Set Fare Arena in Livingston. He was full of hope that the move would boost his career.
How wrong could he be. The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury minutes into his debut for the West Lothian club in the League Cup. It was, sadly, a similar injury to one he suffered playing on loan at Ross County. Surgery followed.
Months of re-hab have tested the 22-year-old’s mental resolve. For example, he was bed-bound and in a leg brace for eight long weeks. The young footballer could not straighten his leg.
The injury has also tested his
family and Denholm (pictured by Nigel Duncan) admitted that it has been a long, hard grind to get back to match fitness.
He praised the Livingston club for their support as he battled back to full fitness but the ambitious player declared: “It is not easy having two surgeries at the age of 22.”
Prior to the double blow Denholm had not suffered any injuries but he added: “The surgery is the hardest part. You can’t do anything, you are bed-bound.”
West Lothian-born Denholm is now keeping his fingers crossed that the injury jinx does not strike again. He conceded that this season has been frustrating and watching his colleagues struggle without being able to assist has not been easy.
