At St George’s school, we get your daughter. Really get her. We see her spark, fuel her fire then back her all the way.
• Intimate class sizes
• Full and flexible curriculum
• Nursery to Sixth Form
• Empowering all girl experience
OPEN DAYS 4 & 7 OCTOBER
Balgreen Library: 529 5585
City of Edinburgh Council: 200 2000
Murrayfield Medical Practice: 337 6151
Riversdale Crescent
Murrayfield Medical Centre: 337 2166
Saughton Crescent
Royal Infirmary: 536 1000
Western General: 537 1000
Sick Kids Hospital: 536 0000
NHS 24: 111
Police - Non Emergency: 101
Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
Edinburgh Airport: 08444 888 333
National Rail Enquiries: 03457 48 49 50
Gas - Emergency: 0800 111 999
Scottish Water (24hr): 0800 0778 778
19th SEPTEMBER
Corstorphine
Grapevine
Oct/Nov
2025 Edition
20th OCTOBER
Murrayfield Grapevine
Nov/Dec/Jan
2025/26 Edition
(see website for full details)
Whilst every care is taken in preparing this booklet to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot be held responsible for loss, damage or omission caused by an error in an advert. Artwork is accepted from advertisers on the condition that it is legal and copyright free and that the advert is fair and accurate. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of claims made by advertisers or the views expressed by contributors, nor do the publishers necessarily share such views. We reserve the right to refuse articles and advertisements. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
Welcome to the Sept/Oct edition of your local business directory, the Murrayfield Grapevine.
Well the summer is over and the schools are back, but what wonderful weather we have enjoyed. Especially great for everyone attending events at the Festival, it seems to have been busier than ever this year.
As we move towards the autumn please remember that the clocks go back one hour on Sunday 26th October.
I am delighted to continue to offer a service to many local companies and also local groups and charities. Please contact me on the email below if you would like something to be included.
Over the last few months we have been updating you on the progress with the tunnel at Balgreen. Please see page 46 for the latest update. Donations are still required to compete it so please help if you can.
Believe it or not the the next edition will cover the months of November/ December and January so if you would like to advertise anything for the Christmas period or maybe your new year sales then this is a great edition for you to be part of. Just contact me at the number below, or email. This edition will be distributed in the first week of November.
Until then please take care, and keep well.
Best Wishes, Jill
APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday
BOOK ONLINE Also Find me on Facebook & Instagram: @yawara.massagetherapy
Alba Lifestyle Unit 1, West Gorgie Parks, EH14 1UT yawara.massagetherapy@gmail.com
The Murrayfield Grapevine is printed by Cowan Print Tel : 01236 821177
Back or neck pain
Joint, ligament or tendon sprains
Muscle tears or strains
Work-related arm pain (RSI)
Frozen shoulder
Tennis or Golfer’s elbow
Arthritis or generalised joint pains
Headaches
Stiffness following fracture or injury
1:1 & 1:2 pilates sessions NOW AVAILABLE
Forth Physio clinics offer high quality physiotherapy & healthcare services in Edinburgh city. We have experienced Chartered Physiotherapists specialising in musculoskeletal problems, neurological disorders and Care of the Elderly as well as Women’s health and occupational health.
Our two clinics are convenient for residents in the west of Edinburgh. Our headquarters are in the historic South Queensferry and our satellite clinic is in South Gyle which also has parking, disabled parking and is close to buses, the tram and an easy walk from the Gyle shopping centre. We are available for face-to-face and virtual appointments.
We provide a wide range of services for individuals, business & not for profits organisations:
- BUSINESS ACCOUNTS
- PERSONAL TAX RETURNS
- CORPORATION TAX
- VAT RETURNS & PAYROLL
- CHARITY SPECIALIST and more Contact Sarah Hollis or Suzanne Graham to arrange a free initial meeting and obtain a competitive fixed price quote.
3 Melville Crescent, EH3 7HW 0131 225 2821 emailus@hollisaccounting.co.uk 8
How to play: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9, with no repetition! You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic - there is no maths involved and no adding up.
Solutions on Page 64
There’s no better time to enjoy watercress than when it’s fresh from British farms, available from most major supermarkets until early November. Eat yourself healthy with this zesty Thai salad, on the table in under 30 minutes.
Makes 1 portion
Preparation time 5 minutes
Cooking time 20 minutes
Ingredients
• 1 Thai salmon fillet, store bought
• 125g quinoa
• 85g watercress, roughly chopped
• 1 spring onion, trimmed and chopped
• Handful of sesame seeds
• Handful of toasted peanuts, roughly chopped or crushed
• 1 Yuzu or lemon, cut into wedges
Method
1. Cook the salmon and quinoa as per the instructions on the packet.
2. Once the quinoa is cooked, toss it together with the watercress and spring onion.
3. Serve in a bowl with the salad mixture on the bottom, salmon fillet on top and sprinkle with sesame seeds and toasted peanuts. Serve with citrus wedges for squeezing over.
If you or someone you know is elderly, living alone, and could benefit from live-in companionship and practical support, Homeshare could be the perfect solution. Home is
Homeshare Scotland connects older homeowners in need of support with carefully vetted live-in sharers who provide help, companionship, and a reassuring overnight presence. In return, sharers enjoy affordable accommodation and the chance to build a meaningful connection; a mutually beneficial living arrangement.
Benefits of Homeshare :
Live safely in your own home
Get help with household tasks
Reassuring overnight presence
New company & friendship
Peace of mind for your family
Help a younger person
Bring life back into your home
Low cost of £120 per month
We understand sharing your home is a big step - we’re here to support, with no obligation to commit
You choose your match
We present you with applicants and you can select and meet the people you likeyou’re in control
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Before agreements are made we interview and carry out disclosure, reference & credit checks
Low cost live in support
No fee till you choose your match then a subscription of only £120 per month from move in date
Your spine is the backbone of your entire body – literally and figuratively. That means poor spinal health may negatively impact you from head to toe. How can you keep your spine in shape?
Some common exercises help promote spinal health in the form of proper posture while others promote poor posture and put the spine at risk. A strong core supports the spine, whereas a weak core can lead to pain and injury. To build the core, think bent-leg knee raises, stability ball exercises and other exercises that strengthen the core muscles (remembering to keep your spine protected at all times by avoiding rounding the back / neck). On the other hand, avoid exercises / movements that unduly stress the spine: slumping while sitting and bending forward immediately after sitting come to mind, as do exercises that make you prone to rounding your back (traditional sit-ups, toe-touches, etc.).
Please seek exercise advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Your sleep position and the overall quality of your sleep play a big role in spinal health. The ideal position for the spine during sleep places you on your back with a pillow underneath the knees. As you might imagine, lying on your stomach is the worst position. Your pillow and mattress also matter, so make sure you choose the right ones for you, or your spine will let you know with neck and/or back pain. (Talk to your healthcare professional for suggestions.)
Believe it or not, certain foods promote a healthy spine (and vice versa). For example, adequate water intake is necessary to nourish not only the body’s cells, but also the spinal intervertebral discs. As you might imagine, water helps keep the discs (and thus the spine) from getting stiff and becoming subject to injury. In addition, an antiinflammatory diet is key to preventing back pain and other spine problems due to inflammation. Think foods such as omega-3 fish and lean proteins, fresh produce, avocado and olive oil while reducing intake of pro-inflammatory foods (most fast foods and processed foods, sugar-laden sweets, etc.).
No conversation about spinal health would be complete without mentioning chiropractic, an entire health care profession founded on the principle that a healthy, properly aligned spine may have far-reaching effects on the entire body. Research asserts chiropractic’s effectiveness in treating back pain, neck pain and various other musculoskeletal conditions, and the goal of chiropractic care is to improve spinal health and help prevent pain from returning.
Ross McDonald & Rebecca Vickery Registered Chiropractors
The Caley is holding its annual Apple Day on Sunday, 5 October, 10am - 4pm at Saughton Park . th The event is free and open to all - come along to see the apple display, get some identification tips and have a taste test of some less well known varieties. Find out more at www.thecaley.org.uk /events/
Follow us on social media: @thecaley
Autumn is on the way! The nights are getting darker, leaves on trees are changing colour, Halloween is right around the corner, and so is Bonfire Night. Fireworks can bring a lot of stress for our pets, here are some of our top tips for keeping them safe and comfortable during this time:
Safe Space
Make a cosy den for your pet with their favourite blankets, toys, treats, and water. Keep curtains and windows shut.
Comfort Them
If your pet seeks comfort when fireworks are being set off, give them a cuddle!
Walk Before Dark
Take dogs for walks before it gets dark and fireworks are likely to be set off. Keep them on lead to ensure they can’t run off.
Background Noise
Use the TV or radio for background noise to drown out the sound of fireworks.
Keep Animals Indoors
Keep cats and hutch animals (i.e. rabbits) indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off.
Pheromone & Calming Sprays
Use calming pheromone plugins and sprays on blankets to help beat anxiety.
As your only local, independent, family-owned funeral director we feel it is important that you are aware of exactly what a Direct Cremation entails.
A stand alone Direct Cremation, as you might see advertised on TV has no service for family or friends at all.
It is quite simply a removal of your loved one, followed by the return of the cremated remains some weeks later.
It is often the case that your loved one is transported to a central cremation hub far from their home.
We do offer Direct Cremation, but unlike many of the offers advertised on TV, we will look after your loved one locally and continue to offer the additional services you have come to expect from us.
Feel free to come in for a chat about the wide range of options we offer.
For more information on Direct Cremation, scan the QR code.
Practice
With
Dr
Associate
Specialising
Colette
Come along to join in with lots of friendly chat, meet new people and enjoy refreshments.
Held every Friday 10am - 12pm at Saughtonhall United Reformed Church 87 Saughtonhall Drive, EH12 5TR. For further information contact: 07881 288909
Admission £3 per person
social connections with peers Contact: Fiona by email development@ccchub.online or call her on 0778 086 2825 to register your place
Murrayfield Community Council (“MCC”) held an Ordinary Meeting on 24 June 2025.
(There have been no meetings in July and August.)
Please see the MCC website for the full Minutes of meetings.
Scottish Water upgrading of Combined Sewer Outflow on A8
The general feeling is that so far the works which Scottish Water are carrying out on the A8 are not proving as troublesome as expected. The lane on the north side of the A8 will remain closed for the duration of the works. Scottish Water aim to complete the works just before the autumn test against New Zealand in November.
Roseburn Path Tram Route Consultation
The Trams - Granton to the Edinburgh BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Beyond consultation started on Monday 25 August 2025 and will run for 12 weeks, finishing on Monday 17 November 2025. It is hosted on the Council’s Consultation Hub at : https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/.
Concerts at Scottish Gas Murrayfield
There has been mixed reaction to the Oasis concerts which were held at Scottish Gas Murrayfield (“SGM”) on 8, 9 and 12 August. (This article went to press before the AC/DC concert on 21 August.) Scottish Rugby held the usual residents’ meeting on 29 July and publicised the arrangements for the concerts with more information on buses and toilets than usual. Local businesses have complained about the disruption and loss of business
Future meetings :
Tuesday, 2 September & 14 October, 2025 at 7:30 pm in Murrayfield Parish Church Centre; 2 December 2025 on Zoom.
Please email secretary@murrayfieldcc.org.uk if you would like a Zoom invitation.
Please visit MCC’s website www.murrayfieldcc.org.uk to sign up for MCC’s monthly newsletter, take part in a survey, raise issues and see the full Minutes of meetings.
Helps the people of the area to have their say on any matter affecting their lives, their welfare, their environment, its development and amenity.
caused by holding two of the concerts on a weekday and they and local residents have also complained about the anti-social behaviour of some fans.
The meeting discussed the news that CEC has granted Scottish Rugby permission, via the liquor licence for SGM, to host up to 12 events per year in addition to the usual rugby matches. MCC’s Licensing Convenor said that he had asked Cllr Jo Mowat to look into this, as he feared he had been misled by the information which he had been given by CEC to the effect that the variation to the licence related only to decibel levels. Cllr Beal undertook to investigate too.
Works to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists in the tunnel beneath the Roseburn Path are due in the 2025/26 CEC budget year. The works include speed humps and more signs. Local campaigners and MCC objected to a proposal to close the tunnel to through traffic.
Ellersly/Kinellan/Murrayfield Roads/
Campbell Avenue road safety
The group of local residents pursuing road safety measures in Ellersly and Kinellan Roads has made some progress. Plans are further advanced for Ellersly Road than Kinellan Road.
Campbell Avenue and Murrayfield Road were monitored by CEC in June 2025 to test the effect of the “soft” speed reduction measures introduced after 2019 data showed average speeds well above 20 mph in the 20 mph zone. The results of the monitoring are awaited.
Planning
MCC anticipates much local interest in, and anxiety about, the sale by St George’s School of Lansdowne House, 11-15 Coltbridge Terrace, and its subsequent redevelopment.
If you’re thinking about moving, talk to a legal team that knows the areaand what matters most to you.
We’re based nearby in Corstorphine, and we understand the local market, the community, and how to make the process run smoothly.
l Free Initial Property Valuations
l Fixed Estate Agency Fees
l Friendly, Straightforward Advice
Whether you’re selling your home or buying your next one, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Call us for a free valuation: 0131 316 4666 dmdlaw.co.uk
McEwanFraserisdelightedtopresentthissuperbbespokefour-bedroomdetachedhouse, offering 250m² oflivingspace,tothemarket.Thepropertyhasanenviablepositionon CammoRoadadjacenttotheCammoEstateNatureReserveandtheRiverAlmond,offering asereneandprivatesetting. Thepropertyalsobenefitsfromadetacheddoublegarage,gas central heating, and double glazing
Cleland Roofing Solutions Ltd started up at an office right next to Turnhouse Golf Club, and have recently opened a larger site in Gorebridge. In the near future we will be opening a new office in the borders as the company expands. We have 8 vans with 8 squads, working and covering all of Scotland. All of our teams carry out all types of roofing works and roughcasting which include:
SLATING AND TILING
BUILT UP FELT SYTEMS
GUTTER REPAIR AND RENEWAL
VELUX SUPPLIED AND FITTED
ALL LEAD WORKS
RENDER AND HARLING
MEWP WORKS
ROPE WORKS
All the tradesmen are City and Guilds qualified. We have IPAF and PASMA certificates.
Murrayfield Medical Centre:
Tel: 0131 337 2166
Saughton Crescent Mon - Friday 8am-6pm
Closed for staff training
every Tuesday & Thursday
between 12.15-1.15 pm
Closed for Bank Holiday Monday 15 September.
www.mmc.org.uk
Murrayfield Medical Practice:
Tel: 0131 337 6151
Riversdale Crescent
Mon - Friday 8am-6pm
Closed*: every day, Mon-Fri 12.30-1.30 for staff training
Closed for Bank Holiday Monday 15 September.
www.murrayfieldmedicalpractice.scot.nhs.uk
* Dates correct at time of printing
Patients are advised if they need medical assistance during practice closures, they should call NHS 24 on 111 or visit www.nhsinform.scot where you can find lots of helpful information and details of the NHS 24 Online app.
Alternatively in a medical emergency do not hesitate to call 999.
Please remember to ensure that you have organised your repeat prescriptions to cover holiday periods.
School Holidays
Local Schools
Monday 15th
Erskine Stewarts’s Melville
Monday 15th
School Holidays
Local Schools
Monday 13th - Monday 20th (incl.)
Teacher In-Service Day Monday 20th
School pupils resume Tuesday 21st
Edinburgh Academy
Monday 13th - Monday 27th (incl.)
Teacher In-Service Day Monday 27th
School pupils resume Tuesday 28th
Erskine Stewart’s Melville
Monday 13th - Friday 24th (incl.) (resume Monday 27th October)
St George’s
Monday 13th - Monday 27th (incl.)
Teacher In-Service Day Monday 27th
School pupils resume Tuesday 28th
British Summertime ends (clocks back 1 hour)
Sunday 26th
Remembrance Day
Tuesday 11th
Children in Need Friday 14th
St Andrew’s Day Sunday 30th
by John Barrett - former local Member of Parliament and Councillor
ne issue which will affect many Murrayfield and Roseburn residents in the years to come is the proposal to extend the city’s tram route from Granton to the city centre and then on to the New Royal Infirmary south of Edinburgh, which will provide a much-needed improved public transport link to the hospital.
The council is launching a 12-week public consultation on the two alternative tram route proposals on August 25 and this will run until November through the Council’s Consultation Hub on their website. consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk
There are many other ways of expressing your concerns, via community and pressure groups or contacting elected representatives. From previous experience over many years, I know the Council ‘consultation’ is sometimes seen as a box ticking exercise, when they go through the process but then their decisions do not reflect the genuine concerns of the public. The consultation period is to help them decide the controversial issue of which route the new line should follow, either using the former railway, now the walking and cycle route, the Roseburn Path, or following a new route via Orchard Brae. The last published proposals for the Roseburn route included a footpath alongside the tram track, while segregated cycling would be provided on Queensferry Road and Orchard Brae, but officials were then asked to look at making it a walking and cycling path alongside the tramline. Alternatively, the trams would have to cross over Dean Bridge, which is seen as a major engineering challenge, which would no doubt add significant costs to the project.
The Roseburn Path is an old railway line which closed 60 years ago. Many old routes, were tarmacked for cyclists and were designated for public transport use in the future.
Tram line construction is very disruptive, as was witnessed for years around Haymarket and throughout the city centre, when many utilities had to be diverted and roads were closed for months and in some cases years.
The alternative to Roseburn Path is building a new line across the Dean Bridge and down Orchard Brae. The original tram line from the airport to York Place took approximately 7 years to build.
Hopefully, lessons will have been learned from the past and any new line build should be kept to a budget and built much more quickly, as happens in other countries.
John Barrett
Wish you didn’t keep putting off tasks until another day? These highly recommended books will help you beat procrastination.
Indistractable by Nir Eyal
Perfect for professionals, students and anyone battling digital distractions, this book teaches readers how to reclaim focus in an age of constant interruptions. Nir Eyal combines science with actionable advice to help readers identify internal triggers, develop better habits and create distraction-free environments. It’s an empowering guide for anyone who feels overwhelmed.
Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy
Successful people don’t try to do everything. They learn to focus on the most important tasks and make sure they get done. Tracy offers 21 practical steps to avoid procrastination and improve time management. Although this was published in 2013, when digital distractions were far fewer than they are now, the principles still apply, and the book is a concise and motivational read for anyone who finds themselves delaying meaningful work.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
World-renowned habits expert James Clear knows that real change comes from the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions: doing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes earlier or holding a single short phone call. This book is for anyone who wants to make small, sustainable changes that lead to big results. James Clear breaks down the science of habit formation with simple strategies for building good habits and breaking bad ones.
Just One Thing by Dr Michael Mosley
While not directly related to productivity, this book by the late health presenter and writer Michael Mosley explores how various simple activities performed throughout the day can positively impact your health and well-being. It’s an easy book to dip in and out of, and if you are feeling physically and mentally at your best, you are much more likely to be a high achiever in your daily work or study life.
Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
This is a compelling exploration of why our ability to concentrate is declining and what we can do about it. Drawing on extensive interviews with scientists and experts, Hari identifies 12 causes of our diminishing attention, including the rise of social media, constant digital stimulation, poor sleep, stress, environmental toxins, and even the consumption of processed food. This book is ideal for anyone who feels overwhelmed, scatterbrained, or burned out in the digital age.
The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
The authors explain the power of focusing on just one thing that truly matters, rather than juggling a million tasks. The writing is straightforward and easy to follow, with lots of real-life examples. It’s not just theory; it gives you steps you can actually use. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, this book is a game-changer.
Spectacular views across Edinburgh - including Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh Castle and beyond - are provided by the latest phase of apartments now available at the multi-award-winning Rowanbank Gardens in Corstorphine, Edinburgh.
The spacious two and three-bedroomed apartments provide the highest standard of living both inside and out. Airy, sun-drenched open plan living spaces make the most of natural daylight which is maximised by the full-length picture windows providing the breathtaking views across the city
All the new homes include oak hardwood floors and carpets throughout as standard – together with contemporary bathrooms and fully fitted kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances and worktops supplied by Kitchens International.
There are 11 luxury apartments currently available at Rowanbank Gardens priced from £330,000 –all ready to move into. Developed by boutique developer, Artisan Real Estate, the development has been recognised as setting new industry standards for sustainable, low-carbon living, challenging many of the norms associated with the building of traditional apartment buildings in city centre areas.
“This latest phase of apartments showcases perfectly the high-quality internal living spaces enjoyed by both the two and three-bedroomed apartments - together with wonderful views across the city,” explains Christie Turner, Regional Sales Manager for Artisan Real Estate.
“With a prominent location at the heart of the bustling Edinburgh suburb of Corstorphine,
To
Rowanbank Gardens is proving to be a popular destination for first-time buyers and downsizers wanting to live in vibrant community which is well connected to the city centre. We are also seeing a significant number of upsizers looking for the next step on the property ladder,” she added.
Rowanbank Gardens has consistently set the bar high for environmental performance and technical excellence, whilst providing an extremely high quality of life in a wonderfully landscaped external setting.
It is one of the first large developments in Scotland to employ individual air source heat pumps in all apartments, providing both heating and domestic hot water, which combined with industry-leading insulation, provides supreme energy and cost efficiency. Externally, large landscaped green areas - including 150 new trees, herb and vegetable growing beds, high-quality garden furniture and play equipment, flowering sedum roofs and even a communal potting shedcombine to create a powerful and unique sense of community for all residents.
Financial incentives currently on offer include cash-back - plus contributions towards deposits, legal fees and Land and Building Transaction Tax.
By Caroline Knight
As the new school year begins, September is a good month in which to turn your attention to the garden. This late summer period is the last hurrah before the daylight hours shrink and the air cools. Take some time off work or make time within your busy schedule, if necessary, to enjoy your outdoor space during a month of calm.
The month is generally a productive one for those who have been growing for the kitchen. You should be able to harvest figs, apples, pears, blackberries, grapes and tomatoes. There will be fresh vegetables to enjoy, including leafy greens, runner beans, squash, potatoes, onions and carrots. It’s also the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs.
It’s a particularly beautiful time outdoors, with golden light that is less harsh than during midsummer. Certain plants save their best for this time of year, including ornamental grasses, perennials including Aster, Japanese anemone and Rudbeckia, and shrubs such as Hydrangea. Did you know there are now up to 600 named cultivars of Hydrangea?
Inspire the younger generation
It’s wonderful to encourage any kids in your life to develop a lifelong interest in plants. Donate a small patch of garden and help them design the content. Have you heard of a zoo garden, for example? The names of the plants can represent animals, and each can be labelled, perhaps using a model of the animal too.
Easy-to-grow plants for a zoo garden
• The name lamb’s ear refers to Stachys byzantina, a drought-tolerant evergreen perennial that will form a carpet of soft, fluffy ‘ears’. Leaves and stems are covered in white, woolly hairs.
• Bergenia cordifolia, or elephant’s ears, is an easy-to-grow evergreen with big, tough leaves that look just slightly like the ears of Jumbo.
• Catnip (Nepeta cataria), is a member of the mint family, and cats love to roll around in the aromatic foliage and flowers thanks to the chemical compound Nepetalactone, which is also an insect repellent.
• Dogwoods (Cornus sanguinea or alba) are shrubs that are brilliant in winter. Cut them down to the ground in very early spring and the new growth will give you vertical stems of colour next year. They’re easy to grow at the back of your children’s zoo garden.
• Fleabane, Erigeron karvinskianus, was so named because it was believed the dried leaves and flowers repelled fleas. This delightful little daisy-like perennial selfseeds into cracks and dry places.
Try building a miniature garden in an unusual container such as a dish, bottle, box or shoe. Take a tiny world and become absorbed by the endless possibilities that micro-gardening presents. It’s not only the kids who will become enthralled.
The comments from everyone have all been positive and it has been so encouraging.
A few people mention their concern that the mural may be damaged but our artists are well known and the “taggers” are unlikely to damage this quality of art. Taggers are looking for blank walls to mark their territory. Certainly nothing has been damaged since work began.
Our community is proud of the transformation. We are so grateful to everyone who has donated to GoFundMe Balgreen tunnel. However we will not be able to finish the west side of the tunnel
unless we can raise more funds. Any ideas are welcome.
We have applied to the Network Rail Community Fund for a grant and as the tunnel belongs to them we are hoping to be successful. Any other ideas of sources of funding? One lady has commissioned an otter - her favourite animal. The photographer from Saughton Gardens has supplied photographs for the artists to work from so it really will be a local animal as is the squirrel already painted.
What local animals or wildflowers would locals be prepared to pay to have painted?
Anyone can contact us via the QR code at the tunnel or by email bigweebalgreentunnelproject@gmail.com Balgreentunnel.wordpress.com
0131 334 5046
0783 461 8625
thomas@keylandscapes.org www.keylandscapes.co.uk
Key Landscapes provide all hard landscaping work; including fencing driveways patios walling and artificial grass.
We also offer advice on products, landscape design and have an extensive portfolio of work. All work is guaranteed and we are fully insured.
By Susannah Hickling
A million people in the UK are living with dementia, but how much do you know about it?
Is dementia the same as Alzheimer’s?
Dementia is a catch-all term for a set of symptoms that affect memory, problem-solving, language and behaviour.
Two out of three people with dementia have Alzheimer’s, which mostly affects older people. It’s a progressive disease caused by a buildup of substances in the brain, amyloid and tau, which damages it.
There are other types too. Vascular dementia is the next most common, caused by damage to blood vessels that supply the brain. The third most common form is dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), where clumps of a protein called alpha-synuclein build up around nerve cells in the brain. It can also cause slow movement and is related to Parkinson’s. It’s possible to have mixed dementia, such as Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia together.
‘Mild cognitive impairment’ refers to mild problems with thinking and memory. Causes include stress, sleep disorders, medication side effects and thyroid conditions; sufferers may or may not go on to develop dementia.
What are the signs of dementia?
Whatever the cause, the early symptoms are broadly similar. They include:
• Forgetting recent events or people
• Persistently repeating yourself
• Problems making decisions and following instructions
• Mood or personality changes, including anxiety and irritability
• Being confused about time or place
• Struggling to find the right words
People can become more aggressive, develop unusual sleep patterns, wander or become paranoid as symptoms get worse.
What can I do about it?
You might be thinking, there’s no cure, so why bother? However, getting a diagnosis can help you make adjustments so you can continue living independently, open the door to extra support, and enable you to plan for the future, such as setting up a lasting power of attorney. And it could be that a trip to the GP will rule out dementia and pinpoint another cause of your confusion.
There are treatments available, including four medications that temporarily ease dementia symptoms for some people. They are best taken at an early stage, though side effects, including headaches and dizziness, are common. Your GP can refer you to talking therapies to help with your mental health.
Research into a cure is progressing rapidly. Two new drugs that can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s, lecanemab and donanemab, have been approved for use in the UK, but are only available privately. Other drugs showing promise include semaglutide – marketed as Ozempic/Wegovy for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss. People taking it have been found to have a lower risk of developing dementia.
Can I stop myself from developing dementia?
There’s no guarantee, but you can increase your chances of staying cognitively fit by:
• Not smoking
• Drinking moderately
• Correcting hearing and vision problems
• Staying a healthy weight
• Keeping physically active
• Managing conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
• Keeping mentally active and socially connected
• Domestic & Commercial
• Fully Guaranteed Free Estimates
• Sky Installations, Foreign Satellites
• Motorised Systems Installed & Repaired
• 20 Years experience
Marie Curie is calling on all budding bakers to sign up to its autumn baking fundraiser and help raise some much-kneaded dough.
From hosting cake sales to running bake-off challenges and cupcake decorating competitions – every bake makes an amazing difference for people living with a terminal illness.
When signing up, all participants will be sent a fundraising pack with a free Marie Curie daffodil cake stencil, cake flags, posters, and a special recipe pack featuring autumnal recipes from celebrity bakers.
10 beauty influencers to follow online.
Once we relied on magazines for our beauty inspiration but now many of us turn to Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for step-by-step hair tutorials, skincare advice, makeup hacks and more. If you love beauty content, here are some influencers you might want to check out.
Sophie
@Soph; @sophdoeslife
Soph shares relatable beauty content with a focus on budget-friendly brands. Think makeup tutorials using products you can pick up in the supermarket or at Superdrug without breaking the bank. Her easy-going vibe and down-to-earth attitude make her videos a real pleasure to watch.
Wayne Goss
@gossmakeupartist; @WayneGoss
The professional makeup artist has almost 4 million subscribers on YouTube alone and shares easy-tofollow videos on everything from contouring to clump-free mascara.
Frugalista Beauty
@FrugieBlog; @frugalistabeauty
Rebecca AKA Frugalista Beauty shares beauty tips and tutorials aimed at women over 50, but most of her videos are useful for all ages. From the best foundations for mature skin to curly hair routines and contouring tutorials, her videos are informative and accessible.
Jessie Yendle
@mimidarlingbeauty
As well as being a campaigner raising awareness about speech impediments, Welsh content creator Jessie Yendle shares fashion and beauty inspo.
Sara Saadia
@sarasaadia
Want effortless curls? Sara shares plenty of hacks, both with Babyliss tools (she’s a Babyliss ambassador) and heatless methods using scarves, scrunchies and more.
Caroline Hirons
@carolinehirons
Caroline has been called “arguably the most important figure in British beauty”. She’s written two books about skincare, launched her own skincare brand and still somehow has time to post regularly on social media.
Alex Light
@alexlight_ldn
The author of ‘You Are Not a Before Picture’ battled with anorexia and bulimia for many years. Her social media posts focus on body positivity, everyday beauty and mental wellbeing.
Jennie Jenkins
@thejenniejenkins
This Black British content creator has been sharing makeup, haircare and fashion advice on social media for more than 15 years. Whether you’re looking for the perfect foundation for black skin, advice on wigs or just some fashion inspiration, she’s definitely worth following.
Miah Carter
@miahcarterrr; @miahhcarter
Miah has amassed a whopping 3.3 million followers on TikTok alone. Her fans love her as much for her confidence and positivity as they do her makeup tips.
@TheBeautyMaverick
Fed up with five-second beauty videos that tell you nothing about the actual products? Follow this 50-something Scot for in-depth reviews of skincare, haircare, SPF, makeup and lots more.
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Coping with the death of an animal companion can be an incredibly challenging, overwhelming and emotional experience. We all grieve in different ways but don’t feel you should face the pain of losing a pet alone.
The sudden or unexpected loss of a pet can leave us with a whole host of emotions – from feeling shocked and struggling to cope, to loneliness and despair – but it’s completely normal to feel upset. If you’ve had to make the decision to have your beloved pet companion put to sleep, while it’s natural, try not to feel guilty or blame yourself.
As hard as it might be, try to take each day as it comes. The house might feel emptier than usual and your daily routine might be turned upside down with no dog to walk or groom, or cat to feed.
Treasure your memories and talk to family and friends about how you feel. Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed of your emotions; they are not your enemy, simply part of the healing process. There is no right or wrong way to mourn and to cope with your grief, but – and it may not seem like it just now – gradually it will get easier to come to terms with the passing of your companion.
Helping others understand
For youngsters, it can be especially upsetting as they become very attached to pets. It may also be their first experience of death or loss of something close to them. Talk to them honestly. Emotions can include feeling they’ve lost a best friend or the only one who understood them and knew how they felt when there was a problem at school or with friends. There may also be feelings of anger and guilt that something they said or did makes them think they contributed to the death.
Other family pets can also show signs that could be interpreted as grief when another pet passes away.
Signs may include:
• Loss of appetite
• Crying or whimpering
• Searching for their friend
Try not to become too emotional in front of them and speak to them in an upbeat way.
Ways to remember
Once you’ve taken time to grieve, you might start feeling you want to celebrate your pet’s life and reflect on the good times. Consider creating a memorial. This could be a photo album, scattering their ashes in a special place or planting something new in their favourite spot in the garden.
Celebrating their life can shift the focus from grief to gratitude.
Taking the time to honour your pet and process your loss is an important part of healing. Look for pet loss support groups, either in person or online.
Organisations on hand to help include:
• PDSA (www.pdsa.org.uk)
• RSPCA (www.rspca.org.uk)
• Blue Cross (www.bluecross.org.uk)
• Animal Samaritans (www.animalsamaritans.org.uk)
• Cats Protection (www.cats.org.uk)
• Living with Pet Bereavement (www.livingwithpetbereavement.com)
By Katherine Sorrell
Our guide to adding different designs to your interior will give you the confidence to get it right.
Whether it’s a textural geometric, a country-style floral or a bold, retro/modern design, introducing pattern always adds character. It could be a few simple pieces that feature understated designs for subtle interest, an eye-catching, oversized pattern as a focal point or a complex combination of patterns for real impact.
Find your inspiration
Look at books, magazines and websites for ideas, and then look for inspiration in the pattern books created by fabric and wallpaper designers, where everything is already coordinated, for example, stripes with damasks, spots with florals. Create a mood board
This allows you to assess how colours, patterns and surface textures work together. There are websites that will help, or you can pull together swatches of fabric, wallpaper and so on. Swap samples in and out, and, if you have large samples, hang them and live with them for a few days.
Consider scale
In general, bigger patterns are better suited to bigger rooms and smaller patterns to cosier rooms – though there’s something to be said for the occasional use of a huge pattern in a small space. A downstairs cloakroom is the obvious place to
try out a large-scale wallpaper. Beware: very bold patterns used extensively may date or you could get sick of them.
Layer patterns for dynamic effect
Think of starting with the most dominant pattern and adding in secondary and tertiary patterns (and maybe more). Remember that stripes and very small patterns can be brilliant at coordinating with more intricate patterns. And don’t forget textures –the slub of raw silk, the herringbone of woven linen, chunky knitted wool.
Choose coordinating tones
A cautious approach would be to match colours exactly. But it may become dull. You can achieve excellent coordination and sophistication by working with tones. Colours with similar tonal values will work together, making it easier to combine patterns. Density, too, is a factor, as loose, open patterns give a visual ‘breather’, while intricate patterns with closely placed designs have more drama. Mix and match styles
Mon & Tue 10am - 5.30pm Wed 10am - 2.00pm Thu 10am - 7.00pm Fri 10am - 5.30pm
telephone: 10-5.30pm
or
3-11pm
You could choose everything from the same ‘genre’, for instance, florals or geometrics, but a mix-and-match approach can be extremely successful, provided there is some cohesion in terms of colour, tone, scale or style.
Breast Feeding Support Group
Meet Tuesdays 11.15am -12.15pm
Rannoch Centre
6 Rannoch Terrace
Edinburgh EH4 7ES - just behind Drumbrae Hub
This is a group for mums and babies experiencing breastfeeding challenges.
Please do come!
We are very excited to be back and would love to see you and your baby
For more information call 0131 286 5023 (Stewart Team)
FLORAL ART CLUB
Meets monthly (2nd Monday) 7 for 7.30pm
St Thomas’s Church Hall Glasgow Road
For further information contact Johan White 0131 445 4842
BREAST FEEDING SUPPORT GROUP
Meets Tuesdays 11.15 am -12.15 pm
Rannoch Centre
6 Rannoch Terrace
Edinburgh EH4 7ES
If you have been diagnosed with any aspect of sight loss and are feeling a little isolated, why not come along and chat to others in a similar situation.
It is just behind Drumbrae Hub
This is a drop in group for mums by mums with a health visitor or midwife there
More info - call 0131 286 5023
Please do come along.
We are a small local group who meet on the 3rd Saturday of each month for coffee, cake and a chat. Each month we will either have some entertainment or a guest speaker to provide interesting talks for the group. We are RNIB affiliated and can hopefully help direct your concerns to the right people. But it’s not just about that… it’s about friendship, a chat and hopefully a laugh or two!
We would love to see you and your baby
Other
resources are
Or www.feedgoodfactor.org.uk
For more information contact Neil Atkinson at RNIB on 0131 3785630 or 07858 687528.
So why not join us 2pm to 3.30pm at The Astoria Centre, Kirk Loan, Edinburgh EH127HD,
On the 3rd Saturday of every month - apart from June! That’s when we have our annual outing!
We look forward to meeting you.
&
Corstorphine and Murrayfield Community Policing Officers
PC Michael Bent
PC Susan Fulton
Please contact us at: EdinburghCPTNorthWest@scotland.pnn.police.uk Or Tel. 101
Officers attend or provide reports for both Corstorphine and Murrayfield Community Council meetings.
Police activity updates can also be seen on Twitter: Edinburgh Police North West @PSOSNWEdinburgh
Please report crimes via 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Many everyday foods can be dangerous or even fatal for cats, dogs and rabbits because heir different digestive systems and sensitivities.
Chocolate and caffeine contain theobromine and caffeine, which pets metabolise slowly, leading to seizures, heart issues or kidney failure.
Grapes and raisins are known to cause kidney failure in dogs and possibly cats, and could provoke gastrointestinal distress in rabbits.
Onions, garlic and chives can damage red blood cells in cats and dogs, causing anaemia; rabbits may suffer digestive issues.
Dairy products often cause stomach upset in cats and dogs, which are often lactose intolerant. Meanwhile, rabbits cannot process animal-derived foods at all.
High-fat and high-sugar foods can cause obesity, diabetes and pancreatitis in cats and dogs, while disrupting gut flora and causing life-threatening gastrointestinal stasis in rabbits.
Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in baked goods and some peanut butters, is toxic to dogs. It can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure or death.
Iceberg lettuce and rhubarb are unsuitable for rabbits; iceberg lettuce brings on digestive issues, while rhubarb can cause kidney failure and death.
Raw dough can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol, leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, coordination problems, central nervous system depression and death.
Avocados contain persin, which dogs and cats can tolerate in small amounts but which could lead to respiratory distress and heart failure in rabbits. See a vet immediately if your pet ingests any of these foods.
Hidden phrase: Despise school and remain a fool - German proverb
Hidden phrase: Despise school and remain a fool - German proverb
CROSSWORD PAGE 24
Charity Shop Open
Bag a bargain, browse the books, buy some bits n bobs
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Lunch Club*limited spaces available
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Corstorphinecommunity centre.org.uk
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