The Edinburgh Reporter April 2019 issue

April 2019 

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter /edinburghreporter 

www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk 

Sir Billy Connolly will be 

Grand Marshal at the NYC 

Tartan Day Parade on 6 April 

2019 

READ OUR TARTAN DAY 

INTERVIEWS INSIDE 

Leith Walk byelection READ MORE ON PAGE 9 

Ding ding! 

TRAM ON ITS WAY TO 

NEWHAVEN 

The council agreed last month 

to complete the tramline from 

Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven 

with a £207m second phase. 

Contractors have been appointed 

to the two contracts the Swept 

Path contract and the Infrastructure 

and Systems Contract - and 

it is hoped that the new part of 

the line will be ready for passengers 

in early 2023. 

A six-month ‘Early Contrac- 

tor Involvement period’ will 

commence, during which the 

targeted cost will be more fully 

developed, with SFN JV working 

closely with the Council, the 

Swept Path Contractor and other 

key stakeholders to test what 

will be built, undertake surveys, 

value engineer and if necessary 

develop further innovation into 

their design. 

READ MORE ON PAGE 2 

Mr & Mrs Clooney 

Postcode Heroes 

100 Years 

of the Royal 

Scots Club 


Photo courtesy of Live Edinburgh News 


Edinburgh Science Festival 2019 

OUR GUIDE TO WHAT TO SEE AT THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL INSIDE

2 NEWS The Edinburgh Reporter 

About Us 

Edinburgh Collected 

I HOPE you enjoy reading this 

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Phyllis Stephen Editor 

How will your 

garden grow? 

AGEING Well, Edinburgh Leisure’s 

successful project promoting 

healthy lifestyles for older adults 

in Edinburgh, is launching 

their allotment programme at 

Leith Links. It runs weekly from 

10.00am-1.00pm 

Run by two experienced volunteers, 

the opportunity is open to 

any inactive older adults who 

will be able to come along, enjoy 

the outdoors, whilst growing 

fruit, flowers and vegetables 

in a supportive environment. 

Our Stockists: 

All Farmers Autocare outlets across 

the city 194 Queensferry Road, 225 St 

John's Road, 34 Hillhouse Road, 111 

Piersfield Place, 19c Strathearn Road 

and 108B Market Street Musselburgh, 

Bonhams 22 Queen St EH2 1JX 

Broughton Place Hair & Beauty 

2a Broughton Pl EH1 3RX 

Café Lowdown 40 George St EH2 2LE 

Candersons Sweet Shop 

102 Leith Walk EH6 5DT 

Close Gallery 4B Howe St EH3 6TD 

The Doo’cot 731-733 Ferry Rd EH4 2UA 

ESPC Showroom 

107 George St EH2 3ES 

No gardening experience is 

necessary. A donation of £2 each 

week is encouraged. 

Ageing Well has over 15 

successful years of making a 

significant difference to the lives 

of those who regularly attend our 

activities. The emphasis is on 

meeting new people and making 

physical activity accessible and 

enjoyable. 

For more information contact: 

active@edinburghleisure.co.uk 

t: 0131 458 2260 

Grassmarket Community Project 

86 Candlemaker Row EH1 2QA 

Henderson's 94 Hanover St EH2 1DB 

and Holyrood Rd 

The Hideout Cafe 

40-42 Queen Charlotte St EH6 6AT 

Leith Walk Police Box Pop Up 

Croall Pl EH7 4LT 

Maialino 34 William St EH3 7LJ 

Scottish Arts Club 

24 Rutland Sq EH1 2BW 

St Bride’s Community Centre 

10 Orwell Terrace EH11 2DZ 

Summerhall 

1Summerhall EH9 1PL 

The Queen's Hall Clerk St EH8 9JG 

The Royal Scots Club 

29-31 Abercromby Pl EH3 6QE 

Like to become a stockist? 

Then contact us! 

Editor: Phyllis Stephen 

editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk 

07791 406 498 

Children lining up at the start 

THIS month's look at Edinburgh Collected is a photo from the Wester Hailes Fun Run in 1990. 

Many of the Sentinel's Fun Run photos show young people taking part. When the Fun Run was restarted as 

an event in 2012, many people remembered taking part as children and wanted to take part again. 

Edinburgh Collected is an online community photo archive managed by Edinburgh Libraries. You can add 

your own photos to help preserve the city's history for future generations. It is a good way for organisations 

to preserve archives in scrapbooks online. 

Ding ding! Continued from front page 

BY 36 VOTES, and after two years 

of talking about it since they were 

elected, the SNP-Labour administration 

along with the Green Group 

on the council raised enough 

votes and approved the extension 

of the tramline to Newhaven 

today. 

The line extension (or completion 

if you prefer) will run for for 

4.69 kilometres/2.91 miles from 

York Place to Newhaven. It is 

seen as an enabler by those who 

support it - it will allow those 

living in Leith and beyond to get 

on a tram and perhaps go to work 

in Edinburgh Park or the airport. 

According to the Transport 

Convener Lesley Macinnes who 

proposed the council’s plans, this 

whole project is couched with 

a lot of caution. There is a big 

difference between the administration 

as it was when the 

first tram line was constructed 

- relying on bespoke contracts 

and a Transport Convener who 

confessed later he was not really 

equipped to oversee such a 

big project. One of the protesters 

outside the City Chambers 

who did not want the tram to be 

extended mentioned the then 

council leader, Jenny Dawe, who 

lost the subsequent election after 

the project was so badly derailed. 

We write about news relating to 

Edinburgh and the immediate area. 

We welcome contributions to our 

website and newspaper. 

This time there is no intermediary 

contractor or company and 

the project will be wholly within 

the control of the council and 

their officers. The officers are 

professionals at what they do - 

and where necessary they have 

engaged consultants to advise 

them. NEC4 contracts which 

are the industry standard are 

being used and are believed to be 

Scan here to 

watch interview 

with Transport 

Convener 

robust. They have mechanisms in 

them to share both cost savings 

and overspending, sharing the 

risk. 

Councillors have spent time 

in what is called the Data Room 

becoming familiar with every 

aspect of the case, although one 

who dissented from the council's 

plans shared with me that they 

did not take up that opportunity. 

There are many who are set 

against the tram in the city, 

largely due to the history of the 

original project which spiralled so 

spectacularly out of control and 

where contractors held the city 

to ransom by doing no work for 

months. This time we are assured 

that the work will be done 

properly by two separate contractors 

and using large work sites 

with road diversions remaining 

in place. They will not we are 

told chop and change as they did 

before causing such frustration to 

those trying to get about the city 

centre. 

Leith Walk will be open at least 

in part but work on three lanes 

will take around 18 months when 

it starts later this year. 

Conservatives and Liberal 

Democrat councillors were 

adamant that there should be a 

delay until Lord Hardie reported 

after the Inquiry which has 

costed millions thus far. It is 

not clear why there has been no 

report, nor is there any time given 

for him to deliver it. 

Social Media 

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@EdinReporter /EdinReporter /edinburghreporter NEWS 3 

Planning ahead 

HERE is our round up of recent 

planning applications in 

Edinburgh 

The car park at Asda on 

Sandpiper Drive will be reduced 

in size if planning permission is 

granted for 40 homes as applied 

for by Robertson Living recently. 

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home 

have applied for permission to 

put up a new hoarding on the 

Prom running to 170 metres in 

length and bearing adverts at 

intervals for their work with 

A new park is planned for Western Harbour 

cats and dogs. 

At Broomhouse Market there is 

an application to change a shop 

into a hot food takeaway with a 

new extraction duct in the roof. 

An application has been lodged 

to build six one-bed apartments 

with associated pedestrian 

access, hard and soft landscaping, 

bicycle and bin storage on 

Broughton Road. 

The Café Royal may have a 

new sign soon if their plans are 

approved for a new illuminated 

panel on West Register Street. 

Behind Jury's Inn on Jeffrey 

Street there are proposals to 

create a new 131 bed boutique 

hotel along with a 101 bed 

extension to the hotel, two blocks 

with 31 flats and also some retail 

units. This will involve converting 

two floors of a Grade C listed 

19th century tenement to form 

the new hotel entrance and links 

through the site by way of closes 

nearby, There will be a stepped 

access from Jeffrey Street to the 

High Street and a wheelchair 

access from Jeffrey Street to the 

top of the site. 

On Gorgie Road plans have been 

lodged to demolish the two-storey 

Scotmid store and convert the 

four upper levels to student flats 

with room for 121 students. There 

would be 100% cycle parking 

study spaces and a reception. The 

redevelopment will also furnish 

Scotmid with a state-of-the-art 

store with energy saving refrigeration 

technology and the new 

Food to Go range. 

The council has granted permission 

for a new St Crispin's school 

at Burdiehouse with hard and 

soft landscaping, land regrading, 

sprinkler tank enclosure, bin 

store, cycle shelter, substation, 

drop-off and car parking. It will be 

built on a brownfield site where 

the former Burdiehouse Primary 

School was until it closed in 

2010 and was then subsequently 

demolished. This is one of the 

Belhaven would like to add a new sign to the Café Royal 

important parts of the planning 

appraisal report : 

"It is assessed that the effects 

of the proposals on the character 

of the Burdiehouse Burn corridor 

would be locally beneficial. 

This is because the proposals 

would result in a change in the 

character of the site from one of 

dereliction to that of positive and 

managed use, and the proposals 

are of a scale and design sympathetic 

to its landscape setting, 

visible only in when close 

proximity to the site." 

A planning application has 

been lodged by Edinburgh 

Forthside Developments to 

create a new 4.4 hectare park in 

the north of the city at Western 

Harbour on 'Vacant land associated 

with former port use'. A 

community growing space is 

included in the plans.


Crowdfunding 

for a new future 

Raise funds for Spartans 

Alan Moffat is now looking to set up afresh in new premises 

LEITH Recording Company lost 

its premises at Stead’s Place last 

October when Drum Property 

Group brought their lease to an 

end. Since then Alan Moffat the 

owner has been looking for a new 

home for the company which is a 

commercial enterprise, but which 

also helps others with its development 

scheme. 

He has now found a new space 

at Anderson Place but needs 

some help in getting the business 

back on its feet. 

“It’s been a really frustrating 

time,” he said. “Over the last two 

years we have been so proud 

to work with some really great 

local talent from solo bagpipers 

to heavy metal bands. We had a 

successful business valued by the 

community. 

“Alongside the studio business 

we ran our own development 

scheme which allowed talented 

people who wouldn’t normally 

have the opportunity or the 

money to get their music out 

there. 

“Unfortunately, due to Drum’s 

plans we were evicted in October. 

We repeatedly asked if we could 

extend our lease on a month-tomonth 

basis just to give us time 

to find new premises and raise 

funds to kit out a new studio but 

Drum flatly refused. 

“It’s tragic to think that the room 

that were trading from has lain 

empty for the last five months. 

What a terrible waste.” 

The good news is that Alan 

has now found new premises at 

Anderson Place. He has plunged 

his £5,000 savings into the rebuild 

but he needs another £10,000 to 

complete the project. 

Launching a crowdfunding 

campaign, he said: “I’m not used 

to asking for help, especially 

as this will be a commercial 

business that I’ll be running, 

but I’m asking for the people 

of Leith, Edinburgh and music 

lovers anywhere to help us get 

back on our feet and reopen this 

important community resource.” 

Alan plans to have a permanent 

‘Wall of Fame’ in the studio’s 

live room where every donor’s 

name will appear as a thank you 

for their support. In addition, he 

is offering discounted rates for 

anyone pre-booking time at the 

new studio. 

If all goes to plan he hopes to 

have the new premises open later 

this year. 

“Anything that people can do to 

help would be very much appreciated. 

Even a pound, anything 

to get me back up and running 

and get the local artists in and 

recording,” he said. 

To donate visit: www.gofundme. 

com/help-leith-recordingcompany 

JOIN the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on 

15 September 2019 and help raise 

funds for Spartans Community 

Football Academy. 

Working in North Edinburgh, an 

area of multiple deprivation, the 

academy hopes to change lives 

through the power of sport. 

A spokesman for the academy 

says: "Your fundraising efforts 

will help us continue to change 

lives in North Edinburgh. Many of 

the children and young people in 

our neighbourhood face significant 

disadvantage. We operate in 

one of the most deprived areas 

of Scotland where households 

THE Council’s Transport and 

Environment Committee 

approved the new hours of 

operation at the three centres 

at its meeting last month The 

new opening hours at Seafield, 

Sighthill and Craigmillar will 

come into effect from 1 April 2019 

as follows : 

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 

0900-1700; and 

Thursday 09.00am - 6.30pm 

As part of the budget-setting 

process for 2018/19, Council 

approved a review of HWRC 

opening hours to align them more 

closely with operational hours in 

neighbouring authority areas. 

often score poorly in education, 

family income, crime and health 

indicators. We work with our 

local community to develop and 

deliver innovative programmes 

that help to tackle disadvantage 

and change lives for the better 

in North Edinburgh. Do have a 

look at our 10 year video to see 

how our programmes in youth 

work, physical activity and 

education have supported our 

local community over the past 10 

years." 

Kiltwalkers can walk as 

individuals, with friends or in a 

team. There are three different 

distances to choose from - so 

More time for 

recycling 

Transport and Environment 

Convener Councillor Lesley 

Macinnes said: “Bringing the 

hours into line with other authorities 

bordering Edinburgh makes 

financial sense for the Council. 

Currently we’ve got an issue with 

waste from outside Edinburgh 

ending up in our centres since 

they’re open longer each day than 

ones in other areas. 

"This puts an extra administrative 

and financial burden on our 

service and we expect to save 

some £200,000 through realigning 

our opening hours. We’ve 

consulted fully with affected staff 

and will be running a publicity 

campaign to make residents 

aware of the new arrangements.” 

Raise much-needed funds for Spartans 

there’s something to suit all ages 

and abilities. 

Take on the “Mighty Stride” of 

24 miles, the “Big Stroll” of 15.5 

miles or the “Wee Wander” of 5 

miles. With the Hunter Foundation 

boosting every walker’s 

fundraising total by 40% it’s a 

fantastic opportunity to raise 

funds. 

If you would like to "put your 

best foot forward" for The 

Academy and be part of the 

Spartans Family on the day, 

register for the 2019 Edinburgh 

Kiltwalk and select Spartans 

Community Football Academy 

as your charity. 

Tax 

Rates 

THE Scottish Parliament agreed 

that, for the purposes of section 

11A of the Income Tax Act 2007 

(which provides for income 

tax to be charged at Scottish 

rates on certain non-savings 

and non-dividend income of a 

Scottish taxpayer), the Scottish 

rates and limits for the tax year 

2019-20 will be : 

(a) a starter rate of 19%, charged 

on income up to a limit of £2,049, 

(b) the Scottish basic rate is 20%, 

charged on income above £2,049 

and up to a limit of £12,444, 

(c) an intermediate rate of 21%, 

charged on income above £12,444 

and up to a limit of £30,930, 

(d) a higher rate of 41%, charged 

on income above £30,930 and up 

to a limit of £150,000, and 

(e) a top rate of 46%, charged on 

income above £150,000.


SCO ReConnect 

Electric Dreams 

LAUNCHED in 2013 SCO 

ReConnect is a programme of 

interactive music workshops 

which uses creative music 

making to enhance well-being 

and social interaction for people 

living with dementia. Delivered by 

the Scottish Chamber Orchestra 

in partnership with the University 

of Edinburgh and the Royal 

Edinburgh Hospital, over the last 

six years SCO ReConnect has 

taken place in hospital settings. 

Using live music they try to 

improve well-being and quality 

of life for both patients and 

carers. The sessions incorporate 

improvisation and interactive 

performances which might 

include songs from musicals, 

Scottish tunes, and popular 

hits. Patients, family members 

and care staff are invited and 

supported to join in by singing, 

playing instruments, dancing and 

listening. 

We spoke to Dr Jane Bentley 

who is a specialist workshop 

leader about the sessions. 

She explained : “I am brought 

in to help the SCO with this 

programme and have particular 

expertise in participation. I think 

they recognised the need to help 

At one of the SCO REConnect sessions 

those with dementia by doing 

something seriously. People with 

dementia may still expect the 

highest quality of music. This 

is not just a concert it is high 

quality engagement. 

“We aim to put people at the 

centre of the music making - their 

movements and expressiveness 

will direct the music on the day. 

We may start with something 

familiar which people may 

recognise. The beautiful music is 

relaxing but our audience can still 

make choices about what we play 

simply by joining in. 

“We have been working in the 

hospital for 20 weeks and it 

takes time for people to begin to 

interact and express themselves. 

By the end of the series we can 

often have everyone playing 

an instrument. We try to make 

this as accessible as possible, 

beginning simply with rhythm 

instruments and shakers. The 

musicians have to improvise and 

respond.” 

Another SCO ReConnect 

hospital series will run during 

the Autumn/Winter season and 

they plan to extend the series 

with more public workshops at St 

Cecilia’s Hall later in the year. 

New water mains installed 

A £20 million project to make the 

drinking water network in the city 

and beyond more resilient is more 

than a third complete. 

supplies much of Edinburgh and 

parts of West Lothian. 

The investment will allow 

customers to be supplied 

from two different locations – 

Glencorse and Marchbank Water 

Treatment Works - making it less 

likely that they are left 

without water. 

Scottish Water has installed 

just over 4 km – out of a total 12 

km – of brand new mains in the 

southern part of the city which 

Food for All 

THERE will be a network of on 

street electric charging hubs 

across Edinburgh as the council 

has just given approval for 66 

chargers at 14 hubs. 

As electric cars become more 

popular it has become evident 

that people need somewhere to 

charge them. There will be 211 

charging points by 2023 costing 

£3.3m, partly paid by a £2.2m 

grant from Transport Scotland. 

But the improvements are likely 

to save 7,751 tonnes of carbon 

and over 14 tonnes of nitrogen 

dioxide. 

Transport and Environment 

Convener, Councillor Lesley 

On street charging could be introduced Image Creative Commons 

Macinnes, said: “We are leading 

the country with our bold, 

strategic approach to providing 

on-street electric vehicle 

charging infrastructure, and I’m 

delighted that we’re now able to 

move forward with the first stage 

of our implementation plan. 

“We’ve seen an exponential 

rise in the popularity of electric 

vehicles over the last few years, 

and we want to see this continue. 

Encouraging drivers to choose 

environmentally friendly modes 

of transport over diesel or petrol 

cars will have a real impact on air 

quality so it’s essential that we 

provide the infrastructure 

to allow this.” 

The charging points will be on 

roads to reduce street clutter on 

pavements, and will be located 

nearby not adjacent to houses. 

The council will develop a 

system to ensure that there is 

enforcement around the bays 

which will be reserved for 

electric vehicles. 

Separately the council is 

speaking with Scottish Power to 

explore how they could use some 

of the 63,000 lampposts in the 

city to charge vehicles. Schemes 

already operate in London, and it 

is believed that a pilot could be 

possible in the West End. 

THERE are Food for All points 

at Granton Parish Church, PCHP, 

Granton Primary and Granton 

Baptist Church. If you need food, 

then you can help yourself, no 

questions asked. You can also 

donate/swap things (as long as 

they’re in good condition and 

don’t need to be refrigerated) The 

food for all shelves have been 

refilled with some great winter 

eats. There is a map of all the 

Food for All shelves in North 

Edinburgh on 

http://www.foodforthoughtforum. 

org.uk 

Pupils from Oaklands School in Edinburgh were joined by Phillipa Quinn from Hearts & Minds and Mike 

Thornton from the ScottishPower Foundation at one of the project's 'Clowndoctors' therapeutic sessions to 

launch the ScottishPower Foundation's 2019 funding programme. Hearts & Minds is one of 25 good-cause 

projects to receive funding from the ScottishPower Foundation this year, which will help it extend its impact 

to vulnerable young people in specialised educational and healthcare settings.


People’s Postcode Lottery Gala 

GEORGE and Amal Clooney 

visited Edinburgh to receive 

Postcode Hero Awards from 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon 

in honour of their work to 

safeguard human rights. 

George and Amal Clooney visited Edinburgh recently as guests of People’s Postcode Lottery 

| Photo courtesy of Live Edinburgh News. 

At the People’s Postcode 

Lottery (PPL) Gala the couple 

received a cheque from the 

lottery for £1 million to help 

fund Trialwatch, a project run by 

the Clooney Foundation 

for Justice. 

Sandy wins award 

EDINBURGH College’s curriculum 

leader has been highly 

commended by an industry 

body after he played a key role 

in enhancing the College’s 

automotive course, improving 

offering students and staff better 

prospects. 

Automotive Engineering 

curriculum leader Sandy Bruce 

was recognised by the Institute 

of the Motor Industry (IMI) for his 

contribution to the work of the IMI 

and for providing a high standard 

The Foundation will be able to 

increase its monitoring of trials 

in countries where human rights 

are at risk. 

After enchanting fans and 

the press alike outside the 

McEwan Hall the actor and his 

international lawyer wife were 

interviewed about their work by 

broadcaster Natasha Kiplinsky. 

George Clooney said about PPL : 

“This is a spectacular organisation. 

This is a really special 

thing. You look around the room 

Prince Michael of Kent, Sandy Bruce, Alison Delvard (Key Account Manager, 

Shell Lubricants UK) Steve Nash (CEO of the IMI) 

of qualification and progression 

routes for automotive students in 

Edinburgh and the Lothians. 

Sandy received his award from 

Prince Michael of Kent at a lavish 

dinner and awards ceremony held 

in London. He was joined by the 

College’s Engineering curriculum 

manager Ross Milligan. 

Sandy said: “I feel very privileged 

to have been highly 

commended by the IMI, it’s a 

fantastic feeling to be recognised 

for the work that has been done to 

and see a hundred people who 

are doing amazing things. It’s 

an honour to be part of this. If 

you end up getting lucky, then 

you should share that luck. I’ve 

always felt that.” 

Amal Clooney said : “The scale of 

the problem can seem enormous 

and the stories you hear unfathomable, 

and you think : how do 

you begin to confront something 

like that. It’s individuals who can 

make a difference even in the 

most grim circumstances.” 

enhance the Automotive course 

portfolio at Edinburgh College 

recently. The award is testament 

to the commitment of the 

entire Automotive team across 

both Midlothian and Sighthill 

campuses – thanks to everyone 

involved. 

“Our students’ development is 

always our primary focus and the 

continuing partnership with the 

IMI will be of great benefit to them 

in their studies and their future 

careers in the motor industry." 

News in Brief 

Edinburgh Community Council 

Scheme Review 

THE consultation closes in 22 Apr 2019 There is an online 

questionnaire on the council website. A review of the Edinburgh 

Community Council Scheme is ongoing. This Scheme covers the rules 

and regulations governing community councils including election 

procedures, meeting arrangements, membership, and conduct. A series 

of events is taking place across the city. 

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/communitycouncils 

Curious Edinburgh 

CURIOUS EDINBURGH is an app which takes you for a walk. There 

is a selection of tours helping you to know what has happened in the 

Granton area since medieval times. There is a focus on the industrial 

heritage over the centuries. From quarrying to castles, manufacturing 

electric cars, printing oils, and early steel, Granton has been at 

the forefront of bringing innovation and wealth to Edinburgh. Most 

industry has now vanished, but the app hopes to keep its heritage 

alive by describing what was once a hive of activity. The scenic walk 

along the Forth foreshore while listening to the stories makes for a tour 

suitable on foot, wheelchair/pram friendly and can also be cycled. It 

takes around 1.5 hours at a leisurely stroll. 

Open Streets events 

THE first three Open Streets events will be held on 5 May, 2 June and 

7 July. The council will open streets in the city centre to pedestrians 

and cyclists with vehicles being diverted away from the area. It is 

likely that there will be pop up gardens and picnic spaces created on 

the route which could include The Royal Mile from Lawnmarket to 

Holyrood, St Giles Street, Cranston Street, Niddry Street, part of New 

Street and Blackfriars Street. Separately Victoria Street and the north 

side of the Grassmarket will also be open to pedestrians and 

cyclists only. 

National Records of Scotland 

THERE were 12,580 births and 14,484 deaths registered in Scotland 

between 1 October and 31 December 2018, according to provisional 

figures released by National Records of Scotland. Compared to the 

quarter four average for the last five years, births have fallen by 5.9 per 

cent and deaths have risen by 0.6 cent. 

The Royal Yacht Britannia 

THE Royal Yacht Britannia had its busiest ever year last year 

welcoming 390,848 visitors. Over 6 million people have walked the 

gangway up to the Royal Yacht since it opened as a visitor attraction 

in 1998. Britannia, owned and cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia 

Trust, is one of the most famous ships in the world, sailing a million 

miles around the globe, on a thousand official visits, during her 44 

years in royal service. 

Craigmillar Tapestry Project 

ARE you interested in getting involved with the Craigmillar Tapestry 

Project? Go along to the April workshops to learn new stitching 

techniques and have a go at working on the tapestry panels yourself! 

These are on 4,11 and 25 April from 12.30pm to 2.30pm at the Thistle 

Foundarion, Queen’s Walk, EH16 4EA. If you just can't make it along 

to the workshops, but are still interested, get in touch with Katie on 

07909257415 or at connectingcraigmillar@gmail.com 

Meeting new people 

A NEW group meets on Monday afternoons, from 2.00-4.00pm at 

Granton Library, 29 Wardieburn Terrace, EH5 1DD Would you like to 

meet up with people for a chat, a coffee and perhaps some games 

then just pop along. Want more information? Have a chat with Brenda 

Herriot or Norman at the library 

Woman fined for mistreating 

animals 

A 43 YEAR old woman was fined £360 for failing to provide a suitable 

diet and proper veterinary treatment to two animals in her care, a cat 

named Ash and a Staffordshire bull terrier called Arael, following a 

Scottish SPCA investigation. 

Nicola Barnes of Whitecraig Crescent, Musselburgh was sentenced at 

Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 8 March 2019.


Edinburgh 

Futures 

Institute gets 

the go ahead 

All new at Newhaven Road 

From left to right, Leeann Dempster, Chair of the Regional 

Enterprise Council, Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for 

Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Professor Charlie 

Jeffery, Senior Vice Principal of University of Edinburgh, Lord 

Duncan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland and 

Professor Sian Bayne, Director of Education, Edinburgh Futures 

Institute. Photo | Neil Hanna 

A WORLD-LEADING teaching 

and research institute at the 

University of Edinburgh is 

aiming to help hundreds of 

organisations across the region’s 

private, public and third sectors, 

with almost £60m in Government 

funding from the City 

Region Deal. 

The Edinburgh and South East 

Scotland City Region Deal Joint 

Committee approved a final 

business case for the Edinburgh 

Futures Institute (EFI) at a 

meeting in the city last month. 

Approval will take the 

total investment in EFI, with 

additional funding coming from 

the University and external 

partners and investors, up to 

£189m. EFI, based at the former 

THE £70 million contract to 

deliver the Edinburgh Futures 

Institute, a flagship refurbishment 

and extension project 

on behalf of the University of 

Edinburgh has been awarded to 

Balfour Beatty. 

The contractor will be 

responsible for restoring and 

connecting six wards, unlocking 

the building’s wide corridors 

to create free-flowing areas in 

Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, is 

one of five Data-Driven Innovation 

hubs to receive funding as 

part of the £1.3bn City Region 

Deal. 

Teams of researchers will work 

with up to 350 partner organisations 

on a range of topics and 

themes, including how datadriven 

innovation can improve 

public services in the region, the 

role of artificial intelligence and 

the ethics of data. 

The inclusion of Data-Driven 

Innovation within the City 

Region Deal reflects the growing 

importance of data in the public 

services, economic growth 

and social change experienced 

by millions of people across 

Edinburgh and South 

East Scotland. 

Contract awarded 

to Balfour Beatty 

the University’s Grade- A listed 

Old Royal Infirmary hospital 

building, extending to over 

21,000 square metres. 

On completion, the development, 

part-funded by Edinburgh 

and South East Scotland City 

Region Deal, will provide 

multiple teaching and learning 

facilities, function areas, and 

work spaces for staff, students 

and the general public. 

Homes should be ready for occupation by 2020. 

Queensberry Properties has just begun its latest residential development in the capital. There will be 36 

properties of one, two and three bedrooms in the new flatted development at Newhaven Road. 

Developers say that the exterior will be in keeping with the surrounding area and that this will be a 

significant landmark. 

The location is bounded by the Water of Leith and Newhaven Road with many having a private balcony or 

terrace. Off-street parking will be in the central courtyard. Homes should be ready for occupation in 2020.

8 POLITICS The Edinburgh Reporter 

Ash Denham MSP 

Christine Jardine MP 

Daniel Johnson MSP 

Deidre Brock MP 

Gordon Lindhurst MSP 

Gordon Macdonald MSP 

Ian Murray MP 

Jeremy Balfour MSP 

Joanna Cherry QC MP 

Kezia Dugdale MSP 

Tommy Sheppard MP 

Car Park Tax Hits Lowest 

Paid Workers 

By Jeremy Balfour MSP 

RECENTLY Conservative MSPs 

voted against the Stage 3 Budget 

(Scotland) Bill. 

Despite the SNP’s block grant 

increasing by more than £500 

million next year thanks to 

the Conservatives and the UK 

Government, the SNP Government’s 

budget includes a 

triple-tax bombshell. 

The Greens made their traditional 

deal with the SNP, passing 

the 2019-20 budget in return 

for new taxes including a work 

place parking levy, which will see 

workers taxed more than £400 to 

park in their place of work, and 

will hit the lower paid workers in 

Scotland especially hard. 

Fireworks 

By Ash Denham MSP 

OUR gatherings in Edinburgh 

are world renowned. Hogmanay, 

the Festival and Tattoo, just a 

few of the examples of when we 

open our arms to the world and 

celebrate. 

Part of those celebrations are 

fireworks displays, loud and 

colourful as they are, they can be 

fun and memorable family events. 

In the wrong hands, a firework 

stops being an exciting display 

and starts being a dangerous, and 

disruptive, explosive. On Bonfire 

Listen up! 

By Daniel Johnson MSP 

EVERY year since I was elected 

I’ve held a series of listening 

events, where I can engage 

residents on topics that are 

important to south Edinburgh. 

This year the four topics are 

Short Term Lets & Airbnbs, 

Tenement Maintenance & Shared 

Repairs, the Astley Ainslie 

Redevelopment, and Education 

(new schools, capacity and 

staffing levels) in the 

constituency. 

These issues have been raised 

It has also emerged that the 

SNP has repeatedly opposed 

similar plans, with high-profile 

figures like John Swinney, Bruce 

Crawford and Fergus Ewing 

hitting out at the idea. It’s 

therefore no surprise that the SNP 

didn’t consult a single person 

about such a damaging and 

ill-considered proposal. 

This new levy is the latest in a 

long line of tax hikes from Nicola 

Sturgeon. She has already broken 

two manifesto promises: not to 

raise tax on basic ratepayers, and 

to cap council tax rises at three 

per cent. 

It is becoming increasingly clear 

that only the Scottish Conservatives 

would deliver a fair deal for 

taxpayers across Scotland. 

Night in 2017, my constituents of 

Edinburgh Eastern saw this firsthand, 

with disgraceful scenes of 

anti-social behaviour – including 

fireworks being set off at police 

officers and members of the 

public. 

Scenes like these are why the 

Scottish Government is consulting 

on whether there should be 

stricter rules on the sale and use 

of fireworks. I would like as many 

people as possible to take part 

and would urge everyone to have 

their say. 

https://consult.gov.scot/safercommunities/fireworks/ 

with me consistently over the 

past 12 months and I know 

that many residents will have 

concerns that they would like to 

talk through. The guest speakers 

and representatives that I’ve 

invited along will also be able to 

provide valuable insight on each 

of the topics. 

I think it’s vitally important for 

local representatives to engage 

with residents as much as 

possible, because at the end of the 

day it’s our job to make sure your 

voices are heard. 

If you are interested in coming 

along then please get in touch 

with my office on 0131 541 2145. 

Fairtrade Fortnight 

Success in Wester Hailes 

By Gordon Lindhurst MSP 

WE HAVE recently marked 

Fairtrade Fortnight, two weeks of 

the year during which thousands 

of people, businesses and other 

groups recognise those who grow 

the food we love. People from very 

poor parts of the world who are 

often badly paid for what they do. 

Chocolate, and those growing its 

essential ingredient cocoa, was 

the theme of this year. 

Fairtrade is about paying 

sustainable prices for products 

from the developing world; 

ensuring better pay and working 

conditions, local sustainability 

and fair terms of trade for farmers 

and workers. 

I was therefore delighted, as 

Deputy Convener of the Cross 

Party Group on Fair Trade in the 

Scottish Parliament, to recognise 

some local achievements during 

Fairtrade Fortnight. Wester Hailes 

Education Centre has achieved 

Fairtrade status at levels 1 and 

2 for the work they have been 

doing in understanding their own 

impact in terms of Fairtrade, and 

acting on its principles by hosting 

Fairtrade cake sales and breakfasts. 

It was a pleasure to present 

certificates to the pupils and meet 

teachers involved in helping the 

students to learn about Fairtrade. 

As they embark on level 3 

status to raise awareness about 

Fairtrade in the community, I 

wish them every success. 

Brexit from the front 

benches 

By Joanna Cherry MP 

THIS has been a crucial few 

weeks in Westminster with the 

Prime Minister’s Brexit deal 

defeated for a second time and, 

as I write, confirmation from the 

Speaker that he will not permit a 

further vote without a substantial 

change to the proposition being 

put to the House. 

It seems the only options now 

to prevent No Deal would be if 

the EU27 agree to extend Article 

50, which failing the Article 

50 Notice could be unilaterally 

Keeping Fit 

By Kezia Dugdale MSP 

AT THE time of writing Edinburgh 

Leisure were proposing a four per 

cent price rise from the 1st April 

that would increase the price of 

a swim, gym classes and a raft of 

other health and fitness activities 

and facilities across the city. 

For those who don’t hold an 

Edinburgh Leisure Discount Card, 

the cost of a swim at the Royal 

Commonwealth Pool which is 

currently £6.20 could rise to 

£6.44 and the cost of a 60 minute 

fitness or gym class from £7.50 up 

to £7.80. 

At a time when Edinburgh 

Leisure are putting up prices, 

fast food delivery service, Uber 

Eats, can deliver a 630 calorie 

hamburger, fries and Coca-Cola 

meal from McDonald’s for just 

Cultural Brexit 

By Deidre Brock MP 

IT’S A long way from August, 

but probably not long enough 

for those tasked with putting 

together the nuts and bolts of 

Edinburgh’s festivals. 

Behind the shiny programmes 

of events lies a heck of a lot 

of legwork and even more 

paperwork. Sorting out visas has 

become an absolute nightmare 

in recent years – the ‘hostile’ 

environment that the UK Government 

created is taking its toll on 

our performers. Every year we 

hear of frustrating cases where 

visit visas are refused or delayed 

for obscure reasons, particularly 

when the artists come from 

countries in Africa or the Middle 

East – the very voices we need 

to hear more from! I’m told some 

performers have already started 

to say ‘no thanks’ to invitations, 

rather than face being dragged 

through humiliating Home Office 

processes. This is a terrible state 

of affairs - Edinburgh’s reputation 

revoked, thanks to the ruling 

from the ECJ secured by a crossparty 

group of parliamentarians, 

including myself. 

I make no apologies for voting 

against the deal; I know from 

evidence I have heard on the 

Committee on Exiting the EU 

that it will be bad for Scotland’s 

communities and economy. I also 

know from speaking to constituents 

that they do not want to be 

taken out of the EU against their 

will – which is why I sponsored 

a motion this month calling for 

a People’s Vote with “Remain” on 

the ballot paper. 

£6.30 ( which includes delivery 

and bag fee), 14p cheaper than a 

swim or £1.50 cheaper than a one 

hour gym class. 

Edinburgh Leisure are at 

their core about making a 

positive impact on the health 

and wellbeing of the people of 

Edinburgh, however, increasing 

prices yet again sends completely 

the opposite message. 

These price rises are the direct 

impact of the cuts being handed 

down to local authorities from 

the SNP Government, who spend 

thousands on promoting active 

travel and a healthy Scotland, 

yet continue to make it more 

and more costly and difficult for 

individuals and families to access 

opportunities for healthy living 

through swimming and fitness 

facilities. 

It’s time to invest in our local 

services and make health and 

fitness facilities affordable for all. 

as a world-leading festival city 

relies on attracting a truly global 

mix to our city. Our capital can 

provide the warmest of welcomes 

to international visitors and 

performers alike, but we need 

to get them over here first. We 

cannot let the Home Office build 

unnecessary barriers to participation. 

This isn’t just an Edinburgh 

issue - festivals around the UK 

have spoken out on the increased 

difficulties they’ve faced in recent 

years, but there is no sign yet that 

the UK Government has listened. 

Nothing in the recent Immigration 

White Paper gave me hope 

that the Minister was seeking to 

change tack on their damaging 

approach to visas. I’ve asked for 

a meeting to try and find a way 

forward, although I have yet to 

receive a response. If we don’t 

take action now, the post Brexit 

UK may find itself increasingly 

isolated from the global cultural 

map instead of a leading player, 

with devastating consequences 

for Edinburgh’s economy. 

Local Politicians 

have their say

y Christine Jardine MP 

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter /edinburghreporter GENERAL POLITICS NEWS 

9 

Brexit chaos 

By Ian Murray MP 

THROUGHOUT the chaotic Brexit 

process, our political leaders have 

let us down. 

Theresa May triggered Article 50 

without any idea of plan, leading 

to a bad deal and a raft of humiliating 

defeats. 

Jeremy Corbyn has always 

talked about a “better Labour 

Brexit” but there are no upsides 

to Brexit. There is no deal that is 

as good as the one we currently 

have. 

Nicola Sturgeon saw the chaos 

as nothing but a political opportu- 

By Tommy Sheppard MP 

I’VE written in these pages before 

that drugs policy is not working 

and that the current system is 

failing some of our most vulnerable 

citizens. Drug-related deaths 

in Scotland have increased 

fourfold in the last twenty years, 

despite the number of people 

actually consuming illegal 

substances decreasing. 

Classification of drugs and 

criminal law in relation to their 

use is still for Westminster to 

decide, yet everything else that 

deals with their impact – health 

services, social work, prisons, 

Stop the Pink Tax 

IT’S 2019, and yet we find 

ourselves in a situation whereby 

women and men are still paying 

different prices for the identical 

or similar basic cosmetic 

products. 

Next time you are shopping 

take a careful note of some of 

the prices on the shelves. You 

may not notice it at first but over 

time you may begin to see a 

trend. Discrimination on gender 

grounds is illegal, and whether 

women are paying more for 

a pink razor, deodorant from 

nity, desperately seeking to divide 

us once again by holding another 

independence referendum, when 

we’re crying out for unity. 

I can understand why politicians 

get a bad name. 

But, behind the scenes, individual 

MPs from all parties have 

been working hard together to 

find solutions to this mess. 

At the time of writing, I can’t 

predict what will have happened 

by the time you read this. But I 

know that I, and my fellow MPs 

on the backbenches, will continue 

to work tirelessly on your behalf 

to put the national interest first 

with a very soft Brexit or no 

Brexit at all. 

Call for Drugs Enquiry 

Evidence 

Young campaigners 

By Gordon Macdonald MSP 

2018 MAY have come to an end 

but there was a strong message 

that came out of the Year of 

Young People. That was the 

desire to put young people at 

the heart of decisions that affect 

them. 

And, as I write this, young 

people are leaving their classrooms 

to make their voices heard. 

It is clear that our young people 

are ready to take the lead in a 

meaningful and genuine way, 

as hundreds of thousands of 

pupils and students demonstrate 

against climate change – here in 

policing and so on – is devolved 

to the Scottish Parliament. Is that 

model workable? 

That’s why the House of 

Commons Scottish Affairs 

Committee, of which I am a 

member, has launched an inquiry 

into the Use and Misuse of Drugs. 

We want to hear about what 

works - and what doesn’t - and 

consider whether or not the 

Scottish government has the 

powers it needs to tackle drug 

misuse. We are seeking evidence 

from people from all viewpoints 

who have lived or professional 

experience of the effects of drug 

policy – get in touch here by 19th 

April 

http://tinyurl.com/yypj7ou7 

Edinburgh, throughout Scotland 

and right across the globe. 

I pay tribute to these young 

climate change campaigners, who 

are proving that young people’s 

voices can effect real change. 

Scotland is leading the world 

in tackling climate change and 

we must match the energy of 

our young people to challenge 

ourselves, and others, to go 

further. 

If you want to see an alternative 

to the total chaos of Brexit 

and the UK Government, look no 

further than these inspirational 

young people! 

the same brand, or even for an 

identical piece of clothing, it’s 

time to say enough is enough. 

Last month, to mark International 

Women’s Day, I introduced a Bill 

in the Commons which would ban 

the differential pricing of similar 

products just because they are 

marketed towards women. 

I’ve also been writing to all the 

big manufacturers and retailers, 

encouraging them to proactively 

change their pricing structures. 

I’m hoping that by next year, we’ll 

have finally put an end to the 

sexist and outdated ‘Pink Tax’ 

once and for all. 

Leith Walk Byelection 

11 April 2019 

CANDIDATES for the forthcoming 

Leith Walk by-election, which 

will take place on Thursday, 11 

April, have been announced. 

The by-election will elect one 

councillor from 11 nominated 

candidates to represent the ward 

along with three existing councillors. 

Andrew Kerr, Returning Officer 

for Edinburgh, said: “The role of 

elected members is extremely 

important to the democratic 

process, with councillors 

responsible for some of the most 

important decisions our city can 

face. 

“Therefore I would encourage 

as many residents as possible 

to participate in the Leith Walk 

by-election, and for anyone who 

hasn’t already registered to vote 

to make sure they do so by 26 

March to ensure they can take 

part.” 

Residents in this ward who 

haven’t already registered to vote 

must do so by 26 March in order 

to take part in the by-election. 

This can be done online(external 

link) or by contacting the 

Electoral Registration Office on 

0131 344 2500. 

Anyone living in the area who is 

THIS was held in March at the 

Thomas Morton Hall in Leith, and 

although not all candidates had 

the opportunity to speak, those 

who did were in the main wellreceived. 

Here is a snapshot of 

what they said : 

Jack Caldwell LibDem candidate 

said he would increase recycling 

points and social housing. He 

wants Leith to become a Low 

Emission Zone and he has been a 

community councillor. 

Kevin Illingworth the Independent 

candidate represents the Save 

Meadowbank campaign. He got 

a laugh when he pulled out his 

passport explaining that it took 

him longer to get an old mattress 

uplifted by the council than it 

took to get his passport renewed. 

He reminded everyone it is an 

election where the single transferable 

vote is used. 

Lorna Slater the Green candidate 

explained that there are already 

eight councillors in the Scottish 

Green group. She also pointed out 

aged 16 or over and an EU citizen 

can vote in the by-election, and 

votes can be cast by post or by 

proxy if more convenient. 

Poll cards will be delivered 

to registered voters in the area 

from today (Monday, 11 March) 

including further information on 

when and where to vote. 

Polling stations will be open 

from 7am to 10pm and will be at: 

Lorne Primary School 

Norton Park Conference Centre 

Holy Cross RC Primary School 

Ebenezer United Free Church 

Hall 

Royal Navy and Royal Marine 

Association Club 

Broughton Nursery 

Pilrig St Paul’s Church Hall 

McDonald Road Library 

Leith Walk Primary School 

The by-election will use the 

Single Transferable Vote (STV) 

system where voters can rank 

candidates in order of preference 

using numbers rather than a 

single cross. Voters can choose to 

vote for as many or as few candidates 

as they like. The result of 

the by-election will be announced 

once the votes are counted after 

polls close at 10pm on Thursday 

11 April. 

The candidates are 

(in alphabetical order): 

• Steven Alexander, UK 

Independence Party 

(UKIP) 

• Jack Caldwell, Scottish 

Liberal Democrats 

• Nick Gardner, Scottish 

Labour Party 

• Kevin Illingworth, 

Independent 

• David Don Jacobsen, 

Socialist Labour Party 

• Tom Laird, Scottish 

Libertarian Party 

• Dan McCroskrie, 

Scottish Conservative 

and Unionist 

• Rob Munn, Scottish 

National Party (SNP) 

• John Ferguson Scott, 

Independent 

• Lorna Slater, Scottish 

Green Party 

• Paul Mitchell Stirling, 

The For Britain 

Movement 

Save Leith Walk Hustings 

that Susan Rae is one of those 

and she represents the Leith Walk 

Ward already. She is not seeking 

to replace Susan but hopes to join 

her at the City Chambers. 

Nick Gardner the Labour 

candidate has been a councillor 

before and continued after his 

council career to campaign on 

important issues. He wants more 

finance for the council to buy 

empty sites across Edinburgh. He 

confessed (or proclaimed!) that he 

is a belly dancer too. 

Dan McCroskrie is the Conservative 

candidate and was until 

this a hustings rookie. He is 

a recent Leith resident and 

firmly anti-tram. He wants (in 

common with the Tory group on 

the council) the money from the 

special dividend from Lothian 

Buses to be used for schools 

which are suffering under SNP 

cuts. He got the only boo of the 

night. (but a gentle one!) 

David Jacobsen is the Socialist 

Labour Party candidate who 

works in the NHS. He talked about 

that and the way that private 

companies infiltrate the system 

to reduce waiting lists. 

Rob Munn is the SNP candidate 

and is also a former councillor 

and Depute Lord Provost. He said 

he believes he can provide a voice 

for the community. They need to 

be listened to. 

Tam Laird the Scottish Libertarian 

Party candidate did not have a 

place on the platform but we had 

interviewed him that afternoon. 

He explained the ethos of the 

party which is that you should 

not hurt people, 'don’t take their 

stuff’. There are things which are 

paramount to Libertarians like 

freedom of speech, freedom of 

movement, right to life, right to 

liberty and property rights are 

important too. He has stood in 

previous elections but believes 

that the council needs someone 

who pays more attention to the 

rights of the individual than the 

rights of private interest groups.

10 BUSINESS NEWS The Edinburgh Reporter 

Thistle Awards 

2018/19 

Ventient Energy open 

new office in Edinburgh 

Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Scotland’s Minister for Energy, 

Connectivity and the Islands, officially opened Ventient Energy’s new 

flagship headquarters in Edinburgh recently. | PHOTO Jon Savage 

The Real Mary King’s Close - Left to right – Scottish Thistle Award National Final host, Greg McHugh, 

Historic Environment Scotland Director of Commercial & Tourism, Stephen Duncan (holding trophy), the 

team from The Real Mary King’s Close and host Jennifer Reoch 

EDINBURGH’s International 

Conference Centre (EICC) and 

a historic visitor attraction 

offering tours of hidden underground 

streets of the capital 

city were named best in the 

business. 

The EICC was awarded Best 

Business Event, sponsored by 

CAT Media, for the European 

Orthodontic Society Congress 

2018, at the Scottish Thistle 

Awards National Final last 

month alongside The Real Mary 

King’s Close which received the 

Best Heritage Tourism Experience, 

sponsored by Historic 

Environment Scotland. 

The awards ceremony took 

place at the EICC where 15 

individuals, businesses and 

events were honoured for their 

innovation, excellence and 

success in the hospitality and 

tourism sector. 

Judges praised the EICC for 

hosting a successful congress 

in June 2018 that involved 2,300 

delegates travelling to the city. 

Judges were impressed by the 

level of collaboration, logistical 

prowess and client feedback from 

hosting this highly prestigious 

European congress. 

Marshall Dallas, Chief Executive 

of Edinburgh International 

Conference Centre (EICC) said: 

“We are thrilled to receive the 

Thistle Award for Best Business 

Event, recognising the valuable 

collaborative work, between EICC, 

the European Orthodontic Society 

(EOS), and a number of industry 

and city partners, in delivering a 

congress and social programme 

which made a truly positive 

impact to the EOS and its 2,300 

international delegates.” 

LEITH WALK POLICE BOX POP UP SPACE 

Pop up space 

Flexible and 

affordable 

The Real Mary King’s Close 

was commended by judges 

for its consistent track record 

for delivery and its continued 

growth. They described the 

visitor attraction as “very 

entertaining” and offering a real 

insight into “historical scene 

setting.” 

General Manager Craig Miller 

said: “The whole team at The Real 

Mary Kings Close are thrilled to 

receive this fantastic award. It’s 

the cherry on top of our recordbreaking 

15th anniversary year. 

Every aspect of our guest experience 

is developed with love, a 

sense of pride, and an enthusiasm 

for both our rich history, and 

delivering outstanding customer 

service. 

We’d like to thank all of our 

customers, and VisitScotland for 

its continued support.” 

New area of advice at 

East Lothian law firm 

AN EDINBURGH law firm has 

appointed a dedicated family 

lawyer and a financial adviser in 

their East Lothian office. 

Gilson Gray's office in North 

Berwick will have a dedicated 

expert in family law available to 

offer advice, after recognising the 

need for a personal and professional 

service in the area. 

Similarly, the office will also 

benefit from a dedicated financial 

adviser specialising in retirement, 

investment and estate planning. 

Shona Young and Sandra 

Robertson will be available at 

the office at 33 Westgate, meaning 

that locals do not have to travel 

into Edinburgh for legal advice 

gilsongray.co.uk/our-services/ 

www.leithwalkpolicebox.com 

THE Energy Minister Paul 

Wheelhouse MSP opened the 

flagship Edinburgh HQ where 

wind farm owner Ventient Energy 

will continue their expansion into 

Europe. 

The company now has a 49% 

stake in a European 1 GW wind 

DIAGEO has big plans for the 

building at the end of Princes 

Street that you will know as 

Frasers or Binns depending on 

your maturity. And one of those is 

to restore the famous Binns clock 

on the corner which was always 

such a popular place to meet. 

With the promise of 160 to 180 

new jobs and an expectation 

of around £135 million tourism 

spend as a result of the new 

attraction, this is a big development 

in the city centre where 

• Wednesdays and Fridays 

11.00am to 6.00pm - Tipico 

quality nuts. Almonds and 

pistachios and delicious 

Sicilian confectionery 

• Saturdays Edinburgh Tool 

Library 10.30am to 1.00pm 

• The box can be used for 

campaigning, market 

generation portfolio with wind 

farms in Spain, Portugal, France 

and Belgium as well as its UK 

portfolio. Ventient Energy Limited 

was formed in 2017 from two 

leading independent wind energy 

power producers, Zephyr and 

Infinis Wind. 

The Johnnie Walker Experience 

The development will complete a triangle of attractions for residents 

and visitors along with Edinburgh St James and Edinburgh Castle. 

other big shops are failing. 

The whisky company and the 

building's owner Parabola have 

set out some very fancy plans 

indeed for the seven storeys 

which they will turn into a £150 

million global visitor experience. 

One of the exciting features 

will be that the escalators will 

be removed and the staircase 

reinstated with a cupola above. 

With two roof bars offering 

unrivalled views this will be the 

place to go at the West End. 

research, art exhibitions 

and has been used as a 

cinema 

• POP UP lets are available for 

periods as short as 4 hours. 

Terms and conditions are 

flexible and affordable. 

Please email 

hello@leithwalkpolicebox.com .

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter /edinburghreporter WHAT’S ON 11 

What’s on in April 

Theatre | Art | Music | Shows | Festivals 

AT UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH MUSEUMS 

5 April to 29 June 2019 : 

Conectando: Scottish Encounters 

with Spanish and Portuguese 

UofE Main Library Exhibition 

Gallery, 10.00am to 5.00pm 

Monday to Saturday, FREE From 

artists seeking inspiration, to volunteers 

who fought in the Spanish 

Civil War, and students learning a 

new language, discover the many 

Scottish connections with the 

Spanish and Portuguese speaking 

worlds. 

28 April 2019 : Film Screening 

of Nae Pasaran Lauriston 

Hall, 7.30pm for an 8pm start In 

conjunction with Cinema Attic, 

tickets £5, available: In conjunction 

with CinemaAttic, there is a 

special screening of Felipe Bustos 

Sierra's film Nae Pasaran which 

On the Film Scene this month 

by Adam Zawadzki 

COMING to a cinema near you 

- a mix of big studio and small 

independent films. 

Opening on 5 April 2019, Zachary 

Levi (Chuck television series) is 

the superhero of the title in the 

film ‘Shazam!’ Despite appearing 

in two Thor films for Marvel, Levi 

has defected to rival DC for this, 

the first feature film adaptation of 

the character with Mark Strong 

(The Imitation Game) as the 

villain Dr. Thaddeus Sivana. 

Featuring the voice talents of 

Hugh Jackman (The Greatest 

Showman), Zoe Saldana (Avatar), 

Timothy Olyphant (Justified 

television series) and Emma 

Thompson (Saving Mr Banks), 

‘The Missing Link’ is the latest 

stop motion project from Laika, 

the American animation studio. 

All of its previous releases, 

‘Coraline’, ‘ParaNorman’, ‘The 

Boxtrolls’, and ‘Kubo and the 

WILL BE Scotland's first festival 

of science fiction, fantasy and 

horror writing and tickets for the 

June event are on sale now. 

There will be 40 talks, 12 workshops, 

81 authors including events 

for children and adults alike. 

The workshop programme will 

offer three FREE introductory 

sessions supported by Edinburgh 

Napier University and a children's 

workshop with Lari Don. 

During the weekend there will 

be the chance to join book groups 

or share your work at open mike 

sessions. There are late night sessions 

with a ceilidh to finish off 

featuring the Science 

Ceilidh Band. 

The academic strand is curated 

by David Bishop, programme 

leader for Creative Writing at 

further explores one of the themes 

of the exhibition: Scottish Solidarity 

with Chile. The film charts the 

incredible true story of the Scots 

who managed to ground half of 

Chile's air force, in the longest 

single act of solidarity against 

Pinochet's brutal dictatorship. 

1 May 2019: Japanese Tea Ceremony 

St Cecilia’s Hall, 50 Niddry 

Street 2.00pm – 3.30pm, Tickets 

£5 In partnership with Japanese 

Arts and Culture International, 

this event, led by Mio Shapley, 

Director of JACI and Japanese 

Tea Ceremony Master, includes a 

performance of Shamisen guitar 

music. All guests will have the 

opportunity to enjoy a cup of 

green matcha tea with sweets. 

DETAILS: www.ed.ac.uk/local 

Two Strings’ were nominated 

for Best Animated Film/Feature 

BAFTAs and Oscars. Expect 

brilliant craftsmanship from this 

film, which is released in direct 

competition with ‘Shazam!’ 

In contrast, expect complete box 

office domination from ‘Avengers: 

Endgame’, the 22nd instalment 

in the all-conquering Marvel 

Cinematic Universe film empire. 

With at least 22 superheroes 

present in this, the fourth part to 

the Avengers film series specifically, 

this is event cinema on the 

largest scale possible. Released 

on 25 April, this film could 

become the highest grossing 

(unadjusted for inflation) in 

history. 

With a budget of just $2million, 

the comedy-drama ‘Eighth Grade’ 

opens the next day and couldn’t 

be more different. At just 14 

years of age, Elsie Fisher was 

nominated for a Golden Globe for 

her leading performance. 

Edinburgh Napier University, and 

the author of 20 novels. Audiences 

will hear mini presentations 

covering the latest academic 

research, presented in a dynamic, 

accessible manner. 

Festival founder and director 

Ann Landmann said :"We've been 

overwhelmed by the enthusiastic 

and incredibly supportive 

responses from publishers and 

authors, and the interest this has 

sparked around the world. It was 

difficult limiting the programme 

to the 80 speakers now appearing 

at the festival. 

“The response from readers has 

been every bit as enthusiastic! 

Sixty people purchased a weekend 

pass through our crowdfunding 

campaign before we’d even announced 

the line-up. We think this 

programme justifies their faith in 

us, and thank them for helping to 

make CYMERA a reality.” 

https://www.cymerafestival.co.uk/ 

Emma Bodiam from Edinburgh Science Festival team wearing a replica of Neil Armstrong’s space suit 

| PHOTO Ian Georgeson 

Edinburgh Science Festival 2019 

6 - 21 April 

THE 31st annual festival of 

science takes place here in the 

capital. Here are our top choices 

of things to see and events to get 

tickets for. Edinburgh Science 

Festival has something for all 

ages with events for children and 

adults too 

This year the programme 

explores various Frontiers : 

planetary, digital, healthcare, 

engineering, social and food, 

inviting world-class scientists 

academics and authors 

to discuss everything from 

overpopulation and space 

exploration to medical cannabis 

and Trump's Twitter feed. Here 

are our choices from the really 

big programme for adults and 

children alike. 

8 April 

Where the Hell is My Hoverboard? 

5.30pm Pleasance 

Cabaret Bar £8.50 presents a 

panel of experts discussing 

where technology is at and what 

hurdles we still have to overcome 

before we can live out our sci-fi 

dreams straight from Back to the 

Future or Blade Runner. There 

will also be the opportunity 

to taste some 3D printed food, 

courtesy of Cambridge company 

Nūfood! 


Plastic Alphabet 8.00pm 

Pleasance Quaker Studio £8.50 

A panel of experts sheds some 

light on the plastic mystery, 

including the 'queen of recycling' 

Prof Margaret Bates, and 

polymer chemistry researcher 

Prof Michael Shaver. Join 

them on a fascinating journey 

from chemical processing and 

manufacture through to disposal, 

talking about how and why this 

material is designed, used and 

recycled. Led by Colin Webster 

of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation 

the talk will journey from 

manufacture to disposal. 


6.00pm at Royal Society of 

Edinburgh Being a Woman in 

Science - Changed Times? George 

Street - Two former Presidents of 

RSE Professor Dame Ann Glover 

and Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell 

Burnell examine some female 

scientists and share their own 

experiences with Dr Silvia . What 

attracts women to science and 

why are they not more visible? 

Free but booking required. 

A Human Touch 

This is a free open-air exhibition 

outside The Scottish Parliament. 

The amazing collection 

of images will shine a light on 

the effect that humans and our 

plundering of the earth's resources 

is having on the planet. 

There are some inventive steps 

being taken to minimise harm 

and protect Earth for future 

generations. 

FAKE MOON LANDINGS AND 

OTHER PERSISTENT 

CONSPIRACIES 

8.30PM | 90 MINS Cabaret Bar 

Pleasance £8.50/£6.50/#SCIFIVE 

£5 From fake news to national 

tragedies, conspiracy theories 

are always close behind. 

If you've ever questioned the 

Moon landing or the September 

11 attacks, if you're curious 

about lizard people and disaster 

actors, then this event is for 

you. Join conspiracy theory experts 

Prof Peter Knight and Prof 

Robbie Sutton to find out where 

these conspiracies come from, 

how they take root and what 

makes people believe them

12 GENERAL WHAT’S NEWS ON 

The Edinburgh Reporter 


Day by day guide 

Park. You might even see the 

Stones In His Pockets 

Tue 2 – Sat 6 April | King’s Theatre 

A small village in rural Ireland 

is turned upside down when 

a major Hollywood film studio 

descends to make a historical 

blockbuster on location. Tickets 

£18.50-£32 Evenings 7.30pm 

| Matinees Wed & Sat 2.30pm 

Running time (approx.): 1 hour 42 

minutes Age: 14+ 

4 April 2019 Gilded Balloon 

Basement at Rose Street Theatre 

7.30pm 

As Fringe preview show season 

kicks off, Rose Theatre at Gilded 

Balloon Basement will present 

two acts : Max & Ivan and Wis 

Jantarasorn & Megan Shandley. 

The two UK comedy acts will 

offer a little preview of their 2019 

Fringe shows. 

Advance tickets only £5. 

Being a Woman in Science - 

Changed Times? 

16 April 2019 6.00-7.30pm 

So many female scientists have 

changed our understanding of the 

world, yet around half the population 

struggles to name a woman 

in science. Questions need to be 

asked! What attracts women to 

science, what are their experiences 

and why are they not more 

visible? 

Join us for a fascinating discussion 

with current and former 

RSE Presidents, Prof Dame Anne 

Glover and Prof Dame Jocelyn Bell 

Burnell and RSE Young Academy 

of Scotland member Dr Silvia 

Paracchini as they discuss their 

experiences of being women in 

science. 

Part of the Edinburgh Science 

Festival.Tickets 0131 226 0005 

Classical Rush Hour 

on Wednesdays at Le Monde 

with Edinburgh Quartet Armenia 

via Denmark: 17 April 2019, 

5.30pm Selections of Armenian 

and Danish folk music miniatures 

arranged for string quartet, alongside 

music by Tchaikovsky 

Victorian Edinburgh: Powerhouse 

of the Empire? 

World Heritage Day Lecture with 

Professor Sir Tom Devine 

Edinburgh World Heritage has 

organised a World Heritage Day 

Lecture by Scotland’s pre-eminent 

historian. Sir Tom will explore 

the extraordinary success of late 

Victorian Edinburgh – as banking 

house to the British Empire, as 

patron of the arts and architecture, 

and as a city of considerable 

luxury and opulence. 

18 April 2019 6.00pm for about 

1 hour at The Royal College of 

Physicians of Edinburgh, 9 Queen 

Street,. 

19 April 2019 

There will be an Easter Egg 

hunt at Starbank Park. Lots of 

eggs to be found in our Walled 

Spring Garden. Suggested donation 

£3 per child or become a 

member of Friends of Starbank 

Easter Bunny!10:30 to 11:30 am. 

Aimed at children aged 3-8 years. 

Something to book ahead for May 

Cyanotype & Bookbinding 

Workshop Sunday, 12 May 2019 

from 10.30am -4.30pm at Granton 

Hub Madelvic House, 33 Granton 

Park Ave, EH5 1HS To book a place 

search Eventbrite. In this collaborative 

workshop, Artist Kit Martin 

(www.kitmartinphoto.co.uk) and 

Bookbinder Cass Barron, will 

introduce the cyanotype process 

and guide you in creating a range 

of prints onto paper and fabric, 

before binding a selection into 

a number of unique and usable 

books. Beginners are welcome. 

AT THE TRAVERSE 

A Play, A Pie and a Pint from 9 

April to 18 May 2019 

Our three choices are - 

Chic Murray - A Funny Place for 

a Window featuring the comedian 

looking back on the last day of 

his life at the glittering but flawed 

career he enjoyed. 

The Mack by Rob Drummond 

allows some discussion about the 

building so ravaged by fire on two 

occasions that its very future is 

in doubt. 

Toy Plastic Chicken which 

involves a bomb scare, a toy 

chicken and Edinburgh Airport 

and is apparently based on a true 

story. 

A play, a pie and a pint of 

beer/125ml glass of house wine 

or a regular glass of Pepsi, Diet 

Pepsi, lemonade, orange juice, 

filter coffee or tea 

A vibrant mix of themes, characters 

and stories Lunchtime and 

evening performances 

Easily digestible 50-min play 

packages 

To book t 0131 228 1404 

https://www.traverse.co.uk/ 

At National 

Museum of Scotland 

Getting the Robots exhibition 

ready for opening. 

| Photo Neil Hanna 

16 April 2019 at 8.00pm as part 

of the ROBOTS exhibition. The Future 

is Robot with Timandra Harkness. 

Join the writer, broadcaster 

and comedian to find out how design 

and programming decisions 

will affect our future with robots. t 

0300 123 6789 to book 

Around the Galleries 

The Fine Art Society 

are holding two exhibitions 

of paintings by contemporary 

artists Victoria Orr Ewing - Ebb 

& Flood and Emma Alcock - Quietude 

until 6 April. The Dundas 

Street Gallery is downstairs 

from the Fine Art Society. From 

10-27 April, Dundas Street 

Gallery is transformed into a 

sensory room, an art installation. 

InnerVerse is a colourful 

and emotional dialogue which 

resonates the inner rhythms of 

life and the human condition. A 

visual conversation relatable to 

everyday living and the journey 

to appreciate more of life. 

Arusha Gallery 

13A Dundas Street EH3 6QG t 

0131 557 1412 Casper White 12 

April to 5 May 2019. 

Torrance Gallery 

36 Dundas Street EH3 6JN have 

their Spring Show from 6 April 

to 11 May 2019. More details from 

mail@torrancegallery.co.uk or t 

0131 556 6366 

Birch Tree Gallery 

23A Dundas Street EH3 6QQ t 

0131 556 4000 

art@birchtreegallery.co.uk 

Open Tue-Fri 11.00am-6.00pm 

Sat 11.00am - 4.00pm 

Liberating Scale6 April to 4 

May 2019 

Laura Boswell (linocut and 

wood block hand-inked prints) 

Rachel Holian (porcelain) 

Matthew Draper Roaming, 

Crepuscular Rays series no 12019 

pastel on paper H:79cm 

W:107.5cm Price on Application 

The Scottish Gallery 

SOUND OF RAASAY Matthew 

Draper 3 - 27 Apr 2019 

'My fascination with the Island 

started some 23 years ago 

when I first moved to Scotland. 

It was the same year the Skye 

Bridge was opened. For some, 

the bridge was a controversial 

scheme, but nevertheless, it 

offered the ease of access to the 

Island and meant that my first 

tentative trip exploring the West 

Coast of Scotland was a relatively 

easy, although unplanned 

extension to my journey. For the 

first time I experienced the rugged, 

dramatic and varied landscape 

of this unique Island and 

regular trips have occurred year 

on year allowing me to further 

explore that particular wilderness.' 

Matthew Draper, 2019 

David McClure White Chimney 

Stacks, Ardrossan1954 

gouache H:49.5cm W:37cm 

Price on Application 

ART AND INDUSTRY - 

ARDROSSAN TO MILLPORT 

David McClure 3 - 27 Apr 2019 

The exhibition is curated by 

Robin McClure of works by David 

McClure RSA, RSW (1926-1998) 

featuring selected works on paper 

from the 1950s. 

Anthony Bryant Large Ash 

Vessel AshH:36cm D:80cm 

Price on Application Photograph: 

Steve Tanner 

Wood 

3-27 April 2019 - an exhibition 

showcasing both objects and 

furniture from: Roger Bennett, 

Anthony Bryant, Martin Cook, 

Roland Fraser, Hans Henning 

Pedersen, Kathryn Hinton, 

Andrew Holmes, Owen Jones, 

Eleanor Lakelin, Grant McCaig, 

Lawrence Neal, Jim Partridge 

& Liz Walmsley, Angus Ross and 

Edward Teasdale. 

Open Eye Gallery 

5-29 April 2019 Alice McMurrough 

PAI RGI RSW McMurrough 

studied at Glasgow School of 

Art to 1978 She has won many 

awards and in this exhibition she 

will show more of her concern 

with the way that ideas, observations 

and dreams are researched, 

edited and translated into visual 

statements. Her paintings have 

a curious and bewitching air as 

they are often set in spiritual and 

timeless worlds. 

Peter Thomson RGI RSW 

Glasgow based Thomson is 

known for his figurative and landscape 

based oil paintings. 

&Gallery 

- JFK Turner Solo Exhibition 6 

April to 1 May 2019 JFK Turner’s 

work is concerned with the 

unnoticed ephemeral elements 

of everyday life; found objects, 

marks, stains and the natural 

effect of time. The objects Turner 

collects from the street form the 

basis of the work. 

The paintings are not abstract 

– they are based on something 

from the real world – for example 

a rubber band, a screwed-up 

piece of paper, or a flap on a 

cardboard box. These are nonobjects, 

just the remnants of 

life. 

The works are closer to objects 

than traditional paintings. If 

paint is used it is house hold 

paint that is poured, smeared 

and allowed to congeal and 

crack – like spilt paint on a 

pavement. In addition to paint 

Turner uses found materials 

– wax, plaster, photographs, 

paper, discarded books and 

clothes. Working on wood 

allows the surface to be attacked 

by scratching, sanding 

and stabbing. This adds to the 

works physical quality – like a 

collagraph printing plate or a 

religious icon. 

Turner takes objects and 

elements from the real world, 

combines them together to create 

another object. The ordinary 

becomes unusual and other. 

At The Grilli Gallery 

20A Dundas Street EH3 6HZ 

Mixed Exhibition until 20 April 

2019 Marion Drummond PAI 

Gail Pope, Rona Lee and Jean 

Feeney 

Charles Avery will exhibit at the 

Ingleby Gallery this month 

At Ingleby Gallery 

27 April to 13 July 2019 

Since 2005 Charles Avery’s 

practise has focused on a 

fictional Island; an all-encompassing, 

immersive investigation 

of the fabric and possibilities 

of another place. Through 

drawings, texts and objects 

Avery describes the inhabitants, 

architecture, philosophies, 

customs and idiosyncrasies of 

this imagined territory. 

With accents of the Scottish 

Hebrides and East London, the 

Island is situated at the centre 

of an archipelago of innumerable 

constituents. Its capital is 

the port city of Onomatopoeia: 

originally a stepping off point 

for pioneers and travellers, 

turned bustling boomtown, 

turned citadel, turned depression 

ravaged slum, turned 

regenerated city of culture. 

It has many eras, all encompassed 

by a monumental city 

wall separating it from the dark 

and violent wilderness beyond. 

Charles Avery’s exhibition; 

The Gates of Onomatopoeia, 

includes several new drawings 

and a large sculpture. 

Don’t miss our monthly What’s on Section

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter /edinburghreporter 

WHAT’S ON 

13 

Edinburgh Printmakers opens this month 


EDINBURGH Printmakers will 

open to the public with the 

art exhibition The Politics of 

Heritage vs. the Heritage of 

Politics by German printmaker 

Thomas Kilpper. 

Established in 1967 as the 

first open access studio in 

the UK, this is an arts charity 

specialising in printmaking. 

It has a brand new home at 

Castle Mills on Dundee Street. 

The former North Edinburgh 

Rubber Factory has been renovated 

in an £11m project. 

The building houses an 

enhanced open access print 

studio, traditional and digital 

processes, a dedicated learning 

space, artist accommodation, 

art galleries, a shop, a 

creative industries hub, café 

and print archive. 

Castle Mills is set to be one 

of the largest printmaking 

facilities created for artists in 

Europe. The new building is 

2194m2 compared to 939m2 in 

the present Union Street base. 

German installation artist 

Thomas Kilpper is known for 

his critical social and political 

interventions. He studied with 

Alfonso Huppi in Düsseldorf. 

The Tate Gallery in London 

houses the largest collection of 

his works in the UK. 

Chief Executive of Edinburgh 

Printmakers, Shân Edwards said: 

“Opening Castle Mills with a European 

artist, signifies our vision 

for Edinburgh Printmakers in the 

future. Edinburgh Printmakers is 

an arts charity with printmaking 

at its heart. 

“By 2023, our spaces will be 

creative communities that lead 

with our knowledge and heritage, 

innovate through our practice and 

ambitions and welcome the wider 

world to art. 

“Artist Thomas Kilpper’s exhibition 

will reflect the history of 

the building through his chosen 

material and portray a view of 

politics relevant today to mark 

this moment in history.” 

Riona McMorrow, Acting Head 

of the National Lottery Heritage 

Fund in Scotland. 

said : “The people of Fountainbridge 

are justifiably proud 

of their industrial heritage and 

thanks to players of the National 

Lottery, this important part of 

it has an exciting future back 

at the heart of the community. 

Once open, Castle Mills will be 

a contemporary hub of creative 

enterprise benefiting people living 

and working nearby, bringing 

a sense of pride to the people who 

call this area home, and offering 

an exciting addition to Scotland 

and Edinburgh’s cultural scene.” 

This will be the first time that 

Castle Mills will be open as a 

public building. In the three-floor 

building, the general public will 

be able to enjoy the two galleries, 

shop and café. Members of 

Edinburgh Printmakers will have 

access to the top floor studio and 

printmaking facilities and visiting 

artists will be able to stay in 

the flat for residencies. 

Amanda Catto, Head of Visual 

Arts, Creative Scotland, said: 

“We’re very much looking forward 

to the opening of Edinburgh 

Printmakers at Castle Mills - a 

world class centre for printmaking 

that will extend a warm 

welcome to all. Supported by the 

National Lottery through Creative 

Scotland the new, state of the art 

facility will deliver programmes, 

classes and courses to suit people 

of all experiences – from the 

absolute beginner through to the 

established artist/ printmaker. 

“The completion of the building 

development is a tremendous 

achievement and looks set to generate 

significant, artistic, social 

and economic benefits for Edinburgh 

Printmakers, its members 

and the communities it engages 

with locally, nationally and internationally. 

We are excited by the 

creative vision and ambition of 

this project and would like to congratulate 

all those involved. We 

encourage everybody to visit and 

explore this great new resource.” 

A City of Edinburgh Council 

The resurrection of Castle Mills 

was possible thanks to National 

Lottery Heritage Fund, Creative 

Scotland, Scottish Government, 

City of Edinburgh Council, Historic 

Environment Scotland and all 

individuals who supported the fundraising 

campaign along with The 

Gannochy Trust and Robertson 

Trust. Printmaking courses and 

artist residencies will start in April 

2019, full details are on the website 

www.edinburghprintmakers.co.uk. 

Thomas Knowles, Head of Grants 

at Historic Environment Scotland, 

said: “We are pleased to support 

Edinburgh Printmakers with the 

Castle Mills Regeneration Project 

through our Historic Environment 

Repair Grant funding programme. 

This provided £598,000 of investment 

to support the regeneration 

of this culturally important Edinburgh 

building into a multi-use 

state of the art print facilities and 

transforming the local area into a 

creative hub”. 

Edinburgh Printmakers will open with a new exhibition at the end of the month | PHOTO Page/Park Architects 

building, the conversion of 

Castle Mills began in 2012, and 

is part of the Council’s redevelopment 

plans for the area 

of Fountainbridge and has 

been supported by the Fountainbridge 

Canalside Initiative 

(FCI) as well as the surrounding 

businesses. 

Councillor Donald Wilson, 

Culture and Communities Convener, 

said: “An exciting future 

lies ahead for Edinburgh Printmakers 

when the Castle Mills 

conversion completes. The new 

hub is transforming what was 

a derelict listed building into 

a brand new arts facility, in 

keeping with the character of 

the building and the area. I’m 

sure it will provide huge social 

and economic benefits for the 

local community and greatly 

enhance Fountainbridge’s cultural 

offering. 

“The project has long had 

great support from the Council, 

which has worked hard 

to help Edinburgh Printmakers 

take this building forward 

to regenerate the area. This 

has involved us providing the 

land and helping Printmakers 

secure necessary support from 

the Scottish Government. I’m 

delighted to see this 

partnership reach the next 

stage with news of the very 

first exhibition.” 

Two American businessmen 

bought the canalside building in 

1856 and it became the HQ of the 

North British Rubber Company 

PHOTO | Page/Park Architects 

AMERICAN businessmen and 

bootmakers Henry Lee Norris and 

Spencer Thomas Parmelee bought 

the canalside building Castle 

Mills Silks in 1856 and made it the 

headquarters of the North British 

Rubber Company. 

Their company soon grew and 

Castle Mills, the present building, 

was created in 1870 in Gilmore 

Park. The main entrance is now 

from Dundee Street, Edinburgh. 

By 1900 Castle Mills had become 

the largest industrial unit in Edinburgh, 

employing 3,000 people. 

With the start of the First World 

War came a demand for a durable, 

rubber-soled boot for the trenches. 

Commissioned by the Ministry 

of War, the Wellington boot was 

conceived in 1916. The North British 

Rubber Company set to work 

24 hours a day, producing 1,185,036 

pairs of boots for soldiers in the 

trenches. 

After the war the product catalogue 

ranged from sink plugs and 

domestic flooring, to golf balls and 

automobile components. In 1955, 

under the Hunter brand, two new 

boots were launched, the Green 

Hunter and the Royal Hunter, 

becoming a firm fixture in fashion 

for the next 50 years. Princess 

Diana famously wore a pair in her 

engagement photos in 1981, and 

the boots surged in popularity 

again after Kate Moss was seen in 

a pair at Glastonbury in 2005. 

By the 1960s the North British 

Rubber Company remained one of 

Edinburgh's main employers, with 

almost every family in the local 

area having a family member 

employed at the mills. After a disastrous 

fire hit the factory in 1969, 

much of the production was transferred 

to other sites at Newbridge 

on the outskirts of Edinburgh and 

Heathhall, Dumfries. Four years 

later, most of the factory complex 

was demolished, leaving only 

Castle Mills on the site. 

Scottish and Newcastle Breweries 

took over the site and built 

one of the world’s most advanced 

canning complexes, with Castle 

Mills being used as a store and 

accounts office. 

Don’t miss our monthly What’s on Section

14 WHAT’S ON The Edinburgh Reporter 


At The Queen’s 

Hall this month 

4 April at 7.30pm 

The Legends of American 

Country Music A showcase 

highly acclaimed tributes to Dolly 

Parton, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, 

Tammy Wynette and Kenny 

Rogers with new tributes to icons 

Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, 

Patsy Cline and Glen Campbell. 

5 April doors 7.00pm 

An Evening with The Hairy 

Bikers Big hearted, down-to-earth 

cooks Si King and Dave Myers 

have been together for more than 

20 years. This will be an epic 

night of cooking and conversation 

7 April 8.00pm 

Jenna Reid and Harris Playfair 

with Mr McFall’s Chamber One of 

Shetland’s finest, modern-day fiddlers, 

Jenna Reid is reunited with 

one of Scotland’s highly regarded 

pianists, Harris Playfair. With 

genre-defying Mr McFall’s Chamber, 

this will be a sumptuous 

double-bill of musical mastery. 


Julian Clary: Born to Mince 

In this outrageously camp new 

show, renowned homosexual 

Julian Clary will bare his soul as 

never before in the interests of 

light entertainment. Don’t miss 

out; this might well be the final 

mince! 


SCO: Ravel Piano Concerto 

Ginastera: Variaciones Concertantes; 

Ravel: Piano Concerto in 

G; Beethoven: Symphony No4 

Josep Pons: Conductor; Bertrand 

Chamayou: Piano 


Wilko Johnson with special 

guest Glenn Tilbrook The original 

Dr Feelgood guitarist returned 

to the live arena after his recent 

cancer recovery, including a sold 

out show at the Royal Albert Hall 

to mark his 70th birthday. He 

returns to The Queen’s Hall with 

special guest Squeeze guitarist 

Glenn Tilbrook. 


Edinburgh Quartet: Litany & 

Rapture Beethoven: String Quartet 

Op 18 No 6; Mozart: Selection of 

Arias; Schoenberg: String Quartet 

No 2 Emma Morwood: Soprano 

15 April 7.45pm Arod Quartet 

Haydn: Quartet in B flat Op 76 

No 4; Webern: Langsamersatz; 

Brahms: Quartet in A minor Op 

51 No 2 

Re-scheduled from 21 January 

2019. Original tickets still valid. 


Tommy Smith Sextet: Beasts of 

Scotland Tommy Smith brings us 

the first of his QH@40 curated gigs 

supported by Creative Scotland. 

Accompanied by his sextet and 

with narration from Tam Dean 

Burn, Beasts of Scotland is one 

of Tommy's best-loved concerts, 

inspired by Edwin Morgan's 

poetry. Support is from the awardwinning 

Square One quartet. 


Dunedin Consort: Matthew Passion 

Bach: Matthew Passion BWV 

244 Trevor Pinnock: Director; 

Hugo Hymas: Evangelist 

21 April doors 7.00pm 

Lake Street Dive New Yorkers 

with their latest album Free Yourself 

Up. It's their most confident 

album yet, seriously soulful and 

exuberantly rocking. Support 

comes from Ida Bang & The Blue 

Tears. 


SCO: Hardenberger plays Haydn 

& Gruber Schulhoff: Serenade 

Op 18; Haydn: Trumpet Concerto 

in E flat; Gruber: Busking; Beethoven: 

Twelve Contradances 

John Storgårds: Conductor; Håkan 

Hardenberger: Trumpet Conductor 

Insights, 6.30pm: John Storgårds 

discusses tonight’s programme 


Tradfest: Lankum “They do 

mark a turning point in folk… that 

authentic voice of the streets is 

back in a big way. Anarchic, yet 

connected, rootsy and gutsy… I 

love their music, it is just so damn 

good!” (Mark Radcliffe) Need we 

say more? 


Faith: The George Michael Legacy 

A stunning celebration and 

vibrant musical journey through 

the career of George Michael's 


Matt Haig: Notes On A Nervous 

Planet Join the bestselling author 

as he tackles the questions that 

so often plague our thoughts: how 

can we stay sane on a planet that 

makes us mad? 

Tartan Day 2019 

THIS YEAR the Grand Marshal 

will be none other than Sir Billy 

Connolly and the NYC Tartan 

Day Parade are looking forward 

to a great day out as the 

musicians parade down Sixth 

Avenue after a Pipes and Drums 

performance at Bryant Park. 

gularly responsible for the Big Yin 

saying yes to her invitation. 

Charlie said : “This is the ultimate 

privilege to have Sir Billy 

Connolly as Grand Marshal at the 

Tartan Day Parade. I asked him by 

way of some mutual friends and 

he very quickly agreed to do it. 

“I am absolutely delighted that 

he is - and that he will be accompanied 

by his wife, internationally 

acclaimed psychologist, Dr 

Pamela Stephenson, who will 

judge the Scottie dug competition 

before she and the Big Yin step 

off in the parade. 

“My husband Howie was 

Grand Marshal in 2014. It was 

an amazing experience which 

we shared with our boys. We are 

sure Billy and Pamela will very 

much enjoy themselves and I 

will be there to ensure that it all 

goes as smoothly as possible. 

We are very excited and I am 

sure the crowds on the day will 

love seeing him." 

There are many Edinburgh 

connections to the Tartan Day 

Parade, but no bigger (although 

she is most diminutive!) than 

Charlie Nicholsby who is sin- 

Whisky Kiss 

I MET Iain MacPhail and Murray 

Fergusson, two regular members 

of the band Whisky Kiss to talk 

about their upcoming trip to New 

York and the events they are taking 

part in around Tartan Day. 

Murray and Iain were at school 

together and have played together 

as a fiddle-accordion duo 

for about thirty years. The group 

has a changing line-up and while 

these two have played with others 

over the years this is a very 

welcome reunion for them. 

They are both Edinburgh-based 

and enjoying the fact that Murray 

has just returned to the capital 

after touring the world with Belle 

& Sebastian (and teaching Mick 

Jagger's son among many other 

things). Murray had just tweeted 

that he has not been so excited 

about a gig for about 20 years as 

he is about going to New York. 

It is tricky for them to take 

part in the Parade as their 

instruments are more or less all 

electric, but they will be playing 

at ceilidhs before and after 

the parade. Murray explained 

that they have an electric violin, 

electric accordion and while the 

pipes carry themselves they can't 

carry the drum kit in the parade! 

Murray plays an American made 

five string electric violin which 

he says has dials on it that he is 

'still discovering'. 

On Friday night they play the 

pre-parade ceilidh with Shot 

of Scotch New York, then on 

Saturday at Times Square they 

will perform along with Elite Pro 

Dance from Edinburgh who provide 

pre-match entertainment at 

Murrayfield before international 

matches there. Then to top off 

what will be a busy few days they 

will play at Bryant Park on Sunday 

lunchtime. For the trip to the 

Big Apple Ciaren Ross will join 

them on bagpipes and whistles.

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter /edinburghreporter WHAT'S ON 15 


The Edinburgh Reporter 

Editor: Phyllis Stephen 

editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk 

07791 406 498 

Share your 

event with us!


House Prices on the rise 

IN EAST central Scotland house 

prices rose in the first couple of 

months of 2019 when compared 

with the same period last 

year and the number of sales 

increased by 6.1% year on year. 

It has taken an average of 27 

days for houses to sell which is 

about 5 days slower than last 

year, and the price achieved was 

a little lower than the House 

Report valuation. 

So with more property on the 

market the average selling price 

of three bedroom homes in 

Corstorphine, Clermiston, South 

Gyle and East Craigs rose by 23.6% 

to £326,227 compared to last year 

although in South Queensferry 

and Dalmeny prices rose by only 

19%. In Liberton and Gilmerton 

prices of a three bedroom home 

fell by 19.2% to an average of 

£227,596. 

Buyers have a little less competition 

than they did, although one 

bedroom flats in Abbeyhill and 

Meadowbank are selling in an 

average of 14 days. Two bedroom 

flats in Portobello and Joppa have 

sold at 108.6% of the Home Report 

valuation but the jewel in the 

crown is Leith. There, one and 

two-bedroom flats are the top 

sellers. 

Jamie Fraser-Davidson, 

Business Analyst at ESPC, said: 

“The past three months have 

shown a reasonable increase 

in the median selling time of 

properties across east central 

Scotland. This could be due to 

the increase in the number of 

properties coming to market in 

recent months, which may have 

resulted in less competition 

between buyers for homes in the 

area." 

100 years of the Royal Scots Club 

HRH The Princess Royal visited the Royal Scots Club to mark 100 

years since it was officially opened. 

It is the centenary of the Royal 

Scots Club this year and to 

celebrate that they invited their 

patron, The Princess Royal ,to 

pay them a visit, and they have 

launched a book. 

Author and journalist, Roddy 

Martine was commissioned to 

write the history of the club in 

a book billed as so much more 

than just the inspiring story of a 

military club which has adapted 

to modern times. 

It is a lively history of the 

establishment featuring some of 

the great characters who have 

lived in Edinburgh as well as club 

members. A copy is available for 

every member of the club and it 

is also available for sale to the 

general public. 

The Princess Royal visited the 

club on 11 March 2019, a hundred 

years to the day since the then 

Princess Royal, Princess Mary, 

declared the club open. 

We spoke to Roddy Martine 

after the visit. He said : "This was 

a tremendous gathering, a good 

turnout and a great bit of history! 

A hundred years of an amazing 

club started 100 years ago to the 

day when the Princess Royal's 

aunt came to visit as one of the 

founders. It is brilliant that she 

has carried on the tradition." 

It took Roddy about two or three 

years to research but he admitted 

to having 'an amazing amount 

of help'. He said : "I think a lot of 

tribute should go to John Lloyd 

who was chairman of the club 

committee and he approached me 

to write the book originally. He 

was going to work with me and 

then unfortunately he died. After 

that Colonel Robert Watson and 

General Strudwick stepped into 

the breach and everyone has been 

so enthusiastic and helpful so it 

was a lovely thing to do." 

The title of the book is taken 

from The Declaration of Arbroath 

and it features on the Royal Scots 

monument in Princes Street 

Gardens. It was also used by the 

Princess Royal when she was 

opening the club in 1919 as a 

tribute to the club. This is an all 

ranks club, a kind of memorial 

so 'Not for Glory nor Riches' but 

as a membership club for the 

regiment initially and now for 

members from all different walks 

of life. 

Roddy said : "This is what I love 

to do, researching people and 

history. I suppose I am a latent 

historian. I was always good 

at history at school but I love 

particularly that the history of 

Roddy Martine with his book Not 

for Glory Nor Riches 

a club like this is the history of 

Edinburgh and it is the Edinburgh 

of my childhood and my parents' 

childhood. My father was born in 

Great King Street and my mother 

on Northumberland Street. I went 

to Edinburgh Academy and grew 

up in this part of Edinburgh. 

The characters in the book and 

members of this club are all the 

great characters of the last 100 

years." 

Edinburgh - 

constantly changing 

Roddy Smith has been in charge of Essential Edinburgh for four years. 

by Roddy Smith, Chief 

Executive, Essential Edinburgh 

IN THE last four years since I 

joined Essential Edinburgh, the 

pace of change in our historic city 

centre has been both constant 

and hugely exciting. 

Our buoyant tourist and visitor 

industry, coupled with Edinburgh 

performing very well across any 

number of economic benchmarks 

has led to the re-development 

of many sites and buildings, 

bringing a new purpose to empty 

spaces and derelict buildings 

alike. 

This dramatic change is visible 

throughout our city centre 

landscape, stretching from a 

reimagined Edinburgh St James 

and Edinburgh Grand hotel, in the 

former National Bank of Scotland 

headquarters, in the east end to 

the recently announced Johnnie 

Walker Visitor Experience in the 

former House of Fraser building 

in the West End. 

Edinburgh is a city with world 

heritage status, as well as a 

population of over 513,000 people 

that welcomes nearly 4 million 

visitors a year, as such it is our 

duty to protect it. New developments 

and refurbishments give 

our historic buildings, which hold 

memories for so many people, a 

fresh lease of life ensuring their 

legacy will not be forgotten. 

With tourist numbers continuing 

to grow there is no reason 

to predict that these building 

developments will not maintain 

their upward trend in the future, 

in fact many businesses are 

looking to expand their current 

city locations or to relocate to 

Edinburgh. 

One of the major catalysts 

for change has, of course, been 

Edinburgh St James. This transformational 

development, the 

largest new retail construction 

in the UK, will provide a focus for 

the east end and will attract both 

residents and tourists, while also 

creating new jobs and opportunities. 

The east end of the city centre 

has been further enhanced by a 

number of new hotels, like the 

stunning new Edinburgh Grand, 

redeveloping previously vacant 

spaces, reinvigorating derelict 

buildings and restoring a part 

of our city’s history. New office 

space has also been created 

in St Andrew’s Square and the 

proposals for the world class 

IMPACT concert hall nearby will 

cement the area’s importance and 

continue to ensure Edinburgh’s 

reputation as a cultural hub. 

The good news is also spreading 

west, with Princes, George and 

Rose Street complimenting the 

new developments in the east 

and spreading footfall across the 

city. The former BHS building 

on Princes Street is now under 

construction for a new retail and 

leisure development, which upon 

completion will be enjoyed by 

tourists and residents alike. 

Recently, Diageo announced 

new details around its plan to 

redevelop the former House of 

Fraser building to become the 

Johnnie Walker visitor experience, 

an imaginative and exciting 

use of the historic building. This 

multi-million-pound investment 

in Edinburgh will transform the 

empty site, adding a major visitor 

attraction to our city’s already 

impressive portfolio and driving 

footfall. 

Edinburgh is growing as a 

tourist destination, and although 

the increase in visitors is both 

welcome and vital for our 

economy, we need to recognise 

the historic nature of our city and 

be sympathetic when we breathe 

new life into old buildings as 

well as with the construction of 

new ones. This I believe we are 

achieving with a balanced range 

of developments for business, 

leisure and tourism.

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter /edinburghreporter FEATURES 17 

The perfect 

match! 

WHEN Hector and Yvonne 

Falconer announced to their 

friends and family they were 

going to get married everyone 

already knew it was a sure thing. 

The two Scots who had been 

a couple for a few years, met at 

a party in London. Yvonne, a 

speech and language therapist, 

and Hector, a stockbroker, quickly 

became each other's 'odds-on 

favourite'. 

On the wedding day itself 

however there was room for a 

side bet or two. 

Even the minister at St Giles, 

Rev Calum MacLeod, mentioned 

during the ceremony that any 

time the London-based bride 

and her fiancé had been in his 

congregation before, it was 

usually during a rugby international 

weekend. And he confessed 

that he was surprised they chose 

to get married on 16 March even 

though the Calcutta Cup was 

being played 500 miles away at 

Twickenham. 

The bride’s sister Louise (not a 

known gambler!) offered to buy 

the wedding favours - and placed 

a few bets on Scotland’s chances 

at her local branch of William 

Hill. She had no idea how lucky 

some of the guests would be. 

There were 75 wedding guests 

who were given betting slips for a 

draw. Five of those were for a £10 

bet, five for a £5 bet and 65 for £1 

making the total payout at 33/1 a 

whopping £4,760. 

Scotland drew 38-38 with 

England in a fightback which 

began with them 31-0 down! 

Hector and Yvonne’s guests were 

quids in. Hector and Yvonne 

told us : “When Louise found out, 

the expression on her face was 

hilarious as she knew the implication 

was that some slips were 

now worth hundreds of pounds. 

It was just another incredible 

moment that added to the joy of 

the day as guests whooped and 

cheered." 

REV DR RICHARD FRAZER, 

minister at Greyfriars Kirk, has 

written a book about travelling 

the pilgrimage route of Santiago 

de Compostela a few years ago. 

He held this as a long-time 

dream and completed it as one 

of over 300,000 people who walk 

Hector and Yvonne were married on the same day as Scotland retained the Calcutta Cup in a 

thrilling 38-38 draw PHOTO | Martin P McAdam 

Travels With a Stick 

Rev Dr Richard Frazer completed 

the pilgrimage in 2012 and has just 

written a book about it 

the 500 miles from near Biarritz 

to Santiago in Spain each year. He 

marked the 25th year of being a 

minister that year and was gifted 

money by his congregation along 

with a guidebook. 

Richard believes pilgrimage is 

an important spiritual pathway 

to Christianity, and he has 

been influential in reviving the 

tradition, which fell out favour in 

Scotland after the Reformation. 

He said: “I would urge everyone 

to get outdoors and into nature. 

“While walking, it’s almost as 

if the landscape starts to read 

you, and you become part of the 

landscape.” 

For those looking to embark on 

their pilgrimage journey, Richard 

says you don’t need to start with 

faith. 

“It’s very accessible,” he said. 

“It’s a physical experience which 

becomes spiritual. 

As for the future of pilgrimage in 

Scotland, Richard describes it as 

a “very promising” time. 

“A number of routes now 

operate, from Orkney to Lindisfarne 

and places in between.” 

Travels With a Stick is published 

by Birlinn Books on 11 April 

2019 and will be available from 

Blackwells and other bookshops. 

Richard will also be speaking at 

the Christian Aid Book Festival on 

Sunday 12 May and the Heart and 

Soul Festival on Sunday 19 May. 

The perfect match! PHOTO | Martin P McAdam 

The Edinburgh Sketcher 

The Edinburgh Sketcher can be commissioned to create ink and watercolour sketches of your favourite view 

or location around Edinburgh. Have a personal painting of your house or special place in the city, drawn just 

for you. Drop Mark an email at contact@edinburghsketcher.com to see more examples like this one and to 

discuss details about your personal artwork.

18 GENERAL FOOD NEWS The Edinburgh Reporter 

OVER 30 years’ experience in 

the industry, and he now runs 

Bistro Deluxe by Paul Tamburrini 

at Macdonald Holyrood Hotel 

in Edinburgh. With uniquely 

sourced Scottish ingredients and 

fresh local produce, Paul offers 

a repertoire of French classics 

influenced by his passion for 

exceptional dishes and the 

Master Chefs with whom he has 

trained. 

Rabbit à la moutarde 

salt and black pepper 

6 rabbit legs 

100g butter 

100ml white wine vinegar 

3 tbsp dijon mustard 

500ml chicken stock 

150ml double cream 

Paul Tamburrini’s 

April recipe 

Mains of 

Taymouth 

1 tbsp dried oregano 

1 tsp smoked paprika 

1 tsp chopped rosemary 

6 garlic cloves, crushed 

2 bay 

leaves. 

Season the rabbit legs. Melt 

the butter in a heavy based 

casserole pan and sear the rabbit 

legs. Remove from the pan and 

drain Swill the casserole with 

the vinegar and boil to reduce by 

two thirds. Add all the remaining 

ingredients and bring to the boil. 

When boiling, add the rabbit back 

to the casserole , cover and cook 

gently until the meat falls freely 

off the bone.Take out the rabbit 

and set aside. Boil the cooking 

Paul recommends trying a little rabbit this month 

liquor to reduce it to a sauce like 

consistency (it will coat the back 

of a spoon Adjust the seasoning 

and return the rabbit to the pot to 

warm through. 

Sauté potatoes 

6 large Maris piper potatoes 

2tablespoons Olive Oil 

125g unsalted butter 

Cook the unpeeled potatoes in 

gently simmering salted water 

until almost soft in the centre. 

Take out and leave to cool. Peel 

and cut the potatoes into 1cm 

pieces and gently fry in the butter 

until golden brown.Carefully 

place the braised Rabbit leg on 

top of sautéed potatoes and serve 

with a little mustard sauce 

Mains of Taymouth is an hour 

and a half from Edinburgh 

by Juliet Lawrence Wilson 

SOMETHING I always envied 

about The Broons was their 

holiday home. Admittedly 

they referred to it as a ‘But an 

Ben’, which sounds less than 

glamorous but it must have been 

refreshing to leave the tenements 

of Glebe Street for some fresh 

country air. 

The Wilson family, on the other 

hand live in soulless but comfortable 

modernity. After decades 

of braving the drafts of Georgian 

splendour we are now ensconced 

in insulated, double glazed 

heaven by The Shore. 

However there’s only so much 

modern living one can handle so 

I booked us in for a weekend at 

Mains of Taymouth, on the edge 

of Kenmore Village, just a short 

drive up the road from Aberfeldy. I 

packed too many clothes and lots 

of luxurious goodies to eat and 

drink, then off we set. The child 

had her travel sickness tablet 

and the Wilsons were in holiday 

spirits. The first “Are we there 

yet?” occurred at the other side 

of The Queensferry Crossing but 

mother was told in no uncertain 

terms we had at least an hour and 

a half to go. 

The journey was rainy and felt a 

tad perilous on some of the bends 

but Loch Tay still looked magnificent 

on our arrival and check in 

was swift and to the point, a good 

thing seeing as the gin I brought 

with me wasn’t going to drink 

itself. Mains of Taymouth is the 

old stable mains of the estate 

farm adjacent to Taymouth Castle. 

The original buildings have been 

converted to four and five star 

properties, each with a hot tub 

and some also featuring a sauna. 

You can read the rest of this 

review online and find out what 

the Wilsons really got up to on 

their holidays!

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter /edinburghreporter FOOD DIARY 19 

Juliet’s Food Diary 

by Juliet Lawrence Wilson 

I ADMIT to having form when it 

comes to The Sheep Heid Inn. 

Many a night, I’ve thought, just 

one more round in the cosiness 

of it’s bar and several times I’ve 

managed to demonstrate my lack 

of hand to eye coordination in its 

charming skittle alley. 

This popular Duddingston 

Village haunt has had something 

of a dramatic makeover since my 

day. The floors are polished and 

the seating on the fancy side of 

gastro pub. But such is the way 

of the world: there's no place for 

the old fashioned boozer any 

more...We’re offered the option 

of a Vegan menu, which I find 

surprising, and I’m not alone. I 

spot a couple of vegan bloggers 

I know and one remarks that 

they “didn’t think they’d have 

anything for us here.” Indeed 

it’s a sad thought that vegans 

might be wandering the villages 

of Edinburgh, knocking on the 

doors of ye olde inns only to be 

told they have nothing for them. 

It’s a sort of millennial, woke 

version of the nativity. However 

it’s the ideal place for an Easter 

Sunday lunch if you fancy a 

bit of countryside in the City. 

Vegans and Atheists welcome. 

Read my full review online. 

There’s nothing I love more 

than seafood where it ought to 

be eaten: in a harbour. I’ve been 

a big fan of The Lobster Shack 

in North Berwick for some time, 

as nothing to my mind can beat 

a lunch of lobster and chips. The 

weather can sometimes scupper 

my plans but no more: the 

people behind the LS now have 

a proper harbour side restaurant 

in Northy. At The Rocketeer 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 

10 11 

14 

12 13 

15 16 17 18 

20 21 22 23 

19 

25 26 

27 28 

9 

you can sample North Berwick 

lobster, fish and chips, seafood 

platters and burgers. They 

advertise on their website that 

it’s fully air conditioned, because, 

goodness knows, we often sweat 

our socks off in harbour side 

restaurants in Scotland. They’re 

a registered First Fish Buyer, 

meaning they purchase the 

freshest catch, directly from the 

harbour. Its fully licensed too so 

if you’re going from Edinburgh 

take the train! The people behind 

this new venture and the Lobster 

Shack are the ever popular Nether 

Abbey Hotel, which was once 

owned by Rod Stewart’s cousin. 

Rod the Mod often stayed there 

with his then best blonde, Britt 

Eckland. Every day’s a school day, 

chums. 

I’m rarely a fan of ‘theme’ 

establishments but make a strong 

exception for The Barologist by 

The Shore. Formerly the Cameo 

Bar, the new proprietors have not 

stinted in creating a unique and 

fun big night out venue. Fitted 

out steampunk style its truly 

something to behold and the 

food and cocktails are fantastic. 

Interestingly they have a special 

offer where you get a free meal 

if it’s your birthday (T&Cs apply, 

obviously). 

But on Easter Sunday what 

might that mean for Jesus? 

Ok, it’s a few months since 

his birthday but surely for his 

resurrection he might get a free 

Sunday roast, maybe taking , oh 

I don’t know, twelve pals along? 

The Barologist is very Instagrammable 

and they’ll even print a 

photo of your choice on top of 

your cocktail or coffee. So get the 

smartphones out disciples and 

spread the happy word. 

And if your Easter weekend 

features nothing more thrilling 

than a trip to IKEA, why not 

purchase their flat pack chocolate 

Easter Bunny. Yes, as part of 

their Varkansla range the self 

assembly treat can be purchased 

for only £2.95, which leaves 

plenty of cash left for Dime Bars 

and tea lights. 

Happy egg rolling, folks! 

24 

Crossword 

Across 

7 Changing over a hub I modify my conduct (9) 

8 Car in accident with a heap of stones (5) 

10 Strange manner to decorate (8) 

11 Eighth form of measurement (6) 

12 Part of the tin you describe as small (4) 

13 Revere it, and try to get it back (8) 

15 Wire had wrapped round untanned leather (7) 

17 A faster way to travel to the orient ? (3, 4) 

20 Like a fine particle taken from rural nag (8) 

22 Unattractive great lump, you initially described 

thus (4) 

25 They serve drinks to me in barn (6) 

26 Poorly indented, as it was meant to be (8) 

27 Fed it awful, stinking material (5) 

28 Shift stick over to real verge (4,5) 

Cosy space in Duddingston Village for lunch 

Sheep Heid Inn fit for royalty 

Crossword by David Albury Answers on page 19 

Down 

1 In their schools they are the successors (5) 

2 Sent from Lima as a sample of sausage (6) 

3 I dye weed whilst expressing astonishment thus (4-4) 

4 It's a rug, thrown over this instrument (7) 

5 I mime art, travelling around the sea-coast (8) 

6 Vicars hit out at one who keeps records (9) 

9 Closed various huts (4) 

14 Early dare led one to become a non-professional 

person in church (3, 6) 

16 Add ham, in defiance of female servant (8) 

18 Try a duel to settle dispute over this sin (8) 

19 Rare bit of dissension for a judge (7) 

21 Between Ash Wednesday and Easter, gave on loan (4) 

23 Tell, in a way, of this stone over a doorway (6) 

24 Disease found in part of every country (5) 

Advertise 

with us! 

Please send any copy 

or advertising to 

editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk

20 SPORT The Edinburgh Reporter 

PoppyScotland Sportive 

- entries now open 

Over £200,000 has been raised fry the Sportive or the Armed Forces charity in the past six years 

ENTRIES are now being accepted 

for PoppyScotland's 

sixth Sportive. 

In past years over £200,000 

has been raised for the charity 

which supports the Armed 

Forces community. 

The cycle event which usually 

attracts around 1,000 entrants 

takes place in East Lothian and 

the Scottish Borders. This year 

it is once again being sponsored 

by Fred. Olsen Renewables. 

Speaking at the Crystal Rig 

Wind Farm, on the Lammermuir 

Hills, near Dunbar, in East 

Lothian, Stuart Naylor the UK 

Operations Manager for Fred. 

Olsen Renewables said: “Poppyscotland 

provides an invaluable 

service for the Armed Forces 

community, and, speaking as a 

former RAF Serviceman, I feel 

immensely proud that Fred. 

Olsen Renewables not only recognises 

these efforts, but will be 

able to help raise much-needed 

funds and awareness of the 

charity through sponsorship of 

this year’s Sportive. 

"In developing a long-term relationship 

with Poppyscotland, 

we have been able to ensure 

that all money raised at the 

Sportive will be spent directly 

on the charity’s many great 

initiatives.” 

Fran Tierney, 52, a keen cyclist 

and member of the Poppyscotland 

Sportive committee, said: “I 

have participated in this event for 

the past two years and absolutely 

love it. I am a member of Kinross 

Cycling Club and last year I tackled 

the 100-mile route, which was 

an interesting challenge due to 

the wind! But after finishing, the 

hot drink and toast brought a big 

smile at the end to a great day. 

“As a new member of the Sportive 

committee, I will now be 

helping on the day of the event – 

and I can’t wait. Each of the three 

routes offers a unique cycling 

experience for both club and recreational 

cyclists. The scenery is 

amazing with a mixture of coast 

and country with rolling hills. 

If you have a bike, I definitely 

recommend this event for your 

diary.” 

Poppyscotland’s Katriona Harding, 

who organises the event, 

said: “Today is all about telling 

cyclists across the country that 

your much-loved Sportive is back 

again. The Sportive is always a 

sell-out event, so we encourage 

participants to sign up as soon as 

possible. 

“It is a privilege for us to have 

Fred. Olsen Renewables on board 

as our sponsor again this year 

– and for the next two years as 

well. Along with their support, 

and the generosity of those taking 

part, the Poppyscotland Sportive 

has raised an incredible £211,717 

which goes directly to our Welfare 

Services team as they work 

tirelessly to support veterans 

throughout the country. What’s 

more, 100 per cent of the sign-up 

fee and any sponsorship raised 

by participants goes directly to 

Poppyscotland. 

“Finally, I think it’s important 

to let residents in East Lothian 

know that the Poppyscotland 

Sportive is not a closed-road 

event. It has been designed by 

our committee of experienced 

local cyclists to cause as little 

disruption as possible and we 

are in regular contact with a 

number of community councils, 

but, of course, I would welcome 

any feedback from the public.” 

Best known for running the 

iconic Scottish Poppy Appeal, 

Poppyscotland reaches out to 

those who have served, those 

still serving, and their families 

at times of crisis and need by 

offering vital, practical advice, 

assistance and funding. The 

charity believes that no veteran 

should live without the prospect 

of employment, good health and 

a home, and we all have part to 

play in achieving this. 

To take part in the 2019 Poppyscotland 

Sportive, or for more 

information, please contact Katriona 

Harding, Events Fundraising 

Manager at Poppyscotland, 

on0131 557 2782, or at k.harding@poppyscotland.org.uk, 

or by 

visiting www.poppyscotland.org. 

uk/sportive. 

Golf with Edinburgh Leisure 

WITH the lighter nights on their David Atkinson, Golf Manager at 

way, Edinburgh Leisure gym and Edinburgh Leisure said: ‘The Golf 

fitness customers can get in the Bolt On is great value considering 

18 holes at Braid Hills may 

swing of it, with a golf 'bolt-on' 

membership, which will give cost as much as £27.50 at the 

unlimited access to six stunning weekend. It will definitely appeal 

golf courses all within driving to casual golfers, who might only 

range of the city centre. 

play a round or two every month 

The Edinburgh Leisure ‘Golf Bolt but who like to use golf as part of 

On’ spans all six of Edinburgh their overall fitness regime.” 

Leisure’s courses which include: The Golf Bolt On Membership is 

Braid Hills, Carrick Knowe, available to buy at any Edinburgh 

Craigentinny, Portobello, Silverknowes 

and the Wee Braids and online) - 

Leisure site (but is not available 

costs just £26 per month, in addition 

to their normal membership. memberships/golf 

www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/ 

Festival of Tennis 

NEW to tennis or an experienced several special offers and giveaways 

on the day. 

player? 

Join Craiglockhart Tennis 

For more information or to book 

Centre for a fun-filled afternoon of a slot visit edinburghleisure. 

tennis activities on 21 April 2019 co.uk/festival-of-tennis or ask in 

for all ages and abilities, where centre. Craiglockhart Leisure & 

you can get a taste of the programmes 

and courses on offer. EH14 1BZ 0131 443 0101 

Tennis Centre, 177 Colinton Road, 

Gannon Sports will also have info.cltc@edinburghleisure.co.uk 

Fishing round up 

by Nigel Duncan 

PERMITS for the Esk at Musselburgh 

are available from Ace 

Bike Co at North High Street and 

Tracy’s Open All Hours (green 

canopy) at Eskview Terrace. 

They are £20 with a senior (over 

60) £10 and junior (under-16) £10 

and a day ticket is £5 and fishing 

is Wednesday to Monday only 

with no Tuesday fishing. 

Children up to 12 years-of-age 

can fish free with an adult permit 

holder and the salmon and sea 

trout season ends on October 31 

with the brown trout season closing 

on October 6. 

The season opens on the Water 

of Leith on April 1. Permits are 

free and are available from various 

outlets including the Water 

of Leith Centre at Slateford Road 

and Post Offices in Balerno and 

Currie. 

Sevie Johnston, owner of Clubbiedean 

Trout Fishery in the 

Pentland Hills above Bonaly, has 

confirmed fishing this summer 

will be at 2017 prices and he has 

purchased two new boats to add 

to the six he already has in the 

12-acre water. 

He has also spent time cutting 

weed in the picturesque reservoir 

which is home to a sizeable number 

of prime rainbow, blue and 

tiger trout as well as wild brown 

trout. 

Stevie, now in his third year in 

charge, has re-stocked and said: 

“We’re only ten minutes from the 

city centre and this is a cracking 

fishery with a good head of quality 

trout. 

“Last year was not the best because 

of the weather but anglers 

were still catching fish and we 

had a number of parties from 

around the world trying fly fishing 

as a sport. 

He’s introduced a season ticket 

which allows unlimited fishing on 

a catch and release basis for £300 

and Clubbiedean will be open 

every day during the summer. 

Pottishaw Fishery near Whitburn 

opened its door to day ticket 

buyers for the first time in seven 

years on 24 March. Only 15 tickets 

will be sold daily. Glencorse Reservoir 

opened on 23 March. 

YOUR TEAM 

COULD BE 

FEATURED 

HERE

y John Hislop 

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter /edinburghreporter SPORT 21 

Hibernian’s Drybrough 

Cup triumphs 

IN THE history of Hibernian 

Football Club, the two Drybrough 

Cup triumphs are sometimes 

under appreciated but it should 

be pointed out that only the best 

teams in the country qualified 

and both finals were attended by 

over 49,000 fans. 

The early 1970s saw the authorities 

refuse to allow companies 

to lend their name to existing 

tournaments. 

As a result those companies 

prepared to put some money 

into the game had to set up their 

own tournaments, of which the 

Drybrough Cup was one - the first 

sponsored competition exclusive 

to Scottish clubs. 

The competition was established 

in 1971, a year after the 

similar Watney Cup had been 

introduced in England and was 

open to the clubs which scored 

the most League goals in the preceding 

season - the top four from 

the then two existing divisions 

- with the draw seeded so that 

top division clubs couldn't clash 

in the opening round. In England 

the Watney Cup was played for by 

the highest scorers EXCLUDING 

teams who qualified for Europe or 

won promotion. 

The competition provided an 

opportunity for the Scottish FA to 

experiment with new rules and 

ideas for football and in 1972 and 

1973 an experimental version of 

the offside rule was operated. 

The new rule saw the penalty 

area line extended to join up with 

the touchlines, creating a solid 

line across the pitch 18 yards 

from each goal. The offside law 

then only applied when a player 

was beyond the new penalty area 

line. 

Hibs started with a comfortable 

4-0 victory over Montrose thanks 

to goals from Johnny Hamilton, 

Pat Stanton, Alan Gordon and 

Arthur Duncan. 

The semi-final at Easter Road 

against Rangers who fielded nine 

members of the team that won 

the European cup Winners Cup 

a few months previously was attended 

by 27,111. 

Hibernian demolished Rangers 

and the 3-0 scoreline flattered 

the visitors although the game 

is probably best remembered for 

disgraceful scenes off the pitch. 

The match was held up on 

several occasions as the furious 

Rangers fans invaded the pitch 

and hurled bottles into the home 

supporters massed in the old 

‘Cowshed’. 

The behaviour of the visiting 

‘fans’ that night resulted in the 

closure of the shed and the subsequent 

installation of bench seats. 

Read more of this story online. 

Spartans Ladies went down 5-1 at home to Celtic in a SWFL match at 

Ainslie Park last month. Michaela McAlonie scored the home side’s 

goal late in the game. PHOTO | North Edinburgh Community News 

Ian Ballantyne celebrates after scoring the only goal in Civil Service Strollers win over Stirling University in 

the Lowland League last month. The win moved Civil into fourth place in the league table. 

| Photo Thomas Brown 

Hearts walking 

footballers aiming 

to retain title 

by John Hislop 

THE third National Walking 

Football League hosted by North 

Lanarkshire Leisure and supported 

by Health & Social Care North 

Lanarkshire began at the Ravenscraig 

Regional Sports Facility in 

Motherwell last month. 

Hearts 56 won the trophy last 

year on an exciting last day 

after holding off Hearts 98, Gala 

Fairydean Rovers and Glasgow 

Sport West, with only two points 

separating the top four positions. 

The players later paraded 

the trophy in front of a packed 

Tynecastle during the half-time 

break of the Scottish Cup tie 

against St Johnstone and had 

their photograph taken with Anne 

Budge. 

This year, due to the increased 

popularity of the sport, an Over 

65s tournament has been organised 

with 10 teams from throughout 

Scotland taking part. 

This will run in tandem with the 

Over 50s competition. 

The teams meet one day per 

month and play three 18 minute 

games. 

Walking football is designed to 

help people keep fit or kick start 

an active lifestyle. The sport is 

aimed at men and women over 

the age of 50 and is basically a 

slowed down version of the beautiful 

game where players walk 

instead of running. 

Many players report lower heart 

rates, less fat, more muscle and 

better mobility. In addition to 

the health benefits, participants 

meet new people, avoid becoming 

isolated and get to interact with 

others. 

To find out more about walking 

football and to identify the locations 

of your nearest venue, visit 

walkingfootballscotland.org 

Naismith injury setback for Hearts 

by Mike Smith 

IN A season plagued by injury 

Hearts have been dealt yet another 

blow with the news Steven 

Naismith has had more surgery 

on a cartilage injury meaning the 

on-loan Norwich City striker will 

be out for around 8 weeks. 

It’s the second long-term injury 

to affect the Scotland striker this 

season but Hearts manager Craig 

Levein was philosophical. He told 

the official Hearts website: 

“I feel for Steven, more than 

anybody else. He’s worked ever 

so hard to get back the last time 

and then this happens again. He 

needs to get back fit again. 

That will be his primary concern 

at the moment. 

“It’s unfortunate but it is what 

it is. I think he’s getting a little 

bit shaved off his cartilage again. 

Last time he was eight to ten 

weeks out. 

“I hope we see him again before 

the end of the season. He came 

back really quickly last time, so 

I’m hopeful it will be the same 

again. 

“When he was out previously we 

had a shortage of strikers. Craig 

Wighton is back and fully fit after 

his ankle problem, and we’ve got 

David Vanecek and Uche, so it’s a 

different situation altogether.” 

Hearts defender Michael Smith 

is also out with a torn muscle in 

his thigh and isn’t expected to 

return until the beginning of May. 

Goal of the month 

PHOTO | North Edinburgh Community News 

HIBS Kirsten Reilly’s goal against Heart of Midlothian in the First 

Round of the SWPL Cup was voted as the winner of the clubs goal of the 

month for February. 

It proved to be hugely popular among the club’s supporters as well as 

it took home a massive 55% of the vote, beating off strikes from Stevie 

Mallan, Marc McNulty, Oli Shaw, Jamie Gullan and Daryl Horgan to 

scoop the award. 

The midfielder took a touch to bring the ball under her control then 

let fly from outside the area with the ball dipping and swerving into the 

top corner.The goal proved to be decisive as well as the match ended 

1-0 to Hibernian.

22 EDINBURGH POLITICIANS The Edinburgh Reporter 

Crossword Answers 

Across: 

7 Behaviour, 8 Cairn, 10 Ornament, 11 Height, 12 Tiny, 13 Retrieve, 15 Rawhide, 17 Far east, 20 Granular, 22 Ugly, 25 Barmen, 26 Intended, 27 Fetid, 28 Gear lever. 

Down: 

1 Heirs, 2 Salami, 3 Wide-eyed, 4 Guitars, 5 Maritime, 6 Archivist, 9 Shut, 14 Lay reader, 16 Handmaid, 18 Adultery, 19 Arbiter, 21 Lent, 23 Lintel, 24 Fever.

The Edinburgh Reporter April 2019 issue

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