The Edinburgh Reporter May 2021

10 NEWS
Markets bounce back
Rosslyn
Chapel
Craft stalls back in fashion after Covid restrictions lifted
WHILE IT’S BEEN a hard year for everyone,
some market traders have at least managed to
keep a presence at both Stockbridge and Leith
Markets which has helped them to stay afloat.
The markets made the difficult decision to
have only essential food stalls when they
reopened last July after the first lockdown.
This meant that all craft stalls were suspended
to comply with the restrictions, but were
allowed back in August when restrictions were
once again eased.
Beth Berry, who runs the markets, said:
“Some traders had an online presence, but it’s
just not the same as meeting your customer and
offering advice on their purchase.
“We followed advice and took non-essential
stalls out at the start of this year but following
the latest government advice, the market has
decided to slowly reintroduce craft stalls from
the first weekend in May.
“We will still be observing supervised entry
and exit, a one way system, hand sanitising and
social distancing.
“To begin with there will only be one or two
craft stalls at each market. In May in Stockbridge
we welcome back jewellery stalls Alexis
Southam, Templetree Silver and All Fired Up.
“There will also be craft stalls including local
artists Als Couzins and Liam Dobson, and
popular children's clothing and art stall -
Cahoots, our own special Indian artefact stall
Gecko Gallery, and Green Earth Beads which
specialises in hand made goods, including bags
and jewellery, JoJo candles and leather specialist,
Workshop After Six.
“Due to all the Covid restrictions we really
have to limit the number of stalls and it’s been
very hard to decide who gets a place.
Perks of Pentland
pedal for Gavin
CLLR GAVIN CORBETT is a keen
cyclist and often posts photos from
his various cycle rides. He points
out that it is possible to take the
family with you. He said: “One of the
benefits of being in South West
Edinburgh is just how easy it is to
get out of the city into open
AIlan from Alexis Southam Jewellery
at Stockbridge Market
“All of our traders are desperate to return to
the market and start their businesses up again.
“As things hopefully slowly return to
“normal” we will be keeping a very careful eye
on the situation.
“You can see who is at the market by looking
at the website where each Monday afternoon we
update the list of who will be present the
following weekend.
“In Leith we welcome back Amaranthine and
Estia, both doing fabulous soaps and lotions,
also Blue Kitty Jewellery and Green Earth Beads.
Long awaited by the dog friendly community we
welcome back Collared By Mark with his tweed
countryside. The new allocated bike
space on Lanark Road has made it
more attractive for commuters and
faster cyclists, leaving the Water of
Leith shared path less pressured.
“When my two sons were
smaller, ten years ago and more,
a favourite short ride was up to
creations for humans and dogs, and also
Rosstic Woodcraft.”
For the moment the weekly market in the
Grassmarket remains closed.
Beth says she will be watching what happens
there with outside hospitality and general
footfall. As soon as they deem it safe they
will open again.
Beth said: “Please support small local
independents, we are here for you all year
round, and we help our city to be alive and
individual.”
www.stockbridgemarket.com
Gavin
Corbett
Bonaly and round Torduff and
Clubbiedean reservoirs, all the way
past Kinleith to Harlaw and back
down to Balerno via Malleny Mills
and onto the Water of Leith path.
About 15 miles all in all, from the
Harrison Park area, almost all of it
on paths and tracks.
“On a summer’s evening or a
Sunday afternoon you feel high
above the city and the Forth
Estuary, with the Pentlands on
one side. And while it is a bit of an
ascent up to Clubbiedean you
have the satisfaction of knowing
it is going to be downhill all the
way home.”
Taking a cycle
back in time
By JOHN KNOX
A ROUND TRIP from Edinburgh city centre
to the 15th century Rosslyn Chapel in
Midlothian gives a wonderful day out on
the bicycle and will cost you nothing,
except 24 miles of not very hard work and
a possible coffee and cake in the visitor
centre café.
Mind you, it starts with a bit of grind
uphill to Gilmerton, four miles out on the
south side of town (A772). But before you
get to the City Bypass, you’ll be much
relieved to find a brand new cycle route,
heading south-west, which will take you
safely under the traffic and out to Straiton
Pond nature reserve. Pause here to get
your breath, admire the swans and leave
the busy 21st century behind.
Soon after that you will be flying across
the Bilston Glen Viaduct, built for the
Loanhead and Roslin Railway in 1874 .
(Roslin is how everyone, except the chapel
people, spell Rosslyn). It’s a “box lattice
girder” bridge and a fine example of
Victorian engineering.
By now you are enjoying the open fields
where Dolly the Sheep once roamed at the
agriculture research centre. Up a slight hill,
on the right is a memorial to the Battle of
Roslin, a Scottish victory against the
English in the First War of Independence in
1303. Cycling into the village itself, you
pass the lovely old Manse (1837) on the
right and then, at the first crossroads, you
see signs for Rosslyn Chapel. Perched on
the edge of the dramatic North Esk Glen,
this fantasy in stone was built by the Earl of
Rosslyn and Prince of Orkney in 1446. Dan
Brown’s Da Vinci Code has added extra
tourism interest and there’s a fine visitor
centre. You’ve been away for a day and
time-travelled for 700 years. Time for a
well-deserved, socially-distanced High Tea.
Midlothian Cycle Map available from the
cycling campaign Spokes and all good
bookshops