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The Edinburgh Reporter September 2021

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Pitching in Walk in the art Eighty not out Andes addition Derby clash

Lochend Football Academy

appeals for financial help

Page 4

Art Walk Porty festival limbers

up after year out

Page 10

LifeCare charity celebrates

landmark birthday

Page 12

Superico is sweet spot

for food writer Juliet

Page 17

City rivals square up for

all-important match

Page 22

September 2021

Martin P McAdam

EDINBURGH’S FREE LOCAL NEWSPAPER...A CAPITAL READ FROM START TO FINISH

It’s all go for...

Hidden Door

By

L-R: Events Project Manager, Hannah Stewart, Comms Team Leader, Jim Coltham, and Creative Director, David Martin

Granton gas

site lifts the lid

on live events

PHYLLIS STEPHEN

VOLUNTEERS have been working hard

to get a massive Granton site ready for

Hidden Door Festival which takes place

this month.

Performances will be held outside on

one of two stages erected in the shadow

of the gasometer, or in a warehouse

building across the street which will be

home to an art exhibition, theatre and

dance performances.

Some performances arise from five

collaborative projects initially created

for online viewing, and these will be

performed in front of a live audience

for the first time. Each one is led by an

artist curator commissioned to produce

a unique experience for the audience,

bringing together performers from

different genres.

These performances will truly put live

entertainment back on the map after the

creative isolation of the last year and

more. The festival takes place between

15 and 19 September at Granton

Gasworks and details of the five projects

are on Page 10.

All kinds of active travel can be used to

reach the site from the city centre and

elsewhere.

The West Shore Road site is connected

to several bus services, and the cycle path

from Waterfront Broadway.

The volunteers are staging a four day

festival of live music, theatre, spoken word

and a visual art exhibition.

Working alongside Edinburgh College,

who have provided access to the site for this

year, the event is also intended to offer

students work experience.

Full story on Page 10


2 NEWS

Covid cases rise

Editorial

THIS HAS BEEN AN unusual August with

visitors arriving from abroad to enjoy what

there was of the Festivals and Fringe.

Thankfully there were (and are) still some

digital offerings for those who are still too

cautious to go out in crowds, and so much

to enjoy online which might entertain us

into the autumn. And yes folks, autumn it is.

Children are back at school and students

will also return soon. But the bad news is

that the Covid-19 case numbers have been

on the rise, and we are warned to be

prepared for more restrictions if needed.

The new Scottish Government, with the

Green flash applied to the SNP yellow, will

be back in session working under an

historic new alliance which promises more

spending on active travel. Patrick Harvie,

MSP, and Lorna Slater, MSP, Scottish Greens

co-leaders, have been appointed as Junior

Ministers in The Scottish Government in a

historic step for the Green Party in the UK.

This is their first time in government with

Mr Harvie heading up Active Travel. He said

the new £300 million investment planned

for safe walking and cycling in Scotland will

be transformative.

INFRASTRUCTURE

In Edinburgh a transformation of any kind

would be only too welcome. The streets are

greatly in need of repair - not just

temporary fixes which wear out due to

traffic and weather. Better infrastructure

allowing everyone more choice could

improve the city’s air quality while allowing

safer travel in the city.

SPOKES have campaigned for a long time

on such matters and we are pleased that

they have responded to our request for a

column on page 8. Transport and

Environment Convener, Cllr Lesley

Macinnes has also written about transport

matters in the city.

I hope that you and your families are well

and that you enjoy our monthly look at the

news in Edinburgh. As ever if you have a

story then get in touch.

Phyllis Stephen, Editor

Student flats

planned for

Haymarket

Yards

GET IN

TOUCH

TODAY!

Car ban on

George Street

Planning news

GEORGE STREET AND FIRST NEW TOWN PROJECT

The council has published the final concept design for the George

Street and First New Town project (GNT).

This proposes to remove traffic from George Street and convert it

to the wide boulevard that it once was. The public engagement

carried out in March conveyed broad support for the plans which

include wider pavements on both sides, greening and landscaping,

and the creation of a cycling street. There will be no buses travelling

along - they will instead stop on the side streets, although those

with blue badges will be allowed limited access. The council now

moves on through the long process to bring this to fruition, with

development of the operational plan taking into account comments

from Edinburgh World Heritage, Essential Edinburgh, the George

Street Association and cycling campaigners, SPOKES. The plans sit

within the City Centre Transformation scheme and will be linked to

other active travel routes being created from The Meadows to

George Street and the City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL). The

latter has been planned for almost a decade, so do not expect the

changes to be made soon. Much paper has to be pushed before the

council achieves its aim of a car-free city centre by 2030.

WEST CRAIGS NORTH MASTERPLAN

An application for Planning Permission in Principle has been

submitted for West Craigs North masterplan by Edinburgh-based

Yeoman McAllister Architects. This is the piece of land lying to the

north of Craigs Road. The proposal is to build more than 500

homes with 50% affordable homes delivered by Dunedin

Canmore Housing Association, a retail unit, public park and

active travel routes.

This is the area where the council proposed to introduce a Low

Traffic Neighbourhood under Spaces for People plans, but had to

abandon that in the face of opposition.

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

An application has been lodged for permission to build student

accommodation just north of Haymarket Yards. The plans show a

stepped building with part of it comprising seven storeys, and a roof

terrace on the lower part which will be four storeys high.

COVID-19 CASES rose sharply in

August, recording the highest daily

total since the beginning of the

pandemic, with more than 7,000

cases in one day.

But the number of deaths is often

in single figures, and while the

Delta variant is “very transmissible”

- it is the unvaccinated in younger

age bands who make up the bulk

of the case numbers. Numbers of

people in hospital are also on

the increase.

More than 80% of 30 to 39

year-olds have had their first dose

of vaccine, and 68% have had their

second dose. The younger cohort

of 16 to 17 year-olds is also now

eligible for vaccination and almost

half have already received their

first dose.

The advice to employers is to

allow their staff to continue

working from home if they can, but

schools have returned and cinemas

THE EDINBURGH Reporter is an

independently owned

newspaper. Each day you can

read our latest stories online, but

with our monthly paper we hope

to bring you something different

and tangible.

Our costs are met by

advertising and sponsorship and

we would like to hear from you if

you wish to promote your

business or event in this way.

The Edinburgh Reporter is

distributed through a network of

city businesses such as

supermarkets and the EICC centre

which is being currently used as a

mass vaccination centre.

The paper is also distributed at

Leith and Stockbridge Markets

on the first weekend of each

month. We hope to see you there.

All branches of Farmer Autocare

in Edinburgh also have a supply

of newspapers for their

customers to pick up.

The paper is also available to

pick up on Portobello

Promenade and in the town’s

Velvet Easel Gallery and Via

For advertising and

editorial enquiries

please email:

editor@the

edinburgh

reporter.co.uk Donate anchor.fm YouTube

and theatres are reopening.

A public inquiry will be held into

the way the government handled

the pandemic. The First Minister,

Nicola Sturgeon, announced the

path to the inquiry. She said: “The

Scottish Government has always

been committed to the

establishment of a statutory

public inquiry into the handling

of the pandemic.

“I can confirm that we have

started the process of getting the

inquiry up and running. It will be

established by the end of this year

as promised and will take a

person-centred, human rights

based approach.”

The draft Terms of Reference

for the inquiry are on The Scottish

Government website, and it is

intended that a judge will be

appointed by the Lord Advocate

in collaboration with the

Lord President.

BRINGING THE NEWS TO YOU

Aemilia, at LifeCare Café in

Stockbridge, and Watershed Café

on the Union Canal.

If you can, then please

subscribe to have your copy

delivered to you each month. It

helps us to cover the overheads

of bringing the news to you in

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And if you have any

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distribution points then please

let us know.

ter.ooo/subscribe

About us...

We write about news relating to the Edinburgh area. If you

have any news, or if you would like to submit an article or

photograph for publication then please contact us

Editor: Phyllis Stephen

Designer: Felipe Perez

Photos: Martin P McAdam

/EdinReporter

edinburghreporter

@EdinReporter

theedinburghreporter.co.uk

07791 406 498

editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk


3

Training for the future

at Lochend

Coach Jimmy

Urquhart

Birthday boy

Stan is star

Team Coach

David

Pollacchi

Edinburgh Reporter

Martin P McAdam

Pitching for support

Lochend Football Academy appeal for astroturf donations

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

LOCHEND FOOTBALL Academy (LFA) is

in the game for a new 3G astroturf pitch.

The club has kicked off a crowdfunder

where more than £2,000 has been raised

towards their £90,000 goal. The OneCity

Trust has also just awarded the club a grant

of £3,000.

Committee member and team coach,

David Pollacchi, said LFA has been in its

current location for about 12 years, at

Lochend Road, after initially receiving

monies from the Proceeds of Crime Act

funding scheme to put in the facility.

David said: “Like many Scottish grassroots

clubs there was not much foresight in putting

money aside to replace the pitch later, so the

inevitable has happened. We have about

£25,000 in reserves, but a new pitch will cost

around £90,000.

“Many kids have played here over the years,

but it is now almost unplayable. If we can

replace the pitch, it would be in place for the

next ten years, and that would allow us to

start to expand different elements. We plan to

set up a girls’ football centre for a mix of age

groups. With the Women’s Euros next year it

would be excellent timing to get some more

young girls involved in the game.”

The academy has a track record of

producing good players such as Emma

Watson. Emma is the current Rangers captain

and the Scotland Women under-16 captain.

Lily Graham is another graduate of Lochend

who now plays at Hibs. Both young women

are delighted that the academy is planning

more coaching for girls.

Emma said: “It was great to hear that

Lochend are planning on starting a girls’

team. I would strongly recommend any girl

who strives to improve their footballing

ability to join Lochend. I joined when I was

five years old and the quality of coaching I

received from a young age, along with the

appropriate individual player pathway, has

provided me with the skills to captain and

represent my country at several age groups.

“I had full support and encouragement

from all Lochend coaches to go outside my

comfort zone, which I think strongly

highlights that Lochend is a club that

supports players to maximise their potential

and to reach their dreams. Lochend has also

helped me become a better person as they

create such a brilliant environment, along

with instilling some excellent traits into their

young players such as manners and respect.”

Lochend is a first

step for young

footballers

The club is looking to maximise their

income from the advertising opportunities

which they have around the pitch, and have

put out a call for new advertisers. Currently

only open until 4pm, a move to expand into

off-peak hours would extend the facility to

more groups and increase the club’s income.

There have also been discussions with charity

Social Bite to offer a session for the homeless

in Edinburgh, possibly starting this month.

Head coach, Jimmy Urquhart, added: “We

would have started fundraising sooner except

for Covid, and for the last two years we have

not been able to raise funds. It really does

need replaced now. The extent of repairs

needed will cost a lot of money and it would

be more economic to get it replaced.

“There have been a lot of players who have

gone on from here - probably around 30 or so

who are playing at Hibs, Hearts, Celtic and

Rangers at various levels.”

Rudi Molotnikov, who also began his

career at Lochend, has just started playing

with the Scotland 16s. He said: “Lochend

Football Academy gave me the foundation to

be the best I can be.”

www.gofundme.com/f/lochend-childrensfootball-pitch-replacement

STAN DUNLOP, who is a committee member

of Friends of Starbank Park, celebrated his 90th

birthday, and where else would he hold the

party but in the park. There was cake, tea, baking

and sunshine.

One of the members of the Friends of Starbank

Park, Vikki Floyd, told us: “Stanley Dunlop has

lived in a beautiful listed building in the grounds

of the Victorian walled garden in Starbank Park in

Trinity for nearly 50 years. Stan’s father was a

Londoner who met his mother in Edinburgh, had

three children and worked as a watchman.

“Stan has one brother and a sister who lives in

Canada, and he has been happily married twice.

He tells us that he has another family too, the

‘Friends of Starbank Park’ which was formed eight

years ago by two Trinity residents, Janet McArthur

and Alastair Robertson.

“Stan is a sprightly 90-year-old who believes

that his love of gardening, the trees and nature in

general and being active, as well as his daily walks

is what keeps him alive. He also remembers the

many miles he covered on his bicycle in his youth

in order to get to work and now believes it held

him in good stead.”

Out of the blue

OUT OF THE Blue Drill Hall (OOTB) on Dalmeny

Street has something on most days, but in

September there are a couple of highlights

worth marking in the diary.

The popular Out of the Blue Flea Market (on

the last Saturday of every month) returns in the

airy main space. Once the bargain hunting is

done, stop for lunch at the licensed Drill

Hall café which offers a delicious range of

home-style cooking, cakes and more.

OOTB is also taking part in the Cockburn

Association’s 2021 Doors Open Days.

On Saturday 25 September, tours of the

A-listed Drill Hall will be running hourly from

10.30am until the last tour at 2.30pm.


4 NEWS

Fight for the future

Deidre

Brock MP

Brexit self-harm

is self evident

By DEIDRE BROCK MP

The Edinburgh Reporter

Climate action is back on the timetable

Scots students to join international climate protests ahead of COP26

FRIDAY FOR FUTURE Scotland (previously

Scottish Youth Climate Strike) have announced

that they are joining other young people around

the world in demonstrations to demand greater

action on the climate crisis. The Climate Strikes

will hold their protest on Friday 24 September

with events in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling

and Ullapool.

There will be over 700 protests worldwide

with hundreds of thousands of people expected

to attend.

The Climate Strike comes just over a month

before the crucial UN climate talks take place in

Glasgow after the IPCC has delivered a “Code

Red” climate warning for humanity.

Young people are calling on both the UK and

Scottish Governments to act in line with what is

required, such as committing to a just transition

for oil workers into renewable energy, creating

accessible public transport and committing to

higher emissions targets as our current ones do

not align with the Paris Agreement.

On 20 September 2019, more than 40,000

people took to the streets across Scotland

joining millions worldwide. As physical

protesting was no longer became safe, due to

the pandemic, the strikers switched to digital

striking and other online actions. Restrictions

are now lessening and so they have decided to

return to physical protesting whilst putting in

place safeguards.

In Edinburgh, there will be a rally outside the

Scottish Parliament starting at 11am.

Dylan Hamilton, 17, from West Lothian,

said: “Scotland is not following the current

science, we are using far more than our fair

share of emissions to stay in line with the Paris

Agreement. Real action has not been taken,

despite many great promises from the

government. The recent IPCC report has given

us a code red warning, we can’t afford to move

slowly anymore.”

SEEING EDINBURGH begin to open up

again this summer after such a difficult

18 months has been fantastic, but as

businesses start to get back to running at

higher capacity, I’m worried about the

effects of the UK’s departure from the EU.

Analysis by UK Hospitality, found that 80%

of UK hospitality businesses have reported

vacancies for front-of-house staff and 85%

for chef roles. I’m told Edinburgh’s

numbers are similarly eye-wateringly high.

Many have started noticing gaps on

local supermarket shelves as the shortage

of HGV drivers reaches crisis point. Prior to

the pandemic, UK road transport

businesses employed 60,000 EU nationals,

but this number has deteriorated

drastically as the pandemic made it harder

to recruit and train workers.

The Covid-19 pandemic revealed just

how much we rely on our so-called

“unskilled” workers, but the industries they

work in will continue to struggle as long as

the UK Government continues with its

current immigration strategy and arrogant

Brexiteer attitudes to sorting the problems

out. Untangling the effects of leaving the

EU from the effects of the pandemic is

undeniably difficult but we can’t let Boris

Johnson use that as an excuse to hide this

rotten Brexit behind the tragedy of Covid.

OPINION: Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Transport Convener

Climate change: seeing

the bigger picture

IF THERE’S anything the last 18

months has taught us about

ourselves, it’s our capacity to adapt to

change. Now, as we look, hopefully, to

the end of the pandemic, we need to

make helpful changes in how we

move around the city.

In the spring of 2020, we were

given money by The Scottish

Government to implement measures

helping people to walk, wheel and

cycle safely during a period of great

uncertainty. The council had no idea

of the way Covid-19 would affect us,

how it would spread or impact on a

return to normality.

These interventions had to be on

the ground fast if they were going to

help us limit the spread of infection

and provide a safe space for those

avoiding public transport at the

height of lockdown. That’s why we

developed a shortened consultation

process, approved by committee, so

we could do just that.

Since the beginning of the Spaces

for People programme, we’ve paid

attention to the needs of communities

and businesses, as well as stakeholders

like Lothian Buses, the emergency

services and accessibility groups. As a

result, we’ve tweaked and redesigned

elements of many of schemes in place,

improving traffic flow, making sure

businesses can get deliveries and

providing access for those with

Cllr Lesley Macinnes

mobility issues. We’ve listened to what

many people have told us they like

about the changes too. That, along

with concerns and comments raised

during 2020 and 2021 and the

significant response to a major public

consultation carried out earlier this

year, has formed the basis of our plans

for the future of these measures.

Retaining infrastructure introduced

to help people walk, wheel and cycle

during the pandemic is a national

matter. Both the UK and Scottish

Governments called for local

authorities to make as many of these

schemes as possible permanent in

recognition of the real boost they’ve

brought to travel by foot, wheel or

bike – and the knock-on positive

effect on our environment.

This is about the bigger picture:

we’re facing - a serious climate

emergency. Private car journeys

simply can’t continue to dominate our

streets - we need to encourage

alternative modes of transport if we

are to reduce congestion, improve air

quality and cut carbon emissions. We

must do this.

Creating more people-friendly

streets, protected cycle routes and

space for people to relax and stroll is

key to achieving that and is central to

our City Mobility Plan. This, alongside

initiatives like improved public

transport provision and promotion of

cleaner vehicles, will create the

greener, safer, net zero carbon city we

want to live in, where we bring up our

children and plan for the future.

Of course, we need to strike a

balance, and we know that some of

the changes introduced through

Spaces for People aren’t needed

anymore or haven’t worked for

everyone. That’s why we’ve agreed to

remove a number of schemes or

engage further with communities to

refine designs.

But as we look to make a green

recovery from the pandemic, one

thing’s for sure: we can’t return to the

status quo. We’ve been given the

opportunity to take these temporary

changes and make progress now,

rather than years down the line. The

Travelling Safely programme,

renamed to signal our renewed

approach to these schemes, is the

first step towards making our city

a happier, healthier place to be

for everyone.


5

Ian Georgeson

Credit cut is

simply wicked

Tommy

Sheppard MP

By TOMMY SHEPPARD MP

Hey, we’re going

to Barbados

Bruntsfield to Barbados

Virgin Atlantic to launch international flights from Edinburgh

VIRGIN ATLANTIC has

announced plans to begin

flights direct to the Caribbean

from December with plans for

another new direct route to

Orlando from Spring 2022. This

will be the first time that the 37

year-old airline has flown

international flights from

Slow progress at former Dalriada Hotel

Scotland, and it will be the only

direct flight from Scotland to

the Caribbean. Gordon Dewar,

Chief Executive of Edinburgh

Airport, said: “A premier city

like Edinburgh deserves

premier airlines and we

are extremely excited to

welcome our newest partner

Virgin Atlantic to Scotland’s

capital city.

“To be able to deliver flights

to Barbados, Scotland’s only

direct route to the Caribbean,

and Orlando, is a fantastic

boost to us as we prepare for

the post-Covid recovery, and it

is a huge show of confidence in

Edinburgh Airport’s ability to

deliver for passengers across

the country.

“We look forward to the

new routes launching and

watching passengers head off

on the holiday of a lifetime

from Edinburgh Airport with

Virgin Atlantic.”

The long game

Dalriada owner denies change of plan for beach site

By STEPHEN RAFFERTY

THE OWNER OF the former Dalriada Hotel on

Portobello’s Promenade has quashed rumours

that he has had a change of heart about the

future of the site.

Millionaire games developer Leslie Benzies

purchased the B-listed building last September

for £1.3 million, and has obtained planning

permission to convert the former bar and

popular music venue into a luxury private home.

After an initial burst of activity, the site appears

to be at a standstill, prominent contractors’

signage has been removed from security fencing

which surrounds the property, and the extensive

gardens are severely overgrown.

Locally there had been speculation that Mr

Benzies - who made his fortune as the developer

of the billion dollar grossing Grand Theft Auto

game series – had changed his mind about the

development and was in discussion with a

prominent Edinburgh publican over its future.

However, Philip Johnston, a spokesman for Mr

Benzies, refuted the suggestion and said work

would go ahead as outlined in a planning

application to the city council to develop a

private home over three floors, including top

floor office space.

He said initial rewiring work had taken place

and a combination of factors, including the

coronavirus pandemic, and a shortage of

materials and tradesmen, were contributing

factors to a lack of progress.

Mr Johnston said of reports that a publican

could be interested in acquiring the property:

“There is nothing to that at this point in time”,

adding that there was “no deviation” from the

planning application which had been lodged.

He added: “To be honest, with Covid and

everything else going on, we don’t have a

timescale for completion. With a shortage of

materials, which are now costing the earth, it is

not the best time to be undertaking large scale

construction projects. I am acutely aware of how

much local interest there is in the site but there is

no rush from our end.”

I TRY NOT TO describe political actions as

good or evil, but there is a wickedness in

the government’s decision to cut universal

credit by £20 a week from 6 October.

By definition, people claiming Universal

Credit are amongst the poorest in our

community. In Edinburgh East there are

currently 9,108 of them. Eighteen months

ago, as part of Covid support, the UK

Government uprated the payments from

£75 to £95 a week. Now they are taking it

away. This is just cruel.

Everyone has had a difficult time during

the pandemic. But some have had it worse

than others. Two groups in particular.

Firstly, those who have been made

redundant and were unable to benefit

from the government’s furlough scheme.

Secondly, those in low-paid but essential

jobs such as shopworkers, carers and

delivery drivers. These people have kept

working throughout, often harder than

ever. They have been the heroes who have

helped the rest of us get through this.

CUTS TO CASH

Many people in both these categories rely

on Universal Credit to top up their

income, pay their bills and feed their

families. For them, the government’s plan

to cut their money is a major kick in the

teeth. These cuts will kick in just as

inflation is rising, electricity prices are

being allowed to soar, and VAT is being

increased. It will cause pain and hardship.

But this will affect all of us indirectly.

Poverty hangs like a shroud across

our communities. It worsens physical

and mental health. It builds pressure

on hard-pressed public services.

Community solidarity is weakened

and misery increases.

These cuts also mean that up to £10

million could be taken out of the local

economy next year - that’s just in one

constituency. That will be another blow

to local shops and leisure. None of this

needs to happen. Yes, it would cost

money to keep the £20 a week uplift.

About 2% of what the government

has spent on dealing with Covid.

That’s two percent.

Unfortunately, here in Scotland, our

own government cannot change these

policies, as 85% of welfare expenditure is

reserved to Westminster. Independence is

the only way we can ensure that we are

able to make these decisions for

ourselves. Until then, I will continue to

demand action until the UK Government

agrees to do what is right.


6 NEWS

Anya’s appeal

Edinburgh youngster to be face of children’s hospice campaign

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

FOUR YEAR-OLD Anya Behl from Edinburgh

is the face of the new Children's Hospices

Across Scotland (CHAS) appeal.

CHAS is the only charity in Scotland that

provides hospice services for babies, children

and young people with life-shortening

conditions. The national charity offers palliative

care and respite for whole families in its two

hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin

House in Balloch.

Anya has a one-in-a-million condition called

alternating hemiplegia of childhood. This causes

a neurological complication causing numbness

or full loss of feeling or movement and can

result in whole body paralysis which lasts for

weeks at a time.

The youngster and her family have been

shielding since the pandemic began, with

support from CHAS during the last 16 months.

She needs round-the-clock care from parents

Abhishek and Katherine.

The family have been able to make use of

emergency respite stays in Rachel House, with

regular assistance from CHAS family support

services and frequent visits from CHAS at

Home’s nursing support workers.

Katherine said: “Early on in lockdown, our

support network had stopped due to Covid and

we were beginning to struggle, so we got help

from CHAS at Home. We didn’t want anyone

coming in at first, then realised that the team

would be wearing full protection, taking every

precaution, and it would be a huge help. We get

a rest, a good natter with other adults, and Anya

has really thrived from seeing people.

“CHAS at Home come very early morning

and take over, to give Anya her meds, breakfast,

get her outside for fresh air and have a play. It

gives us an opportunity to catch up on sleep.

Anya’s condition makes her vulnerable but we

Anya

Behl

have seen some leaps in cognitive development.

“CHAS at Home came to us so that they

could understand her condition more closely

and built us up to our first stay at the hospice.

They were the ones who suggested that

Rachel House might be right for what we

were going through.

“Amanda and Julie from CHAS timed it so

that they could be there to welcome Anya to

Rachel House, to get her used to the place.

She relaxed straight away and took to everyone

else because she knew they’d be Amanda and

Julie’s friends.

“Anya’s eyes light up when she sees Amanda.

It’s lovely to see. Amanda obviously has all these

years of experience, so the connection she was

able to make was immediate. They’ve been a

great help, not just to Anya, but to us too.

“Last year, Anya’s symptoms were worsening

and we were a bit broken with fatigue, so we

brought her into Rachel House because it is

controlled, safe and they have “zones” that

families can live in safely.

“It was the perfect set-up for Anya. We get use

of the quiet room while Anya is able to play in

the snoezelen sensory room, have access to the

garden and there’s a lovely bedroom full of toys.

“The cleaners, the chef, the doctors, nurses,

family support - they’ve all been brilliant. There’s

only so much you can do when you’re shielding,

if you haven’t got the support. Having this

homely environment where everything can

be kept safe means the world.”

Like many other charities left reeling from

the Covid-19 pandemic, CHAS has had to

dramatically transform the way in which it

provides its increasingly important services.

They have set up Scotland’s first ever virtual

hospice to support children and families who

are having to completely self-isolate, offering

families extensive assistance, whether it relates

to clinical guidance, financial advice or

bereavement support, by video and phone.

Iain McAndrew, Director of Fundraising and

Communications at CHAS, said: “Over the last

year, our supporters have stood by CHAS

families giving them strength and showing love

in what has been an incredibly tough time for

all. Without that support, and our amazing staff

and volunteers, we simply could not have

continued to evolve and adapt our services,

helping those in greatest need. CHAS was a

lifeline for so many.

“Our summer campaign is continuing our ask

from Christmas 2020 – that everyone who can,

supports Scotland’s most vulnerable children

and helps us keep the joy alive even in the face

of death.”

www.chas.org.uk

Professor

Nicola

Steedman

Senior health

appointments

PROFESSOR ALISON Strath has been

appointed as Chief Pharmaceutical Officer

and Professors Graham Ellis and Professor

Nicola Steedman have been confirmed as

Deputy Chief Medical Officers. These are

all full-time appointments.

Professor Strath has been working

within the Scottish Government since

2002, initially as Principal Pharmaceutical

Officer and, since October 2020, as interim

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer. She was

appointed a Fellow of the Royal

Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in

2010 and as an Emeritus Professor at the

School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences

at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen

in 2018.

Professor Ellis has been working within

The Scottish Government since November

2019, initially as a clinical adviser to the

CMO and latterly as Senior Medical Officer

for Ageing and Health. In Autumn 2020 he

was instrumental in setting up an Older

Peoples’ Directorate within the Safety and

Quality Improvement Division of Scottish

Government. He is a member of the SAGE

Social Care Working Group – a subgroup of

the wider SAGE secretariat with academic

and policy colleagues from across the UK.

Professor Steedman has been working

as DCMO on an interim basis since April

2020. She is an Honorary Consultant

Physician in Sexual Health and HIV at the

Regional Infectious Diseases Unit of the

Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

Wester Hailes masterplan proceeds

By CLLR NEIL GARDINER

As SNP local councillor and city

Planning Convener I’m delighted to

see this appointment for a community

led masterplan team.Having listened

to local aspirations, I have driven this

process forward with the community,

and have had many meetings with

council officers to make sure the latest

step happens.

The Wester Hailes masterplan links

the new school investment, new and

upgraded housing, and green spaces

and improvements to the centre.

There will be opportunities to increase

the benefit from the Union Canal.

Connectivity in and around Wester

Hailes was a key issue identified. Once

proposals are developed with the

people living there, the masterplan

will eventually come to the council’s

planning committee for approval.

Across the city there is a welcome

move towards localisation. The 20

Minute Neighbourhood means that

you have local services nearby. An

important step has been to get

funding for the new Wester Hailes

High School. Having pushed for this

along with other education

investment in Pentland Hills, I am

delighted that this funding

application was approved by The

Scottish Government. The school

investment demonstrates a strong

commitment to Wester Hailes

and will be a cornerstone for

the masterplan.

At neighbourhood level, as housing

is upgraded and made energy

efficient, the masterplan can look at

the spaces between buildings and

how these are used. There are already

brilliant local initiatives, including the

community gardens. A lot more can

now be done, it is important that the

community continues to be involved

in this process. Where the benefits of

investment are all pulled together

through a masterplan, it provides the

The goal has been to ensure that the community-led

Local Place Plan will be aligned to the regeneration

project so that local views and ideas are at the heart of

changes and improvements to the area.” Eoghan Howard

opportunity to create a sustainable

community, meeting the challenges

of the 21st century, with wellbeing of

local residents at its heart.

A consultancy team led by Turner &

Townsend will implement one of the

first Local Place Plans in Scotland since

they were introduced in 2019.

Eoghan Howard, Chair of Wester

Hailes Community Trust and Leah

Black, Chief Executive at WHALE Arts

said: “WHALE Arts, Wester Hailes

Community Trust and Prospect

Housing have been working

alongside the council for the last 18

months following a piece of work in

2019/2020 working towards a Local

Place Plan.”


JL Preece

Scots to cycle on COP26

Pedal on Parliament saddle up for Glasgow climate protest

WHEN THE UN Climate Change

(COP26) conference takes place

in Glasgow in November cyclists

from all over Scotland are asked

to cycle on COP26 with Pedal on

Parliament (POP).

This protest is intended to

highlight the current climate

emergency and in particular the

latest IPCC report which states

that to minimise temperature

rises across the globe

“immediate, rapid and

large scale reductions” of

emissions is needed.

POP regard cycling as one

way to fight climate change in

the next seven years. But the

campaign group points out that

cyclists need a safe space to

cycle in, and they need it now.

The campaigners want bikes

to form a huge presence at

COP26 to “remind the

policymakers - from world

leaders to local councillors - that

the solution to the crisis we face

lies not just with electric cars

and technological solutions”.

Potentially a cycle ride from

the capital to Glasgow will be

organised, adding to what POP

hope is a large group of cyclists

from all over the country

bringing messages of support

from their own local

communities. The alternative is

to hold a local demonstration

and flood social media with

the images.

If you would like to take part

get in touch by email hello@

pedalonparliament.org

POP is a national cycling

campaign group with a

decade-long history of calling

for proper funding for active

travel, initially set at 10% of the

transport budget. The group

also calls for cycling to be

designed into Scotland’s roads

for all ages and abilities and

that speed limits are

implemented and enforced

wherever people live, work

and play.

New chair

for film fest

TOP LAWYER Alastair Morrison has

been appointed Chair of the Edinburgh

International Film Festival, Filmhouse

Edinburgh and Aberdeen’s Belmont

Filmhouse.

Currently a Partner and Head of Client

Strategy at international law firm Pinsent

Masons, the parent charity of all three

entities, the Centre for the Moving

Image, said Alastair can offer significant

experience in strategy development and

organisational growth.

He is said to be highly influential and

known industry-wide for his approach to

innovation, and his ability to challenge and

mobilise others to think differently. In 2019

he was recognised by the Financial Times

Innovative Lawyer Awards Europe as the

“Most Innovative Lawyer in Europe”.

Alastair is also a frequent speaker on

sustainability and what the legal industry

can do to be more active in the climate

change agenda. He recently called on the

legal industry to unite to pledge a million

hours to help prevent climate change and

reduce biodiversity loss.

Alastair, who has a longstanding interest

in film, and has a keen interest in

photography and architecture, said: “I am

delighted to have been offered this

opportunity to Chair CMI at such an

exciting and important stage of its

development. I look forward to working

with the CEO, Ken Hay, the rest of the team

and my fellow trustees to realise the

undoubted potential of CMI and its

contribution to Scotland.”

Atholl Duncan, Chair of the Appointment

Panel, said: “The board enthusiastically

welcomes Alastair who brings a wealth of

experience to the CMI and its work.”

7

EVOC Deputy

Chief Executive

Ian Brooke

EVOC to launch new lottery

EDINBURGH VOLUNTARY Organisations’

Council (EVOC) will launch its new community

lottery on 9 September. There will be a launch

event and all charities and good causes of all sizes

are invited to find out how to sign up. There are

two parts to the lottery - first that good causes in

Edinburgh can set up their own lottery page and

will receive 50p from every £1 spent. Secondly

10p will go to the EVOC good causes fund.

Tickets will cost £1 of which 60p will go to local

good causes, and there will be a weekly jackpot of

£25,000 for a matching sequence of six numbers.

EVOC’s Deputy Chief Executive, Ian Brooke,

said: “We’re really excited to be launching the

Edinburgh Community Lottery, a new way to

support communities and good causes in

Edinburgh. While the past eighteen months have

thrown a spotlight on the amazing work of

community groups and voluntary organisations

everywhere, it has also stretched staff, volunteers,

and resources up to and beyond breaking point.

That combined with the loss of fundraising

activities in light of Covid restrictions, means that

the Lottery is a really important new opportunity

for good causes to raise money, making sure they

can continue to support communities and

citizens across our city.”

evok.org.uk


8 NEWS

Cycling friends Kirsty

Lewin, left, and

Stella Thomson

Back

in the

picture

Artist Bernie Reid

returns with

Mexican

mural

Experience the

joy of cycling

Active travel is about connections

By KIRSTY LEWIN

IF YOU DON’T cycle, you may be watching the

debates in Edinburgh about safe cycling

infrastructure with surprise or bemusement.

You may read arguments about public health,

about climate change, or equalities. What you

don’t hear enough about is joy. Most of us who

cycle in Edinburgh do it because we love it. We

love the fresh air, the feeling of getting around

under our own steam, the rush of flying down a

hill, the reward of a cake and coffee after a long

ride, the joy of seeing a small child ride a bike

for the first time.

When cyclists stop at a traffic light in a red

advanced stop lane, and another cyclist is there,

they often have a chat. We might comment on

each other’s bikes, or on the route we’re taking,

or ask about cycle parking at a particular

location. When we pass each other on roads or

paths, we usually nod or wave or smile. Often

we’ll even stop to chat, despite never having

met before, because we recognise the brand of

cycle, or we think the other person is from

cycling Twitter and we can finally put a face to

a social media handle.

The social activity is not confined to making

connections with strangers. Many of us have

social lives that include cycle campaigning. We

get together for site visits, studying road and

junction lay outs to work out how to make a

street safer for cycling. We ask each other about

personal experiences and needs. How would

you manage with children on this street? Is this

street suitable for cargo bikes? Could you ride a

trike or a handcycle here? Invariably, at these

site visits, new connections and friendships

are made.

And then there’s the cycling activity that is

strictly social. Cycling to an East Lothian beach

for a picnic. Cycling out to Midlothian

reservoirs to lie under the shade of pine trees.

Cycling to South Queensferry to check out the

bridges. Cycling to the Pentlands with the

children for an overnight camping trip. Along

the way we may stop to look at bluebells, pick

brambles, dip our feet in a cool stream, spot

a kingfisher on the Esk, or an otter in the

Water of Leith.

Cycling is fast enough to get around

efficiently. But it’s slow enough to make

connections – with strangers, with friends and

family, and with our natural environment.

If you don’t yet cycle, do give it a try.

Check out your local bike shops for advice

and maps – and pick up some joy.

AT ONE OF THE newest restaurants in

town there is a 10 metre long wall painting

designed by Scottish artist, Bernie Reid.

Reid, who has his work exhibited in some

of the world’s leading galleries, was asked

to paint something with a Mexican

revolutionary theme for the new El Cartel

Roxburgh. The painting was created with a

mixture of emulsion and spray paint and

includes abstract figures in primary

colours, creating a visual drama for the

interior of the new Royal Mile restaurant.

Bernie said: “This was a fantastic

commission coming out of lockdown. El

Cartel wanted something reminiscent of

the large frescoes by Mexican painter

Diego Rivera who helped to establish

murals in international art in the early 20th

century. It was the perfect opportunity for

me to bring my graffiti style to an iconic

Latin American tradition.

“It is also quite a challenge to test

yourself by painting directly on to a wall -

to get the composition right in a way that

will attract people’s interest and draw

their eyes along the length of the picture.

I hope diners will be intrigued and that it

adds to the ambience and character of

the restaurant.

“My trademark is weird figurative

paintings with a graffiti attitude and that

means putting them in unloved spots

around the city so as many people as

Bernie relished the

graffiti-style commission

possible can see them. You must have fun

and feel involved in the art you produce.

That’s how I felt creating the wall painting

for El Cartel. I enjoyed it and I hope that

comes across and that everyone can find

something they like.”

Reid’s previous work can be found in

other Edinburgh restaurants owned by Bon

Vivant Group, and in the playground of

Wester Hailes Education Centre where

Gang Billboard is displayed in an area

accessible to everyone. There are others on

abandoned doors and street corners

around Leith.


9

On the final straight

Alistair

Forbes

Two days of racing and family fun on the cards

HOT ON THE heels of a successful August and

its sell-out Ladies Day meeting, Musselburgh

Racecourse is gearing up for a busy doubleheader

weekend on 11 and 12 September.

The East Lothian course plays host to the

Edinburgh Gin Summer Finale on the

Saturday, following up on Sunday with the

Musselburgh Gold Cup Family Day.

With a competitive card including seven Flat

races on each day, the Edinburgh Gin meeting

also features live bands throughout the day and

is said to offer a “final twist of summer” with a

party atmosphere and a variety of quality food

and drink options.

The family day on Sunday is very much

focussed on the kids and has a Superhero

theme, with a Clip Clop kids zone packed with

rides, shows, face painting, a chill-out teepee,

Local charities get £60,000 funding boost

By STEPHEN RAFFERTY

TWENTY SECONDARY schools in

Edinburgh have been responsible

for a vital funding boost of £60,000

to local charities through their

involvement in the Youth and

Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

The schools applied to The Wood

Foundation programme which

allows young people to work in

teams to identify social issues

impacting their communities and

the charities addressing them, with

the students developing creative

presentations in a bid to secure

their school’s £3000 grant.

prizes for the best-dressed Superhero or

character of the day, and rounding the

afternoon off with a kids disco.

Musselburgh Racecourse marketing

manager, Aisling Johnston, said: “We have

designed our racedays with the safety of

everyone in mind - the thrill of the races and

the excitement from the thundering hooves

crossing the finishing line will be plentiful.

“Racing isn't just for grown-ups as our

Musselburgh Gold Cup Family Day shows.

Gather the clan, dress them up as their

favourite superhero or character and bundle

them in the car for a day filled with

entertainment and exciting racing.”

Neil Boyd, of Edinburgh Gin, added: “We are

delighted to continue our long relationship

with Musselburgh Racecourse and are looking

The top three social issues

securing YPI funding this year were

support for those facing health and

ability conditions, services to

address mental health and

wellbeing, and action to tackle

poverty in Scotland’s communities.

Barbara Johnstone, MBE, is

Organiser and Trustee of Ravelrig

Riding for the Disabled Associaton

in Balerno, which secured two

grants. She said: “The successful

groups were impressive from the

start and clearly took on board all I

had shared with them in their

presentations. YPI is so beneficial

for the personal growth of the

Horsing around as

Musselburgh’s summer

season comes to a close

Musselburgh Gold Cup is

family friendly race day

youngsters and the reward for us

is massive.”

Student Hannah Treagus, who

has volunteered at Ravelrig RDA for

more than two years, added:

“Fundraising has been hard hit by

Covid-19 and I really wanted to

share the passion I have for

Ravelrig RDA through YPI. We

forward to a fitting end to a hot summer season

with a fantastic race day on 11 September.”

As with all race meetings at Musselburgh,

children aged 17 and under are admitted free

when accompanied by a guardian and child

tickets can be obtained on the day of racing.

The racecourse’s Harris Tweed Bistro

can be booked in advance and a range of

hospitality and private dining packages are

available in the exclusive Queen’s Stand and

Epperston Restaurant.

Gates open on the Saturday at 1.30pm with

the first race off at 3.30pm, while admission on

Sunday is at noon with the first race under

starter’s orders at 1.55pm.

For more information and to book tickets visit

www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

worked really hard on our

presentation and were really

determined to do well. I am so

pleased we secured this funding

which will go towards a new

horse when the centre can

reopen properly.”

YPI is managed and majority

funded by The Wood Foundation,

a venture philanthropic

organisation committed to

addressing social inequity and

investing in developing young

people in Scotland.

The foundation was established

by Chairman Sir Ian Wood and

family in 2007.

Pilot project

has SOLE

THE SCOTTISH Tech Army has announced

the first of their Supporting Our Local

Economy (SOLE) Scotland digital

platforms.

The organisation focuses on using the

power of tech for good, and this pilot will

help local communities to come together

virtually to boost the local economy.

Potential shoppers will be able to shop

and book locally in one online location.

The site will also provide an online

presence for businesses which may not

have their own website. The project will

be launched first in Dunbar to promote

the Music Festival. Tickets are for sale on

SOLE Scotland, which also offers a range

of promotions.

Alistair Forbes, co-founder and CEO of

the Scottish Tech Army, said: “Our research

shows that the vast majority of consumers

were highly motivated to support each

other and their local economies during the

pandemic and the period of recovery

following it, rather than giving their

business to multinationals.

“Despite that goodwill, people often use

the established platforms for reasons such

as convenience, flexibility, availability and

price. This is proving very damaging for

many local businesses, and in turn for

local communities.

“With SOLE Scotland, we are bringing

together everything that communities

have to offer in one place, making it

smooth and simple for locals and tourists

alike to explore and engage with the

community. The Dunbar Music Festival is

a great example of a community-led

initiative to drive activity, engagement

and business in the town and we are

delighted to be able to support this.”

East Lothian Council has sponsored the

pilot. Cllr John McMillan, the Provost of

East Lothian Council, said: “This is a hugely

exciting project, and we are incredibly

pleased that East Lothian is piloting it. East

Lothian Council has a strong, collaborative

focus on supporting and sustaining our

local businesses and we have worked with

representatives from our key industries to

understand the challenges they face and

to help find solutions. The ‘shop local’

message is one we have long championed,

and it has become even more important at

this difficult time in supporting our

businesses to engage with customers in

new ways.”

www.sole.scot


10 NEWS

The art of walking

Popular Portobello art festival makes its return this month

Artists Mary

Walker, left, and

Katy Sawrey, right,

are taking part in

the Art Walk

From online to

real live shows

AT HIDDEN DOOR five collaborative projects will

be performed live for the first time:

ESTHER SWIFT & THE EMERGENCE

ENSEMBLE – THE CALL

A reprise of The Call, an inspiring project from

Edinburgh-based composer Esther Swift.

She will bring together a mix of 20 Scottish

musicians across the gasworks site performing

an original composition, conducted using

specially designed flags.

CHELL YOUNG, MARANTA & VOMITON –

IMAGINES REALITIES

Imagines Realities is a 45-minute long experience

designed to take the audience on a journey

through labyrinthine spaces. Synth pop duo

MARANTA will perform with the backdrop of

cinematic sets created by Chell Young, while

characters from the Vomiton costume collective

appear on stage.

By STEPHEN RAFFERTY

ART LOVERS can take a walk around

Portobello’s creative spaces when the Art

Walk Porty Festival returns from 4 to 12

September.

Thirty commercial premises and private

homes will play host to a wide range of

contemporary installations, exhibitions

and live art.

Local business supporting the event and

hosting artists include Velvet Easel Gallery,

Tanifiki coffee shop, Miro’s Pantry and Miro’s

Prom, Skylark bar and bistro and tapas

hotspot Malvarosa.

Most of the private “art houses” are open

over two weekends but times vary and some

are also open during the week by

appointment. A guided walk with Alexander

Champion, a ceramics postcard participatory

project with Rebecca Stuart, artist talk

with Sarah Knox, performance poetry with

Robin Baillie and an outdoor children’s

workshop with Peter Jones, are some of the

other highlights.

Iranian artist, Iman Tajik, will install three

public works on Portobello Beach and

Promenade that centre around the geographic

border and relate to his own crossing of

borders to Scotland. The installations bring

into focus Portobello’s own geographical

location and its position to the city centre.

An artist/choreographer collaboration

with local participants, Future Value,

brings movement and gesture to many public

spaces in and around Portobello’s historic

brick kilns, inviting the question of how we

relate to, and are shaped by, the city that

surrounds us.

Art Walk Porty curator and director, Rosy

Naylor, said: “The festival is back, renewed

and ready to bring contemporary

installations, exhibitions and live art to

Edinburgh’s Seaside.

“This year’s Assemble programme draws

upon an increased sense of art as a means for

social change, of artivism that seems so

relevant in relation to recent times living

through the pandemic, and also to what lies

ahead, when we consider climate change.

“As ever the Art Walk opens up new

ways of seeing and embracing local spaces.

It invites audiences into many artist

spaces, cafés and studios as part of its

Art Houses & Art Cafes programme.

Thirty venues host local and visiting

artists work, which celebrates the cultural

creativity of Portobello.”

Maps, guides and other festival

information can be picked up at the Art

Walk Hub at 189 Portobello High Street

and walkers can download a Walksy App

to record the places they visit.

For information and programme details visit

www.artwalkporty.co.uk

JILL MARTIN BOUALAXAI, FIONA OLIVER

LARKIN, MIDI PAUL, MORPHAMISH & TONY

DANCE – THE RAVE CAVE

The Rave Cave will take over the warehouse on

Friday night. There will be performances from

dancers Fiona Oliver Larkin and Tony Mills and

transforming into an interactive rave.

POST COAL PROM QUEEN & GUESTS – PARTY

AT THE END OF THE WORLD

Post Coal Prom Queen’s A Party At The End of The

World will see them collaborating with MCs,

instrumentalists, filmmakers and visual artists to

imagine the end of the world. Music written

especially for Hidden Door.

FLORENCE RICHARDSON, SARAH JAMES, THE

REVERSE ENGINEER & DANIEL GARCIA -

SPECTRAL GATEWAY

On the final night of the festival, Spectral Gateway

is a 50-minute set of live audio-visual performance

featuring film art from Florence Richardson

alongside an ambient score from Daniel Garcia

which will be remixed by The Reverse Engineer.

Redesign for first concert venue in 100 years

NEW DESIGNS have been

released of the proposed

Dunard Centre in St Andrew

Square. A variation to the

planning application has

now been submitted, and

if planning permission

is granted, construction

will begin in 2022, with

an estimated build time

of three years.

The first purpose built

music and performance

venue planned for Edinburgh

in more than 100 years is

designed by Sir David

Chipperfield, who went back

to the drawing board to

produce a different smaller

design to accommodate

objections over height and

noise issues raised by St

James Quarter.

Some of the spaces have

changed and the price tag

has increased from an initial

£45 to £75 million. Two thirds

of this will be met by private

philanthropy and fundraising.

The Dunard Fund is donating

£35 million and a fundraising

campaign for a further £15

million has already received

significant pledges. As part of

the Edinburgh and South East

Scotland City Region Deal,

the UK and Scottish

Governments are to each

provide £10 million, and the

city council £5 million.


11

EDINBURGH DOG AND CAT HOME

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Rescue, reunite, rehome. Edinburgh

Dog and Cat Home accepts any

animal which reaches its door in

need, and works tirelessly to secure

happy and loving forever homes.

They need donations.

26 Seafield Road East EH15 1EH

0131 669 5331

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Very reasonable rates allow start-ups

to use this small pop-up space as the

first rung on the ladder. From food to

political parties and all manner of

organisations in between. Have a look

at their pop-up garden when you visit.

Croall Place EH7 4LT

hello@leithwalkpolicebox.com

Love Your Business networking club is

relaxed informal and good fun, and is

now online on the last Thursday of the

month with a host of inspiring

speakers sharing their entrepreneurial

journeys and invaluable business tips.

www.lybnetworking.com

Facebook/howtolyb

Award-winning 90-minute or 3 hour

long sightseeing cruises from the

Hawes Pier at South Queensferry with

landing trips on Inchcolm Island.

Ideal for families, couples and groups

alike. Daily sailings throughout

the summer.

www.maidoftheforth.co.uk

PAPER TIGER

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SCHOP

CRAIG BANKS TAILORING

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This year the shop celebrates their

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range of cards, stationery gifts

supporting local makers,

manufacturers and illustrators Now

open and all stock is also available

online or for local bike delivery!

www.papertiger.co.uk

Di Giorgio’s have lots of cakes and

slices, coffee with a smile and pasta

and lasagne to go. Morning rolls and

ciabattas are also available, but this is

brownie heaven and do ask about

their birthday cakes.

Open 7 days 10-4pm

1 Brandon Terrace EH3 5EA

This is an easy, convenient and

eco-friendly alternative to a supermarket

shop. Working in partnership

with independent retailers, Tim at

Schop offers to deliver a huge range of

great quality food and drink straight to

your door - saving you a journey.

schop.co

Bespoke tailoring for men. Craig’s

focus is on making the highest quality

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gowns will make your video calls

so stylish!

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local independent news.

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A specialist importer of boutique fine

wines from Italy. Carefully hand-picked

award-winning wines of premium

quality sourced direct from the

winemakers. Oleg and Elvira visit every

vineyard personally. Free UK delivery

- same day delivery to Edinburgh

available. www.independent.wine

Independent fishmonger, Daniel,

provides quality fresh and cured fish.

At the beginning of lockdown there

was some question over availability -

but this wee shop has kept going. Use

Schop to have your fish delivered.

16a Broughton Street EH1 3RH

0131 556 7614

A unique gallery and gift shop in

Edinburgh’s Southside - a cornucopia

of all forms of art. Buy handmade art

and craft from independent artists.

Linsay says: “If we don’t have it, we can

probably find it for you.”

artcraftcollective.co.uk

0131 629 9123

The care charity and community hub

look forward to welcoming all regular

and new customers back . All safety

measures outlined by the Government

are being followed. For the latest

information on room booking, classes

and events, visit their website.

ericliddell.org

ARDGOWAN DISTILLERY

BROUGHTON PLACE HAIR

THE WATERSHED

STOCKBRIDGE MARKET

MANDALA FLOW

Ardgowan Distillery has launched

Shipwright, its second whisky in the

Clydebuilt series. Whiskymaker, Max

McFarlane: “It is a truly sumptuous

dram, made to ignite your

imagination of far-off lands.” Free

shipping and branded nosing glass.

shop.ardgowandistillery.com

A luxurious, elegant salon with a very

happy and friendly atmosphere where

the aim is to make your experience

relaxing, enjoyable and glamorous.

Appointment essential.

0131 556 4478

2a Broughton Place EH1 3RX

www.broughtonplacehair.com

The floating café is owned and run by

Lindsay and sits just next to the

Leamington Lift Bridge on the canal.

With their range of smoothies and

coffees accompanied by macarons

and a host of other treats, it is not to

be missed. They have tables and

chairs now. EH3 9PD

You may know about Leith (Saturdays)

and Stockbridge (Sundays) Markets

but did you know that you can order

online and pick up all of your shopping

at once? Using the NeighbourFood

site you simply choose what you want

pay and then collect.

www.neighbourfood.co.uk/markets

Voted Best Therapy Practice 2021. The

practice has worked hard over six

years to create client focused sessions

of Reflexology, Energy Medicine, Reiki,

EFT and Talk Energy Sessions. £55 for

one session or £200 for four. Call Heidi

Grillo on 07786 542 315

info@mandalaflow.co.uk


12 FEATURE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY

Golden

The

years

Lifecare Edinburgh celebrates eight decades supporting local older people

Tom Gibb, 94,

enjoyed a birthday

celebration at LifeCare

Main photo: Fiona

Dunipace, Margaret

Stewart and

Patricia Blackley

of LifeCare

LifeCare Edinburgh, the older people’s care

charity, celebrates its 80th anniversary this

month. Established in September 1941, the

local organisation offers a range of vital care

and community services which have

supported thousands of vulnerable older

people living in the north of the city.

Originally set up as “The Edinburgh Old People’s Welfare

Council”, the charity changed in 1948 to “The Edinburgh

and Leith Old People’s Welfare Council” (EOPWC) and in

2005 the name was changed once more to LifeCare.

The organisation was formed by three trail-blazing local

women, Miss Lowe, a chartered accountant, Miss

Whigham, a lawyer, and Dr Baxendine, the Physician

Superintendent of Queensberry House Hospital.

ENRICHED LIVES

The intention was to create an organisation delivering

activities giving “older members of the community a fuller

share in community life”. The EOPWC was one of the first

organisations set up to do this in Scotland and this hope

became a reality as it built up a wide range of services,

some still on offer today, which have greatly enriched the

lives of many older people living across Edinburgh.

The charity began running its services from Ainslie

House on St Colme Street, then from Margaret Tudor

House on Merchant Street, with activities focussed on

helping in the home, and also housing and social

activities. The charity recognised that its key priorities

- still relevant today - were to support elderly people

who “were not too ill to be in hospital but needed

care” and “to help tackle issues with loneliness”.

One of the ways the charity’s volunteers did this

was to arrange regular visits to older people, and by 1959

a staggering 13,907 home visits were made in one year.

The charity opened Lamb’s House in Leith in 1961 as

an older people’s day centre. HM the Queen Mother

officially opened the premises with around 900 people

attending the opening ceremony.

Lamb’s House was a huge step forward in the care of

older people in the local area, offering a range of services

including laundry, hairdressing, physiotherapy, and

bathing as well as lunches, social activities and

entertainment.

Doctors, almoners, health visitors and local authorities

referred people to the House so they could use its

services. The centre was managed by Margaret Bayne

who was declared Scotswoman of The Year in 1968.

The centre on Cheyne Street, which is at the heart of

the charity’s work today, was opened by the Queen

Mother in July 1975.

By this time the charity was running the key services it

still operates including Day Clubs, social activities,

recreational classes and the provision of food. “The St

Bernard’s Club” in Stockbridge was officially opened by

The Princess Royal in 1991.

The club runs activities to help dementia sufferers,

including art, movement to music, quizzes and

reminiscing. There was even more support for those

suffering from dementia when the Milton Road

Dementia Companions Club in Portobello was

taken over by LifeCare in 1996. It is known now as

‘The Cottage’.

Margaret Stewart, Care Service Manager at LifeCare

and the charity’s longest serving employee, said:

“Throughout LifeCare, we worked tirelessly to ensure no

client in need went without our dedicated support and

contact through the devasting time. We quickly adapted

to ensure we could safely continue our registered care in

people’s homes – we delivered over 7,500 hours of

registered care through the first year of the pandemic. We

made necessary changes to continue our practical help at

home services – delivering over 10,000 hours of safe care.

We

de

tha

me

com

ph

tak


13

have

livered more

n 12,000

als and each

es with a

one call to

e the order

Services delivered on a plate

HRH The Princess

Royal on a visit

to LifeCare

EIGHT DECADES OF

EXPERIENCED CARE

DELIVERING POSITIVE

OUTCOMES

The issues the charity supports

have not changed much across the

years. Care services provided

continue to tackle issues with

isolation, loneliness, to support

those with dementia, mobility

issues, food poverty, mental health

problems and to provide support

for carers. These vital services

enable the elderly to remain living

in their own homes, to stay

physically and mentally well, to

remain connected, to stay mobile

and active and to eat well.

VITAL SERVICES

DELIVERED TODAY

LifeCare provides essential help

and support through its three

centre-based Day Clubs at The

Cottage, St Bernard’s and The

Dean, Registered Outreach, Help at

Home, Meals on Wheels, and

community engagement activities.

LifeCare and the Space

(Broomhouse) also operate a

partnership project, Vintage

Vibes, which tackles the

social isolation and

loneliness of over 60s. From

the Cheyne Street building in

Stockbridge, LifeCare runs

the fully accessible

community café

“CaféLife” and

We introduced new phone call services to check-in with

those living alone and introduced a new dedicated call

support system for carers - in total we have made over

4,300 calls to carers most in need. We set up shopping

services and prescription collection services which would

come with a call to take orders and a doorstep visit to say

hello at a distance.

“Thanks to funding from Barclays, we launched our

hugely successful Meals on Wheels service for the most

isolated. We have so far delivered over 12,000 meals and

each comes with a phone call to take the order, have a chat

and then a non-rushed safe companionship visit at point of

delivery. For the over 55s we moved our community

engagement activities to Zoom and these have never been

more popular. Another huge achievement has been the

operates the community hub for

local classes, activities and clubs.

HELP AT HOME

Help at Home (HAH) has been

running for nine years and has

provided more than 70,000 hours

of support to people in Edinburgh.

HAH provides regular and reliable

support with household tasks,

cleaning and shopping. When

things become more difficult to

manage, the charity is there to

provide flexible and tailored

support that can help people stay

independent and enjoy life in their

own home. HAH is for anyone aged

over 50, who is living with

dementia, is struggling with

mobility or has poor health, as well

as those who care for them.

FOCUS ON FOOD

The charity has always understood

the importance of providing good

nutritional food for local older

people. In the 1940s, the charity

set up a daily lunch service for

those unable to cook and they

established a small Meals on

Wheels service - a new idea

at the time. This was

reintroduced by the charity

to support the most

vulnerable during the

pandemic. Thanks to funding

from the Barclays

100x100 Covid

Community Relief

Fund, LifeCare’s Meals on Wheels

service has now been launched as

a social enterprise to provide fresh,

nutritious meals to people in the

community long term. The service

is open to people over 50 years old

with health and/or support needs

living in North Edinburgh & Leith.

COVID-19

Since March 2020, the charity has

supported more than 770

individuals with vital positive

support designed to protect and

maintain the physical and mental

health of some of the most

isolated older people.

LifeCare’s professional and

committed care workers and

volunteers have worked tirelessly

throughout the pandemic to safely

deliver essential registered care,

practical help within the home and

adapted usual companionship

activities to ensure isolated older

people received the support they

needed to stay well. The charity

also launched several new

initiatives, specifically designed to

help support the most isolated

and lonely local older people.

As the crisis struck, the charity

grew extremely concerned about

how older people would cope with

usual in-person services, Day Clubs

and activities all closed, and many

clients told to shield. They feared

many older people would go for a

significantly long time without

seeing or speaking to anyone else.

Unlike other younger

generations, many clients do not

have access or the ability to use

virtual technology such as

FaceTime or Zoom.

Without the right support, this

whole new level of loneliness

created by Covid-19 could have

caused a rapid deterioration in an

older person’s health and abilities.

LifeCare therefore worked hard

to ensure all those in need

received the care they needed to

survive and to maintain their

strength and abilities, and once

able, return to the communities

they hold dear.

www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk

continuation of our partnership project Vintage

Vibes, our dedicated friendship programme,

specifically designed to target loneliness and isolation.

“Collectively this support has provided vital care for

our older communities, be that practical support

to enable a person to continue to live

independently, a friendly face, a welcoming

call, a non-rushed visit and just offering

something to look forward to. Thanks to

the dedicated support offered by our

professional highly qualified staff we

have helped to protect the physical

and mental health of some of the

most isolated and lonely older

people living in our communities.”

David, pictured in

LifeCare’s Café

Life pre-Covid

Meals on Wheels

was godsend for

David and others

By CLAIRE MONTGOMERY

LIFECARE CLIENT David is 90 and lives alone.

He has great difficulty walking and requires to

use a walker or a stick.

Before the coronavirus lockdown, David

joined us at Café Life almost every day to have

a hot meal and chat with the volunteers and

staff who he has come to know well over the

last few years.

David also got some help with cleaning from

the Help at Home service and was visited weekly

by his friend Lindsay, who he was introduced to

through Vintage Vibes, a partnership project

between Space/Broomhouse Hub and LifeCare.

When the crisis hit and restrictions were

introduced, David was unable to get out much.

He was not able to have his main meal cooked

for him, or enjoy the companionship of others

at the café.

CHALLENGES

Lindsay was only able to keep in touch by

phone. It was a difficult and challenging

time for him.

However, the newly introduced LifeCare Meals

on Wheels service was a real breakthrough for

David. He received a nutritious hot meal a

couple of times a week, delivered by

the “cheerful” staff, and said the

meals were lovely - especially the

soup - and he really enjoyed them.

Knowing the meals were

provided on certain days gave

David something to look forward

to, and a good hot meal to help him

through the long winter days.

He said: “Thank you for a

great service. Meals on

Wheels is a god send.

Thank you.”

Care Service

Manager,

Margaret

Stewart


14 NEWS

A guiding light

All Aboard at Polwarth

Ambitious charity tour programme makes homelessness more visible

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

IT IS ALWAYS a pleasure to speak to Zakia

Moulaoui, as she has really positive stories to

tell. More than five years ago she founded the

charity Invisible Cities, which takes homeless

people off the streets and turns them into tour

guides - and what can be a happier result than

giving someone a job and a future?

Even though the tours and public facing

activities stopped during the pandemic, the

charity continued to support everyone they

work with, delivering food to them, helping

with form filling, but also keeping everyone

engaged with them. There are three trained

tour guides working with Invisible Cities and a

further three who are in training.

The charity won a Lonely Planet Award in

October for the best community tour in the

world - indeed Invisible Cities was the only UK

company on the list.

Zakia said: “It came at a time when the tours

weren’t available but at the same time it gave us

a big spotlight. We reopened in December and

shut again in January, but we have a focus on

what people can buy at home and have

delivered. So we developed a lot of games and

activities that people can buy and will support

the work that we do.

“On International Women’s Day we released

a game based on inspirational women in

the UK.

“We featured women from across the

country who we think should be represented

more. They were scientists, politicians and

singers, and we appended a wee description for

each as to why we think they were great. To me

it is a good representation of the work that we

do because everybody was involved in

designing it, choosing the women and

conducting the research.”

The charity now has four tours available in

Edinburgh and during this year’s Fringe they

offered the Lassies of Leith, featuring

prominent women of Leith. The tours were

available as a physical tour, but can also be

enjoyed as a streamed version. And soon the

charity will offer brand new virtual tours of

Edinburgh in 3D to buy and watch at home,

with cameos and commentary from all the

Invisible City tour guides.

Zakia explained there is more to these tours

than just aiming them at visitors to the city.

She said: “My goal with this is to really go

into schools and groups, so that we can offer it

in the classroom, as opposed to on tours. So

I’m working with a steering group of teachers

and educational professionals to see what they

would like and how we could package this.

“Schools have always been a great thing for

us because it is a way to change the perception

of homelessness. Often it is difficult to get

schools to come out on a tour, so if we have

something to take to them, then that is a way

to interact.”

The charity is also expanding out to Cardiff.

Training was meant to begin last year but it will

now begin at the end of September when there

are fewer tourists around. Liverpool is also on

the cards for either later this year or next year,

but then the expansion will pause for a while to

allow consolidation of their services.

In Edinburgh the charity might look at

opening a shop where they can sell tickets and

grow their customer base.

Zakia explained: “Lockdown has meant that

Glasgow has slipped through in my plan. I

think if we make our tours better in each place,

and have a really good setup, then we will be in

a better place to get to more Scottish cities.

Next year is the Year of Storytelling so that will

fit perfectly for us.”

Business networking organisation Love Your

Business has chosen Invisible Cities as their

community partner this year which is

helping the charity enormously.

Zakia said: “It’s been disastrous for

everyone. In tourism it is very hard to see

when it is going to get any better. We have

reopened but we have no American tourists,

and there are cancellations every day.

Michelle Brown of Love Your Business is

helping us a lot with generating different ideas

that we work get together on.”

During the pandemic homeless people

were helped to get off the streets and offered

accommodation in hotels in the city centre,

but Zakia is not sure that is an answer to

the problem.

She said: “My opinion is that putting

somebody in a hotel doesn’t mean that they’re

not homeless anymore. I consider that

someone is out of that system completely when

they have their own home, and they’re

financially independent, and also socially and

intellectually independent.

“For example, even before Covid, you had a

lot of people who were newly moved into a

home with absolutely no knowledge on how to

pay a bill, how to budget for anything, how to

buy food.

“Socially, we’re still part of that kind of

network of homelessness. And as far as I’m

concerned, it’s a very hard world to get out of.

“So during Covid people were indeed put

into hotels - I think some of them still are. But

that will all stop at some point and where will

they go then?

“I feel very strongly that we have to educate

people around how to live and how to be

without that net. Also, some of the hotels

were just run by hotel staff and not people

who were equipped to deal with people who

had problems.”

invisible-cities.org

Community

ready to set

sail on canal

A CHARITY AND CHURCH are

clearing the decks to launch their

newly commissioned canal boat.

People Know How and Polwarth Parish

Church followed up a successful 2019

partnership project which provided

events and activities for young people

and the community on a chartered

canal boat.

The pilot demonstrated there was a

need to provide a space for wellbeing

and community cohesion, and the

response they received from participants

was overwhelmingly positive.

In February, the two partners finalised

the purchase of their own custom-built

canal boat, and in June that boat All

Aboard was craned into the Union Canal.

Since then, the craft has been prepared

for its official launch.

READY FOR LAUNCH

Anna Philbrick, All Aboard Coordinator,

said: “It’s been an exciting process

preparing our new boat to officially

launch on the canal - from installing the

bright yellow canopy and lift, to training

up our team of volunteers, to ensuring

our boat is safe and accessible for all.

“The launch comes at a pivotal time in

the canal community’s recovery from the

pandemic, and we’re really looking

forward to start hosting sessions and

projects as well as new volunteers

interested in this unique opportunity.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone

on board.”

Visitors are invited on board the

new boat when they will be offered

opportunities to get involved with

All Aboard.

The project is currently looking for

crew and helmsman volunteers to

support the running of the boat, taking

young people, families and adults on

trips on the canal.

There are also opportunities to

provide support on the boat through art,

music, meditation or any other ideas you

might have.

Get down to the canal boat launch at

36-38 Polwarth Terrace between 2pm

and 4pm on Saturday 25 September and

join in the All Aboard celebrations.


15

We’re coming

to America!

Anna White and Emily

Redman are US bound

US growth beckons for Edinburgh tartan

specialist with New York state opening

Game4Padel’s chief

executive, Michael Gradon

and former tennis pro,

Annabel Croft

Padel nets £££s

Fast-growing sport attracts millions of pounds of investment

AN EDINBURGH-based padel business, already

backed by Sir Andy Murray and his brother Jamie, has

attracted investment of more than £2.5 million to

develop a network of playing facilities all over the UK.

Padel is one of the fastest-growing participation

sports, and is a mix of tennis and squash. Game4Padel

has announced completion of its third funding round,

raising £1.3 million to help finance the expansion

plans for 300 new courts. The £10 million company

backed by the Murray brothers and football stars such

as David Beckham and Lionel Messi, is considering a

fourth fundraising round later this year to keep up

with demand.

The new shareholders include Annabel Croft and

Andrew Castle, both former number one UK tennis

players, and rugby player Jonathan Davies.

THE SCOTLAND Shop on

Queensferry Street, well known for

its bespoke tartan clothes and

home accessories, has become so

engaged with the US they are

opening a branch there.

The founding director, Anna

White, revealed that the tartan

business is opening a branch in

Albany, the capital of New York

State. She said: “We wanted a

location with a story, a history of

Scots and their travels across the

Atlantic, generations of heritage

and fond memories of a land left

behind, and Albany caught our

imagination. A strong reason for

choosing the town - apart from its

history and Scottish links - is the

location. We want to establish a

base in the US where we can travel

to Highland Games and events,

join Scottish Societies and groups

and support their work.

“From Albany we will run a

monthly pop-up measuring

service in New York. We can be in

Boston in two hours and can easily

reach our friends, the Chicago

Scots, or go to the Scottish Festival

in Florida.

“We just felt Albany was right

for us, big enough to have a

population to welcome our

business, yet small enough to

become part of the community.

We can’t wait to share the next

stage in the journey when the

shopfitting begins and the

signs go up.”

New arrivals at

Edinburgh Zoo

New neigh...bours for zoo giraffes

EDINBURGH ZOO has

welcomed three new

Przewalski’s horses from

Highland Wildlife Park.

The horses, which will be

housed in a new enclosure

next to the zoo’s giraffes,

were an endangered species

half a century ago.

The wildlife conservation

charity reintroduced the

species of horse in the

Highlands. Zoo visitors

will learn how the breed

was saved after becoming

extinct in the wild in

the 1960s.

Jonathan Appleyard,

hoofstock team leader at

Edinburgh Zoo, said: “After

arriving, our three new boys,

Och, Tomor and Kumbish,

are settling in to their new

home which is just beside

our giraffes on the hilltop.

“It is really exciting to

introduce our visitors to this

amazing species and share

the incredible story of

Przewalski’s horses being

brought back from

extinction in the wild,

following the success

of rewilding and

reintroduction projects in

their native Mongolia.

“This huge feat is directly

attributable to the efforts of

the zoo community and

shows just how important a

carefully managed captive

population can be for

safeguarding threatened

wildlife around the world.”


16 FOOD AND DRINK

Brass to be

made in rum

CROSSWORD

Compiled by David Albury

Distiller sticks neck

out to predict global

“rumnaissance”

By STEPHEN RAFFERTY

SCOTTISH SPICED rum start-up

Brass Neck has hit a major milestone

– by selling its 1000th bottle just

months after launching.

Now the delighted founders say

they are in the best possible shape

for a predicted global boom in rum

sales, which they have dubbed the

“rumnaissance”.

Already being courted by potential

investors and acquirers, the trio

behind the spirit – which is distilled

in Scotland and not imported from

the Caribbean – now hope to play a

defining role in establishing

Scotland as a new centre of

global rum production.

Freddy Drucquer, 31, said:

“Scotland has an incredible

distilling heritage thanks to

whisky and in the past 10 years

Scotland has also come to make

its mark on the gin scene. With

those credentials, we believe it

is likely to become a new centre

for rum production, with huge

economic potential.

“All the signs point to a

‘rumnaissance’ that could be even

bigger than what we

have seen with the

resurgence of gin.

In less than a

decade, gin

distilling has

become a

Brass Neck founder Freddy

Drucquer (below) celebrates

1000th bottle landmark

hugely successful, standalone,

multi-million-pound industry for

Scotland. That same potential – or

even bigger – exists for rum.”

Freddy and his colleagues are in

“advanced discussions” with an

international distributor which

would see their rum gain a toehold

in both the US and Europe. They

also have an Amazon Prime offering

in the works.

Freddy said: “With the sale of our

1000th bottle we have passed a

major milestone. It establishes our

place in the market, we are seeing

impressive figures with return

customers and we’ve had

overwhelmingly positive

feedback. Meanwhile, we are

now firmly on the radar of

investors, distributors and

potential stockists.”

Freddy and his cofounders

Dougie Jeffries,

58, and Chris Dowdall,

39, are all rum

aficionados whose dream

ACROSS

8 Long tale of legendary heroes (4)

9 Obviously true (10)

10 Grown ups (6)

11 Untidy and careless (8)

12 Organisation that guards against

unreasonable behaviour (5-3)

14 Join the army, for example (6)

16 Construction that extends into

the sea (4)

17 Farm building where milk is

stored (5)

18 Friend or country willing to

help (4)

19 Fish-eating bird of prey (6)

21 Noticeably different, clearly

seen (8)

23 Considered, thought about (8)

26 Top of the House in Bingo (6)

27 Very casual or unconcerned (10)

28 Painful (4)

DOWN

1 Females who have rooms to let,

especially at the seaside (10)

2 Small carriage for carrying people

across a ravine, for example (5-3)

3 Swore, using violent language (6)

4 Probability of something

happening, especially used by

bookmakers (4)

5 Completely (8)

6 Decoration consisting of a hanging

bunch of threads on a curtain, for

example (6)

7 The lowest female singing voice (4)

13 Wear down slowly (5)

15 Members of the legal profession

(10)

17 Early in the morning (8)

18 Sharpness, bitterness (8)

20 Make or become less or smaller (6)

22 Piece of classical music written for

solo instrument (6)

24 Double-reed musical instrument (4)

25 Front face of a clock (4)

ANSWERS

Across: 8 Saga, 9 Undeniable, 10 Adults, 11 Slipshod, 12 Watch-dog, 14 Enlist, 16 Pier, 17

Dairy, 18 Ally, 19 Osprey, 21 Distinct, 23 Wondered, 26 Ninety, 27 Nonchalant, 28 Sore.

Down: 1 Landladies, 2 Cable-car, 3 Cursed, 4 Odds, 5 Entirely, 6 Tassel, 7 Alto, 13 Grind, 15

Solicitors, 17 Daybreak, 18 Acidness, 20 Reduce, 22 Sonata, 24 Oboe, 25 Dial.

was to create a distinctly Scottish

spiced rum distilled, bottled and

distributed in their homeland. After

partnering with Strathearn Distillery

in Perthshire, they perfected a recipe

which includes exotic ingredients

like tonka beans and cacao nibs as

well as orange peel, tempered with

distinctively Scottish botanicals

including nettles and milk thistles.

The trio started their project in

late 2019 and while the pandemic

lockdown proved a setback, it did

not derail the self-funded start-up.

Initially they were aware of just three

or four other Scottish-based rums

– whereas the most recent Scottish

Rum Festival in July featured

18 different brands.

Freddy added: “There are now

at least 25 serious rum brands in

Scotland, which is another sign of

how rum is mirroring the explosion

we saw in gin production a few years

ago. What’s great about all of these

different brands is that they are a

real community.”

The Wine and Spirits Trade

Association (WTSA) reported in

2018 that 35 million bottles of rum

were sold in the UK, a £1 billion

market. While white rum sales are

falling, growth is being driven by

demand for dark and spiced rums.


FOOD AND DRINK

17

Juliet’s food diary

The world is your oyster at Superico -

but did it work wonders for Juliet?

MEDITERRANEAN FISH

SOUP WITH A BASIL

AND GARLIC DRIZZLE

(serves four)

You might be pleased to hear that

since Brexit the UK now has plans to

ban the import of shark fins. Shark

finning is an abhorrent practice and

the matter of cruelty aside, it’s

making many species of shark face

extinction. Why not make my seafood

soup instead?

This can be rounded off with some

boiled new potatoes to turn it into a

nice supper course.

Sweet Superico

Hanover Street eatery is Andes addition to restaurant scene

ARRIVING AT SUPERICO, the old 99 Hanover

Street bar, I feel immediately out of place.

They’re playing cool music I don’t understand. If

it’s not on Smooth Radio I’ve never heard it

before. However, it’s not long before our friendly

barman and I discover I’m in the wrong place

and he gallantly walks me to the other Superico,

the restaurant version a few doors up. They’re

playing Alexander O’Neal - normality restored.

Previously a trad family Italian restaurant (La

Lanterna), it’s been transformed into a rather

lovely contemporary space featuring South

American delights. Stone walls, comfortable

seating and soft lighting, what’s not to like?

The drinkypoos pack a reassuring punch and

we’re onto the menu which is as creative as it is

brief. I’m always more trustful of a menu that

knows when to rein in the amount on offer.

Here you can have small sharing plates or a

proper meal. We order a random selection of

small plates and one modest oyster for me.

The food in Superico comes out “as it’s ready”.

The chef who invented that concept should get

an MBE for services to making lives in kitchens

easier. All the dishes were fresh, tasty and

generous, especially The Crudo, basically a

chunkier Steak Tartare with citrus, soy, chilli,

shallot, caper and chircharron. The star of the

show was the Tiradito: sashimi cut sea bream,

avocado, mango and blood orange, tiger’s milk

and coriander oil. I can only presume you milk a

tiger with its express permission.

If you worry these dishes sound too complex,

I can assure you they are delivered with a

delicate touch. The lily is not over gilded here.

My oyster dressed in jalapeño, lime and

coriander was delicious, and I’ll keep it to myself

whether or not it worked.

Superico offer two small plates with a cocktail

or glass of wine for £18 all day Wednesday and

Thursday and until 6pm Friday to Sunday. With

cooking this confident, friendly service and

top-notch ingredients, that’s a real bargain. To

read my full review, which also offers some

entertaining conversation and inside info on a

fruit and veg shop that’s really a fetish dungeon,

visit The Edinburgh Reporter website.

I also had a lovely pre-theatre dinner at

Shezan on Picardy Place. Their Chicken Tikka

was the most succulent I’ve ever tasted. As

Edinburgh Playhouse reopens in September I

trust they’ll be packed to the rafters as usual.

If you’re a sociable sort and love entertaining,

then the concept of Moda McEwan apartments

in Fountainbridge might just be for you. Not

only do the rental flats come with a communal

sitting room, gym, cinema and work spaces, but

they’ll even find a flatmate for you, perfect if

you’re new to the city. I’m informed that in all

the exquisitely decorated apartments, the

bedrooms are on opposite sides of the flat “so

you won’t be disturbed if you work different

shifts”. Yes, that was a real problem for me when

I flat shared, those pesky shifts. All bedrooms

have an en-suite, so nobody needs to see their

flatmate’s shift work assistant in their undies.

The best part about living here for me is the

fabulous kitchen dining area you can hire for

dinner parties or any celebration.

With all these distant bedrooms, perhaps a

singles night?

Juliet Lawrence Wilson

• Olive oil

• 1 each red, green and yellow

peppers

• 2 large onions, finely chopped

• 250g smoked bacon lardons

• 275ml white wine

• 570ml fish or vegetable stock

• 2 x 400g cans tinned cherry

tomatoes

• 4 tbs tomato puree

• 1 tbs sugar

• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar

• 2 tbs sherry

• Salt and pepper to season

• 20 mussels

• 8 tiger prawns, peeled and

deveined

• Basil and garlic drizzle:

• 5 sprigs fresh basil

• 1 clove garlic

• 150ml olive oil

Rub a little oil in the peppers, place

them on a baking sheet and roast in a

medium oven for about 15 minutes or

until the skins have begun to blacken.

Allow to cool then remove the skins

and seeds then chop finely. Fry the

bacon until just crispy and add the

onions. Turning down the heat, sweat

the onions until they are translucent.

Add the purée and fry off slightly. Add

the white wine and simmer until

reduced by half, then all the other

soup ingredients apart from the

seafood, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Season to taste. Add the mussels and

prawns and simmer for 5 minutes

until cooked. Blend the basil, garlic

and olive oil and drizzle over the soup

to serve.


18 WHAT’S ON

CULTURE • LITERATURE • EVENTS • MUSIC • MUSEUMS • ONLINE LEARNING...

City’s history in

plain sight for all

THE MUSEUM OF EDINBURGH located in

Huntly House on the Royal Mile has just reopened

- the same historic building which featured in

season three of the TV series Outlander.

Tell me more...

Film, food and faux leather at the Festival Theatre in September

3 SEPTEMBER

Ocean Film Festival 2021

Dive into a night of maritime adventure with

a new collection of ocean-themed films.

Returning as a live theatre tour, the festival

features a selection of short films starring

wild seafaring voyages, extreme water sports

and marine conservation from the least

explored depths of the planet including an

iceberg-dodging kayak expedition and the

extreme sport of skimboarding. Originating

in Australia, the festival aims to inspire

audiences to explore, respect, protect and

enjoy the seas, and each screening will

include a free prize giveaway to win

ocean-related goodies. None of the films on

the live tour have been shown in the virtual

events aired during lockdown.

17 SEPTEMBER

Yotam Ottolenghi: A life in flavour

Find out what the man himself thinks about

his life in flavour and find some new

inspiration for your own cooking. Sharing

his experience as a chef, restaurateur and

food writer, Ottolenghi will offer unique

insights into how flavour works – from basic

pairings that are fundamental to taste, to

cooking methods that elevate ingredients to

great heights. He will also discuss his life and

career, including how his upbringing has

influenced his food, to opening six delis and

restaurants in London.

FROM 27 SEPTEMBER

Grease

Get the leather jackets out and enjoy the

1950s love story brought to life in a

production choreographed by Arlene

Phillips. All the best sing-along tunes are

included and Peter Andre will feature as

Teen Angel and Vince Fontaine in the

weekday performances.

www.capitaltheatres.com

Special guest artist Peter Andre

could be the one that you want

THE DISPLAYS INCLUDE...

• The National Covenant of 1638, which led

to civil war

• the collar and bowl of Greyfriars Bobby, the

Skye terrier whose devotion to his dead

master touched the hearts of many and

inspired numerous books and film adaptations

• New Town designer James Craig’s plans

• First World War commander Earl Haig’s

extensive collections

Cllr Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities

Convener, said: “We're so happy to be able to open

the doors of our wonderful museum once again,

the building itself is an experience with quirky

rooms and turrets to explore.

“During the pandemic our Museum & Galleries

service explored ways to engage with audiences

virtually, creating online versions of exhibitions,

digital lectures, podcasts and coming up with

educational programmes that parents and

teachers could use at home. However, the

moment that our museum could once again

welcome visitors physically has long been on

our minds.”

Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and

Communities Vice Convener, said: “Visitors are

invited to discover Edinburgh’s fascinating history

through the Museum of Edinburgh’s wide and

varied collections of iconic items, beautiful objects

as well as to learn fascinating facts and hear

gruesome tales. The Museum is truly unique.

“The safety of our visitors and team is our main

priority, and we're following the latest government

guidance to ensure the museum is Covid-secure.”

Gratitude for

NHS heroes at

Newhailes

Sculptures celebrate

pandemic sacrifice

Chris Scott

A PUBLIC ART installation

will be on display outside

Newhailes House in

Musselburgh from 17

September and free tickets

are available online.

Wild in Art, the team

behind Oor Wullie’s BIG

Bucket Trail, has brought

the piece called “Gratitude”

to life to thank NHS staff

and all key workers for

their work during the

pandemic over the last

18 months.

The artwork comprises

51 sculptures all designed

by well known artists and

designers, including the

Scottish fashion designer,

Pam Hogg, sculptural artist

Andrew Logan, British

fashion and textile

designer Kitty Joseph, one

of the UK’s leading ceramic

artists Kate Malone, and

the project’s creative

ambassador Dame

Zandra Rhodes.

The work will feature

real-life stories and poems

about key workers

recorded by identifiable

voices such as KT Tunstall,

Christopher Eccleston,

Julie Hesmondhalgh, John

Thomson, Jamie-Lee

O’Donnell, Shobna Gulati

and Adil Ray. Plus

Downtown Abbey’s Hugh

Bonneville, Norman

Cook (Fatboy Slim), and

Sarah Parish.

The sculptures will be

auctioned after nationwide

tour to raise funds for NHS

Charities Together.

www.thisisgratitude.co.uk


19

A regal fit out

Scottish National Jazz Orchestra

marking their quarter century

Improved Queen’s Hall ready to welcome back concert guests

L-R Andrew Cotter with Olive and Mabel,

Lesley Riddoch and Eddi Reader

THE DUST IS quietly settling after a restricted

Fringe and festivals in August, and now it is

time for our Edinburgh concert halls to get

back to business, entertaining us with a

selection of acts.

The Queen's Hall is one of the city's

favourites - a mid-sized venue with lofty

ceilings and doors opening directly to the street.

There has been a huge amount of building

work carried out at the hall to open the space at

front-of-house to avoid overcrowding.

The ventilation system has been upgraded

and improved and there are more toilets

upstairs with a one-way queuing system.

The building was deep-cleaned before

reopening in August and all surfaces will be

cleaned and sanitised both during and

between events.

Tickets will be sent to concert goers digitally

whenever possible and payment during visits

will be by card.

SAT 4 SEP

Eddi Reader - 40th Anniversary concert

(postponed from 2020)

Eddi Reader is perhaps Scotland’s greatest living

female voice. In 2020, she would have celebrated

her 40th year on stage with a “40 Years Live”

concert tour. This year’s concerts promise to be

something special, as with any Eddi Reader

concert, the magic is being made in the moment,

no two concerts are ever the same.

TUE 7 SEP

Jonathan Pie: Fake News (Corona Remix)

After months stuck in lockdown, Jonathan Pie

returns to the road to discuss how corona has

changed the world and his career prospects.

Jonathan Pie is the exasperated news reporter

whose videos have been seen across the world.

With over 1.5 million Facebook followers, his

online videos regularly achieve millions of views

going viral internationally.

THU 16 SEP

An Evening with Andrew Cotter, Olive & Mabel

Andrew Cotter began 2020 as one of the most

recognisable voices in sports broadcasting. But

now, he is a ‘bone’-a fide internet sensation, only

slightly eclipsed by his canine companions and

overnight global superstars Olive and Mabel.

FRI 17 SEP

John Shuttleworth's Back...

...is giving him trouble. Despite ongoing back

issues following years of strenuous DIY, and

playing the organ while perched upon a

multi-pack of Diet Sprite in his garage with no

lumbar support, Shuttleworth - ever the trouper

- will brave the stage to regale audiences with an

evening of his classic compositions, plus brand

new songs and hilarious “back” stories, pausing

only to reapply his deep heat rub!

TUE 21 SEP

Scotland's Debate

A question-type event without Fiona Bruce.

Guests: Robin McAlpine, Colin Fox, Lorna

Slater, Michelle Thomson hosted by Lesley

Riddoch. With music from Andrew Gordon.

FRI 24 SEP

Live at 25

On Friday 24 September the Scottish National

Jazz Orchestra celebrates 25 years of top-quality

music-making, drawn from almost 100 years of

jazz and the classical and Scottish traditions. The

Box Office is now open for in person bookings.

www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on

A magical journey

Woodyfest...seeing the light through the trees

WONDROUS WOODS presents

Woodyfest from 21 October to 14

November. This is a lighting trail

set out in the grounds of

Hopetoun House at South

Queensferry. The two kilometre

woodland journey will lead visitors

on a magical journey through the

grounds of the 300 year old home.

The 21CC Group has designed this

year’s event with creative lighting

and sounds and special effects

installations. Organisers expect this

year’s event to be a sell-out.

Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC

Group, said: “It was amazing to be

able to deliver Scotland first large

scale Covid-safe experience for

the public last year and give

them something special to look

forward to in what were some very

difficult times.

“We have put a lot of thought

into this year’s trail because we

wanted to produce something that

is fun and exciting, but also pays

tribute to the many events and

festivals that have cancelled this

year and last year, which is what

led us to the theme of Woodyfest.

There is going to be some fun

surprises this year. Woodyfest will

have something for everyone.”

Estate owner, The Earl of

Hopetoun, said: “Last year’s

lighting trail was innovative and

magical for all of us at Hopetoun

and we’re delighted to welcome

back the Wondrous Woods event.

“It not only shines a light on

our home and the beautiful

grounds but is a real boost for

the team after a particularly

challenging period.

“It's been fascinating to see just

what such an ambitious project

can achieve and I look forward to

being able to show such a unique

visitor attraction.”

www.wondrouswoods.com


20 NEWS

Ross Burns with his

son’s Hot Wheels set

Dad’s pic stop

Hot Wheels project crosses the line

AN EDINBURGH DAD embarked on a 365 day photo challenge to

take pictures of his son’s Hot Wheels car collection at some of the city’s

most scenic spots.

Ross Burns, 41, who works at Edinburgh Napier University, featured

more than 250 of the cars in places such as Calton Hill, Edinburgh

Castle and the Forth Bridge. The cars are also partial to a double flip on

the half pipe at Saughton Park. Ross has posted an image every day on

Instagram under the account Scot.Wheels with the most popular being

the photo of a Land Rover Defender 90 reflected on the Water of Leith.

Ross said: ““I have a five-year-old son called Daniel and he loves Hot

Wheels. I used to love Matchbox cars when I was his age and I soon

began to become obsessed with his growing collection. To make sure I

took a walk every day, I started taking a car out and just taking some

pictures on my phone.

“After a few weeks, I set myself the challenge of doing it for a full year

and I’m delighted to have now completed it. It’s been great for my

mental health during the various lockdowns, particularly the one early

this year – getting out and taking a picture of a car gave me a purpose

and a creative outlet each day.”

Now that he has achieved his target of a photograph every day for a

year, and run up more than 20,000 “likes” in the process, Ross intends to

carry on but take his foot off the accelerator.

“I’ll continue taking car pictures but not pressurise myself to do it

every day. I’ll aim for quality over quantity and hopefully as we become

able to travel more, I’ll explore some fantastic new settings with some

wonderful new cars.”

Back in the swim with Duncan

THOUSANDS OF young

swimmers are celebrating the

return of swimming lessons in

pools across Scotland – with help

from Olympic hero Duncan Scott.

Following his return from

Tokyo, where he was Britain’s

most decorated Olympian in a

single games, Duncan joined a

group of youngsters at the Royal

Commonwealth Pool in

Edinburgh, as part of his

commitment to continue to

inspire the next generation

of Scottish swimmers.

It was Duncan’s

first role back as the

Learn to Swim

ambassador after

his success for

Team GB at Tokyo 2020, where he

won one Gold and three Silver

medals in the pool.

The Learn to Swim framework

– a partnership between Scottish

Swimming and Scottish Water – is

delivered by Leisure Trusts and

aquatic providers across the

country which aims to enable

children of all ages to become

safe and confident swimmers.

Edinburgh Leisure is one of 28

Leisure Trusts beginning the full

resumption of the Learn to Swim

programme, meaning that

thousands of kids will be

back in pools following

the disruptions caused

by the pandemic

restrictions.



22 SPORT SPECIAL DERBY PREVIEW

Meeting their match

Edinburgh’s big two square up for first derby of the season

Ian Jacobs

Derby clash brings out the

best in both teams

Bowling along

nicely at Balerno

By NIGEL DUNCAN

By JOHN HISLOP

THE EDINBURGH derby returns to the city

this month after another season of

competing in different divisions and it will be

a massive game, not just for the fans but

particularly for both managers.

Jack Ross has rightly won plaudits for

taking the Easter Road team to third place in

the Premiership table as well as a Scottish

Cup final, but his reputation is probably

higher amongst the neutrals than the Hibs

fans, some of whom still question his ability

to win games that “matter”.

Despite winning his first derby thanks to a

Martin Boyle double at Tynecastle, a 3-1

defeat coupled with a dreadful performance

in the corresponding fixture at Easter Road

infuriated the supporters.

Add that to the Scottish Cup semi-final

defeat at Hampden last October and Ross is

now in "negative equity" as far as derbies are

concerned - and another ex St Mirren

manager Alex Miller knows how popular

that makes you.

Add that to the League Cup semi-final

defeat and Scottish Cup final defeat, both to

St Johnstone, then the jury is still out for a

significant number of the Hibs’ faithful,

although to be fair, Ross has the backing of

the majority. Counterpart Robbie Neilson

will take charge for his seventh derby and his

record of two wins, three draws and two

defeats is not one that the Hearts fans take

any pride in. Many Hearts fans still blame

him for conceding two late goals at

Tynecastle in the Scottish Cup five years ago

and his comments of a “big pay day” in the

replay. He may have got what he hoped for,

but Hibs went on to win that match and

subsequently the Scottish Cup for the first

time in 114 years.

Despite him leading Hearts to runners-up

of the top-flight in his first term, some fans

paid for a plane and banner calling for his

dismissal. He led the club back to the

Premiership at the first time of asking last

year but that was expected and anything less

would have been a disaster.

Both sides started this campaign with two

Hibs coach Jack Ross is

looking for a big win

victories, Hearts beating Celtic at home and

St Mirren away, whilst Hibs returned with all

three points from Fir Park and disposed of

Ross County to top the table.

Ross added to his squad Matt Macey and

Jamie Murphy, both of whom had been on

loan last season from Arsenal and Rangers

respectively, Dan McKay from Inverness

Caledonian Thistle and Irishman Jake Doyle

Hayes from St Mirren, whilst losing popular

Ofir Marciano, veteran captain David Gray,

Stevie Mallan, Fraser Murray, Jackson Irvine,

and Tom James.

Neilson signed Ross Stewart and Josh

Ginnelly - both on loan last term from

Livingston and Preston North End

respectively, Alex Cochrane from Brighton &

Hove Albion on loan and highly rated

midfielder Beni Baningime from Everton,

whilst eleven players left the club including

former captain Christophe Berra, Loic

Damour, Olly Lee, Harry Cochrane, Andy

Irvine, Craig Wighton and Aidy White.

Perhaps a draw would be acceptable to

both coaches?

MARGARET TURNER won the two bowl singles

Balerno Bowling Club beating Helen Girdler

21-18 in a see-saw battle in which both had

the lead.

The two-time ladies champion, lost to Helen

in the recent Ladies Championship final, but she

started well going 4-0 and then 5-1 ahead

before the newly-crowned champion hit back.

Helen was only one behind at 6-5 before

Margaret took a two for 8-5 but Helen hit back

with a single.

A run of three ends edged Margaret 11-6

ahead but Helen responded with a single.

Margaret won the next also with a single for

12-7 before Helen clicked into gear.

She won six ends in a row to lead 14-12 and it

appeared that the momentum was heading

firmly in her direction.

However, the tense battle took another twist

and the talented pair were level at 16-16.

Minutes later Helen led 18-16 and the match

looked to be slipping away from Margaret.

But she kept her composure to come with a

late surge with scores of 2, 2, and 1 to take the

silverware after a 31-end tussle.

Robert Douglas was crowned the men’s

champion at Balerno Bowling Club for the

second time. His other win was in 2013 and he

achieved the silverware with a comfortable

victory over another former winner, Stevie

Watson, despite having a broken left wrist.

The 60-year-old Balerno-based window

cleaner tripped on a kerb only six days before

the final and was on pain killers for the injury

which, luckily, was to his non-bowling arm.

The injury did not upset his rhythm and he

beat the 43-year-old accountant, who was

playing in his third final, 21-6, a scoreline which

included a four end winning run with scores of

3, 4, 2, 2, for 20-5 and he claimed the trophy

with a single at the 15th end.

Derby day memories from the glory years

By JOHN HISLOP

GROWING UP watching Hibs in the

late 60s, early 70s, the Edinburgh

derby was virtually a guaranteed

two points.

In fact, if memory serves, Hearts

only won twice in the first 15 years of

my Hibs supporting life. Celtic were

Hibs main rivals and in a five year

period, the pair met six times in cup

finals with both winning three each.

Tynecastle though was always a

nice day out and I was there that

glorious day on New Year’s Day

1973, when the wonderful Turnbull’s

Tornadoes scored seven times

without reply in what the Hibs fans

still describe as "the greatest game

in history”.

Hibs had to win by six clear goals

to overtake Celtic at the top of the

table and did just that.

At that time Hibs held the

Drybrough Cup, a much underappreciated

trophy, the League Cup,

and were also in the quarter-final of

the European Cup Winners’ Cup

waiting to face Yugoslavian side

Hajduk Split, with Chairman Tom

Hart publicly declaring that trophy

was also heading to the Easter

Road boardroom.

Sadly, injuries and suspensions

meant that there would be no more

open-topped buses for almost 20

years and the derby pendulum

would swing the other way, but

every time I walk through Gorgie

and dream of "bygone days" I think

of Jim Herriot, John Brownlie,

Shades, Pat Stanton, "Sloop" John

Blackley. Alex Edwards, Jimmy

O’Rourke, Alan Gordon, Alex

"Sodjer" Cropley and Arthur

"Nijinsky" Duncan, playing "the

best brand of football the world’s

ever seen”.


23

It’s a

capital

clash

Hearts fans are hoping to

celebrate a derby win

Fishing affected

by hot weather

By NIGEL DUNCAN

Derby game is like

no other fixture

By JAMIE MCINTOSH

TO FOOTBALL FANS the world over there

is one game that ranks above all others - the

local derby - and the first Edinburgh contest

of the season at Tynecastle will be relished by

both sets of fans.

Robbie Neilson came in for fierce criticism

for his derby record during his first spell as

Hearts head coach and his two wins, three

draws and two defeats, was arguably the

reason some fans wanted him sacked.

The most notorious match saw Hearts

throw away a 2-0 home advantage in the

final 10 minutes of a Scottish Cup fifth round

tie against Hibs in 2016. Hearts lost the

replay 1-0 at Easter Road and then had to

watch their city rivals go on to lift the trophy

for the first time since 1902.

Many people blame Neilson for Hibs

escaping their Scottish Cup hoodoo and few

shed a tear when he left Tynecastle nine

months later, however, while Neilson’s

football wasn’t attractive, it was effective, and

Hearts struggled after his departure.

Since his return to Gorgie in June 2020,

Hearts have won promotion back to the

Premiership and have made some shrewd

signings in the transfer window. The return

of Craig Gordon (now club captain) was a

massive coup for Hearts. Now aged 38,

Gordon remains one of the best goalkeepers

in the country and if he performs as well as

he has in previous derbies, there’s every

chance Hearts will come out on top.

Liam Boyce spearheads the Hearts attack

and after picking up the Championship’s

Golden Boot award last season with a total of

14 goals, he is a man the Hibs defence will

need to be very wary of.

Two new additions in the Hearts midfield

to watch out for are Josh Ginnelly, signed

from Preston North End after an impressive

season on loan, and former Everton starlet

Beni Baningime, who penned a three year

deal and impressed on his debut against

Celtic, picking up Man of the Match in the

2-1 victory.

Ginnelly has the ability to provide

moments of magic out of nothing and

Hearts will have a much stronger chance

of winning if he is on his game, while

Baningime’s ball winning skills are crucial

in any game, but particularly in an

Edinburgh derby where the action tends

Ian Jacobs

to be frantic in the middle of the park.

Despite Hearts and Hibs competing in

different leagues last season, the pair met

in the delayed Scottish Cup semi-final at

Hampden in October, and it was Hearts

who came out 2-1 on top after extra time,

with Boyce netting the winner from the

penalty spot.

Hibs’ record at Tynecastle is embarrassing

to say the least - aside from wins on their last

two visits, prior to that Hibs had won only

four of their previous 34 trips to Tynecastle.

Many Hearts fans still harbour doubts

on Robbie Neilson’s ability to take the

club forward.

He knows he will once again be judged on

his derby record and a Hearts defeat on 12

September could be the beginning of the end

for the Hearts boss.

CLUBBIEDEAN in the Pentlands, above Bonaly

have launched a re-vamped website which

owner Steven Johnston said has gone down

well with clients.

Like everywhere else, the weather has had an

impact on fishing, but anglers have been catching

with a 6lb trout among the best returns in

recent weeks.

Adams Irresistible, CDC, shuttlecock, yellow

dancer and diawl back plus have been the most

successful flies, according to Johnston, who

currently has six boats in operation on the water.

He also allows bank fishing but casting can be

a problem in some areas.

Bait fishing is by maggot and worm on his

seven-days-a-week fishery which is open from

9am to 9pm.

Johnston said: “Anglers are catching all over.

Sometimes it is in the morning that is best. Two

boat anglers hooked 11 on dries as the water was

bubbling, then the weather changed and the fish

went off.”

Algae problem

LINLITHGOW LOCH has reopened following the

green algae problem which has forced the

closure of the fishery for four weeks.

This was the longest summer closure of the

popular West Lothian fishery in living memory

and closure has cost the Forth Area Federation of

Anglers, who administer the fishery, a sizeable

sum in lost ticket sales as bookings were

cancelled, and other anglers were turned away as

the problem continued. The warm weather

during July and August was the cause.

Tom Lambert, the club secretary, said he has

been involved for four years and this is the worst

he has experienced. He added: “I believe that

there was a problem around 15 years ago. The

guys still talk about it, but this is one of the worst

spells of algae we have had in living memory.”

Thankfully, July and August are not the water’s

busiest months.

From family feuds to bragging rights

By JAMIE MCINTOSH

LIKE ANY Hearts fan, the

Edinburgh derby is a match

I always look forward to. Our club

has an excellent record against city

rivals Hibs, with 143 wins to Hibs’

86 in competitive fixtures, and 286

wins to Hibs’ 206 in all fixtures.

I’d struggle to choose just one

favourite Edinburgh derby

moment. Mark De Vries’ four goal

debut in 2002 in a rain soaked 5-1

drubbing of the Easter Road side,

or Wayne Foster entering Hearts

folklore with his late Scottish Cup

4th round winner followed by his

famed celebration on the fence?

Or it might be the 2014 “relegation

derby”, where Hibs came to

Tynecastle to relegate Hearts and

lost 2-0. But it could easily be the

biggest derby of them all, the 5-1

Scottish Cup Final victory in 2012.

The Edinburgh derby is the

domestic highlight of the season

for both Hearts and Hibs fans and

it’s easy to see why. I can’t speak

for others, but coming from a

family that is half Hearts and

half Hibs, the rivalry is solidly

built on who gets to own the

bragging rights.

The Edinburgh derby is very

much a “local derby” and with the

majority of both sets of supporters

anchored in Edinburgh (or just

outside the city), it doesn’t suffer

from negative influences which

a certain other Scottish derby

attracts.

It is without doubt one of the

biggest derbies in the country and

with the return of supporters after

a long 17 months, the atmosphere

at Tynecastle on 12 September

creates the potential to be one of

the best ever.


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