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
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Promenade and in the town’s
Velvet Easel Gallery and Via
For advertising and
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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.
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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
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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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LEITH WALK POLICE BOX
LOVE YOUR BUSINESS
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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
DI GIORGIO’S CAFFE & BAR
SCHOP
CRAIG BANKS TAILORING
NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION
This year the shop celebrates their
40th birthday with an amazing diverse
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
personally tailored attire that others
will aspire to. His pyjamas and dressing
gowns will make your video calls
so stylish!
0131 226 7775 • 45 Thistle Street
EH2 1DY • craigbankstailoring.com
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ter.ooo.subscribe
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.