Last night, Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, joined over 250 CEOs from across Scotland who slept out rough in Charlotte Square in aid of the final push from Social Bite to raise money to build the first ever village for homeless people in Edinburgh. Continue reading Hundreds ‘sleep rough’ to support Social Bite village
The Scottish Government has hosted an energy summit with representatives from the ‘Big Six’ energy companies looking at ways to help low income households living in fuel poverty. Continue reading Big Six summit addresses fuel poverty
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) are asking members of the public to help commemorate unrepresented figures from the country’s past. Continue reading Your chance to rewrite history!
Residents at a sheltered and owner occupied housing complex in Comely Bank were treated to a special lunch to celebrate a major anniversary in the history of the site recently. Continue reading Celebrations at Carlyle Court
An internationally-important seat of learning from the Scottish Enlightenment which fell into dereliction and was painstakingly dismantled to be reconstructed two miles across the ity has received the royal seal of approval. It’s both the oldest and the newest building at the Botanics, and the magnificent Botanic Cottage was officially opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal yesterday.
Saved by a community campaign, the Georgian cottage was reconstructed with the express intention of nurturing public engagement so it was appropriate that those welcoming Her Royal Highness included school pupils and community groups.
Volunteers from the Edible Gardening Project were on hand, as were the community activists who fought for the building to be saved, those involved with the reconstruction and RBGE staff who had roles to play in the venture. Main funders, including representatives of the Heritage Lottery Fund were also introduced.
Lucy Casot, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “Thanks to players of the National Lottery, Botanic Cottage has a new lease of life. It will be a lively, welcoming hub where young and old, many with more challenges in life than others, can be inspired by these wonderful gardens and collections. We are delighted to have played our part in this project and look forward to seeing Botanic Cottage blossom.”
The Princess was hosted by Regius Keeper Simon Milne MBE who introduced her to key people in the building’s recent history, from its rescue on Leith Walk in 2008 through the wholesale move and traditional rebuild to those who have established it as a new centre for community and education work at the Garden’s Inverleith site.
Mr Milne commented: “The completion of the Botanic Cottage is such a wonderful achievement for everyone involved in getting the building from Leith to Inverleith and bringing it back to life as a focus for education and community work. Today has provided well-deserved recognition to the team and we were all delighted to have had the opportunity to welcome The Princess Royal.”
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has unveiled a ‘budget for growth and public services’ as he announced new investment in healthcare, education and local services, combined with support for jobs through lower business rates. However opposition parties are less than impressed with the SNP plans and it’s likely that the government will have to rely on the support of the Greens to get their budget passed.
Continue reading A budget for ‘growth and public services’ – or a ‘massive con’?
