Seagull Trust Cruises Ratho highlight a new canal danger: CROCODILES!

Seagull Trust Cruises Ratho highlight a new danger in our Canals

As warmer weather approaches and visitor numbers rise, Seagull Trust Cruises Ratho Branch is urging the public to take extra care around Scotland’s canals.

The Union Canal is already seeing increased footfall, cycling, paddle-sports activity, and family visits, and with this seasonal surge comes a heightened risk of accidents and unsafe behaviour near the water. 

The charity, which provides free therapeutic cruises for people with additional support needs, relies on a safe and respectful environment to operate.

In previous years concerns were raised about speeding cyclists, unsupervised children close to the water’s edge, dogs off leads near wildlife, and individuals entering the canal in unsuitable locations.

These behaviours not only endanger the public but also disrupt moored boats, wildlife habitats, and the smooth running of accessible cruises. But this year there is another concern – crocodiles!

With water temperatures remaining cold even in spring and early summer, accidental immersion can lead to cold-water shock within seconds. Seagull Trust Cruises is reminding visitors that canals are working waterways, with hidden hazards such as uneven banks, deep silt, submerged objects, and limited space for boats to manoeuvre.

The charity is encouraging everyone to stay alert, avoid risky shortcuts, and keep towpaths clear for all users, including those with mobility aids.

Stuart Rennie, Immediate Past Chair of Seagull Trust Cruises Ratho Branch, emphasised the importance of shared responsibility: “The canal is a wonderful community space, but it only stays safe when everyone treats it with care.

“Our volunteers work hard to provide calm, enjoyable cruises for people who benefit greatly from time on the water. We’re asking the public to help us protect that experience by acting responsibly as the weather improves.

“The crocodiles don’t bite and we thought it would be a fun way to get across a serious message about water safety this summer.”

For information and bookings please contact 07511 055081 or email:

rathobookings@seagulltrustcruises.org.uk

Scottish charity finds new way to tackle counselling access gap

A Scottish charity is using a new delivery model to tackle shortages in access to therapeutic support.

Right There, which works across Scotland to prevent homelessness and support families, has widened its existing counselling provision to help more people access support earlier, before issues reach crisis point.

The approach uses a supervised placement model, with counselling delivered by postgraduate counselling students – initially from the University of Strathclyde, Queen Margaret College, Grounded Learning, and the Centre of Therapy – who are closely supported by an experienced Supervising Counsellor.

The announcement was made to help Right There to mark National Mental Health Awareness Week, 11th to 17th May. 

The expanded service builds on Right There’s established counselling work, including its long running service in Orkney, and will offer young people and adults the option of in-person support delivered at hubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh, or online sessions for people in other parts of the country. 

One young woman who accessed counselling through Right There’s service in Orkney, said: “Right There Counselling was the helping hand I needed to pull myself through some immensely difficult situations in my life.

“Having that support a message away, knowing I could talk unfiltered and receive not only strong in-person advice and support, but referrals to practical help for my situation.

“All this really gave me the leg up I needed to rebuild a new safer life for myself, as my true self, when I had few places to turn. This is an invaluable service for young people.”

The counselling service offers a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space for young people and adults to talk openly about what is affecting their lives and their mental health. Counselling helps to reduce isolation and prevents symptoms from worsening during lengthy waiting times.

Elvira Kesoglou, Supervising Counsellor at Right There, said: “We know that demand for counselling support has grown significantly across the country, but access has not kept pace.

“For some years now we have been funding a popular counselling service to people accessing our programmes in Orkney, but we are desperate to expand our care out to the rest of Scotland. 

“This new model allows us to widen that access safely and affordably, while maintaining the quality, supervision and person-centred care that people deserve. It also helps us support the next generation of counsellors in a structured and ethical way.”

The initial service will only be available for people referred through Right There’s programmes. The charity plans to continue developing the service over the coming year, with scope to introduce additional therapeutic approaches as capacity grows.

Residents give thumbs up to Granton Waterfront

Residents talk enthusiastically about settling into their new homes at Western Villages, part of our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.

A strong sense of community shines through from the city council’s new tenants in a video released this week.

Western Villages is now largely occupied, with 388 homes for social and mid-market rent providing accommodation for around 1,400 residents. After the Council declared a housing emergency in 2023, these high quality homes provide much needed, affordable and energy efficient accommodation to help respond to the shortage of homes within the city.

Granton Station View, also part of the wider regeneration project is fully occupied with another 75 energy efficient quality homes for social and mid-market rent, delivered in October 2024. Work is also well underway to deliver a further 143 affordable energy efficient and high quality homes at nearby Silverlea.

At the end of last year, the Council approved the business case for the next phase of this ambitious project for the city. It will deliver a further 847 energy efficient quality homes on neighbouring land and will provide residents with a new primary school (to be delivered through a separate contract), shops and leisure facilities, more walking, wheeling and cycling routes and open and green space.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “We declared a housing emergency in 2023 and so these energy efficient quality homes are much needed and from what I’ve seen are being greatly enjoyed.

“The video shows how easy it is for residents to access the beach, parks, good transport links, places to walk, cycle and wheel as well as having good local shops and other facilities nearby. I’m absolutely delighted the tenants are pleased that we’re creating communities people feel part of, want to live in and call home.”

Dementia Awareness Drop-In at Corstorphine Community Centre

THURSDAY 21 MAY 10am – 1pm

Come along and find resources to support you or your loved ones through the dementia journey.

Have a cuppa and a chat. Relax with Elaine from MindTr!p, learning new techniques. Feel soothed by Tally with a hand massage. Come and listen to the NW singers and find out about them. Have a cuddle with a dog, and of course have a cuppa!

If that isn’t enough to pique your interest come along to chose an Izzy doll or ruffle muff hand made by our wonderful knitters!

Lisa and House of Hope Heroes go over the edge to raise funds for people impacted by breast cancer

Founder and CEO of Edinburgh-based The House of Hope, Lisa Fleming and her teenage son Cameron, took on the ultimate fundraising challenge with a 100ft abseil down the Port of Leith Distillery, to raise money for The House of Hope, Scotland’s first dedicated support and wellbeing centre for people impacted by breast cancer and their families.

Lisa, who lives with secondary breast cancer, was joined by a team of ten superheroes and supporters from The House of Hope, to go above, beyond and over the edge to collectively raise a massive £8,500.

All funds raised will go directly towards delivering wellbeing and holistic services and support at the House of Hope, based on Gorgie Road, which opened its doors to the local community in June 2025.

A truly remarkable achievement for Lisa, who when she was first diagnosed, discovered that cancer had already spread from the breast to every bone in her body and she has gone through 19 operations including brain and spine surgery.

Lisa said: “I think I’m still in a bit of disbelief. If you’d have told the girl who sat in the Western General oncology unit, with her life in bits almost nine years ago, that she would still be alive, let alone completed a challenge like that I would never have believed you.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their generosity and all of the hard work that went into making the event happen.  For me the hero of the day was my son, Cammy.

“We were up first, together and I will never forget the look of fear in his eyes, but he showed absolute resilience and bravely fought through it and absolutely smashed it! I’m so proud of him and what we’ve achieved together.”

The House of Hope was borne out of Lisa’s vision to create wellbeing and holistic support provision, within her hometown of Edinburgh and she remains dedicated to providing a safe haven for people impacted by breast cancer to access vital services outside of a clinical setting.

The House of Hope celebrates its first anniversary in June 2026 and has delivered support to over 200 people and their families impacted by breast cancer. 

To mark the anniversary, a 1k Your Way challenge has been launched to encourage supporters to do 1k every day for 30 days in June any way they like – whether that’s running, walking, cycling or even rowing, whatever gets it done! – to raise money to support people impacted by breast cancer. 

North Edinburgh Community Festival: Join the Flash Mob!

Calling all North Edinburgh Community Festival attendees: Be part of the first ever flash mob by the community for the community!

You’ve danced to it at birthday parties, you’ve danced to it at weddings, shucks you’ve probably danced to it in your pals kitchen at one point.

Join me at 1.15 at the main stage and again at 4pm at the carnival stage.

Gretna 111 exhibition at Out of the Blue Drill Hall next week

Coming soon to the Drill Hall 18 – 23 May 📢

We’re hosting the Gretna 111th Anniversary Pop-Up Exhibition, commemorating the Gretna train disaster, which killed over 200 men from the 1/7th Royal Scots.

The Gretna Rail Disaster was a devastating blow to both the Battalion and the people of Leith. It was said at the time that there was scarcely a family in the town untouched by the tragedy.

In the hours after the disaster, the nearby city of Carlisle became the main centre for the wounded. Around 180 injured soldiers were taken there, overwhelming local hospitals, Red Cross facilities, and even hotels, which were requisitioned for beds.

On Sunday 23 May 1915, 107 coffins were returned to Edinburgh and placed in the Battalion’s Drill Hall in Dalmeny Street. The following day, 101 were borne in solemn procession to Rosebank Cemetery, Pilrig Street, for burial in a mass grave. Thousands lined the route; shops closed, blinds were drawn, and traffic halted as the city mourned.

The Drill Hall has been chosen for this exhibition due to its history of being the 7th Battalion’s Drill Hall and its association with the people of Leith.

Central to the exhibition will be the Tree of Life which contains the names of all 216 men who were killed in the disaster. This will be supported by display boards featuring the stories of local soldiers and their families.

📅 Monday 18th – Saturday 23th May

⏰ 10am – 4.30pm

📍The Out of the Blue Drill Hall

🎫 Free entry

https://outoftheblue.pulse.ly/ujcbebvdb2

Image: (c) The Royal Scots

Quintinshill Disaster 1915 – Leith

New exhibition unveils history of the Trinity Stones

A FREE exhibition, exploring the story of Edinburgh’s long-lost Trinity Collegiate Church, is now open at the Museum of Edinburgh.

Reviving the Trinity Stones marks the culmination of a two-year project led by Jill Harrison, founder of the Trinity Network. The project has sought to trace, identify and catalogue medieval stones dispersed after the demolition of the once-magnificent 15th-century Trinity Collegiate Church in 1848, which made way for the construction of Waverley Station.

Founded more than 560 years ago by Queen Mary of Guelders, the Trinity Collegiate Church was among the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Scotland. Despite its former grandeur and royal significance, much of its physical legacy was scattered and largely forgotten until now.

The exhibition brings this remarkable story back to life, exploring who built the church, how it was used, why it was demolished, and how parts of it were later reconstructed. Visitors will also discover how the search for these lost stones has evolved into a modern-day treasure hunt, piecing together fragments of Edinburgh’s medieval past.

Featuring rare images, archival material and newly uncovered insights, the exhibition highlights the importance of preserving these fragile remnants before they are lost forever.  It also aims to inspire renewed public interest and support for their protection.

A programme of free talks and guided walks will accompany the exhibition, offering visitors further opportunities to engage with the history and ongoing discoveries.

Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: “I’m delighted that the Museum of Edinburgh is hosting another outstanding exhibition. Reviving the Trinity Stones tells the fascinating story of the Trinity Collegiate Church – one of medieval Edinburgh’s forgotten royal masterpieces.

“This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore how the church was celebrated, demolished and rediscovered. With an excellent programme of free talks alongside it, there truly is something for everyone, and I would encourage people of all ages to visit.”

Jill Harrison, Founder of the Trinity Network, said: “The story of the trinity stones continues to capture the imagination of heritage organisations, community groups, residents and visitors alike.

“This project has already contributed valuable new knowledge about one of Edinburgh’s oldest medieval buildings, and I hope it will spark further interest, research, and discussion.

“It is an especially exciting time, as new stones continue to be discovered, and more people become involved in uncovering this hidden history.”

The City of Edinburgh Council Archaeologist John Lawson said: “It has been fantastic working and supporting Jill and her colleagues on this project over the last few years.

“Her research and investigations have brought to light the fate of what happened to parts of this medieval church after it was taken with pieces scattered across Edinburgh.

“We are delighted that the project has allowed us to receive, as a donation from NHS Lothian, of three important stone bosses which ended up in the Astley Ainslie Hospital.

“This includes the unique ‘Passion Stone’ carved with the marks of the Passion the last surviving of six. This is on show as part of this exhibition.”

The project has been funded through a Jean Guild Grant from the Old Edinburgh Club. The exhibition and its accompanying outreach programme are supported by the City Council.

Heartfelt! Lord Provost sends best wishes to Hearts

Ahead of Saturday’s football match, the Lord Provost has issued the following statement:

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “On behalf of the city, I want to wish Heart of Midlothian the very best of luck against Celtic on Saturday.

“It really is incredible that it’s come down to this final showdown between the top two. Hearts have had such a great season, bringing so much joy, excitement and inspiration to their fans and to the wider community. They really have been the ‘talk of the toon’ and you can literally feel the buzz in and around Gorgie.

“Should they go on to win the title, it would be huge moment for the club and for the city. Not only would it be their first league triumph since 1960, they would also be the first club outside the Old Firm to do so for over 40 years.

“How wonderful if would be if the team ending that run and bringing the trophy home was an Edinburgh club. Go on the Jam Tarts!”