Earlier today Buckingham Palace announced the death of the Duke of Edinburgh after a short illness.
A notice informing the public of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh was placed on the gates of Buckingham Palace. It read:
“It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.”
At the express request of HRH Duke of Edinburgh, and in line with current COVID restrictions, there will be no official ceremonial events during this period.
Although this is an extraordinarily difficult time for many, we are asking the public not to gather at Royal Residences, and continue to follow public health advice particularly on avoiding meeting in large groups and on minimising travel.
We (the UK Government) are supporting the Royal Household in asking that floral tributes should not be laid at Hillsborough Castle at this time. The Royal Family have asked that members of the public consider making a donation to a charity instead of leaving floral tributes in memory of The Duke of Edinburgh.
An online Book of Condolence is now available should members of the public wish to express their condolences. This is available at the Royal Family Website
Further details of the funeral will be announced by Buckingham Palace in due course.
Over a year since Covid-19 lockdowns began in the UK. the Great British public has, it seems, grown tired of wearing masks.
So much so, in fact, that many are planning ‘burn your face mask’ parties once lockdown is lifted to mark an end to the havoc wreaked by Covid-19.
Face masks have been mandatory in shops and other indoor areas since July last year, although were being worn widely before summer – and, with all restrictions set to end on June 21st, it seems many have decided that will be the time to say goodbye to the cloth coverings that have been the most visible sign of the pandemic in everyday life.
“I want to feel free again,” said Lara, 29, who is planning a ‘Bubbles & Burning’ party with her friends as soon as restrictions are lifted.
“I’m sick of constantly having to remember a mask, sick of feeling it on my face… we’re going to get a few bottles of Prosecco and chuck them in the fire pit, and good riddance.”
Kian, 19, agreed. “Me and my mates are going to have a few beers and a barbecue and then throw them on after we’ve cooked our burgers.
“I can’t wait to watch them go up in flames to be honest!”
Gaz, 39 “I’m actually in the minority and quite enjoy my facemask, it has got me out of grooming my beard for the past 12 months!”
Many feel similarly, with even those who are happy to comply with mask-wearing saying they’ll be ceremonially disposing of them as soon as lockdown is fully lifted. But, Divert.co.uk says, this is an unwise move for a number of reasons.
Mark Hall, the spokesperson for rubbish removal and landfill diversion experts Divert.co.uk, urged people not to get out the lighter fluid.
“While it’s tempting to want to set light to your mask and wave goodbye to what has been a horrible year for many people, burning them is pretty awful for the environment. Despite feeling like paper, the widely-used blue single use masks are actually made from various type of polymer, materials which – when burned – release potentially dangerous chemicals into the environment.
“Reusable masks aren’t immune from these problems either, as burning any waste creates pollution and smoke – and after so long looking forward to taking a deep breath of fresh air without a mask in the way, it’d be a shame to ruin it with a lungful of smoke. That and you’re just going to have to buy another as the rules haven’t changed, you are required to wear one”
It’s not only the polluting effects of burning your face mask that are a bad idea, either.
One researcher, Mark Jit at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said it wouldn’t be the law forever, but that it may become the norm to wear masks when ill in future: “It will stop being legally mandated at some point, but I think there will be a permanent culture change for people to wear face masks in public, especially when they have respiratory symptoms. We already saw that happen in Asia following SARS.”
It might be best, then, to keep hold of your masks, even as we return to pubs, offices and cinemas. But what to do with our dirty single-use masks in the mean time? Up to 50 million are used and discarded each day, meaning their disposal is an urgent problem that is already concerning waste experts.
“The most accessible thing for most of us, unfortunately, is to dispose of them in your main bin – they are technically medical waste, so can’t be recycled through your household bins,” said Hall.
“We’d urge everyone to get a reusable mask, even as this hopefully late stage of the pandemic – if they’re going to be around for a while longer, a reusable mask will pay for itself quickly and can be washed and reworn as many times as you want, saving hundreds of single-use masks making it to landfill.
“We campaigned for pop-up PPE bins on the high street to ensure proper disposal of single-use masks and avoid contamination of other waste, but sadly the Government still hasn’t come up with a simple, accessible solution for everyone to dispose of their masks.
“Some private businesses have come up with single-use mask recycling schemes, turning the waste material into furniture, building materials and more, which is amazing – but they’re far and few between, and the average person doesn’t have access to them.
“Our best advice is to use reusable masks and to ensure you’re following WHO guidelines on safe removal and disposal.”
Research by Lloyds Banking Group shows 65% of people in Scotland see the environment as a top priority for post pandemic recovery.
However, nearly a quarter (23%) were unable to reduce their own carbon footprint in the second lockdown.
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Carbon emissions in Scotland dropped by 13% during the pandemic compared to the year before, according to analysis compiled by Lloyds Banking Group in partnership with the Carbon Trust.
The analysis considered the impact on carbon emissions resulting from changing consumer spending behaviour across six categories: food and drink, fuel, commuting, airlines, electrical stores and clothing stores.
Restrictions on international and domestic travel as well as the increase in working from home have been significant factors in the drop in carbon emissions. Emissions from commuting reduced by almost two thirds (65%) and emissions from fuel fell by a fifth (20%) compared to the year before the pandemic.
At the same time, international travel restrictions meant that the carbon emissions from airlines dropped by more than three quarters (79%) compared to the previous year.
As the country prepares to emerge from lockdown, public support for the environment remains strong in Scotland, with 65% of the public ranking the environment as a top priority for post pandemic recovery.
However, it appears that ‘going green’ is a struggle as nearly a quarter (23%) were not able to reduce their carbon footprint in the second lockdown, the research revealed.
Environmental reasons are also a factor for people thinking about a return to work, with almost three in 10 (29%) full-time employees citing this as a reason in their plans to work from home at least two to three times a week.
Generational differences can be seen in these emerging environmental behaviour changes. Nearly half (49%) of over 55s are planning to continue shopping locally compared to just 27% of younger generations (18–24 year olds). Older generations are also more likely to limit their car use than younger generations (36% and 23% respectively) and make improvements to their home’s energy efficiency (16% and 7% respectively).
Thrifty under 25s are planning to buy more items second-hand or upcycle them than older generations (35% and 22% respectively) and are focused on changing their diets to reduce emissions (23% and 13% respectively).
Philip Grant, Chair of Scottish Executive Committee at Lloyds Banking Group said:“Our research shows that the people of Scotland want the environment to be at the heart of our post-pandemic recovery.
“Lockdown’s have changed the way we live and work, and shown us how we can do our bit to help tackle climate change and live more sustainably.
“We all have a part to play which is why we are working with businesses, the government and communities to help make a positive impact on the environment.”
Myles McCarthy, Director at the Carbon Trust, said:“It is encouraging to see that the environment remains top of mind for two thirds of people in post pandemic recovery.
Lockdown has disrupted our lives in many aspects, challenging people from turning aspirations into action, while encouraging more sustainable habits like homeworking and local shopping.
“As lockdown eases, and in the run-up to COP26, it is time for consumers, citizens, businesses and governments to come together and build the enabling environment that will help turn climate ambitions into long-term impact.”
It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.
Further announcements will be made in due course.
The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.
UK GOVERNMENT STATEMENT
It is with great regret that we note the announcement today, Friday 9 April 2021 from Buckingham Palace of the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
All official flags, including the Union Flag, are to be half-masted on all UK government buildings as soon as possible today until 0800 on the day following the Funeral. Flags may be flown overnight during this period but should remain at half-mast.
Any non-official flags currently flying or due to be flown should be taken down and replaced with a Union Flag at half-mast. Other official flags scheduled to be flown should be flown as normal, but at half-mast (see official flags criteria below).
Half-mast means the flag is flown a third of the way down the flagpole from the top, with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole. On poles that are more than 45° from the vertical, flags cannot be flown at half-mast and should not be flown at all.
Devolved administrations will issue instructions for the flying of the Union Flag and other official flags on buildings in their estate and others as necessary.
Local authorities and other bodies may choose whether to follow this guidance.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement
It was with great sadness that a short time ago I received word from Buckingham Palace that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has passed away at the age of 99.
Prince Philip earned the affection of generations here in the United Kingdom, across the Commonwealth and around the world.
He was the longest serving consort in history, one of the last surviving people in this country to have served in the second world war at Cape Matapan, where he was mentioned in despatches for bravery and in the invasion of Sicily, where he saved his ship by his quick thinking and from that conflict he took an ethic of service that he applied throughout the unprecedented changes of the post war era.
Like the expert carriage driver that he was he helped to steer the royal family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life.
He was an environmentalist, and a champion of the natural world long before it was fashionable.
With his Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme he shaped and inspired the lives of countless young people and at literally tens of thousands of events he fostered their hopes and encouraged their ambitions.
We remember the Duke for all of this and above all for his steadfast support for Her Majesty The Queen. Not just as her consort, by her side every day of her reign, but as her husband, her “strength and stay”, of more than 70 years.
And it is to Her Majesty, and her family, that our nation’s thoughts must turn today.
Because they have lost not just a much-loved and highly respected public figure, but a devoted husband and a proud and loving father, grandfather and, in recent years, great-grandfather.
Speaking on their golden wedding anniversary, Her Majesty said that our country owed her husband “a greater debt than he would ever claim or we shall ever know” and I am sure that estimate is correct.
So we mourn today with Her Majesty The Queen, we offer our condolences to her and to all her family and we give thanks, as a nation and a Kingdom, for the extraordinary life and work of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Scottish Secretary pays tribute to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack’s statement on the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said: “It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
“Since her accession in 1952, the Duke has given the Queen his unstinting support and dedication. Their marriage was a true, and enduring partnership.
“Prince Philip’s life was one of tireless public service. That was never more evident than during his countless visits to Scotland, where the Duke’s warmth and humour endeared him to Scots from all walks of life.
“His Royal Highness had a long and fond relationship with Scotland and, through his fantastic Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, has played a key role in building the confidence, ambition and aspiration of thousands of young Scots.
“As we reflect on the Duke’s life, we give thanks for his remarkable lifetime of dignity and devoted service, and extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family.
“He was an amazing man, a great character. I fear we will never see his like again.”
DEATH of HRH PRINCE PHILIP: FIRST MINISTER NICOLA STURGEON’S STATEMENT
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has sent a message of condolence to Her Majesty The Queen following the announcement.
Flags are flying at half-mast on Scottish Government buildings and online Books of Condolence are due to open.
The First Minister said: “On behalf of the people of Scotland, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family.
“Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time and their grief is shared by people across the country.
“The Duke of Edinburgh had deep and longstanding ties to Scotland, attending school here at Gordonstoun and regularly holidaying at Balmoral Castle.
“From his patronage of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, to his close association with the University of Edinburgh as Chancellor for over fifty years and his commitments to countless charities and organisations, Prince Philip’s long contribution to public life in Scotland will leave a profound mark on its people.
“Online Books of Condolence will open in the coming days to allow people to pay their respects. In line with current restrictions, the Royal Household has requested that members of the public do not leave floral tributes or gather at the Palace of Holyroodhouse or Balmoral Castle at this time.
The Palace has suggested that people could donate to charity instead, if they wish to do so.”
As flags at the City Chambers are lowered to half-mast, the Queen’s Royal Representative in Edinburgh, the Lord Lieutenant Frank Ross, said:Throughout Prince Philip’s extraordinary lifetime, he showed great appreciation for this city and its people.
“During his countless visits to the Capital as Duke of Edinburgh, he regularly reached out to fellow veterans and serving personnel and thousands of our children and students, both through the Duke of Edinburgh Award and his longstanding links with our Universities.
“As Patron of so many Edinburgh-based charities, he won a special place in the hearts of Scottish people. It’s with great sadness that I share on behalf of the city our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to all the members of the Royal Family at this very sad time. It has been my privilege and honour to personally represent His Royal Highness in Edinburgh. Just like his consort to the monarch, his legacy will be longstanding.”
Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in Corfu on 10 June 1921, married Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947. On the morning of their wedding, he was created the Duke of Edinburgh and was formally made a British Prince in 1957.
His Royal Highness retired from his royal duties on 2 August 2017, aged 96, having completed more than 22,200 solo engagements since 1952. He remained Patron, President or Member of around 30 Edinburgh-based organisations, including: the Universities of Edinburgh and Heriot Watt, the Royal Botanical and Zoological Societies of Scotland, the National Galleries, Royal British Legion and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise.
He was the longest-serving consort of a reigning British monarch and the oldest ever male member of the British royal family.
SP Energy Networks is making the switch to modern drone technology to inspect its transmission network, delivering environmental benefits and reducing costs.
The electricity network provider had previously relied solely on helicopters to visually assess the towers on its transmission network.
However, following a successful trial period last year, a fleet of drones is now carrying out condition-based assessments across the SP Transmission network, which covers Central and Southern Scotland.
The drones are helping to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, contributing to SP Energy Networks’ drive towards Net Zero emissions targets.
Leading drone-based inspection firm Cyberhawk has been awarded the contract to carry out these inspections, utilising its iHawk software to collect data against 85 different points on the towers. This allows SP Transmission to assess any network risk and inform future investment, enhancing network resilience, integrity and security – ultimately keeping the lights on.
Pearse Murray, Transmission Director for SP Energy Networks, said: “It’s a massive undertaking to complete the regular inspection of the many towers on our transmission network but the drone technology represents a significant step forward for a number of reasons.
“Firstly, it’s hugely beneficial for the environment and the imagery we obtain is of a high standard due to the flexibility of the drones in assessing tower conditions, meaning we can make even more informed decisions.
“Following the successful trial, we also realised that the drones dramatically minimise the impacts on landowners and make it much easier to arrange access to land when we require it.”
Edinburgh-based Cyberhawk has secured a contract until the end of 2022 for the condition-based inspection work through a competitive tender process.
Chris Fleming, Cyberhawk CEO, said: “By partnering with Cyberhawk, SP Energy Networks has chosen a more environmentally conscious solution for inspecting its electrical network and structures, supporting its commitment to significant emissions reductions, while returning more accurate results through our state-of-the-art drone inspection technology and iHawk software.
“This has also assisted SP Energy Networks in maintaining critical inspection services throughout the coronavirus pandemic, helping to keep the lights on for millions of customers in the UK and ensuring safe operations across its network.”
Due to the success of the partnership with Cyberhawk, SP Transmission is also expanding its own fleet of drones to assist with network risk assessment and planning.
SP Energy Networks is part of the ScottishPower group, a Principal Partner for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be held in Glasgow later this year. It is developing an energy model that will play a significant role in reaching the UK’s world-leading climate change targets and is investing a total of £10bn in the clean energy generation and networks infrastructure needed to help the UK decarbonise and reach Net Zero emissions.
SP Energy Networks owns and manages overhead and underground powerlines in Central and Southern Scotland as well as Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and North Shropshire.
For more information on SP Energy Networks, please visit:
A FORMER farmhouse in the south of Edinburgh has been identified as a possible location for a new form of co-operative housing.
Comiston Farmhouse – currently for sale by The City of Edinburgh Council – is to be bid for by a spin-off to a local cohousing group, Cohousing in Southern Scotland (CHOISS).
Should the bid be successful, it would be one of the first-ever cohousing projects to get off the ground in Scotland.
Cohousing involves a group of people wanting to be neighbours to each other. Very often, the housing they design for themselves is environmentally-friendly and involves a sharing culture, such as a common building with a shared kitchen and dining room.
Recognised as an antidote to loneliness, cohousing is not communal living: each household has their own home, but shares other resources, such as a laundry, garden space, tools and cars.
Comiston Farmhouse is set within an acre of land, between Fairmilehead and Oxgangs.
A spokesperson said: “Comiston Cohousing hopes the cohesion and resilience of everyone involved, working together as a group, will achieve our vision.
“Our plan is to establish a legal entity, such as a co-operative, a company limited by guarantee or a ‘Mutual Home Ownership Society’ which has been piloted by Low Impact Living Affordable Community (LILAC) Cohousing in Leeds.
“We are in conversation with a Building Society and other sources of potential funding while individual ‘pioneers’ are totting up their savings or getting their homes valued.”
Neighbours to the farmhouse were recently invited to an online public meeting in February – where, overall, the feedback was very positive and ideas for further involvement with the community were shared.
It is expected the council will be setting a closing date for bids around the end of May.
We believe the Oxford Economics report, ‘Raising Scotland’s Economic Growth Rate’ underscores the need for inclusive debate across political parties, Government, trade unions, business, the third sector and the media, indeed all concerned parties, to determine a new economic strategy for Scotland.
Radical and ambitious policy changes are required if Scotland’s economic performance is to be transformed and significantly boosted within the next 15 years and there must be no sacred cows as we determine those changes.
We must, as a necessity not a choice, address Scotland’s low productivity, poor business birth rate and lack of success with scale-ups that mean Scotland’s GDP per head is a mere 44% of Singapore’s level, 48% of Ireland’s, 68% of Norway’s and 75% of Denmark’s.
As the report states “it is not realistic to think that the current economic policies of either the UK or Scottish governments will produce a transformation of Scotland’s economic performance”.
Hence we must act now, in collaboration not conflict, to support and deliver a strategy that takes us up the ladder of GDP and drives innovation and scaling not just within business but across the whole of the public sector.
Achieving significant growth in our GDP is not just in every single persons’ interest, it’s an imperative if we are to maintain and indeed enhance our public services and drive the jobs that are so desperately needed post-pandemic.
We owe it to our young people that we create a vibrant economy for them to inherit and we need to be exceptional custodians of Scotland’s future for their sakes. To do so we cannot simply do what we have always done, tinkering on the edges, Scotland needs to think big and it needs to think fast.
Our opportunity is our size, we are a speed boat compared to the super tanker economies and we are a nation that has historically invented the modern world, its not beyond our ken to do that again.
We implore a rational, national debate on our economic future to then deliver a strategy and an operational implementation plan for Scotland’s growth.
Signed:
Andrew Parfery, Company Director, Caresourcer
Andrew Wilson, Founding Partner, Charlotte Street Partners
Scottish comedian Eleanor Morton staffs bar on a cherry picker and delivers alcohol-free beer through home workers’ windows in Edinburgh
One year on from the working from home order, Heineken 0.0 is rewarding home working Britons with a well-earned pi1nt of Heineken 0.0… through their windows
The world’s first example of window service has been staffed for a period of time in Edinburgh today by comedian, actor and writer Eleanor Morton
The Fringe hit follows Sophie Ellis-Bextor, indie rock singer Phil Etheridge and drag queen Divina de Campo who staffed the ‘Wind0.0w Service’ bar earlier this month in London, Birmingham and Manchester
It has been a year since the nation began working from home and millions have been staring at the same four walls ever since.
So, to break up the drudgery of WFH and make for a more memorable nine to five, Heineken has put a bar on the end of a cherry picker and is delivering complimentary alcohol-free Heineken 0.0 beer to people through their windows.
Welcome to the world’s first ‘Wind0.0w Service’, which today came to Edinburgh.
Picture the scene: a home worker is sat in their spare bedroom turned makeshift home office, on yet another video call, when there’s a knock at the window. In place of the normal view outside there’s now a bar suspended in the sky from the arm of a cherry picker, staffed by a celebrity bartender pouring a fresh pint of draught Heineken 0.0.
And who better to staff the cherry picker bar in Edinburgh today and bring a smile to people’s faces than highly talented comedian, actor and writer Eleanor Morton?
Morton is the last famous face to pick up the cherry picker bartending baton. Earlier this month Heineken 0.0 was delivered to people’s windows by lockdown disco hero Sophie Ellis-Bextor (London, 1st April), The Twang frontman Phil Etheridge (Birmingham, 6th April) and drag queen Divina de Campo (Manchester, 7th April).
Eleanor Morton said: “A cherry picker on a bar delivering pints through people’s windows is something I would likely joke about happening in one of my comedy sketches, but today it becomes a reality as I find myself actually staffing this bar in my hometown!
“I’m very excited to bring this new service to people working from home, giving them a beer break they deserve after a tough year.”
Matt Saltzstein, Beer Unit Director at Heineken commented: “Heineken 0.0 is all about saying ‘now you can’. Now you can enjoy a beer break while working from home with a tasty alcohol-free option.
“We wanted to bring this message to home workers in a memorable way – and attaching a bar to the end of a cherry picker to create the first ever window service certainly fits the bill. With alcohol-free drinks more popular than ever we can’t wait to put smiles on people’s faces and 0.0 beers in their hands, through their windows!”
Edinburgh’s entertainment schedule just shifted up a gear – The Parking Lot Social is back – and this time it’s bigger than ever. With tickets on sale now, The Parking Lot Social Springtime drive-in extravaganza will be rolling back into Dalkeith Country Park from 19-23 May.
2021’s tour brings with it a selection of familiar favourites alongside some amazing new additions, including Scotland exclusive Scary Movie sessions featuring live scare actors at midnight on each date.
Brand new for this year is The Parking Lot Social Easter Panto. The traditional theatre production has had a seasonal makeover – with cast members putting on a special performance of The Wizard of Oz, uniquely tailored to the drive-in format.
Sashaying onto the stage for 2021, the stars of RuPauls Drag Race UK will also be entertaining adults. Fans of the cult show can expect iconic performances from coveted cast members, including season one alumni Baga Chipz, Divina De Campo, Vinegar Strokes and Gothy Kendoll, with current season two queens Ginny Lemon, Ellie Diamond and Tayce also confirmed.
A host of drive-in movies for all ages are also on offer, as well as the hugely popular Social Kids event. Families can safely get together to enjoy the interactive showcase with an afternoon of quizzes, Car-a-oke, games and even a silent disco. For a drive-in laughs, the Parking LOL Comedy Night is once again back on the road, with some of the UK’s finest comedians to be announced.
John Kinnersley, Chief Operating Officer at XL Event Lab, the company behind the event, said: “As we know the arts, including drag performances and theatre productions, have been heavily impacted due to the coronavirus pandemic, and we’re proud to give these talented entertainers the opportunity to perform to a live audience again.
“Our debut summer tour was a huge success last year, and we’re keen to keep up momentum and continue to deliver first class events which are not only enjoyable, but completely Covid-19 friendly. Every detail of our drive-in tour – from entering the site to parking up and ordering food – has been designed with customer and staff safety front of mind, with ticket holders able to enjoy the experience with complete piece of mind.”
Attendees will be entertained in their cars from a vast custom made stage, with shows broadcast across two 60ft LED screens. Using the best technology, audio will be transmitted from the stage directly to each vehicle through a dedicated FM radio channel.
Safety is at the heart of the event and audiences take part in the immersive, interactive shows from their own cars. It’s a completely contactless event ensuring a safe and socially distant experience. Organisers set up strict cleaning and distancing rules for the most recent UK winter events and plans in place for spring will all be in accordance with local government guidelines.
Tickets for The Parking Lot Springtime Drive-in Festival in Edinburgh are on sale now, along with the following UK locations: Glasgow, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Coventry, Manchester, Cheltenham, Bristol and Newcastle. Additional Scottish dates are still to be announced.
For tickets, live updates and information visit The Parking Lot Social website: http://bit.ly/3kGwWww
After three years of planning, community-led Bruntsfield St. Oswald’s took ownership of the historic church and hall known as St. Oswald’s from the City of Edinburgh Council on 31 March.
The B-listed building on Montpelier Park was left vacant in February 2018 when Boroughmuir High School relocated to its canal-side site. The purchase was enabled under the Community Empowerment Act 2015 and supported by a generous grant from the Scottish Land Fund.
David Urch, Chair of Bruntsfield St. Oswald’s, said: “We are delighted to have brought St. Oswald’s into community ownership and would like to thank all our members and supporters, the Scottish Land Fund, the Community Ownership Support Service as well as the City of Edinburgh Council for making this possible.
“Our work now turns to transforming this historic building over the next year into a vibrant place for children, their families and our wider community to participate in a broad range of activities and events.”
Councillor Rob Munn, Finance and Resources Convener, the City of Edinburgh Council said: “As we start to move out of lockdown, it’s really encouraging to see fantastic projects like this going ahead.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the building brought back to life when it opens, filled with local families, the elderly and carers being offered valuable services in their local community.
“It’s so important that we give local people a say on the facilities they need for their area and this is one of four community asset transfers which are taking place over the next few weeks. Well done to the local people for making this much-needed project happen.”
The building is expected to open to the public in 2022 after a period of extensive refurbishment.
