Month: August 2023

Fringe 2023: The Show’s Over

The 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe drew to a close yesterday, (Monday 28 August 2023), having brought together artists, arts industry, media and audiences from nearly 170 countries, with 2,445,609 tickets issued across the festival. 

288 venues hosted a diverse selection of work from Scotland, the UK and the rest of the world, with 67 countries represented, and performance showcases from 17 countries. They were joined by nearly 500 of the world’s finest street performers, buskers and street artists, who brought vibrancy and joy to the Mound and Royal Mile as part of the Fringe street events.  

As the largest performing arts festival and expo market for professional development in the world, this year’s Fringe also attracted nearly 1,400 accredited producers, programmers, bookers, talent agencies, festivals and others from 49 countries, who come to Edinburgh looking to find talent and shows, providing touring and onward opportunities for artists well beyond August.

In addition, 840 of the world’s media accredited for this year’s festival through the Fringe Society, with the number of reviewers up 10% on last year, and who in total generated 25% more reviews for artists at the Fringe than in 2022. 

The themes and issues tackled by artists in the 2023 programme included mental health and wellbeing, disability, queer lives, working-class representation and the climate crisis; with emerging talent showcased alongside big names and ground-breaking international work.  

To help audiences discover work among the 3,553* shows featured in this year’s programme, the Fringe Society launched a new Fringe app for 2023. Using the app, audiences could ‘shake to search’, generating a random show suggestion simply by shaking their phone, while the ‘nearby now’ function let app users find shows starting soon in close proximity.

Since its launch in July, the app has been downloaded nearly 80,000 times, with over 400,000 tickets issued through it. 

Ensuring artists remain at the core of what the Fringe Society does, the Fringe Central: Artist Hub welcomed more than 1,500 artists and hosted a programme of over 40 events, working with 30 external partners including Health in Mind, Nouveau Riche, Birds of Paradise and World Fringe.   

The Fringe Society has made a long-term commitment to community engagement and access. Key initiatives this year included loaning out 320 sensory resources for autistic children and adults, BSL interpretation of the street events in partnership with Deaf Action on three dates during August, and a dedicated Changing Places toilet located near George Square. This year the number of access bookings increased by around 35% compared to 2022. 

35 local schools, charities and community groups took part in the Fringe Days Out scheme, which offers free Fringe vouchers and Lothian bus tickets to people who wouldn’t normally get to experience the Fringe. In addition, over 800 schoolchildren and teachers came to the festival as part of the Fringe Society’s schools outreach work. 

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “This year’s Fringe has been one that’s felt fresh, brave and energetic, and has sparked joy, discussion and provocation in equal measure, tackling the prevalent issues of our times and looking at them afresh through the creative lens and ingenuity of the performing artists. 

“People come from all over the world to perform here, to see shows and to commission work. This festival remains a beacon for people to share and discuss ideas – I want to express my heartfelt thanks and admiration to everyone who makes it happen.

“Congratulations to the whole Fringe community of Fringe 2023; we will be relentless in our ongoing work to ensure that the Edinburgh Fringe lives up to its mantra – to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat.” 

Benny Higgins, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Chair, added: “The discussions and debates held at this year’s festival have made it one of the most vital and memorable – and one of the loudest conversations was the one around affordability.

“Certainly artists are facing some of the most severe challenges ever, and while the Fringe Society will continue to do everything in its collective power to support artists, this will become harder and harder without finding support commensurate with its contribution to the economy.

“We will continue to make the case for funding, to protect what the Fringe represents – an unrivalled outpouring of creative expression.” 

By Monday afternoon, with hundreds of performances still to take place, the Fringe Society can confirm that just under a quarter of a million people attended Fringe shows this year. 33% of attendees came from Edinburgh, 15% from the rest of Scotland and 10% from overseas, highlighting the continued appeal of the Fringe for locals and visitors alike. 

Over 800,000 tickets were issued to ticket-buyers with EH postcodes, and 611 shows came from Edinburgh and the Lothians. 

CHOUDHURY: Support needed beyond the Fringe

Scottish Labour MSP and Shadow Minister for Culture, Europe, and International Development Foysol Choudhury has raised concerns about the need for increased investment in local arts and culture groups all year round.   

“The crowds that our festivals attract from all over the world show great levels of support for the arts from members of the public. However, additional support needs to be provided, all year round, to ensure these can be sustained for the public to enjoy.    

“As the Scottish Government continues to waste money on the establishment of a new Independence Minister, Scotland’s culture and arts sector is suffering from a lack of investment.    

“The closure of the beloved Edinburgh Filmhouse is testament to this, after it was forced to close its doors despite being known as a community lifeline for many.   

“We also sadly see other much-loved venues facing challenges. Action is needed now before we lose these integral arts and culture venues for good.”   

The 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival ran from the 4th – 28th of August 2023 and the Edinburgh International Festival ran from the 4th– 27th of August 2023.   

There are some reports that there has been a drop in the number of shows taking place across the Edinburgh Fringe, with the 2023 Festival reportedly having less shows than the 2019 festival. 

Noting this apparent decline in participants in the Fringe festival, Mr Choudhury says he will continue to pursue support for the arts and culture sector, so that Scotland’s vibrant cultural scene can flourish and is supported out of the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.

Next year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 02 – 26 August 2024.

Create to Escape: Spartans Alternative School art exhibition

The young people who attend Spartans Alternative School are excited to share with you their up and coming art exhibition CREATE TO ESCAPE

Where: Out Of The Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG

When: 5th – 8th September 2023

Exhibition and coffee shop

Open daily 10am-5pm Friday 10-2pm.

The collection of collaborative work by the Young people attending the Alternative School at Spartans Community Football Academy explores the interaction between art, mental health, social identity, and personal perception.

Through spray painting, film, sculpture, design, music, and photography, young people take art outside the curriculum to create space for escapism and well-being within their sometimes hectic and stressful days.

You will also get the chance to see CONCRETE JUNGLE, a film written and directed by the young people and filmed and edited by Rory Easton. This was a collaborative project with writer in residence, Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Chris Barkley.

Sales from the Exhibition will raise money for the charity Turn The Tables DJ, which offers workshops to improve mental health for those affected by homelessness

This exhibition has been possible with the support from ArtSquat, a charity that supports artists on low income to  showcase their work.

We are very excited to see you there!

Create to Escape Exhibition

Strengthening local democracy: Have your say

Second phase of Democracy Matters ‘national conversation’

People across Scotland are being asked to suggest ways of increasing local control over decision-making.

The second phase of the Democracy Matters national conversation will give people the opportunity to come together in their communities to imagine how new and inclusive democratic processes can best help their town, village or neighbourhood.

Community groups can guide local discussions by using the consultation document which covers a variety of themes including powers, representation, accountability and participation. People previously said it was crucial to get these things right. Funding is available to help with the costs of hosting events.

To mark the start of the second phase, Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur and Local Government Empowerment Minister Joe FitzPatrick visited the Linlithgow Community Development Trust.

Mr Arthur said: “The Scottish Government is encouraging people across the country to come together and talk about local involvement in our democratic processes. We believe more decisions should be taken locally to better reflect the aspirations of our diverse communities.

“More than 4,000 people took part in the first phase of Democracy Matters. By providing financial support, we hope to make local conversations during the second phase as welcoming as possible. We want to hear even more voices as we work together to improve the way democracy works for our local communities.”

COSLA President Shona Morrison said: “COSLA welcomes the launch of the second phase of Democracy Matters; it marks a renewed resolve to put local people and communities at the centre of local decision-making.

“By drawing on the experiences gained by local communities during and since the Covid-19 pandemic we hope to secure a clear, updated understanding of how new models of local democracy can transform the lives of people in communities across Scotland.

“I would encourage everyone to contribute to the conversations which will be taking place across Scotland during the next few months as we ask what models of democratic framework would work best for them.”

Electoral Reform Society Scotland Director Willie Sullivan said: “Communities are made and good places to live are created when people work with each other to run their city, island, town or village. Scotland is the sum of these places, and our democracy depends on how well we run them together.

“In that light, it’s very important to restart Democracy Matters to ask local communities what sort of local democratic framework might make this possible.”

Beware the BBQ!

Owners urged to keep pets safe as vets report an increase in barbecue related injuries

With the last days of the summer rapidly approaching, pet owners are being urged to keep kebab sticks, corn on the cob and other barbecue related items away from their animals to help avoid emergency trips to the vet.

Every summer, vets see many cases of dogs with injuries caused by eating wooden and metal kebab skewers, whole corn cobs, onions and cooked bones. 

Although corn is not poisonous to dogs, their inability to digest the cobs can lead to obstructions, often requiring emergency surgery to prevent the risk of intestinal rupture, which can have severe consequences. 

Skewers and splinters from cooked bones can also lead to serious internal injuries which often require life-saving surgery.

A new British Veterinary Association survey has revealed that last year, two fifths (39%) of vets who had treated companion animals had seen pets with barbecue related injuries, an increase from the 25% in 2018.

The most common issues were caused by eating inappropriate food (32%), such as corn cobs (25%) and cooked bones (18%).  Injuries caused to pets’ mouths or internal injuries by skewers, which can be picked up accidentally with meat products such as lamb kebabs, were seen by 13% of vets while burns from barbecues, coals or hot food had been seen by 2% of vets.

Corn on the cob

Bailey, a two-year-old Labrador, had to be whisked to the vet after cheekily scoffing down corn on the cob at a barbecue. Bailey is very rarely sick, so her owners were concerned when she was unwell one morning.

They initially thought she’d thrown up some dog treats, but a closer look revealed she had vomited up pieces of corn on the cob. After calling their vets for advice, they hurried her to West End Vets at Tollcross, Edinburgh, where she was sedated and examined.

An x-ray worryingly showed she had more inside her stomach and small intestine, which could kill her as dogs are unable to digest corn on the cob, so vets performed a four-hour-long life-saving operation to remove it.

Happily, she survived the incident and is now at home with her owners once again.

Skewers

Wren, a four-year-old greyhound, had an incredibly lucky escape after swallowing a kebab skewer at a barbecue. Her owners didn’t notice her sneaking the kebab so were not aware her life was at risk straight away.

She had some intermittent vomiting and lethargy for a few weeks after the barbecue, so they were keeping an eye on her, but it was only when she jumped up and yelped that it became apparent what had happened – the kebab skewer was suddenly sticking out of her side!

She was rushed immediately to the vets, where she was taken into surgery and it was found that the skewer had gone through her stomach, through her pancreas and then pierced her skin to poke outside her body.

Happily, like Bailey, the emergency surgery saved her life, and she is now recovering well thanks to the quick actions of her owners and the vets who cared for her.

British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Anna Judson said: “Pets, and dogs in particular, are always on the lookout for a sneaky treat and won’t hesitate to chew on or gobble something down even if it may cause them harm. It can happen so quickly too.

“One of the most dramatic cases I’ve seen was a tiny cut on the tongue of a young lab. Caused by a cheeky lick of a cracked plate, the blood seemed to be spraying out as he leapt around, but the actual wound was very small. The owners did absolutely the right thing bringing him in so we could sedate and treat him.

“Have fun but keep an eye on your pet, make sure food and sharp objects are kept out of paws reach and ensure your pet stays away from hot barbecues or grills to help avoid emergency dashes to the vet. Always phone your vet if you’re concerned and don’t leave things to chance, it is better to be safe than sorry.”

Goodbye, Stories; Hello, Journeys

  • Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo celebrates triumphant conclusion to 2023 show, STORIES
  • Tattoo also looks ahead to 2024’s Show JOURNEYS – tickets on sale from today

After an immensely successful 2023 run with Show Stories, this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has now officially come to an end.

Starring over 800 international performers and engaging over 200,000 audience members, with only a handful of tickets unsold across the run, this year’s Show has proven to be one of the Tattoo’s most successful to date thanks to continued partnerships and a loyal customer base.

The loyalty of its valued customer base; the continued support from the Festival Edinburgh partners, plus a wider collaboration with many of the city’s stakeholders has all contributed to a successful August for the Edinburgh event.

The Tattoo’s emphatic run was all set against the challenging backdrop of navigating the Cost-of-Living crisis, for both the business and audiences, while also recovering from the ongoing challenges of reduced income during the Covid pandemic, as it delivered its second year of the Tattoo’s bold new brand proposition, Performance in a New Light.

The continued investment and enhanced offering of the Tattoo, including a variety of new hospitality packages and experiences, coupled with the ongoing support from its official supporters including Presenting Partner, Innis & Gunn, has also allowed the Tattoo to continue to grow, evolve and diversify as a business.

International performers from across the globe – including Norway, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, the USA, and homegrown talent from around the UK – dazzled and delighted audiences with performances ranging from Highland dance, fire breathing, to marches performed to tunes from contemporary video games, all underpinned with the strong military heritage and precision that the Tattoo has made its celebrated name on.

In a Royal Air Force lead year, the Tattoo hosted seven flypasts during the August run, which included the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, taking to the skies above Edinburgh Castle.

With the triumphant conclusion of the 2023 Show Stories, the Tattoo team is already getting set to lead audiences onto the next performance with Journeys.

The 2024 Show will transport audiences on an international cultural journey, bringing together the voices and stories that connect the cast, audiences, and cultures of the Tattoo. Tickets for Journeys are now on sale, with the first 25,000 tickets available at 2023 prices.

Jason Barrett, Chief Operating Officer of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “The success of this year’s Tattoo is measured in many ways but nowhere more so than in the faces and genuine emotion expressed by those who attended. 

“Stories was the Tattoo’s latest atmospheric spectacular enjoyed by almost a quarter of a million people, illuminating on Edinburgh Castle and filling the capital city’s August nights with the skirl of the massed pipes and drums. We couldn’t be prouder of the team for yet another great performance.”  

“But as one chapter closes, another begins, and the team has already embarked on planning next year’s Show, Journeys. Tickets for the 2024 Show, Journeys are on sale from today (28 August 2023), and we are delighted to offer the first 25,000 tickets secured at 2023 prices to ensure as many people as possible get to experience watching the Tattoo live. Book now – you won’t want to miss it.”

**Pics Free to use** Pictured: His Majesty the King’s Guard Band and Drill Team of Norway THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO KICKS OFF AUGUST RUN WITH STUNNING SHOWCASE FOR 2023 – STORIES More than 800 performers graced Edinburgh Castle’s Esplanade to share their stories through song, dance, and military precision – Thursday 3 August 2023: The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo makes its anticipated return with this year’s Show, Stories as performers from across the globe wow audiences with sensational music, dance, costume, and spectacle. Running until 26 August, the Show is a celebration of sagas, myths, and legends, transporting audiences on a journey of ideas – from the earliest campfire stories through to the world stage and showcasing an international cast telling tales that connect us through our unique and shared military and cultural heritages. From the musical prowess of the Massed Pipes & Drums, the physical storytelling of dance and precision drill, and stunning imagery captured through light and projection, audiences will be transported and enthralled. Edinburgh Castle Esplanade will play host to performers from Australia, Norway, Switzerland, The United States, and Trinidad and Tobago, alongside homegrown acts from across the UK and Ireland. As ever, the military play a prominent role in the Show, with the Royal Air Force as the lead Service. Audiences will also be treated to the rousing sound of the Massed Pipes and Drums supported by the Tattoo Dancers and Fiddlers. Making their Tattoo debut on the Castle Esplanade, The United States Air Force Band will entertain the crowds with a freestyle musical performance with music from the Great American Songbook. The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra will bring a vibrant burst of colour and excitement true to their traditional art forms, including the limbo and fire dance, performing their take on contemporary Caribbean music. Exploring the legends and traditions of Sw

Journeys will run from 2-24 August 2024, and as always, will feature the military at the heart of the showcase.

Audiences can expect the magnificent sounds of the Massed Pipes and Drums filling up the Esplanade alongside performances from the incredibly talented Tattoo Pipes and Drums and Tattoo Dancers. International acts will join the 2024 line up bringing new cultures and vibrancy to this sought-after spectacle.

Further details about Journeys will be announced in the coming months.

Tickets are on sale now for the 2024 performance and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188.

Meadowbank joins forces with Leith Athletic to deliver football coaching

Meadowbank Sports Centre is delighted to have entered into an agreement with Leith Athletic Football Club and their coaching partner, Technical Edge, to deliver football coaching.

From 1 September 2023, Leith Athletic who work closely with their partner and preferred supplier, Technical Edge will be taking over delivering the existing classes held on a Wednesday and Thursday at Meadowbank Sports Centre.

There will be no change to the time, duration, or location of the weekly football sessions at Meadowbank Sports Centre. Longer term it is hoped to grow the coaching programme on Mondays to Fridays at Meadowbank, between 4:00 and 6:00pm. 

Donald Goldsmith, Manager at Meadowbank Sports Centre said: “Following the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, there has been a renewed interest and enthusiasm for more coaching opportunities in the beautiful game for both boys and girls.

“Like many organisations, there have been recruitment challenges and the lack of available football coaches was limiting the EL development programme at Meadowbank.

“This joint venture is an exciting development and will provide greater opportunities for junior football coaching at Meadowbank and the wider community.  Leith Athletic FC has a long history with Meadowbank and a great reputation for children’s football pathways. 

“All 36 children across five classes in the Edinburgh Leisure football coaching programme at Meadowbank will have the option to transfer to the new coaching arrangement. 

“The 500 children active on Leith Athletics programme will move to Meadowbank for their coaching, providing access to high quality 3G pitches, suitable changing facilities, and the opportunity to bring the training inside if it’s raining.”

As Leith Athletic FC and Technical Edge will be fully responsible for delivering the new football coaching programme at Meadowbank, all enquiries regarding their programme, contact:  

Liam Burns at Technical Edge – liam_technicaledge@outlook.com –
For bookings, enrolment and coach feedback

Leighton Jones at Leith Athletic FC – leighton.jones@leithathleticfc.com –
General enquiries

Promotion bolsters dementia care at Cramond Residence 

New Head of Lifestyle to strengthen residents’ experiences at care home 

ONE of Scotland’s leading care facilities has announced the appointment of a new specialist that will further improve its high-quality dementia services.  

Elaine Vallance has been promoted to Head of Lifestyle at Cramond Residence, bringing more than six years of expert care knowledge to the home’s lifestyle team.  

Elaine, who joined Cramond Residence 15 months ago, will organise a wide range of activities designed to bring meaningful socialisation to residents – a major factor in treating dementia patients.  

She said: “I’m passionate about delivering the best possible quality of care to our residents during their golden years. 

“I love spending time with our residents, and I am lucky to now head up an incredible team who always give their best to ensure that the standard of care we deliver is second to none. 

“When you come away from an activity that residents have enjoyed and you see a smile on their faces, it’s hugely rewarding and motivating. I’m really excited and thankful to be given this opportunity and I am looking forward to working with the team to bring forward more fantastic activities for our residents.” 

Cramond Residence strives to ensure that those living with dementia live a fulfilled life. The home offers a dedicated dementia floor, specially designed for those living with the condition to allow them to live a richer and more satisfying life with specialist facilities and trained staff on hand to provide support and relief. 

Dementia training sits at the top of the care home’s agenda with 90% of their staff being provided with vital dementia training.  

Elaine added: “We have already had a series of fantastic events for residents such as a trip on the trams to Newhaven, as well as a sports day which was popular with the residents.  

“In the future I have plans to create a sensory room for our residents living with dementia, this will provide a stimulating environment with huge mental benefits. 

“I will continue channelling all my energies and passion into delivering what Cramond Residence is all about, delivering top quality care to those who stay with us.” 

Client Liaison Manager, Christian Daraio said: “Elaine has a wonderfully kind and nurturing personality which the residents love.  

“We are incredible lucky to have her on our team and I am really looking forward to seeing what fantastic opportunities she no doubt has in store for our residents in the future.” 

Cramond residence is a purpose-built care home which opened in October 2018. It combines luxury, five-star accommodation with outstanding clinical standards. 

Spread across three floors, Cramond Residence adopts a small group living philosophy. That means groups of eight rooms form distinct “houses”, where residents are encouraged to eat and socialise together.  

To find out more information on Cramond Residence, visit:

 https://cramondresidence.co.uk/ 

Stephen O’Donnell calls on football fans to get active to feed hungry children with Mary’s Meals

The Scotland and Motherwell defender is asking people to set an active goal for the start of the new football season and raise funds for international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals

Footballer Stephen O’Donnell, who has been capped by the Scotland national team 26 times, is calling on football fans to help feed hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries by signing up to Mary’s Meals’ active fundraising challenge, Move For Meals.

Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day in 18 countries including Ethiopia, Haiti and Zimbabwe. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for a brighter future.

By taking part in the charity’s Move For Meals challenge, supporters can turn their moves into meals and make a life-changing difference to hungry children across the world.

From walking and running, to swimming and playing football – participants can take part in Move For Meals in any way they choose.

Stephen, who has played an important role in Motherwell’s strong start to the Scottish Premiership campaign, said: “As a footballer, I have a real passion for helping people have fun while they keep fit. That’s why I’m very excited to support Mary’s Meals’ active challenge, Move For Meals.

“By simply putting on your boots, grabbing a football and having a five-a-side kickabout with your mates, you can ask your friends and family for sponsorship to help feed children in some of the world’s poorest communities.”

Marie Doyle, director of supporter engagement and income at Mary’s Meals, said: “We’re really thankful to Stephen for supporting our active fundraising challenge and sharing our goal of reaching the next hungry child.

“By taking part in Move For Meals, you can show off your football skills while making a life-changing difference to hungry children across the world.”

Move For Meals will help children like Sebastian from Malawi, who dreams of becoming a professional footballer. Thanks to Mary’s Meals, he eats a mug of vitamin-enriched porridge that gives him energy to learn and play and allows him to have hope for the future.

Sebastian said: “I like the Mary’s Meals porridge as it provides me with the vital energy I need throughout the school day.

“For some of us who like playing sports after class, it becomes easier for us to enjoy the sports as we do not have to worry about going home to eat before participating in the games.”

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for an entire school year.

Signing up for Move For Meals couldn’t be easier. Find out more, including about accessing a free Mary’s Meals T-shirt at: marysmeals.org.uk/move-for-meals

Proximity to schools can increase a home’s value by as much as 14.28% in Scotland

As we all know, living in the right postcode can be key to securing a place for your children at your dream school.

In an effort to ensure fair access, schools prioritise a number of factors for admissions but researchers have found that the British school system often relies more heavily on ‘distance from the school’, favouring those who live nearer. 

But did you know that distance from a school can affect the local housing market?

Online Money Advisor wanted to investigate this phenomenon and set out to see where there are price premiums for buying a property within 0.5 miles of a school, and also to identify the schools in Scotland with the most expensive catchment areas.

Key findings

  • Glenrothes is the Scottish town with the highest premium for living close to a school, with the average property price within 0.5 miles of a school 14.28% higher than those further away.
  • Cambusbarron Primary School in Stirling is the Scottish school with the most expensive catchment area, with the average property within 0.5 miles of the school costing a staggering £432,663.
  • Across Scotland as a whole, homes close to schools increased in price by just 1.73%.

https://www.onlinemoneyadvisor.co.uk/content/cost-of-homes-near-schools/#home  

Scottish towns and cities with the highest premiums for living close to a school

We also wanted to find the towns and cities of Scotland where proximity to schools triggered the biggest increase in house prices. To do this, we calculated the average price difference between homes within 0.5 miles of a school and homes more than 0.5 miles away. Here are our results.

RankTown/CityPrice Difference
1Glenrothes+14.28%
2Edinburgh+7.78%
3Greenock+7.64%
4Glasgow+5.88%
5Aberdeen+4.25%
6Paisley+4.06%
7Inverness+1.15%

-House prices are compared to the average price of properties within 0.5 miles with an above 1% price difference

The most expensive school catchment areas in Scotland

It’s no secret that the average house prices vary greatly across the UK. A variety of factors can influence the price of a property, but by exclusively looking at price premiums within school catchment areas we have identified the schools with the most expensive catchment areas in Scotland.

RankSchoolTown/CityAvg house price within 0.5mi
1Cambusbarron Primary SchoolStirling£432,663 
2East Craigs Primary SchoolEdinburgh£420,056 
3Craigmount High SchoolEdinburgh£405,580 
4Uddingston Grammar SchoolGlasgow£394,800 
5Dunnikier Primary SchoolKirkcaldy£353,295 
6Sunrise Christian SchoolGlasgow£348,204 
7St Catherine’s RC Primary SchoolEdinburgh£344,772 
8Bucksburn AcademyAberdeen£314,779 
9Wallacestone Primary SchoolFalkkirk£309,122 
10Livingston Village Primary SchoolLivingston£290,500 

Scotland less affected by school catchment area premiums compared to other British regions

The study was conducted across England, Wales and Scotland to see where in the country property prices fluctuated the most as a result of proximity to a school. In Wales, a 6.09% price increase for properties near schools was measured overall.

This contrasts to London where demand to live near a school is lesser, with average house prices only being 0.45% higher when located within 0.5 miles of schools. Scotland’s house prices only experience a 1.73% premium when situated 0.5 miles of a school, so is not as affected by the phenomenon as other UK regions.

-Due to insufficient sample sizes, Northern Ireland has not been included in the study.

Methodology

  • We examined the prices of 57,708 homes in 232 towns and cities across Great Britain, comparing their price differences separately for 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom homes. 
  • The final ranking was based on the average price difference between homes within 0.5 miles of a school and homes more than 0.5 miles away 
  • In addition, we determined which schools in our towns and cities have the most valuable properties nearby by ranking their average prices within 0.5 miles. In this section of the analysis, only two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and four-bedroom homes were considered. Due to this, some wealthy areas with large homes and mansions nearby schools were excluded. 
  • Data from Zoopla was used and is accurate as of November 2022.

It is important to note that many factors can influence the price of a property. Our analysis is focused on the location of properties within a school catchment area to determine if there are price premiums for living nearby.

https://www.onlinemoneyadvisor.co.uk/content/cost-of-homes-near-schools/#home