Category: Blackhall

Specsavers Edinburgh team highlight importance of eye health this National Eye Health Week

Specsavers at Shandwick Place in Edinburgh is celebrating it’s over two decade long commitment to promoting better eye health in the local community this National Eye Health Week (22nd – 28th September). 

As a locally owned and run store, Specsavers Shandwick Place is dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of people in the area. The high street retailer is keen to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye checks this National Eye Health Week, which runs from 22nd – 28th September 2025. 

With figures from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) revealing that one in five people will experience sight loss in their lifetime*, Specsavers Shandwick Place is urging locals to prioritise their eye health. 

Store director, Aly Uka says: ‘Many people don’t realise that sight loss can often be prevented or treated if a condition is caught early.

“Regular eye tests are essential for everyone, even if you think your vision is fine. Eye tests are not just about glasses, they can detect serious conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and even high blood pressure or risk of stroke.’

National Eye Health Week highlights how preventative care and early diagnosis are crucial in reducing unnecessary sight loss.

According to RNIB, 250 people in the UK begin to lose their sight every day, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages*. 

Eye health can also be affected by screen fatigue, especially as more people spend time on devices. Specsavers recommends following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away to help reduce strain and preserve vision. 

As a long-standing part of the Shandwick Place community, Specsavers is focused on highlighting that essential health services must be accessible and visible to everyone. 

For more information on Specsavers Shandwick Place or to book an appointment, call the store on 0131 240 8860 or visit:

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/shandwickplace.

Specsavers have several other stores in and around Edinburgh, including:

  • Leith
  • Blackhall Sainsbury’s
  • Nicolson Street
  • Gyle Centre
  • Fort Kinnaird
  • Straiton Sainsbury’s
  • Cameron Toll
  • Morningside
  • Edinburgh Home Visits

Appeal after cyclist assaulted on Blackhall cycle path 

Police are appealing for information and witnesses, following the serious assault of a cyclist on Blackhall Cycle Path, near to Davidson Mains.

The incident took place around 6.05pm on Tuesday, 2 September, 2025. The cyclist, a 46-year-old man, was cycling away from the Drylaw area on his green vintage-style Dutch bike.

The suspect was riding an offroad dirt bike and is described as white, around 5ft 10 and slim build, but their gender is unknown. They were wearing a black full-face helmet and black puffer jacket.

Detective Sergeant Rob Finch said: “We are appealing for anyone who was in the area or witnessed this attack to please come forward.

“Enquiries have established that two members of the public provided aid to the victim, so would ask them to contact police as soon as possible.

“Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 1961 of 3 September, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”

Having a hoot at Strachan House!

Strachan House care home, in Blackhall, celebrated International Owl Awareness Day with a visit from some beautiful owl species from Owl Adventures UK.

Residents, family, and friends of Strachan House Care Home were delighted to see their new feathered friends flying around.

They enjoyed holding, feeding, and learning about several species, including a majestic barn owl and an impressive great horned owl. Owl Adventures UK, founded in 2011 by Ryan Stocks, prioritizes the welfare and conservation of birds.

The group rescues birds of prey after accidents in the wild and encourages support for endangered birds of prey in the UK.

General Manager Fran Fisher said, “Our residents have really enjoyed their unusual visitors today. We knew the birds of prey would bring fun to everyone, especially those who cannot join many minibus outings.

“We are always looking for new activities, and today we saw how much enjoyment and therapeutic value animals provide.”

Resident Rosemary was very excited by the birds from Owl Adventures UK: “Today was very enjoyable, and it was wonderful that the owls were free to roam amongst us.

“They are beautiful birds, and it was such an honour to hold and stroke them.”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.

Strachan House provides residential, nursing, and dementia care for short and long-term stays.

Hops, Happiness, and Heart: Strachan House celebrates International Beer Day!

You better beer-lieve that residents at Strachan House care home in Blackhall were more than hoppy to raise a glass, and sample some top craft ales, bitters and lagers, in celebration of International Beer Day.

The Activities team at Strachan House set up ‘The Rolling Bar’ drinks trolley for an exciting mobile bar experience and brought in a range of brew-tiful British and International ales for residents to sample. 

Residents and their visitors enjoyed a beer tasting in the comfort of their home whilst they sampled the different craft ales, bitters and lagers.

Fran Fisher, General Manager at the home, said: “We love socialising and celebrating all kind of events, it is wonderful to be able to invite family and friends to come and join us for occasions like this. International Beer Day is a day that the residents really enjoy, who doesn’t love a cold beer on a hot summer’s day!”

Tom Brown, a resident at Strachan House, commented: “I didn’t realise we had so many wonderful local ales, it was fantastic to be able to enjoy a cold beer in the garden with my friends.

“We had a really special time and the beers were great!”

A varied life enrichment programme keeps Strachan House residents active and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.

The care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. 

Strachan House provides nursing care, residential care, and Dementia care for short and long-term stays.

Local care home residents enjoy canal cruise

Residents from Strachan House care home in Blackhall, Edinburgh, were delighted to visit Ratho Canal for an afternoon with The Seagull Trust Cruises.

Residents were able to engage in some nature spotting and enjoy a brief history of the canal, including its bridges and famous aqueduct.  Residents were able to spend the day cruising along the canal, and enjoyed an incredible afternoon tea provided by the home’s hospitality team.

Fran Fisher, General Manager of Strachan House, said: “Our residents have enjoyed their day out on the water.

“Trips out in the homes’ mini bus are a regular event for the residents, and we always ask for ideas on where they would best like to go. The day was so much fun. Residents were delighted to see such a diverse range of wildlife. ”

Strachan House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential, nursing and dementia care for short and long-term stays.

Section of Queensferry Road will be closed TONIGHT

Queensferry Road will be closed in both directions between Drumbrae North and Clermiston Road North from 10pm on Thursday, 19 June until 1am on Friday, 20 June, 2025.

The closure is to allow for a collision reconstruction as part of enquiries into a crash which happened on Tuesday, 8 April, 2025.

Diversions will be in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

Police Scotland thank the public for their patience and their understanding.

Shining light Reg dresses to impress for 97th birthday

Festivities have been in full swing at Strachan House Care Home, as one of its residents celebrates his 97th birthday in style.

Reg Lacon was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as he was piped in to celebrate his birthday. A buffet and beverages were available to all celebrating with Reg at Strachan House, and guests enjoyed a special birthday cake made by the home’s chefs Ross and Paul.

Reg, looked the part as he dressed to impress, proudly wearing his Northern Lighthouse Board uniform. Reg, served with The NLB for many years. He had an adventurous career, with great memories. Staying in service as long as he could before retiring, Reg moved into Strachan house Care Home in August 2024, where he is enjoying a new chapter of his life, making new memories with friends.

The birthday boy said: ‘I have had a truly wonderful day, it’s been wonderful to see everyone and to have such a great piper was exceptional!’

Fran Fisher, General Manager of Barchester Strachan House, added: “We’re delighted to be celebrating Reg’s birthday. He is such a popular resident, who always has an interesting tale to tell about his travels and his career with the Lighthouse board.”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides Residential, Nursing and Dementia care for short and long term stays.

Blackhall Bookbug’s Back on the Bus!

Bookbug is returning to the bus!

We will be running outdoor sessions on Wednesdays at 11:30am every fortnight that the bus is available, starting from next week, Wednesday 21st May.

As this will be outdoors please be prepared with hats, sunscreen etc, and that it may be cancelled at short notice if it is raining. We look forward to seeing you there ☀

Strachan House Care Home celebrates Easter in style

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Strachan House care home in Blackhall celebrated Easter with a whole host of different activities including an Easter egg hunt, Easter bonnet competition, egg and spoon race and a bunny colouring competition!

Residents at Strachan House enjoyed an eggs-tensive range of Easter activities, from designing and showcasing Easter bonnets to cheering on the unit staff for the egg and spoon race! Residents also tucked in to a delicious Easter meal of a roast dinner prepared by the home’s head chef Paul.

General Manager, Fran Fisher said: “As always, we’ve all been looking forward to Easter. It’s such a lovely time of year – the residents loved designing all of the colourful Easter eggs, and had a great time during the Easter egg hunt with family and friends. It’s really been an eggs-cellent few days!”

Marion, resident at Strachan House said: “It has been so lovely to spend time with our families this Easter, though like every Easter, I think I’ve eaten too much chocolate! It was so wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort.

“I really enjoyed the whole day; the bonnet competition was hilarious!”

Strachan House Care Home’s varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.

Strachan House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides Residential, Nursing, Dementia, and Respite care for short and long-term stays.