Corstorphine – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Exclusive exhibition invites public to share their fondest Edinburgh Zoo memories

As Edinburgh Zoo celebrates 110 years, recently retired keeper Karen Stiven shares her favourite memories and encourages the public to add their own stories to the archive

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is inviting members of the public to share their memories of Edinburgh Zoo as part of its 110th anniversary celebrations, helping to preserve the stories that have made the zoo a cherished part of Scottish life since it first opened in 1913.

Among them is Karen Stiven, who has recently retired after 45 years at RZSS. Joining the zoo in 1981, Karen dedicated her career to caring for a number of animals from birds to hoofstock and became one of the zoo’s longest-serving keepers.

Now retired from her role as Experienced Keeper, Karen has witnessed decades of change at Edinburgh Zoo. One of her fondest memories is hand-rearing a young hippo, Cleo, a challenge that involved sleepless nights and round the clock care. Seeing the calf grow and thrive made all the hard work worthwhile and remains one of Karen’s most treasured memories.

Karen believes preserving the zoo’s history is just as important as creating new memories for future generations. She said: “Having these archives is a huge achievement.

“They allow people to look back and see where everything started, how much has changed and how far we’ve come.

“The stories are incredibly important and I hope people continue adding their own memories so future generations can do the same for many years to come.”

The appeal comes as RZSS continues to uncover and preserve stories from across its history. While archive collections contain official records and photographs, the charity says some of the most valuable insights come from the personal memories of people who have visited, worked at or supported Edinburgh Zoo over the years.

David Field, CEO of RZSS, said: “Karen’s story is a wonderful example of the memories that make Edinburgh Zoo so special. After 45 years of dedication, she has been part of countless moments that have shaped the zoo’s history.

“Karen’s story is just one of thousands and for 110 years, Edinburgh Zoo has played a part in the lives of people across Scotland and beyond.

“We know there are an abundance of family photographs, favourite animal encounters, school trip memories and personal stories waiting to be shared, and we would love to hear them. Every memory helps us build a clearer picture of our past and preserve it for future generations.”

Members of the public can share photographs, souvenirs and other memorabilia with the team as part of Memories Week running from 13 – 21 June, helping ensure the next chapter of Edinburgh Zoo’s story is recorded alongside the first 110 years.

Edinburgh Zoo archive celebrates 110 years of memories

A special Memories Week exhibition will take visitors through the Zoo’s remarkable past, revealing how generations of memories continue to shape its future

Families, visitors and supporters are invited to celebrate generations of memories as the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo opens the doors to its past this June. The rare archive material, much of it unseen for over 100 years, goes on public display during a special Memories Week from 13 – 21 June 2026.

The week-long celebration will shine a spotlight on the wildlife conservation charity and the generations of people who have grown up visiting Edinburgh Zoo, from first family days out and school trips to encountering some of its most loved animals.

Highlights include children’s letters addressed to “Mr Zoo Man”, photographs and memorabilia from community events such as a 1927 carnival, and early records from the Zoo’s opening on 22 July 1913, when visitors reportedly left with mud on their finest shoes due to ongoing construction.

The exhibition also reveals how founder Thomas Haining Gillespie described creating Edinburgh Zoo as “an obsession”, despite many believing Scotland’s climate made it impossible to house animals from around the world. Determined to create something different from the time, Gillespie championed a revolutionary “open-air zoo” concept, giving animals more natural spaces and room to retreat from public view.

The early meetings did not always run smoothly. At RZSS’s first annual meeting in July 1909, attendance was reportedly so low that organisers had to call in a passerby from the street to make up the numbers needed to pass motions. Despite this, the focus of these early gatherings remained the creation of a new zoological garden in Scotland.

David Field, CEO of RZSS said; “Edinburgh Zoo holds a special place in the hearts of so many people. Memories Week is a chance to celebrate those connections and the role the Zoo has played across generations.

“We want people to come along, reminisce, share their stories, bring in their keepsakes and be part of preserving this incredible history for the future.

“Some parts of the archive reflect a very different time and understanding of animal care and conservation than we have today.

“We would not attempt to defend everything from the past, but it is important to acknowledge how much has changed over more than a century and how those lessons have helped shape the conservation and welfare values we continue to build on today.”

Corstorphine incidents: Police appeal

DID YOU SEE WOMAN IN DISTRESS ON CORSTORPHINE ROAD?

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a report of a woman in distress in the Corstorphine area.

Between Monday, 25 and Wednesday, 27 May, 2026, it is believed a woman was seen to run into the roadway on Corstorphine Road, near the zoo.

Members of the public stopped to assist the woman and officers are looking to speak to these witnesses, particularly the taxi drivers who helped.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland quoting reference 2016 of 2 June.

Corstorphine Community Centre: Courageous Connections

Following our MS awareness session, we have created a space for those experiencing the impact of MS to come together over a cuppa.

Come for company. Come for chat. Come for courage.

Changeworks: Energy bills advice session at Corstorphine Library

8th JUNE from 6.30 – 7.15pm

Are you interested in practical advice to help save energy and money?

On Monday 8th June at 18:30, we are hosting one of Changeworks’ free Low Carbon Living sessions, offering bite-sized guidance to help with Saving Energy at Home.

The session offers:

-Home energy-saving tips

-Priority Services Register & Warm Home Discount

-Smart meters & Radio Teleswitch

-Billing concerns and how to speak to your energy supplier

-How to raise a complaint with your energy supplier

-An opportunity to ask energy advice experts questions

-Free, anonymous follow-up through a self-service call back request.

You must register for the event, and will need to include your home address as this is used to provide evidence for future charity funding:

Green Energy Helpline events

Registering in advance is preferred, but you can sign up in person at the start of the talk.

Tomorrow: Author event at Corstorphine Library

WE are hosting local author Flora Johnston for an event talking about historical fiction, and her published books.

If you would like to come to this free event, simply come along to the library for 18:30 tomorrow – Monday 18th May.

May is Local History Month, and 2026 is the National Year of Reading – #GoAllIn

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!

Tesco team backs Corstorphine dementia charity with kitchen equipment donation

The team at Tesco Extra in Corstorphine donated £200 to Corstorphine Dementia Project for new kitchen equipment.
The equipment will support the charity, who host the Jubilee Club, a lunch and social event for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The charity has launched a crowdfunding page to help renovate their new premises.

The team at Tesco Extra supermarket in Corstorphine has supported a local dementia charity with a donation of £200, which has been used to purchase new kitchen equipment.

The equipment, which includes kettles, toasters and utensils, will help support the team at Corstorphine Dementia Project, which hosts a day service on Monday to Fridays each week for members to enjoy regular lunch events where people with Alzheimer’s and dementia can meet, enjoy lunch and socialise.

This donation comes at a vital time for the group, which, for more than 30 years, has been a well-known, and vital community lifeline, providing essential support for families in North West Edinburgh.

With its current premises planned to be demolished within 12 months, the charity has found a new home that will secure its future for decades to come, allowing its caring and dedicated team to continue providing the care and support that families in North West Edinburgh have come to rely on.

However, the new premises require refurbishment, so the Corstorphine Dementia Project has launched a Crowdfunder page to raise £35,000 which will go towards the work needed on the new site.

Karen Brown, Senior Support Worker at the Corstorphine Dementia Project, said: “We’re hugely grateful for this incredible donation and we’d like to thank the lovely team at Tesco Extra Corstorphine for their support.

“It has made a real difference and is very much appreciated by both our members and the team.

“Our group’s day-care centre, the Jubilee Club, provides a safe, supportive and stimulating environment where people living with dementia and cognitive impairment can enjoy meaningful activities, social interaction and personalised care.

“With this new equipment, we can continue providing them with tasty lunches and hot drinks, while giving them an opportunity to socialise with other members in the community.

“We’re also grateful for any donations to our crowdfunding page, which will allow us to continue our vital work, securing our future in an environment where we can thrive and make an even greater impact. We hope to create a new home that fosters hope, inclusion and growth.”

Deborah Brown, Community Champion at Tesco Corstorphine Extra, said: “The vital work carried out by the Corstorphine Dementia Project at its Jubilee Club is an incredibly important part of our community, so we were really delighted to be able to play our part in supporting them.

“The sessions they host for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia are wonderful and we wish them the best of luck working on securing more funding for their new premises and urge our customers to donate to their crowdfunding page if they can.”

To donate to the Corstorphine Dementia Project crowdfunding page, please visit:

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/dyjoAa1l?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink

Corstorphine Fair opportunities

Calling all community groups and businesses!

Applications to join Corstorphine Fair 2026 will be closing soon, so if you’d like to be involved, now’s the time to get in touch!

Our small team is working hard behind the scenes to work through a huge number of enquiries, thank you for your patience and support

Community groups or registered charities:

Apply here https://forms.gle/nmgAWC3SXgdiKTHQ8

Businesses interested in taking part:

Please email corsfair@hotmail.com

Please note: We are now no longer accepting applications for craft stalls.

We’ve had a fantastic response so far, but we’d still love to give more groups, organisations and businesses the opportunity to be part of this year’s fair.

Corstorphine Fair is dedicated to supporting the local community, so why not get involved?