With November being men’s mental health awareness month we wanted to make a powerful statement in addressing it and what better way.
Frank Bruno MBE is a former WBC world heavyweight champion who has faced many challenges in boxing and with mental health and we are delighted he is going to share some of these stories with us on the night.
The evening will consist with doors opening at 6 with some welcoming refreshments (non alcoholic), a photo with Frank and then listening to Franks journey. With the evening coming to an end around 8.15.
Tickets are on sale now for all BLAST members or affiliations.
On general sale from September 18th.
Please note, tickets are limited to only 100. This is a very small and intimate event.
Please contact the FB page with any enquiries or to secure your space.
South Edinburgh first: Next phase of tram network expansion agreed
Plans to extend Edinburgh’s tram network took another step forward today, with the immediate priority being the southern section of the route.
The Strategic Business Case (SBC) to build a new tram route, from Granton in the north to the Edinburgh Bioquarter in the south, was approved by the Transport and Environment Committee this afternoon (Thursday 10 September).
The next step will be to position the plans within the findings of SEStransit, a study for transport in the South East of Scotland region, which is expected to be delivered in the autumn of next year.
This work will also be aligned with the feasibility study on the potential reintroduction of passenger services on the South Suburban Railway line, currently being undertaken by Transport Scotland and Network Rail.
In prioritising the southern section of the route as a first phase, councillors were also clear on the need for further work to be done on taking trams from Granton to the city centre as part of a future phase of the project.
Advisory work on funding and financing options with the National Wealth Fund (NWF) will also continue, alongside a wider benefits realisation study for Trams to Newhaven, which is expected to be considered later this year.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “This is a key milestone in our ambition to expand Edinburgh’s tram network.
“Let’s not forget why we’re developing these plans. Edinburgh is the fastest growing city in Scotland, growing at twice the rate of Glasgow, in the fastest growing region in the country.
“Whilst this trend brings exciting opportunities, inward investment, and economic growth, it also presents real challenges on housing, education, and of course on our transport infrastructure. Doing nothing in the face of these significant issues is simply not an option.
“From our groundbreaking £1.3 billion development at Granton Waterfront, through to the city centre, our world-famous universities, cultural hubs, brilliant local businesses, new housing developments, hospitals and beyond – our overarching vision remains to effectively link the whole of Edinburgh, and the wider region, for the benefit of all.
“We only need to look at the success of the existing route and, in particular, Trams to Newhaven, and the new lease of life that this connection has breathed into communities across Leith and the north of the city, to see the potential.
“Whilst we’re prioritising the southern section of the planned expansion, I’m clear that the whole city should ultimately enjoy the many benefits of a truly integrated public transport system.
“One of the key questions around this project is rightly on funding. To progress not only to the next phase of the business case but potential future construction costs, we need to demonstrate clearly how our plans will positively impact our region and Scotland as a whole. While I’m in doubt that this is the case, it makes good sense to wait for the wider SEStransit study to conclude next year.
“To be clear, this is one of the most ambitious and forward-thinking schemes in the country and represents huge potential benefits not only for Edinburgh, but regionally and nationally.
“My focus remains on making the positive case for Edinburgh’s future and ensuring that we’re ready to meet the challenges ahead. We need to be bold and create a better, more sustainable and connected city, rather than putting our heads in the sand and hoping for the best.”
Tracy Gilbert MP has written to councillors ahead of the City of Edinburgh Council Transport and Environment Committee considering the city’s future tram network, warning Councillors that any moves to scrap tram proposals to Granton would entrench inequality and poverty in North Edinburgh.
Tomorrow (Thursday 10 September), Councillors on the Transport and Environment Committee will consider the Strategic Business Case for the Trams to Granton, the BioQuarter and beyond. The officer recommendations are to prioritise the southern section of the proposed tram extension.
Tracy Gilbert is concerned that communities in North Edinburgh, including some of the poorest areas of the city, could once again be left waiting for investment in public transport.
In her letter to councillors on the Transport and Environment Committee, she sets out the case for North Edinburgh to remain firmly within the city’s transport priorities and that a failure to progress trams to Granton could entrench inequality and poverty.
Tracy Gilbert MP said: “In part of my constituency the economic and social benefits of the trams are realised every day. That lived experience and the Strategic Business Case being considered by the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee this week makes the strong case for investment in both the South and North to spread these benefits further.
“Trams to Granton would directly serve three of the 5% most deprived communities in Scotland and six of the 10% most deprived. We are talking about communities that already face significant inequalities, where access to reliable, affordable public transport can open opportunities for training education and employment.
“That is why I have written to councillors ahead of this week’s committee meeting. I am very clear that a failure to realise the ambition of the trams that has been shared by a number of political parties over the last three decades will entrench inequality and poverty in Granton, Pilton and Muirhouse.
“I hope that Councillors will make the ambitious decision this week. Either way I will continue making the case for the strategic investment needed in Granton, Muirhouse and Pilton because our communities deserve better.”
Ms Gilbert’s letter reads:
Since July 2024, I have had the privilege of representing Edinburgh North and Leith. In one part of the constituency the benefits of the trams to local people and businesses are being realised every day, in another part of the constituency the potential benefits of the tram are well known but need political support to become a reality.
Success of Trams to Newhaven
In and around Leith, Leith Walk and Newhaven local people and businesses have enjoyed the benefits of the tram since the extension to Newhaven was opened in June 2023. The recent closure of the line between the City Centre and Newhaven has perversely demonstrated the importance of the trams for connectivity and trade.
Over the tram closure I received a number of e-mails from residents on the increased difficulty they had in travelling to work and into the city centre generally. Most residents experienced severe delays on buses running through Newhaven, Ferry Road, the Shore, Easter Road and Leith Walk. In addition to delays, many buses were full before going up to the City Centre or leaving the City Centre before going along Leith Walk.
Similarly, although the deployment of an additional 200 Voi Bikes was welcome in the wake of the fire there was a tram to bike shift from constituents travelling to and from work which meant many Voi Bike stops were empty across Leith during the day.
In terms of the economic impact there was a visible decrease in the number of people visiting cafes, pubs and restaurants around the Shore and Leith Walk. I am aware that at least one pub and one restaurant have decided to close following the impact of poor summer sales for a second year in a row following Leith Connections project delays and now the impact of the trams.
Argonaut Books have shared data on their Instagram page which shows that in every August since 2022 their sales from July to August have increased. In August 2025, they had a 30% increase in sales compared to July 2025. However, the impact of the tram closure meant in August 2026 they saw a 5% decrease in sales compared to July 2026.
Over the last two months I have repeatedly heard from businesses and residents on the positive impact the trams have had on them. Many of those businesses and residents were sceptical in the past. This lived experience of the trams over the last few years for communities in Leith, Leith Walk, Newhaven and the Shore demonstrate the opportunity of following through on the vision that was developed through the early 2000s for trams in Edinburgh for the other side of my constituency in Edinburgh North and Leith
The Case for Trams to Granton
The Strategic Business Case for consideration by the Transport and Environment Committee makes the case for progressing the whole of the route. Due to my constituency interest, I will focus on the route to Granton.
The proposed routes through Roseburn and Orchard Brae meet the Transport Planning Objectives (TPOs) set in accordance with Strategic Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG).
TPO1 – To support inclusive and sustainable economic growth
The route between the City Centre and Granton would increase connectivity of major centres of employment such as Craigleith Retail Park, Leonardos and the Western General to the City Centre and beyond. In reverse the increased connectivity would open up employment opportunities for residents in Granton, Muirhouse and Pilton.
A number of major employers in Edinburgh have informed me of the difficulty they have in recruiting people in this area due to the lack of direct public transport connections especially to accommodate shift work.
TPO2 – To respond to climate change, delivering net zero
The route between the City Centre and Granton would increase public transport connectivity between Granton, Muirhouse and Pilton and the West of the city. At present only one bus route serves these communities and the West to the Airport.
The tram extension would help provide the option for residents to use public transport rather than private cars for intra-city and airport journeys. The option would be extended to new residents in the community through the Granton Waterfront Development.
TPO3 – To promote equality and inclusion and help tackle the city’s housing emergency The route between the City Centre and Granton would drastically increase connectivity between the rest of the city and Edinburgh College (Granton Campus). The Campus delivers over 70 qualifications in hospitality, construction, travel operations and the arts with many of the qualifications essential for key growth areas for the city and not delivered at alternative campuses.
The route to Granton would directly service three communities in the 5% most deprived areas of Scotland according to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) (Muirhouse – SO1008929 and SO1008930 and Granton South and Wardieburn – SO1008919) and directly service 6 communities in the 10% most deprived areas (adding Muirhouse SO1008933, Granton and Royston Mains – SO1008921 and Granton South and Wardieburn – SO1008918).
Furthermore, the route would directly serve 12 communities which are in the 20% most deprived communities in Scotland.
TPO4 – To improve health, wellbeing and safety and TPO5 – To protect and enhance our environment The route between the City Centre and Granton would improve connectivity for the whole city to the Western General which provides a range of medical specialisms including geriatric, infectious diseases, diabetes, stroke medicine and breast surgery for the whole of Edinburgh and is the regional cancer centre for the whole of the South East of Scotland.
The route could also see a major upgrade to the Roseburn Path which at present is poorly lit and unsafe during the dark.
In addition, there is considerable development planned across the area. The Granton Waterfront Development which will deliver 3,500 new homes and the Art Works which will help open up Scotland’s National Collection. Ensuring that the trams are extended to Granton will help the public transport network to cope with the increase in demand from these developments alone. A number of these public and private investments have been made on the understanding over the last two decades that the tram network would extend to Granton in one form or another.
Current Position
Despite widespread political support for the trams at various points over the last three decades, it is clear that political will for the route to Granton is falling. I also suspect that there will be calls at the Transport and Environment Committee to only proceed with the South route for trams to the Bioquarter.
Taking such a decision would entrench the inequality and poverty experienced by too many in Granton, Muirhouse and Pilton. Such a decision would be based on political will, not the facts. The Strategic Business Case sets out the performance of both the North route to Granton and the South route to the Bioquarter against the TPOs and the STAG criteria. The appraisals were favourable for both routes and is demonstrated by the analysis below.
Table 1: Analysis of Multi-Criteria Assessment Framework Scoring Framework for each route (Section 4.5.6 of Strategic Business Case)
Benefit/ Impact
Roseburn
Orchard Brae
South East Corridor
Major Benefit (+++)
2
0
2
Moderate Benefit (++)
9
6
10
Minor Benefit (+)
2
4
2
No benefit or impact (0)
1
6
1
Minor cost or negative impact (-)
1
2
3
Moderate cost or negative impact (–)
3
0
0
Major cost or negative impact (—)
0
0
0
Table 2: Analysis performance against STAG Criteria (Section 4.5.7 of Strategic Business Case)
Benefit/ Impact
Roseburn
Orchard Brae
South East Corridor
Major Benefit (+++)
3
2
3
Moderate Benefit (++)
8
7
7
Minor Benefit (+)
4
4
5
No benefit or impact (0)
5
3
3
Minor cost or negative impact (-)
1
6
5
Moderate cost or negative impact (–)
2
1
0
Major cost or negative impact (—)
0
0
0
Next Steps
At the Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday 10th September, I encourage Elected Members to proceed with the officer recommendations on Agenda Item 6.
For the past three decades there has been wide spread support for the vision and ambition for trams to run between the City Centre and Granton in one form or another. Councillors of many groups have championed the route over the past three decades because of the transformative benefits it can have for Granton, Pilton and Muirhouse. The legacy of those Councillors is a legacy of ambition, proceeding
with the officer recommendations allows that ambition to take a further step in being realised. Tearing up that ambition would entrench inequality and poverty, particularly in Granton, Muirhouse and Pilton and would be a dereliction of responsibility by Councillors.
I hope you will take the ambitious decision for Granton, Pilton and Muirhouse and the whole of Edinburgh on Thursday.
Yours sincerely,
Tracy Gilbert MP
Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith
We are pleased to invite you to ‘Knots, a community walk for all the family’ on Saturday 26th September, 1:45pm-3.00pm. It is part of the Granton:hub / Madelvic House Doors Open Day.
We will walk, play, do an art activity, and learn about nature too. This event relates to our neighbour, United Wire, and one of our other historical and contemporary industries, fishing. You will learn some basic knotting practices (appropriate for children and adults), making a joint artwork, and also something to take home with you to help you remember the walk and what you have seen.
Starting and ending at the Granton Hub / Madelvic House.
Places are limited for participants’ safety and enjoyment. Suitable for those with wheels / sticks. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Tamsin Grainger is a Paths for All walk leader. In 2024/5, she was the Granton Archive Community Development Worker, and she is an experienced pedestrian.
This event is free to attend but booking is required via Eventbrite.
POLICE have recovered drugs with an estimated street value of over £1.4 million in Edinburgh and Uphall.
On Tuesday, 1 September, 2026, officers executed warrants at addresses in the Leith, Granton and the Uphall areas where cannabis, cocaine and a six-figure sum of cash were seized.
Two men aged 37 and 62 were arrested and charged in connection with this recovery. They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
A 52-year-old man was arrested and released pending further investigation.
Detective Inspector Gavin Howat said: “This significant recovery highlights our commitment to tackling dangerous and illegal drugs in our communities.
“We are determined to protect the public from this harmful criminality by disrupting the drugs trade and preventing them being circulated on the streets of Scotland.
“This operation underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
“Information from the public is crucial. Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Granton & District Community Council hassent an open letter to members of the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee (TEC), who will discuss the future of proposed tram extensions at their meeting on 10 September.
We believe that future construction of the Granton section is vital in bringing much-needed economic, social and environmental benefits to the communities of North Edinburgh.
Our part of the city faces significant socio-economic challenges, along with imminent population growth resulting from the Granton Waterfront development.
Development of a rapid transport link is essential to improving quality of life for those already living here, and ensuring that the new Granton Waterfront precinct becomes a thriving, sustainable community, rather than an isolated ghetto at the northern edge of the city.
Both the current route options for the Granton leg have their merits and drawbacks. However, we fear that the complexities and public controversies around both have led to a position where it may seem easiest for Councillors simply to ‘kick the can down the road’ and de-prioritise the Granton leg in principle – without due consideration of the socio-economic impact on present and future communities here in North Edinburgh and reneging on two decades of promises.
NEN COMMENT
THE change in priority from delivering the North Edinburgh section first may indeed have been caused by the ongoing stushie over the best route (i.e Orchard Brae vs Roseburn Path); yes, it’s divisive and there are council elections next year!
But whatever route councillors do eventually decide for North Edinburgh (and assuming that a robust business case can be made), there is a strong argument that the tram remains a key element, economically and socially, in the ongoing regeneration of the waterfront and wider North Edinburgh.
Failure to deliver this section (AGAIN!) would be seriously detrimental to progress which has been stop/start for years already; for it to happen again now is hardly a vote of confidence in what remains one of the UK’s biggest regeneration projects and sends out the wrong message both to both potential investors and communities that have been let down too often before – Ed.
Funding has been secured for a multi-cultural and inclusive community project to stitch a wildlife map of Granton. Spearheaded by Tamsin Grainger, Community Artist, and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, this project welcomes involvement from those interested in nature, beginners and experienced stitchers.
Creating a citizen map, the Granton Nature Map will represent the plants, animals, insects and birds of the area and those which featured in participants’ lives before moving here. Using found materials where possible, the finished wall hangings will feature embroidery by local people of all ages and nationalities, New Scots and local residents.
There are three key aspects of the project: Nature walks; visits to the National Galleries Artworks and The Palestine Museum to be inspired by Scottish and Palestinian artists and craftspeople; and Stitching Circles. Events will be held geographically across wider Granton, and at a range of days, dates, and times in order to try to be as accessible as possible. All activities are free of charge.
Nature walks will be held over the next few months, including Sunday 6th September 2pm meeting at the Granton Community Garden gate; Thursday 24th September 5.30pm meeting at Wardie Bay. Each will last an hour.
Stitching Circles will be held at a variety of venues, starting with September 7th at Granton Library 6 – 7.30pm (drop-in); and Granton Community Garden on Wednesday 9th September 1.30 – 3pm (outdoors, under cover, whatever the weather).
We encourage skill and story sharing, and new stitches and support will be on offer.
All details, plus an introduction to the project, are to be found on the regularly updated blog: grantonnaturemap.org
Funding has come from The Community Grant Fund, the Scotmid Foundation, and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.
Would you like to take part in a textile art project in your community?
Share and gain stitching skills, meet other people and exchange knowledge and stories in this fascinating project facilitated by local artist Tamsin Grainger.
Members of the Granton community are invited to participate in stitching / embroidering a large collective map of Granton featuring plants and wildlife from participants’ places of origin and Granton.
The final Granton Nature Map will be hung at Royston Wardieburn Commumnity Centre and Granton Hub.
You can meet Tamsin at the library for a starter session on 7th September at 6.30pm.
Please note – You do not have to be confident in sewing to take part.
POLICE have released CCTV images of a woman they wish to speak to as part of an ongoing investigation into a serious assault which occurred within The Pitt, West Shore Road, at around 1am on Saturday, 27 June, 2026.
The female pictured is between 25-35 years old, white, with long blonde hair, tattooed arms and legs. She was wearing a white vest top, dark coloured shorts, white trainers and white socks pulled up.
Detective Constable Lindsay Johnston said: “Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2259 of 26 June, 2026. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.”
