Make It! Shoot It! Say It!

NEW CREATIVE PROJECT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

GRANTON Youth is teaming up with National Galleries of Scotland for a brand new creative project for young people aged 12–18 👀

Inspired by American artist and photographer Catherine Opie’s “To Be Seen” exhibition, we’re going to be exploring photography, identity, and creativity!

We’re looking for young people who are into art, photography, making stuff, being creative or just trying something different.

You don’t need to be an expert photographer. You don’t even need to know exactly what you want to make yet!

We’ll be experimenting with:

📸 Portrait photography

👀 What we choose to show / hide about ourselves

🧢 Props, clothing & fashion

🪞 Shadows & reflections

✍️ Creative writing

💭 Identity, belonging & representation

👯 A big group portrait

🔥 And loads of space to take things in your own direction

If this sounds like your, or someone you knows thing, DM us or email ryan@grantonyouth.com to get involved!

#grantonyouth

#nationalgalleriesscotland

#tobeseenproject

#youngartistsedinburgh

#youthworkinspires

Sign up for Big Forth Cleanup

Big Forth Cleanup! 28th, 29th,30th August

We’re calling on people all around the Firth of Forth coastline to join us and this is a special callout to folk in East Lothian who might be interested in organising or joining a beach clean along our coastline!

We already have a few beach cleans taking place in east Lothian, but we’d love to see even more communities getting involved!

When you register your beach clean, you’ll have the opportunity to add it to the Big Forth Cleanup map. You’ll also receive lots of useful information, including:

♻️ Top tips for beach cleaning

📍 Information to help you plan your event

🗑️ Guidance on waste disposal from your local authority

Every clean makes a difference, so why not get involved and help us make an even bigger impact along the East Lothian coastline?

👉 Register your beach clean and get involved! https://balancedhorizon.org/big-forth-cleanup/

Have questions? Email us at bfc@balancedhorizon.org

First Minister visits Social Bite Village

It was great to welcome First Minister John Swinney MSP to the Edinburgh Social Bite Village to see first-hand the impact of our response to homelessness.

During his visit, the First Minister met with residents and staff to find out more about our innovative alternative to temporary accommodation.

FM John Swinney visits Social Bite’s Edinburgh Village – 19/08/26

Mr Swinney commented: “Social Bite, working with Cyrenians, is doing vital work to support people through crisis and help them rebuild their lives.

“I would like to express my gratitude to residents for welcoming me into their homes and giving me the opportunity to hear more about their experiences.”

We urge both the Scottish and UK Governments to explore adopting the Village Model in cities across the UK in a bid to address the nation’s homelessness crisis.

The Social Bite Village Model demonstrates how unused or derelict land can be transformed into high-quality, purpose-built communities, providing a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional forms of temporary accommodation.

Find out more about building a Social Bite Village in your local area:

https://www.social-bite.co.uk/…/build-a-village-in…/

Waterfront assault: Witness appeal

POLICE are appealing for information following a disturbance in the Granton Waterfront area.

Around 7.30pm on Monday, 17 August, a disturbance started on Saltire Square and carried on towards Waterfront Avenue and Waterfront Broadway.

A 26-year-old man was assaulted and taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries.

A number of males in the area ran off in the direction of Waterfront Avenue.

Detective Sergeant Kim Tennant said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened.

“If you were in the area at the time and saw anything then please get in touch.

“We are also asking the public to check any private CCTV that they have covering these streets and let us know if something has been captured that could help with our investigation.

“Likewise, we are also asking anyone driving in the area to check dash-cam and contact us if they have anything that could assist officers.”

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2977 of Monday, 17 August, 2026.

Reading Round at Granton Library

We’re delighted to announce that award-winning writer Bashabi Fraser will be joining us for a very special ‘Reading Round’ event in September.

This is a ‘no homework’ event, perfect for anyone who enjoys discussing and discovering great literature.

Book your spot at this amazing FREE event below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/read-round-with-local…

Consultation: Primary School and Nursery on Granton Waterfront

THURSDAY 8th OCTOBER 5.15pm – 8.30pm at GRANTON STATION

PUBLIC CONSULTATION ONLINE from WEDNESDAY 26th AUGUST

Come and talk to us about our proposals to build a new Primary School and Nursery at Granton Waterfront.

The new proposed building will be able to accommodate a Nursery for 128 pupils between the ages of two and five, and a new two stream (15 classes) primary school with the potential for an Enhanced Support Base (ESB) with four additional classes. The facility will have the ability to expand to up to a three stream (22 classes) primary school in future.

You’ll be able to view the proposals and take part in our public consultation online from Wednesday, 26 August 2026 until Thursday 15 October 2026 at 5.00pm. 

Tomorrow: Summer-themed flower arranging workshop at Granton Castle Walled Garden

Summer-themed flower arranging workshop with Ochre Botanical Studios

This Sunday, 16 August, at Granton Castle Walled Garden

💐 Drop-in session from 2-4 pm

Come along and make a small hanging design.

#flowerarranging

#grantoncastlewalledgarden

#workshop#freeevents

#communityevents

#flowerworkshop

TOMORROW: Theatre School of Scotland Open Day at Edinburgh College Granton Campus

🎭 Discover the magic of Theatre School of Scotland Edinburgh! 🎬

We’re opening our doors and inviting you to experience everything our Edinburgh campus has to offer at our upcoming Open Day!

If your child has a passion for performing, loves to sing, dance or act, or is simply looking to grow in confidence while making lifelong friends, this is the perfect opportunity to see what we’re all about.

📅 Saturday August 15, 2026

⏰ 2:30PM – 4:30PM

📍 Edinburgh College, 350 W Granton Road, Edinburgh, EH5 1QE

Open Days give you the chance to:

✨ Meet our expert teaching team

✨ Take a look around our studios

✨ Learn about our exciting performance opportunities

✨ Ask any questions you may have before signing up

At Theatre School of Scotland, we’re proud to be developing Scotland’s next generation of talent, offering high-quality training in a welcoming, supportive environment where every student is encouraged to reach their full potential.

Whether your child is stepping into the spotlight for the first time or already has a love for performing, we’d love to welcome you to our Edinburgh community!

This is a free event, but booking in advanced is recommended!

We can’t wait to meet you! 🎭🌟

TODAY: Free community lunch menu at Empty Kitchens Full Hearts

Menu for Friday 14th of August 🥣

We are excited to share a delicious community meal with you tomorrow. We do our best to have a variety of options, including vegetarian and a delicious pudding.

What’s on the menu today:

Root veg medley soup

Crispy chicken

BBQ-style beans

Halloumi pastries

Lemon cheesecake with blueberry compote

Please check the board or ask our volunteers about allergens. And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out! Do come along and enjoy. Thank you!

Iona Cafe at St Columba’s: Change of opening hours from this weekend

St Columba’s Iona Cafe is changing its opening hours at the weekends!

Starting from Satuday 15th August, the Iona Cafe will be open 10- 4 on both Saturday & Sunday.

As always, there will be a range of delicious food and beverages available, as well as the gift shop, which is always full of wonderful accessories and homewares just waiting to be discovered!