Granton – Page 3 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

granton:hub to take part in Doors Open Day

SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER from 11am – 3.30pm

FULL PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES AT MADELVIC HOUSE

We are delighted to announce our participation in Doors Open Day 2026 on Saturday 26 September, between 11am and 3.30pm.

Our main exhibition will focus on the industrial heritage throughout the 18th, 19th and 20th century, keeping Granton’s heritage alive and highlighting what was once a hive of activity. We are pleased to confirm that local historian Kenneth Williamson will be providing more insights and stories of his own experiences.

The Granton Archive Project (GAP) will offer informal drop-in sessions between 11:00am-2:00pm. We have photographs, films, newspapers and much more that will bring the past alive, and we’d like to invite you to come and explore, guided by our local volunteers.

Also on display will be a selection of the Quiet Heroes photo exhibition. These striking portraits celebrate these individuals and invite us all to reflect on the hidden contributions that keep a community strong.

Our collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art entitled ‘Cultural Heritage in the Metropolitan Peripheries’ records and celebrates Granton’s shifting heritage and the creative work by students from Craigroyston Academy and Edinburgh University.

The project will be launching HOPE, a new digital resource for people seeking to learn about how these urban peripheries mark and celebrate their cultural heritage and contemporary identity.

A family friendly walk (1:45-3pm) will start and end at the Granton Hub and free spaces are limited. PLEASE BOOK. Check the link for further details.

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/knots-a-community-walk…

There is no formal requirement to book a space for visiting granton:hub but it will assist us with planning the logistics.

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/doors-open-day-saturday-26…

Feel free to get in touch via gina@grantonhub.org if you have any questions.

Granton & District CC comments on ongoing traveller situation

UPDATE ON TRAVELLER ENCAMPMENT

WE (Granton& District Community Council) are aware of community concerns around the continuing occupation of Scottish Government land at Waterfront Avenue / Granton Park Avenue, which is earmarked for The Art Works development.

The Community Council acknowledges the frustration felt by local residents about the length of time it is taking for this complex issue to be resolved.

An appeal hearing in relation to the eviction order took place in early August, and the judgement was issued at the Court of Session on Thursday (27 August). It found in the Scottish Government’s favour, upholding the eviction order. However, it is worth noting that a further appeal is possible.

As a Community Council, we hope to receive further updates on next steps once available, and will do our best to communicate this to residents in good time.

View the news reports about the judgement:

BBC News (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgwd9l5210o)

and STV News (https://news.stv.tv/…/traveller-family-to-be-evicted…).

GRANTON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Donald McDonald: Funeral Details

WARRISTON CREMATORIUM – FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER at 2.30pm

Community activist Donald McDonald’s funeral will take place at Warriston on Friday 11 September at 2.30pm.

ODE TO DONALD

Donald McDonald, what can we say?

He’s been involved in this community

in every single way

supporting local groups,

listening to what they say,

providing support for

our buses, trains and boats.

He’s lived in Granton all his life

knows the area and all its strifes.

He’s always fought for local people

doesn’t ask for recognition,

questions all our Councillors’ decisions.

The community centre is his pride,

through the years, watching funding slip away

he battled on no matter what.

We realise that the war’s not done,

but his spirit has never broken.

Three cheers for Donald for all the times he’s spoken.

Donald we are all so proud of you

And how you’ve coped with your trials and tribulations.

The time has come to accept your knowledge,

the centre will now have a room called

The Donald McDonald

to thank you for your time and toils

You will never be forgotten.

Poem by Anna Hutchison

Thanks to Lynn McCabe for supplying this information.

Granton and District CC AGM

MONDAY 31st AUGUST 6.30pm at ROYSTON WARDIEBURN

NEXT MEETING MON 31 AUG – INCL. OUR AGM!

All welcome at our monthly meeting on Monday 31 August, 6.30pm at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. This is our first meeting back since the summer break and will also include our Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Do feel free to come and raise issues for discussion. If you’d like to attend online, please get in touch for the MS Teams link.

Alternatively, we can raise any issues for discussion on your behalf. Simply email engagement@grantoncc.scot

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?

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.