A new bespoke cargo bike commissioned by National Museums Scotland will bring hands-on learning and cultural experiences directly to communities across Edinburgh.
Developed by National Museums Scotland and designed by XYZ CARGO UK, the bike will enable museum staff to deliver accessible creative workshops and storytelling sessions with local communities. It will be based at the National Museums Collection Centre in Granton in the north of Edinburgh.
The Collection Centre is home to some 12 million objects and is also a regular part of National Museums Scotland’s community outreach work, hosting visits from local groups and schools.
The bike is completely electric, generating low carbon emissions in its outreach. It has a large storage compartment which enables it to transport objects from the Museum’s handling collection, including replicas of the Lewis Chess pieces, Pictish chains and Roman helmets, and even a 3D-printed chimpanzee skull.
Jane Miller, Community Engagement Manager at National Museums Scotland, said: “While admission to the National Museum of Scotland is free, we know that there can be all sorts of barriers to access traditional museum spaces.
“That’s why it’s important that we have an active programme of community engagement, and the Museum in Motion cargo bike is a colourful, fun and sustainable way of bringing the Museum to communities on their doorsteps.”
The project is funded in part by the Edinburgh Airport Community Fund. Gordon Robertson, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Edinburgh Airport said: “Our Community Fund is designed to support a wide range of groups and organisations within our neighbouring communities, and this project is a fantastic example of the fund in action.
“By contributing to the purchase of this cargo bike, we’re helping National Museums Scotland reduce its carbon footprint and enhance the accessibility of its collections by bringing them directly into local communities.”
Anyone interested in inviting the Museum in Motion cargo bike to visit their community or wants to find out more, can contact the Community Engagement team at National Museums Scotland by email at communities@nms.ac.uk.
A ‘major public consultation’ on the future development of Edinburgh’s tram network opened yesterday (25 August) and will run for 12 weeks.
The Council are seeking the public’s views on the proposed new tram routes from Granton in the north of the city to the Edinburgh BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in the south.
A detailed business case was developed to extend the existing route from Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven, which was successfully completed in 2023 and now carries over a million passengers a month.
This consultation will inform the development of a Strategic Business Case (SBC) for the expansion, which will then be presented to the Transport and Environment Committee in 2026.
The proposed new route can be broken down into three main sections:
GRANTON TO THE CITY CENTRE:
From Granton to Ferry Road / Crewe Toll there is a single route. From Ferry Road / Crewe Toll to the following section, two alternative route options are being considered: the Orchard Brae corridor or the Roseburn Path.
For Orchard Brae, the route would head to the west end of Princes Street along Orchard Brae, Queensferry Road (via the Dean Bridge) and Queensferry Street.
It is estimated that this option would cost between £650m – £850m and is forecast to carry around 3.75m passengers per annum by 2042.
For Roseburn Path, the route connects to the existing line west of Haymarket via an old railway line which winds from Ferry Road/Crewe Toll before reaching Craigleith and heading towards the west end and city centre.
This option is estimated to cost between £350m-£480m and is forecast to carry around 4.25m passengers per annum by 2042.
It also examines the potential to install high quality walking, wheeling and cycling alongside the tramline on the Roseburn Path, and look at the potential to protect and enhance the local ecological network.
The entire route is forecast to cost between £2bn-2.9bn, depending on the final options selected, and carry around 38m passengers by 2042.
CITY CENTRE TO BIOQUARTER & ROYAL INFIRMARY
The proposed route would begin at Princes Street on the existing tram infrastructure, allowing bus and rail interchange in the heart of the city centre.
The route would then cross the North Bridge, and run through Nicolson Street, Newington and on to Cameron Toll, then west towards the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
POTENTIAL EXTENSIONS TO MIDLOTHIAN and EAST LOTHIAN
The city council is working closely with Midlothian and East Lothian Councils and SEStran, the regional transport partnership, regarding potential future mass transit connections beyond the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary.
This includes exploring a ‘tram-train’ (a light rail vehicle than can operate on tram and rail tracks) concept with Network Rail on the old Edinburgh South Suburban Railway (ESSR).
Other potential options include connections with Musselburgh Railway station and Queen Margaret University (QMU) in East Lothian and to Shawfair with interchange opportunities into Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m pleased that we’ve reached this key stage for extending our multi award-winning tram service.
“We need to prepare for the future. Edinburgh is the fastest growing city in Scotland, with more than 60,000 new residents expected over the next 20 years. Whilst this shift is a true sign of our success, it brings real pressure on our communities, and crucially on the city’s transport infrastructure on which we all rely.
“Managing this growth also means tackling the climate, nature and housing emergencies. To meet these significant challenges, we need to look for bold and ambitious solutions and the tram extension is central to this.
“Edinburgh Trams already offers a reliable and fast service, allowing residents and visitors to move around sustainably and efficiently, and with some of the cheapest fares in the country. The broader benefits of cleaner air and emphasis on active travel surrounding the network are equally as important.
“Our overarching vision is to truly link our city for the benefit of all. From our flagship £1.3bn 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 transport network must move with the times.
“The new developments we will see along the tram route will be key to Edinburgh’s prosperity for generations to come.
“I’d encourage everyone to engage with this consultation and help to shape the next chapter in the history of Edinburgh’s transport.”
The full details of all the sections mentioned above can be found in the consultation papers.
Residents can give their views until 17 November online on the Consultation Hub or at in person drop-in sessions. Details of these sessions are also on our Consultation Hub.
The next step, should members agree on the SBC, would be to move to the next stage of development, as set out by Transport Scotland, which is the OBC.
DROP-IN SESSIONS
Drop-in at Blackhall Primary SchoolFrom 2 Sep 2025 at 16:00 to 2 Sep 2025 at 19:00More informationBlackhall Primary School, 83 Craigcrook Road, EH4 3PH Add to my Calendar (.ics)
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 often a delicious pudding. What’s on the menu tomorrow:
Root vegetables and split pea soup
Chicken with creamy sundried tomatoes
Creamy sundried tomatoes pasta (Vegetarian)
Both served with herby vegetables
Bread and butter pudding
Please check the board or ask our volunteers about allergens. And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out!
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 often a delicious pudding.
What’s on the menu tomorrow:
Herby veg medley soup
Roast ham, honey roast veg and potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and mustard sauce
Sage and onion stuffing veggie alternative for the above
Sticky toffee pudding
Please check the board or ask our volunteers about allergens.
And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out!
GRANTON GOES SUMMER – Saturday 16th August 10am to 2pm
Granton Goes SUMMER
Saturday 16th August 10am to 2pm
Granton Goes Summer in the grounds of Granton Parish Church.
Join the team at Granton Goes Greener for a family-friendly community event featuring a variety of workshops, stalls, and of course our famous Share ‘n’ Wear rails!
Find out more about Granton Goes Greener, while enjoying food and treats, including candy floss and a BBQ.
The LIVING FUNGI workshop on 16 AUGUST, 1 – 3PM only has a few spaces left.
Book now to avoid disappointment – the workshop is FREE to join!
To book your place email Mycobee stating the date and time of the event you would like to book and how many people would like to attend: info@mycobee.org.
The Living Fungi workshop provides an introduction to fungiculture, the fascinating world of fungi, and the art of mushroom farming.
You will learn what mushrooms are and hear about the importance of mushrooms for us and our planet. Community mushroom farming is more than just a sustainable practice. It can be a form of restorative agriculture.
Mycobee’s experts Bea and Mario will share how community mushroom farming can rejuvenate the soil and all ecosystems that rely on it. You will also get to know the different types of fungi to cultivate and how to do so.
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 often a delicious pudding. What’s on the menu tomorrow:
Carrot and lentil soup
Chorizo and sweetcorn pasta
Cauliflower and sweetcorn pasta (V)
Garden salad
Banana bread
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!
