Category: Inverleith

£15 million fund to strengthen flood resilience

Funding to support most vulnerable communities

A new £15 million fund has been launched to improve the resilience of communities across Scotland most at risk from flooding.

Funding will be provided to local groups, communities and local authorities to help them improve their flood resilience and preparedness.

The funding will support sustainable drainage, including natural features like green spaces and planting, to reduce flood risk and future proof existing flooding infrastructure. Coastal communities will benefit, with support available for innovative coastal resilience projects to replenish sand dunes and reduce flood risk in towns like Montrose.

Additional support will be available for communities recovering from the impact of recent flooding, while Public Health Scotland will develop a new interactive tool combining flood risk data with population and demographic data to help identify communities and groups most at risk in the future.

A new Flood Advisory Service will support local authorities in delivering major flood protection schemes more efficiently, reducing delays and improving value for public money.

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action Gillian Martin said: “Climate change means, globally, we are facing an increasing flood risk, and Scotland is not immune to that. We are determined to take action now to protect people, homes and livelihoods.

“This £15 million package delivers on our 100 days commitment to invest in flood mitigation and prevention, with support targeted where it is needed most. By working closely with communities, local authorities and expert partners, we are investing in practical measures that will strengthen resilience and adapt to the challenges of the future.

“From community-led projects and nature-based solutions to better data, improved infrastructure and more effective flood protection schemes, this investment complements our wider Flood Resilience Strategy to help build a safer, more resilient Scotland.”

Broughton High School pupil wins national photograph award

A Broughton High School pupil has won a national photography award after impressing judges in the Scottish Civic Trust’s My Place Photography Competition. 

Eliza G was named winner of the Secondary School Category at Scotland’s Civic Celebration, held in Glasgow and attended by young people, community organisations and civic leaders from across the country. 

The My Place Photography Competition invites young people to explore the buildings, streets and places that matter to them through photography. 

Judges praised this year’s entries for the insight and creativity they brought to Scotland’s built environment. 

Scottish Civic Awards 2026

Joe Traynor, Director of the Scottish Civic Trust, said: “The My Place Photography Competition encourages young people to look closely at the places around them and consider what makes them distinctive. 

“Eliza’s photograph stood out for the quality of observation and perspective it brought to the subject. We are delighted to celebrate this achievement.” 

Eliza received the award during Scotland’s Civic Celebration in Glasgow on Wednesday 29 July, where winners from across Scotland were recognised alongside community-led regeneration projects and civic initiatives. 

The competition forms part of the Scottish Civic Trust’s My Place programme, which encourages young people to engage with their local heritage and built environment. For more information visit: scottishcivictrust.org.uk 

First for UK Botanic Garden as botanical BSL films unveiled at historic Palm Houses 

A first-of-its-kind project for the UK’s botanic gardens will launch at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh this autumn, with the introduction of films demonstrating botanical terms newly developed within British Sign Language (BSL).

The short videos are designed to enhance deaf visitors’ engagement with the Garden’s remarkable Living Collection. 

Created in partnership with BSL experts based at the Scottish Sensory Centre, University of Edinburgh, the films tell stories about botanical forms such as palms, ferns and fronds through sign language and will form an integral part of a new multimedia visitor experience when the Garden’s historic Palm Houses reopen following restoration. 

Sarah Cathcart, Director of Learning and Engagement at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh said: “Working closely with the Scottish Sensory Centre’s BSL glossary team, we have developed a set of elegant and expressive new signs in British Sign Language to deliver a more meaningful and immersive experience for members of the deaf community visiting the Garden. 

“These signs represent just the beginning of this important project. Through this collaboration we will continue to expand botanical vocabulary, ensuring that the natural world is more inclusive and accessible for all.” 

Dr Audrey Cameron, Project Lead, Scottish Sensory Centre’s BSL Glossary project added: “At present, very few botanical terms exist in BSL – even for familiar plant species such as daffodils. 

“By creating new language designed specifically for the deaf community, this unique project takes an important step forward in widening access to the wonders of plant biodiversity.” 

To create the new signs, RBGE scientists and horticulturists worked with BSL experts to define the very essence of a plant or botanical feature. These qualities were then used by a deaf-led team of BSL scriptwriters and signers to create the videos. 

Visitors to the Palm Houses will be able to access the content through QR codes positioned throughout the restored 19th‑century buildings. 

As part of the Garden’s commitment to accessibility and knowledge‑sharing, the new BSL botanical signs will be shared with organisations across the UK. 

Fettes host summer camp for Edinburgh disability charity

Edinburgh-based charity SuperTroop, which provides residential breaks for children with learning disabilities, held its eighth successful summer camp on the grounds of Fettes College thanks to a thriving partnership between the two organisations.

Held during the summer break, the week-long ‘incredibly special’ holiday saw nineteen Fettes Sixth Form students and thirteen Old Fettesian volunteers provide round-the-clock, one-to-one personal care and friendship for around twenty young holidaymakers.

This year’s programme was built around a Highlands theme, adding a Scottish twist to established favourites such as trampolining and swimming. New additions included tartan weaving, cupcake and shortbread decorating, and ceilidh dancing.

The group also visited The Yard and the National Museum of Scotland followed by an evening listening to bagpipes, performing in a fashion show and hearing an impressive performance of a new SuperTroop-themed song written by the volunteers involved.

Toby L, a sixth-form student at Fettes College who dedicated time this summer towards volunteering for SuperTroop, said: “My time with SuperTroop, though only my first year as a helper, was incredibly special.

“In my eyes, SuperTroop makes the experience of each kid’s holiday individual to what they enjoy and require – whether this be food or activities, but especially for their additional needs – and all from the perspective of fun, safety, and respect.”

Sue Fletcher-Watson, Founder, SuperTroop, said: “SuperTroop has had another storming year thanks to our extraordinary holidaymakers, invaluable support from Fettes and the blessing of lots of sunshine!

“The ripple effects from this week of adventure will last all year – rested families, disabled young people with happy memories and expanded independence, and volunteers with new skills and lifelong friendships.”

The holiday is also made possible by the support of operational staff who manage accommodation and catering throughout the stay.

Andrew Archibald, Senior Volunteer and Teacher at Fettes College said: “As ever, this holiday is not only an opportunity to give back but a huge team effort to make the week another great success for the SuperTroop holidaymakers and their families.

“From our amazing students, Old Fettesians and staff volunteers who rose to the challenge of one-to-one, 24-hour personal care, to the operational staff who prepared fantastic accommodation and meals, everyone played their part in delivering a magical experience.

“SuperTroop remains a charity that is a very special part of Fettes life and it is a privilege to share the first week of the school holidays with them. We are already looking forward to doing it all again in 2027!”

Toby added: “What really struck me as what makes SuperTroop so special and unique was at the end of the week when the holidaymakers got picked up by their parents. Seeing how much of an impact the week had for the parents of the holidaymakers showed me the true meaning of ‘respite’.

“At the goodbyes it really made me think – all these volunteers give up time and effort for SuperTroop, and I don’t think words really do their incredible effort justice.”

The holidaymakers stay on campus, sleep in dorm rooms with their peers and 1:1 helpers, and eat meals as a group in the dining hall. Fettes provide a high-quality and accessible residence as well as catering and facilities including outdoor spaces, swimming pool and sports hall.   

To find out how you can join the troop or lend your support, go to supertroop.org/  

PICTURES: SuperTroop

Lib Dems demand answers on Water of Leith delays

Edinburgh Liberal Democrats have highlighted critical delays to Water of Leith environmental protection measures and are calling for faster action.

Responsing to a Council report on the Water of Leith water quality, local Lib Dems flagged up that a significant amount of planned infrastructure upgrades which are required to screen off sewage and detritus entering the river have been delayed until after 2027.

Over 10 projects will not begin until 2028, including the following Combined Sewage Overflows according to a March update to the High Priority Assets list including around Leith’s Shore, Junction Street, Stockbridge, Bonnington, Dean Village, Murrayfield, and at St Mark’s Park.

Edinburgh Northern MSP and Scottish Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, who recently called for year round monitoring of bathing waters, said: “The scale of the issue of lack of sewage monitoring is huge across Scotland, which is why rivers like the Water of Leith must be met with ambition.

“The Scottish Liberal Democrats will continue pushing for a Clean Water Act which will incentivise faster action to prevent pollution in our rivers and ocean”.

Commenting on the update, Leith Walk Councillor Jack Caldwell said: “This is incredibly disappointing as the Water of Leith was a key part of Scottish Water’s investment plan.

“Our river deserves to be clean for wildlife, plant life, and people alike. The Council must work constructively with national agencies and Scottish Water to accelerate environmental protections for our communities.”

Inverleith Councillor Hal Osler added: “Our natural environment is precious, and it’s up to all of us to look after it. These delays risk undermining progress won by so many residents, volunteers, and environmental campaigners.”

Transport and Environment spokesperson Councillor Kevin Lang got cross-party support in June for Edinburgh Council to write to Scottish Water to get answers on updated timescales.

Edinburgh Botanics’ Palm Houses reopening date revealed …

… and here’s how to get in first!

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has announced that its historic Palm Houses will reopen to the public on Friday 2 October 2026, following five years of careful restoration work that has transformed one of the city’s most treasured A-listed buildings.

To mark the occasion, the Garden is inviting visitors to sign up for an exclusive presale, with the opportunity to book tickets 48 hours ahead of general admission.

The reopening marks the completion of a transformative phase of the Edinburgh Biomes project, the most ambitious restoration and development programme in the Garden’s history. While the oldest of the two Palm Houses dates to 1834, the newer, rectangular house retains the title of tallest traditional Palm House in the world.

The scale of the restoration work is extraordinary. Over five thousand panes of glass have been created from bespoke templates that have been specially designed to withstand the impacts of climate change, with 600 m² of repairs carried out to the original Georgian and Victorian iron structure to restore the iconic Palm Houses to their former glory.

The refurbishment forms part of a wider £58million investment in the Edinburgh Biomes programme and was supported by the Scottish Government. Over £10.6m has been raised via philanthropic fundraising and a public appeal which also contributed £250,000 towards this project.

Before restoration work could begin, the Horticulture team carefully removed 800 precious plant specimens from the Palm Houses.

The majority were temporarily rehomed within the Garden’s other Glasshouses, while replanting of the empty Palm Houses began earlier this year. Around 600 specimens – including plants endangered in the wild – will ultimately be returned, among them a stone gate palm (Trachycarpus princeps), standing over eight metres tall and believed to be the tallest of its kind in cultivation outside China.

Plantings also include a young sabal palm, the 10-year-old offspring of one of the Garden’s oldest and most celebrated plants, the Sabal mexicana, estimated to be around 200 years old when it was felled in 2021.

Professor Julia Knights, Regius Keeper at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “I am thrilled to be reopening the world’s tallest traditional Palm House after five years of painstaking restoration with the support of the Scottish Government and our generous donors. 

“As we fight to tackle climate change and nature loss, the reopening of the Palm Houses is a globally significant moment for Scotland and the world. As well as celebrating our Living Collection of plants – including those endangered in the wild – this moment also reflects our work as Scotland’s global scientific centre of excellence in plant science, horticulture, education and conservation.”

Entry to the Palm Houses will be by ticketed admission, with allocated time slots available throughout the day.

To avoid disappointment, RBGE recommends pre-booking in advance.

Those who sign up for presale access at rbge.org.uk/palm-houses will receive the opportunity to book tickets 48 hours before the general public when they go on sale.

Members and patrons of the Botanics go free and will benefit from special preview access in September 2026, ahead of the public opening, with further information on booking to follow soon.

Bike Marketing TODAY at Inverleith Park

SUNDAY 12 JULY from 2 – 5pm

Police Scotland Edinburgh: Your local Community team will be working in partnership with BikeRegister and will be at Inverleith Park TODAY 12/07/2026 between 1400-1700 hours.

We are here to support the community by holding a free bike marking session.

Come along to get your bike marked, sign up to BikeRegister and speak to local officers about bike security & theft prevention (and any other Policing matters you’d like to discuss).

Everyone is welcome and it would be great to see you there.

Paul Sneddon (Vladimir McTavish)

The Stand Comedy Club pays tribute to a local comedy legend:

It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Paul Sneddon known to so many as Vladimir McTavish & Bob Doolally.

Paul has been a vital part of The Stand since we began and much treasured and loved part of the comedy scene for many years.

He was as known for his kindness, encouragement and generosity as he was for his immense talent. He made every green room brighter, every line-up funnier and the world a nicer place to live in.

We are broken at the loss of our dear friend and will in time be marking his life appropriately.

For the time being, all our thoughts are with his family: Christine and his girls Julia and Rosie, as well as his many many friends and fans during this time.

Paul’s death was announced on Wednesday (1st July).

Travelling the land to inspire tomorrow’s guardians of the planet

Creating inspirational outreach to engage children and young people with the natural world has brought international recognition for Edinburgh’s Eve Armstrong.

School visits around the country, virtual lessons, and a series of videos have won her the Botanic Garden Conservation International (BGCI) 2026 Marsh Award for education in botanic gardens.

Since 2023 Eve, an Education Outreach Officer at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, has built up an extensive Scotland-wide outreach programme. She has engaged with over 7,000 pupils, by visiting schools from the Borders to Aberdeen and the Outer Hebrides.

In addition, she has reached a further 13,000 pupils in live streaming and enabling virtual visits to the research institute’s Glasshouses, Herbarium, Plant Nursery and Herbology room, as well as the Garden itself.

These interactive experiences have beamed into classrooms in 23 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities. Along the way, Eve has enthused primary and secondary age pupils on topics ranging from Rainforests to Scottish Native Plants and Botanic Careers.

Amy McDonald, Project Engagement Manager, nominated Eve for the award. She explained: “Eve always goes the extra mile to share the joy and importance of plants. The enthusiastic feedback we receive shows that pupils and teachers love her approach and session content. 

“She always finds innovative and creative ways to connect with pupils in-person and virtually. Her videos have seen her don waders to film in a pond and borrow an infrared camera to map the heat emitted from a magnificent Amorphophallus titanum.

“Many of her lessons encourage young people to think about what actions they could take to conserve biodiversity – from looking after the natural spaces around their home, school, or local area, to lobbying adults to take action.”

As well as professional recognition, Eve receives £1,000 in prize money.

She said: “I am very fortunate to be in the position of working with children and young people right around the country. They are the future guardians of our planet and the starting point for them should be about having fun, learning about the vast number of positive experiences they can have by engaging with plants.

“We need their enthusiasm. At a time when 40 per cent of all known species are in danger of extinction, the determination of the next generation can make massive changes for the better in combating the impact of the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency. To inspire a sense of wonder in the natural world turns out to be fun and inspiring for me as well as them.”

Can plants help solve some of our biggest environmental challenges?

What if the solution to flooding, rising temperatures and biodiversity loss was right under our noses? Visitors are invited to discover how plants can help tackle some of today’s most critical environmental challenges through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Nature-based Solutions tour on June 12.

The guided tour takes visitors behind the scenes of the Garden’s Nature-based Solutions programme which showcases real-life examples of how plants are being used to address environmental challenges.

Along the tour, visitors can explore stormwater planters, living lawns, bioretention ponds and Edinburgh’s flagship rain garden, while learning how these projects help reduce flooding, regulate temperatures, and create valuable habitats for wildlife

A highlight of the tour is the Garden’s Rain Garden, which was created in 2019 to tackle persistent flooding was developed through a collaboration between Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh scientists, horticulturists, and researchers from Heriot-Watt University.

The project transformed a regularly flooded lawn and pathway into a thriving planted landscape. The surrounding paths no longer flood, the Garden is sustained entirely by rainfall, and the planting continues to thrive, demonstrating how nature-based solutions can deliver practical and lasing benefits.

The tour also provides an insight into the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s wider Nature-based Solutions programme and its Plants with Purpose initiative.

Through research and real -world testing, the programme investigates how plants can help reduce flood risk, regulate temperatures and restore biodiversity in urban environments, as cities adapt to the impacts of climate change, this work is helping build the evidence needed to create greener, healthier and more resilient communities

Whether you’re passionate about climate action, conservation or sustainable gardening, the Nature-based Solutions tour offers a unique opportunity to explore how plants can help create healthier and more resilient communities.

As well as learning about the science behind these projects, visitors will discover practical ideas that can be applied in gardens, neighborhoods and urban spaces, demonstrating how nature can play a vital role in addressing the environment challenges of today and tomorrow.

Caitlyn Johnstone one of the nature-based solutions scientists explains, “The ecosystem is incredibly connected, and plants are changing the world around them: soaking up floodwater, stabilizing land, providing food and shelter to insects and birds, improving human wellbeing, even actively cooling the air!

“When we learn from nature and apply the power of those plants to specific problems, we improve our world in so many ways.”