Category: Leith

Tracy Gilbert MP welcomes Labour’s pledge to fund fair pay for Hospice Workers in  Edinburgh North & Leith 

Tracy Gilbert MP has today welcomed Scottish Labour’s commitment to increase funding for  hospices and deliver pay parity for hospice-based doctors, nurses, and care staff across  Scotland, including those serving communities in Edinburgh North and Leith. 

The announcement, made today by Scottish Labour, will see hospice staff receive wages in  line with their NHS counterparts through full funding of the Agenda for Change pay scale,  easing the burden on overstretched hospices and helping to secure the future of palliative  care services. 

Local facilities such as St Columba’s Hospice in Trinity play a vital role in delivering  compassionate, end-of-life care to families across the constituency.

However, rising costs  and an historic lack of investment under the SNP government have left the sector struggling  to recruit and retain staff. 

Tracy Gilbert MP said: “Hospice doctors, nurses, and support staff are the beating heart of  palliative care.

“They deserve to be paid fairly for the essential work they do, and under a  Scottish Labour government, they finally will be.” 

Scottish Labour’s plan is designed not only to improve pay but to protect the services that  thousands of families rely on every year.

What’s On at The Wee Hub

🌟 New programme alert! 🌟

Great news—our schedule for the next two weeks is now live! ✨

Come along to The Wee Hub and The Wee Museum of Memory for a fantastic lineup of free activities! 🌸🎉🦄

With Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre,

Living Memory Association,

Laura Tiguerona,

Latin American Community Association of Edinburgh,

Bethany Christian Trust,

Хоп-Троп, Единбург / Hop-Trop, Edinburgh,

Ukrainian kids club in Edinburgh, and

The Wee Museum of Memory

Family Friday Tours at Trinity House

⚓️ Family Friday tours at Trinity House ⚓️

Don’t forget to visit Trinity House in Leith for their ‘Family Friday tours’.

Until 8 August, at 11am on Fridays, you can enjoy a relaxed tour of the house with activities to suit younger visitors.

Discover the animals that sailors might meet on their travels and take part in an activity trail. You can also visit the sixteenth centuries vaults – once used as a school for young sailors to learn mathematics and navigation – and handle objects used at sea.

Find out more at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/…/whats-on/event/…

Experience Edinburgh’s Sporting Heritage at Pop Up Exhibition at St James Quarter

As part of the city-wide Edinburgh 900 celebrations, a new exhibition celebrating Edinburgh’s rich sporting legacy opens tomorrow (Wednesday) at St James Quarter.

Free and open to all, the exhibition invites visitors to explore Edinburgh Leisure’s proud history of leisure and sport through engaging displays and stories.

Located in a dedicated Edinburgh 900 pop-up on Leith Street, next to Mor Bakery, the exhibition showcases the “City of Leisure” theme and features highlights from three captivating Edinburgh Leisure displays.

Great Lengths & Your Health is for Life

Discover Edinburgh Leisure’s 27-year commitment to promoting active lifestyles and delve into the fascinating history of the city’s Victorian swimming pools, including the iconic Royal Commonwealth Pool.

Teeing Off Through Time

Celebrate Edinburgh’s prestigious golfing heritage designed to be displayed at the 125th Edinburgh Evening News Dispatch Trophy, held at Braid Hills Golf Course in May.

Learn about the city’s pivotal role in golf’s origins, explore Edinburgh Leisure’s six scenic golf courses, and uncover the stories behind historic tournaments like the Dispatch Trophy and Gibson Cup, which have shaped local golfing traditions for over 130 years.

Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, history buff, leisure enthusiast or simply curious, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience Edinburgh’s sporting spirit – all under one roof.

Admission is free, and no booking is required. If you missed the exhibition at the Royal Commonwealth Pool last autumn, now’s your chance to catch it in the heart of the city.

You can learn about Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programmes, which support over 12,500 people affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty to get active; membership options including their 4-week summer pass, available now; fundraising initiatives, and volunteering opportunities too.

Standing Up For Our Community

BYSTANDER INTERVENTION WORKSHOP IN LEITH

The increase in racial/hate motivated harassment and aggression in the last few years has made it clear that we need to get better at standing up for each other.

Join us Tuesday, July 8, at St James Church (11A John’s Pl, EH6 7EL) for a co-led workshop where we will share our experiences and knowledge to build and practice the skills needed to counter racist, sexist, transphobic and ableist harassment and violence in public spaces.

Hosted by Zionism Free Leith

https://www.instagram.com/zfleith/?hl=en

Hibs to unveil The Pat Stanton Stand

Hibernian FC is delighted to announce that the East Stand will be renamed as the new Pat Stanton Stand, honouring the legend’s iconic career.

Ahead of the Club’s 150th anniversary, Stanton’s impact on Hibernian FC and Scottish football has been recognised with his name sitting proudly at the top of the old East Stand.

Growing up a Hibs fan and watching from the terraces, Stanton joined his beloved club in 1963 before making his debut shortly after at the tender age of 19 years and 22 days. From that moment on he never looked back.

A calm, composed midfielder, he developed from a talented youngster into one of the best players in the Scottish game going on to win the SFWA Footballer of the Year award in 1969/70.

Establishing himself as a leader on the pitch, Stanton became Hibs captain and helped lead his side to win the Scottish League Cup in December 1972, scoring the opener as Hibs beat Celtic 2-1 at Hampden Park. He also helped lift two Drybrough Cups.

Pat Stanton was known for his ability to read the game, his tackling, and range of passing, and those three qualities were influential as Hibs beat local rivals Hearts 0-7 at Tynecastle in 1973, and recorded memorable victories over Napoli and Sporting Lisbon in Europe.

It was during his time at Hibs where he made his Scotland debut in 1966. He earned 16 caps in total and captained his nation on three occasions.

In 1976, he ended his 13-year spell at his hometown club, and in total made 617 appearances, scoring 78 goals.

After two years at Celtic, over 40,000 people turned out for his testimonial match, celebrating his career. He is regarded as one of Hibernian’s greatest ever players and is widely considered to be one of the finest Scottish players in the history of the game.

After hanging up his boots, Stanton was Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Aberdeen before going on to manage Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline, and then his beloved Hibs. He has been involved with the Club in different capacities ever since.

Hibernian FC Chairman Ian Gordon commented: “It’s with great pride and pleasure that we are honouring Pat Stanton’s amazing contribution to Hibernian FC and Scottish football during our anniversary season.

“The Pat Stanton Stand will serve as a lasting tribute to his achievements and legacy, inspiring future players and supporters for many years to come.

“On behalf of everyone associated with Hibs – the fans, the board, the staff, the players, the entire Hibernian Family – I would like to thank Pat for everything he’s done for the Club.”

Sheltered housing tenants in Leith celebrate ‘Glastoldbury’!

Tenants at Jameson Place in Leith are celebrating ‘Glastoldbury’ this weekend. The festival line-up includes Edinburgh Festival Fringe singer Sean Mearns and Leona Corio.

The tenants’ outdoor space will be transformed with tents and festival decorations with around 40 festival-goers expected to attend Glastoldbury. There will be a BBQ lunch, mocktails, fun tattoos and a photobooth to enjoy between sets.

A slot has been carved out for games and chip butties before the party continues into the late afternoon.

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Maureen Combe, Sheltered Housing Manager at Harbour Homes said: “Our tenants have a varied social calendar and, with so many music fans here, we decided to bring a little bespoke festival atmosphere to our doorstep in Leith.

“A big thank you to the singers who are performing at Glastoldbury and to all those involved in making this idea a reality. We’ve got our fingers crossed for a little sunshine on Leith this weekend!”

Your wish was granted, Maureen!

Firethorn Trust tops out PBSA development in Leith Walk

Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has reached a significant construction milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development at Leith, Edinburgh, with a topping out ceremony marking completion of the site’s structural framework.

Located on Leith Walk, Firethorn’s six-storey asset will provide high quality accommodation for 230 student beds, alongside generous amenities including a fully equipped gym, student common room, cinema and modern study spaces.

Work commenced last summer, following Firethorn’s purchase of the site in February 2024, marking the first acquisition under its Living portfolio. The company has since expanded its footprint with additional PBSA assets in Hackney Wick and Stratford, plus a hotel development in central Dublin and the One Bessborough Gardens residential conversion in London.

With the structural frame now complete, Leith Walk is on track for completion in time for the 2026/27 academic year.

Paul Martin, Head of Development at Firethorn Trust, commented: “As the first asset within our Living portfolio, topping out at Leith Walk is a significant milestone for Firethorn, and a prime example of our ability to deliver buildings swiftly and to a high standard.

“Edinburgh has a growing student population and an urgent need for modern, quality accommodation, so we are very pleased with the pace at which works are progressing and look forward to bringing the site to completion over the next 12 months.”

Grier Edmead, Operations Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “Today’s topping out marks the significant progress that we have made since breaking ground last year, and we look forward to handing over a first class building in 2026.

“This will be the fifteenth student accommodation facility that we have delivered in recent years using our extensive experience and expertise in the sector.”

For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com

Plans submitted to transform Leith’s ‘iconic’ Cables Wynd House and Linksview House

The City of Edinburgh Council’s retrofit project has taken a major step forward this month with the submission of a planning application by Collective Architecture.

Built in the 1960s and now designated as Category A listed buildings, Cables Wynd House and Linksview House collectively provide 310 homes, the majority of which are owned by the Council for social rent.

These landmark buildings have served generations of residents, and this project represents a significant investment in securing their future as safe, high-quality homes.

The proposed works are being driven by the need to meet the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing – EESSH2.

Achieving compliance will require substantial upgrades to both the building fabric and mechanical systems. Alongside this, the Council has identified the opportunity to deliver wider improvements that will bring the buildings in line with modern new-build standards.

Key elements of the proposal include:

  • Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Improved insulation, window replacements, and energy-efficient heating systems to meet EESSH2 standards.
  • Fire Safety Enhancements: Installation of sprinkler systems, smoke ventilation, a new fire-fighting lift, and improved fire compartmentalisation in communal areas. The removal of legacy bin chutes and inclusion of internal waste management facilities will also contribute to enhanced fire safety.
  • Resident Safety and Security: Upgraded internal and external lighting, a comprehensive review of CCTV systems, and improved access control throughout the buildings.
  • Landscape and Placemaking Improvements: The refurbishment project presents a unique opportunity to reimagine the outdoor environment surrounding both towers. Proposals include new play areas, external seating, wildflower meadows, sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), and a full review of parking and waste facilities.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: “I am delighted that the proposals for the Council’s £69 million investment in Cables Wynd House and Linksview House have now been submitted to the CEC Planning Service, setting out our plans to make our residents’ homes safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient.  

“Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents have long campaigned for this much needed and substantive investment in their homes to happen.  

“Their influence and input into our consultation sessions have shaped these proposals and is hugely valued.  I look forward to continuing this positive engagement with Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents and Leith Ward Councillors as the project progresses.”

Carl Baker, Architect, Certified Passivhaus Designer – Collective Architecture said: “Collective Architecture is proud to be working with The City of Edinburgh Council on the retrofit of Cables Wynd House and Linksview House.

“Our proposals place residents at the heart of the process, aiming to provide greener, warmer homes, while celebrating and sensitively enhancing the unique character of the Category A listed buildings.

“As part of a just transition, our carefully considered interventions will improve the thermal and environmental performance of the iconic structures – boosting energy efficiency and alleviating the risk of fuel poverty.

“As with many of our projects, meaningful resident engagement has been central to the design process and will remain a key focus through the final design stage and into construction.”

Subject to planning approval, the Council will continue to engage closely with residents throughout the design and construction process, ensuring their needs remain at the heart of the project.