Category: Leith

The Pencil Case Project: Stationery Appeal

Do you have any unused, new or pre-loved stationery in the run up to back to school? We are working alongside The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird, with our donation drop-off boxes in both locations from 12th August – 12th September (writes EILIDH BARR).

I founded The Pencil Case Project when I was 16 during my National 5s and we are a youth-led non-profit organisation that provides schools and children across countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Indonesia with stationery, pencil cases and tools to learn!

I still run the project now whilst at University and have managed to secure charity partnerships with 2 international charities, 7 partner schools as well as working with schools and groups in Scotland and England.

We also have a youth volunteering team and board of trustees made up of young people from across the world!

We accept any stationery including things like jotters and maths equipment which is often difficult for these schools to source. We would love any stationery you have, which will be distributed to our network of partner schools in September.

We would love your help in making education more accessible whilst also supporting the amazing Leith Collective too!

Edinburgh residents announce launch of active volunteering group, Goodgym Edinburgh

  • Launching 11th August 2026
  • Edinburgh community combine getting fit and supporting local organisations with practical volunteering
  • Sessions will be free and inclusive of all fitness levels
  • Funded by Places for People
  • The new group will combine exercise with practical volunteering.

GoodGym Edinburgh, the first GoodGym group in Scotland, will run weekly sessions to support local charities and organisations such as food banks, schools, community gardens and youth centres.

Residents will run, walk and cycle to sessions, combining exercise and volunteering to benefit themselves and Edinburgh as a whole. As a result, Edinburgh GoodGymers will be improving their local area and their own mental and physical wellbeing.

The London School of Economics found participation in GoodGym sessions led to “extraordinary” increases in life satisfaction, connectedness and belonging.

For the launch, GoodGym will be supporting the Leith Links Community Croft on 11th August with gardening tasks, whilst learning about gardening, food growing, and the concept of an urban community croft.

Each GoodGym session will be providing much needed volunteer support to Edinburgh’s community groups and charities. 

Edinburgh GoodGymers will also run, walk and cycle to visit isolated older people, helping with practical tasks they aren’t able to do on their own such as gardening and moving furniture. These visits create crucial social interaction that the GoodGymer and isolated older person wouldn’t ordinarily have.

Kelly Brown, Director, Places for People Scotland, said: “We’re proud to support GoodGym Edinburgh, helping people to improve their health while making a positive difference in their local community.

“This initiative will build connections, reduce isolation and provide valuable support to local organisations.”

Dave Entwistle, GoodGym Edinburgh Area Activator (group leader) said: “Volunteering has played a huge role throughout my life, it has created some of my most meaningful friendships, experiences, opened a lot of doors and helped me feel connected to the communities I have lived in.

“I am looking forward to being a part of creating those same opportunities for others in Edinburgh by connecting people with amazing projects around the city and building our own GoodGym Edinburgh community.”

GATHER Community Arts Exhibition

🟡 Gather Exhibition 🟡

A Creative Community Hubs Network Event

We are hugely excited for Gather, a new exhibition showcasing work by artists and community members from across Edinburgh for the very first time.

This is a very special exhibition, and we’d love you to join us for it!

🟡 Gather Exhibition

📆 Private View: 11th September 2026, from 4:30pm

📆 Main Exhibition: 12th – 26th September 2026

📍St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AE

🎫 Free. No need to book.

#creativecommunityhubsnetwork

#creativecommunities

#edinburghevents

#whatsonedinburgh

#edinburghexhibition

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The Creative Community Hubs Network consists of eight partner organisations based across Edinburgh: WHALE Arts, The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Granton:hub, North Edinburgh Arts, Duncan Place Leith, The Crannie, Lyra and Craigmillar Now

Osarenkhoe Atutie sentenced for attempted murder of woman in Leith

A man has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for the attempted murder of a woman in Leith.

Osarenkhoe Atutie, 26, previously pled guilty to the violent offence and was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow today – Wednesday, 5 August, 2026.

The incident happened during the morning of Tuesday, 11 November, 2025 in the Duke Street area of Leith.

Atutie approached the 30-year-old woman, who was known to him, and stabbed her repeatedly to her head and body with a knife.

Prior to emergency services arriving at the scene, members of the public helped the victim and also had apprehended Atutie nearby. They held on to him until officers arrived and arrested him at the scene.

The woman was taken to hospital and released following treatment.

Detective Sergeant Craig McMillan said: “This was a particularly harrowing incident, and my thoughts are with the victim and her family.

“I’d like to thank those members of the public who came to the victim’s aid during the ordeal. Without their intervention and assistance, there is a high chance that the victim would not have survived the attack.

“Tackling violence against women and girls is one of Police Scotland’s highest priorities and we continue to work with partners to achieve this.

“Violence in any form and the possession of weapons in any environment has no place in Scotland and is entirely unacceptable. Tackling the harmful effects of violent crime, which has a devastating impact on individuals, families and our communities, and supporting victims, remains a priority for our officers.”

£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.”

More than a Sunday Market at Leith Community Croft

More than ever, we need to take back control of our food system.

Recent droughts and extreme weather have highlighted just how fragile our food supply chains have become. When food travels thousands of miles to reach our plates, we’re left vulnerable to climate shocks, rising costs and global uncertainty.

Our market is part of the solution. By supporting local growers, producers and community food businesses, you’re helping to build a stronger, fairer and more resilient food system right here in our community.

Every pound spent supports local livelihoods, keeps money circulating in the local economy, reduces food miles and helps ensure that good food remains accessible to everyone.

This market is also a celebration of diversity, bringing together producers, cultures, flavours and traditions that reflect the richness of our community. It’s a place to connect with the people who grow, make and share our food, and to be part of a movement that values sustainability, fairness and local self-reliance.

In a time of climate uncertainty, supporting local food isn’t just a shopping choice. It’s an investment in our collective future.

Join us, support your local producers, and help build a food system that works for people, place and planet.

Ocean Terminal: Public Transport Update

📣PUBLIC TRANSPORT UPDATE📣

Lothian Buses have reinstated the diversion on Ocean Drive and will not be serving the stops at Ocean Terminal.

Temporary bus stop is located near the Capital Cruise Building on Melrose Drive to the side of the centre.

This is due to a road defect on Ocean Drive that is unable to be navigated by buses.

Repair is currently indicated to be taking place next week.

Please note, our car park is open as normal

Wellington Place Meanwhile Site: Have Your Say!

🌱 Community Consultation: Wellington Place Meanwhile Site 🌱

Come and have your say on the future of our new site at Wellington Place!

📅 Thursday 6th August

🕕 6.00 – 7.30pm

📍 Meet at the Meanwhile Site, then a short walk to Croft Populus Café

We’ll share where things are up to in the site’s clearance phase, walk you through what’s next, and then head to the café for refreshments and a relaxed chat about:

🌿 what matters to you about the site right now

🌿 how you’d like to see it used

🌿 how you might want to get involved

Everyone welcome! Come along, bring a friend, and help shape what happens next at Wellington Place! 💚

#WellingtonPlace

#CommunityConsultation

#Leith

#MeanwhileSite

#EarthInCommon

The Shore Business Collective launches campaign to welcome visitors to Leith during city centre disruption

Businesses at The Shore have come together to launch a campaign reminding residents and visitors that Edinburgh’s waterfront destination remains open for business following the disruption caused by the recent fire on Princes Street.

While the partial closure of the tram line has had a significant impact on businesses at The Shore, the Shore Business Collective believes the focus should now be on encouraging people to continue supporting local businesses across Edinburgh.

The campaign will provide practical travel information alongside a coordinated programme of social media activity celebrating the people, places and experiences that make The Shore one of the city’s most distinctive destinations.

The push from the Shore Business Collective will highlight the many ways visitors can easily reach The Shore by bus, on foot, by bike, taxi and car, while showcasing everything the area has to offer – from its award-winning restaurants, cafés and bars to independent retailers, cultural attractions and picturesque waterfront, as well as highlighting the best offers from local businesses this summer.

Ashley Harley ,Chair of the Shore Business Collective, said: “Like many businesses across Edinburgh, we’ve been affected by the disruption following the fire on Princes Street. However, our priority is to look forward.

“The Shore remains open, our businesses are ready to welcome visitors, and we want people to know it’s still easy to enjoy everything this unique part of Edinburgh has to offer. Our thoughts are with everyone directly affected by the fire, including the businesses, employees and communities in the city centre.

“This campaign is  about working together to support local businesses and ensuring that people continue to visit and enjoy every part of Edinburgh during what is a difficult period for many. The Shore is open, the welcome is as warm as ever, and businesses are encouraging people to make the journey and rediscover one of the city’s most vibrant waterfront communities.”

The Shore Business Collective is a community-led network of independent businesses working together to protect, champion, and bring vibrancy to The Shore in Leith.

Follow the Shore Business Collective for updates on what to do and how to get to the Shore: @theshoreedinburgh

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.