TOMORROW – SUNDAY 26th OCTOBER at 1.45pm
Good luck to my old Citizen pal Dave Forbes who will be performing some of his poetry in Leith tomorrow!
The Candyman’s Trumpet: Free event at Strathmore Bar
Category: Leith
Fashion Sale at Volunteer Edinburgh
SUNDAY 30th NOVEMBER 11am – 3pm
EDINBURGH VOLUNTEER CENTRE, LEITH WALK
Join us on Sunday 30 November from 11.00 until 15.00 at our office on Leith Walk for a fabulous day of sustainable shopping, sweet treats, and community spirit at our fashion sale to raise funds for the Community Taskforce project, supporting people across Edinburgh who have no one else, including those recently discharged from hospital, facing new health challenges, or in need of a helping hand.
There is a £5.00 entry fee which includes a delicious tea or coffee and a slice of cake, making it the perfect Sunday outing with friends.
Find out more here: https://bit.ly/ve-fashion
We are also looking for donations for the sale so if you would like to help out and have some good-quality, pre-loved adult clothing or handbags
to sell at the event then please drop them off at our office on Leith Walk anytime Monday to Friday from 10.00 until 15.00.
Local men arrested following series of crimes across Central Scotland
Three males have been arrested and charged following an extensive investigation into a series of housebreakings and thefts across central Scotland.
The offences occurred in the Fife, Stirling, Glasgow and West Lothian areas between 26 September and 1 October, 2025.
On Thursday, 16 October, 2025, officers executed arrest warrants at three properties in Edinburgh.
A 35-year-old man was arrested from Ferry Road, a 20-year-old man was arrested from Wester Drylaw Drive. Both have been charged in connection with several offences, including housebreaking, vehicle theft and road traffic offences.
The men were due to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court yesterday (Friday 17 October).
A 17-year-old male was arrested from Broomhouse Grove. He was charged with theft and released to appear at court at a later date.
Detective Sergeant John Irvine said: “Crimes of this nature have a serious impact on the victims, causing them to question the safety and security of their own homes, and I would like to commend the work of the officers investigating this crime series.
“I would also like to thank the various local communities for their assistance with our enquiries to date and reassure the public that any reports of criminality will be investigated thoroughly by Police Scotland.”
Food Drive at Easter Road
SATURDAY 18th OCTOBER from 1.30pm
HIBS vs LIVINGSTON
At this weekend’s @HibernianFC match against Livingston FC, we will be hosting a food drive for our community kitchen and pantry.
The food donated will support our weekly community meal provisions; supporting those who need it most as we approach the colder months.
The food drive will begin from 1.30pm, with all donations welcome until 10 minutes before kick-off.
Help us turn your donations into hot, healthy and nutritious dishes made in live time by our dedicated family of community meal volunteers.
World lawyers give back to Edinburgh with Water of Leith clean-up
More than 40 lawyers from across the globe traded boardrooms for wellies last week, teaming up with Morton Fraser MacRoberts (MFMac) and the Water of Leith Conservation Trust (WOLCT) for a morning of hands-on volunteering.
Volunteers split into teams to carry out a range of task to look after the Water of Leith walkway, including cutting back overgrown vegetation, sweeping up leaves and litter picking locally to stop rubbish getting into the river.
The clean-up formed part of Interlaw’s Annual Global Meeting in Edinburgh, where senior lawyers from over 80 countries gathered for four days of knowledge-sharing and international collaboration.
This year marks the first time the conference has been hosted in Scotland for almost 40 years. Edinburgh headquartered MFMac – this year’s host – organised the clean-up event as a way to make a positive impact and help protect the natural environment that makes Edinburgh a beautiful and inspiring place to live and work.
Chris Harte, Chief Executive Officer at Morton Fraser MacRoberts: “Interlaw is a powerful network bringing hundreds of delegates to Edinburgh and this clean-up has been a great opportunity to give something back to our host city while they’re visiting.
“The Water of Leith is a landmark that flows through many of Edinburgh’s local communities, so it’s been a privilege to organise a meaningful activity to protect it. We know how packed our colleagues’ schedules are so we’re grateful to everyone who rolled up their sleeves!”
Johnny Wells, Ranger from the Water of Leith Conservation Trust, said: “The Water of Leith is an amazing green corridor for both people and wildlife in Edinburgh, support like this makes a real difference allowing us to care for it.
“We’re very grateful to MFMac for involving us in their programme and for highlighting the importance of looking after this special place.”
Leith Central CC says NO to more student accommodation
Leith Central Community Council has now agreed its final position on Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) developments.
Leith already has two-thirds of all PBSA beds in Edinburgh – 6,332 out of 9,873 citywide. Despite this, developers keep proposing more blocks, even though Leith has no university campus and our area gains little direct benefit.
We believe further PBSA expansion:
– takes up land that should be used for affordable homes for families and key workers
– adds pressure on local transport, health services and infrastructure
– undermines community balance and diversity
– conflicts with Edinburgh’s wider housing strategy
Leith is proud to welcome students as part of our diverse community, but the scale of PBSA development is now out of proportion and unsustainable.
LCCC is calling for a moratorium on any new PBSA developments in Leith.
We want future developments to focus instead on affordable, family-friendly and mixed-use housing that supports long-term residents and the local economy.
We’ll continue to work with other community councils, housing organisations and Edinburgh Council to make sure Leith’s voice is heard as part of the city’s Local Housing Strategy and upcoming planning guidance on student accommodation.
You can read our full position paper here 
https://tinyurl.com/jvntj3cm
Dig, Create, Celebrate with Earth in Common this weekend
SATURDAY 11th OCTOBER from 10am – 1pm at VICTORIA PARK
Join us at our new crofts for a day of creativity, connection, and community spirit!
Meet the team behind the redevelopment of our urban space, get hands-on with soil investigations, hula-hoop making or simply come by for a chat with us and your neighbours.
Let’s shape the future of our space—together. 
Victoria Park — Saturday, 11 Oct, 10am – 1pm
St Margaret’s Park — Saturday, 11 Oct, 10am – 1pm
Annandale St. crash pensioner dies
POLICE APPEAL FOR INFORMATION
An 81-year-old man has died following a crash on Annandale Street in Edinburgh at the junction with Haddington Place. The incident happened on Sunday, 28 September, around 1.20am, and involved the man and a bus.
He was taken to hospital by the Scottish Ambulance Service where he died on Saturday, 4 October. No one else was injured.
Sergeant Louise Birrell said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who died and they have asked for privacy.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are asking anyone with information that could help who has not already spoken to officers to get in touch.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0302 of Sunday, 28 September, 2025.
Tracy Gilbert MP welcomes investment in community solar projects in Edinburgh North and Leith
Tracy Gilbert MP has welcomed significant UK-wide investment in community renewable energy projects, which will deliver tangible benefits for local communities in Scotland.
The Great British Energy initiative is backing a total of £4 million into the UK’s community energy sector, supporting 48 community energy projects across Scotland, including two major developments in Edinburgh North and Leith.
- Granton Project CIC – Harnessing solar power for community growth, receiving £70,043.
- Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op (Phase 3) – Developing local solar capacity, awarded £484,500.
Tracy Gilbert MP said: “These investments demonstrate the UK Government’s commitment to renewable energy and to supporting communities across the country. I am pleased that two of these are in my constituency in Edinburgh North and Leith, which is becoming a true renewables hub.
“The projects will not only generate clean energy but also empower local communities with long-term benefits. Initiatives like these are helping to build a greener, more sustainable future for everyone.”
The Great British Energy investment is part of a wider effort to drive community energy generation growth across Scotland and the UK, ensuring that local areas can take an active role in the renewable energy transition.
| Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op | Edinburgh Solar Co-op phase 3 | £484,500 |
| Granton Project CIC | Harnessing solar power for community growth | £70,043 |
St Columba’s Bridal Showcase events at Ocean Terminal
Our Bridal Showcase event returns to St Columba’s Hospice Shop OT on Friday 10th October at Ocean Terminal.
Book your spot by emailing jrussell@stcolumbashospice.org.uk.
Further events will also be held later in the month, November and December.