National Galleries of Scotland surprised hillwalkers, tram travellers and tourists by taking replicas of popular art works out into Edinburgh yesterday.
Passers-by could discover art typically found in the National, Portrait and Modern galleries popping up at sites such as Salisbury Crags, Newhaven, The Meadows, Murrayfield and Leith.
The art works including The Monarch of the Glen by Sir Edwin Landseer, Edinburgh (from Salisbury Crags) by William Crozier, Doddie Weir by Gerard M Burns, Encounter by Remedios Varo, Callum by John Emms and Mary Queen of Scots are always free to visit at the National Galleries of Scotland’s three Edinburgh sites.
This historically autonomous port town, whose motto is ‘Persevere’ and whose independence has been contested across its nine centuries, has an incredibly rich heritage, and a distinct modern culture and attitude to life. A vibrant swagger that is modern Leith, and on which a community-led bid aims to shine a spotlight.
The proposal for UK Town of Culture 2028 has been developed from the ground up by a collective of volunteers based in Leith – residents, artists, cultural organisations, schools, community groups and independent businesses who want to celebrate its identity and its creativity, while making sure that more people feel welcome, included and proud of where they live.
Over 70 organisations and public figures including Leith Theatre, Hibs FC, Leith School of Art, Grid Iron Theatre Company, Historic Environment Scotland, Unique Events, Forth Ports, FirstStage Studios, Coburg Studios, Leith Civic Trust, Leith Community Centre, Leith Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, VOCAL, Citadel, EHFM, Leith Academy, The Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith Library and many others have signed up to back the bid, alongside its three community councils, elected officials, and with the backing of City of Edinburgh Council as accountable body.
The bid area spans the community council areas of Leith Central, Leith Harbour & Newhaven, and Leith Links, home to around 50,000 residents and one of the most diverse, densely populated, and fast-changing areas in Scotland.
Leith is internationally recognised for its creative energy, food scene and waterfront – ranked fourth coolest neighbourhood in the world by Time Out in their influential annual list of 2021, and 16th in 2023. The home of The Proclaimers whose “Sunshine on Leith” remains the people’s anthem, Irvine Welsh and Trainspotting, undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World Ken Buchanan, Scottish Colourist JD Fergusson, and pioneering physician and suffragette Grace Ross Cadell; the place where a cure for scurvy was found, the site of the UK’s first vertical whisky distillery, where the first set of rules for golf were written, and where the first ship to cross the Atlantic purely using steam was built. Leith is a place rich with culture, innovation and history.
It is also an area of sharp contrasts where pockets of significant deprivation sit alongside rapid development. The partnership bid seeks to address these tensions, widening opportunity, creating pathways, building skills development and employability in order to protect what makes Leith distinctive while building a stronger future for its communities through a celebration of culture, investment, pride and developed partnerships.
Leith’s Town of Culture plans, designed following a round-table session with interested residents and organisations, include large-scale public moments on the waterfront; a year-round rhythm of community-led festivals and commissions; a £1 millionCommunity Culture Fund empowering grassroots organisations; what the team are calling “Sunshine on Leith”- public-realm legacy improvements; and long-term investment in skills, access and cultural infrastructure.
The events, it proposes, would draw not just pride, but also a reflection on the history that has brought it to this point, a story which included the transatlantic slave trade, industrial decline and an amalgamation into the city of Edinburgh that Leithers voted overwhelmingly against back in 1920.
Participation is central. Should Leith be shortlisted, people of all ages will help shape and curate the programme through participatory forums, youth leadership, and neighbourhood-based activity. Accessibility is embedded from the outset, with a commitment to free and low-cost events, inclusive design, clear access information, and partnerships with local and national access organisations.
The bid also looks forward – positioning Leith as a cultural gateway once again. Building on its working port and growing role in green energy, the programme connects industrial heritage with a sustainable future, supporting local makers, creative businesses and pathways into work across culture, events, hospitality and the screen industries.
If shortlisted, Leith is ready to move quickly into a development phase, formally establishing the partnership as a charitable delivery body and continuing deep engagement with communities to co-design the final programme.
Those behind the bid say the process itself is already having an impact:
“This bid has been built by the people of Leith, for Leith,” said a spokesperson for the partnership.
“It’s about confidence, connection, care for our place, and fun! – and about showing what culture can do when it’s led locally, shared widely, and rooted in everyday life. Leith has never stood still. In 2028, we hope to stand tall as the UK’s first Town of Culture.
“Share your passion and care for Leith by getting behind our bid on social media using the hashtag #Leith2028”
Culture and Communities Convener at City of Edinburgh Council Margaret Graham said: “This bid is about far more than recognition – it’s a celebration of Leith’s creativity, its rich heritage, and, above all, the people who make this community so special.
“From our historic waterfront to our thriving arts scene, this is an opportunity to reaffirm Leith’s place on the international stage.
“Reaching this point has been a true team effort, with incredible support from local organisations, community representatives, and residents. I hope everyone will get behind Leith as we make our case to become the next Town of Culture.”
Bob Last, CEO of FirstStage Studios commented:“The people of Leith are constantly seeking new ways forward built on its rich and complex history, it’s a town, a community, a home to diverse creativity, and crucially Leith is a unique attitude, where better to celebrate culture?”
“Leith is more than a town of culture. Leith is culture.” said Irvine Welsh as he put his name to Leith’s bid for UK Town of Culture 2028.
Hibernian FC Chief Executive, Dan Barnett added his support: “We are extremely proud to be part of the unique culture and heritage of Leith.
“The people and community of this historic port town have helped shape our identity for over 150 years and will continue to do so going forward.”
Lynn Morrison, Chief Executive of Leith Theatre Trust said:“What an incredible opportunity this would be for Leith and for Leithers, old and new.
“It’s a chance to connect all of Leith’s creative spaces, talent and energy, working together to celebrate Leith’s growing culture and creativity in a meaningful and lasting way. Being a Town of Culture would provide a powerful springboard to galvanise the momentum, creating new possibilities and helping shape the next chapter of Leith’s cultural future.”
Andy Thomas, Acting Manager of The Citadel said:“The Citadel has supported generations of young Leithers for over 45 years. We’re proud to be supporting a bid to celebrate Leith’s unique culture and identity, both psst and present.
“The Town of Culture is a fantastic pportunity to bring all Leithers together and ensure that the benefits of cultural development reach everyone in the community.”
Gunnar Groves-Raines, architect and Director of GRAS said:“Leith is a town defined by cultural exchange, creativity and productivity. It is in the midst of an exceptionally exciting period of evolution, with an explosion of ambitious cultural activity matched by a highly engaged audience of residents and visitors.
“Designating Leith as Town of Culture would be a powerful catalyst – recognising this deep-rooted creativity and investing in its future as a civic, inclusive and outward-looking neighbourhood.”
Jed Milroy, Tinderbox Collective, said:“Leith’s strength has always been its people – a community that makes, shares and builds culture together, not just for audiences, but for each other.
“It’s a place where you can arrive as yourself and be welcomed as you are. Community arts education is keeping this spirit alive and nurturing it in the next generation of Leithers.”
Jenny Mungall, volunteer bid mobiliser, and director of JUMP said: “Leith’s got swagger, I call it Big Dock Energy. It’s a vibrant, creative, collaborative community, and we’ve seen all of that at every stage of putting this bid together.
“I hope that the people of Leith get the chance to shape an amazing programme in 2028 as the first UK Town of Culture, but whatever the outcome, we’ve got bags of ideas to celebrate culture and community and we’ll find a way to get some of them off the ground.”
Rod Jones, Idlewild guitarist, record producer and artist manager added: “I first moved to Leith around 20 years ago and was immediately taken by the community spirit and feel.
“Over these last 2 decades there has been a wealth of changes and growth with studios, venues, art spaces opening all over Leith and its become a cultural home to me and many more as well as my actual home. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
Chitra Ramaswamy, author and journalist said: “I moved to Leith almost 20 years ago and have witnessed its many changes. My children were born here, and go to school here, and it’s the diversity, heritage, and open-hearted welcome of the place that has made me so proud to be a Leither.
“Again and again, as a writer, I return to Leith as deep inspiration – my first book opened on the Water of Leith. What has remained, in so many ways, when so much has changed, is the republic’s fiercely independent spirit, its commitment to grassroots community action, protection of its complex industrial heritage, and, above all, its people.”
Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports commented:“This is an incredibly exciting time for Leith. With the development of the Forth Green Freeport, the film studios, and new industries shaping the future economy, the area is at a pivotal moment – one where culture, industry and innovation go hand in hand.
“Becoming a Town of Culture would amplify that momentum, bringing together heritage and creativity to tell Leith’s story to the world.”
Nick Devison, Principal of Leith School of Art commented: “I have always been inspired by Leith’s independence, energy, and creativity. Leith School of Art stands at the very heart of this vibrant community and this bid is all the more significant for us as we approach our 40th anniversary in 2028.”
Bryony Knox, silversmith said: “Leith is the perfect spot to celebrate culture. I am a silversmith, with a business over 25 years old, based in studios with over 70 artists, right by the Water of Leith.
“I can think of at least 8 other sets of independent studios, with woodworkers, jewellers, ceramicists and painters within a 2 minute walk… Where else could boast that?
“It makes for a strong collaborative creative community, and I have chosen to live, bring up my children and run my silversmithing business from Leith because it’s the best place to be!”
Susie Gray, volunteer bid mobiliser and Executive Director of Premier Scotland, commented:“I am hugely lucky to work with some of the most recognised cultural organisations in the world, and still nothing beats coming home to Leith.
“It wears its heart on its sleeve. It believes in the power of a song. It’s wildly eclectic and endlessly inventive, a place where creativity belongs to everyone and is passionately shared. Having seen up close the impact of City of Culture on Hull, it’s exciting to see the programme broadened out to towns across the UK.
“Leith could do so much with the investment and opportunity that comes with an accolade like UK Town of Culture, it would be spectacular, and more people could discover its magic.”
A high-quality, energy efficient development at Coatfield Lane, Leith will deliver much-needed family housing and improved greenspace.
Plans to deliver 49 new affordable homes at Coatfield Lane have been approved, marking a significant step forward in the Council’s ongoing programme to increase the supply of high-quality affordable housing across the city.
The new homes will be delivered on behalf of the Council by CCG (Scotland) Ltd in collaboration with Collective Architecture. The development, designed to meet a range of housing needs will include a mix of 1–4 bedroom flats and family houses and will be located in the heart of the Leith Conservation Area, close to the historic Kirkgate.
The homes will be well insulated and highly energy efficient thanks to a combination of advanced construction methods and the adoption of air source heat pump technology.
In addition to the homes, the project will provide improvements to the existing public realm including greenspaces, rain gardens and biodiverse planting.
Councillor Tim Pogson, the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “This approval is a vital step in tackling the housing emergency facing our city. Unfortunately too many people are struggling to find a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and developments like this are a key part of the solution.
“The 49 new homes will not only provide much-needed accommodation for residents, but they do so in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused. And, as we build these new homes, we’ll create well designed places that respect the historic character of the area while delivering modern high-quality homes.
“I look forward to seeing work get underway and to welcoming the first residents into a vibrant new part of the community.”
CCG Managing Director David Wylie said: “We are delighted that plans for 49 affordable homes at Coatfield Lane have now been approved.
“Our team has worked collaboratively with the design partners to develop the proposals and realise the Council’s aspirations to deliver what will be a transformative development for the Leith community, and we look forward to commencing construction later this year.”
Collective Architecture said: “We’re delighted that the scheme has received planning approval.
“The new homes are sensitively integrated into the historic Kirkgate setting, sitting comfortably within the existing urban grain and immediately adjacent to the Category A-Listed Linksview House.
“Our proposals enhance the surrounding public realm and prioritise high quality architectural and urban design, incorporating social and environmental needs. This approach ensures meaningful benefits for both new residents and the existing community in Leith.”
The SS Explorer Preservation Society is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a grant of £157,115 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to enable us to protect and preserve SS Explorer – one of Scotland’s National Historic Ships.
SS Explorer, built in 1955, is Scotland’s first purpose-built Fisheries Research Vessel, the last vessel with a riveted steel hull built by Alexander Hall & Co’s shipyard in Aberdeen with one of the last triple-expansion steam engines built in Scotland, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Ships. However, the vessel’s true significance lies in its scientific legacy through research in marine biology, fish stock assessment, pollution monitoring and climate change studies.
At a time when SS Explorer – currently berthed in the Edinburgh Dock in the Port of Leith – is taking an active part in the Edinburgh Science Festival and the Society has welcomed aboard a record number of visitors, the funding award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will make it possible to continue to preserve SS Explorer, protect the vessel against further deterioration, expand our community outreach and strengthen our organisation for the major works programme required to achieve our vision.
We will also commission a feasibility study addressing the sustainability of the ship in its future role as a museum ship and visitor destination.
Completion of this stage will be followed by moving the ship to a new publicly accessible berth in the Edinburgh Dock as the area is redeveloped into a new residential and leisure community.
Richard Morrison, Chair of the SS Explorer Preservation Society said:“We are absolutely delighted to have secured this funding from the Heritage Fund and would like to thank National Lottery players who made it possible.
“Our volunteers and supporters work incredibly hard and share a vision of Explorer playing a role that goes beyond being a historic ship and heritage attraction. Fascinating and important as her history is this project is just as much about her future as an asset to Leith.
“A learning resource, an opportunity for people to get involved, to learn new skills, and to make new community connections.”
As the local constituency MSP for Leith, Ben Macpherson MSP said: “I am extremely pleased that the National Lottery Heritage Fund has chosen to allocate this grant.
“This funding brings timely support to the SS Explorer Preservation Society’s sustained efforts to ensure the future of one of Scotland’s unique historic ships and convert it into a local visitor attraction.
“Using this funding award, in the near future Leith can look forward to the implementation of the next crucial stage in the process of turning the SS Explorer into an accessible, engaging heritage landmark in its home port.
“I have been proud to support the SS Explorer Preservation Society’s ambitions for several years, and congratulate and thank all of those involved in achieving this recent success in driving the project forward.”
Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said:“Through four decades the SS Explorer, as the first purpose built Scottish Fisheries Research Vessel, collected data that now gives us invaluable information about our seas and underlines its significance to Scotland’s maritime and scientific heritage.
“Thanks to National Lottery players this funding will support the Preservation Society to help save the SS Explorer, tackling immediate repair needs while moving forward their plans to bring SS Explorer back into service once again, this time as a significant heritage attraction in Leith and a valuable community resource.”
About Explorer
A pioneer in climate science and biodiversity work, the steamship Explorer was in service for Marine Lab Torry, part of the Scottish Home Department, from 1956 to 1984. Its scientific mission was to investigate British fish breeding and feeding grounds to better understand fishing levels and species types in support of the Scottish fishing industry.
The ship also monitored pollution, sea temperature, and fish diseases that might adversely affect catches. The valuable scientific work conducted on board by many eminent scientists continues today to contribute to our knowledge of oceanography, marine life and the importance of maintaining healthy oceans.
It was the first ship to carry a computer on board to help with processing the huge amounts of data the scientists were generating at sea.
To find out more about our plans or to support us through volunteering or donations please visit https://www.theexplorer.scot/ .
For further information, please contact our chair Richard Morrison via email@theexplorer.scot
Ben Macpherson MSP is urging the Scottish Government to open one of its newly announced walk‑in GP clinics at Ocean Terminal – a location very well placed to meet growing local demand for primary care. He has written to the First Minister and Health Secretary to make the case.
Five months ago, the Scottish Government confirmed plans for 15 new GP‑led walk‑in services, offering same‑day access to healthcare without the need for an appointment. The first clinic opened in February at the Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, marking a major step in strengthening primary care across Scotland. It is already delivering tangible benefits on that side of the city. The rest of the initial tranche of 15 walk-in clinics are currently being delivered across Scotland.
Building on this momentum, the First Minister, John Swinney MSP, announced on Saturday 14 March, at the SNP’s party conference that, should the SNP be re-elected in May, a total of 30 walk-in clinics will be delivered across the country, including a second clinic in Edinburgh.
Ben Macpherson, who has served as Leith’s MSP for a decade, argues that a walk‑in clinic at Ocean Terminal would deliver significant benefits for residents.
The centre has already hosted a successful NHS vaccination clinic for several years, and is very well‑connected by public transport, making it an ideal site for other NHS services, including primary care and a walk-in GP clinic.
This would provide services for local people in Leith and those across Northern and Eastern Edinburgh. Ocean Terminal is also rejuvenating generally, with modern and accessible facilities.
Establishing a GP clinic there would cost less to fit out than creating a new building.
Commenting, Ben Macpherson said: “The SNP Scottish Government’s new GP walk‑in clinics will help make sure people get the care they need at a time that suits them.
“Opening one of these in Ocean Terminal in Leith would be very accessible for a lot of people, ease local pressures on current GP clinics, help meet the demands of population growth in the area, and Lothian more widely, and positively enhance the healthcare facilities on offer in Northern and Eastern Edinburgh.
“I have long advocated for a GP clinic at Ocean Terminal, raising the suggestion in Parliament and writing to the Scottish Government in recent years.
“The existing vaccine clinic has been a clear success, and the site is very well located to host a new NHS facility and GP walk-in clinic. This would meaningfully boost healthcare provision in Leith and for the wider area.”
A 42-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with thefts and robberies in Edinburgh.
The incidents happened between Sunday, 2 March, and Tuesday, 10 March, 2026, in the Niddrie, Leith and Portobello areas of the city.
A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, and he is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Friday, 13 March, 2026.
Detective Constable Fiona Murray said: “We are aware of the concern these incidents caused to local communities and I would like to thank members of the public for their assistance.”
In times of crisis, access to the arts is not a luxury — it is essential. It gives young people a voice, builds resilience and offers joy and connection when the future feels uncertain.
For over 18 years, Leith-based charity Strange Town has provided life-changing access to the arts for hundreds of young people across Edinburgh each year.
Through youth theatre groups, holiday programmes, film skills workshops, stage management experience, a Young Company and professional agency support, the organisation nurtures the next generation of Scotland’s creative talent — many of whom would not otherwise have access to these opportunities.
Strange Town is committed to creating meaningful professional pathways for early-career artists — opportunities that are increasingly rare in today’s funding landscape. All artists and practitioners are paid fairly and supported throughout.
The charity also extends its impact beyond Edinburgh, enabling local performers to progress to stages in London’s West End and onto the small screen and major streaming platforms.
This March, the charity shines a spotlight on its Young Company (18–25), returning to Summerhall following previous sell-out runs with a newly commissioned production:
Aphrodite Rogue
by Eleanor McMahon
Set in a near-future Edinburgh, Aphrodite Rogue follows four flatmates navigating heartbreak, climate dread and a flat that is quite literally falling apart. When one of them begins to suspect that something — or someone — is quietly sabotaging their lives, tensions rise in this sharp, timely comedy about love, uncertainty and the importance of trying again.
Leith-based charity Compass Therapy Support Community has rebranded and is now The Neuro Therapy Place.
The Neuro Therapy Place supports people living with neurological conditions through a range of affordable therapies including oxygen therapy, specialist physiotherapy, and other targeted therapeutic interventions.
Our historical and ongoing commitment to fundraising in support of our charitable mission and to improve the lives of our neurological clients, enables us to subsidise our therapies meaning our clients can access them at significantly reduced rates.
Services are also available to individuals without non-neurological conditions at a lower level of subsidy, helping to generate income that supports the charity’s wider mission.
Why The Neuro Therapy Place?
“This change has come from listening,” said Genevieve Harrison, CEO. “When we spoke with the people who know us best, there was a strong sense that our name should clearly reflect both our expertise in neurological therapy, and the sense of belonging people feel when they walk through our doors.
“The Neuro Therapy Place captures who we are: specialist, supportive, and rooted in community. We’re incredibly proud to step into this next chapter with a name that feels truly aligned with our purpose.”
The new name has been carefully selected to reflect the organisation’s specialist focus on neurological conditions, while strengthening its ability to communicate clearly with clients, healthcare professionals, funders, and partners.
The decision follows consultation with external marketing and branding specialists, alongside feedback from members, client representatives, volunteers, and supporters. Research indicated that the previous name did not convey the charity’s specialist focus to prospective clients, health professionals, or funding partners.
Why the change?
The Neuro Therapy Place was selected for several key reasons:
Clarity – The name immediately communicates the organisation’s neurological focus.
Distinctiveness – It stands out within the health and wellbeing sector.
Accessibility – It feels welcoming, personal, and easy to understand.
Referral friendly – Clear and memorable for busy healthcare professionals.
Stronger fundraising potential – Clearer messaging enables donors and funders to better understand and connect with the charity’s impact.
Strengthening Partnerships and Sustainability
The name change coincides with a renewed strategic focus on long term sustainability and partnership development. In 2025, the organisation appointed a Business Development Manager, and Community Fundraiser to expand external partnerships, increase awareness, and connect with members of the community who may not yet know about its services.
Commitment to Community Remains Unchanged
While the name is changing, the charity’s mission remains constant: to provide high quality neurological and oxygen therapy, alongside community-based programmes, delivered at subsidised, affordable rates.
This rebrand is not about leaving the past behind. It is about ensuring the organisation’s identity accurately reflects the vital specialist work it delivers today and positions it confidently for future growth.
With continued support from funders, partners, and the wider community, The Neuro Therapy Place aims to reach more people, strengthen partnerships, and deepen its impact in the years ahead.
Mission of Innocents has opened a new Creative Arts Centre at Ocean Terminal in Leith, offering a safe, welcoming space where resettled children and families can come together, express themselves and begin to thrive through creativity.
The centre will be home to Mission of Innocents’ programmes using art, music, movement and storytelling to help children and families who have lived through war, displacement and crisis feel safe again, build confidence and reconnect with childhood.
Last night’s opening was marked by a special event attended by Deputy Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron, alongside members of the High Constables of Leith and the Consular Corps. The evening included the unveiling of a commemorative installation and a performance by children supported by Mission of Innocents.
Mission of Innocents was founded in 2022 by Joyce Landry, whose company, Landry & Kling, managed two ships brought to Scotland to accommodate Ukrainian families fleeing conflict. Witnessing first-hand the profound impact that war and resettlement were having on children far from home, Joyce was moved to act.
What began as a small, urgent response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis has since grown into a mission supporting children and families from many different cultures and backgrounds affected by conflict, climate disasters and political crises, including families from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and Sudan.
The new centre gives the charity a permanent base in Scotland, allowing it to support more children over a longer period of time, with free classes and programmes running throughout the week.
Among the young people supported by Mission of Innocents is Dmytro Miskova, who arrived in Scotland after fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Dmytro’s first home in Scotland was onboard the MS Victoria, docked in Govan, where hundreds of Ukrainian families were temporarily housed. Arriving frightened and unsure of what the future would hold, he struggled with the uncertainty of starting again in a new country.
It was through a poetry performance organised for families onboard that Dmytro first connected with Mission of Innocents. The experience became a turning point, helping him rediscover confidence and a sense of identity beyond his circumstances.
Now living in Coatbridge and attending secondary school, Dmytro is thriving and hopes to pursue a career in aircraft engineering. His journey reflects the wider impact of Mission of Innocents’ work, creating safe spaces where children who have experienced resettlement can rebuild confidence, form friendships and begin to look forward again.
Joyce Landry, Founder and CEO of Mission of Innocents, said: “Mission of Innocents started because I saw children who had lost their sense of safety, routine and joy. They had been through things no child should experience, and there was very little support focused on how they were feeling.
“Through simple creative activities, we began to see changes, children opening up, making friends, laughing and smiling again.
“What began with Ukrainian families has grown to support children from many different backgrounds, all carrying their own stories. This centre gives us a place where children and families can feel safe, be themselves and begin to thrive, and that means everything to us.”
Nataliia Pidruchna, Director of Children’s Programmes at Mission of Innocents, said: “Creative arts give children a way to express feelings they don’t yet have words for. Through art, music and movement, we see confidence grow, friendships form and smiles return.
“I’ve worked with children in Ukraine and here in Scotland for years, and I’ve never seen anything break down barriers in the way creativity does. One little girl I worked with barely spoke at all, she had become completely silent. Over time, through dance and movement, she slowly began to find her voice again.
“It’s for children like her that we do this work. This centre will be a place where children feel welcome, supported and free to be themselves, and where families who’ve been through incredibly hard times can begin to thrive together.”
Since 2022, Mission of Innocents programmes have reached over 800 resettled children, providing vital support across Scotland and beyond, with clear improvements seen in confidence, wellbeing and social connection.
***CASE STUDIES***
For many children, the journey with Mission of Innocents began onboard the MS Victoria and the MS Ambition, and continues today on land in Edinburgh and across Scotland – a journey from fear and upheaval to belonging, rebuilt through creativity.
These are children who fled war, left behind homes, loved ones and familiar routines, arrived in a new country without the language, and began again in temporary accommodation. Through art, music, movement and performance, they have found ways to process trauma, rediscover their voices and rebuild confidence.
The stories below show how young people have moved from receiving support to leading, performing and contributing – strengthening wellbeing, restoring cultural identity and forming lasting community connections:
Dmytro Miskova
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, millions of families fled their homes almost overnight. One of them was Dmytro Miskova, then just a schoolboy whose world revolved around theatre rehearsals, poetry clubs and years of dedicated taekwondo training.
Within weeks, everything he knew had gone. Forced to leave his home, his friends and the life he’d built, Dmytro arrived in Scotland not knowing what would happen next. He spoke some English, but he didn’t know a single person. He was scared but he was also quietly determined to make the most of this unexpected new chapter.
His first home in Scotland wasn’t a house or a flat, it was the MS Ambition I, the large cruise ship docked in Govan, Glasgow, which temporarily housed hundreds of Ukrainian families arriving in the UK. It was there, surrounded by other resettled families all trying to adjust to a new reality, that Dmytro first came across Mission of Innocents.
At the time, Dmytro was just 10-years old. He arrived in Scotland with his mum, Mariia, leaving behind a family in Ukraine.
Life on the ship was safe, but it was uncertain and everyone was adjusting. Everyone was waiting to find out what came next. Not long after arriving, Dmytro signed up to take part in a poetry performance organised for families onboard. He has been engaged with poetry since around the age of six or seven, reciting and performing in Ukraine, and has continued to develop this talent and interest in Scotland. Standing up in front of a room full of strangers in a new country, speaking in a different language, felt completely different to Dmytro. He was nervous, but he did it anyway.
That moment, on a ship docked in Leith, far from home, changed everything. Through Mission of Innocents, Dmytro began getting involved in theatre sessions, creative workshops and volunteering opportunities. It wasn’t just about keeping busy for him, it was about rebuilding confidence, feeling seen and being known for his talent and not just his circumstances.
Slowly, he found his feet, like many other children on the ship. He made friends with other young people he had first met on the ship – friendships that have lasted well beyond those early days, and he embraced life in Scotland.
Now 14 years-old, and living in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Dmytro is in his third year at Coatbridge High School. He’s settled, focused and ambitious for his future.
His dream is to become an aircraft engineer, inspired by a lifelong fascination with aviation and how planes work. He is determined to build a future here, not just for himself, but to give back to the country that gave him safety when he needed it most.
From a frightened young person arriving in an unfamiliar country to a confident young man with big plans for the future, Dmytro’s story shows what can happen when resettled children are given the right support, creative outlets and belief.
Mariana Aleksandrova
Mariana was 13-years-old when she joined Mission of Innocents onboard the ship, having taken on caring responsibilities for her younger sister during a period of upheaval.
When invited to join the Harmony Choir, she said simply, “I love to sing.”
She is now a soloist and event host at major performances, a powerful example of how creativity can help a young person rediscover confidence and identity.
Nadiia
Arriving in Scotland at 17-years-old with a strong musical background, Nadiia’s artistic journey was disrupted by displacement.
Through fundraising support, Mission of Innocents helped secure her traditional Ukrainian instrument, the Tsymbaly, enabling her to perform again.
She now contributes live music to community and cultural events, restoring both her artistic identity and cultural continuity.
Platon
Platon joined the programme aged seven while living onboard the accommodation ship. Initially a participant in arts sessions, he began proposing ideas and, with staff support, leading short creative workshops himself.
Today, he mentors peers in craft activities, demonstrating early leadership, creative confidence and a progression from participant to co-creator.
Diana
Diana, a trained ballroom dancer, joined the programme in 2023 and established new dance and cheerleading groups for teenage girls, later expanding sessions to younger children and mothers. Her work has strengthened peer networks, supported wellbeing and created sustainable, community-led activity beyond the initial resettlement phase.
Daniil Yudin
Daniil, a talented young performer with an operatic voice, has returned to the stage and resumed playing piano through Mission of Innocents, continuing to build his musical future in a new country.
Lena and Vika Chernovy
Twin sisters Lena and Vika were 10-years-old when they joined the programme after arriving in Edinburgh. They discovered a passion for dance through groups including Flowers of Ukraine and MyWay. Today, they perform at a high level and hope to pursue dance professionally.
Kateryna
Kateryna was five-years-old when her family relocated to Edinburgh. Now nine-years-old, she is active in the Harmony Choir, dance groups and creative workshops. Her mother says she has grown into a confident child with strong friendships and a renewed sense of joy.
To learn more about Mission of Innocents, please visit:
