Category: Leith

Magic! Community comes together for Harbour Homes’ inaugural North Edinburgh Awards

HARBOUR Homes’ North Edinburgh Awards are all about celebrating what makes Leith and north Edinburgh an amazing place to live.

The inaugural awards night, organised by Harbour Homes, took place at Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Thursday 23 October 2025. The evening kicked off with a magic show and community get-together before the winners were revealed.

Tenants of Harbour Homes and members of the local community nominated neighbours, volunteers, local businesses and community groups who they felt deserved a big thank you.

The categories were: Good Neighbour, Community Champion, Community Group, and Favourite Local Business.

Heather Kiteley, Chief Executive at Harbour Homes said: “We created this event to bring the community together as part of our 50th celebrations.

“It was a much-needed celebration of the people who make our communities great. All those nominated were deserving of the recognition on the night, and I am immensely grateful for the positive impact they have on the lives of our tenants and the wider community.”

The winners announced on the night were:

  1. Good Neighbour: Dana Hunter
  2. Community Champion: Daniel Ndlovu
  3. Community Group: The Citadel
  4. Favourite Local Business: Quirkys

Nominations were encouraged to shine a spotlight on the everyday heroes around us. Dana Hunter received several nominations for looking out for her neighbours and being a kind and caring member of the community.

Dana said: “I didn’t expect to be nominated or to win, a big thank you to my neighbours.”

Daniel Ndlovu participates as a youth volunteer with YMCA Edinburgh and was nominated for his fantastic attitude and commitment to improving his local community. He plays an important role in the Friday Night Lights project which has been linked with a 25% reduction in anti social behaviour on the evening it runs.

The Community Group Award went to The Citadel whose nominations highlighted the excellent work they do with young people and families of Leith. 

Willy Barr, Manager, The Citadel, said: “Winning the North Edinburgh Community Group Award was a real boost to everyone involved at The Citadel.

“We love being in the heart of the Community in Leith and we have so many stories of bringing people together, trying new things, facing challenges together but most important of all, having fun!

“Well done to the other finalists and winners – we are all part of what makes Leith a great place to be.”

Quirkys won Favourite Local Business and received multiple nominations for their helpfulness and for uplifting the appearance of the local area.

Stuart Wright, owner of Quirkys plants said: “Thank you so much for this massively encouraging award.

“I am really grateful to my fantastic customers who continue to support me and other small businesses.”

First Private Member’s Bill of new parliament made law by capital MP

Tracy Gilbert MP’s Absent Voting (Scotland and Wales) Bill, the first Private Member’s Bill of the new Parliament, has now received Royal Assent, officially becoming law.

The new legislation will make it easier for voters in Scotland and Wales to apply for a postal or proxy vote in devolved elections, allowing them to do so online.

Currently, voters must apply for postal or proxy votes using physical forms, a process that can be particularly challenging for people with disabilities or those living overseas. The new law will remove those barriers and modernise the voting system ahead of next year’s Scottish and Welsh elections.

Tracy Gilbert MP said: “I’m incredibly proud that my Bill has now become law, and as the first Private Member’s Bill of this Parliament to do so.

“It now gives both the Scottish and Welsh Governments the time they need to implement these changes ahead of next year’s Holyrood and Senedd elections, ensuring voters can benefit from this new, more accessible system.”

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.

#CommunityTaskForce

#LoveEdinburgh

LoveVolunteering

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.

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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!”

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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.