Category: Leith

Plans approved for Cables Wynd House and Linksview House upgrades

A planning application for the £69m retrofit of the two buildings, submitted by Collective Architecture, was approved by Development Management Sub-Committee on Wednesday (1 October).

Work will include substantial upgrades to ensure the two Category A listed buildings meet the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing – EESSH2. This is alongside wider improvements to bring the buildings in line with modern new-build standards.

The City of Edinburgh Council, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, is leading the transformative retrofit programme, aiming to dramatically improve energy performance, reduce carbon emissions and enhance living standards for residents. This team brings together expertise in architecture, engineering, energy strategy, carbon analysis and landscape design.

Cables Wynd House and Linksview House were both built in Leith in the 1960s and together provide 310 homes, the majority of which are owned by the Council for social rent.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: “I am delighted that the necessary planning consent for our plans to upgrade Cables Wynd House and Linksview House to provide safe, energy efficient and high-quality homes for residents there has been granted, enabling these long-awaited works to get underway, hopefully at pace.

“I am also grateful to residents for their proactive and positive engagement with us to shape the Council’s £69 million commitment to improving Cables Wynd and Linksview House – from campaigning for investment in their homes to participating in the consultation process and providing invaluable insight and input into our design proposals.”

Carl Baker, Architect, Passivhaus Certified Designer, Collective Architecture, said: “We’re thrilled that our retrofit proposals for Cables Wynd House and Linksview House have been granted planning permission and listed building consent.

“These approvals represent a major milestone in the life of two of Edinburgh’s most iconic post-war housing developments, both Category A listed and celebrated for their bold architectural character and social significance.

“Our proposals reflect Collective Architecture’s distinctive approach to retrofit, which carefully balances ambitious improvements to energy performance with the sensitive conservation and celebration of these landmark buildings, situated at the heart of a conservation area.

“This success is the result of a truly collaborative effort across the project team, including the expertise of our in-house specialists at Collective Energy and Collective Conservation.

“We’re excited to move into the next phase of the project and look forward to transforming these historic flats into warm, safe, and resilient places to live, fit for today’s residents and generations to come.”

Amongst the improvements that will be made are:

  • 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.

The project exemplifies how collaboration across disciplines can accelerate the decarbonisation of the built environment while delivering meaningful social impact.

Alongside the Council and Collective Architecture, the project team includes a wide range of expert organisations, with AtkinsRéalis as lead consultant and Collective Energy providing energy and sustainability consultation. Expertise in mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering is being provided by Blackwood Partnership, in structural engineering by Narro Associates and in landscaping by Urban Pioneers Landscape Architects.

The Council will continue to engage closely with residents throughout the design and construction process to make sure their needs are met.

View the planning application for Cables Wynd House and Linksview House online. 

Edinburgh families sleeping in layers of coats just to stay warm

The Leith Collective launches annual Winter Coat Exchange and hopes to make it more accessible than ever

With the temperature beginning to drop and energy prices continuing to rise, one local Community Interest Company is warning of the extreme measures some Edinburgh families are resorting to just to stay warm. 

Last year, The Leith Collective was responsible for redistributing more than 11,000 coats to those in need as part of their annual Winter Coat Exchange.

Many of those who benefitted from this initiative reported having to sleep in multiple layers of coats because they could not afford to switch on their heating. So this year, the team are calling on businesses, organisations, charities, community groups and individuals to get behind their campaign to bring warmth, comfort and dignity to even more people struggling this winter.

Launching TODAY on Wednesday 1st October, The Leith Collective is aiming to open official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Points right across the country. Here, members of the public will be able to donate good quality coats, and those in need can help themselves – free of charge, no questions asked.

Speaking ahead of the launch, The Leith Collective founder Sara Thomson said; “The number of families struggling to afford even basic essentials such as a warm winter coat is heartbreaking.

“So, this year we want our Winter Coat Exchange to be more accessible than ever. We want to see official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Points in every town and city across Scotland so that coats can be kept out of landfill and passed on to those who truly need them.”

One organisation keen to sign up to the scheme once again this year is the Edinburgh CIC, Let the People Sing. Founder Vicky Scoular said; “Many people struggling to make ends meet simply can’t afford to travel to pick up a coat, so it’s important that as many organisations as possible sign up to become an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point to make it accessible.

“We all have an important part to play in the fight against poverty.”

Organisations can sign up to become an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point at www.we-relove.com, the sustainable online marketplace from The Leith Collective.

The website also enables individuals in need to enter their postcode and find their nearest collection point, so they can get a quality coat without charge and without judgement.

Artist Trevor Jones’ EXPOS3D – Immersive Art Meets AI

ENTER WATCHED. EXIT AWARE: TREVOR JONES UNVEILS EXPOS3D, A RADICAL IMMERSIVE ART EXPERIENCE IN EDINBURGH

12–18 October 2025 | Custom House, Edinburgh

Acclaimed artist Trevor Jones recently announced the launch of EXPOS3D, a groundbreaking immersive exhibition that fuses painting, sculpture, stained glass, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology into an experience unlike anything the art world has seen.

For one week only – from 12 to 18 October – the historic Custom House in Leith will be transformed into a living system of interactive artworks, augmented reality and AI-driven installations.

At its centre is LOGOS, an all-seeing artificial intelligence that challenges audiences to reconsider how we live, think, and rebel in the age of technology.

EXPOS3D explores three defining tensions of our time:

  • Surveillance: the omnipresent gaze of technology that monitors, predicts, and controls
  • Faith: the shift from religious and cultural traditions toward new digital dependencies
  • Rebellion: the human instinct to resist, to question, and to reclaim freedom in the face of control

The result is a multi-sensory exhibition where visitors do not simply observe, but become participants in shaping their own digital world.

Key Works & Experiences

  • Giant AI-animated paintings that evolve in real time
  • LOGOS, an artificial intelligence entity that learns and reacts to viewers
  • The Sacaramemes, seven oil paintings that watch you as you watch them
  • Eyes of LOGOS, interactive installations that follow, recognise, and even call you by name
  • Immersive rewards system, where visitors unlock exclusive digital and physical gifts via the EXPOS3D app

Trevor Jones explains: “This is not an attack on tradition. It’s an observation of how much our world has changed.

“Where once people turned to God for answers, we now turn to machines. As the roots of faith weaken, we must confront what has been lost, what has been gained, and what it means for our future.”

A white lit up sign on a wall AI-generated content may be incorrect.

LED light – LOGOS (I Am The WORD)

A Seismic Shift

EXPOS3D responds to a profound cultural transformation: as religion loses its central role, technology steps into the vacuum, with phones, algorithms, and surveillance systems increasingly shaping human behaviour, choices, and beliefs. The exhibition challenges audiences to confront this shift and ask:

  • What is gained when machines take the place of gods?
  • What is lost when faith and freedom fade?
  • Where can rebellion still be found?

Exhibition Details

  • Dates: 12–18 October 2025
  • Venue: Custom House, 65–67 Commercial Street, Edinburgh
  • Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (1-hour slots, subject to availability)
  • Tickets: Free but ticketed via Eventbrite → EXPOS3D – Book Here

For more details on EXPOS3D, please visit: Trevor Jones Art – EXPOS3D

For more details on Trevor’s work, please visit: Trevor Jones Art

Edinburgh Tenants Federation to discuss damp and mould

THURSDAY 9th OCTOBER 6 – 8pm at NORTON PARK

Calling all tenants! Join ETF and a member of CEC for our next Federation Meeting to discuss damp and mould in the home.

Thursday 9th of October

6pm – 8pm

Norton Park Conference Centre

Call 0131 475 2509 or email info@edinburghtenants.org.uk if you require transport

Specsavers Edinburgh team highlight importance of eye health this National Eye Health Week

Specsavers at Shandwick Place in Edinburgh is celebrating it’s over two decade long commitment to promoting better eye health in the local community this National Eye Health Week (22nd – 28th September). 

As a locally owned and run store, Specsavers Shandwick Place is dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of people in the area. The high street retailer is keen to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye checks this National Eye Health Week, which runs from 22nd – 28th September 2025. 

With figures from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) revealing that one in five people will experience sight loss in their lifetime*, Specsavers Shandwick Place is urging locals to prioritise their eye health. 

Store director, Aly Uka says: ‘Many people don’t realise that sight loss can often be prevented or treated if a condition is caught early.

“Regular eye tests are essential for everyone, even if you think your vision is fine. Eye tests are not just about glasses, they can detect serious conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and even high blood pressure or risk of stroke.’

National Eye Health Week highlights how preventative care and early diagnosis are crucial in reducing unnecessary sight loss.

According to RNIB, 250 people in the UK begin to lose their sight every day, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages*. 

Eye health can also be affected by screen fatigue, especially as more people spend time on devices. Specsavers recommends following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away to help reduce strain and preserve vision. 

As a long-standing part of the Shandwick Place community, Specsavers is focused on highlighting that essential health services must be accessible and visible to everyone. 

For more information on Specsavers Shandwick Place or to book an appointment, call the store on 0131 240 8860 or visit:

https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/shandwickplace.

Specsavers have several other stores in and around Edinburgh, including:

  • Leith
  • Blackhall Sainsbury’s
  • Nicolson Street
  • Gyle Centre
  • Fort Kinnaird
  • Straiton Sainsbury’s
  • Cameron Toll
  • Morningside
  • Edinburgh Home Visits

Strange Town presents HER – a play all parents should see

Leith-based charity Strange Town returns this October with their acclaimed play ‘HER’ a bold and urgent performance about consent, gender inequality, and the pressures young people face today.

Established in 2008 by Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, Strange Town has spent 17 years creating life-changing arts experiences for young people across Edinburgh.

Long before the groundbreaking series Adolescence hit screens, Strange Town was already producing daring, original theatre in schools, giving pupils their first-ever experience of live performance while opening conversations about difficult topics such as knife crime, mental health, and social pressures.

HER, written by Jennifer Adam and directed by Steve Small, follows HIM and HER, childhood friends who have grown apart by the age of 17.

Loosely reconnecting at high school, they confront the challenges of teenage life, gender inequality, and the truth about consent. Through bold, honest storytelling, the play asks: how can you be the change you want to see in the world when it feels like the world is working against you?

‘This is such an important play — all parents, grandparents, and really anyone who wants to understand the challenges young people face today needs to see it, urgently. Our young people are navigating a world that many older people are completely unaware of and unprepared for.

‘Watching this performance helped me start conversations at home that I wouldn’t have known how to begin, and I am incredibly grateful for that.” — Audience Member

Open to audiences aged 14+, HER runs for two nights: Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October at 7pm at the Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh EH1 2ED

Times: 7pm (approx. 50 minutes)

Tickets: £15/£12/£10 https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/her-autumn-25

Strange Town has been hit by the well publicised funding cuts imposed by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB), leaving the future of its Touring Company — which brings bold, original theatre into schools across the city — under threat.

The charity depends on fundraising to sustain accessible arts opportunities for young people who might otherwise miss out.

Local people and businesses who want to help protect this vital work are encouraged to donate online or get in touch to explore other ways of support.   

https://strangetown.org.uk/about-us/donations-info-page/.

Top councillors shortlisted in annual LGIU and CCLA national Cllr Awards

LEITH LEFT-WINGER NOMINATED FOR AWARD

40 local councillors from across England, Wales and Scotland have been shortlisted for the 2025 LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards, the only national awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary work of councillors.

Only one – Katrina Faccenda – is a City of Edinburgh Councillor. Leith councillor Ms Faccenda is nominated in the Innovator of the Year category.

Now in their 16th year in England and 8th year in Scotland, the Cllr Awards highlight the vital contribution of councillors, often the unsung heroes of local democracy.

From championing residents’ interests to leading innovation in public services, councillors play a crucial role in shaping communities and improving lives, and they do so while giving up their time and energy for what is often a voluntary, unpaid role.

This year’s competition was extremely tight with more than 400 nominations received across five categories that celebrate the wide-ranging work of councillors: Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, Innovator of the Year and Lifetime Legend. 

The full England & Wales shortlist is available here and Scotland shortlist can be found here.

Winners in England & Wales will be announced on Tuesday 18 November at the Guildhall in London while winners in Scotland will be revealed on Wednesday 5 November at the Glasgow City Chambers. 

The Cllr Awards judging panels comprise senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. These are the only national awards to celebrate and showcase the work of individual councillors. This year’s awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners CCLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) said: “Our annual Cllr awards demonstrate the best of local government. With more thn 400 nominations, competition was extremely tight with inspiring stories of councillors up and down the country going the extra mile to 2improve their local area. 

“Councillors are at the heart of local democracy, working tirelessly to support their communities and drive change. These awards are about celebrating the often unseen but hugely important contribution councillors make every day.

“This year’s shortlist is a testament to the dedication, creativity and leadership shown by councillors across the country.

“Congratulations to all the councillors nominated and shortlisted and I look forward to announcing the winners in November.”

Lee Jagger, Local Government, Relationship Manager, CCLA said: “Every one of the councilors on the Cllr Awards shortlist this year has had a significant and positive impact on their communities and on the lives of their individual residents.

“That’s what the councillor role is all about – ordinary people trying to make the places that we live and work better.

“CCLA is very proud to have supported these Awards from the very beginning and to be part of this important celebration of the best of local government.”

LeithChooses: Applications Open!

WELLBEING IN LEITH GETS LEITHCHOOSES 2026 FUNDING BOOST

LeithChooses is delighted to announce that applications are now open for funding bids for community projects across the wider Leith area! 

Organisations can apply for up to £5,000 for a project that ‘enhances well-being for Leithers’ and applications will be put to the public vote on 24th January 2026 at Leith Community Centre, Kirkgate at the much-loved LeithChooses Community Vote Day. 

This year saw 11 new projects receive funding, following an exceptionally busy vote day, including a new children’s running group, summer holiday workshops for children and parents, tea dances for seniors, a playground mural and a multicultural celebration day.  

LeithChooses Chair, Councillor Susan Rae, said “Many organisations from Leith have benefited from our participatory budget fund in the past, and we are excited to see what innovative projects Leith groups come up with this time, on the theme of ‘well-being in Leith’.  

“LeithChooses is entering its 15th year and we never fail to be impressed by the enthusiasm and resilience of Leithers.” 

“We are really excited to see what ideas come forward’ said Councillor Jack Caldwell, also on the Steering Group.

“From Newhaven to Broughton, Constitution Street to Hillside, LeithChooses has funded many groups and activities and this year should be no different.”

Sally Millar, Leith Links Community Council and Steering Group member, stressed the need to get applications in soon. “Participatory Budgeting allows communities to have a direct say in how community budgets are spent and to choose priorities for spending.

“The voting day is a great chance for organisations and the public to meet others who live, work, study or volunteer in the area. Get those applications in!”

The application window is open until 22nd October 2025. You can fill it in by visiting leithchooses.net/applications-for-leithchooses-2025-26-are-now-open. 

Support is available for any organisation that wishes to take part, please get in touch via leithchooses.net/would-you-like-help-with-your-application.

LeithChooses was started in 2010 as “£eith Decides” and disperses Community Grant funding for Edinburgh Council Wards 12 and 13.

More information on LeithChooses, please contact susan.rae@edinburgh.gov.uk or visit leithchooses.net.

Coming Soon: Local Resistance

Something exciting is coming! Keep your eyes peeled for more information!

FILM HUB SCOTLAND are proud to support LOCAL RESISTANCE, a programme of local film screenings curated by – and for – communities in Wester Hailes, Muirhouse, Craigmillar and Leith.

WHALE Arts‘s touring programme will celebrate local stories of self-organising and solidarity across Craigmillar NowNorth Edinburgh ArtsThe CrannieDuncan Place LeithWHALE Arts. And just look at these beautiful posters 😍

✨ Get tickets: whalearts.co.uk/local-cinema/

👉 Read our interview with Local Resistance coordinator, Morvern Cunningham: http://filmhubscotland.com/…/the-local-cinema-network…/