Category: North Edinburgh News

Former Holyrood Minister Sarah Boyack becomes Planning Aid Scotland Patron

Former Scottish Government Minister and MSP Sarah Boyack has become the new Patron of Planning Aid Scotland, a charity helping people across Scotland understand the planning system and have a say in decisions affecting their communities.

Sarah was formally welcomed as Patron at the charity’s Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh on 28 October 2026.

Sarah Boyack said: “I am delighted to become a Patron of Planning Aid Scotland and look forward to supporting the excellent work delivered in our communities.” 

With a background spanning town planning, public service and the third sector, Sarah brings considerable experience to the role. She previously worked as a professional town planner before entering politics, serving as an MSP and holding ministerial responsibilities. Sarah was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, at its inception, and went on to serve as Minister with responsibility for planning, transport and environment during its formative years.

She also worked as Head of Public Affairs at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and served as Convener of the Scottish Branch of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Sarah has supported Planning Aid Scotland for a number of years, including helping the charity celebrate its 30th anniversary and sponsoring an event at the Scottish Parliament in 2024.

Welcoming Sarah’s appointment, Cherie Morgan, Chief Executive of Planning Aid Scotland, said: “Sarah brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and keen vision of the purpose of planning in Scotland.

“We are looking forward to working with her to extend our reach and to ensure that communities are empowered to shape decisions about their place.”

Her appointment comes as Planning Aid Scotland continues its work to make planning more accessible and support communities in influencing how their neighbourhoods, towns and local areas develop.

The charity provides free, impartial and confidential advice to people navigating the planning system, from understanding planning applications to exploring opportunities to influence local development.

It also works directly with communities across Scotland, supporting them to develop Local Place Plans, engage with planning decisions and identify priorities for the future of their areas.

Planning Aid Scotland has been helping people across Scotland for more than 30 years, supported by volunteers, most of whom are Chartered Planners, who contribute their knowledge and experience to make the planning system more understandable and accessible.

To find out more about Planning Aid Scotland or access its free planning Advice Service, visit www.pas.org.uk.

Learning to drive support for Edinburgh parents and carers

Would being able to drive help you manage your caring role better, or access more opportunities for paid work?

Barnardo’s Works East of Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council can help parent carers with:

– Driving theory

– Practical lessons

– Getting a CBT license (compulsory basic training for driving motorbikes or mopeds)

– Employability support

– Funded childcare for while you are learning to drive

Contact rhianna.james@barnardos.org.uk / 07879 893 072 or rachel.nanson@barnardos.org.uk / 07516 587 310 for more information.

Norton Park provides new home for children’s charity

Children’s Parliament furthers mission for children’s rights with new office

A MAJOR Scottish charity is advancing its fight for children’s rights as they move into Edinburgh’s ‘home of charities’.

Children’s Parliament is dedicated to the realisation of children’s human rights. Founded 30 years ago, the organisation has played a pivotal role in promoting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Scotland, working to understand the issues that matter to children and bring these discussions to policy makers.

Now, the charity is entering a new stage of growth, moving into the Norton Park offices in Edinburgh. Located in the heart of Leith, the former a primary and secondary school catered to generations of Edinburgh youngsters since 1903. It now provides the perfect setting for Children’s Parliament to expand its operations.

Currently housing over 25 charities and social enterprises, Norton Park itself has a rich history as a former school, serving generations of Edinburgh students since 1903. It transitioned to its current role hosting non-profit organisations in 1998 and has since become an independent registered charity.

The new headquarters also provides a valuable base for building closer relationships with the surrounding Leith community, with the organisation already reaching out to local schools.

Louise Hill, Director of Children’s Parliament, said: “Making the move to Norton Park is about more than simply finding a new office. To be surrounded by other organisations who share our values and are passionate about driving social change creates lots of opportunities for us to learn from one another and work together.

“With Norton Park also being a charity, they understand what third-sector organisations need. The facilities and staff are fantastic, and everyone has been so welcoming since we arrived. It’s lovely to be part of a wider community of social enterprises.”

Working with children to demonstrate human rights in action and influence decision makers, Children’s Parliament ensures children understand their rights and ensures their views are heard by local and national decision makers.

The charity is also working to tackle child poverty through its Child Power project, encouraging children to become advocates for change and giving them a greater say in the decisions affecting their lives.

The move marks an important milestone for the charity, with Norton Park providing workspaces for third-sector organisations significantly below market rates, allowing the organisation to put more funding into its mission.

Keith Robertson, Chief Executive of Norton Park, said: “We’re proud to welcome Children’s Parliament to Norton Park. Given the building’s history as a school, it’s a fitting home for a charity dedicated to giving children a voice.

“The environment we’ve created is specially designed to encourage collaboration and cooperation between charities. Children’s Parliament is already showing the value of this approach, building relationships with fellow organisations and exploring opportunities to work together to drive positive change across Scotland.”

Scotland’s ‘Poppy Army’ to pause for reflection after blockbuster 2026 fundraising finale

A wave of generosity swept across Scotland this weekend as thousands of volunteers completed the final, crucial push for the 2026 Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Affectionately known as “Poppy Saturday,” the country’s streets, train stations, shopping centres, and supermarkets were painted red by an army of dedicated collectors. 

Veterans, young cadets, and members of the public joined forces to ensure the annual campaign ended on a high, raising vital funds for Scotland’s Armed Forces community.

The extraordinary weekend efforts lead directly into Remembrance Sunday (November 8th), where at 11am, the nation will fall silent for two minutes in a moment of reflection for all those who have fallen in conflicts over the years.  

Richard Todd, National Poppy Appeal Manager – Scotland, expressed immense gratitude for the public’s response: “The energy and support we have witnessed – not just during Poppy Saturday, but over the last three weeks across every corner of the country – has been nothing short of spectacular.

“Every single digital donation, coin or note dropped into a tin enables us to continue our support for veterans, serving personnel, and their families.

“Quite simply, we exist to ensure they are supported every step of the way, and that is only possible because of the incredible generosity of the public.”

As Scotland’s largest annual fundraising campaign, the Scottish Poppy Appeal distributes millions of iconic poppies throughout October and November. 

This year’s campaign shone a dedicated spotlight on the vital, yet often unsung, support network behind every uniform, reminding the public that the sacrifices of service extend far beyond the frontline and ensuring that military families receive the recognition and support they rightfully deserve. 

Every donation to the Scottish Poppy Appeal goes toward providing life-changing financial aid, housing support, employment advice, and mental health services to our Armed Forces community here in Scotland.

To discover how your donation changes lives, or to find support, visit:

www.poppyscotland.org.uk.

Funding boost for Tap Into IT

Edinburgh based charity Tap Into IT have secured an unrestricted grant totalling £40,000 over 2 years from Bank of Scotland Foundation’s funding programme, Energise. 

Started in 2012, Tap into IT exists to enable within Edinburgh older people and those with disabilities to stay socially connected and involved by providing patient, person-centred and accessible digital support that reduces anxiety and builds confidence in using modern technology.

We target the estimated 21,000 adults over 75 in Edinburgh who remain offline and the high proportion of those online who have limited digital skills and confidence. We support those who are, or at risk of becoming isolated due to limited mobility, cognitive impairments such as dementia and the risk of exclusion as essential services move exclusively online.

We deliver our services ‘where people are’, familiar community locations or their own homes, removing barriers to access and of anxiety. 

Through a blend of small-group sessions and one-to-one home visits, we build the skills and confidence and provide the support necessary to navigate the modern world. As part of our support, we help individuals customise their technology—such as utilising voice-activated services—to bypass physical or cognitive barriers. The impact is transformative. 

Mike Ellis, the Executive Director at Tap Into IT said “This generous grant from the Bank of Scotland will enable us to better pursue our existing growth strategy and help bridge the ‘digital divide’ which can exclude older people from online services.

“The need for this is growing and increasingly access to the digital domain is a necessity, not just a convenience. We are encouraged that the Bank of Scotland has recognised the value of our work, and the potential we have.” 

Donald MacKechnie, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees said, “We are delighted to award Tap Into IT with £40,000 of funding.

“The cost-of-living crisis means many charities are struggling with increasing expenditure, at a time when the demand for their services is as great as ever. Our grant awards will help charities through the challenging months ahead.” 

Since 2010, the Bank of Scotland Foundation through their Grant Programmes and Matched Giving Programme for Lloyds Banking Group colleagues in Scotland, have provided over £50 million to more than 2,900 charities, supporting a wide ecosystem of charities delivering vital local services, advice and personal support.

Together, these charities provide help at significant scale – supporting people at different points in their lives, often through more than one service. 

Over time, this collective and sustained support has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands, demonstrating both the breadth and depth of impact made possible through their funding

For more information about Bank of Scotland Foundation and its grant programmes, please visit www.bankofscotlandfoundation.org

Minister visits Heriot-Watt as University opens new routes into town planning

A ministerial visit to Heriot-Watt University has highlighted the importance of developing Scotland’s future planners, as the University creates new routes into town planning to help tackle skills shortages and build the workforce needed to shape the country’s communities and places.

Together with Scottish Government, employers and professional partners, the University is widening access to the profession and helping to meet growing demand for planners across the country. Its work includes a new Graduate Apprenticeship pathway, specialist pathways in areas such as Digital Twin and Infrastructure Planning, and student placements with the Planning Improvement Service.

This work was showcased on Thursday 5 November, ahead of World Town Planning Day (Sunday 8 November 2026), when Scotland’s Minister for Public Finance, Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP, visited the university’s Edinburgh campus to meet planning students and staff, including Dr Sacha Hasan, Head of Discipline for Planning and Real Estate.

Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP, Minister for Public Finance, said: “It has been fantastic meeting future planners and staff at Heriot-Watt University. I truly believe that planning is a frontline service. There is nothing more important than the places we call home and the places and spaces that we spend most of our time in.

“Our planners have a hugely important role in shaping and creating how Scotland looks and how our places and homes feel and it’s vital that we engage with future planners to understand how exactly we can give support and visibility to the planning profession across Scotland going forward.”

The Minister also heard from recent recipients of scholarships funded by the Scottish Government’s Future Planners Bursary, which aims to attract and support the next generation of planning professionals, with awards available to eligible students at Heriot-Watt and other Scottish universities.

The discussions focused on the growing demand for planners and the importance of creating new routes into the profession. The visit also highlighted Heriot-Watt’s recently launched Graduate Apprenticeship pathway in planning, which offers a flexible learning approach for individuals seeking to enter or progress within the sector while continuing to work.

In addition, students and recent scholarship recipients had the opportunity to share their experiences of studying planning and pursuing careers which will shape the future of Scotland’s communities and places.

Dr Sacha Hasan, Head of Discipline for Planning and Real Estate at Heriot-Watt University, said: “Planning plays a critical role in Scotland’s future, from supporting sustainable development and economic growth to helping communities adapt to changing social and environmental needs.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP to Heriot-Watt and discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the profession. By working closely with government and industry, we can help develop the skilled planning workforce Scotland needs and create accessible pathways for people from a wide range of backgrounds to enter the profession.

These efforts are closely aligned with Heriot-Watt Strategy 2035, which builds on our long-standing commitment to widening access to higher education while continuing to deliver excellence and innovation in planning education.”

Alex MacLaren, Associate Professor of Architecture at Heriot-Watt University, said: “Universities have a vital role to play in developing the talent, knowledge and innovation needed to support Scotland’s future workforce.

“We are proud to work alongside the Scottish Government and industry partners to help address skills challenges in the planning profession. Through initiatives such as our new Graduate Apprenticeship pathway, we are creating new opportunities for learners while helping to meet the needs of employers and communities across Scotland.”

The visit comes ahead of World Town Planning Day on 8 November, an annual opportunity to recognise the vital role planners play in creating sustainable, inclusive and prosperous places.

Heriot-Watt currently offers postgraduate planning education and, through its close collaboration with industry, local authorities, professional partners and communities, continues to innovate in both the content and delivery of its planning programmes to meet the evolving needs of the profession.

Recent developments include specialist pathways in areas such as Digital Twin and Infrastructure Planning, as well as working alongside the Planning Improvement Service to provide placement opportunities for students as part of their programme.

Find out more about planning courses and careers.

Council Leader reflects on Bonfire Night

The Council Leader has thanked residents and partners for their efforts in keeping communities safe during Bonfire Night celebrations:

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “While it’s encouraging to see that Bonfire Night was broadly a peaceful evening across the city, I was angry and disappointed to see isolated incidents of disorder, with a small minority seemingly intent on causing fear and alarm in our communities.

“We cannot and must not accept this type of mindless behaviour, in particular the targeting of our emergency services, and I hope those responsible are caught and brought to justice as soon as possible.

“For all that, I’m pleased that the majority of our residents were able to enjoy the celebrations in the way we would expect – with friends and loved ones at community-led displays – and that bus services were able to run as normal.

 “Months of planning and close partnership working have gone into preparing for this period, and I’d like to thank our council teams, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Lothian Buses, community organisations and our other partners for all their efforts.

“Our approach has focused on prevention as well as enforcement, from Firework Control Zones to engaging with young people and providing positive alternative activities. The organised events across the city also went well, offering families and communities the opportunity to come together. I’m grateful to everyone who has played their part in making these efforts count.

“I’d like to reiterate my thanks to residents for acting responsibly, looking out for one another and helping to keep their neighbourhoods safe – and hope that they will remember Bonfire Night for all the right reasons.”

Students go behind the scenes at Royal High School restoration

The University has agreed a new partnership with the Royal High School Preservation Trust 

Engineering students from Edinburgh Napier University went behind the scenes at the £70 million project to restore Edinburgh’s former Royal High School, as part of a new partnership with the Royal High School Preservation Trust (RHSPT).

Twenty students visited the historic Calton Hill building to see first-hand the scale and complexity of the restoration project to preserve and restore Thomas Hamilton’s neo-classical masterpiece and transform it into Scotland’s new National Centre for Music.

On the day, the students were able to see first-hand some of the unique challenges facing engineers and construction teams as they work to restore and adapt the building, including the need to work with and around the ancient bedrock of Calton Hill into which Hamilton’s original design was built.

The new partnership between Edinburgh Napier University and RHSPT is also supported by a legacy gift made through the Edinburgh Napier University Development Trust. 

The gift comes from the legacy of the late philanthropist Dr Ian Tomlin, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University in 1995 and was known for his love of music and his support for musicians in the early stages of their careers.

Kate Smith, Chief Executive and Development Director of the Royal High School Preservation Trust, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome students from Edinburgh Napier to the site to see the progress being made and hear about the innovative approaches being taken to preserve and restore this extraordinary building.

“The students were able to learn about challenges involved in a project of this scale and complexity and how this building will be transformed into a new National Centre for Music.

“We are also delighted to receive this legacy gift through our new partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, a university known for its strong, industry-focused music programme, breadth of specialisms and strong links to Scotland’s professional music scene.”

Thanking the RHSPT and Robertson Group for the visit, Professor Zack Moir, Professor of Music at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “This is a really exciting project for us because it allows us to work with the Royal High School Preservation Trust and the National Centre of Music, and be part of such an exciting venture for the city. 

“We have been able to do this through the bequest of Dr Ian Tomlin, to support performance and ongoing music education for students at Edinburgh Napier – in addition to the support he offered throughout his life. 

“It really gives our students the opportunity to be part of the cultural fabric of Edinburgh.”

The group of Civil Engineering students also found the opportunity ‘priceless’, as they gained insight into a unique project which poses a range of unique challenges.

Riona Sorianosos (20) said: “When I heard we were doing a site visit I thought we would be viewing things from afar, but to actually get down amongst the works and see what they are doing up close was really valuable.

“So was hearing about the way they have had to adapt to the building and the landscape, bringing in mini-excavators and equipment that can fit through the doors and how all of this equipment runs electrically on site.”

Kyle Forgan (20) continued: “I have never been to a site this big before and to see it in-depth was really quite breathtaking.

“It was really interesting to talk through the challenges of working on a listed, protected building of this size and scale and hear the roadblocks that have appeared on the way and how efficiently they have been handled.”

Julia Krzeszewska (21) added: “Hearing about how they have adapted during the course of the build was very valuable, as was seeing the excavations up close.

“It is one thing hearing about something in a lecture or learning about it in a book but actually seeing it, especially in a unique design like this, one that they have had to work around, has been really special.”

Edinburgh Library Service recognised at National Awards

EXPERIENCES OF RAIN INTERCULTURAL PROJECT WINS AWARD

SLIC awards , Stirling 2026 – Pics by Alan Peebles

The National Library of Scotland has been recognised at the 2026 Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) Awards for demonstrating the innovation and impact of library services through its intercultural project exploring shared heritage through creativity.

The Edinburgh based service was presented with the Project Excellence Award for Experiences of Rain at the SLIC showcase and AGM at The Barracks in Stirling yesterday (Friday 6 November).

The annual awards, judged by an independent panel led by SLIC Chair Alan Clarke, alongside guest judges Garrett Baylor Stell, a journalist with The Herald’s specialist education team, and Susan Calcluth, Scotland Lead for the National Year of Reading 2026, celebrate library teams and projects that have enhanced learning, wellbeing and community engagement through pioneering staff-driven initiatives.

The National Library of Scotland’s project brought together seven people with lived experience of migration to explore personal memories and cultural connections to rain, drawing on the Library’s collections and creating a sound installation for its 2026 exhibition.

Through creative workshops led by poet and storyteller Dr Tawona Sitholé and sound artist Ros Fraser, participants shared stories, music and perspectives from different cultures, building connections with one another and the Library. The installation became a central part of the Rain exhibition, which attracted a record 28,531 visitors in its first two months.

Judge Susan Calcluth praised the project, saying: “A distinctive and moving example of co-creation, Experiences of Rain explores both the connections we share and the different meanings rain holds across cultures.

“It demonstrates the power of creativity and shared experience to bring people together.”

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow was highly commended in the category for Maximising Audubon’s The Birds of America, a project combining conservation, digitisation and public engagement to bring one of Scotland’s rare library treasures to wider audiences.

The work contributed to a threefold increase in enquiries and a rise in visitors from 351 to 1,478 within four months.

Midlothian Library Service was named Team of the Year for its whole-service approach to developing libraries as community hubs, while South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Libraries won the inaugural Jacqueline Geekie Award for Excellence in Digital Innovation for an imaginative digital resource bringing the library experience into classrooms, while

For more information, visit scottishlibraries.org/funding/the-slic-awards/