We’re calling on people all around the Firth of Forth coastline to join us and this is a special callout to folk in East Lothian who might be interested in organising or joining a beach clean along our coastline!
We already have a few beach cleans taking place in east Lothian, but we’d love to see even more communities getting involved!
When you register your beach clean, you’ll have the opportunity to add it to the Big Forth Cleanup map. You’ll also receive lots of useful information, including:
Top tips for beach cleaning
Information to help you plan your event
Guidance on waste disposal from your local authority
Every clean makes a difference, so why not get involved and help us make an even bigger impact along the East Lothian coastline?
The Communist Party of Britain (CPB) has spoken out on women’s rights and opportunities in its campaign for the September 3rd City of Edinburgh Council by-elections. They ask ‘What is a feminist vote?’, ‘How do council policies affect women and girls?’
They condemn the City of Edinburgh Council for opposing the updated Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Code of Practice on single-sex spaces, and for failing to implement it.
The party is standing candidates Richard Shillcock (Southside/Newington ward) and Peter Olech (Portobello/Craigmillar ward). They are offering distinct feminist policies within a socialist alternative to the mainstream parties.
They say the lives of girls and women in Scotland are under attack—from the widening gap between rich and poor, from cuts and underfunding and from an epidemic of male violence.
Women’s lives.
We need to rebuild women’s ‘social wage’ by investing in public services that lift the load from women in childcare and social care, and by increasing bargaining power and raising wages for the women who work in them.
Women’s rights.
We need to urgently implement the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010. Edinburgh City Council must fully uphold women’s rights and protections under the Act, including the right to single-sex services. The Scottish Government should require all public bodies to fully implement the Act.
Violence against women.
We need to strengthen domestic abuse and sexual assault services for women and children, with secure long term investment in prevention. We need to support women to exit prostitution, with zero tolerance towards the sexual exploitation of women by men.
The local by-elections were triggered following the resignation of two local SNP councillors who were recently elected as MSPs to Holyrood.
The Communist Party urges voters across Southside/Newington and Portobello/ Craigmillar to use their first vote and their numbered preference votes to opt for the policies they believe in—ones that will defend and extend the rights and the quality of life of working people.
An Edinburgh woman whose breast cancer was discovered after a jellyfish sting has completed a gruelling 58km (36 miles) non-stop sea swim around Jersey to raise money for the NHS team that treated her.
Nicky Mather signed up for this 58km non-stop, non-wetsuited sea swim around Jersey challenge in 2021.
On a training swim in 2022 Nicky swam over a lion’s mane jelly fish at her local Portobello beach in Edinburgh and was stung all over the chest.
In the process of inspecting the sting she discovered a lump that was not the work of a jelly fish. Three weeks later she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, booked in for surgery and started on hormone therapy. After two rounds of surgery, 16 weeks of chemotherapy, intensive radiotherapy and further preventative treatment and medication she has gradually re-built her life.
It was important to Nicky to return to things that were not possible during treatment – including this swimming challenge. It has taken two years to carefully build back her swim fitness and cold-water acclimatisation to be ready whilst also balancing her recovery needs.
The swim
This swim requires a large helping hand from the formidable Jersey tides and currents and very little wind.
Nicky had been allocated a 5-day slot in which she could complete the swim, so really needed some luck for the right conditions to align! It didn’t look like she would get the low-wind forecast needed at all.
On Thursday morning just as she had resigned herself to not swimming and was preparing to go to work, she received a message from the pilot saying ‘Come to Jersey now – we’re swimming Saturday, meet at the boat 7.30am‘! So then a scramble to get herself and crew from Edinburgh to Jersey, supplies organised and to prepare herself mentally for swimming again.
When Nicky finally stepped off the boat and swam to the wall at Elizabeth Castle signalling the swim start, she felt so grateful to be able to do the swim at last.
The first two hours of the swim involved navigating around jaggy rocks so Nicky had to be separated from the main support boat and escorted by a very small boat until they reached deeper waters. She was very glad to be reunited with her support boat and ready for her first feed!
During the swim it is forbidden to be helped in any way: use of buoyancy or thermal aids and sports watches are banned, no one can touch the swimmer and the swimmer cannot touch the boat.
Fuelling has to happen whilst treading water. Nicky’s husband fed her liquid carbohydrate drink from the boat every 45 mins via a rope and bottle. Nicky also likes peaches in syrup as a treat to soothe the mouth and throat from ingesting too much salt water! It’s important to feed fast and keep swimming to avoid losing the tidal advantage so each pit-stop was no more than 15 seconds.
During the first 6 hours of the swim conditions were smooth and Nicky enjoyed swimming past the different places where she had trained for this swim over the past few years.
Jersey is a bit like a rectangle and every time she turned a “corner” she noticed the water became suddenly confused and could feel the currents pulling her in different ways. The second half of the swim the wind picked up and it became much more ‘wavey and choppy’. It was hard to see much other than the very large barrel jellyfish wizzing past underneath Nicky on the currents.
Nicky did however notice the large ferry gliding past at one point and a speeding RIB that came a bit too close to the boat for the pilot’s liking!!! Nicky was very grateful to have a very experienced, alert pilot and crew to keep her safe in very busy waters.
The final 45 mins were really tough, swimming very tired into a headwind. Nicky was very relieved and delighted to touch the walls of Elizabeth Castle again 11 hours 41 mins after starting!
Nicky says: “Overall it was a beautiful and special swim. Touching the finishing wall was not just about completing the swim – it was about celebrating what is possible and making the most of each day.
“This swim is dedicated to the amazing NHS staff at the Western General Hospital and my local Colinton GP surgery. Their swift interventions, expertise and support are the reason I am here and was able to finally complete this swim.”
Nicky is hoping to raise £4000 for the Breast Cancer Institute of Edinburgh at the Western General Hospital Fund S03181.
This Fund is held within and managed by NHS Lothian Charity and is locally administered by stewards with strong links to the Edinburgh Breast Unit.
Every pound raised will support breast cancer research, specialist equipment, education and enhancements to the patient experience:
First year students at Portobello High had an extra surprise waiting for their very first day at high school yesterday – solar eclipse glasses!
Students were able to watch the solar eclipse safely last night thanks to the Royal Astronomer of Scotland.
Over 300 pupils have been given solar eclipse glasses so they can watch the most significant solar eclipse since 1999. Around 90 per cent of the sun will be blocked by the moon today, Wednesday 12 August 2026, from around 6pm.
Watching the rare phenomenon that creates a few moments of darkness requires special glasses so permanent damage isn’t caused to the eyes. The eye wear has been proving very difficult to source and any shops with stock selling out instantly.
The Royal Astronomer of Scotland, Professor Catherine Heymans, has been working alongside Portobello High School students in a space programme with the physics department and has provided 300 of the glasses for the entire S1 class.
Convenor for Education, Children and Families. James Dalgleish, said: “This is a fantastic gift for our first year students at Portobello High School.
“An eclipse is such a rare event with the last being in 1999 and the next in the UK to be in 2090. It is fantastic for our young people to be able to watch the solar eclipse safely.
“Seeing a solar eclipse is a life event and could well inspire a whole new generation of astronomers for Edinburgh.”
A man has been jailed for seven years for the serious sexual assault of a woman in Edinburgh.
Abdul Farid Nabizada, 36, attacked a woman in the Portobello area of Edinburgh on Friday, 12 November, 2021.
He was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today Tuesday, 11 August, 2026, after previously being found guilty at the same court on Tuesday, 7 July, 2026.
He has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely and a non-harassment order was also granted.
Detective Inspector Kirsty McArthur said: “This was a shocking attack on a woman in the city, and Nabizada will now face the consequences of his despicable actions.
“We remain committed to tackling sexual crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. I’d encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us.
“We’ll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
Richard Shillcock and Peter Olech are launching a campaign featuring Palestinian flag leaflets to challenge UK complicity in the Gaza genocide and the involvement of local arms manufacturers.
Richard Shillcock, the Communist Party of Britain candidate for the Southside/Newington council by-election, has declared that the formal twinning of Edinburgh with Gaza City will be a key issue in the party’s campaign.
Speaking ahead of the 3 September 2026 council by-elections, Shillcock condemned the ongoing humanitarian crisis, uniting with fellow Communist candidate Peter Olech (standing in Portobello/Craigmillar ward) to call on all candidates to join a cross-party pledge supporting this international friendship move.
The Communist Party campaign features a unique election leaflet that folds out into the Palestinian flag for window display.
“As a father myself, it breaks my heart to have been protesting against the genocide in Gaza for nearly three years and to have been unable to prevent the murder of some 20,000 children there by the US-backed Israeli state, and the damaging and wounding of untold more children,” said Shillcock.
“I don’t need to describe this further—we’ve seen it on our screens every day.”
The move deliberately revives a contentious local political debate. In 2022, a citizen-led petition and a subsequent motion brought by Green councillors to explore twinning options were rejected by the City of Edinburgh Council following legal objections and administrative delays.
Richard Shillcock and Peter Olech are asking voters to use these elections to overturn that precedent.
In a joint statement, the candidates said: “We welcome other candidates and parties joining the pledge to pursue the twinning issue, whether or not elected to the council. Let’s see a majority of voters choosing candidates who support twinning Edinburgh with Gaza City.”
Richard Shillcock made three points linking Palestine directly to the Scottish capital:
Universal Humanity: The crisis is the defining moral issue of our generation.
State Complicity: The UK government continues to provide extensive military, economic, diplomatic, logistical, and intelligence support to the Israeli state.
Local Financial and Military Links: Corporate entities operating within Edinburgh connect the city directly to the Israeli state and military apparatus: the Leonardo UK arms company and Barclays Bank, a primary trader in Israeli government bonds.
The Communist Party of Britain is urging Southside/Newington and Portobello/Craigmillar voters to send a clear message against domestic complicity in overseas conflicts.
Aldi Portobello set to welcome visitors from around the world after being recognised as an authentic food and drink destination, with hundreds of Scottish products on its shelves.
As millions of visitors descend on Edinburgh for this summer’s Fringe, Aldi is preparing to welcome festival-goers in search of an authentic Scottish food experience.
The Aldi Portobello store has become one of the only supermarkets in Scotland to feature among Edinburgh’s top Things To Do on Tripadvisor, putting it alongside many of the capital’s most iconic visitor attractions.
Recognised for its extensive range with hundreds of Scottish food and drink products, the store is becoming an unlikely foodie destination for international and UK visitors keen to taste the very best of Scotland.
In 2026, Aldi topped the National Farmers Union (NFU)’s largest-ever supermarket shelf study for Scottish own-label sourcing, with an average of 65% Scottish-origin products, significantly ahead of other major retailers.
Aldi’s extensive range offers festival-goers the chance to discover produce from some of the country’s best-loved suppliers, including ice cream from Equi’s made with Scottish milk and cream, locally grown berries from Angus Soft Fruits and baked favourites from Brownings, making the Portobello store an unexpected but distinctly Scottish addition to the Fringe itinerary.
To celebrate its new Things To Do status, visitors can also pick up one of Aldi’s limited-edition Edinburgh Fringe postcards for free giving festival-goers a fun way to share their favourite memories and foodie discoveries with friends and family, while inspiring others to experience Edinburgh and its vibrant food scene for themselves.
Alan Leslie, Buying Director at Aldi Scotland said: “The Edinburgh Fringe welcomes millions of visitors from around the world each year, and for many, trying Scotland’s fantastic food and drink is an essential part of the experience.
“We’re proud to work with so many Scottish suppliers to bring high-quality local produce to our shelves, so it’s fantastic that our Portobello store has been listed as somewhere visitors can enjoy an authentic taste of Scotland.
“Whether people are stopping by to sample some of Scotland’s finest produce, picking up essentials before a show or sending one of our limited-edition postcards home to share the excitement of the Fringe, we’re looking forward to welcoming festival visitors through our doors.”
Aldi Scotland has an ongoing commitment to championing Scottish producers, with the supermarket working with a range of local suppliers and investing millions in Scotland’s food and drink industry every year.
Join Portobello Running Club on Sunday 30 August at 10:00am for four miles of racing along Portobello Beach at low tide.
Every finisher will receive a bespoke wooden Portobello Beach Race keyring as a lasting memento of the day.
All proceeds will support two fantastic good causes:
Equal access to sporting enrichment activities at Towerbank Primary School Fresh Start, helping people who have experienced homelessness establish themselves in their new homes
There is plenty more to look forward to:
£50 Up & Running vouchers for both our male and female winners More fantastic winners’ prizes A huge variety of spot prizes, giving runners throughout the field the chance to win A raffle featuring more than £400 worth of prizes A delicious community bake sale
The race is friendly, inclusive and welcoming to runners of all abilities. Come along to race, support brilliant local causes and enjoy a fantastic morning on the beach!
Returning Officer for the City of Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence said: “With nominations now closed and just over a month to go until polling day, residents in these wards can start thinking about who they will vote for.
“Councillors play a key role in our democratic system, making crucial decisions that impact our city.
“I’d encourage everyone who is eligible to register to vote in plenty of time, and then make their voices heard in September.”
Poll cards will be delivered to registered voters in the area from today, with further information on when and where to vote.
If you live in these wards, the deadline to register to vote in these by-elections is 18 August. For new postal vote applications, it’s 19 August and for new proxy votes it’s 26 August.
Find out more about registering to vote on the Council website.
The election will use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, where voters rank candidates in order of preference, rather than using a single cross. Voters can rank as many or as few candidates as they like.
Polling places will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 3 September.
Please check your polling place as this may have changed since the last time you voted. If you bring your polling card to vote this will help us and speed up the process, but this isn’t mandatory.
Polling Places (Ward 15):
Nelson Hall Community Centre (New for 2026)
Blackford and Grange Parish Church Centre
St. Catherine’s Argyle Church
Newington Trinity Church
Reid Memorial Church Hall
75th Braid Scouts’ Millar Hall
Cameron House Community Education Centre
Polling Places (Ward 17):
Portobello Library (New for 2026)
Branch Out Together
St Mark’s Episcopal Church (New for 2026)
Bingham Community Centre
St Martins Parish Church
Craigmillar Library
Hays Business Centre
Newcraighall Leith Victoria FC
The electronic count will take place at Waverley Court, starting at the close of poll at 10pm on September 3.
Edinburgh Leisure has set out the next steps in the refurbishment of Portobello Swim Centre following a major public consultation which showed overwhelming support for investment in the much-loved community facility.
The consultation, carried out independently during May and June 2026, gathered views from customers, user groups and local residents. It found that 91% of respondents support investment in the centre, while 95% recognise it as an important community asset.
Taking this feedback into account, Edinburgh Leisure and the City of Edinburgh Council will now move forward with the next stage of design development. The design team will use the consultation findings to finalise a design for approval, with a focus on improving facilities while protecting the character, heritage and community value of the iconic building.
A design shaped by the community
The next phase of the project will focus on developing a design that reflects what customers said matters most. This includes considering:
How changing facilities can be upgraded to better meet customer needs
Improvements to layout, cleanliness, accessibility and family provision
The importance of retaining the building’s unique character, including its natural light and sea views
The consultation findings will now be reviewed in detail by the design team as they develop the final design for approval.
Moving into the next phase
The project will now move into further design development and approval stages, with updated designs and visuals shared with the public once the design has been progressed.
Subject to final approvals, the next steps will include:
Finalising a design for approval and securing the necessary consents
Appointing contractors
Confirming timelines for refurbishment works
Edinburgh Leisure has also committed to providing regular updates throughout the project, with 95% of consultation respondents stating they wanted to be kept informed as plans progress.
Supporting customers through change
The consultation highlighted that temporary closure of the centre is the biggest concern for customers, with more than 80% indicating they would be affected by any period of closure.
Edinburgh Leisure will develop a comprehensive customer support plan ahead of the refurbishment, including access to alternative facilities, swim lesson arrangements and flexible membership options to minimise disruption wherever possible.
A long-term investment in Portobello
The refurbishment aims to ensure Portobello Swim Centre continues to serve the community for generations to come, improving the quality of facilities while maintaining the character and heritage that make it one of Edinburgh’s most valued leisure venues.
Claire Rusack, Operations Director at Edinburgh Leisure, said:“We would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and shared their views.
“The message from the community was clear – people strongly support investment in Portobello Swim Centre, but they also want to protect the features that make it such a special place.
“The design team will now use that feedback to finalise a design for approval. This will ensure the next stage focuses on improving changing facilities, accessibility and the overall customer experience, while taking account of the natural light, sea views and heritage character that customers told us they value most.
“Portobello Swim Centre is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic leisure facilities and this investment will help safeguard its future, ensuring it continues to support active, healthy communities for many years to come.”
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said:“Portobello Swim Centre is an important part of Edinburgh’s sporting and cultural heritage, and we welcome the high level of public interest in shaping its future.
“The consultation has provided clear and valuable feedback which will help inform the next stage of design development.
“We’re committed to working closely with our partners and the local community to breathe new life into this much-loved landmark space in a way that protects the building’s historic character while creating modern, high-quality facilities for future generations.”
Top tips for beach cleaning
Information to help you plan your event
Guidance on waste disposal from your local authority
Register your beach clean and get involved! https://balancedhorizon.org/big-forth-cleanup/
Portobello Beach Race 2026 
Equal access to sporting enrichment activities at Towerbank Primary School
£50 Up & Running vouchers for both our male and female winners
More fantastic winners’ prizes
A huge variety of spot prizes, giving runners throughout the field the chance to win
A raffle featuring more than £400 worth of prizes
A delicious community bake sale
