Category: South Queensferry

Pupils swap classrooms for Lovell construction site 

Lovell has opened its South Queensferry development to local young people, recently welcoming 51  pupils from Echline Primary School to the site and supporting work experience opportunities. The  education project gives young people a hands-on introduction to construction and the wide range of  careers involved in building new homes. 

The Crossings is a major mixed-tenure development that will deliver 398 homes, including 100 for  social rent in partnership with Sanctuary Scotland, 185 homes for private rent through Sigma Simple  Life, 113 private homes for sale by Lovell Homes and 14 commercial units. The development will also  support more than 300 local jobs. 

The education activity forms part of the ongoing commitment by Lovell to deliver social value in  communities where it builds, helping to create opportunities for young people and strengthen  pathways into employment.

It comes at a time when attracting new talent to the construction sector  is increasingly important, with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimating that Scotland  will need to recruit 26,100 additional construction workers by 2028 to meet future demand. 

Tony Rankin, Regional Managing Director at Lovell, said: “Construction offers a huge range of  opportunities, but too often young people only know about a few job roles in the industry. Opening  up our sites like this is about showing them the bigger picture and helping them understand the many  different career routes available. 

“With Scotland needing to attract thousands of additional workers to the construction sector over the  coming years, it’s vital we support the next generation to see the possibilities and feel confident that  there is a place for them in the industry.” 

As part of the programme, P7 pupils from Echline Primary School were guided through a series of live  demonstrations by Site Manager Kevin Kelly from Lovell, including broadband installation,  underground pipework and the various stages involved in completing new homes.

The groups also visited a nearly completed home, where they learned about painting and had the chance to try it for  themselves. 

The tour concluded with a discussion about the wide range of roles involved in delivering new homes,  from trades and engineering through to design, planning and project management. 

Laura Marshall, P7 teacher at Echline Primary School, said: “This was a fantastic experience for our  pupils. Seeing a live site and speaking directly with the team helped them understand how homes are  built and how many different roles are involved.

“It’s important that young people are given  opportunities like this to explore career paths they might not have considered and it was very inspiring  for the children.” 

The visit is part of a wider programme of activity by Lovell that engages local schools and young people  in South Queensferry. Lovell teams have interacted with hundreds of pupils from Echline Primary  School and Queensferry High School through site visits, workshops and career sessions. Additionally,  15 surveying graduates from Hardies, the employer’s agent on the development, visited to learn more  about construction operations and live-site working. 

Lovell has also supported work experience opportunities at The Crossings, offering real-world  experience and helping participants build confidence for future employment.

The experience was  delivered in collaboration with Positive Qualities and its Construction Skills Academy, which supports  young people in developing essential workplace skills. Through the Academy, participants successfully  completed three SQA units ahead of their placement, including the Construction Skills Certification  Scheme (CSCS) Health and Safety certificate. 

Lovell site teams worked alongside supply chain partners R&M Contractors and Ramsey Electrical to  support placements and provide young people with meaningful experiences across various trades. 

Conor Watt, Development Manager at Sanctuary, said: “Creating great places to live is about more  than building new homes. It’s also about supporting the communities around them and investing in  opportunities for local people to ensure the benefits are shared and long-lasting.

!We’re proud to work  alongside Lovell on initiatives that inspire young people and help them imagine a future career in  construction.”

Post work placement surveys highlighted the real value of the live-site experience and showed  measurable impact, including increased workplace confidence and improved understanding of the  range of opportunities available within construction. Both work experience participants have since  progressed to further education, moving on to college courses following their time at the South  Queensferry development. 

Sean Siala, work experience student, said: “It was great working on-site, especially gaining practical,  hands-on knowledge.

“I really enjoyed the camaraderie. I loved chatting with the electricians and  learning from their experience.” 

For more information, visit www.lovell.co.uk

Happy 15th Anniversary, NEN blog!

NEN PUBLISHED OUR FIRST BLOG POST ON THIS DAY IN 2011

The very first NEN blog post was published on this day in 2011. The post read:

Hello, and welcome to the brand new NEN blog.

For those of you not already familiar with the newspaper, we are a local community paper serving the North Edinburgh community. We’ve been here for over thirty years.

This blog, along with our new Facebook page and Twitter stream, represents our first foray into the world of social media.  We really want to encourage more participation, more questions and ideas from the North Edinburgh community – both online and offline – and hope that these new tools will help us to do that.

We already have a good website, where you can always find the latest edition of the printed newspaper. The blog won’t be replacing that, but will instead be there to show people the latest news about the area, and also to help us cover the current funding crisis we are facing as an organisation.

Above all, we want to include your input on the blog – be it ideas for stories, comments, pictures and events. So get in touch!

The NEN’s website was sadly deleted when funding ceased but our social media presence continues on both Twitter and Facebook and the blog is still going strong with 10 – 12 posts daily.

2025 was the NEN blog’s busiest ever year with 36,000 visitors. As I write this we’ve published more than 38,000 posts – all of these remain accessible online – and we’re currently on a run of publishing on 2749 consecutive days.

When the NEN office in Crewe Road North closed much of the NEN archive material was lost, but thankfully some of our picture library was salvaged and can now be found at granton:hub (Madelvic House), where the volunteer archive team has also collated all remaining hard copies of the North Edinburgh News newspaper.

Hopefully, between the physical archive and the NEN blog, you can find all you need to know about our community’s rich history – and we’re adding to that history every day!

Appeal for witnesses following sexual assaults in Stockbridge area

POLICE are appealing for information following three sexual assaults in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh last Friday (12 December).

Around 5.20pm on Fettes Row, a woman was approached from behind by a man who sexually assaulted her and made sexual comments.

Around 5.30pm on Inverleith Row, a woman was walking her dog when a man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. He then walked down Inverleith Row towards Dundas Street.

A short time later, a woman was walking past Stockbridge church on Saxe Coburg Street when a man approached her, sexually assaulted her and exposed himself.

Officers believe the same man to have been involved in these incidents. He is described as being of Asian appearance, aged between 25 and mid-30s, of slim build, around 5ft 8in, with light facial hair.

He was wearing a khaki or brown coloured coat and carried a backpack.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “I understand incidents like these cause concern in the local community, but we are carrying out extensive enquiries and doing everything we can to trace the man responsible.

“I would ask anyone who was in those areas on Friday evening and who may have witnessed something to get in touch. If you remember seeing a man matching the description, contact us.”

Chief Inspector Ran MacDonald, Local Area Commander, said: “I want to reassure that there will be an increased visible police presence in the local area as officers carry out enquiries. Anyone with any concerns should approach officers without hesitation, as they are there to help.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident 2889 of 12 December.

£3.5m development of Queensferry High Street begins

The city council is investing millions to improve Queensferry High Street and the town centre for residents, businesses and visitors.

The first phase of work began yesterday (October 7) from Seals Craig to Hawes Car Park and will run for 8-10 weeks. This will focus on re-surfacing and pavement widening, with minimal traffic management and no reduction in parking throughout this period.

Following a pause during the festive period, the second phase is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and will last for around one year.

This phase will create a new road layout, widen pavements, introduce new disabled, electric vehicle and car club parking, resurface the High Street, narrow Newhalls Road and improve public spaces throughout the area.

There will also be a new westbound segregated cycleway from the Hawes Car Park into the High Street along with a contraflow cycle lane on Edinburgh Road.

More information on the project and wider investment in Queensferry is available on the city council’s website.

Transport and Enviornment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m delighted that we’ve reached this important stage in the transformation of Queensferry High Street, the town centre, and the wider community.

“This ambitious public realm regeneration will create a safer, more accessible, and vibrant environment for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

“Our plans bring high level improvements to the area all whilst preserving and refurbishing elements of Queensferry’s unique historical character. Throughout the planning and development process, we’ve engaged extensively with local residents, businesses and the broader community to ensure their views and needs have been considered.

“This project will secure and revitalise Queensferry High Street’s prosperity for generations to come and I’m very excited to see how works develop over the coming months.”

“Walk to Work for MND”

Alexander Middleton’s 90 Mile Challenge for MND Scotland

For some people the daily commute to work is a routine part of life. But for Alexander Middleton, a 32-year-old solicitor from Edinburgh, it became an opportunity to raise awareness and vital funds for a charity that supports individuals and families dealing with a motor neuron disease (MND) diagnosis.

Over the course of five days during September, Alexander walked from his home in South Queensferry to his office in Edinburgh. This was a round trip of approximately 18 miles each day with the aim of raising funds and awareness for Scotland’s motor neuron disease charity, MND Scotland.

Alexander is a lifelong rugby player and has seen the devastating impact of MND on figures like Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, and Ed Slater. He wanted to take on the challenge to help raise funds for families in Scotland affected by the brutal disease.

Alexander said, “I’m young, I’m healthy, and while I can do it, I want to try and raise as much awareness as possible.

“I just feel for people that are suffering from it. If I can do something that helps them, then hopefully that’s me doing something good. For me, I see the challenge as short-term suffering- it’s nowhere near as challenging as MND. That’s what keeps me going”.

Each day, Alexander walked approximately five hours, starting at 5:30am and ending with another long trek home after a full day’s work.

Regardless of the weather, he kept going, driven by the thought of those who no longer have the ability to walk, let alone work: “I’m in a privileged position where I can do it. I can walk and I can speak to my partner. I’m not suffering from the disease.”

There are around 480 people in Scotland currently living with MND. On average almost 200 people are diagnosed each year in Scotland. The average life expectancy is just 18 months from diagnosis.

MND Scotland is the only charity dedicated to directly supporting people with MND, their families and friends across Scotland.

“Health is wealth. It’s opened my eyes to what’s important and not letting things bother you”, Alexander said.

The challenge became a community effort. Friends and family joined him on different parts of the walk, including his 64-year-old mum who trained to take part. Local businesses stepped up too – Rogue Bros in South Queensferry donated pizzas for the final day celebration, and nutrition brand ELEAT provided high-protein snacks to fuel Alexander’s challenge.

His passion doesn’t stop there. He’s already planning his next challenge for 2026. Alexander aims to organise a four-day run from Edinburgh to Newcastle, covering the distance of four marathons. He hopes to engage colleagues from both offices, raise even more funds, and continue building awareness around MND.

“I’d love for Walk to Work to become popular,” he said. “If people are inspired by my challenge and decide to do something themselves, that’s a bonus.”

Alexander believes that small actions can lead to big change. His efforts mirror the commitment of other MND champions like Kevin Sinfield, whose fundraising efforts have inspired thousands, including Alexander.

He added: “If someone’s inspired by my challenge, then that’s a bonus. You never know what’s around the corner, so go and do that holiday, or go and fundraise, do something silly, because you just never know what’s coming.”

Jonathan Mitchell, Head of Fundraising for MND Scotland, said: “We would like to thank Alexander for taking on his incredible “Walk to Work Challenge”.

“MND Scotland is supporting more people in Scotland who are facing MND – and the descent into the unknown – than ever before. The support from people like Alexander means that people in Scotland won’t have to face the unknown alone.

“Whether you decide to follow in Alexander’s ‘footsteps’ by encouraging your workplace to take on a walking challenge in support of MND Scotland or come up with a unique quirky idea of your own, everything you do will be helping to support people affected by MND in Scotland.”

Alexander’s “Walk to Work for MND,” has already surpassed his fundraising target and has raised over £3,800. If you would like to donate to his JustGiving page, please visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/alexander-middleton-1

“Until we find a cure, we need to keep banging the drum”, Alexander said.

For more information about MND Scotland, please visit: www.mndscotland.org.uk, email: info@mndscotland.org.uk, or call: 0141 332 3903.

South Queensferry residents celebrate as brand-new Community Directory for the town is launched

  • It comes as applications for a £5,000 yearly funding pot from Queensferry and District Community Council and Cala Homes opens for submissions

People in South Queensferry are now able to get their hands on a first-of-its-kind community directory after it was launched to the public.

The ‘Welcome to Queensferry’ local directory aims to shine a light on a comprehensive list of amenities in the area, including vital services, historic walks, community events, local groups and clubs, places to shop, eat and drink and tourist attractions, as well as the town’s history.

The book has been developed alongside members of the Queensferry community with the support of local homebuilder, Cala Homes (East).

The directory is available for free for people to collect from the town’s Scotmid supermarket and the Rosebery Hall, and has also been shared with all new and existing residents at Queensferry Heights and Rosebery Wynd.

The directory was funded by Cala Homes (East) as part of its Queensferry Community Pledge, an initiative launched in 2022 that goes above and beyond planning obligations by supporting local groups through donations, volunteering hours and providing educational resources about the homebuilding industry.

The homebuilder worked closely with the Queensferry & District Community Council (QDCC) to bring this to life for those living in the area.

Community representatives – including council members, local groups, Cala residents, and businesses – gathered at Cala’s Queensferry Heights development before joining councillors Lewis Younie and Norman Work at Port Edgar to celebrate the launch of the directory and be among the first to receive a copy.

The group also enjoyed part of the Heritage Trail, which is outlined in the book, ideal for those looking to learn more about the history of Queensferry or for those who have just moved to the area and area looking to explore.

Keith Giblett, Chairperson of the Queensferry and District Community Council (QDCC), added: “This directory is a real celebration of spirit of the Queensferry community. It’s been shaped by local voices, for local people, whether you’re new to the area or have called it home for years.

“Projects like this remind us just how much we have to be proud of here.

“We’ve been fortunate to work alongside Cala Homes through their Community Pledge, and their support has been invaluable in bringing this idea to life.

“It’s a great example of what can be achieved when the community comes together and we’re excited to continue working in partnership with them as the Pledge activity continues to roll out.”

Elaine Carrigan, Sales and Marketing Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “We’re proud that, through our Community Pledge, we’ve been able to work alongside the people of Queensferry to bring this to fruition.

“This will be such a useful resource for everyone in the area – whether you live here or are just visiting – helping people find great places, businesses and local treasures.

“For us, it’s all about supporting the community and celebrating everything that makes this town so special, and making sure it continues to thrive for years to come.”

Simon Round, General Manager at Outboard by Scotts – which is one of the businesses listed within the directory – added: “This new directory is a fantastic asset for local businesses, giving us the chance to reach more people and showcase everything South Queensferry has to offer.

“We’re really proud to be part of something that shines a spotlight on the town’s thriving business scene and helps encourage more people to shop, eat and spend time locally.”

The launch comes as applications for this year’s QDCC and Cala Community Chest open, with local groups invited to apply for up to £1,000 of funding for projects.

The scheme, which will see a total £5,000 distributed to local organisations this year alone, aims to support the diverse range of voluntary groups that exist within the town, as well as cultural, environmental and sports clubs.

Applications are open now, with groups able to apply to the grant scheme before the deadline on Friday 3 October 2025.

To apply for a funding grant, visit the application form link on the QDCC website.

Protesters demand action on plastic pollution ahead of Treaty negotiations

  • Communities will unite on Saturday 19 July to take a stand against the Government’s inaction on plastic pollution 
  • Protests and beach cleans will be taking place across the UK as part of a National Day of Action organised by Surfers Against Sewage 

Campaigners and the community in Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh are rallying in a National Day of Action against plastic pollution this Saturday, 19 July.  

The Surfers Against Sewage “The People vs Plastic” campaign will see protestors descend on the UK’s beaches, city streets and everywhere in between to send a clear message: the government must act decisively  to tackle plastic pollution at its source, to position the UK as a global leader in the fight against single-use plastics. 

Locations and timings of protests in Scotland are as follows:  

·       Craws Nest, Stonehaven Beach, Aberdeenshire 10:00 

·       Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, 13:00 

The campaign aims to ramp up the pressure on Government ahead of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, reconvening in Geneva from 5-14 August.

Earlier talks collapsed in South Korea, last year, with countries failing to agree on reducing plastic production.  Campaigners say that a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty is urgently needed to cut pollution at its source and protect blue spaces.     

Ahead of the National Day of Action, communities from coast to city will host grassroots events, from “Trash Mobs” in local schools to community-led cleans, building momentum for the nationwide protest.

Data will be collected during the community cleans, which will help Surfers Against Sewage map the true scale of plastic pollution, and name the brands and retailers most to blame. 

The public can get involved by heading to the Surfers Against Sewage website to find a local protest to join or show support during the Week of Action by getting involved with a local Plastic Free Community close to home. 

Communities and schools are at the forefront of Surfers Against Sewage’s campaign against plastic, with over 400 active Plastic Free Communities and over 3,000 Plastic Free Schools leading the way in the fight against plastic in their local area. So far in 2025, over 88,000 people have taken part in over 3,600 local cleans, collecting over 40,000kg of rubbish, as part of the charity’s Million Mile Clean initiative. 

Marion Montgomery, Surfers Against Sewage representative and Stonehaven Beach protest organiser said: “In Stonehaven, we’re organising ‘Save our Seas from Plastic’ protest along with a beach clean and sandcastle competition.

“We’re demanding real action against the producers of the huge amounts of plastic packaging which inevitably ends up polluting our ocean and coastlines. To avoid future carnage, we need tighter restrictions against ‘new’ things, like single use vapes, being put on sale to the public.” 

Surfers Against Sewage is calling on the UK Government to deliver on the goals of the Global Plastics Treaty immediately through joined up and ambitious national plans to end plastic pollution, including: 

·       Setting legally-binding targets to cut plastic pollution 

·       Implementing an effective circular economy centred on reuse and refill, including the implementation of a comprehensive Deposit Return Scheme and introduction of binding reuse targets 

·       Holding polluters to account by enforcing current laws and delivering Extended Producer Responsibility schemes that make polluters pay. 

Giles Bristow, Chief Executive at Surfers Against Sewage said: “Broken promises, stalled progress, surging pollution. We are drowning in the toxic tide of plastic that continues to rise.

“Enough is enough, so we are rising up too. As families pack their buckets and spades and the summer holidays begin, there’s no better time to shine a light on the plastics choking our shores. The UK remains one of the worst offenders for generating single-use waste that travels the globe, and our government is still dawdling on action. 

“We’re sick to death of plastic-pushing corporations fuelling this crisis while spinning greenwashing lies and pointing the finger at consumers. They churn out mountains of non-recyclable packaging, sabotage vital policies behind closed doors, and consistently miss every voluntary target. The Labour government pledged us a zero-waste future, we’re all ears, but we won’t settle for anything less. 

“That’s why, on Saturday 19 July we’re calling on Ocean Activists from Penzance to Porthcawl and everywhere in between to make their voices heard.

“Whether you’re clearing your favourite beach or marching through city streets, communities hold the power to drive change. With Global Plastics Treaty negotiations just around the corner, we must turn up the heat.

“Together, we can become a force impossible for leaders, and polluters, to ignore.” 

Protest locations and National Week of Action information can be found on the Surfers Against Sewage website.

Following the protest, the charity is encouraging people to sign a petition to put pressure on the Government to tackle the problem. For more information, visit the campaign web page here. 

Barnardo’s Bridge adventure adds ‘Ultimate Experience’ for lucky few

‘Your View on the Forth Bridge is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event for those lucky enough to secure a ticket’

It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has brought joy to thousands and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Scotland’s leading children’s charity. And now, after a six-year hiatus, the famous Barnardo’s Scotland ‘Your View’ event atop the iconic Forth Bridge is bringing back its much-coveted ‘Ultimate Experience’.

Your View – now in its seventh year – affords members of the public one of the most sought after and unique experiences in Scotland; namely the chance to ascend 361 feet up the historic bridge and enjoy an uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic view of the Edinburgh and Fife coastline.

This memorable experience has brought joy to thousands and raised vital funds for the work of Barnardo’s Scotland.

In addition to the popular Your View event over three days in September, the reprised Ultimate Experience, which is limited to a lucky few ticket holders, provides an extended tour which affords visitors the chance to stand at track level of the legendary bridge for some amazing photo opportunities.

And that’s not all: Thereafter, visitors will descend another level for a bridge walk under the railway track on the pathway out on to the Forth.

This remarkable experience culminates with refreshments and a certificate during a further historic talk and exhibition of historical artifacts in the 1930s-listed Bothy which most people will have never even spotted even if they have crossed the bridge many times. This 2½-hour ultimate experience will be offered twice a day across the weekend.

Your View 2025, which is run in conjunction with Network Rail and Balfour Beatty, will take place from Friday, 19th to Sunday, 21st September, with tickets going on sale at 10am tomorrow (Monday 16th June).

To date, more than 6,000 visitors have experienced the event and there have been around a dozen marriage proposals on the vertiginous viewing platform.

Best of all, though, the event has raised more than £375,000 to fund the work of Barnardo’s Scotland. To find out more, or to book tickets for the event, please visit: www.barnardos.org.uk/events/your-view-forth-bridge.

This year’s Your View event also coincides with a celebration of 200th anniversary of the railway and the 10th anniversary of the Forth Bridge gaining World Heritage status.

Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “Your View is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event for those lucky enough to secure a ticket. Not only is it a never-to-be-forgotten experience for those atop the iconic bridge, it is also a crucial fundraiser for Barnardo’s Scotland as we continue to support children, young people and their families throughout the country, notably in our fostering service.

“Right now, Scotland is facing a foster care crisis at an unprecedented rate, with too many children still entering the care system and an insufficient number of loving homes to accommodate them. The impact of the crisis is felt most by children in the care system. Without enough potential foster homes, children are already at risk of being placed in unsuitable situations as a last resort.

“As I am often reminded, tickets for Your View sell out very quickly indeed, so I would urge all of those keen to attend to sign up as quickly as possible. The return of the ‘Ultimate Experience’ this year is particularly exciting as it really does give one a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the bridge that only a precious view people will ever get to witness.

“Your View would not be possible without the generosity of Network Rail and Balfour Beatty, and I wish to thank both organisations and our wonderful volunteers for making this special weekend happen.”

Alan Ross, Network Rail Scotland’s Director of Engineering and Asset Management, added: “Few landmarks are as instantly recognisable and deeply cherished as the Forth Bridge, and as proud custodians, we couldn’t be happier to open it up for such a unique and special event.

“It’s a rare privilege to experience the bridge up close, and even more meaningful knowing that every step to the top supports the incredible work Barnardo’s Scotland does for children and families. We’re delighted again to support this fantastic event and look forward to welcoming visitors up on to one of Scotland’s most iconic structures.”

Colin Hardie, Construction Superintendent for Balfour Beatty, said: “At Balfour Beatty, we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve.

“The Your View event is one example of how we do just that, raising valuable funds to support disadvantaged children and families in Scotland.

“It has been an honour to work alongside Barnardo’s Scotland once again, to offer members of the public this memorable experience on one of the most iconic, unique and admired structures in the world – the Forth Bridge.”

Also featuring over the weekend will be the famous ‘Briggers’. The Briggers are a Forth Bridge research and presentation group of volunteers based in South Queensferry.

Named after the bridge workers, the group was formed to identify the names of the 73 men and boys who died constructing the Forth Bridge, they provide details on the history of the bridge and the people involved in its construction.

For more information on this year’s Your View event, please visit: 

www.barnardos.org.uk/events/your-view-forth-bridge.

For more information on becoming a foster carer with Barnardo’s in Scotland, please visit www.barnardos.org.uk/foster, or call 08000 277 280. The charity’s friendly and supportive staff are available from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.

At Barnardo’s, our purpose is clear: Changing childhoods and changing lives, so that children, young people, and families are safe, happy, healthy, and hopeful. Last year, we worked with thousands of children across Scotland through more than 150 services and partnerships.

Across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we provided essential support to 373,200 children, young people, parents and carers through more than 800 services and partnerships across the UK. This included 150-plus services in Scotland.

For more than 150 years, we’ve been here for the children and young people who need us most – bringing love, care and hope into their lives and giving them a place where they feel they belong.

Over the course of the financial year 2023-24, more than 16,000 people volunteered for Barnardo’s across the UK – a total of 1.7 million hours of their time. To donate, volunteer or fundraise, please visit: www.barnardos.org.uk/get-involved/raise-money.

Tomorrow: Edinburgh to host The Great British Care Cycle Relay

Cycling adventure begins at Glencairn Care Home to shine a light on the care services at the heart of every community

The Great British Care Cycle Relay, which celebrates the care services at the heart of every community, is set kick off at Glencairn Care Home in The Grange, Edinburgh at 9.00am tomorrow – Thursday 12 June.

It includes five individual, day-long cycle rides in Scotland, England and Wales totalling around 500km, with colleagues, supporters and families of all ages and abilities taking part and visiting care services enroute.

Eleven cyclists, including one from Renaissance Care, are taking part in the Scottish leg of the relay. The group will cycle a 123km loop, passing through Stenhousemuir and Winchburgh and visiting care homes such as Canmore Lodge Care Home in Dunfermline, Caledonian Court in Larbert and Linlithgow Care Home. The cyclists will also stop off at Alzheimer Scotland’s new and expanded facilities in the city.

The Great British Care Cycle Relay also takes in a 94km York route through North Yorkshire, a 103km Nottingham route in the Midlands, a 125km route through Cardiff and South Wales and a 110km finale from Brighton to London on 16 June. By the end, Championing Social Care expects over 70 cyclists to have been involved.

The end of the relay marks the start of Care Home Open Week 2025 (16 to 22 June), which aims to highlight the amazing work that is modern care.

Ian Condie from Dunfermline is taking part in the race with his wife Jenny, he said: “We’re looking forward to the cycle, but with a little trepidation!

“At 123 kilometres, it’ll be the longest distance we’ve ridden on our tandem this year, although as part of the route goes through Fife, it will be familiar territory for us.

“This is a cause close to our hearts, as having lost my 98-year-old mum in January after a short illness, we’ve had first-hand experience of the fantastic job those involved in the care sector do for both those receiving care and their families. Mum as a resident at Orchardhead Care Home in Rosyth for the last couple of years and had been happy and well looked after there. It’s good to give something back.”

Organiser of The Great British Care Cycle Relay, Championing Social Care, is encouraging those people who want to take part, but are not cyclists, to instead to cheer the riders on as pass by or help give them a warm reception when they visit care homes enroute.

The care home gatherings will provide an opportunity for the cyclists to connect with fellow colleagues, share stories, and enjoy the contagious enthusiasm that radiates throughout the relay.

Championing Social Care Trustee and Founder and Chair of the Great British Care Cycle Relay, Vishal Shah said: “The Great British Care Cycle Race is a fabulous precursor to Care Home Open Week.

“It’s now its third year and our largest one yet. It connects the joy of cycling with visiting the incredible care services at the heart of communities up and down the country. The aim is to bring more of the general public closer to understanding what it’s actually like to live and work in care and help dispel the negative narratives that often are shared.

“As a keen cyclist, any opportunity to get on a bike is always taken, but this relay is particularly special. My motivation for taking part stems from a deeply personal connection, as my grandmother lived with dementia and received incredible support from social care, which enabled her to live a life of quality and purpose.

“We were supported as family to not only navigate this journey but also enjoy the special connections and memories that we continued to create and share together.”

Robert Kilgour, Chairman of Renaissance Care said: “We’re proud to host the launch event here at Glencairn Care Home. Care homes play a vital role within communities delivering essential support to older adults and easing pressure on the wider health and social care system. 

“Every day, our dedicated staff bring compassion, expertise, and commitment to promoting the physical and emotional wellbeing of our residents. We’re extremely proud of the work they do, and this event is a welcomed opportunity to shine a light on the outstanding work happening across the social care sector.”

In 2024, over 5,500 care services took part in Care Home Open Week, which represents around a third of the total number of homes in the country. It is hoped this year’s event will have even higher participation from care services, communities and government ministers.

Local cruise ship levy could raise over £1 million for Edinburgh

A cruise ship levy could help to ensure residents benefit from Edinburgh’s popularity as a cruise ship stop.

In a formal response to be submitted to the Scottish Government’s Cruise Ship Levy consultation, the council has expressed strong support in principle for a levy to help it manage tourism sustainably at Edinburgh’s ports.

The response also calls for any legislation to be based on evidence and involve greater consultation with ports and the cruise ship industry, as well as close working with other local authorities and regional partners.

Close to 217,500 cruise ship passengers visit Edinburgh and the region annually, with a significant number docking in Leith, Newhaven and South Queensferry. Currently, passengers are exempt from paying local visitor levies.

While any legislation to introduce a national Cruise Ship Levy is still to be developed, comparisons to similar sized destinations suggest it could raise over one million pounds for Edinburgh and the region.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Next summer we’ll become the first city in Scotland to launch a visitor levy, but under the Scottish Government’s legislation cruise ship passengers will be exempt.

“We consider it fair to treat all overnight visitors to Edinburgh the same, whether they choose to stay in a hotel, a short-term let, a campsite or a cruise ship.

“With public finances under increasing pressure, we believe this legislation should be used to empower councils to raise more income locally to better manage cruise ship tourism and pollution in our waters. As such, income raised should be ringfenced for the local area.

“In our waters we’re seeing more ships docking year on year, larger ships, and with that comes an environmental impact. Cruise ship tourism affects local communities and services just as other tourism does.”

You can view the City of Edinburgh Council’s draft response to the Scottish Government’s Cruise Ship Levy Consultation.

A final version will be submitted shortly, including amendments agreed at a meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Tuesday 27 May.