Category: South Side

A perfect wedding for local couple at Surgeons Hall

A BEAUTIFUL city centre wedding recently brought together family, friends, and culture, as a couple celebrated their special day in one of Edinburgh’s most iconic venues.

Ciara and Morgan Bywater, a couple with ties to both the arts and the British Army, tied the knot surrounded by friends, family, and the rich history of the Royal College of Surgeons in the heart of Edinburgh at the prestigious Surgeons Quarter.

Ciara Bywater, 30, a Strategic Partnerships Manager in the Cultural Sector, and Morgan Bywater, 32, a British Army Officer, have called Edinburgh home since 2019, settling in the vibrant Morningside area. Their love story began at Leeds University, where they met in the final week of their last year, eventually leading to a romantic proposal in Puglia, Italy, in 2022.

Reflecting on their decision to host their wedding at Surgeons Quarter, Ciara explained: “We wanted a city-centre wedding, somewhere easily accessible for our family and friends.

“Surgeons Quarter, with its connection to Edinburgh’s cultural heritage and stunning architecture, felt like the perfect fit.”

Surgeons Quarter, located in the heart of Edinburgh, is known not only for its historic venues but also for its ability to host events of any scale.

The venue is a hidden gem, offering a perfect blend of tradition and modern elegance, catering to weddings, conferences, and special events with accommodation available at its on-site Ten Hill Place Hotel.

One of the couple’s highlights was the incredible food provided by Surgeons Quarter’s talented culinary team.

Morgan said: “The food was one of the best parts of our experience.

“We’ve been to a lot of weddings, and this was by far the best we’ve ever tasted. The tasting session was fun and generous, and the Surgeons Quarter team made the whole process feel seamless.”

The couple chose the venue not just for its beauty, but also for its practicality. With friends in the medical field who recommended Surgeons Quarter, it made sense to have their celebration at a venue so closely linked to Edinburgh’s medical and cultural history.

Ciara, who works in the cultural sector, was drawn to the venue’s proximity to the Festival Theatre and the artistic atmosphere surrounding Surgeons Quarter.

She added, “The architecture, the columns, and the courtyard made it feel special. It tied in so well with my love of the arts and Edinburgh’s rich cultural heritage.”

The flexibility of the venue allowed the couple to transition from the day’s formalities into a lively evening celebration in a different part of the venue.

The couple added: “We appreciated how the day flowed, moving from one beautiful space to another. It made for a refreshing change of scenery and kept our guests excited throughout the evening.”

Surgeons Quarter has been a prime choice for couples looking for an affordable, yet elegant wedding venue in the heart of Edinburgh. Morgan emphasised: “It’s tough to find a wedding venue in any city centre, let alone a capital like Edinburgh, and Surgeons Quarter was both beautiful and affordable. Their team did everything to make the day as stress-free as possible.”

With profits from Surgeons Quarter going towards the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’s charitable objectives to improve surgical standards worldwide, the Bywaters felt their wedding was contributing to a greater cause.

Ashley Mok, Events Co-Ordinator at Surgeons Quarter said: “It was a pleasure to help Ciara and Morgan bring their wedding vision to life.

“At our venue, we pride ourselves on offering more than just a beautiful space — it’s about delivering a seamless experience from start to finish.

“From the stunning architecture to the exceptional culinary offerings, our team is dedicated to ensuring that every detail of the day is perfect.

“We were thrilled to see their guests enjoying both the unique atmosphere and the central location that makes our venue so special.”

Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells, and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus.

These include facilities for conferences, meetings, private events, parties, and weddings, as well as its own four-star hotel, Ten Hill Place, Café 1505, and SQ Travel.

To find out more about hosting a wedding at Surgeons Quarter and its available wedding offerings, visit: https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/weddings/

Pivotal moment as the Fringe Society receives keys for new permanent home with refurbishment to begin

Today, 05 February, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society receives the keys to the new home for the Fringe. 

The former Southbridge Community Resource Centre on Infirmary Street will be a permanent home for the Fringe and Fringe Society, enhancing year-round artist services delivery, maximising accessibility for all, and reducing the Fringe Society’s carbon footprint.

The new home will secure the long-term sustainability of the Fringe Society and their services and operations, as well as provide the opportunity for a publicly accessible space for artists and the Fringe community (including long-term Infirmary Street resident youth group Canongate Youth), and much needed space in the city dedicated to supporting the performing arts. 

This new home has been made possible through generous capital funding from the UK Government and additional funds through grants from the Foyle Foundation and SP Energy Networks’ Transmission Net Zero Fund.

In the 2023 UK Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced £7 million of capital funding for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to develop its new home. The Fringe Society are incredibly grateful to them for recognising the opportunity that this exciting project offers and that it will be transformational for the year-round support services for artists from across the UK and overseas.

In addition to developing the new home, this funding will aid the Fringe Society in delivering the Keep it Fringe fund and investment in digital architecture which is essential to its services to artists, media, arts industry and audiences.

The Fringe Society are also delighted to today announce a major legacy gift of £1 million from the Foyle Foundation to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, and £250,000 from SP Energy Networks’ Transmission Net Zero Fund – a £5m pot set up to support community groups and organisations with their low carbon ambitions.

The project will focus on the renovation and restoration of a Grade B listed former schoolhouse (1885) in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Plans include preserving the building’s rich history while modernising it to maximise accessibility and sustainability.

This includes the installation of a lift and a Changing Places toilet; energy efficiency upgrades such as heritage-appropriate windows, improved insulation, and the replacement of gas heating with air source heating pumps which will significantly improve the building’s environmental sustainability. 

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “This is an exciting moment which has taken nearly two years of planning and discussion to get to this point.  

“The conversion of South Bridge Resource Centre into a year-round Fringe home will allow local cultural and community organisations and Fringe artists the opportunity to utilise this space as well as being a new space for the Fringe Society team.

“It will allow a permanent home for our August community hub, known as Fringe Central, which artists, arts industry, media and international delegates access each summer for events, networking and industry gatherings.

“This is a significant moment for the Fringe in ensuring a permanent home for the festival.  Our grateful thanks the UK Government, the Foyle Foundation and SP Energy Networks for recognising our vision and supporting us in bringing it to life.’

Arts Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “The Edinburgh Fringe is one of the UK’s finest cultural festivals, attracting audiences and performers from all over the world every August.

“But the Fringe is not just for August. This new permanent home means that the Fringe Society can have a secure and meaningful presence in the city all year round, to support artists and provide the local community with access to arts spaces.”

David Hall, CEO of The Foyle Foundation, said: “The Foyle Foundation was seeking a Scottish project of strategic importance and long-term transformational benefit to support.

“The new Fringe home answers perfectly and is our legacy project for Scotland. It provides a permanent base, stability and excellent new facilities for the Fringe Society, as well as a year-round additional resource for Scottish performers and artists. The Foundation is delighted to partner with the Fringe to enable this project to happen.”

Guy Jefferson, Transmission Managing Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “We’re proud to support the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society as they take their first steps in this exciting new venture.

“With our help, the team are creating a space where the local community can experience all of the cultural benefits of the city’s arts festival, year-round – using low carbon technology to reduce the site’s emissions by as much as 80%.

“Our Transmission Net Zero Fund was launched to support community groups and organisations across central and southern Scotland who are making bold strides towards their own net zero ambitions.

“It’s brilliant to see Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society reach this milestone and we’re excited to watch the project come to life.”

The fundraising for this project is a continuous effort and updates will be provided as the project progresses.

RHCYP Memorial Service

GREYFRIARS CHARTERIS CENTRE. THE PLEASANCE on 24th NOVEMBER

The RHCYP’s Memorial Service in Greyfriars Charteris Centre, 138/140 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9RR, offers space for personal or shared reflection for those who’ve experienced the death of a child.

People of all ages, all beliefs or none, are most welcome:

https://ow.ly/f1o750TJzT5

Coming Up at Assembly Roxy this November!

Assembly Roxy’s year-round programme continues this November with a line-up of theatre, music, and live events celebrating creativity, Scottish traditions old and new, and looking to a better future for all. 

With highlights including immersive theatre piece Maiden Mother Whore from Theiya Arts Dance Collective, Jeremy Corbyn at Lighthouse Books’ Radical Book Fair, and the Scottish Dementia Arts Festival 2024, there’s plenty coming up at Assembly’s year-round venue.  

Theiya Arts Dance Collective joining Assembly Roxy on the 01 Nov with a thought-provoking performance experience, in Maiden Mother Whore.

A 90-minute show, Maiden Mother Whore invites audiences to interact with five installations throughout the Roxy, exploring complex relationships between women, social structures, health and social policies, and institutions.  

Assembly Roxy regulars Edinburgh Ceilidh Club with Teannaich bring the finest in Scottish Ceilidh dancing back to Assembly Roxy Central on Fri 08 Nov. All the dances are taught and called by the band – so bring along regulars and newbies alike to celebrate the Scottish tradition.  

Scottish Dementia Arts Festival 2024 boasts a jam-packed line-up of events including live performance, creative workshops, film screenings, open-mics and more.  The four-day festival runs from 11 – 14 Nov and celebrates the creativity of people living with dementia, and highlights include relaxed Scottish panto McScrooge by Alan Mountford and Citadel Arts Group and creative consultants living with dementia, Dementia the Musical Soundtrack Gig with Sophie Bancroft and Friends, and Meeting Centres Scotland film launch, as well as a host of ceilidhs, open mics, discos and more!  

Lighthouse Books return with their annual Radical Book Fair from Thurs 21 – Sun 24 Nov with a line-up of workshops, cabarets, panels and talks exploring community organising, creativity and international solidarity. This year’s theme ‘From Where We Standcelebrates histories of resistance, protest and change-making.

Highlights include We Are It: Community Power in Our Time with a panel including Jeremy Corbyn, Kate Pickett and Oliver Escobar, and Young Radical Worlds exploring radical writing for young people with Faridah Abike-Iyimide and Margaret McDonald.

The full programme of events can be found at www.lighthousebookshop.com.  

Closing out the month, Amy Leach and Alasdair Paul bring their duo gig Amy and Alasdair to the Snug Bar, passing on traditional Scots songs and ballads. With history in Edinburgh and beyond,

Amy and Alaisdair share their simple and striking approach in a stripped back show sharing glimpses into the darkest and lightest moments of life. Amy and Alasdair is showing for one night only on 29 Nov.  

Tickets and information on all the events above are available now from www.assemblyroxy.com 

Courtyard launch to celebrate Summerhall festival season visual arts programme

  • Summerhall celebrates stunning festival season visual arts programme with official Courtyard Launch
  • Including work from Helen Denerly, Pulitzer Prize-winner Lucian Perkins, and Summerhall’s own Robert McDowell

Summerhall is proud to bring a season of carefully curated, interrogative and thought-provoking exhibitions from local and international contemporary artists as part of the Summerhall 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme – celebrated last night during their official Courtyard Launch.

Running from 26 July – 20 September, Summerhall’s Visual Art Programme exhibitions include work from leading UK’s leading wildlife artist Helen Denerly (famed in Edinburgh for the beautiful giraffe sculptures that stand proudly outside the Omni Centre, in addition to a plethora of other UK and international work); Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lucian Perkins; internationally renowned for his distinctive style of ‘constructed photography’, Calum Colvin; Summerhall resident and skilled picture restorer, Jo Coates; bold paintings created during a Bipolar manic episode from Australian comedian turned artist, Sam Kissajukian; and Summerhall’s own Robert McDowell.

Last night (Thursday 25th July), drinks were served in the Summerhall courtyard and all the exhibitions opened for viewing – including this year’s Courtyard Commission winning artwork.

The festival season Visual Arts programme was curated by Samantha Chapman.

Appeal for witnesses after assault and robbery of electric bike

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after an assault and robbery which took place in Edinburgh on Wednesday (3 July, 2024).

Around 12.30pm a 74-year-old man was travelling on an electric bike and stopped at traffic lights at the junction of Dalkeith Road and Salisbury Road, near to the Commonwealth Pool.

While he was waiting he was approached by a man who punched him to the head, causing him to fall to the ground.

The man then made off on the victim’s bike, cycling down Dalkeith Road towards Cameron Toll.

The suspect is described as being white, around 6ft tall and of slim build. He was wearing a black balaclava, a black padded jacket, a black tracksuit and black and grey Nike trainers.

The victim did not require hospital treatment.

Detective Sergeant Mike Campbell said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing into this shocking incident and it is vital that anyone with information which could assist us in identifying the person responsible comes forward.

“The surrounding area was relatively busy at the time and we are asking anyone who either witnessed what happened, or who has private CCTV or dashcam footage which could be of significance, to please get in touch.

“Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 1365 of Wednesday, 3 July, 2024. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Cala Homes unveils new city centre development St Crispin’s Court

An award-winning Scottish homebuilder has launched a 37-home development in Edinburgh with the release of its first homes, which are now available to reserve off-plan.  

Cala Homes (East) recently launched the St Crispin’s Court development, which will feature 23 three-bedroom townhouses and 14 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, each of which has been carefully curated so it offers the best in modern city living.  

The contemporary townhouses are all three-bedroom and enjoy peaceful gardens accessed by bi-fold doors from your open plan kitchen / living area. Each of these homes further benefit from a separate study, ideal for working from home.  

Prospective buyers seeking apartment living within this popular Edinburgh location won’t have to wait long with a selection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments due to be released later this summer.  

All homes at St Crispin’s Court have been designed to maximise space, offer flexible layouts, excellent storage, and have access to outdoor space to enjoy. The beauty of the surrounding area has also been considered, with lounges and bedrooms designed to enjoy a southernly elevation. There are attractive views across the development towards Arthur’s Seat and city skyline.  

Homes at St Crispin’s Court will benefit from the high specification and energy efficiency that Cala is well known for. Each home comes with a stylish studio-designed kitchen complete with Siemens or Bosch appliances, in the bathrooms prospective buyers will find a Laufen sanitaryware and vanities along with a selection of Porcelanosa tiling.  

Situated in the popular Blackford area of Edinburgh, just three miles from Edinburgh city centre, the development benefits from a range of nearby amenities which are within walking distance including independent shops, restaurants, bars and cafes as well as a selection of excellent schools. 

Prospective buyers at St Crispin’s Court can also enjoy a range of nearby activities, from tennis at Braid Tennis Club to a round of golf at Craigmiller Golf Course, or a scenic walk at nearby Blackford Hill. As well as being just a stone’s throw away from the bustling bars and restaurants of Morningside, and the great local amenities of Cameron Toll.  

Kim Newbigging, Regional Sales and Marketing Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “We are delighted to have now launched our latest development, St Crispin’s Court in Edinburgh. Our latest new build development in an already well-established area of Edinburgh,  

“This exciting new development is ideally located for urban city living with great transport links to Edinburgh city centre, as well as the convenience of nearby amenities located on its doorstep in Cameron Toll and Morningside.   

“With the mix of townhouses and apartments, there is something to suit a wide selection of buyers from professionals to families or those looking to downsize. I’d urge anyone who is thinking about making their move to St Crispin’s Court to act quickly.” 

Prices at St Crispin’s Court start from £769,995 for a three-bedroom townhouse.

Apartments are due to launch later this summer with prices from £325,000. Our on site sales office is now open by appointment. 

To learn more, and to register your interest, visit: https://www.cala.co.uk/homes-for-sale/scotland/edinburgh/st-crispin-s-court/ 

Have you seen Michael?

POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 16-year-old boy reported missing from Edinburgh.

Michael Cleal was last seen around 4.45pm on Wednesday, 5 June, in the Muirhouse Avenue area.

He has connections in the south side of Edinburgh, has links to Aberdeen and is known to use public transport.

Michael is described as slim, around 5ft, with black hair. When last seen he was wearing a black beanie style hat, a black jacket with a hood, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.

Sergeant Ian Fraser said: “Concerns are growing for Michael’s welfare and we need to make sure he is safe and well.

“Enquiries are ongoing to trace him and one possibility is that he may have travelled to London, Camden Town area.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who has seen Michael or may know where he is.

“If you can help please call us on 101, quoting reference number 3530 of Saturday, 8 June, 2024

Appeal for information following damage to traffic enforcement camera

POLICE are appealing for information after a traffic enforcement camera was damaged in Edinburgh’s southside.

The incident happened between 10.45pm on Sunday, 19 May and 8am on Monday, 20 May, 2024 on Old Dalkeith Road.

Sergeant Karen Durham said: “Our enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to come forward.

“Anyone with information that could assist us is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0051 of 22 May, 2024.”