Are you a band with an eclectic collection of funky Xmas tunes?
Are you part of a choir or singing group who’s renditions of Christmas carols and pop hits leaves audiences dabbing at their eyes?
Are you a guitar-toting independent artist who is just dying to put their own twist on Christmas classics?
We want YOUUUU for our Christmas celebrations at The Pitt (Pittmas?) We will be having various musical performances and opportunities to play across the festive season, starting from late November.
We are in particular looking for groups and choirs from across North Edinburgh, but if you are from a bit further afield, please get in touch anyway!
Work has begun at the Waterfront location in Granton for the Edinburgh Social Bite Village move
Leading homelessness charity Social Bite is today celebrating the first diggers starting construction work on the Granton Waterfront site where it will relocate its pioneering Edinburgh village.
Residents of the Village joined Executive Director and co-founder of the charity, Josh Littlejohn MBE, on a visit to the site which will soon become home for up to 16 people who have experienced homelessness.
The new location will bring with it a refresh of the Hub, the communal area for villagers to cook, gather and relax, and the introduction of seven new one-bedroom ‘Nest Houses’ which have been re-designed and improved, following resident feedback.
In March this year, Edinburgh Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the relocation of the Social Bite Village. As well as reviewing proposed plans, councillors were shown illustrations of the new community growing space from design company HOKO, and heard from Josh Littlejohn, Ewan Aitken and former resident Mary about the benefits of the village.
The new location is less than a mile from the old site and boasts extensive views of The Forth Bridges – a sight many former and current villagers have grown fond of during walks along the coastline.
The bespoke supported accommodation model has had proven success since the Edinburgh Village first opened in 2018. Charity partner and fellow homelessness prevention organisation, Cyrenians, will continue to deliver round-the-clock support. Cyrenians has been a key part of Social Bite’s work in supporting the reintegration of 100 people into the community by helping residents to develop skills and confidence.
Social Bite has worked closely with Cyrneians to secure West Shore Recreation Ground on the Granton Waterfront. The new site is suited not just to residents’ needs, such as proximity to transport links for going to work, college or shopping, but also offers what they want, including greenspace and walkability to the Granton seaside.
Residential volunteer Amber joined Josh Littlejohn on the visit to the new site. She said:“It’s going to be really good for wellbeing, being this close to the ocean. The site is really accessible for a walk with my dog, Leo. We often take him along the coast.
“I have lived at the Village since end of May 2025, which I’m very grateful for. I was interested in the opportunity to help others and see how such a village runs and supports people. It’s a very unique set up that I had not seen before.”
Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, said:“We always knew the village was originally built on a ‘meanwhile use’ site, so it’s great to see this relocation of the project taking shape on such a stunning seafront location. With diggers arriving and work beginning, it’s a really exciting time.
“As well as moving location, we are taking the opportunity to expand and improve the village by introducing seven of our newly designed Nest Houses, a new community hub and a community growing space.
“With many cities all over the UK declaring housing emergencies and becoming overly reliant on expensive, substandard temporary accommodation, we are really proud of the village project in demonstrating a better alternative that can also make use of innovative construction methods and ‘meanwhile’ land options.”
Amy Hutton, Director of Services at Cyrenians, said:“It is exciting to see this new chapter of the Social Bite Village begin in earnest.
“The community that Cyrenians and Social Bite have established in this area has made a profound difference to many people, and we are pleased that we will be able to continue this work just down the hill from the original location.
“We know from our projects which span the Southeast of Scotland, that stability, privacy, and community is a lifeline for those who have not been afforded that right, and I am pleased that we will be able to offer that support to more people as this project continues.”
The success of the Edinburgh Village serves as a blueprint for other similar projects planned by the charity. Its design offers people affected by homelessness living in unsupported temporary accommodation or other insecure housing a safe and supportive community in which to find a fresh start.
At the end of their time at the village, residents are supported in transitioning to permanent accommodation. So far, the Edinburgh Village has helped over 100 residents, many of whom have gone on to secure employment, reconnect with family, and move into their own permanent homes.
Work has begun thanks to the generous support of Social Bite’s industry partners, including Advance, GSS Developments. Detailed digital assets of the site have provided by HOKO Design – the Glasgow-based architecture practice founded by celebrity architect Danny Campbell – can be viewed here: Village relocation – planning drawings.
For more information on the Edinburgh Village, visit:
Step into a merry mash-up of mistletoe, music and mulled wine as The Pitt transforms into a festive playground of flavour, fun and fashionable market picks. On top of our usual weekend antics of piping hot international street food and cold frothy pints, our Christmas Night Market kicks off our festive calendar with a bang, bringing together over 40+ local makers, artists and traders offering everything from:
– Unique and thoughtful gifts
– Funky fashion
– Artisan homeware
– Cheeses, chutneys, olives and sweet treats heaven
– Festive decor
– Stocking fillers
– Handcrafted artwork
What’s On:
– Santa’s Grotto: say hello to the boy himself
– Workshops & crafts: wreath-making, face-painting, and make-your-own gifts for wee and big kids alike
– Seasonal sips: mulled wine and local brewskis for the grown-ups, plus fruity mocktails and soft drinks for the wains and drivers
– International street food: piping hot and perfect for keeping you fuelled
– Live DJs: bangers spinning late into the night
– Cosy wee nooks: for toasting, tasting, checking the bank account…
Join us for a night of festive magic, market mayhem, mistletoe and wine etc etc, and soak up our signature blend of industrial charm, cosy vibes and boozy cheer. Shop til you drop on homeware to spice up your gaff or gifts to make your pals laugh. Tear up the dance floor. Gorge yourself silly on truffle fries and momo dumplings. It’s all to play for at our Christmas Night Market!
Craigyroyston Community Youth Football Club has been gifted a brand-new pavilion by the City of Edinburgh Council.
At an official ceremony to handover the modern new facility yesterday (Friday, 15 August) Council Leader Jane Meagher presented youth team members and club representatives with the keys to the Pavilion.
Relocating the club to their new modern premises at Marine Drive is part of the Council’s wider £1.3bn generation of Granton Waterfront.
The former club base was previously on adjacent land where the Council is building 143 new environmentally friendly affordable homes known as the Silverlea development.
The half a million-pound project, funded by the Council, has delivered modern changing rooms with showers and a café for club members, their families and other visitors to enjoy.
Designed by architects Smith Scott Mullan, Cruden delivered the project on behalf of the Council and has also gifted the signage and branding in the new facility.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “As we continue to deliver our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront, this is a perfect example of our commitment to creating healthy and vibrant communities in the area.
“Investing in our young people is an important part of this work. The former club base was on land that we needed to build affordable homes.
“Providing these modern facilities right next to our Silverlea site works well for the young footballers and the wider community, allowing the club to thrive and attract new members in the future. “
Colin Dudgeon Club Secretary said: “This is a historic day for us. For the first couple of years setting up Craigroyston Community Youth Football Club we didn’t have a home until we moved into Craigroyston Park in 2009.
“The club base we’ve been using wasn’t in good condition and so we’d like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for our magnificent new club base for our players and parents to call our home. Thanks as well to Cruden for their part in this project and the signage and branding they kindly gifted for the building.
“We can offer safe, hygienic, and modern facilities to our players with changing rooms and showers suitable for all ages and parents can relax in our new Craigie Café, which will be opening on match days soon.”
Michael Palethrope, Community Benefit Manager for Cruden, said: “Community-run clubs like Craigroyston CYFC are at the heart of great neighbourhoods, and we’re proud to support them.
“Alongside building quality, energy-efficient homes and green spaces, we always look for ways to give back to the communities we work in.
“This club is a fantastic example of that, and we can’t wait to see them thrive in their new home.”
R2 SUMMER EVENT HELD AT GRANTON CASTLE WALLED GARDEN
R2 held our Summer Garden Party in Granton Castle’s Walled Garden last week.
Garden Parties are becoming something of an annual event for R2 – last year’s gathering at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre was a great success – and once again the event proved very popular with more than fifty local organisations represented.
Granton Castle’s Walled Garden is very much a hidden jewel, and for many participants it was a first opportunity to enjoy the wonderful green space that is tucked away between Caroline Park House and Social Bite Village.
Following a delicious buffet lunch provided by North Edinburgh’s very own Empty Kitchens Full Hearts, Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden chairperson Gillean Paterson treated visitors to a tour of the near three-acre site – and there was a delight around every corner.
From flowers beds and vegetable patches to an impressive orchard stocked with a great variety of apple, damson and plum trees, the garden is a natural wonder, teeming with life. The walled garden is ablaze with colour, and this despite the fact that there is no electricity supply and no running water on-site!
Tended by a team of enthusiastic volunteers – I was given my own wee personal tour by one volunteer who has put his handyman and building skills to good use all over the site – the garden really is an amazing local success story.
The Garden Party was an opportunity for R2 member projects to network and share information, and – maybe it was the sunshine! – there seemed to be more positive news to share than has sometimes been the case in the past. We even had music!
Connections have been made with a number of local organisations who now use the garden space regularly, and I have no doubt many more will now be making a beeline down to Granton Castle Walled Garden again following the R2 visit!
For further information about Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden, visit their website or email grantongarden@gmail.com.
For further information about R2, email Anita at hello@R2.org.uk
We are excited to announce that The Pitt will be hosting the Brick Journeys LEGO Exhibition this August!
This captivating exhibition promises to inspire creativity and wonder, showcasing intricate LEGO creations from the talented Warren Elsmore.
We are offering special group bookings at a discounted rate for nurseries and schools.
Details of the Exhibition:
Exhibition Name: Brick Journeys
Location: The Pitt Venue
Dates: 31 July – 24 August (For the first week 31 July – 10 August we are open everyday) after this we will be open Thursday – Sundays
Special Group Rate: For every 2 children, 1 adult can enter for free. Child tickets are £4.50. If there is a group of 10 or more children, we will apply for a further discount. Please note we do also have quiet sessions.
Yule love this!
