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.
Community Mushroom Farming with Mario is a hands-on learning experience. In these two-hour workshops, you will gain an understanding of the different aspects of community mushroom farming. Learn which seasonal native fungi you can grow outdoors for food and soil restoration.
14 July 1-3 pm at Granton Castle Walled Garden
All events are free to join. This is a workshop run by @mycobeemushrooms. To book your place, email Mycobee stating the date and time of the event you would like to book: info@mycobee.org.
Join us in celebrating a year of creativity, community, and artistic growth at Granton:hub Art classes Summer Exhibition!
Opening Night – All Welcome!
Friday 27th June | 18:30 – 20:30
Enjoy an evening of art, conversation, and inspiration. There’ll be drinks, nibbles, and plenty of time to chat and catch up with fellow artists in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Exhibition Open to the Public:Saturday 28th June | 12:00 – 16:00Sunday 29th June | 12:00 – 16:00
Featuring life drawings, paintings, portraits, landscapes, and city sketches created by our students over the past year.
Advanced clinic provides same-day scan and surgeon consultation
SCOTLAND’s most comprehensive same-day breast implant health check service has launched at a new state-of-the-art hospital.
Based at Waterfront Private Hospital in Edinburgh, the specialist service is the first of its kind in the country, providing women with same-day ultrasound scans and consultant-led advice from a plastic surgeon, all in a single visit.
Leading the service is radiologist Dr Theodora Zachari, whose expert ultrasound scanning is carried out using advanced Canon Aplio i-series equipment, regarded as the gold standard in soft tissue imaging.
Following the scan, patients immediately meet with a highly experienced consultant plastic surgeons for interpretation and advice.
Dr Omar Quaba, consultant plastic surgeon and co-founder at Waterfront Private Hospital, said: “Many women with breast implants are unsure about their long-term condition, especially those placed over a decade ago or performed overseas.
“This one-stop clinic removes the need for multiple appointments, giving patients peace of mind and a clear pathway for future care, all on the same day.”
While breast implants are considered safe, patients are advised to monitor them regularly, particularly as they age. Changes in shape, discomfort, or concerns about rupture or capsular contracture are among the common reasons for seeking checks.
Until now, women in Scotland often faced long waiting times, fragmented care or the need to travel elsewhere in the UK to access equivalent services. The new health check clinic aims to address these gaps by providing a streamlined, patient-focused experience delivered by specialists.
Dr Theodora Zachari, Consultant Radiologist, said: “Women deserve accessible, high-quality care when it comes to their health. This service brings together radiology and surgical expertise to provide answers without delay.”
The hospital’s new clinic provides a safe, professional alternative for those seeking clarity on the health of their implants, whether they are experiencing symptoms or simply want reassurance.
Operating as a boutique family-run hospital, Waterfront Private Hospital has gained a strong reputation for personalised care and surgical expertise. Patients are seen in a luxury clinical environment, with direct access to the same medical team for follow-up care and advice.
Dr Quaba added: “Our goal is to demystify breast implant health and make it easy for women to take control. Whether it’s peace of mind or planning a revision procedure, this clinic gives them the trusted information they need.”
Women can self-refer or be referred by their GP, and the service is open to anyone with implants, regardless of where or when the surgery took place. Consultations typically last around an hour and are followed up with a tailored report and further guidance where needed.
The Waterfront Private Hospital team stresses that implant-related issues can often be managed effectively when identified early. As such, regular health checks are increasingly considered a vital part of long-term cosmetic care.
Opened in late 2023, the hospital is home to some of the most qualified and experienced plastic and skin surgeons in Scotland, including dual-qualified specialists in plastic surgery and dermatology. This expertise allows for a full spectrum of care, from cosmetic procedures to life-saving skin cancer treatments.
Harbour Homes, alongside Cairn Housing Association and CCG Scotland, has been announced as a finalist in the Scottish Home Awards, sponsored by Ross & Liddell. The awards are a celebration of excellence in Scottish housing.
Leith’s biggest social landlord is in the running for Social Housing Development of the Year (over 100 units) for its development at Chestnut Street on Granton’s waterfront. The development is also a finalist in the Housing Regeneration Project of the Year category.
The project at Chestnut Street includes 96 homes for social rent by Harbour Homes and 130 properties for mid market rent by Harbour Lettings. The remaining 80 properties are social rent homes provided by Cairn Housing Association. The project’s contractor was CCG and the architect was Hackland + Dore.
Heather Kiteley, Chief Executive, Harbour Homes, said:“We are very proud that our development at Chestnut Street has been recognised for its success in bringing high-quality, affordable homes to Granton.
“To also be shortlisted in the Regeneration Project of the Year category is a wonderful testament to the hard work of all those involved.”
Audrey Simpson, CEO, Cairn Housing Association, said:“We’re thrilled that Chestnut Wynd has been recognised at the Scottish Home Awards.
“This project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through strong partnership working, and we’re proud to have played a part in delivering high-quality, affordable homes in Granton.
“It’s great to see our collective efforts being celebrated, and we’d like to thank everyone involved in making this development a success.”
West Pilton Park will come alive on Saturday, 17th May, from 12:00 to 5:30 PM, as the much-anticipated and award-winning North Edinburgh Community Festival enters its fourth year.
Known for its vibrancy, inclusivity, and celebration of local talent, this year’s festival promises to be bigger, brighter, and more colourful than ever before. With over 10,000 attendees expected, it’s an unmissable event for the entire community.
Festival Highlights
This year, the festival will host over 160 local organisations, charities, and community groups, offering a kaleidoscope of activities—from hair braiding and glitter tattoos to boxing and dodgeball, from live music programmed by Granton Youth and Tinderbox to dance performances and pop-up dance mobs from Edinburgh College, and from Edinburgh Fringe Festival street performers to North Edinburgh Arts for all things arts and crafts.
North Edinburgh Arts and Imaginate have once again collaborated creating commissioned performances that will be performed by local children and young people from the North Edinburgh Youth Arts Collective.
As well as running their jam packed arts and crafts tent for families; their Art for Grown Ups, Arts & Dance and CREATE groups are all planning to join the festival parade en route as it passes by the Macmillan Hub.
We’ll be hosting North Edinburgh’s very own ‘Crufts’ with our first ever ‘Scruffs’ Dog Show – with 6 categories to enter and prizes up for grabs including North Edinburgh’s waggiest tail!
This is hosted by Audrey Coltart of Branniffmhor Cockers, a seasoned professional in dog competitions, and a respected judge!
Whatever your interest,we’ve got it all!
The festival remains free to attend, with 90% of activities free of charge, ensuring accessibility for everyone. While food vans and items will be available for purchase, the festival aims to keep costs low for attendees.
Key Projects Spotlight
The North Edinburgh Community Festival will feature three major projects that celebrate local food, culture, diversity and artistic expression:
THE TATTIE PROJECT
Celebrating the humble potato, this collaborative initiative includes over 10 local organisations such as Lauriston Farm and R2. Residents will engage in activities like growing, harvesting, cooking, and distributing potatoes.
In the food demonstration tent, six local home cooks will share potato recipes from their cultures, highlighting the diversity of local cuisine.
Scran Academy and Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts will serve up 2,000 free hot baked potatoes with toppings, ensuring everyone gets a delicious taste of this staple food.
While we regret the absence of RRT this year due to budget cuts, we remain grateful for the 5,000 free meals they’ve provided at past festivals.
THE NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY CHOIR
A festival legacy project, the choir unites over 100 young people from Pirniehall, St. David’s, Forthview and Craigroyston Primary Schools and Craigroyston High School as well as Tinderbox Music Club to perform at the festival.
Earlier this year, these students had the opportunity to perform with international megastar Ed Sheeran alongside Tinderbox Orchestra at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre. Their performance will include his hit song, Bad Habits!
THE FESTIVAL PARADE
Pulse of the Place, Edinburgh Carnival and Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival leads the way with the festival’s largest and most colourful parade yet.
Featuring vibrant costumes, masks, and performances, the parade will embody the theme of rainbows.
Starting at North Edinburgh Childcare, it’s a 1-mile journey into West Pilton Park. The parade departs NEC at 1030am and will reach the park at 12noon to kick off the festivities.
Expect up to 12 dance groups to bring the vibe.
Over 200 families and groups will participate including Oaklands School, LACAE and North Edinburgh Childcare.
Parade participants are welcome to join at the start or en route.
Entertainment Across Three Stages
This year, the festival will feature three unique stages:
Main Stage: Showcasing local community music groups and organisations such as Fischy Music, Ama-zing Harmonies, Tinderbox Tuesday Hub, Rhythms of India and Edinburgh Ukrainian Choir
Indoor Stage – North by North West: A platform for emerging young singers and bands including All the Wrong People, The Clamz, Bows and Bridges and Abigail Kerner
Carnival Stage: Hosting parade participants’ dazzling live performances including Passion 4 Fusion, Street Mash, Sol de Peru and Angie Disney’s Silent Disco!
The North Edinburgh Community Festival is a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and community spirit. Whether you’re attending for the music, activities, food, or simply to soak in the vibrant atmosphere, this event has something for everyone.
Join Us
When: Saturday, 17th May, 12:00 PM – 5:30 PM Where: West Pilton Park, Edinburgh Cost: Free entry
Mark your calendars, bring your friends and family, and experience the magic of the North Edinburgh Community Festival! We can’t wait to see you there!
