Around 6.50am this morning (Wednesday, 21 October, 2026) we received a report of a motorbike theft on Darnell Road in Trinity.
A van believed to have been involved in the incident, which had also been reported as stolen, was traced a short time later in the Granton Road area but failed to stop for officers.
A short pursuit followed before being called off. The van was then involved in a collision with a cyclist before being found abandoned on Drumsheugh Gardens.
The cyclist was taken to hospital for treatment. There were no other reports of injuries.
The occupants of the van, males aged 15 and 20, left the scene and were later traced. The 20-year-old was arrested in connection with the incident and the 15-year-old will be reported to relevant authorities. Enquiries are ongoing.
Road Policing Inspector John Easton said: “We understand the circumstances of the incident this morning are concerning for local residents.
“I’d like to reassure the public, our priority is public safety and specially trained officers were deployed alongside divisional resources to ensure a safe conclusion.
“Our enquiries remain ongoing and if you have any information about the incident or have private CCTV, doorbell or dash-cam footage which has captured anything of significance please call 101 quoting incident 0416 of 21 October.”
The North Edinburgh community said goodbye to one of the area’s most recognisable figures on Friday. Donald McDonald was a community stalwart for as long as anyone can remember, and his passing leaves the community a poorer place.
Donald was born in Pilton Crescent and lived there for almost all of his life.
He lost his mother at a young age and was brought up by his father and grandmother. Young Donald and his dad were inseparable and went everywhere together.
A shy boy, Donald did not excel at school but loved music, and the bond with his Ainslie Park music teachers Mr and Mrs McIntosh endured for many years after Donald left the local school.
He went on to work with Scottish Ominibuses, later SMT and Eastern Scottish and it was there he developed a deep love for transport, particularly buses and ferries.
He was made redundant during the Thatcher years and never worked again, but put his energy and enthusiasm to good use as a volunteer across his beloved North Edinburgh.
Donald served on a wide range of boards and management committees across North Edinburgh over many years, showing a rare commitment.
During the week, Donald would call in to visit many of his favourite projects, spending time talking to staff. He was a diligent board member, too, often turning up hours early for his own wee pre-meeeting session!
Invariably Donald would be carrying his trademark shopping bag, which was filled with a cornucopia of papers, articles, photographs and a wealth of material he was always keen to share. Sometimes during meetings he would delve into his bag and produce an item of interest; often interesting, certainly, although not always relevant to that particular meeting!
As well as being a North Edinburgh Edinburgh News board member Donald also distributed the free newspaper every month, and he often went far and beyond his own patch to share the NEN.
Weekends would see Donald attending his local Granton Parish Church, where he was a faithful member of the congregation all of his life, and also touring the length and breadth of the country, using public transport to visit far flung places to attend exhibitions, displays and shows.
Dunoon, Arbroath, Melrose, Stirling … Donald visited them all, and he made sure the North Edinburgh News was distributed in some places far outwith the Greater Pilton borders!
I remember fondly, too, his unlikely partnership with another local legend, ‘salty sea dog’ George Scammell. For some years the pair were a double act; North Edinburgh’s own Little and Large. They were doughty supporters of the campaign to save the SS Explorer, which languished, rusting and unloved, in a quite corner of Leith Docks. It took many years, but the campaign was ultimately successful,
Donald would be involved in so many campaigns and could be always be counted on to support his community when it mattered. Deputations, protests, public meetings, Donald would be there. For Donald, it was always community first.
He was an active member of many groups over the years: Granton History Group and Pilton Environment Group (PEG) are just two and in more recent years he enjoyed the debate, discussion and visits with Royston Wardieburn’s Spring Chickens and Power to the People groups.
Despite his years of commitment and dedication to his community it was absolutely no surprise that Donald was aghast when Royston Wardieburn’s management committee proposed to name a community room in his honour. Donald didn’t want any fuss, didn’t want to be in the limelight: community first.
I for one am very happy that Donald finally relented, and a plaque now bears his name in the Centre where he played such an active role and participated in so many activities over the years. I hope he was quietly proud.
Goodbye, then, dear Donald. You will be fondly remembered with great affection by all who knew you across our community.
POLICE have released CCTV images of a woman they wish to speak to as part of an ongoing investigation into a serious assault which occurred within The Pitt, West Shore Road, at around 1am on Saturday, 27 June, 2026.
The female pictured is between 25-35 years old, white, with long blonde hair, tattooed arms and legs. She was wearing a white vest top, dark coloured shorts, white trainers and white socks pulled up.
Detective Constable Lindsay Johnston said: “Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2259 of 26 June, 2026. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.”
WE (Granton& District Community Council) are aware of community concerns around the continuing occupation of Scottish Government land at Waterfront Avenue / Granton Park Avenue, which is earmarked for The Art Works development.
The Community Council acknowledges the frustration felt by local residents about the length of time it is taking for this complex issue to be resolved.
An appeal hearing in relation to the eviction order took place in early August, and the judgement was issued at the Court of Session on Thursday (27 August). It found in the Scottish Government’s favour, upholding the eviction order. However, it is worth noting that a further appeal is possible.
As a Community Council, we hope to receive further updates on next steps once available, and will do our best to communicate this to residents in good time.
We are aware of recent concerns involving groups of young people in the Pennywell and West Granton area. Our investigations have now identified 14 young people linked to 52 offences.
They and their parents/carers have been spoken to and referrals are being made to Child Protection and Youth Justice partners.
Thank you to everyone in the community who has helped us.
We remain committed to tackling behaviour that affects your quality of life and to working with partners to support young people towards safer, more positive choices.
We’ve gone massive for May – not one, not two, butFOUR epic day parties.
House, electronica, techno, fusion… even a bit of Dolly Parton… whatever you’re into, we’ve got you covered!
The Pitt & Box Energy Present:
Auntie Flo LIVE
Sun 3 May, 4pm-10pm
From £15.00
Suitability: 18+
Get ready for an electrifying night as we bring you the genre-defying sound of Auntie Flo’s full live band! Known for fusing global rhythms with experimental electronica, Auntie Flo will be bringing his captivating live set to our inclusive and welcoming space.
Northern Rodeo Country Festival
Sat 16 May, 4pm – 10pm
From £15.00
Suitability: all welcome until 8pm, then 16+
Northern Rodeo is riding back into The Pitt for another boot-stompin’, line-dancin’, bronco-buckin’ night of country fun! So round-up your crew and come join the fun at Northern Rodeo – where the North meets Nashville.
Musika presents Skyline feat. Hernan Cattaneo 5hr set
Sun 24 May, 2pm-midnight
From £45.00
Suitability: 18+
A huge Bank Holiday All-Dayer as Musika presents Skyline’s last ever Scottish show celebrating 4 years of the crème de la crème of progressive artists. Joining Hernan, Kamilo Sanclemente makes his long-awaited Edinburgh debut. Support comes from both families — Alan Dobson, Jamie McKenzie and Twilo — carrying the Musika x Skyline sound from day into night.
DAYS
Sat 30 May, 1pm-10:30pm
From £55.00
Suitability: 18+
DAYS returns to the Granton waterfront taking over the warehouse and yard for our best party to date.
With Daniel Avery, DJ Seinfeld, and Helena Hauff, while Sweely brings his signature live energy. Rounding things out are Papa Nugs and MarcelDune, two selectors currently at the top of their game.
More than 80 grassroots initiatives across Scotland will share in over £3 million funding to help deliver more ambitious community projects and activities and enable them to generate their own income.
North Edinburgh’s Heart of Newhaven and R2 are among the projects to be awarded Strengthening Communities Programme funding.
To date the Strengthening Communities Programme has helped hundreds of organisations to develop and improve their work with local communities and boost local economies.
This latest tranche of funding for 2026-27 will back community organisations to deliver local projects including spaces for business, improving access to employability and skills services, family and young people’s activities, and health and wellbeing support.
The First Minister announced the funding on a visit to the Usual Place in Dumfries – a charity that supports young people with learning disabilities to develop skills, gain qualifications and access employment.
First Minister John Swinney said: “Local organisations are best placed to understand what their communities need and how to deliver it. This programme helps to support and empower community initiatives to deliver what their area needs most – whether that is spaces for small businesses, culture and sport activities, or employability support.
“By providing this funding, we are helping organisations to become more financially resilient and develop the means to generate income for themselves. This will not only help boost local economies, but in turn help these projects generate more funds to serve wider community needs.
“The Usual Place is a fantastic example of this type of initiative. Their work to support young people with additional support needs to build community connections and friendships, and develop the skills needed to access employment, helps to improve peoples’ lives and future opportunities. I was pleased to visit the charity and see first-hand the difference it is making for people in Dumfries.”
Craig McEwen, Chief Executive at The Usual Place said: “Following a very difficult year for The Usual Place, we are now in a much better financial position.
“With the interim funding found to give us breathing space and now the success in securing funds through the Strengthening Communities Programme, we have the space to create capacity to implement some strategic changes, decided by the Board of Trustees, to enable us to diversify our income streams to ensure a more stable future for The Usual Place. Over the past ten years we have put back into the economy of Dumfries and Galloway £9.8m, so our value speaks for itself.
“We thank the First Minister personally, and the Scottish Government for believing in the work we do in reducing the disability employment gap here in Dumfries & Galloway and beyond.”
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME
FUNDING BY ORGANISATION 2026/27
Organisation Name / Funding 2026/27
Active Communities £39,461
Annan Harbour Action Group £47,000
Antonine Sports Centre £44,980
Ardrossan Community Development Trust £40,679
Arisaig Community Trust £46,604
Assynt Development Trust £17,000
Belhelvie Community Trust £26,325
Bluevale Community Club £51,952
Bute Community Land Company £17,760
Campsie Memorial Trust £21,750
Castlemilk Community Football Trust £53,000
Community Development Company of Nesting £25,300
Comrie Development Trust £53,000
Cromarty Community Development Trust £33,100
Culbokie Community Trust £30,277
Dalbeattie Community Initiative £53,060
David Livingston Trust, Blantyre £31,500
Development Coll £41,597
Dufftown and District Community Association £18,825
Dunvegan Community Trust £26,661
Eday Partnership £18,000
Glen Urquhart Rural Community Association (GURCA) £8,500
Glengarry Community Woodlands £20,000
Go Golspie £40,000
Gorebridge Community Development Trust £48,169
Grow 73 £18,688
Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust £40,647
Heart of Newhaven£47,356
Helmsdale & District Development Trust £30,000
IG – Great Bernera Community Trust £39,048
Inspired Community Enterprise Trust (ICET) (The Usual Place) £25,402
Isle of Canna Community Development Trust £12,537
Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust £25,355
Isle of Luing Community Trust £27,000
Kilmadock Development Trust £10,049
Kinloch Historical Society £35,000
Kinlochleven Community Trust £24,110
Kinning Park Complex £42,500
Kirkcolm Community Trust £9,500
Kirkcudbright Development Trust £32,500
Kirknewton Community Development Trust £35,000
Lesmahagow Development Trust £60,504
Linlithgow Community Development Trust £34,885
Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust £25,773
Lockerbie Old School £53,500
Maslow’s Community SCIO £44,847
Midsteeple Quarter, Dumfries £56,420
Minginish Community Association £24,000
New Cumnock Development Trust £44,563
Nith Valley Trust £32,444
North Edinburgh R2 Co-ordinator £56,205
North Glasgow Community Food Initiative £29,388
North Ronaldsay Trust £23,000
One Dalkeith £36,057
Pollok United Nethercraigs CIC £46,498
Portgordon Community Trust Limited £28,723
Possilpark People’s Trust £32,700
Rannoch Community Trust £43,722
Roseneath Pennisula West CDT £44,500
Ruchazie Growing 21 £40,000
Sandness Community Development Group £22,028
Scalloway Community Development Company £38,468
Scourie Community Development Company £12,000
Shapinsay Development Trust £20,000
SHAX £50,500
Sleat Community Trust £38,601
South Islay Development Trust £20,000
South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust £33,990
Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry SCIO £10,000
Stow Community Trust £36,382
Stranraer Development Trust £47,000
Stranraer Water Sports Association £35,690
South West Arts & Music Project (SWAMP) £20,000
Take a Bow Development Trust £48,320
Tayport Community Trust £48,638
The Furniture Project, Stranraer £40,500
The Pavilion, Glasgow £37,987
Three Kings Cullen Association £40,800
Tiree Community Development Trust £22,650
Torridon and District Community Association £46,090
Unst Partnership £37,288
Whitburn Community Development Trust £37,195
Wick Development Trust £26,030
Please note that all funding amounts are subject to due diligence.
