WE are getting closer to deciding the slogan for our banner!
Have you voted for your favourite?
If you live in the locality, pop in to our cafe and let us know your preference from the shortlist.
Better still; come along TODAY Thursday 18th – 2pm for a studio visit as well – to see how Sarah-Jane has developed the banner design from workshops with Art for Grown Ups, Royston Wardieburn Community Centre and Wester Hailes’ Art group members.
The Message – choose from:
We All Come From Somewhere
Love This Place
Love & Respect Make it Better
Let’s Create Something Together
We All Belong Here
The final decision will be made on Friday 19th 5pm, from the votes of well over 120 local residents and workers who’ve considered the shortlist so far – ADD YOURS BEFORE THE DEADLINE!
The banner will eventually hang in the cafe; as a welcome to everyone who comes through the doors to get involved in creating community here at North Edinburgh Arts
(Picture (top) shows artist @SarahJaneembroidery experimenting with paper cut-outs for design purposes – not the final words!)
Five more centres to open in first 100 days of new government
A new GP walk-in service will open in the centre of Aberdeen later this month, Health Secretary Angela Constance has announced.
Based within Aberdeen Health Village on Frederick Street, the new clinic will open on 23 June for any member of the public to attend, with no appointment necessary.
The service will be open on a phased basis initially, run by GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and nurses, offering same day care and treatment for minor illnesses.
The Aberdeen city centre site will be the seventh GP walk-in service across Scotland to open since the start of the year, and the first of the five centres the Scottish Government has committed to open in its first 100 days.
Walk-in centres have opened in Edinburgh, Dundee, Western Isles, Stranraer, Lerwick and Hawick in just over four months and speaking on a visit to the site of the Aberdeen GP walk-in service, Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “The new walk-in centre in the heart of Aberdeen city centre will be an asset to local health services in the area and plans are progressing at pace to welcome patients from the 23rd June.
“We know that accessing GP services on the day, when you need urgent care, can be a source of frustration. That’s why we have opened GP-led walk-in services across the country to support with on the day care to address the ‘8am rush’ and relieve pressure on GP surgeries – freeing up capacity to focus on complex and long-term care.
“We value the key role and expertise that GPs have to play in people’s care. We are underpinning that by increasing investment in general practice by £531 million over three years to significantly boost recruitment from this year, helping to deliver the capacity needed to improve services for patients.”
Emma King, Primary Care Lead for Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership, said: “We are pleased to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to the Aberdeen GP walk-in centre as we make the final preparations for opening to the public later this month.
2We are looking forward to getting to work and testing this new approach to improving access to same-day care.”
16 GP walk-in services were planned initially, backed by £36 million of investment. Five of these, including the one in Aberdeen, are due to open within the first 100 days of this government.
A process to identify 14 more sites, to a total of 30, is currently underway.
Initial 16 planned GP walk-in sites
Phase One
Wester Hailes, Edinburgh – NHS Lothian
Lochee GP Practice, Dundee – NHS Tayside
Benbecula – NHS Western Isles
Stranraer – NHS Dumfries and Galloway
Lerwick – NHS Shetland
Hawick – NHS Borders
Invergordon – NHS Highland
Dunoon – NHS Highland
Aberdeen – NHS Grampian
Cardonald, Glasgow – NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Moray – NHS Grampian
Aberdeenshire – NHS Grampian
Sauchie, Alloa – NHS Forth Valley
Phase Two
East Ayrshire, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
Clydesdale, NHS Lanarkshire
Central Fife, NHS Fife
Locations for an additional 14 additional GP walk-in sites, taking the total number of planned services to 30, will be announced within the first 100 days of the new Scottish Government.
Supporting families with the cost of living and eradicating child poverty will be a key focus of the Scottish Government, First Minister John Swinney has said.
Ahead of a visit to meet parents and children at a Bookbug session in Wester Hailes the First Minister said tackling the cost of living, ensuring people get support before reaching a crisis, and helping children and parents in the early years will be key priorities for the new Cabinet.
In March, the Scottish Government set out plans to drive further reductions in child poverty. This includes committing an additional £500,000 over two years to expand Bookbug, supporting a further 20,000 low-income families across Scotland.
Mr Swinney said: “Every child in Scotland deserves a future free from the scourge of poverty. It will be the defining mission of my government to support families with the cost of living and eradicate child poverty.
“Our policies are already helping to keep an estimated 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year – but we are determined to deliver truly ambitious change to reduce the cost of living.
“This includes expanding all year round childcare to all children from nine-months to the end of primary school, introducing a £2 nationwide cap on bus fares, increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 for under-ones and delivering comprehensive ‘Whole Family Support’ that wraps around families in their communities, helping break the cycle of poverty.”
Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing.
“I look forward to driving further progress on the work started in the last parliamentary term to eradicate child poverty, tackle the cost of living and accelerate the delivery of more affordable homes.
“Reducing child poverty in Scotland is at the heart of this government’s ambitious agenda for change and we will work across government, the parliament and with our much-valued third sector, to give families the safety and security they need.”
POLICE are appealing for information after a woman was robbed of her car in Edinburgh yesterday (Tuesday, 12 May, 2026).
Around 3.20pm, the 22-year-old woman was parking her white Peugeot 208 at the rear of the Scotmid store at Morvenside Close, Wester Hailes. As she was sitting in her car, a man approached, threatened her with a knife and demanded her keys.
A member of the public came to assist the woman as she got out the car. The suspect managed to enter the car and another man who had been standing nearby got into the passenger side. They drove off.
The two suspects are described as white and of gaunt appearance. One was aged 30-40 years with a scruffy blonde beard. He was wearing a black tracksuit and baseball cap. The second man was wearing a navy tracksuit and a black balaclava.
Detective Inspector Robert Wallace said: “This was a very frightening experience for this woman who was simply trying to go to the shops when she was targeted. Thankfully, she was uninjured.
“We are continuing significant enquiries to trace the two men responsible. This includes gathering and viewing CCTV footage from in and around the area.
“This is a busy area and I am confident that there were people nearby who haven’t yet spoken to police. I urge them to please get in touch.
“I also ask anyone with personal footage or dash-cam to review their footage and come forward if it holds anything relevant.”
Information should be passed to Police Scotland through 101 quoting incident number 2051 of Tuesday, 12 May, 2026.
POLICE in Edinburgh are asking for the public’s help in tracing a missing teenager.Adeddamola Adebayo, known as Damola, was last seen on Monday, 6 April, 2026, in the Granton area.
He was reported missing to police yesterday, Tuesday, 21 April, 2026.
The 17-year-old has links across the city, including the Wester Hailes area and Ferry Road.
Adeddamola is described as black, of slim build, around 6ft 4ins tall with short black hair. His current clothing is not known, and he speaks with a London accent.
Sergeant Andy Wylie said: “We are conducting a number of enquiries across the city to make sure that Adeddamola is safe.
“We’re eager to hear from anyone who may have seen, or spoken to him, since the beginning of April, to get in contact.
“If Adeddamola himself sees this appeal – please get in touch with police.”
Those with information should contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 1091 of 21 April 2026.
More than £98,000 worth of illegal drugs have been recovered in Edinburgh.
On Thursday, 16 April, 2026, officers acting on intelligence attempted to stop a vehicle in Murrayburn Drive. The car was found crashed in the Calder Gardens area a short time later and two men were arrested. No serious injuries were reported.
Drugs including cocaine, pink cocaine and heroin worth £98,180 were recovered, as well as a bladed weapon and a four-figure sum of cash. The vehicle was also found to be stolen.
The men, both aged 23, were charged in connection and were due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday – Friday, 17 April, 2026.
Sergeant Will Dickson, from Edinburgh West Local Initiative Team, said: “This is a significant recovery which means a large quantity of drugs will remain off our streets.
“Information from the community is absolutely vital and I’d like to thank them for their cooperation and the information they’ve provided.
“This result shows we will use every tool and tactic at our disposal to trace those committing crimes in our communities and make our community a safer place for all.”
Anyone with information or concerns should speak to officers or contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Initiatives to drive economic growth and tackle poverty
Funding for community regeneration projects in Granton and Wester Hailes
Projects to create jobs and regenerate communities across Scotland will benefit from funding set out in the 2026-27 Scottish Budget.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes outlined 32 projects across Scotland which will benefit from the latest round of the £36 million Regeneration Capital Grant Fund. The proposals are expected to support more than 1,200 new jobs and 800 training opportunities as well as bringing 21 disused or derelict sites back into use.
Initiatives include funding to transform Granton Lighthouse into a hub for musicians, artists and creative businesses, with studios and offices as well as exhibition space and a café open to the public.
Other projects include:
starting works on an advanced manufacturing park for maritime technologies on the River Clyde
creating affordable homes in remote areas of the Highlands and Islands
expanding watersports businesses in Tarbert and Campbeltown
extending Harris’s only visitor centre to include retail and events space and student accommodation
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes visited Granton Lighthouse in Edinburgh to outline projects benefiting from our Regeneration Capital Grant Fund in 2026-27.
The initiatives are expected to create more than 1,200 jobs and 800 training opportunities.
Following a visit to Granton Lighthouse Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “This investment will make a real difference to people’s lives – providing affordable homes, economic opportunities and community spaces the length and breadth of Scotland.
“Creating hundreds of jobs and training opportunities will boost family incomes and give children a better start in life.
“Granton Lighthouse is a beacon for its community’s future. Once derelict, it will become a vibrant creative hub as part of our commitment to support plans to regenerate Granton Waterfront into a thriving coastal community.”
Granton Lighthouse will be operated by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust after its restoration. Rob Hoon, Chief Executive of the trust, said: “Out of the Blue is delighted that the Scottish Government has granted regeneration funding for the refurbishment of Granton Lighthouse.
“We have been an integral part of the team planning the refurbishment of Granton Lighthouse. The Lighthouse is a significant landmark listed building loved by local people, who see an exciting opportunity for involvement in a new creative space, with opportunities for learning, a cafe, studios, music practice and recording.”
Regeneration Capital Grant Fund projects for 2026-27:
Granton Lighthouse Creative Hub (City of Edinburgh) — £2,277,545
The Scottish Marine Technology Park (West Dunbartonshire Council) – £4,229,000
Achagarry: homes for Coigach (Highland Council) — £575,920
Sustainable living in Applecross (Highland Council) — £552,000
Hebrides People Visitor Centre (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) — £1,850,000
Kintyre Seasports (Argyll and Bute Council) — £800,000
Tarbert Harbour Community Water Sports and Activity Hub (Argyll and Bute Council) — £850,000
North Uist Community and Heritage (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) — £599,000
Tighnabruaich community refuelling and business hub (Argyll and Bute Council) — £120,000
130–132 High Street, Dumfries (Dumfries and Galloway Council) — £838,909
GDI site remediation and enabling works, Gatehouse of Fleet (Dumfries and Galloway Council) — £1,034,058
Kirkton Community Centre (Dundee Council) — £1,426,916
Bourtreehill village regeneration (North Ayrshire Council) — £1,169,000
The Cairnlea Centre: a wellbeing hub for Airdrie (North Lanarkshire Council) – £1,700,000
Grant Lodge: gateway to Moray (Moray Council) — £1,104,827
Speldiburn Community Hub enhancement project (Shetland Council) — £997,943
A new community hub and civic square for Dalgety Bay (Fife Council) — £1,500,000
Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy said: “The earlier disturbance in the Calder area of Edinburgh is now contained and there is not believed to be any wider risk to the public.
“The incident is not being treated as terror related.
“Officers were called to reports of a man with a bladed weapon on Calder Gardens around 8.25am.
“Specialist resources, including firearms officers, are in attendance at a property nearby and enquiries are ongoing.
“Two people were injured and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
“I understand this is an alarming incident for the local community. I want to reassure the public, officers will remain in the area as our enquiries continue. Anyone with information or concerns can approach these officers or call us on 101.”
Major milestone in delivering faster access to care
Patients will have access to GP-led care on the same day without an appointment as the First Minister opens the first of a new network of walk-in services.The new services will make it easier for people to get urgent care for medical issues while easing pressure on GP practices and hospitals.
The Scottish Government is investing £36 million into a pilot programme which will see a further 14 services established across Scotland.
First Minister John Swinney has opened the country’s first GP walk-in clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, marking a significant step forward in the government’s efforts to strengthen primary care.
Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Swinney said: “I know how important access to urgent medical care is for people, and how important it is for people to get the right care, in the right place at the right time.
“Our network of walk-in GP-led services will ensure people get the care they need at a time that works for them – and opening this first clinic is a major milestone as we continue to deliver trusted leadership for our health service.
“Open seven days per week from 12pm-8pm, these walk-in clinics will deliver over one million additional GP and nurse appointments, making it easier than ever for people to access urgent care when they need it most.
“With GP numbers up, long waits down, record numbers of hip and knee operations and 15 new walk-in GP clinics opening in Scotland, it is clear we are making progress in our NHS – and I am determined that we will continue to drive forward improvements.”
Tracey McKigen, Director of Primary Care for NHS Lothian, said: “We are proud to be launching this pilot service in collaboration with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership.
“It will add to the range of health services in Wester Hailes and make it easier for local patients registered with eight eligible GP practices in southwest Edinburgh to get same day care for new, urgent conditions.”
The walk-in clinic at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre is open every day from 12 noon to 8pm with no appointment needed.
During the pilot phase, the service is available to patients registered with a group of local GP practices in southwest Edinburgh.
Depending on clinical need, patients may see a GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
Have you voted for your favourite? 
