Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is giving customers a helping hand with value restaurant offers in its Edinburgh store.
Customers in Edinburgh can recharge and relax in Dobbies’ restaurant. Whether catching up with friends or spending time with the family, the Dobbies’ team will be on hand, serving hearty breakfasts, lunches and delicious sweet treats throughout the day. Dobbies’ restaurant also offers a dog-friendly area.
Hearty breakfasts for under £5
Kick start the morning and enjoy the most important meal of the day at Dobbies. Customers can order a three-item breakfast roll for just £4.25 and a five-item breakfast for £4.50. Quality produce is at the heart of Dobbies’ breakfasts with succulent pork sausages, thick cut back bacon and free-range eggs. There’s also a vegetarian choice for an alternative breakfast option.
Effortless lunches
Choose from a wide selection of lunch options, including light seasonal dishes such as hearty soups, jacket potatoes and handmade sandwiches or toasties from £4.95, served from 11:30am until 3pm.
Main courses can also be enjoyed daily from 12noon until 3pm. Popular dishes include Dobbies’ sustainable haddock dipped in a gluten-free batter served with chips, peas and tartare sauce, classic lasagne or chicken Caesar salad.
Customers over 60 can tuck into a main meal and a cake for just £9.95, Monday-Friday from 12noon.
Delicious sweet treats
Indulge in a sweet treat at Dobbies and take advantage of this delicious deal. Customers can treat themselves to a traditional or vegetarian Afternoon Tea for two experience for £20 and enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, mini cakes and slices, freshly made plain and fruit scones with jam and clotted cream, plus a pot of tea or coffee is included.
Afternoon Tea should be booked online, in advance, at dobbies.com.
If you’re looking for a light afternoon bite, Dobbies’ two for one offer on scones is priced at £3.75 and is available from 2pm.
Kids Eat Free
Dobbies’ Kids Eat Free offer runs through the day, allowing children under the age of 16 to enjoy their food for free with every traditional adult breakfast and main course meal at lunch. This includes kids’ breakfasts, lunch menu or a pick ‘n’ mix meal, plus a drink.
Adam Veysey, Dobbies Development Chef, said: “We’re committed to offering great tasting and great value meals in our Edinburgh restaurant.
“We’re very aware that people will be controlling their spend this January, so we’ve ensured we’re offering our customers the chance to enjoy eating out for less. With seasonal produce and customer favourites, we have something for all the family.”
Leith Collective invited to celebrate Burns Nightwith PM at 10 Downing Streetahead of sustainable marketplace launch
Whilst many of us in the Scottish capital will be raising a wee dram on Burns Night with friends and family, one Edinburgh Community Interest Company founder will be spending it south of the border with someone rather unexpected.
Sara Thomson, founder of The Leith Collective, has been invited to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday 25th January to celebrate Burns Night with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The exclusive event promises to be a celebration of Scottish culture, and Sara hopes the event will provide an opportunity to shine a light on the wealth of artistic talent here in Scotland. And it is this community of Scottish artists that Sara is hoping to support with the launch of her new sustainable online marketplace, We Relove.
“The Leith Collective has three Scottish stores, each one stocked with beautifully crafted items made by local artists that have reclaimed, recycled, reimagined, and repurposed everyday items. Every day I’m amazed by the sheer skill, inventiveness, and creativity of our local artists”, Sara explained.
“But I want to do more to help artists who aren’t based in Edinburgh and Glasgow. I want to help raise the profile of eco artists from all over Scotland. And so, I’m launching We Relove – Scotland’s first sustainable online marketplace.”
By launching We Relove, Sara hopes to give Scottish artists a new online platform through which they can showcase their work, as well as give consumers greater choice when it comes to shopping sustainably.
It is not the first time that Sara has caught the attention of a head of government. In 2021, Sara received word that she had been specially selected to become a UK ‘One Step Greener’ ambassador ahead of COP26. She was then chosen by the then PM, Boris Johnson, to become the UK’s 1772nd Point of Light. As a result, Sara met Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street and enjoyed a video chat with HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
Since then, Sara has gone on to expand The Leith Collective, opening a store in Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre and Fort Kinnaird. She also organised a highly successful winter coat exchange which saw more than 5,000 coats rehomed to those in need, plus a Christmas tree and school uniform exchange to help locals cope with the cost of living crisis.
Artists, makers, and crafters from Scotland and beyond can register their interest in becoming a We Relove seller at www.we-relove.com.
Royal Bank of Scotland transfers the ground behind Dundas House in the final step before work begins on site
City’s first new concert hall in over 100 years will complete James Craig’s plans for Edinburgh’s iconic New Town
IMPACT Scotland and Royal Bank of Scotland today marked the transfer of the land behind the Royal Bank of Scotland’s iconic Dundas House, clearing the final step to allow work to begin preparing the New Town site for the construction of Dunard Centre which will begin later in 2023.
The music venue, which was given the green light by Edinburgh’s planning authorities in November 2021 is set transform the city’s cultural offering with the construction of its first purpose built concert hall in over 100 years.
Alison Rose, Chief Executive of the NatWest Group, of which the Royal Bank of Scotland is part,visited the site with Gavin Reid, Co-Chair of IMPACT Scotland and Chief Executive of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, to mark the moment the site was handed over.
Alison Rose said: “Edinburgh is a global capital and world stage for international arts, culture and music. The Dunard Centre will provide further space to continue that tradition and offer further opportunity for more musicians and artists to develop and create.
“This project is a great example of what can be achieved with close collaboration across the city’s public and private sectors. Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to play a part in helping bring this project to life.”
Gavin Reid said: “Together, we are building a bold and brilliant venue which is an expression of faith in our city, our country and our future. The Dunard Centre will be a place where musicians and audiences come together to create and share extraordinary experiences.
“Through this final design stage we are enjoying the challenge of ensuring excellence in every surface, corridor, seat and handrail. Every detail of the building will be finely tuned to make sure that concert going is an inspirational and exhilarating experience.”
RBS as per order of itinerary , Copyright photo Paul Chappells
A specialist team led by award winning David Chipperfield Architects and Nagata Acoustics has designed the Dunard Centre to rival any in the world for design, intimacy and clarity of sound.
With seating for 1000 people, the venue will be a transformational new home for Scottish Chamber Orchestra, an iconic new venue for Edinburgh International Festival and a gift to music lovers and performers of all genres.
It is expected that all clearance work will complete later in 2023 and that work will begin on the new concert hall soon after.
Dunard Centre is being funded through substantial philanthropic donations, including the visionary support of Dunard Fund, and underpinned by £25 million support from the Scottish and UK governments and the City of Edinburgh Council, as part of the City Region Deal.
Royal Bank of Scotland is supporting the project by providing a long-term lease for the land which sits directly behind Dundas House on St Andrew Square. A campaign is well underway to secure the remaining funds required before construction begins later in 2023.
Detectives in Edinburgh have released images of a woman who may be able to assist an investigation into an assault which occurred on Lothian Road on Saturday 19 November 2022, around 3.30am.
The woman is described as white, 5’4″ – 5’6″, of medium build, in her mid to late 20’s, with long shoulder length blonde hair.
She was wearing a beige/cream shirt-dress and white boots with a black handbag.
Detective Constable Neill Watt said: “Our enquiries into the incident are ongoing and we would urge the woman or anyone who recognises her, or anyone with any other information to please get in touch.
“You can call 101, quoting reference 0570 of 19 November, 2022, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A special groundbreaking event was held yesterday (Thursday 19 January) to mark the start of construction work on the new Currie Community High School.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills at the Scottish Government was joined on site by Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council and Head Teacher Jenny Hutchison.
The new Currie Community High School, which will be one of the most energy efficient high schools in Scotland, is expected to open in 2025 and is being built by partners Kier Construction.
The campus will be one of the first Passivhaus-designed high schools in the country setting the standard for energy consumption across school estates. Passivhaus is a rigorous energy standard which reduces the amount of energy needed for heating by up to 90%. It also lowers the total amount of energy used by around 70% and minimises carbon emissions. The new school will support Edinburgh’s aim of net zero emissions by 2030.
At the heart of the new school plans are five core elements: education, inclusion, outdoor learning and sustainability, digital learning and community access. The school will have a series of learning zones for pupils with breakout areas which include:
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) over three levels with dual-teaching classrooms, science labs, technician areas and a learning plaza
Languages and Humanities with dual-teaching classrooms, learning plaza and a debating chamber
Expressive Arts with music rooms, a recording studio, art studios including a kiln room, dance studios, drama studio and stage
Health and Wellbeing with a gym hall, games hall, fitness suite and swimming pool, food technology and hospitality
Integrated Support with wellbeing hub, support for learning classroom, a sensory room and a sensory garden
There is a strong emphasis on outdoor learning with the creation of a special terrace on the second floor providing all of the learning zones with immediate access to external teaching spaces. This focus will shape the curriculum on offer and ensure these outdoor spaces promote sustainability and link lifelong learning to the surrounding grounds of the school and community.
Health and wellbeing also feature prominently in the designs with the creation of a dedicated wellbeing hub and separate wellness centre to support pupils. The hub will be based in the integrated support zone and is a dedicated room in a quiet location which can be used as part of a planned alternative/flexible timetable to help young people learn in a variety of settings.
The wellness centre will be in the community and sports side of the building and will provide a space for counselling and activities to support improved mental health.
The new building will offer the community daytime, evening and weekend access to an intergenerational community hub. Visitors can drop in to the library space in the foyer, access meeting rooms and digital services, visit the café, keep healthy at the gym and pool or enjoy a walk around the grounds. There will also be public allotments.
Councillor Joan Griffiths said: “These are exciting times for the Currie school community as there are so many innovative elements to the plans which have energy efficiency at their centre.
“This will make the new campus one of the first high schools in Scotland to meet Passivhaus standards and supports Edinburgh’s aim of net zero emissions by 2030.
“The new school will provide a first-class learning setting and be an exciting, inspirational and creative hub for the whole community which will meet both future educational and environmental needs.
“I’m delighted to see such a strong emphasis on outdoor learning with the creation of a special terrace and how the outdoor spaces will promote sustainability for the school and local community.”
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This new school will provide an inspiring learning environment for around 1,000 pupils and will benefit generations to come. It has been a privilege for me to break the ground here today on this fantastic addition to the area and to hear what a difference this completed project will make to pupils and the wider community.
“The project will be completed using support from the first phase of the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP), which is managed by the Scottish Futures Trust and will benefit tens of thousands of pupils across Scotland.”
Jenny Hutchison, Currie Community High School Head Teacher, said: “It was great to be at the event this morning as everyone can now see the construction taking place on the site of the new school.
“We’re so incredibly excited about what our new school has to offer as a learning and community campus with an amazing energy around curriculum development and how we ensure that young people develop the skills to be 21st century ready.
“As one of the first Passivhaus schools in Scotland, we are committed to energy efficiency for the benefits of our young people and community. The opportunities for intergenerational learning are endless with transformational learning spaces both inside the building and out.”
Phil McDowell, Regional Director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said:“This really is a unique project, which not only creates an outstanding new school, but its vast range of facilities will bring important socio-economic benefits to the local area.
“Everything about the new school has been designed with the focus of minimising energy usage and creating a healthy environment for generations to come.
“We’re proud to continue our successful relationship with the City of Edinburgh Council to deliver this fantastic new facility for the community of Currie.”
The new school will deliver more proactive services closer to people across the city, which is a key part of our 20-minute neighbourhood strategy. We want everyone to live well locally and be able to meet most of their daily needs from within their own community by walking, cycling, wheeling or taking public transport.
This means working with our local partners and communities to better plan and deliver services that meet everyone’s needs.
Local community hubs will bring daily services together for everyone to help create more social, inclusive and accessible communities that are connected by safe active travel routes. These will help to support the wellbeing of all citizens and end poverty and isolation in Edinburgh.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal called into Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh yesterday (Thursday 19th January) to officially re-open the campus following a two-year refurbishment.
Her Royal Highness toured the factory and its new exhibition space, and chatted to staff, before visiting Poppyscotland’s mobile museum, Bud.
The factory, founded in 1926, will now re-open to visitors and school groups following the project to showcase its history and heritage. Thirty-three disabled veterans work in the factory on Logie Green Road, making more than three million poppies each year for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, as well as wreaths and other tributes.
Her Royal Highness was met by the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Brigadier Dr John Reid Thomson, who is also chair of the factory, Poppyscotland’s President, Rear Admiral Mark Beverstock, Helen Owen, chair of Poppyscotland, and factory manager, Major Charlie Pelling.
David Adamson, a wreath maker and tour guide, who served for 22 years with the Royal Highland Fusiliers, gave her a tour of the factory, introducing the team.
During her visit, she spent time talking to the veterans about their experiences and the different stages of making poppies and wreaths. She signed a “reflection postcard” which will form part of a wall display in the factory.
She also met Summer Saunders and Kate Miller, both 17, from Ayr, who designed a silk red poppy dress as part of the “Junk Kouture” sustainability project and Sophie Henderson, 14, from Ayrshire, who won Poppyscotland’s 2020 poetry competition with her poem “In Future Fields”, a response to John McRae’s 1915 “In Flanders Fields”.
Her Royal Highness then toured Bud, the 18-tonne truck which transforms into a micro-museum, that has now travelled to every local authority in Scotland. She unveiled a plaque before being presented with a framed copy of both poems by Ms Owen.
Ms Owen said: “We are very grateful to Her Royal Highness for taking the time to meet the team involved in this exciting project, as well as her continued support for our Armed Forces community.
“The veterans enjoyed showing her how poppies and wreaths are hand-made using traditional methods, and explaining the unique history of the factory.”
Mr Adamson said: “She was very interested in everything, and took the time to speak to as many of the guys as possible. She also noticed the big difference from last time she visited.”
To find out more about Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory or book a tour, go to:
Minister confirms intention to cap private rents at 3%
Emergency measures to protect tenants will be extended, Tenants Rights’ Minister Patrick Harvie has confirmed, with private rents capped and enforcement of evictions prevented in most cases.
Subject to the approval of Parliament, changes to the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act will mean that from 1 April 2023:
If landlords choose to increase private rents they will be capped at 3%
The safeguard for private landlords will be amended, allowing them to apply for increases of up to 6% to help cover certain increases in costs in defined and limited circumstances
Enforcement of evictions will continue to be prevented for all tenants except in a number of specified circumstances
Increased damages for unlawful evictions of up to 36 months’ worth of rent will continue to be applicable
The rent cap for student accommodation will be suspended, recognising its limited impact on annual rents set on the basis of an academic year
These temporary measures are intended to be extended to 30 September, provided they remain necessary, with the option to extend for another six-month period if required.
As announced in December 2022, the social sector rent freeze is being replaced with agreements from landlords to keep any rent increase for 2023-24 well below inflation.
Mr Harvie said: “Our emergency legislation has helped protect tenants facing the cost of living crisis. With many households still struggling with bills, it is clear that these protections are still needed to give tenants greater confidence about their housing costs and the security of a stable home.
“While the primary purpose of the legislation is to support tenants, I recognise that costs have been rising for landlords too. That’s why we intend to allow those in the private sector to increase rents by up to 3%, with a continued safeguard allowing them to apply for larger increases to cover specified rising costs they might be seeing as landlords.
“By allowing increases in rent – capped well below inflation and limited to once per 12 months – we can continue protecting tenants from the minority of landlords who would impose unaffordable rent hikes.
“We will continue to carefully monitor the impacts of this legislation, working with tenants and landlords to protect them from this costs crisis.”
COUNCIL RENTS: Under the agreement on social rents for 2023-24, COSLA has committed to keeping local authority rent increases to an average of no more than £5 a week.
HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS: Members of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations have reported planned increases averaging 6.1%.
The winter months often pose significant threat to heating and water systems, as extreme cold can lead to plumbing disasters.
As temperatures across the UK plummet, it’s important to know: When do pipes freeze, how can you keep it from happening, and who do you call when you have a burst pipe?
Here, Kevin Wellman, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, answers some of the most commonly asked questions about frozen and burst pipes:
Why do pipes freeze?
Your pipes are likely to have some water in them, even if your taps aren’t turned on. When temperatures drop, the water within exposed or uninsulated pipework is susceptible to freezing. This could leave you without running water.
Why is it bad for pipes to freeze?
If pipes freeze, water supplies to taps, showers and toilet cisterns, or your boiler could be limited. Frozen water in the pipes may also lead to boiler damage, cracked or burst pipes, and substantial leaks. Damage caused by these can be incredible costly to put right. In fact, the average cost of remedying the impact of burst pipes in domestic properties was £9,300, according to 2021 statistics from the Association of British Insurers.
When should I be worried about pipes freezing?
Pipes are at risk of freezing when temperatures drop below 0°C.
How do you know if pipes are frozen?
Here are some of the warning signs that your pipework is frozen or burst:
Lack of water coming out of your taps
Central heating making a gurgling sound or in lockout
Your boiler won’t switch on
The toilet will not flush
Can pipes freeze in one night?
Yes, pipes can freeze in as little as six hours.
How do you keep your pipes from freezing?
To help avoid problems with freezing pipes, you should identify where your internal stopcock/stop-valve is and ensure it’s in working order – try to check it still functions every six months. Also, be sure to have regular boiler services. If you’ve not done so already, it’s a good idea to insulate all pipes in locations vulnerable to the cold, too.
If you have plans to leave your home unoccupied for a prolonged period, you may wish to turn off the water supply via your stop-valve as this will significantly reduce the risk of any pipes freezing. Open the taps and run off any remaining water. If you are able, try draining the pipes out to make sure they are completely empty. It is also recommended that repairs on dripping taps are prioritised because doing so will prevent ice forming.
Advice for those with a smart thermostat in their home is to use the anti-frost setting to prevent pipes from freezing. While we appreciate rising energy bills may deter you from putting your heating on, the cost of frozen pipes is significantly higher. Therefore, heating your home is a recommended investment for reducing the disruption, distress and expense that could be caused by freezing pipework this winter.
In addition, if your radiator valve has a snowflake symbol, this allows you to control the water temperature and flow. To prevent freezing, set it to a minimal flow between pipes and radiators.
How do I know if my boiler condensate pipe is frozen?
If you hear gurgling noises coming from your heating system and the boiler shuts down during freezing temperatures, it is possible that your condensate pipe has frozen. This is part of a failsafe mechanism to protect the boiler from water going back up the pipe and inside the boiler, causing damage to the electrics etc.
Look for a plastic pipe connected to your boiler that runs outside. If safe to do so, pour warm (not boiling) water along the pipe to gently thaw it. Reset your boiler and, if the pipe has been successfully defrosted, the boiler should start normally again. If you are unable to do any of this yourself, call a professional for adviceand assistance.
What should I do if my pipes freeze?
In the first instance, turn off your water mains using your stop-valve. The stop-valve regulates and controls the flow of mains water, allowing you to shut off the water for repairs or to avoid disasters.
Then, locate the frozen pipe and thaw out pipes slowly. Only ever attempt to thaw pipes that are easily accessible and/or at ground level, and always start thawing at the end nearest the tap. Recommended methods include hot water bottles or towels soaked in hot water.
You could also try wrapping heated cloths around the pipework. Be careful because even if water is flowing from taps, other parts of the system may still be frozen.
Avoid using boiling water for thawing as this can be problematic if there are splits in the pipe that you haven’t spotted – since they’re not always noticeable.
Avoid using a naked flame as this could damage your pipes or start a fire from flammable material.
What should I do if my pipes burst? / What to do if you have a burst pipe?
In the instance of a burst pipe, once you have turned off the water supply, you should seek the assistance of a plumbing professional.
Do not touch electrics if these have been affected by water and turn them off via the fuse box /consumer unit box.
There is also a higher risk of boiler damage if the boiler (or other heat source) is kept alight, so make sure to switch off electric immersion heaters etc.
What can cause a burst pipe?
When water freezes it expands and puts pressure on whatever is containing it. In this case, frozen water may cause the pipes to split or crack.
Can pipes freeze and not burst?
They can. Frozen pipes do not always burst, particularly if the expanding ice can push water out through an open tap. However, pipes freeze rapidly so the time between freezing and bursting can be very short.
What happens when a pipe bursts?
A burst pipe means the structural integrity of the pipe is lacking. Therefore, when the ice in the pipes thaws it is likely to leak through the cracks or splits.
What are the signs of a burst pipe?
The main sign of a burst pipes are puddles or damp patches. Small puddles could simply be a leak, whereas large pools of water in multiple areas usually indicates a burst pipe and possibly noisy from the pressure loss.
How serious is a burst pipe?
Leaks, puddles or flooding caused by burst pipes could lead to serious structural or electrical damage in your home. Unless they are remedied, leaks can also create breeding grounds for mould and mildew which can be a health risk.
Should I call a plumber if my pipes are frozen or burst?
Yes. In most cases you should consult with a professional plumber to tackle known burst or frozen pipes. Similarly, if you don’t know where the frozen pipes are or you can’t access the area but suspect that you may have frozen or burst pipes, it is best to call a plumber for assistance.
How do I find a good local plumber?
You can find a high quality heating and plumbing expert online via the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering’s find a plumber or heating engineer tool.
It’s the Year of the Rabbit and as people in Edinburgh prepare to celebrate Chinese New Year, St James Quarter has unveiled its exciting line up of celebrations taking place this weekend.
On Saturday 21st January, St James Quarter will play host to a range of Chinese New Year-themed activities including a traditional Lion Dance procession, on Register Square in an eye-catching and colourful display.
Performed by the talented team at Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Edinburgh, the Lion Dance is commonly performed during Chinese New Year to bring good luck and guests will be able to enjoy two performances throughout the day at 12pm and 1pm.
St James Quarter will also be taking part in the traditional act of gift giving that is associated with Chinese New Year. Lucky shoppers will have the chance to get their hands on a limited number of red envelopes including gift cards – symbolising good wishes and luck for the year ahead. These will be handed out by the Guest Services team on Level 1 between 12 – 4pm and can be redeemed at retailers within the Quarter.
John Lewis will be inviting guests to learn the intricate art of Chinese calligraphy and create their own red banner for Lunar New Year on Level 1 of its store from 2pm, and brands including Charlotte Tilbury (located within H Beauty), LEGO, L’Occitane and Coach, will be showcasing Chinese New Year inspired limited-edition items.
If you’re looking to celebrate by indulging in traditional Asian cuisine, Thai Express Kitchen will be offering 20% off food from 20th – 27th January.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Edinburgh is the multicultural hub for Scotland, and Chinese New Year is a great opportunity to experience the different cultures and traditions that we have here in the city.
“We hope that as many of our guests as possible will get involved in the exciting Chinese New Year activities we have planned at St James Quarter on Saturday, and we look forward to welcoming guests to The Quarter to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with us”.
A 16-year-old male has been arrested and charged with culpable and reckless conduct. It follows a report of objects thrown during the recent Edinburgh football derby at Tynecastle Park on Monday, 2 January, 2023.
The male has been released on an undertaking and is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
Chief Inspector David Happs said: “This type of behaviour is unacceptable and I hope this latest arrest sends a clear message that any such conduct will not be tolerated.
“We have the full support of both clubs as we continue with our investigation.”
Hibs and Hearts meet again in a Scottish Cup tie at Easter Road this weekend.
