YESTERDAY the Boundary Commission for Scotland released its proposals to redraw the boundaries of Scottish Parliamentary constituencies (writes Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton).
As Scotland changes, this review is mandated of the commission, so that population growth in some areas and decline in others is reflected in how areas are represented in the Scottish Parliament.
The proposals for West Edinburgh redraw our constituency entirely, with the communities of Kirkliston, South Queensferry, Cramond, Cammo, Barnton, Davidson’s Mains and Muirhouse all removed from Edinburgh Western Constituency and combined with the towns of Linlithgow, Broxburn and Uphall to create the new constituency of Edinburgh Forth and Linlithgow.
Corstorphine, East Craigs, Craigmount and Drylaw and Blackhall will remain in Edinburgh Western and the seat will expand East to include Inverleith, Stockbridge, Murrayfield and Ravelston. Part of South Gyle will now move to Edinburgh Pentlands.
The Commission has now embarked on a 4 week consultation of the proposals. I’m keen to reflect the views of my constituents as best I can so please let me know what you think in the comment thread below (Mr Cole-Hamilton was posting this information on local community council Facebook pages).
As I’m posting across 12 groups, I won’t be able to respond to comments, I’m afraid but I will take note of them all.
Additionally, please make your views known to the Commission directly through their consultation website:
Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP for Edinburgh Western met pupils from Cramond Primary School yesterday (Wednesday 29 March) to learn about their walk to school.
Cramond Primary School is taking part in WOW – the walk to school challenge from charity Living Streets Scotland. The MSP was joined by Councillors Normal Work and Lewis Younie.
WOW sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker with those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge.
WOW schools see on average a 13 per cent increase in pupils walking to school in Scotland with a corresponding drop in car use, helping to reduce congestion and increase safety outside the school gates.
Living Streets Scotland is delivering Active Travel Playground Games sessions to the pupils, during the Spring term. Completed over the course of two days, every pupil has the opportunity to participate in fun and interactive activities and learn more about the benefits of active travel for themselves and the environment.
Local MSP joins guests in carol sing-a-long at award-winning Corstorphine restaurant
Corstorphine restaurant Prahna Indian Grill fully embraced the Christmas spirit today staging a lunchtime event for residents from the local community.
The eatery, which was named as Scotland’s leading establishment at last month’s Scottish Asian Restaurant Awards, welcomed more than 30 elderly residents from across the West of Edinburgh at a community event featuring great food, plenty of social interaction, and a Christmas sing-a-long.
The guests were treated to lunch before enjoying a festive concert from the Corstorphine Singers, where they were encouraged to take part in a group carol singing session.
The event was designed to bring Christmas cheer to people from the local community by getting them together for some festive fun and networking with others.
Prahna co-founder Arun Ramanan said: “Since opening our doors in 2020, just prior to the pandemic, we have been honoured to be part of this community.
“Today’s event is about bringing together residents across the West of Edinburgh and enabling them to get out and socialise and enjoy some festive cheer in the run-up to Christmas.”
Local MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton, who came along to meet the guests at today’s event, said: “Since they began trading, Prahna has been an active member of the Corstorphine community.
“I thank them for hosting today’s lively event and providing a hub to bring together some of our elderly residents and help get us all into the festive spirit.”
The Tartan Titan has now launched at Scotland’s Award-Winning Adventure Park
Conifox Adventure Park has today confirmed that they have officially broken a world record for the longest inflatable assault course which sits at a mammoth 568 metres, almost 73m longer than the current world record course, and longer than 5 premiership football pitches.
During an exclusive launch, attended by Alex Cole Hamilton MSP; Christine Jardine MP; Jamie Ritchie, Scotland Rugby; Craig Gordon, Scotland Football and Susie Oliphant, Scotland Ladies Lacrosse amongst many others key figures, Glenn Pollard, Official Adjudicator for Guinness World Records® confirmed the record, and The Tartan Titan made history.
Alex Cole Hamilton MSP comments, “This is like nothing I’ve never seen before and it’s great to have a world record breaking installation like the Tartan Titan in the heart of Edinburgh. Coming as it does on the eve of the festival, it really puts the heart of the city on the map. I am so proud of James and all of the team here at Conifox who have really done the best they can to bounce back quite literally from the pandemic.”
The Tartan Titan is an immersive interactive adventure that transports participants into their favourite game shows, from Ninja Warrior to Total Wipeout and Gladiators and crammed with challenges for all ages, the attraction is a real crowd pleaser.
Glenn Pollard, Official Adjudicator for Guinness World Records®, said: “Guinness World Records® titles are not easy to achieve by definition. It gives credibility to Conifox Adventure Park as well as anyone else who wants to come along and try and break it.
“Given the previous record has stood for 4 ½ years they would have a very tough job ahead of them.”
The unique attraction is only available for limited dates this month (August) with dedicated time slots for adults and younger children, it’s an escapade the whole family can enjoy as they climb, crawl, jump and bounce their way through the course.
Open to everyone taller than 1.2 metres, The Tartan Titan features 50 sections of obstacles including the Corkscrew, Wipe Out, Ninja Run, Ladder Challenge, Tidal Wave and Everest Slide.
There are also special Challenge Days when visitors can attempt to set a record time on the course with a prize for the winner of the #TITANCHALLENGE.
The spectacular course is the latest addition to Conifox’s award-winning adventure park, at Kirkliston on the outskirts of Edinburgh, which recently invested £ 2 million in a new Activity Centre.
James Gammell, Managing Director of Conifox Adventure Park, says: “The Tartan Titan has been fantastically well received and we’re absolutely delighted to be able to announce that it has been officially adjudicated as the world’s longest, by the Guinness World Records®.
“Dates to take on the challenge are running out and we’re keen that as many people as possible get the chance to experience this amazing attraction. It is only available from 6th- 16th August, so there is no time to lose.”
Thrill seekers looking for their next big challenge need to sign up soon or miss the chance to tackle Scotland’s Tartan Titan.
