Imagine a neighbourhood where fruit trees grow just around the corner, blossom brightens the streets in spring, and you can pick an apple on your way home.
We think everyone should have the chance to enjoy the simple things trees bring to our everyday lives – fresh air, birdsong, and a little more greenery right outside our doors.
Through our Canopy Communities project, we’re working with local communities to bring more trees to neighbourhoods across Edinburgh.
Do you live in Granton, Muirhouse, The Calders, Gracemount or Broomhouse?
You can suggest a spot for a new tree or get involved in caring for trees in your area – just get in touch with us at thrivinggreenspaces@edinburgh.gov.uk
Two 19th century Griffin sculptures which stood either side of the entrance gate for Muirhouse Mansion in Granton Waterfront have been beautifully restored after spending over 50 years in storage.
The legendary creatures have been placed near to their original home by the City of Edinburgh Council in their new affordable housing development, Silverlea, to celebrate and provide a link back to the site’s rich archaeological heritage.
Careful conservation and restoration of the Griffins by James Innes & Sons involved the removal of 20th century concrete repairs and the crafting of missing feet, wings and beaks which had been broken off in the past.
The project marks the last phase of archaeological work on the site which included the excavation in 2024 by AOC Archaeology of part of the grounds associated with the earlier 17th century Muirhouse Castle.
The Council is in the process of handing the keys for over 100 homes to new residents at Silverlea with another 43 homes expected to be ready for tenants in early 2027.
In January work will be completed upgrading green space between the new homes and the football pavilion.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “There is a huge amount of work going on to celebrate Granton Waterfront’s rich cultural heritage. Placing the sculptures as art in open space near these much-needed new affordable homes, gives residents an opportunity to enjoy their connection to generations of people who lived in the area before them.
“This is one of many important conservation projects we’re carrying out to celebrate the area’s long-standing history. The former Granton Station Building with original platforms is now home to local artists, and the nearby iconic gasworks has become a new city park.
The headquarters for the UK’s first car factory – Madelvic House – as well as Granton Lighthouse and Granton Castle Walled Garden are all also at different stages of being restored and I’m looking forward to seeing them all brought back to life.”
Key facts
Muirhouse Mansion is located to the north of Silverlea on Marine Drive.
The Mansion was built in 1830 as a replacement for Muirhouse Castle (built in 1670) which stood partially on this site.
Muirhouse Castle was demolished in 1954 and Marine Drive was constructed.
The Griffins were then placed in storage for restoration work to be carried out.
The work was carried out on the Council’s behalf by James Innes & Sons in 2025.
When the Council’s affordable Housing Development – Silverlea – was approved one of the archaeological conditions was that the sculptures were conserved and put back on site as part on the public space.
As part of the work building new homes at Silverlea, the Football pavilion in the area was replaced by the Council last summer and the team have been enjoying their new club house and are reaching out to more children and creating new teams.
Edinburgh Green councillors have tabled an emergency motion to Full Council following the sudden closure of the Kinauld Tan Works Footbridge on the Water of Leith.
Earlier this week, local councillors and stakeholders were informed that the bridge would be closed for a “substantial period” until “substantial repairs or bridge replacement is undertaken”. The update was shared by Currie Community Council on their facebook page.
Edinburgh Greens Transport Spokesperson, Cllr Chas Booth, said: “Kinauld Tan Works Footbridge facilitates the only safe and accessible active travel route between Currie and Balerno and is an integral part of Cycle Network 75.
“The signed diversion sends people along an extremely dangerous and congested section of Lanark Road. It’s outrageous that issues with such a vital link haven’t been picked up until this point. I
“’ve tabled an emergency motion to Edinburgh Council to ask for urgent action to repair or replace the bridge, with a temporary structure put in place if required. I’ve also asked to see copies of previous structure inspection reports to find out why this was not picked up earlier.”
Cllr Booth continued: “Following the unexpected closure of St Mark’s Park bridge earlier in the year, this incident raises serious questions about whether this council administration is doing enough to ensure our vital network of pedestrian and cycle bridges is being given the maintenance and inspection is deserves.
“Green councillors will continue to press this administration on this issue.”
The bridge was closed temporarily in June 2026 after a hole appeared in the summer but was deemed safe to reopen last month. The recommendation to close the bridge comes after investigatory works that included roped access to assess the underside of the bridge.
Edinburgh will host the start of the 2027 Tour de France on Friday 2 July next year, with the route for the historic opening stage from the Scottish capital to Carlisle officially unveiled in Paris.
The 184km opening stage of the Grand Départ will take riders from Edinburgh through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, before continuing through Dumfries and Galloway to Carlisle. It will mark the first time the Tour de France has visited Scotland, bringing one of the world’s biggest sporting events to the country.
The Edinburgh leg of the route will begin at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, then: Royal Mile – North Bridge – Princes Street – The Mound – Lawnmarket – Castle esplanade – Johnston Terrace – Castle Terrace – Lady Lawson Street – Grassmarket – Victoria Street – George IV Bridge – Chambers Street – South Bridge – Newington Road – Cameron Toll – Liberton Road – Gilmerton Road – then on to Midlothian.
Council Leader Jane Meagher attended today’s official route reveal in Paris, alongside students from Portobello High School who have been taking part in the Girls Cycling Programme.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Hosting the Grand Départ is a huge moment for Edinburgh and for Scotland. Our city has built a strong reputation for delivering major international events, and the Tour de France gives us another incredible opportunity to show the world what makes Edinburgh such a special place.
“But this is about more than the race itself. We want people across our communities to feel part of the occasion and to benefit from the opportunities it brings. From celebrating our city on the international stage to inspiring more people to get on their bikes, I’m confident the legacy of the Tour will go well beyond the opening day.
“We’ll be working with national active travel partners and local community organisations to create opportunities for people to get involved and discover how cycling can play a bigger part in their everyday lives. The Girls Cycling Programme is a great example of how we can help more young people, particularly girls, build confidence and enjoy the benefits of cycling.
“As we look ahead to next July, our priority is to make this a moment that Edinburgh’s people can share in and feel proud of, while striking the right balance between welcoming visitors and meeting the needs of those who live and work here all year round.”
Further details on community activities and preparations for the Grand Départ will be announced in the coming months.
Project milestone brings school’s education estate into single state-of-the-art building
Staff and pupils at Wester Hailes High School have returned from the October half term break into their brand new school building this week, replacing four separate teaching blocks with a single, modern education facility.
McLaughlin & Harvey was appointed by the Council to deliver the 800 capacity new building, which has been designed by Architype.
The new school building is designed around a central, bright and open atrium, bringing pupils together while connecting departments and classrooms.
Each floor features a series of breakout and retreat spaces to offer pupils choice on where they want to work, socialise or take time out. Internal spaces have been decorated with warm colours and light woods to create comfortable spaces for learning and coming together.
One of the existing buildings on the site – featuring catering, sports and swimming facilities – has been retained and refurbished. This block will operate as a secure community hub, with easily accessible services for local people while maintaining the safety of users.
The building also includes a range of different flexible, collaborative spaces to support staff, students and the community. Members of the community will be able to see the new facilities first hand at an open evening on Tuesday 27 October between 5pm and 7pm.
The final phase of the school redevelopment project will see the remaining former buildings demolished, to be replaced with outdoor learning spaces, an urban woodland area (creating natural habitat, play spaces and a learning resource) and a community allotment that will provide growing beds, poly tunnels and picnic benches for use by the local community.
Additional landscaping will also improve secure access to the school site from the Union Canal tow path.
As with other recently opened buildings in the Council’s learning estate, the school has been built to Passivhaus standard, minimising energy consumption and reducing the reliance on active heating or cooling systems, ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly construction.
In addition to the Passivhaus design, the new school includes other sustainable features supporting the Council to meet its sustainability commitments. This includes measures to improve the air quality and thermal performance of the building which are vital to achieving Passivhaus certification.
The new school building has been designed in line with the guiding principles of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Strategy and is one of the projects in the second phase of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, alongside the recently opened Liberton Community Campus.
Children, Education and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish, said: “Opening this new school building is a major landmark moment for pupils, staff and the wider community in Wester Hailes.
“I’m really impressed with the quality of the spaces, and the building is all set to provide a modern, sustainable learning environment designed to support young people for generations to come.
“This investment is about more than just education. We’ve created a valuable community asset, bringing together learning, sport and support spaces in one accessible location. Through our Living Well Locally approach, we’re creating a hub that will help strengthen and serve the community for many years ahead.”
Dougie McCusker, Construction Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, said:“It’s fantastic to see pupils and staff enjoying the new building. Having been designed and constructed to Passivhaus standards, the facility futureproofs the school’s estate for generations to come.
“Operationally, we faced the challenge of building the new facility while the school was still open and in close proximity to the construction works, however, we were able to ensure disruption was kept to an absolute minimum.
“The hard work by the whole project team, the designers, consultants and the client was definitely worth it when you see the cutting-edge building in use today.”
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) has written an open letter to the Scottish Greens calling for consensus on securing a long-term fix for short-term let regulation.
It acknowledges that the ASSC and the party had “not always seen eye to eye” on how the sector is regulated but argues both sides now agree the current framework “isn’t fit for purpose”.
In recent days, the Scottish Greens and Living Rent shared data on the number of secondary lettings operating without planning permission in Edinburgh. While disputing the ‘loophole’ characterisation for withdrawn applications trailed in the media, the ASSC commends them for “shining a light” on an issue many assume had been dealt with. The letter repeats the ASSC’s longstanding call for the Scottish Government to separate licensing from planning and to end inconsistent planning decisions.
The ASSC makes clear that industry wants to be regulated. It notes businesses that have invested substantial sums of money following the rules are being undercut by illegal operators who face no consequences. The letter backs councils and Police Scotland using their powers against those rogue operators and calls for online platforms to verify licence details and remove unlawful listings promptly.
The ASSC’s own latest analysis of the Edinburgh Council’s register identifies 1,443 licensed secondary-let properties, representing only 0.5% of Edinburgh’s housing stock. While relatively small in number, these properties provide a vital source of alternative accommodation for visitors and performers during the Festivals, with BiGGAR Economics estimating that self-catering generates £154m per annum in the capital alone.
In Edinburgh, 98% of short-term let planning applications fail which amounts to a de facto ban. Where established operators cannot secure planning permission, the capital risks losing this accommodation while the black market continues unabated.
To address this, the ASSC calls for a dedicated planning category for self-catering through a new Use Class Order – which would require action from the Scottish Government – with fair arrangements for established businesses and a practical route to compliance.
The ASSC has asked to meet with the Scottish Greens to discuss how to break the current impasse between Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government, where there is a difference in opinion as to how it can be tackled, and agree a workable solution to put to Scottish Ministers to finally put the issue to bed.
Fiona Campbell MBE, Chief Executive of the ASSC, commented: ““We haven’t always seen eye to eye with the Scottish Greens, but we agree on this: the system simply isn’t fit for purpose.
“Businesses that have followed the rules are caught between planning and licensing with no certainty all while the black market booms.
“Our sector has been clear that it wants to be regulated but needs rules that are clear, consistent and fair.
“We’d relish the chance to sit down with the Scottish Greens and other stakeholders to finally resolve this issue once and for all.
“Local businesses and communities deserve nothing less.”
A message from James Dalgleish, convenor Education, Children and Families and Amanda Hatton, Corporate Director Children, Education and Justice Services was issued yesterday:
Schools in Edinburgh, as well as throughout the UK, were targeted yesterday (Monday) in a hoax threat.
We took immediate action to ensure the safety of our pupils, teachers and staff and followed the advice of Police Scotland as well as our own established safety policies.
The police conducted a thorough investigation into the claims and determined it was a hoax and there was no risk identified.
The safety of our school community is always our top priority. With Police assurance all Council nurseries, primaries and high schools reopened today, Tuesday 20 October.
This situation has caused alarm and misinformation to be spread amongst the school community. Understandably as a result attendance rates have been lower than average today.
We want to reassure parents, carers, pupils and staff that safety is a priority and there is no safety risk for pupils.
If you have any concerns, please speak to your child’s school. Staff can support pupils in their return to learning.
The Tour de France Grand Départ Trophy visited Portobello yesterday to celebrate the first ever time the race will start in Scotland.
The Tour de France will begin at Edinburgh Castle in July 2027, and ahead of the history-making departure the trophy was brought to Portobello promenade to recognise the work to encourage cycling within Portobello High School.
The school has done incredible work to encourage cycling within it’s community, including the launch of Girls Gone Cycling – a scheme to inspire female pupils to take up cycling.
Ten pupils from the Girl Gone Cycling team are heading to Paris this week to speak at the British Embassy on how they grew the initiative from an idea in June 2026, to within six months, including over 70 pupils and now being replicated in schools across Edinburgh and the East of Scotland.
Council leader Jane Meagher said: “I am really excited and proud to be welcoming the Tour de France trophy to Portobello High School before the tour comes to Edinburgh next summer.
“The Girls Gone Cycling initiative has been incredibly successful in encouraging girls to the sport and, in just a few months, is now being replicated at schools across the East of Scotland.
“The school has been instrumental in encouraging cycling within Portobello and Craigmillar and removing barriers to ensure biking is accessible to all.
“The Tour de France coming to Edinburgh for the first time is very exciting. We are investing £1.7million – money that has been generated from the Visitor Levy – to improve roads for the event and it’s set to bring in millions of pounds for the local economy.
““This will be another event that puts Edinburgh on the worldwide stage and I cannot wait to see the yellow jersey set off with the world famous Edinburgh Castle in the background.”
Headteacher at Portobello High School Greg McDowall said: “Our Pedal Power Porty has been a great success and encouraged so many children to use their bikes. We have a library of bikes for pupils to use so that cycling has no barriers and the older pupils teach basic bike skills and maintenance to the younger children.
“Having the Tour de France trophy come to Portobello is incredible and can only encourage more kids to take up cycling. I know a lot of our pupils are counting the days until the Grand Départ set off from their home city.”
Shocking new analysis carried out by Living Rent and Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council on data obtained by Edinburgh Green Councillor Chas Booth reveals that only three in ten licensed Short Term Lets in the capital have planning permission.
Meanwhile a quarter have withdrawn a planning application and just under a quarter have not even applied for planning consent at all.
The analysis covers secondary lets only – in other words letting an entire property that is not someone’s home, and does not include people letting out a room in their own home. The research was released more than four years after the introduction of Edinburgh’s Short Term Let control area, in September 2022, which declared that a Short Term Let in the city was “a material change of use requiring planning permission”.
The analysis was based on comparing the publicly available register of short term let licences with data on every short term let planning application made in the city since 2018, obtained by Cllr Chas Booth.
This analysis shows that:
1,225 (69.84%) of Edinburgh’s 1,754 licensed Short Term Lets do not have planning permission (secondary letting)
465 (26.51%) licensed Short Term Lets have applied for planning permission and then withdrawn the application before it was determined (secondary letting)
425 (24.23%) licensed Short Term Lets have never applied for planning permission (secondary letting)
Commenting on the analysis, Cllr Chas Booth, who obtained the data, said: “Edinburgh’s short term let control area was meant to ensure every STL in the city had planning permission. Yet four years on from its introduction, it clearly isn’t working. Residents living next to unregulated lets have to put up with the disruption that brings, and every STL is one fewer home in a city with a housing emergency.”
“This analysis shows two things. First, the Council isn’t doing enough to enforce the planning and licensing system, and that must improve. But more importantly, it shows the Scottish Government’s legislation is not fit for purpose. There is a loophole as big as a barn door that hundreds of STL owners are exploiting, and residents are paying the price.
“Ministers need to wake up and smell the coffee and act urgently to close it.”
Booth added: “I’m very grateful to Living Rent and Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council for carrying out this detailed analysis. If community volunteers can establish the scale of the problem, the Scottish Government has no excuse for not acknowledging it and fixing it.”
Jon ‘Geo’ Camp from Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council, who undertook the analysis, said: “Our community council has heard from many residents concerned about short term lets, and this analysis shows why.
“A significant number of licensed lets have no planning permission, and many of them applied for it and then withdrew before a decision was made.
“Residents need to know the system that regulates these lets is working properly, and too often they don’t believe that it is.
“We will keep listening to our community, and keep working with councillors and MSPs to make sure these issues are heard and resolved.”
Learn more about the project: 
