A national award-winning sensory garden designed by Leith resident Luke Coleman is set to be installed in Edinburgh’s Victoria Park, after being relocated from Yorkshire.
The garden, inspired by the history of the Scottish isles and its connections with the Vikings, will be installed on the site of one of two disused bowling greens returned to the Council by Edinburgh Leisure in 2023. Feedback from extensive local consultation carried out last year showed that residents were keen to see a sensory garden introduced to the area, alongside other options.
The garden has been dismantled and transported back to Edinburgh thanks to £20k previously secured and a fundraising drive is now underway to raise the additional £30k needed to reconstruct and embed Drakkar’s Drift in Edinburgh as a public asset. This will include expanding the design of the garden to meet the needs of the site and introducing paths, seating, and other features.
Councillor Margaret Graham said:“Luke’s Gold Medal success is a celebration of local creativity meeting international horticultural excellence. Bringing Drakkar’s Drift to Edinburgh would enrich our parks and unite community, nature and culture.
“We’ve been listening to residents, many of whom told us they’d like to see sensory planting on the site of the park’s old bowling green. As well as bringing this beautiful garden to the site, this project would enhance and develop it for community use. I’d encourage anyone with an interest in the site to support the campaign if they can.”
Designer Luke Coleman creates eco-friendly garden designs that harmonise with nature, where communities and ecosystems can thrive. Since the design of the garden began, he has envisioned that it would return to Edinburgh for residents to enjoy.
Luke said:“It’s been a dream to bring Drakkar’s Drift to life at the RHS Show, and now, seeing it find a permanent home in Edinburgh is something truly special.
“This project is about more than design; it’s about community, connection, and creating a legacy. I’m incredibly grateful for the support so far, and I hope people will get behind the fundraiser to help us rebuild the garden for everyone to enjoy.”
Amongst the garden’s elements are four mature trees, 1,500 herbaceous perennials, 13.5 tonnes of mossy boulders and living sculptures that support biodiversity.
Drakkar’s Drift draws inspiration from the basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa – an interest sparked by a 2023 trip that led Luke to deeper research into the island’s history.
The Norse word ‘Drakkar’ refers to Viking ships displaying a dragon head at their front and so reminds of the arrival of the Vikings in the northern Scottish isles over a thousand years ago.
The number of students achieving passes at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level, as well as in vocational and technical courses, has increased across Scotland this year.
The poverty-related attainment gap has also narrowed at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level over the 2024-25 academic year, according to the results data published by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
The number of pupils and students achieving passes in vocational and technical qualifications and awards, such as construction, hospitality and business, has reached a record high of 110,380 – this represents a year-on-year increase of 22.6% compared to 2024.
The pass rate for National 5 and Highers is also up, when compared to both last year and the pre-pandemic set of results, back in 2019, while the total number of Higher entries passed the landmark 200,000 level for the first time since Curriculum for Excellence was introduced in 2010.
Commenting, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “Congratulations to all of Scotland’s school pupils, students and adult learners for all that they have achieved in their qualifications this year.
“These results are evidence of a strong recovery in Scotland’s schools, following the pandemic, with more passes at every level compared to last year. They are a testament to the hard work of learners, teachers and parents and carers.
“It is, furthermore, encouraging to see that the poverty-related attainment gap has narrowed at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels. While there is more to do, each success of every young person from the most disadvantaged areas creates a route out of poverty. These results also show the strength of Scotland’s vocational and technical qualifications, which play a key role in preparing so many young people for the future.
“I know that some young people will be disappointed with their results. I want to reassure them that there are a wide range of options and routes for success available, with support on hand throughout this week via the dedicated helpline run by Skills Development Scotland.
“Today is a chance for our young people to pause and reflect on the totality of their achievements this past academic year. I offer my sincere thanks to Scotland’s hard working teaching profession, who work to support them all, the parents and carers whose encouragement can be so instrumental to success, and to the young people themselves – well done.”
Attainment for learners across Edinburgh remain high, with record number of passes in vocational courses
Over 12,860 candidates in Edinburgh received their results from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) today.
Attainment remains high with sustained performance when compared to 2024 across most key measures, with a significant improvement in the percentage of S4 young people achieving 5 National 5 qualifications with a grade of C or above. The results also show improvement in all measures compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic).
Passes in National Progression Awards (NPA), vocational courses equivalent to National passes, have increased, with more than 1,700 candidates attaining awards in NPA courses leading to a 61% increase in the number of passes at levels 4, 5 and 6. Qualifications were awarded in a range of subjects including stonemasonry, digital media, beauty, exercise and sport leadership and roofing.
A total of 50,923 awards were certificated for 12,864 candidates (includes special schools, adults and mainstream secondary pupils) in over 92 subjects, with an increase in the number of vocational courses offered across our secondary schools.
National 5s saw passes (A-C grades) of 80% and Highers saw passes of 78.5%, this is an increased in pass-rates for 2024 and 2019 (pre-COVID).
Education, Children and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish said: “It has been fantastic to see the wide range of qualifications and awards achieved by our young people, representing the hard work, effort and commitment of learners, and our dedicated teachers and school staff.
“Each and every one of our young people’s journey and achievements are unique to them and today’s results mark the next step in their journey whether that’s to college, university, an apprenticeship or into the world of work.
“We want to provide inclusive, equitable and relevant curriculum pathways into further or higher education and to the workplace for every single learner in all of our schools.
“There is much to celebrate and be proud of in this years’ set of results and my thanks to all those who have supported our learners to this point including school staff and parents and carers.”
Alex Blues – S5 leaver -positive destination with a local building firm, said: “Practical subjects like PE, woodwork and furniture making have been the highlight of my high school experience.
“PE has taught me the value of teamwork while furniture making gave me the chance to develop hands-on skills. Both subjects offered me a chance to grow in confidence. I left school at the end of S5 and have now found employment with a local building firm.
Sneha Gadi – S5 returning to school and hoping to go to university, said: “My time at school has helped me grow into myself, supporting me not only academically but personally too.
“I’ve had many opportunities to explore what I’m interested in and get involved with my community, which has helped my confidence. After school, I’m hoping to study medicine at university and work towards a career where I can make a difference.”
Sam Easton – S5 returning to school and hoping to go to university, said:“I’ve never had a clear idea of what I want to do after school, so I’ve kept my options open, taking on subjects I enjoy in a variety different of areas.
“This year that included Maths, English, Economics, Modern Studies and Art & Design all at Higher level. This year I am hoping to do Maths, Modern Studies and Art & Design at Advanced Higher level.
“Looking forward I would like to go to university and taking Advanced Highers this year would allow me the flexibility to apply to places in England as well.
“I’d like to combine my creativity with a more academic subject if possible and in S6 I will explore how this could be achieved in different courses and opportunities that are on offer.”
Katie – S6 leaver – completed Film and Media NPA and is going on to study at university, said: “I liked that there was lots of choice of subjects and school supported our decisions.
“There were lots of resources and supports available. I’m looking forward to studying film, media and business management at university.”
With Rock ‘n’ Roll stars Oasis arriving in Edinburgh next week, the city council has released advice for residents, businesses, and visitors:
The sold-out shows taking place at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Friday 8, Saturday 9 and Tuesday 12 August mark the band’s first appearance in the Capital since 2009 and are expected to draw Supersonic crowds of up to 210,000 fans over the three nights.
And we won’t just Roll with it. To keep the city running smoothly for everyone, planning has been underway for some time in collaboration with our partners. There has also been regular engagement with residents, particularly in the Murrayfield area to plan ahead and address any concerns.
As the fans Slide Away, we will be making sure key areas surrounding Murrayfield will be tidied up all three nights after each show. We will be dedicating extra litter collectors for Roseburn Park too.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cllr Jane Meagher, said: “Excitement is building in Edinburgh for Oasis Live 25 as it’s our turn to witness rock history. With all of our partners in the city we’ve been planning for this for some time to make sure we’re ready to welcome thousands of Oasis fans over three nights.
“There will be extra trains, trams, and buses to accommodate concert goers, along with those attending our summer festivals. With this in mind we urge you to plan ahead.
“We are keen for everyone to have an enjoyable experience, not only at the show, but on their way before and after. Whilst we relish hosting the biggest and best events and want everyone attending to truly enjoy themselves, it’s important that we remember our residents. We’ve had regular engagement with those living near Murrayfield to plan ahead and address any concerns.
“We ask that visitors are considerate and respectful of them whilst enjoying our fantastic capital city. We’re urging people to only travel to Murrayfield and the surrounding area if you have a ticket.”
To find out more, and for helpful information in the lead-up to the concerts, visit our dedicated events webpage.
As the countdown begins to the introduction of Edinburgh’s visitor levy on 1 October 2025, the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) is expressing serious concerns over the lack of official guidance and support for accommodation providers.
Since the introduction of the short-term let licensing legislation, the ASSC worked tirelessly to support Scottish operators through the transition, offering practical, reliable information and hands-on assistance where government failed to engage.
In 2022, ASSC CEO Fiona Campbell MBE and licensing solicitor Joanna Millar launched a nationwide Regulations Roadshow to help demystify the legislation and empower operators to comply, delivering 26 such events and partnering with many local councils, reaching nearly 10,000 people.
The ASSC also developed a suite of comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions, now in Version 7, which was widely adopted by VisitScotland.
The ASSC had intended to replicate this model – achieved without meaningful support or funding from the Scottish Government – to help operators in advance of the Visitor Levy going live in Edinburgh.
However, with less than 10 weeks to go, this has proved impossible due to the complete absence of guidance from either the Scottish Government or Edinburgh Council.
The outstanding issues include:
No business-specific guidance – only deficient guidance intended for local authorities
No clarity on VAT status
No method of calculation
No confirmed exemptions framework
No timing confirmed for collection (e.g. at booking, on arrival, or departure)
No detail on how the Levy aligns with the Digital Markets Act
A delayed National Portal, not due until March 2026
No consumer-facing communications strategy.
This lack of preparedness raises serious questions about how the scheme can be implemented fairly, consistently, or without negative consequences for businesses.
The ASSC is calling for immediate clarity from both the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council, and remains ready to support a pragmatic and effective rollout of the Visitor Levy – if and when the necessary tools are put in place.
Fiona Campbell MBE, CEO of the ASSC, said: “We were fully prepared to run another national roadshow to support our members and the wider accommodation sector through this significant change – but we simply cannot provide clarity where there is none.
“It is unacceptable that, with just weeks to go, businesses still have no official guidance on the most basic operational aspects of the Visitor Levy. Once again, industry is left to pick up the pieces.
“We are committed to constructive engagement and practical solutions, but we cannot continue to operate in an information vacuum.
“Scotland’s accommodation providers and guests deserve better than this. The clock is ticking and the Scottish Government and Edinburgh Council need to act now.”
We object to the advertised Traffic Regulation Order (TRO/24/27 bit.ly/3IFOQQ6) allowing two-way cycling on Rose Street.
The idea of promoting two-way cycling on the street was raised in a report to the Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) on 30 January 2025, as a means to facilitate cycling across the city while the CCWEL route through George Street is not yet in place. We made our objection to this proposal at that time.
The Council’s own report recognised that “integrating cyclists into a space primarily designed for pedestrians presents challenges. The narrow width of Rose Street, combined with the high footfall at certain times, could lead to safety concerns between cycling and walking/wheeling. With no dedicated cycling infrastructure, conflict could be created between users.”
It is not appropriate in our view to encourage Rose Street – the closest thing Edinburgh currently has to a pedestrianised street – as a major cycle route.
The proposal does not respect the Council’s agreed travel hierarchy which places walking and wheeling first. The TRO is especially inappropriate given that the TEC recently decided that two way cycle access should be maintained on George Street itself during any redevelopment works.
WORK is well underway on the Wester Hailes development, marking a key step forward in the Council’s long-term vision to transform the area.
Located at the former Wester Hailes Health Centre site at 7 Murrayburn Gate, the Council has appointed CCG (Scotland) Ltd to deliver 73 net-zero carbon homes.
The development will offer a mix of one, two and three-bedroom flats – all affordable housing, with five properties designed to be wheelchair accessible.
It will also include a central recreational space with play facilities, a rain garden, structured landscaping, private gardens and terraces, and excellent access to pedestrian and cycle routes.
As part of a wider regeneration initiative, the project aims to support the creation of a model 20-minute neighbourhood – where residents can access work, education, shops, and services within a short walk or cycle from their homes.
Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: “I am delighted to see the work progressing on our ambitious plans to transform Wester Hailes into one of Edinburgh’s 20-minute neighbourhoods.
“I also warmly welcome the direct benefits to local people which this development will deliver in terms of employment and training opportunities.
“These new homes at Murrayburn Gate will deliver much-needed high-quality, net-zero carbon housing and provide improved access to green spaces and community services – all essential attributes of thriving and inclusive local communities, and reflective of our efforts to address Edinburgh’s ongoing Housing Emergency.”
CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “We are delighted to have commenced construction at Murrayburn Gate – another example of how the City of Edinburgh Council and CCG are working together to address localised housing needs and demand across the city region.
“The development is set to have a positive impact on the Wester Hailes community, not only through the delivery of high-quality, highly energy efficient homes, but also by job creation, various training opportunities, and localised charitable investment . I look forward to seeing how the development progresses over months ahead, as we work towards full completion in late-2026.”
As part of the project, CCG will deliver a broad programme of community benefits throughout the EH14 postcode area and beyond, in partnership with the Council. These include employment and training opportunities, as well as support for local initiatives during the construction phase.
Residents and business owners in Portobello and Joppa have united in a forceful joint objection to the City of Edinburgh Council’s proposed Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), issuing a formal legal warning and threatening court action if the scheme moves forward in its current form.
Community momentum is building ahead of the Traffic Regulation Order Sub-Committee’s meeting this autumn, where a decision on whether to proceed with the controversial plan is expected.
In a detailed letter submitted to local councillors, council officers, and members of the Sub-Committee, the group accuses the Council of advancing a “procedurally flawed, substantively unsound, and potentially unlawful” plan.
The residents and traders argue that the proposal lacks public support, is built on unreliable data, and would inflict lasting damage on the local economy.
The objection highlights the Council’s 2021 informal consultation, where a clear majority of respondents expressed opposition to the Controlled Parking Zone. Despite these results, the Council proceeded to the statutory consultation phase, leading to accusations of a pre-determined outcome and disregard for public opinion.
One of the campaign’s organisers, Nikki Middleton, said: “Not only did the vast majority of people consulted reject the proposals, but the Council ran the consultation during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel and parking patterns were completely unrepresentative. How is that a fair reflection of public opinion?
“The Council also failed to consult Joppa residents at all, despite extending the CPZ boundary to include this area. Drawing lines on a map without considering those communities undermines people’s voices and is not a fair representation. These are not just technical errors – they represent a fundamental disregard for transparency and democracy.”
The group also raised alarm over the Council’s failure to document a public meeting held in May this year at Portobello Town Hall. The meeting was attended by more than 500 residents and business owners, many of whom voiced strong opposition to the plan directly to the Council’s Transport Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson.
Despite the turnout and significance of the discussion, no formal minutes were taken, a decision campaigners say further undermines transparency and public confidence in the veracity of the Council’s commitment to meaningful democratic engagement.
Adding to concerns, the Council instructed a new street survey in June this year to inform the Sub-Committee’s forthcoming decision. This was despite traffic levels being unusually high, due to major roadworks which are scheduled to continue into October. The objectors argue that the resulting traffic and parking disruption renders the data entirely unrepresentative.
Local resident Jane Grant, who is owner of the Velvet Easel Gallery and Chair of the Portobello Traders Association, said: “The surveys were conducted during major roadworks and the height of the tourist season, when Portobello’s popularity as a seaside destination creates unusual, short-term parking pressure. Basing permanent changes on data gathered in such distorted conditions is not only methodologically flawed, it’s legally questionable.”
The community group also criticises the Council for ignoring existing alternatives already in place. Since January 2024, citywide enforcement of pavement parking, double parking, and obstruction at dropped kerbs has been in effect.
In addition, double-yellow lines have been introduced at known pinch points such as Marlborough Street and Regent Street. These measures, they argue, directly address any concerns raised during consultation without resorting to the sweeping restrictions of a CPZ.
Local businesses have voiced particularly strong opposition. Karen Mackay, the owner of Cahoots, an independent store supporting local designers and artisan makers, said: “This scheme is a direct threat to local businesses, it will kill footfall, disrupt deliveries, and drive our customers elsewhere.
“We’ve worked hard to bring life back to the High Street with independent shops, cafés, and services, and now the Council wants to sabotage that progress.
“If these businesses start closing down, it’s not just livelihoods that are at stake – it’s access to essential amenities for local people. We’ve seen the damage these schemes have done in places like Leith. Why is the Council determined to repeat the same mistakes here?”
Legal arguments underpin much of the group’s letter, which sets out a clear intention to seek judicial review if the Council fails to reconsider. They argue the scheme fails the Wednesbury test of reasonableness and cite legal precedents from England, where courts have overturned traffic schemes due to poor consultation and misuse of evidence.
The letter concludes with a list of demands, including an immediate halt to the CPZ proposal, a rejection of the flawed consultation and survey data, and a fresh, legally compliant consultation process that includes all affected areas. The group also calls for full disclosure of the financial, legal, and traffic modelling used to justify the plan.
Jane Grant added: “We are not opposed to reasonable parking controls, but this plan has been pushed through with disregard for local voices, credible evidence, or economic impact. If the Council refuses to listen, we are fully prepared to take them to court.
“Portobello has a strong sense of community, with many examples of residents and businesses coming together to fundraise for causes that matter to them. If the Council believes we lack the means or resolve to pursue legal action against blanket measures that will harm our businesses, livelihoods, and make local people poorer, they should think again.”
If the Council fails to respond within 21 days, the group has indicated it will initiate legal proceedings in the Court of Session, seeking to have the Traffic Regulation Order quashed and to recover legal expenses.
A petition opposing the CPZ has already attracted over 1,300 signatures:
Support for Families 
Need a bike? Borrow one from the NEA Lending Bike Library! 
Contact us: 07493 876130
Email: bikes@northedinburgharts.co.uk
