The public consultation on the route for Edinburgh’s proposed new North-South tramline from Granton to the Royal Infirmary and beyond is being planned for spring 2025.
Two main options are being considered for the section between Granton and the city centre – one using the former railway line which is now the Roseburn Path, a favourite cycle and walking route; the other taking the trams via Orchard Brae and across the Dean Bridge.
A variation on the Roseburn Path route would see the tramline leave the Roseburn Path and go along Telford Road for a bit to get nearer to the Western General Hospital.
With just two days to go until the Colinton/Fairmilehead by-election, the city council’s elections team has been urging residents in the area to cast their votes on Thursday 14 November.
Residents in Colinton, Fairmilehead, Bonaly, Dreghorn, Oxgangs and Swanston who are aged 16 or over and have registered to vote can participate in Thursday’s by-election. Together they will select a new councillor for the ward, which has a current electorate of 19,226.
Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence said: “As the by-election approaches, I encourage residents of the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward to visit their local polling place and have their say in electing a councillor to represent the community on issues affecting the ward and the wider city.
“Our elections pages provide helpful information on how the Single Transferable Vote system works – you can rank candidates in order of preference, choosing as many or few as you’d like.
“If you’ve requested and received a postal ballot, be sure to return it as soon as possible to make sure your vote is counted.”
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on 14 November:
Charwood
Fairmilehead Parish Church Hall
St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church Hall
Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre
Pentland Community Centre
Anyone living in the area who is aged 16 or over and has registered can vote in the by-election, and votes can be cast by post or by proxy if more convenient.
The electronic election count will take place on Friday 15 November starting at 9:30am.
This winter the City Art Centre presents Through Line, a one floor group show, featuring work by nine artists.
Spanning an array of artistic mediums including ceramics, drawing, jewellery, painting, printmaking, poetry and textiles, the ‘through line’, or common visual thread, of this exhibition is the use and exploration of line in the artists’ diverse practices.
There are hand-drawn and painted lines, lines woven as threads and modelled in wire, and lines that are poetic. They take both geometric and organic forms. Some are bold, expressive lines, which excite and convey movement, others are more delicate and elicit a sense of calm.
There are lines that extend beyond flatness, projecting into our space. There are also implied lines, which we see in our mind’s eye or tell a narrative story. In some artworks line and background are fused, giving significance to the space in between.
A line can separate but also connect; it creates divisions and boundaries, but also generates space. For centuries, the line has been a critical tool for artists, and it remains one of the principal elements of abstraction. Flow I and Flow II by Michael Walton are abstract oil paintings, dealing with pure form.
These works are influenced by the ideas of the Bauhaus, Marcel Duchamp and Jorge Luis Borges. In each composition, green and blue lines have become entangled within a circular shape.
David Connearn’s practice is primarily based in procedural, non-figurative drawing, and deals with themes of experience and temporality. In the two ink studies, Coming Going (I) and Coming Going (II), Connearn has drawn a single line at the top of each page, which has then been retraced repeatedly underneath. Each line sets the new path for the following one, resulting in converging and diverging forms.
Meanwhile, Charles Poulsen’s expressive drawings are made in layers of pencil, wax and gouache on paper, in a square grid-like format. The drawings are abstract, contemplative works without narrative or direct observation, through which he communicates often intuitive ideas about the universe. Poulsen thinks of his drawing as akin to organic geometry.
Encouraged by botanical forms, Lara Scobie’s work also has an organic quality, the lines in her ceramics refuse an exact uniformity. Her pieces relay the spontaneous process of hand-to-paper drawing; responding to how the materials react with the marks. Fascinated by the relationship between form and surface, she allows them both to inform each other as her ceramics develop.
Over her 25-year career, Frances Priest has followed a line through ceramics and drawing, exploring spatial relationships, mark making, languages of ornament, and colour. Priest’s ceramic Cobalt/White Mesh explores her interest in the liminal point between two and three dimensions, while its surface patterns create movement across curved planes of clay.
The physical process of working in metal, such as drawing it by hand into fine lengths of wire, is hugely inspiring for Andrew Lamb. An ingot of gold becomes a thread of wire, a line that offers infinite creative possibilities. Lamb also references visual illusion and optical principles in his jewellery, to echo the perfection found in nature, tempered by the shifting patterns of how we see and perceive the world.
Rhona Taylor’s work is concerned with light and colour; line, pattern and repetition; as well as time, place, mapping and the navigation of space. Her site-specific mixed media installation, Against the Dying of the Light, responds to and physically interacts with the City Art Centre’s gallery space.
Also created specifically for the show, Susan Mowatt’s artwork, Tangle, which draws inspiration from a treasured keepsake and consists of a 33 metre, multicoloured woven line, presented in a tangle on a black wall. Mowatt’s recent works repurpose older ones, with the process of making becoming the most meaningful aspect.
Lastly, Ian Hamilton Finlay’s print suite, The Blue and Brown Poems, focuses on the look and sound of words. The words in the twelve poems have been removed from a standard verse structure and arranged into striking shapes, in which typography and font colours take on equal significance to literal meanings.
Through Line will be accompanied by an illustrated exhibition catalogue with a thoughtful essay by writer Greg Thomas. Alongside the exhibition, the City Art Centre will also offer an extensive events programme for all to enjoy.
City Art Centre Curator, Maeve Toal said: ‘”Through Line’ is the last in a series of four group exhibitions at the City Art Centre spotlighting contemporary art and craft practice in Scotland.
“It showcases artworks from our collection alongside works by artists who are not currently represented. Its focus is the beauty and versatility of the line – from the simplicity of a single stroke to intricate linear patterns – and the impact it can have on our visual experiences.”
Councillor Val Walker, Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Convener, said: “I am delighted that ‘Through Line’ will be presented at the City Art Centre this winter, showcasing the works of nine exciting artists and an array of artistic mediums including ceramics, drawing, jewellery, painting, printmaking, poetry and textiles.
“There is also a fantastic events programme running alongside the exhibition where some of the artists will take visitors on exclusive tours or give talks on their practice.
“I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to visit our City Art Centre and explore and reflect on the variety of artwork created by the nine impressive artists whose work is being showcased in this exhibition.”
As a coalition of organisations that support vulnerable children and young people, it is no surprise that recent FOI enquiries highlight that more than half (56 per cent) of requests for places in special schools have been refused by City of Edinburgh Council.
The number of those with additional support needs (ASN) has escalated considerably, increasing by 145 per cent for primary school pupils, and 219 per cent for secondary over the last decade. Just over half of secondary pupils in the capital are now identified as having an ASN, including the likes of autism, dyslexia and mental health problems.
This escalation has put incredible pressure on our mainstream schools, which have been hit by a perfect storm of cuts in the number of ASN teachers, support staff and resources.
For a growing number of children and young people with increasingly complex needs, mainstream schooling is not appropriate, and the needs of these children and young people are better met in a specialist setting.
It is therefore understandable that parents are seeking such support, which can dramatically improve the wellbeing and prospects of the child or young person concerned and reduce impacts on fellow non-ASN pupils and staff.
However, while there is a growing requirement for special schools, we have seen their numbers cut from 13 to 10 over the last decade in the capital, and the number of pupils at these has declined from 695 to 686.
This is something that the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council will need to recognise and act on. We would therefore urge that the additional boost for the government arising from the recent UK Budget is in part used to increase this vital specialist provision.
The People’s Story Museum will reopen to the public on Monday 2 December after a temporary closure.
The Museum, which offers an insight into the lives of Edinburgh’s working-class people from the 18th to the late 20th century, has been temporarily closed due to staff shortages but will resume its regular seven-day schedule from Monday 2 December.
The Council is working on a new operating model for the Museums and Galleries service aimed at enhancing the experience for residents and visitors, increasing revenue, and focusing more on the city’s historic collections. The service has faced increased budget pressures this year, which initially led to a proposal to close the People’s Story Museum during the autumn and winter.
However, based on public feedback, officers have been working to identify funding and resource which will facilitate the reopening of the museum.
Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker, said: “After initially proposing a temporary winter closure for the museum, we listened closely to the community’s passionate feedback, and I’m delighted to announce that we will reopen the museum on Monday 2 December.
“It’s a special museum where all exhibits are inspired by the voices of Edinburgh’s own people, drawn from oral histories and written accounts to share authentic stories. The collections showcase this with items such as Friendly Society regalia, banners, and materials representing Edinburgh’s diverse communities.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors back through the museum’s doors.”
JIM Slaven, who initiated the campaign to keep the museum open, said: “@SaveTPSM welcome this Council decision & thank everyone who has supported the campaign.
“The city now needs to work together to create a sustainable future for the museum. #Edinburgh needs change. This is a first step.”
“It is only a first step. For the museum to have a successful future it must be in the Tolbooth & it must be curated properly, cared for & invested in. That is going to involve a lot of work. Not just from Council staff, but from everyone who wants it to succeed. It can be done.
“On personal note. To all the real ones who trusted my judgment that this fight was worth it & was winnable, who stayed disciplined & stuck to the plan, I am constantly surprised and inspired by people’s energy and enthusiasm for the battle(s).”
Jim Slaven had criticised the Labour-led council’s proposals as a betrayal of the city’s working class. “Labour with 11 out of 63 #Edinburgh councillors have no mandate for their dodgy “buildings strategy”, which closes museums & community centres.
“Turning public spaces into private spaces. In whose interests?”
A report on the new operating model for Museums and Galleries will be brought to December’s meeting of the Culture and Communities Committee.
Employers in Edinburgh continue to lead efforts in Scotland to make sure people in work can earn a decent wage that is enough to live on.
The real Living Wage is an independently calculated rate based on the cost of living and is paid voluntarily by employers. This pay rate is updated every year to make sure hourly pay keeps up with the costs of housing, childcare, transport, and heating costs for workers in Scotland.
Efforts to boost the number of businesses paying the real Living Wage has led to a total of 746 accredited employers in the city. This means that a total of 217,887 employees are covered by a Living Wage commitment.
Figures shared ahead of Living Wage Week 2024 (4 – 12 November) reveal that the Living Wage movement in Edinburgh is continuing to grow. Since October last year, there have been 91 new accreditations in the city, and this has uplifted the pay of 686 staff.
Living Wage week provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the movement to date, and to express gratitude to employers for maintaining their commitment, despite challenging business conditions.
Councillor Jane Meagher, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, and Co-Chair of Edinburgh Living Wage Action Group, said: “Over 80,000 people are living in poverty in Edinburgh and many have been pushed into deprivation because of insecure work. It really can happen to any of us and that is why the Living Wage is such a powerful tool, for making sure people get a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.
“In 2024 we’re more determined than ever to work with employers to encourage them to sign up, and it feels like we’re witnessing a real movement. Edinburgh is now home to 20% of Scotland’s Living Wage employers and since October last year more than 90 businesses have signed up. I’d like to express my gratitude to every single one.
“The next few months and years will be critical because we know more Edinburgh-based businesses want to help tackle low pay and insecure work, but that they are under increasing pressure.
“So, as the rate of the Scottish Living Wage rises to £12.60 an hour, the events hosted here in Edinburgh and across the country provide an opportunity to showcase how far we’ve come, while acknowledging that more work is needed.”
Kat Brogan, Managing Director of Mercat Tours and Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Living Wage Action Group commented: “In Edinburgh, the Living Wage movement has continued to grow.
“This is a massive achievement for the city, particularly as many employers are facing difficult circumstances with rising business costs. In this context, committing to the real Living Wage can seem daunting. Yet, it is more important than ever.
“It is not only the cost of business that is rising; the cost of living is also on the up. More and more workers are struggling to keep up with this and are finding themselves unable to afford necessities like food and heating.
“By accrediting as Living Wage employers, organisations are doing their bit to support their employees and to reduce levels of in-work poverty.”
In October 2004, Edinburgh was designated the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, a permanent title celebrating Edinburgh’s status as a literary capital and pioneer in the UNESCO Creative Cities network.
The concept of a City of Literature was devised in Edinburgh by the Trust’s founding members Jenny Brown OBE, Catherine Lockerbie, James Boyle and Lorraine Fannin, trailblazing the way – there are now 53 UNESCO Cities of Literature across the world.
To mark the occasion, 60 representatives from Cities of Literature destinations across the global network came to Edinburgh for a four day conference as part of The Scottish International Storytelling Festival last week (21-25 Oct 2024).
The conference helped mark the achievements of the past two decades and to make plans for the future – ensuring that Edinburgh continues to stay firmly on the literary map.
As part of this conference the Cities of Literature attending from all over the globe carried on the annual tradition of donating a selection of books to the hosting city. This year’s donations sees a range of diverse and beautifully illustrated children’s books in the original language of each of these UNESCO Cities gifted to the Central Lending Library in Edinburgh.
Keira Brown, Communications and Community Manager for Edinburgh City of Literature Trust, said:‘It’s a wonderful initiative that the Cities of Literature decide to donate picture books from their city, showcasing the range of talent from this global network, giving back to Edinburgh for welcoming these delegates to the city for the week, such a beautiful idea reflecting the international connection that is so beneficial for the sector here in Edinburgh.’
Keira Brown from Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust and UNESCO Cities of Literature Coordinator, Hannah Trevarthen, with a selection of the donated books.
Nottingham’s City of Literature Director and UNESCO Cities of Literature Chair, Hannah Trevarthen, said: “It’s a fantastic tradition, donating children’s books to the city hosting the meeting every year, and one we hope will long continue.
“It’s our thank-you to the city for all of the hard work that goes into hosting the Cities of Literature delegates.’We hope that the children of Edinburgh will be inspired by the books from other Cities of Literature from around the world.’’
Within Edinburgh City of Literature Trust’s twenty year span, they have helped grow a global network of international literary cities, for the benefit of writers and literature professionals, bringing opportunities for paid commissions, supporting creative practice and broadening literary networks internationally.
At a more local level in Scotland, the Trust’s work has ranged from high profile campaigns to community-based Edinburgh projects, with bold, innovative work bringing communities together – connecting readers and writers as well as literary organisations in the Scottish literature scene.
The Trust has also long partnered with Edinburgh Library service, working to advocate the importance of librarians and libraries across the city.
Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker, said: ““Donating children’s books is a wonderful tradition within the UNESCO Cities of Literature Network. Through our ongoing partnership we are thrilled to see this meaningful gesture from such a diverse network of cities.
“As the founding city of this international cohort of UNESCO Cities of Literature, we take immense pride in celebrating our 20th anniversary, and I truly hope this wonderful tradition continues for many years to come.”
Edinburgh City of Literature Trust birthday also contributes to the on-going Edinburgh 900 celebrations; marking the 900 year anniversary of Edinburgh – a city-wide celebration of Edinburgh’s history, culture and future.
HALLOWEEN DISORDER IN HAY DRIVE MARKS START OF BONFIRE SEASON
Council Leader Cammy Day yesterday repeated his calls for a complete ban on the public sale of fireworks and tougher sentences for those misusing them and causing public disorder – but trouble flared up in Niddrie last night.
Councillor Daysaid: “We all remember vividly the shocking scenes we saw last year with emergency services being attacked while trying to do their jobs. And more recently the appalling reports of violence and antisocial behaviour with buses and cars coming under attack.
“Whilst this isn’t an issue unique to Edinburgh, or indeed Scotland, I’m clear that this sort of behaviour has no place in our city.
“It’s long been my view that we need to ban the public sale of fireworks, given the potential risk to health, if misused, but also the unnecessary fear and alarm they cause in our communities.
“I will be writing to my colleagues in the UK Government to request a review of the legislation, as well as the Crown Office to ask for tougher sentences for those found guilty of committing these crimes.
“I’m determined to do everything within our power to prevent a repeat of last year. Earlier this week I chaired the latest multi-agency meeting with colleagues, the police and fire service as part of our ongoing preparations, and the implementation of our firework control zones, which come into effect tomorrow (1 November).
“In addition to FCZs, we’re also increasing patrols from our waste services to collect items that could potentially be set alight.
“Bonfire Night should be an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate and spend time together. I would urge everyone in the city to only attend organised displays and look out for one another.
“Please work with us and our fantastic emergency services to help make it a safe and enjoyable occasion this year. If you witness any criminality, please call the police on 101.
“I want to thank our emergency services once again for the professional and measured way they carry out their duties under the most difficult of circumstances. Police officers, firefighters and paramedics have a tough enough job already without being subjected to violence and abuse.
“Please show them the respect they deserve this Bonfire Night.”
Chief Inspector Mairi Creanoradded: “We know that certain areas of Edinburgh experienced unprecedented levels of disorder during Bonfire Night last year, and because of this a significant number of officers responding to the incidents that arose sustained a range of injuries.
“The unacceptable actions of a minority of individuals left communities in a state of alarm and put the safety of emergency service workers at serious risk of harm.
“Such offences cannot and will not be tolerated and detailed planning has been undertaken since last year to ensure we have appropriate resources in key areas and can provide additional support should they be required.
“It is an offence to use fireworks in any manner within a Fireworks Control Zone and we will take appropriate action against anyone in breach of an FCZ over the Bonfire Night period.
“This is just one of the tools at our disposal and we’ll continue to work with key partners to keep our communities safe and bring those intent on causing harm to justice.”
Firework Control Zones will come into effect in four areas of the city – Niddrie, Calton Hill, Seafield and Balerno – from 1 to 10 November, making it a criminal offence to use fireworks (excluding sparklers and indoor fireworks) unless part of a licensed display.
UPDATE: Council Leader @cllrcammyday has responded to reports of disorder taking place across Edinburgh last night.
Police officers attended the Hay Avenue area following reports of disorder. Police vehicles and public transport providers were targeted with fireworks and missiles, including bricks.
Roads in the area were closed during the incident, but were reopened by 11pm.
Cllr Cammy Day said: “I’m shocked and saddened to hear of the mindless violence and disorder taking place in areas across the city tonight.”
Tenants have moved into the first ‘net zero ready’ affordable homes to be delivered in Granton Waterfront.
A housing emergency was declared in Edinburgh last year and the 75 energy efficient homes for social and mid-market rent at Granton Station View built by CCG (Scotland) Ltd on behalf of the Council are part of the local authority’s £1.3bn regeneration of the area to provide much needed affordable housing.
The project is part of the major transformation of Granton Waterfront to create a new coastal town in the north of the city with tenants and homeowners also due to start moving into over 400 ‘net zero ready’ homes for social rent, mid-market rent and homes for sale at Western Villages throughout next year. Work is also well underway to deliver a further 143 ‘net zero ready’ social and mid-market rent homes at Silverlea due for completion in Summer 2026.
The homes at Granton Station View are the first Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) programme pilot which is part of a collaborative programme between local and national government, academia and the construction industry that has developed a new model for delivering affordable housing in Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
The homes will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the city’s 2030 net zero target. The homes were largely manufactured offsite and have high performance energy efficient features which will help reduce utility bills for tenants. Features include triple glazing, communal zero direct emissions heating as well as solar panels linked to the communal energy centre being provided. The University of Edinburgh will monitor the energy efficiency of the building design for the first year.
Granton Station View was supported by of over £6.6m funding from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme (ASHP).
Other innovative features in the development include an underground waste collection system, cycle parking twice the capacity of the residents living there and links to existing and established walking, cycling and wheeling routes.
Three commercial spaces are also situated underneath the homes at Granton Station View providing business and employment opportunities for the area. Two of the spaces have recently been let out ensuring that residents of Granton Station View will have access to a local convenience store with a post office and a fitness gym.
As well as delivering over 3,500 ‘net zero’ homes in the next 10 years, the wider £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront regeneration will include a primary school, a health centre, commercial and cultural space as well as a new public park at the iconic Granton Gasholder, currently being restored.
Council leader Cammy Day said: “Today’s announcement is welcome news as the housing emergency we declared last year means we have a chronic shortage of housing in the city.
“Despite Scottish Government cuts in affordable housing, the homes at Granton Station View are part of an exciting pilot project which will not just help us ease this shortage but will provide many individuals and families with comfortable modern homes using the very latest technology to keep energy bills down.
“I wish everyone moving into Granton Station View well and look forward to seeing hundreds of other individuals and families move into the high-quality homes we are delivering at Western Villages and Silverlea as part of our wider £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.”
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I am pleased that the City of Edinburgh Council has delivered 75 high-quality, energy-efficient homes for social and Mid-Market Rent in Granton.
“These homes were backed by over £6.6 million of Scottish Government funding and they will help to meet the needs of the local community for generations to come, whilst supporting Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.
“We remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032 with at least 70% for social rent and 10% in our rural and island communities.”
CCG (Scotland) Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “Scotland is in a housing emergency and our planet is in the midst of a climate emergency. Both issues are some of the most challenging that will face this generation and it is fundamental that we tackle both in equal measure by delivering more, sustainable homes like we have here at Granton Station View.
“Through our own, pioneering construction methods and a new delivery model that focuses on streamlined procurement and collaborative working, we have unlocked brownfield land and evidenced that a just net zero transition is achievable, the needs of our communities can be met, and our carbon impact can be significantly lowered.
“We thank the partners of the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator programme for their support during construction, and we look forward to continuing our work with the Council at Western Villages where a further 444 net zero ready homes, including 56 for sale from CCG Homes, will be completed in 2025.”
As part of this programme, in Edinburgh, there are also 140 affordable homes being built in Greendykes which will be ready in 2027 and another 40 affordable homes currently being designed for Burdiehouse Crescent. These homes will have similar energy saving features.
The Homeless World Cup co-founder and social entrepreneur, Mel Young MBE, was officially presented with the coveted Edinburgh Award by the Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge.
The award was presented on Thursday evening (October 24) at a civic reception at the City Chambers.
Since 2007, the Edinburgh Award has celebrated individuals who have made a truly unique contribution to the city and brought the Capital to national and international attention.
Alongside family, friends and invited guests, Young received an engraved Loving Cup from the Lord Provost, an official award certificate, and a set of his handprints preserved in stone in the City Chambers quadrangle was unveiled.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, and Chair of the Edinburgh Award Panel, Robert Aldridge said: “It was a pleasure to present Mel Young with the Edinburgh Award yesterday evening. Mel’s handprints are now immortalised in stone at the City Chambers quadrangle, and he deservedly follows in the footsteps of some of the finest individuals associated with our great city.
“From The Homeless World Cup to The Big Issue in Scotland, his passion and dedication to changing lives and advocating for fairness is admirable and inspiring. Through his work he has represented the Capital with pride, dedication, and skill.
“I’d like to congratulate Mel on behalf of the city, and I’m sure he will continue to do great things, both here in Edinburgh and beyond.”
The Homeless World Cup co-founder, social entrepreneur and Recipient of the Edinburgh Award 2024, Mel Young MBE said: “I am honoured to receive the Edinburgh Award this year. Edinburgh is a stunning capital city, and I am proud to be one its citizens.
“The Homeless World Cup Foundation headquarters is in Edinburgh and our tournament connects people all over the globe. I would like to share this Award with the many hard-working people who have contributed to making the Homeless World Cup so impactful and successful.
“Also, this Award belongs to the real heroes of our work, the homeless people themselves who change their own lives through their involvement with our tournament and our operations across the world.”
