Enjoy our one day course in learning how to get the most from your camera.
This course is an introduction to photography and to offer technical and creative skills for each student to progress either as a total beginner or for those who would like to build confidence on skills that students already have.
The emphasis is on fun learning and suited to help students achieve their own goals. The tutor is very experienced and helpful.
The course will look at camera handling, composition, downloading images, file management and simple digital manipulation, within the time constraint of a one day course.
Standard fee £23.88 and reduced/ concession fee is £19.28.
= Nearly two in three people in Edinburgh live in flats compared to one in five in the UK = One in seven residents currently has no access to private outdoor space
Residents in Edinburgh can be confident that they will always have access to green space, thanks to a partnership between charity Fields in Trust and the City of Edinburgh Council.
The landmark agreement will see the capital’s local authority become the first in Scotland to ensure that around 84% of residents who live in the city, are within a 10-minute walk of a permanently protected space.
Over and above the 36 parks already protected in Edinburgh, the council has committed to safeguarding an additional 19 green spaces across the city.
This initiative comes as pressure on existing green space is set to rise, with the population of Edinburgh predicted to increase by 10% over the next 20 years.
Fields in Trust will now use a Holyrood reception hosted by Sarah Boyack MSP on 8 February, to call for local authorities, business and communities across the capital to collaborate and back the innovative partnership to protect the city’s green spaces and secure better access to them for generations to come.
The charity also wants to see other cities take the same approach, as the number of people living in cities is expected to rise over the next 20 years.
Overall, Scotland rates 1.21 on Fields in Trust’s Green Space Index against a benchmark standard of 1.0, making it the highest performing of the three home nations covered. However, the City of Edinburgh falls slightly short of the threshold overall at 0.9, with significant variances between wards ranging from 0.1 all the way up to 2.9.
Helen Griffiths, chief executive of Fields in Trust, said: “We all understand the pressures faced by cities as the world changes. You don’t need to be a research scientist to work out that having access to parks and other green space is good for people’s physical and mental health and well-being.
“Whether you’re playing organised sport or just enjoying the sights and sounds of the park, it is imperative that as cities grow and new homes and infrastructure are built, legal steps are taken to protect these special places over the long-term. Parks do us all a world of good, so it’s up to us – all of us, to protect our parks for good.
“We look forward to sharing our experiences with MSPs and others in Holyrood and showcasing this important partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, whose enlightened approach will mean that nearly everyone in the city is within ten minutes of a park or green space.”
Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Val Walker, said: “Edinburgh is already a wonderfully green city and we want to ensure it remains that way for generations to come.
“Through our partnership with Fields in Trust we will make sure that almost everyone in Edinburgh will be within a ten-minute walk of a protected green space, ensuring that for years to come citizens are guaranteed a lifetime of opportunity for activity, play, learning, recuperation and community. We hope other cities follow suit.”
Sarah Boyack MSP for Lothian, added:“Green spaces are vital for our mental and physical wellbeing. They offer a break from our sedentary lives and a chance to enjoy our natural environment.
“Green spaces are breathing spaces and should be accessible to everyone, regardless of the area they live, their income or background. That’s why I’m proud to host the Fields in Trust reception at the Scottish Parliament.
“Their campaign is inspiring – the pandemic has shown that green spaces have become increasingly important for people of all ages, whether for leisure or community gardening. We need action so that everyone can benefit from parks, gardens and green spaces across Scotland.”
The first ten parks and green spaces of the nineteen to be protected in Edinburgh under the partnership are:
Inch Park Muirhouse Roseburn Gyle Pikes Pool Clermiston Joppa Quarry Park Spylaw Sighthill Fairmilehead
This is a 5 week course mainly outdoors although weather may mean more of each session indoors at Inch House.
It is an informal course for students to learn how to make the most of their camera and improve the standard of personal photography. The tutor is very friendly and experienced and can help with general or particular photography or camera queries.
Students will learn to use the camera functions, cover various modes, and discuss composition in relation to landscape and (potentially) nature photography.
Standard fee for the 5 weeks course running on Thursdays from 1pm-2.30pm each week is £32.63 and only £17.25 for any senior citizens, students or benefits.
Archaeology & History of Cammo Estate – All – (18/3) – OUT57986M
Cammo Estate was built in 1693 for John Menzies , and the house is considered to be the inspiration for the House of Shaw in Kidnapped written by Robert Louis Stevenson. The grounds are a nature reserve with walled garden, hot walls and a Pinetum. Many visitors are unaware of the history surrounding them as they walk past the ruins.
Archaeologists have uncovered a stash of personal items that used to belong to the housekeeper in the grand lost mansion and lots of interesting stories are being unravelled through further excavation.
This one day course looking at the history and archaeology will offer fascinating insights into the particular site as well as broader guidance about archaeology in general.
Enjoy a fun day out with the very friendly and knowledgeable tutor able to answer queries and generate interest in local history.
The course takes place on Saturday 18th March from 10.30-3.30pm
Standard fees for the day £21.75 and £17.25 for senior citizens, students and benefits.
Following a campaign initiated by Edinburgh Central SNP MSP, Angus Robertson, the City of Edinburgh Council has agreed to pay for the installation of a Stolperstein or ‘stumbling stone’ memorial to Jane Haining.
90 years ago, Jane Haining left Edinburgh for Budapest to help Jewish children in the Hungarian capital. She was killed in Auschwitz in 1944 and subsequently recognised as ‘Righteous Among the Nations’ at Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem. Ms Haining is the only Scot to be given the honour.
The motion was passed by city councillors yesterday.
‘Stolpersteine’ or ‘stumbling stones’ are small brass plaques set in pavements with the inscription of the name and life details of victims murdered by the Nazis. Across Europe, there are now over 75,000 brass plate memorials outside the homes or places associated with victims of the Nazi Holocaust.
The proposals were welcomed by Councillor Vicky Nicolson and Professor Joe Goldblatt, Chair of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association and prominent member of Scotland’s Jewish Community, who brought a motion to the City of Edinburgh Council to have the Stolperstein paid for and installed by the City.
Angus Robertson MSPsaid: ‘Jane Haining is Scotland’s most prominent Holocaust victim and is Righteous Amongst the Nations at Yad Vashem.
“A ‘Stolperstein’ to her memory would be fitting, perhaps outside Edinburgh’s St Stephen’s Church, where her mission to help Jewish children was dedicated. As well as being a proper commemoration, it will also serve as a warning to never forget the lessons of history.”
Professor Joe Goldblattsaid: “I hope that in the years to come when children and others pass the Stolperstein stone and plaque they will feel pride because of this daughter of Edinburgh whose courage and bravery saved so many Jewish lives.
“I hope that the Church of Scotland and Jewish community will work closely together to plan a meaningful and memorable unveiling of the stone.”
SNP Councillor for Inverleith Ward, Vicky Nicolson, said: “Before Jane Haining left for Budapest, a dedication service was held for her at St Stephen’s Church in Stockbridge.It was presided over by the chair of the Jewish mission committee, Dr Stewart Thompson.
“Jane Haining left for Budapest the next day, seven months before Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany on 30 January 1933. She went to her dedication service as an everyday citizen and left as a missionary to Budapest where she looked after and saved many Jewish children’s lives until her extermination at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
“Edinburgh was the last place Jane Haining chose to be prior to her mission and it is time we, the Capital City of Scotland, commemorate her incredible humanity, bravery and kindness.
“Her Stolpestein will be a marker and a reminder of the Holocaust and what that did to the world. Jane Haining was an incredible woman and for Edinburgh not to have recognised her yet is wrong and we want to right that wrong.”
Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotlandsaid: “We are delighted that Edinburgh City councillors have voted in favour of buying and installing a ‘Stolperstein’ in memory of Jane Haining, who showed tremendous courage in the face of intolerable evil during a dark period of history.
“A woman of deep Christian faith, she was fully aware of the risks she was taking but repeatedly refused Church of Scotland pleas to leave Budapest and return home to Scotland as the war engulfed Europe.‘
“Jane was determined to continue doing her duty and stick to her post, saying ‘If these children need me in days of sunshine, how much more do they need me in days of darkness?’.
“She was simultaneously an ordinary and extraordinary woman and her story is one of heroism and personal sacrifice and reminds us that when we feel powerless, there is always something that we can do.
‘Her story is moving, humbling, heart-breaking and inspirational and we hope that this honour will help keep her memory alive for generations to come.’
The Security Industry Authority (SIA), the regulator for the private security industry, ran a safety resilience exercise at the Shanghai Club in Edinburgh’s George Street on Sunday.
The SIA organised the exercise in partnership with Police Scotland counter-terrorism officers, Scottish Ambulance Service and City of Edinburgh Council.
The training event at Shanghai Club confronted security staff with a series of real-time simulations, involving volunteer actors, of possible emergency scenarios. These included an attack with a bladed weapon, an acid attack, a suspect package and a marauding terrorist attack taking place outside the club.
Security teams from Edinburgh and the surrounding area were in attendance to observe.
Ronnie Megaughin, the SIA’s Head of Compliance and Inspections, said: “These realistic scenarios are an excellent method for training security operatives and gives them an ideal opportunity to put their training to use.
“Security operatives may be the first people on the scene in an incident. Yesterday’s staged terror incidents enabled security operatives to take part and deal with the scenario, and then receive an instant debrief from counter-terror experts.
“We know from experience that operatives, and their managers, really appreciate what they learn from these events and find them worth their while. Any of these security staff could find themselves as the first responder at a serious incident, and this exercise could literally be the difference between life and death.”
John Sandlin, SIA Senior Manager Compliance and Inspections, said: “The main aim of exercises like this is to increase public safety in the night-time economy by working with venues and security staff.
“It’s also to showcase best practice by putting the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) security e-learning package, which we’ve been recommending to all SIA-licensed operatives, into practice. We’re really pleased with the commitment that all the security staff put into the exercise at the Shanghai Club.”
This emergency planning exercise at the Shanghai Club continues a programme of similar exercises and follows on from events in Chesterfield, London, Glasgow and Leicester.
Granton’s last remaining gasholder will be transformed following a £1.24 million award from the Scottish Government’s low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme.
Councillors at the Development Management Sub-Committee on 25 January approved planning permission for the next stage of redevelopment of the iconic Granton Gasholder.
Today, it was also announced that the project’s application to the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund has been approved. This will tie in with the overall programme of delivery and will secure up to £1.3m of further grant funding to take this stage of the works forward.
As the restoration of the Gasholder frame continues, work will begin in Autumn 2023 on public realm improvements to the surrounding land.
Ultimately, the goals of the restoration are to ensure development of the surrounding sites can take place whilst opening up the area to create a multifunctional public space that can be used and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur said:“Neglected sites are often found in more disadvantaged settings and can become no-go areas or hamper community development. By targeting long-standing vacant and derelict land we can ensure that investment reaches the areas that need it most.
“The Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme helps attract private investment to locations which have lain dormant for years. It also supports low carbon developments, helping Scotland reach net zero by 2045 and grow an economy that is greener, fairer, and more prosperous.
“This green space development at the Granton Gasholder will bring a significant boost for the community and enhance wider regeneration. I look forward to seeing the completed project.”
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I am delighted that councillors have recently approved planning permission for the exciting high quality open space element of the redevelopment to the historic Granton Gasholder.
“The restoration of the Gasholder frame is already underway through funding provided by the Council and the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. With today’s announcement that we’ve been successful in our bid to the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, we’re now able to progress our plans for creating an exciting public space which will see this iconic structure breathe new life into Granton Waterfront.
“This important development represents our plan to transform the structure, the centrepiece of our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront, into a visitor destination with high quality open space for everyone to enjoy.
“The wider regeneration is about using brownfield land to develop a sustainable 20-minute neighbourhood its residents will be proud of. It will be an area where people live in affordable, environmentally friendly homes, have excellent transport and active travel links, and access open and green space, arts, sports, and culture. Restoring the Gasholder is the first step in unlocking the wider regeneration.”
A derelict site once central to the Clyde’s shipbuilding industry will be transformed following a £2.4 million award from the low carbon Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme.
The Govan Graving Docks were used for final painting and repair of vessels but have lain empty for 40 years. The Scottish Government award to upgrade a riverside walkway and create green space by 2025 is intended to help attract business investment, reverse biodiversity loss and habitat decline and create a visitor attraction.
Further restoration of the historic dockyard will see it used for repairing heritage vessels, while a footbridge linking the site to neighbouring visitor destinations including the Glasgow Science Centre is planned once private sector funding is secured.
It is one of 15 transformational schemes sharing £10 million in 2023-24 from the Programme. Other successful projects include:
Creation of a community learning campus on the site of a former Midlothian colliery
decontamination and redevelopment of former military land at Cromarty Firth to enable construction of 93 affordable homes
reuse of vacant and derelict buildings in Fife as an employment and training hub for rural green jobs and apprenticeships
support for community-led food production in Clackmannanshire
Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur visited the Govan Graving Docks site to meet those behind the project. He said: “Neglected sites are often found in more disadvantaged settings and can become no-go areas or hamper community development. By targeting long-standing vacant and derelict land we can ensure that investment reaches the areas that need it most.
“The Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme helps attract private investment to locations which have lain dormant for years, It also supports low carbon developments, helping Scotland reach net zero by 2045 and grow an economy that is greener, fairer and more prosperous.”
Councillor Richard Bell, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The Govan Graving Docks is a unique site in Glasgow, offering both a glimpse of the city’s past and a view into a future where we realise the potential of this remarkable Clydeside location.
“The very welcome announcement of £2.4 million funding from the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme will allow work to dramatically improve the appearance of the site, create new public green space to be co-designed by the local community, and improve access and connections to Glasgow Science Centre.
“The support announced today will hopefully act as a catalyst for future funding and the development of further stages in the regeneration of the Graving Docks.”
Projects to receive funding from Stage 2 of the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme for 2023-24:
Two-way traffic will return to Leith Walk this month, as preparations for tram testing begin.
North- and southbound traffic along the length of Leith Walk will be reintroduced during the week commencing 13 February, followed by the electrification of the full line.
Energisation of the line will allow for testing and commissioning to begin, with the first test trams expected on the route at the beginning of March. Final track preparations will also take place in the lead up to the first test tram running.
All tram track, overhead line poles and communications and power ducting has been installed, 93% of the overhead lines are in place and the final section at Picardy Place is being installed over the next two weeks.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said:“In just a matter of weeks we’ll see test trams running the length of the Trams to Newhaven route, which is really exciting. Energising the overhead lines and buffering of the tram tracks are the final steps before this happens.
“Reopening Leith Walk to two-way traffic is a key moment for the project too and, I’m sure, for all those who live and work in the area. I’d like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and support while we’ve carried out these works.
Once fully complete, this project will be transformative for Leith Walk and the rest of the route, while benefitting the wider city economy and helping to cut congestion. Not only will it provide reliable, high-capacity connections to the north of the city but has significantly improved and enhanced public spaces and active travel links along the line.”
The Trams to Newhaven project remains on schedule for completion by spring 2023 and within the £207.3m budget, with all major construction now complete ahead of the testing and commissioning period.
This TtN budget does not take into account the massive cost overrun during the original tram project, the failures of which are subject to an ongoing public inquiry under Lord Hardie.
Due to industry wide challenges with the availability of materials and skilled labour, impacted by Brexit and the war in Ukraine along with significant demand for labour in the UK and overseas, there are small pockets of public realm works that will now be completed over the coming months.
A communications campaign has been carried out to remind residents, businesses and stakeholders about the electrification of overhead lines, including safety requirements and permits needed to carry out any work. This work was originally scheduled to take place in October but was re-programmed to allow key infrastructure works to be completed.
To allow for work to connect the lines to take place, Edinburgh Trams services from the airport will terminate at the West End between 13 and 19 February.
