Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) is delighted to announce a new community partnership with Leith Civic Trust aimed at securing the long-term future of Leith Custom House.
The collaboration promises to transform this landmark historic building into a vibrant civic space and Scotland’s first fully digital museum, creating a ‘town square for the twenty-first century’ that will celebrate Leith’s unique culture and heritage.
Maggie Wright, Chair, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Leith Civic Trust to help us realise the long-held community desire for a museum for Leith.
“The ambition has always been for this museum to be managed by the community through a community-led charitable trust who would ensure that the museum responds to local needs and aspirations, Leith Civic Trust will help us realise this goal together.
“This project has been a long-time in development, but following the agreement last year with Edinburgh Museums & Galleries, we are delighted that the project now has real momentum”
Following from the strategic partnership with City of Edinburgh Council Museums & Galleries agreed last October, the new community partnership with Leith Civic Trust will ensure that this project is developed for, and by, the local community.
Leith Civic Trust will be adopted by SHBT as the future operator of the groundbreaking museum at the heart of this innovative restoration project.
This marks an exciting new chapter for Leith Civic Trust whose work for over two decades has championed the history and heritage of Leith.
SHBT will support Leith Civic Trust in growing its membership and recruiting new trustees, who will receive in-depth training to manage the digital museum once the restoration is complete.
Cron Mackay, President, Leith Civic Trust, said: “Since our foundation in 1968, Leith Civic Trust has been dedicated to preserving and championing the beauty, history and character of Leith. Leith has a wealth of distinctive stories to tell, and we are delighted that the new museum at Custom House will be a space where all Leithers, old and new, can see themselves represented.
“We look forward to welcoming new Members as we embark on this exciting journey together with SHBT and encourage anyone who may be interested in being involved to get in touch.”
Ben Macpherson, MSP for Leith, attended the event and said: “It is great to see this progress, and further collaboration, towards realising the potential of the Customs House as an even better space for the people of Leith to use and enjoy, and for visitors to come and check out too.
“The plans are exciting and the momentum is building, with more partners getting involved and new potential avenues for funding emerging.
“I pay tribute to everyone that’s been involved in the project – including those who saved the building for the community, and have been engaged for many years now – and I look forward to continuing to support the exciting vision that there is now for the Customs House, and believe that by working together we can all make this happen.”
Tracy Gilbert, Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, said: “One of my very first visits as an MP was to Leith Custom House, and even then, I was amazed by the dedication of the team to securing Custom House as a community anchor.
“The launch of the partnership demonstrates a strong commitment to working with local businesses and residents. I congratulate the whole team on their success so far and look forward to working with them to deliver their ambitious vision.”
Visit is ‘Opportunity to promote strong business links with US’
First Minister John Swinney will undertake a series of engagements in New York as part of Tartan Week, the annual celebration of Scottish heritage and culture in the United States.
In recognition of the important role of the US as a key investment and trading partner, the First Minister will meet a number of high profile current and potential investors to promote the economic opportunities on offer in Scotland.
Speaking ahead of his visit, the First Minister said: “Scotland enjoys deep and enduring links with the US, which is both our largest inward investor, and second largest export market after the European Union.
“In 2023, exports of Scottish goods to the US were worth £4 billion. And here in Scotland, more than 700 US-owned enterprises provide employment to more than 115,000 people.
“Scotland is open for business and is one of the best places in the world to invest. We have a reputation as a world-class entrepreneurial nation, with the number of start-ups, spinouts, and scale up companies growing at pace.
“We also have the potential to become a strategic hub for future renewable energy investments, specifically by developing and scaling projects in offshore wind, green hydrogen, and energy storage.
“Tartan Week in April is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Scottish culture, and promote economic opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.
“I am looking forward to attending this week’s Tartan Week events, meeting our dynamic diaspora, and engaging with some of our biggest current and potential investors. I want to showcase Scotland’s progressive international outlook, and our focus on innovation, sustainability and growth.”
Alan Cumming is Grand Marshal of the 2025 NYC Tartan Day Parade.
Multi-Cultural Family Base(MCFB) is delighted to invite you to a dance performance on October 10th between 7 and 9 pm.
This event is the official launch of our programming for the Edinburgh 900 commemorations, entitled “Roots for Routes”. The concept behind this name is that through celebrating and honouring heritage and culture, we find ways to grow towards the future.
Some of our young people from the MCFBards are collaborating with the PASS performance group to create a full length piece based on their poetry.
Please see the attached invitation. If you are able to attend, please follow this link to our Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/Roots4Routes
We hope you are able to join us for this evening of art and celebration!
Conservation charity works with boatbuilder to replace historic flagpole on Binns Tower
Tower built as a result of wager on most frivolous use of £100
Flag raised to celebrate 80th anniversary of House of Binns acquisition
Celebrating the 80th anniversary of its acquisition of the House of the Binns in 1944, Scotland’s largest conservation charity is hoisting a flag on the prominent Binns Tower – for the first time in almost a decade.
The raising of the flag has been made possible by a newly-completed project by the National Trust for Scotland to replace the broken flagpole on top of the famous Binns folly, which was purportedly built as the result of a wager on the most frivolous way to spend £100.
To maintain a historical connection with the old mast, said to have been a ship’s mast from a nearby breakers’ yard, the Trust commissioned the new flagpole from Fairlie Boat Builders on Scotland’s west coast, fabricated using traditional techniques.
The Trust also carried out vital conservation on the Tower itself, ensuring it can be seen and enjoyed for generations to come. The Trust worked with Conservation Surveyors Adams Napier Partnership to develop a package of work, including high level harling repairs, maintenance to the roof structure, lime washing, and other repairs.
They were carried out by G Brown Stonemasons over a period of 10 weeks. The conservation works were made possible by the Historic Environment Scotland Partnership Fund Grant, an ongoing partnership that enables the charity to not only carry out vital work but to support the continuation of traditional crafts and skills.
Leading the building conservation project was Maintenance Surveyor at the National Trust for Scotland, Megan Gardner, who said:“It sounds a simple thing to replace a flagpole, but in this case it really wasn’t.
“The whole process has been an interesting one, throwing up some unusual challenges along the way, particularly the location of the Tower at the highest point of Binns Hill.
“Being in such an exposed location, it gets a lot of wear from the weather, so it was important to find the right solution for the construction of the new flagpole that was appropriate to the structure and its location and heritage.
“Due to the Binns Tower’s prominent position and background, we felt that the traditional techniques used in the flagpole and its construction from a ship’s mast were a significant part of the building and its story.
“We looked at how masts were traditionally constructed and are delighted that we have been able to include these traditional shipbuilding elements in the new flagpole. It’s a great example of how we’re delivering our strategic objective to be a learning organisation by championing skills to support traditional conservation and innovation.”
There were also practical challenges in carrying out the work. The height of the Tower required significant access equipment, and scaffolding had to be carried up the hill manually because the amount of rainfall during the spring and early summer made it impossible for vehicles to get over the fields.
For internal work, space inside the Tower is extremely limited and the top is only accessible via two ladders and a narrow hatch onto the roof.
Stuart Maxwell, Edinburgh & East Regional Director at the National Trust for Scotland, added:“The Tower is such a prominent point in the countryside around the Binns, and we’re very pleased to once again raise the flag there.
“It’s a splendid way to mark the 80th anniversary of the Dalyell family signing over the deeds of the Binns estate to our conservation charity. We’re grateful for the generosity of our members and supporters in our work to protect, care for, and share Scotland’s special places, and for the assistance of the Historic Environment Scotland Partnership Fund Grant, which has made this project possible.”
The Binns Tower – also known as Dalyell’s Folly – was rumoured to have come about as the result of an after-dinner wager in 1825 as to who could spend £100 in the most pointless but amusing way. The story goes that Sir James won the bet with his suggestion of a folly overlooking his neighbour’s estate, and the Tower was completed in 1829.
From 1919 to 1935, the Tower was topped by a windmill rather than a flag, which was used to generate electricity.
The Historic Environment Scotland Partnership Fund Grant of £1,062,000 over 2023-26, enables the National Trust for Scotland to conduct vital conservation work across its built heritage properties, to use technology to better understand its built structures, and to invest in further training and skills development.
Scotland’s People will launch a refreshed website at midday on 3rd September.
The new website will have a fresh and modern feel. It’s been designed to enhance user experience and accessibility. Searching the records will also be simpler and quicker.
The site is compliant with WCAG 2.2 guidelines and has a double AA standard, which means it’s easily accessible for all users.
This allows a wider and more diverse audience to explore their Scottish heritage.
Customers can log in with their current details and previous saved information will continue to be available.
To prepare for these changes, the website will be unavailable from 00.01 on Sunday, 1st September, to 12.00 on Tuesday, 3rd September.
The Bibliography of Edinburgh History has been updated by the Old Edinburgh Club, forming an extensive collection of nearly 3,000 items. These books, chapters, journal articles and dissertations illuminate the rich heritage of the city, dating from William Maitland’s 1753 History of Edinburgh and Leith.
Easily searchable online, the Bibliography covers prehistory to modern times. It takes in in a range of themes, social, cultural, economic and architectural and features the Old and New Towns and local communities across the city.
Old Edinburgh Club President, Edward Duvall said, “We are delighted to announce the latest version of Bibliography of Edinburgh History, which has grown by 25%.
“We have included new publications up to the end of 2023 and, with the help of our members, identified many older items not previously included.
“We make the Bibliography freely available and it provides a launchpad for anyone wishing to delve into the city’s history.”
The Bibliography can be accessed on the following link:
This summer, embark on a Curious Edinburgh Granton Walk highlighting Granton’s heritage.
Through 19 stops, this walk spans medieval times, through the industrial age and into the future, highlighting Granton’s heritage.
The scenic walk along the Forth foreshore is suitable on foot, is wheelchair/pram friendly and can also be done on a bike. It takes around 1.5 hours at a leisurely stroll and is suitable for all mobilities.
To access the tour, please download the app via the Apple Store or Google Play.
How did this happen? Granton:hub was given the opportunity to develop a virtual walking tour, covering 20 stops, telling the story of Granton’s rich industrial and heritage past.
The academics involved, Niki Vermeulen and Bill Jenkins, were given the Tam Dalyell prize for excellence in engaging the public with science. They generously offered the prize money to granton:hub as part of the funds to develop the tour.
Gina Fierlafijn Reddie, member of the granton:hub steering group, liaised with the Curious Edinburgh team and gave the talk (scroll to 56:51 to view Gina’s talk on the Granton Tour).
Following a drop-in session hosted by Prospect at the Scottish Parliament about their ‘World Class Heritage on Second Class Pay’ campaign on Friday, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “As Labour’s Spokesperson for Culture, it was great to sponsor ‘The Perfect Storm: A Crisis in Heritage’ drop-in event organised by Prospect regarding its ‘World Class Heritage, Second Class Pay’ campaign.
“Scotland’s Heritage sites are well loved by international visitors and locals alike and they benefit our economy greatly.
“We all know that the culture sector has been hit hard in this cost-of-living crisis and has received little attention from the Scottish Government.
“I have raised awareness of this before, for example, with the closure of Edinburgh Filmhouse, which I hope will be restored in the future.
“However, Scotland and the UK cannot afford losing yet again more of its unique culture.
“It is indeed a perfect storm where our World Class Heritage and its workforce in Scotland and across the UK have long been devalued and are now in jeopardy due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“Our new generation of potential conservationists, archaeologists, curators and other specialists are also suffering; new trainees cannot even afford their rents.
“Better pay will mean that our young people can aspire to have a stable career in Heritage.
“It is time to fully recognise how our important Heritage workforce contributes to our local communities, our nations and across the world.
“The matter of funding of Heritage sites is something that I have brought to the Scottish Government’s attention before, when I spoke about Historic Environment Scotland in the chamber.
“I will work to pressure the Scottish Government to secure a better deal for our Heritage workers and preserve our fantastic Heritage sector.”
We are pleased to report that Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) has generously agreed to fund a new Community Teaching Kitchen at the Heart from their Community Health & Well-being Fund.
The almost £13,000 will pay for a total revamp of the old VPS kitchen and provide a space where community-minded groups involved with the many aspects of food growing and preparation can come together to share their skills.
This will involve a lot of work, so accept our apologies for any disruption, especially around the cafe area, as it might not be completed until after the summer.
If you tasted the food offered by Mwamba at our two Coorie-In events, then you’ll be pleased to know that they have already signified their interest in using the new kitchen once it’s ready.
In the meantime, if you or your group would like to use the space for the benefit of the community, please get in touch with admin@heartofnewhaven.co.uk
Working with us –
Age Scotland are also getting involved at the Heart. They are providing the funds for a six-month, part-time position (two days a week) for someone to help organise and run sessions at the Heart for local people living with dementia and their carers.
Applications for the position have now closed, but watch this space for more news as the successful applicant is due to start in June.
We also will be welcoming our new building maintenance officer, Ian White who joins us at the start of May to support all the activities in the Heart.
VIP visitors
The Heart has been happy to host VIP visits recently, with two local councillors, Councillor Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, Councillor Stuart Dobbin and MP Deirdre Brock being given tours of the site and an introduction to what’s been going on, bringing them right up to date with both our achievements and our future plans.
We look forward to welcoming them back again in the future.
Our reminiscence volunteers are keeping busy.
Those who undertook reminiscence training are now offering drop-in sessions at the Heart once a month, on Wednesday mornings. (Wed 12 April, Wed 10 May, Wed 14 June, Wed 12 July, all from 10.30 – 11.30 am).
It is completely free, open to everyone and all ages and there is no need to book in advance – just come along to the Heart, take a seat and start chatting!
The aim is to have a different theme each month, with different pictures and objects to get the discussion going. Do spread the word if there is anyone you know who might be interested in coming along – feel free to bring a friend.
Four Pop-up Play Cafes for carers and children aged 0-7, were held at the Heart in March, led by Froebelian Futures (https://www.froebel.ed.ac.uk/) with the support of various local organisations that support Early Years and families, including Homestart and Stepping Stones.
The aim was to gauge community response and around 200 people, adults and children, passed through the doors on each of the four days.
The feedback, which has all been very positive, is currently being evaluated and will inform our next steps. We will let you know!
Moving forward to August, DaddyDayCare will be opening their doors in the Anchor Building as well.
They are now accepting applications for places, so head to their website for all the details – daddydaycareedinburgh.com
Heritage
Meanwhile, HONC has not been neglecting the heritage side of things.
Representatives from the Heart and our partners the Victorian Schoolroom attended a consultation meeting organised by the City’s Museums Services held in the new Victoria Primary School last month.
A small but enthusiastic number of attendees put forward their ideas for working collaboratively and the representatives from the City Council will take away their ideas and work on them.
Similarly, we also attended a preliminary meeting of a new venture called the Edinburgh Local Heritage Network, also being led currently by the City’s Archives, Libraries and Museum Services.
The idea is for different heritage groups around the city to collaborate on exhibitions, events and publicity to make more locals as well as visitors aware of the many and differing heritage strands the area has to offer.
Finally, our Warm & Welcoming mornings (Wednesdays and Saturdays) are becoming popular but we really need more volunteers to help welcome and chat to visitors as well as make them a warming cup of tea or coffee.
If you think you could give a couple of hours a week, particularly on Wednesday mornings, please contact admin@heartofnewhaven.co.uk
Remember to check our website and social media pages regularly for what’s happening around the Heart.
You’ll find the latest courses being run by Ink on Mesh and our bookbinder Cass, as well as the next date for a Leith Folk Club gathering, by clicking What’s On.
By clicking on Culture & Heritage news, you’ll find an appeal for photo identification and a lovely link between the Heart and the Victorian Schoolroom when the great granddaughter of a former pupil came to visit.
P.S. Save the date:
We’ll be hosting a Family Ceilidh on 29th April, so save the date.
More details to follow on the website / social media.
Preparations are well underway for Celtic Connections, Europe’s premier folk and roots music festival, which launches in Glasgow next week.
This year marking its 30th edition, the 18-day event kicks off on Thursday 19th January, and features some of the world’s most celebrated musical artists in genre-defying spectacles and one-off collaborations.
Organisers and contributors are full steam ahead with arrangements for what is set to be a full-scale return and celebration of the Scottish music scene’s resilience in the face of adversity.
1200 musicians will take to the stage for 300 events at more than 25 venues across the city, with shows spanning traditional folk, roots, Americana, jazz, soul and world music from Thursday 19th January – Sunday 5th February.
Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: “It feels remarkable that in just a matter of days the 30th edition of Celtic Connections will kick off in Glasgow, celebrating all genres of music, a variety of world cultures, and bringing communities together from across the globe.
“A huge amount of work and preparation has gone into this year’s festival; it is testament to the strength and tenacity of the Scottish music industry, which has successfully overcome an incredibly tough period.
We are so appreciative of the musicians and artists who have contributed in all manner of ways to Celtic Connections over the past three decades, and we will pay homage to them throughout the 2023 festival, as well as looking forward towards a bright and hopeful future. We look forward to seeing venues full, artists doing what they do best and the musical community thriving right across the city in a week’s time.
Among the wall-to-wall shows taking place across the start of 2023 is a show-stopping performance from Irish six-piece contemporary ensemble NOTIFY, who celebrate their 10th anniversary at Saint Luke’s on Saturday 21st January, with special guests Caoimhe and Séamus Uí Fhlatharta. Support comes from The Canny Band, whose music fuses piano, diatonic button accordion and bodhrán.
On Wednesday 25th January, the Mackintosh Church will play host to Scottish folk singer, songwriter and ukulele player Claire Hastings and Welsh language singer, songwriter and musician Gwilym Bowen Rhys, along with Icelandic sibling trio Blood Harmony, who are making their unmissable Celtic Connections debut with their unique fusion of Nordic melancholic folk and Americana.
Elsewhere, Róisín Reimagined sees award-winning Irish singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and the Irish Chamber Orchestra team up for an exciting new project that combines Muireann’s exceptional vocals with fresh orchestral arrangements of sean nós songs, breathing new life into the noble, classical music of 16th-19th century Gaelic Ireland.
The first time another national orchestra has played Celtic Connections, they will share the stage at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Wednesday 25th January, with Brìghde Chaimbeul, Ross Ainslieand Steven Byrnes, who will perform their new album LAS, a collaboration featuring tunes from France, Scotland, Bulgaria, Ireland alongside self-penned compositions.
On Friday 27th January, Afro Celtic Connections will see Saint Luke’s play host to Rise Kagona, the founder, lead guitarist and only remaining member of the mega-successful Zimbabwean rock band The Bhundu Boys.
Also on the bill is Diwan, who bring an exuberant fusion of funky mbalax and Afrobeat grooves, with undercurrents of ska, rock and Senegalese soul led by charismatic Senegalese singer Samba Sene and Chief Cheb, a celebrated African philosopher, poet storyteller and music teacher.
One of the most successful contemporary folk musicians from Finland, Maija Kauhanen will be combining her expressive voice with Finnish kantele and inventive percussion on Friday 27th January. She will perform at The National Piping Centre along with acclaimed traditional trio Oakes // Bews // Thorpe, and talented accordion player and composer Andrew Waite.
On Sunday 29th January, audiences at Drygate Brewery will be able to enjoy uplifting performances from Rozi Plain and Terra Kin. London-based folk musician Rozi Plain will perform tracks from her upcoming fifth LP, Prize, which continues to display her musical growth whilst retaining the home-grown intimacy and a familial warmth she is known for.
Local musician Terra Kin will present their debut EP Too Far Gone. Combining a love for jazz, ambient and folk music with a soft soulful voice, the resulting sound defies genres and is sure to delight audiences.
Malian husband-and-wife duo Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia will bring their rich, radiant blend of desert blues, Afro-pop, rock, disco and hip-hop to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Wednesday 1st February.
Since their 2004 breakthrough album Dimanche à Bamako, produced by Manu Chao, the duo have grown a passionate international following, and have regularly appeared in Damon Albarn’s Africa Express and collaborated with Johnny Marr, Flea and David Gilmour as well as fellow African greats including Toumani Diabaté and Bassekou Kouyate.
The incredible wealth and breadth of talent on display doesn’t stop there. Saint Luke’s will also showcase the talents of Hen Hoose and Man of the Minch on Saturday 4th February. Founded by Tamara Schlesinger (aka MALKA), Hen Hoose are an all-female/non-binary songwriting collective, bringing together an array of artists from across the creative industries including Karine Polwart, Emma Pollock, Jayda and Elisabeth Elektra to produce groundbreaking new music.
Man of the Minch is the stage name of Pedro Cameron, who has become one of the most exciting names at the forefront of Scottish folk music. Performing tracks from his debut album, The Tide is at the Turning, with a full live band, he blends traditional Celtic sounds with personal and profound storytelling.
Also on Saturday 4th February, The Old Fruitmarket will host Rokia Koné’s first UK live performance of her debut album Bamanan, which was named as one of the New York Times Best Albums of 2022.
One of Mali’s most beloved and dynamic artists, Rokia will share the stage with the Togo All Stars, renowned for their spectacular live performances showcasing their distinctive blend of afrofunk and voodoo rhythms from the musical heart of West Africa.
BOYACK: BBC Radio Scotland cuts will be a massive hit for artists, audiences and our Scottish heritage’
Commenting on the open letter sent by members of the music scene to Angus Robertson regarding the BBC Radio Scotland cuts,Scottish Labour culture spokesperson Sarah Boyack MSP said:“The arts and culture sector is collapsing.
“These BBC Radio Scotland cuts will be a massive hit for artists, audiences and our Scottish heritage. This decision must be reversed given the perfect storm our artists and musicians are facing.
“The proposed cuts to Creative Scotland in the Scottish Government’s budget which were announced just before Christmas will also add to the huge pressures the sector is facing and are undermining the Scottish arts and culture industry putting jobs and livelihoods at risk.
“It’s difficult to avoid a “culture of doom” when the sector desperately needs urgent solutions but all we get is vague answers.
“We need urgent action to support our musicians from both the BBC and the Scottish Government.”
