Work underway on new 99-home Salamander Yards development 

Construction is now underway at Salamander Yards, a landmark 99-home development set within one of Edinburgh’s most vibrant and popular neighbourhoods, Leith.

Located on Salamander Street, just moments from the buzzing heart of Leith and backing directly onto Leith Links, the development is a joint venture between five star housebuilder Cruden Homes and MNM Developments. The project will transform a former industrial site into a contemporary mixed-use neighbourhood, contributing to the continued regeneration and growing cultural energy of the Leith Waterfront.

Leith has become synonymous with independent retailers, creative workspaces, community-led events and some of the capital’s most celebrated restaurants and bars. From artisan coffee shops and street markets to waterside dining and cultural festivals, the area has evolved into one of Scotland’s most dynamic places to live.

Salamander Yards will provide a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with 35% of the homes allocated as affordable housing to help meet the growing demand for high-quality, accessible homes in the capital. The development will also feature two commercial units at ground level, further enhancing the area’s thriving business scene and creating a lively street presence.

Designed by 7N Architects, the development has been carefully crafted to complement Leith’s distinctive character, blending contemporary design with the area’s industrial heritage.

Residents will benefit from landscaped outdoor spaces, including a private courtyard, alongside enhanced public realm improvements on Salamander Street and new active travel routes to promote safer, more accessible cycling.

The new development backs directly onto Leith Links, one of Edinburgh’s most historic and well-loved green spaces, giving residents immediate access to expansive parkland, sports pitches and walking routes. 

Salamander Yards is situated close to excellent transport connections, including bus routes, established cycle paths and the tram network, offering outstanding connectivity to Edinburgh city centre and beyond.

Fraser Lynes, Chief Executive of Cruden, said: “Salamander Yards is a key contribution to the evolution of Leith Waterfront, helping to shape a vibrant and sustainable place for people to live.

Together with our partners at MNM Developments, we are proud to deliver high-quality homes, including much-needed affordable housing, in one of Edinburgh’s most exciting and culturally rich neighbourhoods.

“Backing onto Leith Links and just moments from the Shore, this development combines green space, connectivity and community in a truly unique setting.”

Marc Teague, Managing Director at MNM Developments, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Cruden to bring Salamander Yards to life.

“Leith continues to grow as a vibrant, creative and highly desirable place to live and work. This development not only delivers much-needed homes, but also supports the wider regeneration of the waterfront and enhances the strong sense of community that defines the area.”

Salamander Yards forms part of the wider regeneration of the Leith Waterfront, helping to create a thriving, mixed-use neighbourhood just minutes from the heart of the capital. First homes are due to complete in Spring 2027. 

PAMIS welcomes four new public Changing Places Toilet registrations across Edinburgh

Great news for Edinburgh – 4 new Changing Places toilet registrations at:

South Queensferry: https://www.changing-places.org/find?toilet=3730

The Meadows: https://www.changing-places.org/find?toilet=3733

Inverleith Park: https://www.changing-places.org/find?toilet=3732

Leith Links: https://www.changing-places.org/find?toilet=3734

Well done @edinburgh_council!

#ChangingPlacesToilets

#ChangingPlaces

#Edinburgh

Appeal for information following an assault and robbery in Leith

POLICE are appealing for information following an assault and robbery in Leith.

Around 9.45pm on Monday, 16 June, 2025, a couple were walking in the Leith Links area, near Duncan Place, when they were approached by three men who demanded they hand over their phones.

The man was then assaulted and knocked to the ground before his phone was stolen. The woman was not injured.

The suspects made off in the direction of Duke Street.

The three male suspects are all described as white, around 30 to 35-years-old, of heavy build with brown hair.

They were in the company of a woman described as white, around 5ft 2in tall, of slim build, with medium-length curly dark brown hair which was tied back. She was wearing a light-coloured top and jeans.

None of the suspects appeared to be English-speaking.

Detective Constable Jo Robertson said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack which left the victims understandably shaken.

“We are carrying out enquiries to identify those responsible and would urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information that could help with our enquiries to come forward.

“We understand that a passer-by stopped to help the victims and are keen to trace this person as they may have information that could assist.

“Anyone with relevant dashcam or private CCTV footage is also asked to contact police.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3597 of 16 June, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

HARK! Earth in Common and Aurora Engine announce new Soundwalk

Launches Sunday 26 May 2 – 4pm at Earth in Common, Leith Links

  • Announcing a new collaboration between Earth in Common and Deborah Shaw (Aurora Engine), supported by the National Lottery Community Fund’s Together for Our Planet Fund 
  • Highlights include environmental songs from Karine Polwart, works from Tinderbox Sparks Orchestra, stories from Edinburgh’s Gaelic community and Scottish International Storytelling Centre, poems from Ash Dickinson and Alec Finlay, folksong from Kirsty Law, sonic works from Siôn Parkinson and Aurora Engine, incorporating political themes of land rights, references to highland clearances and the Edinburgh housing crisis as local rents continue to increase 

Coinciding with Earth Day, a new soundwalk at Earth in Common has been announced, with an upcoming launch event scheduled from 2 – 4pm on Sunday 26th May 2024, with live performances and a guided tour of the new installation with Deborah Shaw. 

Tickets are now on sale for the launch event with various price options available. Book now: https://bit.ly/harksoundwalk 

Environmental organisation Earth In Common presents HARK!, an immersive soundwalk nestled within the grounds of Leith Community Croft.

This unique experience will offer a tapestry of compositions, soundscapes, poetry and stories, curated by composer and sonic artist Deborah Shaw (Aurora Engine), supported by Together for Our Planet fund.

HARK! aims to foster a deeper connection to nature and reflect Earth In Common’s values regarding crofting, land and the intrinsic relationship between arts and the environment. 

Alongside the pastoral, is the political, with themes of land rights, references to highland clearances and the Edinburgh housing crisis as local rents continue to increase. Some works explore the effects on communities, raising the importance of nature access in urban landscapes which the Croft provides. 

Visitors will be able to access recordings through their electronic devices, and experience sonic folk tales, haunting choral compositions and immersive soundscapes featuring the collected sounds from nature and wildlife. 

HARK! contributors include renowned musician Karine Polwart with a brand new song composed for the croft, “Earth In Common” inspired by her passion for nature and environmental causes. Tinderbox Orchestra will present “ICE” from their Sparks collective a piece composed in response to an ice installation at Dynamic Earth. 

There will be pieces from Edinburgh’s Gaelic communitya story from Donald Smith, Director of Scottish International Storytelling Centre, and a haunting choral from Earth In Common’s own climate choir and a song from folk singer Kirsty Law

Poet Ash Dickinson will be featured with poem ‘Fox Fishing’ about declining nature, and Alec FInlay’s words from their Push the Boat Out Poetry festival commission ‘Manifesto for Urban Crofts’ will also play as part of the soundwalk.

Sonic works will include pieces from Siôn Parkinson, composer and sound artist currently an AHRC Research Fellow at RBGE with ‘Pastoral blah’, curator Deborah Shaw (Aurora Engine) with a sound work about land rights and pieces inspired by birdsong. 

As participants navigate the Croft with a provided map on their smartphones, they are invited to immerse themselves in the sounds and music at their own pace. A visit to the charming farm shop/café can enhance the experience, allowing for leisurely exploration of the works on display. 

Deborah Shaw, HARK! curator, said: “I wanted to create a magical world that invites audiences to leisurely experience music while immersing themselves in nature.

“HARK! facilitates this journey, inviting listeners to tune into music, sounds, poetry and stories while also sparking conversations about land rights, climate and current housing issues”. 

Alec Finlay, featured artist in HARK!, said: “I was inspired by Leith Urban Croft, which was conceived by Evie Murray, and is a contemporary twist on the traditional allotment, with an attempt to encourage a more communal approach, as well as broadening the social activities, helping with wellbeing, and giving young people an experience of nature and nurture.

“Some of the growing plots are run by schools. There’s a wee cafe, they sell produce, and are developing a visitor centre. It’s used by parents and toddlers … I think in terms of pandemic culture and climate breakdown, every park and green space should have an urban croft.

“It aligns with the idea of a ‘culture of recuperation’, which I’ve been thinking about for the past few years, and more specifically, with a project I did in Glasgow, with the Walking Library, exploring ideas of urban rewilding.” 

Evie Murray, Earth in Common’s Founder and CEO said, “The Soundwalk project embodies Earth in Common’s ethos and builds on all we have achieved over the last decade.

“Leith Community Croft is an established hub for social, cultural and environmental regeneration. The Soundwalk enhances our identity at a crucial time for Earth in Common, when we are recovering from disruption caused by a major capital building project and our reserves are running low.

“If people like our work, they can visit the ‘Soil-idarity’ page on our website to learn how they can help us survive and thrive.” 

Scottish Water unveils Scotland’s ‘Top of the Taps’

Edinburgh consumes nearly 250,000 litres of water from public Top Up Taps

THE BUSIEST and most-used taps across Scotland over the summer have been identified in the latest data revealed by Scottish Water.

The research paints a fascinating picture of exactly where thirsty drinkers have been using the national water provider’s network of Top up Taps from May to August.

Topping the chart, retaining its top position, was the Grassmarket Top up Tap which dispensed almost 35,000 litres. Seven of Edinburgh’s 10 taps featured in the top 10,

Impressively, the Top Up Taps initiative has inspired a 19% increase in people carrying a refillable bottle, and figures show that well-hydrated people across Edinburgh filled up almost 18,000 water bottles and consumed 236,353 litres of water across the area’s 11 taps.

Following the Grassmarket, the other most used taps in the region was in The Meadows Pavillion which served up 31,869 litres, and Portobello Promenade with 31,621 litres.

The Botanics West tap was the least used in Edinburgh with 2,780 litres dispensed. Meanwhile the tap in Rutland Place clocked in with a total tap usage of 15,092 litres and Leith Links at 18,259.

Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water, said: “It’s brilliant that so many locals and visitors alike are using our Top Up Taps in such numbers.

“But nothing would make us happier than seeing them used even more! There couldn’t be many better reasons for carrying a refillable water bottle and topping up when you’re out and about – it’s good for your health, good for your pocket and good for the planet.”

Publicly funded Scottish Water recently installed its landmark 100th Top Up Tap in the shadow of the Kelpies in Falkirk. Since launching the initiative in 2018, the 100 taps collectively have topped up the equivalent of nearly 6 million single use plastic bottles.

The aim was to put the distinctive blue Top Up Taps in key locations all over the country – and they now stretch from Arran to Arbroath and from Shetland to Stranraer.

It couldn’t be easier to see where your communities tap is – just visit

www.YourWaterYourLife.co.uk/TapMap 

and search by putting in any postcode or viewing a complete list of the Top Up Taps across Scotland.

Brian Lironi, added: “Water is our most precious natural resource, and we want the people of Scotland and visitors to have access whenever they need it.”

Full usage list of Top up Taps in Edinburgh:

Total Usage May – Aug 2023 (L) 

Edinburgh- Grassmarket – 32135

Edinburgh- The Meadows Pavillion – 31869

Edinburgh- Portobello Promenade – 31621 

Edinburgh- Scottish Parliament – 28910

Edinburgh- South Queensferry – 21975

Edinburgh- Botanics East – 21853 

Edinburgh- Silverknowes – 18407

Edinburgh- Leith Links Refill Station – 18259

Edinburgh- Rutland Place – 15092

Edinburgh- High Street – 13452

Edinburgh- Botanics West – 278

Activity Hub at Leith Links?

CONSULTATION TO BE LAUNCHED THIS SATURDAY

There’s an online consultation coming soon for an Activity Hub at Leith Links!

Come along to the disused bowling greens adjacent to Links Pl at Leith Links this Saturday 9th September anytime between 10am – 4pm to discuss the plans with us.

Find out more here: https://www.thrivinggreenspaces.scot/…/leith-links…

The City of Edinburgh Council

Celebrate with Earth in Common

TENTH ANNIVERSARY PARTY THIS SATURDAY

We can’t wait!

Workshops, Singing, poetry, herbal walk, drop-in kids crafts & so much MUSIC!

https://bit.ly/3ssQf4e

ALL Workshop tickets -£PWYC⁠

12:30-4pm – Book FREE tickets⁠ 4pm-10pm –

Book £PWYC tickets⁠

#nature

#connection

#community

#celebrate