Tag: Midlothian

Cala launches new five-bedroom showhome at Craighall Village

Award-winning homebuilder Cala Homes (East), has launched its first showhome at Craighall Village in Midlothian – the first development within the area to connect to the Midlothian Energy Limited (MEL) Heat Network.

Overall, Craighall Village will see over 600 homes delivered along with future plans for a bus park and ride, and a future spine road that will connect the new village to the Edinburgh City Bypass and A68.

As well as being within easy reach of Edinburgh City Centre, the development also benefits from having Shawfair and Musselburgh train stations close by as well as a range of local amenities, and space to walk and relax at Dalkieth Country Park.

The Monktons is the first phase to be released by Cala at Craighall Village, and will offer a mix of 57, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. The five-bedroom Lowther showhome at The Monktons launched on 31 August and is the first of three showhomes launching this year. This spacious detached home will offer the first glimpse into what life could be like at Craighall Village.

The stylish Lowther showhome is the epitome of spacious living, it has been designed with family living in mind boasting a generous kitchen / dining / living area complete with integrated Siemens appliances and beautiful bi-fold doors leading into the generous landscaped rear garden. The large formal lounge is also located on the ground floor and offers the perfect room to entertain friends and family.

Upstairs, there are four large double bedrooms, each with built-in wardrobes, the fifth bedroom could be used as a playroom for the children, a hobby, gym room, or study, perfect for those days when you are working from home. In addition to generous room layouts and ceiling heights, this home also has an abundance of storage space along with an integrated double garage.

As Craighall Village is set on the outskirts of Edinburgh, you aren’t just buying a characterful, high-specification new home – you’re buying into a new lifestyle. A brand new, aspirational community where it’s as easy to enjoy the great outdoors as the bright lights of Scotland’s capital city. 

In addition to all of the above, Craighall Village reiterates Cala’s commitment to offering low carbon and gas free solutions, with the development being the first in the area to connect to the Midlothian Energy Limited (MEL) Heat Network.

The MEL heat network is owned and operated by Vattenfall as part of its joint venture with Midlothian Council – Midlothian Energy Limited.

Each property at Craighall Village will be part of the shared heat network which removes the requirement for individual boilers as well as associated maintenance costs. It will serve residents with reliable, low carbon heating and hot water at a fair price. This exciting venture is part of the Scottish Government’s drive to reach zero carbon emissions by 2045. 

Elaine Doyle, Sales and Marketing Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “Craighall Village is the perfect location for potential buyers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and set up home in a welcoming new community. Its picturesque surroundings, fantastic amenities and great connections to Edinburgh city centre make it the perfect location for established families, couples or downsizers.

“Here at Cala Homes (East) we are thrilled to offer this latest addition to our portfolio in the region. These homes have been beautifully designed, and Craighall Village is set to be one of the most exciting new places to call home. I would encourage potential homebuyers to register their interest as soon as possible.”

The Lowther showhome is available to view now. More information, including availability and prices can be found here.

Midlothian artist commissioned to create Covid Memorial Benches 

Local Artist Yvonne Weighand Lyle from Mayfield has been selected as Lead Artist to design commemorative Covid benches for Midlothian.

Yvonne was selected to create a memorial for Midlothian as part of the national Scottish Government-funded project ‘Remembering Together’, which will see Covid memorials installed in all 32 local authority areas across Scotland. 

Yvonne was born and raised in Mayfield, Midlothian and is excited to be representing her county to deliver the project, as she explained: “It is a real honour to be commissioned to co-create a Covid memorial for Midlothian.

“Being from Mayfield, this is very much “ma bit”, so I am very proud to have the opportunity to realise the ideas and ambitions of local people and commemorate the pandemic in a sensitive and accessible way.  

“I will be working with community groups to co-create designs for both the commemorative benches and small gardens, with the goal of creating new spaces in public parks and greenways with natural planting, where people can sit, reflect and remember.” 

She was also the Lead Artist for the first phase of the project, where she conducted research to identify what type of memorial residents wanted to have in their local area. Yvonne delivered a series of creative workshops and drop in events, engaging local people to gather evidence on the county’s views on what they would like to have as their county covid memorial and where these memorials should be. 

She added: “By engaging people of all ages from primary schoolers to pensioners, I discovered that people in Midlothian wanted our memorial to be accessible, environmentally friendly, outdoors, and sited in several places across the county. 

As a permanent and utilitarian memorial, these accessible installations will provide a long-term resource, featuring solid benches and natural planting. The interventions will be environmentally friendly, in tune with the landscape, and will require minimal ongoing maintenance.”  

Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for green spaces, Councillor Dianne Alexander said: “It’s lovely to have our local artist Yvonne Weighand Lyle working with our communities to create the memorials for Covid for Midlothian as part of the Scottish Government – funded programme Remembering Together. To have local people take part in the choice of memorial and their design will make them special to residents in Midlothian. 

“These benches will create beautiful memorials, and places where we go to remember those who we lost during Covid. They will be accessible and outdoors, making places where people can pause on their walk and take a rest to enjoy views of Midlothian and beyond. Hopefully they will also be places where friends can meet and friendships made.” 

The Midlothian benches and gardens will be designed following a community co-creation process. A number of workshops and events will be held with community groups in early 2024, allowing people of all ages to contribute design ideas.

The benches and gardens will then be installed at multiple sites across Midlothian in Autumn 2024. 

Midlothian Disabled People’s Directory 2022: up to date information for Disabled people

 A new version of a directory for disabled people living in Midlothian called ‘Midlothian Disabled People’s Directory 2022’ has just been released.

Without correct, relevant and up-to-date information, disabled people can become isolated, unable to exercise their own rights, receive the support they need and make their own choices on how they want to live.

The directory is produced by a unique group of disabled people at Forward Mid. Their aim is to ensure that disabled people are always treated with dignity and respect as full and active, equal citizens and to secure equality and human rights for disabled people living in Midlothian and beyond.

The directory is available to download free here www.forwardmid.org.uk

The directory is a practical resource containing empowering information.

It signposts to organisations that can give people the support they need: from resolving a specific issue, finding a social activity, or a wider goal such as gaining more control of their lives.

Physical copies of the Directory are available from Midlothian Voluntary Action 4/6 White Hart Street, Dalkeith; local libraries: Dalkeith, Newtongrange, Danderhall, Gorebridge, Penicuik and Loanhead.

You can also download it free from www.forwardmid.org.uk

Directory2022mobileDownload

VOCAL’s Carer Survey now open

The Edinburgh and Midlothian 2021 Carer Survey is now open!

This survey will ask you about your current or past caring role, and taking a break from caring, work, money, and your health and wellbeing. It will also cover the support and services you have accessed. You don’t need to be registered with VOCAL to take part.

As a thank you for your time, you can enter a prize draw. There are two prizes up for grabs:

  • a one-week free holiday to VOCAL’s new carer cottage in Blair Atholl, plus £150 to spend
  • a £50 eVoucher for a retailer of your choice

All responses are anonymous and you can provide as much information as you feel comfortable with. Your support will help develop the future of carer support in Edinburgh  and Midlothian and we would really appreciate your time.

The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and you can save your progress and come back at a later time. VOCAL’s Carer Support Teams in Edinburgh (0131 622 6666) and Midlothian (0131 663 6869) can also support you in completing the survey, simply call them for advice.

Have your say and complete the survey.

The survey will close on Friday 10 September and if you have any questions, please email social@vocal.org.uk

Have your say! https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=162506936253

Police seek witnesses to Gowkley Moss hit and run

Police are appealing for information following a hit and run in Midlothian. The incident, which saw a pedestrian struck by a silver VW vehicle, happened at around 2.45pm on Tuesday (19 January) on the A701 near Gowkley Moss roundabout.

A 55-year-old man sustained serious but not life threatening injuries as a result of the collision and was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Officers are appealing for anyone with any information to get in touch.

Constable Kevin Liddell of Dalkeith Road Policing said: “We are appealing for the assistance of the public to trace the vehicle involved.

“I would ask if you were in the area at the time of the incident and may have witnessed the collision that you get in contact with officers.

“I would also appeal to anyone who has any dashcam or mobile phone footage that could assist with our investigation.

“Police can be contacted by calling 101 and quoting incident number 1700 of Tuesday, 19 January, 2021.”

Streetwear brand make their mark following Business Gateway support

Two Midlothian based entrepreneurs have successfully launched a new clothing brand following support from Business Gateway.

Launched in April 2020, MC Apparel is a fashion clothing brand created by Midlothian locals Michael Surgeon and Liam Chisholm. The team identified the opportunity and were motivated to launch their second business after their first paused trading due to COVID-19. 

Working closely with Business Gateway, MC Apparel received a variety of start-up support services including support to create a business plan, marketing and networking opportunities, as well as accessing online resources such as webinars and advertising tutorials. 

This guidance from Business Gateway ensured the team were able to adapt their business model to meet the challenges posed by the pandemic and increase margins by shifting from early drop-shipping to stock holding, this enabled  MC Apparel to improve quality control and reduce delivery timescales for customers.

Michael Surgeon, Founder of MC Apparel, said: “We gained a wide range of support from Business Gateway and this meant the process of launching our new business went smoothly.

“ The team at Business Gateway Midlothian have been very supportive during this period and the online workshops we attended were invaluable, helping us to develop a digital marketing strategy that allowed us to reach our target audiences even with the challenges of lockdown.

“I would recommend anyone who is starting out in business to get in touch with Business Gateway. They are always there when you need them and if they don’t have the answer, they can signpost you to the right person or resource.”

When COVID-19 restrictions ease, the team at MC Apparel are looking forward to organising photoshoots to showcase the clothing range and have plans to collaborate with local fashion brands to give away 20 t-shirts to support a local charity.

Annie Watt, Business Gateway Lead Officer, said: “It’s impressive to see how Michael and Liam have adapted to lockdown, identifying an opportunity to launch a new business and taking it forward. 

“They have been incredibly proactive, accessing a range of Business Gateway resources, attending workshops and arranging one-to-one sessions via Zoom to receive guidance and support on development plans.

“Recent research by Business Gateway revealed that despite the challenges, COVID-19 has not hampered peoples’ appetite to start a business, and Michael and Liam’s experience is a testament to this.

“While it is a difficult trading environment, I would encourage anyone with an idea for a new business to get in touch and see how our resources, advice and support can help get it off the ground.”

For further information about how Business Gateway can help you start your business, please visit https://www.bgateway.com/resources/help-for-start-ups-the-support-available-for-your-start-up

Scotland Starts Here! New tourism drive launched for the Scottish Borders and Midlothian

Tourism businesses in the Scottish Borders and Midlothian are embarking on a new marketing campaign designed to revolutionise the area’s visitor economy. Continue reading Scotland Starts Here! New tourism drive launched for the Scottish Borders and Midlothian