Tag: Silverknowes

Residents invited to discover the history of Edinburgh’s Muirhouse house and Mains farm

Step back in time and explore the excavation site with guided tours led by archaeologists at an open day tomorrow (Saturday 23 March).

The excavation, which is being undertaken by AOC Archaeology, is being carried out ahead of the Council’s redevelopment of the site of the former Silverlea Care Home into much needed new homes. The site will include 142 high quality sustainable homes, including wheelchair-accessible ground-floor dwellings in a mix of social rent (91) and mid-market rent (51) each benefitting from coastal views and access to parkland.

The redevelopment forms part of the £1.3 billion wider Granton Waterfront regeneration, which is delivering thousands of new homes along with commercial and cultural space, a primary school, a health centre, and a major new coastal park.

Discoveries at the site include the remains of the 18th-19th century Murieston Mains farm and evidence for the estate surrounding the former 16th century House. This includes a culvert/flue that may have been used for heating the walled garden. Midden deposits from the 19th and 20th century, including bone, pottery, and milk bottles, have also been found which provides insight into the daily life of the estate.

It follows the discovery of a fossil plant remains, uncovered in a reused sandstone block possibly quarried in Craigleith, believed to be over 300 million years old. The fossil contains fragments of giant Club Moss and Horsetail, which grew in tropical swamps during the Carboniferous Period.

Members of the public are welcome to visit the site at 14 Muirhouse Parkway, Edinburgh, EH4 5EU from 10am-3pm to view the artefacts on display, with archaeologists on hand to talk about their discoveries.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: ““It is fantastic to see work continuing at pace at our £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront site, the largest sustainable regeneration project of its kind in Scotland. Archaeology projects, like the site at Edinburgh’s Muirhouse house and Mains farm, help us to get a glimpse of the area’s past.

“Our city has a rich heritage, but these discoveries continue to expose new aspects of its fascinating, varied history. The open day on Saturday is a chance for anyone with an interest to come and have a look at the historical work taking place, and to learn from the expertise of our brilliant archaeologists.”

Police appeal following deliberate fires in Silverknowes & D Mains

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a series of fires in Silverknowes and Davidson’s Mains early this morning

A number of incidents were reported to Police Scotland in the area between 4.55am and 5.55am.

These included four vehicles on Silverknowes Eastway, Silverknowes Avenue and Cramond Road South as well as within a property of Main Street, Davidson’s Mains and a post box on Silverknowes Road.

Nobody was injured in any of the incidents. Each of the fires is being treated as deliberate and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg of Edinburgh CID said: “Our enquiries into this series of incidents are ongoing and we are working to establish the full circumstances.

“We would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity to come forward as soon as possible.

“In particular we would be keen to speak to anyone with dashcam footage or private CCTV in the area.

“If you have any information which help our investigation please call 101, quoting incident 0341 of 27 January, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Have your say on North Edinburgh’s active travel connections

Residents in north Edinburgh are being invited to help shape a key project to improve connections and public spaces in their local community.

The city council is asking people from across Muirhouse, Pilton, Granton and Drylaw to contribute to the future of Pennywell Road and its links to existing paths at Crewe Toll, Gypsy Brae, Silverknowes and West Granton Access Road.

Through the North Edinburgh Active Travel (NEAT) Connections scheme we’re proposing changes to Pennywell Road and the surrounding area. These include increasing space available for walking, cycling and wheeling, making it easier to access local shops and community spaces without the use of a car and working with members of the community to improve public areas and green spaces.

We’re seeking feedback from residents via a dedicated Commonplace map, a tool recently used as part of Spaces for People engagement, which attracted more than 4000 comments.

This will help to identify existing problem areas and opportunities for new crossings, green spaces or where other improvements could be made.

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: This project will create a much more welcoming, relaxed environment for those travelling on foot, bike or wheelchair.

“We’ve already seen how temporary Spaces for People initiatives across the city have encouraged people to walk, wheel or cycle and we want to see this happen long-term, with the associated benefits to health and the environment.

“Of course, we want any changes to work for all the people who live and spend time in this area, which is why we want to hear what they think and where improvements can be made. By sharing their thoughts and ideas they can help shape the final design, which will make travel to nearby schools, shops and local areas much easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Interim Head of Infrastructure Delivery for Sustrans Scotland, Chiquita Elvin, said: “Despite being close to existing walking, cycling and wheeling routes, such as the North Edinburgh Path Network, it can be challenging to access them for Muirhouse and Pilton due to the volume of traffic and the focus on roads in the original design of the area.

“We want the local community to tell us how we can make walking, cycling and wheeling easier for them, be that with new path connections, wider pavements, dedicated space for cycling or new crossings. These changes have the potential to transform how people get around North Edinburgh and every opinion matters.”

As well as benefiting local residents, changes could make it easier for travel to Craigroyston Community High School, Craigroyston Primary, Oaklands Primary, Forthview Primary and the new civic centre being developed at the former Muirhouse Shopping Centre.

In addition to the Commonplace website locals can leave their feedback on maps displayed in the North Edinburgh Arts centre café. 

NEAT Connections has been funded through Sustrans’ Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme, with support from Transport Scotland.

Separate temporary measures to make cycling safer and easier on Pennywell Road, Muirhouse Parkway and Ferry Road are currently in place and have been implemented through the Spaces for People programme.

Locals celebrate Postcode Lottery win

Two people in Edinburgh are celebrating today after winning £1,000 each thanks to their lucky postcodes.

EH3 6NE (Bellevue) and EH4 5HL (Silverknowes) were both anounced as winners with People’s Postcode Lottery yesterday. There was one winner at each postcode.

People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt (above) sent her well-wishes to the winners. She said: “What great news to get along with your breakfast! Congratulations to our winners.”

A minimum of 32% of ticket sales goes directly to charities and players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £500 million to date for thousands of good causes in Britain and beyond.

This draw was promoted by the Wildlife Trusts which have received over £11.3 million in funding from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The Wildlife Trusts look after more than 2,300 nature reserves and operate more than 100 visitor and education centres across the country. The Trusts work to make life better for wildlife, people and future generations.

Many good causes close to the winners have also benefitted from players’ support, and local charities can next apply for funding in August.

For more information on People’s Postcode Lottery, please visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk or Facebook  and Twitter.

EXPECT LONG DELAYS: D’Mains roadworks to last into March

More local traffic disruption is inevitable next week when Cityfibre undertakes cable connection work in Davidsons Mains, Silverknowes and Cramond.

Commuters have been warned to expect long delays when work starts on 3rd February – and the work is not scheduled to complete until 1st March.

Among the anticipated delights are a temporary one-way traffic system on Quality Street at some times during the works.

Can hardly wait …

Boy dies following motorcycle accident in Silverknowes

SickKids

A 14-year-old boy has died after a collision between a car and a motorbike in Silverknowes. The boy, who has been named locally as Brad Williamson,  was taken to the Sick Kids hospital on Friday evening but died this morning.

The motorcycle, a white Vertigo driven by the youth, was involved in a collision with a black Toyota Aygo on Silverknowes Road near to the junction with Silverknowes Court, at around 4pm on Friday. The boy and his passenger, also 14, were both taken to the Sick Kids hospital with serious injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the collision and are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a white limousine.

Sergeant Brian Smith, of Edinburgh’s Road Policing Unit, added: “This collision has resulted in death of a teenage boy and our condolences are with his family at this sad time.

“Our enquiries continue in order to establish the full circumstance surrounding this, and anyone who may have witnessed the collision is urged to get in touch.

“We’re particularly eager to trace the driver of a white Mercedes limousine-style car which was travelling north on Silverknowes Road at the time, as we believe they may be able to assist with our investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101

 

Elderly woman fends off knife-wielding robber in Silverknowes

87 year old sees off attacker with her mobility stick

silverknowesa

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man wielding a knife attempted to rob an 87-year-old woman on a Silverknowes footpath yesterday afternoon. The incident happened between 4.30 – 4.45pm as the woman was making her way home.

As the woman  walked on the public footpath linking Silverknowes Hill with Silverknowes Road a man approached her from behind. He said something, which the woman was unable to understand – but she turned to find he was wielding a knife.

The assailant demanded the woman’s purse but she refused – and then bravely warded off the would-be robber by waving her mobility stick at him. The man left empty-handed aand made off in the direction of Silverknowes Hill before being lost from sight.

The woman made her way home and raised the alarm with the police, who are now appealing for witnesses to the incident.

The suspect is described as white, around 6ft tall, with a thin face. He was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up.

Detective Inspector John Kavanagh of Police Scotland said: “I am very keen to hear from anyone who has any information which might help with our ongoing investigation.

“Thankfully, the woman was unhurt but it goes without saying that we take a zero tolerance approach towards such despicable crimes.

“The incident was carried out during daylight hours and I would hope that someone may have seen the suspect in the area and can provide us with important information. Likewise, I would ask anyone who was using public transport in Silverknowes around the time of this crime to come forward if they remember seeing the man.

“We are keen to ensure that he is arrested as quickly as possible and those with relevant information can call police on 101 or, alternatively information can be passed anonymously through the registered charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”