Dell Directory May 2021 by Konect Magazines

May 2021

THE DELL DIRECTORY

THE NEW NORMAL: COMMUNITY:

PLUS: LYNNE'S COLUMN, health & beauty, Puzzles, and more local features inside!

THE DELL DIRECTORY

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ith restrictions easing, it’s just wonderful to see local businesses opening again who have been unable to trade for so long. Let’s all support them as much as possible, sticking to the safety rules that will be with us for a while. The cover features an intriguing monument which is not in the local area, but in view of travel allowed again I thought it was interesting to pick something a little further afield. It’s perhaps not enough of a walk to drive especially for, but definitely worth looking up if you’re heading Stirling direction. If you’ve got trade skills and a little time to spare, you could join the volunteer database for helping to maintain The Shed in Spylaw Park. Please see page 38 for details. All our usual columns are here from our local contributors covering health & well-being, food, the environment and more. Thanks for reading, for letting me know what you think, and especially thanks for supporting local businesses and organisations.

u can know yo Did you to receive each e subscribissue of Konect e here new Subscrib online? bscribe scot/su konect.

THIS ISSUE Walk: If you like Piña Coladas..................... 8 Health: Trigger finger - What can be

done?.............................................................10 Wine Tasting: Pairing with scallops.........22 Local Environment: Cruising the

ponds.............................................................26

Puzzles..........................................................32 Lynne’s Column: Maycation......................33 The New Normal: Work from home?

Never!............................................................34 Community: Trade skills? Can you

help?...............................................................38

The Dell Directory is delivered monthly to 5,500 homes in the Colinton, Craiglockhart and Kingsknowe areas. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe

HELEN-JANE

Editor & Manager COVER IMAGE: The Dunmore ‘pineapple’. See our Walk feature on P8. @KonectMagazines

All enquiries, E: editor@konect.scot M: 07854 492638 THE DELL | 3

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“IF YOU LIKE PIÑA COLADAS, AND GETTING CAUGHT IN THE RAIN” Well, it’s not quite piña colada, but it is a pineapple and you may well get caught in the rain. Since we can now venture a little further afield, this month we feature what is described as “the most bizarre building in Scotland” - the Dunmore Pineapple near Airth - to check out the garden and walks nearby. Within Dunmore Park are gardens maintained by the National Trust for Scotland, the remains of what was Dunmore House (not accessible) ... and an extraordinary stone pineapple.

It’s about 40 minutes’ drive from here, and clearly signed the “Dunmore Pineapple” from the A905. A track of about a mile takes you to a small car park. Walk through the gates into the walled garden and you are presented with a sloping vista north to south. The gardens are dominated by the huge stone pineapple.

The pineapple was built by the 4th Earl of Dunmore, John Murray, most likely on his return from Virginia where he was routed as the last royal governor in 1776 as the American War of Independence kicked off. It stands some 14m high and was

Intricate masonry

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built on top of a pavillion which he had had built in 1761 in his walled garden. Walled gardens were built in Scotland to allow plants to be protected against the vagaries of the climate and to enable more exotic species of plant to be grown. The walls here had a cavity through which hot air was circulated to allow the cultivation of exotic fruit. Lord Dunmore’s son, the 5th Earl wrote how "hothouse fruit ... was sent every fortnight from Dunmore Park, where my father had no house, but an excellent garden." Pineapples were seen as a great symbol of wealth in the 18th century, and the folly is perhaps a rather vulgar symbol of the Earl’s wealth. Nonetheless, the detail of the work is outstanding. The construction is fine example of masonry with the leaves designed in such a way that they are largely immune from frost damage. The architect is unknown, the design and workmanship outstanding, and the mystery of the pineapple is enhanced by the complete lack of any references to it in diaries or records from the time. Lord Dunmore had no house here, but this spot must have been quite special for him to have conceived of this extraordinary monument here, tucked away on his quiet Scottish estate, a far cry from the subtropical heat and rebellious turbulence of Virginia that he had recently left; it is perhaps a statement that despite the defeat in America, he was back, wealth intact and larger than life.

Stone bothies either side of the pineapple pavillion, which were built for gardeners, are now holiday cottages which are available for hire via the Landmark Trust.

The gardens themselves have a mixture of mature plants growing against the walls, with roses in full bloom when we visited. The garden slopes down through two avenues of trees to a pond which marks the southern boundary. At the top of the garden on the right there is a gate which takes you on a delightful walk through mature woodlands. There is another walk through a second walled garden, which is being restored, through an avenue of Redwood trees planted by the 4th Earl to celebrate the marriage of his son in 1804. The walk takes you to the ruins of Elphinstone Tower. Verdict: You can bring a picnic and have a pleasant afternoon in a garden that radiates tranquillity, with the pineapple definitely adding a curiosity factor. Best visited in the spring and summer; the walled garden, the pond and the short woodland walks are a delight. One criticism is that the walks are not well signposted so it is easy for you to go off piste. Dogs are welcome if kept on a lead. Airth Castle is nearby for those who want lunch, service is subject to coronavirus restrictions so check ahead for latest updates for any nearby cafés or restaurants when planning your trip. @KonectMagazines

THE EARLS OF DUNMORE

The garden’s instigator was the 4th Earl of Dunmore who was the last colonial Governor of Virginia. Described as “vain and vexatious” by Patrick Henry, the American founding father, he helped ferment what was already a fraught situation between the native Virginians and their British Colonial rulers. In 1776 he had to flee the colony. However even without anything to govern he still managed to draw his salary until 1783. Previous Earls had been imprisoned in the Tower of London for supporting the Jacobite cause. The 8th Earl was a distinguished soldier who went on to win the VC during the Boer War. The present Earl is a marine contractor and lives in Tasmania. This article was contributed by Helen-Jane after visiting the Dunmore “pineapple.” HelenJane is the editor of Konect magazines. @KonectMagazines

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HEALTH

What can be done to help a TRIGGER FINGER or THUMB? A Trigger Finger is a painful condition that can really affect what we are able to do. I remember an anatomy Professor explaining years ago that, as far as function is concerned, the thumb is half the hand and that the thumb and index finger are 90%.

Anyone with a Trigger Finger or thumb will agree – activities can be really difficult when you cannot reliably bend or straighten a finger. So, what causes this condition, also known as Stenosing Tenosynovitis, and how can we treat it?

We have long tendons that attach the muscles in our forearms to the bones in our fingers so that we can bend or straighten every joint in our hand. These tendons are long cords that run through a protective sheath. If the tendon becomes irritated or damaged it can form a nodule which catches on the sheath, instead of gliding smoothly with movement. The catching or clicking sensation you get with a Trigger Finger is caused by a nodule in the flexor tendon getting caught in the sheath. This can make it difficult to bend and straighten your finger and they may even get stuck in a bent position. The nodule in the tendon may suddenly break free, releasing the finger, like the release of a trigger, so that the finger will straighten. You may be able to feel a sore lump in the palm of your hand at the base of the affected finger which is the nodule in the tendon. This condition is most common between the ages of 40 - 60 and affects more women than men. People with some

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health conditions like Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis and low Thyroid levels can be more prone to developing a Trigger Finger. You may also be more prone to developing this if your job involves repetitive finger and thumb movements such as musicians, farmers and industrial workers. It can be seen in children, often between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, affecting their ability to straighten their thumb. In the case of children, it is rarely painful and often will get better on its own.

A Trigger Finger in adults may get better on its own with rest and medication such as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Physiotherapy advice on the appropriate stretches and strengthening exercises will help the tendon settle and manipulation / massage will help any hand stiffness recover also. Splinting the affected finger at night time can help reduce pain and rest the tendon. If these measures do not help then a steroid injection can be beneficial with a success rate of 75%. If one injection does not quite clear the condition, another can be given. Sometimes though, surgery is needed to remove the nodule and allow the affected finger or thumb to move properly again. A Trigger Finger can be a real nuisance – we need our fingers for so many activities in daily life. It is well worth seeking help – there is much that can be done. The health column is contributed by McNaughton Physiogrange, Edinburgh www.physiogrange.co.uk @KonectMagazines

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WINE TASTING

PAIRING WITH

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Scallops

We are fortunate to have access to the freshest and finest Scottish seafood. Scallops are versatile, fun to prepare and exciting to pair wine with. However, it is not always clear which wine to serve with which dish! I have not prepared Ceviche scallops myself, but enjoyed them in a restaurant. Ceviche scallops are raw and lightly cured in citrus juice. Delicate and sweet in flavour they require an equally delicate wine to compliment them. Try Albarino Alba Vega from Spain. Albarino is unoaked, fresh and pairs well with almost all seafood. Seared scallops, cooked with hot, sweet butter served with lightly chilled chardonnay are a beautiful combination. Select chardonnay with a touch of buttery oak to enhance the natural sweetness of the scallop. The rich, round texture of chardonnay works in harmony with the meaty, yet tender, texture of the scallop. I recommend The King’s Legacy Chardonnay from Majestic. The wine has a rich and creamy character. Scallops are also delicious when partnered or cooked with pancetta or black pudding. The robust salts, seasoning and fats point us to a red wine. Avoid heavy red with bold tannins; light and delicate is best. Pinot noir or Beaujolais would be perfect, served lightly chilled. Look for Beaujolais, Fleurie La Madone, from Molly’s in Juniper Green. For a real treat, Champagne is the way to go! The bubbles, acidity and rich character are guaranteed to please the palate! Look for a Pol Roger NV Champagne, France. Cheers, Joanne The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Juniper Green with her 3 children. She is a Sommelier Wine & Spirit Specialist who runs Swirl Sip Socialise, an online wine tasting business which connects friends and family across the UK.

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LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Cruising the ponds Sadly, last year the ponds in Wester Inch, Bathgate, lost their resident male swan. He was a great parent and mate to the female, and whilst she did a wonderful job raising their cygnets by herself, it appears she’s moved on this year. Thankfully, we’ve got a new pair of swans and it’ll be lovely to watch them raise their young. The female is roughly 17 years old according to the ring on her leg (these are important for tracking and monitoring population of all bird species) and she’s currently sitting tight on the nest keeping the eggs warm. The male swan is living his best life as he cruises the ponds, doing a bit of grooming, and defending his territory.

doing what any parent does and defending his youngsters from anything deemed a threat.

There’s some greylag geese visiting, and anyone who’s seen him when they’re around will agree that he does not like them one bit. Assuming his defensive posture he powers across the pond, creating quite the wake as he lowers his head back before raising his wings and chasing them off. Swans have a fearsome reputation but they’re really just

This column is contributed by Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson, who grew up in Edinburgh and now live in West Lothian. Together they run Scottish Sisters Photography and travel around the country to watch and photograph amazing wildlife and scenic landscapes. Follow them on Facebook @ScottishSistersPhotography

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This was taken as the sun rose during April, in the perfect conditions for steam fog to rise off the ponds allowing for some backlit photography. With migrant birds arriving all the time, it’s a wonderful time to go out a walk, especially at this time of year as the dawn chorus is in full swing.

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PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

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^^^ Solution in the June edition ACROSS: 1. Choose (6), 4. Bends (6), 9. Latest style (7), 10. Work out (5), 11. Scour (5), 12. Remove (7), 13. Arguing (11), 18. Changed (7), 20. Used to steer a car (5), 22. Attempted (5), 23. Kindergarten (7), 24. Area, district (6), 25. Head of newspaper (6).

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Maycation During April, we welcomed in the easing of travel restrictions within Scotland and, all going well, May should see some much-anticipated increased freedom. Things seem to be moving in the right direction as we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic. I took a week off during the Easter holidays and was able to travel by train with my brother to visit my sister in Glasgow. Granted all we could do was a socially distanced walk around Glasgow and a takeaway Greggs in George Square in the sunshine but it all felt like a bit of an adventure after being denied such simple things for so long. I even bought myself a Marian Keyes novel at WHSmith whilst waiting for my brother at the station – like a proper holiday! Prior to 2020, I would have felt cheated at the thought of a week off with nowhere to go and nothing to do but, having spent over a year working from home and travelling no further than Glasgow in that time, I have re-baselined my thinking about holidays. Don’t get me wrong – I’ll be absolutely delighted when we finally get the green light to travel safely abroad again and I can dust off my suitcase and pack my Marian Keyes and my factor 50. But until it’s deemed safe to do so, I’m going to think of a holiday not so much as a destination but more as a state of mind. With the public holidays and the (usually) decent weather in May, this is the perfect month to embrace a change of pace and routine. No baggage allowance or long-haul flight required – just making the time to do some of the things that re-energise and relax you and take you away from the day-to-day grind.

book a table at one of our fab local pubs to meet friends for lunch or drinks al fresco. If the weather lets us down, pretend your home is a hotel by treating yourself to some posh toiletries and enjoy steeping in a bath of fragrant bubbles before resting your head on a pillow that you’ve sprayed with lavender and adorned with a chocolate. Of course, since I share my home with teenage kids who really do act as though the house is a hotel, the full spa experience is offset slightly by having to first of all locate the bath underneath the pile of lightly used towels that seem to endlessly find their way there but, hey-ho, you get what you pay for! Treat yourself this month to a Maycation or two doing whatever relaxes and revives you because you’re worth it!

Lynne lives in Colinton with her husband and two children. She dreams of being a freelance writer when she grows up but mostly just avoids growing up!

Even if you don’t get the extra holidays, use the weekends and longer evenings to indulge in some me-time. Eat lunch in the park, take a walk through the Dell on a sunny evening,

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THE NEW NORMAL

Work from home? Never! Way before coronavirus reared its ugly head, I worked remotely. As a magazine editor, I wrote and edited from the comfort and chaos of my own home for 22 years. Working part-time meant I was available to my kids when they arrived home from school. I liked the efficiency of combining my various roles — pushing the washing machine button and then going to my desk. Or popping something in the oven and then finishing off an article so I could meet a deadline. And I usually did meet deadlines. Being based at home did not negatively affect my work. In fact, it possibly made me more productive.

But over the years friends frequently asked, “Don’t you find it distracting?” Some asked quite silly things such as, “Aren’t you tempted to clean the fridge?” I was forever explaining that I would be much more distracted trying to write in a busy office. And no, I was not at all tempted to clean my fridge. Sometimes people expressed the view that it was preferable for all of the work team to be in the office. That way you could “share ideas when you bump into each other in the corridor”. But, having worked both in offices and from home, I’ve learned that the issue is communication, not geography. You can sit right next to a colleague and still not communicate well if neither of you makes the necessary effort. You can sit at a desk in your bedroom, and use Zoom to interact often and well with co-workers. Maybe it takes more intention, but it works. I already knew that when the first lockdown was declared. So I’ve been watching with interest as more and more employers have discovered — because they’ve had to — that their staff can do their jobs remotely. Those who were 34 | THE DELL

against the idea 10 years ago may now see the benefits. And those who never imagined working outside the office have tasted a healthier work-life balance. My husband and I have learned that we can get along 24/7! Though he’d prefer to be back in the office, he’s adjusted quite well, thanks to his ROUTINE. He gets up early and cycles 20 km, the equivalent of cycling to and from the office. He starts work at the same time as he did pre-Covid, and continues to stop for lunch at 12.30 every day. And, if I’d comply, he would probably eat a tuna baguette five days a week. When lockdowns come to an end many big companies will still not be able to invite their staff back because they don’t have the necessary floor space for social distancing. Others, who have plenty of space, will never again be closed to the idea of remote working. Although I still write from home, I look forward to resuming my part-time job at the library when it re-opens. If everyone else is working from home, I might need somewhere else to go! The New Normal is contributed by Suzanne Green. Suzanne, a freelance writer/editor. She is married to Andy and they have two adult daughters. @KonectMagazines

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Trade skills? Can you help? Now that Colinton Village Enterprise SCIO has outright ownership of the outbuilding in Spylaw Park (known locally as the Shed), we have also inherited the outright ownership of all its ongoing maintenance both before and after the eventual redevelopment. As we know there must be a substantial number of skilled tradespeople within the population of Colinton (circa 9,000 residents within the boundaries of Lanark Road, Redford Road and the City Bypass), we wish to strengthen our volunteer database. Primarily we hope to recruit a core team of active maintenance operatives for advice & task management. These would be qualified and time-served individuals, insured to carry out the work of their own professions. To support them we hope to enlist a keen professional workforce from the part-time, the unemployed and the retired members of our community.

This is not such a big ask as it may sound, as all the building’s needs can be covered by less than ten trades and some volunteers may be multiskilled. A team of a few dozen (less than 0.5% of the community’s population) would allow the CVE committee to develop a call-out rota to ensure that noone need suffer ‘volunteer burn-out’.

If you are willing to assist us with the random and occasional maintenance needs of this

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property, please send an email to Mike Harrower, CVE Volunteer Co-ordinators at colintonvillage.gmail.com, with: • Name & contact details • Profession, qualifications & trade associations • Any professional & public indemnity insurance cover held • Relevant professional experience • Frequency of service or total hours in a year you would be prepared to offer

This is an exciting time for CVE SCIO and our community - while much work and fundraising lies ahead, the future holds great hope for a wonderful asset to be created for all. For more details on our project, please look at our new website: www.cventerprise.org

This article was contributed by Colinton Village Enterprise SCIO

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