PLUS: wine tasting, HEALTH, Real Life, CLUBS & CLASSES, and MUCH more inside!
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- they are open all day for coffees, lunch and dinner, in their chic community-led bar and kitchen.
The recipe this month will help save your glut of tomatoes going to waste if you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse and a good crop! The local history article is one we ran in March 2020, but I figured that most people were more concerned about covid and the impending lockdown at that stage, so we’re re-running it this month! And there is plenty going on locally this summer for all the family, see the What’s On page.
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Whether it’s a romantic meal for two, a family celebration or a business lunch, DINE Craiglockhart is the perfect culinary community hub for every occasion.
With menus designed by award-winning Michelin starred chef Stuart Muir and Martin Orr, DINE celebrates the very best of Scotland with inventive menus shaped by the seasons. The latest addition to DINE’s family of award-winning Edinburgh restaurants,
DINE Craiglockhart opened in 2023 with a firm focus on provenance and supporting local independent suppliers from Edinburgh, Fife, the Borders and beyond. See the current menus at craiglockhart.scot
DINE are offering one lucky Dell Directory reader the chance to win a 3 course meal for 2 at DINE Craiglockhart, with a glass of champagne on arrival.
For the chance to win, simply answer the following question:
What type of cuisine does DINE offer?
A) Italian B) Indian C) Scottish
Closing date for entries Friday 19th July 2024
Head to www.konect.scot/win or scan the QR code to enter your answer. The prize must be used within six months of the competition. Full T&Cs are on our website.
The Secrets of
BABERTON HOUSE:
Murder, mystery, fire and witches
With tales of royalty and witches, as well as murder, intrigue and fire raising, Baberton House holds many secrets. One of Juniper Green’s finest mansions, its history dates back to the early 14th century, when it was known as Kilbaberton House.
Our history starts at the end of the 15th century, when a John Wardlaw is granted a charter to the lands of Kilbaberton.
Murder and Intrigue - Within a couple of years of taking ownership John, along with his brother James of Riccarton, is involved in a double murder. The brothers are apparently pardoned “for art and part in the murder of William and Duncan Dundas.” We have no further details, but John was ultimately slain at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.
His son Henry inherits and he too becomes embroiled in a curious legal situation. In 1536 he served on a jury in the case of a man charged with “Ye Mutilatioune of Roger Tuedy in Lyntoune of his thumb of his right hand.” Wardlaw and his fellow jurors found the accused not guilty but were served with this indictment: “Although you have seen with your own eyes that Roger’s thumb was cut away and mutilated you have wilfully and manifestly erred and gave false witness in declaring a Not Guilty verdict”. They were imprisoned for a year and a day as was the law of 16th century Scotland.
Lady Kilbaberton and the Witch - Henry’s son Alexander next inherits Kilbaberton but it’s his wife who is of interest this time. Marion Forrest, known as Lady Kilbaberton, sought medical help from a local healer and midwife, Agnes Sampsoune. But Agnes became famous, or perhaps infamous, as one of the North Berwick Witches. Along with three others, she was tried for treason at the famous Holyrood trial 1591, attended by King James VI himself. Among the crimes laid to the charge of the ‘notorious sorceress’ was that of “hailing (healing) by her devilish prayers the Lady Kilbabertoune, whae was disessit of ane heavy diseis.” Agnes was found guilty of witchcraft. Her fate followed the
custom of the day - led to Castle Hill, “bund to ane staik and wirreit” (strangled), her body afterwards burnt to ashes.
The house next goes to Alexander’s grandson Henry, who seems to have been in residence when there was an incident of arson and murder at Kilbaberton; Henry himself was not mentioned so it’s unclear where he was on the night. But Patrick Hepburn of Riccarton, his brother and various servants came, “under silence and cloud of night, to the town of Baberton, where lived Alexander Borthwick, and there also lived James Borthwick his friend and kinsman. They were lying in their beds, dreading no evil when the said Patrick and his accomplices most cruelly and barbarously raisit fire in the houses together with certain other houses adjacent thereto with the set purpose and provision to have bereft them of their lives.” Alexander and James Borthwick were murdered whilst trying to escape. The Presbytery of Edinburgh ordered the minister of Currie Kirk “to excommunicate “all thance quha committit ye lait murthur and raisit fire at Kilbaberton.”
It took the Borthwicks six years to retaliate but in 1599, the Laird of Riccarton was “stricken threw the body by the two brothers of the Borthwicks.”
In 1612 James Murray, the King’s Architect, acquires the house and the building as we see it today is mostly of Murray’s design.
Lottery Winner - Just as one might hope to win the lottery today and buy a mansion, John Christie, a captain in the army, won a lottery prize of £10,000 (equivalent to around £1.25m today) and bought Baberton around 1749. He set about extending Murray’s imposing mansion including the addition of the semioctagonal bay to the south. His eldest
Baberton House
son inherited but by 1839 had fallen on hard times and had to lease the house to a mysterious stranger who wanted to use it as shooting quarters.
A Taste of Royalty - The mysterious stranger is none other than Charles X, the Compe d’Artois, the dethroned and exiled King of France. Charles X’s affinity with Edinburgh had been established when he was first in exile here in 1792 after fleeing France with his family and his mistress and love of his life, Louise d’Esparbes de Lussan. In his second exile, the royal family needed to arrive in England as private citizens. Charles X and his entourage all adopted pseudonyms, with Charles assuming the name of the Count of Ponthieu. They were not well received in England and soon moved to Edinburgh and Holyrood.
Here, the English government was attempting to squash Scottish sympathy for the French Revolution (the needle monument on Calton Hill is dedicated to five Scottish sympathisers who were transported to Australia). Despite this, Charles sent scouts to find somewhere suitable nearby for a shooting lodge. In great secrecy and probably under his false identity, Baberton House was leased for him. One of the ceilings is ornamented with ‘fleur-de-Lys’ in his honour. He must have enjoyed a peaceful interlude in the house, escaping the political turmoil in France.
The Gibson-Craig family of Riccarton become owners of Baberton from 1862 and then there are number of tenants, mostly prominent Edinburgh businessmen using it as summer home and enjoying the relative tranquillity of the area. The house changed hands a few more times and it ceased to be family home in 1979, when it was sold as commercial premises.
The personality of the house has perhaps changed, but looking up from the lawns to the south, you can still imagine the opulence and grandeur surrounding this house and be reminded of all the lives lived in it over the centuries.
This article was written by Karen Murray, drawing on research by local historian John Scott of the Currie Local History Society and a publication on Kilbaberton House by Juniper Green Community Council for the Juniper Green 300 celebrations www.junipergreencc.org.uk. First published in the Konect magazine in 2010.
The King’s Architect - Known as Sir James Murray of Kilbaberton, he was perhaps the house’s most influential owner. Scottish Master Wright and Architect he served as the King’s Master of Works under James VI and Charles I and was one of the first men in Scotland to be called an architect. He drew up the plans for Parliament House in Edinburgh in 1633, was in charge of works at Linlithgow Palace, the reconstruction of Holyrood Palace prior to the coronation of Charles I and also additions to the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle. Naturally he made his mark on Baberton House architecturally. It was extended and altered in 1765. Murray’s initials, together with those of his wife, Katherine Weir, are carved on the dormer windows at the rear of the house.
The Semi-Octagonal Bay to the South
The 17th century sundial remains on the lawn, allegedly presented to the house by Bonnie Prince Charlie – another royal connection to this old mansion if the story is true.
Are stress, anxiety, depression, and panic attacks affecting your daily life? Do you struggle with sleep disorders, diminished confidence, and low self-esteem, hindering your personal and professional performance? Perhaps Irritable Bowel Syndrome is impacting your quality of life?
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) can assist you in developing resilience and making lasting, positive changes.
“Solution Focused Hypnotherapy is a modern type of talking therapy, using the latest neuroscience, that uses solution-focused questioning techniques combined with trance, helping people to make positive, lasting changes in their lives” www.afsfh.com/solutionfocused-hypnotherapy/
The process is gentle, relaxing and transformative.
SFH shifts away from dissecting your problems, and focuses on achieving solutions. The role of the therapist is to work with you, to empower you to make those changes. It combines psychotherapy and hypnosis. By connecting you to the incredible potential within your own mind and offering insights into the reasons behind your feelings, SFH empowers you to take control and navigate life’s challenges.
Hypnosis, or trance, is a familiar and relaxing state naturally occurring in our daily life — whether you’re engrossed in music or TV etc. It’s an altered state of awareness, and as hypnotherapists, we leverage its benefits therapeutically.
When you are in trance, you remain in control. Scientific research attests to the relaxed state of the brain during hypnosis. (med.stanford.edu/ news/all-news/2016/07/study-identifies-brainareas-altered-during-hypnotic-trances.html ).
SFH therapeutic techniques such as guided relaxation and mental imagery can induce a trance state, leading to a shift in brainwave patterns. During deeper states of relaxation, alpha and theta wave activity increases. In these states, individuals often feel more relaxed, and more capable of reflecting on ideas.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy offers a unique opportunity to overcome unhelpful behaviours, such as anxiety or phobias, and to reinforce positive change. It can help you with:
• Depression
• Stress/anxiety
• Phobias’
• Fears/approaching labour/dentist
• Improving sleep
• Confidence/Performance enhancement
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Smoke cessation
• Working alongside conventional medicinal treatment plans, such a pain management and bowel conditions.
If you would like more information on SFH, please contact Susan Gillies, who contributed this article. Susan is a fully qualified psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. She has a Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (DSFH) and Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma (HPD). She is based in Edinburgh and runs The Phoenix - thephoenixhypnotherapy.com
JULY SUDOKUS (HARD*) (EASY)
JULY CROSSWORD
ACROSS: 1. Well known (6), 4. Long curtains (6), 9. Grandparent (7), 10. Concur (5), 11. Flavour (5), 12. Loosening (7), 13. Marvellous (11), 18. Season’s crop (7), 20. Star sign (5), 22. Bet (5), 23. One of the three r’s (7), 24. Go back (6), 25. Alcove (6).
DOWN: 1. Brawls (6), 2. Breakfast, dinner etc (5), 3. Remove clothes (7), 5. Respond (5), 6. Piece (7), 7. Vehicle used on snow (6), 8. Make, produce (11), 14. Type of piano (7), 15. Turn aside (7), 16. Light rainfall (6), 17. Tree branches (6), 19. Mistake (5), 21. Elevate (5).
Easy sudoku solution on page 46
Hard sudoku solution on page 46
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Help - it’s ma hip!
Hip pain can dominate life. You can’t walk without a limp, you can’t sit comfortably and sleep is disturbed, particularly if you like to sleep lying on your side. What could be causing hip pain and how can we fix it?
The first thing patients with hip pain often think about is arthritis. A common question in clinic is “do I have arthritis, as my hip is sore and I have started to limp?” There is no doubt that hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition but not all hip pain is arthritis. Where the pain is located and how it behaves are two big clues as to the cause.
In the case of an OA hip, pain is often felt in the groin, down the front of the thigh to the knee, and sometimes to the ankle. Typically, the hip will be stiff in the morning, but will ease with movement, or a hot shower, within 30 minutes. Pain will be directly related to activity - the more you do, the worse it becomes, with some activities more awkward than others. Squatting down or bending to put socks on can be particularly difficult. As walking becomes painful, and hip movements become more restricted, walking with a limp becomes more obvious and stairs become more difficult. OA hip problems affect men and women from age 45 onwards with the incidence rising as we get older.
Another well known cause of hip pain is Gluteal tendinopathy. The tendons that attach our buttock muscles to our thigh bone, the Femur, become irritated. This time the pain is usually over the lateral side of the hip not affecting the groin. Pain comes on gradually aggravated by activity. There is also a bursa, known as the Superficial Trochanteric Bursa, that can become inflamed at the lateral
side of the hip where the Gluteal tendon attaches to the Femur. In about 20% of cases of Gluteal tendinopathy, the bursa will be thickened, irritated and painful too.
Women are four times more likely than men to develop Gluteal tendinopathy and it is much more common over the age of 40.
Reducing Oestrogen levels in the peri- and post- menopausal stages seem to make developing tendon problems more likely.
Treatment for hip pain will depend on the cause and on the patient in terms of their age, activity levels, and any other conditions they may have. Often on Physiotherapy assessment of people with hip pain, we find that the low back is also stiff contributing to the problem. Treatment to help can include mobilising techniques, stretches and exercises to improve both lumbar spine and hip mobility, but the most important treatment for each condition are exercises to help with muscle strength. The gluteal tendons respond well to a gradual increase in exercise / load to help them become stronger and to recover fully. Strong muscles help an OA hip function better. A lot can be done to help hip pain so please do seek advicethere is no need to hirple!
The health column is contributed by McNaughton Physiogrange, Edinburgh www.physiogrange.co.uk
Recently I did some research to find out how long we’ve had satnav devices. I learned that in the year 2000 US President Clinton gave civilian organisations permission to make use of the navigational information available from military satellites. In 2004 the Dutch firm TomTom introduced its first portable satnav, selling 80 million of them!
My husband, a confirmed map and compass man, must have thought using a satnav was “cheating” at first. As a long-time hillwalker, he believes knowing how to self-navigate is absolutely crucial. But, being somewhat geographically challenged myself, I took an immediate interest in the new device.
Maybe it could help me get home from Livingston! I used to struggle with this, even though I could drive from Balerno to Livingston with no problem. Invariably I’d take a wrong turn, get confused and – eventually –be forced to phone home for some guidance.
I could resign as navigator for long car trips. I have never become proficient at using the map books that have you constantly turning pages,
scrabbling about to find the bit of the motorway you were looking at on the previous page … and what comes next. Often, when my hubby needed a fairly immediate answer about an exit or a roundabout turning I was at a loss to supply it. I just don’t do north, south, east and west. I do left and right. At times I wanted to pull over, get out and stand on the map – to help me work out if we needed to turn right or left. But, of course, this was impossible. (Roundabouts are very handy in this situation, as there is no limit to the number of times you can go round while you are making up your mind.)
Eventually, we agreed I’d use a satnav; he’d use a map. And then at some point, at least for car journeys, he came over to the dark side too. But satnavs are not perfect.
The one on my phone often tells me “Your destination is on the right”, when it’s clearly on the left. And how do you get them to stop talking if your journey is interrupted? Mine embarrassed me once when I had to make a quick stop at a shop mid-route. As I was handing my purchase to the lady at the till, my phone satnav barked, “Head east!”
There are countless stories of how these devices have misled people. I once borrowed one in the States to help me get from my hometown in Illinois to my sister’s home in Iowa. At the halfway point the satnav (I called her Mandy) directed me straight into a cornfield! And I fell for it on the return journey too.
When it was time to fly home, I accidentally packed Mandy in my suitcase. I let my friend know I’d mail her back soon. But first … I’d just see how she coped with Scotland’s roads.
She’d think twice about landing me in a cornfield again.
real LIFE is contributed by Suzanne Green. Suzanne, a freelance writer/editor. She is married to Andy and they have two adult daughters.
SUZANNE GREEN
My favourite food and wine pairing is an unusual one which involves a fruity, cherry laden red wine from Italy and one of Aberdeenshire’s favourite exports, a Buttery!
Butteries are a bit like croissants, with flaky texture, a buttery taste and savoury tang of salt. My favourite way to eat them is with a topping of sautéed spinach, a slab of Lanark blue cheese, pickled pear and chopped walnuts. Serve warm with chunky wedges and a salad and enjoy!
My red wine choice is a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a medium bodied, delicious red wine with a classic Italian nose of cherries and cedar spice. Low in supple tannins the wine isn’t big and chewy, but it is flavourful with a character that linger on the palate. The red wine and Buttery partnership works! Why? Firstly, the food and wine are matched in weight, the wine is medium bodied and the food doesn’t have a heavy sauce. The food doesn’t seem bigger that the wine and vice versa. If the wine were chewy and tannic in the mouth, we would lose the delicate flavours pear and walnut. The flaky texture of the pastry would be drowned in heavy tannin.
Secondly, the salt in the buttery and within the Lanark blue cheese is sharp and punchy on the palate, making us salivate. The acidity of the wine compliments the salt while also breaking down the fats and cream of the cheese.
Fortunately for me I don’t have to work hard in the kitchen to prepare the delicious food. It is on the summer menu of Contini’s Scottish Café and Restaurant at The Mound!
The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Juniper Green with her husband and three children. For wine recommendations, reviews and details of future tasting events, please go to swirlsipsocialise.com
Sometimes you look at wildlife and wonder what they’re saying to each other. It does look like the puffin on the left is telling the other one something quite interesting. Sharing locations of good sand eels, talking about the weather that day.
This was taken on the Isle of May, a small island in the Forth, which you can access from Anstruther or North Berwick by boat. It’s a seabird haven, with the cliffs full of these wonderful little birds and their companions such as kittiwakes, guillemots, and razorbills.
Having stayed in the North Atlantic all winter, they return to their breeding grounds across the U.K. to meet up with their mate. One of the main challenges our seabirds face is availability of food and studies of birds across various locations found they are having to travel further to find it. Recently, sandeel fishing in U.K. waters has been banned although this is being challenged by the E.U. post Brexit. They’re caught and processed for fish oil and animal feed, including for farmed salmon. Without going off on too much of a rant, I struggle to understand the rationale for decisions like this, which put endangered
species at even more risk. Our nature is facing some of its toughest, most challenging times and we should be doing all we can to protect it without fearing being told we’re “too green”
Maybe that’s what the puffins are saying, please help us!
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
SATURDAY 6TH JULY
Mesmerising Mechanisms - Free, hands-on exhibition of amazing wooden machines! Water of Leith Visitor Centre. 10.00am - 4.00pm. For information call 07762 203576. Visit: colintonclocks.co.uk/mesmerising-mechanisms All welcome.
CHILDREN’S SUMMER HOLIDAY
ACTIVITIES AT WATER OF LEITH VISITOR
CENTRE - Activities include River Dipping, Bugs!, Bushcraft, Stick!, Ultimate Survival, Fairy Folk, Water Force, Art in the Woods – various sessions for children of different ages. Tuesdays and Thursdays through the school holidays, 1.30pm - 3.30pm. For more information and to book online please visit www.waterofleith.org.uk
SATURDAY 13TH JULY
Farmers Market - Main Street, Balerno, 9.00am to 1.00pm.
SUNDAY 21ST JULY
The Dells in Summer – guided walk - A hands on exploration of summertime in the Dells. We’ll mainly be looking at identifying trees in leaf, but we’ll also discover which plants and flowers are thriving and whether we can spot any wildlife on the way. Whilst this is a continuation from the Dells in Spring walk and it may be referenced during the walk, you don’t need to have attended that one to come on this one. Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road, EH14 1TQ. 1.30pm - 3.30pm. £7 or FREE FOR MEMBERS, book at www.waterofleith.org.uk
SUNDAY 28TH JULY
Guided wade for adults - Join our Ranger Johnny for a guided wade to see the river from a different perspective. Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road, EH14 1TQ. 1.30pm3.30pm. £7 or FREE FOR MEMBERS, book at www.waterofleith.org.uk
SATURDAY 3RD AND SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST
Open Days at Almondell Model Engineering Centre - A fantastic family day out, with train rides on their new extended track through the woodland. Tea, coffee and snacks. Free parking, picnic area. 10.30 - 4.00pm. Drumshoreland Muir, Drumshoreland Road, Broxburn, EH52 5PF.
Save the dates for visiting historic Spylaw Park in all seasons:
• SAT 31ST AUGUST (or Sat 7th September) - Art in the Park
• DECEMBER (Date TBC) - Christmas in the Park
You can look out for what’s on offer on Facebook and at cventerprise.org or contact us at colintonvillage@gmail.com
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SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...
OXGANGS WRITE AWAY! WRITERS' GROUP
- Whether you are a beginner or not, would-be novelist, journal-writer or poet, come along and share, learn, be inspired or simply listen. We meet at Oxgangs Library every 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6.00pm - free tea/coffee and biscuits too! For more information, contact Robert Carroll Robert.Carroll@edinburgh.gov.uk or katiemoon7754@gmail.com
REDHALL WALKING GROUP - A gentle walking group exploring areas such as the Union Canal, Colinton Dell and the Water of Leith. Improve your health and wellbeing and meet new people. Meet at Redhall Walled Garden entrance on main road at 97 Lanark Road. Mondays 10.00am - 11.30am Fun, friendly and free. Contact: emily@elgt.org.uk or 07943 530806. Facebook @GreenspaceTrust
ST CUTHBERT'S PLAYGROUP - 10.00am - 11.30am - Every Monday during school term time. £2 per family. Toys, snacks and a fun songs! St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. Contact Rev Nicki McNelly for more information: stcuthbertsrector@gmail.com
FORGET ME NOTES - The Forget Me Notes Project is a charity that uses music to build community and combat isolation in a variety of settings On the first and third Monday of each month - 2.00pm - 4.00pm in St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. Join us when you can, for an hour of music and memories, followed by refreshments. All welcome. Please contact Rev Nicki for more information: stcuthbertsrector@ gmail.com (www.forgetmenotes.org.uk)
COLINTON FRIENDLY BRIDGE CLUB - Colinton Cottage Homes’ Hall every Monday from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Please contact Ken McLeod on 0131 466 0888 for more information. Held in St Cuthberts Church Hall every second Tuesday afternoon between 2.00pm and 4.00pm.
TEA AND TOTS - Stay and play for ages 0-5 with their parent/carer - all are welcome! Toys, crafts, refreshments, song-time and more. Every Thursday during school term time, 10am-11.30am at Redeemer Church, 64 Bridge Road, Colinton, EH13 OLQ. FREE.
E: admin@redeemeredinburgh.org T: 0131 441 7327
ST CUTHBERT’S BADMINTON CLUB was created about 1946. It meets in the Church Hall in Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. It is non-competitive
and meets on Monday evenings at 8.00pm between September and Easter. For details, call Archie Clark on 0131 449 4703
COLINTON LITERARY SOCIETY - Meetings start with coffee, tea and wine at 7.30pm and are held at Dreghorn Hall, 22 Dreghorn Loan, EH13 0DE. Full programme details are at www.colinton-parish. com/colinton-literary-society.html
COFFEE, CAKE AND COMPANY - Drop in for a free coffee between 10.30am and 12pm on Mondays at Redeemer Church Edinburgh, 64 Bridge Road EH13 0LT. We are mostly retired people, but all ages are welcome! More details at redeemeredinburgh.org/ccc
THIS WOMAN RUNS - We are a small group of local women who support and empower each other to be healthier and happier. We meet Wednesday’s at 7.30pm at the bottom of Thorburn Road, or Sunday’s at 8.00am in Spylaw Park for a quick warm up, 30-minute run at the pace of chat/your pace, and then a gentle cool down. We’d love to see you there! All free, run by friendly local volunteers www.thismumruns.co.uk/join-a-local-run
WAVERLEY SPEAKERS CLUB - Meets in Morningside Parish Church, fortnightly on Tuesdays at 7.15pm. Our aim is to improve members’ public speaking skills in a supportive atmosphere. Each evening has three prepared speeches of eight minutes, evaluated constructively by another member. Eight impromptu short speeches follow, also evaluated. New members will be made most welcome. Contact i.wright237@btinternet.com or Douglas.Lothian@lenlothian.com
LOCAL FLORAL ART CLUB - Sit back and enjoy relaxing evenings watching a floral demonstration with lively & interesting chat. You might even win one of the arrangements. Meet: Boroughmuir Rugby Club, Meggatland, off Colinton Road EH14 1AS. 7.30pm - 9.30pm on the 1st Monday of the month from September. Wine/tea/coffee available. Contact: Joyce Rutherford on 0131 443 2536 or joyce.rutherford@btinternet.com
COLINTON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB - We meet fortnightly from September to end of March/beginning of April in St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue from 7.45 - 9.15. We have an excellent teacher and live music so come and join us, with or without a partner, you’ll be made very welcome. Tel: 07751186359 or 07483814988
THE SWING CAFÉ - Tues to Sat 10.00am-2.00pm. Please come for breakfast (10.00am-12.00noon), lunch (12noon -2.00pm) or some delicious home baking (available all day). We welcome groups and if you would like to book a table, please contact 07514 689258. There are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options. Under 12s are invited to enjoy a children's menu. Sit in or take away. We look forward to welcoming you.
COLINTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETYWant to know about local history? W: www.colintonhistory.org E: enquiries@colintonhistory.org
COLINTON GARDEN CLUB - Club members share their love of gardening, gardens and nature, and work together to preserve and add value to our quality of life here in south-west Edinburgh. Monthly members’ meetings on a Monday, in the upper Hall, Dreghorn Loan and start at 8.00pm. We are a friendly and thriving club and new members are very welcome, plus outings and events. The annual subscription is £8.00.per household. For more information see: W: www.colintongardens.org.uk E: membership@colintongardens.org.uk
LUNCHCLUB - Every Wednesday 1pm – 3pm, 3 courses £4. Spaces are limited, first come first served. Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU. Please visit: oxgangsneighbourhoodcentre.org.uk
PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP - Tuesdays, am session and pm session for two age groups (all under 5s). Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU. T: 0131 466 0678 E: oxgangsneighbourhoodcentre@gmail.com
OXGANGS NEIGHBOUR CENTRE
CAFÉ - 10.00am to 1.00pm. Bacon rolls, baked potatoes, toasties,specials, teas, coffees and cake. Sit in or takeaway.
TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS, UP TO 75 WORDS, TO EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR BUSINESSES. SEE KONECT.SCOT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
Cut the tomatoes in half and arrange them cut-side up on an oiled baking tray. Lightly brush the tomatoes with olive oil and season with salt. Bake for 2-3 hours, or until they are reduced in size and appear dark and wrinkled.
For storage, transfer the tomatoes into a sterilized jar and fill with olive oil until the tomatoes are fully submerged. They can be kept refrigerated for up to two weeks. For longer preservation, place the sealed jars in a large pot of water and heat until it simmers, then let them simmer gently for 45 minutes. Allow the jars to cool in the water. Stored this way, the tomatoes will keep for up to six months in a cool, dark After opening, consume the tomatoes within two weeks and store them in the refrigerator. You can have fun with flavourings, adding herbs like fresh rosemary or thyme, peeled garlic cloves or chilli flakes.
