ONE OF ASSEMBLY’S top selling shows of 2023, Afrique en Cirque, pictured left, returns to wow Fringe audiences once more with their daring acrobatics sharing the beauty and artistry of African culture. This sell-out is a dazzling circus spectacular and promises a show-stopping night out for the whole family. Created by Yamoussa Bangoura, the show is inspired by daily life in Guinea with a performance sharing the beauty, youth and artistry of African culture. The acrobats perform gravity-defying moves including human pyramids during the show. Produced by Kalabanté Productions, it also includes afro-jazz, percussion and the Kora - a multi-stringed instrument used widely in West Africa. Edinburgh in August is a bewildering cornucopia of entertainment. There will be 3,317 shows in Edinburgh Festival Fringe alone - without thinking of all the other festivals. One way to ensure value for money during August is to subscribe to the new paid membership, Love The Fringe. This new scheme has been created in a collaboration between several venues, producers and acts. Starting from £20 the subscriptions offer access to ticket deals and discounts at Festival bars as well as local businesses including pubs and restaurants. Edfest.com/ love-the-fringe.
It can be daunting trying to choose what to see - read more inside where you will find our recommendations and suggestions.
WELCOME TO THE FESTIVAL CITY with all the festivals and the Festival Fringe making up 3,000+ shows every day and offering residents and tourists the excitement of being in the midst of it.
For some it is the best placeto be this August with culture all around no matter where you look. There are late night and early morning performances to enjoy or rant about afterwards with the unexpected around every corner.
The book festival is taking up residence at its new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute under the charge of new director, Jenny Niven.
The Film Festival will open with a flourish in the opening night film The Outrun starring Saoirse Ronan, who recently married her long time partner actor Jack Lowden at the City Chambers in a secret ceremony. The Art Festival is celebrating 20 years this year and exploring “the conditions under which we live, work, gather and resist” with the programme covering all areas of the capital. There will be new people to meet, and to discuss new things.
This issue has an emphasis on making some recommendations on what to see - but we can only scrape the surface here. Read our coverage online each day to keep up with our new discoveries and suggestions.
There has been a big change in Edinburgh politics as three new Labour MPs replaced the three former SNP MPs at the general election. One of these - Cllr Scott Arthur - is the Transport Convener and he will step down later this month sparking a by-election in the Colinton/Fairmilehead ward. The Edinburgh South MP, The Rt Hon Ian Murray has been appointed Secretary of State for Scotland and the promise is that Scotland will be at the heart of the new UK government. Read more on page 4. Local sport flourishes at all levels with more local clubs contacting us all the time to be included in the mix - read more on pages 20 to 23.
Food and drink at the Fringe - and away from the Festivals is on pages 16-17 and the BIG guide to what to see in Edinburgh this month is on pages 18-19.
Enjoy the festivals this month and I hope you enjoy this issue.
Phyllis Stephen, Editor
Letters to the Editor
Madam, I read with interest the article on (judoka) George Kerr in last month’s edition. met George more than 40 years ago in an Edinburgh sports shop, possibly Thorntons. was working abroad. He invited me to play squash with him at his Hillside club and we ended up playing regularly over a number of years whenever was back home in Edinburgh.
We both played at the same level and had many close, hard fought, squash matches together on his single outdoor court which was always freezing!
I remember well George’s wife Pauline and Hibs and Scotland footballer Eric Schaedler, who died tragically young, attending the club. Eddy Still, ex-table tennis Scottish champion, also used to join us for squash and am pleased to note he is still active.
George would invite us to watch films some evenings at his club where large quantities of beer were usually consumed and he recounted the times he lived and worked in Japan. A good time was always had by all.
Some years later came across Graeme Souness, another visitor to the Edinburgh Club, in France when he was playing in a
Rangers friendly match against a local team and I mentioned George’s club which he recalled.
Although lost contact with George after the Hillside club closed (I only returned to live in Scotland again earlier this year), we have arranged to meet up after a phone call reunited us.
Yours,
Bill Hogg
Madam,
The streetscape in the Broughton and Bellevue areas of Edinburgh is in a parlous state. The streets and road gullies in this largely residential area of a world class city are dirty strewn with litter, spillages from communal dustbins, leaves, and detritus.
Residents now enjoy the delightful display of ankle high weeds growing out of footpaths and road gullies throughout the neighbourhood. On top of this, we all contend with broken and uneven paving stones in the locality. It is manifestly plain that the City Council does not have a systematic plan of
maintaining a satisfactory level of street cleaning. The way the service is currently organised, executed and delivered is failing us all and requires immediate revision in the light of the lived experiences of those who foot the Council Tax bill. was very impressed with how spotlessly clean the Royal Mile was by 07.30am each morning when the late Queen was lying in state in St. Giles’ Cathedral. If the Council can manage to keep the Royal Mile clean for royalty why are they incapable of doing the same for those of us who pay the Council Tax Bill, year in year out. I had such high hopes for improvements in street cleaning and the streetscape when Labour gained control of the City Council in the last local government elections only to be disappointed; nothing changes!
have decided to organise a residents’ petition in my street and to present this to the Leader of the Council. would strongly encourage all good Edinburgh people to do likewise.
If the Council cannot keep the streets clean, what can it do, it is a poor do! Time for Change (as Labour likes to say), think so.
Shane
Carter
New Mexico to the New Town
the mural at Henderson’s on Hanover Street, simply walking in and telling the Henderson family they needed a
painting featuring local people. He worked in exchange for a little cash and many meals in the vegetarian restaurant set up by Janet Henderson using the produce from the family farm in the 60s. The photo shows Phil Croal, Ken, Nicholas Henderson (owner of Whighams where the mural is now on the wall), John Sampson and Peter Henderson. The friends all feature in the painting along with former MSP Robin Harper, and comedian Rikki Fulton and actress Una McLean. Peter believes the inspiration for the painting was a Rubens work of King Herod’s birthday feast.
New lease of life for bowling greens
By DONALD TURVILL LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER
EDINBURGH BOWLING
GREENS will be turned into allotments and community gardens amid the ongoing shortage of growing space in the city.
Edinburgh Leisure first returned two underused greens to the council’s ownership, and now, following engagement with the public on re-purposing the spaces at both Victoria Park and St Margaret’s Park new plans will “breathe life into these historically important spaces”.
space, a garden, and nature-friendly interventions”.
A survey showed “strong support” for the redesigns, including social gathering areas and sensory gardens alongside the space to plant fruit and vegetables.
More than 6,000 people are on Edinburgh Council’s allotment waiting list with years long queues.
A consultation was conducted about Corstorphine’s St Margaret’s Park bowling green. The most popular ideas are introducing “urban growing areas, natural play
A separate engagement process on the disused green at Victoria Park supported creating allotments so that locals can “cultivate their own fruits, vegetables, and flowers”, but with the caveat that individual growing spaces should be “balanced with community gardens to benefit a broader range of residents and ensure inclusivity”.
Revamping the Leith park’s bowling green could also include a café, provision for public toilets, and community space, with updates to include a community growing area, multi-use gathering space with sensory planting, seating, and swales to address flooding.
The council is exploring two other unused greens –
at Prestonfield and Regent Road, saying that bowling greens “have held a special place in the heart of Edinburgh’s communities for generations”.
“They have been centres for socialising, friendly competition, and a reflection of the city’s rich heritage.
“As we look to the future, we see these spaces changing so that they meet the needs of our present population and planet. We aim to create spaces that welcome people of all ages and interests.
“From revitalised greens for leisurely games on sunny afternoons to modern pavilions hosting community events and educational programs, the potential for these spaces is as vast as the history they hold.”
ARTIST KEN WOLVERTON from Madrid in New Mexico visited Whigham’s at the West End recently to catch up with old friends - and the mural he created around half a century ago. He painted
Victoria Park
Scottish representation is key
New Secretary of State for Scotland is getting his sleeves rolled up in Edinburgh
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
EDINBURGH SOUTH MP, The Rt Hon Ian Murray, has now moved in along with his staff in The Scottish Office which lies in the heart of the Old Town. Mr Murray was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland, and told us he and the UK Government are already addressing some of the problems which have caused difficulties for people working in Edinburgh businesses.
Recruiting staff has been a post Brexit and post Covid hurdle for many Edinburgh employers, particularly in the hospitality sector.
Speaking in a recent interview, Mr Murray highlighted the steps the new Labour government will take to tackle workforce shortages, especially in key sectors such as hospitality.
He said: “The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which advises government on visas, numbers and skills, will be expanded - and there will be Scottish representation on the Committee.”
The Labour manifesto promised to reform the points-based immigration system and that MAC would join with other government bodies to ensure joined up action “delivering the skills needed for growth”.
Mr Murray said: “The MAC will look at sectors and also geographies, feeding into policies of what we need when in relation to economic needs. Economic needs in Scotland - and particularly in hospitality - are a real problem. The second part of that is our own workforce and the big skills agenda. Are we
More powers needed
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
AN APPEAL is to be made to The Scottish Government calling for it to release some of its powers to Scottish local authorities in the same way as the new UK Government is planning to do in England. The Labour minority administration in Edinburgh in particular wants the SNP government to devolve some powers to the capital’s local authority.
In the King’s Speech there was a one paragraph mention of the proposed devolution of powers to metro mayors and combined authorities in England. The legislation is intended to create an “ambitious standardised” framework which would accelerate the transfer of powers.
Now Edinburgh Council Leader, Cammy Day, is keen for the same
kind of set up in Scotland.
Cllr Day said: “We’ve seen the UK Government devolve power, resources and money to joint authorities in England, yet we’re not seeing the same kind of approach from The Scottish Government. think It’s time we did see that. We have a new government in the UK announcing more power for the devolved authorities so why can’t The Scottish Government devolve powers? The SNP said they would do this in their manifesto many years ago, but instead they have centralised police, fire and continue to attempt to centralise education.For example in the area of skills development that could be developed on a regional basis.
Work done through Scottish Enterprise could be better devolved into regional authroites in Scotland.”
teaching the right things? Are we training the right people? There will be a different focus on getting business, our education system and people together to decide how we are going to grow the right workforce for the future.”
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Hotels Association said : “The MAC’s current scope is
far too restrictive and Scotland needs its own set of levers to help with current occupation shortages. We have lobbied UK Government on setting up temporary occupation lists, abolition of the Shortage Occupation List and relaxations within the tier system, so they are well aware of the issues facing us.”
Talking about visitor levy
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
Labour gets a second chance
By SARAH BOYACK MSP
HAD SOMEONE told me in the moments leading up to the exit poll that Scottish Labour would be sending 37 MPs to Westminster, don’t think I would have believed them. On the doors in Edinburgh, it was clear that people were giving Labour a second chance, but little did I know that would translate into us taking four out of five of Edinburgh’s parliamentary seats.
After the humbling election result we received in 2019 when, for the second time in five years, we returned only one Scottish Labour MP to Westminster, the voters told us to think again. Under the brilliant leadership of Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer we did just that. We revitalised our party, made it focus on the areas that mattered to Scottish people, such as the cost of living and the crisis in the NHS.
The sight of our new Scottish Labour MPs
standing in Downing Street with our new Labour Prime Minister brings a tear to the eye, but it is critical that we do not take the voters for granted. We must ensure that we take this success as the starting point on our journey to have a government and MPs at the heart of Scottish communities.
It speaks volumes of how much this new government values Scotland that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first official trip was to Edinburgh to meet our new Scottish Labour MPs and First Minister, John Swinney. For too long we have had two governments all too eager to merely antagonise one and other rather than cooperate for the good of Scotland and the UK. In contrast, Labour wants to work with the Scottish Government, to ensure that we can address the challenges people are facing in Scotland, the housing emergency, the NHS and cost of living crisis and delivering the green jobs and investment we urgently need to
tackle our climate and nature crisis.
There is a lot of work to do, trust in politics has plummeted over the last few years, our economy was trashed and our public services are in crisis.
I know that Tracy Gilbert, Scott Arthur,
Denials schools are full
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
EDINBURGH COUNCIL denies that there will be any pressure on school places, even if parents move children from private schools to state schools if fees become unaffordable.
Christine Jardine MP, used her first question to Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions to criticise the UK Government’s plans to impose VAT on school fees, citing the projected pressure on the state sector.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West urged the Prime Minister to explain how money raised from VAT on fees in Scotland could be invested in state schools in Scotland, as while VAT is a reserved tax, education policy is devolved. But the Prime Minister did not respond on that point.
Chris Murray and Ian Murray will work tirelessly for Edinburgh and ensure that Scottish Labour once again stands as a champion of local communities, fighting every day to make Scotland and the UK a fairer and more prosperous place.
Mark Griffin MSP, Scottish Labour’s Local Government Spokesperson, said: “Scottish Labour has always been the party
The creation of a Local Democracy Act, and the ability for local communities to create regional mayors, was included in the 2024 Labour Manifesto. on which the party won a landslide victory. In Edinburgh the political landscape changed at the General Election and there are now four Labour MPs and one Liberal Democrat.
of devolution. We believe we need to push power out of Holyrood and into the regions of Scotland to empower communities and support regional economic growth. As well as a fairer funding formula for local government, Scottish Labour’s plans for reform within Scotland include a Local Democracy Act that will allow for the creation of regional mayors and support greater co-operation across regions.”
THE VISITOR LEVY legislation has been passed by The Scottish Parliament and will be discussed again by Edinburgh Council this month.The council is firmly behind the scheme which would impose a levy per night (proposed in the past at around £2 a night and capped at seven nights). Councillors will consider updated proposals on 22 August when the details of the scheme will be outlined. It will then be necessary to put forward the detailed plans for public consultation although that depends on the Scottish Government setting a start date for the legislation which they have yet to do. The charge is unlikely to be introduced until 2026.
Ms Jardine said: “I was disappointed to see the Prime Minister refuse to address the concerns of many parents and teachers in Edinburgh West about the impact of his plans for fees on our community.
“After 17 years of failure on education under the SNP, the last thing pupils and parents need is more disruption from this ill-conceived idea. The Council has been clear that our schools are already fit to burst. They cannot afford a surge in enrolment if parents move their parents to the state sector. There must be a clear plan to boost funding for our schools and provide our pupils, parents and teachers with the schools, facilities and opportunities they deserve.”
The UK Government said throughout the general election campaign - and in the King’s Speech - that it will impose 20% VAT on school fees. A large proportion of pupils in Edinburgh attend independent schools, and fears have been expressed that the increase could cause a problem for education authorities if parents
decide that, for financial reasons, they have to move their children into the state sector.
The number of pupils who might have to be accommodated in the state system could run into thousands, but Edinburgh Council has denied that there is the pressure which Ms Jardine has stated. The Council told The
“Simply splendid…. a must see show” MARK ASPEN
“electrically exciting“ the REAL CHRISPARKLE
“Amazing! “ the MERRY MENOPAUSE
PM’s first offical visit was to Edinburgh
Cammy Day
The Rt Hon Ian Murray Secretary of State for Scotland
Christine Jardine
Crime podcast premiere
By STEPHEN RAFFERTY
A FORMER EDINBURGH POLICE CHIEF’S
thrilling account of the “first modern murder” has premiered on a hugely popular crime podcast produced by Emmy Award winning actress Yeardley Smith.
The podcast examines the horrific murder and dismemberment of two women at the hands of Dr Buck Ruxton and is based on the book Beyond Recognition: The Ruxton Murders, by former Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian & Borders Police Tom Wood.
Yeardley Smith, the actress, novelist, playwright and the voice of Lisa Simpson on the hit television show The Simpsons since 1987, snapped up the story for her award-winning true crime podcast Small Town Dicks.
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The series delves into the 1935 disappearance of a glamorous young mother
Isabella Buxton and her dutiful Leith-born maid, Mary Rogerson, whose deaths resulted in one of the most important investigations the world had ever seen at that time.
Ruxton used his medical knowledge to dismember his victims and later discarded the body parts 100 miles away from the crime scene in a tranquil part of the Scottish Borders.
Only the brilliance of Scottish scientists and determined police officers brought Ruxton to trial and led him to the gallows in a case which established many ground-breaking
Abuse claims investigated
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
AUTHORITIES continue to investigate allegations of “disgraceful” verbal and physical abuse against cricketers in Roseburn Park forcing them to abandon their recent match.
Claims have been made by Murrayfield DAFS that football fans hurled homophobic, sexist and racist abuse to cricketers from their team and their opponents, Stewart’s Melville, while cutting through Roseburn Park on their way to the Rangers v Manchester United match at Scottish Gas
forensic techniques which are still in common use today in criminal investigations.
Yeardley Smith said: “I’m fascinated by people who take a leap of faith and do something in a new and different way. For me, that’s the crux of the Ruxton case.
“The team of investigators tasked with solving the murders decides to save all the bits and pieces from the body dump. We take this for granted now, but this kind of collection and preservation was brand new back then.
“One of my favorite ah-ha moments in the case is when one of the detectives decides to track down the origin of a special newspaper insert that was used to wrap up one of the
body parts. That inquiry leads to a short list of people who had the special insert delivered to them at home, and that list includes the name of the murderer. Though this case happened 90 years ago, I think it’s just as gripping and relevant today.
“Tom Wood is a master storyteller and with Ruxton he’s deftly made the history of modern forensics read like a true-crime thriller. I can’t wait for audiences to hear the podcast.”
ï “Beyond Recognition: The Ruxton Murders” will unfold over six episodes, releasing weekly on Fridays and is available on the Small Town Dicks podcast feed and other podcast channels.
Murrayfield. The cricket club also criticised Police Scotland for lack of action or assistance.
Murrayfield DAFS President Philip Yelland said: “There was no indication in advance that playing would be an issue, but some of the so-called fans at the Rangers v Manchester United game at Murrayfield behaved in a totally unacceptable way in Roseburn Park.”
IF YOU ARE WORRIED about writing or updating your Will and not sure where to begin then Edinburgh-based charity, LifeCare, may have the answer. Join LifeCare Edinburgh along with Lindsays Solicitors at their free information event to find out about the practicalities of the process of writing your will,
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “As with all major events which take place in and around the city a detailed debrief meeting will take place. We can’t comment further on this specific incident while a police investigation is ongoing.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers are carrying out enquiries after reports of abuse being directed towards players during a cricket match at Roseburn Park, 20 July 2024.”
DAFS play in Roseburn Park LifeCare work with older people
Looking back in history at some significant dates in August
1ST
In 1821, Sir James Gowans, architect and builder, who lived the major portion of his life in Edinburgh, was born.
2ND
In 1885, It appeared that between twelve and one o’clock, the wife of a neighbour was in Angus Beaton’s house in Simpson’s Court, Greenside Row, Edinburgh; a discussion arose as to the relative merits and demerits of Mary Queen of Scots, John Knox, and Queen Elizabeth; like others before them, the disputants were unable to settle the knotty historical point, and quarrelled; Beaton championed the cause of the unfortunate Mary, and was alleged to have put out of his house and afterwards assaulted the woman who spoke disparagingly of the Scottish Queen.
3RD
In 1573, Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange was executed after defending Edinburgh Castle on behalf of Mary from May 1568 to May 1573. And in 1769, the side walls of the south abutment of the
new North Bridge suddenly gave way, causing a partial collapse of the structure and tragically claiming the lives of five people.
4TH
In 1870, entertainer Sir Harry Lauder was born in Portobello. And in 1940, five unexploded bombs fell on Portobello.
8TH
In 1503, King James IV married Margaret Tudor (right) at Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh. And in 1860, an accident took place on the Edinburgh, Perth & Dundee Railway‘s short section of track on the southern side of the Firth of Forth which claimed 4 lives and injure 6 people.
10TH
In 1784, Edinburgh-born painter Allan Ramsay died at the age of 70; Ramsay was famed as a fine portrait painter and among his subjects were Flora MacDonald, King George III, David Hume and Queen Charlotte.
15TH
In 1771, author and poet Sir Walter Scott was born at College Wynd, Edinburgh. And in 1822, the visit of George IV to Edinburgh commenced. (JMW Turner painting bottom right depicts the visit)
17TH
In 1947, the first Edinburgh International Festival began.
21ST
In 1844, the foundation stone of the Political Martyrs Monument, located in the Old Calton Burial Ground on Calton Hill, was laid by Joseph Hume MP with 3,000 people gathered for the occasion.
24TH
In 1945, the centre of Edinburgh
was rocked by a colossal explosion which tore up 120 yards of Queen Street; man-hole covers were blown out and a stretch of pavement along the north side of Queen Street was shattered by the blast; the explosion was due to a fault in the main electric cable buried beneath the pavement.
25TH
In 1513, the Council ordered that
after 9 PM no fruit seller should sell fruit or other goods at the Mercat Cross or in their homes; punishment was confiscation of the fruit and physical chastisement. In 1930, the New Victoria cinema (later the Odeon) opened on Clerk Street and Sean Connery was born in Fountainbridge.
29TH
In 1623, in reaction to several complaints, the council fixed the prices the undertakers (called Bellmen) and grave diggers were allowed to charge for their services.
Compiled by Jerry Ozaniec, Membership Secretary of the Old Edinburgh Club, membership@ oldedinburghclub.org.uk
Lament from Larah
By STEPHEN RAFFERTY
BAGEL BOSS LARAH BROSS has closed her Hot Mama Bagels shop in Portobello and admitted customers who stumped up £150,000 in a crowdfunding appeal for her previous Bross Bagels business are unlikely to be repaid.
Ms Bross, who has been appearing at Foodies Festivals throughout the UK over the last two months, claimed events had taken a toll on her mental health and she was “stepping back from operations”.
While she shared cocktails at the food festivals at Chelmsford with minor celebrities including Gemma Collins, and took selfies with TV star Peter Andre at Tunbridge Wells, the Portobello High Street shop had remained closed since the end of June.
The Edinburgh Reporter revealed how in August 2023 Bross Bagels Ltd was placed into liquidation with debts of up to £1 million. Small suppliers and unsecured creditors were left in the lurch to the tune of around £280,000 while HM Revenue & Customs were due an estimated £635,000 in unpaid taxes, national insurance and VAT. Student Loan repayments which had been collected from the salaries of staff who had student loans was also due to Inland Revenue.
So called “Shareholers”- loyal customers who donated £1,000 each over two rounds of crowdfunding to help grow Bross Bagels - have now lost all hope of their money being returned.
Our investigation revealed how the day before an official liquidator was appointed, Ms Bross acquired the assets of her failed business for just £18,000 and then continued trading in the same
premises under a new company Hot Mama Bagels Ltd.
In a message to Shareholers, she said: “It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you about the cessation of trading at our Portobello location. This decision has not come lightly and is the result of financial and operational difficulties that have proven insurmountable over the past year.
“I have been navigating through substantial personal guarantees and debts stemming from our recent restructuring.
The financial strain, coupled with the immense stress of trying to steer the company through these turbulent times, has taken a significant toll on both my mental health and that of my family.
“Prioritising my well-being and that of my loved ones has become imperative, and as difficult as it is, believe stepping back from operations is the best course of action.
“I want to assure you that the Bross brand will live on. While I cannot promise a return on your investment with Bross Bagels at this moment, I remain committed to finding a way to make it up to you in the future.”
One disappointed crowdfunder said: “She has led us up the garden path with flimsy promises that she would make good the debt and repay our faith.
“While her core business in Portobello has been shut for weeks she has been poncing about at these FoodiesFestivals doing bagel demos, making her stupid Instagram videos, and taking selfies with so-called celebs.”
Royal High hits the right note
By PHYLLIS STEPHEN
PLANNING PERMISSION has been granted toThe Royal High School Preservation Trust (RHSPT) for the multi-million-pound redevelopment of the former Royal High School on Regent Road.
RHSPT, responsible for conserving and protecting the Thomas Hamilton building, was granted planning permission to redevelop the landmark building into a new cultural destination and create a vital resource for music-making in Scotland. Other options of a luxury hotel and a music school have been discounted in recent years.
The new national music centre will include three intimate performance spaces, rehearsal rooms and a recording studio providing a centre for Scotland’s diverse music sector to collaborate and build on the rich Scottish tradition of music and performance. New gardens and outdoor areas, a café, conference and business facilities and a vaulted bar will open up the place for everyone – not just music lovers to enjoy from the unique vistas and soak up the
sense of history and importance of the Thomas Hamilton Building. Grant MacKenzie, Executive Director, RHSPT, said: “Receiving planning permission to begin making our vision for the building a reality is a milestone moment in our project’s journey. The Royal High School is both architecturally and culturally significant for Edinburgh, and we’re grateful to Edinburgh City Council for allowing us to bring it back into public use as an
and
Funding for the redevelopment is led by a small consortium of philanthropic contributors, believed to be the Dunard Fund and Carol Grigor who are also involved in the new
Portobello no more
Celebrity chums Gemma Collins and Peter Andre
Larah Bross
Former school has been empty for 50+ years
Kevin Quantum will defy gravity
Lift off for two Fringe shows from Edinburgh’s very own magician
By OLIVIA THOMAS
EDINBURGH’S OWN MASTER
MAGICIAN is always ready to surprise – so at this year’s Fringe he is conjuring up two very different shows, each packed with mystery and fun.
Before turning to magic, Kevin Quantum was a physicist and often loves to sprinkle science into the mix.
In fact, never more so than this year when he presents Anti-Gravity which plunges audiences into a space where the laws that govern the universe are bent, then broken. Kevin will be introducing audiences to his latest invention, the anti-gravity generator.
Throughout the show its power builds and allows him to perform ever-more amazing feats of levitation.
It’s a fantastic family-friendly delight from a man who earned fame on Britain’s Got Talent and regularly entertains around the globe.
For a change of style and pace, audiences can then enjoy a second show, the suavely sophisticated Edinburgh Magic.
This is a chance to dress up in your most elegant attire and join a small, select audience to sip prosecco in the historic surroundings of the Versailles Suite (with its beautiful hand-painted neo-Classical murals) of The Caledonian Hotel.
With just 30 seats, no stage or large props, the audience is close up to the dinner suited magician, as he performs a series of baffling tricks, and chats to the audience with his customary charm and warm humour. The magic he performs has strong links to Scotland’s capital and has been selected because it has defied explanation, even by the greatest experts.
These include Harry Houdini, who appeared in Edinburgh around 50 times, and claimed he could explain any trick after seeing it a couple of times. But he had to admit defeat after witnessing a mind-blowing trick by young card magician Dai Vernon several times.
There’s even a royal touch as he also performs the intricate trick used back in 1975 by King (then Prince) Charles to gain admission to the world famous, yet infinitely
secretive, magic society – The Magic Circle. With only a few hundred members worldwide (Kevin is one himself) every applicant must perform in front of an audience of magicians before being granted (or declined) membership.
Anti-Gravity
Back to school with Chatterbox
By STAFF REPORTER
ONE MINUTE she was “stupid” for not speaking English – then she was chastised as a “chatterbox” for speaking it too much.
When Lubna was three and a half her family arrived in Glasgow on a freezing December day, after her dad had been offered the chance to study for his PhD at Strathclyde University. They looked ahead with optimism. Her father loved the idea of coming to Britain because there would be none of the corruption and bribery that was rife in Pakistan.
Lubna was sent off to primary school, enthusiastic and wanting to learn.It was there she discovered bullying and it came first from a teacher, the very person supposed to nurture her.
Criticised for not already being able to speak the language she was sent to the back of the class with other “stupid” children. And there she began to be picked on for her colour.
A quick learner, Lubna soon learned English. Congratulations! No. Now she was condemned as a chatterbox. Hence the title of her new play, Chatterbox, which is all about bullying, the labels we are given as children and how they affect our whole lives.
While it’s based on her experience it’s addressing a widespread problem – many people will recognise their own early lives in what she has to say. Lubna now lives in Edinburgh and, after a long career as an NHS pharmacist, she has found success as a writer, actor and comedian. This lates touching, humorous, semi-autobiographical one-woman
asks serious questions: What labels were you given?
• How did they affect you?
• Do they still make you anxious?
• Where did you find safety when neds chased you down the street?
Lubna said: “Chatterbox looks back with affection to a childhood as part of a loving family determined to contribute to Scotland and their community.
“At the same time it raises questions that will resonate with many people, of every background, about unfair treatment and labelling and how it can affect our whole lives.”
Chatterbox is the second instalment of a planned trilogy. The first part, Tickbox, had a successful run at the Fringe and has toured widely.
Special performance as part of Edinburgh Deaf Festival on 15 August (with BSL interpreter) – https:// edinburghdeaffestival.com
No One is Coming to Save Us - or are they?
Californian university theatre group’s new play
MADDY IS WORRIED that no one is having fun at her party while sister Lily fears that the world is falling apart.
A new US-Scottish collaboration for the Edinburgh Fringe opens with a group of friends gathered on a mountaintop to watch the sunset.
But then a wildfire sparks in the forest below.
While the young people drink beer and chat about life, love, hopes and dreams the blaze spreads, flames engulf the trees and race towards them.
Trapped, afraid, alone – realisation dawns. no one is coming to save us.
Can they save themselves? Dare they believe that things might still be alright?
Every two years the theatre department of California’s Pepperdine University teams up with a leading Scottish playwright, and other creatives, to develop a Fringe production that addresses one of the great social issues of our time.
And they are hugely successful, having garnered Fringe First awards and a multitude of four and five star reviews.
Edinburgh Magic The Versailles Suite, The Caledonian, Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2AB (Venue 206).
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe/com
This time around Pepperdine Scotland is working with Lewis Hetherington, himself the winner of Fringe Firsts and many other awards,
compelling ways to explore the climate crisis.
No One is Coming to Save Us focusses on finding hope, no matter how fragile, in the face of an overwhelming environmental threat. It also raises a challenge. If we know that our world is facing catastrophe, what should we do to stop it? And what if the powerful refuse to act? How far can we, and should we go?
Lewis said: “The climate crisis can feel remote, a distant threat, but it isn’t. The increase in terrifying wildfires we see in places like California is just one of many, many things that are happening right now.
“What happens when you and your friends are caught up in one – the fear, the horror, the fight to survive? Can life ever be the same again for survivors? What happens to their adolescence?
“We follow a group of young people try to navigate this threat, but also the terrain of being young, trying to have fun, fall in love, experience the world.
“And I want to ask and what happens when they try to fight back and take matters into their own hands, how far is far enough?”
Lewis was an ideal choice for the project as his work as a playwright and performance maker is deeply rooted in collaboration.
In this case the production has been
informed by the experiences of the students themselves – all of them growing up in the era where the impacts of climate change are felt ever-more powerfully.
Several have been affected by vast wildfires, others by the increasing frequency of immense and violent storms. Others still have been raised in areas where the traditionally snowy winters have grown milder and warmer. Hollace Starr, director and Associate Professor of Theatre at Pepperdine University, said: “Today’s young people stand on a precipice. Climate Change is happening all
around them – to them – shaping and shaking their world.
“How can they look forward to adulthood with hope when the future is fire, flood and toxic air?
“This play invites us to look at what is happening through their eyes and their urgent quest to ensure they can live in a world that is safe, where they can thrive, and which is a fit place to raise their own children.”
LEAH COLOFF is a pretty impressive musician. David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry all thought so when she played with them – so did the judges who recently awarded her a Grammy.
Shame about her dad then.
That’s family for you!
Clearing out the family home after the death of her father she came across an old letter to her music tutor.
In it her dad, Lawrence (himself a music teacher) wrote that Leah just didn’t have what it takes to be a professional.
This year Leah is coming across from the USA to go on stage in Edinburgh telling her inspirational story through spoken word, song and music.
Her view now is that perfectionism sucks.
So, if being perfect is beyond you – how about being Super Second Rate?
And maybe life’s unwelcome and unexpected discoveries can set you free and even be something to sing about.
Super Second Rate is a show that’s funny, poignant and humane
from a woman who the New York Times says “plays and sings with artful angularity and a rockinflected assertiveness”.
Leah says: “In every family there’s a set of values. What your parents think is important in life.
“They are NOT written down and posted on the wall. But everyone in the family knows what you gotta do to belong and get love.
“This show is about unwinding the family rules and coming to peace with these expectations.
“The implicit rules in my family were: PLAY MUSIC! BE BETTER THAN OTHER PEOPLE AT MUSIC! But be humble, don’t act like you’re special! Just be better and special, but with humility!
Super Second Rate puts that aside in favour of being yourself and doing what you want in the way you want to do it. That’s better!”
Raised in the Pacific northwest, Leah’s music interweaves her classical roots with 70s punk rock in a style she identifies as CLUNK.
And this year the multiple award-winning Leah, and her colleagues in the Scorchio Quartet and Tonality, took the Grammy for best new age, ambient or chant album for So She Howls by composer Carla Patullo. Leah was also a member of the seven-piece onstage band for Daniel Fish’s Oklahoma! from its run at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn to the Tony Award winning production on Broadway.
Venue: theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall, Haldane Theatre (Venue 53). Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe. com
In the classical realm, Leah has worked with contemporary composers including Philip Glass, Ted Hearne, Joel Thome, Sean Friar and Michael Gordon She has also performed and recorded with artists including Trey Anastasio, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Michael Cerveris, Rufus Wainwright, Lou Reed, Damon Albarn, Ziggy Marley, Linda Thompson, Dean & Britta, Angelique Kidjo, Nancy Sinatra and Mark Mulcahy. Then there are her own songs and music, which have been characterised as honest, sensual, funny, brutal, pissed-off, beautiful and chilly sweet.
Leah with Debbie Harry
Pepperdine cast Lubna Kerr is back in the classroom
Grammy winning cellist Leah Coloff
Lift off with Kevin
The Edinburgh Reporter Recommends...
Fame is drying up for reality stars Ben and Cyrus
Dolphin Orgies, Intersex snails, Gay giraffes... Join award-winning drag king, Bi-Curious George, London’s most loveable nature boy, on a raucous romp through the animal kingdom; the wildest and queerest kingdom of them all.
Venue 23
5 Mistakes That Changed History
ride through British adolescence against a backdrop of 90s football. Packed to the brim with playful audience interaction, 90s bangersand clown comedy. Directed by Fringe First winner Ben Target.
Venue 26
Venue
In Leni’s Last Lament, which swept top awards at the United Solo Festival, Hitler’s controversial filmmaker, Leni Riefenstahl, attempts to sanitise her past. Comic and timely, this play/cabaret will shock and delight you.
Venue 20
(Untapped Winners 2022)
Throughout an absurdly comedic play, three factory farm chickens attempt to find peace of mind and purpose by engaging in a series of debates and experiments while awaiting their imminent trip to the broiler.
Venue 139
Get ready to believe the unbelievable! A magical journey with Olivier Awardnominated Arturo Brachetti, the world’s fastest quick change artist. Expect astonishing illusions, mind-boggling transformations, and more, against a kaleidoscope of lights and lasers.
Venue 150
How do we grieve the ungrievable? Fern doesn’t get invited to parties anymore. They used to love her tales of the macabre. But now? The mask is slipping. Catafalque is a one woman eulogy to death told by a civil celebrant confronted with eulogising someone who has done the unthinkable. Venue 26 Lonely composer Randy Thatcher has finally found the confidence to share his magnum opus - to an imaginary audience in his bedroom. A new musical by Matt Haughey, the singer-songwriter with 10+ million streams, directed by Travis Greisler. Venue 23
N.Ormes
It’s the economy stupid
The Book of Mountains and Seas The Emu War: A New Musical
Chaos That Has Been...
House of Cleopatra
Abrasion
Catafalque The Greatest Musical…
Bi-Curious George: Queer Planet
Love’s A Beach
Last Lament
Arturo Brachetti: SOLO
Busy at “Harburn Halt”
Retailer of the Year award tops a good year for model railway shop
HARBURN HOBBIES’ OWNERS on Leith Walk say they are busier than they have been for decades - in spite of admitting that the tramworks were a “pain”.
Despite the disruption caused by the tram works - with contractors digging up Leith Walk not just once but twice, current owner Bob Baird says business has never been better - and he says the improvement in sales is partly down to having the tram stop outside the front door.
The model railway shop which has been in business since before the Second World War has cheekily dubbed the nearby McDonald Road tram stop as“Harburn Halt”.
Bob began working at the family firm in 1966 as a Saturday boy just after his family acquired the business. And he freely admits that the period of construction was both “very difficult and very long”.
He said: “We have one of the original posters here in the shop which was on the wire fence outside. It says “Taking you to the shops in 2011” and it was 2023 when it actually arrived here. Originally the construction was to begin at the foot of Leith Walk and they were going to lay the slabs all the way up.” He said that during the works deliveries were a bit of a problem, although they are “not so bad now”.
During the last year the roadworks became quite “intense” and Bob said that period was a challenge but he explained that some of the tram workers were kind enough to help with deliveries to the shop.
While the period of disruption led to a loss of some in person customers, Bob said he saw it as an opportunity and the business rose to the challenge. He said: “We had to work to refocus, and not just do the usual. We had to go out and get business, so we used the internet and media such as the model railway magazines which brought in business from all over the world. Even during Covid we ran the mail order side from the shop which was otherwise closed to the public. We worked quite hard sending all the orders - including jigsaw puzzles which were very popular.” Bob said they have always been inventive with stock - and now they have “First class” LNER cushions for the
to life. Bachmann visited Harburn Halt to hand over a shield which is proudly displayed in the shop.
Madelvic
News
THE RESIDENT EDINBURGH created from the former unsightly VAT office, will have open views from its upper floors over the whole city, from the
Deaf Festival fights to beat cash crisis
Play tells story of deaf rights pioneer
By OLIVIA THOMAS
AT THE HEART of this year’s Edinburgh Deaf Festival, which runs in tandem with the Fringe, will be the story of one of the city’s most pioneering but least known historical figures.
Alesander Blackwood (pictured right) (1805-91) was the son of a city haberdashery owner and became deaf aged seven after catching scarlet fever.
It was a time when deaf people’s prospects were often bleak.
Blackwood made it his life’s work to change this, becoming the pastor of the world’s first deaf church, which originally met in Lady Stair’s Close, in 1830 and founding the world’s first deaf-led benevolent society in 1835.
That organisation grew into Deaf Action, the charity now based in Albany Street, which runs Edinburgh Deaf Festival and whose mission is to “support and celebrate deaf people”.
The Ghost of Alexander Blackwood is the work of an all-deaf team - the writer Nadia Nadarajah, director Benedetta Zanetti, producer Jamie Rea and actors Connor Bryson and Amy Murray.
Performances will be in British Sign Language, but will be fully accessible to hearing audiences through sound design and creative captioning.
Philip Gerrard, CEO of Deaf Action, said: “Blackwood was a deaf pioneer, and an important figure in the campaign for deaf people to have equal access and opportunities.
“Our organisation, and this festival, keep that spirit alive. This year’s event will be a bright and vibrant celebration of deaf theatre, comedy, cabaret and wider culture with lots for deaf and hearing audiences to enjoy.”
Deaf Action will also launch an Alexander Blackwood trail.
has been slimmed down.
And the future is in doubt – despite the recommendations of its own staff, Creative Scotland has repeatedly refused the three-year funding that would make it sustainable.
Gerrard added: “A funding crisis created doubts about whether we could hold a festival in 2024, but we managed to survive … for the moment.
“Without continued support, the progress we have made could be lost, pushing deaf audiences and creatives back into the margins.”
Deaf-led arts receive less support than other marginalised groups, despite promises in the Scottish Government’s 2023-2029 British Sign Language (BSL) National Plan.
This stated that the government would collaborate with Creative Scotland and would give deaf people “full access to the cultural life of Scotland, and equal opportunities to enjoy and contribute to culture and the arts”.
The 2024 festival (9-18 August) offers a lively programme of comedy, cabaret and dance and guided tours.
by
and now moves to redevelop the factory buildings are beginning. The planning application outlines 28 townhouses for Lar Housing Trust designed by Hippostyle Architects with “associated external fabric repairs including new roof and external works”. 24/03038/FUL
Planning permission was refused recently for internal and external alterations at Filmhouse on Lothian Road. As well as advertising outside which has been in place for months, there are plans to create an additional 22 seat auditorium, install new seating throughout with the overall capacity reduced from 443 to 292. It was the outside advertising banners which caused the problem as the scale was deemed unacceptable.
believe there is nothing proposed there to cause concern.” It is expected that the applications will be reconsidered and the internal works will hopefully be given the go ahead allowing the cinema to be brought back to life.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Filmhouse said: ““There were three elements bundled together in the application – two concerning the external advertising and one concerning the internal refurbishment. The bundle has been rejected, but we’ll be clarifying the position regarding element of the internal works on its own as we
The revised application for student housing on Dunedin Street has been approved after initial refusal. The Cockburn Association objected to the new scheme saying it was unsympathetic with local build character and lacked internal or external amenity space, lack of private or public green space and poor integration of waste and recycling facilities.This is one of the first applications we have read which has provision for swift boxes included in the application. The swifts have departed Edinburgh for the summer, and their numbers are dwindling.
Plans have been submitted for a gap site on Piershill Terrace, currently a garage which would be demolished, to build a 22 room aparthotel there with front and back of house areas, landscaping and access.24/03370/FUL
Plans for a skate park and other improvements at West Pilton Park have been submitted 24/03310/FUL
This will be the third Edinburgh Deaf Festival, and in its brief history it has done much to improve access by providing a diverse array of shows and events that reflect deaf people’s experiences and the UK’s vibrant deaf culture.
This is vital for a group which is still very much marginalised.
Funding challenges mean it was a struggle to stage a festival this year, and the programme
Workshops will allow participants to discover more about everything from photography to deaf history. There are children and young people’s workshops on art, interactive storytelling, TV production and more.
An “Interpreter on demand” service allows deaf people to arrange an interpreter or captioner for Fringe shows that are not accessible.
https://edinburghdeaffestival.com
COLLABORATION between YMCA Edinburgh and The Scottish Design Exchange (SDX) is helping women suffering from trauma, isolation and loneliness with a prescription for art learning rather than pills.
The two bodies are running a series of arts and crafts workshops for people referred to them by healthcare professionals of all kinds and housing officers. SDX, which has retail outlets on George Street and The Royal Mile, provides the materials and resources for the classes and pays artists to run classes encouraging those attending to develop their creative side. The classes have a therapeutic side to them and get around the stretched budgets for health and social care.
Maureen McGonigle, adult and families co-ordinator at YMCA Edinburgh said the impact has been “profound”. And SDX founder Linzi Leroy said the success highlights the vital role community partnerships play in addressing social issues. As well as painting, there are classes to learn crochet, language, sewing and food.
Bob Baird has worked at the shop since he was a Saturday boy
Harburn Halt
Performers show the BSL sign for Festival
Philip Gerrard, CEO of Deaf Action
Former Madelvic car factory
By Charlie Ellis
Café on the tracks
THE RISE OF “POSH” BAKERIES and specialty coffee places in Edinburgh seems inexorable. When we think of bakeries and cafés in Edinburgh, we might immediately associate them with fashionable suburbs such as Bruntsfield, Leith, Abbeyhill, and Stockbridge. In Stockbridge, Lannan bakery has become something of a media sensation due to the incredibly long queues and the strict limits that the bakery now has had to impose on quantities per customer.
We rarely associate the fringes of the city with such places. One exception is Patina at Edinburgh Park Central. While the nearby Gyle Shopping Centre has chain coffee outlets, Patina offers good specialty coffee and high class baking in a very pleasant setting, a world away from the narrow streets and crowded pavements of the city centre.
While Edinburgh Park is primarily a business-focused area, on a Saturday morning Patina was particularly busy with a steady flow of customers ordering coffee, bakery and sandwiches. What they offer is similar to places such as Twelve Triangles, with its seven branches
CROSSWORD
across the city (plus one in Melrose) offering ‘Bakery, Coffee, Provisions’. Edinburgh Park has tried to avoid sinking into corporate blandness by adding a cultural aspect to the area as well as a natural feel. It’s described as ‘a natural space to flourish’. Particularly attractive is the area of water, which makes creative use of the Gogar Burn, which has been formed into three narrow but ornamental lochans.
Around the water stand statues of a selection of Scotland’s greatest poets, including Hugh MacDiarmid, Norman MacCaig, and Liz Lochhead. For each of them there is a short selection from their work, contemplative and thought provoking words to absorb as you wander around - or sit on the many benches, or at picnic tables. While fairly busy during the week (though some of the office blocks remain unfilled - the long-term effects of the pandemic and shifts in work culture), on a Saturday morning it was a quiet and relaxing spot.
Patina is very accessible, only a few yards from Edinburgh Park Central tram stop and with good bus connections, plus ample parking.
You can see why people might come here as a bit of a break from busy city centre places.
The other customers included several who were treating themselves after exercising: running, having a gym session or playing padel at the nearby courts. Though it was early July, it was a day of sunshine and heavy showers, with threatening clouds swirling around. Inside tables were at a premium, but fortunately there are plenty of sheltered tables outside.
From these, you get a very pleasant view over the curving tramline up towards the Pentland Hills. That view may disappear as the area develops the Arena.
Patina has its roots in the Newcastle restaurant and pottery, Kiln. Pottery is available to buy as well as coffee making equipment. Kiln has been going for over ten years and Patina is clearly a place which is the product of experience of the sector and considered thought. The bakery is just one part of the business, with a high end
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By Aldhelm
August eating
THERE’S NO SHORTAGE of food and drink to stuff your face with this Fringe but you could also be more cultured and take in a show or two about the subject too. (Page numbers refer to the Fringe programme.)
Join “performance-maker and foodie Sean Wai Keung as he gets to the centre of that most enigmatic of after-meal snacks: the fortune cookie” at A History of Fortune Cookies (Summerhall p 291) or head to My English Persian Kitchen (Traverse Theatre p 309) to see “the journey of one-woman’s quest to build a new life around cooking and food.”
Paul’s Church p 217) or “three hand-picked special drams paired with tasty tipsy treats of Scottish delicious canapes” at Tipsy Midgie Midnight Treats (Tipsy Midgie p 188).
“Taste each dish cooked before your eyes” as Australia’s singing cook Michelle Pearson “serves up an evening of live music, cooking and comedy” at Comfort Food Cabaret (Edinburgh New Town Cookery School p 17) or have Shakespeare for Breakfast (C theatre p 324) filled with “pentameter, puns and pastries”.
The beans Patina uses are roasted by St Martin’s coffee of Leicester and they also serve coffee by local Edinburgh roasters Cult - whose café at the east end of the Meadows is one of the very best in the city. They were using St. Martin’s Magpie blend which includes beans from Brazil and Rwanda, which produces coffee that is ‘sweet, fruity and leaves a long aftertaste’.
The coffee I was served was, despite the long queue of customers, well made with satisfying nutty characteristics and good depth of
flavour. Or perhaps the nuttiness came from the excellent almond croissant had to have!
On the edge of the city, Patina is a bit of a surprise. It’s an excellent destination for those wanting to escape the city centre on a busy day, such as during the Festival and Fringe. Here you may find respite from traffic, tourists - and the lengthy queues that you tend to find for the best coffee places and bakeries.
Patina 3 Airborne Place, 1
Start your day at The Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show (Pleasance Courtyard p 267) with “brand-new, delicious, rotating “menus” of 10-to-15-minute comedies, eccentricities and dramas, served up with complimentary tea and coffee, croissants and strawberries.” End it with “relaxing classical music by candlelight” at Old Saint Paul’s Hot Chocolate at 10 (Old Saint
And for those feeling guilty about all those calories being consumed, why not get your steps in and combine a walking tour (and the odd tram ride) with a food and drink tasting.
Leith Food and Drink Walking Tour by Edinburgh Food Safari p 186, will shine the spotlight on the historic port of Leith where you’ll sample Danish pastries, freshly roasted coffee, aubergine drizzled with honey, sangria,
2 Guys, 3 Drams
Larkin includes a red wine sample, while she fathoms which wine pairs best with revenge? In Pour Taste: A Comedy Wine Tasting Experience (Assembly Roxy, Snug Bar, p 100), comedians Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh will guide you through tasting five wines and at least five jokes. The Thinking Drinkers: The Booze-ical (Underbelly, Bristo Square, p 162)– is a show I return to year after year, as it’s guaranteed fun and free drinks. These two drinks journalists, Tom and Ben, are joined by Flat and the Curves, as they host a legendary lock-in to prove that the pub, and indeed alcohol, are the cornerstones of civilisation. Meanwhile, 2 Guys, 3 Drams: The Ultimate Live Blues and Whisky Experience (theSpace @Venue 45, p 194) serves up raucous blues music and three superb
Patina has surfaced in an unlikely but most accessible spot
Culinary capers in the capital with Kerry Teakle
Scotch whiskies. Sláinte!
A History of Fortune Cookies
In Pour Taste
Bite-Size
The café is light-filled
Coffee gets the thumbs up
Goodies from the bakery Patina outdoors
Le WIne Club
Liam shares his pick of the Fringe - exciting new works, old favourites and the odd risk or two!
IT’S AUGUST, are you ready to immerse yourself in theatre, comedy and a plethora of other entertainments? The Fringe seems to come around faster and faster every year and once again, here we are, spoilt for choice. It can be overwhelming sifting through the thousands of shows on offer, so to help you decide here my annual must see hit list of recommendations. There are some sure fire hits and a few to take a punt on in these Top 5 ‘Must See’ show lists, but then, what is a Fringe without taking the odd risk in order to discover a hidden gem.
5 MUST SEE THEATRE HIGHLIGHTS
CHEMO SAVVY | GILDED BALLOON AT THE MUSEUM 15-24 August
It’s going to be emotional. Inspired by the experiences of late great Scottish comedy legend, Andy Gray, as he battled leukaemia. With the gallows humour permitted by those who have been on that journey, Chemo Savvy stars River City’s Grant Stott, Jordan Young and Gail Watson
TO WATCH A MAN EAT GREENSIDE GEORGE STREET 2-10 August
If you like your theatre challenging, thought
provoking and darkly funny, don’t miss this five-star piece by award-winning playwright Sadie Pearson. Join firefighter Micky, investment banker Andrew and Melissa as their contrasting desires fuel conflict in a tale of sex, power and… trifle.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE MAN WHO BELIEVED IN FAIRIES C ARTS AQULIA 31 July-25 August (Not 13)
Sherlock Holmes confronts his deadliest enemy yet, his creator Arthur Conan Doyle. When two girls claim to have photographed (what became known as) The Cottingley Fairies, Doyle believes them, but a disgusted Holmes sets out to refute the pictures, inadvertently unlocking a much deeper mystery.
TRAINSPOTTING LIVE | PLEASANCE @ EICC 1-25 August (Not 7,14,19)
If you have never seen this ‘in your face’ Fringe favourite, make sure this is the year that you do. This immersive adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s classic novel is uncompromising and controversial theatre at its best.
I’M ALMOST THERE SUMMERHALL 1-26 August
Todd Almond, best known as Gossip Girl’s
flamboyant theatre critic Gideon Wolfe, brings his ‘homage to storytellers who have passed down the epic story of The Odyssey’ to Edinburgh, it’s a tale of an unhinged neighbour, a seductive cult, a self-obsessed vampire, and a cat intent on dragging his owner to hell?’
5 MUSICAL THEATRE MUST SEES
SOLVE IT SQUAD ASSEMBLY GEORGE SQUARE 1-26 August (Not 7-19)
Jinkles! A group of former kid detectives return to the scene of their greatest unsolved case: the gruesome murder of their talking dog, Cluebert. Can an ambitious narcissist, a lovable doofus, a skittish sad-sap and a scheming brainiac save the day one last time? Scooby Doo was never like this… or was it?
WILLY’S CANDY SPECTACULAR - A MUSICAL PARODY | PLEASANCE DOME 9-26 August
Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt in Gene Wilder’s 1971 blockbuster) narrates the first half this run of shows, with Paris Themmen, who played Mike Teevee in the movie, stepping in for the second half. Inspired by the Glasgow Chocolate Experience disaster that went viral.
THE SCOT AND THE SHOWGIRL PLEASANCE DOME 31 July-26 August (Not 6,13,20)
Broadway icon Frances Ruffelle and partner, West End leading man Norman Bowman, star in The Scot and The Showgirl, a true(ish) retelling of how they first met 28 years ago on a platform at Edinburgh’s Waverley train station.
POP OFF, MICHELANGELO | GILDED BALLOON PATTER HOOSE 31 July-26 August (Not 12)
lose everything?
5 LIVE MUSIC MUST SEES
CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN - LOVELETTER | ASSEMBLY ROXY
31 July-17 August (Not 7,12)
For her 20th Edinburgh, Queen of the Fringe Camille O’Sullivan sings personal love letters to those gone but still loved and missed.
Celebrating friends such as Shane McGowan and Sinead O’Connor and legends such as Leonard Cohen and David Bowie as well as a bit of Radiohead, O’Sullivan gives their works her own mesmeric treatment.
007 VOICES OF BOND THE SPACE SYMPOSIUM HALL 2-25 August Immerse yourself in the world of 007 and the legendary voices that have accompanied Bond as Goldfinger, Skyfall, Diamonds Are Forever and more, brought to life by Ella McCready, Alex Beharrell and the Night Owl band.
LINDISFARNE THE QUEEN’S HALL 10 August For one night only, legendary 70’s Tyneside folk-rock pioneers Lindisfarne present a classic five-piece line-up of long-time members fronted by founder-member Rod Clements. Expect unforgettable songs like Meet Me On The Corner, Fog On The Tyne, Lady Eleanor and Run For Home.
TWO VOICES KERRY ELLIS & JOHN OWEN-JONES THE FRINGE @ PRESTONFIELD 16
Imagine Da Vinci and Michelangelo as best friends who decide to become the greatest artists of all time so God forgives them for being gay... expect high camp, historically inaccuracies and much laughter and music.
TRIAL BY JURY PARADISE IN AUGUSTINES 19-25 August
Chaos reigns in the courtroom when a jilted bride and her bridal party arrive to sue her husband to be for abandoning her at the altar as the Cat-Like Tread Company return to the Fringe to romp through Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular light opera. w
5 FAMOUS FACES TO SEE ON THE FRINGE
BOBBY DAVRO EVERYTHING IS FUNNY IF YOU CAN LAUGH AT IT | FRANKENSTEIN PUB 2-25 AUGUST (Not 12,19)
One of the UK’s best-known celebrity entertainers and a master of his craft over the last four decades returns to Edinburgh for his first full Fringe run, with guaranteed belly laughs.
MIRIAM MARGOYLES - DICKENS THE BEST BITS PLEASANCE AT EICC 7-15 August
An irascible 82-year-old, Margolyes returns to the Fringe to combine her infectious passion for Dickens with her phenomenal versatility, bringing to life the most colourful and iconic characters from his timeless novels. Guaranteed to offend and delight.
MEGAN PRESCOTT REALLY GOOD EXPOSURE UNDERBELLY COWGATE 1-25 August (Not 7,13,20)
Skins’ actress Megan Prescott, aka Katie F*cking Fitch in the TV series, writes and stars in her debut solo show about a former child
star giving mainstream success one last shot by becoming an adult entertainer.
WAYNE SLEEP - AWAKE IN THE AFTERNOON | PLEASANCE COURTYARD CABARET BAR 19-25 August
Prepare for an hour filled with laughter, song and dance, as the irrepressible 75-year-old (right) takes centre stage. With his boundless energy and infectious spirit, Wayne promises to captivate and entertain like never before.
SARA CROWE & THE VOICE OF PRUNELLA SCALES - QUEEN | ASSEMBLY ROOMS 1-25 August (Not 12)
The fabulous Sara Crowe, with the assistance of the voice of Prunella Scales, stars in a revival of Katrina Hendrey’s acclaimed one-woman show An Evening With Queen Victoria, which the Fawlty Towers legend originally performed for 28 years.
5 LOCAL EDINBURGH COMPANIES AT THE FRINGE
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE (TEEN EDITION) BROUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL
3-10 August (Not 5) Award-winning Forth Children’s Theatre return to the Fringe with their production of the smash hit musical telling the story of 16-yearold Jamie New, a boy with a dream.
NE’ER THE TWAIN MAYFIELD SALISBURY CHURCH HALL
2-17 August (Not 4,11)
77 years after they debuted at the Fringe, Edinburgh People’s Theatre tell a tale of the McIvor family, living in a tenement on Leith
Scottish enlightenment.
LES MISERABLES SCHOOLS EDITION | EDINBURGH ACADEMY 8-17 August
Performed by local students, Captivate’s production of Les Miserables has already been seen by an estimated 22,000 people. A tale of love, compassion, and redemption, featuring hit songs Dreamed A Dream, Bring Him Home and many more. Go see it.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS THE ROYAL SCOTS CLUB 12-17 august
Ankle Theatre Company presents this classic Victorian adventure for all the family, which finds the fabulously wealthy Phileas Fogg encounter a cascade of eccentric characters as he visits the world’s most exotic places, all because of a wager. Can he make it, or will he
Musical theatre legends Kerry Ellis and John Owen-Jones perform a much-loved selection of classic songs from Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, We Will Rock You and more with a few
ABBA GOLD THE CONCERT | LIQUID
No explanation required really, just dust down your platforms, put on your flares and sing along with all of your favourite ABBA hits including Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Thank You For The Music, Take A Chance On Me, Dancing Queen, Winner Takes It All, Gimme, Gimme,
Tickets for all show are available from
Finally, and with full disclosure, my own production I Ran With The Gang: A Tribute To Original Bay City Roller Alan Longmuir returns to the Fringe after five sell out seasons on 23 and 24 August at The Fringe at Prestonfield House, it would be great to see you there. Tickets from fringeatprestonfield.co.uk. Also, Second Splinter Theatre Company, another local Edinburgh theatre company, invited me to direct their production of Repression, a dark, physiological thriller, at the Liquid Room Annexe as part of the Free Fringe, on 13 and 25 August. It features two fantastic local actors, Ben Igoe and James Cumming... just turn up and watch.
Until next time, when normal service will be resumed...
Have a great Fringe! Líam
Edinburgh’s Mr Entertainment picks his Hot Tickets to see in the Capital and beyond
Sam Carlin AKA Cherry West
Camille
Cast of Chemo Savvy
THE VOICE OF SPORT
A cheeky change of sport
WHEN CHAYANK “CHEEKY” GOSAIN
headed out to Australia for a winter playing cricket with Adelaide’s Goodwood club it was expected the experience would enable him to take the final step through the ranks of Scotland under-17, under-19 and “A” team to a full international cap.
Instead fate played a hand and put the slow left arm bowler, from Edinburgh’s Carlton club and a product of Boroughmuir High School, on a different sporting course and one which will see him take up a job as a surfing coach later this month in, er, Nicaragua.
“Cheeky” said: “I wanted to visit Australia and play cricket but Covid hit and I found myself needing to get outside and do something.
“A club-mate suggested surfing and from the moment I was hit by my first big wave I was hooked.
“I wouldn’t thank you for being hit hard by someone like (Aussie fast bowler) Mitchell Johnson but surviving a massive wave, wow, it was exhilarating.”
From that hit onwards cricket took a back seat – “changing my sporting priorities was easier than I thought as you have to finish sometime; I just gave up on international honours a bit quicker than most.”
“When I returned to the UK to do a Masters
(he already has a degree in electrical engineering)
I found Edinburgh University had a Surf Club and a job move to Bristol put me in touch with one of the best inland facilities until the new Lost Shore Resort is completed at Ratho.”
“Cheeky” was up and running opting out of mainstream employment to work as a “surf host” in places like Sri Lanka, Sweden and Portugal before it was suggested by his boss at internationally recognised Lapoint Surf Camps that he travel to Norway to complete coaching
qualifications.
“Any sport I have ever played (he once helped reduce India’s vaunted under-19’s to 22-5 with a three wicket haul and at domestic level helped steer Carlton to a first ever Scottish Cup in 2017 with an unexpectedly defiant innings of 30 for a bowler) has been competitive.
“Surfing is different; its about challenging myself and I love it.
In-house winner at Lochend Open
LOCAL MEMBER Duncan Ireland won the Lochend Golf Open with a level par score of 67, one shot less than runner-up Leon McNicol, from Craigielaw. Duncan has previously won both the tournament’s scratch and handicap trophies. He is pictured, right, with Lochend club president Tam Galloway who made the presentation.
In his day job Duncan is Golf Operations Assistant at Duddingston Golf Club.
Classy Seve Ballesteros
WHEN EDINBURGH
“Maybe one day I’ll get what my parents would call a ‘proper job’ but for the moment my future is in surfing with the offer of a job back in Portugal when the dry season ends in Central America where Nicaragua which is actually a surfing hot spot” added the 28-year-old who also holds a MSc in Sustainable Energy Systems.” Talk above riding a wave…
Edinburgh was the perfect stage for WOC
FORTH VALLEY’S GRACE MOLLOY acquitted herself well on home ground by finishing sixth for Team GB in the individual sprint when the World Orienteering Championships were held in Edinburgh.
Grace’s achievement was praised by her club on social media: “A fantastic run for Grace meant she stepped onto the podium in front of a home crowd. She was the top performing Brit in the individual sprint.”
There was also a notable run by Megan Carter-Davies (Swansea Bay) who narrowly missed out on a medal in the sprint knock out final.
The real winner, though, was the capital as more than 3,000 fans descended to help mark another successful world sporting event. Over 250 world class athletes from 45 countries competed and the inaugural ‘WOC Tour’ participation race also proved a huge success, as 1,200 people from across the orienteering and Scotland community signed up to take part in multiple events over the course of five days.
Andy Mitchelmore, Event Director, said: “We are absolutely delighted at the success of WOC 2024. I can’t thank everyone enough for making an unforgettable experience. To see so many people come out to watch Orienteering in this fantastic city has been overwhelming. Whether that has been just to watch the athletes, compete in our amazing WOC Tour races or to enjoy the atmosphere, everyone played their part.
GOLFING super-fan and low handicap player Kenny Reid sat in the St Andrews stands watching the denouement of the Open Championship in 1984 the day before his 15th birthday, little could he have known the occasion would have echoes 40 years on.
But the moment his idol, the late, much lamented, Seve Ballesteros, stroked in the winning putt Kenny was set on a journey to find out more about the swashbuckling Spaniard, who died in 2011 aged just 54, particularly why he was so popular and relatable. Those findings have been set to print with “Seve Ballesteros’s Touch of Class”. Kenny said: “I have such a vivid recollection about watching Seve win the 1984 Open that had to get to the nub of why he was so popular. Seve was the last natural golfer, an artist, so creative. He wore his heart on his sleeve. But even his own autobiography had only three pages on that win at the Old Course in St Andrews and there have been four biogs none of which really which really told me why so many loved him.
Seve Ballesteros’s Touch of Class Pitch Publishing £25
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our amazingly hard-working staff and all our volunteers who have worked tremendously hard and without whom the event would not have been successful. Also, to all our stakeholders and commercial partners who have played an integral role in bringing this event to life. In particular, Event Scotland, Edinburgh City Council, British Orienteering Federation, Scottish Orienteering Association and the Scottish Orienteering six-day event Company Ltd for their unwavering support.
“The hope is that we have now created a legacy for the sport’s future and helped put orienteering on the map in Scotland.”
Others also praised Edinburgh’s involvement
with the elite event.
Paul Bush OBE, Visit Scotland Director of Events, who said: “Edinburgh has provided the perfect stage for the Sprint World Orienteering Championships 2024. Our capital city has certainly never seen anything like this before as athletes raced through our medieval tenements, narrow and intricate alleys and sweeping landscapes in search of World Championships glory. The successful delivery of the Sprint World Orienteering Championships reinforces our reputation for delivering innovative and world-class events “
Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron, said: “It has been a delight to
welcome, and to watch, the world’s best orienteers compete in elite sprint races across our city. Hosting the Sprint World Orienteering Championships has not only showcased Edinburgh to the world but also the wonderful, exciting, outdoor sport of orienteering - the mental and physical skills it involves, and the health and wellbeing benefits it offers participants of all ages and abilities.” The event has also been hailed as hugely successful in attracting commercial partners across the city and beyond. Many of these provided the base for the event to be a success 1,500 sandwiches were provided by Scotmid Co-operative, 2,200 snack bars by Nairn’s, 4,000 water bottles from Actiph Water, 1,500 Sausage rolls were given to the event from PieSports. com, Eight kilt sets for ceremonies were also provided by Gordon Nicolson Kiltmaker, SOS provided all the essential printing requirements for the event and Cullen Property also supported the event throughout.
WOC 2024 highlights on www.eurovisionsport. com the European Broadcasting Union (IBU)’s new free streaming platform.
SUE CATON LIDDELL (above) who is a niece of the late Eric Liddell, planted a rowan tree at Whitehouse and Grange Bowling Club at the exact time 100 years previously that the Scottish missionary, athlete and rugby internationalist won the Olympic 400 metres title in Paris. The ceremony took place on 11 July at 2.30pm and 47 seconds. Eric Liddell’s time was a world record time of 47.6 seconds, and was all the more remarkable for having switched from his regular 100 metres distance as the heats took place on a Sunday.
The bowling club have established close ties with the Eric Liddell Community which works with people who have dementia and their carers in their converted church building at Holy Corner.
New charity trustee
As a consequence of the sisters’ visit the Italian club known as Tennix Training Centre, say they are aiming to arrange a team visit to Edinburgh next year and are looking for some fixtures.
RUGBY CHARITY Hearts & Balls has appointed Graham Fisken, a Senior Associate at Edinburgh legal firm Turcan Connell to the Board of Trustees as they continue to build on the foundations and expand the reach of the charity. Hearts & Balls Charitable Trust was established in 1999 when a player from Lismore Rugby Club, Edinburgh, suffered a serious spinal injury that left him paralysed. Having run a highly successful appeal, Lismore decided to widen its support to cover other players impacted by serious injury or illness. Thus, Hearts + Balls came into being with the aim of ‘helping rugby help its own’. Since its beginnings in 1999, they have donated in the region of £700,000 to rugby players and their families. Through advice and advocacy, they also help them identify and apply for funds from other sources. Graham is a Chartered Tax Advisor Keen to bring both his rugby and his legal knowledge to the table. He represented Scotland in the HSBC World 7’s 2010-2014.
Eric Liddell remembered
Edinburgh streets were perfect backdrop
Cheeky Gosain
L-R Tam and Duncan
Sisters Elise (left) and Poppy Thomas
EuroHockey qualifier comes to Scotland Fishing news
No slip ups to make A Division a reality
By NIGEL DUNCAN
SCOTLAND’S BID to rejoin the elite of women’s hockey was boosted when Scottish Hockey agreed to host the tournament on home soil.
Twelve months ago, the girls were buoyed to edge Spain 2-1 in their final match of the previous EuroHockey Championships, A Division, in Monchengladbach, Germany.
Edinburgh-born Amy Costello, formerly of Inverleith, opened the scoring from a penalty corner after 15 minutes and Dundee-born Charlotte Watson collected the ball near half-way from Eve Pearson (Edinburgh Uni) and she kept her cool to add a second following a one-on-one with the Spanish goalkeeper after 32 minutes.
Spain replied through Lucia Jiminez from a penalty corner after 47 minutes and Scotland goalkeeper, Amy Gibson, stayed ice cool to save a penalty stroke with two minutes remaining.
The joyous scenes after the final whistle were memorable but, overall, the squad was gutted to miss out on automatic qualification for the next tournament in Germany in 2025, again in Monchengladbach.
Two on-the-line saves from the outstanding Italian goalkeeper, who back-stopped the worst team in the Germany-based event, made the difference - and is why Scotland now face the nerve-jangling qualifiers.
Only the top team after the tournament at Glasgow’s National Hockey Centre in late
August makes it to the big show.There can be no slip-ups en-route and Scotland’s head coach, Edinburgh-based, Chris Duncan, will have the services of his Great Britain (GB) squad players. But several are at the Olympics, and another massive tournament after the stresses and strains of the Games in Paris, could have an affect mentally and physically.
Borders-born Sarah Robertson, a former Edinburgh University player, who won bronze in the last games with GB, returns for GB while Watson and Costello are in the Olympic squad for the first time.
Goalkeeper Jess Buchanan impressed for GB in the recent round of Pro League matches after being part of Scotland’s squad for the past two years. She was in the squad at Monchengladbach and is a travelling reserve for GB at the Paris Games, a role Costello was assigned to in Tokyo four years ago.
Katie Robertson, who missed out on
Is Rudi a future great?
By JOHN HISLOP
HIBS FANS like nothing more than seeing a youngster break through the ranks and cement a regular place in the first team. Particularly when it’s an attacking player with the ability to get supporters off their seats.
Derek Riordan and Garry O’Connor springs to mind but incredibly it was more than 20-years ago when ‘Deek’ and ‘Gaz’ made their debuts.
By NIGEL DUNCAN
HARLAW RESERVOIR above Balerno has been fishing well in June and July with a great number of fish in the upper layer and some anglers have been catching up to 15 trout in one session.
Alex Rose, secretary of Malleny Angling Ltd who administer the water, said the best areas have been Duffer’s Bay, Ricky’s Point, The Narrows, The North Shore and an area across from The Bothy called The Point.
Olympic selection, and Jen Eadie, who has been a member of the GB squad for some time, could also be available to Duncan.
So, what lies ahead? Wales, Croatia, Austria, Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Scotland are involved in the prestige event at Glasgow Green from August 22 to 25. Wales square-up to Croatia on Day One along with Austria who play Lithuania. The Czech Republc play the winner of Wales and Croatia and Scotland face the winner of Austia and Lithuania. Those matches are on August 24.
The loser of semi-final two faces the defeated team in semi-final one for third and fourth place while the winner of semi-final two will play the winner of semi-final in the final, both matches to be played on 25 August.
Duncan admits it is a tightrope and there is no safety net. It’s win or you remain in B Division, and that is not where the ambitious coach or his players want to be.
NIGEL DUNCAN
LAWRENCE SHANKLAND took less than a minute to score his first goal of the season, coming on as a substitute at half-time, taking a defence-splitting pass from newcomer Yan Dhanda before sending the ball low into the bottom corner of the net against English cracks Tottenham Hotspur. The music blared, and the fans loved it. They will undoubtedly hope for more of the same when the William Hill Premiership opens with a home joust against Rangers at Tynecastle on Saturday, 3 August, a game which will be televised on Sky. Glasgow-born Shankland scored over 30 goals last season and the
prolific marksman admits that he has set a high standard in recent years, a standard which could be difficult to replicate this term, but he is up for the challenge.
The proven marksman has newcomers around him, recruited from within Scottish football and from abroad, to help maintain his reputation as a real danger man to opposition clubs.
He said: “As well as rainbow trout, a good number of brown trout have been caught this year and reports from anglers have commented on the hard fighting qualities of the trout. Flies that are catching include yellow owl, daddy long legs, red and black buzzers, nymphs and Mayflies. In the later part of July, with the barometrical pressure rising and the water getting warmer, the fish have been caught a little deeper down with floating and sink tips lines proving the most popular choice.”
Anglers have been out on other waters Bill Taylor has some new boats and anglers have been taking advantage at Glencorse. He is, however, going to reduce the number of evening sessions to two a week. At Newlands
Tweeddale Fishery double-figure catches were recorded with Kevin Walkinshaw of Gorebridge hooking into 13 on bloodworm and damsel. Mick
Mulgrew from Danderhall had 14.
Older fans recall John Collins and Mickey Weir lighting up Easter Road and even older fans remember the likes of Peter Cormack, Peter Marinello and perhaps the greatest of them all, Joe Baker.
And while it is far too early to add Rudi Molotnikov to that list of legends, the teenager has done enough during the club’s Premier Sports Cup group matches to provide some optimism amongst the faithful.
The 18-year-old who has already represented Scotland at Under-17 and Under 19 levels played his part Hibs opening day victory over Elgin City then fulfilled a lifelong dream to score his first goal at Easter Road in a 5-1 victory over Queen’s Park.
Speaking after that match Molotnikov said: “I just saw the ball drop to Josh Campbell and it was the perfect pass from him. couldn’t have asked for any better. I’ve been thinking about that moment since was young. And for
it to happen with my family up in the stand was perfect.
“I think the players who have come around me and made me feel part of this team, they’ve allowed me to express myself and be myself as a player.
“The gaffer (David Gray) has made me feel like I’m at home, and that this is where he wants me to be.
“There are a lot more games to come, hopefully. And I’ve got to keep proving to myself, and proving to him, that should be starting each game. Hopefully do. Then we’ll take it from there.”
Head Coach David Gray also singled out his contribution to the cup campaign. “Rudi was excellent again. He was great against Elgin City at the weekend and he is doing really well at the moment.
“He needs to keep working hard, he is someone that has taken his opportunity in pre-season. He was around the First Team a lot last season and he has come back in great condition. He wants to push himself all the time, he needs to keep doing that and work on the areas that he can improve on, but we saw tonight the quality he has got.
One man who knows about getting the fans on their feet is team mate Martin Boyle who also provided a ringing endorsement.
“He’s come in, the gaffer has given him the opportunity and he’s grabbed it. He’s look
sharp in training and has that finishing instinct.
He loves to get at players, gets people off their seats and obviously we have to keep encouraging that.
“He’s a young boy and will make mistakes. But he’s brave and at that age it’s great.
Hopefully he can have a fantastic career. would tell him to just listen to what the manager has to say, listen to the staff, keep your head down and work hard. Don’t be afraid
to make mistakes.
“When was young and coming through, probably gave the ball away 90 times in a game. Neil Lennon said just keep doing what you’re doing, getting on the ball and being as positive as you can - and everything will fall into place. He’s broken through way younger than I was and it’s fantastic to see the younger generation coming through; hopefully there’s more to follow.”
The 28-year-old is impressed with what he has seen in pre-season games and on the training pitch at Riccarton. Dhanda and Costa Rica defender Gerald Taylor have already shown that they could be real assets. Dhanda, he argued, has proved himself with Ross County and Taylor has a reputation built from playing at a high domestic and international level. His aggressive running and work rate impressed against Spurs and Shankland looks forward to them both providing the chances for him to finish during the season which lies ahead.
The striker, who began his career with Queens Park in 2012, of course, made his return to competitive action against the men from White Heart Lane only three days after returning from his short break after being in the Scotland squad for the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany. He admitted it was good to get back out on the pitch and get some minutes ahead of another domestic campaign, and, of course, Hearts are once again in Europe.
Rudi Molotnikov
All night trams
Edinburgh’s award-winning tram network is helping everyone to make the most of a packed programme of events in the city by running all night trams at
