Tag: Leith Links

Long overdue playpark repairs coming….slowly……

Much to the distress of local families, the state of the childrens playpark on the Links has been extremely poor for some time, and is deteriorating. Complaints have been pouring in, demanding repairs and restoration of favourite play equipment but the Council seems to have taken its eye badly off the ball on this one. Leith Councillor Katrina Faccenda, having escalated the matter on our behalf and on behalf of the many frustrated local parents, has recently received this reply from the Parks Technical Manager:

Dear Cllr Faccenda,

Thank you for your email to Gareth (Corporate Director of Place) regarding the ongoing issues with the play equipment at Leith Links and which has been passed to me for a response. I fully appreciate the frustration this situation has caused for residents and park users, particularly given the length of time these matters have remained unresolved.

There have unfortunately been prolonged difficulties in progressing these repairs. This has been caused by a combination of staff shortages within the service, wider supply chain issues affecting the availability of specialist parts and equipment, and the complexity involved in working with suppliers to identify solutions that are both safe and cost-effective for the specific faults affecting the units.

I do however understand that a series of repair solutions has now been agreed and that the necessary equipment and components have now been sourced. I have discussed this directly with the outsourced maintenance provider, who has assured me that the required works are expected to be completed within the next two to three weeks.

This situation has very much highlighted the need for the service to improve responsiveness to play area repairs. We are currently progressing recruitment to several vacant posts within the play park maintenance team to help address both these issues and wider repair backlogs currently being experienced across the service.

In addition, where agreed targeted repair programmes are not being delivered within expected timescales, we will also look to engage additional external support to help accelerate delivery and improve overall performance.

I appreciate the continued patience of local residents while these matters are resolved and apologise for the delays experienced.

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Hhhmmm. Could do better, let’s hope they do!

 

 

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What news of the Leith Links toilets?

We have been asking!

A message has recently been received from the Council, providing an update regarding:

Leith Links Public Toilets

Drainage remediation works have begun on site during the week commencing 4 May 2026. The construction works are expected to take approximately 3 to 4 weeks, followed by reinstatement of the surrounding area and testing of the drainage system before reopening. We are currently targeting completion by the beginning of June 2026, subject to final testing and verification.

The toilets were temporarily closed in December 2025 after issues were identified with the drainage system. Investigations found that the service disruption was caused by a combination of foreign objects entering the drainage network and a construction fault which needs to be rectified to ensure the system works reliably. Since then, the Council has been working with our contractor Healthmatic to develop a solution that addresses both issues and ensures the facility can operate effectively in the long term.

The temporary chemical toilets were removed during the week commencing 14 April 2026 and replaced with a new set of temporary toilets, which will remain in place until the drainage works are completed.

 We understand that this has caused inconvenience for park users and the local community, and we appreciate your patience while we work to resolve the issue properly. We look forward to bringing the new public toilet facility back into operation as soon as possible and will continue to provide updates as works progress.

Marco Galli
Green Space Development Officer
City of Edinburgh Council – Parks and Greenspace – Place
Waverley Court – 4 East Market Street – Edinburgh – EH8 8BG

Tel 07709720833  Email: marco.galli@edinburgh.gov.uk

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“Leith Shipbuilding”Tuesday 18th November, Leith Community Centre, New Kirkgate

Please join Leith Local History Society on Tuesday, 18th November at Leith Community Centre at 7pm
Ron Neish will be giving a first talk about shipbuilding in Leith. He worked for Henry Robb’s as a loftsman for many years and is the author of four volumes on the history of the ships built in Leith in the late 18th and 19th centuries. He has also written a book about Butler Class rescue tugs.
Ron has also written several novels involving ships and seafaring.
All welcome, £2 at the door for non members  or free to members
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Please come and join the Litter pick on the Links, Saturday 4rth October 10am

NOW CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER!

Duncan Place is organising a litter pick on the Links next week, and looking for volunteeers to come along to help. Do come and join in – litter picking os surprisingly satisfying!

Leith Links Litter Pick

When?

  • Saturday 4th October
  • 10am – 12noon (free cuppa afterwards).

Where?

  • meet at Duncan Place Community Hub at 10am (4 Duncan Place, EH6 8HW)

What?

  • Litter pick on Leith Links
  • Followed by a hot drink and biscuits inside
  • We have litter pickers, and a limited number of bin bag hoops and gloves for you to use. If you have your own, please bring them!

Who?

  • Everyone is welcome to come and help!
  • Young people (under 16) attending should be accompanied by an adult

If the weather is really bad, the the litter pick wil be called off! If in doubt, give Duncan Place a call on the morning (from 9am) on 0131 364 4351.

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Leith Jacobites and the ’45 Rebellion, Tuesday 16th September, Leith Community Centre, New Kirkgate

  1. Just a little reminder to please join us at the first meeting of the Leith Local History Society programme for 2025/26, on TUESDAY 16th September AT 7pm in Leith Community Education Centre,New Kirkgate, Leith to hear this fascinating presentation by Steven Robb.

Leith Jacobites, James Nicolson and the ’45 Rebellion.

While researching James Nicolson a Coffee House owner on the Shore and later a follower of Bonnie Prince Charlie, Steven discovered links to other Leithers who supporrted the Jacobites cause and what made them become involved.

It should be an interesting night.

Our speaker, Steven is from Edinburgh and works for Historic Environment Scotland and has a background in architectural conservation.

 

All welcome, £2 at the door for non members  or free to members

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This Saturday – a grand day out!

The lovely folk from the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (Edinburgh/Leith branch, based at Royal Terrace) are hosting a ‘Festival of Unity’ this Saturday, 23rd August, on Leith Links. It is free and open to everyone and indeed is aimed to bring Leithers from all backgrounds together in friendship.

The event is funded by the grant the group won through £eith Chooses, earlier this year, so obviously seen as popular in the Leith community.

This is a very friendly and welcoming group, and – going by their smaller events in past years – they throw a great party and do really great food!! Their choir has been singing at the Tattoo this year, and rumour has it that Leith’s own samba band Pulse of the Place will also be there to set the beat.

Please do go along on Saturday to support the group and join in the fun! Opens at 12 and runs until 4pm – suggest you get there before the cakes run out…..

           

 

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Leith Local History Society AGM, Tuesday 20th May, Leith Community Centre, New Kirkgate

The society will hold its AGM in Leith Community Centre on Tuesday, 20th May at 7pm.

Please join us to find out more about our exciting programme from September 2025 to May 2026. The society can do more if people join us by becoming a member.

We desperately need someone to join the committee who has IT skills to update our old website or help create a new one and help with our Facebook presence.

I hope to meet you all next Tuesday.

 

LLHS PROGRAMME 2025:26, LLHS AGM 20:05:2025,LLHS CHAIR REPORT 2025

Best wishes

 

Jim Scanlon

Chair, LLHS

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Leith Local History Society, Tuesday 18th February , Leith Community Centre

Do come along to the next meeting of the Leith Local History Society, on TUESDAY 18th February AT 7pm in Leith Community Education Centre, to hear this fascinating presentation:

Archaeology of Leith Fort and the Leith Gas works on Constitution Street

Steven Watt from AOC Archaeology will explain some of the finds found during excavations on both sites.

All welcome, £2 or free to members

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