Congratulations to communities across Scotland coming together to celebrate Burns night online. With 35 events between 23 - 31st January the multicultural Burns celebrations adapt to challenging circumstances. Food, music, poetry and most importantly, each other.
#WeAreScotland
The new Covid funding for inbound tour operator and destination management companies is open. It’s one of several bespoke funds for the tourism industry we are opening this month. Details here: https://www.visitscotland.org/supporting-your-business/funding/inbound-tour-operators-fund
Do you know anyone who is on a low income with a child under 6? They might be eligible for The Scottish Government’s new Scottish Child Payment. Find out more and how to apply: www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/.
Kirsty Alexandra Bell don’t know if you’ve seen this x
The ‘Stingy Six’ - shameful. #independence🚨 Scottish Tory MPs have refused to stop Boris Johnson's plans to cut Universal Credit.
✂️ Cutting Universal Credit by £20 a week would see 820,000 children fall into poverty.
🏴 The Tories simply cannot be trusted to stand up for Scotland.
Shameful, who voted for them? They should be ashamed too.
Snakes, the lot of them 😡
Put a plebiscite election in the manifesto for the May 2021 election & i will vote SNP.
“Our main message at the moment is a very simple one – stay at home. Do not leave home unless it is for a genuinely essential purpose. And think carefully about what is and isn’t essential - not just in general terms but for you personally. Even though an activity might be classed as essential, we should all ask ourselves on every occasion before we go out, is it really essential for us and are we doing it as safely as possible. For example, instead of going for essential shopping twice a week, could you cut it down to one? When you are out for daily exercise, could you take a route that avoids places where there might be more people around? In everything we do, we should assume the virus is there with us - because it very possibly is - and act in a way that avoids us getting it or spreading it.” ~ Nicola Sturgeon
From 4am, Monday 18 January, anyone arriving in Scotland from outside the Common Travel Area must isolate for 10 days.
Most passengers must also have a valid negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 3 days before departure.
Read more ➡ bit.ly/TravelChanges0121
This should have been implemented right from the very start. In fact, if the virus is as dangerous as we're told wouldn't banning all inbound flights make sense?
The work of the National Wildlife Crime Unit is hugely valued by communities across Scotland and the Scottish Government is committed to supporting it. Read more: www.nature.scot/new-scottish-wildlife-crime-investigator-appointed.
Good news and a good signal. Sadly Wardie Bay Beachwatch just got a threatening email from Marine Scotland informing me that I need a licence for the floating nature conservation pontoons just restored to Granton Harbour. Astonishing that they have time to respond to petty inaccuracies in a good conservation news article and do so little fact checking. They'd be better focusing on serious matters, especially at this time. If nature was given as much attention as property, our wildlife would be in a much better situation.
I trust you and the new Investigative Support Officer PC Ross will looking into closing the loopholes that still allow foxes to be hunted with packs of hounds under the guise of "Trail Hunting"?
Further measures to help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and limit non-essential contact will be introduced this weekend. Several constituents have contacted me about these issues. From Saturday:
👜 Click and collect will be limited to retailers selling essential items - includes clothes, baby equipment, homeware and books. Must have staggered appointments, and no access inside for collection.
🍕☕️Takeaways - customers no longer allowed to go into a takeaway to collect food or coffee - must be via a serving hatch or doorway.
🍺Alcohol no longer allowed to be consumed in public places.
🔨 Work only permitted in private homes if essential for the upkeep, maintenance and functioning of household.
💻 Employers - work from home obligations will be strengthened. If you were working from home during first lockdown you should be now.
🏠 Stay at home regulations will be changed so you are not able to carry out a non-essential task when out of house for an essential task.
You can read more here: www.gov.scot/news/strengthening-lockdown-restrictions/.
what about supporting vulnerable family members?
Understandably I am receiving a lot of enquiries from constituents about the Covid-19 vaccination programme. The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeane Freeman MSP, updated the Scottish Parliament this morning - you can read her whole statement here: www.gov.scot/publications/covid-19-vaccination-plan-1/. Please contact me if you have any further queries, and my team and I will respond to you as quickly as we can.
Keep safe
Vaccination Deployment Plan: www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-deployment-plan-2021/.
Boost your immune system with a good multivitamin and vit. C to help combat the virus. Bleach is a very effective antiviral.
I’m looking for a Constituency Assistant to join my excellent team. Closing date is 25 January 2021. Find out more and how to apply: ow.ly/FeYg50D5lqI.
Claire Philp
Ally Macdonald
Take care! Saludos desde Sevilla. Hopefully 'they' won't stop me voting!
The perfect candidate should be min on the same level as Ellie ❤️
Significant top-up grants announced for hospitality, retail and leisure business closed in Level 4. Payments for larger hospitality units will be £25k, considerably higher than the £9k on offer in England. Applications are open now, and payments will be made this month: www.gov.scot/news/extending-support-for-hospitality-retail-and-leisure/.
Rab Mullin
Can you tell me about applying for the Taxi Payment
Hi Ben, I'm a bit confused by this. We are a Level 4 retail store here at the Electric Cycle Company but because of travel restrictions our turnover has dropped off a cliff (about 80% down) Because we're Level 4 there doesn't seem to be any support and the Govt still haven't paid December's payment for my furloughed staff. Any advice?
Peter Swanson
Sandy Caird
From tomorrow (5 January), in order to suppress the accelerating spread of Covid-19, it will be a legal requirement to #StayHome except for essential purposes. This is similar to the #lockdown in March 2020. I appreciate how difficult this is and I am here to help constituents as much as I can (contact me by email or telephone if you need advice or assistance). Since the pandemic began, our local communities have responded remarkably to support those who need it and keep each other safe. Let’s keep showing caution and understanding, and get through this very challenging period together.❤️
Please see this link for more information, including details on reasonable excuses and essential purposes: www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/.
You can read the First Minister’s statement here: www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-first-ministers-statement-monday-4-january-....
What is your email address
Ben Macpherson MSP is the government going to be doing more to help businesses this time? Lots of talk and not much actual cash last time. Edinburgh particularly has a large number of professional service providers that are not hospitality, retail or leisure but rely on those sectors as our client base. We have seen our income destroyed but left out in the cold with zero support from local authorities. Can you do better in 2021?
We need to bring in a law to send anyone that's does not obey to go to prison for at ,least 6months as they are putting lives at risk and they are committing murder ,what about the doctors nurses and care workers that are putting there lives on the line for us we need to protect them .we need to do something fines are no good as they share the fines .
Excellent. Glad to read your news. Happy New Year! from Sevilla. My Edinburgh votes still valid though.
Still waiting for a response to my letter reference number 202000119839
Can you clarify if dog walkers are aloud to keep working?
Are takeaways still allowed?
Nothing we do will stop covid
Gd luck with that
Ben hi from France 🇫🇷 Can my daughter in Edinburgh get to airport to come and live with me. She has had to leave home and is temporarily with grandparents and it’s not ideal. Home schooling will be done with me here.
Today the Scottish Parliament voted to reject the UK and EU #Brexit trade deal.
This deal will be damaging to Scotland's economy, society and to the opportunities of this and future generations.
We will work hard to mitigate the worst effects of Brexit.
Read more ➡️ bit.ly/SGBrexitDealRejected
Unfortunately this is nothing more than a paper excersise.. A few hours too late.... Wastemonster will regale and spin this as a victory for themselves... It's time to walk away from this abusive partnership....
Now to make mays election about independence 🏴
Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable festive break, as much as we can in these challenging times for us all. Kind regards and stay safe, Ben and team
This mural by artist Shona Hardie is on Arthur Street and of beloved Leith local Arthur Williams, who still resides in the constituency. Sleeping rough for around 30 years, Arthur was affectionately known to many Leithers, social services, NHS Lothian and the police. He was supported by these services, kind-hearted locals, businesses and local homeless charity Streetwork. The mural has led to generous donations being made to Arthur’s family’s fundraising campaign for Streetwork. Like during much of 2020, this community spirit emphasises that people want to help those in need where they can, like local people supported Arthur in previous years. Shona Hardie and Arthur Williams’ family have both given me permission to use this image, to spread goodwill and raise awareness of their fundraising campaign – if you would like to make a donation please visit: justgiving.com/campaign/StreetworkArthur.
My office will be running in a limited capacity over the festive period. Emails will be checked periodically throughout and if your email requires immediate attention then you will receive a reply before Monday 11 January 2021. However, if you require urgent assistance over the holiday period then it is advised that you also please contact the appropriate number below:
City of Edinburgh Council:
• Social Care Direct: 0131 200 2327
• Repairs Direct: 0131 200 2345
• Waste Services: 0131 608 1100
• Revenue & Benefits: 0131 608 1111
• Emergency Social Work: 0800 731 6969
• Domestic Abuse: 0800 027 1234
• All other council emergencies: 0131 200 2000 / 0800 0325968
Other Useful Numbers:
• Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177 650
• Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
• Floodline: 0345 988 1188
• Electricity: 0800 40 40 90
• Gas leaks: 0800 111 999
• NHS24: 111
• Power cut to your area: 105
• Scottish Water: 0800 0778 778
• Women's Aid: 0800 027 1234
• The Samaritans: 116 123
Covid-19 Information:
• Business support: findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/
• Scottish Government information on Covid-19: www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
• NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
• City of Edinburgh Council information on Covid-19: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/coronavirus
You too Ben stay safe, thank you for everything you have done for Scotland this year
Merry Christmas Ben here’s to a productive new year and a much happier one keep up the good work you do with thanks x
Thank you. And to you. Keel up your good work and keep safe.
I know that many of my constituents will be struggling with feelings of loneliness at this time of year. Age Scotland's new research shows that as many as two older people on every street here in Edinburgh Northern & Leith expect to feel lonely this Christmas. No one should be alone.
Age Scotland’s Friendship Line is here to listen, provide friendship and offer support. Anyone over 50 can call them on 0800 12 44 222. Calls are free and it is open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
www.age.scot/friendship #FriendshipLine
If you’re struggling this Christmas, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.
You can talk to Samaritans for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
Earlier this week, I was delighted and proud to take up a new role in The Scottish Government as Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment: www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/minister-for-rural-affairs-and-the-n....
As the First Minister said, “Ben Macpherson takes on the environment post at a critical time in our fight against climate change and as we take new steps to protect Scotland’s wonderful and diverse natural environment. Having previously worked on Climate Justice and Climate Finance, Ben will continue our work to protect wildlife, enhance biodiversity and support Scotland’s rural economy." (More information on the reshuffle: www.gov.scot/news/ministerial-appointments-support-fight-against-pandemic/.)
In this first week in the job, I'm glad that changes to the law to enhance and protect the welfare of animals have been introduced: www.gov.scot/news/further-protection-for-animals/.
If approved, the new legislation laid before the Scottish Parliament (which was initiated by my brilliant predecessor Mairi Gougeon MSP) will update existing laws covering dog breeding and pet selling as well as introduce licensing for cat and rabbit breeders, animal rescue centres, sanctuaries and other rehoming activities.
The regulations will require anyone breeding three or more litters of puppies or kittens or six litters of infant rabbits, in any 12-month period, to be licensed. People sourcing five or more animals in any 12-month period for the purposes of rehoming them as pets will also require to be licensed in future.
In addition to delivering better welfare protection for animals, the regulations seek to improve accountability and provide flexibility around how licences are administered. Licence holders will be required to operate to and demonstrate high standards of animal welfare.
The regulations also introduce “Lucy’s Law”, to prevent the third party sale of cats and dogs under six months’ old as pets in Scotland. Once implemented, anyone wishing to buy a puppy or kitten will need to buy directly from a licensed breeder or source it from a licensed rehoming centre.
Congratulations Ben, on your new appointment! I hope the brief of Rural Affairs, doesn't mean you taking your eyes off the very real issues of those in your urban constituency 😂 I'm a wee bit surprised the post didn't go to an SMP directly serving in a rural community, with first hand experience of the needs of those living there, but I don't know your background and you may well have experience of such earlier in your life. Anyways all the best, after all Nicola must have trust in your abilities to perform in both guises, as an urban constituency SMP and Minister of Rural Affairs.
Congratulations Ben 👏
You could start by bringing in a total ban on fox hunting, or at the very least closing the ridiculous loopholes that still facilitate these goons marauding around the countryside killing wildlife. Mon the foxes 🦊
Minister for kittens! How cool is that?! You are a Ben of all portfolios 💼 What a great way to learn. Congratulations 😊
Congratulations! 🙂
Fantastic new role sir. I wish you all the best. 👍🏻
Ben sentences by judges are still awful what happened to the 5years sentence animal killers and abusers are literally walking away laughing at their sentence of nothing
Congratulations Ben and many thanks to you, Nicola Sturgeon et al for your efforts toward keeping us all safe during the past 9 months or so. Please be assured that although a Labour Party member, I for one don't regard this national crisis as an appropriate issue for political point-scoring and completely reject the claims by some folk (including some in my own party) that the First Minister has used it to promote the cause of Scottish independence. A very Happy Christmas to you and yours when it comes! Cheers - Kors 🚩(korsallan@hotmail.co.uk)
Congratulations Ben 🏴
Congratulations Ben, you’ll be awesome
Congratulations Ben 👏
Caroline Mackellar read this re animal breeders x
Congratulations ben
So glad to see this. What a responsibility. You’ll be amazing! Congratulations and good luck in this post! X
Congratulations Ben
Well done Ben!
Congratulations 🙂
Good for you mate congratulations
Cool for cats, well done Ben.
Congratulations Ben! 👏👏👏👏
Tourism and hospitality businesses across Scotland are to benefit from a £104.3 million package of support in the New Year.
The funding is part of the short-term response to the Scottish Tourism Recovery Taskforce recommendations and follows lengthy discussions with industry to target support specifically where it is needed the most.
It is part of the £185 million package previously announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. Further work will be urgently undertaken to establish what additional support is needed in light of the announcement to move mainland Scotland to level 4 and the Scottish islands to level 3 from Boxing Day.
Businesses required to close by law are currently able to claim up to £3,000 every four weeks through the Strategic Framework Business Fund.
Areas set to benefit include:
£19.2 million to provide one-off grants for hospitality businesses
£50.8 million for businesses with a rateable value of more than £51,000 that have not received support from the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund or Hotel Support Programme and some additional support to smaller businesses impacted by restrictions
£11.8 million for international inbound, coach tourism and domestic tour operators
£7 million for self-catering
£5 million for visitor attractions
£2.5 million for outdoor tourism
£2.3 million for hostels
£2 million for ski centres
£1.5 million for travelling show people ineligible for other support
£1.2 million for Destination Management Organisations
£1 million for B&Bs and guest houses excluded from the latest Non Domestic Rates scheme
More information: www.gov.scot/news/gbp-104-million-tourism-and-hospitality-lifeline/.
Any chance of a response to my email please.
Where is all this money coming from?
What qualifications do you have to lecture rural people?
❤️Season’s Greetings everyone!
Thanks to Bare Branding for helping us with the design.
LD
#lightupleith #leith #edinburgh
Today is International #MigrantsDay - a time to recognise all those who’ve made Scotland home.🏴🌍 #WeAreScotland
To EU, EEA & Swiss citizens in Scotland, affected by Brexit, our message is clear: this is your home & we really want you to #StayinScotland.🏴🇪🇺
ℹ mygov.scot/stayinscotland or call 0800 916 9847.
oops! nae face nae friends Robert Doherty is oan the randan...😂😂😂
And your continued support for me in Govanhill. Keeps me in my job...please stay .nobody was made welcome in Scotland before me ..
Well we are Not proud of you and SNP
SCOTLAND HAS always wanted 💙 immigration. Always welcomed anybody with open arms .since when did SNP CHANGE that fact . SNP YOU And you alone are responsible for the total disgusting state our country is in NOBODY else .
Timeline PhotosWe’ve released new guidance on how to stay safe over Christmas. Learn more > bit.ly/FestiveGuidance
All eligible children will benefit from at least 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare (ELC) per year from August 2021. All 3 and 4 year olds in Scotland and eligible 2 year olds are currently entitled to 600 hours of funded (free) access to ELC nursery provision a year. The Scottish Government has confirmed that this will rise to 1140 hours from August 2021.
The expansion of funded ELC, originally intended for August 2020, was paused in April to give local authorities/Councils the flexibility to focus on responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A new date has now been agreed with local authority umbrella group COSLA.
Read more: www.gov.scot/news/childcare-expansion-from-august-2021/.
(Picture from 2018 when Minster Maree Todd MSP visited North Edinburgh Childcare.)
Well done excellent news for families in the area
Hi That is great but what about the ore school children for 2021? Some nurseries offer the full hours and others don’t. Did the council not allocate the funds across the board?
❤️ this mural, post and initiative by Arthur's niece Natasha and Shona Hardie - check it out.
What a beautiful gesture:-)
Latest COVID-19 funding allocations and a new £185 million package for business.
Businesses across Scotland will benefit from a new £185 million package of targeted coronavirus (COVID-19) support.
The announcement follows discussions with business groups and sees a wide range of sectors benefiting, from taxi drivers and arts venues to travel agents and hospitality.
In addition, there will be additional one-off payments to hospitality businesses in January to help them deal with the traditional post-Christmas dip in demand. These will be of £2,000 or £3,000, depending on rateable value.
Specific support detailed in today’s announcement includes:
- £15 million for the wedding sector and its supply chain, including photographers
- one-off grants totalling £15 million for mobile close contact services, such as hairdressers
- a £19 million fund and one-off grants for taxi drivers
£5 million for travel agents
- almost £6 million for coach companies and tour operators
- £1.5 million for visitor attractions
Background
More detail on the package will be announced in the coming days and businesses can expect to apply for all the new grant schemes in January: news.gov.scot/news/new-gbp-185-million-package-for-business.
This is part of more than £1.8 billion of extra funding that has been allocated to tackling the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland.
It covers areas including health, transport and business support, accounting for all but £330 million of the latest consequentials generated by UK Government spending. The remainder will be used to meet further urgent demands relating to both COVID-19 and Brexit up to the end of March 2021.
The funding is detailed in a letter from Finance Secretary Kate Forbes to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution Committee: www.gov.scot/news/latest-covid-19-funding-allocations/.
Terry Taylor
Heather Berry
Siân Cowan xx
Katrina Mcleod x
Very much hoping you’ll support Johan Lamont’s amendment tomorrow? The women of Leith are counting on you!
2-3k for hospitality in lieu of a months takings for venues such as bars and restaurants is not enough - they’d normally take that in a day or two if trading normally - scandalous- one way to turn the vote red or blue come May 2021
I'm hoping as an independent travel agent who's received no help so far that this will be of benefit to me. Fingers crossed for the detail.
Joyce Monaghan share with Dyanne.
Bianca Temple worth looking into ?
John and Deborah info and ben is the MSP in your business area
More information here: news.gov.scot/news/winter-support-fund-for-families-and-children.🤝 Nicola Sturgeon announces a £100 million fund to help those who are struggling most with the impact of COVID over the winter.
💷 It will provide a payment of £100 for every family with children on free school meals, and offer additional help for the homeless. #SNP20
Was that from Westminster.
More information here: news.gov.scot/news/gbp-500-bonus-for-health-and-social-care-staff.👏 Our NHS and social care workers are the heroes of our COVID response.
🏴 Nicola Sturgeon announced a £500 thank-you payment for every full-time NHS and adult social care worker in Scotland - on top of the highest wages anywhere in the UK, with no strings attached. #SNP20
Is there an election. A Coming soon.
ICYMI: a walk-in testing centre for Covid-19 has opened up at Leith Library.
The site is open from 8am and 8pm and people using this service are asked to adhere to all the latest Covid-19 guidance.
Those who live in the surrounding areas can book a test by visiting www.nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or by calling 0800 028 2816.
This facility will help to keep our community safe from Covid-19. If you have symptoms (a new continuous cough, fever or loss of/or change in sense of smell or taste) please book a test.
(P.s. I wasn't allowed to take a photo of the centre in action, so the photo in this post is an old photo of the library.)
Greater certainty for housing providers.
Housing providers and the construction sector can plan more affordable homes thanks to an additional £200 million funding commitment announced today by Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell.
Ahead of the Scottish Budget in January, the interim funding available for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme in 2021-22 has been increased from £300 million to £500 million.
This will help provide funding certainty for local authorities, housing associations and the construction sector as they look to recover from the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Affordable Housing Supply Programme helps to deliver homes for social rent, mid-market rent and shared equity.
www.gov.scot/news/increased-funding-commitment-for-affordable-homes/
🍎 Free school breakfast and lunches for all primary school pupils, in all classes, all year round.
🏫 Hunger doesn’t take a holiday and neither can we. If re-elected next May, the SNP will expand free school meals to all primary pupils so no child goes hungry at school. #SNP20
I had free school meals 45 years ago .dont think it was an SNP government 🤔
Reminder - if you live in North Edinburgh (east of Pennywell Road) or Leith, or you’re a local business owner or organisation, I’m #heretohelp. #staysafe 😷 #persevere ⚓️
You have a best Team ever !!! Tell Ellie Big THANK YOU ❤️
Can you explain to me please why Glasgow went into Tier 2 yet Edinburgh didn't asking for people in our area. Told them to contact you hope they do
Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle are at the Leith Walk Police Box on Sunday. They are assisting Syrian families who are settling in our area and have asked me to raise awareness of their event. #RefugeesWelcome
Thank you Ben! We hope to see you there for some tasty food and drink !
Maamoul!!
In December, a local group are planning to 'Light Up Leith' by asking Leithers to decorate their windows and create a real-life Leith Advent calendar for the community to find and explore.
If you'd like to take part, join the Facebook group 'Light Up Leith' for more info or email them using the button on their website.
#lightupleith
blog.historicenvironment.scot/2020/11/leith-in-photos/
A Century of Leith in Photos | Historic Environment Scotland
blog.historicenvironment.scot
Featuring dockers, Hibees and elephants in libraries, we head into the archives to take a look at life in Leith during the 20th century.Covid in Scotland: Sturgeon warns over Christmas meetups
Covid in Scotland: Sturgeon warns over Christmas meetups
www.bbc.co.uk
The Scottish government will allow people to meet up at Christmas, but is also advising them not to do so.Just bloody stay at home, save your money, save your older relatives. Have a mega party on midsummer night.
I’m monitoring this situation and am grateful to the emergency services who are responding.
Live updates as huge fire breaks out in Leith after 'explosion' at docks
www.edinburghlive.co.uk
There are unconfirmed reports that a large-scale fire has broken out, with fire engines at the scene and black smoke seen for milesUpdate from Forth Ports Leith Docks: “there was a fire within the engine bay of a piece of plant in a storage yard at the Port of Leith earlier today. No-one was hurt. The fire is now out and we are grateful to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service who responded quickly.”
Oh dear !
Maria Shishlovskaya
Abbie Carrasco Robertson Tracy Robertson Carrasco Cuellar
yep, cant see anything either from mine
Some of the big rolling stock have hefty engines containing a lot of oil and a heavy fuel capacity. Ouch!
No smoke visable from my flat now ,,1400hrs,, Had been smoke for a while Hope its under control ..Hope no one was hurt ,,
Glad it's under control.
Stevie more
A significant announcement about Forth Ports Leith Docks - what do you think about this investment in the port and in developing offshore renewable capacity?
Insider.co.uk article: www.insider.co.uk/news/seven-figure-investment-port-leith-23064456
Forth Ports press release: www.forthports.co.uk/latest-news/port-of-leith-announces-investment-in-scotlands-offshore-renewab....
Seven-figure investment in Port of Leith will enhance its renewables capability
www.insider.co.uk
The investment will bring 25 hectares of land linked to more than three kilometres of deep water quaysides into useThat is an excellent investment, particularly if it complements Dundee's development of offshore and/or renewables. What would be the icing on the cake would be if part of the Forth Ports development could/would be given over to the marine biologists and their counterparts to improve their standings and access. It would make cross-discipline discussions on the impacts of various technologies easier in the future. I'd also like to see part of Leith's shoreline *not* developed, but given over to local wildlife, so inclusion of wild space somewhere in all those hectares would be clever, particularly if it could link up existing wildlife rich spaces.
