Latest news with #ofEdinburgh
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Architect proposes Princes Street Gardens for Edinburgh art gallery
National Galleries of Scotland currently houses its modern art collection in two grand buildings in the West End and says it has 'no plans' to relocate the gallery. Read more: The speculative proposals show galleries along the length of the east gardens from Waverley Bridge, connecting to the existing concourse of the National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy. A rooftop putting green - reviving a feature from the gardens some 30 years ago - is also pictured. According to Richard Murphy Architects, the wall length on the new gallery 'would exceed the combined equivalent of Modern One and Two'. Speaking to The Herald, Mr Murphy said: 'I'm trying to be helpful. I'm trying to put forward ideas that would benefit the National Gallery and benefit Edinburgh,' adding that the plan would 'correct a mistake' made when the modern art collection was moved from Inverleith House in the Royal Botanic Garden 40 years ago. 'What I used to love about it in the Botanical Garden is people just wandered into this building and found themselves looking at modern art,' he said. 'It wasn't just the cognoscenti who wanted to go and look at modern art; they were there because it happened to be in the gardens and it was another thing to do. 'Moving it to a very specific place like Belford Road, it really only attracts the people who want to go and see modern art. There's nothing wrong with that, but I thought it was accidentally inclusive in the Botanical Gardens. And I think we'd get that back if we put it into Princes Street Gardens, particularly from Waverley Bridge. People would just wander in; it's free.' Read more stories from our series investigating the Future of Edinburgh: Earlier this year he published a speculative vision for a revamp of Princes Street with wider pavements, fewer bus stops and Frederick Street junction to traffic, which was met with mixed reaction. Murphy also designed plans for a £60m 'temple of film' in Festival Square backed by the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI), which previously ran the city's Filmhouse and International Film Festival. However, heritage watchdog the Cockburn Association raised concerns the eye-shaped building would 'undermine the character and potential of an existing civic space' and the idea was then shelved after CMI went into administration in 2022. Discussing his latest designs, he said: 'The interesting thing is it connects at two ends; it connects into the existing foyer between the National Gallery and Royal Scottish Gallery which was done about 20 years ago. 'But the really important thing is it connects to Waverley Bridge. And that is a tourist and everybody else honeypot. That is a really busy part of Edinburgh. You'd be able to walk straight down the steps and straight into the Modern Art Gallery. Murphy's vision for a 'temple of film' in Festival Square was shelved (Image: Richard Murphy Architects) 'It doesn't need a clever person to say the numbers of people going to the Modern Art Gallery would increase by tenfold. 'I think the problem would be too many people, not too few. It would be so inviting and it's right there. That would be an amazing thing to recapture which is what it used to be like. I'm a great believer in trying to make things inclusive if you can.' Murphy added: 'We've got two buildings people don't go to that are very expensive to maintain and very expensive to curate. 'They just don't have the visitor numbers, it's just that little bit too far out of the centre of town to attract tourists. And of course, a lot of people who get counted as visitors to the gallery are not going to the gallery at all, they're going to the restaurant because that's a very popular restaurant.' The latest official figures show there were just under 300,000 visitors to the two modern art galleries in 2022-23, compared to an average of 527,000 in the five years preceding the pandemic. Murphy said the gallery's wall space 'would exceed the combined equivalent of Modern One and Two' (Image: Richard Murphy Architects) National Galleries of Scotland director Anne Lyden warned in January the organisation was at "crisis point" unless it managed to raise £40m over the next 10 years to address the condition of its buildings. She said 'very palatable options' including closing one of the galleries altogether would be considered without additional funding from the Scottish Government. 'There's a fact of life that they've got a problem,' Murphy said, adding that with the help of Savills estate agents, he worked out the development value of Modern One, in the former premises of the John Watson's Institution on Belford Road, and Modern Two, in the former Dean Orphan Hospital on the other side of the road, would 'just about pay for the whole thing'. The award-winning architect, who was behind the renovation of Edinburgh's Fruitmarket gallery in 1994 and designed the Dunfermline Carnegie Museum and Art Galleries, said: 'I've designed a few art galleries, I know the basics. 'It seems to me if they got the development value right out of Belford Road, they'd probably have to spend a bit of money - but not much - to make it happen. Obviously, you've got to get the City Council on board because it's their gardens, but I would have thought it's a huge improvement to the garden. Read more on the Future of Edinburgh: 'It seems to be a win-win situation, and there's still plenty of room for the Christmas Markets.' Responding, however, a spokesperson for the National Galleries of Scotland dismissed the proposal. They said: 'Richard Murphy Architects has created these speculative proposals without consulting the National Galleries of Scotland. Their concept does not align with our vision for the future and has not been created at our request. 'We have no plans to build in East Princes Street Gardens, to relocate the Modern galleries or to create a Photographic Gallery adjacent to the Portrait gallery. We do not plan to meet with Richard Murphy Architects.' They said the focus was currently on their plans for a new cultural centre and visitor attraction at Granton Waterfront, The Art Works, which it describes as an 'urgently needed, world-class and innovative art store and community space for North Edinburgh residents and people of all ages to discover'. National Galleries of Scotland's plans for The Art Works, Granton (Image: National Galleries of Scotland) Work was previously due to commence on site last year, however, now 20 months after securing planning permission, the National Galleries has admitted that it does not have the 'vital' finance in place to allow work to start on what it has described as a 'world-class home for more than 120,000 works of art," The Herald revealed this week. The current estimated costs of realising the vision for the project have not been disclosed by the National Galleries, which insists it is still pursuing the project on the same scale as the scheme which received planning permission in November 2023. The spokesperson added: 'We're doing everything we can to secure funding for The Art Works. Our aim is to make art work for everyone, and we want to give people more access to art by opening this amazing new space in Granton.'
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Mapped: The changing face of Princes Street
With vacancies at their lowest rate in many years and several major redevelopments underway, including work to turn the former Jenners, Debenhams and Forsyth's department stores into hotels with retail on ground floors, the street is poised to take on a new identity — one increasingly shaped by hospitality and leisure. More stories from our series on The Future of Edinburgh: According to business improvement district group Essential Edinburgh, recent investment figures have totalled around £1.7 billion, including £150 million Johnnie Walker Experience in the former Frasers at the west end of Princes Street and the £48m Jenners revamp. Meanwhile plans to change long-abandoned offices and storage space in the upper floors of buildings into visitor accommodation have been approved by the council, while a relaxation of planning policies around retail uses in 2020 means more coffee shops, restaurants and supermarkets are moving into Princes Street. To show what's happening at this critical juncture for Princes Street - and what's coming next - we've built an interactive map as part of our series exploring the Future of Edinburgh. This lets you explore key sites along the street, including current vacancies, ongoing redevelopments, and new occupants already open or preparing to launch. Read more:
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Moment Neo-Nazis celebrate Hitler's birthday with swastika cake & ‘Fuhrer' footie shirt after guest stood to be MP
COPS are hunting for Neo-Nazis who celebrated Hitler's birthday with one of the guests previously standing to be an MP. Members of the far-right extremist group, the British Movement, met at the Duke of Edinburgh in Royton, Greater Manchester , on April 19. 3 Shocking CCTV footage shows the men posing behind a flag before quickly hiding it away 3 The cake with a swastika Credit: MEN Media Snaps of the group including a swastika cake and other Nazi-themed celebrations were shared on the organisation's Telegram feed. Now, it has been revealed that one of the men involved put himself forward to be an MP in Bolton last year, reports the Patrick McGrath stood for the English Democrats in the Bolton West constituency but polled just 202 votes and came last in the contest. Beside his name on the ballot paper was 'English Democrats - Deport All Illegal Immigrants', said the outlet. Read More in UK News McGrath was pictured alongside other members with sick photos posted online revealing Nazi flags and a cake decorated with a One man, who did the Nazi salute, was donning a German national team football shirt with the words Fuhrer 44. In one photograph three men - including McGrath - hold up a flag with a swastika, SS bolts and the Iron Cross. Other snaps uploaded also included a black and white photograph of Hitler. Most read in The Sun Another picture revealed five men posing behind the British Movement flag before quickly hiding it away. The English Democrats and McGrath have been approached for comment. The venue have said that staff didn't know about the party until the next day -and they reported it to the police . The Duke of Edinburgh's incoming landlady Jean Anderson, said: "They said they had a cake, but we didn't know what happened because they covered everything up. "The pub was full. There were about six to eight men and one woman. They sat in the corner and didn't cause any problems. NHS manager joins work call with Nazi armband, framed photo of Hitler & Swastika in background "They were sneaky. We didn't see anything until we saw the pictures. I just can't understand why they picked this pub." A spokesperson for Craft Union Pubs said: "A group entered the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday under the pretext of celebrating a birthday and gathered in a back area of the venue. "The group actively concealed their clothing and their activities during the visit and as a result, their actions were not visible to staff at the time. "The operator who runs the pub was therefore unaware of what had taken place until after the event. Upon becoming aware, the operator reported the matter to the police immediately. "To be clear, we are absolutely appalled at what took place. We do not and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour, and these people aren't welcome in any of our venues. "We are focused on uniting our local communities, not dividing them. We are supporting our operator to look after their team, who are understandably incredibly distressed by the incident." A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "On Wednesday, April 23 we received a report that several individuals attended a pub on Market Street in Royton on Saturday, April 20, and were in possession of Nazi memorabilia. "Enquiries are underway to establish the full circumstances. "If you have any information, or were affected by this incident, please contact police on 101 quoting log 784 of 24/4/25." The British Movement (BM) is a British neo-Nazi organisation founded by Colin Jordan in 1968 and membership is not currently illegal. It was born from the National Socialist Movement (NSM), founded in 1962. The BM is on the fringe of far-right extremism with a long history and association with violence and extremism. 3 One man wore a German national team football shirt with the words Fuhrer 44
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Moment Neo-Nazis celebrate Hitler's birthday with swastika cake & ‘Fuhrer' footie shirt after guest stood to be MP
COPS are hunting for Neo-Nazis who celebrated Hitler's birthday with one of the guests previously standing to be an MP. Members of the far-right extremist group, the British Movement, met at the Duke of Edinburgh in Royton, Greater Manchester, on April 19. 3 3 Snaps of the group including a swastika cake and other Nazi-themed celebrations were shared on the organisation's Telegram feed. Now, it has been revealed that one of the men involved put himself forward to be an MP in Bolton last year, reports the MEN. Patrick McGrath stood for the English Democrats in the Bolton West constituency but polled just 202 votes and came last in the contest. Beside his name on the ballot paper was 'English Democrats - Deport All Illegal Immigrants', said the outlet. McGrath was pictured alongside other members with sick photos posted online revealing Nazi flags and a cake decorated with a swastika. One man, who did the Nazi salute, was donning a German national team football shirt with the words Fuhrer 44. In one photograph three men - including McGrath - hold up a flag with a swastika, SS bolts and the Iron Cross. Other snaps uploaded also included a black and white photograph of Hitler. Another picture revealed five men posing behind the British Movement flag before quickly hiding it away. The English Democrats and McGrath have been approached for comment. The venue have said that staff didn't know about the party until the next day -and they reported it to the police. The pub's operator, Craft Union Pubs, said it was 'absolutely appalled' by the shocking nature of the event. NHS manager joins work call with Nazi armband, framed photo of Hitler & Swastika in background The Duke of Edinburgh's incoming landlady Jean Anderson, said: "They said they had a cake, but we didn't know what happened because they covered everything up. "The pub was full. There were about six to eight men and one woman. They sat in the corner and didn't cause any problems. "They were sneaky. We didn't see anything until we saw the pictures. I just can't understand why they picked this pub." A spokesperson for Craft Union Pubs said: "A group entered the Duke of Edinburgh on Saturday under the pretext of celebrating a birthday and gathered in a back area of the venue. "The group actively concealed their clothing and their activities during the visit and as a result, their actions were not visible to staff at the time. "The operator who runs the pub was therefore unaware of what had taken place until after the event. Upon becoming aware, the operator reported the matter to the police immediately. "To be clear, we are absolutely appalled at what took place. We do not and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour, and these people aren't welcome in any of our venues. "We are focused on uniting our local communities, not dividing them. We are supporting our operator to look after their team, who are understandably incredibly distressed by the incident." A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "On Wednesday, April 23 we received a report that several individuals attended a pub on Market Street in Royton on Saturday, April 20, and were in possession of Nazi memorabilia. "Enquiries are underway to establish the full circumstances. "If you have any information, or were affected by this incident, please contact police on 101 quoting log 784 of 24/4/25." Membership of the British Movement is not currently illegal. The British Movement (BM) is a British neo-Nazi organisation founded by Colin Jordan in 1968. It was born from the National Socialist Movement (NSM), founded in 1962. The BM is on the fringe of far-right extremism with a long history and association with violence and extremism.
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Skye footprints clue to dinosaurs' drinking habits
Huge meat-eating dinosaurs and their plant-eating prey shared the same watering holes on Skye 167 million years ago, say of Edinburgh researchers examined dozens of dinosaur footprints at Prince Charles's Point on the island's Trotternish dinosaurs included carnivorous megalosaurs - ancestors of Tyrannosaurus rex - and long necked herbivores that were up to three times bigger in size than an scientists analysed the footprints to understand how the animals had moved, and suggested the different dinosaurs had "milled around" shallow freshwater lagoons. The researchers said the behaviour from the Middle Jurassic was similar to how animals congregated around watering holes today. More than 130 footprints have been found so far at Prince Charles's Point, on Skye's north area is named after Bonnie Prince Charlie who had sought shelter on the peninsula while fleeing British government troops after the Battle of Culloden in scientists said the footprints suggested meat-eating theropods and plant-eating sauropods habitually spent time in said subsequent discoveries had made the area one of the most extensive dinosaur track sites in Scotland. The Edinburgh research team's Tone Blakesley said the footprints provided a "fascinating insight" into dinosaur Steve Brusatte added: "Prince Charles's Point is a place where Scottish history and prehistory blend together. "It's astounding to think that when Bonnie Prince Charlie was running for his life, he might have been sprinting in the footsteps of dinosaurs."The first three footprints at Prince Charles's Point were discovered five years ago by a University of Edinburgh student and colleagues. Important fossil discoveries have been made on Skye over the last 40 include a pony-sized dinosaur that lived 166 million years ago, and adult and juvenile mammals of the shrew-like island also saw the discovery of the largest Jurassic pterosaur fossil, Dearc sgiathanach - a 170-million-year-old winged reptile.
