Its official, Edinburgh Council are Vandals

The Republic received this letter on what seems to be a premeditated act of vandalism....one in the course of many.... "Having upset a lot of people by cutting down many of the trees in the Grassmarket, the Council’s wood butchers have now turned their attention to Kings Stables Rd.

In the last 2 days a pleasant green outlook from the tenements has been turned into what looks like a first World War battlefield. Practically every tree and shrub on the slope up to Johnston Terrace has been cut to the ground; the few remaining left like telegraph poles.

Does the Council arrogantly assume that locals did not value their view onto trees and bushes, not to mention the rabbits and the birds, including blackbirds which used to sing as dusk fell? Could they not have asked us before wreaking this devastation? Were the trees threatening anyone? What is the reason for this vandalism?

The tenements in the street back onto a yard owned by the Council so we have no back greens of our own. The pleasant view we had over the trees to the Castle was some recompense – but now that has been taken away from us."

Jim Johnson King Stables Road Grassmarket Edinburgh






This article Anger as Trees Cut Down appears today which sadly only tells us what has been lost, what have we gained? Nothing....but perhaps someone somewhere has gained from this act of vandalism..and it won`t be long until this becomes known.

The 2nd person to comment on the article online has asked this question "Or is it something to do with the proposed redevelopment of King's Stables Road and Argyle House?"

Another Allan Murray development???!!!!!!!!!!

Now why would the council order the act of vandalism when this exists in Johnston Terrace Johnston Terrace Wildlife Reserve ? and see more at Gardens of Scotland?

For the history on the reserve see Geddes and Johnston Terrace Patrick Geddes

Edinburgh to be renamed Murrayburgh?

Above is one of the many tour souvenirs available to buy

Talks are said to be taking place in the council to decide on a new name for the capital.



It is to be in honour of Allan Murray the prolific architect reshaping the city for the 21st Century.


Along with rebranding the city, officials believe it should be renamed as many prominent council officials along with the Chamber of Commerce and Visit Scotland, feel that the name Edinburgh conjours up images of old buildings, history and that sort of thing...they say its putting off the business visitor, hen and stags and the increasing numbers of people coming to look at new builds, whether empty office blocks, five star hotels and ten a penny luxury 2 bed apartments.


Allan Murray tours are proving to be popular as demand for more traditional historical and spooky type tours is dropping, as even the ghosts themselves have left the Old Town to make way for new Allan Murray buildings.


The tour starts with a brunch at The Tun building on Holyrood Road, where a short indoctrination talk is given on the economic benefits of all new development.

After brunch and talk you are driven in a Murray themed bus along the ever increasing tour route around the city. Craigmillar not on the tour at the present moment. (It is rumoured that future tours may take in Murray sites in The Merchant city in Glasgow and Peterhead etc)



Here is the route - (so far...)

The Tun, Holyrood Road
Cowgate Nursery, Old Town
Cowgate Fire Site (SOCO), Old Town
George IV Bridge Site.... Old Town
Argyle House , West Port, Old Town


Edinburgh Park (various Buildings)
Croyston House, Ravelston Terrace
Freer Street, New Town
Coal Hill, Leith


Then its onto "The Murray Hat Trick"
The Omni Centre, St James Centre Site and The Cube


Then its up to Calton Hill to look down onto the proposed Caltongate site where you are treated to a wee dram of Murrays own specially blended whisky "The Murrayburgh Blend" Each bottle featuring one of his many buildings.


We are looking forward to a tour review very soon.

Edinburgh's Carbunkles - will Caltongate be one?

17 days to go

Edinburgh has it's fair share of concrete carbunkles here

Will the Caltongate scheme be one too? Argyle House at the West Port is to go, a monstrous building that was a concrete Le Carbouseir nightmare here. This building was only built in the 60s and 40 years later it has to go. Why? Because it is horrible, not fitting and no-one wants to work there, like many buildings of the 1960s that were built in Edinburgh with concrete replacing the traditional stone buildings they have to go!

It's worth pointing out though that the Macrae tenements were built 70 years ago, Sailor's Ark 80 years ago and the Canongate Venture over a century ago. Buildings made of stone, built to last but they don't generate profits any more so big business and the council thinks it's OK to destroy them to replace them what with? More concrete, steel and glass! here