Breaking news

This term sees a new group of S4 and S5 students joining the Kenyan Group at Drummond Community High School, writes Partnership Coordinator Annie Scanlon.

Can anyone out there tell us more about this wonderful design over the door at the former St Colm's College on Inverleith Terrace?

We think it shows Noah's Ark with a dove preparing for take-off.

Erected in 1908 to the design of Gordon L. Wright, the building was originally the United Free Church Training Institute for Lady Missionaries.

It was sold off by the Church of Scotland in 2010, since it could no longer afford to run it.

Albert is a two-year-old black cat: neutered, chipped, wearing a black collar with coloured stones.

His usual stamping ground is Annandale Street, where his friendly disposition and interest in defrosting stews often lead him to visit other people's homes. But he's been missing now for 2 weeks, his family miss him, and suspect it's high time he stopped eating out.

West Annandale Street residents are asked to be particularly vigilant – Albert's been spotted more than once around here in recent days.

With relatively few ingredients, there’s not a lot that can go wrong with a tarte tatin recipe ... you might think.

I – and I’m sure the contestants of the BBC’s most recent series of the Great British Bake Off – would disagree! But once you’ve mastered the art, there are few more satisfying desserts. 

Although the apples on the tree in my garden are slowly growing, I couldn’t say no to another fruit that’s in season at the moment: soft, sweet figs.

This year's Edinburgh Doors Open Day returns next weekend on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September. Organised by the Cockburn Association, it is every self-respecting nosey parker's chance to keek inside buildings where normally one requires more of an excuse to get in than idle curiosity.

Some 121 properties are participating (the full list is available in the file at the bottom of this page), but here we summarise those in or adjacent to Spurtleshire.

The Victorian Schoolroom
9 Brunswick Rd, Sat and Sun 10am–4pm

Readers will recall the scandal which recently engulfed City of Edinburgh Council's Property Conservation Service (PCS). There have been allegations of householders being charged sometimes excessively or for unnecessary work, and of some private firms bribing some public officials in order to secure contracts.

Friends of the Rocheid Path (FORP) have held several meetings with City of Edinburgh Council officials about how to restore and improve the popular pedestrian and cycle route between Canonmills and Inverleith Park. Search for the group's name within this website and you will find various reports and background papers.