Explore your Neighbourhood

How much do you know about your area? Here’s a quick guide

Almond ward covers a large area of rural and urban areas, combining a number of small and distinct communities, each with a strong local identity.

These include the areas of South Queensferry, Dalmeny, Cramond, Davidson’s Mains, Kirkliston, Ratho Station, Silverknowes and Newbridge.

Edinburgh (Turnhouse) Airport and the Royal Highland showground are also within the ward.

With large rural areas, Almond has many fantastic parks and nature reserves. The coastline along the Forth Estuary is of major environmental significance.

The countryside rangers manage the River Almond walkway, Cramond Shore and Cammo Estate, areas where you can experience nature and biodiversity firsthand, while Station Road Park in Queensferry was awarded its first green flag this year.

When it comes to employment, housing, health and low crime, Almond is above average compared to the rest of Scotland.

Did you know?

• Archaeological excavations at Cramond have uncovered evidence of habitation dating to around 8500BC, making it the earliest known site of human settlement in Scotland.
• You can explore the remains of the Roman fort on the foreshore.
• Ronald Rae’s eight tonne fish sculpture was given a permanent home on the foreshore after a successful campaign and fundraising by locals.
• Many communities have their own traditions and several gala days take place over the summer including Davidson’s Mains Children’s Gala, Kirkliston Gala Day, the Ferry Fair, Corstorphine Fair and Clermiston and Drum Brae Children’s Gala.
• Privately owned Dalmeny House, designed by William Wilkins in Gothic revival style, was completed in 1817.
• The house sits in a large wooded park with views onto the Forth and coastline.

Go to www. dalmeny.co.uk for opening times.

• When you step inside Lauriston Castle, you see it just as it was when the last private owner, Mrs Reid, left it to the nation in 1926.

The house is set in grounds laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s.

• The Forth Bridge and Road Bridge are key landmarks at Queensferry. Every August the Ferry Fair takes place, ending with the pagan tradition of the Burry Man which is believed to bring good luck to the townspeople.

Councillors’ Views

We asked the three councillors in Almond ward: “What is your priority for improvement in the area?”

George Grubb, Liberal Democrat

Quality of life for all its residents is a top priority, and so is easy access to and from home to work.

Almond ward will take the brunt of the new Forth crossing development and it is important that the disruption to all its residents is kept to a minimum.

The care of the young is vitally important, as is the care of the elderly.

Norman Work, SNP

The ward I represent covers a massive area with diverse communities each with their own issues.

My task as a local councillor and also as the current convener of the Almond Neighbourhood Partnership is to represent all the parts of the ward and bring together all the groups. It is a challenge, but one that I relish.

Kate MacKenzie, Conservative

My priority is to do everything I can do to support individual constituents regarding housing issues, Council tax problems, antisocial behaviour, education issues and any other Council function where they need assistance.

Why does each ward have more than one councillor?

Each Council area used to be divided into ‘wards’ with a single councillor elected to the Council representing each different ward.

That changed with the local government elections in 2007 when a new system was put in place. The wards were made bigger and each one now has three or four councillors who jointly represent voters in that area. Instead of the 58 individual wards that used to cover the city, each with one councillor, the 58 councillors are now spread over 17 ‘multi-member wards’.

The new wards have retained, where possible, natural community boundaries and local ties, using existing community council boundaries as a base.

GOOD TO KNOW: Look out for our profile of Corstorphine/Murrayfield ward in the spring issue of Outlook.