Dalkeith Digest: Friday 23 May 2025

Town centre regeneration plans, Mining Museum fundraising appeal and Midlothian volunteer awards

Here comes the rain again - it looks like this weekend will bring a break from the wall to wall sunshine we’ve become accustomed to, but I’ve seen enough in the news and social media to suggest that this will come as a relief to some. And if the weather gets you down, lighten your mood with the thought of the hundreds of mice kind locals have knitted for the wee ones starting P1 later in the year 🐁

Enjoy, and thanks for reading.

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Local news and developments

👷‍♂️ Updated regeneration plans: A business plan for the regeneration of Dalkeith town centre will now be developed after updated plans went before Midlothian Council. The plans include moving Dalkeith Library and Arts Centre into the Council HQ to allow for the expanded redevelopment, which would include up to 74 flats and around 500sqm of retail space.

🏭 Mining Museum fundraising appeal: National Mining Museum Scotland is aiming to raise 450k to fund a transformation project to secure the museum’s future and “re-establish it as a world-class destination in Midlothian”. To help the museum, which is celebrating 130 years of the Lady Victoria Colliery, you can make a donation or pick up a Passport for £20 to enjoy unlimited access for a year.

🛣️ 20mph objections considered: Objections to a 20mph speed limit across towns in Midlothian were considered by councillors and largely dismissed, according to Midlothian View. Council Leader Kelly Parry clarified that the policy had already been agreed unanimously, adding “we are simply hear to consider the objections which we have now considered and we can move on”.

⚠️ Missing person appeal: Police Scotland is appealing for help to trace vulnerable missing man Alan McMillan. Alan, from Penicuik, was last seen around 8pm on 21 May in the Bog Road area and may have travelled to Edinburgh and boarded a train to Glenrothes shortly thereafter. He is described as 6ft 4in tall, slim, with short grey hair, and was last seen wearing blue jeans, a red and blue checked shirt, black Trespass top, black gilet and brown shoes.

🚌 🏃‍♀️ Marathon bus impact: The Edinburgh Marathon Festival takes place this weekend (24 - 25 May) and a number of bus routes around the capital will be impacted as a result. See Lothian Buses for full details.

🛝 Park petition: A petition calling for Glencorse Centre Playpark to be improved and reopened has been launched by a local resident. Petitioner Kate Williamson describes the playpark, currently closed due to safety concerns, as “the only local outdoor space for preschool children in our village”.

🗣️ Andy’s Man Club: A record 28 men attended the most recent meeting of Andy’s Man Club Dalkeith. The group meets every Monday (7pm - 9pm) at Dalkeith RFC, offering a space for any man 18+ to talk in a non-judgemental, safe environment.

✍️ Politician writes: Midlothian North & Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie has used his column in Midlothian View to highlight the Scottish Government’s new Programme for Government. The Programme is normally published in September but was brought forward by the First Minister to ensure it covers a year up to the Holyrood elections in May 2026.

📖 Bookbug nomination: Midlothian Council Library Service has announced that Lesley from Penicuik Library was shortlisted in the Bookbug Hero Awards 2025, run by the Scottish Book Trust. Lesley was commended for the work she did around Quiet Bookbug Sessions and her gentle and soft approach with the children.

🐭 Cute mice update: Last week the Council Library Service confirmed over 230 mice had been donated as part of the annual Mid Mouse project to support children in their transition to primary school. Be quick if you have any more to hand in, the deadline is today (23 May)!

👟 Active travel mascot: A shortlist of five names for the Council’s new active travel mascot has been unveiled. Vote for your favourite by 6pm on Sunday (25 May).

⚠️ Jobs: A couple of community opportunities to flag up this week:

• One Dalkeith is advertising for a Community Development Officer, closing date 14 June

• Midlothian Council is seeking applications for school crossing guides

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Event and activity diary

⏰ Previously listed events or activities taking place this week:

• Paddington in Peru at the Family Art and Film Club (Penicuik Town Hall) - 23 May (1pm - 3pm)

• Talk on The Demise of Lasswade and the Rise of Bonnyrigg as part of Local History Month - 23 May (2pm - 3pm)

• Launch of LCTS women’s night bus service - 23 May

• Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club at Dalkeith Country Park - 24 May

• Penicuik Silver and Youth bands’ Spring Concert - 24 May (7pm)

• Foster Care Fortnight continues until 25 May

• Third Sector Innovation Morning with Midlothian Community Action - 27 May (10am - 12.30pm)

• Digital Wellbeing workshop with Dalkeith Means Business - 29 May (2pm - 4pm)

⚠️ Jumble sale rescheduled: The Glencorse Centre Jumble Sale, originally scheduled for 24 May, has been postponed due to a low number of stall bookings - a new date will be announced in due course.

☕ Coffee morning: Dalkeith Arts Centre is hosting its annual coffee morning tomorrow (24 May) between 10am and 12pm.

🪴 Plant sale: Gorebridge Community Cares is hosting a plant sale at The Hive on Sunday (25 May), from 10am until noon.

🌱 Seedling Swap: If that’s not enough horticulture for one day you can head straight to Penicuik Community Garden and Storehouse for a Seedling Swap. Take along your pollinator-friendly seedlings between 12pm and 3pm and swap with others.

📽️ Penicuik Cinema: This week’s screening at Penicuik Cinema is the Oscar-winning (and very topical/excellent) Conclave - Sunday (25 May) at 7pm.

🚸 Family events: A couple of Midlothian Council family events to flag this midweek:

• Hawthorn Free Supper Club - 27 May (4.15pm - 5.45pm)

• Make seed bombs at 3 Eskdail Court - 28 May (3.45pm - 4.45pm)

🗣️ Night at the Museum: Head to Dalkeith Museum on Wednesday (28 May) for a presentation by Adam Cumming on Cramond Kirk and Village – A Post Industrial Landscape. The event begins at 7pm, with tickets (£8/£6) including wine and canapes.

🏆 Volunteer awards: The Midlothian Volunteer Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 29 May at Newbattle Abbey College (6.30pm - 9pm). Details of all the nominees and projects to be recognised can be found in the event programme.

🤝 Funding workshop: MP for Midlothian Kirsty McNeill is to host a free workshop with the People’s Postcode Lottery to help local groups in Midlothian secure funding. The event takes place on Zoom at 10am on 6 June.

🥧 Farmer’s Market: The next Glencorse Farmer’s Market will take place on 14 June, 10am - 3pm. Glencorse Centre is looking for local stallholders to join the event, including anyone selling food, drink or handmade crafts.

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Sport and fitness

⚽ Dalkeith Thistle put the gloss on an excellent finish to the season with a 1-0 win away to West Calder. Ross Aitchison got the only goal, scoring from the penalty spot.

• Dalkeith are seeking opposition for friendlies on a number of dates over July as they look to prepare for season 2025/26.

⚽ Bonnyrigg Rose were relegated to the Lowland League after a 3-1 aggregate defeat to East Kilbride last weekend. A club statement acknowledged the disappointment of the result but looked ahead to a “new chapter”, exemplified by the full-scale pitch redevelopment work beginning on Monday.

⚽ Dalkeith Thistle Community FC has announced the dates for their Summer Camp as follows: 30th June – 4th July; 14th – 18th July; 21st – 25th July (Girls Only). The camp is for those aged 5 – 12 years and costs £45 per week.

🏆 Dalkeith Petanque Club has set out a packed Petanque programme for the summer ahead, including the DPC Trebles Cup this Sunday (25 May).

🏆 Dalkeith Bowling Club has highlighted a number of upcoming competitions, including the Ray & Jackie Horsfall Sponsor Day on Sunday (25 May).

🚶‍♂️The Council’s Sport and Leisure Wellbeing team is running its May Trekker Walk on Wednesday (28 May), covering a 5.4 mile route around Braid Law. Meet at Silverburn Community Hall at 10am.

🚲 Midlothian Council is offering free cycle sessions for P5-P7 children on Fridays in May and June. Book early for the sessions, which take place on 23 and 30 May (Mayfield Park Skate Park) and 6, 13 and 30 June (King George V Park, Bonnyrigg).