Edinburgh Today

Leith Docks

Ferris Wheel

Scotland's National Wheel

Edinburgh City Council has announced that it is in talks with the company that built the 165m high ferris wheel at Singapore - the world's biggest observational wheel. 

The Council is considering creating a wheel, up to 120m high, at Leith Docks.  The cost would be funded by Great City Attractions.  It is anticipated that it would be known as 'Scotland's National Wheel'.  At 120m, It would be the second largest wheel in Europe and the fifth largest in the world.

The London Eye is 135m high.  It was built in 1999 at a cost of £20m.  Tickets to ride on the London Eye cost £17.50.

The Council claim that the wheel would help the regeneration of the whole Waterfront area.  They hope it would generate about as many visitors as Edinburgh Zoo, about 650,000 a year.

Edinburgh Evening News, December 9, 2009,  pp.1,4

Great City Attractions

Edinburgh City Council has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with developers, Great City Attractions, for the proposed ferris wheel to go ahead.  The council plans to site the wheel next to Ocean Terminal and Royal Yacht Britannia, subject to the agreement with land owner, Forth Ports.

Edinburgh Evening News, March 22, 2010, p.6

Opposition Mounting

Opposition is growing to Forth Energy's plans for their £360m biomass power plant, which would have a smoke stack up to 100 metres high, at Leith Docks . 

IIf the project gains approval, the plant is due to be completed by 2015 and will involve the demolition of a B-listed grain silo.

Forth Energy describe the project as ambitious, but say that it will have a positive impact including the creation of 250 construction jobs and 60 operational jobs.

Organisations expressing concern include three community councils, two residents' associations and the environmental organisation, Greener Leith.

Edinburgh Evening News, April 6, 2010, p.17