Granton Hub Edinburgh

Community arts

Tamsin from Edinburgh

About me I am a writer, bodyworker, walking artist and psychogeographer living in Edinburgh. I have an extensive travel blog and my writing/walkshops have been featured in the Wee Review, The List, Caught By the River, Walking Artists Network, Social Art Library, the Urban Tree Festival, 4WCoP and Walking Encounters. Death and Loss in Shiatsu Practice was published in 2020. Why ...
""Granton Hub" (aka Madelvic House) in North Edinburgh is a community centre in a prosaic, truly historic building with a rich industrial heritage..."

If you know what you’re looking for, you can easily find the red brick Granton Hub (aka Madelvic House) in North Edinburgh. It’s a development area and this community centre is in a truly historic building with a rich industrial heritage.

Fronted by a sphinx, it is by the first electric car factory, dating from 1898 (now a ruin), and full of interesting ongoing presentations. A prosaic building, it is the corridor walls with old black and white photos and the fascinating conversations with local historians which I like. Telling me about sitting in the harbour with his grandpa, or collecting mussels with his uncle, the resident specialists have many stories to tell. The best way to hear them is to go on one of their walks, however, if one isn’t on, you can download maps or use the Curious Edinburgh app to explore.

The Edinburgh Community Garden is always open with its herbs and fruiting plants, providing a quiet space to sit and sniff the lavender. The nearby Community Orchard is adjacent. Granton Hub has art rooms, regular exhibitions, and workshops covering painting and printmaking. I couldn’t believe the range of work on show when I went to a Friday night opening – sculptures of local activists, photographs of the coastline, plus jewellery made by beachcombers.

There are Grassroots Remedies, weekly meditation sessions, Death Cafes and lots more, so join the mailing list and check out what’s on. Please note, not open on a regular daily basis, but for events only.

002-building
Art & culture

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

Edinburgh Spotter Tamsin

About me I am a writer, bodyworker, walking artist and psychogeographer living in Edinburgh. I have an extensive travel blog and my writing/walkshops have been featured in the Wee Review, The List, Caught By the River, Walking Artists Network, Social Art Library, the Urban Tree Festival, 4WCoP and Walking Encounters. Death and Loss in Shiatsu Practice was published in 2020. Why Edinburgh? The best parts of Edinburgh are the green spaces. Then again there is the proximity to the sea. There are also seven hills actually inside the city boundaries and easy access to the B...

About this spot

Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue

£

free

Oct 29, 2025

Our Edinburgh City Guide

Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Edinburgh guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Edinburgh

Pilrig Park

UK's only siege works site

This park holds a hidden treasure from the 16th century! These siege works are believed to be the only ones from the 16th century found in Britain.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Nov 17, 2025

Dean Cemetery

Hidden stories

"Dean Cemetery" in Edinburgh keeps some fascinating stories hidden in the gravestones. My favorite is that of the man behind the phrase 'botched job...'

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Fiona

Diack

Nov 17, 2025

Campervan Brewery

COVID-friendly beer spot

"Campervan Brewery" and their amazing taproom in Edinburgh is the perfect place for a post-lockdown pint. You should try their Trainspotting beer!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Fiona

Diack

Nov 17, 2025

Considerat Chocolate

Incredible vegan donuts

Plant based or not, if you love donuts, you HAVE to take a trip to "Considerat Chocolate" in Edinburgh! You won't even notice they're vegan...

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Nov 13, 2025

J.K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints

Hidden finds!

"J.K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints" is one of the tons of Harry Potter-related sights in Edinburgh that most fans miss. Tourists wander right past it!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Nov 9, 2025

Nott Wine Bar

Charcuterie boards & artisan coffee

Edinburgh's Leith Walk is filling up fast with trendy new coffee shops, bakeries, and local maker stores - "Nott Wine Bar" is one of my favourites!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Nov 7, 2025

Lochend Park

Birdwatching bounty

"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Newhaven Harbour

Fish and chips by the sea

Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Starbank Park

Gardens with a view

"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Water of Leith

River through the city

The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Wardie Bay

Wild swimming in the city

"Wardie Bay" in Edinburgh is a bijou beach on the Firth of Forth and my favourite spot for wild swimming in the city...

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Dance Base

Dance your heart out

"Dance Base" is an award-winning building in Edinburgh established to provide classes, workshops & performances. Please do join me in dancing!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Tamsin

Grainger

Oct 29, 2025

Heading to Edinburgh?

138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Edinburgh app Home
Edinburgh app Home
Edinburgh app Map
Edinburgh app Home

Heading to Edinburgh?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

138 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Edinburgh

Get to know our other Spotters from Edinburgh

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
53
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters