Westerhailes

Wester Hailes was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its population, initially 18,000 has now settled around 10,000.

Over the years, massive re-development work has taken place, with all but three of the high rise blocks of flats demolished and replaced with buildings of up to three or four storeys.

European funding has enabled a great deal of landscaping and environmental improvement to take place. The British Waterways Millenium project re-opened the Union Canal, which now makes its way through the centre of the community. It is an amenity which has brought a pleasant family walkway with wildlife interest right in the heart of the community – a major asset.

However the softening and improvements to the environment do not take away the very real hardship and social needs which are not far below the surface.