John McLellan: The Wanderers deserve support

Following the announcement that the Scottish Rugby Union was applying for permission to create a new home for Edinburgh Rugby on the back pitches at Murrayfield, I asked what this would mean for Murrayfield Wanderers, which has played there for decades.

Sadly for Wanderers this arrangement is at an end and this coming season the club will play at two pitches on Roseburn Park, still in sight of the national stadium but no longer part of it. Their pavilion, in which they invested £300,000 25 years ago, will now be taken over by Edinburgh Rugby.

Founded in 1868, Wanderers benefited while the big Former Pupil clubs were only open for old boys and staff, but their traditions have been kept alive by their outreach programme which funds development officer to take rugby into non-rugby schools like Tynecastle High and the WHEC. Long may that continue.

Devils’ advocate

Beware the devils with wheelie cases . . . The rise of Airbnb and short-term letting is causing tension in parts of the city but the Short Term Let Association has an extensive code of conduct and is keen to co-operate with the douncil and Scottish Government.

Green MSP Andy Wightman’s repeated claims of “a modern-day clearance” in Edinburgh is a deliberate attempt to demonise a sector which plays a vital role in the success of the Festivals. A sense of perspective would be helpful.