How Edinburgh will power the UK’s AI revolution
Plus: Terrorism charges over factory attack; and plans to bring The Open back to East Lothian
Vast data centres planned to make the Capital the AI centre of the UK
Edinburgh is set to play a critical role in Keir Starmer’s vision of making the UK a global AI superpower with vast data centres planned around the Lothians.
The UK Government outlined plans last week to dramatically ramp up Britain’s Artificial Intelligence capabilities in an effort to close the growing gap with the United States.
The government’s Compute Roadmap puts the University of Edinburgh - which has been at the forefront of UK supercomputing and AI research for decades - at the centre of these plans.
That includes making the University of Edinburgh the UK’s first national supercomputing centre, sharing its computing power and expertise with researchers and businesses across the country. That follows the awarding of up to £750m last month to build one of the world’s most powerful exascale supercomputers at the university.
New powers were also announced to fast-track the building of data centres with three large sites across the Lothians identified as likely locations.
The Prime Minister has previously declared his ambition to generate billions in investment and create thousands of jobs by making the UK an “AI maker” rather than an “AI taker”. The government has promised to invest £1bn to increase the country’s AI research resource 20-fold over the next five years.
However, the vast processing power required by AI means the UK needs to build more data parks, a key area in which it is lagging behind the United States.
Where would Lothians’ data centres be built? The Lothians has been recognised as the key area for building new data centres in Scotland, with a Scottish Enterprise-backed report identifying three prime sites. That includes 93 acres (roughly the size of 70 football pitches) at the Pyramids Business Park, off the M8, at Bathgate, West Lothian, which could house one of Europe’s largest data centres. The former Cockenzie Power Station site, in East Lothian, and Salter’s Business Park on the edge of Dalkeith, Midlothian, have also been earmarked.
Fast-tracking: The power to fast-track data parks through the planning process was part of the AI Growth Zone plans announced by the UK Government, working in close collaboration with the Scottish Government.
Where will the power come from? Data centres require huge amounts of power to operate. Scotland has been identified as an ideal site for their expansion in the UK, partly due to the surplus renewable energy being produced here.
What will it mean for Edinburgh? Jobs and investment, plus more medical and technological breakthroughs. While there are widespread concerns about AI taking jobs, its development will also create new ones. In the short-term, that is likely to be construction jobs, but then in the longer term more high-skilled research roles in places like the BioQuarter research park at Little France and the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University.
Feel the heat: The massive amount of heat generated by data centres make them ideal for powering district heating systems.
The science bit: The centres allow researchers to process huge amounts of data leading to breakthroughs and innovation in areas ranging from medicine to social care and climate change. Scientists in Edinburgh are already using AI to develop new tailored treatments for cancer.
YOUR EDINBURGH BRIEFING
OPEN RETURN: British golf’s ruling body, the R&A, is discussing bringing The Open back to Muirfield for the first time in 12 years. A major barrier to the tournament returning to the Gullane course was lifted in 2017 when members voted to end its ban on women members. R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said talks with Muirfield were underway, adding: ”There's some work we need to do with the venue to facilitate some of the infrastructure that we require.”
TERROR CHARGES: Three women arrested following an attempt to drive a van through the fence of defence firm Leonardo’s factory in the Capital have been charged under the Terrorism Act.
TV STARS: US comedy star Tina Fey and Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker have joined the big name line-up for Edinburgh TV Festival’s 50th anniversary. Other speakers at the EICC in August include super producer Stephen Lambert, whose credits include The Traitors, Gogglebox and Undercover Boss.
NO BROS: The city council has formally rebutted a complaint from Royal Mile traders the Gold Brothers that it failed to follow ‘best value’ rules in awarding a £150,000-a-year contract. The contract which included providing a visitor information service on the street was awarded directly to hospitality group Cobbs without going out to tender. While the Gold Brothers said competitive tendering would have raised far more for public funds, the council said the contract was awarded "not based solely on rental value".
NOT THE TICKET: The move of the Waverley Station ticket office out of the main concourse to make way for a passenger lounge - as reported in last month’s Inquirer - has been criticised by the main rail union. Gordon Martin, Scottish organiser for the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said: “The travel shop’s central location was convenient for customers and safe for workers. Shifting it away from the station’s main hub, and expecting staff to sell tickets on the concourse or relying on machines, is not a safe or reliable substitute for a properly staffed, centrally located booking office.”
WEED COMPLAINTS GROW: The number of complaints about weeds have reached their highest level in more than a decade in Edinburgh. The city council received 636 requests to remove weeds last year, compared to fewer than 500 a year for most of the last 10 years.
FOOD PARK: The Westside Centre in Wester Hailes has been given permission to open 14 food and drink trailers in its car park to serve visitors to the shopping centre.
‘COWARDLY’ STARMER: The suspension of four rebel Labour MPs who led the revolt against the party’s benefit reforms has done little to quell criticism from within the Capital. Speaking on X, left wing Labour city councillor Katrina Faccenda described the party whips “a shield for the unprincipled and the cowardly”, adding: “Never has Labour policy been so far from the needs of the poor and vulnerable.”
KILT DIP: A Royal Mile kiltmaker who has made highland wear for the Scotland men’s football team, Celtic FC and Edinburgh University has gone into administration. Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers, which was established in 2009, said it was continuing to trade in administration and no jobs had been lost.
BATTERY PLANT: Another battery storage site has been give the go-ahead in the Lothians despite concerns about the fire risk. The battery farm in open countryside between Bathgate and Armadale won the backing of West Lothian councillors in the interests of reducing long-term carbon emissions.
Pic of the week
THE BUSINESS
Law firms at risk from money laundering threat
Solicitors have been warned that they must remain vigilant to the threat of money laundering by criminal gangs and terrorist organisations.
The Edinburgh headquartered Law Society of Scotland is the professional body for more than 13,000 solicitors, and Head of Anti-Money Laundering Gemma Turnbull was reacting to an updated National Risk Assessment published by HM Treasure and the Home Office.
Scottish solicitors must remain vigilant to the threat of money laundering, as a new report confirms the legal sector continues to be a key target for criminals.
Their latest risk assessment draws upon the most up-to-date information from the Government, supervisors, law enforcement agencies and the private sector on how criminals try to move illicit funds through the UK and the risks this poses – and concludes that the legal sector continues to face a high risk of money laundering.
Ms Turnbull warned law firms in the capital and beyond: “Criminals continue to be drawn to legal services, as our profession’s reputation can unfortunately provide a veneer of legitimacy for illicit activity. While instances of non-compliance amongst firms remain relatively low, we cannot afford to overlook the significant risks inherent in the services we provide and the substantial sums that are handled in our sector.
"It is crucial that firms do not become complacent - ongoing vigilance and a proactive approach to risk management are essential to safeguarding the integrity of both firms and the profession as a whole.”
KEY TO FUTURE: The Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa has been awarded the prestigious Green Key certificate, an internationally recognised mark of excellence for sustainability in the hospitality sector. Backed by the Foundation for Environmental Education, there are only 8000 holders of the award throughout the world.
CYBER LOSS: City-based cyber security firm Adarma has gone bust, with the loss of 173 jobs – most of them in Edinburgh. Administrators have been appointed to deal with the insolvency at the firm, which was founded in 2009, with offices in Edinburgh and London.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
ANDY GOLDSWORTHY: Celebrating the work of one of the UK’s greatest contemporary artists, Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years has been conceived by the artist as a single immersive artwork. Taking up all the upper rooms and most of the lower flower of the Royal Scottish Academy on the Mound, it is the biggest indoor exhibition of his work ever staged. Occupying all of the upper rooms and most of the lower floor, the exhibition features more than 200 works, exploring Goldsworthy’s familiar themes of land and our relationship with it.
GARDEN PARTY: Bringing together some of the UK’s best-known plant nurseries and garden centres with representatives of organisations like the Scottish Bonsai and Koi Carp clubs, The National Gardening and Outdoor Living Show comes to the Royal Highland Centre on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets from £15.
WOMEN’S HISTORY: Explore the history of the Royal Mile through the stories of some of the remarkable women who have lived and worked along the street through the centuries. The Women's History Tour leaves the Castle ramparts at 10am on Friday. Tickets from £14.25.
QUICK BITES
FAB FOUR: Four Edinburgh restaurants have the Good Food Guide’s UK-wide list of the 100 Best Local Restaurants 2025 – including the recently opened Barry Fish on the Shore. Others to gain the accolade were Fin & Grape, Leftfield (both in Bruntsfield) and The Palmerston at the west end.
CAFÉ SALE: Coffee house Mr Coffee, on Brougham Street, is on the market for a leasehold price of £45,000 and a rent of £14,000. Described as “charming” on property website Rightbiz, it is one of 59 cafes listed for sale in Edinburgh.