Why David Murray waited 10 years to build in west Edinburgh
The family business dynasty on "patient" developing, investors heading to Manchester and a 6-year wait for planning permission
Welcome to another packed midweek edition of The Inquirer.
Everyone in Edinburgh knows of the Murray family business dynasty.
Most of us know one or two things about its founder Sir David. Firstly, that he once owned Rangers, in its halcyon days of signing footballers for up to £12 million. Second, that he overcame a devastating car crash as a young man, in which he lost both his legs, to build one of Scotland’s best-known companies.
Beyond that, many of us know little about his company Murray Capital, run today by Sir David’s two sons, David and Keith.
Their interests span French vineyards and the city’s oldest wine business, Cockburns of Leith, to large swathes of land on the west of Edinburgh that are earmarked for development as the city’s “Garden District”.
The deals which David Murray strikes will play a key role in how the west of the city grows in the coming years and he has just pressed the button on one agreement which will see the building of 1300 homes.
For today’s long read, David Forsyth caught up with him to talk about the frustrations and opportunities he sees as one of the key players in the Capital’s development.
More of that below, but first your usual news roundup and pick of the cultural highlights for the week ahead.
Your Edinburgh Briefing
SOLD! Ocean Terminal has been sold to US investment firm in a deal reported to be worth more £15 million, but around £3 million less than expected. The Leith shopping centre is in the middle of a major redevelopment involving the demolition of around a third of the centre. It’s new owners, Fortress, are majority owned by a consortium led by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund.
BEST LIBRARIES: Four libraries at Kirkliston, South Queensferry, Craigmillar and Oxgangs are in the running for the Library of the Year title at the prestigious British Book Awards. The recognition is testament to the city’s continued support for libraries at a time when others have been shut amid cutbacks in other parts of the UK. The Midlothian Library Service has also been shortlisted for its work to ensure every child becomes a library member.
HOTEL TO HOLIDAY FLATS: A former hotel in Canonmills is to be converted into serviced apartments after the owner’s dropped plans to turn it into flats. Councillors have given the go-ahead for the creation of seven serviced apartments for a total of up to 28 guests in the former Claremont Hotel.
E-BIKE THIEVES: Police are searching for four men who fled on e-bikes after breaking into a home in Suthren Yett, Prestonpans, and stealing more than £10,000 in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Pick of the (Cultural) Pops
Hola, Pop Pickers!
Greetings from sunny Fuerteventura! Yes, while you are likely dodging puddles on Princes Street, I am currently dictating this from a sun lounger with a cold drink in hand. Don’t hate me too much - I’ll be back in the drizzle before you can say “SPF 50.”
But even the allure of winter sun cannot keep me from the charts. And what a week to be away! The capital is absolutely teeming with heavy hitters this week, from the biggest theatrical opening of the year to intimate gigs that promise to be legendary.
It’s a week so packed with quality that some serious contenders didn’t even crack the Top 5. Take Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts at the Festival Theatre, for example - a bells-and-whistles mystery helmed by Tom Chambers that is unlikely to be anything short of polished. Or, how about the brilliant Amy Matthews at the Monkey Barrel; I gave her Commute with the Foxes a glowing review back at the 2024 Fringe, so leaving her off the list was a hard choice! It’s brutal out there, but the chart waits for no one, and they show mercy to none, including yours truly!
So, with a heartfelt sigh, let’s count them down…
New in at an Honorary Number 6 is... Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Assembly Roxy, March 4th–7th). Usually, the chart is a strict Top 5 affair, but I am making an executive decision from my sun lounger. I admit, I don’t know much about Gutter Theatre, the new collective bringing their debut production to the Roxy. But their Instagram suggests a company with a serious amount of pep in their student-led step, and I recognise several cast members from some of Edinburgh’s finer community productions. With the great Tom Stoppard having passed away only late last year, the chance to revisit one of his greatest works feels irresistible. If we want a thriving, diverse theatrical ecosystem in this city, we need to support ambitious new initiatives like this. Go give them a warm welcome.
Sliding to Number 5 is... Rob Auton (The Stand, March 5th). I have been a fan of Rob Auton since catching him at a late-night Book Festival gig a long time (and a pandemic) ago. He is a unique creature: part performance poet, part comedian, part philosopher, all seeing the world through singularly Auton-shaped glasses. His delivery is wonderfully droll, making an hour in his company a whimsical, surprising delight. I like him so much I haven’t actually reviewed his Fringe appearances in years; I just buy tickets and enjoy them. Catch him at The Stand next Thursday for a night that will likely be unlike anything else you see this year.
Moving to Number 4 is... Sean Shibe: Scottish Lute (Queen’s Hall, March 4th). Sean Shibe is a genuine homegrown rising star of the classical world - a man who can make a guitar sing like a choir. But this gig is special for another reason. When I last reviewed Sean in 2024, I expressed a hope that he would return for a “grander collaboration” with the Dunedin Consort. Well, it seems someone was listening. Next Wednesday, he does exactly that, joining forces with the Consort to explore the musical riches of the National Library of Scotland’s archives. If you see one classical concert this month, make it this one.
New in at Number 3 is... Matilda The Musical (Edinburgh Playhouse, Feb 26th – March 28th). Sometimes, a show is just too big to ignore. While the Lyceum (see Number 1) is hoping to launch the next big British musical, the RSC is rolling into the Playhouse with the finished article. Matilda is a worldwide phenomenon with a track record that One Day can—for now, at least—only dream of. It is sharp, witty, and features Tim Minchin’s genius lyrics that manage to be both anarchic and heartbreaking. It’s a polished, professional juggernaut of a production, and while it might be the “safe” commercial bet, the sheer quality on display makes it a bronze medalist in a very tough week.
New in at Number 2 is... The Events (Traverse Theatre, Feb 27th–28th).
There are few more admirable theatremakers in the country than Wonder Fools (Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse). Their acclaimed production of The Events is currently on a national tour, bringing this powerful play to audiences near and far - including, I’m told, the English. What makes this special is their commitment to community: for each locale, they recruit a new community choir to perform live on stage. It is a stunning example of putting their “community-first” money where their mouths are. It also makes this a huge week for playwright David Greig, who is responsible for writing both this and our Number 1 pick. Talk about a power move.
And finally, smashing in at Number 1 is... One Day (Royal Lyceum Theatre, Previews from Feb 27th). This is it. The big one. The Lyceum is going all-in on what promises to be the biggest theatrical opening in Scotland this year. Based on David Nicholls’ best-selling novel, this world premiere musical begins previews tomorrow. With a completely reworked auditorium (transformed into the round), a stellar cast including West End heavyweights Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose, and a powerhouse creative team, this has “UK-wide significance” written all over it. If you want to say “I was there when it started,” get yourself a ticket now before the reviews land and the box office explodes.
And that’s the chart from the poolside! I’m off to find another cocktail with a small umbrella in it. You lot hold the fort, enjoy the culture, and I’ll see you when I’m back on Scottish soil. Adios!
Why David Murray waited 10 years to build in west Edinburgh
The business dynasty on “patient” developing, investors heading to Manchester and a 6-year wait for planning permission
