FISHERROW’S ‘Window Wanderland’ is set to take place again this year following its success amidst the Covid-19 crisis in the lead-up to Christmas 2020.

Fisherrow Waterfront Group (FWG) invited residents and businesses in the area to decorate their windows for the festive season, after its Christmas family events were cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions.

The group, which promotes the local coastline and historic Fisherrow Harbour, decided to use a small pot of National Lottery funding to organise the ‘Window Wanderland’ initiative.

Participants registered their decorated windows on a website and more than 40 displays were lit up for people to view on three evenings in December.

Organiser Katie Swann said: “I’m delighted that so many people around Fisherrow joined in by decorating their windows and following the trail.

“Our Window Wanderland was a safe, fun and community-focused way to bring some light into the dark winter evenings.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone for taking part – it certainly put smiles on lots of faces.”

Fisherrow Waterfront Group aims to improve the seafront area for local people and visitors.

The group plans to make the area more of a destination by attracting investment in a wide range of improvements to the area’s infrastructure.

Working as part of the Fisherrow Harbour and Seafront Association (FHSA), members aim to work with the council and funders to improve the attractiveness of and accessibility to the area.

One of the current priorities under consideration is making the harbour and seafront safer and more user-friendly for pedestrians.

Stuart Rillie, harbour manager, said: “I have watched how the traffic flows in this area over a long period of time now.

“The way that cars and traffic have to mix, particularly at the back sands area on a sunny day, means there is an accident just waiting to happen.

“Our proposals to separate cars and traffic should ensure a better flow for pedestrians and much-improved environment to visit and enjoy.”

FWG is also keen to put Fisherrow more clearly on the map as part of the John Muir Way and make the area more accessible to cyclists and pedestrians.

There is also a desire to see more services along the seafront area.

Trustee Pauline Crerar is working with East Lothian Council to look at improving the cycle way, with a particular focus on bike racks.

The wider plan is a better join-up between the promenade at Portobello and Fisherrow, and beyond.

Veronica Noone, FWG chairperson and FHSA vice-chairperson, said: “We really see value in improving accessibility along a safe and attractive walkway, and we have had this feedback from local people.

“We are also keen to work with the council and, in particular the sea defence team, to ensure that whatever sea defence design is decided upon improves the look of the area and is sensitive to the need for good accessibility to the beaches.”

There are plans to work with the FHSA to hold the second Harbour Festival later this year, if Covid-19 restrictions allow.

Veronica said: “The first one [in 2019] was a great success and this, together with the smaller family fun events, helps strengthen the attractiveness of the area by making it an even more fun place to be.”

She added: “There has been really strong growth in the use of the area for water-based activities such as sailing and rowing, and most recently kayaking and paddle boarding.

“This is brilliant for the area and we want to see more of it.”

FWG is continuing to work with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Scottish Water to ensure that water quality in the area is improved.

Members also work closely with local environment groups, such as Love Musselburgh and Renegade Street Cleaners, to carry out regular beach cleans.