Iain Millar – Pentlands Men's Shed

Author: Iain Millar
Retired IT project manager / IT manager Developer of the basic website for Pentlands Men’s Shed Keen dinghy sailor – sails a Laser dinghy and a Mirror dinghy at St Mary’s Loch Sailing Club Reluctant gardener Originally from Forfar – lived in Aberdeen for 24 years before moving back to the Edinburgh area

Ode to Pentlands Men’s Shed

Posted on 02/11/202602/11/2026 by Iain Millar

(By Jack Barnett – October 2026)

The Pentlands Men’s Shed are a happy crew
So let me tell you what some of us do.

I’ll start with Stewart, now he is no fool
He can always tell you how to handle your tool.

Then there’s John,
Now I have to stress
If you work with him there will be no mess

Next is Iain from Livingstone who likes to mess about in his boat-
If he ever falls overboard
I hope he can float.

Then there’s Lyall who looks after the money
He also does the BBQ
Providing it’s sunny
He brings all the stuff and makes up the rolls
Some of you help, God bless your souls.

Alex is our entertainment convener
Now he’s a big bloke
Every time he meets you he wants to tell you a joke.

Next is Mike, now he’s never late,
That’s how he gets parking right next to the gate.

Jim and Jan are our building team
The word PYRAMID comes to mind, if you know what I mean
Just joking – it will be fine,
I’m sure – you’ll finish it some time.

Then there’s Murray and Tony – this pair like a treat,
You should see how many biscuits the two of them eat.

Next is big Davy who used to be a cop,
I’ll bet he kept all the baddies – on the hop.

Then there’s Russell who likes to fish and make jam-
I’m impressed: I really really am!!

Colin’s our gardener if you please.
He cuts the grass and looks after our trees.
He’s quite clever and knows what to do.
He’ll soon have the place looking like the Gardens at Kew.

Next is Bill who always brings his own flask,
Is there something wrong with our tea or coffee I hear you ask.

We have 3 Ali’s at the Shed,
So let’s go through them head by head.

First up is Mr Skinner,
If he’s in your Shed, you’re on to a winner.

Next is Mr McKenzie, a slouch he ain’t.
Among other things, he likes to paint.

Then there’s Mr McKillop, well what can I say
I think I’ll leave him for an other day.

We also have 2 Robins
No, I do not jest
But I honestly don’t know if they’ve got a red breast!!!

Then there’s our chairman, Robert

Well to us he’s just Rab
All the work he does is truly fab.
Nobody possibly could do it better.
Oh, and he also does the weekly newsletter.

Not forgetting all the lads who do the kindling
They step up to the plate when stocks are dwindling

Any body can have a bash
And help bring in some extra cash

Martin and Robert are our computer buffs
We just let them get on with all that stuff

Our secretary’s name is Nigel
And he’s doing the job really well
I also know he writes for a paper
So I’ll need to ask him about it later.

There’s Murdo, Eddie, Brian, Keith, Ian, Jim and Ron,
The names just go on and on and on.

If I’ve missed anybody out I do apologise
But for an old man like me
Names are hard to memorise

So if you come to the shed to work
Or just for a blether
It’s good
Because it brings us together.

END

First Aid Training

Posted on 23/01/202623/01/2026 by Iain Millar

Shed members were provided with a valuable training session in First Aid by Art Cook of the British Red Cross. After a general introduction about the work of his organisation, Art provided useful advice on how to deal with some of the types of health or accident scenario that anyone might encounter. He then went on to describe how to deal with people who are unresponsive, including doing chest compressions and ideally using an AED (defibrillator) if the casualty isn’t breathing or if their heart has stopped, and gave Shed members the opportunity to practice on training dummies. He also emphasised the importance of calling 999 whenever emergency medical help is needed.

Campbell Park birdboxes

Posted on 15/12/202515/12/2025 by Iain Millar

On Friday 12 December 2025, with the help of Nat West Bank and Friends of Campbell Park volunteers and with the assistance of the Edinburgh & Lothian Greenspace Trust, 36 Bird Boxes were put up around Campbell Park. This included 10 boxes made by Pentlands Men’s Shed, led by Jonathan Davey. Thanks to everyone who participated and helped Jonathan by providing the support and expertise needed to complete this component of the project, with a special mention for Ali Skinner. Jonathan was delighted to report that within minutes of putting up one of the boxes, a coal tit was scouting around for insects and went into a box! 3 Kestrel size boxes are due to be made in January.

Balerno Farmers Market

Posted on 14/12/202514/12/2025 by Iain Millar

Members of Pentlands Men’s Shed had an enjoyable and successful outing to sell some shed-made goodies at Balerno Farmers Market on 13 December 2025. As well as making some money for Shed funds, the team learned what sells well and therefore we have a good idea of what to make for next year. Only 11 months to prepare for it!

Currie Christmas Fair

Posted on 02/12/202502/12/2025 by Iain Millar

Our members attended the Currie Christmas Fair on 30 November in the Currie Community Centre. Great fun was had, and we even sold some goodies for Shed funds – mainly made by members, but also by some of our families. Along with Christmas ornaments, soft furnishings, and toys and games we even sold some kindling which has been a big money spinner for the Shed over recent years. We were delighted to sell a beautiful piece of an oak barrel that had been repurposed into a candle holder by one of our recent recruits, and we hope to have more items to sell at future similar events. As well as raising funds, we were very pleased to raise awareness of the Shed amongst local people, as the community is a key focus for our activities.

Another happy customer

Posted on 24/10/202525/10/2025 by Iain Millar

We were contacted by a member of the local community who asked if we could take a look at his extending tree loppers which had stopped working properly. This sounded like the sort of job that we could take on, so our chairman collected the loppers, brought them to the Shed, and proceeded to repair them with a little help from other Shed members. He later returned them to the grateful owner, who made a generous donation to Shed funds as thanks for a job well done. While we don’t really offer a “repair shop” type of service, we do try to help out with small pieces of work where we feel we can do so without taking work from local businesses, and without making commitments that would put us under pressure on timescales. It was good to be able to help out on this occasion!

Praise from Dr Scott Arthur MP

Posted on 07/10/202502/12/2025 by Iain Millar

Dr Scott Arthur, MP for Edinburgh South West, visited Pentlands Men’s Shed in October 2025, and the Westminster member doubted that any other project in the Capital achieves to much with so little.

He added: “I was proud to meet the retired, but certainly not tired, gentlemen at the Pentland Men’s Shed.

Water Crew!

Posted on 12/09/202514/09/2025 by Iain Millar

Shed entertainment officer Alex arranged a cruise on the Union Canal for a group of Shed members which was, by all accounts, a great success. No-one fell in, no-one was forced to walk the plank, and no-one was captured by pirates. They only had to endure Alex’s jokes for three hours! Alex’s report on the cruise, along with some photos, follows:

Supporters of Pentlands Men’s Shed

Posted on 22/08/202516/07/2026 by Iain Millar

Pentlands Men’s Shed wishes to thank all of our supporters, donors, and benefactors, some of whom are listed below.

Since 2018 the company has grown to supply high-quality meat on a wholesale basis to many of Scotland’s well-known eateries, as well as selling directly to the customers through online orders or at their shop located just outside Edinburgh.

IMMS are the burglar alarm installers Edinburgh residents select for Home Security Systems. We have been installing burglar alarms for over 30 years. IMMS offer wireless burglar alarm installation and other services including CCTV systems & fire safety products.

Skanska, one of the UK’s leading contractors, helps to construct, upgrade and maintain the country’s buildings and infrastructure.

*Hestia are an Edinburgh based Mechanical Building Services contractor offering installation, service and maintenance on small medium and large scale projects.*

Roofing and Building Contractors Edinburgh

Sarco provides bespoke inflatable pipeline stoppers to meet the special requirements for a wide range of applications, environments and in all sectors

Community Chest – administered jointly by Currie Balerno Rotary Club and Balerno Village Trust. The Community Chest is also supported with contributions from CALA Homes.

Church Hill Place, Edinburgh EH10 4BD
T: 0131 447 3135
F: 0131 447 0408
W: www.james-erskine.co.uk
*Upholsterers, re-finishers of all domestic and commercial upholstery.*

*Four Seasons Scotland Design and Build Ltd, Currie*

*Clerwood Attics and Velux Ltd, Edinburgh’s Loft Storage & VELUX Specialists*

HSE at Pentlands Men’s Shed

Posted on 10/01/202510/01/2025 by Iain Millar

Health and Safety are vital aspects of running a successful Shed, and we also recognise our Environmental responsibilities too. To that end we have created a number of documents which will be displayed in the Shed and are also available on the website within the Shed Documents section.