Monday December 15th 2025
Dalkeith Men's Shed members winning the 2025 Scottish Men's Shed Association awards in October
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Described by members as ‘brotherly love’ and a ‘safe space’, Dalkeith Men’s Shed has been a cherished community space for many since being founded.
Moving into One Dalkeith in 2020 during covid, the men’s shed has become a popular social space for Midlothian men of all ages, growing by 17 members in a year.
Winning mens shed of the year from the Scottish Men’s Shed Association, the members cherish their community with their growth allowing them to take time to help out the wider Midlothian community, such as local schools.
Speaking on the Midlothian View podcast, shed member and outreach and logistics for the shed, Ronnie Tappenden, explained:
“It’s about brotherly love. It’s a safe space for men to come and talk to other men. So it’s about creating that safe place where men don’t maturally speak about themselves or about the issue they have.
“It allows men to express thmesleves in a different way. Basically it allowed use the freedom to express any problems that we’re having. We’ll try and help wach other out wherever we can.”
With over 200 in Scotland, a men’s shed is a community space where men connect, socialise, and work on practical projects like woodworking, allowing members of all ages over 18, with Dalkeith’s shed ranging from the youngest being 19 years old to the oldest member being in his 80’s. Since moving into One Dalkeith, the Dalkeith men’s shed has had the access to a large workshop to practice woodwork and other DIY projects.
On the podcast, shed Chairman, John Handley, explained:
“We basically do a big variety of things. People can come into the workshop and make their own things or do what they like but we also do quite a bit of work out in the community.”
Being a retired design and technology teacher, John expressed his love and passion for the shed, explaining that the workshop allows him to continue his passion alongside teaching others his years of developed skills.
Alongside supporting each other, Dalkeith Men’s Shed also supports their community, taking part in many initiatives including, hosting a men’s shed day aimed at unpaid carers, fixing areas of primary school playgrounds and creating public benches.
Member Ronnie Tappenden has also recently created a men’s shed in Gorebridge, with the help from Dalkeith members and MP Kirsty McNeil, aiming to create the same community in an area of Midlothian which he explained as lacking a men’s shed.
With an up-coming planned trip to visit a Japenese men’s shed, alongside their growing numbers, Dalkeith Men’s Shed has an exciting future ahead of them going into 2026.
Listen below to a 30 minute podcast episode with Dalkeith Men’s Shed, where we discussed who they are, why they cherish the community, past and up-coming community initiatives, and much more.
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