Our History

In Celtic mythology, the Rowan tree was known as the Travellers’ Tree, because it prevented people on a journey from getting lost. Rowan Alba began with Thorntree Street 15 years ago providing secure tenancies to older people who have had a history of homelessness and a long term history of problematic alcohol use.

Thorntree Street uniquely makes housing first a priority and puts the security and dignity of our tenants at the forefront off all that we do. Our charity has since developed a number of services in Edinburgh, which reduce the chances of people becoming homeless or, where this has happened, provide people with the ongoing care and support they need. All our services are framed around addressing social isolation, offering one to one support and accepting people as they are.