The Edinburgh Reporter December 2025

Giant Lanterns Home Comforts Hogmanay Hoolie War Memorial Lorna’s Challenge

Edinburgh Zoo’s winter lights

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Roll call for police heroes

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Dog and cat home appeal

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Countdown is on to the Bells

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On point at Christmas

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE TROPICAL POINSETTIA has become a symbol for Christmas and the display at Dobbies Garden Centre is something to behold.

Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia is

named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the minister who first introduced them to the USA.

The company stock around 40,000 of these, the most festive of plants, each year in their 53 stores.

Dobbies’ Senior Plant Buyer, Claire Bishop, above, said:

“Poinsettias have been a Christmas favourite for generations, bringing colour and warmth to homes during the festive season, and we’re excited to welcome them to our Edinburgh store to kick off the celebrations.

“Our customers loved the pink

and white varieties last year, so we’ve brought these back for 2025, along with the everpopular red – which we’re expecting to be the standout choice this Christmas for creating a show-stopping centrepiece as more people embrace a traditional festive look.”

Husband married to many sports

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She also advises that to keep the plant in good health water it only if the soil feels dry to the

Editorial

THIS YEAR has just flown by. How many times do we say that - but this year I genuinely mean it. This is our 12th issue of the year and the time in between each one seems to get shorter and shorter.

The £200 million Covid Inquiry which just reported as we were going to press about what governments got right (and more importantly got wrong) proves time is hard to fathom.

Looking back at the pandemic is difficult for people who lost loved ones, and we should consider them most when recalling what happened during that time.

Baroness Heather Hallett, Chair of the Covic-19 Inquiry said that the toxic atmosphere at No 10 Downing Street did little to help and may have caused 23,000 more deaths than needed.

She said that government response all over the UK was “too little, too late”.

The Chair of the British Medical Association, Dr Tom Dolphin, said that the report is a “terrible indictment of the Government’s almost incomprehensible failings and incompetence”. He said that in early 2020 ”Boris Johnson had several things coming across his desk but the pandemic wasn’t even in the top five”.

In Scotland the inquiry found that First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, made decisions with a small group of advisers and ministers. Surprisingly it is now time to look ahead to this final month of the year.

There are several light shows in town with Giant Lanterns at Edinburgh Zoo until February, Christmas at the Botanics until the end of December and the Castle of Light: Fire and Ice at Edinburgh Castle until 4 January. These are all outdoor events designed to cheer everyone who makes it along, even on the coldest of nights. At the end of this month it will be Hogmanay and time to really reflect on the year and look ahead to 2026. Our middle pages outline the entertainment available in the city centre including First Footin’ on 1 January which is excellent - and free.

I hope you have some good times this month - and Happy Christmas (when it comes). Thank you for reading.

Phyllis

Stephen, Editor

There is a proposal of application for a building described as 3 Lady Lawson Street which the owner EIP Jupiter SARL, a company domiciled in Luxembourg, intends demolishing.

There is a proposal to then use the huge site for a hotel and office development. This is an innocuous looking application but it would involve demolition of the large building called Argyle House - which does lie on Lady Lawson Street but is also bounded by West Port on one side and Castle Terrace on the other. Codebase has its HQ on the Castle Terrace side along with many other small businesses. Edinburgh architect, Malcolm Fraser, says that in his view the buildingBrutalist though it may be - should not be demolished. Here is Mr Fraser’s opinion:

ECONOMIC

The strongest part, in many independent economists’ views, of Edinburgh and Scotland’s economy is the unheralded and self-generated tech and crafts infrastructure - tecchie start-ups, crafts, daubers, fiddlers and dreamers - occupying cheap space and doing the real innovation, and generating the innovative jobs, that government aye begs for. Argyle House has nurtured two unicorn companies - ie now capitalised at over a billion dollars. Do we really think it’s progress

to put them out onto the street for more hotels and executive flats?

HERITAGE AND PLACEMAKING

Argyle House is a distinguished modernist building, in a city that continues to erase its recent heritage. In its sturdy, grey monumentality it is characteristically Edinburgh. In placemaking it does a nice thing in stepping back from the tight junction at the head of West Port, a move that Patrick Geddes, doyen of Town Planning and Edinburgh Hero, would have surely approved, given his adage of “letting some light in”.

CARBON, WASTE AND CLIMATE DOUBLESPEAK

It is madness, given the seriousness of the Climate Emergency and the ocean of waste that we condemn to landfill, to knock down a sturdy, solid and useful building, condemning huge amounts of embodied carbon.

As an architect I find it particularly distressing to see the plans being advanced by a former President of my professional institute, who has proclaimed himself a “Climate Champion”.

to you each month. It helps us to cover the overheads of bringing the news to you in print and online and to maintain it as free to access. The QR code below on the left and will take you to our subscription page. ter.ooo/subscribe

Plus I recall a Hibernian Football Supporters Forum where Edinburgh taxi drivers praised it to the skies - local folk with good taste.

Masterstroke

Argyle House

There is nowhere more magical than Edinburgh in December. In West Princes Street Gardens the Ross Fountain is firmly at the centre of the festivities. Events at Ross Bandstand throughout the month

include Edinburgh Sings on 6 December at 2pm, the Santa Run & Walk on 7 December at 11am, and the Silent Disco Christmas Cracker on 13 December from 6.30pm to 8pm www.edwinterfest.com

The story of Colinton’s shops150 years of local businesses

COLINTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

HAVE PUBLISHED A NEW BOOK examining the social history of Colinton Village.

Ian Forder, Chair of the Society, explained the background to this new project.

He said: “The inspiration for the book arose when a ghost sign - an old, faded shop sign - was revealed above a shop in Bridge Road. This sign, once advertising J Mitchell Taxi Hire, was soon hidden again under the new café’s frontage. The event sparked a conversation within the Society, leading one member to gather and share photographs of other ghost signs around the area. Some, such as Picken the Bootmaker and the Colinton Dell Railway Inn, remain visible; others are more elusive or have been obscured over time.

“This initial curiosity quickly developed

into a broader exploration of the shops and businesses behind the signs: their histories, what came before, and what followed after.

“The Society’s archives, along with original research by members, uncovered a wealth of fascinating stories. Our aim became to piece together these findings, tracing the history of each property and revealing the people who shaped Colinton’s commercial life.”

Whether you are a past or present resident of Colinton, or simply interested in local history, this fully illustrated book is a fascinating dip into the development of the village and the impact of changes in society on our shopping habits.

The book is available from the Society enquiries@colintonhistory.org.uk in local shops and on Amazon. Price £7.99

West Princes Street Gardens from on high

Image: Craig Duncan

By STEPHEN RAFFERTY

POLICE SCOTLAND CHIEF CONSTABLE Jo

Farrell has defended a £134,000 expenses claim which helped her buy a second home in Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh Reporter broke the exclusive story online of how the Chief Constable landed taxpayers with the eyewatering bill as part of a “relocation” package.

Our 8 November report revealed the police chief - who earns £270,000 a year - had bought a £600,000 apartment in Edinburgh while keeping on her £1 million family home 100 miles away in Northumberland.

An excerpt from Police Scotland’s annual accounts obtained by The Edinburgh Reporter showed Ms Farrell received relocation expenses of £69,901 while the taxpayer-funded Scottish Police Authority (SPA) picked up additional “tax costs” of £64,525.

It is believed part of the claim relates to Land and Building Transaction Tax (LBTT) and Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS), an additional charge which has to be paid by all second homeowners.

It is understood the Chief Constable, who joined Police Scotland in October 2023, makes frequent trips back to the Northumberland home she shares with her retired police officer husband.

The couple bought an apartment in Edinburgh - which as a second home would carry a combined LBTT and ADS charge of £68,500. Due to strong demand in the capital, similar properties increase in value by an

Council still to decide on future of the George Chief is quids in

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

COUNCILLORS will reconsider whether to impose a defective buildings notice on the former George Cinema in Bath Street in Portobello, contrary to officers’ recommendations.

The owners want to demolish the art deco building, (which remains listed despite the owners’ attempts to have that designation removed) and put flats in its place. The Friends of the George continue their dogged campaign to acquire the dilapidated structure and restore it as a cinema for the community.

Council officers said that there was no need for such a notice, and that there was already too much water damage. Officers cautioned that such a notice might result in the council having responsibility for remedial works. A defective building notice requires an owner to “rectify defects” to bring a building into a reasonable state of repair.

The Friends had pleaded with the

average of 5% annually, meaning the Farrells could benefit from a £150,000 uplift in just five years.

Scottish Conservative leader, Russell Findlay, MSP, said: “Struggling frontline officers and the paying public might question whether such huge sums of taxpayers’ cash should be spent on a second home for a chief constable who’s on more than £260,000.

“This highly generous deal must now be subject to proper scrutiny and a full public explanation from Police Scotland, the SPA and the SNP government. If such largesse is within the rules, then the rules should be looked at.”

The rules on chief officer relocation expenses state the retention of a second home may be considered only in “exceptional circumstances” and that LBTT and ADS may be eligible for reimbursement.

Former MSP, shadow Justice Secretary and Assistant Chief Constable, Graeme Pearson, said Police Scotland regulations on removal expenses was not designed to support the purchase of a second home.

He said: “I don’t imagine it was envisaged that chief officers would be able to access these additional privileges in order to purchase a second home whilst maintaining their own home elsewhere, particularly in the context of the current economic stresses that Police Scotland are working against.”

Ms Farrell’s £134,400 “benefits in kind” is the highest of any Chief Constable in the history of Police Scotland which was established in April 2013 - the combined expenses over a 10 year period attributed to

council to impose the notice saying that to do otherwise is allowing the owners, Buckley Building Ltd, to pursue a “strategy of demolition via neglect, in plain sight”.

The owners claim there is asbestos making the building unviable as a restoration project.

The Friends said: ”We are pleased to see that through collective action, the local community support to save the landmark George cinema is being heard. Our aim is to save and reopen the cinema for everyone in Portobello and we are pleased that steps are now being considered by the council to halt further deterioration of the building whilst these plans come together. Our commissioned architectural proposal and feasibility study for the cinema are viewable on The George website and we are looking for volunteer members from all backgrounds to join and help us build the campaign. We encourage anyone who would like to become involved to get in touch via the

the three Chief Constables who preceded her amounted to just £43,900.

In comparison to Police Scotland, police forces in England impose strict limitations on removal expenses payable to chief officers who relocate from another force.

Cleveland Police will pay only a maximum of £3,000, Durham Constabulary - Chief Constable Farrell’s former force - cap removal expenses at £8,000, West Yorkshire have a limit of £26,000, while Northumbria Police, where Ms Farrell was assistant chief

website or social media.”

Cllr Kate Campbell said: “I’m really pleased that the committee came together to agree that we would start the ball rolling on the process to serve a notice. It’s not the first time in the history of this building that the committee have taken a different view from officers, and taken steps  to preserve it. This is really a huge testament to those in the community, and especially the Friends of the George, who have been steadfast in making the case for saving this listed and historic building.”

Owners Buckley Building have been asked several times for comment but have not replied.

Xmas ask

constable, placed a £30,000 benchmark on relocation expenses in 2023.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Police Authority said: “Any relocation expenses reimbursed to senior officers are paid in line with a relocation procedure which complies with regulations.”

When pressed on whether the money would be better spent on extra officers rather than her own second home, Chief Constable Farrell said: “They are the terms and conditions of my employment with the Police Authority.”

HELP LEITH Collective by re-gifting your unwanted presents.

Leith Collective stores at Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird have a Christmas tree adorned with gift tags. Each tag has details of a gift for children or adults. Customers may take a tag and drop off the corresponding gift at the store, where they will be collected and distributed to those in need this Christmas. The emphasis is on re-gifting good quality, unopened presents, rather than buying new items.

The Leith Collective founder Sara Thomson said: “We live in such a divided society where some people are literally throwing away unwanted presents while many others are struggling to afford basic essentials such as heating and food, let alone Christmas presents. By launching our Re-Gifting Tree project, we hope to keep as many unwanted presents as possible out of

landfill and instead direct them to people who will truly appreciate them.”

Locals are also urged to search their homes for any unwanted Christmas trees and decorations that may be languishing in cupboards and attics. Instead of sending them to landfill, people can drop them off to be passed on to struggling families whose budgets do not stretch to non-essentials such as festive trimmings.

Christmas trees and decorations will be available for anyone to collect at either of the Edinburgh stores during opening hours completely free of charge. No stigma, no judgement, no questions asked.

Image: Alan Simpson

The Friends have plans for restoring the former cinema

Sara Thomson charity founder

Chief Constable Jo Farrell

Holocaust hero Edinburgh Sheriff Court round up

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

NEXT TIME you are down near St Stephen’s Church in Stockbridge look down rather than up.

Scotland’s first brass “Stolperstein” memorial plaque for a Scottish Holocaust victim has been unveiled on St Stephen Street joining hundreds all over Europe. This will serve to remember Jane Haining who was murdered by the Nazis in the concentration camp in Auschwitz.

The Stolperstein–or “stumbling block”– is a small brass plaque set into the pavement. It is a personal and lasting reminder of someone persecuted by the Nazis.

The installation which has been led by Angus Robertson, MSP, brought together leaders from the Christian and Jewish faiths, and representatives of the Hungarian and German Governments.

Jane Haining served as matron of the Scottish Mission School in Budapest during the 1930s and 1940s. After the outbreak of war, she supported Jewish women seeking safety and remained in Budapest to care for the children in her charge, many of whom had been orphaned or abandoned. Arrested by the Gestapo in 1944, she was deported

to Auschwitz where she was killed later that year. Her story has come to symbolise courage, compassion, and steadfast moral duty in the face of totalitarian cruelty.

Prior to departing for Hungary in June 1932, a service of dedication for Haining took place at St Stephen’s Church outside which the Stolperstein is being installed.

Edinburgh Central MSP Mr Robertson, said: “We must never forget the victims of Nazism or the lesson from history that persecution and extremism can tragically return.

Jane Haining left Scotland for Hungary to help Jewish children and rather than save herself she tried to protect them and died in Auschwitz.

“It is right that Scotland’s first Stolperstein commemorates Jane Haining and many thanks to The City of Edinburgh Council who have made its installation possible, and to Gunter Demnig whose Stolperstein Project has become the largest decentralised memorial in the world.”

The Edinburgh Stolperstein reads:

IN EDINBURGH LIVED

JANE HAINING

BORN 1897

ARRESTED 14.5.1944 BUDAPEST

DEPORTED AUSCHWITZ- BIRKENAU

MURDERED 17. 7.1944

Dune’s shifting sands

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

DUNE BAKERY has lost its battle to lease council-owned premises on The Loan in South Queensferry.

After making a successful offer to rent the space for £27,000 a year, the owner of the bakery business, Lewis Gill, was poised to move in and begin refurbishment. The council withdrew from the deal, saying they needed to retain the building for archive storage.

The decision was referred to the Finance Committee who heard the matter in private. Notwithstanding the nature of that process, at least one elected member appears to have shared the way the voting went with Mr Gill who then published full details on social media. According to the message he received Labour, Conservative and Green councillors voted to retain the

By ALEXANDER LAWRIE

AN EDINBURGH LANDLORD accused of setting up a hidden camera in his bathroom to film his tenants in the shower has walked free from court.

Giuseppe Corallo was alleged to have used a digital clock containing a covert recording device to record two men who were renting rooms at his Edinburgh home in November 2023.

Corallo, 64, was arrested and charged after one of his tenants spotted the device on shelf facing the bath tub while he was naked in the shower and later reported the matter to the police.

The tenant, who is in his 20s, said he had examined the clock before confronting the homeowner but was told the device had been given to him by a friend and the camera did not work.

The man claimed that while telling his flat mate about the clock Corallo had burst into his room and grabbed the device before disposing of it by throwing it in a bin.

The two men, who cannot be identified due to legal reasons, moved out of the flat soon after the incident and reported their landlord to the police in January last year.

Officers then attended at the property in the Leith area of the capital with a search warrant but no recordings of the two men were ever found.

The man said the landlord had attempted to pin the blame on a friend who had given him the clock but when he asked for friend’s details he had been told the man had since died.

Chris and Amanda Harvey after being employed to carry out renovation work on their family home in Haddington, East Lothian.

But after tearing down half the five-bedroom property the owner of SWS Timber Frame and Construction Ltd abandoned the job leaving the family “in a dire situation financially”.

The couple and their two children had to temporarily move out after their house was left unliveable and were forced to employ a second firm to fix the mess left by Sutherland.

Chris, 39, and Amanda, 38, subsequently reported the self-employed tradesman to the police and he was later arrested and charged with conning two further customers out of thousands of pounds.

Sutherland pled guilty to obtaining £101,673.35 by fraud from Amanda and Chris Harvey between November 1, 2021 and August 12, 2022 when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year.

He also admitted to charges of fraudulently obtaining £20,735.48 from an Edinburgh man and £2763 from a 75-year-old pensioner from Jedburgh, all between February 2022 and July 2023.

The court was told Sutherland’s firm was employed to undertake the renovation work on the Harvey’s home after providing them with a quote of £182,549.36 in November 2021.

The court heard the couple agreed to cut their losses and accept a settlement of £67,675 from Sutherland but had only ever received a single payment of £500.

Sutherland appeared back in the dock for sentencing on November 14 where defence agent Colin Severin said his client had hoped to repay the money but was not working due to being involved in a recent car crash.

Mr Severin said Sutherland has a job offer open to him when he is fit to work and told the court the tradesman has been addressing addiction problems after suffering from “issues with Class A drugs and alcohol”.

Sheriff Fergus Thomson said he was not able to impose a compensation order to repay the money as there was “no possibility” of Sutherland being able to pay the sum back within two years.   Sutherland, from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, was sentenced to a community payback order as an alternative to a custodial sentence and was placed on a supervision order for two years.

The sheriff also imposed the maximum term of 300 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 18 months.

premises in council use.

A Council spokesperson said:

“We’re grateful to the Dune Bakery for their interest in leasing this space and are sorry we’re not able to take this forward. We’ve written to the business today to reiterate our offer of covering their costs incurred to date, along with a commitment to explore other suitable commercial space within our estate that could meet their business needs.”

Mr Gill has repeatedly said that the council has not made an official offer towards repaying his expenses, which he estimates at around £20,000 for legal and planning costs.

He said: “The only contact we’ve had is them asking what our costs were in the beginning, which was the last time we heard from their legal team speaking to my lawyers.”

Corallo told the court, with the aid of an interpreter, he had bought the clock containing the digital camera on Amazon claiming one of the tenants had been entering his bedroom without permission.

The landlord said the camera had not worked from the day he bought it and denied making any recordings of the two men while they showered or used the toilet.

Corallo was acquitted of operating equipment with the intention of enabling him to observe both men showering and using the toilet at his home between November 1, 2023 and January 31 last year.

A BUILDER who left a devastated couple with a “half-demolished” house and conned them out of £100,000 has escaped a jail sentence.

Sean Sutherland, 32, was paid the huge six figure by homeowners

He received an initial deposit of £23,000 before several payments of almost £90,000 were handed over in the following months to pay for drainage work, employ tradesmen and a new kitchen.

The property’s garage and sunroom were completely demolished before the work was suddenly halted due to tradesmen being called out to work elsewhere.

The court heard Sutherland was caught lying to the couple about the cause of the disruption and they found out he was due large amounts of cash to suppliers after failing to pay his bills.

Prosecutor Matthew Miller said:

“On 12 July 2022 Mrs Harvey and her husband decided to terminate the contact with the accused as they had no confidence in him and he had breached the contract.

“Mrs Harvey had paid the accused a total of £116,673.35.

“The accused apologised and Mrs Harvey proposed a settlement which favoured the accused for a swift termination and conclusion.

“Her family had been left in a dire situation financially and with a half-demolished house.”

Following the sentencing, the couple said: “We are extremely disappointed about the sentencing and don’t feel it reflects the severity of the crime or the impact he’s had on our and our family’s lives.

“Sean claims to be remorseful but as we’ve always said, actions speak louder than words and to date, we’ve seen no tangible sign of that.”

A GAMBLING ADDICT who claimed he had agreed to store thousands of pounds of cannabis and cash at his Edinburgh home in exchange for payment has escaped a jail term.

Xiaochun Yao was found with more than a kilo of the Class B drug all with bundles of cash amounting to more than £20,000 when police raided his Edinburgh home in 2023. Yao, 41, said he had agreed to hold the cannabis and the money for a pal to help pay of his mounting debts due to gambling that had cost him his marriage.

Sheriff Gillian Sharp imposed a community payback order with two years supervision and a 300 hour unpaid work element.

Yao was also ordered to attend counselling for his gambling issues and attend mental health services when directed to do so.

Cllr Vicky Nicolson, Angus Robertson MSP and Professor Joe Goldblatt announcing the project

New shuttle service to Lost Shore

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

A NEW ALL-ELECTRIC BUS SERVICE has begun ferrying passengers to the Lost Shore Surf Resort from the city centre.

The bus company, Ember, has teamed up with the resort to offer three return journeys a day, seven days a week which will increase to six per day from the end of November. The bus will stop at George Street, Haymarket and Corstorphine (pick up only) on the way to the final stop in Ratho.

The hope is that the new service will be used by residents and visitors to the resort as well as their staff, so that everyone can get to the waves without needing a car. Ember will use executive all-electric coaches which have 53 seats, one wheelchair space, and room for surfboards.

Tickets are £2.20 per single journey for adults and £1.10 for children under 16. Book online.

Mark Stewart, Estates Director at  Lost Shore Surf Resort, said: “We’re thrilled to launch this new Ember partnership, bringing  Lost Shore even closer to Edinburgh and making it easier for everyone to experience the waves, whether they’re local residents, tourists, or staff commuting to work.

“This sustainable service is a natural fit for Lost Shore’s environmental ethos, offering a greener, more accessible way to travel while

reducing car dependency. We’re excited to ‘test the waters’ and see even more people experience what’s on offer at the resort.”

As a private hire service, all outward journeys will begin in Edinburgh and terminate at Lost Shore, with return trips operating in the opposite direction. Passengers must pre-book

No listing proposed for Brunton Hall

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT

SCOTLAND (HES) say they will not apply a listing classification to the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh. The body responsible for classifying buildings believes that development plans are “too far advanced” and listing could prevent those proceeding. The building is affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and has not been used during the last two years.

Local politicians from several parties have discussed future plans for the structure, including schemes involving demolition.

HES say in their decision:

“Following detailed information in our consultation it is clear to us that in the terms of the policy East Lothian Council proposes to demolish the building and has confirmed to us that no further

planning consent is required. This position has been agreed at full Council meetings and is set out in the Council’s submission to us.

“We consider that the Council’s proposals for the building are “particularly advanced” in the terms of our policy. Therefore, in line with our policy, we are not listing the building at this time.

“The designation of the site would have a significant impact on the deliverability of the development proposals being considered by the council.

Designation as a listed building would introduce a clear policy presumption against the demolition of Brunton Hall.”

HES say that they may reconsider listing the Hall if plans for demolition or redevelopment do not proceed.

An HES public consultation attracted more than 300 responses . Dara Parsons, Head of

their chosen service, as on-the-day boarding will not be available. This is separate from any potential public bus service to the resort. Lost Shore continue to support moves to get a public bus service. A recent survey showed that 90% of the 2,100 respondents would be interested in using public transport.

Designations at HES, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took part in our consultation and gave their views on the building.

“When making decisions about designations, we consider the individual circumstances of each case. Because of the advanced development proposals for Brunton Hall, we decided not to proceed with listing at this time.

Although we have decided not to list the site, we hope that our report setting out the special interest of the building will

New president for the Old Edinburgh Club

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE OLD EDINBURGH CLUB the local historical society, has appointed Steven Robb to be their new president.

Mr Robb has been a club member for a number of years and is an expert on buildings in Edinburgh.

He is a chartered town planner who studied building surveying before taking a masters degree in European Urban Conservation. After working in historic building conservation for almost thirty years, he now works for Historic Environment Scotland. He also spent a decade in London working for English Heritage, Mr Robb is particularly interested in Edinburgh’s built heritage. He has written on Edinburgh’s early council housing, from the late 19th century to 1945, and he helped produce an in-depth article for The Edinburgh Reporter about the century of council housing in Edinburgh’s Northfield. He also has interests in genealogy and in the later stages of the Jacobite movements in both England and Scotland.

Steven said: “I am honoured and privileged to have been selected to serve as president of the Old Edinburgh Club.

“The OEC holds a special place in the heart of Edinburgh, and I look forward to building on the club’s legacy of celebrating the city’s history and sharing its past with our members.

inform the decisions that are made about the site.”

Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian, said: “Musselburgh desperately needs a new theatre space.

“I am glad HES has recognised that listing the current theatre is not the best course of action.

“Listing would only have jeopardised the ability to get a fit for purpose, accessible theatre in Musselburgh.

“I look forward to working with stakeholders to try and achieve this goal.”

“The Old Edinburgh Club would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Edward Duvall for his leadership and dedication during his presidency. Under his guidance, the club has been revitalised, and I am determined to continue this momentum.”

https://oldedinburghclub.org.uk

The Old Edinburgh Club is Edinburgh’s local history society. It is concerned with all aspects of the city’s history and development. For over one hundred years, it has encouraged interest through lectures, visits, and projects. It publishes The Book of the Old Edinburgh Club, renowned as an authoritative source for residents and researchers alike. Membership is open to all, whether living in Edinburgh or further afield.

Brunton Hall

Steven Robb

Image: John Lord

Giant Lanterns at Edinburgh Zoo

FROM DAZZLING JELLYFISH to towering sea turtles, explore the underwater and coastal wonderland at Edinburgh Zoo.

Visitors will stick to the paths used to watch the animals which live at the zoo during the day. It is well signposted with bold yellow arrows. At night the animals are all tucked up in bed and the huge lanterns light up the hill in Corstorphine.

It is six years since the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) last staged the Giant Lanterns. Ben Supple, Deputy CEO of RZSS explained they were really responding to popular demand. He recalled that members and visitors have asked repeatedly when the attraction would return. Now the lanterns are back and are on display for a total of 60 nights until February.

Enjoy the walk through the 14 metre whale or admire a giant crab on the light trail where the

Support Meals on Wheels

LIFECARE EDINBURGH’S Meals on Wheels service is celebrating its fifth birthday - a remarkable milestone in local community care.

The charity has freshly prepared and delivered more than 42,000 hot, two-course meals to over 300 older people across north Edinburgh and Leith since 2020.

Thanks to the generosity of funders and donors, 60% of all meals - more than 29,000 in total - have been delivered free of charge to older people living on low incomes. This fundraising support has ensured that thousands of older residents have had access not only to nutritious, hot meals, but also to vital social connection and care.

Chef Tony, from LifeCare’s community café, CafeLife, said: “Every meal we send out is made with care, because we know it’s not just food - it’s comfort and company too. The team in the kitchen puts their heart into making sure every meal is tasty, nourishing, and feels like

600 hand crafted towering lanterns are lit by 12,000 LED bulbs. Puffins and the endangered flapper skate also feature on the way.

Lindsay Ross, events and experiences manager at RZSS, said: “After a six-year hiatus we are so pleased to bring back Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns, bigger, brighter and bolder than ever before!”

Along the route, visitors can enjoy festive treats such as toasted marshmallows, mulled wine and other seasonal favourites.

Tickets on sale on the website edinburghzoo. org.uk/lanterns. Ticket prices vary for off-peak, standard and peak nights.  Entry is open from 4.45pm with the last entry at 7.30pm.There is a VIP package which includes a full day of zoo access, an evening meal and direct access to the lantern trail.

John said he no longer feels isolated with Meals on Wheels

something special arriving at the door.

Community support is the secret ingredient, and if local people and businesses can continue to give generously to support us, it will help keep our wheels in motion for the years ahead.”

John, 77, receives free Meals on Wheels.

He said: “I realised I just couldn’t do as much for myself as I could a few years ago.

I’ve always been independent despite my disability, but getting older makes things harder. Everyone at LifeCare is marvellous — they always find a way to help.

“I get Meals on Wheels twice a week -

kindness delivered to my door. The food is amazing, and the drivers are great company. LifeCare’s support has changed my life. I don’t feel isolated anymore, and I know they’re always there if I need them. To anyone thinking about using or supporting LifeCare - don’t wait. It’s the best thing you’ll ever do!”

Donations can be made online at www. lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk by calling 0131 343 0940, or in person at LifeCare’s community hub and CaféLife on Cheyne Street, Stockbridge.

Explore under the sea with the Giant Lanterns at Edinburgh Zoo Image: Ian Georgeson

THE OLD EDINBURGH CLUB

In the month of December, the following notable events occurred.

December 2nd

In 1837, Joseph Bell FRCSE, a Scottish surgeon and lecturer at the medical school of the University of Edinburgh in the 19th century and best known as the inspiration for the literary character Sherlock Holmes, was born in Edinburgh.

December 3rd

In 1848, William McNab, former Chief Gardener of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), died. And in 1894, Edinburgh-born author Robert Louis Stevenson died in Samoa, at the age of 44.

December 7th

In 2002, in the evening, a fire started above the Belle Angele nightclub off the Cowgate; it swept up through the eight-storey structure to other buildings on Cowgate and above it on South Bridge; it took more than a day for the fire, to be brought under control, and several days for it to be completely extinguished; thankfully no lives were lost.

December 8th

In 1669, the Council granted a warrant to Robert Clerk to organise the Pricing Book Lottery.

December 10th

In 1768, the first volume of the Encyclopædia Britannica edited by William Smellie (engraver Andrew Bell and printer Colin Macfarquhar) went on sale in Edinburgh at the printing office on Nicolson Street; it was advertised in the Caledonian Mercury and the Edinburgh Evening Courant.

December 11th

In 1824, the world’s first football club was founded in Edinburgh; the players hired a field, bought a ball, set up goalposts and continued to play regularly for almost two decades.

December 16th

In 1601, Andro Turnbull was beheaded at the Mercat Cross for the murder of Thomas Ker the previous month.

December 18th

In 1661, the SS Elizabeth was lost off the coast of Burntisland along with her cargo of historical documents being returned to Scotland which Oliver Cromwell had earlier taken to London. And in 1780, the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland was founded.

December 19th

In 1887, Rumford Medal-winning Leithborn scientist Balfour Stewart died during a journey from Scotland to his country estates in Ireland. And in 1904, the “Scotsman” newspaper moved to new offices on North Bridge.

December 20th

In 1789, the architect William Burn, FRSE, was born in Edinburgh. And in 1862, surgeon and anatomist Robert Knox died; Knox became notorious as one of the men to whom the murderers Burke and Hare delivered corpses for dissection.

December 21st

In 1965, Stuart Mitchell, Scottish pianist and composer, best known for his Seven Wonders Suite, was born in Edinburgh. And in 1989, the City Bypass was completed.

December 24th

In 1650, Edinburgh castle surrendered to Oliver Cromwell.

Compiled by Jerry Ozaniec, Membership Secretary the Old Edinburgh Club membership@oldedinburghclub.org.uk

Muriel Spark statue becoming a reality

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

AN OPEN COMPETITION has just been launched to choose the artist or artists who will design the statue to commemorate Scottish author, Dame Muriel Spark.

The “long overdue” memorial will be placed in a quiet spot in East Princes Street Gardens, south of the railway line, and will be the first statue of a woman there. The artistic objective is to create a permanent legacy which will “reflect the unique spirit and character of Spark”.

The group behind the project, Spirit of Spark, say this will address the historical absence of women commemorated in the gardens with a memorial.

Philanthropists Morag and James Anderson will commission and fund the project to celebrate the life and work of the author who

is synonymous with Edinburgh. The City of Edinburgh Council approved plans in principle to site a statue in the gardens earlier this year and entries open on 20 November.

Crime writer, Sir Ian Rankin, said: “Muriel Spark was one of the 20th century’s finest novelists. She also captured the very essence of Edinburgh, her birthplace, in her bestknown story, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Just as Edinburgh can seem like a Tardisbigger on the inside than the outside - so Muriel Spark’s slender works contain a vastness of riches. She can be satirical and profound, experimental in style and yet with storytelling skills shaped by tradition. She continues to fascinate, entertain and confound. It is wonderful that her impact and legacy are to be memorialised in Princes Street Gardens - the first woman to be celebrated in this way. The crème de la crème indeed!”

Two centuries at RSA

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

Next year the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) will celebrate its 200th anniversary.

The independent artist-led organisation has plans to celebrate in its own way with hundreds of artists, partners, galleries and institutions all over Scotland.

The programme in Edinburgh will be the largest ever and will include a focus on women artists both past and present.

In a wide-reaching project more than 100 cultural partners will collaborate on events,

exhibitions, talks and collection rehangs in a variety of galleries and spaces.

The RSA supports both art and architecture in Scotland as an institution which is governed by its members. There are year-round exhibitions at the RSA at The Mound where a nationally recognised collection is held and cared for.

Support for artists may take the form of awards, residencies, scholarships and bursaries.

Watch out for news online soon.

royalscottishacademy.org

The late Dame Muriel Spark

Roll call honours police war dead

By STEPHEN RAFFERTY

TWENTY FOUR EDINBURGH POLICE

OFFICERS who lost their lives in WW2 have been honoured in a touching ceremony at the city’s Royal High School.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson of Police Scotland presented Royal High staff and pupils and three other secondary schools present with a copy of a book which commemorates the officers’ bravery.

The Memorial Roll - Edinburgh City Police 1939-1945 by former Edinburgh City Police officer, Gerard McEwan, tells the heartwrenching stories of the officers and staff of Edinburgh City Police who resigned for military service and who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Gerard was motivated to carry out the research that led to the book in order to create a permanent record of the largely forgotten lives of the young men.

He said: “Some of the men have not been previously acknowledged in a police memorial but the book rights this wrong and includes

plaque or a cold stone structure.

“It is a sensitive account of personal tragedy gained through extensive research of military records and the collecting of reminiscences from other sources, including school records, family accounts, and a German U-Boat war diary.

“There was no memorial to the first man killed on duty, Assistant Chief Constable Robert Chisholm Thomson, who was shot during an Air Raid Warning in the city, by a drunken off-duty RAF Sergeant, and he is now included in the record.”

The “Memorial Roll” has been supported by the generous sponsorship of two ex-police officer, Gill Wallace and Steve Nunn, with two copies now donated to every secondary school in Edinburgh and to the reference section of all Edinburgh City Council libraries.

Staff and students of the Royal High School, Boroughmuir High School, George Heriot’s College, and Leith Academy, attended the presentation as seven of the 24 men commemorated in the book are former pupils and are listed in each school’s War Memorial.

The personal art of giving

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

IF YOU ARE LOOKING for a really personal Christmas gift then local artist Craig Seaton Bell, SSA, (known as Craigo) may have the answer.

He has original paintings and fine art prints on sale, but is also happy to take large or small commissions for individual works.

Bell takes inspiration for some of his art from Edinburgh’s streets, and there are many prints of the loveliest of New Town views as well as Edinburgh sunsets.

And as well as his art Craigo will help you create yours at an art class for between one and six people. Combine your inner artist with

the research by contributing information and photographs that enabled a more detailed telling of their stories.

The presentation was also attended by four

The guests were welcomed by Simon Ferriman, a Deputy Head Teacher at Royal

A limited number of copies of the book are available from sec.elbphs@gmail.com priced at £15.00 which includes postage in the UK.

guests from two families of men in the book, Charles William Nunn, and Alexander Campbell Scott. Both families assisted

High school and seven students representing the four schools read out brief summaries of each man’s life before a two-minute silence was observed, ending with a piper playing “The Flowers of the Forest”.

Author Gerard McEwan (far right) with school pupils

Artist Craigo

Winter appeal for home

THE EDINBURGH DOG AND CAT HOME (EDCH) has launched a new campaign called Nowhere Like Home to raise £200,000.

This sum will help the charity deal with the costs of keeping animals at Seafield while they wait for a new owner.

The charity received 700 requests from animal owners in the first ten months of this year alone.

They were able to find new homes for just 193, and have to look after the remainder.

EDCH fed 539,149 meals to pets this year, but need this vital help to continue.

Jamie Simpson, CEO at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “Every animal deserves to know the comfort and safety of a warm home.  Your support with our Winter Appeal can help to change their story and make that happen for the dogs and cats in our care.”

“The need for our services continues to escalate, and it’s through the kindness of our supporters that we’ve been able to assist both pet owners and their beloved animals.  But demand is high, and we need to be able to help more dogs and cats.

“Every donation counts,” he continued. “£50 can help pay for lifesaving medicine and expert medical care for a neglected dog or cat. A donation of £100 could help pay for warmth, shelter and the care they need, and £20 could help pay for their chance to find their loving home.”

To support the Winter Appeal, please visit https://edch.org.uk/winterappeal call 0131 669 5331 or text COSY to 70058 to donate £10.

ANYONE know who is in this school photograph above from the beginning of the 20th century?

A journalist colleague found this photo in a job lot in a charity shop and sent it on to us. It shows pupils and their teacher at North Fort Street School in 1912-13, just before the First World

War broke out, but sadly there are no names on either the back or front of what looks like an official school photo. If you can identify anyone then please email us. There might be a great grandparent or two in this shot.

Email editortheedinburghreporter.co.uk with any details.

Council plans to demolish three blocks of flats

By JOSEPH SULLIVAN LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

There are plans to demolish three multi-storey blocks. Councillors will consider whether to sign off on the demolition of Oxcars Court and Inchmickery Court in Muirhouse, and Westfield Court in Gorgie, following a range of concerns debated in recent months.

The cost of a refit for the Muirhouse blocks is said to be more than the cost of rebuilding them.

Most residents in Inchmickery Court had already been moved out of the building in anticipation of the plans going ahead, while Oxcars Court is still largely occupied.

Meanwhile, a separate report states that the condition of Westfield Court has reached a point where it is not “practically or financially viable” for continued investment to be made. It represents a major change in the council’s stance on the issues facing the 73 year-old building. Previously the long-standing plan was to repair various issues. The Muirhouse blocks are entirely owned by the council, while Westfield Court has some council tenants, and the council is factor.

FILMHOUSE GIFT VOUCHERS

Give the gift of film this Christmas, while supporting your local independent cinema. Filmhouse gift vouchers can be redeemed against tickets, food and drink, snacks and memberships.

As a registered charity, Filmhouse delivers year-round educational projects and community orientated events. Purchasing a gift voucher or membership, directly supports that mission, and helps to ensure that Filmhouse will be available to all for generations to come. Membership has benefits with discounts on full price tickets, five free tickets every year, no booking fees, discount of 10% off food and drink, priority booking for special events and you get to take along three friends at member prices. filmhouse.org.uk

How can you resist that wee face?

Tartan Parade Scotland - concert tickets on sale now

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE ORGANISERS OF TARTAN PARADE

Scotland have confirmed that The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will headline the post parade concert after the second event which will take place on 9 May.

The bagpipe rock band will be joined from the US by Ally the Piper a dynamic Celtic fusion performer who has a global following.

Tania Pramschufer, Director of Hand Up Events and founding member of the Tartan Parade Scotland team, said: “We want to continue that sense of pride and togetherness the city has enjoyed this year. We were blown away by the response to the first Parade, Ceilidh in the Gardens, and Celebration Concert.

“Since the second launch event, hosted at The City of Edinburgh Council in early September, registration numbers for the 2026 Parade have already reached capacity in under two months.

“That speaks volumes about the enthusiasm for celebrating Scotland’s heritage. The Edinburgh Tartan Parade brings people from all walks of life together to celebrate Scotland’s culture in a positive and inclusive way.”

Kevin MacDonald, Manager, Red Hot Chilli Pipers said: “It’s truly humbling to be invited back to perform at the Usher Hall on 9th May as part of the Tartan Parade Scotland. Similar to 2025, it promises to be a truly unique night of culture and fun and a night that will fill our

audience with smiles and joy.”

Ally the Piper said: “I am so excited to be performing my first concert in the UK, and I can’t wait for a night of amazing artistry and innovation with the pipes.”

Last year’s inaugural event was a sell-out and organisers have confirmed the date for this year with space for up to 2,500 participants in the parade. Tickets are now on sale for the post parade concert from Usher Hall or link below.

cultureedinburgh.com/events

Record-breaking year at Waverley Market

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

AN AVALANCHE OF SALES in 2025 has been good news for Kevin Buckle, owner of the independent record shop at Waverley Market.

Avalanche Records, is now investing £100,000 in moving to larger premises in the same location. The shop will take up a space previously used for storage, and a new bespoke interior will be specially created.

Kevin has run Avalanche for 41 years based on sales of vinyl, CDs, posters and t-shirts. The business promotes the artists they like while listening to what the customers want. He stuck with vinyl through thick and thin which appears to have paid off, and offered a wide range of music related merchandise alongside. In the last year Avalanche sold more goods than ever which they

attribute to the number of high profile entertainers who came to Edinburgh last year including Oasis, AC/DC and Chappell Roan.

The business had its best ever month in August, 60% up on the previous August.

The space dedicated to stocking vinyl, CDs and posters will each grow by 50%, with a 25% increase in space for t-shirts, offering even more stock for music lovers to choose from.

From those looking to discover Scottish artists old and new, to those wanting the latest vinyl from their favourite global superstars, Avalanche Records believes they have it covered. The new shop front will also have two large window displays featuring the very best of what is on sale inside.

Kevin said: “This move marks a huge moment for us and Waverley Market, as we move into the biggest space the centre has

available. Our continued growth shows there is still very much a love for physical music, as music lovers look to find new talent as well as listen to their favourite stars. We can’t wait for everyone to see the new space and, moving forward, we intend to work even more closely with our fellow tenants such as Rainbow Bubble Tea and The Cheery Churro who are particularly popular with our

younger customers.

“The extra floor space means we can now stock more merchandise, for example we can now carry a full selection of the much sought after punk teddy bears lovingly made by the Fife artist Marie Allan and a popular present for those Christmas shopping.”

Neil G Mackie, Waverley Market Centre Manager, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see not

only the relocation and upsizing of Avalanche Records within Waverley Market, but also the confidence and commitment of this key tenant in the centre.

Avalanche Records is a phenomenal retail offer, founded on knowledge and experience, which is unique not only to Waverley Market but more importantly to the wider Edinburgh retail landscape.”

Ally the Piper

Bagpipe rockers The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will headline the concert

Kevin minds the shop

The countdown is on for

EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY

EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY has always been the place to be when the clock strikes midnight on 31 December. Across four unforgettable days, Scotland’s capital will once again transform into the ultimate New Year party – a sparkling celebration of music, comedy, culture and community to welcome 2026 in style. From the fiery spectacle of the Torchlight Procession to the infamous Midnight Moment fireworks above the Castle, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2025/26 offers countless ways to see out the old year and bring in the new.

TORCHES AND TRADITION

The festivities begin on 29 December with the much-loved Torchlight Procession. Thousands of torchbearers will illuminate the city streets in a glittering river of fire, marching through the heart of Edinburgh to mark the start of four nights of celebration. It’s one of the capital’s most iconic sights and the perfect way to set the tone for the days ahead – a gathering of locals and visitors for a night filled with community spirit and tradition. With preprocession entertainment kicking off in The Meadows at 6.30pm, and torch collection

points opening from 2pm, attendees are encouraged to get down early to avoid long queues. COMEDY, ACOUSTIC SHOWS AND CLUB NIGHTS

Also on opening night, after the Torchlight Procession rounds up under the Castle, Vic Galloway’s Vitamin C Club Night will get the city dancing, hosting a night of live music from local alt-rockers Swim School and, blending Americana with folk and indie influences, Edinburgh’s waverley. A DJ set from Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite will close the show, treating

attendees to everything from rock’n’roll tunes to cosmic disco.

The following night, on 30 December, indie-rock legends and Mercury-Prize nominees Glasvegas will perform a stripped back acoustic set at the iconic Assembly Rooms. The intimate evening of music will be followed by the beloved Ho-Ho-Hogmanay, which returns to Assembly Rooms this year. The venue is set to become a hub of late-night laughter, with Scottish icon Susie McCabe hosting the event, and sets from Larry Dean, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and Edinburgh

Midnight moment

Image: Keith Valentine

rising-star Ayo Adenekan sure to provide top-notch entertainment.

A SCOTTISH KNEES UP

On 30 December, the Night Afore Concert in West Princes Street Gardens will see Stornoway’s folk-rock favourites Peat & Diesel headline an open-air party, joined by Ullapool accordion sensation RuMac. The night will open with a DJ set from music producer and fellow Stornoway native Levi Heron, best known for his viral summer remix of The Glen. Crowds can expect a raucous night of Celtic punk, genre-bending folk and inimitable

high-octane island energy under the glow of Edinburgh Castle. Tickets are already selling fast for this one – it’s the perfect warm-up before Hogmanay itself.

CANDLELIGHT AND CONTEMPLATION

For something more serene, St Giles’ Cathedral will host two stunning Candlelit Concerts. On 30 December, acclaimed folk trio Lau will perform an intimate strippedback set, offering a moment of reflection on another year past. Then, on Hogmanay night, audiences can enjoy the traditional Candlelit Classical Concert, featuring the St Giles’ Cathedral Choir and Camerata performing Bach and Mozart – a perfect moment to pause before festivities erupt.

CEILIDHS AND FAMILY FUN

A good old-fashioned ceilidh has to be one of the best ways to celebrate Hogmanay. The Assembly Rooms will host two on 31 December: the Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh Club in the afternoon – a family favourite with the Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience –followed by the late-night Hogmanay Ceilidh Club, featuring some of Scotland’s best live ceilidh bands across two dancefloors. Guests can whirl to Ceilidhdonia, Teannaich, Hugh McDiarmid’s Haircut and Bodhran Bodhran, and indulge in a whisky tasting to keep spirits high. A BIG NIGHT OUT

Hogmanay night sees the city centre transformed into one giant celebration. The world-famous Street Party will once again line Princes Street with revellers from across the globe, dancing to an unbeatable line-up of live music and DJs. This year, Belgian electronic trailblazers 2manydjs headline the Party Zone, joined by special guest Hayley Zalassi, who’ll kick things off with her euphoric club sound. Meanwhile, the Tartan Zone shines a spotlight on homegrown talent, headlined by Skye electro-trad duo Valtos, blending contemporary folk with electronic beats. They’re joined by female folk outfit The Poozies and the upbeat Bella McNab’s Dance Band, creating one of the world’s largest outdoor ceilidhs.

The beloved Street Party Mega Silent Disco offers a selection of bangers and sing-along anthems for dancers to choose from before midnight approaches, when all eyes turn skyward for the world-famous Midnight Moment fireworks bursting over Edinburgh Castle – a spectacular start to 2026.

CONCERT IN THE GARDENS

In West Princes Street Gardens, thousands are expected to gather for the Concert in the Gardens, with this year’s headliners none other than Grammy and BRIT Award-winning indie-rock icons Wet Leg. Joined by local favourite Hamish Hawk and Glasgow’s Lucia & The Best Boys, it’s a powerhouse line-up of talent guaranteed to warm up the crowd moving on a cold December night. Plus, comedian Susie McCabe returns to host the night and lead the countdown to midnight.

FIRST FOOTIN’ INTO 2026

The arrival of New Year’s Day doesn’t mean the party’s over – far from it. First Footin’ returns on 1 January with a city-wide trail of free and

ticketed performances, transforming venues big and small. St Giles’ Cathedral will host a spectacular afternoon with Tinderbox Orchestra joined by Kathryn Joseph, Rachel Sermanni and James Emmanuel. Old and New Towns will be bustling with live music from the likes of Theo Bleak, Sean Shibe, Aiden O’Rourke and more, as well as cultural conversations from Michael Pedersen, Shirley Manson, Nicola Sturgeon and Norman Blake at Portobello Town Hall. Open to all, it’s a day designed to celebrate new beginnings with conversation, laughter and song.

CELEBRATION FOR ALL Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is created and produced by Unique Assembly on behalf of The City of Edinburgh Council, supported by The Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund. Every year, the festival welcomes tens of thousands of visitors and locals to share in Scotland’s world-famous New Year spirit. As Culture Convener Cllr Margaret Graham says, “Our Hogmanay celebration is not just an Edinburgh tradition – we’re known worldwide as the place to be to bring in the bells!”

All event details and tickets available at www.edinburghshogmanay.com

Follow @EdHogmanay on social media for the latest updates.

Torchlight Procession

Hogmanay Night Afore Concert Idlewild

Torchlight Procession Torchlight Procession

Candlelit Concert

Image: Andy Catlin www.andycatlin.com

Image: Roberto Ricciuti

Image: Cameron Brisbane

Image: Cameron Brisbane

Image: Andy Catlin www.andycatlin.com

Bringing style to Padel

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE IDEA FOR A NEW BUSINESS came when trying to choose a padel racket that was not just a man’s racket painted in pink.

Founder Georgie Rennie found it hard to choose a new piece of sports equipment for herself. The only “female” option seemed to her to be a bit of an afterthought.

Pounce Padel is ready to fill that gap.

Georgie explained: “Most racket designs were aggressive, using “blokey” colours like fluoro, neon, black, and red, and only featured a token pink option in a collection. There was nothing that genuinely inspired me to play.

“Recognising this gap, I designed three unique rackets with the mission of inspiring more women to get onto the court.

“The feedback has been incredible. Some customers have told me that the design of my racket inspired them to try padel for the very first time. It’s exciting to see the mission working.”

Pounce Padel sells boldly coloured rackets which players will be happy to use - and be seen playing with.

There are three designs on offer at the moment - the Pink scallop, the Green scallop and the Leopard. The business will also offer some limited and seasonal designs soon and is positioning itself to be the go to brand for all women padel players.

BUSINESS BACKGROUND

Georgie has a business background in media and advertising technology coupled with client success. She is now wholeheartedly putting her energies into building her own brand, albeit a much smaller one than her former clients.

says she has a determination to “create lasting change for herself, her daughter and the next generation of women in sport”.

Georgie finds padel quite addictive and got into it when on maternity leave. It was something she could find the time for. She said: “This is a social sport playing with three others. I like to keep active and do yoga and go to the gym. But in terms of actual sport I hadn’t played for ages.

“This is the game which has got me back into playing sport. You don’t need to serve like tennis which I always struggle with. For me it ties in time with my friends in between time for family and work. If you can tick off being active with seeing your friends then that is an absolute win win for me.”

Property buying questions answered

LEAH BRYCE is a property sourcing consultant who works with a range of clients in Edinburgh.

In the third in our series of articles featuring advice for homebuyers she clears up some vital questions about the pitfalls to avoid . Underestimating costs is something to avoid in any kind of transaction. And unexpected repair or renovation costs can add up quickly adding to legal fees and taxes.

Leah said: “My advice is don’t overlook the Home Report. This document gives vital

insight into the property’s current condition and value. Skipping over it, or not seeking professional advice, could mean hidden problems become an expensive surprise.”

For buyers requiring a mortgage, she advised them to have an agreement in principle ready ahead of putting in an offer. For anyone thinking of selling a property, the tip is to ensure the property is ready to be placed on the market and also complete the deal promptly. For anyone who has made renovations to the property they are selling

ICAS appoint first female CEO

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE FORMER DEAN of Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS).

Gail Boag who is at present the Executive Director Learning and Market Development with ICAS will take over from Bruce Cartwright, CA. Mr Cartwright has led the industry body since 2018 making a step change in the organisation during that time.

Ms Boag will be the first woman appointed to the role in the 172 years since ICAS was established.

Ms Boag said: “I’m deeply honoured to take on the role of CEO at ICAS. The organisation has a distinguished history of upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and public trust. My focus will be on ensuring that ICAS continues to act in the public interest while driving sustainable growth for the organisation, value for its members and relevance for our qualification. Together, we will build on ICAS’s proud legacy and strengthen its impact for the future.”

that means having all the permissions in place ready to hand on to the buyer.

And a final note on timings from Leah. She said: “The reality is, there’s rarely a perfect time to buy a home. The market is always moving, interest rates will rise and fall, therefore it’s essential to focus on what you can control: your finances, your objectives, and the type of home that fits your lifestyle.”

https://www.leahbrycepropertysourcing. com/

ICAS President, Karen Scholes CA, said: “After a competitive process, I am pleased to announce that we’ve appointed Gail Boag as ICAS’ new CEO. Gail has already demonstrated her mettle over the last three years as our Executive Director Learning and Market Development, leading and delivering our new world class CA Syllabus. Gail brings with her a wealth of experience and I know that she will lead the organisation with drive and passion. I also want to thank our outgoing CEO Bruce Cartwright, CA for his leadership and commitment to the organisation over the last eight years and both I and my fellow council members wish him all the very best for the future.”

Gail Boag joins ICAS

She did not regard herself as a sporty type growing up, and is now creating a brand especially for women hoping to make padel more accessible.

She

Padel is the fastest

Georgie Rennie

Picture by Johan Persson

Time for a new Christmas tradition

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

Christmas is a time for tradition, and now you can make your own behind the Filmhouse doors which reopened last summer - and there are many festive and not so festive films to choose from. (The new Screen 4 means there is even more room.)

Whether you are a die hard believer that Die Hard is really a Christmas film or you simply want to enjoy the silliness of the Muppets, the projector is ready and waiting to show this month’s programme. Gather friends and family, book the tickets and get yourselves along “to the pictures” this month.

For those of you who do not embrace the usual at Christmas then Filmhouse has that covered with a showing on 14 December of Blast of Silence + Cash on Demand in a Christmas neo noir double bill. The first was shot on the streets of New York often without filming permits and using blacklisted actors. The second is a crime drama featuring Peter Cushing in a plot to hold a bank manager’s family hostage for £90,000 which in 1961 when the film was made might have seemed a huge sum.

Then on 18 December Whoever Slew Auntie Roo is a bonkers horror movie based loosely on the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale from 1972 with Mark Lester on the cast. (Yes he was the wee

XMAS LINE-UP

12 and 13 Dec The

blonde boy in Oliver.)

If you are not the film lover, but you know someone who is, then buy them a gift voucher to allow them to enjoy the experience of the new screens and the comfy seats. And the Filmhouse café is open to everyone, whether or not they go to see a film, where small plates and hearty meals are served accompanied by drinks from local suppliers.

Keep it to yourselves, but The Filmhouse is also playing Kubrick's The Shining 45th Anniversary on release… Their excuse is “it’s snowy!”. This film will be running from 12 to

Deacon Blue to play at Edinburgh Castle

LEGENDARY SCOTTISH BAND, Deacon Blue, will travel along the M8 to play at Edinburgh Castle on 17 July next year.

Castle Concerts presented by Seat Unique has secured the third date in its concert series, and this is also the third time that the band has appeared on the Esplanade.

Formed in Glasgow in 1985, Deacon Blue are one of Scotland’s most enduring bands. Led by Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh, they first captured the nation’s heart with their debut album Raintown - a poignant love letter to Glasgow that became a cornerstone of Scottish pop music.

Follow-up releases such as When the World

Knows Your Name, Fellow Hoodlums, and Whatever You Say, Say Nothing delivered a string of classic hits including Dignity, Real Gone Kid, Wages Day and Fergus Sings the Blues.

Some four decades later the band has sold millions of albums and have fans all over the world. After reuniting in the 2000s, the band entered a new creative chapter, producing acclaimed albums such as Believers (2016) and City of Love (2020).

Their latest release, Great Western Road (2025), marks another powerful milestone - an album that celebrates resilience, belonging, and the band’s deep connection to their Glasgow roots. Filled with both anthemic energy and

reflective lyricism, it showcases Deacon Blue at their most confident and inspired.

Ricky Ross said: “No one knows where The Great Western Road ends up, least of all us! For now the road goes on and next summer we are taking the shows outdoors to some beautiful venues. We can’t wait to see you there and we promise to make every night very special.”

John Stout, from Castle Concerts said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome one of Scotland’s most iconic bands, Deacon Blue, back to Edinburgh Castle. Their music has been the soundtrack to so many lives, and there’s no more fitting setting than the Castle Esplanade for what promises to be an unforgettable night of song.”

18 December.

Other films on the wish list but with dates to be confirmed include Tokyo Godfathers (Lavender Lens), 8 Women, Polar Express (with a PJ Party and Hot Chocolate date to be confirmed…)

At Hogmanay there will be a run of Scottish titles (don't tell but it may include Comfort and Joy...), and it is all sounding like time to pull yourself away from the markets and the scream inducing rides on Princes Street into the rarified atmosphere of the Filmhouse.

Every Monday Filmhouse add extra screenings of in-demand films, so dates can change. All up-to-date information is on the website. filmhouse.org.uk

Picking up the thread at Dovecot

A LONG RUNNING EXHIBITION on the Tapestry Balcony at Dovecot on Infirmary Street will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the British Tapestry Group.

The exhibition has work by 69 artists from nine countries in more than 90 separate tapestries displaying the skills and experience of the group’s members.

Elinor Brown, Marketing and Communications Manager at the gallery is photographed with some of the colourful work which will be displayed until February.

Image: Phil Wilkinson

The fabulous Deacon Blue

Filmhouse has it covered this Christmas

LONGSHOT COFFEE

By Charlie Ellis

Take a long shot at The Pitt in Granton

WITH ITS MOVE to the repurposed industrial spaces next to Granton Beach The Longshot at the Pitt is enjoying more than a change of address.

Opened in December 2024, the Pitt, a street food market and cultural space, represents a cultural shift, establishing a prominent presence in one of Edinburgh’s evolving districts. And where there is cultural evolution in the capital, one can now reliably find specialty coffee.

In this case, the excellent Longshot Coffee kiosk.

Longshot offers customers a fantastic view across the Firth of Forth. They specialise in high-quality coffee, featuring beans from Williams & Johnson roasters in Leith. It is best coupled with a purposeful walk along this blustery edge of the Firth, offering an ideal exploration of an unfamiliar facet of the city. The Pitt sits nearby Granton Gasholder 1, transformed as a park and a major part of the major Granton Waterfront Regeneration project.

FOUND AND REPURPOSED

The Pitt originally made its name as an award-winning street food market in Leith (Bonnington), growing from humble beginnings into a major weekend destination for foodies. Known for its eclectic mix of independent traders, craft drinks, and live music. The recent move to this repurposed industrial space near Granton Beach maintains that core identity. This is a perfect backdrop for a no-nonsense, quality-focused coffee spot like Longshot.

THE PURSUIT OF PURITY

Specialty coffee is defined by the meticulous skill behind the counter, and Longshot is in good hands. Manager and barista Lae polished his craft at established names like Peter’s Yard and Söderberg. Crucially, his deep dive into the intricacies of coffee was cemented during his time at Williams & Johnson in Leith, where also works. The beans, naturally, are sourced from these same high-calibre Leith roasters.

It is a tell-tale sign of the true coffee enthusiast that Lae’s preference has migrated from espresso based drinks to filter coffee. He correctly notes that filter - be it batch brew or pour-over - is the form that allows the full, unadulterated flavour profile of a bean to shine. Lae admits that it took some time to convince customers to give batch brew a shot. He mentioned that “at the start I’d often end up having to drink the entire flask full myself!”

In time, he’s been able to convince several regulars to try something different. The Ugandan batch brew I sampled was a case in point: clean, aromatic, and delivering those delicate, bright, and fruity notes with a clarity that the thick, milky veil of a latte could never permit. It was a cup made with precision, not a hurried fuel-stop. Lae is now passing this expertise on to Phoebe, her enthusiasm for the apprenticeship as palpable as the sea air. She, like many locals, benefits from the ease of access,

noting that the brisk walk along the coast to begin her workday is an unexpected bonus.

STUNNING SCENERY

The greatest asset of Longshot is its location. The single outdoor table is one of the most scenic spots for a caffeine fix in the entire city. You have a magnificent, uninhibited view across the Forth to Fife, complete with the spectacle of jets overhead before they turn inland over Cramond prior to landing. While Lae and Phoebe chatted, pointing out a solitary windsurfer enjoying the weather, they noted that much custom comes from those who require genuine fortification: the regulars who emerge from the adjoining saunas or take a wild plunge into the sea.

“We often get queues of those coming for a post-swim coffee and bacon roll”. The function of Longshot, then, is not merely aesthetic, but essential. It’s a warming port in the storm for the hardiest locals, many of whom go back for another bracing dip, fuelled by the Ugandan beans.

The area itself, well-served by major bus links to the nearby Granton Station Square cultural hub, is clearly rising. Longshot coffee, housed within the distinctive environment of The Pitt, offers not only an excellent cup but a compelling reason to venture out and witness the North of Edinburgh’s latest evolution. Go for the coffee; linger for the vista.

CROSSWORD

THE IDEAL COASTAL TRAMPGRANTON TO CRAMOND

For a post-coffee walk, the best option is to head westward to Cramond. Leaving the industrial theatre of The Pitt, you quickly join the wide, dedicated, and blessedly car-free Silverknowes Esplanade/ Promenade. This bracing stride along the shoreline of the Firth of Forth offers a constantly unfolding panoramic spectacle, with the three Forth Bridges growing ever more dramatic on the horizon.The walk culminates at the historic, almostrural charm of Cramond Village, situated at the mouth of the River Almond. For the hardy explorer, the ultimate attraction is the possibility, dependent on a careful check of the tide, of crossing the ancient

By Aldhelm

causeway to Cramond Island to survey its intriguing World War Two fortifications. This rounds off a perfect integration of urban frontier and coastal scenery.

A LONG SHOT WORTH TAKING

Since opening Longshot, Lae has been pleasantly surprised by the amount of custom, which has built steadily as the Pitt has risen in profile. Ultimately, Longshot at The Pitt is more than just a coffee kiosk; it is sustaining the wild swimmers and urban adventurers drawn to Granton’s bracing edge. This venture is a compelling reason to explore the city’s evolving northern frontier

Leech,

Narrative,

Monsoon,

Mete

Indiscreet.

Clutch,

The Pitt has a new coffee spot

When is a bar not a bar?

A new community pub may just have the answer

THE CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY describes a saloon as a bar in a pub or hotel that is more comfortable than other bars, and in which you certainly pay a little more for the drink. That’s not strictly true at The Gilded Saloon - the drinks aren’t any more expensive than you’d pay in any other bar in town – and the food prices are more affordable than visiting a restaurant.

I finally got to visit the new bar/restaurant/ comedy club on Lothian Street, not once but twice in one weekend. Open since the start of the Fringe, it’s the new collaboration (or collab, as the cool kids would say) in students’ ville aka Bristo Square.

It’s the latest business idea of three creative forces, with Tomás Gormley (Cardinal and Skua) bringing finesse to the kitchen as its Executive Chef. Co-owners include Paradise Palms Bars & Events next door - popular with those searching for a vegan menu (not me), Kelburn Arts, who made their name with the West Coast festival, and The Gilded Balloon, the Fringe venue and comedy producer who run comedy events downstairs and who have celebrated their 40th anniversary this year.

I wasn’t here to check out the comedy offering on this occasion. I did plenty of that during the Fringe, so this time I was more interested in the food.

The first visit was at lunchtime on a Friday with a friend visiting the city, having taken in some culture, visiting the excellent Ikea: Magical Patterns exhibition at the Dovecot (on

until 17 January 2026 and well worth a visit).

On the Saturday, I joined some foodie girl-friends for a pre-theatre lunch again before a somewhat depressing Tennessee Williams play at the Lyceum. After endless WhatsApp messages and 15 suggestions later, the Gilded Saloon won the food vote, probably with the draw of Tomás Gormley, as we are all fans. The interior is very pub-like, with leather booths that could comfortably sit 4-6 at a push, wooden tables and chairs, a well-stocked bar with beer from Newbarns and Tennents, and an eclectic collection of earthenware vases and Wally Dugs. I love those decorative ceramic spaniel figurines, also known as Staffordshire dogs that were popular in 19th and 20th century Britain, lining the shelves - rather menacing, even kitsch.

The menu is divided into snacks, starters, mains, some specials, sides, and three desserts, including a savoury Welsh Rarebit. On Friday, I started with the chicken liver pâté - rich, smooth, and generously portioned with proper sourdough toast and a sharp chutney and cornichons that cut through the richness perfectly. I had to request more toast to do justice to the amount of pâté presented on the vintage plate, and Tomás’ famous fried chicken thigh with hot peach sauce was definitely a winner winner, chicken dinner. The portions were generous and at a good price point at £7 - £8.

Main courses are reasonably priced at £12, with the Market Fish of the Day at £15. I had the Grilled Chicken Leg with Lentils à la française, which was the perfect lunchtime size, albeit one-legged, while my companion’s burger was beautifully cooked with a plump patty and all the right components, and a generous side order of hand-cut chips.

Saturday’s pre-theatre visit, I opted for just a dessert, an amazing silky smooth Basque cheesecake, as I hadn’t had room the day before.

With Tomás’ credentials spanning everything from fine dining to street food pop-ups, the execution was solid - perfectly pleasant pub fare elevated a notch, but this isn’t somewhere you’d mark as a destination location. The food won’t change your life, but it won’t be a disappointment either. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. It’s exactly what it should be - a comfortable spot to meet mates for a bite before catching a show, a pub cleverly masquerading as a saloon (a knowing wink to the Gilded Balloon’s comedy heritage).

Speaking of which, December’s comedy

lineup downstairs is worth checking out. If you fancy something with a food and drink theme, catch drinks expert and comedy singer, Anna Lou Larkin’s Mighty Sips show on 14 December at 4.00pm – the perfect pairing with some pre-show nosh upstairs. With music, storytelling, and an extra splash of cheeky humour, sample some delicious wines and sharpen your wine knowledge just in time for Christmas, in case you’re still wondering what to pair with your chipolatas. thegildedsaloon.co.uk

SOUNDBITES

Exciting openings continue to reshape Edinburgh’s food scene. Brown’s of Leith launched at the end of November within the historic George Works on the Shore - a unique collaborative space for food, drink and the arts, with four new businesses under one roof. Haze, from the makers of Timberyard and Montrose, blurs the lines between morning coffee and evening wine (open 8am-8pm), serving small plates and an impressive wine list inspired by some of Europe’s best wine bars. Shuck Bar celebrates the best of Scottish produce from celebrated Portobello seafood shack, ShrimpWreck. Civerino’s expands their

Edinburgh-born, East Coast American-style pizza to the Shore. And Woven, a blending studio sourcing single malt and grain whiskies from across Scotland and beyond, offers tastings and masterclasses for visitors to get involved in. Meanwhile, I’m slightly concerned for my already groaning bookshelves, with Scotland’s only dedicated cookbook shop set to open on Haddington Place. Founded by Martyn and Liz Bryson, a couple with extensive careers in editing and publishing, the venue promises to bring together a passion for food, books and creativity, offering a welcoming community space that celebrates both culinary literature and the joy of sharing good food. To help make the vision a reality, the pair have launched a crowdfunding campaign inviting supporters to play a part in creating the space. Backers can receive tote bags, gift hampers, online cooking courses, event tickets, and signed books from cookbook authors, including Yotam Ottolenghi and Nigella Lawson, who have donated to support the project.

I’ve got my fingers crossed that they reach their goal.

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-cookbookshop

Culinary capers in the capital with Kerry Teakle

The Gilded Saloon - is it a bar?

Hearty fare

Climb a beanstalk, visit a Greek idyll or rediscover Cinderella - you can do all three this Christmas time in Edinburgh’s Theatreland

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN… Oh, yes it is! This month, the King’s panto crew come back to the Festival Theatre, their temporary home, one last time before returning to the Old Lady of Leven Street following her multi-million pound redevelopment. Step forward legendary dame, Allan Stewart, who this year is Dame May McTrot, and River City stars Grant Stott and Jordan Young - Fleshcreep and Jack Trot respectively. The character names alone should be enough to tell that this year’s title is... Jack And The Beanstalk (13 December 2025-11 January 2026).

They’re joined by three more familiar faces, regular Clare Gray who, continuing the legacy of her much-loved dad, Andy, returns as the lovable Pat the Cow, while Shieldinch’s favourite GP, Gail Watson, is also back. Her third ‘King’s’ panto finds her playing the mythical Spirit of the Beans.

Finally, after enchanting audiences in her Edinburgh panto debut as Cinderella last year, Amber Sylvia-Edwards is back as Princess Jill. Expect all the usual gags, routines and

mayhem as well as the biggest, most impressive, death-defying beanstalk you might ever see.

Having seen it at London’s Palladium Theatre a couple of years ago, I can tell you this, this beanstalk is a showstealer. Let’s hope Jordan has been keeping fit for the climb. Or maybe it will be Jill who embarks on the journey skyward? Wouldn’t be the first time. We’ll have to wait and see.

Running time TBC with one interval. Tickets here: https://www.pantomime.com/venues/ edinburgh

At The Playhouse we’re off on a trip to the Greek islands as another festive production of Mamma Mia! (9 December - 4 January 2026) guarantees an ABBA-tastic Christmas, at the Greenside Place venue. Twenty-six years after it premiered on London’s West End, and more than two decades after it first visited The Playhouse, the sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads reunited on

Amber Sylvia-Edwards is back as Princess Jill in Jack and the Beanstalk

There’s no panto without the Lyceum’s Cinderella

a Greek island idyll, has now been seen by a staggering 70 million people worldwide.

Sophie’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings her mother face to face with three men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding they’ll never forget. It’s a story set to  unfold to a soundtrack of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces... to paraphrase the title track, ‘how could we resist it’?

Mamma Mia! is no stranger to winter in Edinburgh, the sun-filled musical first visited the 3,000+ capacity Playhouse for a 12 week season back in 2004, a season that took it into 2005.

Then in 2016 it returned, again just as the Christmas trees went up, this time for a five week festive run. Three years later, the juke-box favourite was back, opening its 20th anniversary UK tour there too - although that was in September, just missing out on the mistletoe and fairy lights.

So, ‘here we go again’, just remember, leave the singing to the cast.

Running time 2 hours 35 minutes including interval. Tickets here: https://www.atgtickets. com/shows/mamma-mia/edinburghplayhouse/

Across town, at the Royal Lyceum, Cinderella: A Fairytale (until 3 January 2026)  eschews the traditional panto retelling of the magical fairy story in favour of Sally Cookson’s celebrated adaptation, which brings music, puppetry and a ‘magical flutter of wings’ on the way to another ‘happily ever after’.  Ella and her devoted father share a love for woodland birds and their calls, but when her father remarries, everything changes. Now

Ella’s feathered friends feel like her only true family. Until one day, a mysterious boy stumbles upon Ella’s tree hideout with an invitation to The Queen’s Celebratory Ball. Can Ella make it to the ball in time? And is there more to her bird friends than meets the eye?

A production that has already entertained audiences around the UK, if you’re not a panto fan, this Cinderella could be for you.

Running time 2 hours including interval. Tickets here: https://lyceum.org.uk/events/cinderellaa-fairytale

Looking for a Christmas show for kids aged 3+? Then head to The Studio, just behind the Festival Theatre. There you will find Snowy (17-31 December), a children’s show perfect for the wee ones. Join Snowy the pup on his enchanting adventure to save Christmas. Step into a magical snow globe as Snowy accidentally throws the city’s festive celebrations into chaos, she must put things right. But can one little dog really save Christmas?

Running time 1 hour. Tickets here: https://www. capitaltheatres.com/shows/ snowy/#bookings

Finally if you’re taking a family theatre break to London this December, then I have the perfect show for you. My Neighbour Totoro is a magical tale of love and woodland spirits, all the way from Japan. The Royal Shakespeare Company production, and winner of six Olivier Awards, broke Box Office records for the most tickets sold in a single day, when it first opened in London. Based on the much loved Studio

Ghibli film, the story explores sisterhood, the importance of the natural world and family.

Satsuki and Mei’s mother has taken ill. In order to be closer to her while she recovers in a rural convalescent hospital, their father moves the two sisters from their home in a city to the countryside.

And though the countryside is beautiful and the people friendly, it’s hard not to be scared when the wind rustles the trees at night.

As the sisters explore their new surroundings, young Mei encounters magical creatures and the ancient protector of the forest she calls Totoro - and they are to be the  girls’ neighbours.

Although Satsuki doesn’t believe her little sister at first, they are soon both swept up in exciting adventures with their new

neighbours  - transported to a long-forgotten realm of spirits, sprites, and natural wonder.

A heart-warming and quite mesmerising piece of theatre that speaks to the child in all of us, My Neighbour Totoro is a Must See.  Meet the stars of the show and find out more about it by going to MustSeeTheatre. com where you can read my exclusive interview with Victoria Chen and Ami Okumura Jones who play sisters Satsuki and Mei.

And that’s us for another year, hope you’ve seen some amazing productions over the last 12 months, I know I have - watch out for the 2026 Must See Theatre Awards, coming soon.

For now though, may I wish you all a peaceful Christmas and theatre-filled New Year, Liam

Mamma Mia! here we go again... at The Playhouse

Meet Satsuki, Mei and their dad in My Neighbour Totoro

THE VOICE OF SPORT

Cricketing evergreen George

YOU’RE A CRICKETER BATTLING AWAY with a club trying to ascend the East of Scotland Leagues from virtually a standing start and the changing room door opens to usher in a new recruit.

But it was not any recruit who joined the North Berwick-based Bass Rock club five years ago when they were in Division Five.

Rather George Salmond, erstwhile captain of Scotland whose cv includes jousts as a batter with the likes of Aussie greats Glenn McGrath and the late Shane Warne not to mention Pakistani speed bowler Shoab Akhtar who, in his pomp, was regarded as the world’s fastest with deliveries estimated at around 100mph.

Put another way that’s a third of a second to pick up the flight of the ball, get into position and attempt a shot!

“Fortunately the reaction to my arrival at Bass Rock was pleasingly low key” recalls George who has just scooped batting and bowling awards at the Division Two club’s annual awards as he continues make light of his half century plus of years.

Or, as Ian Botham, once put it “form is temporary, class is permanent.”

But how has George sustained his enthusiasm when plenty other sports stars found it hard to cope with being a “scalp” for up and comings?

“I am honestly as nervous batting for Bass Rock as I was playing for Arbroath, Grange, Carlton … or Scotland.

“It is such a pleasure to contribute to Bass

Rock who are a great bunch of guys taking cricket – but not themselves too seriously.”

Bass Rock are his local club and it was when a successful stint as an SPFL football referee came to an end due to work commitments (he is head of junior school at George Watson’s

College) he spotted cricket being played in a nearby park and that left him craving for another crack with bat and ball.

But where does the motivation come from today when you have knocked the ball around at international level including on the hallowed Lord’s turf and other Test grounds?

“I thoroughly enjoy playing at grounds I have never previously visited whether Cavalry Park, the Meadows or Leith Links.

“And, believe me, when I don’t have time to practice as much as I had to in the Scotland days I try to guard my wicket even harder.

“The buzz is very much still there and I am grateful to my wife for the fact when we maybe go away for a few days we try to get back in time for a Saturday game!

“There are such a lot of good players In the East League which is so inclusive, too.

“On our journey through the divisions we have come up against so many teams with players of South Asian heritage and I can honestly say it has always been a pleasure to pitch ourselves against those with such a cricketing passion …. matched only by our own Bass Rock team!”

In taking the Bass Rock batting and bowling prizes 56-year-old George scored 526 runs from 15 league matches at an average of 43.83,#.

Bowling realised 14 wickets at an average of 13.93. Three catches were taken.

A cricketing evergreen if ever there was for a club who finished fifth in the league table.

AC emerged as top team in the under-17 women’s competition

and

Darts ace Andrew aiming even higher Sponsorship deal

EDINBURGH’S Andrew Davidson, 29, has been included as 15th seed for the WDF World Darts Championship at Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, and will start his campaign after a first round bye on  3 December.

First-time inclusion for what the former postman describes as “the biggest event of my career” reflects strong progress over the past year.

“Things have been going well and if I bring my strongest game, yes, I could win the (£50k) first prize” says Andrew who although

unable to defend his Malta Masters title reels off a string of deep runs into tournaments.

These include the Swiss Open final when he had three match darts before letting a 4-2 lead slip to a 4-5 final defeat.

Other recent results include: *semi-finals of the Hungarian Masters, Swedish and Finnish Masters.

* Swiss Masters quarter final

“I haven’t won any titles like the Modus Super Series in Portsmouth which earned me £4200 in 2024 but there have certainly been a few near misses” adds Andrew whose upbeat mood is partly governed by a January rendezvous with the qualifying school which could eventually lead to a place ithe highly prestigious Alexandra

Palace-staged world darts championship with its £1million first prize and featuring the likes of teenage sensation, Luke Littler.

“So much of the spectacular boom in darts popularity is down to Mr Littler as everywhere I go I see youngsters playing and practising.

“It was watching the Frimley Green tournament on television that inspired me to throw myself into darts but to earn a tour card and get to Ally Pally would be something else.”

First though Andrew has to iron out a few fitness issues.

“I’ve been seeing a physio about a piece of botched wisdom tooth dentistry which has left me with nerve damage down the jaw line.

“Also, I have to ensure my shoulder and (right) throwing arm remain loose as I am a particularly hard thrower.

“You see, darts players, like a lot of sportsmen or sportswomen, have to look after themselves as well!

“Here it helps that one of my sponsors. Oakfield Chiropractors, have given me three free massages in return for a sticker on my shirt while I also have the backing of the Ship Inn, Dalkeith.”

Success over the next few weeks could lift Herioter Andrew to a whole new sporting level with his opening Frimley Green encounter on Saturday, 3 December set to be broadcast on Welsh language channel S4C and also Youtube around 7.30pm.

CRICKET SCOTLAND have extended a partnership with Heriot-Watt University Dubai. The deal will include sponsorship of Scotland Women on their 2025-2026 winter tours of Thailand and Nepal. The agreement includes Heriot-Watt University Dubai becoming Scotland’s shirt sponsor for the inaugural ICC Emerging Nations Trophy in Thailand and for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in January 2026 in Nepal. Claire Drummond, Cricket Scotland Commercial Manager, said: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Heriot-Watt University Dubai. Their initial involvement in 2024 was a groundbreaking moment for Cricket Scotland  as the first direct partnership agreement with the Scotland Women’s squad.” PHOTO L-R Megan McColl, Ailsa Lister, Rachel Slater, Chlie Abel and Abtaha

Maqsood.

George Salmond right, receiving his awards from Bass Rock captain Nick Murden, who is an ex England schools player alongside Freddie Flintoff and Graeme Swann.

HARMENY

at Scottish Athletics’ short course cross country championship in Lanark. Rachel Caves took the individual gold medal with Nancy Corrie bronze while Summer Cunningham completed the successful trio over the 3k course.

The club have also been shortlisted for Track

Field Club of the Year at the annual 4J Scottish Athletics awards which will also see their own Johnson shortlisted for Community Coach of the Year. Derek will go up against Musselburgh and District’s Tony Segall and Graham Reid (Dunbartonshire West)

Golden girl Rachel

Rachel on the winning line

Ally Pally here we come

Image: Bobby Gavin

Lorna Husband star of many sports

STUDENT LORNA HUSBAND, 25, is coming towards the end of one of the most remarkable sporting years.

As part of a post graduate course at Napier University Lorna decided she would immerse herself in a different pursuit every week.

This tied in with an Edinburgh Leisure campaign to get more people active through sport entitled “Next Big Thing” and the pair are very much on the same wavelength.

She said: “The message I have wanted to put out from the start is that sport is for everyone. There is definitely something there for you.”

By trying everything from fly fishing – “so relaxing” – to boxing – “exhausting” – to parkour – “a little bit harder to understand” – she has been able to outline her experiences so far on a website entitled www.sport-port.co.uk.

How straightforward has it been to get assistance from the various sports clubs, coaches etc - or find inspiration given many would struggle to name 52 sports never mind participate in them?

“It can be quite intimidating walking into a club people have been going to for years but I have overcome that and I am at the stage where people are recommending sports for me to try. I haven’t even been able to get round to more mainstream pursuits such as squash, badminton etc yet.

“Overall I have learned so much that I can pass on including the difference between participating individually or in a team environment.

“I’ve even come to terms with heights through a diving class!”

At the outset one of the ambitions for Lorna, who has a degree in PR and marketing, was to get into broadcasting.

As a step in that direction she has recently taken up a job providing social media content at Scottish Rugby – as well as assisting the Edinburgh Leisure campaign.

www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/coachingactivities

Eyes on 2026

CRAIGMILLAR BOXING CLUB are looking forward to welcoming a group of pugilists from Gdansk, Poland, early in the new year.

The visit reciprocates a trip undertaken by a squad of 10 from Craigmillar to Eastern Europe earlier this year for sparring which coach Kenny Mccartney believes paved the way for some notable successes.

Returning home 16-year-old Sofia Barreira and 18-year-old Liam Flynn

won British titles in Cardiff while super heavyweight Harrison Casement and 75kg fighter Jordan Hunter won Scottish Development and East District titles respectively.

For Liam, who is preparing to step into the senior ranks, it was a fourth British title which must stand him in good stead immediately ahead of the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Similarly, if Sofia overcomes

European champion Tara Young at a show in Woodburn Miners Club on 7 December she will surely be under Games consideration especially with a chance looming to enhance her reputation further at the “Golden Girls” tournament in Sweden late next month (January).

On the same Dalkeith bill apprentice scaffolder Liam will be guaranteed plenty of home support against Lochaber’s Connor Bodkin.

By

ROYAL BURGESS GOLFING SOCIETY honoured member

George McLeod on the occasion of his 100th birthday by striking a trophy in his name.

A club member for 47 years and also a High Constable, George is pictured with Royal Burgess vice captain Willie Finlayson prior to performing a ceremonial drive up the first fairway.

George, whose name will be first to appear on the new piece of silverware, still plays a few holes at the club each week.

He was also presented with a commemorative medal by RBGS.

George saw war service with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) Private 4th Battalion, 52nd division when called up In 1944 as age qualified.

Starting at Dreghorn Barracks, George was posted to Northern

Ireland as a bren gun carrier and trained with the mountain division’s ski department in preparing to go to Norway to be part of decoy/diversion for D-Day landings.

However, George’s vessel was torpedoed in the North Sea on the way to Norway and on rescue he ended up in Belgium until the end of World War 2 before being transferred to Germany until discharged in 1947.

George it’s 100 up

Steven Nicol, Liam Flynn and coach Kenny Mccartney

Heavyweight Harrison Casement

George with the vice captain Willie Finlayson

Lorna Husband got sporty!

Writing history

By NIGEL DUNCAN

PIERRE LANDRE KABORE has written his name in Hearts’ history as the first player to score a treble in a senior international, and he backed that up with a double as the William Hill Premiership pace-setters brushed Dundee aside 4-0.

Derek McInnes is pleased that the 24-year-old, who starred in the top Estonian league before arriving in Scotland, is off the mark in Scottish football.

And the head coach is delighted that the physical forward is in his squad as he continues to chart the way forward for the Jambos.Encouraging and motivating the players to be part of what he is trying to achieve at Tynecastle is, he said, a key element in his stewardship.And McInnes feels that the Burkino Faso international, who has shown “bits and pieces” of his talent in bounce games, has taken his opportunity well after being really supportive of the men who have played while he has been waiting for his chance.

The Gorgie boss said the 1.80m tall player, who has signed a three-year deal with the ambitious Capital club, has taken real pleasure in watching the team winning when he is not involved in game day.

And McInnes feels Kabore led the line brilliantly with skipper Lawrence Shankland after starting against the Tayside team. He was given the nod after impressing with a substitutes appearance in the 2-2 draw at St Mirren at Paisley

and McInnes took particular note on the smoothness of Kabore’s finish for his second goal after a wonderful save from Dundee goalkeeper John McCracken.The rebound was, however, tucked home with no fuss by the bustling striker who was in the right place at the right time, lurking around the six-yard box. His first counter for the Jambos came after an out swinging corner on the left from Harry Milne then a nod down from teammate Oisin McEntee. Again, he was lying handy close in and those goals helped make up for the disappointment of not scoring the winner at St Miren in the dying minutes, his effort being ruled out for an offside infringement.Overjoyed Kabore ran from the penalty box, dropped to his knees to celebrate, then continued to make his way to the Jambos’ dugout to embrace Mcinnes.

Xmas with the Hibees

By JOHN HISLOP

LOOKING FOR THE IDEAL CHRISTMAS GIFT for the Hibs’ fans in your life? Then you can’t go wrong with a tour of the club’s brand-new Visitor Centre. Situated in the old ticket office adjacent to the stadium, and proudly supported by Hibernian Supporters, the new Visitor Centre is a space for fans, schools, community groups, and tourists, to visit and learn about Hibernian Football Club.

A project, which formed part of the club’s 150th anniversary plans, shows off the team in all its glory. Wall to wall highlighting the Club’s vast history through words, images, pennants, shirts and much more.

Those honoured include the Famous Five, Turnbull’s Tornadoes and the Scottish Cup winning side of 2016.

A meticulously researched board of honour lists every player to have played for the club. A film on loop showing goals from many European matches can be watched from replica dugout seats.

There are also some special items which have been preserved by the Hibernian Historical Trust including pennants and programmes including a certain one from new year’s day 1973 and even Lawrie Reilly’s boots.

Peter McDermott, Hibernian Supporters Director said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be supporting the Hibernian Visitor Centre, thanks to the ongoing contributions from our members. “It’s brilliant to see it ready to begin welcoming fans through the doors in the Club’s 150th anniversary year. A huge well done to everyone at the Club and Hibernian Historical Trust associated with the project.

“We hope as many fans as possible get the chance to experience Hibernian’s rich history first-hand in the brilliant new Visitor Centre.”

Supporters can now book a 30-minute self-guided tour with slots available all week.

The Visitor Centre now also gives the Hibernian Historical Trust a home to display memorabilia.

“The key pillars of the Trust are to protect, maintain and educate the community about Hibernian FC,” detailed Gordon Mackay,

Long way back for Ryan

By NIGEL DUNCAN

The fans rose to their feed to acclaim a new hero and McInnes said: “You could see how much it means to him and we can take away from the Dundee game that we have another goal scorer on the books.“He has arrived, he let people know what he is all about. Him, and a few others, are starting to build a reputation.”Kabore, he added, plays with aggression and he added: “You play amongst your teammates and you try to be competitive, but he is a physical player. He is a good size. We need him to show that physicality, and then show the skills off the back of that.“Since he has come back from his international hat-trick - he is the first Hearts player to score an international hat-trick – and I watched his goals back and thought: ‘Thank goodness he’s mine.’”

Chairman of the Hibernian Historical Trust.

“We are therefore delighted to be working collaboratively with the Club and HSL to ensure more memorabilia is available for fans to view on a permanent basis and with the scope for more to come.” After months of work and support from a number of local Club Partners, Scott Souness, 150th Anniversary Project Manager said: “It has been great to see this vision come to life over the past few months. Following the popularity and success of our St Mary’s Street Hall Exhibition in August, it was important to create a more permanent home within our Easter Road site to showcase the rich history of Hibernian FC.

www.hibernianfc.co.uk/

IT’S BEEN A LONG ROAD back for Ryan McGowan, but he resumed training last month thanks to the skill of doctors in two Edinburgh hospitals. What started as a leg infection escalated dramatically and, at one stage, father-of-four, Ryan Gowan, lay in his hospital bed wondering if his professional football career was at an end.The defender’s mother even flew 12,000 miles from Australia to be at his bedside.

There were dark moments during his treatment at initially the Western General and latterly at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but now things appear on the up and McGowan wants to resume his spot at the heart of the Livingston defence as soon as possible. No chances are being taken. There is no doubt that the hospitalisation, and the potential consequences, have given the former Hearts, Dundee United and St Johnstone player, a shock, and the 22-times capped internationaladmitted: “At one point, it was about getting out (of hospital) with two legs.” McGowan, a key man as Livingston earned promotion from the William Hill Championship via a nerve-jangling play-off with Ross County, spent over three weeks in hospital and the 6ft 3in player revealed there was a real concern early in his treatment.

Medical staff explained they feared the leg infection could spread and McGowan, whose Glasgow-born family emigrated to Oz in 1980, declared: “Luckily, it worked out and I ended with a scar on my calf.”Livingston’s manager, David Martindale, has involved McGowan with the squad during his rehabilitation, and the 36-year-old has been helping mentor younger players on The Lions staff.

The popular payer, who captains The Lions, has admitted that the involvement has helped get him over a difficult period which started when he woke up with what felt like “a kick in the calf”.

The Adelaide-born footballer went to hospital on the eve of Livingston’s game in the William Hill Premiership against Dundee in mid-September and, within hours, there were, he said, “wires everywhere” and consultants standing over him. McGowan then felt he should tell Martindale that he would not be available for selection that weekend.

Image: Alamy.com

Image: Nigel Duncan

Image: John Hislop

Hibs Visitors Centre

Hearts Landre Kabore

Ryan McGowan