The Edinburgh Reporter November 2025 by The Edinburgh Reporter

Lighting up

Edinburgh Diwali launches winter festivals

Let the fun begin Jupiter calling Honey, I’m home

Sculpture

Hibs’ Joelle Murray lands historic award

November ��

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

SIR

EDUARDO PAOLOZZI’S

Master of the Universe has been moved to the National Galleries Scotland: National at The Mound from its longtime home at the Modern on Belford Road.

The exercise took two days for the museum staff to carry out after a great deal of planning to ensure the safety of the sculpture, which is based on a William Blake drawing. The figure has been created to appear mechanised, and also blind. Paolozzi used himself as a model for the piece. There is a larger scale figure on a similar theme in the courtyard at the British Library in London – although the London sculpture is sighted – and it has the same eyes as Michelangelo’s David.

Dr Patricia Allerston, Deputy Director & Chief Curator of European & Scottish Art, National Galleries of Scotland, said: “We wanted to bring the art outdoors and into the gardens at the National to spotlight that we are a gallery from the moment people arrive in the gardens.

Masterstroke

“We wanted it to welcome people in and to show a snapshot of the incredible Scottish art on offer inside. Paolozzi seemed like a perfect choice for this spot, he was very much an artist who looked to the past as well as to the future, which is very much what we are about at the National Galleries of Scotland. He was also from Edinburgh, which seemed very fitting as he will now be looking out over the city and facing towards his hometown of Leith.”

The bronze sculpture was created in 1989 and purchased by the gallery in 1990.

Editorial

IT IS THE MOST magical time of the year

– no, not Christmas, (although that is fast approaching as you will see on pages 12-13) – but autumn, which has really just passed in a run of sunny days this last month - apart from one named storm so far.

Now that the clocks have changed, the nights are just that bit longer, and we may have to batten down the hatches yet.

When the weather is colder and the nights darker, some of us coorie in at home and others get out to enjoy some culture.

In a few years time people in Edinburgh will be able to attend concerts and a range of entertainment in one more hall in the city - the rst purpose built concert hall for a century - when it is constructed behind the Royal Bank in St Andrew Square.

Work is starting on the site imminently now that the charity behind the project, IMPACT Scotland, and construction company, Balfour Beatty, have signed on the dotted line of the £162 million contract.

The North-South tram project is not yet actually being built, but the council is accepting views from the public on the proposal until 17 November. The plans are a long way from the stage where the details and the actual gures can be nalised, but the option from Orchard Brae to Granton is estimated at £650-850 million, and the Roseburn Path option is estimated at £350-480 million. The cost is just one implication when considering the two routes – the passenger numbers are also important. Numbers on the Orchard Brae route are less, at around 3.75m passengers by 2042 than on the Roseburn Path option, where the forecast is around 4.25m. It is estimated that there will be 60,000 more people living in Edinburgh in 20 years’ time.

If the Roseburn Path option is chosen then the council has said it will install high quality active travel routes alongside the tramline.

The road option includes traversing the 19th century Dean Bridge, as well as taking a 90° turn at the top of Orchard Brae. Whatever your views, the consultation is an opportunity for you to read the information and share what you think.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue.

Phyllis Stephen,

Editor

Planning News

NEW CONCERT HALL TAKES SHAPE

Work is due to begin imminently on lling the gap site behind The Royal Bank of Scotland on St Andrew Square with the rst concert hall built in Edinburgh for a century.

Charity, IMPACT Scotland, is responsible for the construction of the new David Chipper eld building which will t in the space where the bank’s computers used to be housed in a specially constructed building.

Costs of the project have quadrupled to £162 million. The charity approached Dr Carol Colburn Grigor as well as The Scottish Government for the nal £40 million to cover the shortfall. The 1,000 seat space will have a Japanese acoustic system by Nagata Acoustics.

Jo Buckley, Chief Executive of the Dunard Centre, (the working name for the new hall) said: “This is a huge milestone for the Dunard Centre, and an historic moment for the city, which has looked forward to this new venue for many years.

“IMPACT owes so much to the belief and tenacity of many individuals and organisations, whose support from the earliest stages through to today has

brought this project to fruition. We are particularly grateful for the strong partnership between government and private supporters.”

The buildings and pitches at The World of Football at Chesser are to be replaced with new homes and student ats. The location is close to Edinburgh Napier University at Sighthill. Watkin Jones will construct 293 build to rent houses, 100 a ordable homes and 406 student rooms where cattle used to be con ned ahead of auction. There is also new public realm in the form of a public square and all of this was approved by Scottish Ministers on appeal after concerns were raised about noise levels.

The owner of a at on Simpson’s Loan at Quartermile has appealed against an enforcement notice issued by Edinburgh Council to Scottish Ministers.

The at has been used as a short term let but without planning permission to change it from its previous use as a residential property.

The council now have time to respond, and members of the public may also make any representations before 16 November. The appeal, case number 127409, is available at www.dpea. scotland.gov.uk

In the heart of Newhaven

THIS MONTH’S PHOTO shows a shwife standing on the quay at Newhaven Harbour. The women wore colourful dresses and worked hard carrying heavy creels of sh which were caught o the east coast. This photo may have been taken around 1930. The image was shared by Living Memory Association on the Edinburgh Collected website - the online searchable community archive of photos and documents to which anyone may contribute. www.edinburghcollected.org

or photograph for

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including selected local libraries. The digital version of our newspaper is widely read in addition to our website updated every day. We estimate our total readership of this paper is in the region of around 25,000 and visits to our website number around 200,000 each month. There are copies of the paper at branches of Farmer Autocare, at Summerhall, the EICC, the charity LifeCare on Cheyne Street, Co ee Angels, The Royal In rmary of Edinburgh, the Western General Hospital, several public libraries and on the tram at the beginning of the month. Please consider subscribing to have your copy delivered to you direct. It helps us to cover the overheads of bringing the news to you in print and online and to maintain all the coverage as free at the point of access. Scan the QR code below for a variety of donation and subscription options. ter.ooo/subscribe

Editor: Phyllis Stephen Designer: Gerry Cassidy

Photos: Martin P McAdam

The state-of-the-art building on the St Andrew Square gap site will be the ﬁrst new concert hall to be built in Edinburgh in 100 years

A Newhaven ﬁshwife

Let there be light!

THE EDINBURGH DIWALI is ten years old this year. It was brought into existence with the help of then Lord Provost Donald Wilson, and continues to grow.

The festival of light will fill the city with light and colour when the parade and entertainment take place on 2 November.

President Edinburgh Diwali, Rajnish Singh, said: “This year marks a special milestone for Edinburgh Diwali as we proudly celebrate 10 years with the theme that embodies our journey of bringing communities together through light, culture, and joy – Uniting Communities, Celebrating Diversity.

“This year will be the first celebration without Mr Mohindra Dhall, our esteemed Founder President, who passed away in January 2025. His presence and guidance have been instrumental in shaping this organisation. While we will greatly miss his presence and guidance, we are deeply committed

Edinburgh Diwali gets the winter festival season off to a bright start

to carrying forward and expanding the legacy.

“From a humble beginning in 2015, the Festival of Light ( Diwali) has grown into one of Edinburgh’s most cherished community-led celebrations, thanks to the dedication of our committee members, the incredible talent of our performers, the unwavering support of our volunteers, and the enthusiasm of thousands of friends and audiences who have joined us over the years.

“We also express our sincere gratitude to our funding bodies and sponsors whose support has allowed us to keep the festival free and open to everyone. A special acknowledgement goes to City of Edinburgh Council & members of

Artists salute 200 years of cultural peaks

EPOG, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and the Consul General of India, who have supported us every year since our inception.

“On behalf of the entire Committee, I extend a big thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. We warmly invite residents and visitors of Edinburgh to join us on Sunday 2nd November with your family and friends, for a spectacular afternoon filled with music, dance, food, and a breathtaking fireworks finale.”

This celebration marks the beginning of the Winter Festivals in the capital with Edinburgh’s Christmas following from the middle of the month. Read more on pages 12-13.

Artist Joyce W Cairns joins RSA Director Coliln Greenslade to announce the celebrations

THE ROYAL SCOTTISH ACADEMY will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2026.

This is one of the most prestigious buildings and cultural institutions in the capital. To be an academician is what many artists aspire to.

The anniversary will be celebrated with hundreds of artists in a wide-ranging programme, including a focus on women artists past and present. The women include Barbara Rae CBE and Joyce W. Cairns. The celebrations will also include work by new artists in the annual New Contemporaries.

RSA Director, Colin Greenslade, said: “I am delighted to share the full gallery programme for our 200th anniversary year.

“There is truly something for everyone. The finest in Scottish contemporary art and

architecture, made by those just beginning their careers, through to those with a revered, established practice.

“For the summer we have an important retrospective by Joyce W. Cairns and we round off the year with a major new exhibition by Dame Barbara Rae. As a membership organisation with threads of activity across the sector, our group exhibitions for 2026 will explore our history, our legacy and our future.

“Complimenting the vast range of associated activities of our partners across the length and breadth of Scotland, the exciting programme for the galleries here in Edinburgh will be an opportunity to learn more about our extensive support of Scottish artists’ and architects’ practice during this important anniversary moment.”

Members of the Ahalya Dance Academy bring a splash of colour the streets of the city as they prepare for the Diwali Festival of Light

Image: Martin P. McAdam

Gifted engineer Natalia killed in road crash

A YOUNG MOTORCYCLIST who died at the scene of a crash in West Lothian was a member of the project team with exciting plans for reopening the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway with tram trains.

Natalia Salajska, 23, was a civil engineering graduate of Heriot-Watt University and she, along with five other final year students, conducted the study into replacing the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway with tram trains –including the possibility of a link to a new train station in Portobello. She died in September while riding her motorbike and was involved in a crash on the A803 near Linlithgow Bridge with the driver of a car.

Natalia’s step-sister said: “My family and I still haven’t come to terms with our tragic loss of Natalia, feeling deep sadness

“Every single memory we have of Natalia will be cherished.”

and lost without her. She was very outgoing, spontaneous, extremely intelligent and always had us laughing. Losing Natalia has been the most devastating time of our lives.

“Natalia was someone my brother and I always looked up to. Growing up she would always have us playing the most creative games and doing the most spontaneous things as a family. Every single memory we have of Natalia will be forever cherished.

“It’s clear Natalia has created a lasting impact on many friends and loved ones, and the support which has come from that, we’re most grateful and thankful for. We forever love and miss you Natalia.”

The lead student on the team, Corey Boyle, said: “Natalia was always smiling, with a cheeky personality and grin to match. I knew her for five years, all through university, and we’d only just graduated a few months before she started her career in transport engineering. She loved drawing and made artistic sketches of how some of the stations on the South Sub might look. Being creative and artistic was not a task to her, it was simply who she was.”

Another team member, Caitlin Cummings, said: ““Natalia was a bright and talented young woman who was inspiring to work alongside throughout our time at university. She excelled in many subjects and understood concepts which helped within passing that on to others and helping them to understand too. Working alongside her in the South Sub meant that I got to know he more closely and I am grateful for that. She was funny, quick-witted and brave. She always did what felt right to her and didn’t let others pressure her in one direction or another. She was thoughtful. And she will be missed dearly.”

• South Sub project gaining traction - Page 6

Bross Bagels creditors to get a “hole” lot of nothing

By STEPHEN RAFFERTY

CREDITORS OF THE FAILED Bross Bagels chain which crashed with debts of almost £1million will not receive a penny, the official liquidator has confirmed.

Losers in the one-time feted bakery business include up to 140 individuals who invested an average of £1,000 each over two crowdfunding schemes – allegedly to help the business expand.

And while an estimated £150,000 was raised in the so-called “Shareholer” initiatives, disgraced “bagel queen” Larah Bross and her co-owner husband Marc Millar, helped themselves to £61,000 from company accounts in the form of directors’ loans.

The official liquidator, Interpath, confirmed in its Final Account report, prepared prior to liquidation, that efforts to recover the director’s loans had proved futile.

The report said: “Directors’ Loan Account due of c.£61,000 - despite significant efforts, we have been unable to secure any payment from the directors in relation to this balance.

“We considered various recovery options however, given that there was unlikely to be a return to any class of creditor coupled with the risks of a protracted legal action, these options were not deemed cost effective to pursue. We have therefore closed our file on this matter.”

The biggest losers were UK taxpayers who have been left with a £635,000 tab in outstanding debts due to His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs for unpaid VAT, PAYE and National Insurance contributions.

The Interpath report also confirms that Bross Bagels assets which were sold for £18,000 to Hot Mama Bagels Ltd (HMB) – the phoenix company set up by Larah Bross in a vain attempt to keep Bross Bagels going – had been chronically undervalued. Interpath reported: “Investigations into the fair value of these assets subsequently undertaken concluded that this transaction was at undervalue. Accordingly, we pursued HMB seeking a further payment towards the sale of these assets. Unfortunately, HMB was placed into liquidation,

by its directors, on 8 August 2024 before we could extract a further payment.”

Selling off assets on the cheap is potentially a serious breach of the Insolvency Act 1986 and could bring sanctions for Bross and Millar, which may include disqualification from holding a directorship for up to 15 years, a fine or lead to a criminal prosecution.

The official liquidator confirmed: “We have complied with the relevant statutory requirements by submitting the online director conduct assessment to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The contents of our submission are confidential.”

Other creditors due large sums which will remain unpaid include ordinary preferred creditors such as former employees (unpaid wages and holiday pay), unsecured creditors including suppliers (£278,000), and secured creditors Virgin Money who are due around £160,000 in loans and overdraft charges.

Founded in August 2017 in Portobello, Bross Bagels built up a cult following supported by quirky marketing and social media campaigns, which culminated in collaborations with Scottish actor and Hollywood star Alan Cumming.

Other units later opened in Leith, Stockbridge and Bruntsfield, followed by the 2021 launch of Bross Deli in a 1,200 sq ft unit in a prime site at St James Quarter, which proved short lived.

With mounting debts and cash flow issues, the company was placed into liquidation in August 2023, by which time Bross had already launched a new company, Hot Mama Bagels Ltd, in the hope of phoenixing the beleaguered business.

It proved a fruitless exercise with HMB also placed into liquidation in August 2024. The remaining units were forced to close and equipment was auctioned off by liquidators Anderson Anderson Brown. The amount of debt and list of HMB creditors due monies has not been revealed.

Victim hits out at narcissist burgers boss

By STEPHEN RAFFERTY

DISGRACED EDINBURGH

BUSINESSMAN and convicted domestic abuser Alexander Galpin left behind a trail of emotional and financial misery when he dumped two young women who have given birth to his children.

The Edinburgh Reporter has spoken to the victim and mother of his two-year-old daughter, who he tried to coerce into having an abortion, and a second woman who also fell pregnant at the same time to “narcissist” Galpin.

Galpin, 24, owner of the failed Luxford Burgers chain, was placed on a two-year supervision order and must attend a domestic abuse rehabilitation course, after admitting to a horrendous campaign of abuse against a former partner and was banned from approaching or contacting her for two years.

Fantasist Galpin claimed to run a hospitality sector business with an annual turnover of more than £6million but the two women revealed that he pays them as little as £200 each per month in child support after claiming to the Child Maintenance Service that he earned only £26,000 a year.

He is known for flashing wads of cash, enjoying the good life, and is immensely proud of his £20,000 Rolex watch which he wore in the dock of Edinburgh Sheriff Court while his lawyer told Sheriff John Cook that his client was £30,000 in debt.

Galpin’s harassment campaign to force one victim into an abortion started immediately on discovering she was pregnant: “His attitude from the start was ‘We are just going to have to get rid of it,’ there was no other option for him,” she said.

The woman said Galpin forced her to phone private abortion clinics as he was unhappy waiting for an NHS appointment. When that failed, he insisted on driving her to St John’s Hospital in Livingston and sitting in on a meeting to discuss a termination.

On another occasion he entered her flat while she was not at home and left abortion pills on her bed as part of a concerted effort to pressure her to end the pregnancy.

In October 2023, the woman gave birth to their daughter and while she was recovering from a difficult birth she received the shock news that a second woman was also expecting

Galpin’s child. She said: “I’m lying in a hospital bed, totally exhausted, and receive a text from a woman telling me she is pregnant and Alexander is the father. He denied it of course, and told me they had never had sex, but that was just another lie.”

The woman said Galpin also prevented her from having contact with her family and friends, she was prevented from volunteering at the street-work charity where they first met, and she was also discouraged from completing a college course because “it didn’t fit in with his life and career plans”.

She added: “He would tell me that I was selfish and manipulative and at one point he sent a message which said the baby I was carrying was ‘nothing more than a cancer to him’. Those kind of comments just became normal to me.”

In May 2024 the other woman gave birth to Galpin’s second child but she too revealed that he wanted her to have an abortion. She told The Edinburgh Reporter: “When I told him I was pregnant he starting bawling his eyes out and asked why do all the bad things happen to him.

“When I refused to have an abortion he told me he didn’t want to have anything to do with the baby and he completely withdrew from any parental responsibilities. Since then he has cut off all contact and he hasn’t set eyes on his child.”

She added: “He is pleading poverty and it has been a struggle to get him to pay child maintenance but he always had thousands of pounds lying around in cash, stuffed in his bedside table, left in his car, all over the place. He paid in cash for everything, I presume so he didn’t leave a paper trail of what he was doing.

“He presents himself as a successful businessman but he’s anything but. In my experience he is an absolute narcissist.”

Galpin had previously been championed as a business success story by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, who presented him with its 2024 Rising Star Award. The Chamber also shortlisted Galpin in its 2025 High Growth Business Award category, despite The Edinburgh Reporter revealing just weeks earlier that Luxford Burgers’ parent company, Secure Kitchens Ltd, had been placed into liquidation with debts of more than £120,000.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court round up

By ALEXANDER LAWRIE

A TV SPORTS PRESENTER who carried out a four year campaign of domestic abuse against a former partner has been banned from having any contact with the victim.

Bobby Nwanze, 36, left the woman living “in fear” by constantly phoning and texting her while she was out and taking photos of the mileage on her car to monitor where she had been.

The former BBC and Sky Sports presenter took control of the couple’s finances and after they split he threatened to report her business if she didn’t give him cash. He repeatedly labelled the woman “a slut” and told her he would have to give up playing football as he believed she would have sex with all of his team mates.

The terrified victim was eventually forced to seek help from Women’s Aid and “feels broken down” by the abuse she suffered that she claims “has made her into a different person”.

Nwanze has now been warned by a sheriff he faces a jail term if he breaches a non-harassment order or does not engage with a domestic abuse rehabilitation organisation.

He pleaded guilty to engaging in a course of abusive behaviour against the woman at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month.

Sheriff Peter Anderson placed him on a two year supervision order and ordered him to attend sessions with the Caledonian Mens Programme, a domestic abuse organisation.

THE FORMER chief executive of HIV Scotland who is accused of embezzling funds from the charity failed to show up to court for trial.

Nathan Sparling, 35, was due to appear in court on 9 October in relation to a charge of embezzling a total of £15,984.60 from the now-defunct organisation.

Prosecutor Mark Keane told the court Sparling’s defence agent was no longer representing him and the Crown was seeking a warrant for the former chief executive’s arrest.

Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss granted a Crown motion for an arrest warrant to be issued.

Sparling, of Bridgeton, Glasgow, previously worked as a campaign manager with the Scottish National Party and is currently a director with several companies.

Sparling is alleged to have embezzled the money while employed as chief executive of

HIV Scotland at York Place, Edinburgh, between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2021.

A UNIVERSITY STUDENT who was caught with £200,000 of cannabis in her luggage at Edinburgh Airport has walked free from court.

Kertania Odususi traveled to the Scottish capital from Thailand with the huge consignment of the drug stuffed into two suitcases in March last year.

Odususi was stopped by UK Border Force officials who used bolt cutters to open the cases where they discovered 40 vacuum sealed packages containing around 20 kilos of the Class B drug.

Odususi, from Croydon, London, claimed she had been offered a free five-day holiday in Thailand in return for bringing back a quantity of tobacco and denied knowing anything about the cannabis.

The 24-year-old was arrested and charged and has been on trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month accused of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a controlled drug and drug supply.

The trial was told Odususi –who is studying Criminology at London Metropolitan University – had flown from Thailand to Doha and taken a Qatar Airways flight to Edinburgh on 16 March last year.

She passed through passport control but was stopped by custom officials after picking up her luggage.

She told the officers she had packed the two suitcases herself but did not possess a key to open them.

The court heard the Border Force officers used a bolt cutter to prise open the cases and discovered the packages of cannabis inside.

The student was said to have fully cooperated with the police by handing over her phone and was subsequently arrested and charged.

Odususi told the jury she had been put in touch with a man who was arranging the flights and the exchange of suitcases by a “close friend” in London.

She said she had been asked to travel to Thailand and fly back to Edinburgh with a suitcase of tobacco in return for a free holiday near to Bangkok.

She told the jury she was met by two men she did not know at her hotel on the day she was leaving and they put the two blue suitcases into her taxi. Odususi said she had then been told she

would then meet two men at Edinburgh Airport and hand over the luggage to them after she had landed.

When asked her reaction when she saw what she had been transporting, the student said:

“My heart literally dropped in that moment, I panicked as I knew I was going to be arrested.

“I was like, my life is over when I saw the suitcases open.

“When they opened it I realised the grave mistake I had made.”

She broke down several times in the witness box and told the jury she had been “naive” and “stupid” for agreeing to the venture but denied having any knowledge of the drug stash.

Following the evidence, the jury took around 60 minutes to return majority not proven verdicts on both charges and Odususi walked free from the dock.

A DRUG courier who was caught attempting to smuggle close to £100,000 of cannabis through Edinburgh Airport has been jailed.

Tyler Stechling was found to have the huge amount of the Class B drug stuffed into his suitcase when he was stopped by UK Border Force officers at the capital’s airport in January this year.

The unemployed 20-year-old agreed to carry out the drug deal in return for a financial payment and had attempted to transport 40 vacuum-sealed packages containing 24 kilograms of the drug.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told Stechling agreed to fly to to Thailand to pick up the drug consignment before travelling to Dubai in the UAE then on to Edinburgh.

The court was told customs officials discovered the haul after carrying out “a routine examination” of luggage from the Emirates flight at around 7.30pm on 17 January this year.

Sheriff Christopher Dickson told Stechlingd: “This is a very serious international drug trafficking offence involving you flying from Thailand to Edinburgh Airport with 23 kilos of concealed cannabis valued at £90,000.

“I do consider a custodial sentence the only appropriate way of dealing with you.”

Sheriff Dickson sentenced Stechling to a custodial term of 13 months.

Christmas is on the cards

EDINBURGH WEST MP Christine Jardine is running a Christmas Card Competition and invites entries from pupils from local schools.

The winning design will become her official constituency Christmas card, which will be sent to community groups, local leaders, and senior figures across the country.

Teachers and schools across Edinburgh West are encouraged to get involved and help their pupils take part.

Christine said: “It is always fantastic to see what this time of year means to them. It’s a chance to showcase the incredible creativity of young people in Edinburgh West, and to spread some festive cheer with their artwork which is always so bright, cheery and heartwarming.”

The winner’s name, age, and year group will appear on the card, and they will also receive a prize in recognition of their achievement.

Entries should be submitted by Friday 14 November 2025 to Christine Jardine MP’s constituency office at 125a St John’s Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7SB.

Could you claim tax-free childcare?

FAMILIES COULD BE eligible for tax-free childcare if they have a child aged up to 11 years of age and open a Tax-Free Childcare account.

HMRC advise that paying childcare bills through the account can result in a saving of up to £2,000 per year for each child up to 11 years old.

Once a Tax-Free Childcare account is open, for every £8 parents deposit in their child’s account, the government tops it up by £2. Parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every three months towards their childcare costs.

Parents can use Tax-Free Childcare to help pay towards any approved childcare for their child – including nursery for younger children or, for older children who are in school, wraparound childcare, after-school and holiday clubs.

The entitlement stops on 1 September after the child’s 11th birthday. (And if a child has a disability then there is £4,000 available per year until 1 September after the child’s 16th birthday.)

Parents and partners must earn at least the National Minimum Wage of the Living Wage for 16 hours per week on average, earn no more than £100,000 per annum and must not also receive Universal Credit or childcare vouchers.

For more information there is a page on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/get-tax-freechildcare

South Sub project gaining traction

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE NEW CAMPAIGN to reopen a railway line in southern Edinburgh to passenger services held a meeting at the City Chambers when they outlined their proposals to more than 100 people in the audience.

Tram Trains for Edinburgh (TTfE) wants to reintroduce passenger train or tram-train services on the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway and link the line to existing networks.

The group was established following interest in the tram-train study conducted by a team of final year Heriot-Watt students published earlier in the year.

TTfE has a committee of six Edinburgh residents with a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer along with three committee members who are also community councillors in the capital.

Corey Boyle, who led the student team explained to the meeting that their work concluded that by using tram-trains on the South Sub there would be many benefits for Edinburgh. The positive effects could reduce congestion by cutting car journeys, encourage urban regeneration, and improve access to jobs, education, and health services for communities in the Southside of Edinburgh.

Rob Falcon, Chair of Tram Trains for Edinburgh, said, "I was delighted by the turnout at the public meeting and also by the strong support shown by the audience during the questions and discussion. The South Sub is a

sadly underused public asset which can and should make a significant contribution to better public transport in Edinburgh. I urge anyone who would like to help with this campaign to get in touch with us by email at tramtrainsedi@ gmail.com."

Treasurer Lawrence Marshall has been involved in campaigning for better rail services in Edinburgh since 1989. He said: “”Tram-trains

are game-changing because they can run on-street in the city centre and on traditional rail lines, and are what makes the difference from previous 'South Sub' reopening proposals. “Tram-train services would run westwards from Portobello along the South Sub and connect to the current tram at Murrayfield; they could then continue to both Princes Street. and Leith, or Edinburgh Park and the airport."

Fond farewell to Sir Geoff

A MEMORIAL SERVICE was held at St Giles’ Cathedral for Professor Sir Geoff Palmer KT, OBE.

Sir Geoff, born in Jamaica, died in Edinburgh in June aged 85 after a life as a scientist, humanitarian and as Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University. He was an advocate for equality and justice, and as the first black professor, he spoke from personal experience.

Hundreds of people were invited to the memorial which included speeches, and a smattering of songs by Jamaican musician Bob Marley, stories of Tesco bags used as his briefcase and his endearing tendency to veer off script in lectures.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, Professor Richard A Williams, said that Sir Geoff’s life and contribution as Chancellor have had an impact on tens of thousands of people.

Professor Williams said: “The decision that Geoff should be invited to become chancellor of the university in April 2021 was unanimous. Students and staff were in a state of true delight when news became known of his appointment.

“I considered it a special privilege to join him his family at the unveiling of his portrait at Buckingham Palace as one of the Windrush generation.This moment meant so much to him. His story touched The King and Queen as they saw the shreds of newspaper depicted in the portrait - it was in that newspaper he was wrapped by his aunt to keep him warm on that lonely Atlantic boat crossing aged 14.”

The Rt Hon Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, said it had been an honour to present Sir Geoff

with the Edinburgh Award in 2022, and remarked that the gift he left to the city was a strong legacy, “improving our collective efforts on academic research, equality, diversity and tackling discrimination wherever we find it”.

Sir Geoff’s daughter, Caroline Bissett, addressed the audience in the cathedral about her father, “the family man”.

She said: “It was at Leicester University where my dad was studying botany where he first met my mum. Her bike was broken and my dad tried to fix it, but even though he somehow managed to break her bike even more than it was already broken, eight years later they got married.”

Caroline explained what it was like at home, saying that “the dining room table in our house was piled with academic papers and his lecture

notes were stuffed into Tesco carrier bags”.

In a nod to his research on barley abrasion she commented: “Our garage was filled with crates of beer and bottles of whisky.”

She observed how he dealt with more recent criticism on his outspokenness on racism. She said: “We observed how he silenced his critics with his use of evidence and by asking his critics to produce evidence to support their statements.”

In a lasting tribute to Sir Geoff, the University has created a new scholarship in his honour.

The Sir Geoff Palmer Memorial Scholarship will allow a student of Jamaican descent or citizenship to for follow in his footsteps and reflects Sir Geoff’s dedication to opportunity, inclusion, and the belief that every student deserves the chance to thrive.

Caroline Bissett spoke from the pulpit at St Giles’ to pay tribute to her father, “the family man”

Tram Train from Mulhouse-Vallée de la Thur Image: Flickr

Bee is for Balmoral

Sous chef’s hive hobby brings a tasty touch of home-grown goodness to city hotel’s diners

By GEORGE MAIR

ONE OF SCOTLAND'S top luxury hotels is creating a buzz, by producing its own honey in rooftop hives for its famous ne dining restaurant.

The ve star Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh installed bee hives on its roof last year. The rst annual batch of "Balmoral Honey" has now been collected, with enough to make desserts for the next 12 months.

Native Scottish black honeybees produce the deep orange, oral tasting "urban" honey now being used in the apple, Balmoral honey and autumnal spices dessert served in the hotel's 4 AA Rosette ne dining restaurant, Number One.

The sweet ingredient makes four di erent elements of the dish, including a honey crumble, honeycomb and honey crémeux together with honey and milk ice cream.

The dessert has been added to the restaurant's three course å la carte menu, which features a supplier card informing diners where ingredients are sourced, and has quickly become a favourite pick.

Senior Sous Chef John Munro, who is also the hotel's beekeeper, said the honeybee enterprise o ered diners a culinary experience unique to The Balmoral, while also supporting urban biodiversity in the heart of the capital, with zero food miles.

He said: "People are loving it. It's great honey and the supplier card informs our guests that it comes from our own apiary on the roof, which is a real selling point.

"Our bees will forage around the city centre and places like Arthur's Seat and Princes Street Gardens and so if one of our diners sees a honey bee on a walk around the city, it might be one of ours.

"It's unique and it's sustainable as well. There are no food miles and there is no waste." John, 34, is originally from Kinlochbervie in Sutherland. The former crofter developed an interest in beekeeping while in a previous position in a country restaurant in England.

He joined the Edinburgh and Midlothian Beekeepers Association (EMBA) after arriving at The Balmoral three years ago and introduced the rst box of threatened Scottish black honeybees to the rooftop last July.

There are now three hives of the native bees thriving in the shadow of the hotel's iconic clock tower. Each hive is home to over 50,000 bees that forage in the city and up to three miles away.

They produce around 13kg of pure honey per hive –enough to supply Number One until the next harvest.

John said: "It's an urban honey, quite oral because of where the hives are located, in the city centre, with the bees foraging in local parks and gardens.

"The oral avour comes from summer owers like nasturtium and cherry blossoms you nd in Princes Street Gardens. It's quite a rich, deep orange colour and it doesn't set so it's very clear. It looks a bit like whisky in that way.

"We got 13 kg from each hive -- enough to sustain the restaurant for the next year."

While there is currently enough honey to make a special dessert for the sophisticated basement level restaurant, it is hoped to produce enough to supply the whole hotel in future years. Wax from the hives could even be used to make candles or wax letter seals.

John said: "This is only the rst year for our bees. At the moment, three hives is a good number but we'll just see where it goes. It would be great to produce some more honey and give it to the other kitchens to use.

"The more we get the more we can do with it."

He added: "One of the byproducts from the hives is beeswax, which I've played with as well. It's the most versatile thing you get from the hive as it can be used for everything from candles to sealing envelopes."

Andrew McPherson, General Manager, The Balmoral, said: "We’re incredibly proud to have our own beehives on the roof of The Balmoral.

"It’s a wonderful way to contribute to local biodiversity right here in the heart of Edinburgh, while also creating something truly special for our guests in Number One.

Road ahead opens up for path plan

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

THE 20-YEAR CAMPAIGN to open a path connecting Gullane and Drem Railway Station has had two signi cant breakthroughs.

The e ort to build a suitable path has made real headway with backing from local business Archer eld Estates Ltd, owned by the Douglas-Hamilton family. Also the local authority has nally agreed to engage with a quite separate key landowner about the land required.

Elly Douglas-Hamilton, Archer eld Estates Ltd chief executive, said: “We love welcoming cyclists and walkers to our Walled Garden, café and food market.

“We o er family facilities in a beautiful setting, with an extensive network of paths and trails for our visitors to explore.

"We back the campaign for the Drem-Gullane path because it will improve walking and cycling connections from Drem Railway Station to the coastal villages.

“It makes economic sense and would undoubtedly increase visitor numbers, which would be good news for our business and all local businesses and attractions.

"We support any initiative that improves accessibility for all local residents and visitors, and not just those with access to a private car.

“ We wholeheartedly support the Drem-Gullane footpath proposals.”

Iain V Monk, spokesperson for the Drem-Gullane Path Campaign, welcomed the endorsement and described it as “a big milestone for us”.

He said: “Securing the support of Archer eld Estates Ltd is a major step forward and a clear sign that the whole community in the coastal villages — residents and businesses alike — is rmly behind this campaign.

"Businesses we have spoken to are in no doubt about the positive economic impact of the Drem–Gullane path.

“By tapping into the thriving cycling and walking tourism sector, it will attract more visitors to the area and increase footfall for local businesses — welcome news for shops, pubs and restaurants in the coastal villages.”

East Lothian Council has agreed to engage with a separate key landowner about the area required to form the path which will make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists to get to and from the railway station.

The campaign regard this as a successful result of people power with their group, MSPs and MP all applying pressure on the local authority.

Image by brgfx on Freepik

Image: Freya Monk

Senior sous chef John Munro holds a jar of the amber nectar which is proving to be a very popular addition to the Balmoral dining experience

Images: Alan Simpson

Ian V Monk and Elly Douglas-Hamilton meet at Archerﬁeld

November 1st

In 1695, an Act of the Scottish Parliament founded the Bank of Scotland. And in 1828, Rumford Medal-winning Balfour Stewart was born at 1 London Row in Leith, the son of William Stewart a tea-merchant, and his wife, Jane Clouston. Also in 1897, Naomi Mitchison (née Haldane), author, poet, and politician, was born in Edinburgh. She was a campaigner for women’s issues and a lifelong Socialist.

In 1593, King James VI issued a proclamation that no one should trouble the papist Lords but treat them as faithful and true subjects.

In 1601, a pitched battle was fought between two Border families, the Kers and Turnbulls, and resulted in the murder of

In 1698, the Company of Scotland launched the Darien Expedition. Around 1,200 persons landed at “Caledonia” in Panama; this was the first phase of an ambitious scheme to establish a Scottish colony in Panama for the purpose of creating an overland route connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Pictured is the coat of arms of the Company of Scotland. November 3rd

In 1854 Susan Edmonstone Ferrier, Scottish novelist (Scotland’s “Jane Austen”), died in Edinburgh. And in 1879, Edinburgh-born mathematician and physicist James Clerk Maxwell (pictured), died. He formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, bringing together for the first time electricity, magnetism, and light as different manifestations of the same phenomenon.

In 1723, the first public advert about social dance nights in Edinburgh was published in the Caledonian Mercury about a dance which was being organised in what was then Patrick Steel’s Close off the High Street. And in 1892, the Empire Theatre opened.

In 1736, playwright Allan Ramsay opened a public theatre at Carrubber’s Close off The Royal Mile. The theatre was short-lived due to the disapproval of the Protestant Kirk. It has been incorrectly identified as Scotland’s first public theatre, but was in fact preceded by performances at the Tailors’ Hall in the Cowgate from 1733.

November 18th

In 1870, the Surgeons’ Hall Riot took place as a result of misogyny shown to the Edinburgh Seven, a group of women fighting for the right to train and practice as doctors led by Sophia Louisa Jex-Blake.

In 1093, Queen Margaret died at Edinburgh Castle. And in 1789, the Grand Master Mason of Scotland laid the foundation stone of the University of Edinburgh’s Old College (then the New College). Also in 1956, a sea of spectators filled Hanover Street to watch the ‘last’ trams come down the Mound. Later the ‘last’ tram entered the Shrubhill depot.

Old Porty brought back to life through a writer’s eyes

By STEPHEN RAFFERTY

THE MONIED MIDDLE CLASS, designer dogs, pretentiously named children, expensive coffee and wild swimming are just a few of the topics tackled in a parody by new author, and former Portobello resident, Kevan Christie.

The ex-journalist’s first novel, To Be Frank, proved so popular that the town’s Portobello Book Shop sold out of its initial run and a reprint had to be ordered.

Central character Frank Savage is a fifty-something newspaper columnist who pens a controversial piece calling for dogs and babies to be banned from cafés. It was his swansong to journalism but instead of being dismissed, the column catapults him to stardom – and into further trouble.

Savage repeatedly rubs up against former pal and arch-enemy Brewster, an apparently reformed racist, homophobic football hooligan turned drug dealer, and now a respected figure in Portobello, whom he blames for his brother’s death 30 years ago.

This coincides with the arrival of his eldest daughter, Naomi, whom Frank hasn’t seen for years. A genius with numbers, she works for an organised crime syndicate in London, and has been sent north to set up a money laundering operation as a first step to taking over the Edinburgh drugs trade.

Christie, the son of former Portobello High School teacher and Musselburgh Grammar headteacher Terry Christie, left school at 16 to work in a builder’s merchant. He spent the next two decades doing a variety of jobs in the city’s financial institutions before switching to journalism, working on the Daily Record, The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday.

He said: “This book is essentially a love letter to the seaside town of Portobello where the protagonist Frank resides. I tapped into my own experience of growing

up in Porty during the 70s and 80s where my granny ran a guest house, in particular the deep sense of nostalgia I have for the place, glimpsed through rose-tinted spectacles.

“Memories of long hot summers spent at the open-air pool and buying quarters of sweets from Mrs Webber’s at the foot of Bath Street along with trips to the paddling pool, the Daisy Park and countless birthday parties at the trampoline centre provided the inspiration for my debut novel.

“I set out to explore the impact of gentrification on a traditional seaside town and how conflict can arise between locals resistant to change and the influx of a wealthier middle-class who demand a better class of coffee.

“I wanted to explore the experience of the middle-aged man fighting to stay relevant in an ever-changing world where Millennials are to the fore. I felt the need to shine a light on journalism in the age of digital media where legacy print is becoming redundant. The book is a parody of the media from the viewpoint of an insider – me.”

Now working on his second book, Christie praised the town’s independent book shop: “I believe The Portobello Bookshop has become an essential pillar in the local community and a vital hub for creativity. It meant a lot to have ‘To Be Frank’ stocked there, this was the big one as far as I was concerned.

“They really get that local people are interested in the book and understand the sense of nostalgia for old Porty the book endears, while at the same time tackling some challenging issues including racism and addiction.”

To Be Frank, published by The Book Guild, is available in all good bookshops and on Amazon.

Thomas Ker.

Kevan Christie on Porty Prom

FEAST, FIZZ & FESTIVE STAYS

Celebrate the season at The Leddie in Aberlady, just 30 minutes from Edinburgh.

Guests can enjoy a three-course Festive Feast this December for £47.50 per person, and will receive a complimentary festive drink when they quote ‘Edinburgh Reporter’ in the booking notes.

Make a night of it with an overnight stay in one of our luxurious rooms, from £162 based on two sharing, including à la carte breakfast in the morning.

New cycle maps are now on sale

THE FIFTH EDITION of the West Lothian Cycle Map is now available.

The new map was launched at an event at the West Lothian Bike Library in Livingston, attended by Kirsteen Sullivan, MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow, and Peter Heggie, Deputy Provost of West Lothian.

Graeme Burton (Design Engineering Manager West Lothian Council) updated attendees on planned active travel projects in the local authority area, including Whitburn, Bathgate and Fauldhouse.

The map focuses on West Lothian but strays across local authority boundaries into Falkirk with details of cycling infrastructure.

The map is intended for walkers and cyclists looking for the safest routes for commuting and leisure. On the reverse of the map there are detailed maps of Livingston, Armadale, Whitburn, Bathgate, Blackburn and Linlithgow along with places of interest.

The map is both tear and water resistant printed on recyclable synthetic paper.

Local Spokes volunteers surveyed all of West Lothian, plus Bo’ness and parts of Falkirk and Grangemouth, while West Lothian Council provided information on new and planned active travel improvements.

Major revisions to the map include adding contours and hill-colouring and shading so users can see the hilly areas at a glance, and all the new housing developments are now shown.

Printing of the map has been supported by West Lothian Council. Available from local bike shops at £7.50 or through the website www.spokes.org.uk/ spokes-maps

Theo’s a vet’s best friend

By OLIVIA THOMAS

EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY

have published a report on assistance dogs for the charity Bravehound, with evidence from veterans and their families about the support they receive.

The charity helps military veterans who have mental health challenges which stem from their time in the armed forces, by giving them assistance dogs to help deal with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

One of the new dogs has been named Theo after a military service dog, Theo DM, who died just hours after his handler, Lance Corporal Liam Tasker was killed in Afghanistan in 2011.

Liam’s mother Jane Du y was pleased to agree to the naming of the young assistance dog saying it is a privilege that her son is being remembered in this way by the charity. The university’s Centre for

Military Research Education & Public Engagement (CMREPE) found that the dogs can have a signi cant positive e ect.

Lead author and CMREPE Director, Professor Gerri Matthews-Smith, said: “It is very brave for a charity to open itself up to an independent evaluation. Our research demonstrated that assistance dogs can have a profound, and in many cases lifesaving, impact on veterans as they adapt to life after service.

“The testimonies we gathered were deeply moving, with many veterans describing how Bravehound’s support restored a sense of purpose, structure, and stability when they felt most vulnerable.

“This work also highlights the wider value of social prescribing, an approach with deep historical roots at Craiglockhart, where holistic rehabilitation practices were pioneered during the First World War. We

are grateful for the responsibility of evaluating Bravehound’s service, and in doing so contributing to the wider body of rigorous military research undertaken by expert researchers at the Centre for Military Research Education and Public Engagement at the university.”

Bravehound Founder and CEO Fiona MacDonald said: “This report is such an important step for us. We are incredibly grateful to the Veterans’ Foundation for commissioning it, who are longstanding supporters of our work, and to Edinburgh Napier University for carrying it out.

“Hearing from veterans who have been partnered with our Bravehounds makes me so proud of our team, from our trustees, sta and volunteers to our funders and supporters. The launch was an important opportunity to discuss the challenges of securing sustainable, long-term funding.”

Mock trials return

THE FAULTY OF ADVOCATES welcomed pupils from eight local secondary schools to Edinburgh Sheri Court to take part in a mock trial.

The annual Edinburgh Schools MiniTrials is a scheme which promotes legal education in schools, and the trial dealt with o ences relating to assaults and drugs.

Lord Mulholland, Chair of the MiniTrials Steering Group, said: “The purpose of the MiniTrials initiative is to make the legal system more accessible and hopefully inspire pupils from all backgrounds to consider a career in law. The success of this project in Edinburgh is something we are keen to replicate in other

Bravehound Theo and veteran Henry meet Liam Tasker’s mum Jane and his sisters

Picture by Phil Wilkinson / Bravehound

Kirsteen Sullivan MP and Deputy Provost Peter Heggie, with the new cycle maps outside West Lothian Bike Library

Get ready for the festive season in style

Whitefoord memorial is restored

By OLIVIA THOMAS

A MILITARY MEMORIAL honouring veterans who lived at Whitefoord House on Canongate has been restored with £40,000 funding raised by a public appeal.

Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) launched the bid for funding to restore the memorial in Eastern Cemetery in Leith last spring. The appeal raised more than £30,000 in just a few months.

Each veteran who served in WWI or other con icts is commemorated on the 11 bronze panels and ve carved motifs which have now been brought back to their original condition. All plaques had to be removed, treated and restored and the sandstone wall rebuilt. The plaques were then put back on the wall with new xings in the original design.

Martin Nadin, Chief Executive SVR, said:

“This restoration is a landmark moment for the charity. The memorial stands as a testament to the service and sacri ce of Veterans who served their country, then spent their nal years at Whitefoord House.

“Project Heritage has been a true community e ort. Seeing the memorial restored, with all the craftsmanship and care that has gone into it, is incredibly moving. It ensures the names engraved here – and the

THE CAPITAL’S MOST STYLISH Christmas celebration will be back bigger and brighter than ever this year with parades and hands-on festive fun.

St James Quarter will sparkle once again with a showstopping Christmas Programme from a spectacular light switch-on with starry performances, family-friendly experiences, and festive magic on every level.

The St James Quarter Christmas Parade returns again this year – bigger, brighter, and more spectacular than ever. The Galleria will come alive on 8 November from 4pm, with a

joyous celebration of colour, music, dance, and performance, featuring wandering musicians, graceful ballerinas, energetic street-style dancers and, of course, Santa making his entrance in true St James Quarter style.

Adding an extra touch of sparkle, Santa will be touring the City in a St James Quarter taxi, inviting Edinburgh locals to join him on his journey to the Quarter before leading the crowds to Register Square for a spectacular nale: a magical light switch-on and Christmas sing-along led by Community favourites Tinderbox Orchestra, who will be joined by

some surprise guests. From traditional carols to contemporary hip-hop beats, the evening promises an unforgettable fusion of sound and celebration, creating a free, family-friendly night for residents and visitors alike.

The Tinderbox Orchestra, renowned for rede ning what an orchestra can be, will ll the Quarter with the sound of Christmas.

Combining rappers, singers, strings, brass, and drums, their performances bring together some of Scotland’s most dynamic musicians, delivering unexpected melodies and boundless festive energy.

sacri ces and service they represent – will never be forgotten.”

Karl Owers, current SVR resident and former soldier with the Royal Scots, said:

“This restored memorial brings the stories of men who served, from the Boer War through the First World War, vividly back to life. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of honouring those who came before us and the sacri ces they made.”

a positive verdict from senior pupils

towns and cities across the country.” The pupils were given the chance to take part in a mock trial to learn rst hand how the legal system works.

They presented evidence and a case, which is aimed at building con dence by improving critical thinking and public speaking.

Young people from S5 and S6 classes at Boroughmuir High School, Balerno High School, Firrhill High School, Holyrood High School, Leith Academy, St Augustine’s RC High School, St Thomas of Aquinas, and Tynecastle High School all took part.

Advocate Michael Upton, Faculty’s MiniTrials Coordinator said: “The annual Edinburgh

schools’ event was as popular as ever with the pupils. The MiniTrials Group is hugely grateful to all of the advocates, solicitors, teachers, court sta , and our chairman, Lord Mulholland, who gave their time – and to advocates Safeena Rashid, Paul Harvey, and Mark O’Reilly for so judiciously presiding as the ‘Sheri s’.

“Any lawyer who’d like to volunteer for a couple of hours at future events can be sure to enjoy encountering the enthusiasm that the young people always bring to learning how to enact a criminal trial using the MiniTrials materials. If you are interested, do by all means contact us at minitrialsenquiries@ gmail.com”

The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Cllr Robert Aldridge, and Martin Nadin, Chief Executive of Scottish Veterans Residences, participate in the formal rededication of the Scottish Veterans Memorial at Eastern Cemetery

Stylish Santa adds a touch of sparkle with some new threads

Enjoy a very Leddie Christmas this year

Whitefoord memorial is restored

By OLIVIA THOMAS

A MILITARY MEMORIAL honouring veterans who lived at Whitefoord House on Canongate has been restored with £40,000 funding raised by a public appeal.

Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) launched the bid for funding to restore the memorial in Eastern Cemetery in Leith last spring. The appeal raised more than £30,000 in just a few months.

Martin Nadin, Chief Executive SVR, said:

ENJOY A VERY LEDDIE CHRISTMAS with a festive feast, overnight stays and early bird Black Friday deals.

Aberlady’s award-winning boutique hotel and restaurant, The Leddie – recommended in The Times Top 100 Places to Stay (2025) – is embracing the festive season with early bird o ers, Black Friday deals, and a sparkling calendar of events and celebrations.

Just 30 minutes from Edinburgh, The Leddie o ers a luxurious coastal escape on Scotland’s Golf Coast, combining the buzz of the capital with the calm of the coast - and

better rates than the city at this time of year. Guests can take advantage of the “linger-longer” Leddie o er, with overnight stays from £162 based on two sharing, including à la carte breakfast – perfect for those looking to unwind, explore East Lothian, or enjoy a festive break by the sea.

At the heart of the celebrations is the Festive Feast Menu, available from 1 – 30 December and priced at £47.50 per person, including a complimentary festive drink when quoting The Edinburgh Reporter. The menu showcases Christmas favourites with a Leddie

twist – from Duck Liver Parfait to Turkey Ballotine and The Leddie’s signature Christmas Pudding.

Throughout December, The Leddie will also host a series of seasonal events – from wreath-making and cocktail masterclasses to lunch with Santa – alongside gift vouchers for unforgettable experiences.

For full details, bookings, and early bird access to Black Friday deals, visit www. theleddie.com or call 01875 440 644. And enter our competition online to win a two night stay.

sacri ces and service they represent – will never be forgotten.”

Karl Owers, current SVR resident and former soldier with the Royal Scots, said:

a positive verdict from senior pupils

towns and cities across the country.” The pupils were given the chance to take part in a mock trial to learn rst hand how the legal system works.

They presented evidence and a case, which is aimed at building con dence by improving critical thinking and public speaking.

Advocate Michael Upton, Faculty’s MiniTrials Coordinator said: “The annual Edinburgh

The Leddie offers sumptuous accommodation by the sea

CHRISTMAS! (nearly)

FESTIVITIES BEGIN EARLY in the capital from 15 November with some attractions opening a week later.

On 18 November the Christmas tree on the Mound will be lit up during a short ceremony at 6.20pm when the Lord Provost will be joined by representatives from Hordaland in Norway. Although the tree - usually a Norwegian Spruce - no longer actually comes from Norway, the town gifts a tree to the city in recognition of the help which Scots gave them during the WWII. Afterwards the free Norwegian Advent Carol Concert is on at St Giles’ Cathedral at 7pm.

SingalongaXmas

AS BUDDY SAID in the lm, Elf: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear”.

And if singing is what you like best about the festive season, then there are plenty of opportunities to warm up the vocal chords for a seasonal song or two. On 23 November the free Light Night Concert takes place at the Ross Bandstand from 2pm to 6pm with a lovely afternoon of music and entertainment planned. Wrap up warm and enjoy the lantern parade and choir singalongs, and watch out for the Snow Queen and the juggling elves in the audience. The free Nativity Carol Concert will be held in the courtyard at Assembly Hall on the Mound on 30 November from 5pm to 6pm with performances by local school and church choirs.

Edinburgh Sings! is another free event which will involve community and performance choirs on 6 December and everyone is invited to belt out the Christmas carols and seasonal hits at the Ross Bandstand from 2-5pm.

Local music and dancing

ON 29 NOVEMBER - Fair Saturday from noon-6pm will be all about local talent with artists and organisations gathering to celebrate Scottish traditions. At the end of an afternoon of entertainment, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will rock your socks o with their unique bagpipe rock at Ross Bandstand. But if it is dancing you’re after then get along to the St Andrew’s Day Family Ceilidh at the Ross Bandstand on 30 November when the Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience will help you step gaily round the dance oor. There is no need to know the dances beforehand as the band caller will instruct you in which foot to put where. The Dashing White Sergeant involves groups of three so you don’t even need a dancing partner to get on the dance oor. Local Highland

dancers will help you whirl to the skirl of the top ceilidh band by showing you a few dances rst. From noon until 6pm.

On 13 December there will be a Silent Disco Under the Castle at the Ross Bandstand when the twinkly lights will add to the Christmas feeling. All will be quiet as everyone taking part listens to their own festive tunes on individual headphones, while two DJs battle it out for the best party playlist. This is the perfect way to get dancing from 6.30 until 8pm with headphones available for collection at 6pm. Buy tickets now for the best outdoor Christmas fun.

A tinsel covered heads up that it is time to start training to take part in the 21st Santa Fun Run & Walk on 7 December. Registration is from 9.30 until 10.30am and the run starts at 11am in West Princes Street Gardens. The event - which welcomes Santas, Elves and Santa Paws - is a fundraiser for the charity When You Wish Upon a Star which grants the wishes of children aged 4 to 16 with life threatening illness. This is a wonderful family event when anyone of any age can take part - there will be people pushing buggies and prams as well as people becoming overheated in their Santa suits on a cold and frosty morning. For businesses there are opportunities to sponsor the spectacle.

The charity began with a simple wish - founder, Barbara White, OBE, met a seriously ill four year-old who said she would love to meet Mickey Mouse. Since then children have become princesses for a day, met the Red Arrows, swam with dolphins and travelled on sleigh rides to take them away from the realities of ill health. Families are invited along to enjoy the fun and create Christmas memories.

Bars and stars

ADULTS CAN VISIT The Polar Ice Bar for cocktails, while sitting on a chair which is also sculpted from ice, but there are also family friendly sessions when the whole family can step inside The Frozen Castle. Don’t miss out on your chance to see the glittering ice carvings and wall etchings. With the temperature at -8°C guests are reminded to wear all their winter woollies but jackets and gloves are provided on arrival along with a refreshing apple juice served in a hand-carved glass made from ice or a hot chocolate.

To market, to market…

THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS will be installed in their usual spot in East Princes Street Gardens with local and international products on sale, all helping to solve the

problem of what gifts to buy. And when the shopping is done take to the skies with the Around the World Star Flyer which stands an amazing 80 metres above the garden (yes it is for the bravest only!) o ering wonderful views along Princes Street and up to Edinburgh Castle.

This year look out for Santa’s Stories from 21 November which is conveniently located in West Princes Street Gardens right beside the festive funfair - and post any letters to Santa in Santa’s post box. Relaxed sessions are scheduled.

LNER sponsor the Big Wheel once again which o ers a more sedate way of getting up where the air is bright to look down on the Christmas lights. The pods are enclosed and seat six people so this is the perfect attraction for familiesand the ride is also suitable for manual wheelchairs.

Coast around the Ice Rink on George Street (at the Charlotte Square end) rediscovering any Torvill and Dean moves while enjoying the music. There are sessions for young children, late sessions for the o ce party crowd and relaxed skating for anyone who needs a quieter environment.

Discounts and free tickets

GET THE DISCOUNT! If you have an EH postcode then you can claim a 20% saving o the cost of a ride on the LNER Big Wheel, the Around the World Star Flyer, the Ice Rink and Santa’s Stories.

Community tickets are now available. Edinburgh’s Christmas gives everyone the chance to take a free ride with more than 8,500 free tickets for local community groups and charities. This is more tickets than were made available last year and Unique Assembly, the producers of the Christmas glitterfest in the city centre, want to hear from any group or volunteer organisation which would like some freebies.

also

There is a formal application process on the website but you will have to be quick as it closes on 5 November at 11.59pm. There are also group and school discounts on o er. All details on the website. edinburgh-christmas. com

Moira ﬁnds her place at PfP

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

A NEW CHAIR has been appointed at Places for People (PfP) Scotland, the social enterprise which rents to tenants in 245,000 homes in Scotland, including 74,000 for social rent.

Scottish solicitor, Moira Sibbald, is taking over from Pamela Scott who has served her maximum term in the role.

Ms Sibbald has been on the PfP board since February 2021. She was Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at CALA Group where she was also a member of the executive board. She has also worked in private practice and in a leadership role at a building society.

Currently she is a Board Member at The Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh on the Finance Committee and Buildings Working Group.

She is committed to providing high quality affordable housing in Scotlandand to building the right homes in the right places.

Ms Sibbald said: "I am honoured to take on the role of Chair at PfP Scotland.

Having been part of the Board since 2021, I am deeply passionate about the organisation’s mission to provide sustainable, affordable homes and to build thriving Communities.

“I look forward to working closely with the Board and the leadership team to support our mission and continued growth, ensuring PfP remains a trusted and forward-thinking leader in Scottish housing."

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of Lothian has been named Director of the Year at the Institute of Directors (IoD) Director of the Year Awards.

These awards recognise the outstanding business leaders in Scotland in a range of sectors. Sarah Boyd was recognised for “exceptional leadership and achievements”. She has been in post since 2022 and has overseen the growth in passenger numbers during that time.

In the past year more than 116 million passengers have travelled on one of Lothian’s buses. The bus company is owned by the local authorities in Lothian and employs more than 2,500 staff.

Susan Deacon, Chair of Lothian, said: “I am delighted that our Chief Executive, Sarah Boyd, has been honoured

HOW CAN YOU MAKE your property search and purchase go as smoothly as possible?

Leah Bryce from Leah Bryce Property Sourcing is keen to emphasis that preparation helps.

The more prepared you are, the smoother your property transaction will be. She advises: "Start by engaging a solicitor early so you are fully aware of the legal process and can act promptly when the right property comes along.

Make sure you budget properly, not just for the purchase price, but also for Land &

Chief Executive Sarah wins top industry award

as Director of the Year in the Medium/Large Business category. This recognition is testament to Sarah’s exceptional leadership, hard work, and dedication to Lothian.

“Sarah is a true champion of diversity within transport and has fostered a more inclusive workplace for all of our colleagues which has seen the business go from strength to strength. She is a very worthy winner of this award.”

Sarah Boyd said: “I am truly honoured to accept this award. Transport is about people and none of what I do would be possible without the support and commitment of colleagues across Lothian who go above and beyond to deliver for our customers every single day.”

Marina complex changes hands

PORT EDGAR MARINA has been bought by West Coast Capital, Scottish businessman Sir Tom Hunter’s investment company, for an undisclosed sum.

The purchase includes the three marina related companies with the long lease with The City of Edinburgh Council which runs until 2100.

The deal ensures that all employees and tenants remain in place under the new owners.

West Coast Capital already invest in Buzzworks which runs Scotts, one of the restaurants at Port Edgar.

Jamie Hunter, Partner in West Coast Capital, said: "We are delighted to have made this acquisition from Russell and Cara Aitken who have done a fantastic job developing Port Edgar. We now look forward to investing further in its

development and supporting all the businesses based there, not least Scotts, another one of our portfolio investments."

The outgoing owners Cara and Russell Aitken have run the business since 2014 and have developed it into a growing business with significant improvement over the years including dredging operations, upgrading the marina and the shore-based facilities.

Russell Aitken said: "We are confident that West Coast Capital are the perfect owners to take Port Edgar forward.

”The team are committed to further investment and securing the long-term future of the marina. They already invest in Buzzworks, which owns Scotts Restaurant here at Port Edgar, so they understand the huge potential of

the site as a leisure destination and have the vision and resources to realise it.

“We would like to thank all our berth holders, tenants, staff, and suppliers for their incredible support during our time here. It has been a privilege to serve this wonderful community."

Port Edgar's origins date back to 1916 when it was established as HMS Columbine during the First World War.

The site functioned as a Royal Navy training facility and became strategically important in the Second World War for minesweeping and anti-submarine warfare throughout the North Sea. Following its closure as a naval base in 1978, the site transitioned to civilian ownership and has developed into the successful marina and leisure destination it is today.

House hunting - preparation will help to make the move smooth

Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), Additional Dwelling Supplement (if applicable), legal and survey fees.

Carefully review the Home Reports in advance of property viewings to fully understand the condition of the property –and seek advice from trusted professionals at the right time.

"In a competitive market, putting forward the right offer is crucial, so take time to consider your position before committing. Your solicitor will help with that decision."

Leah suggests viewing your chosen property

at least twice, once to get an overall impression - “the feeling”, and a second time to examine important details before making an offer, and says: "Do also remember that, when you have had an offer accepted, it is normal that the purchaser is not allowed to revisit the property until after the legal contract (called “missives”) is concluded, so it is another reason to do all important diligence and checks prior to making an offer.

"If you are taking a mortgage, explore your options early to avoid delays. If you’re also selling a property, make sure you’re ready to

sell (or in some cases sell before buying) so that you can move quickly when required. "Due diligence is an important step so research as much as you can before visiting a property, have open dialogue with your solicitor and if you don’t have time or require a helping hand to strategically advise then engage a professional Property Sourcer who can ensure all of your questions are answered with certainty.

"All of these factors combined can help you to make your move."

www.leahbrycepropertysourcing.com

Pushing The Boat Out sets sail for a 3-day festival of words with attitude

EDINBURGH’S INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL, Push the Boat Out, returns to Edinburgh from 20 to 23 November holding court in a new venue at the Pleasance with a packed cross-art form programme promising to provoke, entertain and inspire.

As part of the run up to the festival Michael Pedersen invites everyone to join him on board the former Northern Lighthouse vessel turned hotel, Fingal, on 8 November.

The Edinburgh Makar, Pedersen, has just written a novel titled Muckle Flugga. The story is about

life on a remote island turned upside down by a stranger’s arrival, testing bonds of family and tradition and leaving a young dreamer’s future hanging in the balance.

Fingal was used to transport lighthouse keepers around Scotland to service the Stevenson family lighthouses - including the island Muckle Flugga. Hollie McNish and Michael will be reading together on board as a pre-festival event.

They will be seated in the Grand Ballroom where the cocktail bar sits on the mezzanine level on Fingal

Visitors to Jupiter Artland will now be able to enjoy the stunning exhibits all year round

Jupiter’s plan for all seasons

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

JUPITER ARTLAND is to remain open year-round for the first time, with autumn and winter hours every Thursday to Sunday from November until February next year.

Three major exhibitions have just launched with works by Tai Shani, Georg Wilson, and Florence Peake drawing upon the earth, folklore, mythology, and humanity and nature around us.

London-based artist Georg Wilson presents her largest exhibition to date in the Jupiter Ballroom, featuring new wall-based works exploring urban and rural themes and mythical creatures. Florence Peake unveils To

Love and to Cherish, a commissioned floor painting for Jupiter's new Glasshouse wedding venue.

The ambitious work subverts traditional marriage vows, created by dancers painting with their bodies in passionate embrace during Jupiter Rising in the summer.

Tai Shani's landscape work The Spell or The Dream features a luminous blue breathing sculpture in the orchard, with soundscape by composer, producer and double bassist Maxwell Sterling.

The dreamer sleeps through contemporary catastrophes whilst dreaming of resistance and renewal. Commissioned by Somerset House Studios with Art Fund support. Nicky

Wilson, Founder and Director, Jupiter Artland, said: “We are delighted to open our next season with three such promising and ambitious artists combined with a season of events suited to the change in temperature and tone of the Scottish landscape as the nights draw in.

“Keeping Jupiter Artland open across the winter is a special new moment in our programme, which will afford visitors an entirely new type of experience on site, as the colours and light change into Autumn and Winter hues, across three magnificent exhibitions and specially curated events, suitable for all ages and interests.” www.jupiterartland.org

for the select number who can obtain tickets for the show. If you miss out, then there are plenty of other shows to go and see featuring around 120 artists over the weekend. Setting sail on three thematic streams: Poetry is Punk reminds audiences that poetry can be raw, rebellious and DIY, the Anthropocene reflects on the human impact on our planet and species whilst The Unseen World dives deep into the mystical, esoteric, and spiritual, exploring belief and imagination beyond the everyday.

pushtheboatout.org

It won’t be lonely this Christmas at Kyloe’s film night

LOOKING FOR A CHRISTMAS night out with a difference?

Edinburgh gourmet steak restaurant Kyloe is showing Home Alone with a menu themed to suit the movie. The menu is priced at £79.95 per person including the movie, a welcome drink, cheese pizza with hot honey and lashings of ice cream.

Follow a night at the movies with a nightcap at Heads and Tails which will be transformed into Santa’s grotto from November.

This could be the perfect place for festive cocktails in a magical setting or a Christmas dinner after party.

The restaurant has a new Christmas lunch and dinner menu, served from 17 November to 24 December with the best of Scottish produce infused with deliciously festive flavours.

And for an exclusive fine dining experience this Christmas, Kyloe has a private dining room for between 10-18 guests, served by two dedicated members of the Kyloe team.

https://kyloerestaurant.com/kyloe-filmclub

Poets Iona Lee and Janette Ayachi launch the 2025 programme Image: Neil Hanna

Pushing The Boat Out sets sail for a 3-day festival of words with attitude

As part of the run up to the festival Michael Pedersen invites everyone to join him on board the former Northern Lighthouse vessel turned hotel, Fingal, on 8 November.

The Edinburgh Makar, Pedersen, has just written a novel titled Muckle Flugga. The story is about

life on a remote island turned upside down by a stranger’s arrival, testing bonds of family and tradition and leaving a young dreamer’s future hanging in the balance.

They will be seated in the Grand Ballroom where the cocktail bar sits on the mezzanine level on Fingal

Visitors to Jupiter Artland will now be able to enjoy the stunning exhibits all year round

Jupiter’s plan for all seasons

By PHYLLIS STEPHEN

JUPITER ARTLAND is to remain open year-round for the first time, with autumn and winter hours every Thursday to Sunday from November until February next year.

Three major exhibitions have just launched with works by Tai Shani, Georg Wilson, and Florence Peake drawing upon the earth, folklore, mythology, and humanity and nature around us.

Love and to Cherish, a commissioned floor painting for Jupiter's new Glasshouse wedding venue.

The ambitious work subverts traditional marriage vows, created by dancers painting with their bodies in passionate embrace during Jupiter Rising in the summer.

Tai Shani's landscape work The Spell or The Dream features a luminous blue breathing sculpture in the orchard, with soundscape by composer, producer and double bassist Maxwell Sterling.

The dreamer sleeps through contemporary catastrophes whilst dreaming of resistance and renewal. Commissioned by Somerset House Studios with Art Fund support. Nicky

pushtheboatout.org

It won’t be lonely this Christmas at Kyloe’s film night

LOOKING FOR A CHRISTMAS night out with a difference?

Follow a night at the movies with a nightcap at Heads and Tails which will be transformed into Santa’s grotto from November.

This could be the perfect place for festive cocktails in a magical setting or a Christmas dinner after party.

The restaurant has a new Christmas lunch and dinner menu, served from 17 November to 24 December with the best of Scottish produce infused with deliciously festive flavours.

And for an exclusive fine dining experience this Christmas, Kyloe has a private dining room for between 10-18 guests, served by two dedicated members of the Kyloe team.

https://kyloerestaurant.com/kyloe-filmclub

Poets Iona Lee and Janette Ayachi launch the 2025 programme Image: Neil Hanna

SANTU COFFEE ROASTERY

By Charlie Ellis

The co ee bar as art CROSSWORD

THE AREA AROUND the top of Leith Walk is becoming a hot spot for elite level specialty co ee. Perhaps this is because the area is on the cusp of the city centre without the exorbitant rents found in the tourist heart of the city. Ante on Haddington Place was recently joined by Kul over the road on Elm Row. On a back street, just a short distance away, lies a truly stunning venue to drink co ee. This is Santu’s Roastery and co ee bar.

WONDERFULLY DIFFERENT

Santu have been roasting co ee at 23 Union Street since 2021, but have now set up a co ee bar within the building, open to the public. With its vast scale and lovely light, it o ers an absolutely glorious place within which to enjoy well-made, high quality co ee, brewed from beans roasted a few metres from your seat.

As a venue, it o ers a peaceful retreat, distinct from some of the very busy cafes you will nd across the city. Here, there’s not the same constant chatter or pressure on seats. Santu already has their own little co ee bar on the Canongate. Small and snug, it’s primarily for takeaway, to ca einate tourists as they explore the Old Town. Their place on Union Street is very di erent, existing in a parallel world sans bustle and urgency. It’s something wonderfully di erent.

AN ETHEREAL AIR

As you walk in you’re immediately aware of the size and scale of the co ee bar, a place of light and minimalism, with light streaming in through the roof. Music, often ambient, pulses gently through the

space. The high ceiling gives it an ethereal air.

At the centre is their industrial scale roaster. In this, Santu roast beans from farmers they have a direct relationship with in Espirito Santo in southeastern Brazil. The main focus remains the roasting and distribution of beans. Santu supplies a number of cafés, hotels and restaurants in the city and beyond.

Santu’s new co ee bar seems to be a case of testing the water. Unlike other cafés, they don’t need vast numbers of customers from the get go, as they already have a successful roasting business. A large number of their present customers come from nearby o ces (who get a 20 % discount), but like the co ee roasting aromas, word is spreading.

One of these customers talked of the "lovely fruity smell" that often seeps into his o ce from Santu. Co ee can change the atmosphere. They’ve started out on a small scale, with seats for about 15. They could, if they wished, expand this number. However, if the lofty café was lled with chatter and urgent laptopping, it might change the character of the place.

A STEADY DRIP

At present, it’s possible to sit in and absorb the gentle pulsing tunes, with the reverberating co ee sounds adding a background rhythm. It feels like a spot with a di erent pace, shorn of the urgency of the world outside. Yet, as you sit you are only a short distance from busy streets – and indeed the city centre. Even writing about a “hidden gem” such as this feels risky –

helping to encourage many others to visit, to breach the peace. At present, the place is attracting a steady drip of customers, not a ood (in co ee terms, a V60 pour over, not a rapid stream of espresso).

However, on each visit, the place seems to be getting busier, despite high calibre competitors nearby (Artisan Roast, Ante and Kul).

The place has the character of an art space or gallery. Indeed the place was previously the home of Edinburgh Printmakers, now in Fountainbridge. Santu’s founder Washington Viera (who grew up on his grandparents’ co ee farm in Brazil) wants to “replicate” what the Printmakers had, and ensure that Santu’s roastery is a “vibrant community space”. So far, he’s delighted they have, since June this year, already built up a number of loyal customers. Given the character of the place and the quality of the co ee, this is no surprise.

CREATIVE REPURPOSING

Prior to Edinburgh Printmakers, the building was a washhouse, the ghost signs of which run down the side of the hall. Santu is an illustration of the way that specialty co ee has played a leading role in nding new uses for old buildings, of imaginative repurposing.

Co ee roasteries have been springing up across the city in recent years, including in areas traditionally associated with industry (Granton, Pe ermill, Leith), as well as within more central parts of the city, such as Obadiah in Abbeyhill, The Cobbled Roastery on Thistle Street - and Santu’s.

By Aldhelm

7 Across is in Edinburgh

2 Small hotel (10)

Inquire (3)

Retaliation (8)

Artist’s workplace (6)

Not in a t state (13)

Southern US state (7) 8 Chats, talks (13)

Roasting device (10)

Physical proof (8)

Normal (7)

Thief, bandit (6)

Possessing (6) 23 Secret agent (3)19 Tall tree (6)

Musical dramas (6)

Demon (3)

7 Arthur’s Seat 9 Chastise, 10 Dryden, 11 Peace, 12 Horoscope, 14 Chateau, 16 Talents, 18 Tardiness, 20 Octet, 21 Tablet, 22 Leonardo, 24 Exceptional. DOWN: 1 Statue, 2 Guesthouse, 3 Ask, 4 Reprisal, 5 Studio, 6 Incapacitated, 7 Alabama, 8 Conversations, 13 Rotisserie, 15 Evidence, 17 Natural, 19 Robber, 20 Owning, 23 Spy.

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

The service was gentle, with the barista letting customers know that he would deal with them in due course (“I won’t be too long”). On ordering a batch brew ( lter co ee made on a larger scale), I was told this would take “about ve minutes”.

I was only too happy to wait, especially in such an atmosphere. Nothing was rushed, which is key to maintaining quality with specialty co ee, which requires precise brewing methods to extract the best. Good things come to those who wait.

Indeed, the barista got lost in his work. When his colleague suggested that it was break time, the barista admitted “I didn’t realise the time".

Santu Co ee Roastery 23 Union Street, EH1 3LR ACROSS 7 TAUT RASHERS (anagram) (7, 4) 9 Tell o (8) 10 John ....., 17th-century poet (6)

I daresay that we’d all be living better lives if we can get truly lost in what we do, with the need to be constantly conscious of the time side-lined. I used extra those minutes to try and capture the calm serenity of the place in my notebook.

RUMBLING

AND ROARING

However, be warned that when beans are being roasted the still calm is broken by the rumbling and roaring of the roaster. This tends to drown out the music and may overwhelm casual chatter. Outwith these times, Santu’s Roastery and co ee bar o ers a chilled and inspiring place to enjoy delicious brews, but not cakestrictly co ee.

Ambient light and music in a minimalist space gives Santu the air of a peaceful gallery

My perfect lazy Sunday: cooking up a tasty feast

FEAST – RECIPES THAT BRING JOY is the new cookbook by Sarah Rankin, and I'm a big fan.

This gorgeous collection brings together almost 100 recipes and over 15 di erent menus to cater to any occasion – holidays and high days, celebrations, family gatherings, or intimate evenings with friends.

While I understand that most people aren't like me (or indeed Sarah), who relish the thought of entertaining, she's cleverly created recipes that take the planning and guesswork out of what to serve when you want to bring people together, whatever the reason.

The recipe collection includes ideas for drinks, nibbles, mains, sharing plates, sides, condiments and desserts – allowing you to pick and mix your menu planning. Genius.

I particularly like her seasonality calendar that focuses on ingredients speci cally grown in the UK. Prices will be cheaper when in season, and your ingredients will likely be grown closer to where you are, helping the planet and supporting local growers.

So, for my next feast with fellow food and drink enthusiasts – The Social Bitches – I had a go at one of the recipes.

The perfect lazy Sunday afternoon: cooking while listening to podcasts, putting the world to rights over good food, and nally binge-watching the last six episodes of 'And Just Like That'.

I may not be quite the style fashionista that Sarah Jessica Parker is, but I thought I looked rather fetching in my NZ apron. As a con dent cook, I mixed things up a bit, substituting some ingredients and suggestions.

I cooked the smoked roasted courgette dip with homemade herby atbreads, followed by lamb chops with yoghurt and sa ron (substituting individual chops rather than cooking a rack of lamb). I used organic carrots (without the tops) and made my own pesto with chestnuts, cashews

and basil as I had these needing using up, served alongside mixed grains and roasted chickpeas. I added an extra side of cinnamonroasted butternut squash, too.

For dessert, I was intrigued by her Whisky-Masu – essentially a Scottish twist on tiramisu. I considered using some Glayva that's been sitting on my shelf, practically screaming to be used, or

experimenting with Magnum Cream Liqueur – an award-winning fusion of Speyside single malt and cream that's crafted right here in Edinburgh – which has also been giving me the side-eye from my drinks’ cabinet for far too long. However, I nally settled on the Florentines, as I had lots of seeds and nuts needing to be used. While mine might not look

exactly like the pictures in the book, thanks to Isaac's camera skills, it's not far o and still tasted great. The result? An utter feast! Check out Sarah's website – www.sarahrankincooks.com/ events – for upcoming supper clubs at her home in Kinross. Feast by Sarah Rankin, £25 hardback (ISBN 9781780279558) Happy Feasting!

ANYONE who enjoys good food and wine needs to add Eating and Waiting To Eat to their podcast list. Brought to you by two ex-pat Americans – Kevin Rivers, originally from Los Angeles but moved to Edinburgh a year and a half ago, and Carlos Miranda, from New York who has lived in the UK for over 20 years.

They met over their shared love of food while in that annoyingly long queue at Lannan Bakery (so long, I've never been bothered to queue!) just over 18 months ago.

Eating and Waiting To Eat is a podcast celebrating Edinburgh's dynamic food scene. A feast for the senses, this professionally produced show chronicles the chats of co-hosts Kevin and Carlos with the people behind the restaurants, bars and co ee shops that make their adoptive home a special place for food and drink.

Their rst series – ve episodes –features Elizabeth Ellio and Sharif Gergis from Adfern, Colin Hynds of Tipsy Midgie, Robert Hall-McCarron of The Little Chartroom, Eleanore and Ardfern, Andy Mitchell and Chris Thompson of Mootz General Store and James Snowdon and Lloyd Morse of The Palmerston.

Like my TV habits, I've already binge-listened to all ve episodes and am waiting in eager anticipation for what's next. I can guarantee it will have you clamouring to make bookings and revisiting these establishments. I've already made a booking for the Palmerston next week when I have a friend in town, as I haven't been since it opened and visited Mootz on the back of hearing about the sandwich shop on the podcast. It hadn't been on my radar until then – but my small Mootz was as delicious as described, although the small option was big enough to last me two lunches!

Culinary capers in the capital with Kerry Teakle

Kerry (above) loves Sarah Rankin’s inspiring book, a classic collection of cleverly created recipes to help you celebrate

Visit

Nutbush City Limits, check out No 9, brave the Glass Menagerie or call in at a sinister high rise... all on Edinburgh stages this November

THERE’S ONE SHOW ready to rock The Playhouse this month. It’s simply the best, better than all the rest… or at least it is, as far as telling the true life story of pop icon Tina Turner goes. But then, the legendary singer was herself a guiding force behind the smash hit West End triumph that is Tina - The Tina Turner Musical (11-22 November).

With a pulse-pounding soundtrack of classic hits such as The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Private Dancer and River Deep, Mountain High, Tina.. The Musical shines a spotlight on the much missed Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, while regaling audiences with the inspiring, untold story of a woman who dared to dream, shatter barriers and defy the bounds of age, gender and race to conquer the music world.

From her humble beginnings singing in a gospel choir in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her triumphant transformation into a multi award-winning global superstar, the “legend comes alive in this musical” – having seen the London production, I can vouch for that.

Running time 2 hours 45 minutes, including interval.

Tickets here: https://www.atgtickets.com/ shows/tina-the-tina-turner-musical/ edinburgh-playhouse/calendar/2025-11-11

O ver on Cambridge Street, Arlington (6-8 November), is a new production by Shotput, a dance-theatre company described as “maverick”, which instantly grabs my attention, comes to The Traverse.

Set in a dystopian world dominated by surveillance and control (sound familiar?) Arlington follows Isla, a young woman held inside a mysterious high rise facility, waiting for her number to be called. Telling stories of her dreams for the world outside, her only human interaction is with an anonymous man on the other side of the wall.

Today there is a new listener and what starts as a seemingly small human interaction turns into something much more terrifying and sublime.

Enda Walsh’s dark fable explores themes of love, freedom, and the enduring power of human connection in the face of oppression.

Running time 1 hour 30 minutes.

Tickets here https://www.traverse.co.uk/ whats-on/event/arlington-autumn25#datesandtimes

Staying with the dark side, things don’t come much darker than Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s Inside No 9, as fans of the TV show already know… and now the live stage version of that ratings winner is heading to The Playhouse.

Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright (25-29 November) nds familiar characters and stories mixed with brand new material by Pemberton and Shearsmith, who will also perform, as they bring their unique brand of storytelling to life. Expect the unexpected as they weave their signature web of twisted tales and black humour to keep you guessing until the very end.

Running time 2 hours 20 minutes including interval.

Tickets here: https://www.atgtickets.com/ shows/inside-no-9-stage-fright/edinburghplayhouse/calendar/2025-11-25

Another highlight to look forward to in November is the Royal Lyceum’s gripping new staging of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie (4-8 November), a co-production with Dundee Rep and Glasgow Citz.

Tom, trapped in a soul-crushing job and burdened with the weight of supporting his overbearing mother, Amanda, and painfully shy sister, Laura, longs for escape. When he

invites Jim, a charming but well-meaning acquaintance, to dinner, Amanda seizes the moment to secure Laura’s future happiness.

As hopes rise, family tensions mount, and cracks in their relationships deepen, threatening to shatter their fragile world apart for good.

Watch out for the always brilliant Edinburgh-born Sara Stewart in the role of Amanda Wing eld – you might recognise her from Sugar Rush, or West End appearances that include Enron and Harry Potter & the Cursed Child.

Running time 2 hours 20 minutes including

Edinburgh’s Mr Entertainment picks his Hot Tickets to see in the capital and beyond

interval. Tickets here https://lyceum.org.uk/ events/the-glass-menagerie#dates-andtimes

Travel time and my Theatre Break for London this month is a new star-studded production of Othello (until 17 January) at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, those stars being David Harewood of Homeland fame, Toby Jones, who you might from Mr Bates v the Post Office and Detectorists, and Caitlin FitzGerald, known for playing Libby Masters in Masters of Sex.

Shakespeare’s Othello rages like never before in this explosive new production directed by Tony Award-winner Tom Morris, and with music by PJ Harvey, this epic tale of

manipulation, jealousy and toxic masculinity explores the darker side of power, fury and desire.

Running time TBC. Tickets here https:// ticketing.trh.co.uk/ event/36514?date=2025-11

We finish up this month back at the Royal Lyceum where, even though it’s probably still too early to mention the C word (Christmas, obviously), the festive season starts early with the arrival of Cinderella: A Fairytale (27 November - 3 January).

Now, while it may be too early for Christmas, one thing’s for sure, it’s definitely too early for panto, so you may well be pleased to hear that

this Cinderella is not a pantomime. Oh, no it’s not!

Sally Cookson’s production for all the family aged 5+ has music and puppetry and promises to add a magical flutter of wings to the happily ever after.

The story: 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.

Then 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?

Running time 2 hours including interval. Tickets here https://lyceum.org.uk/events/ cinderella-a-fairytale#dates-and-times

And if that’s left you with the sound of festive bells jingling in your head, make sure you don’t miss my Christmas panto/show round-up in next month’s Edinburgh Reporter, and remember, you’ll find all my theatre news, reviews and features at MustSeeTheatre.com throughout the month.

Until next month, happy theatre going, Líam

Opposite: The soundtrack to Tina Turner’s life unfolds at the Playhouse. Top: Sara Stewart in The Glass Menagerie at The Royal Lyceum Above left: Othello at London’s Theatre Royal. Above right: Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith in Inside No 9.

THE VOICE OF SPORT

Amy takes world Taekwondo

SCOTLAND HAS A new world champion in 20-year-old Taekwondo expert, Amy McNair.

Amy was part of a four-strong team from the South Queensferry club to travel to Porec, Croatia, where she took gold in the Special Technique category which includes ve di erent kicks at various heights up to 2.7 metres.

Amy, degree course at Stirling University, is coached by Julie Cross, MBE, a six time world champion, 15 times European champion and twice elected to the sports Hall of Fame.

Julie believes that Amy might well go on to emulate her own achievements, saying: “You always hope that your students surpass you.

“Amy’s latest success came in a tournament where there was a big South American contingent taking part and that always raises the standard. A total or 53 countries overall took part.

“To make any success all the more satisfying our athletes, plus myself as coach, had to be self funding.”

Because the ITF is not a liated with the Olympic movement and owes its origins to North Korea there is no chance of Amy, who won two team bronzes for Scotland in Croatia, travelling to Los Angeles in 2028.

But there are still plenty of challenges ahead for Amy and her international club mates Rory Davidson, Emily Davidson and Ewan Hollins, according to the coach whose rst international tournament came in ... North Korea.

“That was an amazing experience” she recalls, adding: “something I will never forget.”

World Cup inspires Banshees

BOROUGHMUIR RUGBY CLUB are on the brink of forming their rst-ever women’s team.

The move comes after the successful creation of the “Banshees”, run for girls aged under-16 and under-18 three years ago.

It is a natural move according to Gillian Nimmo, director of girls and women’s rugby but one she insists cannot be rushed at the Commsworld sponsored out t.

“I can see it taking up to 10 years before we’d be good enough to compete at Premiership level and we will just have to take it a step at a time.

“We are in discussions with someone looking to come on board to create the women’s team but the starting place would be Scottish Rugby’s Aspiring League.

“It’s been a challenging season so far including the loss of coach Callum McFeat-Smith – the girls were devastated when he told them he was leaving for a job in Hong Kong – but George Stevens is combining playing for the Boroughmuir men’s team with coaching duties so things are looking up again.

“A big part of that is a link up with Lasswade and with rugby politics set aside it is amazing what can be achieved when the

greater good of the game is put rst. Coaches are learning from each other and teams are responding to one message.”

Another key element in the Banshees development was the recent women’s world cup won by hosts England.

“We had a lot of people going down south to watch matches and the message hit home that the players taking part all started at clubs like our, proving it can be done to reach the very top.”

Last season Banshees supplied three girls to the Scottish under-16 squad and one to the under-18s.

“That’s pretty cool for a club

formed only three years ago,” says Gillian.

“We aspire to do something similar in the new year when district rugby arrives but while recognising success is not only about winning matches or creating representative opportunities, it is also about getting players on the pitch and the team coming together socially.”

To that end Banshees have a series of o eld events planned on an educational basis including chats with a nutrionist as well as advice on preparing for exams, balancing sport with studies and addressing (job) recruitment.”

Edinburgh women lift the Scottish Masters

THE CURLING SEASON is up and running and at the Curl Edinburgh club Catherine Dodds and Jill Florence played in team Adams that won the Scottish Masters women’s title at Greenacres Curling Club in Renfrewshire.

Also, Brian Fleming played in team Wilson that won the Scottish Masters men’s title, which was also played at Greenacres during October.

Paul Davis skipped team Davis who were runners-up in the men’s Masters.

October also saw the Scottish Senior Mixed Championship played at Curl Edinburgh and Team Kennedy, from Ayr and comprising Neil Kennedy, Margaret Agnew, John Agnew,

Emma’s a British Muay Thai champ

Emma defeated top ranked Yasim Nazary, but had to do it the hard way after sustaining an elbow injury early in the contest.

“I knew I had hurt it but didn’t know how bad it was, so just pushed on” said Emma who was relieved to later learn no fracture had occured.

Pawel, who founded the Combat Project club, added: “Emma showed what true heart looks like.

“To ght almost an entire title bout one handed and still win against one of the country’s best is unbelievable.”

Holly leads city’s trampoline stars

ALLFREY of The City of Edinburgh trampoline club secured a highly commendable fourth place at the senior women’s British Championships.

To qualify for that nal, Holly took gold in the 17-21 age group women’s double mini trampoline competition.

Holly was one of a number of members of the club, who operate out of both the Lasswade Centre and Meadowmill Sports Centre, to achieve success at the Scottish Championships in Dundee recently, and a gold medal there did full justice to her abilities.

Other successful gymnasts included Archie Lawson, Ollie Thomas, Mya Calder, Harry Sheridan and Evie Munro. In the synchro event there was a gold for

and Skye

Image:

Gary Thompson

HOLLY

Ruby-Mae Manson

Brown.

EMMA DAVISON, of the Edinburgh Combat Project, is pictured with her trainer and ancé, Pawel Zakrzewski, after winning the British Muay Thai championship in Newcastle.

Sheila Kennedy won the championship, beating team Wilson in the nal Photo shows the winning team being presented with the

trophy by RCCC President, Keith Prentice. The next major event in the capital is the Curl Edinburgh International from 21-23 November.

gold

Formed three years ago, the Banshees look set to become Boroughmuir’s ﬁst women’s team

DRUMMOND TRINITY Cricket club members turned out in force as the season ended for a day of matches to mark the first anniversary of the passing of club chairman, Gus McCallum. Carlton’s facilities at Grange Loan were the setting for the occasion in

tribute to the 55-year-old who had been instrumental in the success of the merged Drummond and Trinity Academicals club who normally play at Inverleith Park. Under Gus’s leadership Drummond Trinity reached the East of Scotland Championship this year

where they finished a highly creditable third behind Watsonians and Edinburgh Accies. In addition Ponneri Siddhanth figured in the individual honours by finishing second top batsman in the Championship with 587 runs at an average of 39.13.

Grange honour departing coach John

A SPECIAL PRESENTATION has been made by Grange to former Scotland cricketer John Blain as he moves on from providing more than a decade’s service as a coach to all levels of the club.

Blain, 46, has now taken up a post as Director of Cricket at Edinburgh Academy and leaves with the best wishes of Grange to the extent they commissioned a special portrait photograph of him by another Scotland cricketer, Dylan Budge, to hang in the clubhouse.

Grange president, Rawdon Hesketh, said: “There is probably

Club coach John Blain moves on after a decade of service to Grange

no better compliment to John than to say he leaves a very large footprint. Grange Cricket Club has certainly grown and developed under his leadership over the past 11 years.

“As a measure of his coaching and development skills in one match this season we counted

eight players in the 1st XI who had come through the junior system – never mind ex-Grange juniors playing for other clubs.

“There are many boys and girls at all levels who have benefitted from John’s words of wisdom: ‘stick to the basics, it’s a simple game’.”

A stalwart of two Scottish World Cup campaigns who also played for Northamptonshire and Yorkshire after starting out at Penicuik, John said:

“Honoured in the most humbling manner. It truly means a lot. Grange has been a hugely significant part of my life.

“Success isn’t just what you accomplish—it’s what you inspire others to do (by) building a culture, developing players, and helping populate cricket in Scotland at all levels.”

Welcoming their new arrival on social media, Edinburgh Academy said: “With over two decades of experience in international and first class cricket as both player and coach John brings an exceptional depth of knowledge.

“An ECB level 4 coach he has most recently made a huge impact on Grange, nurturing talent across all age groups.”

Badminton champs make their mark

LOTHIANS’ PLAYERS were well to the fore when the Yonex East of Scotland under-15 and under-19 badminton championships, sponsored by Martin Campbell Financial Management, took place at the Jack Kane Centre.

Zoe Tait was a double under-15 winner in the girls doubles and mixed doubles while Emma Joshua reached three finals in the same age group winning the girls doubles with Zoe Tait.

Among the under-19s Blair Tait won boys’ and mixed doubles titles. His partner in the latter event, Deepti Vijayakumar, also claimed the girls singles.

Spare a thought for Thomas Fragell who, after reaching the boys’ singles final, had to pull out injured from two doubles finals.

The under-13 and under17 championships will be held at Jack Kane Centre on November 1 and 2.

FINAL RESULTS: Under-15 Boys’ singles – Nathan Luo bt Yuanxi Cui 21-12, 22-20. Girls’ singles – Emily

Jobson bt Emma Joshua 21-10, 22-20; Boys’ doubles – Melrick Dsouza & Dylan Jia bt Yuanzi Cui & Leo Gaunt 21-9, 21-10; Girls’ doubles – Emma Joshua & Zoe Tait bt Josie Columbine & Emily Jobson 21-18, 21-13; Mixed doubles – Calum Tsang & Zoe Tait bt Dylan Jia & Emma

Joshua 23-21, 21-7. Under-19 finals Boys’ singles – Arnav Saraswat bt Thomas Fragell 14-21, 21-12, 21-14; Girls’ singles – Deepti Vijayakumar bt Pranavi Singh 13-21, 21-18, 21-18; Boys’ doubles – Blair Tait & Lingyun Xiao bt Thomas Fragell and Arnav

Saraswar w/o; Girls’ doubles – Anshita Jaiswal & Chloe Mackenzie bt Lanna Campbell & Jaagruti Mannem 19-21, 21-19, 21-12; Mixed doubles – Blair Tait & Deepti Vijayakumar bt Thomas Fragell & Lanna Campbell w/o.

ALL CHANGE at Duddingston Golf Club who have appointed a new professional and a new course manager.

Taking over from, respectively, Stuart Wilson and John Guthrie, who are moving to new projects, are David MacMullen and Dougie Melville.

David MacMullen is particularly far travelled and joins from JW Marriot Golf Club, Image City, Cairo. Before that he was attached to the St Sofia club in Bulgaria where he was also a national coach.

Egypt figures large on David’s CV having also enjoyed spells at the New Giza golf club and also Allegria Golf Club.

Nearer home he was worked as golf director at Spey Valley GC in Aviemore and also served at the club in Shotts.

By contrast Dougie Melville has spent his career in Scotland including 10 years at Falkirk Golf Club and a similar period at Silverknowes Golf Club.

Dougie’s apprenticeship was served in the capital at Swanston Golf Club.

David McMullen (above) and Dougie Melville join Duddingston in top roles

Hat-trick hero

Kabore makes Hearts history

By NIGEL DUNCAN

LANDRY KABORE has written his name in Hearts history books.

The 24-year-old is the rst Tynecastle-signed player to net a hat-trick in a senior international and the rest of the squad signalled that landmark with a round of applause when the he arrived back in the club dressing-room.

His glory treble came after 65, 82 and 96 minutes for Burkina Faso in a 3-1 success over Ethiopia in a World Cup, Group A, quali er and arrived in the same international break as James Wilson who netted a hat-trick for Scotland under-21s.

And Kabore, who has played for his international side more than he has appeared for Hearts since joining in the summer from Estonaian out t J K Narva Trans for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract, was “buzzing” when he arrived back in Scotland’s Capital.

The red letter day for the winger was even more praiseworthy given that Kabore must have been down after being left out of the Capital derby.

Wilson was an unused substitute against the men from Easter Road and both players have struggled to book a regular place in Hearts’ starting squad, being kept out by others as the nominated Men in Maroon have enjoyed a ne early-season run of form.

Derek McInnes, Hearts’ head coach, admitted that there has been a familiarity with the squads he has named for matches in recent weeks, but he stressed that the players who are not dressing are also playing their part. They are, he said, helping drive up standards and the head coach underlined his current strength in depth as he can name 11 v 11 in training and declared: “Each side is as strong as the other.”

The former Aberdeen and Kilmarnock boss used Kabore as an example of the professionalism within his playing sta . The player has been “ rst class”. He has trained hard and not shown his disappointment at the lack of rst team match time.

The coach recognises that players want to be in the team, and playing regularly in the highly-competitive, William Hill Premiership, but the named squad has been producing consistently, forcing Kabore and Wilson to be patient and to play bit parts so far.

Cammy’s back and has a point to prove

By NIGEL DUNCAN

Cammy Kerr has been patient, and now the defender hopes to put nearly a year of recovery behind him to prove he belongs in Scotland’s top ﬂight. The former Dundee captain joined The Lions from Championship side Queen’s Park in June this year, hoping for a fresh start.

But things did not work out that way. Tayside-born Kerr, who was recovering from a groin injury, ruptured an adductor in training with his new club and the 30-year-old

admitted: “It’s been an incredibly difficult period.”

The lay-off was new ground for Kerr as it’s the ﬁrst time he has been sidelined for so long as a professional player. That has allowed him to discover how difficult it is being injured while the rest of your squad trains.

Basically, Kerr, who has also played for Peterhead and Inverness Caley Thistle on loan, said working on your recovery from injury is mentally tough. Now, he has, hopefully, turned the corner and he said: “I want to show I can play at the top league for Livingston.”

Joelle joins the greats Club legend becomes ﬁrst Scottish woman to earn the honour

By JOHN HISLOP

HIBS WOMEN LEGEND JOELLE MURRAY, right, has described her unbelievable experience in Bilbao as she received the prestigious One Club Award from Athletic Club.

And hearing “Sunshine on Leith” being cheered on by the Athletic Club’s fans made it all the more special. The One Club Award began in 2015, with the Women’s Award introduced in 2019.

Murray who played 507 times for Hibs during her career, winning 14 trophies has become the rst Scottish woman to earn the honour.

Past recipients of the award include Paolo Maldini, Billy McNeil and Jennifer Zietz. Murray picked up the 2025 Award along with Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher on the pitch during the Athletic Club’s game against Girona. Speaking afterwards to Hibernian Media, Murray said: “It was unbelievable. I knew it was a truly special award, especially after seeing all the names of the previous recipients. It was extremely overwhelming. I’m very honoured and privileged to have received it. It was an unbelievable experience going out to Bilbao.

tunnel and the nerves were incredible at that point. The tunnel is very big, very long. At that point I could see a little bit of the pitch, the stadium, the stand, and again, the nerves just enhanced dramatically.

“I started walking out with one of their ex-players, who again had played a whole period at the club, and one of their youngest players in their academy.

“And then at that point, Sunshine on Leith starts, I didn’t realise that was going to happen, and that was extremely emotional. It was such an emotional moment.

“It was a full day of activities. We met the squad, met the coaching sta and chatted there for a bit, and the team was really, really welcoming.

It wasn’t just an obligatory tick box, they were really genuine.

“Then the crowd gave a genuine kind of appreciation, a huge round of applause.

“We then went to the San Mames for lunch with a lot of the club directors, which was unbelievable. It was actually nice to sit down as a collective and just chat and get an insight into what everyone does. We then went to the President’s box to meet the President, got some pictures, had some conversations there, and he was lovely, he was talking about how his friend is a big Hibs fan. Of course, when we gifted him the anniversary kit, he said his friend would be very, very jealous!

“Pre-kick-o , we went down the

“Everything about that moment, and it’s a moment that will live long with me, was so surreal. If I could do it again, I’d do it again, because I feel like it was just a little bit overwhelming.

“Jamie, was so down to earth, such a lovely guy. No airs and graces.

stadium, the stand, and again, the nerves just made comfortable.

“His wife, Nicola, was the same, and I think them being the way they were really enhanced the experience. It made me feel super comfortable.

“It was an insightful trip. It was a special club, and it’s a club now that I always look for, for the scores and see how they’re doing. Athletic Club is a club that I’ll be following now forever.”