The Edinburgh Reporter December 2019

December 2019

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk

Christmas and campaigns

NEWS

Tom Gilzean is laid to rest

Read more on Page 7

POLITICS

News from local politicians

Read more on Pages 8 & 9

Edinburgh’s Christmas is very popular PHOTO Martin P McAdam

WHAT'S ON

What’s on in Edinburgh this

month from Page 15

This month will mark the end of

the decade and we can move on to

the Twenties. Thank goodness it is

almost Christmas. We can forget

about elections and campaigns,

working out which politician is

perhaps telling us the truth and

who is not. Get the canapés out!

The hustings will be over, the TV

debates a thing of the past and we

can binge on box sets. Edinburgh's

Christmas is packing them in to

East Princes Street Gardens after

getting a building warrant for

the construction just in the nick

of time for the 2019 Christmas

Market opening. Cllr Donald

Wilson the Culture Convener has

already instructed a consultation

on future events from the winter

of 2022.

An Underbelly spokesperson

said: “Edinburgh is voting with

its feet - again. We’ve had over

half a million people through in

9 days and despite the rain, it’s

great to see that the event is more

popular than ever. The new layout

and increased space for people

to flow is benefiting everybody:

particularly those with mobility

issues and adults with young

children. The increased numbers

of visitors will hopefully be

positive for local businesses.

"There’s much more to come

over the season and through to

Hogmanay and we’re looking

forward to sharing it with the

people of Edinburgh.”

Of course this is a time when it

is difficult for some of us, so 'open

your heart' to use the late Tom

Gilzean's words.

If you can, then this is

traditionally a time to help others

- even if it is only to drop a can of

beans into the nearest food bank

trolley at the supermarket. We

wish you peace and a happy time

in December whatever you are

doing.

FOOD

Juliet has been going all Italian

Read more on Page 25

Look out for bikes

Cyclists can be hard to see in the dark

2

NEWS

ABOUT US

Thank you for reading The

Edinburgh Reporter newspaper

this month.

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Phyllis Stephen Editor

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The Edinburgh Reporter

Letters to the Editor

Carers need a break too.

Dear Editor

We’d like to invite your readers to

nominate a deserving carer who

will be in with the chance of going

on a free holiday, while the person

they care for comes on a free

break with us, Revitalise, through

our brand-new Grace Award for

Caring.

There are approximately 7.3

million carers in the UK, many

among your readers, and this

award has been created to

recognise and reward those

partners, relatives and friends who

spend their lives selflessly devoted

to caring for their loved ones.

I work for Revitalise – an

amazing charity that creates

holidays for disabled people and

carers at three fully accessible

holiday centres in the UK. The

centres are located in Chigwell

in Essex, Southampton and

Southport.

Carers save the economy £132bn

per year, which is more than the

NHS budget. The Grace Award

for Caring was named not only

because it takes grace to care

for someone, also because it

takes grace to accept care from

someone.

That’s why we’re showing our

support for carers across the UK,

calling for people to nominate

Letter from Santa

The NSPCC mailroom is now

taking orders for their ‘Letter from

Santa’.

Since 2001 the charity has

delivered 121,407 festive

messages from Father Christmas

all across Scotland. More than

two million letters have been

ordered and delivered in the UK,

with over £12 million raised for the

charity.

This Christmas family and

friends can build children a

personalised Letter from Santa,

choosing from eight new

illustrations, including ‘Reindeer

Flying Practice’, ‘Christmas Disco’

and ‘Elves are Ready to Go!’

The letter will have with the

child’s name, address, gender,

age, hobbies, best friend or family

member’s name and a special

message.

Letters are age appropriate, with

shorter text that is easier to read

for younger children and longer

letters for more advanced readers.

You can donate to the NSPCC

when ordering. Staff and

volunteers will work round the

clock to help children and young

people in need of support during

the holidays.

Paul Cockram, head of

fundraising for NSPCC Scotland,

said: “There are few better ways to

mark the beginning of the festive

period than by ordering a ‘Letter

from Santa’ for a special child

in your life and donating to the

NSPCC.

“By paying for a special

message from our Christmas

grotto you will bring great joy

to the lucky recipient and help

us bring light into the lives of

children and young people who are

desperately in need of our help.”

The deadline is 16 December.

www.nspcc.org.uk/

letterfromsanta

Premium chocolate company

Lindt is sponsoring Letter from

Santa for the fifth year running.

This great photo shows a group of boys playing in the snow, Oxgangs. There is no

date but maybe you know someone in the photo?

Edinburgh Collected is an online community photo archive managed by Edinburgh

Libraries. You can add your own photos to help preserve the city’s history for

the future. It is also a good way for organisations to preserve their archives in

scrapbooks online. www.edinburghcollected.org

a carer they know who truly

deserves a break.

The campaign is being fronted

by television presenter and

tennis champion, Sue Barker

OBE, who has said: “I am thrilled

to be launching this award

with Revitalise to give carers

the opportunity to go on a

well-deserved break while those

that they care for enjoy a free

holiday with Revitalise. I’m really

looking forward to rewarding

deserving carers in the UK with

the time off they need to relax and

recharge.”

To nominate a carer visit: www.

revitalise.org.uk/graceawards or

tel 0303 303 0145.

Thank you.

Abby Kessock-Philip, Revitalise

Please support our

stockists!

All Farmers Autocare outlets

across the city

194 Queensferry Road, 225

St John's Road, 34 Hillhouse

Road, 111 Piersfield Place, 19c

Strathearn Road and 108B Market

Street Musselburgh.

All city libraries.

Avalanche Gapinski Waverley

Mall Princes Street EH1 1BQ

Bonhams 22 Queen St EH2 1JX

Boardwalk Beach Club

50 Marine Drive EH4 5ES

Broughton Place Hair & Beauty

2a Broughton Pl EH1 3RX

Café Lowdown

40 George St EH2 2LE

Candersons Sweet Shop

102 Leith Walk EH6 5DT

Close Gallery

4B Howe St EH3 6TD

The Doo’cot

731-733 Ferry Rd EH4 2UA

Bright Lights

Dear Editor,

Too much light is being emitted

by traffic on our roads. It's most

noticeable at this time of year

and is particularly unsuitable for

built-up areas.

Rule 114 of the Highway

Code makes it clear that using

headlights that dazzle is illegal, yet

I reckon at least 10% of vehicles

on city streets are giving off light

that is too bright and intense.

Such toxic lighting is bad for road

safety, bad for health & well-being

and bad for wildlife. Initiatives at

both local and national levels are

needed to ensure that drivers use

headlights that abide by the law.

Yours etc

R M Atkinson

ESPC Showroom

107 George St EH2 3ES

Grassmarket Community Project

86 Candlemaker Row EH1 2QA

Henderson's 94 Hanover St EH2

1DB and Holyrood Rd

The Hideout Cafe 40-42 Queen

Charlotte St EH6 6AT

Leith Walk Police Box Pop Up

Croall Pl EH7 4LT

Maialino 34 William St EH3 7LJ

Milk & Honey

78 Queen Street EH2 4NF

Scottish Arts Club

24 Rutland Sq EH1 2BW

St Bride’s Community Centre

10 Orwell Terrace EH11 2DZ

Strumpets

35 William Street EH3 7LW

Summerhall

1Summerhall EH9 1PL

The Queen's Hall Box Office

Clerk St EH8 9JG

The Royal Scots Club

29-31 Abercromby Pl EH3 6QE

Editor: Phyllis Stephen

editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk

07791 406 498

We write about news relating to Edinburgh and the immediate area.

We welcome contributions to our website and newspaper.

@EdinReporter


/EdinReporter

edinburghreporter

Merry Christmas

from all of us at Lothian

Our festive season highlights at a glance...

Christmas Day Hospital services

services to Royal Infirmary

services to St Johns Hospital

Get to the Boxing Day Sales

Gyle Centre

Fort Kinnaird

Cameron Toll

Heading to the Airport

runs on Christmas Day

and Western General

Ocean Terminal

Straiton Retail Park

run on Boxing & New Year’s Days

New Year’s Day Loony Dooking

linking City Centre to Queensferry every 15 minutes

For full details please visit:

www.lothianbuses.co.uk/christmas

H

HogmanayBus

midnight to 4am 1st Jan’ 2020

Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian

Hogmanay Bus Ticket

Unlimited*

travel in 1 fare zone

£5.00

travel in 2 fare zones

£10.00

*Hogmanay Ticket valid on all Lothian, Lothian Country and EastCoastbuses

Cash & Contactless

available on board

(exact cash fare only)

Ridacard Accepted

Buy Hogmanay

Find us on:

4

NEWS


Police have a Christmas message

Edinburgh police have launched

their annual Christmas campaign,

Operation Winter City, which has

been running for several years.

It provides those who live, work

in and visit the capital during

Christmas and New Year, with

a range of information aimed

at preventing them from falling

victim to crime or coming to the

attention of police.

Edinburgh’s city centre will

become increasingly busier over

the coming weeks, with many

visiting the European Market,

shopping outlets and licensed

premises while celebrating the

holiday season.

Police have increased the

number of patrols in the city

centre during December and early

January.

To increase police visibility and

enhance engagement with the

public, a Mobile Command Vehicle

will be located at the junction of

Rose Street and Hannover Street

between 17 November and 4

January.

Members of the public in the city

centre are welcome to attend at

these vehicles to report a crime, or

to obtain advice and guidance on

personal safety, home security and

crime prevention.

Inspector David Brady from the

City Centre Policing Team said:

“Edinburgh is undoubtedly one

of the best cities in the world to

celebrate Christmas and New Year

in and Operation Winter City helps

us keep the Capital a wonderful

place to stay in, as well as to visit

during the festive period.

“We will have increased

high-visibility patrols throughout

the city and these officers will be

on hand to provide the public with

any assistance they require, while

also looking out for any matters

that require police attention.

Rotary Supports Imaginate charity

In October the Currie Balerno

Rotary Club invited Molly Goyer

Gorman of Imaginate to receive a

contribution towards an Edinburgh

initiative.

Imaginate is an Edinburgh based

charity which promotes and

develops theatre and dance for

children and young people across

Scotland. Molly is Imaginate’s

Fundraising Manager and the

Club’s donation helped with the

cost of a canal trip for 60 pupils

from Canal View Primary School in

Wester Hailes.

This is part of a 3-year project

involving 6 primary schools based

in the less advantaged areas of

Edinburgh. The project is called

Inspiring Schools-Immerse and

it seeks to develop creativity,

confidence and motivation for

learning.

The weather was kind for the

trip and the kids had a great time.

They walked for 15 minutes by

the canal to reach the boat for

the hour long trip, spending time

on and off the barge, learning

about the history of the canal and

barges. They were interested to

see everything from canoeists to

a kingfisher; and of course there

were snacks and drinks.

Project artists Hannah and

Caitlin accompanied the

young people and helped them

understand the local environment.

They organised games and

singing. Hannah said : “The boat

trip was a huge success. For

most of the children it was the

first time they had ever been on a

boat and to have the experience

of seeing the canal where they live

from the water was exciting. The

opportunity to connect the work

we have been doing with them

inside the school to nature and the

canal was inspiring and an integral

part of the project.”

Inspector David Brady at the mobile office in Castle Street as Police

Scotland launches their annual Christmas Policing Campaign.

PHOTO ©2019 Live Edinburgh News

“Our dedicated resources will

be doing everything they can

to keep the public safe, but our

communities have a vital role to

play in helping with this.

“Taking simple steps such

as looking after your personal

belongings when you’re in town,

planning your transportation for

nights out in advance, drinking

responsibly and ensuring your

home and any outbuildings are

appropriately secured, will help

prevent you from falling victim to

crime, or coming into contact with

A charity which teaches babies

and young children to swim held

swimming races to raise funds for

special care babies.

Turtle Tots Edinburgh and East

Lothian raised £11,246 for the

charity Simpsons Special Care

Babies taking their four year

fundraising total to over £20,000.

They held 102 duck races over

a week with swimmers aged 12

weeks to five years-old who all

raised money for the charity.

Many of them have had direct

contact with the neo natal unit

during their young lives.

the emergency services for any

reason.

“The information we will be

providing, both face to face, and

on our social media platforms is

not only easy to understand, but

very useful, so feel free to visit

our Mobile Command Units and

stay tuned to our Facebook and

Twitter pages for the Countdown

to Christmas calendar.

“On behalf of everyone at

Edinburgh Division, have a

wonderful and safe Christmas and

New Year.”

Duck races raise vital

funds

Director of Turtle Tots Edinburgh,

Karina commented: “Simpson’s

Special Care Babies has provided

vital support to many of our

swimmers, and personally to my

friends and family members. With

a current fundraising target of

£300,000, I was keen that through

Turtle Tots, we could help get

them a step nearer to that target.

“I’m completely overwhelmed by

the enthusiasm and generosity

shown by these families. Every

single one of our little swimmers

has embraced the challenge

and have had loads of fun in the

process. It’s amazing the funds

that can be raised when you all

pull together.”

Jed Heeps 10 months old

We offer great advertising rates!

Email editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk for more details!

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk NEWS 5

More than 100 schools have signed up to offer pupils in the most disadvantaged areas outdoor leaning sessions in nature. Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced the news at

the Botanics last month. Through outdoor learning and play, young people can enjoy and learn about the outdoors in their local area. Mr Swinney joined children from the 100 schools

together with Scottish Natural Heritage's Chief Executive Francesca Osowska to create an art project from natural materials as he called on more schools across Scotland to join the

scheme and get involved over the next year. PHOTO Greg Macvean

Christmas bus

timetable

Lothian has announced its

Christmas network plans, giving

you more time to plan your festive

trips and nights out, including

new Christmas services for those

wanting to get out of the city to

West Lothian.

On Christmas Day, Lothian

services 3, 7, 8, 16, 22, 26, 30,

34, 37, 44 and 100 will operate,

providing customers with vital

links across the city including the

Royal Infirmary Edinburgh and the

Western General Hospital.

In West Lothian, Lothiancountry

will operate seven services on

Christmas Day. Special timetables

will operate on services 217, 280,

287, X18, X27/X28 and X38.

In East Lothian,

EastCoastbuses services 106,

113 and 124 will be running on

Christmas Day providing vital links

across the local community.

On Boxing Day, additional

early morning services will give

you more time to hit the shops

with routes serving key retail

destinations such as Fort Kinnaird,

The Gyle Shopping Centre, Ocean

Terminal, Straiton Retail Park and

Cameron Toll Shopping Centre.

On New Year's Day, many key

services will be available across

Edinburgh and the Lothians

offering connections to key parts

of the city. Lothiancountry will

also operate with an increased

frequency on service 43, running

every 10 to 15 minutes to

Queensferry for the "Loony Dook".

Airlink and Skylink services will

provide connections to Edinburgh

Airport across the festive period

including Boxing Day and New

Year's Day. Airlink will also run

every 30 minutes on Christmas

Day.

Nigel Serafini, Commercial

Director for Lothian said: "We are

delighted that once again we can

offer a widespread comprehensive

network across all our brands, with

increased services in and around

Edinburgh across the festive

period.

"Thanks to the dedication and

hard work of our teams across our

business we are able to deliver

an excellent customer service for

the thousands of residents and

visitors who rely on us during a

particularly busy time for the city."

Timetables will be available to

download from www.lothianbuses.

co.uk from today and paper

timetables will be available from

Travelhubs at Shandwick Place

and Waverley Bridge.

Hurry up!

Edinburgh residents, the Scottish Government

funded scheme* to help you install cavity or internal

wall Insulation will only be available until 9th December

2019. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to reduce your

heating bills this Christmas.

Register your interest,

call us FREE on 0808 808 2282 or email

insulation@se.homeenergyscotland.org

*Subject to funding and confirmation by technical survey. Eligibility criteria apply.

6

NEWS


Edinburgh’s Christmas attracts the crowds

More people than ever before

visited Edinburgh's Christmas

during its first week. During the

first 9 days the number of visitors

was 13% up on the same period

last year.

The first weekend was the most

popular ever opening weekend

for the capital’s festive markets

when a third more people enjoyed

the first Saturday of the event

than last year. Over half a million

people visited during the first 9

days.

There was much talk about the

current layout of East Princes

Street Gardens, even before the

build started and now there will

be more. The Council's Culture

committee announced in June

2019 that the shape of the winter

festivals will be consulted upon

next year.

Council Leader Adam McVey

Planning matters

Choices for the new City Plan

by Cllr Neil Gardiner Planning

Convener The City of Edinburgh

Council

Climate Change has moved

up the agenda in 2019 partially

through the outstanding

contribution of Greta Thunberg. To

counter this looming catastrophe

across the planet we will all need

to make changes.

Collectively as the City of

Edinburgh one opportunity we

must now all grasp is to seriously

reconsider how we can manage

future growth and change. On 22

January the Council’s Planning

Committee will consider the

‘Choices for Edinburgh’ report. If

approved an 8-week consultation

process with Edinburgh residents

and stakeholders will begin. This

is very important in influencing the

Proposed City Plan, which will be

the new Local Development Plan

Work has begun on Tram to

Newhaven. The key dates are 18

November 2019 and 28 March

2020 and here are some notes:

On Constitution Street works

began in mid November and

there is no on street parking here.

Access will be maintained to the

Kirkgate House car park. The

footpath along the side of South

Leith Parish Church will be closed

until the works are completed.

Bike racks at Maritime Street

and Baltic Street will be removed

on 2 December and moved to an

alternative location. The two blue

planters on Constitution Street

have been moved and will be

replaced after Spring 2021.

On Leith Walk from 18 November

work begins at Crown Street to

Lorne Street, Lorne Street to Pilrig

Street, Pilrig Street to Brunswick

Road and then Brunswick Road

to London Road. These will be

said: “Today’s figures are positive

for Edinburgh’s Christmas,

confirming the appeal of the

event is still exceptionally strong

with families and residents in the

Capital. Bringing footfall to the city

centre during the winter months is

vital and supports local jobs and

the wider economy.

"Edinburgh’s Christmas brings

many advantages to our city and

we shouldn’t be afraid to celebrate

that. This year’s layout has helped

provide a better flow to the event

and made it more accessible.

Going forward, I’m keen to see a

far greater discussion around how

our Christmas Looks in future and

we’ve committed to a conversation

with the City next year to help

shape the Edinburgh’s Christmas

offer from 2022. I’d encourage

residents and businesses to

share their thoughts on this year’s

events with us now so we can

for Edinburgh.

The SNP led Capital Coalition

favours sustainable development,

focusing on underutilised

and ‘brownfield’ sites. All new

development will need to

contribute towards our onerous

but necessary 2030 carbon neutral

target.

The Choices Report will link to

the forthcoming City Mobility

Plan. Although planning is about

land use, the whole costs and

impact of development including

infrastructure requirements needs

to be considered. We will work

with our Labour Party Capital

Coalition partners, all other

political parties and the people of

Edinburgh to deliver a plan for the

next ten years which can meet the

challenges of providing homes,

places to work, high quality green

spaces, ‘Passivhaus’ low energy

schools and everything else which

helps to build a city for the future.

Tram to Newhaven

enabling works and there will

be traffic management and

diversions in place. But access will

be maintained to Leith Walk and

all side streets.

Some of the cycle lanes will

have to be closed but a temporary

traffic arrangement from Spring

2020 will create a safer space

for cyclists during the main tram

works.

There will be no on street parking

or loading when there is a traffic

management scheme in position.

If a bus stop needs to be moved

then advance notice will be given.

Communal bins will be moved to

the nearest side street.

All enabling works will be

completed in early 2020 when the

main tram works will commence -

and they will end in autumn 2021.

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/

tramstonewhaven

work with the organisers to make

further improvements as the

celebrations continue.”

The temperature is dropping so

we’re thinking about turning on our

heating at home again. One of the

best ways to avoid wasting money

on your heating bills is to make

sure there is no heat loss through

the walls of your property.

Up to 33% of the heat in an

uninsulated home escapes

Join us for the

most wonderful time

of the year.

Christmas Magic at

Clambers, Scrambles

and Tumbles soft plays.

edinburghleisure.co.uk

Registered Scottish Charity No: SC027450

This year, Waverley Bridge is

closed to vehicles during the

busiest times (between 11.00am –

5.00pm on Saturday and Sunday)

to improve accessibility.

Insulate and reduce your heating

bills

through the walls and installing

insulation is one of the most

effective ways to keep the heat in*.

The City of Edinburgh Council,

Home Energy Scotland and

Changeworks are working together

to deliver cavity and internal wall

insulation projects in Edinburgh.

Thanks to Scottish Government

funding, insulation will be

available to Edinburgh residents

at a reduced cost**. Register

your interest in having insulation

installed by calling Home Energy

Scotland free on 0808 808

2282 or emailing insulation@

se.homeenergyscotland.org

*Based on a typical

semi-detached house in Great

Britain. **Subject to funding and

confirmation by technical survey.

Eligibility criteria apply.


Tom Gilzean MBE 1920 - 2019

“What a pity that Tom did not live

to be 100”. That is what Gordon

Scott told me on the day of Tom’s

funeral. And it is a great pity as he

would have loved to see and speak

with the hundreds of people who

turned out to wish him farewell

last month.

There were dignitaries of course,

from The Rt Hon Lord Provost

of Edinburgh, Frank Ross to the

former Lord Provost Donald Wilson

who bestowed upon Tom the

Edinburgh Award a few years back.

Sir Tom Farmer was also in the

large congregation who were all

warmly welcomed by Archbishop

Leo Cushley.

A Book of Condolence was

opened at the City Chambers in

his honour. The former Sapper

was honoured by the presence of

standard bearers only otherwise

seen at Remembrance Day events

- and Tom was always there.

Gordon had a particularly close

relationship with the late charity

fundraiser as it was to Gordon’s

Trattoria that Tom would repair

each day for lunch (on the house

of course!).

He could be seen in all weathers

on the High Street and on Princes

Street, rattling tins to raise money

‘for the children’ where the staff

of M&S came out as the cortege

passed by to throw flowers on the

hearse carrying his coffin - which

of course was in his trademark

tartan.

We will all miss him.

Gordon Scott with his family and staff wore red

tartan scarves in Tom’s memory

North Edinburgh Arts fundraiser

At its high profile event held

at The Hub recently, North

Edinburgh Arts raised £4,500. The

evening was held to celebrate the

seventeen years since NEA began

and the funding will be used to

resource the Artists’ Studios at

North Edinburgh Arts which need

new materials, easels, furniture

and fund a programme of art

activities and events.

The Rt Hon Lord Provost of

the city of Edinburgh, Frank

Ross welcomed everyone to the

event. He explained how the

arts organisation contributes in

a less well to do area. He said

: “Culture and the work that

NEA do does help mitigate the

effects of poverty, inequality and

disadvantage for the – believe it

or not – in excess of 20% of our

citizens today who still suffer the

Make your home warmer this

Christmas with insulation

Winter is coming and heating

bills are going up.

To help you save money and

still make your home warmer, the

City of Edinburgh Council, Home

Energy Scotland and Changeworks

are working together to deliver

cavity and internal wall insulation

projects at a reduced cost to

Edinburgh residents. (1)

Up to 33% of the heat in an

uninsulated home escapes

through the walls and installing

insulation is one of the most

effective ways to keep the heat

in. (2).

This Scottish Government

funding is available until 9th

December.

Register your interest today

by calling Home Energy

Scotland free on 0808 808

impacts of these in their day to

day lives.

“I am delighted to be invited here

this evening. I was there recently

when I was mightily impressed by

the many projects and different

groups that operate within NEA.

2282 or emailing insulation@

se.homeenergyscotland.org

Once you have your walls

insulated, here are some helpful

energy saving tips to keep your

home cosier: (3)

Turn it down – It is

recommended that your heating

should be set at 18-21°C.

If your thermostat is turned down

by just 1°C you could save up to

£80 on your heating bill. (4)

Plug the gap – Draught proofing

your windows and doors and

blocking any gaps around the

floors and skirting can cut around

£22 a year off your heating bills.

Switch it off – You could save up

to £30 a year by switching off your

electrical appliances when they’re

not in use. (5)

From the Play Rangers to the

community garden, community

shed and café and key partners

including Tinderbox the NEA truly

does have something to offer to

the whole community.”

Lesley Hinds Chair of North Edinburgh Arts hosted the evening

1 Subject to funding and

confirmation by technical survey.

Eligibility criteria apply.

2 Based on a typical semi-detached

house in Great Britain.

3 Based on a typical three-bedroom

semi-detached gas heated house,

with an 85% efficient gas boiler and

average gas tariff of 3.74p/kWh

and electricity tariff of 15.75p/kWh;

correct as of March 2019 and valid

for one year.

4 Based on turning room

thermostat from 22 degrees to 21

degrees in the main living areas.

5 This saving includes all

appliances, consumer electronics,

lights and chargers that have been

left on standby mode or have been

left on and not in use.

Advertising feature

Staff from M&S laid flowers on the hearse as it

passed along Princes Street

Save Iona Street

by Andy Richardson

A new community campaign

has been launched by residents

concerned about plans to build

another block of student flats in

Leith.

A pre-application by Manson

Architects and Planners proposes

demolition of Thornbridge

timber mill on Iona Street to

build a 6-storey development

for 500 people across student

accommodation and residential

flats. Formal plans are due to

be lodged before Christmas,

after which, residents have three

weeks to submit objections via

the official Edinburgh City Council

planning portal.

Save Iona Street has been

formed by residents of Buchanan

Street, Albert Street, Sloan Street

and Iona Street who are concerned

that only 12.5% of accommodation

in the proposed building would

be given to ‘affordable housing’.

They say the building would dwarf

nearby two-storey properties

and pile pressure on already

oversubscribed local NHS

services, schools and parking.

The campaign comes amid wider

concerns that student housing

schemes are threatening the

character and affordability of

Leith.

A spokesperson for the

residents said: “Our hope is that

the developers will listen to the

community and change their plans

accordingly, ideally to a smaller

development that complements

the existing atmosphere of the

local area and has adequate

provisions built-in.

“There are already 10 developed

or proposed dedicated student

accommodations within half a

mile of Iona Street. We believe the

community needs mixed-housing

that welcomes everyone and

prioritises affordable and social

housing.”

Ben Macpherson, MSP Edinburgh

Northern and Leith, said: “I

understand why my constituents

on Iona Street are concerned

about the height of this proposed

development, and the detrimental

impact that this could have on

daylight coming into existing

flats. I have raised this issue in

particular with the developers and

urge them to respond to residents’

concerns.

“The plans for this proposed

development will go through City

of Edinburgh Council’s planning

process. People in Leith, rightly,

have strong opinions about

the development of their urban

environment. That’s why I was

glad to help pass the new Planning

Act earlier this year, which will

better empower communities

through increased consultation.

In the near future, residents will

have greater influence at the

earliest stages of planning. In

the meantime, I urge developers

to respond to the views of

residents and to work together

with communities to deliver good

development that reflects local

needs and aspirations.”

Manson Architects and Planners

declined to comment.

Save Iona Street campaigners

8

POLITICS

Have another look at

Christmas

by Jeremy Balfour MSP

With Christmas fast approaching,

people from far and wide are

flocking to the city to visit the

Christmas markets and take part

in our world famous Hogmannay

celebrations. Last year’s busiest

day saw 124,000 people visit

Edinburgh city centre. It is the

time of year where the tourist

industry is thriving, meanwhile

local people and businesses are

often left frustrated and out in the

cold.

Already complaints are being

made about this year’s markets,

with many residents unhappy

about the closure of Waverley

Bridge to vehicles during

peak times on the weekends.

Furthermore, local businesses

have expressed their frustration

to me of experiencing a drop in

footfall in the week leading up

to the launch of the Christmas

markets this year, due to set-up

operations for the festivities,

making the city harder to

Vote Murray!

by Daniel Johnson MSP

This General Election is critical

and the stakes could not be higher.

For Edinburgh, the fall out of

a no deal Brexit or a potential

independent Scotland could mean

financial disaster.

We need someone to represent

the overwhelming view held by

people in South Edinburgh, who

know the damage that any kind

of Brexit will bring. Imposing

borders, costs and regulation

where previously there were none.

And these same reasons are why

people in Edinburgh also oppose

independence: borders do not

solve problems, they create them.

I know after hundreds of doors

I have knocked already in this

General Election campaign, that

this is the view that must be

represented in parliament.

This is what Ian Murray has

done consistently in his time in

navigate. This all came less than

two months after some level of

normality resumed following the

end of Summertime Streets and

the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe.

While I am far from a Scrooge

that wants to see the end of

Christmas festivities, as I love

taking my girls into town to visit

the markets and see the Jenner’s

Christmas tree in all its glory, I

would like to see the frustrations

of locals being taken into account.

I would strongly encourage the

council to establish a city-wide

review group that can assess the

feasibility of changing the location

of some parts of the Christmas

attractions, as well as events

during the Fringe festival, so that

the city can still attract tourists at

less of an expense to locals.

Tourism will always be an

essential part of this city but it is

my hope that better provisions are

made for the locals who can so

easily be forgotten about in the

midst of all the disruptions.

parliament speaking and voting

according to these views and

principles. This is why I feel it is

important we elect him to continue

to do this job.

Ian has been at the forefront of

calling for a Peoples Vote with

the option to remain and saying

no to a second independence

referendum.

That’s why I hope you will vote

for him on 12th December.

Local Politicians have their say


Small Business Saturday –

Support Constitution Street

by Ben Macpherson MSP

Whatever your view on the tram

extension to Newhaven, I think

all of Edinburgh would agree

that we want to support affected

businesses throughout the

process.

That’s why this #SmallBizSatUK

on 7 December, I’ll be shopping

in Constitution Street and

encouraging others to do so

too. Constitution Street is the

first area to be closed to traffic

because of the tram works.

Shops, restaurants, cafes and

bars on Constitution Street have

come together to find ways to

further promote themselves

during this period. They are

still open for business and will

continue to deliver fantastic

Planning objections

by Gordon Macdonald MSP

An ongoing problem across

Edinburgh and my constituency

of Pentlands is overdevelopment.

Of course, I am not on principle

opposed to building houses,

especially on brown field sites.

We need affordable houses to

enable younger people to live in

the community in which they grew

up. However, developers have little

commercial interest in building

affordable homes preferring large

luxury homes despite the Scottish

Government’s requirement for 25%

affordable homes.

However, residents can object. I

use a checklist of valid objections

and these include building on

greenbelt or countryside, not in

keeping with the area, reduce

amenity, negatively impact on

another property, inappropriate

density, cause excessive traffic

Polling at schools

The following schools and

nurseries will be closed on

Thursday 12 December 2019 due

to the UK Parliamentary General

Election

Abbeyhill Primary School

Blackhall Library

Blackhall Primary School

Broughton Nursery - Broughton

Primary School will be open

Brunstane Primary School

Buckstone Primary School

Carrick Knowe Primary School

Craiglockhart Primary School

Cramond Primary School

Dalry Primary School

Echline Primary School

Fox Covert Primary School and St

Andrews Fox Covert - Early Years

Centre will be open

Granton Primary School, New

Annexe

Gylemuir Primary School

Hermitage Park Primary School

Hillwood Primary School

Holy Cross R.C. Primary School

James Gillespie's Primary School

Leith Walk Primary School

Liberton Primary School

Longstone Primary School

Lorne Primary School

Murrayburn Primary School -

Calderglen EYC will be open

Newcraighall Primary School

Parsons Green Nursery School -

Parsons Green School will be open

Pentland Primary School

Queensferry Primary School

Roseburn Primary School

Sighthill Primary School

South Morningside Primary School

Fairmilehead Church and Dean

Bank sites will be open

St Cuthberts R.C. Primary School

St. John Vianney R.C. Primary

School

St. John's R.C. Primary School

St. Mary's (Leith) R.C. Primary

School

Stenhouse Primary School

Tollcross Primary School

Trinity Primary School

Victoria Primary School

products and services right

throughout the coming months.

The #StrongConstitution they’re

using embodies the resolve of the

businesses and also shows the

breadth of all activities still going

on. With the festive season rapidly

approaching, let’s all back the

great local businesses in our city,

especially on Constitution Street.

congestion, create a precedent

enabling other inappropriate

development, and not being

able to be serviced by existing

infrastructure.

It is important to note that,

unfortunately, loss of view or

reduction in house prices are

not planning considerations.

Developers need to listen to

communities and build homes that

are affordable for all and not those

selling for in excess of £500,000.

https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.

gov.uk/idoxpa-web/

Corstorphine

Public Hall

by Christine Jardine Liberal

Democrat candidate for Edinburgh

West

On 6 December, Edinburgh City

Council’s Finance and Resources

Committee will consider a request

for £750,000 towards rebuilding the

much-loved Corstorphine Public

Hall.

First built in 1892, the hall served

as a focal meeting point for the

community for almost 125 years

until it was ravaged by a major

fire in 2013. Most recently it was

operated as the Corstorphine Youth

and Community Centre, and along

with other local associations the

group has made a fantastic effort

since the fire to raise funds to go

towards rebuilding costs. But,

sadly, the hall needs a completely

new structural design, and there

remains a considerable shortfall in

cash required for this to go ahead.

It’s still very upsetting to see the

shell of the hall standing untouched

on Kirk Loan, so I really hope and

expect that the Committee will look

favourably on this grant request so

we can get things moving again for

the community in Corstorphine.

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk POLITICS 9

GE 2019 Edinburgh

Candidates

Edinburgh East

GILMORE, Sheila - Scottish

Labour Party

MILLER, Claire Helen Innes -

Scottish Green Party

PRICE, Eleanor Margaret Louise

- Scottish Conservative and

Unionist

REILLY, Jill Mary - Scottish

Liberal Democrats

SHEPPARD, Tommy - Scottish

National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh North and Leith

ASTBURY, Heather Jane - Renew

BROCK, Deidre Leanne - Scottish

National Party (SNP)

BURGESS, Steve - Scottish Green

Party

MCGILL, Iain - Scottish

Conservative and Unionist

MUNRO, Gordon John - Labour

and Co-operative Party

SPEIRS, Robert - Brexit Party

WILSON, Bruce Roy - Scottish

Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh South

BEAL, Alan Christopher - Scottish

Liberal Democrats

COOK, Nick - Scottish


Lonely this Christmas

by Ash Denham MSP

For most of us Christmas is a

time we very much look forward

- a time when we come together

with friends and family and enjoy

each other's company.

But for some people Christmas

can be a very lonely time of year

- research carried out by Age

Scotland suggests older people

feel lonelier at Christmas than at

any other time of the year, and that

those who have been widowed are

most at risk.

The consequences of loneliness

can lead to poor physical and

mental health and has been linked

with conditions such as heart

disease and dementia.

I visited Age Scotland a few

months ago at their Edinburghbased

headquarters to support

their petition to retain free TV

licences for over-75s. The charity

MACDONALD, Catriona Mary

Elizabeth - Scottish National Party

MURRAY, Ian - Scottish Labour

Party

NEVENS, Kate - Scottish Green

Party

Edinburgh South West

BALLANTINE, David Craig - Brexit

Party

BROWN, Mev - Social Democratic

Party Scotland

CHERRY, Joanna Catherine -

Scottish National Party (SNP)

COOKE, Sophie - Scottish Labour

Party

INGLIS, Tom - Scottish Liberal

Democrats

LAIDLAW, Callum Arron - Scottish


PARKER, Ben - Scottish Green

Party

Edinburgh West

BOLTON, Craig William - Scottish

Labour Party

GUNN, Elaine - Scottish Green

Party

HUTCHISON, Graham James

- Scottish Conservative and

Unionist

JARDINE, Christine Anne -

Scottish Liberal Democrats

told me that 100,000 older people

in Scotland feel lonely all or most

of the time, and that almost half of

over 75s say that their main form

of company is the TV or a pet.

That needs to

change.

So I'm urging people

across Edinburgh

to remember the

older people in their

community.

Check in on them

over the Christmas

period and think

about including them

in their festive plans.

No one should have

no one, especially at

Christmas.

Ash Denham

is Minister for

Community Safety.

Lothian Labour voters have the power

in their hands to stop Sturgeon

by Miles Briggs MSP

“After four weeks on the

campaign trail the shoe leather is

thinner – but for me as an MSP it

is a great opportunity to speak to

local residents and find out what

people are really talking about.

From the increasing anger at SNP

Ministers total mismanagement

of the New Sick Kids Hospital to

the ongoing concerns about the

by Ian Murray

The importance of this General

Election cannot be understated.

The result on December 13 will

determine our country’s future for

generations to come.

On the doorsteps in Edinburgh

South, people have concerns

about SNP and Tory austerity that

have hurt local services such as

schools and hospitals.

But they also have questions

about our constitutional future,

and are deeply concerned about

the twin threats of Brexit and

independence.

Brexit will be a calamity for our

city, which is why I have been

leading the campaign in Scotland

for a People’s Vote. The SNP has

given up on this, and Labour is

now the only party prepared to

put the Brexit decision back to the

public.

Independence would be even

more catastrophic for our city and

the country, threatening tens of

thousands of jobs and devastating

Miles Briggs MSP

0131 348 5946

Miles.Briggs.msp@parliament.scot

Milesbriggsedinburgh

MilesBriggsMSP

www.milesbriggs.scot

M2.15,

The Scottish

Parliament, Edinburgh,

EH99 1SP

threat to the future of services at

St John’s Children’s ward.

“However, the main thing which

is repeated again and again on

the doorstep is the need to stop

a second divisive independence

referendum. Nicola Sturgeon has

said she is ready to ‘do a deal’ to

put Jeremy Corbyn into Downing

Street in exchange for another

referendum. If Jeremy Corbyn’s

The public should decide

our economy.

A vote for Labour in this election

is a vote against Brexit and

Labour and the SNP win on the

12th December, expect to see

another divisive independence

referendum inflicted on Scotland.

“That’s why every Scottish

Conservative & Unionists

candidate is working harder than

ever to earn your trust and ask

you to consider lending us your

support at this election.”

independence, allowing us to build

a successful future alongside our

families, friends and neighbours.

Ian Murray with Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer and former

Prime Minister Gordon Brown PHOTO Thomas Brown

10

NEWS

In case you hadn’t noticed,

Christmas is coming! Whilst

many Rotary Clubs hold their own

Christmas parties, it is also a time

when their members can be seen

out and about, doing what they

are good at: helping people and

raising money.

The Rotary Club of Edinburgh will

continue to distribute food parcels

to folk living in hostels, and the

Leith Club will be at The Scottish

Office doing a “bucket collection”.

All proceeds will be used to help

people in Leith.

From South Queensferry in the

North-West to Dalkeith (Esk Valley)

in the South-East, Santa’s sleigh(s)

will be out and about, with Santa

meeting children (and adults!),

having his photograph taken and

spreading joy wherever he goes.

On a more serious note, Balerno

Parish Church is the venue for

a Community Advent Service at

5pm on Sunday 1st December,

following which tree lights will

be switched on: the Rotary Club

of Currie Balerno invites local

people to sponsor a light on the

tree in memory of a loved one or to

celebrate an event.

And look out for Rotarians

at your local supermarkets or

shopping centres (such as the

Gyle), undertaking Christmas

gift-wrapping, supermarket

bag-packing or collecting money


Rotary Club of Edinburgh news

for local and (sometimes)

international good causes.

A chance for Rotarians to meet

you? Yes, but a chance for you to

meet Rotarians as well. So, stop

and have a chat; ask about Rotary;

see if you can go along to a Club

meeting. You will be made very

welcome!

For more information on Rotary

contact secretary@rotary1020.

org. Many local Clubs also have

Facebook pages, where further

information can be found.

Renowned Scottish artist Andy Scott has produced a five metre high steel bear sculpture to celebrate the legacy of East Lothian's

most famous son, John Muir. The sculpture, fixed to a base erected on a mound planted with wild flowers at the Spott roundabout

near Dunbar is illuminated by lighting produced with renewable energy. John Muir, born in Dunbar in 1838, played a key role in the

development of America’s national parks. The bear is symbolic of John Muir’s travels through the far-off wilderness of America’s

west, in the Rockies and his advocacy for National Parks. PHOTO Jon Savage

Cases of child cruelty

increased last year

The NSPCC reports that there

were 818 child cruelty and neglect

offences recorded in Scotland

in 2018/19 and 640 recorded in

2017/18 – a 28 per cent increase.

The charity has analysed police

data for the whole of the UK and

found there were 20,024 offences

recorded by police across the

country in the last year.

Reports to police included

extreme cases of when parents

or carers deliberately neglected,

assaulted, abandoned or exposed

their child to serious harm and

unnecessary suffering.

Join the Guides!

A new guiding unit has been

set up in Granton and is looking

for more girls to join them on a

journey of fun, friendship and

adventure.

The 2nd Forth Rangers offers

girls aged 14-18 a space to be

themselves and take part in new

experiences. New members can

look forward to an exciting and

varied programme of activities,

events and trips where they will

make lifelong friends and a space

to have fun.

The group have taken part in

an action-packed programme of

activities including camping and

caving at Girlguiding Scotland’s

Scottish radio is about to

experience a much-needed breath

of fresh air with the launch of an

exciting new station - Pure Radio.

Pure Radio will broadcast in

high quality DAB Radio and be

available to nearly 3 million adults

across Central Scotland. Listeners

can also tune in on the app, at

pureradioscotland.com and ask

their smart speaker to “Play Pure

Radio Scotland”. Pure Radio will

officially burst onto the airwaves

on Wednesday 27th November at

8.00am.

Led by Robin Galloway, who

heads up the breakfast show, the

station’s remit is to bring back the

spirit of local radio to the nation

and reverse the trend of networked

radio shows from England.

Where Pure Radio will differ

is that there will be no hourly

news bulletins and less adverts

To raise awareness of child

neglect and abuse the NSPCC

has launched its Light for Every

Childhood Christmas Appeal.

This calls for donations so the

NSPCC can be there for children

suffering from neglect and abuse

at Christmas and all year round.

The charity’s Childline service is

the only service there for children

24/7 during the upcoming festive

period, but it needs support

for 2020 and beyond. Adults

concerned about a child can

contact the NSPCC helpline seven

days a week on 0808 800 5000

outdoor activity centre at

Netherurd, watching Lewis Capaldi

live at Tartan Gig – Girlguiding

Scotland’s exclusive concert for its

members, as well as a raft building

competition in their meeting place.

The 2nd Forth Rangers meet on

Monday evenings at a venue in the

Granton area. The group is funded

by the CashBack for Communities

Programme which has funded

nearly 2 million activities and

opportunities for young people.

Registering details or details for

volunteers Tel 0131 226 4511

www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk/

get-involved/

New Radio Station

interrupting the shows. Pure

Radio will only talk about news if

they know it is of interest to their

listeners.

At Pure Radio, No News Is Good

News.

Fun, cheeky and irreverent –

that’s the tone that Galloway was

famous for and that’s exactly what

to expect from this new station.

It’s not just going to come from

the veteran DJ, with Lynne Hoggan

and Paul Harper following him in

the same style each day.

It’s a station by Scots, for Scots,

planning to redress the balance.

There will be a heavy emphasis

on music with major airplay for

everyone from Gerry Cinnamon

and Lewis Capaldi to Simple

Minds, Eurythmics and Deacon

Blue. Scottish artists, in other

words.

Care Crew are here

to provide a quality

care service in our

clients’ own homes

Call us on:

07738 625 021

www.carecrew.co.uk

16 NOVEMBER 2019 - 4 JANUARY 2020

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, the

traditional market offers something for

everyone. There is no better way to soak

up the festive atmosphere!

FORTH 1 BIG WHEEL

Enjoy dazzling views of Edinburgh’s

Christmas and beyond on the iconic Forth

1 Big Wheel. One ride won’t be enough!

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS

This Christmas join your neighbours and

come together for a special local festive

celebration. Twelve locations around

Edinburgh over twelve nights!

SANTA’S GROTTO

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas

without a visit to Santa… Meet the man

himself, listen to a magical tale and

receive a wee gift!

SILENT ADVENTURES

Welcome to the jingle! Silent

Adventures does the Christmas Market! Be

transported on a Yuletide adventure and

discover the true spirit of Christmas.

AVAILABLE ON ALL RIDES,

SELECTED SHOWS &

SANTA’S GROTTO

Proof of address is required

EDINBURGHSCHRISTMAS.COM

12

BUSINESS


Charity criticises TSB closures

Age Scotland has criticised

TSB’s announcement that it will

close 82 branches nationwide,

saying older and more vulnerable

people will be hardest hit.

The bank announced the

closures as part of a £100m

cost saving programme, and is

the latest move in the relentless

decline of high street banking.

38 per cent of Scottish branches

closed in the last five years.

Adam Stachura, Head of Policy

at Age Scotland, said: “At a

recent meeting with TSB, we

were assured us that their plan to

reduce operating hours at some

branches was not a prelude to

closing them. While we don’t know

which branches are affected yet,

it’s extremely disappointing to see

a closure programme announced.

“This is another slap in the face

to loyal bank customers, especially

those who are older, disabled, or

don’t have internet access. It’s

extremely disappointing to see yet

another bank put profits ahead of

its customers, particularly those

who need to use a branch most.

“This will undoubtedly make it

harder for tens of thousands of

people to access their finances

and manage their money on a daily

basis. We know older people are

more likely to prefer a face-to-face

service. Seven in 10 over-65s don’t

use online banking, and more than

half of Scottish people aged 80

and above never use the internet

at all, so they are being left behind

with the march to digital banking

by default.

“Bank branches have been

disappearing from our high streets

at an alarming rate, with almost

half closing in the last decade.

New office on the market

Refurbishment works at Number

10 George Street have been

completed and the office has

now been put on the market to

find a new occupier. There are

panoramic views from the top

floors to Fife and Edinburgh

Castle.

Ben Reed, Director at JLL said:

“With available Grade A office

space critically short, 10 George

Street represents as rare an

opportunity as you could find. Not

only is the building impeccably

refurbished, it is arguably the

best located office in Edinburgh,

with views to match. St Andrew

Square has undergone extensive

redevelopment in recent years and

has attracted the highest calibre

occupiers, retailers, restaurants

and bars. This, combined with

the close proximity to Edinburgh

Waverley train station, and the

tram network, makes 10 George

Street ideally suited for a major

occupier.”

Neil Gordon, Partner at Eric

Banking deserts across Scotland

are starting to form, with many

towns and villages left with no

service at all.

“We would encourage banks to

consider creative alternatives to

outright closures, such as shared

branches with several banks

splitting the cost of staff and

premises between them while

offering a valuable face-to-face

service.

"This is gaining political traction

but it just needs the banks to have

the courage to start it.

“Age Scotland is calling on the

next UK Government to ensure

that every older person has

easy and free access to banking

services and cash, wherever they

live, including in rural areas. If the

banks are not willing to do this

themselves, then perhaps it’s time

for the Government to step in.”

Young & Co said: “The building

is available as a whole or on a

multi-let basis and we anticipate

interest from a range of sectors.

No 10 ticks all the boxes for high

quality occupiers with large floor

plates, a fantastic specification

including roof terraces on 3 levels

and excellent environmental

credentials.” The project began in

March 2018 for La Française Real

Estate Partners International on

behalf of their client Sampension

KP.

AI funding on offer

Nesta in Scotland, the Scottish

arm of the UK’s innovation

foundation, has launched a fund to

find and support positive, ethical

uses of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

that can help change Scotland and

the UK for the better.

Scotland’s long history of

innovation is well known with the

bicycle, steam engine, TV and

penicillin all emerging here, and

Scotland is still at the forefront in

the latest technologies such as AI,

as Edinburgh has the fifth highest

concentration of AI research of

any part of the UK.

The fund is open for applications

now until 10 January 2020

and entries are welcome from

students, academics, startups,

SMEs, public, private and

third sector bodies. Nesta

wants applications from a wide

range of areas including health,

wellbeing, poverty, homelessness,

inequality, education, creative

industries, government, climate

action, transport, manufacturing,

emergency services, academia

and research. Winning entries

will be given a grant of £15,000-

£20,000 as well as a programme

of support and engagement from

Nesta in Scotland. nesta.org.uk

New lounge open at

the airport

Swissport has opened a new

Aspire Lounge at Edinburgh

Airport, the first in the world to

feature the refreshed Aspire look

and feel.

The new 142 seat lounge has

been designed to offer passengers

a stylish, comfortable and

tranquil start to their journey,

with uninterrupted runway views,

separate booths for business and

family passengers and private

washroom facilities.

DV8 Designs Ltd, the company

tasked with the designing the

lounge, were briefed to create

an inviting, contemporary and

relaxing space suitable for all

travellers, with an adaptable

design for each airport’s local

heritage.

The result is a contemporary,

high spec lounge finished with

traditional patterned fabrics and

featuring artwork of iconic city

scenes. Open to all travellers

irrespective of airline or travel

class booked, it offers unlimited

free WIFI, plush seating with

nearby charging facilities. Food is

cooked fresh on site and served on

marble counter tops.

The menu includes freshly

made pancakes at breakfast, a

cheeseboard and hot and cold

meals throughout the rest of the

day. A comprehensive bar offer

includes the exclusive to Aspire

Lounges' Spey Whisky and Byron’s

Gin.

Leith Walk Police Box Pop up space

www.leithwalkpolicebox.com

Wednesdays, Fridays and other dates including Christmas Eve

and Boxing Day 11.00am-6.00pm Tipico nuts & delicious Sicilian

confectionery. Gift boxes available

3, 11, 15, 19, 21 & 28 December 1100-1800 - Wild Maremma

artisan handmade pasta, sauces and tiramisu. Gift subscriptions

available.

5 December 2pm-5pm Zero Waste Leith Leith’s Good with Food

kits & recycling storage bag distribution

7 December 1.00 - 5.00pm Woollies on the walk. Hand knitted

woolly hats.

12 December Scottish Green Party

Saturdays (except 28th Dec) - Edinburgh Tool Library 10.30am to

1.00pm Join up and borrow tools, gift memberships available.

Check social media for more details


The increasing cost of school transport in Edinburgh

by David Bol Local Democracy

Reporter

The City of Edinburgh Council

is spending more each year of

transporting pupils to schools –

with £17.5m coughed up by the

cash-strapped authority since

2016.

A Freedom of Information

request found that of the £17.5m

spent, almost £700,000 has

been through using private taxis

to transport youngsters – with

Conservatives calling for more

sustainable methods to be

prioritised.

Education bosses have

stressed that the majority of the

spending is to transport pupils to

special schools or for additional

support needs.

From April to September this

year, £1.5m has been tallied up by

Edinburgh City Council on school

transport including £141,000 on

private taxis.

The previous year saw £6m

spent including £239,000 on taxis,

up from £4.9m the year before

and £4.4m in the previous 12

months.

The most expensive journey took

place during the current financial

year – which saw a 35-mile trip

tally up £104.48.

Cllr Ian Perry, the council’s

convener for education, said: “The

vast majority of our free home to

school transport is provided for

pupils with additional support

needs who travel to schools

across the city.

“Using taxis is not necessarily

the most appropriate transport for

some pupils so our transport team

are always working closely with

schools to reduce their use.

"This is achieved in a number

of ways by offering bus passes,

increasing the use of shared

travel options so vehicles aren’t

being used by just one child and

maximising the use of our own

fleet. We’ve already had great

success this past year by saving

£100,000 and expect to make

further significant savings over the

coming year.”

The council overspent

£12.3m on front-line services in

2018/19 – including £2.4m in

the communities and families

directorate, which includes

education costs as well as

homelessness services.

A report to councillors highlights

that the “main pressures affecting

the directorate were in the areas

of homelessness and housing

support, home-to-school transport,

rising school rolls and community

access to schools”.

Opposition councillors have

called for the authority to

investigate methods of curtailing

the spend on taxis in the context

of the difficult financial climate.

Conservative education

spokesperson, Cllr Callum Laidlaw,

said: “While the council has

statutory obligations to provide

transport to school for certain

children it’s clear that taxis should

be only be used in very particular

circumstances.

“The council must do more to

reduce their usage especially

given the squeeze on funding from

Holyrood.”

In May, the council’s finance

and resources committee agreed

£32million on travel contracts

over four-year period including

extensions. The council has

anticipated an increase of 26 per

cent in relation to demand over the

coming year, with an additional

140 contracts being required to

meet demand.

Green Cllr Steve Burgess said:

“The most recent guidelines and

contracts on assisted school

travel were agreed unanimously

by all parties in both education

committee and finance committee

six months ago. So I’d trust that

any councillor making comment

on how they are put into practice

would be aware of that.

“The rules try to strike a balance

between making sure that children

with additional needs are able

to get to schools in the most

appropriate way and making sure

that this also supports young

people to be independent. The

Evening News has previously

featured stories from families who

have seen their service reduced as

part of that, which really needs to

be looked at very carefully.

" So, on occasion it will mean

that taxis or hire cars are needed

but those vehicles should always

be for clearly defined needs, and

use modern, low-pollution, and,

increasingly, electric vehicles.”

David Bol is the Local Democracy

Reporter covering Edinburgh.

The Local Democracy Reporting

Service (LDRS) is a public service

news agency : funded by the BBC,

provided by the local news sector,

and used by qualifying partners.

Local Democracy Reporters cover

top-tier local authorities and other

public service organisations.

Leonardo Hotel

Edinburgh Murrayfield has

been transformed!

To exceed the expectations of

our guests we have invested £2.6 million

to upgrade all hotel facilities.

You must come and see what we have done.

For the best rates book direct on leonardohotels.co.uk or call 0131 535 9988

187 Clermiston Road, Edinburgh EH12 6UG

14 THE BEST OF...


The Edinburgh Reporter Best Of...

Broughton Place Hair & Beauty

A luxurious, elegant salon

with a very happy and friendly

atmosphere. They aim to make

your experience a relaxing,

enjoyable and glamorous one!

0131 556 4478

2a Broughton Place EH1 3RX

www.broughtonplacehair.com

Ardgowan Distillery

This Christmas enjoy Clydebuilt

Coppersmith - a limited edition

blend of malts matured in first

fill Oloroso sherry casks. “…a

super balance of sweet and spicy,

heather honey, sultanas and very

dark chocolate...” £49.99 Free

shipping

shop.ardgowandistillery.com

Royal Scots Club

The Royal Scots Club is one of

the finest members’ Clubs in the

country. It is now 100 years old

and has an open membership

policy. Join today!

0131 556 4270

29 Abercromby Pl EH3 6QE

www.royalscotsclub.com

Torrance Gallery

Edinburgh's longest established

contemporary art gallery. Scottish

artists. Paintings, sculpture,

glassware and jewellery Join the

mailing list to get invitations to

their Opening Events.

0131 556 6366

36 Dundas Street EH3 6JN

www.torrancegallery.co.uk

Mimi's Bakehouse

Mimi's Bakehouse is an awardwinning

family-owned bakery in

Edinburgh with stores across the

city and they currently hold the

Scottish Bakers award for Bakery

Café of the Year 2019.

0131 555 5908

63 Shore EH6 6RA

mimisbakehouse.com

21st Century Kilts

Designer boutique for quirky, off

the peg and bespoke kilts made

from tartan and contemporary

textiles. Howie Nicholsby

redefined the kilt that you need.

Strictly by appointment.

07774757222

48 Thistle Street EH2 1EN

21stcenturykilts.com

It's All Good!

'The best little café in the world!'It's

All Good is a Leith institution in the

making.' Owner Lewis Ritchie just

celebrated a year in business with

a Pay what you Want curry night.

07931 761136

127 Easter Road EH7 5PP

Facebook Itsallgoodleith/

Mind Generating Success –

Hypnotherapy Practice

A helping hand to rid yourself

of unwanted habits. Contact

me today to arrange an initial

consultation. Evening/weekend

appointments and home visits

available.

07521 353 787

mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk

Edinburgh School of Food and

Wine

Spoil your friends this Christmas

with amazing gift vouchers from

ESFW. Full-day cookery Classes

| Champagne Cookery Day | Kids

Master Chef | Seasonal Dinners

0131 333 5001

Coach House Newliston EH29 9EB

www.esfw.com

Joy Rides Edinburgh

Lissa will take you for a hurl on

Betsy the trishaw bringing joy,

exhilaration and fun for all whether

it is through The Meadows or

along the foreshore.

07834 916 230

joyridesedinburgh@gmail.com

Facebook joyridesedinburgh/

Open Eye Gallery

Since 1982 the New Town gallery

is one of Scotland’s leading

contemporary private art galleries.

The Open Eye shows a wide

variety of Scottish art.

0131 557 1020

34 Abercromby Pl EH3 6QE

www.openeyegallery.co.uk

Bonhams

Auction house with regular sales

throughout the year from jewellery

to art and whisky. Specialists in

fine art and antiques. Professional

advice and complimentary

valuations.

0131 225 2266

22 Queen Street EH2 1JX

www.bonhams.com

Solo Menswear

Independent menswear boutique

at the West End. Specialises

in cutting edge premium

mens fashion. Footwear and

accessories. You may know Pete

from his original Royal Mile shop.

0131 225 8119

16a Stafford Street EH3 7AU

Edinburgh Sketcher

A set of six Christmas cards

created by Mark with his ink

drawings of Edinburgh. He uses

ink and watercolour. Blank inside,

each A6 card comes complete

with a white envelope.

£9.50 with free UK postage

www.etsy.com/shop/

edinburghsketcher

Teddy's Dog Grooming

Teddy's grooming salon provides

modern dog grooming with

natural, ethical products. Mark

has now opened his new doggy

emporium two doors up from the

original shop.

07842 482382

6 Montagu Terrace EH3 5QX

www.Teddysdoggrooming.com

The Green Room

A new and welcome gastro pub

and winery in the West End. Live

music. Traditional roast beef

Sunday lunch. Cosy fire. Dogs

welcome.

0131 225 1358

19-25 William St EH3 7NG

www.thegreenroomedinburgh.com

Skin & Beauty Therapy

Specialists in anti-ageing

treatments by Guinot. Waxing,

nails and LVL lashes. Little gem

run by Lisa and Heather both with

over 20 years of experience in the

beauty world.

0131 332 1099

25 Hamilton Place EH3 5BA

Epitomé of Edinburgh

Independent ladieswear boutique

and concept store. Brands

including APC and Common

Projects. Run by cashmere

designer Lisa Taylor with products

from her Cameron Taylor range.

0131 556 5554

35 Dundas Street EH3 6QQ

www.epitomeofedinburgh.com

Craig Banks Tailoring

Specialising in bespoke tailoring

for men. The focus is on making

the highest quality personally

tailored attire that others will

aspire to.

0131 226 7775

45 Thistle Street EH2 1DY

www.craigbankstailoring.com

The Hideout Café

A cosy hideout in Edinburgh

serving speciality coffee, tea,

treats and brunch. Open daily. And

you can pick up The Edinburgh

Reporter there too! Also at 5 Upper

Bow EH1 2JN

0131 555 5289

40-42 Queen Charlotte St EH6 6AT

www.thehideoutcafe.co.uk

WHAT’S ON IN DECEMBER

What's on around the

city?

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

Christmas Comedy Night

When: Tuesday 3 Dec 2019,

7.30pm-10.45pm

Where: The Stand Comedy Club, 5

York Place, EH1 3EB

Entry: £12

Fred MacAulay hosts Edinburgh

Dog and Cat Home’s first comedy

night with a top line-up of stand

up talent. Janey Godley, Rob Kane,

Liam Withnail, Susan Morrison,

Wendy Wason, Jeannie Jones,

Gareth Mutch, Richard Melvin and

more, each will be performing a

comedy set and a special Christmas

song. edch.org.uk

Paula Rego: Obedience And

Defiance

until 19 April 2020 at The Scottish

National Gallery of Modern Art

(Modern Two)

73 Belford Road, EH4 3DS T 0131

Out of the Blue Christmas Arts

Markets take place on Saturday

7 December and Saturday 14

December 2019

From 11.00am - 5.00pm, £2/£1

Artwork and crafts for sale direct

from the artists in the relaxed

atmosphere of The Out of the Blue

Drill Hall.

More than 150 artists and

makers will be selling their work at

the markets, ranging from painting

s , prints and photography through

fashion , jewellery and textiles to

ceramics, soft furnishings and

Theatre Art Music Shows Festivals

624 6200 | nationalgalleries.org

An exhibition showcasing work

from Paula Rego's fifty year career,

from the 1960s to the 2010s. It

features more than 80 works, lent

from public and private collections,

including gifts from the artist to her

friends. The exhibition confronts

topical issues such as gender

discrimination, poverty, abortion,

female genital mutilation, political

tyranny and the death of civilians

in war.

At St Margaret House on London

Road they are holding a big event in

December.

The building has become a hub

for all kinds of arts and crafters and

The Christmas Makers’ Market is on

Saturday 7 December 2019. Then

you can see the work of some of the

hundreds of artists and crafters who

work there.

Each artist can only have a few of

their works on display but it will give

you an opportunity to pick up some

really individual Christmas gifts.

The Knitting and Crochet

group

At McDonald Road Library it is not

always quiet. On Tuesday evenings

there is the sound of knitting

needles or crochet hooks.

The Knitting and Crochet group

meets there between 5.30pm and

7.30pm - and you are invited along.

Contact the library if you need any

more information or just drop in.

Out of the Blue

Christmas Arts Markets

design .

Different stalls will be there on

each market date , so it’s well

worth attending all three events to

browse the full range of work on

offer and find unusual Christmas

presents and treats for yourself.

There is also a very special

XMAS BRUNCHEON! with live

music from 11.30am – 2.30pm on

Saturday 14 December 2019.

The licensed Drill Hall Arts Café

will be open, serving delicious and

wholesome meal s, snack s and

refreshments .

Darren Woodhead, ‘New Work’

22 November 2019 – 15 January

2020

The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club

(SOC)

Waterston House, Aberlady, East

Lothian, EH32 0PY

Open Daily: 10.00am to 4.00pm

(closed 25 & 26 Dec and New

Year’s Day)

In this exhibition Darren

Woodhead presents work created

over the past two years. Working

along the coast and river, and

in the fields of East Lothian (his

home ground), Darren observes

the birds, insects and landscapes

of this stretch of countryside.

Darren lives in Haddington with

his wife and three children and

by Adam Zawadzki

Coming to a cinema near you

this month are many high quality

productions.

Tom Hanks (Big) portrays

American television personality

Fred Rogers in ‘A Beautiful Day in

the Neighbourhood’, released on

6 December 2019. Matthew Rhys

(The Americans television series)

plays journalist Lloyd Vogel, with

the film focusing on his experience

profiling Rogers and the effect it

has on his life.

Brace for impact on 19

December 2019 as ‘Star Wars:

Episode IX – The Rise of

is often seen wandering the

countryside.

Darren is a pure field painter. He

stands in the landscape, immersed

in the natural world he depicts,

and works from direct observation

in brush and watercolour. There is

no studio.

He observes and reacts in the

moment to the sight of a bird

or the fluttering of butterflies.

To produce such joyful and

seemingly effortless work relies on

consummate skill as a painter and

as a naturalist.

Julian Spalding, writer and

former museum director, is in no

doubt: ‘…few artists alive today

have such skills at their fingertips,

At the cinemas this month

Skywalker’ is released to conclude

the nine-part “Skywalker saga”,

that started with ‘A New Hope’ in

1977, with this third instalment in

the sequel trilogy following ‘The

Force Awakens’ and ‘The Last Jedi’

from 2015 and 2017, respectively.

Mark Hamill (Kingsman: The

Secret Service) heads an

ensemble cast that includes Carrie

Fisher in unreleased footage.

Directed by Tom Hooper (The

King’s Speech), ‘Cats’ will be

released on 20 December 2019.

James Corden (Into the Woods),

Judi Dench (Mrs Brown), Idris Elba

(Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom),

Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls),

and not many have had in the

past. This is what makes his

achievement so exceptional and

his paintings so full of life and

light. And the extraordinary thing

is that this light is nothing more

than plain white paper’.

Walking through the exhibition,

as if walking by Darren’s side, you

will recognise the Sparrow resting

in the sun and even hear the trill of

Curlews in the distance.

About the SOC: The Scottish

Ornithologists’ Club is charity

promoting the study of birds in

Scotland. It hosts a programme

of talks, discussions and outings

for its members and the general

public.

Ian McKellen (X-Men) and Taylor

Swift (Valentine’s Day) feature

in Hooper’s second musical film

following ‘Les Misérables’ in 2012.

On 26 December 2019 ‘Little

Women’ will mark the eighth

film adaptation of Louisa May

Alcott’s 1868 novel of the same

name. Directed by Greta Gerwig

(Lady Bird), Saoirse Ronan (The

Lovely Bones), Emma Watson

(Beauty and the Beast), Florence

Pugh (Lady Macbeth), Laura

Dern (Rambling Rose), Timothée

Chalamet (Beautiful Boy) and

Meryl Streep (Out of Africa) will

feature in this classic story.

Got an event to share?

Email editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk with the details!

16

WHAT'S ON


A Literary Lunch

The Royal Scots Club is hosting

a series of literary lunches in

conjunction with Golden Hare

Books. With champagne on arrival

and a three course lunch with wine

or soft drinks, the first lunch will

be held in the Hepburn Suite on

Tuesday 10 December 2019 at 12

noon.

During each course, the

individual authors will be speaking

about their literary achievements

and will host a Q&A session.

Trevor Royle, author of Facing

the bear, Scotland and the Cold

War, is a broadcaster and historian

who specialises in the history of

war and empire. His latest book

paints a fascinating portrait of this

extraordinary period.

Rosanne Watt on Moder

Dy, A filmmaker and musician

from Shetland, Rosanne writes

in English, interspersed with

Shetlandic dialect throughout.

Rosemary Goring, Scotland:

Her Story, columnist and author.

Her latest book takes a unique

perspective on dramatic national

events as well as ordinary life,

as experienced by women down

centuries.

Royal Scots Club Abercromby

Place, EH3 6QE

Tickets are £50 and are

available to book online at www.

royalscotsclub.com/literarylunch

December at The Queen’s Hall

Tickets & Information: www.

thequeenshall.net | 0131 668 2019

Clerk Street, EH8 9JG

2nd at 7.30pm

On This, A Winter’s Night

A creative performance project

for upper primary schools: a

celebration of song, verse, music

and light to mark the turning of

the year and the transformation of

the autumn season into the magic

of winter. Schools: Corstorphine,

St Marks RC, The Royal High, St

John’s Vianney RC, Oaklands &

Castleview. With special guests

Louis Abbott & Sarah Hayes.

6th at 8.00pm

Hamish Henderson 100: Voice

of the People – poet, song-maker,

folklorist & activist. His life will

be celebrated by many artists

including:

Fiona Hunter, Gary West, Mischa

MacPherson, Dolina MacLennan,

Steve Byrne, Lori Watson, Scott

Gardiner, Essie Stewart, Findlay

Napier, Innes Watson, Heather

Downie and Alistair Paterson.

7th at 8.00pm

Lindisfarne

Legendary 70s folk-rock pioneers

return to The Queen’s Hall with

their unforgettable songs like Meet

Me On The Corner, Fog On The

Tyne, Run For Home and many

more.

8th at 2.30pm

Harps of Gold

A host of heavenly harps from

Na Clàrsairean and friends with

musicians from George Watson’s

College. Directed by Isobel

Mieras and Rosemary McKerchar.

Parkinson’s UK Edinburgh Branch

Singing4Fun Group, directed by

Penny Stone.

12th at 7.30pm

Drake Music Scotland:

Diversions

This is a concert to celebrate

Scotland’s creative diversity.

Hebrides Ensemble and Drake

Music Scotland’s Digital Orchestra

have come together for a unique

collaboration between acoustic

and digital musicians. The

performance is Autism and BSL

friendly.

14th at 7.30pm

The Sweet

70s rockers, The Sweet, had

hits with Blockbuster, Hellraiser,

Ballroom Blitz, Teenage Rampage

and more; don’t miss them.

Support from The Novatines.

16th at 4.00pm

Dunedin Consort: Children’s

Messiah

Fun for all the family is

guaranteed in the interactive

45-minute concert specifically

devised for children. You can

even expect an appearance from

Handel himself to introduce his

most famous melodies….!

16th at 7.00pm

Dunedin Consort: Handel’s

Messiah

Handel’s Messiah continues to

draw audiences back year after

year; there is nothing quite like

it. John Butt: director; Rachel

Redmond: soprano; Jess Dandy:

alto; Nicholas Mulroy: tenor;

Roland Wood: bass

19th at 7.30pm

QH@40 Tommy Smith Solo

with Tommy Smith Youth Jazz

Orchestra All-Stars

Tommy Smith is one of the

world’s leading saxophonists and

leader of the Scottish National

Jazz Orchestra. Tonight he goes

solo and support is from the

TSYJO All-Stars featuring the

very best young jazz musicians in

Scotland.

20th Doors 7.00pm

QH@40 Counterflows: Festive

Soirée

A night of festive-themed fun,

throwing up and revelling in

all the joy, beauty, horror and

ridiculousness of the holiday

season. With Áine O’Dwyer’s

Tracker Action Mimes with The

Glad Scratch Choir, Bill Wells’

Winter Dreams featuring Audrey

Bizouerne & Danielle Price and

Edinburgh-based Usurper’s The

3-Year-Old Hamster.

HAPPY CH

New recipe book - just

launched!

Edinburgh mums have produced

a new cookbook which was

launched just as we put the

finishing touches to our paper.

Profits from the sale of the book

will go towards further supporting

minority ethnic mothers in

Edinburgh.

The women cooks and authors

now live in Edinburgh. They were

brought together at a weekly

support group for minority ethnic

mothers at Leith-based charity,

Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB)

and have put together a collection

of their own recipes in a new

cookbook, ‘Mums and Spices'.

Recipes are from Pakistan,

Bangladesh, Syria, The Cayman

Islands, Malaysia and Sudan.

All contributors are mums from

minority ethnic communities who

were referred to MCFB because

they needed support to deal with

social, emotional or practical

difficulties, often associated

with issues of identity, loss,

displacement and trauma.

The group is funded by the

National Lottery Community

Fund and the Robertson Trust,

to provide a safe, supported and

empowering environment in

which the women can share make

friends, offer each other support,

and develop new skills.

The book is on sale at Ostara

Café Leith and the Leith Collective

at Ocean Terminal as well as at

MCFB offices.

AVAILABLE ON ALL RIDES, SELECTED SHOWS & SANTA’S GROTTO | PROOF OF ADDRESS REQUIRED

16 NOVEMBER - 4 JANUARY

EDINBURGHSCHRISTMAS.COM

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk WHAT'S ON 17

RISTMAS

Edinburgh International

Film Festival 2020

Counting down to The Big Score

and EIFF in June there will be

a retrospective screening each

month from January to June

featuring a film with a great score.

There will be films featuring

some of the greatest composers

and you should watch out

this month for news of the full

programme. At the EIFF there will

be a programme of films featuring

film scores by Ennio Morricone,

Mica Levi and Delia Derbyshire.

The enduring love affair between

film and jazz will be celebrated

with films featuring music by

John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Henry

Mancini and Duke Ellington.

Film Fest on the Forth will

be a weekend of free outdoor

screenings on 6 and 7 June

2020, at Port Edgar Marina,

South Queensferry. This is a

spectacular location on the banks

of the Firth of Forth overlooking

Edinburgh’s three iconic bridges.

EIFF will present an eclectic and

entertaining programme featuring

much-loved films with aquatic

themes, archival gems and classic

Scottish cinema, including lots

of exciting activities for all ages.

The Coasts & Waters theme will

continue through the festival’s

programme to take place at

various Edinburgh venues from

17th – 28th June.

Film Fest on the Forth is a

prominent part of Scotland’s

Year of Coasts & Waters in 2020

when Scotland will celebrate

its coasts and waters with a

year-long programme of events

and activities which will shine a

spotlight on these vital elements

of the landscape. Film Fest on the

Forth is supported by the Year of

Coasts and Waters 2020 events

fund, managed by EventScotland.

Tickets for EIFF will be on sale

on 29 May 2020 edfilmfest.org.uk

It's The Grand for jazz

Revellers can sip a Singapore

Sling in style as The Edinburgh

Grand extends its Jazz at The

Register Club sessions until the

end of the year. For three hours

every Thursday and Friday jazz

artists from will perform in the

iconic hotel bar. Gavin MacLennan,

General Manager of Lateral City,

said :We are thrilled to extendJazz

at The Register Club and look

forward to welcoming some of

Scotland’s best known jazz artists

each week."

Edinburgh Leisure - Santa will be

at soft play venues

In preparation for burning off all

those mince pies Santa Claus will

be consuming this Christmas, he

is coming to Edinburgh Leisure’s

soft plays.

These sessions are suitable

for 0-10 year olds to enjoy some

of the great fitness facilities

available at the venues which will

host his Christmas parties during

the month of December.

Santa has been seen on the

climbing wall at Edinburgh

International Climbing Arena

(EICA) Ratho, perfect for practising

descending all those chimneys.

He’s also been making a splash

at The Royal Commonwealth Pool.

Children visiting Santa at

Tumbles at Portobello, EICA: Ratho

and The Royal Commonwealth

Pool will also have the chance to

be active.

From rocking around the

Christmas tree to burning off all

that Christmas excitement across

the city’s soft play venues, there’s

plenty to keep kids active this

festive season.

Tumbles at Portobello, 20

Westbank Street EH15 1DR

What: Tumbles Christmas party

with soft play included, a disco,

face painting and a kids’ lunch

box and a visit from Santa, with a

present for good boys and girls

When: Sunday, 22 December

2019 – 15.00–17.00hrs

Cost: Children -

Non-members-£10 per child /

Members-£7.50 / 0 – 11 months

- £5

To book Book at reception;

0131 669 0878 info.tumbles@

edinburghleisure.co.uk

Scrambles at EICA: Ratho, South

Platt Hill, Newbridge EH28 8AA

What: Scrambles Christmas

Disco

When: Friday, 20 December 2019

Time: 15.30 – 17.30hrs

Cost: Children – Non-members

-£10 per child / Members - £7.50 /

0 – 11 months - £5.00

What: Scrambles Christmas

Disco with soft play, disco,

face-painting, festive arts and

crafts and the opportunity to meet

with Santa and for all good boys

and girls to receive a present.

There’ll be a prize for the best

festive outfit.

To book: 0131 333 6333 / info.

eica@edinburghleisure.co.uk

Clambers at the Royal

Commonwealth Pool, 21 Dalkeith

Road EH16 5BB

What: Clambers Christmas Party

(19th December 2019)

When: Clambers Christmas Party:

16:00 – 18:00hrs on

Thursday, 19th December 2019

Clambers Christmas Party –

includes 2 hours of soft play,

disco, arts and crafts, face

painting, writing a letter to Santa,

meeting Santa in his grotto and

receiving a present

Cost: Children – Non-members

-£10 per child / Members - £7.50 /

0 – 11 months - £5.00

To book: At reception; 0131 667

7211; enquiries@edinburghleisure.

co.uk

What: Clambers are going all out

for a mega 2 hours of breakfast or

afternoon tea Christmas fun with

various sessions available

Breakfast and afternoon tea with

Santa (20th – 22nd December)

Choose from a Christmas

breakfast or afternoon tea in

the Clambers party room whilst

making reindeer dust, enjoying

face painting and a disco, writing

a letter to Santa with the elves,

before visiting Santa to receive a

present. This will be followed by a

45-minute soft-play session and

breakfast or tea is included.

Children’s breakfast: Mini bread

roll with chipolata or veggie

sausages; a box of cereal; yoghurt;

Christmas cookie; fruit and

diluting juice or milk.

Adults’ breakfast: Hot filled roll,

tea or coffee and a mince pie

Children’s tea: Cheese/ham

sandwiches; Christmas cookie;

crisps; yoghurt; fruit and diluting

juice

Adults’ afternoon tea: Turkey

and stuffing / Brie and cranberry

sandwiches (vegetarian falafel and

hummus), mini scones, mini tray

bakes, mince pie and tea or coffee

When: Breakfast: 9.30-11.00hrs

on

Friday, 20th / Saturday, 21st /

Sunday, 22nd December 2019

Afternoon tea: 12.00-13.30 and

14.00-15.30hrs on

Friday, 20th / Saturday, 21st /

Sunday, 22nd December 2019

Cost: Children

- Non-Members-£14.00 / Members-

£12.00 / 0-11 months-£5.00 /

Adults - £7.00 (all children

or groups of children must be

accompanied by a paying adult)

To book: At reception; 0131 667

7211; enquiries@edinburghleisure.

co.uk

www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

18

WHAT'S ON


Christmas at The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Christmas season at

Holyrood will run from 6 December

2019 – 6 January 2020

The festive decorations at the

Palace of Holyroodhouse will

include a 15-foot high Christmas

tree in the Great Gallery, adorned

with shimmering decorations

and sparkling lights, while the

Great Stair leading to the historic

State Apartments will be draped

with twinkling velvet garlands,

glistening berries and seasonal

foliage.

In the Royal Dining Room,

the table will be laid with pieces

from a silver service presented to

George V and Queen Mary in 1935

to mark their Silver Jubilee, and

decorated with flowers, wreaths

and spires of faux candied

sugared fruits.

In the Café at the Palace in the

historic Mews courtyard, visitors

can enjoy homemade mince pies,

Christmas cake and mulled wine or

treat themselves to a Christmasthemed

afternoon tea.

During the Christmas Celebration

Weekend on 14 and 15 December,

families visiting the Palace can

enjoy musical performances, short

talks, hands-on activities and

a family-friendly performance by

theatre company Some Kind of

Theatre, telling the story of a

stubborn pixie trapped in Queen

Mary’s Dolls House.

On Saturday, 14 December 2019

visitors can enjoy a lunchtime

lecture by Louise Cooling, author

of A Royal Christmas, exploring

the festive traditions of the royal

family through the centuries, many

of which have influenced the

Christmas customs we know and

love today.

On Sunday, 8 and Monday, 9

December, the Scottish Vocal

Ensemble will provide an evening

of Christmas carols and seasonal

music in the splendour of the

Great Gallery.

Tickets include a glass of wine,

a mince pie and a 20% discount in

the Palace shop.

Exclusive Evening Tours of the

royal residence

On selected dates in December,

visitors can enjoy a Private

Evening Tour of the official royal

residences. The tours, available

at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

are led by an expert guide and

offer a special behind-the-ropes

experience. All tickets include a

glass of champagne, a copy of the

Official Souvenir Guide and a 20%

discount at Royal Collection Trust

shops.

Browse for Christmas gift

inspiration in the Royal Collection

Trust shop or online www.rct.uk/

shop. Ranges of jewellery, cuddly

Corgis and festive food and drink

make perfect presents.

For book lovers, A Royal

Christmas (£12.95) is the first

official publication to explore the

festive traditions of generations

of the royal family, through more

than 150 objects, photographs

and documents from the Royal

Collection and the Royal Archives.

PHOTO Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2019

TG010721 Edinbrugh Reported UFD_v1 Print.pdf 1 04/11/2019 15:50

The Ultimate Festive Dram

Exclusively Matured in Sherry Casks

www.theglenturret.com

Glenturret Distillery, Perthshire PH7 4HA

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY • drinkaware.co.uk

Southside of the Tracks

thequeenshall.net

668 2019

0131

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk WHAT'S ON 19

Next year at the National Museum of Scotland

by Phyllis Stephen

It is always fascinating to listen

to the real experts, and I was

privileged to hear straight from the

curators themselves about what

is on next year at the museum.

There are some very interesting

exhibitions for you to mark in your

diary.

Dr Gordon Rintoul Director NMS

said : "NMS's collection is almost

unique in its breadth and variety.

Our innovative programme of

exhibitions and events for the year

ahead celebrates the diversity

of our collection and curatorial

expertise. In 2020 visitors will have

the chance to explore the world of

cutting edge high fashion discover

fascinating insights into British

military history and get up close

to the most feared and revered

dinosaur of them all."

In 2020 the 700th anniversary of

the Declaration of Arbroath will be

marked by a very rare exhibition

of the letter in the Museum. It is

kept by the National Records of

Scotland and seldom exposed to

daylight any more so this is an

important part of Scottish history

which you may not get the chance

to see again.

Next year the Museum is to

build on its fashion collection

by staging a major exhibition

all about the iconic Little Black

Dress. The fashion staple was

first designed by Coco Chanel

and likened to the Ford motor car,

such was its appeal. Now the 60

dresses on display will show it off

in all its many ways. 26 June 2020

to 25 October 2020.

The year begins with today's

dinosaurs. Dr Nick Fraser told us

that the birds of today are actually

dinosaurs with feathers. The T Rex

that we know so well has many

forms big and small from Scotty to

Jane. He pointed out that we need

to keep learning from the past and

in particular that evolution requires

mass extinction. Tyrannosaurs is

on from 23 January to 4 May 2020.

The Galloway Hoard was

discovered during the time that

Dr Martin Goldberg has been at

the Museum of Scotland. He is

Cast of Scotty – one of the world’s most complete T. rex specimens measuring 4.6m x 11m

- CREDIT James Hoban

very excited that the work of the

last two years will be on display,

showing where the conservation

process has reached. This hard

work was most evident in a photo

of one Viking pectoral cross in

its found state (you would hardly

have given it house room!) to a

photo of its silver brilliance after

conservation. The Galloway Hoard

29 May to 18 October 2020.

At the National War Museum the

Legacies of Empire will show off

the prizes or trophies of war, some

freely given and some captured.

Baggage and Belonging :Military

Collections and the British Empire

1750 -1900 highlights campaigns

in Africa and India. 3 April 2020 to

April 2021.

Dress, black satin, worn and

owned by Joanna Lumley, jane

& jane, designed by Jean Muir,

c. 1964

6,000

copies printed

every month!

Email


for more details!

11 Jan

at

Queen's Hall, Edinburgh

The

20 PHOTOS


Out and about in Edinburgh

Remembrance Sunday 2019

Remembering the fallen of

McCrae’s Battalion at the Heart of

Midlothian War Memorial

We chose to go to the service

at the Heart of Midlothian War

Memorial which was conducted by

club chaplain Andy Prime. It was

attended by the first team and the

reserve team, coaching staff and

members of the board. It was very

moving indeed. The area around

the memorial was cordoned off

and traffic diverted. Edinburgh

Trams continued to run but were

silent this year. Loudspeakers

relayed the service to those

watching on.

The service included two hymns

Abide with Me and The Lord’s

My Shepherd. A bugler from the

Salvation Army played the Last

Post and the reveille before and

after the minute’s silence.

Bailie Norman Work laid the

wreath on behalf of the City

of Edinburgh Council. He was

accompanied by Cllrs Donald

Wilson, Dennis Dixon and Ashley

Graczyk. Other politicians who

attended included local MP

Joanna Cherry QC.

The club captain Christophe

Berra played his part by delivering

a reading, and a piper from

Tynecastle Youth Community

Pipe Band played while the many

wreaths were laid.

The service concluded around

11.20am with the National

Anthem.

A few hundred people attended

on a bitterly cold morning to

remember those who died during

all wars, but particularly those who

died as part of McCrae’s Battalion

which is so interlinked with Hearts

FC. The Edinburgh Reporter spoke

with Les Deans, the former Hearts

chairman, after the service who

recounted the story of the cairn

at Contalmaison, reminding us of

that little village in France where

three of the Hearts players died

in the First World War. There is

now a cairn in Contalmaison in

memory of the sporting battalion,

an Edinburgh unit.

Standard Bearers at the memorial PHOTO

Martin P McAdam

Bailie Norman Work laid a wreath PHOTO Martin P Mcadam

The National War Memorial on The Royal Mile PHOTO

Steve Kydd

Dolly Wylie from Sutherland PHOTO Martin P McAdam

Club Captain Christophe Berra PHOTO Martin P McAdam

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk PHOTOS 21

Looking forward to Santa on

the Royal Mile on Light Night

Edinburgh's Christmas has almost 200 stalls in the Gardens.

PHOTO Martin P McAdam

All those brave people!

Jenners Christmas tree as it has been for decades

PHOTO Martin P McAdam

22 FEATURE


The Charlie Nicholsby Guide to Christmas

FOR THEM

The Bonne Maison sock is

always a must have Xmas

stocking filler – the socks are

designed and made in France, £17

a pair and come in two sizes 36-38

& 39-41.

Who doesn't love a pair of soft,

playful socks? Beatrice de Creci

and Jean-Gabriel founded Bonne

Maison in 2012 and have been

producing finely knitted socks with

motifs for France and the rest of

the world since then.

Produced from premium quality

Italian cotton with particular

knitting machines, Bonne Maison's

socks are no ordinary socks. From

dance to paradise going through

the animal world, they tell us

extraordinary stories with their

beautiful and unique patterns.

Available from Epitomé of

Edinburgh 35 Dundas Street EH3

6QQ

www.epitomeofedinburgh.com

FOR DOGS

Don’t forget your wee pooches

this Christmas. Lots of treats at

Teddy’s.

Shark jumper, Merino wool, £30

to £33

Hand made dog bowl £30

Deer antlers, £6 to £15

Mince pies £4

Teddy’s 6a Montagu Terrace EH3

5QX www.Teddysdoggrooming.

com

FOR HIM

Christmas Boxers for men £12.50

and available from www.bawbags.

com

Other stockists include Tiso’s,

Born In Scotland at Waverley

Mall, SRU shop at BT Murrayfield

and First Fifteen on Haymarket

Terrace.

FOR THEM

Candles burn for 35 – 40 hours

and are available in 14 scents.

£19.50 each or two for £38.

Fragrance sticks last for up to 70

days and are available in 8 scents.

£27 each or two for £52.

Home gift packs (one candle and

one fragrance stick) are available

in 6 scents for £37. All available

from Paula who is The Beauty

Burd.

Facebook.com/thebeautyburd

THEBEAUTYBURD@outlook.com

Tel: 07710785543

FOR THE BEER DRINKER

Let Drinkly choose 6, 12, 18 or 24

outstanding craft beers for you or

alternatively use the comments

box at check out to let them know

what beer styles you like so they

can tailor the selection to you.

They will pick the best cans and

bottles available from their beer

fridges, which at any one time

stock over 150 quality cold beers.

From £18

drinkly.co.uk

SPA for you and me!

For those who need a little me

time

Give the gift of time with the

ultimate spa ritual at One Spa.

The TIME Spa Day includes three

hours of bespoke treatment time,

carefully designed by our expert

therapists plus a light lunch in the

Café at One Spa and access to our

rooftop Hydropool and Thermal

Suite with its 11 salt, water and

heat experiences.

One Spa’s TIME Spa Day costs

£228 per person. Call 0131 229

9131 or visit: https://www.onespa.

com/ to purchase a gift voucher.

Christmas shopping at Ocean Terminal

For the beauty obsessed

From Shellac manicures to

LVL lashes, Henna brows to Vita

Liberata spray tans, our vibrant,

urban beauty salon, NOW by One

Spa is the perfect place for a

beauty fix. Gift vouchers can be

purchased in any value starting

at just £5, meaning the lucky

recipient can choose a treatment

that best suits them.

Gift vouchers start at £5. Call

0131 229 9131

www.nowbyonespa.com/ to

purchase a gift voucher.

Gail Porter brought some magic

fairy dust to Ocean Terminal

last month when she arrived at

the shopping centre to officially

launch Christmas and open the

Ethical and Scottish Christmas

Market.

A Christmas parade kick started

the festive season in Leith,

finishing up at Santa’s Grotto

where children were allowed to

give him their Christmas wish list.

Santa has now returned to the

centre and will be there every day

through till Christmas Eve.

Proceeds from the ticket sales

will be given to local charity

partners, St Columba’s Hospice

and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital

Charity.

Added fun, family activities this

winter include a giant snow globe

to create magical photo memories

for all the family.

There is also a special Fabergé

inspired egg trail, with six

beautifully decorated giant eggs

displayed around the centre

for kids to discover as part of a

treasure trail with a festive treat at

the end.

The weekend also included

the launch of the Ethical and

Scottish Christmas Fair, which

has returned for its third time to

Ocean Terminal. Exhibiting in the

Food Court on the first floor daily

up until 23 December traders

are selling eco and fair trade

gifts and products. The makers

have come from across Scotland

and internationally to bring their

handcrafted gifts, ranging from

ceramics and wood carving to

leather, beadwork and recycled

gifts, as well as homemade jams

and chutneys.

6 year old, Ruby Stewart from Perthshire was invited to be the first visitor to Santa’s Grotto at Ocean

Terminal pictured here with TV and radio personality, Gail Porter, who hosted the opening.

Get stuck in.

#LiveLifesAdventure and try something new at EICA

by booking a session with our expert instructors.

eica-ratho.co.uk

SUPPORTED BY

YOUR COUNCIL – YOUR SERVICES

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk FEATURE 23

How long does it take to sell a home?

Matt Hainey from ESPC looks at

how long it takes to sell a home

and offers a couple of tips to help

speed up the process.

Property selling times vary

The first thing to be aware of is

that the selling times vary. It can

be very difficult to predict exactly

how quickly a property will sell.

A good indication can be how

quickly similar properties to yours

have sold recently. A good way

to find this out is by getting in

touch with an ESPC agent who are

equipped with years of expert local

property knowledge.

You can also see up-to-date

median selling times for ESPC

areas on espc.com – simply go

on to the 'Explore areas' page and

select the area you're interested

in. You’ll not only see the median

selling time, but also average

selling price and most popular

property type.

It’s important to remember that

just because your neighbour's

property sold quickly, doesn’t

always mean that yours will.

However, there are a couple of

things you can do to speed up the

process.

by Phyllis Stephen

Broughton and I only spent an

hour or so together but it was

long enough to know this would

be the beginning of a beautiful

friendship. I have a membership

for the Just Eat Cycles but I must

confess I have probably used the

downhill routes more than any

others, down The Mound being a

particular favourite. The access

to e-bikes will make an ascent

possible again.

Apart from the battery which

is neatly concealed on the step

through bar, this bike is the same

as any of the others - with three

gears and a bell. But it gives you

a feeling of confidence as you pull

away from the traffic lights ahead

of traffic - yes you have to pedal

of course, but in comparison with

other e-bikes there is no need to

manually set the electric motor

going. It just does it for you. The

maximum speed is 15 mph and

when I was riding the bike on a

bitterly cold day around Leith it

caused a lot of conversation with

passers by.

This is one of the 168 new

Be flexible when arranging

viewings

If you can, offer both open

viewings and viewings by

appointment, and be as flexible

as possible when people are

trying to arrange viewing times.

Letting interested buyers view

your property as soon as possible

will allow them to determine if it’s

the right property for them and

whether they would like to make

an offer quickly.

Presenting your home for sale

Another factor to consider is

how your home is presented to

potential buyers. If you would

like to sell quickly, try to make

sure there is nothing that may

put someone off from making

an offer. Ensure the property is

clean, tidy and opt for neutral

décor if possible. Put yourself in

the buyer’s shoes. Do you have

any negative comments about a

particular room? If so, consider

fixing it before putting the property

on the market.

Find an ESPC agent in your area

at espc.com

Just Eat Cycles - electric bikes will

be speeding us on our way soon

e-bikes which Just Eat Cycles

will roll out in the spring. They

will fit into the same docking

stations as normal bikes so no

new arrangements will need to

be made. Serco hope to increase

the number of docking stations to

around 100 by next spring.

At the moment they are

being trialled by public bodies,

government and universities

before the launch in 2020. I am

sure they are all enjoying the

experience as much as I did!

Who indeed was

James Clerk Maxwell?

This QR code is probably going

to tell you! It has appeared on the

side of the James Clerk Maxwell

statue and takes you to the James

Clerk Maxwell Foundation website.

Still none the wiser? Then

scan the QR code in the photo

to find out more about the most

important physicist of the 19th

century, widely thought to be the

mind behind the equations which

led to TV and mobile phones.

24

FOOD

Recipe of the month

Scottish Salmon fillet, Smoked

Mussels & Langoustine with

Lemon & Anchovy Puree

This recipe is by Glenn Roach,

Regional Executive Chef of the

Surf & Turf restaurants in the

Macdonald Holyrood Hotel,

Edinburgh and others in the group.

Smoked Mussels

300g wood chips

100g oats

200ml eden mill no.9 whisky

150ml water

400g Mussels

Soak the wood and oats in

whisky and water for minimum 1

hour.

Put chips in a gastro tray with

a steamer tray insert on top and

cover with foil. heat the tray with

chips gently until 120 degrees (no

higher!)

Dry mussels with j-cloth (drier

they are the more flavour they will

take in)

Once temperature is reached

open foil and place mussels in tray

Remove from heat and leave on

the side for approx 1 hour until

mussels take that nice smoky

flavour

Lobster Bisque

2kg lobster carcasses

1 Litre olive oil

200g carrots

200g onions

200g fennel

10gr white pepper corn

10gr coriander seeds

2 Star anise

1 garlic head

500gr tom plum chopped

60gr tomato puree

100ml cognac

400 ml water

10gr salt

1 bay leaf

5 thyme sprigs

Place roasting tray with oil

on solid top and add lobster

carcasses roast well and then

remove from heat and deglaze

In a separate pan sweet carrot,

fennel, onions and garlic no colour!

Add the spices and herbs after

10 mins and sweet for further 5

mins

Now add tom paste fresh toms

and water, cook out for further 10

mins and add carcasses.


Add the water top below the top

of the carcasses and bring to boil.

Simmer and cook for 20 mins,

pass through and drain well then

pass through fine sieve

Langoustine

1 whole langoustine

In a pan of boiling water blanch

the langoustine for 3 minutes and

then place in to ice water.

Once cooled half the langoustine

using a serrated knife and grill

with garlic butter for a 4 minutes

Salmon Fillet

All the young food dudes…

by Juliet Lawrence Wilson

I started my first catering

business at 22 years-old and

began work on my first and only

restaurant at 24. I had great

experiences from my culinary

business, and though I was naive

in many aspects of the food and

drink industry I look back with

fondness, particularly for some of

the magical nights where diners

had a beautiful meal in a fantastic

atmosphere.

One evening the whole restaurant

stood up to sing “Happy Birthday”

to an octogenarian. That was the

sort of dining room I wanted it to

be: vibrant, excited and inebriated!

And then there were the dull, quiet

Tuesday night’s… As ‘they’ say, it’s

all a learning experience.

Yet I’m delighted to see that

some young things are making

moves in the food industry. 14

year old Grace Warnock has been

named the Champion Baker in the

Contini Bake Off 2019 following

their nationwide search.

Nationwide, being Scotland.

Political!

Grace won for many baking

triumphs, but including the rather

Christmassy Trifle Cupcake,

combining vanilla cake, custard

filling, jelly cake (made for her own

jam, if you please!) and whipped

cream icing. Grace’s fabulous

concoctions will be gracing

the afternoon tea plates of the

Scottish Cafe on the Mound this

month.

Merry Christmas Trifle to you,

Grace!

If you start at the bottom you

can get to the top. Congratulations

to Jake Hassall, 25 year old chef

at the Waldorf Astoria, who won

100g fresh Scottish salmon fillet

20g butter

5ml lemon juice

5ml vegetable oil

In a nonstick frying pan add 5ml

of oil and take up to a medium

heat.

Place salmon filet skin side down

in the pan and cook until you get a

nice golden colour on the skin.

When the fish is 50% cooked

add butter and flip the fish over

and base the foaming butter add

lemon juice at the end

the Flavour and Flair international

contest in London. He started

his career as a potwasher and

is now an up and coming talent.

Already up and come, I imagine.

Remember: liberate now and again

from hotel style cooking, Jake.

BBQ the Christmas dinner. Set

yourself free.

For aspiring cooks, young

or old, my Christmas gift

recommendation is Cooked To

Perfection by Anne Willan. My

parents bought this perfect starter

cookbook for me from the late

‘Two Fat Ladies' Clarissa Dickson-

Anchovy Puree

6 oil-packed anchovies

2 clove garlic

1/4 tsp. chopped rosemary

1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 tbsp. finely chopped flat-leaf

parsley

In a blender or food processor,

pulse the anchovies with the

garlic, rosemary, lemon zest and

crushed red pepper until the garlic

is finely chopped.

Add the lemon juice and olive oil

and puree until smooth.

Add the parsley and pulse just to

incorporate.

Lemon Puree

200g lemons peeled

5g turmeric

15g sugar for each blanch

Place peeled lemon rind in a pan

and just over with water

Add turmeric and sugar, then

blanch and refresh.

Continue to blaunch 9 times.

After last blanch blitz till smooth

adding just water to blend easily

(You want the puree to be thick)

To finish Add stock syrup and

lemon juice before you serve

Wright. Sadly her Grassmarket

bookshop is long gone but she

suggested for me a tome that

teaches technique that sets you

free in the kitchen. For example, if

you can make a white sauce you

can also cook a beautiful soufflé!

Willan's sophisticated ‘Home

Economics' should be on the

school, curriculum.

There's no greater gift to yourself,

family or company than to be able

to cook a filling or fabulous meal,

and she teaches you with aplomb!

Carina Contini with Grace Warnock winner of the Contini Bake Off

Jake Hassall chef at the Waldorf Astoria - The Caledonian

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk FOOD 25

Juliet's Food Diary

by Juliet Lawrence Wilson

I was delighted to be a guest of

the Consolato Generale d'Italia and

the Italian Chamber of Commerce

to celebrate World Week of Italian

Cuisine at the fabulous Divino

Enoteca.

Doing the honours in the kitchen

was the Michelin starred and

charmingly named Leandro Luppi.

Let me tell you how these

events go. You’re treated to an

amazing meal but often slightly

spoiled by the chef and sommelier

announcing each treat at some

length.

However, the Italians, despite

taking their food and produce

incredibly seriously, know how

to make eating fun, no matter

how high brow the menu. My

favourite dish was Carbonara Do

Lego or My Carbonara is Different.

The dish, featuring Monograno

Felicetti pasta was sublime, with

the pancetta remaining crispy

and an unctuous emulsification

of eggy sauce. The star of the

show was the pasta. Made at

1000 metres above sea level in the

heart of the Dolomites, the pasta

gets its unique characteristics

from the spring water at a source

of 2000 metres and is then dried

in the crisp, pure mountain air. It

certainly went to my head, yet I

managed to savour the D.O.C.G.

Conegliano Valdobbiadene

Prosecco Superiore, another

triumph from the hills.

Whilst your hum drum Prosecco

might take 100 hours a hectare

to produce, this nectar requires

six times that amount of work as

the grapes are grown on difficult

terrain. It’s all worth it though and

I’m seriously considering adopting

a high altitude diet.

The Macdonald Holyrood Hotel

sure know how to throw a party.

To launch their new Surf and Turf

restaurant they treated us to a

buffet extraordinaire and warm

presentations from some of their

suppliers, demonstrating the

provenance of the produce and

also the technical challenges

of bringing it to the table. This

is certainly my favourite kind of

cooking: wonderful produce, kept

simple and cooked perfectly. It

was a generously hosted party

and the atmosphere was electric

thanks to @saxsingh who I think

I’ve seen performing at least three

events this year. He is the sax

player of your dreams so if you’re

having a shindig, book him. The

MacDonald Holyrood Hotel do

some lovely Spa packages and,

with lunch or dinner at Surf and

Turf, would make an excellent

Christmas gift.

I was also privileged to enjoy

a relaxing evening sipping The

Balvenie's Stories range of 12,

14 and 26 year old single malt

whiskies range. This guided

tasting was led by apprentice malt

maker Kelsey McKechnie and

brand ambassador Alwynne Gwilt.

Yes that’s correct: a whisky event

with not a patronising old duffer

in sight. A particularly interesting

malt was Kelsey's own inspiration,

The Sweet Toast of American

Oak where imported Virgin Oak

Barrels from Kentucky create a

fruitier, sweeter Balvenie with

notes of candied fruit, coconut and

vanilla. Perfect for enjoying by the

Christmas tree.

If you’re looking for something

special to grace your Christmas

table please visit Matt Jackson

at his new venture Spry Wines

on Haddington Place. Matt’s an

expert in organic wine and his new

venture is sure to be a success,

particularly as you can buy any

wine and enjoy it in his elegant

bar for a flat £10 corkage.They

also have a selection of wines

by the glass and some lovely

small plates to enjoy from their

kitchen. Wishing Matt and all the

hard-working restaurants, bars

and suppliers of Edinburgh all the

best for Christmas and happy and

successful prospects for 2020.

Photo of Leandro Luppi by Tiziano Cristofoli

Macdonald Hotels & resorts Surf & Turf Regional

Executive Head Chef Glenn Roach

George Campbell & Son Fishmonger

at the Surf & Turf party

Food as well as wine is on the menu at Spry

We’re social!


26

FEATURE

December Crossword

Across

1. Part of salvo tends to indicate a

preference for one candidate (4)

3. Make space on keg for this light

food (6-4)

10. Region ruled by urban centre

troubled, yet static (4,5)

11. In a foreign land a chap might be

found in a country house (5)

12. Lightweight snow leopard ? (5)

13. As part of one's burden, fee

bleeds one and makes one weak (8)

15. Invigorated, not aged, and

creating test-tube baby here (2,5)

17. Bags for holiday contains bits of

plug, gag, etc ! (7)

19. Loose nuts lie around this tool (7)

21. Produced patterns on cloth by

this method, yet died horribly (3-4)

22. Sir, speak about activities after

winter sports (5-3)

24. Go round outline of some extra

certificates (5)

27. In the trial I bickered about the legal

defence of being elsewhere, (5)

28. Complete way to outdo aunt in

eccentricity (3-3-3)

29. Change of heart: let go

completely (10)

30. In the sack, a leaf from curly

cabbage (4)

Down

1. Vicious tour ( Non-U ) arranged for

winning side (10)

2. In this spot it annoys a giant (5)

4. In one place boarders are given an

inert medication (7)

5. Needed to end fuel crisis (7)

6. Invest with some quality, but

unheated without hat (5)

7. I can rally round some additional

help (9)

8. Liveliness round lane (4)

9. Set a boss a problem about

fireproof fibre (8)

14. Right in the middle of the

graveyard ? (4-6)

16. Invite POW to express his mental

attitude (9)

18. Enter gig, getting a warm

welcome (8)

20. Go to Seoul, but fail to win (4,3)

21. Scottish emblem grown from the

silt (7)

23. Looking over something, in

Henley, in green (5)

25. Hello and goodbye, both

expressed by a form of halo (5)

26. Part of the agenda taken to mean

information is supplied (4)

Crossword by David Albury

Answers on page 28


Spotlight on Amy Liston Designs

SNIPPETS OF

EDINBURGH NEWS

SOMEONE IS LOOKING FOR YOU!

The Edinburgh Study of Youth

Transitions and Crime research

team at Edinburgh University is

looking for around 4,300 people

who started secondary school in

1998.

These young people were

interviewed every year while they

were at school and have been

followed up from time to time in

the past 20 years.

The new phase of the study will

build on earlier research to find

out how experiences from teenage

years influence lives now.

Is that you?

Were you one of those involved

in the survey?

If so then get in touch with

www.edinstudy.law.ed.ac.uk or @

edinstudy on Twitter

IN WITH THE WOODWORK

One of the UK’s leading furniture

design schools, The Chippendale

International School of Furniture,

has announced the appointment

of Tom Fraser as its new School

Principal.

Former Deputy Principal at The

Chippendale School, Tom takes

over from his father, Anselm

Fraser, who founded the school in

1985.

The school has established an

international reputation as one

of the world’s best woodworking

schools since it opened 35 years

ago. Over 500 students from acro

ss 30 countries have been

supported through its learning

programmes which offer a

blend of traditional and modern

woodworking, all intending to help

students to establish careers in

the furniture-making industry.

Amy Liston is a young Edinburgh

artist whose work you are

definitely going to want to buy.

You will get the chance to see it

at the Christmas Makers Market at

Edinburgh Palette on 7 December

2019.

This is bespoke and unique art

which is produced on greetings

cards, as a framed print or used

to decorate a tote bag. When

you see what she does you will

find it hard to believe that she is

entirely self-taught. A former Leith

Academy pupil, by day she is a

trainee digital communications

executive, but her passion is

her art. She now has a studio at

Edinburgh Palette on London Road

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9

10 11

12 13

15 16 17 18

19 20 21

26

STR8TS

2 7

7

3

7 9 5 2 3

3

2

6 9 8

8 7

8

5

4

22 23 24 25

27 28

where I went to meet her and see

her working.

The designs are often floral,

but all are based in nature and

Medium

How to beat Str8ts –

Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row

or column. But... rows and columns are

divided by black squares into compartments. 2 1 4 5

Each compartment must form a straight - 6 4 5 3 2

a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be

in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells

4 5 2 1

remove that number as an option in that row 4 3 6 2 1 5

and column, and are not part of any straight.

Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’

are formed.

3 5

2

2

1

1

3

4

29 30

© 2019 Syndicated Puzzles

SUDOKU

14

have a catchy quote on them. At

£3.50 upwards for a card this is

affordable art.

Instagram alistondesigns/

2 6 4

6 8 5

9 4 1

4 9 3 8

1 2 3 7

3 6 4

4 7 2

8 5 9

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering

numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3

box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips,

visit www.sudokuwiki.org for Sudoku

and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts.

Very Hard

If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our

books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

Get in

touch

today!

For editorial and

advertising enquiries

please email

editor@


@EdinReporter

/EdinReporter

edinburghreporter


© 2019 Syndicated Puzzles


Ecas announce new service at showcase event

At a fun event just before their

AGM, Ecas looked back at their

100+ year history, celebrated the

many talents and achievements

of the people they support, and

announced a new service to

support physically disabled young

adults to achieve their life goals.

“Our research shows that

younger disabled adults face

multiple barriers when accessing

services,” said Ally Irvine, Chief

Executive of Ecas. “The new

service will offer one-to-one

support to assist people aged

between 18-30 with achieving

their personal goals whilst taking

account of their own unique

circumstances.”

An Outreach Officer is in post

to take this forward, initially

focussing on reaching out to

potential beneficiaries of the

service and mapping existing

service provision.

“We know we can’t do it alone,”

said Irvine. “We’re keen to work

alongside young people as well

as other organisations in both the

voluntary and statutory sector.

Together we will be better able

to deliver on individual outcomes

and identify suitable pathways for

people to realise their ambitions

and aspirations.”

Disabled people’s perception

of themselves is often shaped

by life experiences around what

they cannot achieve due to their

impairments. A key aim of this

service is to shift focus toward

what they can achieve with

appropriate support. One-to-one

support in drawing up a personal

action plan that takes account

of an individual’s capacities,

skills and interests, and focusses

on their strengths, can lead to

positive changes in their lives.

With the support of other

organisations and young disabled

people themselves, Ecas aims

to provide a service that has the

potential to transform lives in a

sustainable and meaningful way.

Ecas is a registered charity

offering friendly and practical

help for people with a physical

disability in Edinburgh and

Lothian. They have done so for

over 100 years: promoting equality,

choice and participation through

their activities, befriending

service, grants fund and youth

services.

Use lights at night

Make sure you'’’re visible in the dark

28

PHOTO OF THE MONTH


Edinburgh in the rain - Edinburghers make their way home along Princes Street on a rainy November evening.

Photo by freelance TV cameraman Steve Kydd. Follow him on Instagram /stevekydd

Crossword Answers

Across: 1 Vote, 3 Sponge-cake, 10 City state, 11 Dacha, 12 Ounce,

13 Enfeeble, 15 In vitro, 17 Luggage, 19 Utensil, 21 Tie-dyed, 22 Apres-ski,

24 Trace, 27 Alibi, 28 Out-and-out, 29 Altogether, 30 Kale.

Down: 1 Victorious, 2 Titan, 4 Placebo, 5 Needful, 6 Endue, 7 Ancillary,

8 Elan, 9 Asbestos, 14 Dead-centre, 16 Viewpoint, 18 Greeting,

20 Lose out, 21 Thistle, 23 Eying, 25 Aloha, 26 Data.

The Edinburgh Sketcher Christmas

Cards

Six illustrated Edinburgh themed

Christmas cards from Edinburgh

Sketcher.

A set of six Christmas cards

created from Mark's own ink

drawings sketched whilst walking

around in Scotland's capital city.

As the Edinburgh Sketcher he

captures the city on his sketchpad

using ink and watercolour. You

can see more of his work on

social media by searching for

EdinburghSketcher.

Blank inside, each A6 card

comes complete with a white

envelope.

Want your photo featured here?

Email you photo to editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk

£9.50 with free UK postage

throughout the Etsy shop until the

end of 2018.

Order from Mark's Etsy

shop www.etsy.com/shop/

edinburghsketcher

email contact@

edinburghsketcher.com

Get in touch today!

For editorial and advertising

enquiries please email


@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter



There's room at The Balerno Inn

Photo courtesy of Balerno Inn

Photo courtesy of Nigel Duncan Media

By Nigel Duncan

BEN Watson was a former pupil

of Balerno High School and he has

returned to the village to open an

addition to the eating options at

the gateway to The Pentlands.

The Ratho resident saw the

potential in a crumbling former

pub and has taken eight months to

refurbish the building in the middle

of Balerno’s main street into a

bistro-style restaurant and bar

offering all-day dining.

By December the prominent

sandstone building, which has

been vacant for several years,

will offer five en-suite bedrooms,

decorated with fabrics including

Harris Tweed, and have three

function rooms.

Ben already has Christmas

bookings from people coming

home to visit relatives for

Christmas and he has also had

inquiries from parents of students

at nearby Heriot-Watt University

who wish to visit their children.

Others wishing to enjoy the hills

and the City of Edinburgh, but

don’t want a city centre hotel, have

also made inquiries about The

Balerno Inn which also has private

dining facilities.

The Malleny Room is on the

first floor and will accommodate

groups of up to 12. It has a bay

window which provides a view of

the main street and the room also

features fully-restored cornicing.

The Library Room, which will

accommodate parties of up to ten,

is adjacent to The Garden Dining

Room which has a capacity for

40. They can be used together as

an exclusive space for weddings

or graduation, engagement and

birthday parties.

The name of Balerno, incidentally,

comes from Scottish Gaelic Baile

Àirneach, meaning townland/

town of the hawthorns and the

18th-century saw flax, snuff and

paper mills springing up around

the Water of Leith and its tributary,

the Bavelaw Burn.

The largest mill, Balerno Bank

Paper Mill, is located near the new

gastro pub, and the village has

expanded significantly since the

end of the First World War.

Heritage is important for Ben and

art work of local scenes taken by

local photographers is very much

part of the in-house decoration

and he has also retained and

restored the original beams in the

property which used to be called

The Malleny Arms. It had the

local nickname of The Honky as

American servicemen stationed at

a nearby base used to drink there.

Everything is cooked fresh

in-house by chef Andy Robson and

his staff of three which includes

a sous and pastry chef, and the

close-knit team prepare food

which ranges from classic pub

fare to sophisticated bistro-style,

daily specials.

From November 25 they will

be open from 10am for morning

baking – croissants and Danish

pastries – followed by a relaxed

lunch, bar snacks and evening

dining until 9pm.

The owner and his five frontof-house

staff are pleased to

welcome guests who need to

re-energise after a walk or taking

part in fishing or cycling (he has

installed bike racks in front of the

building) in the nearby hills. The

family dog is always welcome.

And, The Balerno Inn is only

yards from a bus stop served by

the No 44 (around 45 minutes)

from Edinburgh’s world-famous

Princess Street. There is ample

on-street parking.

He said: “I used to go to Balerno

High School and lived in Ratho

where I trained as a chef under my

late father Ian at The Bridge Inn so

I know the area and what makes

it tick.

“My aim is to make The Balerno

Inn very much the heart of the

local community.


“We plan special events in the

bar like quiz nights, game nights

and ladies nights and our menu is

driven by quality, provenance and

great value for the entire family.

“That is why we designed a

space with the kids in mind,

offering a play area that is safe

and secure. Guests can relax and

keep a watchful eye whilst the wee

ones enjoy the enclosed play area.”

Food is key and, for example,

starters include soup with fresh

bread is £4.50 and pheasant

(locally shot) and barley terrine

plus Harlaw hawthorn jelly is £6 or

fire cracker cauliflower with roast

garlic mayonnaise £6.

Fish (full fillet, Scrabster landed)

with chips and mushy peas is £13,

the same price as pie of the day.

Scottish mussels in cider, parsley,

garlic, smoked bacon, crème

freche, lemon and fries is £14.

Lamb rump, cooked low and

slow, with roots, barley and mint is

£17 and, from the grill, guests can

pick a 180g fillet steak (£26) or rib

eye (£20) with slow roast tomato,

chips and proper beef jus.

There is also a beef burger (£11)

or Honky Burger for £18, called

after the former nickname for

the previous pub, with mayo and

sweet mustard, pickle, French

fries, smoked bacon, Monterey

jack cheese, spiced haggis, Cajun

honey mayo and onion rings.

There is a choice of five desserts

and a range of coffee and tea plus

a selected wine list.

Ben said: “I’ve used social

media to publicise the opening

and in just seven weeks we have

generated 1,500 inquiries. Our

opening weekend was wonderful.

We were crazy busy.

“Naturally, we appreciate

everyone's support and, even after

only a few days, we are being

flooded by reservation requests on

our Facebook page.”

That is why they have installed

an automated online reservation

system on the website (www.

balernoinn.co.uk). You can call

direct to 0131 202 3220 to make a

reservation.

He added: “Our bedrooms, our

private dining, our garden room

and elegant library room are

coming on fast and we expect

to have them ready by early

December.

“Whether you’re looking to enjoy

some Scottish sun at one of our

outside tables in the summer or

have a private get together in one

of our cosy bothies, complete with

heating and surround sound, in the

winter, you’ll feel comfortable and

right at home at The Balerno Inn.”

The Balerno Inn, 15 Main Street,

Balerno EH14 7EQ

0131 202 322


30

SPORT

Casting around

Words and photos by Nigel

Duncan

The Inshore Fisheries and

Conservation Authority (IFCA)

have introduced new regulations

for bass fishing.

From November 1 to December

31 fishermen using all methods of

recreational fishing from a boat or

from the shore must return their

bass.

A spokesman said: “Any

European seabass caught must be

returned immediately. Bass must

be handled carefully to ensure a

high survival rate of released fish.

“Anglers are advised to carry

forceps or long-nosed pliers to

assist removal of hooks and to

support fish in the water until they

are able to swim away.”

Fishing on the Water of Leith

Water of Leith fishery officers are

already preparing for the opening

of the new season on April 1.

Nearly 500 permits were issued

this year but, disappointingly, only

a handful of anglers have sent in

catch returns.

And honorary bailiff Lee Windram

stressed that catch returns were

important to gauge fish stocks.

He revealed that 470 permits

were issued last season. This

compares with 481 in 2018 and

479 in the previous year with the

Water of Leith Centre at 24 Lanark

Road EH14 1TQ (t: 0131 455 7367)

by far the most popular pick-up

point.


Kamberi to play for Albania

by John Hislop

Florian Kamberi is poised to

make history by becoming the first

Hibs’ player to represent Albania.

The popular striker has

previously played for Switzerland

Under 21s and scored against

England at Wembley but is also

eligible to turn out for Kosovo.

Speaking after Hibs’ victory

over St Mirren he revealed that

it was a former Rangers player

who persuaded him to switch

countries.

He said: “The assistant coach

with Albania is Sergio Porrini, who

used to play for Rangers. He came

over to the Celtic game, watched

me playing and the next day met

with my agent and my father.

We had a good chat, they made it

clear they really want me because

they want to build a new team and

have a new era.

“I want to be a big part of it.

Having Sergio there is good

because some people think

playing in Scotland is easy, but it’s

not, it’s very tough.

“Most people just know Celtic

and Rangers and they think it’s

easy, but he knows the league and

the clubs in it.

“It’s good to have someone

who can see your quality

and wants to work with you.

Having international football is

a motivation, if you have that

chance it’s a privilege.”

And that admin hold up cost him

the chance to play against the

European champions.

Photo by Ian Jacobs

Permits are free and fishing is

from Balerno Bridge to Bonnington

He said the water is managed

by the Fishery Officers on behalf

of and in partnership with City of

Edinburgh Council.

The Water of Leith Visitor Centre

on Lanark Road, incidentally, has a

stock of dry, wet, nymph and lure

patterns for sale.

He said: “I did everything on my

part to be ready, I went there and

wanted to make my debut. I just

have to be patient.”

Dries are 60p, wet 70p and jungle

cocks 80p and the centre is open

daily from 10am to 4pm.

He added: “The Officers are

volunteers and patrol the river

regularly and check permits and

offer helpful advice to anglers.

Permits are essential to ensure

that anglers know the rules and

regulations and comply when

fishing the river.

by John Hislop

Hibernian Ladies’ incredible

run of seven domestic cup wins

ended with a narrow 4-3 defeat

to Glasgow City at Tynecastle on

Sunday 24th November.

The game was a tremendous

advert for women’s football in

Scotland and a record crowd of

3,123 including Hibs’ fan Judy

Murray witnessed the seven-goal

thriller.

The supporters were housed in

Hearts’ new Main Stand and they

were rewarded with high degrees

of skill and commitment from both

sets of players.

Amy Gallacher gave Hibs the

lead in the 31st minute but goals

from Eilish McSorley and Leanne

Chrichton swung the game in

favour of Scott Booths side.

Jamie-Lee Napier equalised

before Gallacher gave Hibs a

deserved 3-2 lead but the current

champions fought back and

secured the victory thanks to a

late double from Clare Shine.

After the final whistle, SWPL

Player of the Month Napier said:

“We just have to keep our heads

up and build towards next season.

We have to work on things that

we didn’t do well, like losing the

last-minute goal. We’ll rest up and

“This helps to maintain the

long-term sustainability of the

fishery.”

He confirmed that the river is

no longer stocked and stressed

that the officers rely on anglers to

uphold and promote the catch and

return policy.

Lee stressed: “There is no

fishing for any species outwith the

season.”

Hibs Ladies incredible

cup run ends in defeat

get ready to go again next season.”

Hibs manager Grant Scott added:

“It was quite frantic if I am honest.

The result is everything in a cup

final so I am very disappointed.

The goals we lost weren’t good

from our perspective so we should

maybe just see out the game with

so little time to spare. It’s a tough

one to take.”

Hibernian: Fife, Murray, Muir,

Hunter, Napier, Michie, McGregor,

Cavanagh, Cornet, Boyle.

Substitutes, Currie, Tweedie,

Davidson, Leishman, Notley,

Higgins, Adams.

Glasgow City: Alexander,

McLauchlan, Lauder, Love,

Crichton, Howat, shine, Ross, Kerr,

McSorley. Substitutes: Clacher,

Clark, Sinclair, Reid, Girasoli,

McLintock, Foley.

Glasgow City captain Leanne Ross holds the

SSE Scottish Women’s Cup after beating Hibs

Ladies 4-3 at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh

PHOTO ©2019 Thomas Brown

@EdinReporter /EdinReporter edinburghreporter theedinburghreporter.co.uk SPORT 31

McCulloch happy with key signings ahead of new season

by Thomas Brown

Spartans Women's gaffer, Debbi,

McCulloch, is delighted to secure

key signings for next season

campaign.

It’s the most wonderful time

of year, being the season of

shopping, eating, drinking and

partying but all those good

times can take their toll on your

health. However, why wait for the

new year to make those fitness

resolutions?

With the health

recommendations to keep active

for 150 minutes per week, there’s

no excuse not to build some ‘me’

time into your schedule too.

Edinburgh Leisure, a

charity dedicated to creating

opportunities for everyone to lead

more active, healthy lives has

launched its seasonal promotion,

12 Days of Fitness with the aim of

encouraging people to stay active

in December.

The 12 Days of Fitness

promotion, which is also available

on climbing too, offers 12

consecutive days of membership

for only £12 any time in December.

As the promotion includes

unlimited access to all Edinburgh

Leisure’s 14 gyms, 9 swimming

pools (excluding the Turkish Baths

Goalkeeper, Rachel Harrison, and

defenders Sarah Clelland, Robyn

McCafferty (WU17's Captain),

Ronaigh Douglas, Katie Frew and

Dion McMahon have signed for the

12 Days of Fitness with Edinburgh

Leisure

at Portobello Swim Centre), over

800+ fitness classes per week, and

climbing, this represents excellent

value for money.

The pass isn’t restricted to

one pass per person either – if

you wish to buy a second pass

after your first pass expires, it’ll

mean you’re doubly on the way

to reaching those fitness goals

ahead of New Year.

And the promotion is timely

as experts continually agree

that maintaining some level of

physical activity during December

club for the forthcoming season.

Goalkeeper, Rachel Harrison and

defenders Sarah Clelland, Robyn

McCafferty Ronaigh Douglas, Katie

Frew and Dion McMahon have all

already penned new contracts.

Additionally, midfielders

Michaela McAlonie, Tegan

Reynolds and Simone McMahon,

Caley Gibb, Rebecca Galbraith and

Elena Santoyo-Brown have also

committed their futures to the

club.

Spartans Manager, Debbi

McCulloch, said "I'm really happy

to secure the services of key

players ahead of Season 2020.

Even though we achieved a higher

league position than Season

2018 we are keen to push on next

season and take things to a new

level.

"Securing the services of players

is always important when building

for the forthcoming season. We

were keen to reflect and put plans

in place as soon as possible to

ensure we give ourselves the best

opportunity to plan ahead for what

will be an exciting challenge for

us.

"We still have further meetings,

is important in order to boost

immunity, manage stress and

mental health.

It can be a brilliant way to get

one step ahead of New Year

fitness plans – that first trip back

to the gym in January will be far

easier.

For further information about

Edinburgh Leisure venues and

services and the 12 Days of

Fitness Promotion visit www.

edinburghleisure.co.uk/12-daysof-fitness

with key players, to take place

next week but I'm confident we

will have a strong and competitive

squad next season. With SWPL 1

becoming more competitive, both

Fans must be heard

by Mike Smith

One of the greatest managers

this country has ever produced,

the late Jock Stein, once said

‘Football is nothing without the

fans’.

The great man’s great words still

resonate decades later and should

serve as a constant reminder to

club directors, managers and the

television broadcasters that the

people who part with hard-earned

cash must be listened to.

It’s incredible to think 34 years

have passed since Jock collapsed

and died during Scotland’s World

Cup qualifier against Wales at

Ninian Park, Cardiff. He was very

much a working-class man, a

former coal miner and a socialist.

Football has changed so much in

the three and a half decades since

the great man was taken from us.

Nowadays it seems everyone's

an expert and the advent of

social media means that nearly

everyone now has a platform to air

their views however unqualified,

misjudged or outrageous they may

seem.

on and off the pitch, we have to

ensure we stay in touch and look

to progress with the times.”

PHOTOS THOMAS BROWN

And some of these views sit

uncomfortably with some clubs.

Social media has grown into

something of an uncontrollable

monster some fans are quick –

sometimes far too quick – to voice

their vitriol.

When this becomes racist,

homophobic or personal abuse

it crosses a line that no decent

person should ever cross and

some clubs, quite rightly, not only

condemn it but act against those

perpetrators.

Nevertheless, the voice of the

fans still needs to be heard.

Jock Stein never forgot who

the most important people in the

game were.

With television companies

dictating ever more ridiculous

kick-off times, dismissing the

considerable inconvenience to

those travelling to games, football

chiefs would do well to heed the

great man’s words.

Football is nothing without the

fans.

We’re social!


ai157372918211_Reporter Full Page.pdf 1 14/11/2019 10:59

LET US TAKE YOU HOME

THIS HOGMANAY...

free trams

between midnight & 5am

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

All trams will run between West End and Edinburgh Airport on Hogmanay.

The Edinburgh Reporter December 2019

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