Edinburgh’s iconic Christmas tree on the Mound was officially lit last night (Monday 18 November) in a special ceremony led by Lord Provost Robert Aldridge.
He was joined by representatives from Edinburgh Candlemakers, the Norwegian Embassy and the Norwegian Honorary Consulate General, marking the start of the city’s festive celebrations.
The event saw Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, Counsellor Dr. Øystein Lund and Honorary Consul General Professor Julian Jones from the Norwegian Honorary Consulate General, come together to switch on the lights of the stunning 18-metre-tall tree. This cherished annual tradition celebrates the strong ties between Scotland and Norway, honouring the Scottish people’s unwavering support for Norway during World War II.
Gifted by Vestland (formerly Hordaland), the tree stands as a symbol of Norway’s gratitude for Scotland’s assistance during its darkest days. The tradition of gifting the tree began in 1947, and although it has been sourced from Scotland since 2008, it remains a meaningful token of friendship and solidarity between the two nations.
Edinburgh’s Christmas officially opened on Friday 15 November, and following last night’s Mound light night a number of community light switch on events will be taking place across the city.
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said:“Edinburgh’s famous Christmas tree is a fixture on the Mound every winter and the switch on of the lights not only signals the start for the festive season it is an important reminder of our close ties with Norway and of the strength and universal values of friendship, solidarity and compassion.
“I hope Edinburgh residents and visitors alike will enjoy the opportunity to view this beautiful Christmas Tree in the heart of our city. My heartfelt thanks go to the people of Vestland for their continued generosity and friendship over so many years, as well as to our partners Field and Lawn for their support and Bernard Hunter for their kind donation of crane services.
“As Edinburgh’s Christmas gets underway, the tree’s sparkling lights bring a festive glow to the city centre and with more community light switch-on events planned across the city, Edinburgh is embracing the Christmas spirit, uniting residents and visitors alike in a celebration of joy, hope, and goodwill.”
Honorary Consul General of the Norwegian Consulate General in Edinburgh, Prof. Julian Jones said:“The Christmas Tree symbolises all that is best about what Norway and Scotland, and what Vestland and Edinburgh, have in common.
“Every year Vestland gives a Christmas tree as a gift to Edinburgh, as a ‘thank you’ for the help received from Scotland during the Second World War.
“Norway and Scotland are neighbours, and we have a common history going all the way back to the Viking times.
“There are strong ties between Edinburgh and Vestland, and our culture and our heritage bring us together in our Christmas festivities, with a splendid concert in St Giles cathedral following the lighting of the Tree, with Scottish and Norwegian musicians.
“The Christmas Tree celebrates all that we have done together in past, and all that we will do together in the future.”
Do you have a leaky loo? Check now to save money and protect the environment
To celebrate World Toilet Day (19 November), WaterSafe and Waterwise are sharing a new, short video showing how to check for leaking toilets:
Up to 1 in 20 toilets leak, with some losing up to 400 litres of water a day – the same amount a three-person household uses daily.
This waste impacts household water bills and contributes to unnecessary carbon emissions from treating and delivering water.
The video, released by WaterSafe, the national register of approved plumbers, provides a straightforward method to check for leaks:
Place a square of toilet paper at the back of the toilet bowl
Leave it overnight
If it’s wet or torn by morning, the toilet is leaking and needs fixing.
Residents are urged to contact a WaterSafe-approved plumber to repair any leaks.
Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, emphasises the importance of addressing this issue: “Leaky toilets are a hidden problem in many homes, but they can be easily fixed.
“By taking simple steps to check for leaks, homeowners can save money and help protect our precious water resources. We’re excited to share this video and encourage everyone to act.”
Chloe McFarland, Campaigns Manager at Waterwise said: “At Waterwise, we’re passionate about the small actions that can have a big impact when it comes to saving water.
“A leaky toilet can go unnoticed, but it is so easy to check for – and easy to fix! Catching leaks early can help you avoid unexpected costs and reduce water waste.”
WaterSafe is a free online search facility funded by the water industry to help customers find competent and qualified plumbers, water supply pipe installers and other water services specialists in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Waterwise is a leading authority on water efficiency in the UK.
On Sunday 17th November 2024 police officers from Team 2 response Wester Hailes attended two separate incidents which resulted in the recovery of knives from people on public streets in Fountainbridge and Stenhouse.
An adult male and an adult female were arrested with one appearing from custody and one appearing at Edinburgh sheriff court on a later date.
No persons were injured, and no member of the public was at risk during these incidents.
Channel your inner winter Olympian and race ahead of the New Year fitness rush with Edinburgh Leisure’s new Winter Pass initiative. Designed for both seasoned athletes and beginners alike, this limited-time offer brings the thrill of winter sports energy to your fitness journey.
“Just like preparing for the slopes, there’s no better time to build your fitness foundation than before the peak season,” says Ally Strachan, Fitness Development Manager Edinburgh Leisure.
“Our Winter Pass is your lift ticket to wellness, offering an incredible variety of facilities and activities at an exceptional value.”
The Winter Pass provides a dynamic two-week membership experience for just £25, available from 18th November to 18th December. Pass holders gain unlimited access to:
17 state-of-the-art gyms
Athletic training facilities
Evolve at Meadowbank
12 swimming pools for endurance training
Saunas, steam rooms, and the historic Turkish Baths at Portobello
Over 750+ weekly fitness classes to rival any training camp
Six golf courses for those preferring a different pace
Similar to a season pass at a ski resort, the Winter Pass can be renewed for an additional two weeks, allowing fitness enthusiasts to maintain momentum through the festive period. This flexibility accommodates both high-intensity training schedules and more relaxed approaches to wellness.
Health experts emphasise that maintaining physical activity during the pre-holiday season is crucial for:
Boosting immunity during the winter months
Managing seasonal stress
Supporting mental wellbeing
Building stamina for winter sports activities
Edinburgh Leisure’s facilities, conveniently located throughout the city, feature state-of-the-art fitness equipment and expert staff ready to support every fitness journey – from first-time gym-goers to seasoned athletes.
“Consider this your early Christmas present to yourself,” adds Ally Strachan. “When others are just starting their New Year’s resolutions, you’ll already be in peak condition.”
Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives. With state-of-the-art facilities across Edinburgh, they’re committed to making fitness accessible and enjoyable for all.
In 2025 the highest number of Scotland’s bathing waters on record will meet the best environmental standards, with 87% achieving classifications of Excellent or Good. A further 10% will meet the Sufficient standard.
This reflects an ongoing positive trend for Scottish bathing water quality over the past decade since classifications were first reported against new Regulations in 2015. In 2015 there were 84 designated bathing waters, of which 17 were Excellent.
For the year ahead, Scotland will have 89 designated bathing waters, of which 50 are Excellent.
As Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) routinely analyse water quality at all of Scotland’s 89 designated bathing water sites during the summer months to protect human health.
In tandem with environmental monitoring, SEPA work with operators and stakeholders across the country to direct action, including millions of pounds of investment, to improve bathing water quality.
For the 2025 bathing season Scotland’s bathing water classifications will be:
Classifications are calculated at the end of the bathing water season using data from the previous four years. They apply to bathing waters for the duration of the following season.
Ruth Stidson, Principal Scientist for Bathing Waters at SEPA, said: “The highest number of Scotland’s bathing waters rated Excellent or Good for 2025 represents tangible improvements following more than a decade of targeted investment and ongoing work with Scottish Water, land managers and stakeholders to improve our water environment.
“Scotland’s bathing waters monitoring programme has significantly expanded since it began in 1988 and has helped identify pollution issues so crucial improvement measures can be implemented and pollution reduced at the source.
“Protecting and improving our bathing waters is crucial for water users, local economies, and communities. While we celebrate the improvements made so far, we are not complacent. We will continue our work to ensure these improvements are sustained and where necessary further improvements are made, so people can enjoy our bathing waters now and in the future.”
Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin said: “I am pleased to see an increase in the number of our bathing waters achieving the highest classification for bathing water quality, with 87% achieving Good or Excellent water quality status.
“We continue to see the benefits of our continued investment in protecting and improving bathing waters across the country, and targeted work in priority catchments.
“However, there is still work to do to ensure that all designated bathing waters meet the required standards. We want to make sure that as many people as possible can enjoy our bathing waters, which is why we continue to work closely with SEPA and Scottish Water to monitor and improve water quality.”
Reducing rural diffuse pollution – a success story for Scotland
SEPA’s ongoing work with Scotland’s farming community to reduce the risk of water pollution from rural diffuse pollution has contributed to improvements in bathing water classifications over the past decade.
This has been particularly apparent in regions such as Ayrshire, where improvements required by SEPA have included increased slurry storage, fencing, alternative sources of livestock watering, and the planting of riparian “buffer zones” to move farming activities back from watercourses. Many of these measures have been supported by Scottish Government funding.
Some of these improvements take time to translate into water quality improvement, however quantifiable improvements to the water environment are now being evidenced through water sampling data in recent years.
Stephen Field, National Rural Unit Manager at SEPA, said: “Since 2012, SEPA have worked with land managers across 14 priority catchments where rural diffuse pollution was impacting bathing water, providing regulatory advice and requiring improvements in livestock and slurry management.
“Many rural land managers have since implemented measures over and above minimum regulatory requirements to address pollution issues arising from their farming activities. As a result, we’re seeing increasing evidence of bathing water quality improvements in these catchments.
“We’ll continue to engage with land managers and other relevant parties within the priority catchments to promote the importance of maintaining regulatory compliance to ensure bathing waters are maintained at a high standard.”
Tackling further impacts on Scotland’s bathing waters
Over the past decade, SEPA have ensured Scottish Water investment has been targeted to drive major improvements in water quality at locations that were not meeting the Sufficient standard.
Ayr (South Beach), which has now achieved four successive Good classifications after many years of Poor classification, has benefitted from significant sewerage system upgrades delivered by Scottish Water alongside investment by Scottish Government and the farming community to reduce rural diffuse pollution.
Microbial DNA source tracking analysis tools developed by SEPA has confirmed that bacteria from dog fouling and from gulls can also pollute our bathing waters.
Visitors can reduce this by picking up after their dog and not feeding gulls – human food is unhealthy for them and encourages unnatural behaviours.
Finally, our Scottish climate impacts water quality. Heavy rain can wash contaminants off both rural and urban land, together with overflows from sewage systems in affected areas. As such, bathing is not advised during, or 1-2 days after, heavy rainfall due to the risk to bathers’ health from short term water pollution.
At 30 bathing waters, SEPA make daily water quality predictions and display these online and on electronic signs at beach locations.
Three bathing waters will have a Poor classification in 2025; Kinghorn (Harbour Beach), Lower Largo and Fisherrow Sands. SEPA are creating and implementing improvement plans at all these sites.
At Lower Largo, Scottish Water has had an on-going programme of work since the bathing water was designated for 2022 to understand the impact of their wastewater systems and identify improvements required.
At Kinghorn (Harbour Beach), SEPA are working with operators and businesses to reduce pollution in the Kinghorn Burn which discharges into the bathing water, while at Fisherrow, SEPA are considering appropriate next steps after a single high result this summer skewed the classification to Poor this season.
We are delighted to announce that on Saturday, November 23rd, we will be hosting two free taster sessions for our new performance groups – 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 3 pm – at The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh.
With these sessions, we want to create a fun, safe and supportive enviroment for people to engage in interactive drama activities, where like-minded people can meet and feel comfortable to experiment and perform.
We are looking for individuals to participate and provide valuable market research and feedback. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just curious about drama, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore your creative side and help shape our future programs.
To register, email us at fablesstagecommunitytheatre@gmail.com or give us a direct message on Facebook and Instagram. Places are limited, so please book in advance.
We look forward to seeing you then and thank you so much for your help!
Merchiston Castle School is kicking off the festive season with the return of its Very Merchiston Christmas Fair on Saturday 07 December.
The all-boys school is bringing back the popular event, transforming its impressive Memorial Hall into a winter wonderland for Edinburgh’s finest small businesses to showcase their wares. Guests will be treated to complimentary festive refreshments as they peruse the stallholders, looking out for those all-important stocking fillers.
Luxurious gifting options, moreish food samples, and punchy drinks will be on offer, with the likes of Edinburgh Candlemaker Co, South Loch Gin and 181 Delicatessen holding a stall at the Christmas event.
Last year’s Fair saw £577.40 raised for Edinburgh Food Project through the school’s Christmas raffle, in addition to 492kg of food donated. The students are hoping to match that this year with a food donations drive and Sixth Form stall selling items such as branded mugs and notebooks.
Merchiston’s Headmaster, Jonathan Anderson, said of the event:“The Merchiston Christmas Fair is a key event in the festive calendar, with locals and those from further afield visiting to pick up unique gifts and embrace the festive spirit.
“This year, we have a variety of world-class vendors offering a range of delights, and of course, our Christmas Raffle will be running to raise much-needed funds for Edinburgh Food Project. We hope to see you there!”
A ‘Very Merchiston Christmas Fair’ will take place on 7 December in Merchiston’s Memorial Hall from 10:00am – 1:00pm.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite here and are free of charge.
New resources created for children who face communication barriers will share crucial messages to help keep them safe from sexual abuse.
The national initiative from the NSPCC and communication charity Signalong was developed as part of the Edinburgh Talk PANTS campaign to make important messaging on preventing child sexual abuse more accessible to children and families in the city and beyond.
The Edinburgh Talk PANTS campaign, which is being delivered by NSPCC Scotland and the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee and partners, launched last year and ends next month.
Dozens of events at libraries and public buildings across the country have seen thousands of families receiving the campaign materials which contain advice for parents, carers and professionals on how to have simple, age-appropriate conversations with children to help keep them safe from sexual abuse.
With the help of a colourful animated dinosaur, called Pantosaurus, Talk PANTS helps children understand that their body belongs to them, they have a right to say no and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.
The Edinburgh Talk PANTS campaign promotes the PANTS rule, which teaches children five key messages to help them understand their rights regarding their bodies.
These principles empower children to recognise inappropriate behaviour, affirm their rights to personal safety, and understand that they can speak out if something does not feel right.
The Signalong charity provides training and resources to assist children with communication difficulties and when English is an additional language.
Signalong is based on British sign language and uses speech, body language, facial expression and voice tones.
Lillian Cringles, Chair of Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said: “Inclusion and hearing what matters to children with additional support needs is of vital importance.
“We are very proud that dedicated materials for families using Signalong to aid communication were the inception of our local campaign. It is impressive that the NSPCC and Signalong have formalised a set of national resources in such a timely fashion and demonstrates a real commitment to partnership working.
“I have no doubt these new materials will continue to be of use in our Edinburgh education, community and family settings to aid prevention of sexual harm to children.”
Carla Malseed, Local Campaigns Manager for NSPCC Scotland, added: “The Talk PANTS resources are an important step in equipping families and professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to have open discussions about body safety.
“They will make difficult conversations around sex and consent easier to have with children from more diverse backgrounds.”
Tracy Goode, Signalong Chief Executive, said: “Talk PANTS is a wonderful resource to help keep children safe, available in English, Welsh, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Scottish Gaelic, BSL and Makaton.
“Signalong recognise that not all children speak the same language and those with communication difficulties do not use the same signing system across the UK.
“Signalong are delighted to partner with the NSPCC to ensure that the PANTS message is available to those who rely on Signalong to communicate. The colourful PANTS Rules incorporate realistic drawings and signs which are readily available to those who currently use Signalong.”
Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The Talk PANTS campaign has already supported parents, carers and professionals with the resources they need to have important conversations with thousands of children and young people in Edinburgh.
“With an increasing number of children in the city recorded as having an additional support need, this new set of materials is a welcome addition to the existing campaign and goes a step further in ensuring that children experiencing challenges around communication can access important information about boundaries and body safety.”
While the resources were developed as part of the Edinburgh Talk PANTS campaign they are available online to professionals from across the United Kingdom.
The Signalong materials are available online and will be launched at an online event on Wednesday, November 20 with speakers from Signalong, NSPCC Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council.
For additional inquiries or to access more information about the Talk PANTS campaign, please visit the NSPCC website, where the Signalong materials are also available.
Keir Starmer’s remarks at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
Thank you, President Lula – you know, I’m a great admirer of Brazil. It’s not just the football, it’s also your culture and your commitment to working people.
More than just their right to be free from exploitation, but their right to be lifted up, to enjoy greater opportunities, and to enjoy life. We share that passion. It fuels our politics. And it is a great pleasure to be here with you.
This is my first G20. So I want to take the opportunity to say that under my leadership the UK will always be at the table, Listening, upholding our values, ready to work with you as a responsible global partner.
I want work together on the huge challenges before us, like conflict and climate change, because these forces work against everything we want to achieve.
They destroy economic growth, undermine security and opportunity, and generate migration at a level that we can’t sustain.
But if we can find solutions to these problems then there are also real opportunities here for growth and for investment, to cut the cost of living at home and improve the lives of those we are here to represent.
So I want to build the partnerships we need to support progress. And that includes in the fight against hunger and poverty. I want to thank President Lula for putting this on the agenda.
We look back on a lost decade in the fight against poverty due to Covid, climate change, and rising levels of conflict. It can’t go on.
We need renewed, resolute global leadership to tackle poverty and hunger.
President Lula’s Global Alliance will help us to meet that challenge. And I am pleased that the UK is playing its part.
We’re not just joining the Alliance, we’re joining its Board of Champions to help steer this work.
And we’re delivering practical support for communities to keep food on the table, helping to build climate resilience and protect harvests in countries across Africa and Asia.
We’re also launching a new partnership to combat child wasting with UNICEF, the World Food Programme and the WHO. And we are doubling our support for those displaced by the war in Sudan.
The suffering from that conflict is horrendous. And it highlights a crucial point: that famine is man made.
The greatest step in the fight against hunger today would come from resolving conflicts. And so we call again for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
For the hostages to be released. We are deeply concerned about the plight of Palestinian civilians, facing catastrophic hunger and starvation – particularly in northern Gaza.
In defending itself, Israel must act in compliance with international humanitarian law and do much more to protect civilians and aid workers.
The UK has provided £100 million of humanitarian aid but we also need to see a massive increase in the amount of aid reaching civilians in Gaza. UNRWA must be able to carry out its mandate, particularly at the onset of winter.
Finally, it is important in this room that we address Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. Tomorrow marks the 1,000th day of their invasion of a peaceful, sovereign state.
And they have inflicted damage on the wider world, including on food and energy security.
So we call, again, for a just and durable peace, consistent with the UN Charter.
Edinburgh locals invited to join schools and businesses in sending a card to a chronically isolated, local older person this Christmas through Vintage Vibes
Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes, have launched their much-loved Christmas Card Appeal to ensure lonely and isolated older people across the city to feel valued and are not forgotten this festive period, as they embark on their 10th year helping older people to find friendship and combat loneliness.
Since 2017, Vintage Vibes has invited local people to write a very special Christmas card to a specific isolated older person in the city, by sending them a profile of someone who they know will be lonely this festive season.
By sending a personalized card, individuals can make a profound difference to a local older person, with some Vintage Vibes recipients keeping their cards up for months after December.
This year, Vintage Vibes need the public to get behind them more than ever as funding cuts threaten to impact vital services. Having reached a staggering 30,000 hours of friendship in the city, Vintage Vibes is to become a fully independent charity in 2025.
This means every donation made will not only help create friendships this season but will also support the future of Vintage Vibes friendships across Edinburgh for years to come.
Edinburgh locals can show their support by visiting Vintage Vibes’ website, where they can donate and receive a profile of a local, lonely older person – from Anne who loves doing jigsaw puzzles and looking around the shops to our numbers fan Bryan, who loves to sing and used to be a lecturer of economic history!
Personalised Christmas cards can then be written and sent on to Vintage Vibes in time to distribute to them to those in need in time for Christmas. All the family can get involved, with Vintage Vibes VIPs (older people they support) loving to receive children’s drawings and crafts as part of the card!
VIP, Sheila said:“I joined Vintage Vibes over a year ago. At that time, I was feeling a bit down and very alone. I then got introduced to my friendship volunteer, Nicky and we never stopped talking and laughing.
“I love socialising, attending their events and groups too. I then I found out about the Christmas card appeal and asked to be included. When I received my Christmas cards, I think I cried a lot.
“My cards were mainly from local school children and were so adorable they touched my heart. I love the company and joy that Vintage Vibes brings to me and so many lonely people.
“Vintage Vibes is part of my life now and I can’t praise them enough! I recommend anyone thinking of taking part to just do it. You won’t regret a minute of it.”
Here are just a couple of the other thank you comments from our wonderful VIPs who received cards last year:
‘What a lovely surpriseit was to receive the Christmas cards, and to know that people were thinking about us.’ Irene
‘I lost my husband and was feeling down but reading all the lovely Christmas cards really cheered me up. You made my day – thank you all so much.’ Marleen
Why It Matters: Edinburgh ranks as one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people, and Vintage Vibes has been committed to tackling the loneliness crisis since 2015 – empowering over 60s to lead happier, healthier lives through friendships, groups, events and activities.
Having partnered with local charities LifeCare and Space for nearly a decade, they are now preparing to stand on their own.
The need is greater than ever, with up to 2,000 older people currently waiting for friendship support across the city, and community support such as the Christmas appeal is vital to raising awareness and funds.
Georgia Artus, Development Manager at Vintage Vibes said: “This is my favourite campaign in the year, because we know from our VIPs what a difference this makes to their Christmases.
“Sheila’s story of crying with joy at receiving the cards is not the only I’ve heard, and I’ve been to VIPs houses where they have kept the cards long after Christmas is over – something this simple really does matter to someone spending Christmas alone.
“For us, the recent funding cuts are challenging, however we’re excited for our future as an independent charity and now more than ever, we are asking for the support of the local community to help continue our vital work helping older people to live happy, healthy lives.
“I would encourage everyone to get involved, it is so easy to do, incredibly fulfilling and supports the future of friendships in Edinburgh.”
Neil Hay, CEO Space (parent charity) said:“I’m inspired by Vintage Vibes’ remarkable growth and impact over the past few years.
“Through innovative programs and unwavering dedication to the VIPs, Vintage Vibes has transformed countless lives. The positive ripple effect of their work is a testament to the power of love and compassion.
“Their commitment to making a difference has uplifted communities and inspired an outstanding volunteer team to join their cause; their collective effort will hold them in good stead as they move into the next chapter as an independent charity.”
How to Join In: By taking part in Vintage Vibes’ Christmas Card Appeal, you can make this Christmas special for an older person feeling alone. It’s so simple, just visit vintagevibes.org.uk and go to the Donate page.
Here you can donate and download the first name and interests of a local older person, so you can write a personal message and send your good wishes at a time when they need them most. Some have even got their colleagues, friends or family members involved as a wee Christmas celebration!
Vintage Vibes also provide examples to help you write your card and information on how to send it. Their donate page is also filled with fabulous ‘gifts’ if you wanted to add a festive meal or trip out for a local older person to your basket.
Support the Future of Friendships: Vintage Vibes works to tackle isolation in local older people year-round, with hundreds of older people engaged in their friendships and activities every week and 97% saying being involved in Vintage Vibes has improved their wellbeing and reduced their loneliness.
You can now help support the future of year-round friendships and groups by becoming a Regular Donor as they move into an exciting 2025.
Gemma Wright, Communications & Fundraising at Vintage Vibes: “Sometimes people underestimate what a difference becoming a regular donor can make to a small project like ours – our incredible regular donors help us to be able to make plans and grow.
“To you, it may be the price of a coffee each month, to us, it’s the ongoing support that helps us reach those who are most vulnerable within the community.”
To show you care and give the gift of friendship this year, visit vintagevibes.org.uk today.
