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Two Weeks ’til Edinburgh’s Hogmanay First Footin’

FREE NEW YEAR’S DAY MUSIC TRAIL RETURNS THROUGHOUT CITY CENTRE

ARTISTS INCLUDING KARINE POLWART, THE VASELINES, HAYLEY ZALASSI, VALTOS, DEAD PONY AND MORE SET TO PLAY NEW YEAR’S DAY LIVE MUSIC EVENTS

edwinterfest.com/hogmanay/whats-on/first-footin

The countdown to the New Year has begun as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay prepares for four days of events to ring in 2025, running from 29 December to 1 January.

With only two weeks to go until New Year’s Day itself, this year’s First Footin’ programme boasts a packed line-up of free and ticketed gigs to kick off the New Year in iconic venues across the city.

Funded by the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund, January 1st 2025 sees the First Footin’ programme go even further than before, with artists playing live sets in Portobello Town Hall and Leith Arches as well as historic landmarks St. Giles’ Cathedral and Greyfriars Kirk, and contemporary venues Greyfriars Hall and Eve at Virgin Hotel, Fruitmarket Warehouse and bars throughout the city centre, including Cold Town House.

This year’s programme includes an incredible line-up of Scottish artists including Valtos, DJ Hayley Zalassi, Zoe Graham, Dara Dubh, who gathered today at First Footin’ venue Cold Town House to mark two weeks to go until the gigs. First Footin’ also features Karine Polwart, NATI, Spyres, Mama Terra, Bee Asha, Broken Chanter, Eyve, Lewis McLaughlin, Grayling, Afterlands, and more.

On being part of First Footin’, Glasgow anti-punk band Dead Pony said; “We’re super excited to play this year’s First Footin’. We can think of no better way to start the New Year than to crank our amps up and blast some tunes at – possibly – weary revellers.

“Everyone’s hangover is about to get blown to smithereens by the Dead Pony Doof Wagon. Strap in!”

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay co-Director Al Thomson said: ‘We are so pleased to present another spectacular First Footin’ event on New Year’s Day.

“This year’s programme is bigger than ever and packed full of incredible artists from across Scotland and beyond. Audiences can explore the expanded event footprint, discovering their favourite new artists in spectacular venues, and start 2025 in the company of friends old and new. With so much to see, make sure you plan your day well to catch your favourite acts’

Acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Karine Polwart will host a stunning performance to mark the turning-of-the-year with ‘Come Away In’, a commissioned project welcoming special guest musicians Lori Watson and Corrina Hewat, along with 200 community choir singers, celebrating crossing the threshold of the New Year in the embrace of massed voices and song. Alongside Choir Director Stephen Deazley, Karine Polwart and the community singers will fill the stunning St Giles Cathedral with music on the 1st January.

The tranquil surroundings of Greyfriars Kirk will once again transform into a vibrant hub of Scottish music, featuring Skye natives Valtos, who have taken the Trad and Electronic music worlds by storm, artist and composer Kate Young, Edinburgh born indie artists Lewis McLaughlin and internet sensation NATI (solo).

A showcase of the very best in contemporary Scottish music at Virgin Hotel, presents artists nominated for the SAY Award 2024, featuring Dead Pony, Spyres, Broken Chanter and Edinburgh rap and spoken word artist Bee Asha.

Scottish musical duo Norman&Corrie will welcome audiences to the St. Andrew Square Speigeltent, challenging traditional notions of folk and jazz with new pieces translated from ancestral melodies. Shetland pianist Amy Laurenson, winner of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2023, and Glasgow artist Harry Gorski-Brown performing fiddle, pipes and vocals, are special guests.

For classical music-lovers, Fruitmarket Gallery presents a diverse programme of music for viola and cello performed by acclaimed Canadian cellist Christian Elliott and Fiona Winning, Principal Violist of the Royal Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras.

New venue Leith Arches presents some of Scotland hottest new acts including Mama Terra; Glaswegian Pianist, Composer & Producer Marco Cafolla & Saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski, Mama Terra are hotly tipped by JazzFM, Loch Lomond folk-pop singer-songwriter Liv Dawn, Edinburgh rock band Low Tide, and grunge-fuelled rock from Dutch Wine.

Portobello Town Hall is home to a free afternoon of ceilidh dancing with Bella McNab’s Dance Band, with Brazilian and Cuban big-band flair from community street band Shunpike Social Club.

In the evening, BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway and Andy Wake (The Phantom Band) bring their spectacular club night Vitamin C out to Portobello Town Hall on New Year’s Day featuring alt-rock legends The Vaselines, infectious indie-dance from Sacred Paws and Django Django’s Dave Maclean for an epic DJ set.

Meanwhile, Leith Arches hosts a celebration of House and Old Skool, with an all-female line-up led by DJ Hayley Zalassi, and special guests SWATT TEAM and Disco T*TS, Leith Arches is guaranteed to keep you dancing into 2025.

In the evening, the music continues with the First Footin Sessions with Cold Town Beer, live events throughout the Grassmarket and New Town bars, featuring a feast of music from foot-stomping trad from Eamonn Coyne & Friends, to a special set from SAY Award nominees Afterlands’ in Cold Town House.

First Footin’ is just one of the offerings available from the four-day Edinburgh’s Hogmanay programme. Local residents and visitors from across the globe will come together to bid farewell to the final few days of 2024 and welcome in the New Year with an unmissable programme of live music and exceptional entertainment, including the world-class Midnight Moment fireworks and a celebration like no other at Edinburgh’s Street Party.

The celebrations kick off on the 29th December with the spectacular Torchlight Procession and the 30th sees a host of events including Idlewild headlining the Night Afore Concert at Assembly Rooms, and Hot Dub Time Machine warming up New Year’s partygoers with the Night Afore Disco Party in West Princes Street Gardens.

On Hogmanay night itself New Year Revels and its all-night ceilidh makes a welcome return to Assembly Rooms, while Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens will host 55,000 party goers at the world-famous Street Party featuring Hot Dub Time Machine, BBC Radio 1 DJ Arielle Free, Peatbog Faeries, Valtos and much more.

The iconic Concert in the Gardens Hogmanay show this year will welcome Texas for a 35th anniversary greatest hits show joined by special guest Edinburgh’s own Callum Beattie and Carla Easton. There’s plenty for the whole family across the four-day festivities with the Bairns Revels, Sprogmanay Family Ceilidh at Assembly Roxy, Sprogmanay at Portobello Town Hall and more.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2024/25 is supported by Principal Funding Partners City of Edinburgh Council and Major Partners the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Essential Edinburgh, all working together to create spectacular Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations for Scotland.

Further information and tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 4-day celebrations are available now from www.edinburghshogmanay.com.

Police Scotland seize more than £50 million worth of drugs this year

Drugs worth more than £50 million were seized across the country in 2024 as Police Scotland continues to act to tackle organised crime.

A number of significant drugs recoveries have taken place across Scotland throughout the year, including multiple high value cannabis cultivations.

This recently included plants valued at £1.5million in Peterhead, which were found at a property on Queen Street in September.

In October, officers recovered 90kgs of cocaine, 23kgs of heroin, 19kgs of MDMA and around 5,800 diazepam and ecstasy tablets following a search of a property in Curzon Street in Glasgow.

A further 20kg of cocaine was also found in a nearby vehicle, bringing the value of the drugs found to £5.5million.

Drugs seized during an operation in Shetland earlier this year

A 24-year-old man was jailed in October after cocaine worth £2,447,900 was recovered from his car after it was stopped following a pursuit in Dundee in February this year.

Earlier this month, we confirmed eight people had been arrested in Glasgow as part of Operation Silhouette, an ongoing investigation led by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit to target and dismantle serious organised crime groups.

Arrests have been made in connection with the majority and enquiries remain ongoing into the other cases.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said: “Controlled substances are dangerous and cause real harm to individuals, families and communities.

“We remain committed to disrupting the activities of those involved in serious crime impacting Scotland at all levels, whether they are operating from within Scotland, the wider UK or beyond our borders.

“Working closely with our partners, we remain focused on targeting individuals and organised crime groups, who selfishly exploit vulnerable people solely for their own financial gain.

“This shows our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“Action like this is only possible with the continued support of our communities. Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should contact Police Scotland on 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“I can assure you that your information will be listened to and will be used to help us take action on those involved in criminality.”

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Illegal drugs ruin lives and blight communities and I welcome Police Scotland’s commitment to disrupting organised crime groups who seek to profit from this misery.

“Tackling serious organised crime is a priority for the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and other partners on the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and we will continue to work together to reduce the impact of such crime on individuals and communities.”

The Serious Organised Crime Taskforce Progress Report 2024 details some of the advances made by the SOCT and its partners this year.

Budget Bill published

Spending plans to be scrutinised by Parliament

Finance Secretary Shona Robison has urged Parliament to engage constructively with the 2025-26 Scottish Budget.

The Budget Bill, published today, gives Parliament the opportunity to scrutinise the Scottish Government’s public spending proposals as set out by Ms Robison on 4 December. Committees will take evidence on the plans before MSPs debate the Bill’s general principles in the Chamber.

The Finance and Public Administration Committee will consider the detail of the Bill and any Government amendments ahead of the Parliament’s final debate and vote on whether the Bill should become law.

Proposed income tax rates and bands, which will apply from April, are set out in a Scottish Rate Resolution that is subject to a separate vote before the final stage of the Bill.

The Finance Secretary said: “This Budget invests in public services, lifts children out of poverty, acts in the face of the climate emergency and supports jobs and economic growth.

“Parliament can show that we understand the pressures people are facing by coming together to bring hope to people, to renew our public services and deliver a wealth of new opportunities in our economy.

“I am urging all parties to work with us to pass this Budget and to deliver the progress and hope that people in Scotland desperately want to see.”

Budget (Scotland) (No. 4) Bill | Scottish Parliament Website

The 2025-26 Budget includes:

a record £2 billion increase in frontline NHS spending, taking overall health and social care investment to £21 billion to reduce NHS waiting lists, make it easier for people to see their GP and progress the Belford Hospital, Monklands Hospital and Edinburgh Eye Pavilion projects
funding for universal winter heating payments for older Scots and investment to allow the mitigation of the two-child cap from 2026
tax choices that freeze income tax rates, increase the Basic and Intermediate rate thresholds to put more money in the pockets of low and middle-income earners, and provide business rates relief for hard-pressed local pubs and restaurants
a record £15 billion for local government to support the services communities rely on and £768 million to provide 8,000 more affordable homes
£4.9 billion of action on the climate and nature crises to lower emissions and energy bills, protect the environment and create new jobs and opportunities
a real-terms uplift of 3% for spending on education and skills to maintain teacher levels and invest in school infrastructure, as well as new funding to expand access to breakfast clubs in primary schools
a £34 million uplift for culture in 2025-26

Restoring stability? Edinburgh appoints new council leader following Cammy Day crisis

LABOUR ADMINISTRATION LIMPS ON WITH TORY AND LIB DEM SUPPORT

LABOUR councillor Jane Meagher has been appointed as the new Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council.

Former Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Ms Meagher replaces Labour’s Cammy Day, who resigned as council leader on Monday 9 December following serious allegations of misconduct.

The former leader, who is suspended from the Labour group while under investigation, did not not attend the meeting in person but voted online.

An attempt by the SNP – the biggest party in the City Chambers – to take over the running of Edinburgh with Green and Independent support was defeated in a vote as the minority Labour administration clung on to power backed by Tory and Lib Dem councillors. Labour holds just TEN seats in Edinburgh.

Leith Labour councillor Katrina Faccenda abstained in the vote.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “This has been an extremely difficult and damaging time for the Council. Today was an opportunity to restore stability and to get on with the business of running the city.

“As we count to down to 2025 – and to the challenging budget and other decisions that await us in the new year – we need stability, confidence and consensus.

“I know from speaking to colleagues from other political groups that they agree – and that’s what I’ve committed to today.

“I am, by my nature, a consensus builder – willing to take on board others’ views, willing to compromise and willing to take the type of decisions that will help and benefit the people of Edinburgh – particularly those most in need of our support.

“That’s the kind of leadership we need, and that’s what I’m determined to deliver for the city I’ve lived in for 50 years.”

Ms Meagher took part in the crisis council meeting while away on a family holiday in Tanzania.

Strollers at home this Saturday

If you don’t fancy the Christmas shopping The Civil Service Strollers are in action this Saturday at Marine Drive.

They are taking on West of Scotland side Shotts Bon Accord in the 5th round of the South Challenge Cup.

Kick off – 3.00pm
Admission £9
Concessions £5
U 16 free accompanied by adult

Edinburgh restaurant group acquires popular Italian restaurant

Gordon’s Trattoria, a cherished Italian gem situated on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, has been acquired by Merchant Leisure.

Gordon Scott, who opened the restaurant in 1982, recently announced his retirement and has sold the venue for an undisclosed fee to his close friend Jim Tullis, owner of Merchant Leisure.

Merchant Leisure have announced they wish to keep the restaurant as it is for the time being, and continue ‘serving up authentic Italian cuisine made with passion and the finest ingredients.’ Locals and tourists alike have long enjoyed the restaurant’s authentic cuisine and prominent location, offering customers ‘the heart of Italy in the heart of Edinburgh’.

Classic Italian dishes populate the menu including ‘Tagliatelle Reale’ – plump King Prawns paired with delicate asparagus and cherry tomatoes, simmered in olive oil, garlic, white wine and parsley. A range of pizzas such as the ‘Primavera’ – topped with parma ham and a balsamic glaze drizzle – are joined by much-loved sharing options like ‘Focaccia’ and a selection of chicken-based dishes such as ‘Pollo Dianne’ – cooked in mushrooms, onions, French mustard and a brandy cream sauce.

Merchant Leisure owns bars & restaurants across the city including The Newsroom, The Piper’s Rest, Burgers & Beers Grillhouse and The Railbridge. Their speakeasy venue Jackson the Tailor, located at the top of Leith Street and inspired by the speakeasy culture of the early 20th century, was recently shortlisted for a prestigious design award by the British Institute of Interior Design.

Commenting on the takeover, Arthur Mustard, Managing Director at Merchant Leisure Ltd, said: “We are very excited to announce our ownership of Gordon’s Trattoria.

“It’s such an honour to take over an Edinburgh establishment with such rich history and loyal customers. Our plan is to keep the venue as it is for now, serving authentic Italian food in the heart of Edinburgh.

“We look forward to welcoming new customers, as well as meeting the locals who make this restaurant so special.”

Gordon’s Trattoria is the sixth venue to be listed under the Merchant Leisure umbrella and will continue serving authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile.

Scottish Government unveils 2030 Route map to circular economy

PLAN TO BOOST REUSE AND RECYCLING

Actions aimed at ensuring households and businesses in Scotland boost reuse and recycling rates and cut waste have been published.

The Circular Economy and Waste Route Map sets out 11 priority areas where efforts and resources will be concentrated to support a transition to a circular economy – where resources are kept in use for as long as possible.

They include:

setting new circular economy targets
reducing the amount of food waste produced
developing a model for regional hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets
improving the provision of recycling and waste services
minimising the carbon impacts of the energy from waste sector

The Route Map is the product of extensive collaboration and engagement with the public, private and third sectors through two consultations since 2022, with consistently high levels of support for the proposals.

The overall recycling rate in Scotland is at its highest level since records began in 2011, and the actions in the Route Map complement provisions in the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, which was passed unanimously by MSPs in June.

Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin launched the Route Map at a visit to Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh, which upcycles discarded wooden furniture into new items.

She said: “Reusing and recycling materials has a huge role to play in Scotland’s response to tackling the climate crisis.

“We must make the circular option, where we value materials and keep them in use for as long as possible, either in their original form or recycled, an easier choice for Scottish households, businesses and the public sector.

“The Route Map sets out an ambitious plan to help make this a reality and I want to thank all those who have contributed to its development.

“There have been consistently high levels of support for its actions, which promote and support responsible production and consumption, along with the sustainable management of Scotland’s resources – and the final route map will be key to supporting the Scottish Government’s net zero and economic growth goals.”

Helene van der Ploeg, CEO of the Grassmarket Community Project said: “We pride ourselves on our initiatives to repurpose, recycle and reuse through our wood workshop, and Tartan shop. Old furniture, church pews and fallen trees are donated and re-worked into beautiful pieces of furniture or small household items. Leftover tartan from weavers, and donated fabric scraps are handcrafted into beautiful gifts.

“These materials, once considered waste and destined for landfill, are now valuable contributors to the circular economy. Thanks to generous donations, we’re recycling these materials, giving them new purpose, and creating timeless treasures that will be passed down through generations.

“Along the way, we generate income, provide essential skills training for our members (beneficiaries) and volunteers, all of which embodies and reinforces the values of the Route Map and our commitment to the circular economy.”

Read the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map

Summary of priority actions:

* = Relates to provisions in the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024

Publish a Product Stewardship Plan to set out how we will tackle the environmental impact of priority products by 2025/26
Develop an intervention plan to guide long-term work on household food waste reduction behaviour change by 2026/27
*Develop with stakeholders’ effective options to implement mandatory reporting for food waste and surplus by businesses from 2025/26
Support the development of a model for regional Scottish hubs and networks for the reuse of construction materials and assets from 2025-2027
*Facilitate a co-design process for high quality, high performing household recycling and reuse services, 2024 – 2026
Review of compliance with commercial recycling requirements, 2026
Co-design measures to improve commercial waste service provisions, commencing by 2030
Develop a Residual Waste Plan to 2045, by 2027
Facilitate the development of a Sector-Led Plan to minimise the carbon impacts of the energy from waste sector, by 2027
*Develop a circular economy strategy every five years, with first one published in 2026
*Set new circular economy targets by 2027.

North Edinburgh Arts: Heading back home early in 2025

Coming Soon! North Edinburgh Arts is looking forward to returning home early in 2025. Our venue refurbishment and extension is nearly complete and now runs to over 2000 sq m across four floors.

The purpose-built and community owned venue will house a 96 seat theatre, 72 seat café with new welcome desk, 2 wood workshops, 5 multi-purpose studios, 6 artist studios, a music room, 4 offices, a greenhouse, and terrace, all leading out to the well-loved half acre community garden at the rear – also to undergo a makeover in the coming months.

We’re busy working behind the scenes prepping and preparing all the spaces and can’t wait to share more updates with you in the New Year!

Thanks again to our friends at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, and Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (PYCP), amongst others, for hosting our team, our regular programme, and special events for the past 3 years.

Find more festive updates and latest news in our latest e-newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/18beca7e4564/december2024

Visit our website for more information: https://northedinburgharts.co.uk

Serial sex abuser jailed for 16 years

A 35-year-old man has been jailed for 16 years after subjecting numerous women to violent and sexual abuse.

Luke Ford was sentenced yesterday at the High Court in Edinburgh and will also be placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

He is also the first person to be convicted of ‘stealthing’ in Scotland. He told women he was having sex with that he was using a condom when in fact he was deceiving them.

Luke Ford came to the attention of police in June 2020 after officers attended an address in Edinburgh following a report of an assault.

An investigation was subsequently launched with officers discovering Ford had targeted several other women over an extended period.

Through enquiries, officers meticulously built a case against him, and he was arrested and charged in February 2021.

In May 2023 he was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of numerous offences, including rape, attempted rape, multiple assaults and being in possession of extreme sexual abuse images.

Detective Inspector Steven Gray said: “Ford is a dangerous and manipulative sexual predator. I would like to acknowledge how hard this has been for those involved and to also tell them that their testimonies vastly contributed to Ford being convicted. I hope that knowing he is now behind bars for his crimes helps them continue to move forward with their lives.

“Anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault or abuse should contact us. Please be assured that we will do everything we can to ensure we arrest the perpetrators of such crimes.”

State of the art learning campus opens in Fife

INVESTING IN SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

First Minister John Swinney has officially opened two new schools in Dunfermline which were supported by £53.4 million of Scottish Government investment.

Based within the new state of the art Dunfermline Learning Campus, St Columba’s RC and Woodmill High School will provide education opportunities from primary school all the way through to college. The campus will also be home to the new Fife College which is expected to open in early 2026.

If the Scottish Parliament votes for the 2025-26 Budget, it will ensure councils share a record funding settlement of more than £15 billion which will help provide vital support for schools and education.

The opening of the two new schools also adds to the proportion of schools in “good” or “satisfactory” condition which has increased from 62.7% in April 2007 to 91.7% in April 2024.

The increasing number of high quality school buildings is supported by the Scottish Government’s £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) – delivered in partnership with local authorities. A further nine school projects included in the programme will open in 2025-26.

First Minister John Swinney said: “Investing in our children’s education is one of the most important investments we can make and my government is determined to continue to deliver progress in Education. The pupils of the two schools on the Dunfermline Learning Campus will be learning in state of the art and modern facilities.

“It is my pleasure to officially open the schools within the Dunfermline Learning Campus and to see this fantastic facility come to life which has been supported by over £53 million of Scottish Government investment.

“There is so much to be proud of in Scottish education, with literacy and numeracy at a record high and record numbers of our young people going on to university. Our budget will invest to ensure we can continue this progress.

“That is why I am calling on Parliament to unite behind the Budget and ensure we can drive further improvements in our schools, and deliver for our young people.”

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “The Dunfermline Learning Campus is a key example of the Scottish Government – in partnership with local authorities – delivering for local communities through the £2 billion LEIP. For the pupils attending these schools, this campus will be transformative for their education, for their families and for their future.

“I’m really pleased to see that community initiatives have been a focus during the building period. 814 weeks of apprenticeships have been supported for local young people and more than £56,000 donated to local community groups – putting community and social value at the heart of the campus.”

Mr Swinney attended a rather older ‘learning campus’ earlier this week when he returned to Carrick Knowe, his old primary school in Edinburgh.

Carrick Knowe opened 70 years ago this week and the school has been celebrating that special anniversary by creating an impressive exhibition highlighting key moments in the school’s history. Current pupils also performed a wonderful birthday celebration show – on the very same stage that young John Swinney himself will doubtless have performed as a wee laddie quite a few years ago!

Happy birthday, Carrick Knowe!