Scotland’s capital city is gearing up to host what has become a firm fixture in its calendar this week. Supporting the Scottish Poppy Appeal, Edinburgh Poppy Day returns tomorrow (Thursday, October 30), live from St Andrew Square throughout the day.
Working in partnership with Poppyscotland to provide the day’s entertainment is BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) with presenters Mark McKenzie and Jim Gellatly who will host a concert with music from the Band of the Royal Marines Scotland, Edinburgh Military Wives Choir, Rosyth Military Wives Choir, RBLS Dunfermline & District Pipe Band and Wave of the Flood, Royal Marine veteran Richard Kerr and George Heriot’s School Pipe Band.
They will also speak to a host of special guests live on air throughout the day from 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Scores of volunteers will also be out on the day to collect the vital funds the charity needs to continue supporting the Armed Forces community in Scotland.
Richard Todd, National Poppy Appeal Manager – Scotland, said: “Edinburgh Poppy Day is always a huge hit across our capital city with locals and visitors taking in the atmosphere and entertainment in St Andrew Square and further afield.
“It is a day where people come together to show their support for the Scottish Poppy Appeal as we lead up to our national day of Remembrance. So, please pop along, donate what you can, wear your poppy with pride and say hello to our wonderful team of volunteers.”
Radio presenter Mark McKenzie, of BFBS, said: “This is always a great day where BFBS teams up with fantastic musicians to highlight the work done by Poppyscotland and how the charity supports our Armed Forces and the veteran’s community.”
Money raised from the Scottish Poppy Appeal and Poppyscotland’s year-round fundraising enables them to deliver support to members of the Armed Forces community in Scotland by providing tailored funding and assistance. The charity also funds services in advice, employment, housing, mental health and mobility.
We’ll guide you through the basics and show you how to navigate Ancestry and British Newspaper Archive, two brilliant resources for family history and both free to use in all Edinburgh Libraries.
The session ends with a short tour of the physical genealogical resources held in the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection.
The next session is on Thursday 30 October at 2pm.
Join us to reflect on the courage, sacrifice and unwavering spirit of humanity as we share stories of John Edmondstone, Joseph Knight and Ann Thompson, Malvina Wells and Jack Gladstone whose lives were marked by the Slave Trade and fight for freedom while discovering the darker side of the Scottish Enlightenment.
Reserve your free tickets, supported by The City of Edinburgh Council Edinburgh 900 Civic Fund, ahead of the Friday event at:
ONE OF Scotland’s most luxurious spas has secured the highest honour from the UK’s most prestigious spa authority.
The One Spa, located within the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh’s city centre, has been awarded the coveted Five Bubble Luxury status by the Good Spa Guide, making it the only spa in Edinburgh to receive the top ranking.
The award cements One Spa’s position as a leader in wellness and relaxation, reinforcing its reputation as a must-visit destination for both visitors and residents seeking a high-end holistic experience.
Run by the independent Good Spa Guide, the Five Bubble Luxury status is awarded following rigorous assessment by trained “Spa Spies” and is reserved only for venues delivering exceptional standards of luxury, treatments, customer service and facilities.
The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa has long been recognised as a landmark in Scottish hospitality, offering refined five-star experiences and exceptional service in the heart of the capital.
The One Spa is considered a cornerstone of this experience, combining modern design with therapeutic excellence.
Fiona Young, Spa Director at One Spa, said: “Achieving Five Bubble Luxury status is a remarkable milestone for our team.
“This recognition is not only a testament to the hard work and passion of our spa professionals but also reflects the commitment we have made to delivering a world-class wellness experience.
“From our rooftop hydropool to our extensive Thermal Suite and range of expertly delivered treatments, every element of One Spa has been designed with relaxation, rejuvenation and luxury in mind. It is incredibly rewarding to see our dedication acknowledged at this level.”
The Good Spa Guide’s assessment praised One Spa for its calm and spacious atmosphere, top-tier facilities and highly trained therapists. In particular, it highlighted the rooftop hydropool, which offers guests roof top views while soaking in warm, restoring waters.
Set across multiple levels, One Spa offers a unique blend of advanced wellness facilities and relaxing design features, with standout elements including a 19-metre infinity-edge swimming pool, holistic treatment rooms, state-of-the-art gym, and the city’s most extensive Thermal Suite.
The spa’s comprehensive treatment menu ranges from personalised facials and massage therapies to signature rituals and high-performance skin care using both local and globally renowned products.
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Martijn Zengerink, General Manager of the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, said: “This award underlines our long-standing commitment to excellence across every part of the Sheraton Grand experience.
“One Spa has always been a cornerstone of our guest offering, and to be recognised at the very highest level reinforces Edinburgh’s reputation as a world-class destination for wellness and hospitality.”
With wellness tourism and staycations continuing to grow in popularity, industry accolades such as this are expected to play an increasingly influential role in helping guests choose where to invest their relaxation time and budget.
The accolade is on the back of the hotel marking its 40th anniversary in 2025 and celebrating four decades of iconic hospitality in Scotland’s capital.
Fiona added: “We’re proud to be flying the flag for Edinburgh as a top-tier spa destination. With a growing focus on wellbeing and self-care, our aim is to continually raise the bar and this award is both a recognition and motivation to keep pushing boundaries.”
This spooky season, take a stroll down the yellow brick road and into The Ivy On The Square, Edinburgh as it transforms into The Ivy Emerald City. With a magical dessert, perfectly pink and gloriously green cocktails, Halloween is not to be missed this year at The Ivy.
From 25th October, The Ivy in Edinburgh will be serving up a wickedly delicious dessert, perfect for rounding off a meal this spooky season. Crafted exclusively for the occasion, The Emerald City Apple sees a chilled apple parfait perched on a golden blondie bed with milk foam, accompanied by a raspberry coulis.
Complete with a green witch’s hand and a cloud of candy floss, the dessert is an indulgent and enchanting treat for guests with a sweet tooth.
Sip like a “Good Witch” or a “Bad Witch” with The Ivy’s spellbinding cocktails
Carefully crafted by The Ivy Collection’s expert team of mixologists, this Halloween sees a duo of delicious cocktails launch to celebrate the season:
Bound to be a popular choice for those with a taste of something tart but sweet, the Rhubarb Bubble sees Ketel One vodka, Rhubarb Mead and Doppelgänger Aperitivo blended with a touch of vanilla and served with a magical sprinkling of raspberry sugar dust.
Meanwhile, the Emerald Magic Margarita is definitely a good deed, combining Casamigos tequila with Beesou Honey liqueur and matcha cold brew with a dash of lime and geranium syrup – a dusting of Tajin on the rim casting a spell of heat.
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Guests are invited to book their table [here] to avoid disappointment.
To celebrate the launch of its newly opened George Street restaurant, Prezzo Italian is offering food lovers the chance to land what might just be the city’s tastiest new role of ‘Chief Tasting Officer.’
Pizza enthusiasts and pasta fans are invited to apply for the honorary position, which will see one lucky recruit enjoy a free main dish every week of the year. The Chief Tasting Officer will spend their time sampling Prezzo Italian’s signature dishes, from handmade pizzas to indulgent pastas, and sharing their thoughts on flavours, combinations and menu favourites.
Ideal candidates will have a genuine love of Italian food, a passion for flavour, and the ability to spot the perfect pizza topping or pasta pairing. Whether you’re a self-confessed foodie or simply never say no to a slice, this could be the dream role for you.
Naddy Onions, Marketing Director of Prezzo Italian, said:“With the opening of our new Edinburgh restaurant, what better way to celebrate than by giving one lucky Scot the chance to step into a role created just for them.
“The Chief Tasting Officer role is our way of inviting a passionate foodie to join the Prezzo Italian family, enjoy a signature dish every week, and help us share our love of Italian cooking with the city.”
The new restaurant, located at135 George St, is open seven days a week from 12-10pm and seats up to 250 guests across two floors and an outdoor terrace. Guests can expect a wide-ranging menu of handmade pizzas and pastas, burgers, grill dishes, indulgent desserts and handcrafted cocktails.
Applications for the Chief Tasting Office are now open via this link until Sunday 16th November
Prezzo Italian also operates in Glasgow’s Braehead shopping centre and Aberdeen’s Union Square, with further expansion planned across the UK, including Central London.
2MANYDJS, VALTOS AND HAYLEY ZALASSI TAKE OVER STREET PARTY
ASSEMBLY ROOMS FESTIVAL CLUB WELCOMES VIC GALLOWAY’S VITAMIN C CLUB NIGHT, SUSIE MCCABE, LARRY DEAN AND MORE, AS WELL AS RETURN OF TRADITIONAL CEILIDHS
PLUS, ST.GILES’ WELCOMES LAU FOR SPECIAL CANDLELIT CONCERT
Edinburgh’s Hogmanayhas today announced a music and comedy programme spannning four days of the festival, with Scottish talent topping the bill across the famous Street Party, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival Club at the Assembly Rooms and Candlelit Concerts at St.Giles’ Cathedral.
From electro-trad trailblazers Valtos to comedy mainstays Susie McCabe, Larry Dean and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, trad trio Lau, as well as Street Party headliners 2manydjs and more, there’s non-stop entertainment to end the year on a high at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY STREET PARTY
Amidst the backdrop of Edinburgh’s historic skyline, the legendary Street Party will once again transform the city centre into one of the world’s largest open-air dancefloors on 31 December, bringing in the bells with the last show of 2025 and the first of 2026.
Electronic sensations 2manydjs will headline the Party Zone, delivering a set relayed throughout Princes Street, building up to the world-famous Midnight Moment fireworks from Edinburgh Castle.
Known for their eclectic, boundary-pushing DJ sets, the Belgian duo will take to the decks for one night only, joined by special guest DJHayley Zalassi, who will kickstart the party with one of her euphoric sets.
Meanwhile, the Tartan Zone will spotlight homegrown talent, headlined by genre-bending Skye duo Valtos. Known for their powerful fusion of electronic soundscapes and contemporary folk, Martyn MacDonald and Daniel Docherty will set the tone for a high-energy night, joined by their full live band.
Partygoers can dance the night away to all-female folk outfit The Poozies and the upbeat Bella McNab’s Dance Band, creating one of the world’s largest ceilidh dances and spotlighting Scottish traditional music to end the year.
Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald of Valtos said: “We are absolutely delighted to be asked to perform at the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party this year.
“The Street Party is iconic worldwide and the opportunity to showcase our sound (and the sound of Scotland) to locals, and visitors alike, fills us with much excitement. The only thing blowing the roof off this year will be Valtos!”
ASSEMBLY ROOMS FESTIVAL CLUB
Some of Scotland’s leading comedians join the Hogmanay festivities this year with a night of non-stop laughs at Ho Ho Hogmanay on 30 December, featuring award-winning comedy from Larry Dean, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and more.
A stellar bill of Scottish acts will take to the stage including one of the UK’s leading comics and three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Larry Dean and, following a completely sold out Edinburgh Fringe run, Glaswegian stand-up Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, plus Edinburgh local and rising star Ayo Adenekan, with the night hosted by comedy legend Susie McCabe.
Susie McCabe said: “New Year is such a brilliant time to be in Edinburgh, and a night of comedy at the Assembly Rooms is the perfect starter before the main event on Hogmanay night!”
Assembly Rooms will also host a special opening-night takeover with Vic Galloway’s Vitamin C Club Night on 29 December, following the annual Torchlight Procession. Curated and hosted by BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway and Andy Wake (The Phantom Band), this spectacular night of live music will feature live music from local indie-rock band waverley. and a DJ set from Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai fame, for non-stop dancin’, a night of rock’n’roll, psych, cosmic disco, soul, funk and rarities – and everyone is invited.
The festival’s beloved foot-stompin’ ceilidhs also return, inviting revellers of all ages to dance their way into the New Year in true Scottish style.
An annual sell-out, the Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh Club returns for an afternoon of family fun on 31 December with the Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience, whilst the late-night Hogmanay Ceilidh Club invites guests to dress to impress and take to the dancefloor for a night of high-energy ceilidh in traditional Hogmanay fashion, featuring Scotland’s best live ceilidh bands across two dancefloors with Ceilidhonia,Teannaich, Hugh McDiarmid’s Haircut, and Bodhran Bodhran, delicious whisky tasting and a raucous countdown to midnight and Auld Lang Syne.
CANDLELIT CONCERTS
In the Old Town, the beloved Candlelit Concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral returns on Hogmanay night, offering an evening of musical reflection in one of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric settings.
This year’s concert marks the arrival of 2026 with works from classical giants Bach and Mozart, performed by the St. Giles’ Cathedral Choir, directed by new Master of Music Jack Oades, along with the St. Giles’ Camerata, and a stunning array of talented young soloists.
Brand new for 2025, St. Giles’ is also the setting for an intimate candlelit performance from acclaimed folk trio Lau on 30 December. Lau by Candlelight sees some of traditional music’s most celebrated innovators Kris Drever (guitar, vocals), Martin Green (accordion) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle), strip away their banks of electronics, loops and wild effects, for a performance less about spectacle and more about close listening and reflection.
These newly announced shows further expand a four-day programme that already features Grammy Award-winners Wet Leg at the Concert in the Gardens, joined by Scots favourites Hamish Hawk and Lucia & The Best Boys.
Scottish music legends Peat & Diesel headline the Night Afore Concert on 30 December, performing a barnstorming set underneath the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, with support from Scottish accordion sensation RuMac.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is always an unforgettable experience, and 2025 promises to be another year to remember.
“With a fantastic four-day festival lined up for the celebrated Street Party, there’s no better place in the world to welcome the New Year.
“This year’s programme truly offers something for people of all ages – whether you’re dancing to DJ sets from international icons like 2MANYDJs and local favourite Hayley Zalassi or enjoying the family-friendly fun of the beloved Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh Club.
“I have no doubt this will be one of the most memorable Hogmanay celebrations yet. It’s not to be missed.”
Directors of Unique Assembly, who create and produce the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival said: “We’re incredibly proud to unveil the next wave of events, with a feast of live music, ceilidhs and comedy across four days of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
“From rising stars to much-loved mainstays of the cultural scene, these artists and events promise to light up every corner of the city, from the exhilarating Street Party, the hilarious Ho Ho Hogmanay and our raucous traditional ceilidhs, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.”
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2025/26 is supported by Principal Funding Partners City of Edinburgh Council and Major Partners the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund all working together to create spectacular Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations for Scotland.
Follow Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on social media – Facebook and Instagram.
TOMORROW, Saturday 25th October, Child Poverty Action Group – alongside other members of the End Child Poverty Coalition – will be joining charities, community organisations, faith groups, trade unions and many more in a march from Holyrood to the Meadows in Edinburgh (writes CPAG Scotland’s MARIA MARSHALL).
#ScotlandDemandsBetter has been organised to give organisations and individuals in Scotland an opportunity to make their voices heard and demand that politicians make the change needed so that every household in Scotland can thrive.
Signs we are on the right track…
In a lot of ways, we have seen progress to tackle child poverty in the past several years, at least here in Scotland.
The passing of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act in 2017 was a watershed moment. Following the abandoning of child poverty targets by the UK Government in 2015, the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act ( unanimously backed by all of Holyrood’s parties) set targets for child poverty reduction and requirements such as a tackling child poverty delivery plan to be published by the Scottish Government every four years.
The result of this cross-government, cross-party effort in Scotland has been to sharpen the minds of those who hold the power and drive real and tangible progress for families.
Since then, we have seen the introduction and expansion of the Scottish child payment (SCP), first introduced in February 2021 and now worth £27.15 a week for every eligible child under 16.
Along with other members of End Child Poverty and the Scotland Demands Better movement we are now calling for immediate and sustained increases in its value so that it reaches £55 per week by the end of the next parliament. Investing further in the Scottish child payment is the most direct and cost-effective tool available to the Scottish government to further reduce child poverty.
SCP is one of a suite of policy interventions in the first two delivery plans including; Best Start Foods and Best Start grant (replacing Healthy Start and Sure Start in the UK), an expanded offer of 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare, increased focus on parental employability support and the expansion of universal free school meals in primary schools (despite subsequent backtracking on promises for universal provision for P6-7 pupils too…)
Of all the interventions taken, it is the increased investment in social security in Scotland that is behind the diverging trend confirmed in the latest child poverty statistics which saw child poverty in Scotland fall by four percentage points, while rising (once again) UK-wide. Steps in the right direction for sure.
We’ve come some way, but not far enough
So on the one hand, we have seen some real success. In December last year, research commissioned by CPAG on the costs of raising a child, found that the gap between costs and incomes for families in Scotland was narrower than the rest of the UK. However, this same research found that Scotland’s lowest-income families are still left with less than half the income they need for a minimum socially acceptable standard of living.
Despite showing that progress had been made, this year’s child poverty statistics also confirmed that over one in five children in Scotland are still growing up in poverty. For those children, for all children, we are demanding better.
We can shout about the progress made, but for families living on the sharp end of the cost of living crisis, this will ring hollow. Summer holidays this year too often brought more stress and anxiety for Scottish parents than opportunities to learn and play. Like Hope, parent and participant in the Changing Realities project, who wrote in July:
“Already it has been a bit stressful. The kids are constantly hungry and “bored” then hungry again. Which means more food shopping. I can’t afford summer clubs/camps (tennis, football, multi sports, water sports etc) as they are coming in at around £40 a day and some of them state you have to bring your own packed lunches … I also am embarrassed to take the kids to a food bank this year. So if my oldest boy is in I’ll get him to watch my youngest and tell them “I’m going shopping.”
Too many families are being denied the security and opportunity to thrive that we all deserve. But looking to the future, there should be reason to feel hope.
Standing at the crossroads
We now have two governments, UK and Scotland, who have made a commitment to tackling child poverty. Campaigners are anxiously awaiting the UK child poverty strategy due to be published this Autumn.
Next year’s elections in Scotland also provide an opportunity for all parties, MSPs and candidates to commit to building on the progress made and delivering a better future for all of Scotland’s children.
In theory, we are at the cusp of a real opportunity for making progress on tackling child poverty. But we can also risk losing our way…
Will we build on the progress made in Scotland to meet the 2030 targets? Will the UK Government pull the levers in their power such as scrapping the two-child limit and benefit cap to move us in the right direction together?
Or will we see a stalling in Scotland, resting on existing progress and unable to keep up with the rising costs squeezing low-income families? Will the UK strategy fail to tackle the true drivers of rising child poverty such as the slashing of social security support in the past 15 years?
Walking with hope
In May last year, parents from the Changing Realities project launched their own campaign ‘Hope Starts Here’ with the aim to change the narrative on the progress we need to see by shifting the focus on the potential that all children have.
One parent, Faith, expressed that: “I hope that my children will be able to have endless possibilities of what and who they want to become in the future when they grow up. There is a big world waiting out there for them.”
Faith’s words encapsulate why members of the End Child Poverty coalition will be marching together to demand better for our children. All children should have endless possibilities of what and who they want to be when they grow up.
Better is possible. There is already ambition across the political spectrum to tackle child poverty. We now need to see the two-child limit and benefit cap scrapped at UK level, and in Scotland we need all parties to set out a clear path that will deliver year on year progress towards the 2030 targets, so that every child in Scotland can have the best possible start in life.
If you’re in Edinburgh on Saturday, please join us.
Multrees Walk Edinburgh, Scotland’s leading luxury shopping destination, has announced an exciting new collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), supporting the next generation of fashion talent.
As part of this partnership, Multrees Walk will provide mentorship and sponsorship to second-year fashion students as they embark on their annual commercial project.
This initiative will give students invaluable insight into the world of fashion, from design development to market positioning, supporting the gap between education and commercial practice.
Students will explore and consider sustainability, responsible material choices, understanding customer profiles, and developing strong brand narratives.
Working closely with its retailers, Multrees Walk is uniquely positioned to offer students a wealth of real-world expertise and a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about the creative processes, the commercial routes and the commerce opportunities, all at an international level. Retailers from Multrees Walk including Harvey Nichols and Johnstons of Elgin will be offering student mentorship.
Leigh Aitchison, Centre Manager at Multrees Walk said; “We are delighted to be able to support and mentor the students of Edinburgh College of Art this year. By partnering with our retailers, we are able to share industry insight and tangible experiences that bring the education of fashion to life.
“Together, we will aim to inspire and equip the next generation of fashion designers, buyers and marketeers with the tools they need to navigate in today’s ever-changing fashion landscape.”
Adam Stone, Head of Retail Asset Management UK at Nuveen (landlord of Multrees Walk)said: “Multrees Walk is committed to supporting the fashion industry of the future and our collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art will give students the unique and valuable opportunity to work alongside our wide range of leading global brands and retailers.
“We are proud to be able to help provide this wonderful opportunity and offer this exceptional mentor and sponsor partnership to the students.”
Professor Mal James, Programme Director BA fashion programme Edinburgh College of Art,added: “Partnering with Multrees Walk connects our students to a global network of leading international brands and retailers.
“This collaboration allows us to bring real life industry insight directly into the classroom. It’s a fundamental opportunity for our students to understand not only the creative demands of fashion, but the business side of the industry, too.”
Taking place in Genesis Studio Edinburgh, Multrees Walk, this event will offer the public, industry professionals and the wider creative community the chance to engage with the students and their work.
