city centre – Page 49 – The NEN

Making Magical Memories for Mercy

Mercy Cuthbertson from North Tyneside is a six-year-old girl who has enjoyed a very special experience day in Edinburgh after Newcastle-based train operator Lumo learned of her passion for the company’s bright blue trains.

Mercy is bravely fighting an aggressive paediatric brain tumour. Her parents Lorraine and Paul have already raised more than £113,000 towards a target of £120,000 for some life-saving trials abroad.

Open access train operator Lumo contacted Mercy’s parents offering a special VIP day trip to Edinburgh where the family were invited to an exclusive performance at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in the city’s Royal Mile followed by a visit to Edinburgh Castle.

Richard Salkeld, Head of Communications and Partnerships at Lumo, said: “When we heard about Mercy’s story and her love of our trains, we began to create a truly memorable experience for her and her parents.

“We teamed up with Imaginate: The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, the Scottish Storytelling Centre and Edinburgh Castle to help organise what was a very special action-packed visit to Edinburgh.

“As a company proudly based in Newcastle, we’re committed to supporting the communities on our route so today has been a joy to help make happen for Mercy.”

As part of the visit Mercy was invited into the driver’s cab after they arrived at Edinburgh Waverley where she posed for photographs with some of the onboard team from Lumo.

Mercy Cuthbertson travelling on a Lumo train

Lorraine Cuthbertson, Mercy’s mother, said: “Today has been incredible. We’ve been made to feel so welcome and enjoyed some magnificent magical moments that we’ll never forget. Mercy loved her visit to the driver’s cab on the train and meeting the unicorn at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.”

The whirlwind visit to Edinburgh was Mercy’s first time travelling on the all-electric Lumo train. She posed with a specially made giant ticket as a memento of her day before boarding at Newcastle on Friday morning.

Paul Cuthbertson, Mercy’s father, said: “She’s had a brilliant day and has been treated like royalty. It’s been so special, and I think everyone had a tear in her eye when she reached out and stroked the unicorn who she named Twinkle. Thanks to everyone who helped make today so unforgettable.”

Mercy’s fundraising campaign continues to receive generous support from people in the North East but has also received donations from around the world as her parents work tirelessly to raise funds in a bid to do all they can to help Mercy.

For anyone wishing to donate to Mercy’s campaign, they can visit here.

‘Broad support’ for Edinburgh’s Tourist Tax plans

Edinburgh residents, visitors, and industry back plans for a visitor levy, an engagement exercise has revealed.

Generating close to 4,000 responses in total, a four-week survey conducted by the Council over Christmas and New Year found broad support for the aims and objectives of its Visitor Levy for Edinburgh proposals.

The survey found that Capital residents and community groups are particularly keen to see some of an Edinburgh levy reinvested towards enhancing essential public services, such as keeping the city clean and moving.

Business groups, who have largely fed back via focussed engagement sessions, express greater support for dedicated destination marketing and industry support, while everyone tends to agree a levy should be simple to administer and support the protection and enhancement of Edinburgh’s heritage and world-famous cultural offering.

The full findings – which echo evidence gathered by Council officers over the last six years – will be presented to Councillors on the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Tuesday (12 March).

Members of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee will also meet on the same day to debate amendments to the national Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill which, if set in legislation as the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act this Spring/Summer, will allow Scotland’s local authorities including Edinburgh to charge a levy on overnight accommodation.

With much of the Capital’s scheme already researched and developed, Edinburgh is well placed to formally consult on and finalise its plans and is likely to become the first city in the UK to formally adopt a city-wide visitor levy.

Cammy Day, City of Edinburgh Council Leader, said: “Edinburgh has been lobbying the Scottish Government for more than a decade for the local powers to introduce a visitor levy. Finally, we are edging closer to this long-called for legislation.

“Throughout the years, we have repeatedly and actively engaged with our tourism and hospitality industry, as well as with residents, seeking views at various stages on the type of visitor levy Edinburgh needs.

“At every turn, we’ve had overwhelming backing at a community level and have witnessed growing support from those in the tourism and hospitality industry. This is only building as we head towards the last Parliamentary hurdle.

“Edinburgh has an enviable reputation across the world as a bucket list destination and just this week was crowned Europe’s Leading Cultural City Destination at the World Travel Awards and listed as the best city in Scotland to live in, visit and invest.

“We’re very proud that Edinburgh is one of the world’s most popular visitor destinations, but we’re equally aware that this success comes at a cost. A small overnight charge is common practice in other major cities and destinations, so why not here?

“The introduction of a levy will provide a funding stream that would be reinvested in the city and our infrastructure, to the benefit of our visitors and, crucially, the people who live here in our great Capital city all year round.

“While I welcome how far the Bill has come, I also echo the concerns shared by COSLA last week that it needs to allow visitor levies to be more flexible and quicker for Councils to roll out.

“Now that Edinburgh is ready to lead the introduction, I hope to see these adopted in the amendments Members of Parliament debate next week.”

Celebrate International Women’s Day at Johnnie Walker Princes Street

Celebrating some of Diageo’s most pioneering women, Johnnie Walker Princes Street is hosting an exclusive Spirited Women Tasting in its Explorers’ Bothy Bar on 8^th-10^th of March.

Telling the stories of the influential women who have helped shape the face of Scotch whisky, the tasting features a welcome highball using an exclusive Johnnie Walker Princes Street blend created by Master Blender Emma Walker, and a Johnnie Walker Princes Street Cellar Blend prepared by Master Blender, Aimee Morrison.

Featured in the tasting session will be the Cardhu 12, 200^thanniversary release. Created to celebrate two of the original female whisky trailblazers, Helen and Elizabeth Cumming, this malt is strikingly smooth and characterised by beautiful berry and blackcurrant notes.

Also making an appearance will be the Singleton of Glen Ord 2022 Special Release for a sweet and spicy fix, and the Dalwhinnie 17, 125^th anniversary release which offers a famously spicy and fruity experience with strong vanilla notes.

Priced at £55 per person, tickets for the event can be purchased online https://www.johnniewalker.com/en-gb/visit-us-princes-street/book-whisky-tasting/#id=spirited-women-an-international-women-s-day-tasting.

As well as the tour, visitors can also enjoy an exclusive 10% discount across the retail store on the day of their tour when they present their ticket.

This offers reduced prices for merchandise and products, including the Bottle Your Own experience, where customers can engrave products with personalised messaging.

The 10% discount is also extended to the 1820 Rooftop Bar, where guests can savour the panoramic views of the Edinburgh skyline with delectable food and drink.

To check out other Johnnie Walker experiences, and for more information, please visit www.johnniewalkerprincesstreet.com

You know Who joins Scotland’s national collection!

Portrait of Ncuti Gatwa goes on display

A vibrant and captivating portrait of the newest Doctor Who star, Ncuti Gatwa by photographer Robert Wilson has joined Scotland’s spectacular national collection of art.

This charismatic photograph of the famed actor joins other notable Scottish figures in the National Galleries of Scotland’s permanent collection, including former Doctors, Peter Capaldi and David Tennant. The artwork is now on display and free to view at National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait.

Ncuti Gatwa is instantly recognisable from his engaging performances in Doctor Who, as Eric Effiong in the Netflix comedy series Sex Education (2019–23) and in Greta Gerwig’s record-breaking film Barbie (2023). Gatwa has been nominated at the BAFTA TV Awards for Best Male Comedy Performance three years in a row and has won a BAFTA Scotland award (2020). Made in March 2020,

Wilson described Gatwa as ‘a photographer’s dream to work with; friendly, expressive and giving’. Photographed in a colourful yellow suit, mid-laugh, the portrait captures Gatwa’s magnetic personality.

Born in Rwanda, Gatwa arrived in Scotland at just two years old in 1994 with his family as a refugee fleeing a genocide, as Rwanda was embroiled in a civil war. He grew up in Edinburgh and Dunfermline and went on to graduate from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2013.

It was his award-winning appearance as queer teenager Eric Effiong in the Netflix comedy series Sex Education that firmly launched his career and quickly cemented his position as an audience favourite.

Having spoken out about how powerful and necessary representation is, Gatwa’s role in Sex Education explored complex issues around Black, queer and religious identity. In May 2022, he was announced as the next lead in the cult BBC series Doctor Who, with the New York Times calling him ‘a Doctor Who for the 21st century’. Gatwa is the fourth Scottish, and the first Black and openly queer, actor to star in this role.

Robert Wilson (born 1969, London) is an acclaimed commercial and portrait photographer whose sitters have included major figures in a wide range of fields, including actors Dames Judi Dench and Joan Collins, sport stars Mo Farah and Venus Williams and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan, to name a few.

His work has evolved to lifestyle, sports and documentary style projects and is recognised for its accessibility and depth for revealing humanity. Wilson was also a war artist for the British Army, firstly documenting the people and places within Helmand Province, Afghanistan, and later the withdrawal of the British troops and the deconstruction of the war machine.

His unique and emotional portraits are exhibited in galleries across the UK, with this portrait the latest to join a national collection.

Anne Lyden, National Galleries of Scotland Director-General, said: “It is exciting to see this dynamic portrait of the hugely talented actor and style icon Ncuti Gatwa enter the national collection.

“Gatwa joins the ranks of previous Doctors already in our collection, and we look forward to welcoming fans of the new Doctor Who when they visit to see this stunning photograph by Robert Wilson on our Portrait gallery walls.”

Robert Wilson, said: “Ncuti was an absolute joy to photograph. We were shooting several of the nominated candidates for the BAFTA awards that day, which happened to be the second to last day before the country went into lockdown due to Covid.

“The atmosphere on set was a little strange due to the various health precautions that were taking places and the impending thought of a lockdown. But, despite the slightly surreal atmosphere, Ncuti gave me a complete range of poses and expressions, from humorous, to serious, to melancholic.

“Within 15 minutes I had shot 224 beautiful frames, any one of which could probably have been used for the feature. He is a true professional, and I think we managed to capture his warm personality brought to the shoot that day.”

Lock Up Your Loved Ones!

THE EDINBURGH DUNGEONS ARE GIVING THE GIFT OF RELAXATION THIS MOTHER’S DAY BY LOCKING MUM OUT OF THE ATTRACTIONS

Forget dire supermarket flowers and last-minute grab-and-go chocolates this Mother’s Day, as The Dungeons is treating motherly figures to the gift that many actually want … a day of uninterrupted peace and quiet!

This Sunday 10^th March, The Edinburgh and York Dungeons are giving families the opportunity to treat their mothers, caregivers and loved ones to a day of peace and pampering by temporarily banning them from the attraction.

So bid farewell to your mum, loved one or person that generally picks up your mess at every turn as they are officially exiled from the depths of the dungeons, allowing them to bask in the serenity of their own home whilst their families can journey into the gruesome attraction which brings to life the deepest and darkest secrets from the city’s history.

Whilst this may be the ultimate gift for any hard-working family members who deserve some rest and relaxation on this special day, fear not as those organised peasants who have already pre-booked to bring their mum or those who’d still like to step back in time together will be allowed to enter, they’ll just have to pretend to be your ugly sister or plague-ridden granny!

Kathryn Adam, General Manager at The Edinburgh Dungeon, said: “While most people give cards, chocolates or flowers for Mother’s Day, we wanted to go one step further by giving mums and loved ones the gift that they often truly want yet won’t admit – some peace and quiet!

“While our attraction is full to the brim with haunts and exciting tales, we also recognise the importance of taking a break and recharging, especially for those who dedicate themselves tirelessly to caring for their families. So put your feet up and relax while your family enjoys a day of frights and fun.”

For further information and to book a visit to The Edinburgh or York Dungeons, please visit the website here: https://www.thedungeons.com

Spring Talk From Great British nature writer Sir John Lister-Kaye

One of Britain’s best-known conservationists, John Lister-Kaye, described by Springwatch’s Katie Humble as ‘joyful and inspirational’, gives a rare glimpse into his intriguing life and work at a literary talk and book signing at the Royal Scots Club on 23^rd March, 10:30am-12:30pm.

Entry is free and there will be a pop-up Toppings bookstall.

A true naturalist, John Lister-Kaye patiently and meticulously observes and records the lives, habits and habitats of otters, badgers, weasels and pine martens. Hours of careful waiting and watching in the woods and loch, the river, fields and moorland is rewarded with insight into how these animals live when unhindered by human interference; sometimes red in tooth and claw, but often playful, familial, curious and surprising.

John’s own journey from aristocratic roots to being captivated by the creatures of Scotland and becoming one of the most respected academic observers of the natural world gripping too.

During deep dives exploring natural history, familial characteristics and ecological significance, he began to find the animals were ‘teaching me to become feral myself, guiding me into their ways so that my senses seemed to merge with theirs at a level far more intimate than just scientific interest or admiration.’

His new book, FOOTPRINTS IN THE WOODS, The Secret Life of Forest and Riverbank, is not only a love letter to these elusive animals and what he describes as the ‘irresistible wildness’.

It is also a timely reminder of the fragility of habitat and the beauty and variety we have to lose if we don’t choose to actively protect it.

‘A peerless observer who is as much a part of the land as his beloved badgers. This, unusually, is nature writing that is actually about nature rather than the writer, and so it has the power and wisdom of the hills and forest. Marvellous’ – CHARLES FOSTER (Author, Cry of the Wild)

‘No one writes as movingly, or with such transporting poetic skills, about encounters with wild creatures’ – HELEN MACDONALD (Award-winning writer, H is for Hawk)

‘I am addicted to the writings of John Lister-Kaye’ – JOANNA LUMLEY

Sir John Lister-Kaye is one of Britain’s best-known naturalists and conservationists and has spent a lifetime exploring, protecting and celebrating the British landscape and its wildlife.

John came to live in the Highlands of Scotland in 1968 to work with the celebrated author and naturalist Gavin Maxwell of Ring of Bright Water fame.

He is the author of eleven books on wildlife and the environment, including The Dun Cow Rib, shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize, and Gods of the Morning, winner of the Richard Jeffereies Award for Nature Writing.

John has lectured on the natural environment all over the world. He was awarded an OBE for his services to nature conservation, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s Geddes Environmental Medal and honorary doctorates from two Scottish universities for his contribution to nature writing.

He has served prominently in the RSPB, the Nature Conservancy Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. He lives with his wife and family among the mountains of the Scottish Highlands, where he runs the world-famous Aigas Field Centre.

The literary coffee morning with author talk will be held on 23^rd March 2024 at The Royal Scots Club, 29-31 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6QE starting at 10:30am.

There will be an opportunity to purchase books for signing by the author at a pop-up bookshop provided by Topping & Company Booksellers, Edinburgh.

The event is free and is open to all, members and non-members alike, with numbers limited by venue capacity only.

Reservations may be made by via Eventbrite or by emailing The Royal Scots Club on events@royalscotsclub.com

Gucci store coming to Multrees Walk

The Italian luxury retailer Gucci will be opening its first standalone store outside of London in Edinburgh, later this year.

Located on the luxury stylish shopping destination of Multrees Walk, the Gucci store will occupy an impressive corner location – formerly Hugo BOSS and Caffé Nero – and will span over 4.700 square metres of retail space.

For further information on Multrees Walk retailers, please visit:

www.multreeswalk.co.uk/whats-happening/

Netflix star Phil Rosenthal visits Social Bite coffee shop

Phil Rosenthal from hit Netflix show, Somebody Feed Phil, can be seen stopping by Social Bite’s Edinburgh coffee shop on Rose Street in the latest series which launched last night.

The coffee shop, which offers customers the chance to ‘pay it forward’ to help support people who are homeless or vulnerable, features on the show.

Members of the Social Bite team and Phil discuss the charity’s mission to help end homelessness as they enjoy some great coffee and baked goods available from the shop.

Mel Swan, Commercial and Operations Director of Social Bite, said: “Having a big star and foodie icon visit our Edinburgh coffee shop really helps share our mission with the world. We want to bring people together to end homelessness, and that can start with good food and a conversation.

“Phil really enjoyed our cakes and cookies, and hearing about what we do. We can also claim to have given him his first taste of our national drink, Irn-Bru – that’s one for the books!”

You can support Social Bite by donating at: https://www.social-bite.co.uk/get-involved/donate/

or you can use Phil’s link at: https://www.philrosenthalworld.com/charity

Image: (Back row from left to right) Aimee Latham, Louise Hutson, Babs Haig, Amanda Traill. (Front row from left to right) Colin Childs, Monica, Phil Rosenthal, Mel Swan

Eat Out Edinburgh gets underway

Special offers revealed for 40 City Centre restaurants and bars taking part in the festival

Eat Out Edinburgh, the highly-anticipated restaurant festival taking over Edinburgh’s city centre next month, has now released a full list of venues taking part in the campaign, with incredible deals from the most exciting restaurants from Princes Street and Charlotte Square to St James Quarter throughout the entirety of March.

Amazing set menus, special offers and events are now available to browse from each of the 40 venues involved on Eat Out Edinburgh’s website with guests able to book now for dates from the 1st to 31st of March.

The past year has seen an influx of new bars and restaurants to the capital, bringing a variety of new dining experiences to explore during Eat Out Edinburgh’s run, including:

– Willow Tea Rooms: The new traditional afternoon tea spot is opening later this month in the former Starbucks unit with stunning castle views on Princes Street and will be offering a traditional afternoon tea throughout March for £17.95 per person, excluding March 10th.

– RIO Brazilian Steakhouse: The newly opened Rodizio style steakhouse within the Assembly Rooms will be offering their unique menu including unlimited salad bar access and meats served tableside at £34.95 for dinner and £19.95 for lunch.

– The Alchemist George Street: The creative cocktail bar and restaurant’s newest venue on George Street has curated a special menu offering two courses for £20 and three courses for £35.

– Fat Hippo: The new restaurant known for its extensive menu of juicy, decadent burgers has created a menu with a starter, main, and a side for £15 from Monday to Thursday throughout the month.

Offers vary from venue to venue, with each location bringing its own unique value with something to appeal to everyone, from celebrating Mother’s Day with a brunch at Duck & Waffle with £29 for 3 Courses or a lesson in mixology with a cocktail masterclass for £25 at the Hard Rock Café.

Eat Out Edinburgh brings friends, family, and colleagues together from across the Lothians for the chance to explore new cuisines and try special occasion restaurants for an accessible price while supporting the city’s vibrant hospitality sector.

Run by Essential Edinburgh, the campaign taking place throughout the capital’s dedicated Business Improvement District (BID) returns this year for double the time after a successful two-week run in 2023.

Emily Campbell Johnston, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications, Essential Edinburgh, said: “The venues taking part in this year’s Eat Out Edinburgh have gone above and beyond to create really exciting offers for guests that will let Edinburgh locals, visitors and workers in the city centre experience some of the city’s best cuisine at an accessible price.

“The scope of this year’s campaign brings more venues than ever over a longer period of time for a massive celebration of Edinburgh’s unmatched food scene right in time for the Spring season to bring a renewed energy to the city.”

Businesses Participating in Eat Out Edinburgh 2024

Angel’s Share

Auld Hundred

BABA

Badger & Co

Bonnie & Wild

Boozy Cow

Bread Street Kitchen

Cadiz

Café Andaluz

Contini George Street

Copper Blossom

Dean Banks at The Pompadour

Duck & Waffle

Element

Fat Hippo

Fazenda

Gaucho

Grazing by Mark Greenaway at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian

Gusto

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh

Harvey Nichols Forth Floor

Haute Dolci

Hawksmoor

Huxley

Indian Lounge

Ka Pao

Lady Libertine

Le Monde

Maki & Ramen St James Quarter

Malmaison

Queens Arms

Rabble

Rio Brazilian Steakhouse

Tattu

TGI Fridays Edinburgh Castle Street

The Alchemist – George Street & St James Quarter

The Register Club

The Scottish Café And Restaurant

The Voodoo Rooms

Tigerlily

Twenty Princes Street

Willow Tea Rooms

For more information on each venue, and to keep book, visit:

http://www.eatoutedinburgh.co.uk/

The National Galleries of Scotland celebrates the return of Antonio Canova’s The Three Graces

The National Galleries of Scotland celebrates the return of Antonio Canova’s The Three Graces to the National in Edinburgh, for the first time in eleven years.

Jointly owned with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, this extraordinary marble sculpture usually rotates between the two locations every seven years however was delayed due to the opening of the new Scottish galleries at the National.

Regarded internationally as an exquisite example of neoclassical European sculpture, this is an exciting opportunity for visitors to see the work in the heart of Edinburgh for free.

The sculpture represents Euphrosyne, Aglaia and Thalia, the three daughters of Zeus and Eurynome according to Greek mythology.

The three graces are associated with Aphrodite (Venus) and embody qualities such as shared friendship or chastity, beauty and love.