Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker reflects on a fantastic Winter Festivals season:
Over the past seven weeks we’ve been treated to an incredible programme of events and experiences with the full and welcome return of Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay – once again shining a light on our wonderful Capital city.
The 30th anniversary edition of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay certainly lived up to expectations, with Pulp delivering a spectacular headline performance that will echo through the years. Alongside the revamped Torchlight Procession, Night Afore Disco, Street Party, the First Footin’ and much more we hosted 95,000 people across our fantastic four-day programme.
I’m looking forward to seeing the full review with total visitor numbers and economic impact for our city. However, the initial indications are that these have provided a welcome boost for the city’s economy.
New figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) revealed that footfall in Edinburgh increased by 6.4% in December 2023 compared to the same period the year before.
The Capital was the only city in Scotland to register an increase and was the top performing city in the UK. This bucked a national trend with overall Scottish footfall falling by 2.2% and the UK average decreasing by 5%.
At the markets there were over 80 independent stallholders, two-thirds of which came from Scotland and almost half were Edinburgh-based businesses. We’re committed that our residents and businesses are able to enjoy the many benefits of our Winter Festivals.
So, there can be no doubt as to the economic benefit our Winter Festivals bring to the city but we’re absolutely clear that all of Edinburgh should get a chance to join in these celebrations.
I’m pleased that over 120 community groups and charities have been gifted over 6,000 tickets and tokens to attractions at Edinburgh’s Christmas or provided with discounts to the Ice Rink and Big Wheel.
This has included both large and small charities and community groups, ranging from Four Square, Deaf Action, The Action Group, Barnardo’s, Whizz Kids and Sight Scotland to community and youth groups in Muirhouse, Pilton, Drylaw, Corstorphine and beyond. Going forward we’re committed to spreading the celebrations further out with the city centre.
This showed that there was overwhelming support amongst respondents with 86% saying that they should continue. We also agreed to look at spreading the celebrations more widely across the city centre, increasing community benefits, sustainability and accessibility as part of the recommendations.
I believe that we have made good progress on these commitments this year and I’m also encouraged to hear from residents who have enjoyed themselves these past seven weeks. We’ll continue to listen to their feedback and work with our producers to make sure our Winter Festivals remain a key part of the city’s social, cultural, and economic calendar. I can’t wait to see what future editions bring.
Wishing you all the best for a healthy and happy 2024.
The Real Mary King’s Close invests £200,000 in listed Burgh Courtroom following over a quarter of a million visitors in 2023
The Real Mary King’s Close has completed an exciting renovation project, costing £200,000, to transform its listed Burgh Courtroom, located in Edinburgh’s City Chambers, into an impressive new retail experience on the Royal Mile, further improving the visitor journey at the top Edinburgh tourist attraction.
Following a complete redesign, the new design allows the original assets of the courtroom to stand out thanks to celebrated interior specialists, Lumsden Design. Working with the symmetry of the room to accentuate details, the layout of the newly curated gift shop takes inspiration from Edinburgh’s 17th century market stalls, the Luckenbooths.
The Luckenbooths were the city’s first permanent shops. Situated on the Royal Mile across from St Giles Cathedral, they could be found just a stone’s throw away from Mary King’s Close before the street was hidden beneath the City Chambers in 1753.
Excitingly, the new space also aims to improve the visitor experience. By connecting the guest journey from Mary King’s Close to the gift shop more seamlessly, the Burgh Courtroom now provides an interesting new extension of the tour itself, with the history of the room being revealed to guests on tour for the very first time.
The popular attraction views the renovation work as an investment following its hugely successful year, with over a quarter of a million people visiting in 2023. Much of The Real Mary King’s Close’s highest footfall came during the annual Fringe festival and the school holidays.
July saw a record-breaking number of visitors journey underground, with The Met Office reporting that it was the UK’s wettest July since 2009, and the sixth wettest July on record.
With the addition of exclusive monthly special tours in 2023, including a Herstory Tour for Women’s History Month in March and the Pride History Tour in June, visitors were able to learn from a wealth of fascinating social history experiences, providing a deeper insight into Edinburgh’s dark and fascinating past.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: ‘Reflecting on knock-on effect of the pandemic on the tourism industry overall in recent years, we are delighted to see a consistent increase in our footfall.
“We want to invest in our fantastic Burgh Courtroom to ensure our guests are getting the highest quality visitor experience as possible. We’re really looking forward to seeing the gift shop transform to a space that is reminiscent of the time and feeds into the social history of Mary King’s Close itself.”
For more information about The Real Mary King’s Close, visit :
ONE of the UK’s most popular Chinese takeaways has offered up a sweet new selection to celebrate Veganuary.
Chopstix Noodle Bar is bringing the ‘All Leaf, No Beef’ Teriyaki to its stores across the nation, hitting menus from Tuesday 9th January.
Mixing plant based ‘beef’ strips with peppers, onions and Chopstix’ secret recipe sweet Teriyaki sauce, the special topping gives Pan-Asian fanatics a way to stick to their vegan goals while still chowing down on authentic Chinese food.
Chopstix’s latest vegan offering follows a number of menu items that have been added over the years since the brand’s first vegan dish, the Green Thai Tofu Curry that was launched in 2019.
Rob Burns, Marketing Director for Chopstixsaid: “We wanted to bring something totally fresh for those that are trying out the vegan lifestyle this January, giving Pan-Asian food lovers a tasty & healthy option that is totally meat free.
“Whether you’re just starting on your vegan journey or you’ve been plant-based for years, the ‘All Leaf No Beef’ Teriyaki will definitely hit the spot.”
As with the rest of Chopstix vegan range, the dish’s plant-based protein, which is sourced from Europe by Miami Foods, is GMO, antibiotics, palm oil and cholesterol free, as well as being a high source of protein and fibre & low in saturated fats.
And hungry customers will be able to grab a plate from one of over 100 stores when the nationwide roll-out of the dish starts next week.
Loui Blake, CEO of Miami Foods, said: “We’re incredibly happy to partner with Chopstix this Veganuary. Their commitment to developing innovative & sustainable plant-based dishes means diners now have even more meat-free options.”
The noodle bar, first launched 20 years ago in the famous Camden Market before migrating to Oxford Street London, now has stores across almost every major town and city in the country.
Along with being available in stores across the UK, The noodle bar’s popular dishes are also available to order from most of the country’s top delivery platforms including UberEats, Deliveroo and Just Eat.
Rio Brazilian Steakhouse will soon be taking residence in Edinburgh’s iconic Assembly Rooms building, providing 60 employment opportunities in the capital. As the restaurant prepares to open its first Scottish venue, it is seeking enthusiastic candidates for all positions including roles for assistant manager, front of house, bartenders and a head chef.
An employment open house day will be held on 9th January, where hopeful applicants can visit the new location to speak with Rio Steakhouse co- founder Rodrigo Grassi and Fawira Lira, operations manager, in an informal interview setting. The team will be available for applicants to stop by throughout the day to answer questions about employment at Rio and share more information about the restaurant and opportunities available.
Location: Rio Brazilian Steakhouse: The Assembly Rooms, 54 George St, EH2 2LR Times: Tuesday 9th January, 9:30am – 6:30pm
More information on employment opportunities with Rio can be found at:
Detectives are appealing for information following a serious assault in Edinburgh city centre.
About 3.30am on Monday, 1 January, 2024 two men were seriously assaulted in Rose Street, Edinburgh at it’s junction with Frederick Street by a group of men and women.
The men who suffered head and facial injuries were taken to hospital for treatment.
Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe from Edinburgh CID said “This was a brutal attack and it is imperative that we trace the people responsible and are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time.
“We know there was a pedestrian who would have witnessed this assault and may have information that can help us. I would also appeal to the people who stopped and provided first aid to the two injured men.”
Anyone with any information, or footage of the incident, should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 1142 of Monday, 1 January 2024. Alternatively, a call can be made anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
LAST FEW TICKETS REMAINING FOR FOUR-DAY FESTIVAL TO RING IN 2024
The countdown to the New Year has begun as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay prepares for its 30th anniversary celebrations with four days of events to ring in 2024.
Local residents and visitors from across the globe will come together to bid farewell to the final few days of 2023 and welcome in the New Year with an unmissable programme of live music, exceptional entertainment including the world-class Midnight Moment fireworks and a celebration like no other at Edinburgh’s Street Party extravaganza.
This year’s events will mark 30 years since the very first Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival in 1993, with a four-day take-over of venues across the city’s Old and New Towns from Friday 29 December 2023 until Monday 1 January 2024 including live music, comedy, candlelit concerts, ceilidhs and family-friendly events.
The jam-packed programme will see a host of musicians and performers entertain audiences across the city at 14 events across four days including; 10,000 flaming torches, 24 hours of live music, 30 Vikings at the Torchlight Procession, over 50 street performers at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party including drummers and stilt walkers, and four firework moments including the all-important New Year fireworks at the highly anticipated Midnight Moment.
The 30th anniversary celebrations begin on Friday 29 December as the Torchlight Procession returns for the first time since 2019 with up to 20,000 participants blazing a trail through Edinburgh, creating a river of fire through the Old Town led by Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad.
The procession begins in the Meadows for the first time ever, with pre-procession family-friendly entertainment from fire performers, street theatre, pipe bands and drummers, culminating with participants extinguishing their torches through an Avenue of Fire on Castle Terrace
Over in the city’s New Town, enjoy a side-splitting night of live comedy at Ho-Ho-Hogmanay with an all-star line-up at the Assembly Rooms including Susie McCabe, Larry Dean, Fred MacAulay and hosted by Emmanuel Sonubi.
Getting into the party spirit, the Night AforeDisco Party with Greatest Hits Radio in West Princes Street Gardens on Saturday 30 December sees a headline performance from ABBA sensations Björn Again joined by the fringe festival smash-hit Massaoke, for the ultimate party night out and the perfect Saturday night soundtrack to round off the year with ABBA’s greatest hits and pop classics.
Meanwhile, it will be a hometown show to remember for Edinburgh born singer-songwriter Ross Wilson aka Blue Rose Code addressing universal themes of love, loss, home and faith in a deeply personal way and seamlessly blend folk, Americana, jazz, soul and pop influences into something truly unique at the Night Afore Hoolie with special guests Caley Soul Band, Dean Owens and more at the Assembly Rooms.
A Scottish Film Series in the Piccolo at St Andrews Square sees Scottish classics – From Scotland with Love, favourite coming of age romantic comedy Gregory’s Girl, rounding off with Irvine Welsh’s modern classic Trainspotting.
For Hogmanay itself, ensure the kids aren’t left out of the celebrations with Bairns New Year Revels – a family-friendly daytime party in the Assembly Rooms including live music, Massaoke and ceilidh dancing.
One for the grown-ups, enjoy Edinburgh’s original indoor Hogmanay party as the New Year Revels returns to Assembly Rooms with a dedicated ceilidh room so revellers can birl’ through the bells and the ultimate singalong soundtrack with Massaoke.
Plus, the stunning sold out Candlelit Concert in St. Giles’ Cathedral will see guests enjoy music from J.S.Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.
The main event kicks off from 9pm on Sunday 31 December as the world-famous Street Party welcomes 40,000 attendees from across the globe to bring in the bells in the way only Scotland can.
This year visitors can enjoy everything from a Silent Disco with partners Silent Adventures in the Disco Zone, to thrill rides; stilt walkers to steel drums, street food and Hogmanay Bars, as well as festival headliners Pulp relayed onto Giant Screens across the arena, plus a night of Scottish music at the Tartan Zone on Waverley Bridge from the Hannah Fisher Ceilidh Band and Kinnaris Quintet, headlined by Elephant Sessions.
Whilst at the Concert in the Gardens, cultural icons Pulp play the final show of 2023 and the very first of 2024 with support from Hot Chip (DJ set) punctuated by breathtaking fireworks from Edinburgh Castle. Visible across the Edinburgh Skyline, hourly countdown fireworks from 9pm will culminate in the all-important spectacular Midnight Moment firework and music display from Edinburgh Castle.
The party doesn’t end with the bells, with a full day of free entertainment across the city on New Year’s Day. Family-friendly fun continues with Sprogmanay at the National Museum of Scotland and Assembly Roxy with from Sprog Rock, Magic Gareth, live ceilidhs and the very special Unicorn Dance Party.
Finally, wrapping up the epic four days of festivities is First Footin’, a free music and cultural trail showcasing a programme of live music throughout the city featuring performances from Lau, Bemz, Hot Chip, Kathryn Joseph and many more in iconic venues such as Greyfriars Kirk, Virgin Hotel, Assembly Rooms and more.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m sure I speak for the whole city when I say how excited I am for the 30th anniversary edition of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
“From the incredible Torchlight Procession through to Pulp seeing us into 2024 and so much more we’re really fortunate to have such excellent events on offer for our residents and visitors. The First Footin’ showcases an excellent range of free music and performance from Scottish rap artists to jazz, alt-rock and more.
“Not only is Hogmanay an Edinburgh institution but it is also a major contributor to our city’s economy, providing jobs and commercial opportunities for our local residents and businesses.
“This is a time where we can celebrate the best of our city as one-year closes and look ahead with pride and positivity to the next. I want to thank the organisers, our partners and of course Council colleagues who have worked tirelessly on this event and will continue to in the coming days.
“I wish everyone in the Capital a fantastic Hogmanay and a very happy New Year.”
Festival Directors for UniqueAssembly who produce Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council added: “It’s a particularly special year as we mark the 30th anniversary of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay with a spectacular four-day programme jam-packed with events.
“We’re thrilled to bring back traditional Hogmanay events such as the Torchlight Procession and the original indoor Hogmanay party the New Year Revels, as well as welcoming this year’s incredible headliners Pulp to entertain the Concert in the Gardens.
“Whether you’re heading along for a disco dance at the Night Afore, a family ceilidh at Bairns New Year Revels or enjoying some laughs at Ho-Ho-Hogmanay, we’re looking forward to welcoming old friends and new across this year’s events.”
Further information and final tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30th anniversary celebrations are available www.edinburghshogmanay.com.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is created and produced by UniqueAssembly on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council, with Major Event Partners EventScotland, Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund and supported by Essential Edinburgh, Innis & Gunn and Cold Town Beer.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay takes place from 29 December to 1 January.
To allow events to take place, the city council will have temporary restrictions across the city centre. The closures will start today (Wednesday 27 December) and end on Tuesday 2 January.
The restrictions will affect:
parking
waiting
loading
unloading
pedestrian access.
Please note that these planned closures and restrictions may be subject to change.
Road closures
From 8am on Wednesday 27 December to 5pm on Tuesday 2 January
Castle Street from Princes Street to Rose Street will be closed.
From 7pm on Saturday 30 December to 10am on Monday 1 January
Frederick Street from Princes Street to Rose Street
Princes Street from South Charlotte Street to The Mound and Hanover Street to South Saint David Street
Waverley Bridge
From 5pm on Sunday 31 December to 6am on Monday 1 January
Bank Street
Castle Street from Rose Street to George Street
George IV Bridge – the northbound side of the road from Chambers Street to Royal Mile
Hanover Street from Princes Street to George Street
Meuse Lane
Mound
Mound Place
North Bank Street
Princes Street from the Mound to Hanover Street and South Saint David Street to North Bridge
Ramsay Gardens
Ramsay Lane
Register Place
South Saint Andrew Street
South Saint David Street
Saint Giles Street from North Bank Street to the safety barrier
West Register Street Lane
West Register Street
From 7pm on Sunday 31 December to 3am on Monday 1 January
Hope Street Lane
Lothian Road southbound from Princes Street to Castle Terrace and northbound from the West Approach Road to Princes Street
Shandwick Place from Stafford Street to Princes Street
South Charlotte Street
From 7pm on Sunday 31 December to 6am on Monday 1 January
Cockburn Street
Frederick Street from Rose Street to junction of Hill Street and Thistle Street
George Street from Frederick Street to Hanover Street
Market Street – 30 metres east along from Waverley Bridge
North Castle Street from George Street to junction of Young Street and Hill Street
Rose Street
Rose Street North Lane
Rose Street South Lane
Streets closed to pedestrians
From 7pm on Sunday 31 December to 10am on Monday 1 January
Castle Street from Princes Street to George Street
Frederick Street from Princes Street to George Street
Hanover Street from Princes Street to George Street
Market Street from Waverley Bridge to the Mound
Mound
Mound Place
North Bank Street
Princes Street from South Charlotte Street to North Bridge
Ramsay Gardens
Ramsay Lane
Mound precinct – pedestrian area beside the National Galleries.
EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY ANNOUNCES FULL FIRST FOOTIN’ LINE-UP
OVER 30 ARTISTS WILL TAKE TO CITY VENUES ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has revealed the full line-up for First Footin’, a free programme of live music gigs throughout the capital on New Year’s Day with over 30 artists taking to 15 venues across the city throughout the Old and New Town.
The cultural music trail features artists including Lau, Bemz, Hot Chip, Kathryn Joseph, Fergus McCreadie, Becky Sikasa, Cloth and many more.
First Footin’ invites audiences to explore Edinburgh, discovering an eclectic range of music from rap to classical, electronic to jazz, indie to folk and a foot stomping ceilidh band, embracing Hogmanay traditions and welcoming in the New Year with free gigs in St. Giles’ Cathedral, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Hall and Eve at Virgin Hotel, Assembly Rooms, Cold Town House, Fruitmarket Gallery and more.
With performances taking place from 2pm on 1 January, locals can check out some of Scotland’s most beloved artists as well as some of the biggest rising stars from across the country.
Live music taking place in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town includes: Black Bull:Tom Oakes & Friends, Cold Town House:Alas De Liona, Cammy Barnes, Fiza, Man of Moon, Fruitmarket Warehouse:Sean Shibe & Mira Benjamin, Greyfriars Kirk:Fergus McCreadie Trio, Juliette Lemoine & Chris Amer, St Giles Cathedral:Lau and special guest Kathryn Joseph, Greyfriars Hall atVirgin Hotel :DJ Rawzi, Hayley Zalassi, Hot Chip, Eve at Virgin Hotel: Her Picture, Viv Latifa, Keir Gibson, Grace & the Flat Boys.
Whilst in the New Town, performances will take place across: Assembly Rooms – Music Hall:Scottish Album of the Year Award Showcase:No Windows, Becky Sikasa, Bemz, Cloth,Assembly Rooms – Ballroom: The Hannah Fisher Ceilidh Band,Auld Hundred: Cera Impala & Guests, Boozy Cow:Cyrano & Guests, Copper Blossom:Picture the Scene,Element:William Douglas & Friends, The Huxley:Nicole Cassandra Smit, Philip Joseph Rae, Anna Leyden, Scottish Café:Hydroponics,Spiegeltent at St Andrew Square: Silent Film with a live Score with Graeme Stephen Trio
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, created and produced by UniqueAssembly on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council, has collaborated with award-winning musician and composer Aidan O’Rourke of Lau to curate the First Footin’ programme, which is funded by the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund and supported by Essential Edinburgh and Cold Town Beer.
A full First Footin’ timetable and event map allowing audiences to plan their New Year’s Day experience is available from www.edinburghshogmanay.com
Royal Bank of Scotland joined forces with Social Bite to host a Christmas dinner for people who’ve experienced homelessness. The dinner took place in the bank’s boardroom at St Andrew’s Square in Edinburgh.
Royal Bank is a long-term supporter of the work Social Bite is doing to end homelessness. Since 2016 Royal Bank has supported Social Bite through donations, gifts-in-kind, and strategic help totalling over £1million. Royal Bank employees have raised more than £100,000 through sponsored sleepouts, abseils and Christmas appeals.
Taking place on 19 December 2023, those attending included residents and staff from Social Bite’s Village in Edinburgh, run in partnership with Cyrenians to provide a supported community which helps people affected by homelessness to lead an independent life.
Social Bite plans to open two new Villages in South Lanarkshire and Dundee over the next two years.
Judith Cruickshank, Chair of the Royal Bank of Scotland Board commented on the collaboration, stating: “Building on our long-term support for Social Bite we are helping to make Christmas a little more enjoyable for some of the most vulnerable.”
Sara Rees, Director at Social Bite, said: “We are so grateful for Royal Bank of Scotland’s support. They have played a key part in a number of transformational projects helping people break the cycle of homelessness, and it is really special that they have created this Christmas experience for the residents of the Village.”
