A 24-year-old man has been convicted of wilful fireraising in Edinburgh.
Logan Carlin pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Tuesday, 23 December, 2025.
The incidents took place on Thursday, 6 March, 2025 and Sunday, 16 March, 2025 in Albert Street and Milton Road East.
Carlin was arrested and charged in connection with wilful fireraising and reset of a stolen vehicle.
He is due to be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Specialist Crime Division, said: “While this was established as a targeted attack, we understand that it was a concerning incident for the local community.
“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious criminality that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.
“This conviction is testament to the hard work and dedication by detectives, specialist officers and partners across the country and highlights our commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.”
Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country.
Aldi Scotland’s much loved Supermarket Sweep challenge recently returned to Edinburgh with a festive twist, and one lucky local winner spread some Christmas cheer by raising £606.18 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) while bagging the same amount in Aldi favourites for himself.
Aldi’s popular Supermarket Sweep, inspired by the legendary gameshow, arrived in Edinburgh on Sunday 14 December. Lucky shopper Tom Garrat, who was chosen as the winner of the competition, donned a Santa costume for his five-minute trolley dash for CHAS at the retailer’s Portobello store – where CHAS representatives got into the festive spirit dressed as elves.
As well as taking home a trolley full of goodies, Aldi Scotland matched the cash value of Tom’s haul, donating all proceeds to CHAS to help support over 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions and their families. In 2025, every penny raised through the initiative has gone directly to CHAS, with £10,000 pledged in support.
Aldi Supermarket Sweep winner, Tom Garratt, said:“It was a pleasure to raise over £600 for CHAS with the help of Aldi.
“A special thanks to Sarah from CHAS for being my eyes and ears as I dashed through the aisles filling the trolleys!”
Sarah Dannfald, Senior Community Fundraiser, CHAS, said:“Turning up to Aldi’s Portobello store dressed as Santa and an Elf isn’t something you do every day, but the team there welcomed us like absolute stars.
“Tom’s fantastic effort in the Supermarket Sweep, along with the brilliant support from all the staff, brought so much festive fun and raised a wonderful amount for CHAS.
“Their generosity will help bring comfort, care and Christmas magic to the children and families we support all year round. We can’t thank them enough for getting behind us with such spirit and good humour!”
Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Our first-ever festive edition of Supermarket Sweep has been such a good way to celebrate the season and spread some Christmas cheer, while also finishing a fantastic year of fundraising on a high. Congratulations to Tom, who raised an incredible £606.18 for CHAS while grabbing a bundle of Aldi favourites for himself.
“CHAS is an incredible organisation that does invaluable work for families across Scotland.
“We’re proud to support them and help raise as much as possible so they can continue to provide vital hospice care for children with life-shortening conditions, and unwavering support to families during the most difficult moments imaginable.”
We have HUGE news to share!Scottish Land Fund have announced that they will fund 100% of the price for Action Porty to buy the former police station building from Police Scotland via a Community Asset Transfer.
We at Action Porty are absolutely thrilled!!! (Actually, that’s an understatement. We were dancing on the tables when we heard the news!)
When Action Porty bought Bellfield on behalf of the community, Scottish Land Fund (SLF) awarded us 90% of the purchase price.
It’s partly our strong track record that led to this amazing result, but its mostly the incredible work, which has been happening behind the scenes, by a group of very dedicated volunteers: Frazer McNaughton, Mark Boggis, Justin Kenrick and Kieran Gaffney, with Kieran and the team at Konishi Gaffney architects and local structural engineer James Lewis, Hive Structural Ltd, providing pro bono services.
Background – what has led us to here?
Aug 2024: Police Scotland announced plans to sell the building. (Operational police officers haven’t been stationed there since 2016).
Oct 2024: 97% of Community Council survey respondents supported community ownership.
Nov 2024: Community consultation event overwhelmingly endorsed Action Porty’s proposal.
Jan 2025: Action Porty submitted the Community Asset Transfer request.
Jul-Sept 2025: Police Scotland agreed to request and price and Scottish Ministers gave their approval.
Dec 2025: with SLF deciding to fund the purchase, we are in reach of the finishing line!
The actual finishing line will be March 2026 when the sale completes.
To meet the funding conditions and complete the sale we need to get the necessary planning permissions and building warrants in place. There’s lots to do!
Watch this space – we’ll share more news as we get it.
What’s next for this iconic public building which has served the community for almost 150 years?
City council pushes forward with controversial Portobello parking controls
The City of Edinburgh Council is set to decide on introducing year-round parking controls in Portobello, based on surveys conducted during peak tourism months – despite widespread community opposition and the possibility of a legal challenge if the proposals proceed.
The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Sub-Committee will meet on 16 December to consider a recently published report recommending that councillors advance the TRO, despite the vast majority of consultation responses opposing the scheme, and with more than 1,900 people having signed a petition calling for its rejection.
Jane Grant, Chair of the local Traders Association, which represents over 50 small businesses, said: “The Council is pushing forward with a plan that will pile yet more financial pressure on already struggling households and lead to fewer people shopping locally.
“If approved, these parking controls will damage a vibrant and welcoming seaside community, make it harder for disabled people and those with caring needs to live fulfilling lives, and force more working class families to leave the area.
“As local residents and business owners we have tried to engage with the Council at every stage and will continue to do so, but if this poorly-designed and unwanted parking plan goes ahead we reserve the right to challenge its legality and process by which the Council has designed this plan.
“We are a strong and united community and will not allow the Council to ignore local people and impose these measures unchallenged.”
A local campaign group, Portobello and Joppa Residents & Businesses Against CPZ claim that the Council’s data used to justify year-round parking restrictions is flawed, inconsistent, and unrepresentative.
In a letter to the committee members (see below), issued ahead of the vote, the group highlighted that the surveys were conducted only in June and September – at the height of seasonal, temporarily heightened traffic levels, and the methodology behind the parking “heat map” remains undisclosed, with no clarity on data sources, weighting, or modelling applied.
The campaigners also highlight that Saturday parking analysis relies on just two survey days, both during peak visitor periods and unusually warm weather conditions. They assert that drawing conclusions about typical Saturday parking from such a small sample is statistically unreliable.
Furthermore, ongoing roadworks during the survey period distorted normal parking patterns, casting further doubt on the data’s reliability.
Local campaigner and resident Nikki Middleton said: “Although the Council report claims sixteen survey events, the actual data covers only seven days, with no surveys in winter, poor weather, or during term-time.
“Summer surveys, conducted during peak tourism months, have been used to justify this scheme, yet no explanation has been provided on how seasonal bias was accounted for.
“Portobello’s year-round parking pressures are very different from the summer months. This is not only unethical but goes against every principle of good governance and objective data validation.”
The proposals suggest implementing parking controls in the western part of the proposed Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), while the eastern section (Joppa) would be reviewed within the first year.
In practice, this allows council officers to introduce controls in the eastern areas without further legal process if deemed “necessary,” effectively keeping the door open to expand the scheme at any time, but preventing proper scrutiny and input from local people.
Nikki Middleton added: “The Council pretends to reduce the CPZ boundary, but in reality, they are only temporarily shrinking it while leaving the door wide open to extend it back to their original plans within a year – a cynical ploy intended to gather more cash from local people already struggling amid a cost of living crisis.”
The proposals also adjust CPZ operating hours to Monday–Saturday, 08:30–17:30, removing Sunday restrictions – an apparent attempt, the campaigners argue, to soften public perception without addressing core concerns.
The Council received 2,341 consultation responses. While the report acknowledges strong community opposition, it omits the exact percentage of objections.
The most significant concerns cited include the cost of parking – described by about 35% of respondents as “unaffordable, unwanted, excessive, or penalising residents”- and over 15% expressing the belief that the scheme is a money-making exercise for the Council.
Nikki Middleton added: “While the Council insists this isn’t about revenue, the report itself confirms that, after operational costs, the Portobello CPZ is expected to generate an annual surplus of around £500,000.”
Community members, traders, and campaigners continue to call on the public to attend the Sub-Committee meeting next week and urge the Council to halt the CPZ proposals and respect the clear, overwhelming opposition of those who live, work, and spend time in Portobello.
New partnership set to change lives and help the planet
MAN v FAT Football has embarked on an exciting new partnership, having teamed up with Utilita Energy’s Football Rebooted campaign – the beautiful game’s biggest ever environmental movement.
Football Rebooted launched in May 2021 after findings from a Utilita-commissioned report into the combined impact of the pandemic and the cost-of-living-crisis on grassroots football.
The response from fans was immediate and within the first few weeks, thousands of pre-loved football boot donations had flooded in, not only reducing potential landfill but also making a difference to the lives of children and adults in the UK.
MAN v FAT, the UK’s leading men’s weight loss programme, guides over 8,000 men every week on their wellbeing journey – with MAN v FAT Edinburgh meeting up on Thursdays at 6:30pm at Powerleague Portobello.
Having joined forces with Football Rebooted, the scheme will not only be saving families a few quid but will be reinforcing the importance of upcycling and reusing items that still have a lot of life left in them.
Pro-pocket, pro-planet
Sam Cook, Utilita’s Partnerships Marketing Manager, commented on the environmental impact of rehoming boots: “Since its launch in 2021, the Football Rebooted campaign has collected and reallocated thousands of quality football boots, saving hard-pressed families a small fortune and helping to reduce landfill and carbon emissions.
“To put the environmental benefits into context, our aim is to prevent at least a million pairs of boots from ending up in landfill and saving 136,000 tonnes of carbon – the same as taking 7,000 cars off the road for a year.”
Chris Hawkins, Utilita’s West Bromwich Energy Hub Supervisor, helped to instigate the partnership, having recently joined the MAN v FAT Dudley League in May 2025. Chris said: “Given the financial hardship that families are facing, we understand that it may be challenging for people to be able to take part in team sports.
“The 2025 MAN v FAT National Football Tournament, held at the Lilleshall National Centre, provided a perfect stage to launch the partnership and I was delighted to take along the Football Rebooted collection boxes.
“As a regular MAN v FAT Football competitor, I consider the partnership to be a natural fit as we share so many goals to help adults and youngsters be active, participate and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of team sport.”
Community focus
Matt Hudson, Associate Director of Marketing and Partnerships at MAN v FAT Football, commented on the why the weight-loss initiative is supporting the campaign: “The Football Rebooted scheme delivers an extremely fun and unique claim system that avoids any family needing to feel embarrassed at taking second-hand items.
“If you have any spare or unused football boots, please consider donating and helping us make football accessible to everyone in the local community!
“We’d like to thank our players and their supporters for getting behind the Football Rebooted scheme, which plays a vital role in giving both children and adults the opportunity to take advantage of the physical, mental, and social benefits of playing a sport.”
How can you get involved?
Anyone with a spare pair of football boots (or astroturf boots) should simply give them a clean and drop them off at their local Football Rebooted collection point.
Boots can also be donated at the Edinburgh Utilita Energy Hub – located at 41 Newkirkgate in Leith – keeping them in the local eco-system to ensure they’re re-used.
Anyone requiring football boots, including individuals and families, can simply reach out to their local collection point to check what sizes are available before coming to collect them.
Schools and clubs in need of football boots can also submit their kit requirements via the Football Rebooted website.
To get a FREE Football Rebooted box and start collecting and redistributing boots within your sports club, school or local community, visit:
NSPCC Scotland is launching a new Community Fundraising Group in Musselburgh, Portobello and East Edinburgh. We are seeking enthusiastic and creative volunteers to play a crucial role in raising vital funds for our services such as Childline and Speak Out, Stay Safe.
We will only need volunteers for one to two hours a month, and we offer a flexible arrangement designed to fit around work, family and social life. Key activities include engaging with neighbours, local organisations and businesses to spread awareness, organise small-scale events or campaigns, and inspire donations that ensure our services remain free for those who need them most.
Participants will receive comprehensive support, including practical fundraising advice, promotional materials and ongoing guidance from our dedicated Community Fundraising Team. Beyond the personal reward of helping to keep children safe, volunteers gain valuable experience in communication, organisation and leadership, all while connecting with like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference.
If you would like to play your part in protecting young people and have a couple of spare hours each month, we’d love to hear from you. If interested, contact me via email at arlene.main@nspcc.org.uk or call 07891 598 086. Together, we can fight for every childhood and create safer communities for all.
Residents and business owners in Portobello and Joppa have united in a forceful joint objection to the City of Edinburgh Council’s proposed Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), issuing a formal legal warning and threatening court action if the scheme moves forward in its current form.
Community momentum is building ahead of the Traffic Regulation Order Sub-Committee’s meeting this autumn, where a decision on whether to proceed with the controversial plan is expected.
In a detailed letter submitted to local councillors, council officers, and members of the Sub-Committee, the group accuses the Council of advancing a “procedurally flawed, substantively unsound, and potentially unlawful” plan.
The residents and traders argue that the proposal lacks public support, is built on unreliable data, and would inflict lasting damage on the local economy.
The objection highlights the Council’s 2021 informal consultation, where a clear majority of respondents expressed opposition to the Controlled Parking Zone. Despite these results, the Council proceeded to the statutory consultation phase, leading to accusations of a pre-determined outcome and disregard for public opinion.
One of the campaign’s organisers, Nikki Middleton, said: “Not only did the vast majority of people consulted reject the proposals, but the Council ran the consultation during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel and parking patterns were completely unrepresentative. How is that a fair reflection of public opinion?
“The Council also failed to consult Joppa residents at all, despite extending the CPZ boundary to include this area. Drawing lines on a map without considering those communities undermines people’s voices and is not a fair representation. These are not just technical errors – they represent a fundamental disregard for transparency and democracy.”
The group also raised alarm over the Council’s failure to document a public meeting held in May this year at Portobello Town Hall. The meeting was attended by more than 500 residents and business owners, many of whom voiced strong opposition to the plan directly to the Council’s Transport Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson.
Despite the turnout and significance of the discussion, no formal minutes were taken, a decision campaigners say further undermines transparency and public confidence in the veracity of the Council’s commitment to meaningful democratic engagement.
Adding to concerns, the Council instructed a new street survey in June this year to inform the Sub-Committee’s forthcoming decision. This was despite traffic levels being unusually high, due to major roadworks which are scheduled to continue into October. The objectors argue that the resulting traffic and parking disruption renders the data entirely unrepresentative.
Local resident Jane Grant, who is owner of the Velvet Easel Gallery and Chair of the Portobello Traders Association, said: “The surveys were conducted during major roadworks and the height of the tourist season, when Portobello’s popularity as a seaside destination creates unusual, short-term parking pressure. Basing permanent changes on data gathered in such distorted conditions is not only methodologically flawed, it’s legally questionable.”
The community group also criticises the Council for ignoring existing alternatives already in place. Since January 2024, citywide enforcement of pavement parking, double parking, and obstruction at dropped kerbs has been in effect.
In addition, double-yellow lines have been introduced at known pinch points such as Marlborough Street and Regent Street. These measures, they argue, directly address any concerns raised during consultation without resorting to the sweeping restrictions of a CPZ.
Local businesses have voiced particularly strong opposition. Karen Mackay, the owner of Cahoots, an independent store supporting local designers and artisan makers, said: “This scheme is a direct threat to local businesses, it will kill footfall, disrupt deliveries, and drive our customers elsewhere.
“We’ve worked hard to bring life back to the High Street with independent shops, cafés, and services, and now the Council wants to sabotage that progress.
“If these businesses start closing down, it’s not just livelihoods that are at stake – it’s access to essential amenities for local people. We’ve seen the damage these schemes have done in places like Leith. Why is the Council determined to repeat the same mistakes here?”
Legal arguments underpin much of the group’s letter, which sets out a clear intention to seek judicial review if the Council fails to reconsider. They argue the scheme fails the Wednesbury test of reasonableness and cite legal precedents from England, where courts have overturned traffic schemes due to poor consultation and misuse of evidence.
The letter concludes with a list of demands, including an immediate halt to the CPZ proposal, a rejection of the flawed consultation and survey data, and a fresh, legally compliant consultation process that includes all affected areas. The group also calls for full disclosure of the financial, legal, and traffic modelling used to justify the plan.
Jane Grant added: “We are not opposed to reasonable parking controls, but this plan has been pushed through with disregard for local voices, credible evidence, or economic impact. If the Council refuses to listen, we are fully prepared to take them to court.
“Portobello has a strong sense of community, with many examples of residents and businesses coming together to fundraise for causes that matter to them. If the Council believes we lack the means or resolve to pursue legal action against blanket measures that will harm our businesses, livelihoods, and make local people poorer, they should think again.”
If the Council fails to respond within 21 days, the group has indicated it will initiate legal proceedings in the Court of Session, seeking to have the Traffic Regulation Order quashed and to recover legal expenses.
A petition opposing the CPZ has already attracted over 1,300 signatures:
On Saturday, Community Officers and Special Constables from our North East Support Team (#NEST) patrolled Portobello Beach throughout the day, robustly challenging and addressing any antisocial behaviour.
During a foot patrol, NEST officers engaged in a foot pursuit. They apprehended an individual who has since been charged with multiple drug supply offences involving Class A and B substances. The individual has been issued police bail, banning them from returning to Portobello, pending a court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Officers will continue visibly patrolling Portobello and engaging with the local community over the summer period.
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is celebrating one of its dedicated team members and volunteers, Wendy Loftus, who has been recognised for her outstanding commitment to animal welfare at this year’s Inspiring Volunteer Awards.
Wendy, who serves as a Data Analyst & Pet Food Drive Volunteer at the Home, has dedicated countless hours as a Data Analyst. She works closely with the Fundraising Administrator on data input for various campaigns, often managing time-consuming tasks.
Recently, Wendy also signed up as a Pet Food Drive volunteer, fundraising at local supermarkets to support the Pet Food Bank.
Her ability to engage with the public passionately about the Home’s work has been invaluable, and her collaborative spirit and innovative ideas have significantly contributed to the success of the charity’s different initiatives.
At a special ceremony at the City Chambers, Wendy received a certificate presented by Robert Aldridge, The Rt. Hon. Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the Home and the wider community.
Wendy commented: “I was brought up with the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home being part of my life.
“It is nice to be able to give something back to a Charity that has given three generations of my family so much joy & pleasure over the years, with the dogs we’ve been allowed to rehome.”
Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine, CEO of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, added: “Wendy truly embodies the spirit of volunteering. Her dedication and warmth have brought comfort to countless animals and inspired our entire team.
“We’re thrilled that her efforts have been recognised at such a prestigious event.”
The Inspiring Volunteer Awards shine a spotlight on the individuals who make Edinburgh a better place through selfless service. Wendy’s recognition is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the power of community-driven support for animal welfare.
To learn more about volunteering opportunities at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, visit www.edch.org.uk.
Boscombe Pier has been named the best place in the UK for paddleboarding with a score of 9.73.Located in Bournemouth, the beach has an excellent water classification making it an ideal spot for paddleboarders.
With almost 1,700 hours of sunshine each year and an average wind speed of 8.63 m/s per 10m, the conditions are well-suited for getting out on the water.
Lessons and equipment are available at local rentals such as Sorted Surf School and there are several cafes and restaurants along the pier which are perfect for refuelling after a paddleboarding session.
Best paddleboarding spots in the UK:
Rank
Location
Local Authority
Country
Water classification
Average annual sunshine hours
Average annual rainfall (mm)
Mean wind speed (m/s) per 10m
Paddleboarding lessons
Paddleboarding score /10
1
Boscombe Pier
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
England
Excellent
1,694
919
8.36
Yes
9.73
2
River Dart
Devon
England
Good
1,729
901
8.35
Yes
8.82
3
Whitby
North Yorkshire
England
Excellent
1,567
906
9.41
Yes
8.73
4
Wardie Bay
City of Edinburgh
Scotland
Excellent
1,428
933
8.56
Yes
8.37
5
Cotswold Water Park
Cotswolds
England
Excellent
1,514
790
9.98
Yes
8.00
5
Marazion Beach
Cornwall
England
Good
1,753
1,003
8.50
Yes
8.00
7
Cullen Beach
Moray
Scotland
Excellent
1,455
1,005
9.73
Yes
7.55
8
Portobello Beach
City of Edinburgh
Scotland
Sufficient
River Dart follows in second place with a score of 8.82. With over 1,700 hours of sunshine each year, the area benefits from plenty of bright days which are perfect for heading out on the water.
The location also has relatively low average annual rainfall and a mean wind speed of 8.35 m/s per 10m, making for stable paddleboarding conditions. Paddleboarding gear can be hired nearby from providers such as Totnes Kayaks and Paddle Devon.
Whitby completes the top three with a score of 8.73. Known for its excellent water quality, it offers clean and safe water conditions for paddleboarders to enjoy. With mean wind speeds of 9.41 m/s per 10m, it is a great spot for those looking for more challenging paddleboarding conditions.
Visitors can hire equipment and lessons from local experts, including providers like the Whitby Surf School.
Edinburgh’s WARDIE BAY comes in a fine fourth and Portobello also features in the UK top ten, featuring eight on the list.
Sam Chadwick, author and outdoor enthusiast at GO Outdoors comments: “As the weather gets warmer, many are looking to go outside and enjoy the UK’s water.
“Paddleboarding is a fantastic way to experience the outdoors and there are several places across the UK to enjoy this activity, but safety is the most important thing.
“Since paddleboarding can involve being in deeper water, always wear a buoyancy aid no matter your swimming ability. Weather conditions can change quickly, and waters can rapidly become rough, so check the forecast before going out on the water. While on the paddleboard, keep the paddleboard leash securely attached to your ankle to ensure your board stays close by if you fall in.
“Even on warm days, deep water can be cold so always opt for a wetsuit to keep your body warm in case you fall into the water. It’s also important to stay within designated paddleboarding zones and be mindful of other people enjoying the water nearby.
“Always paddleboard with a buddy, let someone know your plans and expected return time and remember to only paddleboard within your capabilities.”
We have HUGE news to share! Scottish Land Fund have announced that they will fund 100% of the price for Action Porty to buy the former police station building from Police Scotland via a Community Asset Transfer.
We at Action Porty are absolutely thrilled!!! (Actually, that’s an understatement. We were dancing on the tables when we heard the news!)
The actual finishing line will be March 2026 when the sale completes.
– we’ll share more news as we get it.
