Two people have been arrested and charged in connection with robberies and attempted robberies in Edinburgh city centre.
Between Wednesday, 12 November and Thursday, 13 November, 2025, three people were approached in the city centre and asked to hand over belongings.
A 53-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, 14 November, in connection.
Detectives believe there was another attempted robbery on Nicolson Street 3.55am on Wednesday, 12 November, 2025, and this has not yet been reported. Officers are appealing for the couple, and the member of the public who intervened in this attempted robbery, to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 0320 of 12 November 2025.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police are appealing for information following a robbery in Edinburgh.
Around 4.10am on Wednesday, 12 November, 2025, a woman approached another woman on Crichton Street and threatened her with a knife before making off with the victim’s handbag.
Further CCTV enquiry traced the female suspect with a man on Nicolson Street. The pair are then seen to approach a couple on Nicolson Street, where it’s believed an attempted robbery occurred.
The second incident has not yet been reported to police and officers are appealing for the couple, and a member of the public who intervened, to come forward.
Detective Sergeant Mike Campbell said: “Although the victim of the robbery on Crichton Street was not injured, this was a frightening incident and we’re following a positive line of enquiry in identifying the suspects.
“We’re aware from enquiries carried out, the suspect met with a man and may have gone on to commit a further attempted robbery. I’d appeal to the victims of that incident to come forward. I’d also ask the member of the public who stepped in to help to contact police, as they may have vital information.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 0320 of 12 November 2025.
Scotland’s iconic Christmas Songbook is back for 2025, promising to sprinkle even more festive magic in Edinburgh this December.
With a legendary line up fronted by beloved accordion player Phil Cunningham, dazzling new arrangements, and the same heartwarming charm that has made it a seasonal staple for nearly two decades, this year’s tour is set to be one of the most enchanting yet.
Edinburgh audiences will be treated to three unforgettable performances at The Queen’s Hall on Friday 19th, Sunday 21st and Monday 22nd December.
For 19 years, Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook has been a cherished tradition, blending exquisite musicianship, captivating storytelling and a joyful mix of contemporary and traditional Christmas tunes.
Joining Phil on stage is a stellar lineup of some of Scotland’s most celebrated musicians, including the incomparable Eddi Reader, the soulful Karen Matheson, multi-instrumental maestro John McCusker, Orcadian roots sensation Kris Drever, guitar virtuoso Ian Carr, and the ever-versatile double bassist Kevin McGuire.
Phil Cunningham said: “The Christmas Songbook is my favourite time of year. It’s a chance to bring people together, share music, laughter and a little festive magic.
“From contemporary carols and tunes to a mix of classics, we’ll be bringing the Christmas cheer in spades to Edinburgh and can’t wait to see the smiles on faces and hear people singing along.
“It’s a privilege to share the stage with such incredible musicians and to celebrate the season with audiences at The Queen’s Hall.”
Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook takes place across Scotland, 13 – 22 December 2025.Tickets available now at: philcunningham.com/live-shows
The Edinburgh Poverty Commission has published a report and action plan for tackling poverty over the next five years.
Five years on from their original report, they have joined forces with the End Poverty Edinburgh citizens’ group, to evaluate what has changed in the city since 2020, what has worked best to prevent people being trapped in a cycle of poverty, and to set out a practical pathway for the next five years.
Unveiled at a conference in the Southside yesterday (Friday 31 October), A Just Capital: 2025 Call to Action acknowledges positive progress has been made to support residents across the city – but reveals poverty rates remain largely unchanged and that the next five years need to be a period of accelerated delivery.
Responding to the findings, City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Since the Commission’s initial report, we’ve declared a housing emergency and experienced an unprecedented cost of living crisis. Withfood prices now 57% higher and electricity costs up 48%,ithas become even more difficult to tackle poverty, but we are making progress.
“The Commission’s calls to action in 2020 have enabled us to focus as a city and to work better together. Our collective efforts have prevented thousands more people from entering poverty and homelessness and have helped many more into secure work. This is alongside putting millions of pounds worth of previously unclaimed benefits into people’s pockets and helping to establish a dedicated poverty prevention fund.
“And yet, poverty rates remain unchanged, and the figures are stark. Nearly a quarter of a million children are experiencing poverty in Scotland, and more than 80,000 Edinburgh residents are struggling to make ends meet, often being forced to choose between heating or eating.
“We cannot address this alone and I welcome the Commission’s latest report, which calls on all levels of government to respond.
“Over the next five years we will focus our efforts on prevention – establishing new neighbourhood prevention partnerships meaning people can get all the help they need in one place. We also need to increase the affordable and social rented housing Edinburgh so desperately needs. We’re determined to take every local action possible to make life fairer for everyone who calls Edinburgh home.
Linda Craik, Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission said: “During this review we’ve heard some quite distressing stories of the impacts and effects of poverty on families and we’ve heard the frustrations of those agencies and individuals who are trying to help them. But we’ve also seen some fantastic examples of collaborative working which is starting to make an impact on the poverty landscape.
“It can be so easy to look at the poverty, housing, health, employment statistics and feel deflated and disheartened, but we, as a city, made a commitment and we are moving forward.
“Just keep listening to the people you are trying to help – they after all just might have some of the answers and the simple solutions that sometimes aren’t as obvious as you’d think they might be.
“End Poverty Edinburgh are such people and we’re more than happy to work with anyone who wants to be part of movement to eradicate poverty in our city.”
Jim McCormick, Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission, said:“We are five years on since the Edinburgh Poverty Commission set out calls to action for the city in A Just Capital. Published between two Covid lockdowns, Commission members could not have anticipated the long shadow of the pandemic on people’s lives, or the impact of the cost-of-living crisis that followed.
“We cannot say things have got better city-wide. Some things have become tougher. Overall, Edinburgh is not on track to solve poverty. Poverty levels appear to have flat-lined.
“At the same time, it is also true that we have seen signs of positive change. Powerful collaborative work is being done at neighbourhood level, while early but decisive steps are being taken to prevent homelessness.
“That this review has taken place at all is a mark of the city’s commitment. For things to improve, this needs to go further. We have found enough determination in the city to believe that the original calls to action can still be achieved by 2030.
“Longer-term and flexible funding, true collaboration between sectors and new forms of accountability are required for these examples to achieve their real impact.
“This is a time for renewed commitment from those we elect at local, Scottish and UK levels, via investment in social housing, education, fair work, social security, equity in education, health and social care and a just transition. There is no sustainable route to ending poverty otherwise.”
Road policing officers are appealing for information following a crash involving a car and a pedestrian in Edinburgh.
Around 12.55pm on Wednesday, 22 October, a blue Vauxhall Corsa failed to stop for officers on Newington Road. A short pursuit took place before the car struck a pedestrian at the junction of Liberton Road and Gilmerton Road.
The vehicle failed to stop and continued south on Gilmerton Road and was later found abandoned a short distance away on Glenallan Drive.
The pedestrian, a 47-year-old man, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries.
Sergeant Grant Hastie said: “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and trace those responsible.
“I would urge anyone who witnessed the crash, or saw a blue Vauxhall Corsa in the area beforehand or afterwards, to come forward.
“We are also keen to speak to anyone with dash-cam or private CCTV footage that may assist our investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1486 of 22 October, 2025.
Edinburgh’s International Poetry Festival, Push the Boat Out (PTBO), returns to Edinburgh this November (20–23, 2025) holding court in a new venue at the Pleasance, Edinburgh with a packed cross-art form programme promising to provoke, entertain and inspire.
The full programme is announced today Thursday 2 October, to mark National Poetry Day.
PTBO’s 2025 programme will bring together over 120 artists for a weekend of poetry, performance, music, and art. Setting sail on three thematic streams – Poetry is Punk reminds audiences that poetry can be raw, rebellious and DIY, the Anthropocene reflects on the human impact on our planet and species whilst The Unseen World dives deep into the mystical, esoteric, and spiritual—exploring belief and imagination beyond the everyday.
For 2025, 63 events will showcase some of the most exciting voices from Scotland and around the world. Audiences can look forward to appearances by acclaimed poets and performers including Leena Norms, Luke Kennard, Anthony Anaxagorou, Marjorie Lotfi, Zinnie Harris, Karen McCarthy Woolf, Victoria Chang, Lorna Goodison, Anthony Vahni Capildeo, Najwan Darwish, Noor Hindi, Roseanne Watt, Michael Mullen, and Scotland’s Makar, Peter MacKay, among many others.
This year’s festival launches in unforgettable style aboard Leith’s floating hotel,The Fingal,with a pre-festival event on 8 November featuring acclaimed poets Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen, who will read from their latest works: Virgin and Muckle Flugga. Celebrations continue as part of the main festival with highlights including:
New commissions of cross-disciplinary work from poets such as Iona Lee, Taylor Dyson, Craig Aitchison and Garry MacKenzie in association with the National Theatre of Scotland under the theme ‘Anthropocene: the Human-Altered World’.
Original 1980s ranting poet Tim Wells and punk slam champ Jay Mitra will get rebellious, raw and political in a night of anarchic energy with The Ranting Poets.
The four winners of the 2024 Royal Society of Literature Jerwood Poetry Award will premiere new collaborations co-conceived with musician Kathryn Williams, unearthing myths from the British Isles with themes of elegy, absence and joy.
What Now? – a new theatre collective will premiere bold new work responding to today’s geopolitical climate with new commissions from Hannah Lavery, Zinnie Harris, and William Letford. The event is supportedby compelling spoken word from acclaimed poet Anthony Anaxagorou, and live music from Carla J. Easton.
Scots poet Len Pennie will discuss her fiercely honest new collection of poems that confront ideas of patriarchy, gender-based violence and societal injustice.
Two of Scotland’s standout spoken word poets, RJ Hunter and Gray Crosbie willshare new work in a Scratch Night supported by an electrifying performance by Harry Josephine Giles and the Edinburgh Trans Choir.
Expect sublime soundscape from headliners Lord Of The Isles &Ellen Renton andEdinburgh-based poetic ensemble, Acolyte, with an alternative gig night of poetry, pedals and synths.
Tinderbox Orchestra sees out the festival with a glorious finale of rappers, poets, heavy bass and drums – transforming preconceptions of what an orchestra and poetry can be.
Around town, it’s scents and sensibilities with bespoke fragrance events in partnerships with Lush Cosmetics that explore perfume, memory, and metaphor.
For the art lovers, one of Scotland’s most distinctive and internationally recognised poets, Ian Hamilton Finlay is celebrated with an exhibition that will run for the duration of the festival.
Emma Collins, Director of Push the Boat Out, said: ‘From high-energy poetry slams and late-night scratch performances, to thought-provoking panel discussions, immersive workshops, development days and genre-blurring collaborations, PTBO continues to push poetry far beyond the page.
“We’re really looking forward to delivering this year’s programme at the Pleasance, one of Edinburgh’s most beloved festival venues and once again, the billing offers variety through its cross-art form experiences.
“The 2025 festival reaffirms its commitment to showcasing iconic poets, fresh voices, radical perspectives, and unexpected intersections between poetry and other art forms, including spoken word, music, and theatre.
“Whether you’re a lifelong poetry lover or a curious newcomer, there are multiple ways to engage with the poetic form via a true celebration of words on and off the page across the weekend.’
For 2025 PTBO continue their community engagement work with partners across the city, including SCOREScotland, Tinderbox Collective, AmnestyInternational UK, and Simon Community Scotland. For those unable to attend in person, the programme also sees a curated line-up of online workshops, discussions, five free live-streamed events and a full broadcast schedule in collaboration with EHFM radio.
Alan Bett, Head of Literature & Publishing at Creative Scotland, said: “This is a creative programme that pushes the boundaries of poetry as an artform, working in the spaces where it meets music, visual art and performance.
“At its core is a diverse range of voices from across Scotland and beyond, showcasing poets at every stage of their creative journey including the likes of Gaelic language poet and National Makar, Peter MacKay, and the current Scots Language Scriever Taylor Dyson.
“Push the Boat Out brings this all into the heart of Edinburgh, inviting everyone – from curious newcomers to seasoned poetry lovers – to experience something unforgettable.”
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham, said:“Edinburgh has long been recognised as a hub of culture and creativity, and festivals like this are testament to that legacy.
“With 63 events featuring fantastic voices from Scotland and beyond, Push The Boat Out adds to the city’s diverse and thriving festival scene that we are proud to host.
“I’m very much looking forward to a weekend that brings together poetry, performance, music, and art in such an exciting way.”
The full programme and line-up can be found at: www.pushtheboatout.org For full programme and event listing PDF – please see here
Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, has called on the City of Edinburgh Council in a formal open letter today to take urgent steps to secure the future of Edinburgh South Community Football Club (ESCFC), one of Scotland’s biggest and most successful community clubs.
ESCFC, has over 1,000 players across 75 teams and more than 200 volunteers, collectively contributing over 40,000 hours of unpaid time, is facing severe challenges due to a shortage of pitches and lack of long-term security over its facilities. Every week, 5–10 children are being turned away, while six full teams, around 120 young people, risk having nowhere to train from September.
Despite more than seven years of talks with the Council, the club still does not have the land security or access to facilities it needs. Edinburgh Leisure has not responded since March regarding long-term Astro pitch availability, and without action the club has missed out on major investment opportunities, such as the £8.6m Scottish FA Pitching In fund.
The club’s impact stretches far beyond football, with initiatives including:
Free after school club and holiday camps (averaging 600 free places weekly across the year)
Free mental health counselling and physiotherapy
Racism and disability awareness training
Free use of club facilities for local schools
Fee waivers and discounts for families in need
Completely free Soccer School every Saturday for up to 120 children aged 5-8
ESCFC is a Platinum-level accredited club, the highest recognition awarded by the SFA, and has been nominated for National Community Club of the Year.
Ian Murray MP said: ““Edinburgh South CFC is a shining example of everything that is good about grassroots football. The scale of the club’s impact from free school holiday places to counselling, mentoring, and a boot exchange programme is extraordinary.
“But that success is now under threat. It is simply unsustainable for children to be turned away week after week because of a lack of facilities and security, and miss out on repeated funding rounds.
“This has gone on far too long. The Council must now step up, work with the club, and deliver the long-term security and pitches it desperately needs.”
Joe Sneddon, Chair of Edinburgh South CFC, said: “Our ethos has always been simple: if you want to play, you play.Thanks to our incredible volunteers we’ve been able to make that a reality for decades, but the lack of facilities and long-term backing is now putting that at risk. We don’t want to turn children away, yet that’s exactly what is happening.
“The Council cannot allow a club of this standing, delivering this scale of community benefit, to be held back by lack of facilities and short-term agreements. The time for warm words is over, we need action to allow us to continue delivering for our communities.”
Ian Murray has written formally to the Council setting out a series of practical steps, including a new Astroturf pitch at Inch Park, guaranteed access to the new Liberton High School Astro, and long-term leases at key facilities across South Edinburgh.
Summer brought more than sunshine and the Fringe to Edinburgh’s iconic Meadows – it marked the beginning of a major refurbishment of the city’s much-loved tennis courts.
On 7 April, Edinburgh Leisure and the City of Edinburgh Council began a comprehensive upgrade of all 16 outdoor courts, including resurfacing, repainting, and installing new posts and nets. The phased approach ensured that at least six courts remained open throughout the works, allowing players to continue enjoying the game.
Yesterday (18th September 2025), the newly refurbished courts were officially reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Leon Smith, Davis Cup Captain and proud Edinburgh local. Smith also joined pupils from Preston Street and Sciennes Primary Schools for tennis drills, supported by S6 pupils from James Gillespie’s High School.
Recognised as Tennis Scotland’s Park of the Year for 2024, the Meadows continues to offer open access to players of all levels, with no club membership required. The floodlit courts are open seven days a week and host a wide range of coaching programmes for young players – from toddlers to teens – helping nurture the next generation of tennis talent.
Alex Harkins, Tennis Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “The Meadows has always been a special place for tennis in Edinburgh, and this refurbishment ensures it remains a top-class facility for years to come.
“We’re proud to offer inclusive, accessible tennis opportunities for everyone – from complete beginners to aspiring young athletes. Seeing the courts buzzing with activity again is fantastic.”
With the new term in full swing, the upgraded courts are set to serve up even more opportunities for recreation, and competition, in the heart of the city.
Find out more about coaching and booking courts: –
Police have released images of a man they believe may be able to assist with their investigation into a serious assault in Edinburgh that took place on Clerk Street around 10.45pm on Tuesday, 12 August 2025.
The man in the image is described as white, around 30 to 40 years old and of slim build. He was wearing a white t-shirt with a collar and carrying a black Fox Racing rucksack on his back.
Detective Sergeant Mark Richmond said: “We would encourage this man, anyone who may recognise him, or anyone with information about this incident to get in touch.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 4130 of 12 August 2025. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
Something exciting is coming! Keep your eyes peeled for more information!
FILM HUB SCOTLAND are proud to support LOCAL RESISTANCE, a programme of local film screenings curated by – and for – communities in Wester Hailes, Muirhouse, Craigmillar and Leith.
Get tickets: 
Read our interview with Local Resistance coordinator, Morvern Cunningham: