The UK’s airspace is being upgraded as part of the UK Government’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy. Eighteen UK airports, including Edinburgh Airport, are modernising their routes to make our airspace more efficient.
As part of this process, a consultation on the proposals will run from Monday 20 October 2025 until Sunday 25 January 2026. Information on the Civil Aviation Authority proposals is available on these pages and in our virtual room.
The Citizen Space consultation website address has been updated for this airspace change proposal. The updated web address is:
A drop-in session, organised by Edinburgh Airport, has been arranged for Friday 14th November 2025 (2pm-8pm) in Cramond Kirk Hall where representatives will be available to explain & discuss further.
Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray has written to all the supermarkets in South Edinburgh – and they’ve agreed to stop selling fireworks for this bonfire night following last year’s disorder.
Ian Murray explained:“Last year, many got in touch with me after the shocking scenes of fireworks disorder in our community.
“Homes and businesses were attacked, people were left frightened in their own neighbourhoods, and our emergency services were put in danger. This is why I welcome the decision by supermarkets to refrain from selling fireworks this year.
“I’m pleased that following my letter to local supermarkets, all the major stores in Edinburgh South have confirmed they will not be selling fireworks this year.
“This is a big step that will help reduce local availability and make Halloween and Bonfire Night safer for everyone, and builds on wider work across the city by Dr Scott Arthur MP in reducing firework availability.
“This is on top of new Firework Control Zones in Gilmerton and Moredun, dispersal orders to tackle anti-social behaviour, and extra police resources. The Council will also be clearing away wood and materials that could be used for illegal bonfires.
“There’s still more to do, and I’ll keep pressing the Scottish Government to give our police the resources they need. But this is real progress.
“If you have any concerns in the coming weeks, please get in touch.”
10 years of uniting communities, celebrating diversity
Edinburgh city centre will be awash with colour on Sunday 2nd November as Edinburgh Diwali marks 10 years of uniting communities and celebrating diversity.
The annual celebration, which was launched in 2015 by the Lord Provost and Indian diaspora of Edinburgh, kick starts the city’s winter festivities with a vibrant parade and performance programme in central Edinburgh.
President Edinburgh Diwali, Rajnish Singhlooked forward to this year’s event saying: “This year marks a special milestone for Edinburgh Diwali as we proudly celebrate 10 years with the theme that embodies our journey of bringing communities together through light, culture, and joy – Uniting Communities, Celebrating Diversity.
“From a humble beginning in 2015, the Festival of Light (Diwali) has grown into one of Edinburgh’s most cherished community-led celebrations, thanks to the dedication of our committee members, the incredible talent of our performers, the unwavering support of our volunteers, and the enthusiasm of thousands of friends and audiences who have joined us over the years.”
The fun begins at St Andrew Square, where Dishoom will be serving up a warming Chai before the Lord Provost and Scottish Regiment Band lead a colourful procession of over 150 performers and community representatives through Edinburgh’s New Town.
Displays of traditional Indian dance and culture will bookend the parade, with demonstrations from Yatra Tamil, Uttarakhand, Malayali, and Telugu dance groups, University of Edinburgh’s Junoon Dance, and Edinburgh Banghra Crew. The Glencorse Pipe Band will be keeping the beat along the parade, while Edinburgh’s South American community join in with demonstrations from El Encanto and Mextli dance groups.
Following the parade, celebrations move to West Princes Street Gardens, with a fun-filled afternoon of performance planned at the Ross Bandstad in the foothills of Edinburgh Castle, alongside a menu of Indian cultural activities and cuisine provided by Mr Basrai World Cuisine, Desh restaurant, treats and henna painting from Lidl.
Throughout the afternoon, Edinburgh’s leading classical Indian dance school, NikkanDance Academy will tell the story of Diwali through nine different forms of dance, while Alhalya demonstrate the intricate footwork and dynamic gestures and expressive gestures of Bharatanatyam, a traditional Indian dance known for its dynamic rhythms. Celebrating more modern Indian culture, Edinburgh’s own Udaan and Bollyfeat perform some of the best contemporary Bollywood fusion.
Closing the day’s performances, the UK’s premier Bollywood Rock Band, Shoonya, will headline with an electrifying performance before a fireworks finale lights up Edinburgh’s city skyline for the first time in 2025.
Based in London, Shoonya draws from the varied musical influences of its members, including traditional Bollywood songs, Indian and western classical, blues, alt-rock, and grunge for a high-octane show that’s not to be missed.
Remarking on the 10th anniversary of the event, Lord Provost and Chair of Edinburgh Diwali, Councillor Robert Aldridge said: “Diwali is observed by over 1.5 billion people worldwide and we’re proud to bring this exciting tradition to the heart of Scotland’s capital.
“Diwali is a family-friendly celebration of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. Free and open to all, it has become one of Edinburgh’s unmissable events in recent years and this year celebrates the 10th anniversary.
“With a colourful parade, live performances, and spectacular fireworks, it’s a joyful occasion that will bring community together and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the festival of lights.”
Consul General of India, Edinburgh, Mr Siddharth Malik said: “Diwali is a festival that symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.
“It reminds us of the enduring power of truth, compassion, and goodwill to illuminate our lives. The spirit of Diwali continues to inspire and bring together people across the world.
“I am delighted that Edinburgh Diwali 2025 will once again bring these timeless values to life in the heart of this beautiful city on 2nd November 2025.
“The vibrant performances, cultural showcases, and enthusiastic community participation reflect the deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect that exist between India and Scotland.
“I warmly congratulate the team of Edinburgh Diwali and the City of Edinburgh Council for their dedicated efforts in promoting cultural understanding and tradition through this remarkable celebration over the past ten years.
“I look forward to joining everyone in celebrating this joyous occasion and sharing in the festive spirit of Diwali.”
Edinburgh Diwali President, Rajnish Singh added: “We also express our sincere gratitude to our funding bodies and sponsors whose support has allowed us to keep the festival free and open to everyone.
“A special acknowledgement goes to City of Edinburgh Council & members of EPOG, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and the Consul General of India, who have supported us every year since our inception.
“On behalf of the entire Committee, I extend a big thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.
“We warmly invite residents and visitors of Edinburgh to join us on Sunday 2nd November with your family and friends, for a spectacular afternoon filled with music, dance, food, and a breathtaking fireworks finale.”
Edinburgh Diwali 10th anniversary celebration will take place 13:00 – 19:00 on Sunday 2nd November 2025. The event is free to attend and open to all, encouraging people from across Edinburgh and the surrounding area to participate in this family-friendly festival of light.
For further information about Edinburgh Diwali, visit
The Right Honourable Lord Provost of the city of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, led a special group of wreath-layers at the annual Opening Ceremony of the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance, at the Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens yesterday (Monday, 20th October, 2025).
Members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, attended the poignant event, organised by Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, to remember those who have fallen in conflicts, with more than 40 wreaths laid at a service which was also well attended by members of the public.
Among those that joined Edinburgh’s Lord Provost was Reverend Dr Karen Campbell, National Padre of the Royal British Legion Scotland, who led the service, along with attendees from Scottish Government, Police Scotland and other dignitaries.
Music was provided by The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, as well as piper Eddie Molyneux, who led the wreath-layers into the garden.
Commenting on the service, Legion Scotland Events Manager, Brian Ward, said: “This was a wonderful occasion which was very well attended by representatives of the Armed Forces and other dignitaries from across our capital city and of course Scotland.
“The lovely weather certainly helped to draw out the crowds with so many people turning out, as well as the many passers-by who stopped to reflect and pay their respects to our fallen.”
The Garden features thousands of poppy crosses and other remembrance symbols with personal dedications from across Scotland. It will remain open until the Armistice Day service on Tuesday, November 11 for visitors to pay their own tributes.
The opening event coincided with the launch of this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal on the same day, whereby Scottish Rugby legend Chris Paterson attended Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh for a tour of the premises and to encourage people to donate and wear their poppy with pride this remembrance period.
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s biggest fundraising appeal, with more than two million poppies already being distributed around the country. All funds raised will go to support Poppyscotland’s work, providing life-changing support and advice to veterans, servicemen and women, and their families.
Dobbies Garden Centre in Edinburgh is extending its pet offering to cater for the growing number of animal lovers in the city. From October, the Dobbies store at Lasswade will be home to ‘The Pet Shop’ a new area dedicated entirely to Edinburgh’s pets.
Dobbies has seen significant growth of its pet products with sales up 10% in 2025. As a result, they’ve introduced a bespoke pet shop and also increased capacity at its much-loved and yearly sell-out Santa Paws experience to help meet anticipated demand for dog-themed Christmas events.
The Pet Shop will feature an expanded product offering with the introduction of capsule brands, with the likes of Joules, FatFace and Disney providing doggy clothing to keep them warm through winter, improved accessories and toys for all pets to offer a broader choice, as well as trusted puppy training, travel and health products.
Dogs will also be able to enjoy a new gourmet Pointer pick n mix counter, The Barking Bakery with pooch-friendly cupcakes and Ruffingtons artisanal dog doughnuts and eclairs, as well an impressive range of dried dog food and fresh frozen products from brands like Barking Heads, Pooch & Mutt, Boost Pet and Orijen.
Dogs are welcome to come in and see The Pet Store for themselves and then enjoy a treat in a dedicated area of the restaurant. Customers can also take part in Dobbies’ monthly social media competition, Dogs at Dobbies, by posting a picture and using the hashtag #dogsatdobbies to be in a chance of winning a gift voucher.
There is even a spot at The Pet Shop where dogs can paws for a selfie with a seasonal backdrop.
Dobbies’ General Manager at the Edinburgh store, Jenna Bavidge said: “Our love for dogs continues to grow and more than ever people are dedicating both time and money to pampering their pets.
“We’ve seen a noticeable shift in shopping habits at our Edinburgh store, and we’re thrilled to have expanded and developed our ranges to meet this rising demand.”
Customers can explore Dobbies’ pet range in-store or online at www.dobbies.com.
A LOCAL opticians has announced its ongoing commitment to the local community, by sponsoring a girls’ and women’s football team in Edinburgh with a three-figure sum.
Specsavers Gyle has contributed £800 to Boroughmuir Thistle FC football team, the largest girls’ and women’s football club in Scotland.
The monetary donation will be put towards the ‘purple pathway’ initiative – the journey and development of players as they progress through the youth academy to adult football, and the most comprehensive and inclusive female football pathway in Scotland.
The ‘purple pathway’ allows the club to continue providing weekly training and access to matches for more than 500 girls and women in and around Edinburgh.
Ian Hobson, store director at Specsavers Gyle, says: ‘We are thrilled to support Boroughmuir Thistle FC. Getting involved with this local team is a great way for us to give back to the community, and help young players develop both on and off the pitch.“
During each game, the ball girls will now wearing branded Specsavers bibs, which they proudly donned during the team’s recent 5-0 home win against St Johnstone.
Gavin Michie, Chair at Boroughmuir Thistle FC, added: ‘We are incredibly grateful to Specsavers Gyle for their generous support, it’s invaluable – we all couldn’t be more excited for the season ahead!’
Specsavers’ Gyle Centre is located at Unit 49-50 The Gyle centre, Edinburgh EH12 9JT, and is easily reachable by car, foot, or public transport.
For more information about the Specsavers Gyle store, visit:
Former and current trustees at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International lacked oversight and control over charitable funds, a Charity Commission inquiry has found
The charity operates through a large network of individual branches and works to promote Christianity.
The Commission opened an inquiry after financial concerns were identified, including the alleged misappropriation of charity funds.
Key findings
The inquiry found that the charity’s trustees could not demonstrate that they had adequate oversight or control over more than 100 bank accounts operated by individual branches of the charity, with charity money at risk across the organisation’s extensive network.
As a result of serious concerns regarding the trustees’ ability to carry out their duties effectively, the Commission appointed an interim manager in 2019 to work alongside the remaining trustees to implement essential financial controls.
Many of the charity’s financial issues stemmed from its complex structure, which had grown from a handful of branches to over 90 locations nationwide, without the corresponding governance improvements.
Branches operated autonomously, opening bank accounts without central oversight and failing to report income in a timely manner. This created substantial risks to charitable funds and resulted in inaccurate financial reporting.
Additionally, branch offices were making significant financial decisions, including property purchases and lease agreements, without trustee knowledge or authorisation.
This lack of oversight by trustees led to financial losses for the charity – for example, some branches occupied property without first obtaining the necessary planning permission and one of which was subject to costly legal action by a council. Further losses arose because of the former and current trustees’ failure to regularise employment contracts which resulted in payments to settle employment disputes.
Regulatory action
As a result of its findings, the Commission took action to freeze the charity’s assets to prevent further loss.
An interim manager was appointed to implement robust financial controls at the charity and to improve its governance.
The interim manager was discharged in September 2024. The interim manager appointment was lengthy due to the complexity of the reform needed at the charity and the delays caused by legal proceedings.
Following the completion of this work, the Commission issued an order directing the charity to follow a regulatory action plan concerning governance and policy changes. The Commission is now satisfied that the trustees have complied with the action plan.
Amy Spiller, Head of Investigations at the Charity Commission said: “The rapid growth of a charity comes with correspondingly larger potential risks, as our inquiry clearly shows.
“In this case, the trustees’ fundamental failure to maintain financial controls meant donor funds were at serious risk across their entire network.
“Following the intervention of the Commission and the interim manager, the trustees were better able to implement essential reforms, meaning the charity can now operate effectively and focus on delivering its charitable objects.”
THIS week, join us for special Seasonal Sessions of DynaMites and Dynamos – Dynamic Earth’s Sensory Sessions for under 6s where little ones and their grown-ups can discover and explore the natural world together!
Explore some of the real creatures that helped inspire some of our favourite fantasy beasts! Which real animals are poisonous, have terrible teeth, and fearsome claws? In a session that mixes storytelling, crafting and sensory play, you can sort fact from fiction.
DynaMites (Under 4s): ‘There’s No Such Thing As A….’
24th & 31st October | 10am
Dynamos (Ages 4-6): ‘There’s No Such Thing As A….’
DynaMites (Under 4s): ‘There’s No Such Thing As A….’
Dynamos (Ages 4-6): ‘There’s No Such Thing As A….’