With over 46,000 hours of unpaid work time carried out in Edinburgh in the year 2024-25, residents are being asked to share their views on Community Payback Orders (CPO).
CPOs are given by the Court to people to pay for their crimes as an alternative to a prison sentence, with local communities putting forward ideas to their local authority for the unpaid work carried out where they live.
Edinburgh residents are now being encouraged to feed back on the unpaid work that has been carried out in their area and how it has helped the local community. There is also the chance to suggest local community groups or projects that could benefit from unpaid work.
CPOs were set up in 2011 by the Scottish Government as a replacement for community service.
Examples of unpaid work include:
· developing and maintaining children’s play areas
· recycling projects including bicycles and outdoor furniture.
· cleaning beaches, graffiti, litter
We welcome views on the effectiveness of Community Payback Orders as a way to reduce re-offending and we want to know:
· Do you have any experience of people doing unpaid work in your community?
· Do you think unpaid work gives people the opportunity to repay the community for the crimes they have committed?
· Do you have any ideas about residents, community projects or organisations who could benefit from unpaid work support?
· Recommendations for groups, residents, organisations or projects that may benefit from unpaid work,
Councillor Tim Pogson, Chair of Edinburgh Community Safety and Justice Partnership, said: “Community Payback Orders offer a positive alternative to a prison sentence for many people convicted of a criminal offence providing them with the opportunity to serve their sentence in a way that benefits local communities through unpaid work.
“CPOs support participants to learn new skills, gain confidence, and work as part of a team, whilst making a difference in their own life and the lives of those around them
“In Edinburgh we have several successful projects underway which enable CPOs to be completed, including community clear ups, repainting community centres and the ‘Brake the Cycle’ scheme, which involves individuals undertaking CPOs repairing bikes for reuse as part of community projects.
“I would encourage local Edinburgh residents to engage with the consultation and share their views to help shape CPO unpaid work in the City.”
A new affordable housing development was given the green light by the Development Management Sub-Committee yesterday.
The approved plans will deliver 49 new homes – comprising a mix of flats, colonies, and terraced houses – on a partly brownfield site adjacent to an established residential area. Of these, four flats will be fully wheelchair accessible.
Designed by architect Smith Scott Mullan, the affordable housing units will be developed by contractor CCG.
The site, located east of Burdiehouse Crescent, is ideally located within a 10-minute walk of local amenities, including Valley Park Community Centre, shops, schools, and public transport links. The new homes will also overlook a new recreational and play area.
Designed as part of the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) programme, the project also sets a benchmark for sustainable urban development.
The homes will be fully operational as a Net Zero ready development, utilising air source heat pumps, exhaust air pumps, and photovoltaic panels for heating and hot water, eliminating the need for fossil fuel-based heating systems.
Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said:This approval is a vital step in tackling the housing emergency facing our city. Too many people are struggling to find a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and developments like this are a key part of the solution.
“The 49 new homes will not only provide much-needed accommodation for residents, but they do so in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused.
“I look forward to seeing work get underway and to welcoming the first residents into a vibrant new part of the community.”
CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said:“The Edinburgh Home Demonstrator programme, supported by Scottish Futures Trust, is a hugely important initiative which is helping to shape the future of affordable, ‘Net Zero Ready’ housebuilding in the Edinburgh and South East City Region.
“Burdiehouse is the third development to be brought forward since the launch of the programme in 2021. Like those before it – including the first project delivered by CCG – it will be analysed to help the South East Regional partners understand how ‘Net Zero Ready’ homes can be designed, procured, and delivered at scale to meet local housing demand, and support a just net zero transition by 2045.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council once again to bring new homes to Burdiehouse, and we look forward to commencing work on site very soon.”
The project contributes to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal housing programme and represents a new approach to delivering high-quality, climate conscious, and affordable housing.
NHS Lothian, and Asthma + Lung UK have praised the benefits of the LEZ, following a year of enforcement.
Experts at the NHS and a leading charity have highlighted the ongoing impact of the LEZ enforcement on air quality and health. In addition, the new rules have incentivised active travel and greater use of public transport.
A LEZ was introduced in Edinburgh on 31 May 2022, along with LEZs in Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, restricting the most polluting vehicles and benefiting everyone’s health. Edinburgh began enforcement alongside Aberdeen on June 1, 2024. Dundee began enforcement on May 30, 2024, and Glasgow on June 1, 2023.
With Clean Air Day (19 June) just a few weeks away too this one-year anniversary is a timely reminder of the importance of the LEZ here in Edinburgh and beyond.
In recent years air quality in Edinburgh has improved, with our monitoring data showing reduced pollution levels, and people getting ready for the LEZ may have contributed to this.
Over the last year, the average amount of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued for non-compliant vehicles entering the zone has been decreasing steadily.
Between June 2024 and January 2025 alone the total number decreased by 56%. There is also evidence of lower numbers of second contraventions. The vast majority of vehicles entering the LEZ are compliant, over 95%. Around 3% of vehicles entering the LEZ are exempted classed.
The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) has also published a study indicating that active travel and public transport use increased within the LEZ during the first six months after LEZ enforcement.
The first annual report on LEZ operation is expected to be presented to the Transport and Environment Committee later this year, including air quality trends and how the scheme contributes to our carbon reduction targets, as well as operational matters such as the number of PCNs issued, costs of maintaining and operating the scheme, gross and net revenue and other key issues.
The Council is working with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on data collection and analysis of the LEZ and will present a report in the Scottish Parliament that will help inform the national picture of LEZ impact.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson: “I’m proud that alongside Aberdeen, Dundee, and Glasgow we took the bold step of implementing and enforcing a LEZ. We’re sending a clear message that our major cities are united in pursuing a better future for all. Fundamentally, the LEZs are about making our cities healthier for everyone.
“As Scotland’s capital city, we have a duty to lead on the response to the climate and nature emergencies which will define our country for generations to come. Multiple studies show that even low levels of pollution can have an impact on our health.
“Road traffic is one of the main sources of harmful emissions that are damaging people’s health and contributing to climate change, so we have a real responsibility to tackle this.
“The average decrease in PCNs here in Edinburgh show that people are getting used to the LEZ and modifying their habits accordingly. It’s also encouraging to see studies showing a positive shift towards greater use of active travel and public transport.
I look forward to seeing the annual report when it is considered by Committee.
“The LEZ is one important tool to help us achieve our ambitious climate goals, including net zero emissions by 2030.”
Flora Ogilvie, Consultant in Public Health, NHS Lothian said: “It’s great to know that the LEZ enforcement has been in place for a year, helping to improve air quality in the city and protect the health of our most vulnerable residents.
“Improving air quality and reducing traffic levels are also an important way of encouraging more people to travel by walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport.
“Travelling sustainably can help improve individual physical activity levels and mental wellbeing, as well as supporting better environmental health for the whole population and planet.”
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said: “We are pleased that Edinburgh along with Dundee and Aberdeen made the bold move a year ago to ban the most polluting cars from their city and it is a step in the right direction to help improve the air that we all breathe.
“With air pollution cutting short thousands of lives a year, we want to see our cities become far healthier places, where people can walk and cycle and not be forced to breathe in dirty air.
“With 1 in 5 people in Scotland developing a lung condition like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in their lifetime, for them, air pollution can trigger life-threatening asthma attacks and flare-ups.
“Children are more susceptible to air pollution as their lungs are still growing, and they also breathe faster than adults. As they grow, toxic air can stunt the growth of their lungs, making them less resilient into adulthood and placing them at greater risk of lung disease in the future.”
77% of all PCNs in the last year were served to light passenger vehicles (private cars) and 21% to light goods vehicles (panel vans) with the remaining 2% being divided among the other classes of vehicle. 62.4% of PCNs are paid within 14 days at the discounted rate.
Income from the LEZ will be used in the first instance to pay for the operation and maintenance of the scheme. Any surplus income will be contributed towards Council projects which contribute towards the wider goals of the LEZ, particularly improving air quality and climate change emission reduction.
Air pollution is associated with between 29,000 and 43,000 deaths a year in the UK. The World Health Organization and the UK Government both recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental threat to our health.
Another key development is that the Low Emission Zone Support Fund has now resumed and is open to new applications. This is funded by Transport Scotland and administered by the Energy Saving Trust.
A cruise ship levy could help to ensure residents benefit from Edinburgh’s popularity as a cruise ship stop.
In a formal response to be submitted to the Scottish Government’s Cruise Ship Levy consultation, the council has expressed strong support in principle for a levy to help it manage tourism sustainably at Edinburgh’s ports.
The response also calls for any legislation to be based on evidence and involve greater consultation with ports and the cruise ship industry, as well as close working with other local authorities and regional partners.
Close to 217,500 cruise ship passengers visit Edinburgh and the region annually, with a significant number docking in Leith, Newhaven and South Queensferry. Currently, passengers are exempt from paying local visitor levies.
While any legislation to introduce a national Cruise Ship Levy is still to be developed, comparisons to similar sized destinations suggest it could raise over one million pounds for Edinburgh and the region.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Next summer we’ll become the first city in Scotland to launch a visitor levy, but under the Scottish Government’s legislation cruise ship passengers will be exempt.
“We consider it fair to treat all overnight visitors to Edinburgh the same, whether they choose to stay in a hotel, a short-term let, a campsite or a cruise ship.
“With public finances under increasing pressure, we believe this legislation should be used to empower councils to raise more income locally to better manage cruise ship tourism and pollution in our waters. As such, income raised should be ringfenced for the local area.
“In our waters we’re seeing more ships docking year on year, larger ships, and with that comes an environmental impact. Cruise ship tourism affects local communities and services just as other tourism does.”
You can view the City of Edinburgh Council’s draft response to the Scottish Government’s Cruise Ship Levy Consultation.
A final version will be submitted shortly, including amendments agreed at a meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Tuesday 27 May.
We’ve been developing a Masterplan featuring 13 proposed improvement projects that aim to reimagine local streets and public spaces, making them healthier, more accessible, and nature-positive – while also tackling surface water and flooding challenges in the area.
We’re now at an exciting stage where we’d love to hear directly from the community. Your insights are essential in helping us understand which of these projects would bring the most value to local residents and in uncovering any additional opportunities we may have overlooked.
The Drylaw and Telford Masterplan is a key component of the Climate Ready Craigleith initiative, which itself forms part of the city’s broader Climate Ready Edinburgh strategy.
Join Us at the Drylaw Parish Church Summer Fair!
We are grateful to be a part of the Drylaw Parish Church Summer Fair on Saturday 7th June from 11am – 2pm.
Come along to enjoy the wider event and to view exhibition boards showcasing the masterplan and share your thoughts on the proposed improvement projects for the area. Your feedback is important and will help shape the future of Drylaw and Telford.
Location: Drylaw Parish Church Date: Saturday, 7th June 2025 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
If you’re unable to make it,the exhibition boards will also be on display in the reception area of Ferryhill Primary School until the end of the school year (27th June 2025).
You’ll be able to view the materials and leave written comments there as well. Alternatively you can leave your feedback through our online survey:
Online Survey and project website: If you are unable to attend in person, please find a link to our short survey here and to find out more:
A new online exhibition launched by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Museums & Galleries, Libraries and Archives services brings together 900 years of objects relating to Edinburgh.
From Greyfriars Bobby’s collar to the National Covenant, visitors to a digital exhibition can see all kinds of fantastic objects and artworks and find out more about their stories.
Edinburgh 900: Objects from Nine Centuries of City Life is hosted on the Capital Collections website. It showcases not only some of the treasures viewable in museum and gallery venues around the city, but also many items that have never been fully shared with the public before.
These include a 19th century record of petty criminals, a rare Hearts and Hibs football programme, beautiful contemporary silver and ceramics and historic documents from as early as the 12th century.
The exhibition launched on Friday 23 May with the first 20 objects, with new objects being released each month between May and September, when the City’s Edinburgh 900 celebrations officially conclude.
The team behind the exhibition have not only been photographing and researching these amazing treasures, they’ve also been engaging with community groups across the city to capture their responses to them.
Groups including MindRoom who work with neurodiverse young people and dementia-friendly group Art In the City, have been connecting with the objects and having their responses recorded for display in the digital exhibition.
This work is in partnership with the Open University who have provided the interactive digital app technology to capture community responses.
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “Edinburgh 900 is a year-long celebration of our city’s rich history, culture, and bright future.
“It’s incredible to see the diversity of historic objects cared for on behalf of the city all viewable together online.
“I’m sure viewers are going to really enjoy seeing the tiny historic details the photographs reveal, as well as diving into the background stories and responses from the community. It’s a real celebration of Edinburgh’s past and present.”
A small display in the City Art Centre foyer showcasing some of the objects included in the online exhibition will open in the Summer.
Council Leader Jane Meagher writes about the need to support Edinburgh’s third sector
With our population growing and more people struggling with the cost of living, Edinburgh’s third sector is in a precarious position.
According to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, seven in 10 charities now cite financial trials as their biggest challenge, up significantly in just two years. Traditional funding streams from the public sector, which provide vital grants to allow charities to operate in our local communities, are under growing pressure too.
Echoing these concerns, a report to the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee late last year made it clear that short-term funding cycles are creating financial instability for charities, diverting time and resources away from what’s important – delivering valuable services for vulnerable people.
This predicament came into sharp focus for Edinburgh earlier this year when the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) – which oversees health and social care spend in the city – had to make difficult decisions to help it make necessary savings of close to £30m. Dozens of local projects and charities have seen their funding pulled as a result.
Immediately, councillors united to intervene and see what could be done to prevent the devastating closures and redundancies these cuts could bring. Thankfully, we’ve been able to step in to provide emergency £2m funding, providing short term relief for 46 projects.
Yesterday at Policy and Sustainability Committee, we also agreed how to spend a contingency fund worth £273,473 to further support primarily small, local projects and organisations in our communities which have lost EIJB funding. Grants of £10,000 will be made available this autumn to help with the resilience of the sector.
Yet, the fact remains that the council also faces significant financial challenges. We remain the worst funded council in Scotland and plugging this gap will be difficult in future years. To that end, we need to find a longer-term sustainable way forward for this sector which provides so much good.
Tackling poverty is one of our city’s top priorities and we cannot achieve this without the support of projects which focus on prevention.
To get ahead of this, we’ve engaged the Edinburgh Partnership to conduct a review of how it supports and works with third sector organisations in Edinburgh, and to ultimately find solutions for improving funding certainty in future years.
This includes how grant funding and commissioning is delivered, how third sector organisations monitor and report on their work, and what in-kind support is provided.
We want to hear about how we can make it simpler, provide more stability, and collaborate to help those who need this sector’s support most.
You can share your views through our Consultation Hub webpage, or by attending a workshop from now until Thursday 5 June.
Results will be shared with those who take part and with the wider third sector, and will be reported to our next Policy and Sustainability Committee in August.
In a successful city like Edinburgh, it is unacceptable that 80,000 people are living in poverty– including close to a quarter of all children – which makes tackling inequality and preventing poverty one of the biggest challenges facing the capital.
From Monday June 9, the city council will begin implementing a series of speed reduction measures, from 40mph to 30mph, in locations across the city.
The new speed limit signs will be installed through June and July, beginning with Biggar Road. Once the new 30mph speed limit signs are in place, the new speed limits will be enforceable.
Motorists are being urged to look out for the new signage and respect the speed limit.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said:“Road safety is a key priority for us and I’m glad that we’re moving ahead with this important process. Whilst this has taken longer than we initially anticipated, I’m confident that these measures will make many of our roads across the city safer.
“The evidence is clear – lower speed limits make roads safer for everyone. A pedestrian or cyclist has twice the chance of surviving a collision at 30mph compared to 40mph. Any action that we can take to make sure all road users are safer is a positive step.”
You can view a map of the roads with new 30mph speed limits on our website.
The full list of streets and road where the city council is installing new signage and reducing the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph is below:
Biggar Road
Calder Road
Frogston Brae
Glasgow Road (East section)
Glasgow Road (West section and Old Liston Road)
Gogar Station Road
Hawes Brae and Bankhead Road
Hillhouse Road
Lang Loan (section at the junction with Lasswade Road)
Early-bird tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party and Torchlight Procession on sale Friday, 30 May at 10am
Ahead of releasing early-bird tickets for this year’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party and the ever popular Torchlight Procession on Friday at 10am, event organisers Unique Assembly today publish the report on Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals 2024-25.
Encompassing both Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay New Year festival, the report highlights the substantial positive impact these events have on both the city of Edinburgh and Scotland as a whole.
Created and designed by Unique Assembly on behalf of The City of Edinburgh Council, the seven weeks of winter events and attractions not only brought festive cheer to residents and visitors to the city who came together to enjoy the capitals world famous celebrations, but also provided significant economic and community benefits which continue to impact positively year-round.
Visitors to the city centre enjoyed a feast of festive fun in the heart of the capital – discovering the traditional Christmas Market including the iconic Christmas Wheel and Around the World Starflyer, visiting the outdoor Ice Skating and new Ice Bar experience, enjoying family funfair rides and illumination trails, watching live music concerts, festive shows and community events, and of course that all-important visit from Santa himself.
Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals continues to support local communities with over 160 local community groups and charities engaged with through the Edinburgh’s Christmas Schools & Communities Initiative, distributing more than 8,000 free community tickets and ride tokens to people across the city.
In addition, being a platform for local talent and community events is an important part of Edinburgh’s Christmas, including the Winter Windows Schools Competition, which showcased artwork by pupils from 24 schools, displayed beneath the Castle in the beautiful setting of Princes Street Gardens.
While many people want to join and enjoy the city centre festivities it is not that simple for some and therefore a new Silent Light Projection Show brought Christmas cheer and festive illumination to communities across the city.
In 2024, working with the Council’s Education Team, the Winter festivals were able to bring that cheer to Granton Primary School, Stockbridge Primary School, Gilmerton Community Centre and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.
The report underscores the Winter Festivals’ commitment to the local community through its charity partnerships.
This year, Edinburgh’s Winter Festival directly raised funds for local charities One City Trust and Simon Community Scotland, supporting crucial work in fighting inequality and homelessness within Edinburgh.
Furthermore, the festivals continued their support, both financial and operational, for Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness and When You Wish Upon a Star through the annual Santa Fun Run, confirming the commitment of both organisers and festivalgoers to giving back.
The Concert in the Gardens also played a role in charitable giving, with donations from ticket buyers for supporting Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). Overall more than £15,000 was donated by visitors through both Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay events.
While audience and sales data for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay was impacted by the cancellation of the major outdoor events, pre-cancellation data confirms that Edinburgh’s Hogmanay continues to attract local audiences (33%) as well as visitors to the city (31% international and 36% from the rest of the UK).
Edinburgh’s Christmas data shows that a similar mix of Edinburgh & Lothians residents (37%), visitors from Scotland (21%) and elsewhere in the UK (32%), while a good number of international visitors (10%) attended this winter.
Across a total attendance of over 2.8million to Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions, strong attendance from international visitors demonstrates the international appeal which not only boosts the local economy but also enhances Scotland’s global tourism profile.
In addition, 74% of market stall traders in the Christmas Markets were Scottish, supporting the local creative crafts, drinks, food and gifts industries both financially and through profile. While 76% of artists and creatives who took part in Edinburgh’s Winter festivals events were local.
In the annual audience survey over 70% of visitors from out with the city cited Edinburgh’s Christmas as the primary reason for travelling to Edinburgh, staying an average of 1.85 nights.
Over 90% of respondents were satisfied to extremely satisfied with their experience with over 95% agreeing that Edinburgh’s Christmas is a valuable and iconic part of Edinburgh’s winter identity, bringing a festive spirit to the city.
90% also said they are more likely to return to Edinburgh during the festival season because of their experience. The average spend was £537 across eating out, attractions, retail and in bars and pubs.
An increasing number of local residents are taking up their special ticket offer at Edinburgh’s Christmas with 101,500 discounted EH postcode tickets sold this year.
Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “The findings of this report demonstrate that Edinburgh’s world-famous winter festivals don’t only draw a huge international crowd, boosting the economy and adding to the city’s vibrant calendar of events, but, crucially, they deliver significant benefits to Edinburgh’s local communities, businesses and charities.
“This is despite the cancellation of last year’s outdoor events, showing just how far reaching the programme events is. I look forward to finding out more about this year’s plans, which look set to brighten the city in the winter months.”
Roddy Smith, CEO of Essential Edinburgh said: “Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals are a crucial period for our city centre and again it is very pleasing to see our residents and visitors coming in such large numbers.
“With such a varied and appealing Festival programme, combined with the high quality hospitality and retail offering in the city centre, Edinburgh continues to be an attractive destination to enjoy the festive season. We are already looking forward to what’s in store for this year.”
Louise MacLean, Business Development Director, Signature Group, said: “The Winter Festivals in Edinburgh provide a vital boost for hospitality in December. The surge in footfall, driven by visitors seeking festive entertainment, food, and drink, brings a much-needed increase in sales to all our venues across Edinburgh but particularly George Street and the New Town.
“Since the eastward shift in footfall with the appeal of St James, the Winter programme is not just welcomed by us, it’s crucial to our Christmas trade which often sustains us through the hard month of January.
“We can plan for this due to knowing that Unique Assembly’s festivals will bring revellers to the city. From there, we must ensure these visitors become our guests.”
Despite the cancellation of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay outdoor events due to weather conditions over the four days, the festival still welcomed significant numbers to its many sold out indoor events with over 25,000 attending over the four days including The Night Afore Concert with Idlewild and the Bairns Revels and New Year Revels in Assembly Rooms, the ever popular Hogmanay Candlelit Concert in St Giles’ Cathedral, as well as a late addition with Hot Dub Time Machine playing a quickly arranged intimate Hogmanay gig in Assembly Hall.
The new first of January club nights in Portobello Town Hall and Leith Arches closed this year’s festival on New Year’s night.
The popular free New Year’s Day First Footin’ Cultural Trail attracted an audience of over 15,000, including many family groups to 18 venues across the Old and New Towns, this year extending its footprint welcoming Portobello Town Hall and Leith Arches into the programme.
First Footin & Sprogmanay presented 44 acts with 298 performers for the event programme, and as part of its participatory music event, Come Away In, renowned folk artist Karine Polwart welcomed 150 participants to join a community choir for uplifting performances on New Year’s Day at St. Giles’ Cathedral.
Sprogmanay welcomed a family audience of 5,500 to take part in lots of New Year arts, crafts and activities, including magic, dancing unicorns and giant I-puppets through a collaboration with National Museum of Scotland. Free family ceilidhs took place in Assembly Roxy and Portobello Town Hall offering a truly Scottish experience for families on New Year’s Day both in the city and beyond.
Despite the cancellation of outdoor events, a survey of attendees at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay saw 71% say they were satisfied to extremely satisfied with their festival experience, 93% agreed it is a valuable part of Edinburgh’s winter identity, 89% said the event made them feel proud to be part of Scotland’s celebrations and 90% would recommend Edinburgh’s Hogmanay to friends or family.
Those who travelled to join the celebrations stayed an average of 2.25 nights spending £958 on their stay. 87.5% of visitors spent money on eating out, 79.5% in bars and pubs, 56% on attractions or tours, and 56% on retail.
The total economic impact of the Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals was calculated last year at £198M, combining the financial impact of both Edinburgh’s Christmas (£150M) and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay (£48M).
This represents a return of £244 for every £1 invested by the City of Edinburgh Council (CEC funding contribution of £812,456 towards Edinburgh’s Hogmanay), whilst making a significant contribution to the year-round health and prosperity of the city.
Alan Thomson from Unique Assembly said:“We take a lot of heart from this report that even having lost our outdoor events at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay to weather, the Winter Festivals have still delivered not just wonderful and joyful opportunities for people to come together, but also huge benefits for the people of Edinburgh and for Scotland across traders, local families, communities and charities and our tourism businesses.
“We are working on our plans for this coming winter’s celebrations and look forward to sharing those with you very soon.”
This report demonstrates that Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals ‘continue to be a vital asset to the city and Scotland, providing not only memorable experiences but also significant economic benefits and valuable support to local communities and charities’.
Location: Drylaw Parish Church
Date: Saturday, 7th June 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
