Using booking data from its collection of over 250 independent properties across Great Britain, combined with YouGov and Google search data, Best Western has created a list of the top 10 UK tourism hotspots for this year – and GLASGOW comes out on top. Continue reading Edinburgh second to Glasgow as UK tourism hotspot
Tag: Edinburgh
Bonnie gives Edinburgh her seal of approval
Glasgow Taxis teamed up with Edinburgh counterparts Central Taxis to give Bonnie the seal a guided tour as the Glasgow 2018 mascot headed to the capital to promote the diving competition taking place as part of this year’s European Championships. Continue reading Bonnie gives Edinburgh her seal of approval
Tourist tax “far from welcoming”, says Timberbush Tours boss
Think again, pleads tour operator
The chief of a local tour company has appealed to councillors to reconsider plans to introduce a ‘tourist tax’. The city council estimates it must make savings of £150 million over the next five years and will propose a range of measures to address this in in next month’s budget. Councillors see the introduction of a ‘tourist tax’ as one way of avoiding even deeper cuts to council services, but business leaders have warned that any new surcharge on visitors to the city would see them vote with their wallets and choose to go elsewhere. Continue reading Tourist tax “far from welcoming”, says Timberbush Tours boss
Lord Provost looks ahead
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross reflected on 2017 and shared his hopes for 2018 in yesterday’s Evening News …
Following another record-breaking year for Edinburgh’s festivals, our Hogmanay festivities certainly provided a stellar end to a superb 70th anniversary year.
As the world’s festival capital and a city which prides itself on its reputation as the home of Hogmanay, it is great to see the Edinburgh Evening News print today’s special New Year’s Day edition. Indeed, you are the first readers to hold a copy of this paper dated 1 January for over a century!
When this paper first went to print, the year was 1873. Sculptor William Brodie was working on a new statue to honour Edinburgh’s most loyal four-legged friend, Greyfriars Bobby, which would be unveiled later that year. The Scottish Rugby Union and Scottish Football Association were being formed for the first time, while a young Elsie Inglis grew up in India, yet to set foot in Edinburgh and influence medics across the nation.
Now, in 2018, we’ve seen our local paper continue to report on turning points in the capital’s history. Over the last 12 months alone, highlights have included the opening of the new Queensferry Crossing, our third bridge across the Forth, one built in each of the last three centuries. Photos have documented works to rebuild a new St James Centre fit for 21st Century Edinburgh, while reporters have covered the beginning of a new Council coalition administration and the crucial securing of a City Region Deal, which will enable Edinburgh and our neighbouring councils to finance important infrastructure projects and new homes for the future.
With a growing economy and an expanding population, it is so important for a city like Edinburgh to plan ahead and, in the year ahead, I hope to read more about citizens’ ambitions for their city – not just for the coming year, but for the coming decades. As part of this, we will continue to promote the creation of a vision for 2050. One which all of us can buy into and help make a reality. Already we have heard from citizens from all corners of the city about the type of place Edinburgh should be, but we need to engage everyone to make sure we get it right. So, when you make your own new year’s resolutions today, I urge you to make one for Edinburgh too. A greener city? A fairer city? Why not let us know at edinburgh.org/2050.
I also appreciate that this is a time of year which can be very hard for many people in the city, and there are urgent social issues which need to be addressed right now. That is why one of my personal priorities for 2018 will be to work with businesses and partners to build on the work of the OneCity Trust. On Saturday night, every torch lit for the Torchlight Procession provided funds towards the Trust, which works to tackle inequality across the city. One look at the photos of the torches blazing an amber trail through the city, is an indication of money raised. Yet, more needs to be done and later this month, I hope to do my part and raise thousands of pounds through my first Lord Provost’s Burns Supper in aid of the OneCity Trust.
This time of year can be particularly difficult for families with loved ones in the armed forces, and for those veterans who have returned from service. Last year I signed the Lothian Armed Forces and Veterans Covenant agreement, to improve support for the military community. I hope to see that work continue, to give stability to every member of the armed forces in Edinburgh and beyond and their families. This year, I also aim to make sure Edinburgh hosts fitting commemorations to mark the end of the centenary of WW1. You can be sure this will be a key moment for the city for 2018.
And, while Greyfriars Bobby remains a permanent reminder of his story, and how the city rallied together all those years ago to remember him with a statue, I think we all know it is time for a new tribute. One which will honour a woman who did so much for the city, for the country, for the war effort and for equality. She set foot in Edinburgh at age 14 having arrived from India, just a few years since that very first edition of the Evening News.
Let’s make 2018 the year we fundraise enough to add Edinburgh’s inspiring Elsie Inglis to the list of the very few women honoured with statues in our city. The campaign needs the people and businesses of Edinburgh’s help if we are to make it happen. If you can, please donate here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/elsie.
Best wishes to everyone, and Happy New Year.
Frank
Frank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh
National award proves Cheeky Chompers pair are no dummies!
Julie Wilson and Amy Livingstone of Edinburgh’s Cheeky Chompers have won a prestigious national award for their ‘inspirational’ business. The women designed and developed an idea for teething babies – and with their product now being sold in major retailers they’re clearly no dummies! Continue reading National award proves Cheeky Chompers pair are no dummies!
Edinburgh’s new museums website goes live
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, the collection of 14 venues owned and managed by the City of Edinburgh Council, has a new website.
Highlights and hidden gems of the city’s collections will be brought to life and showcased through engaging, new content with top tips and guides on how best to discover and explore each venue, many of which are free to enter. Continue reading Edinburgh’s new museums website goes live
Edinburgh gears up for winter
Edinburgh: a ‘vibrant capital city’?
Economy Committee Convener Cllr Gavin Barrie: ‘the city has much to be positive about’
Edinburgh continues to be the most prosperous UK city outside London and has the fastest growing population in the UK, with the exception of Manchester, according to the latest Edinburgh by Numbers. Continue reading Edinburgh: a ‘vibrant capital city’?
Pick your vantage point for tomorrow’s Grand Depart
With Edinburgh and the Borders set to host Stage One of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, which takes place from the 3rd-10th September, take the time plan your vantage point. Tomorrow, riders will head from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile through East Lothian and into the Scottish Borders with the finish in Kelso.
Continue reading Pick your vantage point for tomorrow’s Grand Depart
ITV4 to screen every minute of OVO Energy Tour of Britain
Cycling fans will be able to watch every moment of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain live this September as ITV4 screen all eight stages – from start to finish – in their entirety for the first time. The event gets underway from Edinburgh on 3rd September. Continue reading ITV4 to screen every minute of OVO Energy Tour of Britain