‘We, the peoples’: Castle turning blue for UN Day

World’s iconic landmarks celebrate the UN’s 70th birthday

Edinburgh Castle will be lit blue from dusk tonight to celebrate the UN’s 70^th anniversary. The castle will join landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Tokyo’s Skytree Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa as part of a global initiative to turn the World UN Blue.

It’s been 70 years since the UN was formed. The castle will turn blue to mark the occasion and to encourage people to reflect on the United Nation’s achievements over the last seven decades.

Scotland has a valuable contribution to offer the world, in support of UN objectives, through our expertise on climate change and energy, our clear commitment to human and children’s rights, our work on public health and research, and our innovative approach to international development.

Culture, Europe and External Affairs Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: “Over the last 70 years the United Nations has protected and improved the lives of so many the world over. Tonight, we want to congratulate the UN on its many achievements and help to promote its message of peace, development and human rights by lighting Edinburgh Castle blue.

“While we celebrate the UN’s 70^th anniversary, we know that more work is required by all of us to fulfil the promise of a life in peace and dignity for all that the UN stands for. Scotland shares the UN’s value and goals and is committed to promoting them.

“Many Scottish civil society organisations and individuals work hard to help the UN achieve its aims, often as unpaid volunteers. We want to thank them for this engagement and encourage more people to join their efforts.”

You can join in too – members of the public are being encouraged to share their pictures @UN #UNblue

Speaking at the UN Day Concert in New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recommitted the organisation’s goal of creating a better world for all, serving ‘We the Peoples’ on frontlines. He said:

Happy United Nations Day to all.

I am delighted to welcome all of you to this special seventieth anniversary celebration. We are honoured by the presence of so many talented performers.

I thank the KBS Traditional Music Orchestra, the K-pop duo Davichi, the world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir, and Lang Lang, my very dedicated UN Messenger of Peace.

Their performances can inspire the United Nations family as we ready ourselves for the enormous challenges ahead.

Wars and violence continue to devastate communities and countries. The effects of climate change are real and worsening. The gap between rich and poor is growing wider. Violent extremists, human traffickers and other criminals are abusing human rights with impunity.

But even on this grim landscape, I see signs of change. Governments have just come together to forge an inspiring vision for a life of dignity for all people — and a set of Sustainable Development Goals to achieve it.

We now have the largest youth population in history. The world’s 1.8 billion young people can help drive us to a new future. And individuals everywhere are using the communications revolution to demand their rights and pressure their Governments to deliver.

The United Nations is strongly committed to remaining at the forefront of this global wave of progress. That is what we have done for 70 years — and it is what we will continue to do in serving “we the peoples”.

I know from my own life the difference the United Nations can make. When war came to Korea, help came, bearing the United Nations flag.

Today, I am determined to see the United Nations bring help and hope to others.

Over the decades, we have helped to bring freedom to millions, dismantle colonialism, defeat apartheid and defend human rights for all, regardless of race, religion, nationality, gender or sexual orientation.

Today, our blue helmets and humanitarian workers work on the frontlines of conflict and disaster. We fight poverty, hunger and disease. We stand against corruption, impunity and injustice.

Our enterprise is not perfect. But without the United Nations, our world would be a far bleaker place.

And now, with the adoption of the inspiring 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations has pointed the way towards progress for all humankind.

To achieve these goals, we need a strong United Nations — a strong UN for the well-being of people and planet alike.

Tonight, we light up our Headquarters in UN Blue. Tomorrow night, more than 200 iconic landmarks in over 55 countries around the world will also shine under blue lights in honour of the UN’s seventieth anniversary.

I thank all of those who have made this great project possible.

Above all, I pay tribute to UN staff and all those they serve to advance peace, development and human rights around the world.

United Nations Day, for me, will always be a day for “we the peoples”.

Let us dedicate all celebrations by recommitting ourselves to achieving the goal of a life of dignity and a better world for all.

Thank you for your leadership and your commitment.

“Together, we’ve spent 70 years striving for peace, 70 years helping the poorest and most vulnerable”

Speaking at the General Assembly Meeting on the 70th Anniversary of the UN, Ambassador Matthew Rycroft of the UK Mission to the UN said:

Ever since my distant predecessor Gladwyn Jebb served as acting Secretary-General of the embryonic UN 70 years ago, Britain has been proud to play a leading role in the multilateral system.

Together, we’ve spent 70 years striving for peace, 70 years helping the poorest and most vulnerable, and I’m pleased to say, 70 years co-operating, whatever our differences.

So looking back, there is so much to celebrate. In the last seven decades, we have helped negotiate countless peace agreements, supported by over 60 peacekeeper and observer missions to the world’s trouble spots. We’ve built on that peace, providing elections assistance to over 100 countries. The UN remains rightly an ambitious organisation; as the agreement of the sustainable development goals shows.

Today, the UN provides food to 90 million people in 80 countries, vaccinates 58 per cent of the world’s children, saving 3 million lives a year. It assists 39 million refugees and keeps the peace with over 120,000 peacekeepers in 16 operations on 4 continents.

But in looking back, we cannot lose sight of the challenges ahead; climate change, violent extremism, and issues like anti-microbial resistance which still lie below the radar. These are all issues where global action is the only solution, where the UN needs to show leadership.

To tackle these, and more, the UN needs to adapt and reform. Organisations that stand still quickly lose relevance. The UK supports modernisation of the UN. We want to bring greater diversity to the authority of the Security Council, by expanding its membership to include Germany, Japan, Brazil and India, as well as more African representation.

And we also want to see a strong leader in the next Secretary-General, who can help deliver these ambitious reforms, who is selected through a transparent, equal and fair process. And with all other things being equal, the UK believes that the UN’s next leader should be a woman.

So this year will be a seminal one in the UN’s history. It is a time for the multilateral system to demonstrate how effective it can be in delivering positive change – be it in a deal to tackle climate change, or in a plan to end the crisis in Syria. The best way to mark our 70th anniversary would be for progress to be made on all these fronts.

Cycle path to link east and west?

Plugging the gap: cycleway to connect Leith Walk and Roseburn

The Council is to begin consultation on proposals for a major cycle route linking the east to the west of the city. If approved by councillors next week, plans for a ‘family-friendly’ cycleway between Roseburn and Leith Walk will be put to the public for comment.

On Tuesday, the Transport and Environment Committee will consider proposals to consult on the suggested route, which runs through the city centre via George Street. The high quality cycleway, which includes sections of segregated lanes on main streets, would plug a gap in the cycle network and link to the city’s off-road paths.

Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “This route is key to our commitment to ensure safe and easy cycling across the city, and will provide an essential link to our extensive network of routes. I look forward to hearing what the public think of our proposals and would encourage anyone interested to submit their feedback.”

Proposals for the route follow a series of workshops with stakeholders, including community members, cycling groups and businesses, as well as engagement with the city’s Transport andActive Travel forums.

Aiming to provide safer, more direct access by bike to key destinations around Edinburgh, the project would also deliver improvements to the street environment for other users, particularly pedestrians.

Project consultants predict an increase of approximately 90% in cycle use in the corridor served by the route, amounting to a 16% increase in overall cycle use in the city if it was delivered.

Work is currently underway to investigate funding options for the scheme, which would tie into several other major projects including Leith Walk improvements, the ‘remodelling’ of Picardy Place and George Street public realm improvements.

It is now proposed to undertake a full public consultation on the plan, which would encompass a series of drop in sessions at venues along the route, briefings to various groups and an online survey.

You can find out more about the Roseburn to Leith Walk cycle route on the Council website. Plans for the consultation will follow approval of the suggested route by Transport and Environment Committee.

CYCLING: Survey shows Ministers are out of step, says Johnstone

Alison Johnstone MSP, health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, says new research by transport charity Sustrans shows how out of step Scottish ministers are with the public desire for investment in cycling and walking infrastructure. The Green MSP (above) is calling for ‘a transformation’.

The survey of 11,000 people across UK cities including Edinburgh shows 75 per cent want more money invested.

Alison Johnstone, Scottish Green MSP for Lothian and co-convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on cycling, said: “Public demand for investment in cycling and walking infrastructure in Scotland is clear, with massive events such as Pedal on Parliament. Actions speak louder than words and despite plentiful evidence of the huge benefits for our health, Scottish ministers still spend less than 2 per cent of their £2billion transport budget on cycling and walking.

“The Scottish Government clearly doesn’t see transport as a social justice issue and simply isn’t investing meaningfully to support those who either can’t afford to drive or prefer not to. By giving priority to cycling and walking we can improve our health, our air quality, boost local businesses and support tourism.

“I led Holyrood’s first debate on this issue, with the parliament agreeing that every child in Scotland should have the opportunity of on-road cycle training by 2015, yet to date only a third of schools have delivered such training. Parliament also reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s target of 10 per cent of journeys by bike by 2020, yet we’re still at only 1 per cent. We need a transformation.”

Crime capital?

Edinburgh has Scotland’s highest crime rate and the lowest detection rates in the country, according to a report published by police watchdog HM Inspectorate of Constabulary today. Commenting on the report, Chief Superintendent Mark Williams said the Edinburgh force faces unique demands but has made ‘real advances’ in tackling priority issues.

MICS acknowledges that Edinburgh officers and staff are working hard to provide a service to their communities, however, and local police are also actively engaged with the city’s licensed trade to tackle antisocial behaviour associated with the night time economy, which helped reduce violent crime in Scotland’s capital city during 2014/15.

The need for sufficient officers in response and community roles is a consistent theme to many of the challenges affecting Edinburgh Division of Police Scotland and the report calls for a review of the balance between local policing and specialist resources across the city.

The HMICS Inspection of Edinburgh Division, which contains eight recommendations, is the latest in the rolling programme under which all 14 local policing divisions of Police Scotland will be inspected to assess their state, effectiveness and efficiency.

This inspection highlights the additional demands placed on the division in policing Scotland’s capital city and the regular need for local officers to cover other areas such as custody, front counters and Edinburgh Airport.

It also looks at the abstraction of officers to maintain public order at courts and recommends that discussion take place between Police Scotland and the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service to reduce this.

It is estimated the equivalent of 55 officers every day are being drawn from local policing teams to provide temporary cover for a range of additional demands, including policing the 1150 pre-planned events the city typically hosts each year. This impacts on the availability of these officers to respond to public demand.

The report also comments on the changing demands of policing with a significant proportion of police time now spent responding to vulnerable people, whose needs could potentially be better met by other agencies.

In planning how best to use its resources in Edinburgh, HMICS believes Police Scotland should take into account and balance the competing demands from both public and protective policing, and the significant pre-planned demand arising from the numerous events in the city.

HM Inspector of Constabulary, Derek Penman said: “We have taken the view that many of the issues affecting Edinburgh Division have arisen because of the specific challenges that come with being the capital city.

“The single force has provided greater access to specialist support and has provided additional officers to assist in meeting these challenges. However I believe there is now a need for Police Scotland to review the balance between local policing and specialist resources to ensure there are sufficient officers within response and community policing roles across the division.

“The positive trends across Scotland of reducing crime levels and improved detection rates are not mirrored in Edinburgh. However these challenges around performance existed before the creation of Police Scotland; and the reasons for them are complex and examined in our report.”

The inspection notes that Police Scotland is fully aware of the challenges facing Edinburgh Division and a range of activities and initiatives have been put in place to improve performance.

Housebreaking is one such area where Police Scotland supported the division in a co-ordinated response after increases of over 20% in 2014/15. This has seen the number of these crimes within the division beginning to reduce.

HMICS found that the division has a good approach to consultation, using a variety of methods to identify national and local priorities. This ensures policing priorities meet the needs of its communities. Local scrutiny arrangements and the “Think Twice” initiative in the city centre are also highlighted as examples of effective practice.

During the inspection, HMICS looked in detail at the division’s approach to partnership working, assessing the impact of change both locally and nationally on this critical area of policing.

Edinburgh Division and its partners have the shared aims of community safety and wellbeing. While some partners commented that police have focused on enforcement rather than partnership in recent years, this trend is now reversing and partners are optimistic the division is refocusing its attention on local relationships.

During its inspections of each local policing division, HMICS also inspects custody facilities to assess the treatment of and conditions for those detained. Of the four custody centres in Edinburgh, the one at St Leonard’s Police Station is the primary facility.

The unannounced inspection of St Leonard’s custody centre found detainees are well treated and benefitted from the 24 hour health care on site and good cell conditions. However the physical layout of the premises and the volume of detainees processed there, have led HMICS to recommend Police Scotland consider long term options for meeting custody demand in the Edinburgh area.

Other recommendations relate to ensuring person escort records are completed properly, maintaining supplies of items required by detainees, the use of suitable vehicles for transferring custodies to other facilities and regular checks on the state of readiness of the three other overflow custody centres at Craigmillar, Wester Hailes and Drylaw.

The force will be asked to incorporate the HMICS’ recommendations into its own improvement process and ensure good practice is shared across Scotland to promote continuous improvement.

Commenting on the report, Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, Local Policing Commander, City of Edinburgh Division, said: “I welcome today’s HMICS report, which has highlighted some key areas for improvement to ensure we are continuing to keep our communities safe.

“The report has also been valuable in highlighting some of the innovative work introduced and pioneered by Edinburgh Division and provided a focus for us to continue to deliver on the policing priorities we’ve set with the public through our local policing plan.

“We’ve already made real advances to address issues such as housebreaking and, since our specific operation to tackle the issue launched early in 2015, we have halved the number of break-ins per month and doubled our detection rates. We have also seen a reduction in violent crime of over 18% against the five year average with robberies alone down over 28%.

“Theft is a real focus for local policing teams and overall it has reduced by 12% against a five year average with motor vehicle thefts down over 26% in the last year alone.

“We are not complacent and will continue to focus on reducing antisocial behaviour and violence fuelled by alcohol in the city. As the report highlights we are building strong partnerships focused on collaboration and early intervention and examples such as Stronger North, the Safezone Bus, the Violent Offender Watch and our new dedicated ward officers show that we are genuinely committed to preventing crime.

“As today’s report shows, the demand for resources in Edinburgh is unique but we will always seek to respond as effectively as we can, calling upon all the resources available to us at both a local and national level.”

Hold Me Dear – last three days

It’s not too late to visit the Hold me Dear photography exhibition in Rodney Street Tunnel!

The ‘Four Cities, [Exta]ordinary Places’ exhibition, which is free, features images from Copenhagen, Hamburg, Istanbul and, of course, our very own Edinburgh!

Be quick, though: organisers will be dismantling the Hold Me Dear exhibition at Rodney St tunnel on Tuesday (20 October) before a move to its ‘new home for future local community exhibitions at the local community centre and school!’

Have your say on parking proposals

Draft Action Plan is now out for consultation

Edinburgh residents’ views are now being sought on a raft of measures aimed to help improve parking in the city.

A public consultation is under way on the draft Parking Action Plan, which is intended to develop a cohesive vision of parking in Edinburgh, encouraging active travel and supporting the city’s economy while safeguarding residents’ spaces.

Proposals for the plan, approved by the Transport and Environment Committee in August, are based on consultation with the public and take into account the priorities of those living in the city.

Amongst actions suggested are the roll-out of shared-use parking for permit holders and pay and display customers, visitor permits and the introduction of parking restrictions in the evenings and on Sundays.

Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “We’ve been evaluating parking in Edinburgh over the last few months, studying the use of city centre parking by residents, shoppers and visitors to see where the most demand for spaces is. We’ve really listened to the public to create the new Parking Action Plan, and have responded to their concerns.

“This is about relieving demand for residents’ parking as well as promoting sustainable travel into the city centre. Our proposals would reduce the negative impact of uncontrolled parking, encouraging parking turnover near local businesses and helping to encourage active travel and use of public transport.

“We want to involve the public in the Parking Action Plan, so I would urge anyone interested to participate in our consultation.”

Item_7.14___Draft_Parking_Action_Plan___FINAL

The draft Parking Action Plan (above), which affects the Controlled Parking Zone, was drawn up following a series of information gathering exercises, including interviews with drivers and pedestrians, vehicle counts on key streets and internal workshops.

Amongst the findings it was shown that, when parking is uncontrolled on a Sunday, people stay for a long time, reducing the turnover of business for shops, making it harder for residents to find spaces and impacting on traffic. It also indicates that parking pressures in the evenings are similar, if not greater than during the controlled hours.

In addition, of 535 drivers interviewed on a Sunday, 43% said they would travel by public transport, walk or cycle if they were making the same journey during the week, while 42% indicated that free parking was not important to their decision to visit the city centre that day.

The draft plan is now out for consultation, engaging the public, stakeholders and other interested parties. Views gathered will influence the finalised Parking Action Plan, expected to be considered by committee in January 2016.

Participate in the consultation online.

City gets set to welcome top cyclists

Edinburgh hosts Stage Four of the Aviva Tour of Britain cycling race on Wednesday. Cyclists will travel 218km from the Scottish capital to Blyth, Northumberland (see route), leaving the city at 10am.

Cyclists will face a spectacular journey through the heart of the city, starting in Holyrood Park, winding past the Scottish Parliament and up the Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle.

The race will descend Johnston Terrace and travel through the Meadows before passing Arthur’s Seat and heading out of the city. After leaving Edinburgh, the race will move on to East Lothian.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, said: “This will be the first time in history that the UK’s most prestigious cycling race traces the winding streets of the Scottish Capital to launch the event north of the border. It’s going to be a spectacular sight!

“As the starting point and host city of the Scottish stage and with the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyrood House and ancient volcano Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh is the place to be to experience the thrill of the Tour of Britain.”

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland said: “Scotland is gearing up to welcome the Aviva Tour of Britain and the top international cyclists and enthusiasts it brings with it from around the world.

“Scotland is the perfect stage for events with a global reputation for cycling and I’m certain the stages unveiled today will offer up some of Scotland’s most iconic and picturesque locations as a backdrop across the handlebars, as well as a fantastic spectator experience for all ages.”

Chief Executive for Scottish Cycling Craig Burn added: “Scottish Cycling is continuing to see an upsurge in interest in all areas of cycling. The Aviva Tour of Britain is a great showcase for cycling in Scotland and the hard work of the daily activities of our 178 clubs and the 600 plus events staged annually by our clubs and members.”

The Aviva Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step.

Over twenty of the world’s top teams are taking part in the competition. Heading the lineup in Edinburgh for the event is Dutch cycling champion Dylan Van Baarle, who returns to the Tour of Britain to defend his title.

The Dutchman won the 2014 edition of Britain’s biggest bike race, snatching victory from Michal Kwiatkowski and Sir Bradley Wiggins. He will wear the #1 at the head of the six rider Team Cannondale Garmin line-up

Another confirmed participant is 2009 Champion Edvald Boasson Hagen who will lead the MTN Qhubeka p/b Samsung team, which also includes 2013 stage winner Gerald Ciolek.

Team Sky’s versatile Italian sprinter Elia Viviani (above) timed a late challenge to absolute perfection when he pipped Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel to win the opening stage of the Aviva Tour of Britain in a dramatic finish in Wrexham yesterday.

The race moves on from Clitheroe to Colne in the Ribble Valley today and Stage Three will see the cyclists battle it out in The Borders tomorrow. Then on Wednesday, it’s Edinburgh: it promises to be quite a sight – don’t miss it!

Follow news of the Edinburgh event on Twitter using #TOBEdinburgh.

Legionnaire’s outbreak: we’ll never know the source

Final Report into 2012 Legionnaires’ Outbreak published but the source of the outbreak may never be known

NHS Lothian, on behalf of the multi-agency Incident Management Team (IMT), has today published the final report into the 2012 Legionnaires’ outbreak which affected the south west of Edinburgh. The 68 page report goes into great detail – but the public heath professionals who produced the report are unable to pinpoint the source of the outbreak.

The report states: ‘As it has not been possible to identify the precise source of the Legionella bacteria that resulted in the death of four people, Crown Counsel has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute any person or organisation for the deaths.’

The Incident Management Team has concluded that the outbreak was caused by an aerosol release of Legionella pneumophila Sg1 Knoxville ST191 over a defined area of south west Edinburgh during May 2012. Although the Incident Management Team could not establish the specific source of the organism, it has concluded that: ‘the most likely source of this aerosol release was an industrial complex containing wet cooling towers in the north east of the affected area.’

Between late May and late June 2012, 56 people who had links to south west Edinburgh, were confirmed as suffering from Legionnaires’ disease. Four of these people died and the Health and Safety Executive, under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Health and Safety Division carried out a full investigation into the cause.

The final report into the outbreak highlights that the locally coordinated public health, environmental health, scientific and clinical response helped protect the health of people living and working in south west Edinburgh and had a positive impact in preventing more people becoming seriously ill.

It has been published following the conclusion of all investigations into the outbreak.

Professor Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian said: ““I would once again express my sincere condolences to the families of those who died during this outbreak and the patients affected.

“The review of outbreak management and the subsequent public health research has provided valuable in enhancing the existing knowledge on Legionella outbreaks and control. This report allows us to share our experience and findings with other public health teams across the globe.”

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Nothing left in reserve when East meets West

A red-hot new roller derby team will assemble for Auld Reekie Roller Girls’ first Edinburgh Festival Fringe game of 2015. Sparks are sure to fly as Edinburgh’s All Star Reserves play Glasgow Roller Derby’s Maiden Grrders next Saturday.

Team captain Mallory Powers said the new skaters will raise temperatures with the fastest crossovers, big hits and speedy whips.

She said: “We have a brand new team and are really looking forward to bringing everyone together and building on the excitement and atmosphere of the two recent All Star derby derbies!

“This will be the first time the Auld Reekie and Glasgow Roller Derby B teams have played each other in a while and the teams are very different now, so no-one really knows what to expect.

“The focus will be on developing our newer skaters and working as a team to achieve our goals – but we’ll bring the same level of gritty determination, cheery competitiveness and fun as our wonderful All Stars.”

Vice-captain Lady Scrapnell said she was looking forward to the new skaters playing their first festival game.

She said: “It’s always exciting when new people skate on a team for the first time, and this time around we are lucky to have five new Reserves.

“We’ve all been working really hard in the All Star Reserves off-season, helping the All Stars train for their high level games, so lots of skaters have developed really quickly and we’ll be really proud to be skating out with them at Meadowbank.

“Between us all we’ll bring enthusiasm, athleticism and attitude, and will help to create one hell of a crowd atmosphere.”

Families are welcome to watch this test of strength, speed and agility as skaters battle through their rivals’ team using only the power of their bodies.

The show rolls into town next Saturday (8 August) at Meadowbank Sports Stadium from 2pm.

Police Scotland launch annual Festival safety campaign

Love it or loathe it, you just can’t ignore it … yes, it’s Festival time in Edinburgh, and Police Scotland have launched their annual safety campaign

LAUNCH OF FESTIVAL POLICING OPERATION

We have today launched our annual campaign to keep people safe during the Festival.

In the coming weeks, hundreds of thousands of visitors are set to join the Capital’s local residents to enjoy a month of artistic performances and events, culminating in the fireworks display at the end of August.

To ensure the Festival is a secure and welcoming environment for tourists and locals alike, police will have a high-visibility presence throughout the city centre to offer a range of useful advice aimed at preventing the public being targeted by criminals.

All of this information will be available on the Police Scotland website or by following Edinburgh Division’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, Divisional Commander for the City of Edinburgh said: “The Edinburgh Festival is a fantastic spectacle and results in worldwide attention for the city. We will be doing everything we can to prevent crime happening in the first place and I would appeal to the public to help us in that effort.

“By taking a number of simple steps, visitors and locals can ensure their experience of the Festival is memorable for all the right reasons.

“Remember to always keep an eye on your valuables when you’re out enjoying the sights and events within Edinburgh and never leave any belongings unattended. If you are enjoying the nightlife then please make sure you drink responsibly and have a plan to get home.

“This year, for the first time, we have helpful advice for tourists and visitors on-line that they can access before they arrive in the city, so that they can equip themselves with all the information they need to safeguard themselves against opportunistic criminals.

“I would ask that anyone planning on visiting Edinburgh in the coming weeks to visit our tourist and visitors advice page on the Police Scotland website.”

Community Safety Leader, Councillor Cammy Day, said: “Our environmental wardens will be working closely with Police Scotland in the city centre over the Festival period to help keep people safe and offer reassurance through a high visibility presence. I would encourage people to do their bit too, by acting responsibly and taking time to look at the latest safety advice.

“Edinburgh is a safe city and we want to maintain this, ensuring that visitors enjoying the Festival have the best possible experience of the city.”

Fancy a selfie with a kelpie?

Mini versions of Falkirk’s world-famous Kelpies are coming to Edinburgh’s West End

Mini versions of the famous Kelpies are to be installed at the West End on Sunday – and passers-by and curious visitors are being encouraged to tweet a ‘Selfie with Kelpie’ using hashtag #kelfie15 !

The 10-foot tall maquettes were the basis for the full-sized equine sculptures which are now the centrepiece of The Helix Parkland, a £43million regeneration project near Falkirk.

Our own wee kelpies will be stationed at the junction of Princes Street, Lothian Road and Shandwick Place over summer as part of the drive to celebrate the city’s new-look West End, encouraging footfall and promoting local businesses, as well as raising awareness of their iconic big brothers!

Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “These fantastic creations represent a modern Scottish landmark so we are delighted to be able to host them here over the busy Festival period.

“The West End of Edinburgh is currently undergoing a series of improvements which, alongside this striking artwork, will vastly improve the area for residents, shoppers and visitors to the city.”

Jock Miller, Chair of the West End Community Council, said: “The West End Community Council is delighted that the Kelpies are coming to the West End. We see this as the start of an artists’ trail through the West End to promote the area as both a place to live and work.”

Since the launch of the attraction in April 2014, the miniatures, hand-crafted by renowned sculptor Andy Scott, have toured as far afield as Chicago, North Carolina, New York and, most recently, Edinburgh Airport, Queen Margaret University and Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.

It was originally agreed that the south-facing space at the top of Hope Street should be set aside for large scale public sculpture after discussions between the local community, businesses and the National Galleries of Scotland.

The new addition will help to set a standard for the best use of civic spaces in Edinburgh, marking the end of work to reinstate and improve public realm in the West End of the city.

Michael Apter, Chair, Edinburgh’s West End BID, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Kelpies to Edinburgh’s West End. The sculptures have already created a huge impact in Scotland, and we are really excite to see the models draw crowds to our part of the city centre, and into our businesses, this summer”.

The Kelpies, a 30-metre, 300-tonne public artwork funded by The Big Lottery Fund, Falkirk Council and Scottish Canals, forms the gateway to the new section of canal in Falkirk linking the Forth and Clyde.

The two horses heads, which are the world’s largest equine sculpture, pay homage to the tradition of working horses in Scotland, and their role pulling barges along canals and ploughing fields.

Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Adrian Mahoney, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that the Maquettes will be in the thick of it during the Edinburgh Festival this year, promoting The Kelpies to the millions of visitors who are expected to travel to the capital for the event. It will encourage tourists to learn about this fantastic public sculpture and take a short trip to the Falkirk area to see it for themselves during their stay.”

The miniature versions will remain in Edinburgh’s city centre until the end of the Festival.