Tag: food and drink

Santa and live reindeer join Teviot’s Christmas Countdown

Live music, festive performers and the launch of a new après-ski social hangout spot will accompany the venue’s Christmas lights switch-on on Friday 6 November.

Santa is heading to Teviot on Friday 6 November, bringing his elves and some four-legged friends for a Christmas celebration filled with music, creativity and festive spectacle.

The Teviot Lights Switch-On event previously drew 1,000s of spectators to Bristo Square, and this year marks the events return following a three-year break while the historic building was closed for renovations.

The event is free to attend and open to everyone. Come along early to enjoy festive food and seasonal specials at Edinburgh University’s Student Association-run Union Social, the Library Bar and Gallery Café, Teviot and Baristo, Potterrow, which will all be open throughout the day.

The festive programme begins at 4pm, with the Brass Band, carol singers and Jazz Band performing traditional favourites and Christmas covers. Live reindeer will join the celebrations, with Santa hats and candy canes being given away to help visitors get into the spirit.

At 7pm Santa and his elves will lead the countdown to the Christmas lights switch-on joined by stilt performers and musicians in a parade-style celebration.

Once the lights are on, the evening continues with opportunities for visitors to get photographs with Santa, take part in Christmas karaoke in Union Social and enjoy the DJ’s musical entertainment in Union Social Garden which takes on a whole new vibe. 

From Friday 6 November, Après Ski Social, a brand-new concept bringing the spirit of an Alpine hangout arrives at Union Social Garden. Swapping the slopes for Edinburgh’s city centre, the new winter social spot is designed for catching up with friends and making an evening of the darker nights throughout the winter months.

Vice President Activities & Services 2026/27, Vasil T, said: “Teviot has always been about bringing people together and we can’t wait to welcome students, families and our Edinburgh neighbours, to join and celebrate the start of the festive season with us.

“It’s a chance to enjoy the talents of our student musicians, support local creativity and share that special moment when the Christmas lights come on.

“We’re also excited to launch Après Ski Social, giving everyone another reason to get together in the garden this winter. Bring your friends, bring your family and help us give the festive season a brilliant start!”

For further information and event updates, visit: Edinburgh University Students’ Association

Date: Friday 6 November 2026.

Venue: Teviot, Edinburgh.

Event hours: 4pm –1am

Christmas lights switch-on: 7pm.

Programme timings subject to change

Aldi calls on Edinburgh residents to revive Halloween guising

More than one third of local shoppers fear children are missing out on the once beloved tradition 

Aldi is calling on Scots to bring the magic of traditional Halloween guising back to their neighbourhoods, after new research revealed that 60 per cent of people from Edinburgh believe fewer people take part in the tradition now than when they were children. 

The research, carried out by ScotPulse, Scotland’s largest research panel, and commissioned by Aldi Scotland, also found that more than one third of people from Edinburgh (38%) believe children are missing out on the traditional Halloween experience.  

Less than half of people from Edinburgh (39%) will be opening their door to entertain guisers this spooky season, and less than one-third (29%) of adults from Edinburgh with children or grandchildren aged 11 and under plan to take them trick or treating.  

A third of people surveyed from Edinburgh (33%) say they are less likely to answer the door to guisers than they were five years ago.  

In response, Aldi Scotland is encouraging families to keep the much-loved tradition alive by dressing up and going guising this Halloween. To add a treat to the trick, the supermarket will give a £10 voucher to ten lucky children who visit an Aldi store in costume and are selected as ‘best-dressed’ winners on Aldi Scotland social channels.

Tom Brearey, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Halloween is such a special time for children, and guising is a big part of what makes it memorable. It’s about more than just collecting sweets; it’s an opportunity for children to get dressed up, have fun and feel part of their local community. 

“With our research suggesting that fewer people are taking part in guising, we’re encouraging communities to rally together this year to help keep the tradition alive. Whether that’s getting the costumes ready, stocking up on treats for little visitors or heading out guising with the family, everyone can play a part in making Halloween special for children.” 

For those heading out, the research has revealed that a good joke remains the way to win over the neighbours. More than half of Scots (56%) would expect a child to tell a joke when guising, making it by far the most popular performance, ahead of singing a song (11%) or reciting a poem (2%). 

Aldi is also encouraging households to prepare for Halloween by stocking up on treats for visiting guisers. While pumpkins have become a familiar fixture of the season, families can also embrace Scotland’s Halloween heritage by carving a neep (a swede), as generations did before pumpkins became commonplace. 

  • Carving pumpkins from £1.69  
  • Swede from £0.62 
  • Sweets from £0.45 

Aldi Scotland is giving ten of its best-dressed guisers a £10 voucher to treat themselves this Halloween.  

To be in with a chance of winning, parents and guardians should share a photo of their little guiser in spooktacular fancy dress inside or outside one of Aldi’s Scottish stores between 26 and 31 October, tagging @AldiScotland on Instagram or Facebook.  

You can find your nearest Aldi store here. 

Terms and conditions can be found at: https://www.aldi.co.uk/scotland/terms-and-conditions/competitions  

Kids eat free deals and family fun on offer at Fort Knnaird

Fort Kinnaird is inviting families to make the most of the October week, with a range of activities, offers and seasonal treats available across the centre.

Whether families are planning a full day out or simply looking to fill a few spare hours, there’s plenty to enjoy this autumn, from discovering the latest seasonal fashion trends to trying new menus and making the most of family activities.

This includes:

  • Kids eat free offers: Families can enjoy a meal out for less, with Kids Eat Free at Frankie & Benny’s until 25th October, where children can tuck into a free main, two sides, a drink and a dessert with every paying adult main. Over at Wagamama, children can enjoy the £7.50 Kids Bento, a mix-and-match meal served with gyoza and crispy prawn crackers.
  • Family films at ODEON: Big-screen favourites have hit cinemas in time for rainy days, including the animated Minions & Monsters, action-packed Avengers: Endgame Encore and Halloween favourite Hocus Pocus. Families can also look out for ODEON Kids screenings, with discounted tickets available for selected family films.
  • Halloween crafting at Hobbycraft: Hobbycraft has everything needed to get creative this Halloween, from pumpkin-decorating kits and paints to costume-making essentials and spooky decorations – ideal for keeping children entertained on rainy afternoons.
  • Pumpkin spice and autumn treats: For those who love a seasonal drink, Starbucks has brought back its popular Pumpkin Spice Latte, alongside new additions including the Iced Apple Crumble Matcha Latte and Pumpkin Marble Loaf Cake. Frankie & Benny’s autumn menu also features the Hot Honey Fried Chicken Burger, Pumpkin & Ginger Sponge and Spiced Pumpkin Latte.
  • Autumn fashion inspiration: From UGG boots and suede styles to oversized knits and burgundy shades, there are plenty of new-season trends to explore ready for autumn. Families can browse the latest footwear at schuh and OFFICE, or pick up inspiration from Primark, M&S and Next for everything from chunky jumpers and autumn accessories to fluffy slippers and pyjamas for a cosy night in.
  • Halloween treats from M&S: Shoppers can stock up ahead of Halloween with themed biscuits, chocolates and sweets for trick or treaters, as well as seasonal baking kits and ingredients for making treats at home.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know keeping the kids entertained during school holidays can be a challenge, particularly when the autumn weather isn’t on your side.

From a trip to the cinema and a family meal out, to getting creative with some Halloween activities at home, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the October break.

“Whether families are planning a full day out or just looking for a few hours of fun, we hope these ideas help them make the most of their time together.”

To plan your visit to Fort Kinnaird, please visit https://www.fortkinnaird.com/

Sotto welcomes back Ping On in aid of Dementia UK

The former Stockbridge favourite Ping On returned to its original home for one night only on Sunday 4th October, as Sotto celebrated its second birthday by recreating the much-loved Cantonese restaurant for an evening in aid of Dementia UK.

Ping On was a Stockbridge institution for 56 years, having first opened in the area in 1968 under the ownership of Kenny Mak. It went on to become a firm favourite with generations of Edinburgh locals before Sotto opened in its former premises in 2024, transforming the space into an Italian trattoria and enoteca.

To mark Sotto’s second birthday, owner James Clark brought Ping On back to the restaurant for one night, with the Sotto team temporarily swapping Italian cooking for some of the dishes that had made the restaurant a Stockbridge staple.

The menu featured Kenny’s family recipes, including sizzling ribs, spring rolls, lemon chicken, beef in black bean sauce, egg fried rice and banana fritters.

The evening brought together former Ping On customers returning to the restaurant, alongside Sotto regulars, with more than £4,000 raised for Dementia UK.

North Edinburgh Arts: Act Like You Own the Place!

CELEBRATION and AGM

WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER 5 – 7pm

Act Like You Own the Place!

Join us for our Celebration and AGM

Wednesday 21 October, 5pm – 7pm

– Food & refreshments provided by our NEA Community Café

– Take a self-guided tour around the NEA building

– Take part in fun demonstrations and taster sessions

– Find out more about what’s on at NEA

– Meet local organisations and people living in your neighbourhood

– Bring your family and friends along

North Edinburgh Arts is owned by the people of North Edinburgh and is here for the long term; over 800 local people have already joined our membership scheme and are community owners of this incredible building.

Find out more about the events and activities happening at North Edinburgh Arts – have a shot at carpet bowls or riding an electric bike; or try out your crafty skills with the Knit and Natter group.

There’ll also be the chance to meet many of our tenant organisations Curious Seed, Tinderbox Collective, Flourish Jewellery, Cutting Edge Theatre, Project Esperanza, U-Evolve and more.

We want to share more about what Community Ownership means and the difference it makes. We hope you’ll join us!

If you would like to come along, please RSVP by 14 October on our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/act-like-you-own-the…

Edinburgh set to benefit from £900 million investment

Aldi has revealed that Edinburgh is set to receive around £3.5 million in 2027 as part of its £900m investment programme.

The investment will see Aldi extend its existing store in Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh, creating more space for customers and improving the store layout.

The supermarket plans to open 40 new stores across the UK during the year, alongside continued investment in its distribution network.

Aldi currently has 1,095 stores and plans to grow to 1,500 across the UK, with a focus on communities that do not have easy access to affordable groceries because of a lack of local choice or competition.

Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: “We’re continuing to invest significantly across the UK as we progress towards our long-term ambition of 1,500 Aldi stores.

“These new locations are part of our £900 million investment programme for 2027 and will help us bring Aldi’s award-winning quality and unbeatable value to even more communities. We’re excited to take the next step in our expansion plans and look forward to welcoming customers through the doors of these new stores in the years ahead.”

The investment builds on Aldi’s existing expansion programme, with the supermarket set to open 30 stores during the final months of 2026. Its continued growth will create thousands of jobs and further opportunities for British suppliers.

Aldi has 113 stores in Scotland and employs more than 3,600 people.

Tomorrow: Last Monday Cafe at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

All good things must come to an end!

This Monday (12th October) will be our last Monday Café, and what a lovely few months it’s been! We’ve loved cooking for our community, meeting new people and trying out new recipes. Together, we’ve served 412 meals, all freshly prepared each Monday using lots of rescued food and produce from our garden. 🌱

A huge thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who have helped make this project possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!

But don’t worry, our community lunches aren’t going anywhere! 🎉 We’ll be moving them to Friday afternoons, making it easier for more people to join us, including families after school pick-up and anyone popping along to Dr Bike at the centre. We’ll share more details about timings over the next week or two.

Fancy getting involved in cooking up our community lunches? We’re starting a cooking group where people can come together, share skills and learn new recipes on a Friday morning. If you’re interested, get in touch with Rebecca at rebecca@drylawnc.org.uk to find out more.

And we’re going all out for our final Monday Café! 😋

🥓 Breakfast: All your usual favourites, plus homemade blueberry scones.

🍽️ Lunch: Bangers and mash, followed by an indulgent Banoffee Pie.

Come along, enjoy some good food and help us give the Monday Café a lovely send-off. We’d love to see you there!

Popeyes® announces their third Edinburgh restaurant

Edinburgh… get excited! The legendary crunch, the Louisiana spirit and the chicken sandwich that broke the internet are returning to the city centre, because Popeyes® has confirmed it’s opening a brand new restaurant at 46 North Bridge.

Since landing in the UK in 2021, Popeyes® has been on a mission to bring bold New Orleans flavour to every corner of the country, and Brits have been loving it. 

Locations nationwide have seen queues around the block as fried chicken fans race to get their hands on Popeyes®’ signature Shatter Crunch Chicken Sandwich. Following a warm welcome from fans across Edinburgh, Popeyes® is continuing its expansion in the Scottish capital with another exciting city centre location.

Tom Crowley, Popeyes® UK CEO said: “Edinburgh has given Popeyes® such an incredible welcome, so we’re delighted to be growing our presence in the city with a new North Bridge restaurant.

“Whether you’re a local, commuting through the city or visiting Scotland’s capital, we can’t wait to welcome everyone through our doors to enjoy our famous Louisiana hospitality and unmistakable Popeyes crunch.”

The new restaurant will serve everything Popeyes® is known and loved for, from its hand marinated chicken to those iconic buttermilk biscuits, all made fresh every day and inspired by the heart of Louisiana.

Located on North Bridge, just a five minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley station, the new restaurant will bring Popeyes® even closer to commuters, tourists and local residents in the heart of the city.

Featuring 60 covers, the restaurant will provide a vibrant new dining destination in one of Edinburgh’s busiest locations.

While full details about opening plans are yet to be revealed, one thing is certain – Edinburgh is about to get another taste of Popeyes®’ southern charm.

To stay updated, visit the Popeyes® UK website or follow the brand on Instagram at @PopeyesUK or TikTok at @PopeyesUK.

Making healthier food choices easier

New changes introduced to the sale and placement of foods high in fat, sugar and salt in shops come into effect

Following the passing of regulations by Parliament last year, new restrictions will be introduced from 1 October 2026 in Scotland to support people to make healthier food choices.

Businesses with more than 50 employees will no longer be allowed to display prepackaged junk food such as sugary soft drinks, confectionary, biscuits and breakfast cereals in prominent locations, such as entrances, checkouts and at aisle ends.

Certain price promotions including free refills of sugary soft drinks will also be restricted.

The regulations, which will apply both in-store and online, are intended to create a healthier balance of products on offer, support healthier eating habits and help lower levels of obesity.

Similar restrictions are already in place across England and Wales.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “We want to make it easier for people to live healthier lives. “In Scotland, two out of three adults are overweight or obese, with those living in our poorest areas more likely to be overweight and experience the most harm as a result.

“We know that promotions and the prominent product placement can encourage over-consumption and impulse buying of foods with high levels of calories, fat, sugar and salt.

“By restricting the promotion of less healthy food and drink we can make it easier for people to make healthier choices, improving health and wellbeing and create a Scotland where everyone eats well and has a healthy weight.

”We have engaged extensively with business and industry extensively in developing this approach.  

“These restrictions strike a balance between improving the health of people in Scotland whilst reducing any potential effects on smaller businesses and shops.”

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “Scotland’s retailers are committed to helping consumers make healthier choices. For example, fresh fruit and veg are heavily price promoted and grocers have led the way on reformulating products to reduce salt, sugar, and fat. We’ve pioneered traffic light labelling and signage to help consumers make informed choices.

“We believe these new regulations are proportionate and will enhance the positive work being done by retailers in supporting consumers to make healthier food and drink choices. The choice to implement a consistent model with other UK nations should simplify and reduce the cost of implementation: albeit retailers will still invest around £20 million to deliver the policy.

“We hope this approach, where industry is meaningfully consulted and government acts in a constructive manner, can serve as a model going forward as we work in partnership to make Scotland a healthier and wealthier nation.”