Detectives in Edinburgh are continuing to appeal for information after a man suffered a serious head injury following an assault in Edinburgh last Saturday (13 August, 2022).
Around 8.15pm, police were called to an incident in Princes Street, between the Johnnie Walker premises and the Royal Bank of Scotland, where a 53-year-old man was found injured.
He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he remains in a critical condition.
Extensive enquiries carried have so far established a number of people witnessed the incident and detectives are appealing for those members of the public to contact them.
Detective Inspector Jonny Wright, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “We understand that there were several witnesses to this incident and would like to speak to anyone who may have information about what happened.
“In particular, I would ask anyone who may have captured images or video footage on their mobile phones to contact us. This footage could prove vital to our investigation.
“We have also set up a website that gives members of the public access to a form to send information directly to the Major Investigation Team. Anyone with any private CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage that they think would assist the enquiry can also send this via this link.
“You can select to remain anonymous when submitting information.
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3789 of 13 August, 2022. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give information anonymously.
POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered a serious head injury on Princes Street yesterday.
Around 8.15pm last night, police received a report of a disturbance in Princes Street, near to Johnnie Walker premises. Officers attended and a 53-year-old man was found injured. He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where medical staff describe his condition as critical.
Officers are gathering and checking relevant CCTV footage for any information on the suspect.
Enquiries carried out so far have established a number of people witnessed the fight between the two men and officers are appealing for those members of the public to contact them.
Detective Inspector Keith Fairbairn said: “A man has been left seriously injured in this incident and it’s imperative we trace whoever is responsible.
“We know that numerous people saw what happened and I am appealing to them to get in touch with us. Any small piece of information could prove vital in this investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3789 of 13 August, 2022. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give information anonymously.
Nine students have celebrated their graduation at the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Learning for Life Academy in a special ceremony hosted within the new visitor experience to toast their success.
The students have completed the six-week bartending and hospitality course which offers young people entry level training in bartending and hospitality, including work experience in local pubs, bars and restaurants.
All participants of this cohort have been offered the opportunity to interview for a role at Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh, which is due to open in spring 2022 in a major move which will see the iconic brand expand beyond the Perthshire hills for the first time in its almost 100-year history.
Congratulating the students on their graduation, Gleneagles’ Director of People & Culture, Emma Simpson, said: “Hospitality is an industry like no other. Dynamic, exciting and rewarding in equal measure, there are very few career paths that present the same breadth of roles and opportunities for continuous professional development and progression.
“It’s wonderful to see so many young people kickstarting their hospitality careers through this programme which is helping to nurture the next generation of talent here in Edinburgh. We’re thrilled for the graduates and look forward to following and supporting them as they progress in their careers.”
Diageo Learning for Life is an award-winning bartender training programme, through which the company invests £1m-per-year in offering opportunities to young unemployed people in the UK to get into hospitality careers.
Since launch in Scotland in 2014, over 4,000 people have graduated from the programme with 88% going on to sustained employment and a further 6% going on to further education.
Ewan Ritchie, from Midlothian, is celebrating his graduation from the course which has recently completed in Edinburgh, only the second course to be held in the new Learning for Life Academy at Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
The new Johnnie Walker Princes Street visitor experience has a dedicated bar for the Learning for Life programme, giving students access to world class training. The academy provides ample space for presentations, tutorials and lessons as well as a large, open bar area where people can learn and hone the skills they learn.
Ewan, said:“The last six weeks have been absolutely fantastic and I am so grateful to have been able to work with such a wonderful team to kickstart my career in hospitality.
“My favourite part of the course was learning practical skills and gaining product knowledge from inspirational trainers and Ambassadors within the Industry]. I really look forward to starting my full time front of house role within the new Gleneagles Townhouse.”
Gillian Dalziel, Learning for Life Programme Manager in the UK said:“Congratulations to all the students that have graduated today. It has been great to see all their hard work come to fruition.
“At Diageo we aim to promote sustainable growth through inclusive programmes and Learning for Life plays an important role in giving young people the opportunity to kickstart a career in such a vibrant industry.”
The Learning for Life course in Edinburgh was delivered by Diageo partner The Springboard Charity, who works closely with Diageo to ensure the highest quality training and experience is delivered to Learning for Life students.
Chris Gamm, CEO of Springboard, said: “This has been another hugely successful course, delivered to a group of engaged and enthusiastic individuals in Scotland.
“We couldn’t be more proud of the graduates and are delighted that they have all been offered interviews at Gleneagles Townhouse. The Learning for Life Academy at Johnnie Walker Princes Street is already proving itself as a vital training centre, making a positive impact on improving the hospitality talent pipeline in Edinburgh.”
To find out more about Diageo Learning for Life and how to apply, please visit:
Edinburgh’s ultimate whisky destination has something for everyone this season
Johnnie Walker Princes Street, the eight-floor visitor attraction in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, has today unveiled its festive plans including a mouth-watering selection of food and drinks, and an unrivalled collection of whiskies and whisky experiences for those looking to purchase gifts and celebrate with loved ones.
Food & Drink
The menus across both stunning rooftop bars have been given a festive makeover, with dishes including Glenkinchie infused hot smoked salmon with crab and seaweed aioli, or Lowlands baby beets and Lanark blue cheese salad, candied walnuts, plum & chicory lettuce with hay smoked roe deer loin, sure to delight 1820 Bar Diners.
A festive set menu featuring Christmas pudding and Johnnie Walker crème caramel is also available in the 1820 Bar, and a set menu for special occasions can be booked in the exclusive Blue Label dining area which includes fillet of highlands beef with haggis cannelloni and honey & thyme roasted root veg.
From a drinks perspective, the 1820 Bar adds “orange and caraway” and “cranberry and chestnut” to its offering which explores the world of flavour.
Those wiling away the festive hours in the Explorers’ Bothy can enjoy the likes of Vietnamese dressed oyster and crispy shallots, salt baked beetroot and orange tartare cones, beef cheek and truffle doughnuts or a vegetarian charcutier selection with handmade oatcakes, artisan biscuits & sourdough bread.
Hogmanay
Hogmanay revellers on the lookout for great music, incredible food and an unbeatable view of both Edinburgh Castle and the city skyline need look no further than Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s rooftop 1820 Bar’s Hogmanay event.
Everyone ringing in the new year at this exclusive evening will be treated to live entertainment from incredible jazz vocalist, Georgia Cécile, welcome drinks, an aperitif, selection of canapes, festive nibbles and a glass of champagne or a dram for when the clock strikes midnight. Booking information will be released soon, follow Johnnie Walker Princes Street’s social channels for updates.
Festive Experiences
Johnnie Walker Princes Street offers a range of immersive experiences perfect for celebrating this festive season. The flagship Journey of Flavour tour can accommodate up to 22 guests, making it ideal for celebrating with friends, family, or work colleagues.
The full sensory tour is a 90-minute exploration of taste which includes three personalised whisky drinks. Guests set off from the welcome lobby which will be decorated with a magnificent Christmas tree, and explore festive touches around the building, including spectacular wreaths and garlands.
For the whisky connoisseur, look no further than Casks of Discovery in the venue’s underground Whisky Makers’ Cellar. Here, guests explore the art of blending and taste whiskies live blended to Johnnie Walker Master Makers’ recipes. They’ll also have the chance to savour exclusive single malt, single grain and experimental whiskies drawn straight from the cask.
Festive Shopping
For those looking to take home a gift for someone special, the ground floor retail space boasts an unparalleled collection of both blended and single malt whiskies to suit all tastes and budgets.
Moreover, the store has a number of exclusive items which cannot be purchased anywhere else, including the fill your own Johnnie Walker Princes Street blend, now in its winter edition, which is an experience in itself.
The whisky is sure to please with notes of butterscotch, tablet and creamy toffee, and there is a bespoke laser engraving and gift-wrapping service available to add that extra special touch. The Johnnie Walker Black Label Princes Street edition is another exclusive, with customisable gift tags available for all bottles.
The store also carries a wide selection of Johnnie Walker merchandise including re-usable water bottles, clothing, glassware and more. Stocking fillers like crackers, socks, hats, notebooks and whisky stones are all on offer, as are advent calendars.
Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “We’re delighted to reveal our festive menu and plans for the season. The team has done a wonderful job developing the food, drink and experiences we’ve got planned, making Johnnie Walker Princes Street a must visit destination in December.
“We’ve enjoyed an incredible first couple of months since we opened our doors. The city of Edinburgh has welcomed us with open arms, and we’ve enjoyed every minute we’ve spent hosting our local, national and international guests. We look forward to celebrating with you all this festive season.”
After an extraordinary 25 days, the 2021 Edinburgh Festival Fringe has drawn to a close, having brought artists, arts industry, media and audiences together once again to celebrate the magic of live performance.
This year, the Fringe looked very different. For the first time, audiences were able to engage with work both online and in-person, with performers, creators and producers embracing new ways to keep performance in our hearts and minds.
Shows happened in car parks, racecourses, tents and forests. There were brave new works-in-progress; exciting revivals; reimagined classics; solo shows; family-friendly shows; international showcases; sketch shows; interactive digital works; outdoor site-specific shows; walking tours; immersive experiences and late-night, mixed-bill, laugh-a-minute shows.
Some performers took the stage for the first time in 18 months, while others used the festival as a way of reconnecting with fellow artists and industry professionals.
There was support for arts professionals in new ways – with Fringe Connect offering a professional development, workshop and networking space for artists and industry, and Fringe Marketplace providing a digital platform to showcase export ready professional work from across the Fringe to delegates from around the world.
Our Street Events programme looked different, but was just as joy-filled as always, with everything from magic to live music happening in safe, managed locations from West Parliament Square to the Mound.
Street performers also went into communities across Edinburgh, while the Fringe Society worked with over 30 charities and community groups to distribute Fringe vouchers and Lothian bus tickets to give people the opportunity to experience the Fringe either in person or online.
The Fringe Society continued its commitment to accessibility. There was BSL interpretation of the street events at West Parliament Square, and a bespoke access bookings service on offer for customers who require it.
This Fringe was also a big step forward for sustainability. More performers marketed their shows digitally, through QR codes, social media and more. Our online strand meant less travel and a reduced carbon footprint for some participating artists, audiences and industry, extending our global reach even further.
We also strengthened the Fringe’s place in our local community. This year, over a third of audiences were from Edinburgh, and a further 17% were from the rest of Scotland. 44% were from the wider United Kingdom. Artists and creatives local to Scotland also added their stories to stages and screens in greater proportions than we have seen in recent years.
But that didn’t happen at the expense of the festival’s founding open access principle. 38 countries were represented on the Fringe this year, with work from nine countries featured as part of international showcases taking place. There was also increased international representation in proportion to the overall programme.
Commenting on this year’s festival, Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “Traditionally, this day in the Fringe calendar is all about statistics: how many shows took place, how many tickets were bought, and what that means.
“But this year, I’d like to stop defining success by scale. For me, that’s never been what makes the Fringe special. Success should be defined by the quality of experience we’ve all had – and what we’re hearing from performers and audiences alike is that this year’s Fringe has been hugely successful indeed.
“When registration opened in May, we had no way of knowing for sure what this summer would look like. Today, we celebrate every single show that has been brought to life. I’d like to personally thank and congratulate everyone that made it happen, as well as our audiences, sponsors and supporters who have cheered us on and offered much-needed support through this wild and unexpected year.
“We’ve still got work to do to ensure the Fringe recovers – but recovery isn’t about growth in the statistical sense. It’s about growth as a Fringe community. As we move forward with our Save the Fringe campaign and continue to champion this festival and the wider arts, we’ll be calling on everyone to help us shape what the future of this fantastic festival holds.”
Benny Higgins, Chair, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “I’d like to offer huge congratulations to everyone that made this festival happen in the most challenging of circumstances.
“I’ve been blown away by the commitment, creativity and talent of those that have worked tirelessly to bring the magic of the Fringe back to Edinburgh’s streets – and for the first time – to screens around the world.
“As we look to the Fringe’s 75th anniversary in 2022, I am looking forward to being part of a wider conversation about how we make this festival the very best version of itself. This year proved that a small amount of public sector investment can bring about positive change, and it’s crucial that investment in this hugely important festival continues. The Fringe has a big role to play in our recovery, and as we look to build a renaissance for the Fringe in the future, we’ll keep working to support those that make it happen.”
Barbara Smith, Managing Director of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “It’s been a fantastic month, seeing the phased return of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and seeing Edinburgh locals and visitors get to enjoy what Edinburgh does best.
“As official whisky of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Johnnie Walker has celebrated the month with our residence ‘The Fringe Club’ on The Mound throughout the festival and gifting lucky festival-goers with exclusive prizes. We’ve our eyes firmly on the future, opening our doors to Johnnie Walker Princes Street on 6 September and joining in the celebrations once again in 2022.”
Next year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 05 – 29 August 2022. It will mark the 75th anniversary of the festival.
SPONSORS and SUPPORTERS
As a charity, the work of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society would not be possible without the valuable support of our partners, sponsors and funders.
We are delighted to be working with Johnnie Walker for the third year running as our official whisky partner.
We are proud to be partnering with the newly opened St James Quarter and are excited to be working with them this year and beyond.
We are excited to be partnering with Crowdfunder again through our FringeMakers fundraising platform, supporting Fringe artists and venues with vital fundraising efforts.
We have teamed up with Rare Birds Books to a create a limited-edition book bundle with books selected by the women behind three of the Fringe’s most iconic venues; Rowan Campbell, the General Manager of Summerhall, Dani Rae, the General Manager of Assembly and Katy Koren, who co-runs Gilded Balloon. Proceeds of the sale of this bundle will support go directly to supporting Fringe artists bring work to the Fringe.
We would also like to thank Lothian Buses for their continued support of our Fringe Days Out programme.
We’re thrilled to welcome Edinburgh Gin on board as Official Gin of the Fringe and look forward to working with them.
We are grateful for funding through the PLACE Programme, a partnership between the Scottish Government -through Creative Scotland -the City of Edinburgh Council and Festivals Edinburgh; Scottish Government for Made in Scotland through the Festivals Expo Fund – managed through Creative Scotland – and the continued support of the City of Edinburgh Council. Thanks also to Scottish Government for funds from their Get into Summer campaign.
We are grateful for funding from the Pivotal Event Business Fund, the SCVO Adapt and Thrive programme, the Foyle Foundation and the UK Government to enhance our digital capabilities.
Our thanks also to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the Pump House Trust and the Turtleton Charitable Trust.
With thanks to EventScotland and City of Edinburgh Council for supporting Street Events.
Thank you to Brightcove, our streaming partners, for their support in delivering the Fringe Player.
Our thanks also to our Fringe Angels, Patrons, Friends and supporters whose passion and generosity made a real difference this year.
