Edinburgh Evening News
IT’S TIME TO GET TOUGH ON SHOPLIFTERS
An Edinburgh shop owner has said more police action is needed and laws need to be changed in order to fight a surge in shoplifting in the city. Artur Zieleniewski, 44, owns the Techspace360 technology store on Shandwick Place, and says his shop loses...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘The law must take its course’
The King has said “the law must take its course” after expressing his “deepest concern” over the arrest of his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Andrew was taken into custody on his 66th birthday yesterday...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WE’RE SO THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT
The family of an East Lothian teacher and firefighter who has “made a difference to many lives” say they have been overwhelmed by the community’s support after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Father-of-three James McPherson, from North Berwick,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Edinburgh’s Sistine Chapel
Mansfield Traquair was built in 1895. Designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, it features murals by Phoebe Anna Traquair. After falling into disrepair, a £2.8m Heritage Lottery Fund grant in 1996 allowed two conservators and three trainees to work for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
KATHY PICKS UP DODDIE BATON
The wife of late rugby legend and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner Doddie Weir will take on a 750-mile cycling challenge to raise money for the charity he founded. Kathy Weir will cycle from the Scottish Borders to Dublin as part of the Doddie's...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MP CALLS FOR CITY CLEAN-UP
A city MP has launched a petition calling on land owners to clear one of the worst fly-tipping sites in Edinburgh, after raising the issue in the House of Commons. Edinburgh East and Musselburgh MP Chris Murray also called for more support for...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
McInnes ‘not bothered’ by Hearts’ title challenge doubters
Hearts boss Derek McInnes says the target that the players and coaches set at the start of this season would now not be enough to match their ambitions as they close in on it, writes Martyn Simpson. The Jambos head coach revealed that in the buildup...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Just the ticket – First Minister announces train fares freeze
First Minster John Swinney has announced rail fares will be frozen for the next year, ahead of the first vote on the Scottish Government’s Budget. Mr Swinney visited Edinburgh Waverley Station yesterday to announce the £4.3 million investment – which...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Optometry team only has eyes for Frankenstein
As the great and the good of the film industry line up for this year’s awards season, Edinburgh contact lens specialist Heather Muir only has eyes for Frankenstein. A member of the team at Cameron Optometry, an independent practice the Capital,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
STALKING CRIMES ARE ON THE RISE
Stalking crimes in Edinburgh are up 40 per cent in the six months to September over the same time period a year before, according to new crime statistics released by Police Scotland. It comes a day after BBC Scotland presenter Anne McAlpine described...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Sarwar tells Starmer to quit
Sir Keir Starmer should quit, the leader of Scottish Labour has said, in a fresh blow to the Prime Minister’s authority. Anas Sarwar used a press conference in Glasgow yesterday to call for Sir Keir to resign as the PM battles the scandal over Peter...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Enlightening experience
Enlightenment at Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall is a unique light and sound show that takes audiences on a memorable journey – all from the comfort of your very own bean bag. Inspired by Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, the touring show – which has now been seen...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
NO WORLD CUP HOLIDAY HERE
City of Edinburgh Council will not recognise the national Bank Holiday to mark Scotland’s participation in the men’s football World Cup finals. A spokesperson for the council confirmed that the local authority had no plans to treat June 15 as a bank...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MOVING TRIBUTE
A luxury locomotive has been named in memory of Pipe Major Iain Grant, the Royal Scotsman’s resident piper for nearly 30 years. A proud Leith native, Iain famously welcomed thousands of passengers at Waverley Station with a stirring bagpipe...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
LEZ RAISES £1M IN ITS FIRST YEAR
Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone raised more than £1 million in its first year of operation. After the costs of running the the scheme were taken out, that left £793,000 which has been allocated to a range of initiatives, including work with schools on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘UNPREPARED AND UNDEREQUIPPED’
The widow of a newlyqualified firefighter who died in the Jenners blaze in Edinburgh has raised “serious concerns” about the circumstances of his death after he fell down stairs in the smoke-filled former department store. Shelley Martin claimed her...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WE'RE READY TO MAKE A SPLASH
An Edinburgh surgeon will be taking on a 3000 mile row across the Atlantic with two of her friends later this year. Jenna Volpert, 29, a surgeon at the Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Children & Young People, is part of the Saltire Tides team which will...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Leith Legends on the march
A new army of supporters has been mobilised ahead of Scotland’s opening World Cup match this summer. Starting from Easter Road Stadium, a group of sheltered housing tenants living in Leith have set off on a 3,070-mile walking challenge – the virtual...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Nowhere for Jock to lodge
A famous Edinburgh pub has been demolished to make way for purpose-built student accommodation. Once known as Jock’s Lodge, the pub on the corner of London Road and Restalrig Road South had several names over the years, including Jimmy O’Rourke’s,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Close encounter with the Bard
People across the country have been celebrating Robert Burns’ 267th birthday, with many raising a glass and tucking into a haggis in honour of the beloved poet. First Minister John Swinney was among those sharing messages of goodwill on social media,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
£60M HOUSING UNDERSPEND
Edinburgh City Council is facing criticism after forecasting a £60 million underspend in its housing budget despite a declared housing emergency. The figures include £14.3m for new construction and £45m for acquisitions. Opposition councillors have...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Young curlers brush up their rink skills
Young curlers in the Capital are being equipped to follow in the footsteps of Olympic heroes Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds. As excitement grows around next month’s Winter Games in Italy, Gogar Park Young Curlers have been awarded £2500 from Aldi...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘GROWING PAINS’ TURN OUT TO BE CANCER
An Edinburgh girl who was told by doctors she had “growing pains” and sent home with painkillers turned out to actually have a rare blood cancer. Ava Ferguson, nine, was taken by her mum Samantha to see a doctor in November after she returned home...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
OPPORTUNITY KNOX
Proposed repairs at a landmark Old Town building have been given the go-ahead by City of Edinburgh Council. A planning application was submitted in November for fabric repairs at the late 15th century John Knox House by the property’s owners, the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Light fantastic
Scotland was treated to a spectacular view of the Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis – on Monday night. The colours are created by disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by particles from the Sun, and are usually concentrated around the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
King toasts Scottish enterprise on city visit
The King shared a dram with Scotland’s First Minister while hosting Scottish business owners at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The reception brought together various entrepreneurs, business owners, investors and capital investment firms to celebrate...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
REGAN WARNS OF VIOLENCE
There is a crisis of violence against women and girls in Scotland, independent Edinburgh Eastern MSP Ash Regan told the Scottish Parliament as she appealed to John Swinney to back her Bill on prostitution. Ms Regan said latest figures from the Crown...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
RACE TO BRING UP TO 1M FANS
Up to a million sports fans could come to Edinburgh next summer to watch the start of the Tour de France cycle race, organisers have said. Paul Bush, Grand Depart GB managing director for the race in 2027, predicts between 10 and 15 million people...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
BOTANICS COSTS THROUGH ROOF
Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden is looking at having to scale back its once-in-a-generation glasshouse project after costs more than doubled. The Edinburgh Biomes project – described as “arguably the most visionary and exciting project of the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MBE strictly for the Bird
Broadcasting veteran Jackie Bird said she was “honoured” to be decorated by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle yesterday. The journalist, 63, who was the face of BBC Scotland News for three decades, was made an MBE for her services to broadcasting...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Trump protest at US consulate
Protesters have gathered outside the US consulate in Edinburgh to demonstrate against the arrest and detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. People at the demonstration on Regent Street on Saturday called for US President Donald Trump to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
ARTIST’S BRUSH T
Self-taught Edinburgh artist Joe Capps has seen a significant surge in commissions after wowing TV audiences with his distinctive style. Joe, from Tollcross, recently participated in Series 12 of the prestigious Sky Arts competition, Portrait Artist...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
EPIC CYCLE TO HONOUR VET
An East Lothian vet is preparing for an epic charity challenge in honour of a muchloved colleague who is receiving palliative care. Chris Monk, Clinical Director at Dunedin Vets in East Lothian, is undertaking the Strathpuffer 2026 mountain bike race...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WALKING OUT ON PEDESTRIANS
Walking campaign group Living Streets Edinburgh has come out against a proposed active travel scheme for Dundee Street and Fountainbridge. It says the plans fail to put pedestrians first, with pavements reduced in width in at least 12 locations and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DRINK SPIKING VICTIMS CALL FOR CHANGE
Two Edinburgh women are calling for urgent changes to how police handle drink spiking cases after saying they feel let down by authorities. The women, who both believe they were spiked at two separate Edinburgh city centre bars, have said they were...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
WANTED: HIRED GUNS
Members of the public could be trained to use speed guns to catch motorists who are driving too fast, under a scheme advocated by Edinburgh’s Green councillors. They said speeding is a frequent factor in road deaths but that the police are currently...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HOGMANAY POWER OUTAGE
Hospitality businesses in one of Edinburgh’s tourist hotspots have warned that the city’s global reputation as the “ultimate Hogmanay destination” is being put at risk by a recent series of power outages – including one they fear will affect New Year...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CRUNCH PARTY TALKS ON TRAMS
City of Edinburgh Council’s minority Labour administration is expected to seek talks soon with other parties in an effort to secure support for the proposed new tramline from Granton to the Royal Infirmary and beyond. Officials are still analysing the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
KNIGHTHOOD FOR BOTANICS CHIEF
The Royal Edinburgh Botanic Garden’s chief executive has said it is an “immense honour” to have been awarded a knighthood as he prepares to retire. Simon Milne, Regius Keeper for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, has been awarded a knighthood in the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
CHAS HELPS MAKE JOSH PILOT FOR A DAY
Christmas came early for a young East Lothian boy when a leading charity joined forces with Loganair to make his dream of flying a reality. Josh Narrie, eight, who loves aeroplanes and all things to do with aviation and transport, has never been able...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PHONES BANNED BY END OF 2026
A consultation on banning mobile phones in Edinburgh’s secondary schools will be launched in January – and education chiefs want a ban in place by the end of the year. It is expected to be modelled on the pilot scheme which has been running at...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
The first-ever city derby on Christmas Day, 1875
A century and a half on, many of the details remain shrouded in mystery. And there’s always a degree of doubt when it comes to the exact order of events. But the one thing historians seem to agree on is that, exactly 150 years ago tomorrow, in 1875, a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HELPING HAND AT CITY’S CHRISTMAS
Edinburgh’s Christmas is partnering with four charities to help raise their profiles as people enjoy the entertainment in the city centre. Donations and money raised across both Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay festivals this year will be...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Scottish teachers struggling with growing mental health issues
Scottish teachers took a total of nearly 600,000 sick days on mental health grounds over the course of five years, new data obtained by the Scottish Conservatives says. The party accused the SNP Government of failing to provide the necessary support...
Read Full Story (Page 3)
THE MAKING OF CHRISTMAS
An Edinburgh couple have been left ‘tickled’ after they received a touching Christmas card from a group of schoolgirls. Lee and Kate Frankish were sitting at home on Monday evening when a ‘lovely surprise’ from three local strangers was delivered...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Call me a sap but tree smell is too strong
Earlier this month I tentatively suggested we change the family tradition of buying a real tree at Christmas. Yes, I freely admit, I was swayed by the daytime telly adverts for fake Canadian Spruces. I worried I might miss the scent of the real thing...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
GUNMAN JAILED FOR 26 YEARS
A gunman who carried out a gangland hit on a man outside an Edinburgh pub on Hogmanay has been sentenced to 26 years in prison. Grant Hunter, 34, fatally shot Marc Webley, 38, outside the Anchor Inn in Granton, Edinburgh, just after 11.30pm on...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PORTY PARKING PLAN DROPPED
Plans for a controlled parking zone in Portobello have been thrown out by councillors after more than 2,000 residents objected to the move. A long-running local campaign against the CPZ had argued parking pressures in the area did not justify the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Let there be light
A stunning multi-sensory experience is coming to one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful buildings next month. The vibrant light and sound show, titled Enlightenment, will come to the McEwan Hall in Teviot Place from January 31 following acclaimed runs in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DAD TOLD HE WOULDN’T HAVE SEEN CHRISTMAS
A fit and active Edinburgh dad “may not have been here to see Christmas” if it hadn’t been for a seizure that revealed his incurable brain cancer doctors have said. Jerry Kerrisk, 66, was showing no symptoms when he suddenly collapsed in June during a...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
EAST CITY TO SHARE IN £20M
Communities in the east of Edinburgh have been chosen to receive £20 million of UK Government funding over the next 10 years. Five areas in the Capital had to bid against each other for the cash from the “Pride in Place” programme, aimed at helping...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
PANTO’S COMING
Stars of Jack and The Beanstalk including Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young commandeered the Lothian Christmas Bus to deliver them to the Festival Theatre, where the panto opens tomorrow
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MORE POWER TO YOUR COUNCILS
Edinburgh and its neighbouring local authorities could be in line for more powers to operate as regional partnerships under plans proposed by the SNP. First Minister John Swinney wants to see more cross-border co-operation between councils of the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Hearts must sharpen up says Braga
The significance of Hearts’ victory at Celtic Park on Sunday is not lost on Claudio Braga, scorer of the opening goal. He thought he was offside but celebrated regardless before Oisin McEntee’s header secured a memorable 2-1 win. Hearts have now won...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Your 40ft hedge needs cutting
Anne-Marie McQueen, 82, angered her neighbours with large cherry laurel and cypress leylandii trees put up around the boundary of her home to “protect her privacy” in the Barnton area of Edinburgh. But five neighbours launched an appeal after claiming...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
LABOUR ORDEAL MAKES LIFE HELL
Edinburgh MSP Foysol Choudhury, who was suspended from Scottish Labour amid an investigation into his conduct, has said the allegations have made his life "hell". Mr Choudhury told a newspaper he had not been informed of the reason for his suspension,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Merry & bright
Festival of Christmas Trees gets underway at St Michael’s Parish Church in Linlithgow
Read Full Story (Page 1)
TATTOO’S £157K FOR HOSPICE
Ticket sales from this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo have raised more than £157,000 to support hospice services across Edinburgh and the Lothians. A special fundraising drive to mark the show’s 75th anniversary saw 75p from every ticket sold...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
HELP US BRING KIT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
The family of a young boy who was diagnosed with an aggressive blood cancer are hoping to give him a Christmas to remember after a “tremendous” community fundraiser. Suzanne and Jonathan Smith were left devastated when their 10-year-old son Kit was...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘CASTLE OUR LAST SCOTTISH SHOW’
Iconic alternative rock band Garbage have announced a special performance at Edinburgh Castle next summer. Lead singer Shirley Manson will bring the band to her home town for the performance at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday, July 11. The Scottish-US...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Digging in for Dunard Centre
First Minister John Swinney yesterday took part in a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of Edinburgh’s first purpose-built concert hall in 100 years. The Dunard Centre, behind the Royal Bank of Scotland building in St Andrew...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Greggs launches Christmas cards with gift sausage roll
High street baker Greggs is launching its first range of Christmas cards which come with the gift of a sausage roll. The range - called the Ultimate Secret Santa Surprise - includes a £3.95 card featuring heat-activated ink which, when warmed, reveals...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Police and docs say please don’t buy your kids e-bikes and scooters for Christmas
Medical experts and police are warning parents to think about the dangers of buying e-scooters and e-bikes for children after an "alarming" rise in the number of injuries. Between May and October this year more than 30 children needed emergency care...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Peter Capaldi leaves the Tardis to take up rock guitar on tour
Actor Peter Capaldi, better known as the electric guitar playing incarnation of Dr Who and The Thick Of It’s Malcolm Tucker, picks up where he left off 40 years ago when he was a new wave wannabe rock star in a Glasgow band next year, as he hits the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Unwrapping the Lidlest prices is More to Value.
Findings based on Independent price comparisons of 70 items by Which? every day in October 2025.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Doddie’s son Hamish steps up to plate
One of the sons of the late Doddie Weir has said he feels it is time to “step up” as he was announced as captain of the Scotland team in a challenge raising money for research into motor neurone disease. Scotland rugby legend Weir died in November...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MOTHER AIMS TO HELP SAVE LIVES
A mother whose son died in an alleged stabbing in Leith two months ago is raising money to provide simple “bleed kits” – designed to deal with any severe bleeding – and make them as widely available as possible. Lisa Petrie says things could have been...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Castle of Light:
More than 4700 people descended on Edinburgh Castle this weekend as Castle of Light: Fire and Ice officially opened to the public
Read Full Story (Page 1)
DEMOLITION VIA NEGLECT
It once lit up the skies over the Firth of Forth with its neon-lit Art Deco frontage and has been at the centre of a near decade-long campaign to save it. But the future of a historic Portobello cinema has been thrown into doubt after Edinburgh City...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
TRIBUTES AS MUM OF SEVEN DIES SUDDENLY
The heartbroken daughter of a West Lothian woman who died suddenly at the age of just 43 has paid tribute to her “absolutely amazing” mum. Emma McGinty was taking her youngest children to bed on the evening of Monday, November 3, when she collapsed in...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Wreaths laid at Stone of Remembrance
Remembrance Sunday is “ever more important” amid global conflict and the threat to democracy, the First Minister said as he led tributes at a ceremony in Edinburgh. John Swinney laid a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance outside Edinburgh City Chambers...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
I’VE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CERVICAL CANCER AT 23
A young mother from Edinburgh who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer is demanding change after she had to fight for tests due to her age. Paige McCall, who grew up in Wester Hailes but moved to Doncaster, South Yorkshire, last year, was told she...
Read Full Story (Page 1)