Five things you need to know today

The whisky, which has been described as having the complex aroma of old English marmalade, ripe bananas, treacle toffee and fruitcake, comes in a ceramic decanter with stopper and is estimated at £5,000-7,000.

Among other lots is a Black Bowmore 1964 bottled in 1993.  Number 1372 of 2000, it comes in a wooden presentation case and carries an estimate of £2,000-2,500.

Three commemorative bottles also stand out.  A Port Ellen Maltings-21 year old bottled to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Port Ellen Maltings (1973-1998) is estimated at £1,000-1,200 and a Bowmore-30 year old-1963 which marks the 30^th anniversary of Morrison Bowmore Distillers ownership is expected to fetch £800-1,000.

Finally a bottle of Blair Athol Bicentenary-12 year old which commemorates 200 years of distilling (1798-1998), comes in its original carton and is estimated at £800-1,000

In all there are over 100 bottles on offer.  They form part of Bonhams Scottish Sale Part II which takes place over two days – 29^th and 30^th August – and is a celebration of all things Scottish.

***

Calders High Rise Surgeries

The Council are running twice weekly rents surgeries in the Concierge Office in Medwin House. These surgeries will run each:

• Monday: 2pm to 4pm
• Wednesday: 9am to 12 noon

If you would like to make an appointment please contact Graeme Wood on 0131 527 3874 or graeme.wood@edinburgh.gov.uk

***

Holyrood Park will be closed to vehicle traffic during the end of the Edinburgh Festival Fireworks Display on Sunday 2 September 2012.

 

All of the park roads with the exception of the loop road between Horse Wynd and Holyrood Gait/Holyrood Road, will be closed to traffic between 20.00pm and 22.30pm. A number of park rangers will be on also be on duty.

 

The closures are for public safety reasons due to the high volume of pedestrians who wish to use the Park as a viewing spot for the fireworks.

 

Martin Gray, Historic Scotland Visitor Services Manager for Holyrood Park, said;

 

“The end of festival fireworks attracts thousands of visitors to Holyrood Park looking to enjoy the fantastic views of the fireworks display from the Castle. It is an opportunity for people to have fun, but it is important that this is done safely. Last year the Park experienced significant traffic congestion, as well as people parking on the verges of the park which impinged on people’s ability to enjoy the fireworks as well as posing a safety risk.

 

“We have taken the decision to close the roads to limit this and would encourage visitors to access the park by foot to take advantage of the open environment around them.”

***

The Scotsman reports that the creator of the film The Illusionist which so delighted Edinburgh International Film Festival fans is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Edinburgh.

***

The Council have decided that Inverleith Park may not be used as a family viewing area for the Fireworks this weekend. It is quite simply waterlogged as anyone who has been down there recently will tell you. There are alternatives being suggested but probably none which quite match the ease of Inverleith.