This play has already won awards and will be performed on the Fringe from 17 to 25 August.

The drama unfolds within the walls of La Moneda, Allende’s presidential palace in Santiago de Chile. Facing imminent defeat, Allende meets a mysterious and elegantly dressed stranger, Agent D, who challenges him to reflect on his life and beliefs in what becomes the ultimate chess game. The play is a gripping exploration of history, weaving fact with fictional elements.

Luigi Laraia’s drama first captivated audiences at the 2022 Capital Fringe Festival in Washington D.C., winning both Best Drama and Best of Festival awards.

Praised for its “enthralling script,” the play blends Allende’s final speeches with imagined scenarios, offering a nuanced portrait of the leader. “I have a deep fascination with Allende’s story, which started when I was researching him for my undergraduate dissertation,” said Laraia, who studied first at London Metropolitan University and graduated with a Masters from The London School of Economics and Political Science. “He wanted no part in an armed struggle or a revolution through insurgency. He remained true to his ideals and the Chilean Constitution until the very end.”

Laraia said the play underscores the fragility of democracy and the dangers posed by populism and falsehoods.

“We do not wish to glorify Allende, his political ideals, or his government,” Laraia said. “Instead, we aim to highlight the importance of fighting for democratic values and institutions, now and for future generations. It does not take a dictator for democracy to crumble.”

The original Washington cast returns for the Edinburgh production.

Produced by the New York-based LakeArts Foundation, “September 11, 1973: The Day Salvador Allende Died” will run from August 17 to 25, 2024 at 1300 BST, at C Aquila in Edinburgh. Tickets, priced from £6.20 to £13.00 are available here.

Hearts bosses have thanked fans for their support after confirming that all tickets for the Premier Sports Cup, second-round, tie at Falkirk on Saturday have been sold out.

The Jambos host Dundee United on Sunday, September 1 (3pm) and tickets are now on sale.

Meanwhile, Steven Naismith (pictured), Hearts’ head coach, has reflected on the disappointing defeat at Dens Park against Dundee and he said: “We did not have the energy or application we had against Rangers.”

He told Hearts TV: “The first 20 minutes was very scrappy and there were loads of 50-50 balls and we came out second best on them.

“When we were trying to raise the tempo we seemed to take an age to do everything. That plays into the home team’s hands and then they get a goal which was really poor from us.

“The second goal was really poor and then the third goal we are all over the place. The second half we got a little bit of reaction and we scored a goal.

“We then had two really big chances, if one of them goes in with 15 minutes to go and the game is against Dundee. Then we allowed Dundee to manage the game. They killed the game, they took their time.”

Perhaps you heard the screams from the Playhouse on Monday night? I’ve not heard anything so loud at a concert in a long time and it’s fair to say London-born singer/songwriter/performer Declan McKenna finished his tour in style at the Edinburgh International Festival. 

He spoke of the capital being one of his favourite cities in the UK and pointed out that Scotland was the only country to give him a No.1 album but quickly delivered the caveat that chart positions don’t matter. I had hoped to review him at a previous gig at the Corn Exchange in 2021 but a family member testing positive for Covid put paid to that. McKenna is worth the wait, he opened with Sympathy from his recent third album What Happened To The Beach? which recalls the multi-coloured and psychedelic Magical Mystery Tour era Beatles.

His second album Zeros was delayed at various points due to the pandemic and probably didn’t get the attention it deserved. Tonight he plays the memorable single The Key To Life On Earth, there’s more than a hint of The Smiths’ euphoric melancholy and in particular Johnny Marr’s jingle jangle genius.

It’s hard to believe McKenna wrote Brazil at just 16 releasing what was his debut single back in 2015. It remains one of the strongest songs in his set full of hooks, melody and killer lines. The lazy brilliance of It’s An Act is a modern ballad of sorts, fans immediately raise their phones to film or just get lost in the moment.

Another 45 from Zeros, Be an Astronaut, is McKenna’s songwriting at its best and was one of the highlights of lock-down television when he performed it at the piano on Later With Jools Holland. The track sat comfortably between Bowie’s Hunky Dory and Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. While he doesn’t play it tonight we do get a debut live performance, his TikTok viral cover of Abba’s Slipping Through My Fingers. From the Swedish band’s final album The Visitors, its strange beauty is a beguiling favourite among songwriters and McKenna’s version is sublime and heartbreaking.

When you contrast that with Mystery Planet and British Bombs, the theatre erupts. McKenna, for the second time, makes his way into the audience amid scenes of wild emotion. He tells us, more than once, that this is the “end of an era”. If this is the final line of a chapter for McKenna then he’s finished well.

Who knows what a creative talent like this will dream up next? 

Glasgow Allied Vehicles Tigers have announced the signing of Anders Rowe on a 28-day deal to replace the unwell Steve Worrall on the eve of their re-arranged Cab Direct Championship home clash with Steller Omada Monarchs on Wednesday (7.30pm).

Rowe, a former National League Riders’ Champion, comes after three recent guest appearances as Worrall is struggling to shake off the effects of Labyrinthitis.

Manager Cami Brown told glasgowtigers.co.uk: “We have moved to sign Anders with Steve’s knowledge and blessing. Anders has been really impressive already for us. He was excellent in our home meeting with Poole and also at Edinburgh and Plymouth.

“We’ve obviously got some huge meetings coming up now if we are to reach the play-offs. It’s a big ask but we will give it everything as a team.“

Meanwhile, Berwick Jewson Bandits wrapped up their championship campaign with double defeat to Workington, leaving the Bandits in downbeat mood.

They suffered a host of tapes disqualifications and mechanical failures across the two meetings and the wooden spoon may be heading for Shielfield Park depending on future results elsewhere.

Manager Stewart Dickson (pictured) said: “Workington seemed to want it more than us which was disappointing. Four race winners at home tells its own story.”

Ellen McNeill’s been putting this question to people on the Royal Mile, and she’s been overwhelmed by the response.

It seems that most of us have known that very particular pain of being dumped. It’s so intensely shattering that many of us remember it decades later.

What do people do in this situation? Where do they put all that misery? How do they ever move on?

In 2023 singer-songwriter Ellen’s own relationship fell apart. Her world imploded. After a decent interval of grief though, instead of staying under the duvet she decided to make a show about it.

History of a Heartbreak is Ellen’s story.

Alone with her guitar on the stage of Greenside’s intimate Clover Studio, Ellen takes us through the events that have led her to this point. Her parents come from York. The family moved to Connecticut when she was still at primary school and Ellen had to adapt fast. She can still do a mean Yorkshire accent though, as she repeats the life advice dished out by her Dad,

The British way to handle the bad stuff is, she says, to pretend it never happened. On reflection, I think she’s probably right; that stiff upper lip is still perfectly starched, at least among the older generation. When Ellen’s parents announce their intention to divorce, she literally sprints down the street to “outrun emotion”.

In High School Ellen feels judged by the popular girls; now she assumes their superior stances as she voices their patronising, bitchy comments. She soon learns theat the path of least resistance is to be a people pleaser; be easy to be around, be nice, bring people together. Her intuition tries to make itself heard, but she ignores it; in the short term at least, it’s so much simpler to be the person you imagine other people want you to be.

So when Ellen meets a man who makes that compliant person feel good, it’s hardly surprising that she wants more – who wouldn’t? They enjoy an idyllic summer, and even when their relationship has to become long distance for a time, they keep it alive, eventually agreeing to move to Los Angeles together. Romantic, right? And when that insistent little voice of intuition raises doubts,

Who hasn’t been there? How lovely it is to know somebody needs you, that you’re not alone in this scary world. But do they need you, or do they need the person you are desperately trying to be?

Ellen illustrates her narrative with her own songs, songs that draw pictures for us of how things were back then. She was just 25 when she met her partner, too young for commitment, too scared to pass it by,

In LA the couple set up the perfect home. They hold pizza nights in their garden, organise pop-up concerts that sell out every time. Once again Ellen is creating a community for other people. Once again, she feels disconnected, vulnerable. Those mean girls in her head are still putting her down.

Ellen’s musical career blossoms while inside she withers. Her partner starts to find fault with her. As the songs become sad, raw, emotional, Ellen’s face reflects her misery. She feels stuck, trapped, but has no idea what to do. An evening with some magic mushrooms brings everything to a head. Ellen curls up on the floor of the stage; she’s trying to hide from her demons. How often have we all assumed the foetal position, cradling our hearts, protecting them from the darkness we feel?

Those mushrooms don’t feel very magic at the time, but maybe they are, because as the relationship slowly and excruiciatingly crumbles Ellen notices something strange. Even though, at the very end, she cries for weeks and – as is often the case – mutual friends abandon her,

those mean girl voices start to subside. And her old friend intuition takes over,

And intuition speaks with a Yorkshire accent. Because that’s who Ellen really is.

History of a Heartbreak is a brave interrogation of one woman’s path to growth. The journey wasn’t straightforward, nor was it much fun, but she’s come out the other side, and it was worth it. It’s never easy to be honest with ourselves; almost all of us want to fit the “perfect” template, so accepting that not only will we never do so, we also don’t want or need its toxic, suffocating, pressure, is tough.

Ellen has not only come to terms with her true self, she’s told her story with courage and created an entertaining show that will make you think, and perhaps help the heartbroken (whether their hearts were broken last week, last year, or last century) to feel less alone.  

As I left Greenside on Monday, at least three audience members told me how much they had enjoyed the show; that’s quite the endorsement, so catch it while you can.

History of a Heartbreak is at Venue 16, Greenside @ Riddles Court (Clover Studio) at 2.50pm every day until 17 August. Tickets here

On Monday night I was part of an experiment in theatre.

Scottish Opera performed Stravinsky’s opera Oedipus Rex in promenade form. The audience and several of the players (especially the chorus) intermingled on the main floor and balcony of the National Museum. Whilst the music and singing were wonderful, in my opinion the trial was a failure.

The amplified narration was mostly unintelligible, the enchanting costumes were only glimpsed due to the crowd, and the majority of the action was unseen since it took place at various points away from wherever you were. Add to that, the libretto was only available on your phone.

I find reading things on my phone difficult at the best of times. Of course familiarity with the story meant less reliance on “surtitles” is necessary for me for this opera. At least the acoustics of the Grand Gallery allowed for clarity of music and song.

If another offering of this type is presented, I’ll certainly pass.

https://www.eif.co.uk/events/oedipus-rex Also on 18 and 19 August.

East Lothian saw the biggest fall in short term holiday lets registered in any UK area last year as the number of bed spaces fell by more than 1,000.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics have revealed that while short term lets appear to be growing in popularity, the number registered in the county fell by 17 per cent.

And they revealed that while the number of properties and bed spaces had fallen, the number of hosts listed operating them remained the same.

The figures, which have been highlighted by building maintenance experts SFG20, reveal that while nationally the number of lets fell by less than 1 per cent across Scotland, where new legislation introduced last year required property owners to licence them, the drop in East Lothian was the biggest.

It said in January last year there were 6320 short term holiday let bed spaces in East Lothian, by December the number had fallen to 5310.

By comparison Midlothian had 1330 in January last year rising to 2060 by December while in the Scottish Borders the number went from 8250 to 9010 over the same period.

The number of listings identified by using data from Airbnb, Booking.Com and Expedia, in East Lothian also fell from 1160 to 960 while going up in Midlothian from 270 to 330  and Scottish Borders from 1,900 1990.

However the number of hosts listed in East Lothian between January and December remained the same – 600.

The figures come as an independent report commissioned by North Berwick Environment and Heritage Trust said the number of holiday lets listed in the town, which has the largest percentage of short term lets in the county had risen by 100 over a year.

SFG20 said that while several other Scottish areas such as Edinburgh (8 per cent), Perth and Kinross (7 per cent) and Moray West (5 per cent)also  saw a decrease in registered lets Corby in Merseyside was the only English area to see a decrease and it was still lower than East Lothian at 10 per cent.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “Whilst we do not have figures that mirror the ONS data in detail, we would have expected some decrease in short term lets, following the national introduction of licensing in 2023. 

“We will be reviewing data from various sources and datasets to compare with our annual tourism monitoring.”

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Edinburgh tennis player Jacob Fearnley, 23, has soared from 225 to 162 in the world rankings after another success in the ATP Challenger series.

Jacob, a product of the Merchiston Castle tennis academy who moved on to spend four years at College in Texas, defeated Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong 6-4,6-2 in the final of the Lincoln (Nebraska) tournament and now intends to return to the practice courts to prepare for US Open qualifying, starting next Monday.

Of a qualifying entry of 128 only 16 places will be available in the event itself and having competed in the Championship proper at Wimbledon Fearnley is keen to be involved on the grand slam stage once again.

Earlier this summer Jacob triumphed in the prestigious Nottingham Challenger previously won by compatriot, Andy Murray.

Interviewed by a local television channel after his Nebraskan success, Jacob said: “It was a great week. My goal was to reach the final and I am super grateful. The atmosphere was great.”

This dance piece is based on an ancient Sufi myth about a captured, common songbird of Africa and Asia, the bulbul, which sings an exquisite tune before perishing from despair. The routine combines Indian classical dance (known as Kathak) and Islamic poetry. Kathak is one of the nine major forms of Indian classical dance – Its origin is attributed to the traveling bards in ancient northern India known as Kathakar (“storyteller”), who communicated stories through dance, songs and music. And Sufi Kathak combines that tradition with that of Sufism.

The score of Rushil Ranjan was enveloping, the tabla particularly noticeable in an exciting, invigorating way; it combined aspects of both Western & Eastern musical conventions in a seamless blend allowing the choreography of Rani Khanam full expression. The execution of the moves by Aakash Odedra were sublime, moving from the hatching of the bird through the phases of freedom, caging, and ultimate demise. The movement had reminders of the dervish as well as the peace of the yogi.

This world premiere illustrates once again why the EIF deserves and enhances its reputation as a platform for the greatest performing arts from all parts of the globe.

https://www.eif.co.uk/events/songs-of-the-bulbul

Janet is a writer with student debts. Miss Branch directs a theatre that’s struggling for funds.

Enter Grant, e-commerce billionaire and the friendly face of capitalism. Or is he?

Grant wants the plays of Shakespeare ‘translated’ into modern English. And Janet is his translator of choice.

In Brian Dykstra’s clever play Polishing Shakespeare, directed by Margarett Perry, we are asked to consider the thorny issue of arts funding. As traditional sources of money – the government, charitable foundations, trust funds – dry up, how far should organisations compromise their principles to shore up their battered bank accounts? As pressure grows to avoid offers from not only (eg) fossil fuel behemoths but any company with links to them, what are theatres, opera houses, concert halls, festivals, galleries and arts centres to do? And even if a potential funder doesn’t have obvious connections to questionable sources, what, exactly, is their agenda? Just what return are they expecting on their investment?

To illustrate this problem, three characters engage in a battle of wits and wills. Grant is determined to have his way (but why?), Miss Branch is determined to save her theatre, and Janet wants to hang on to her artistic integrity….but there’s still the small matter of those student debts.

Written entirely in iambic pentameter, Polishing Shakespeare is hugely entertaining, with some visual jokes and a great many more hidden in the text (just like Shakespeare’s originals in fact.)  All three actors inhabit their parts; Kate Siahann-Rigg’s Janet is smart and feisty, Kate Levy’s Miss Branch conflicted and desperate, and Brian Dykstra’s fabulously villainous Grant a sexist slimeball who’s so used to getting his own way that he simply cannot believe anyone can stop him. (Sound familiar?) These actors ping pong words about with an expertise that only the truly adept can pull off; they manage to act – and act well – while remembering complicated verse and long soliloquies. And yes, I know Shakespearean actors do this all the time, but they’re not often working in a portacabin in George Street.

Grant says his argument is this: Shakespeare’s language is HARD, no-one understands it. Audiences get frustrated and leave, never to return. Isn’t everyone entitled to be entertained? Going to the theatre shouldn’t feel like work.

Janet counters this by blaming directors, especially those who put the plays into bizarre modern settings and corrupt the plots to ‘make them relevant.’ It’s the words, the poetry, she says, that count,

Grant and Miss Branch appear at first to be in cahoots. They exchange knowing looks, they patronise Janet, they tell her they’re not criticising Shakespeare, oh no – it’s the audiences who are stupid! And they somehow work their argument round to conclude that it’s only fair to Shakespeare himself to create an ‘accessible’ version of his works. After all, nobody thinks it’s wrong to translate Moliere or Chekhov, do they?

But Janet is suspicious. Why is Miss Branch so in favour of taking Grant’s money? Does she really think he’ll fund more than a couple of her highbrow productions, or the plays by new writers that she wants to support, before he turns her programme into a string of anodyne Broadway musicals?

Grant offers Janet more and more money to do as he asks,

(Sound familiar now?)

As the penny finally drops for poor Miss Branch, Janet considers whether selling out just this once will leave an indelible stain on her career. After a few choice comments about the widespread tick-box casting of a person of colour and/or a woman to ‘create balance’ aka secure funding, she eventually comes up with something that might just beat Grant at his own game – but will it work? As the play reaches its climax, Grant shows his true colours, the real motivation behind his so-called philanthropy,

Miss Branch rediscovers her bottle, Janet hoists Grant by his own petard, and all’s well that ends well. Or is it? Like a certain politician of orange hue, we can’t help but fear that there’ll be a Part Two to Grant’s story. But as another woman of colour charms a nation on the other side of the Atlantic, so we feel that Janet will welcome further debate with her nemesis. In fact she’ll enjoy it. For as Miss Branch concludes,

Polishing Shakespeare is a fast-paced, skilful piece of theatre.  Dykstra and Perry’s writing is a sharp as a knife; their wordplays are brilliant (it was a touch of genius to call Grant Grant, and what a lot of hilarious tongue twisters that little word provides.) To enjoy the very funny jokes I do think some familiarity with Shakespeare’s style is essential, though you certainly don’t need to know any particular work in depth. Towards the very end of the play, I did feel that points were perhaps made just a little too heavy handedly, but for the most part Polishing Shakespeare is an exhilarating, entertaining rollercoaster of a ride through a very topical and challenging issue.

And here’s the final twist. It’s based on a true story.

Polishing Shakespeare is a Twilight Theatre Company production. It is at Venue 20, Assembly Rooms (Front Room) at 15.30 every day until 25^th August. Please note that there is no performance on Monday 19^th August. Tickets here.

Twilight Theatre Company is based in New York. It is a non-profit, no-overhead operation and all money raised goes into the work itself. It is also working with UK artists to bring their work to the United States.

Andy Burnham & Steve Rotheram were discussing Another Way – Politics Post-Westminster.

25 years since the Devolution Act, two English city Mayors come together to offer rare insight into politics from outside the Westminster bubble.

In Head North, the Mayors of Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region, Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, propose an ambitious ten-point plan to rewire and reimagine the UK beyond Westminster, putting equality at the fore. In conversation with Kezia Dugdale.

Some Edinburgh bus lanes are set to be enforced 12 hours a day, seven days a week from early next year in a bid to make services faster and more reliable.

It comes as the council prepares to approve a trial of ‘7-7-7′ bus lanes along a key bus route, potentially tripling the weekly hours of operation.

Most across the city currently allow all vehicles outwith peak times of 7.30am to 9.30am and 4pm to 6.30pm, and don’t operate on weekends.

If the trial is given the go ahead by the authority’s transport committee this week, bus lanes between the Gillespie Crossroads in Juniper Green and Musselburgh – a route which mirrors Lothian Buses’ 44 service – will be active from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Sunday.

It’s anticipated an 18-month pilot would commence in the first quarter of next year and cost the council £80,000 over the next two financial years.

A report to councillors said increasing bus priority measures on the roads would improve the reliability of public transport for the city’s population, which is growing six times faster than the national average.

It is anticipated the changes would “result in a decrease in private car journeys,” it added.

Once implemented the trial will be “extensively monitored,” and the start and end times of operation will be “examined to evaluate whether they remain optimal”.

While taxis, but not private hire cars (PHCs) such as Uber, are exempt from peak hour bus lane rules, PHCs will be allowed to use the 7-7-7 lanes during the experiment.

The move has angered the Edinburgh Bus Users Group (EBUG) which said the inclusion of PHCs represented a “worrying watering down” of the scheme.

A spokesperson said: “It’s exasperating when a step forward for bus users leads to two steps back.

“The whole point of bus lanes is to provide priority through congestion for the most efficient ways of moving people about. The more vehicles are allowed in bus lanes, the less they do that.

“Over two council terms, we’ve had the length and hours of bus lanes cut back. Motorcycles were allowed into bus lanes; we were told that was the end of it.

“Earlier this year the Scottish Government cut funding for bus priority schemes. Now, for the first time in years, Edinburgh had a plan to reinstate bus lane hours on one route (ONE ROUTE!) and it’s compromised by allowing PHCs into it.

“A host of transport sectors have sought to get into bus lanes. If the council concedes this now, after giving way on ‘red lines’, why would we believe it’s the end of it?”

The council report said dialogue with the private hire car trade during the development of the Meadows to George Street active travel project has “resulted in access being permitted to private hire cars through the bus gate being implemented on Market Street.

“Furthermore, the George Street and First New Town operational plan also proposes the testing of access for private hire cars.”

If approved at the transport and environment committee on Thursday, August 15 work would commence to prepare the trial, launch an awareness campaign and change signs and road markings along the route.

The report said: “The majority of waiting and loading restrictions within bus lanes along the corridor will be harmonised with the new times of bus lane operation. This will ensure that buses are not impeded when the bus lanes are in effect.

“Loading surveys will be arranged to quantify loading requirements in locations where local exemptions for loading and parking may be permitted to support business (for example at Dalry, Abbeyhill and Jock’s Lodge).

“Where amendments to parking and loading are to be implemented, the configuration of potential alternative arrangements will be informed through engagement with locally affected stakeholders.”

By Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

A bin collectors’ strike set to disrupt the Edinburgh Festival has been called off at the eleventh hour as workers consider a new pay offer.

Waste and cleansing staff were due to walk out for eight days starting on Wednesday (August 14) but unions said today the strike action would now be suspended.

Unite and GMB confirmed the news on Monday afternoon, saying its members would be urged to accept the latest offer when the next ballot opens later this week.

Meanwhile Unison was yet to make an announcement following the crunch talks.

COSLA, the body that represents councils, is now offering all staff at least a 3.6 per cent increase – up from the previous offer of 3.2 per cent – and a rise of £1,292 for the lowest paid, equivalent to 5.63 per cent.

It comes after the Scottish Government “identified additional funding” to put more money on the table, which Finance Secretary Shona Robison said represented the “absolute limit of affordability”.

Graham McNab, Unite’s lead negotiator for local government said: “Unite members across all of Scotland’s councils should be applauded for standing firm. They have remained resolute in an effort to secure a fairer and better pay offer.”

“We believe that the new pay offer is credible. For the first time in years, it will mean all council workers receiving an above inflation increase.”

“Unite will now suspend the eight days of strike action so a ballot can take place on the new offer.”

Unite’s ballot will open on Thursday (August 15) and close on 5 September.

Keir Greenaway, GMB Scotland senior organiser in public services, said: “This offer is a significant improvement on what came before but our members will decide if it is acceptable.

“As a gesture of goodwill, we will suspend action until our members can vote on the offer.”

NOTE TO EDITORS: Please see below a quote from the council leader to be included in the story ‘Bin strikes suspended following new pay offer’ published 12/8/24

Cammy Day, leader of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m pleased that strike action has been suspended while union members consider this latest offer, which I’d urge them to accept.

“On working with COSLA to put the latest deal on the table, I’m grateful that the Scottish Government have finally listened to local authorities, recognised the value of our hard-working colleagues here in Edinburgh and across Scotland.

“I firmly believe that all council colleagues deserve to be paid fairly for the work they do and have every right to take this action and have their voices heard. As the lowest funded council in Scotland, it’s time for the Scottish Government to properly fund our capital city and its services.

“We know from our previous experience of industrial action two years ago the huge impact it had on our city. If we do manage to reach a resolution, it will come as a huge relief to residents and businesses across Edinburgh, alongside the visitors from across the globe who are here experiencing our fantastic festivals.

“I urge the Scottish Government and COSLA leadership to urgently reconsider how we approach these negotiations in future – otherwise we’ll find ourselves back here again in 12 months’ time.”

By Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

An Australian family who run a holiday flat in Musselburgh say losing it will mean their children can no longer visit their grandparents.

Peter Oliver applied for a change of use for his flat in the town’s Bush Street, after operating it as a short term let for seven years.

East Lothian Council’s planners refused to grant permission saying the use of the flat, which has a communal staircase was ‘incompatible’ with residential living.

And after losing an appeal to the council’s Local Review Body, the owner has appealed to Scottish Ministers to overturn the decision.

In the appeal, Mr Oliver says, no neighbours have complained about the holiday flat, which he says benefits everyone in the building as he pays for the cleaning of the stairwell.

He adds that as well as allowing other people to let the flat it is a home for his family when they visit his parents in the summer so they can spend time with his children.

He said: “Most of all, our family use the property. We stayed for a month last year and are planning a longer stay next summer.

“We live in Australia and this property is a vital link to allow our children to spend time with their grandparents who can’t travel and otherwise would not know them.

“As they get older we intend to spend more and more time visiting each summer. We can not have this property on the residential market as, if our parents ever become sick, we need a place to come back to be near them.

“Having this property available for other guests to use outside of those times makes it possible for us to do this. It also gives couples in similar positions a great place to stay while they are doing the same.”

The appeal has been given to a Scottish Government Reporter for investigation.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Hibs defender Warren O’Hora admitted that Hibs first-half performance in the 2-0 defeat to Celtic at Easter Road was not good enough. 

Two goals in the opening 20 minutes earned Celtic all three points on Sunday afternoon, with Nicolas Kühn and Callum McGregor on target. 

Hibs improved in the second half with new signing Kieron Bowie unlucky not to grab a debut goal. 

The result sees Hibs sit second bottom of the table in front of Kilmarnock on goal difference. 

After the final whistle O’Hora told Hibs TV: ““You never feel great after losing games, especially not at home.  

“The fans were brilliant for us today, but in the first half we weren’t good enough.  

“We conceded goals way too early and when you concede goals in that manner it is always going to hurt you. 

“In the second half, we came out and had a right go so we can take credit for that.  

“The fans stuck with us and sent us on our way in that second half, we created a few chances and hit the crossbar too.  

“But when you concede two goals like that in the first half you can’t expect to come back and win the game. 

“It was frustrating, we conceded after three minutes. That sometimes happens in games, but you can’t do that against the league champions – we all know that.” 

O’Hora however insisted that the players can take the positives and learnings from the game ahead of Hibs visit to Celtic again in the Premier Sports Cup next weekend. 

“We came in at half-time and the Gaffer told us to have a go, we came out, we did that and showed a bit more of what we are about. 

“We need to take the positives from that, we go and play them again in the cup next week and anything can happen. 

“We will take the positives, we had some good phases of play, we got into good areas and we held them up in the second half.  

“We will go back, assess it and work on some key areas ahead of next weekend.” 

Fresh off the back of a five-star powerhouse Northern tour Is This Thing On? follows two flatmates, one a musician and the other a poet, as they battle over integrity, ownership and the spotlight.

Seamlessly blending stand-up, song, spoken word, rap, and storytelling, this two-hander dramedy marks a much-anticipated debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Meet Mary and Liz as they discuss (argue over) their work, relationship and whether or not pulling a poem out of your vagina is “too much” or “the perfect way” to make a political statement. As their friendship reaches boiling point, one fateful open mic night forces them to confront each other over whose right it is to tell someone else’s story.

An electric piece of new-writing, Is This Thing On? tackles a variety of grey area debates – from the difference between artificial and authentic representations of sexuality to the morality of using stories of sexual assault for art’s sake.

With their clever wit, infectious energy and creative flair, it’s difficult not to join these two on their comical and chaotic journey of female friendship. And they aren’t here to beat around the bush.

This sparkling show is a co-production between So La Flair Theatre who, following their production How To Keep Up With The Kardashians (2022), were celebrated as “a company worth watching” (British Theatre Guide) and thrilling new Manchester based duo, MissMatch, made up of Megan Keaveny (Mab Gwalia Drama Student Scholar 2022 and National Youth Theatre Rep Company 2024/25) and Ellie Campbell (Scottish Youth Theatre National Ensemble 2017).

Is This Thing On? marks this powerhouse duo’s debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Their North Of England Tour was supported by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant and Michael Sheen’s Mab Gwalia fund for working class Welsh actors.

Until 25 August, 2.25pm – running time 60 mins

Location – Underbelly Cowgate (Delhi Belly), 66 Cowgate, Edinburgh.

Box office tickets here

Police appealing for information following a crash on Newhailes Road in Musselburgh. 

The crash happened around 7.15pm on Saturday, 10 August, 2024 and involved a blue Audi Q3 and an orange KTM motorbike. 

The 33-year-old male motorcyclist who was seriously injured was taken to The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment. The driver and passenger of the Audi were not injured. 

Police Sergeant Grant Hastie of the Road Policing Unit said: “Our enquiries into the full set of circumstances of what happened is underway. 

“The orange KTM motorbike was seen shortly before the crash riding in tandem with another motorbike riding westbound on Newailes Road towards Edinburgh.  

We are keen to trace the second motorcyclist, he or she may be able to assist with our enquiries into the crash. 

“I would ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who may have dash-cam footage and has not yet spoken to or provided this information to officers, to contact us as soon as possible. 

“The road re-opened around 11.30pm.  I want to thank members of the public for their patience while we investigated this serious collision.” 

Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3262 of Saturday, 10 August, 2024. 

A rare and spectacular plant that produced one of the world’s biggest and most pungent flowers in an Edinburgh glasshouse may have wilted for the last time, according to experts.

More than 2,700 people flocked to see and smell the Amorphophallus titanum (titan arum) after it shot up to 2.65m in height and burst into bloom at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).

Known as a “corpse flower” because it mimics the smell of rotting flesh to attract insect pollinators once in bloom, the giant spike stands upright for only a few days before collapsing.

The endangered plant, nicknamed New Reekie by staff, has been nurtured in a glasshouse at the RBGE for 21 years and has now flowered a record-equaling five times.

The rare phenomenon may have emitted its famous eye watering whiff for the last time, however, as none of its kind is known to have flowered more often.

Sadie Barber, RBGE’s research collections manager, said: “We are delighted to have been able to flower the Amorphophallus titanum, our ‘New Reekie’, for a record-equalling fifth time, and even happier to have been able to share the event with so many visitors.

“Never knowing exactly when the bloom will happen makes it even more exciting. And it’s over almost as soon as it has begun.

“Those who were able to enjoy this botanical spectacle in person got to see it looking its best. Now the inflorescence has collapsed, entering into dormancy, and we wait two years or more to see if New Reekie will return once again.”

Native only to the Bukit Barisan range of mountains in West Sumatra, Amorphophallus titanum is famed for its size, smell, and the relative rarity of its bloom.

The “dead-meat” stench is caused by a mix of gases emitted by the heating up of parts of the central flower spike at night.

The RBGE’s rare specimen was a corm the size of an orange when it was given to RBGE in 2003. In 2010 it weighed 153.9kg, making it the largest ever recorded.

It was nurtured in a tropical glasshouse for 12 years before finally flowering for the first time in 2015, in a first for Scotland, before repeating the feat in 2017, 2019 and 2022.

Staff dubbed it New Reekie as a tribute to Edinburgh’s historic Auld Reekie nickname, and the smell it produces on flowering has been compared with everything from old bins and rotting fish to sweaty shoes and sewage.

The only other specimen known to have flowered five times was at Eastern Illinois University in the US.

The tropical glasshouse is currently closed to the public for renovations as part of Edinburgh Biomes, the Garden’s multimillion pound restoration and construction project.

However, the RBGE issued free, timed tickets for two days only in response to enormous public demand. Visitors who got tickets donated more than £4,000 to the RBGE’s palm houses appeal.

A rare and spectacular plant that produced one of the world’s biggest and most pungent flowers in an Edinburgh glasshouse may have wilted for the last time, according to experts.

More than 2,700 people flocked to see and smell the Amorphophallus titanum (titan arum) after it shot up to 2.65m in height and burst into bloom at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE).

Known as a “corpse flower” because it mimics the smell of rotting flesh to attract insect pollinators once in bloom, the giant spike stands upright for only a few days before collapsing.

The endangered plant, nicknamed New Reekie by staff, has been nurtured in a glasshouse at the RBGE for 21 years and has now flowered a record-equaling five times.

The rare phenomenon may have emitted its famous eye watering whiff for the last time, however, as none of its kind is known to have flowered more often.

Sadie Barber, RBGE’s research collections manager, said: “We are delighted to have been able to flower the Amorphophallus titanum, our ‘New Reekie’, for a record-equalling fifth time, and even happier to have been able to share the event with so many visitors.

“Never knowing exactly when the bloom will happen makes it even more exciting. And it’s over almost as soon as it has begun.

“Those who were able to enjoy this botanical spectacle in person got to see it looking its best. Now the inflorescence has collapsed, entering into dormancy, and we wait two years or more to see if New Reekie will return once again.”

Native only to the Bukit Barisan range of mountains in West Sumatra, Amorphophallus titanum is famed for its size, smell, and the relative rarity of its bloom.

The “dead-meat” stench is caused by a mix of gases emitted by the heating up of parts of the central flower spike at night.

The RBGE’s rare specimen was a corm the size of an orange when it was given to RBGE in 2003. In 2010 it weighed 153.9kg, making it the largest ever recorded.

It was nurtured in a tropical glasshouse for 12 years before finally flowering for the first time in 2015, in a first for Scotland, before repeating the feat in 2017, 2019 and 2022.

Staff dubbed it New Reekie as a tribute to Edinburgh’s historic Auld Reekie nickname, and the smell it produces on flowering has been compared with everything from old bins and rotting fish to sweaty shoes and sewage.

The only other specimen known to have flowered five times was at Eastern Illinois University in the US.

The tropical glasshouse is currently closed to the public for renovations as part of Edinburgh Biomes, the Garden’s multimillion pound restoration and construction project.

However, the RBGE issued free, timed tickets for two days only in response to enormous public demand. Visitors who got tickets donated around £4,000 to the RBGE’s palm houses appeal.

Gloriana, The Virgin Queen, destroyer of the Spanish Armada – Elizabeth I has become one of the greatest icons of female power.

But who was the woman behind the legend, ruling alone and sometimes lonely, for decades in an age of warfare, treachery, misogyny and religious strife?

Tammy Meneghini digs deep into the loves, thoughts, feelings and fears of the last of the Tudor dynasty in Elizabeth I in Her Own Words at this year’s Fringe.

As one of the co-creators of the drama, as well as the actor playing Elizabeth, she has developed a deep admiration for Elizabeth and says: “This play is about the woman behind the icon – using the letters she wrote to strip away the majesty and find the person.

“And the more I find out about Elizabeth I, the more I’d love to have met her. She was fierce, funny, feisty and spicy. 

“Something I really admire is that she learned from her mistakes – she made a ton of them, but never the same one twice.

“I try to channel my inner Elizabeth I in my own life.”

Tammy who, as well as being an actor is an associate professor of theatre at the University of Colorado Boulder, used her deep love of Shakespeare to bring an extra dimension to the production.

She said: “As we went through Elizabeth’s life we found pivotal moments, and that there were passages from Shakespeare that perfectly parallel what she was going through. 

“So, we have incorporated Shakespeare into the play because they so brilliantly bring her experiences and feelings to life.

“He is so brilliant at articulating moments of heightened emotion. It’s almost like musical theatre where something so momentous happens that the character just has tosing.”

Indeed, the production includes a passage from Richard II which is believed to have actually been honouring Elizabeth.

She said: “We know that Elizabeth was aware that Richard II was a representation of her, so we started with that.”

One of the biggest characters in the play, the other woman of power in the British Isles at that time, Elizabeth’s cousin and fellow monarch Mary Stewart – queen of Scots.

They never met but were life and death to each other. Mary continually plotted to have Elizabeth murdered and Elizabeth eventually agreed to have Mary executed.

And despite their similar social and political positions, Tammy sees them as very different characters.

She said: “Elizabeth was very cautious, people tried to manipulate her, but she did her best to prevent it. Mary seems very reactive, and when people did things in her name, without her consent, she allowed it.”

The play is directed by Lynn Nichols who has who has worked extensively with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival.

It is produced by award-winning director, and stalwart of the Edinburgh Fringe, Penny Cole whose company, Flying Solo! Presents specialises in fostering new work by American artists on the international stage.  

They provide an ideal team to bring the story of the woman who faced down the Spanish Armada, overcame rebellions, struggled to reconcile religious divisions and endured deep personal heartache to the Edinburgh stage.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/elizabeth-i-in-her-own-words

Hibs Head Coach David Gray was left frustrated at Celtic’s ‘avoidable’ goals in his side’s 2-0 defeat on Sunday. 

The champions dominated throughout at Easter Road after scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes of the game. 

After the game Gray told Hibs TV: “It was a really frustrating start. 

“You cannot give Celtic a goal head start after three minutes, especially when it’s avoidable from our point of view. 

“Pre-match I spoke about us being brave on the ball, being aggressive with our press, and knowing that we can’t give Celtic time and space on the ball, and if you don’t get that right then you’ll be up against it. 

“The real frustration from my point of view was that the goals we conceded were really avoidable.  

“They came from individual mistakes and a lack of bravery and composure on the ball. Celtic got in their flow, and we rode our luck a little bit.  

“The game could’ve got away from us, but we went in 2-0 down. 

“We said what we said at half-time and the reaction from the players was better.   

“We were braver on the ball and carried more of a threat, without really doing enough though. We know we need to improve on that front. 

“This is the level of Scottish football, and the players need to learn from it quickly because we face it again in seven days’ time.” 

Hibs travel to Parkhead to face Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup next weekend.  

And Gray believes that his players can take a lot from Sunday’s game going into that one. 

He added: “The players need to remember how it felt in the first half and how difficult it was for them for 45 minutes.  

“The feeling from the second half was slightly different because they’ll have noticed they did have some success from having that bravery and courage to play. 

“We will work on our game plan to ensure we give a better account of ourselves next week.” 

Police are appealing for information following a serious assault that took place around 5.45pm on Friday, 9 August, 2024 on Park Lane, Whitburn.

A 44-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment.

The first suspect is described as being white, of heavy build, around 5ft 8in tall, with short grey hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a blue top.

The second suspect is described as being white, around 40 years old, around 5ft 10in tall, with short dark hair, of medium build, and wearing dark clothing.

The third suspect is described as being white, in his 30s, around 5ft 6in tall, of slim build.

Detective Sergeant Tony Gilhooley said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to contact police.

“We also ask anyone with private CCTV or dashcam footage of the area at the time to come forward.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 2893 of 9 August, 2024. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Edinburgh’s botanical garden has digitised one million plants as part of a project to make its collection accessible to people around the world.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is creating a digital record of its renowned Herbarium collection of over three million preserved plant specimens from 157 countries.

Historically hard to access, it is now being digitised into high-resolution images that can be viewed by anyone with an internet connection.

The digitised platform now sees requests come in from across the globe from students, scientists and plant enthusiasts.

The one millionth specimen to be digitised was Stereocaulon vesuvianum, a species of lichen collected from Ben Nevis in 2021.

RBGE lichenologist Dr Rebecca Yahr, who collected the specimen during a climb up Scotland’s tallest mountain, said: “Celebrating the milestone with this important specimen is an exciting opportunity for us to highlight Scotland’s unique biodiversity and extend RBGE’s mission to research and understand lichens more generally.”

The expedition on which the millionth digitised specimen was collected was part of RBGE’s contribution to the groundbreaking Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project to unlock DNA sequences of every complex living organism in Great Britain and Ireland.

Professor Olwen Grace, Curator of the Herbarium and leader of the digitisation project, said: “Being able to share this information with scientific communities as well as the public allows us to develop a more robust understanding of biodiversity challenges and the solutions that can help us build resilience to shifting climates.

“At the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we see it as our moral imperative to share this information, especially when we are facing a global biodiversity crisis.”

Miriam Margolyes has told how she has fun getting her signers for the deaf to demonstrate swear words to her Edinburgh Fringe audiences.

The actress, 83, is appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the first time in 12 years, with her one woman show, Margolyes & Dickens: The Best Bits.

Speaking on BBC Scotland’s “Edinburgh Unlocked”, she insisted she is a more than just a “foul-mouthed old biddy”, but admitted that swearing is fun.

She said: “(A lot of people know me now) as a foul-mouthed old biddy. I know, I know. But there’s a lot more to me than that.

“I’m not just that. I can be that, and sometimes I’m that too much. But I’m not just a foul mouth you know. It worries me, that. But (swearing) is funny.

“It is funny. One of the things that I so enjoy is I have deaf signers with me, doing British Sign Language. And I ask them at the beginning of the show, ‘I’ve got a few words for you, can you demonstrate it to the audience so they know what’s to come?

“So I say ****, ****, ****, ****, ****. And it’s terrific. I think that might offend. In fact, I’m bloody sure it will offend.”

Margolyes, who played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, has spoken previously about her Scottish heritage. Her grandfather was a jeweller with a shop in St Enoch Square in Glasgow, and her father was born in the Gorbals in 1899.

She said it was “an emotional thing” to come back to Scotland and to bring her show to Edinburgh audiences.

She added: “I want to have a go. Even though I’m 83 and crippled, and forgetful, I want to see if I can still entertain…

“I’m just happy that people still want to see me and that I can still convince someone I’m worth watching.”

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/margolyes-dickens-best-bits

Private fireworks displays could be criminalised in Edinburgh, after a spate of attacks on emergency services last year.

The City of Edinburgh Council is running a public consultation on the introduction of Firework Control Zones (FCZs).

A citywide FCZ would make it a crime under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Act Scotland 2022 to set off certain fireworks anywhere in the capital. Alternatively, FCZs could be implemented in up to four individual areas including Niddrie, Calton Hill, Balerno and Seafield.

Official organised displays such as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Christmas and Hogmanay would not be affected.

The consultation, which closes on August 23, follows incidents of antisocial behaviour around Bonfire Night in recent years.

Last November, police in Niddrie were attacked by youths with petrol bombs and fireworks amid “unprecedented levels of disorder and violence resulting in injuries to officers”.

There have also been concerns about the impact of fireworks on the environment, animals and vulnerable people.

Val Walker, the city council’s Culture and Communities Convener, said: “Bonfire Night and broader fireworks use in the city can be an opportunity for communities to come together to celebrate and spend time together.

“However, we all remember the shocking scenes we saw in some areas of the capital last year with emergency services being attacked, and we are doing everything in our power to prevent similar occurrences this November.

“This consultation is an opportunity for everyone to share their position on the use of fireworks, and I encourage everyone to take some time to have their say before the consultation closes.”

One was inspired by a TV programme about nurses saving babies in a war zone. One became a nurse because he realised that nurses had far more connection with patients and their families than doctors had time for. A third thought she’d be a PE teacher and changed her mind. Her Mum (a nurse) warned her off nursing. She did it anyway.  

They all had one thing in common; they cared.

El Blackwood’s Tending asks the question ignored by managers, politicians, and a large swathe of the public; who cares for the carers?

In this powerful piece of verbatim theatre, three outstanding actors tell the stories of over 70 nurses. No one had ever asked them for those stories before.

The play begins with the three nurses (the characters, unnamed because each one conveys the accounts of many nurses, are beautifully played by Mara Allen, Ben Lynn and Blackwood herself) talking about why they became nurses in the first place. They then describe their working days, starting with the shift handover (you can tell what kind of a day it’s been, they say, by the outgoing team’s body language) and moving on to triaging in A & E, safety checks in the neonatal unit, and lots and lots of personal caregiving – washing, toileting, feeding, dressing. And the smells!

They’re busy, very busy, but they still have time to laugh and joke. They have a song and dance every morning before work, they banter over the bedmaking, they vogue with the bedpans. It’s not easy, they rarely get time to eat, they’re permanently dehydrated and exhausted. The paperwork drives them crazy, they all admit to grabbing the odd nap in a cupboard, but every once in a while there’s a special moment; taking a patient up to the helipad to see the views, stroking a dementia sufferer to sleep, seeing a baby become well enough to come off a ventilator,

It may not fit the romantic image of nursing some of them had before they started, but it’s OK, just. The teamwork, the job satisfaction, the gratitude of patients, all help them through the tough times, of which they are many. Nurses are on the front line, they see terrible things happen to people like you and me. They can’t take time out, can’t ‘recalibrate’; they might watch someone die then go straight on to the drunks in A&E on a Saturday night.

They do it because they care,

Then along comes Covid, and from then on there’s no more fun, and almost no job satisfaction, Instead there’s constant, unremitting horror,

One of the greatest strengths of Tending, and of its superb cast, is that it forces us to understand that nurses are first and foremost people just like us (only better.) They don’t do their jobs in a vacuum, they have lives. When Covid hit, their lives were hit too.  They had all the extra domestic stresses that many of us had, but they carried on. They saw things none of us would ever want to see. Their exhaustion became unbearable, but they bore it,

But it wasn’t only the exhaustion, the fact that their faces were red and raw from wearing PPE (when they could get it), their hair breaking from stress, their eyes sunken from dehydration and lack of sleep. It was the knowledge that the NHS itself was totally overwhelmed. They had to try to cope. Access to a psychologist was only provided after a nurse had killed herself on duty.

Politicians visited but were prevented from speaking with nurses. They felt ignored by managers. If someone had to go off sick, they were consumed with guilt at leaving their team a nurse down. It was hell.

Tending also touches on the strike action taken by nurses and junior doctors. In general the public backed it, but if you ever questioned whether their industrial action ‘should have been allowed’ this play will surely change your mind.

Nurses who have seen Tending say that it’s the first time they’ve seen an accurate picture of the reality of their lives. But they know the truth already; the rest of us urgently need to see this stunning, shocking production. It should be performed in the Houses of Parliament. It should be on our TV screens. We are privileged to have it here in Edinburgh. Please go and see it.

Tending is a Larynx production, directed by John Livesey and produced by Eleanor Birdsall-Smith. It is at Venue 61, Underbelly (Belly Button), Cowgate at 14.15 every day until 25^th August. Please note that there is no show on Monday 12^th August. Tickets here.

Tending is considered suitable for children aged 12+.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe can be divisive, with many locals resenting the way it impedes their journeys.

Particular pinch points in the Old Town, especially on and around South Bridge, can be very difficult to navigate through at this time of year.

Even for those who embrace the Fringe, the desire to escape the centre can be strong. Fringe performers and Fringe goers all need to find balance. Luckily, Edinburgh is groaning with ways of getting away from it all. Usually you are not many metres from relative quiet and peace. But to truly escape, take one of the fantastic pathways that Edinburgh is blessed with.

Many of these are relatively flat, following the lines of waterways and disused railways. Most of these are easy to access via below the Lothian bus network. Many of these are heralded, such as the Water of Leith Walkway, the Union Canal, paths through Holyrood Park, and the wonderful railway path network in the north of the city. After a wet early summer, the vegetation along these walkways is impressively thick this year, adding to the sense of being enclosed in nature.

Other well-known parts include the Innocent Railway Path. One of the glories of this particular path is the way this allows you to enter the city almost unseen. You start either just past Portobello or perhaps at the Jewel and work your way through Bingham and Duddingston before emerging, through the long tunnel (518 metres), at St. Leonards. Here you are just a couple of hundred metres from the Southside and the Pleasance; key hubs for the Fringe. You can even extend your walk by taking the heavily wooded St. Leonard’s Bank Path around the fringes of Holyood Park, and end up at the Parliament and Palace – or even skirt round further to Abbeyhill.

Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park

Among the unheralded paths in Edinburgh is that which meanders through the Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park in the South East of the city. This 2 mile walk can be accessed in a number of places, but the easiest starting point is near the Aldi on Gilmerton Road. The bus stop here is served by the 3, 8, 29 Lothian buses. The nearby Robin’s Nest pub could provide you with a pre-walk watering hole and loo stop.

The substantial iron gates correctly give you the impression that you are in for a bit of a treat. Even for many who live in the city, this walkway has a low profile. On a recent Saturday walk (in early August), the pathway was generally quiet, with just a few joggers, dog walkers and people heading off for their supermarket shop.

From there the past goes to a heavily wooded area, Moredun Wood, reminiscent of more well known places such as the Hermitage of Braid. You pass through the picturesque little village area of Ellen’s Glen. In some ways its traditional buildings and waterside location give it a similar vibe to Dean Village; but without the groups of tourists and Instagramers. In contrast the place is hushed; offers a deeply peaceful spot on the walk.

After that, the valley opens out, with the burn gurgling next to you as you walk. The tarmacked path here is smooth and easy on the feet. The floor and fauna covers the gently sloping valley. The feeling here is very rural, with the busy city centre distant geographically and also far from your mind.

To describe it as a hidden gem might give the sense that it’s something small, but this area is substantial (the park covers 28) and provides a great sense of freedom to those who walk and cycle along it. The valley is surrounded by largely quiet residential areas. The locals have a fantastic amenity right on the doorsteps; there are at least 20 access points to the path. Stepping along the path, you feel you are leaving the city at speed, with very little evidence of traffic or congestion.

The park ends at Burdiehouse Road, where buses 37 and 47 can ferry you back into the city centre. The 47 could take you back into Bristo Square; back into the heart of the Fringe, with your mind and body refreshed from time spent in this calming green corridor.

Hibs fell to a 2-0 home defeat to champions Celtic at a sunny Easter Road this afternoon. 

Hibs boss David Gray made two changes to the starting XI that fell to a 3-0 defeat at St Mirren last weekend. 

Mykola Kuharevich made his first start since returning to the club on loan and Dylan Levitt replaced Dylan Vente and Nathan Moriah-Welsh. 

New signing Kieron Bowie was listed among the substitutes, but Junior Hoilett and Nicky Cadden were not in the squad. 

The club introduced a safe standing area in the Famous Five Stand and the fans made their presence heard throughout the game. 

The champions took an early lead when Josef Bursik pushed Kyogo’s shot wide but James Forrest was first to react and he found Nicolas Kuhn who scored from close range. 

Kyogo almost made it 2-0 after latching onto a poos pass from Josh Campbell but his effort went just wide. 

The Hoops doubled their lead in the 19^th minute with a superb 25-yard strike from Callum McGregor. 

Celtic took their foot off the gas but continued to look the more likely to score and the fans made their feelings known to the Hibs players at the half time whistle. 

Hibs showed some more urgency after the restart then on the hour mark replaced Campbell and Kuharevich with Bowie and Chris Cadden. 

Both Martin Boyle and Rudi Molotnikov tried their luck from distance but both missed the target. 

With six minutes remaining Hibs almost pulled a goal back when Bowie nutmegged Cameron Carter-Vickers on the touchline and his powerful strike crashed off the bar, earning him the cheers of the Hibs fans. 

After the game Hibs head coach David Gray told BBC Scotland:”You can’t give a team like Celtic a goal head-start after three minutes. 

“When you make individual errors and don’t show bravery on the ball, it can be a long afternoon. We were probably fortunate to only go into half-time 2-0 down. 

“Second half was better, we carried more of a threat and a bit more composure on the ball. Obviously we’re really disappointed to lose the game; we need to learn quickly because we’ve got it all to do again next weekend away from home. 

“We’ve got a bit of short-term pain at the moment but I’m really positive about where we can take the squad.” 

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: added:”Easter Road is one of the most difficult places to come in Scottish football. 

“I thought we were very good for large spells. There were moments in the second half when we went too long, too early. 

“We made a great start and showed a real winning attitude and we have quality. We should have had a few more goals.” 

Hibs: Bursik, Miller, Ekpiteta, O’Hora, Obita, Levitt, Newell, Campbell, Boyle, Kuharevich, Molotnikov. 

Substitutes: Smith, Vente, C Cadden, Amos, McKirdy, Bowie, Moriah-Welsh, Megwa, Bushiri. 

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley, Forrest, Kyogo, Kuhn. 

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Yang, Holm, Tomoki, Bernardo, Maeda, Ralston, Welsh, M Johnston. 

Protests continue in Edinburgh against the situation in Palestine.

On Saturday the protesters took their place on the steps outside the National Museum of Scotland.

There are several flypasts during the Tattoo run and on Saturday night it was the turn of the Red Arrows.

The nine jets were due at 6.15pm and minute perfect they appeared from the east over the Castle Esplanade before disappearing away to the west with their usual red, white and blue smoke trails behind them.

The next fly past takes place on Tuesday 13 August.