The Edinburgh Reporter

Exclusive – interview with Silvio Soldini – The Women Who Tasted for Hitler In a quiet room deep inside Adolf Hitler’s wartime headquarters, known as the Wolf’s Lair, a group of young women sat down to eat. The food in front of them looked delicious during a time of hunger, but none of them knew at first whether it might kill them. Their task was brutally simple: taste the dictator’s meals first, then wait to see if they survived.

Exclusive – interview with Silvio Soldini – The Women Who Tasted for Hitler

In a quiet room deep inside Adolf Hitler’s wartime headquarters, known as the Wolf’s Lair, a group of young women sat down to eat. The food in front of them looked delicious during a time of hunger, but none of them knew…

Rugby fans stranded as Aer Lingus flight turns back to Edinburgh The Aer Lingus flight which left Edinburgh full of rugby fans travelling to Dublin on Friday lunchtime has had to turn back to Edinburgh Airport where it is now sitting on the ground. One passenger aboard said that the plane flew for about 20 minutes, then there was a report of a possible fuel leak into the baggage hold and it turned back to Edinburgh where it was escorted in with several fire appliances.

Rugby fans stranded as Aer Lingus flight turns back to Edinburgh

The Aer Lingus flight which left Edinburgh full of rugby fans travelling to Dublin on Friday lunchtime has had to turn back to Edinburgh Airport where it is now sitting on the ground. One passenger aboard said that the plane flew for…

Hidden Door Festival is back for more at Maybury Thanks to the multi year funding from Creative Scotland, as well as a lot of hard work by the volunteer team behind Hidden Door Festival, there will be one last shift at the Paper Factory at Maybury this summer. The festival is returning to the same huge venue that they used last year, and in November 2024 for another takeover of music, spoken word and art.

Hidden Door Festival is back for more at Maybury

Thanks to the multi year funding from Creative Scotland, as well as a lot of hard work by the volunteer team behind Hidden Door Festival, there will be one last shift at the Paper Factory at Maybury this summer. The festival is returning to the same…

Design of new plaque for Waterloo Place unveiled The design of a new plaque which will remember abolitionist, Frederick Douglass and his connections to Edinburgh has been unveiled. The memorial will be affixed to the outside of Howie's restaurant on Waterloo Place in Edinburgh. The site is where Douglass addressed a crowded meeting on 1 May 1846 speaking about the injustice of slavery during his tour of Britain and Ireland.

Design of new plaque for Waterloo Place unveiled

The design of a new plaque which will remember abolitionist, Frederick Douglass and his connections to Edinburgh has been unveiled. The memorial will be affixed to the outside of Howie's restaurant on Waterloo Place in Edinburgh. The site is where…

King’s panto nominated in the Pantomime Awards 2026 The panto at the King's has been nominated as best Panto in the UK. Stars, Allan Stewart and Grant Stott, have been nominated as best dame and villain, and Rory Beaton named as the person responsible for the Best Lighting nomination. Grant Stott was nominated for Best Villain in last year's Jack and the Beanstalk, and Allan Stewart is named in the Best Dame category.

King’s panto nominated in the Pantomime Awards 2026

The panto at the King's has been nominated as best Panto in the UK. Stars, Allan Stewart and Grant Stott, have been nominated as best dame and villain, and Rory Beaton named as the person responsible for the Best Lighting nomination. Grant Stott…

Two Edinburgh councillors censured by the Standards Commission Two city councillors, Neil Ross and Marie-Clair Munro were censured by the Standards Commission on Wednesday after a hearing held at the City Chambers. The two elected members attended the Transport and Environment Committee in June 2023 when the Braid Estate Quiet Route was being considered. They both failed to disclose an interest at the committee meeting, and also at a workshop connected to the same matter.

Two Edinburgh councillors censured by the Standards Commission

Two city councillors, Neil Ross and Marie-Clair Munro were censured by the Standards Commission on Wednesday after a hearing held at the City Chambers. The two elected members attended the Transport and Environment Committee in June…

Herbie More’s Cocktails & Kitchen now serving at Hilton Edinburgh Carlton Named in honour of the conductor of the Palm Court Orchestra at Patrick Thomson's, the late lamented store on North Bridge, a new bar is open now. Herbie performed in the department store for about four decades, bringing theatre and flair to his musical performances. The venue channels that same spirit through the vibrant atmosphere, creative cocktails and elegant interiors, all designed by Cunningham McLean.

Herbie More’s Cocktails & Kitchen now serving at Hilton Edinburgh Carlton

Named in honour of the conductor of the Palm Court Orchestra at Patrick Thomson's, the late lamented store on North Bridge, a new bar is open now. Herbie performed in the department store for about four decades, bringing…

A festival with an American twist to thrill audiences – ALL RISE! The 79th Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) aims to thrill audiences of all ages with a programme stuffed with more American artists than ever before, commemorating the 250 years since American independence in 1776. On that note, the programme is called All Rise, the same name as the Wynton Marsalis symphony. New Orleans born Marsalis is the founding artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra who will make their debut this year in Edinburgh.

A festival with an American twist to thrill audiences – ALL RISE!

The 79th Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) aims to thrill audiences of all ages with a programme stuffed with more American artists than ever before, commemorating the 250 years since American independence in 1776. On that…

Fiends in the Furrows bringing folk horror to Leith A brand new film festival will take place in Leith next month. Fiends in the Furrows will run from 23 to 26 April. It is a combined operation between film events and networking organisation, Cinetopia and the weekly film club, Leith Kino. Fourteen film screenings will take place over four days at venues including South Leith Parish Church Halls, and Leith Depot.

Fiends in the Furrows bringing folk horror to Leith

A brand new film festival will take place in Leith next month. Fiends in the Furrows will run from 23 to 26 April. It is a combined operation between film events and networking organisation, Cinetopia and the weekly film club, Leith Kino.…

Advice to future proof landline phone systems now In 2027 BT Openreach will close down landline phone systems, but it is possible to future proof phone systems now according to one West Lothian based business. It is 150 years to the day since Alexander Graham Bell first made the first phone call, and now lines are to go silent unless action is taken to preserve access. The inventor was born in Edinburgh and obtained a patent for “transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically” on 7 March 1876.

Advice to future proof landline phone systems now

In 2027 BT Openreach will close down landline phone systems, but it is possible to future proof phone systems now according to one West Lothian based business. It is 150 years to the day since Alexander Graham Bell first made the first phone call,…

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Triple Crown 2026 gets underway Riders taking part in Doddie’s Triple Crown 2026 set off from Murrayfield Stadium arriving in Melrose on Monday evening ahead of beginning the challenge on Tuesday. All will now take part in the 750-mile charity cycling challenge from Scotland to England, Wales and Ireland all in aid of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Former Scotland captain Rob Wainwright, OBE, is the ride organiser and he is carrying the match ball.

My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Triple Crown 2026 gets underway

Riders taking part in Doddie’s Triple Crown 2026 set off from Murrayfield Stadium arriving in Melrose on Monday evening ahead of beginning the challenge on Tuesday. All will now take part in the 750-mile charity cycling challenge from…

Tartan Silk seamlessly transitions with Four Edinburgh PR company, Tartan Silk, has created a new alliance with Four Marketing Agency to ensure the succession to its portfolio of clients. Since January 2026 Four has integrated Tartan Silk’s clients into its business, adding a mix of Scottish and international brands to its UK-wide client base. Tartan Silk founder, Martin Hunt, joins Four as an ambassador, remaining an active industry figure and working closely with the leadership team as the agency continues to grow.

Tartan Silk seamlessly transitions with Four

Edinburgh PR company, Tartan Silk, has created a new alliance with Four Marketing Agency to ensure the succession to its portfolio of clients. Since January 2026 Four has integrated Tartan Silk’s clients into its business, adding a mix of Scottish and…

The Edinburgh Award – nominations now open The Lord Provost has announced that nominations are now invited for The Edinburgh Award, one of the city’s top honours.  The people who are put forward for the award are people whose achievements have brought distinction to the capital, shaping the city as a centre of ideas, culture, innovation and compassion. This is the 20th year of the award and some of those who have previously won the accolade include billionaire businessman, Sir Tom Farmer, fundraiser extraordinaire, Tam Gilzean, BEM, and Mel Young, MBE.

The Edinburgh Award – nominations now open

The Lord Provost has announced that nominations are now invited for The Edinburgh Award, one of the city’s top honours.  The people who are put forward for the award are people whose achievements have brought distinction to the capital, shaping the city…

Lady Haig’s – a hundred years of remembrance Edinburgh's Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory is marking 100 years of producing poppies which has relevance around International Women’s Day. For it was Countess Dorothy, wife of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, who spotted the opportunity in 1926 to establish the factory in Edinburgh, after the Royal British Legion founded the first of its kind in Richmond, on the banks of the Thames, in 1922.

Lady Haig’s – a hundred years of remembrance

Edinburgh's Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory is marking 100 years of producing poppies which has relevance around International Women’s Day. For it was Countess Dorothy, wife of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, who spotted the opportunity in 1926 to establish the…

Celebrating the women who make up a fifth of operational volunteers at RNLI Queensferry At South Queensferry, one of the RNLI’s busiest lifeboat stations, five out of the 25 operational volunteers are women. This is something to celebrate then on International Women's Day on 8 March with women around the world. This is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for speeding up gender parity. 

Celebrating the women who make up a fifth of operational volunteers at RNLI Queensferry

At South Queensferry, one of the RNLI’s busiest lifeboat stations, five out of the 25 operational volunteers are women. This is something to celebrate then on International Women's Day on 8 March with women…

On International Women’s Day we think of all the fabulous women past and present - including the female crew members at RNLI Queensferry who finished speaking to us and then headed out on a shout to rescue people on Cramond Island who were stranded without food and water

Scotrail advise customers to take the train to Murrayfield Ahead of the Scotland v France match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday ScotRail is preparing for more customers than usual. A large crowd is expected to travel to the capital for the match which kicks off at 2.10pm on 7 March.  Fans are being encouraged to plan ahead and take the train to Edinburgh. ScotRail will run longer trains on key routes into and out of Edinburgh, where possible, helping provide additional capacity before and after the game. 

Scotrail advise customers to take the train to Murrayfield

Ahead of the Scotland v France match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday ScotRail is preparing for more customers than usual. A large crowd is expected to travel to the capital for the match which kicks off…

Government invest £10 million in Grangemouth to create new jobs The Scottish Government is making a new investment of £10 million in Grangemouth to create new jobs and boost skills development. Further investment into Celtic Renewables will support the company’s expansion into large‑scale commercial production of sustainable biochemical solutions, creating 149 new jobs in the area by 2030. The funding comprises £5 million in Scottish Enterprise equity funding - building on previous Scottish Government investment of more than £6 million from the Grangemouth Just Transition Fund - which has in turn leveraged £5 million from the private sector into Celtic Renewables.

Government invest £10 million in Grangemouth to create new jobs

The Scottish Government is making a new investment of £10 million in Grangemouth to create new jobs and boost skills development. Further investment into Celtic Renewables will support the company’s expansion into large‑scale…

Exercise Kukri Dawn takes place at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Police Scotland worked alongside the military as part of a planned training exercise on Tuesday. In a repeat of last year, Exercise Kukri Dawn, which is led and managed by the RAF, is taking place from 23 February until 13 March 2026. One of the objectives is to improve and test how the military work with the police. On Tuesday armed police were involved in a firearms training scenario at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, with armed police officers and military personnel, as well as military helicopters, which arrived at Murrayfield.

Exercise Kukri Dawn takes place at Scottish Gas Murrayfield

Police Scotland worked alongside the military as part of a planned training exercise on Tuesday. In a repeat of last year, Exercise Kukri Dawn, which is led and managed by the RAF, is taking place from 23 February until 13 March 2026. One…

Spotting the Worm Moon above the city On Tuesday evening the first full moon of Spring - the Worm Moon - was visible in the night sky above Edinburgh. In some parts of the world - in Australia and the Americas a Blood Moon was visible, but for us in Edinburgh we had to "make do" with a spectacular huge moon rising above the horizon in the east in the early evening.

Spotting the Worm Moon above the city

On Tuesday evening the first full moon of Spring - the Worm Moon - was visible in the night sky above Edinburgh. In some parts of the world - in Australia and the Americas a Blood Moon was visible, but for us in Edinburgh we had to "make do" with a spectacular…

OPINION – Council budget – major decisions to protect frontline services The Council Leader, Cllr Jane Meagher has written for The Edinburgh Reporter about the council's decision to increase spending in the capital in the latest budget. Read about the detail of the budget here. Cllr Meagher writes: We made some major decisions on Thursday to agree the Council’s spending priorities. We agreed a record £1.6 billion investment in housing, the protection of frontline services and significant sums for education and health and social care services.

OPINION – Council budget – major decisions to protect frontline services

The Council Leader, Cllr Jane Meagher has written for The Edinburgh Reporter about the council's decision to increase spending in the capital in the latest budget. Read about the detail of the budget here. Cllr Meagher…

Rosslyn Castle project shortlisted in national awards A project at Rosslyn Castle to restore and repair parts of the historic building has been shortlisted in Scotland’s national architecture awards. The work to the East Range of Rosslyn Castle is one of 14 projects across the country to be shortlisted by The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) for the 2026 RIAS Awards. The East Range now has a permanent roof over the Great Hall and Tower, for the first time since 1650, protecting important masonry carvings, and the three levels of vaults which lie below ground level.

Rosslyn Castle project shortlisted in national awards

A project at Rosslyn Castle to restore and repair parts of the historic building has been shortlisted in Scotland’s national architecture awards. The work to the East Range of Rosslyn Castle is one of 14 projects across the country to be…

Millions more for Scotland promised in the Spring Statement Scottish Secretary, Douglas Alexander says that the Chancellor's Spring Statement, delivered in the House of Commons on Tuesday, will mean an additional £921m for Scotland, according to Mr Alexander said: "The Chancellor has set out how the UK Government has the right economic plan for Britain, cutting the cost of living, cutting borrowing and growing the economy. “The Chancellor also confirmed an additional £921m for the Scottish Government.

Millions more for Scotland promised in the Spring Statement

Scottish Secretary, Douglas Alexander says that the Chancellor's Spring Statement, delivered in the House of Commons on Tuesday, will mean an additional £921m for Scotland, according to Mr Alexander said: "The Chancellor has set out how…

Two taken to the Royal Infirmary after knife incident in the Calders Police officers have surrounded a multi-storey block known as Cobbinshaw House South in Wester Hailes this morning in an incident which has resulted in two people being hospitalised. Emergency services remain on the scene. A spokesperson for Scottish Ambulance Services said: “We received a call at 08:34 to attend an incident on Calder Gardens, Edinburgh. We dispatched three ambulances, three paramedic response units (PRU), and a special operations response team (SORT) to the scene.

Two taken to the Royal Infirmary after knife incident in the Calders

Police officers have surrounded a multi-storey block known as Cobbinshaw House South in Wester Hailes this morning in an incident which has resulted in two people being hospitalised. Emergency services remain on the scene. A…

The Old Edinburgh Club takes us back in time Looking back in history this month with The Old Edinburgh Club. 1st In 1567, placards linking Mary Queen of Scots & Lord Bothwell in adultery and in Lord Darnley’s murder began to circulate in Edinburgh. And in 1682, the Advocate’s Library (now known as the National Library of Scotland and situated on George IV Bridge) was opened by its founder, Sir George Mackenzie, the Lord Advocate.

The Old Edinburgh Club takes us back in time

Looking back in history this month with The Old Edinburgh Club. 1st In 1567, placards linking Mary Queen of Scots & Lord Bothwell in adultery and in Lord Darnley’s murder began to circulate in Edinburgh. And in 1682, the Advocate’s Library (now known as…

Flights to the Middle East cancelled after strikes on Iran Following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran overnight, flights in and out of Edinburgh to the Middle East have been cancelled. A Qatar Airways plane already in the air over Europe turned back to Edinburgh. Qatar Airways flight returned to Edinburgh. Photo shows the plane on tarmac at Edinburgh Photo Alan Simpson Qatar Airways said on X: “Qatar Airways Group confirms the temporary suspension of its flights to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

Flights to the Middle East cancelled after strikes on Iran

Following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran overnight, flights in and out of Edinburgh to the Middle East have been cancelled. A Qatar Airways plane already in the air over Europe turned back to Edinburgh. Qatar Airways flight returned to…

Conference season is upon us but where’s the coffee? This was the fourth party conference held in the past week in Scotland. Labour had said theirs was not really a conference, more of a spring rally without any motions to discuss or agree. It was unfortunate then that the several hundreds of Labour activists got together on the morning after a by-election in England where the Labour Party got a drubbing.

Conference season is upon us but where’s the coffee?

This was the fourth party conference held in the past week in Scotland. Labour had said theirs was not really a conference, more of a spring rally without any motions to discuss or agree. It was unfortunate then that the several hundreds of…

Biggest housebuilding revolution promised if Labour get into power in Scotland Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, announced that he would "lead the biggest housebuilding revolution in the history of devolution". This depends on him being elected First Minister, but this was part of the speech he addressed to party members at the Scottish Labour Conference in Paisley. The under-pressure Scottish Labour leader said he would "build 125,000 new homes over the next five years across all tenures".

Biggest housebuilding revolution promised if Labour get into power in Scotland

Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, announced that he would "lead the biggest housebuilding revolution in the history of devolution". This depends on him being elected First Minister, but this was part of the speech he…

The scene on Lower Granton Road on Friday morning where scaffolding and cars below had been damaged

The night sky over Edinburgh in March Phil Daly explains what you might see in the astronomical sky over Edinburgh and Lothians in the next month. We retain our parade of 6 planets during the first week of March and witnessthe arrival of astronomical spring beginning on the Vernal Equinox. The startof British Summer Time sees out the month. The Sun leaves Aquarius (The Water Bearer) on 12 March at 5:36 am and enters…

The night sky over Edinburgh in March

Phil Daly explains what you might see in the astronomical sky over Edinburgh and Lothians in the next month. We retain our parade of 6 planets during the first week of March and witnessthe arrival of astronomical spring beginning on the Vernal Equinox. The…