Wednesday 30th December 2009 80,000 expected in Edinburgh for Hogmanay
Edinburgh City Council are expecting up to 80,000 people to attend the
Hogmanay celebrations there on New Year’s Eve. The annual five day
event kicks off today with a torchlight parade starting at Parliament
Square. The parade will make its way from the Royal Mile to Calton
Hill where there will be a firework display.

With the Met Office issuing extreme weather warnings for the week
revellers are being advised to wrap up warm. Robert Aldridge,
Edinburgh City Council environment leader, said: "While we expect
revellers to have a great time, we would encourage everyone to dress
for the weather and listen to advice from police and stewards who will
be working extremely hard on the night to make sure everyone has a
good time safely." Edinburgh and the Lothians

Thursday 5th November 2009 The return of the Edinburgh Oyster
The Firth of Forth was once famous for its oysters, often known as the
Edinburgh Oyster, but the shellfish were declared extinct in the
Scottish waters decades ago. The oysters were thought to have been
wiped out by over fishing back in 1957, but now a team from Stirling
University have discovered wild oysters in the firth again. Their find
has lead to hopes that they can be commercially farmed. Oysters were
once major source of employment and income in the area but they were
dredged relentlessly until their population collapsed and they
disappeared from sight.

The location of the find is being kept secret by the University team
in an effort to discourage the public from disturbing what might still
be a very fragile return to the firth. The owner of the Edinburgh
shellfish specialist restaurant Ondine, Roy Brett, commented; “When I
told the guys in the kitchen that one day we might have Edinburgh
oysters on, it was a good feeling.” Edinburgh and the Lothians

Monday 26th October 2009 11 year-old blows up tower blocks
11 year-old Scottish schoolboy Robert Millar blew up three tower
blocks in Edinburgh over the weekend. Fortunately the blocks were
empty and the explosions were controlled. Robert was the lucky one
selected to press the button to start the detonations, so he won’t be
getting an after-school detention. The tower blocks, Garvald, Soutra
and Fala Courts in the Gracemount area of south Edinburgh, were
demolished to make way for new housing, gardens and shops. The high
rise housing was originally put up in 1962.

Local Council leader Jenny Dawe said after the event: "The blowdown
was a truly spectacular sight - and all went as planned, which is
credit to all those involved." Edinburgh and the Lothians