Breaking news

The regional Openreach Customer Network Solutions Manager contacted Spurtle today to allay local concerns about telephone engineers working on the Heriot (‘Sandy’) Hill site and neighbouring buildings.

Kieron Freyne says he was among the genuine BT engineers on-site last month, wearing the requisite ID. They had accessed the area with legal authority, and permission from at least one resident in each tenement block.

They left, he says, after receiving a verbal threat.

Congratulations to Robin Pryor and Moira MacKay who teamed up to tackle our Prize Competition. 

They solved 5 of the musical clues to Edinburgh locations, giving them an unassailable lead. 

They each win a ticket to the festive concert being held in Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church on Saturday (see foot of page for details). 

For those who struggled in vain, here are the spots you were looking for. Follow the links for the helpful tunes.

We are delighted to report that Ziggy, missing from Annandale Street since 25 November, has returned safe and sound. 

He got back in the early hours of Thursday/Friday morning, and – apart from looking very skinny and hosting a number of uninvited guests – is in fine fettle. 

He seems to have been living wild for the last couple of weeks, during which time he successfully evaded the attention of around 2,500 locals who followed our online coverage of his disappearance.

Ziggy, we hear, is pleased to be back and is dining on tuna.

Artisan Canonmills held its second round of public consultation on outline plans for 13 Warriston Road earlier this month.

You can see the exhibition boards here and you have until Tuesday 13 December to send in your response to enquiries@canonmillsgarden.com  Remember, though, that at this stage you will NOT be commenting on the detailed planning application to the Council.

The Scottish National Gallery is one of the quieter places in Edinburgh at the moment. Despite the raucous goings-on outside, it is a peaceful sanctuary with an opportunity to witness something never seen in Scotland before: Carel Fabritius’s The Goldfinch.

You have until 18 December to catch a glimpse of The Goldfinch (1654). It may take you until then to make it through the congested Christmas markets, but it’s a trip well worth taking.

Those in favour of, or against, demolition of RBS property between Dundas Street, Eyre Place and Fettes Row/Royal Crescent, and planning permission in principle for its replacement have until 18 December to make their opinions known. 

An official told us today that the deadline has been extended owing to earlier problems with the Council's online Planning Portal. 

A 73-year-old man was knocked down in a hit and run yesterday afternoon. 

He was trying to cross Abercromby Place at the corner with Dundas Street when a silver-coloured saloon car, heading east, struck him and failed to stop. 

The incident happened on Monday 5 December at around 4.10pm. 

The injured man was taken to the Royal Infirmary with serious injuries. His condition remains stable. 

Police Scotland are eager to hear from witnesses. They advise telephoning 101.

St ANDREW SQUARE SPARED 

City of Edinburgh Council has turned down an application to cover the St Andrew Square tram stop in adverts. 

JCDecaux had applied for permission to place two vinyl wraps (3200mm x 3500mm) on the shelter’s glass (visible from both sides), and also on four ‘name plates’ (Ref. 16/03547/ADV). TfE branding and information would have occupied 50 per cent of the space. 

What exactly is so unsettling about this year’s Louis Vuitton window display? 

God knows, this correspondent has the patience of a saint and never takes umbrage at anything, nor has he complained about any other Multrees Walk excesses of tastelessness earlier in the year. 

So it’s not just grumpiness. 

No, there’s definitely something odd about these puffins. Hence, much thought's gone into getting to the bottom of them.

A property on Scotland Street is taped off this morning, with uniformed police outside and other plainclothes officers in attendance. 

Forensics are attending. 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Police in Edinburgh are investigating following the discovery of a man's body at an address in Scotland Street. 

'The incident was reported to police at around 5.30am, Friday 2 December.' 

'The death is currently being treated as suspicious'.

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UPDATE