Warriston Cemetery often throws up surprises, but few remember finding something quite like this before.

The regeneration of George Street’s public realm has entered a new phase with the launch of a final Concept Design. The plans are available for scrutiny on the Council website here (use the menu toggle top-right for more detail). There’s a virtual helicopter ride here.

The proposals are budgeted at £32M, with £20M coming from Transport Scotland via Sustrans.

George Street was quiet yesterday afternoon. Eerily quiet, even for a Sunday.

There was only the occasional car. Otherwise the city-centre soundscape consisted mostly of crows rattling from rooftops, the occasional chimes of St Andrew’s and St George’s, and other people’s conversations clearly audible across four empty traffic lanes and a central reservation.

As you read this, the first printed copies of the March Spurtle have begun appearing across Broughton like spring birds peeping in the teeth of domestic moggies.

Page 1 flutters fitfully with news of a controversial addition to the city’s streetscape, masked dogs, and a cracking structure in need of some tender loving mastic.

TRAGIC DEATH IN AN EDINBURGH HOTEL.

BARMAID SHOT DEAD.

A melancholy addition was made last night to the victims of reckless fooling with firearms. Between seven and eight o’clock in the evening a seafaring man, named Richard Francis Johnstone, paid a visit to the bar of the Continental Hotel, Meuse Lane, Edinburgh.

The Council is reviewing parking provision across the city, particularly in terms of how non-residents’ parking affects local people.

Phase 2 of this process includes a detailed look at the Bonnington area, and will probably interest Spurtle readers living in Warriston Road, Powderhall, Broughton Road, and Redbraes.

You can access the consultation online HERE.

Suggestions are sought for historic buildings and neighbourhoods needing regeneration in the World Heritage Site and adjacent Conservation Areas (in blue below).

Selected properties will benefit under Edinburgh World Heritage’s three-year Conservation Funding Programme (2022–25), which is backed by Historic Environment Scotland.

COUNCILLORS REJECT GREENSIDE PROPOSAL