When Eildon Street residents woke yesterday morning, they found that a tree on the boundary between their road and Warriston Playing Fields had been cut down in the night.

This seems to have been no officially sanctioned felling, or a random slash in the dark by a drunken teenager.

The substantial elder was systematically taken down with a hand saw in secret between 11pm and 7am.

One neighbour, who described the act of vandalism as ‘horrific’, told Spurtle, ‘Locals are fuming and children are devastated as it was a great climbing tree and they used it as a den.’

1877

SHEBEENING IN GREENSIDE ROW.

At the City Police Court, a man named John Buist, residing in Simpson’s Court, was charged with having trafficked in liquors in his house without having the necessary license.

—He pleaded guilty, and was fined £7, with the alternative of six weeks’ imprisonment.

Edinburgh Evening News, 12 February 1877

PLAN FOR 31 SERVICED APARTMENTS IN GREENSIDE PLACE

Yorkshire-based J. Bentley Estates Limited seeks permission to redevelop, refurbish, and upgrade 23–25 Greenside Place as 31 serviced apartments (20/02211/FUL).

BBC Scotland’s Debate Night will simulate coming from Edinburgh and the Lothians in its forthcoming episode on Wednesday 17 June.

If you’re e-itching to be part of the virtual audience, with an opportunity to ask a question of a socially distanced panel of public figures and politicians, go HERE.

1875–76

Mr EDWIN KNOWLES, Riding Master, Respectfully intimates that he has RESIGNED his connection with the Tollcross Riding Academy, where he has been Master for upwards of Seven Years; and, at the urgent request of numerous patrons, he has COMMENCED BUSINESS on his Own Account, at NORTHUMBERLAND STREET LANE (East), where, from his thorough Experience, and by the most assiduous and courteous personal attentions at all times to the requirements of those honouring him with their patronage, he hopes to merit their con

1874

THIS DAY’S POLICE NEWS.

NOISY DOGS.

At the City Police Court, Mr John Pringle[1] and Mr James Young were charged with having dogs in their premises in York Lane which annoyed the inhabitants of the surrounding houses.

In defence they stated that the dogs were necessary for the protection of their property, from which, previous to their having them, many things had been stolen.

What do you keep in your recycling bin these days?

A sat nav? Spare tyre? Snow shovel? Tin of sweets for the kids to suck on that stops them being travel sick but actually stuck together months ago and now can’t be opened for love or money?

If not, you’re missing out on a growing trend for repurposing common household containers and the family car.

This vehicle in Canonmills, for example, is currently storing all those things which virtuous people like to show neighbours they no longer send to landfill. Thanks go to reader Peter Verity for sending it in.

1873

SHOCKING TRAGEDY IN STOCKBRIDGE.

ALLEGED MURDER OF A CAB-DRIVER.

At the City Police Court this morning, before Bailie Wilson, John M’Laughlan, Bridget M’Gowan or M’Laughlan, his wife, John Hart, and Ann Dobie or Hart, his wife, all residing in Silver Mills, Stockbridge, were charged with the murder of Thomas Baird, on Saturday night.

As you read this, electronic copies of the June Spurtle are already speeding their way across the virtual barony like spring bees late for an appointment.

Issue 296 starts traditionally on Page 1, with news of a fetching 13-year old recently sighted locally after a prolonged absence. She is joined by the latest on new routes proposed for Broughton and beyond, a pew hue, and a local industry insider’s views on the potential benefits of business as abnormal.