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Thanks to all who took part in our Edinburgh Safari (6) to discover 3D artificial snakes around the city. 

Thanks also to those readers who contacted us from deathbeds and prison cells with various feeble excuses. 

Congratulations to Graeme Brown and Penny Carstairs, who correctly identified 5 locations. Bells, whistles and balloons, though, to our runaway winner Elizabeth Maxwell-Gore, who spotted 7 of them and was defeated only by No. 6. (Follow the link above to see the pictures again.)

Edinburgh’s latest ‘Fringe venue’ opened this morning with the launch of Police Scotland’s Operation Summer City and a temporary unit in East Princes Street Garden. 

The chuckly side of getting your collar felt was much in evidence at the event, as officers and young volunteers publicised a place where locals and summer visitors to the city will be able to ask for advice, pick up leaflets, and report a crime. 

Superintendent Lesley Clark cheerfully answered questions.

HOLES AND HOW TO FILL THEM 

Reader David Young has queried City of Edinburgh Council about the quality of repairs following cable laying across the city. 

He cited the poor-looking quality of the road surface after works by private contractors as part of the Edinburgh Core/City Fibre scheme – on Howe St, Great King St and Kerr St, although other examples abound. 

He questioned the quality and frequency of oversight, and asked who is responsible for such supervision.

INSPIRING IMPRESSIONISM: DAUBIGNY, MONET, VAN GOGH 

Inspiring Impressionism looks at the works of three unique and celebrated artists: Charles-François Daubigny (1817–78), Claude Monet (1840–1926) and Vincent Van Gogh (1853–90). 

Daubigny was dubbed the ‘Father of Impressionism’, and his influence on Monet and Van Gogh are clearly shown in this exhibition. 

Please be patient. 

I've been investigating – perhaps a little too scrupulously – the 'Broughton Whirr'. 

You may or may not realise that this neck of the woods – like Bristol – experiences its own peculiar and disturbing noise once a week, or that discovering its origin has been a challenge that has taken over my Sunday mornings and those of my unfortunate nearest and dearest for the past seven months.

In the beginning was the Whirr

As you read this, copies of the August Spurtle are already percolating through the barony in advance of distribution tomorrow, like enormously well-toned Olympians arriving in the Athletes’ Village only to find it’s full of blocked toilets and exposed wiring.

Page 1 hurls itself faster with development news, confidence building, music, consultations, and odd newcomers in the neighbourhood.

Page 2 goes higher with a flying maggot, film news, chocolate departures, crime, a cat, and locals exposed to voracious appetites.

In a show of solidarity against the Nazi symbols and racist graffiti which have begun appearing around Leith in recent weeks, a march is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. 

The ‘United Colours of Leith’ event will be peaceful, non-party-political and inter-faith. It wil also be well policed and stewarded so that everyone taking part can feel safe.

All members of the community are welcome, whether from this part of the capital or not.

Very early proposals for new residential building on the B&Q site at 13 Warriston Road have been displayed today and will be again tomorrow. 

The ‘Canonmills Garden’ plot is now owned and being developed by the Artisan Group, itself a shareholding partnership between the Sanlam Group and Argosy & Salt Properties Ltd. They have appointed Sheppard Robson as architects. 

When Albany Street Developments submitted a planning application for a new apartment block at 21 McDonald Place last March, locals were not impressed (Breaking news, 21.3.16; Ref. 16/01329/FUL)

Some 35 letters of objection were sent to the Council, and the proposal was withdrawn on 28 June without explanation.

Police in Edinburgh today launched an initiative in the Leith area to discourage adults from buying booze for under-18s. 

Those who get caught ‘proxy-purchasing’ alcohol for underage drinkers could face a £5,000 fine or 3 months in prison or both. There’s now a helpful digital advertising screen at Shrub Place Lane reminding everyone of the fact. 

The move is part of Operation Savana, involving local police, the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP), and City of Edinburgh Council.