An item of "Breaking News". Will appear on the Breaking News page and the front page.
Police Scotland's Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM this morning issued a statement to communities across the country.
We reproduce it in full and unedited below.
Following the terrorist attacks in Paris, France, on Friday 13 November 2015 and the ongoing extensive media coverage, it should be noted that at this time there is no known threat or link to Scotland.
SWM (21 YO NM) WLTM SWF (FS VGL) 4 LTR
It is November, and – after an evening spent among young people intoxicated with each other and the capital’s first flurries of snow this winter – Spurtle’s fancy has turned lightly to thoughts of love.
Where is it and how do you get your hands on it?
Such conundra have been bothering locals for centuries, as this letter in a Scottish newspaper of May 1750 makes clear.
Just look and marvel.
This delicately detailed botanical study is by Heather Raeburn, one of three artists whose joint show opens this evening at Bon Papillon on Howe Street.
We'll return to the work of her fellow exhibitors in the next few days, taking one painting at a time so as fully to enjoy them.
Councillors today voted to back the principle of extending the tramline to Newhaven.
A decision on spending any money, however, will be delayed until the next full Council meeting on 10 December to allow time for another look at the business case.
UNDERBELLY CUTS FIRST AND ASKS PERMISSION AFTERWARDS
Underbelly seeks approval to alter and replace the current gate and railings into East Princes Street Gardens, at the junction of Waverley Bridge and Market Street.
It also seeks to remove and replace a tree, and to erect temporary fencing panels (Ref. 15/05077/FUL).
Permission has been granted to demolish the adjoining buildings at 5 Warriston Road and build in their place a 3-storey block of flats (Ref. 14/02315/FUL; Breaking news, 17.6.14).
This evening’s cinema screenings at the Leith Walk police box will take place inside, owing to inclement weather conditions (a superabundance of wind).
The performances – which complement the fifth annual Edinburgh Short Film Festival – will run from 7.30–8.30pm.
Featured will be some of the best short films from the 2014 ESFF, and they will be watchable in conditions of considerable snugness for free.
Similar weather-dependent screenings will run at the same time tomorrow evening.
Café culture in Broughton is thriving, as evidenced by three venues visited today during moments of meteorological crisis.
We began with Bon Papillon on Howe Street, where artist/proprietor/caterer Ingrid Nilsson’s imaginative and playful portraits feature in the gallery at the back.
We particularly liked the gentle wooing of ‘Goldie’s Progress’, which brought to mind the meandering prose of George Cavendish:
Today's newspapers suggest domestic property prices in Scotland may rise over the next 12 months by an eye-watering average of £40,000.
Rather than despair at the insanity of the current market and the woeful lack of affordable housing, Spurtle decided instead to bury its collective head in the sand and look back to an age when things may not have been any better but at least estate agents' hyperbole was a little easier on the ear.
Any plans for next week?
Got anything pencilled in already? A work commitment, perhaps? Appointment with millionaire patron? Candlelit dinner with potential lover?
Drop them.
Scotland’s annual history festival – Previously – returns from 18–22 November with 38 events and 11 venues (four of them right on Broughton’s doorstep).
The programme includes drama, talks, poetry, music, walks and books, with most events costing £4.00 and some being free.
Events which caught this correspondent’s eye include: