Breaking news

A Council press release issued this lunchtime trumpeted how the long-awaited new system of communal bins and gull-proof bags will be introduced in the New Town and West End in June and July this year.

A Council press release this morning hailed the completion of  all track and road works around St Andrew Square, and the area's return to public use.

This afternoon Spurtle braved wind and hail to photograph the rejoicing crowds, only to find workmen drilling new holes in the road outside Harvey Nick's and forcing cars to stop and turn back in the direction from which they had come.

The Gallery on the Corner – a brilliant creative hub at the junction of Northumberland and Dundas Streets – seeks two creative trainees from among people in Scotland with Autism Spectrum Condition. Anyone in the process of such a diagnosis can also apply.

Council plans to change parking on the south side of Albany Street from end-on to angled have been temporarily shelved, following objections from residents and intervention by the New Town and Broughton Community Council (NTBCC).

Current parking arrangements here are a temporary solution during tramwork-related diversions through the area. As tramworks are completed, the original end-on parking scheme on the south side had been expected to resume.

Anyone who has ever recoiled at the thought of eating lunch outdoors with their neighbours should perhaps think again.

What if there were no bunting involved? No horrible invocation of wartime spirit or mandatory congas? What, in fact, if the idea were to raise money for a thoroughly good cause whilst briefly celebrating the strength and value of friendship? 

The List's prestigious Edinburgh and Glasgow Eating & Drinking Guide for 2013/14 was published yesterday, and over 60 local establishments made the cut, confirming Broughton as one of the city's premier tasty destinations. 

Even more impressive, 8 Broughton establishments made it to the very top Edinburgh Hit Lists, being picked out by independent judges as among the best in their category.

So what do you reckon?

Is it or is it not OK to park outside this door on North Clyde Street Lane?

It's a sorry, down-at-heel little cul-de-sac, sandwiched between Queen Street and the bus station. Property Squirrel advertises a 0-bedroom property for rent, at £300 per calendar month: 'a great place to park your car whilst you explore the city'.

A yellow Porsche with a customised number plate and a disabled sticker was outside Kenneth Kim the hairdresser's there this afternoon. Nothing else. Nobody. Nought.

Gusts of up to 53mph have rocked Broughton throughout today, bringing grimaces to the faces of pedestrians and smiles to those of roofers and television aerial installers everywhere.

The winds are supposed to be south-westerly, but disrupted by buildings, slopes and trees they can and frequently do rush up from almost any direction. Similar conditions are expected tomorrow.

One of this area's gustiest spots is at the corner of Melgund Terrace and Bellevue Street, where four local recycling wheelie-bins are notoriously prone to taking flight.

Simpson & Marwick Solicitors seeks planning permission for 9 illuminated advertising signs and 2 television screens at their corner office at 58 Albany Street (Ref. 13/01131/ADV).

The display would be visible through the building's windows for the edification of property-hungry passers-by on Broughton Street.

The Scottish Government wants your opinions on allotment legislation.

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, today launched a consultation aimed at simplifying the rules and, if necessary, amending them to meet today's community needs.

Mr Lochhead did not exactly appear before the Press with a horse's head nailed to his desk, but he was certainly keen to link 'getting back to nature' with 'traceability':