Breaking news

Friends of the Rocheid Path have welcomed City of Edinburgh Council's agreement to undertake immediate necessary improvements to the popular cycle and pedestrian route beside the Water of Leith.

Choking ivy, self-seeded trees and fallen wood are now being cleared, and two dangerously unstable trees at the west gate are to be felled.

However, the group is working towards a longer term vision for the area, and has been gathering views from interested parties for the last few weeks. These have now been collated into the document attached below.

1. Recommending FIVE things readers need to know every morning is REALLY annoying.
2. The number FIVE is NEITHER significant NOR helpful.
3. ONE really important thing readers need to know is more welcome than an additional two, three or four things readers DON'T.
4. SIX OR MORE important things beat five important or unimportant ones EVERY TIME.
5. ONE important thing readers need to know is probably NEVER GOING TO APPEAR in a last-minute, cobbled-together column recommending FIVE things readers DO.

The Ballantrae Hotel has been refused consent for a 3-storey, 14-bedroom extension with external stair and canopy to the rear of its Albany Street premises at 11–13 York Lane (Ref. 11/03872/FUL).

Cogent objections were received from two nearby residents and the Cockburn Association.

Pictured here is Lynne Harkes's 'A Floral Welcome', part of her exhibition currently showing at Bon Papillon on Howe Street.

It almost makes you wish you were a bee.

In her own words, Harkes's large-scale, minutely observed studies of flowering and decay allow her to 'momentarily step into a calm space.

On Saturday 10 March, the Edinburgh Evening News splashed 'Whipping Up a Storm' across its front page alongside the image of an amply bosomed, corset-clad dominatrix flourishing a whip.

'Protests over "degrading" erotic festival across city' tutted its subhead, unironically.

Journalists David McCann and John-Paul Holden then reported how an 'X-rated arts festival featuring bondage workshops and a fetish dungeon' with voluntary degradation is planned for the city centre this summer.

Potentially it could attract hundreds of fans.

Mother’s Day (18 March) – the perfect opportunity for us all to show our mums how much we appreciate what they have done, sacrificed and taught us over the last few decades. What better way to show your appreciation than with a homemade gift.?

I’m not talking about a childish necklace made of pasta shapes or a haphazardly painted card. I’m talking about a dozen, elegant, gorgeously decorated cupcakes made by your own fair hands.

In the week since I first saw Cathy Campbell's solo exhibition at the Union Gallery, I've been struggling to put my finger on what it is about her work which so appeals.

I think in part it is its modesty. Her scenes are quietly understated and domestic. She herself makes no grandiose statements about what she is about, claims no superior understanding or descriptive authority for her paintings of pots, vases, cups and glassware.

In fact, she almost denies herself any kind of voice at all:

Broughton and Scotland swimming legend David Wilkie will reopen Edinburgh’s lavishly refurbished Royal Commonwealth Pool on 21 March.

Remembered for his 200-metre breaststroke Gold at the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976, Wilkie is better known hereabouts for his name’s appearance on a cup proudly displayed in Broughton Primary School (see below). We Broughtonians love to celebrate a local's success.

Stand by for disappointment.

On 1 April 2012 it will become necessary to have a Public Entertainment Licence for any kind of public art in Edinburgh, writes Spurtle reader and artist Jen McGregor.

Even the smallest grassroots events being run for free will require a licence, which must be applied for six weeks in advance. (More information here.)

New developments in Canonmills have provoked mixed reactions.

Newington-based Earthy have bought a 3-year lease to the row of shops by the bridge (1, 2, 3–6 Canonmills Bridge), and are knocking them together internally as you read this.

Later this month, they plan to open a restaurant and shop specialising in organic, sustainable, Fair Trade, and Farmer's Market goods and ambient products.