Out of the Blue Drill Hall

Food Hall Drill Market – Saturday 12th May

Saturday 12th May 2012 sees one of Edinburgh’s newest food markets open its doors for a third time at the excellent Out of the Blue Drill Hall in the heart of Leith.

Sitting alongside the regular Bruncheon event, the new food market is shaping up with some excellent stalls.

The unique and specialist food products that are on offer include: the Manna House , the Happy Fudge Company, Lovecrumbs cakes and bakes, Trotters Independent chutneys and preserves, The Magic Teapot and the excellent Burgh Bakes gourmet marshmallows.

The market is open from 10am – 3pm and will take place on the second Saturday of every month. Entry is free.

You can also get something to eat at the excellent Drill Hall Cafe after some shopping.

You can find the Drill Hall Food Market on Facebook and follow Out of the Blue Drill Hall on twitter.

Suitable for disabled? Yes, the part of the venue where the market and bruncheon are being held are on ground level.

Update 27th March – We attended the first event and were impressed with the stalls on offer. We managed to buy quite a lot of goods and sit and listen to the music in the main hall. A lovely atmosphere and good quality stalls. We’ll be returning!

Marshmallows from Burgh Bakes

Love Crumbs baked goods

Commonwealth pool

The Royal Commonwealth Pool is scheduled to open on Wednesday 21st March 2012. We can’t wait to get back in there for a swim after the £37m refurbishment. We saw the refurb in progress last year (minus the water) and it was looking great.There are plenty of activities to choose from including fitness classes and the excellent new gym facilities as well as the swimming and diving pools.  The main pool is open from 5.30am until 9.30pm on weekdays and from 5.30am – 5pm on Saturdays and 7.30am – 5pm on Sundays.

A selection of coaching and courses are available for all levels. There is also a Clambers soft play area and a cafe.

You can look at the different types of membership available here.

We can’t wait to see the new facilities and will bring you a full review once it’s open. You can see pictures of the old pool on the AJ Buildings Library website.

‘Commie pool’ memories

Submit your memories of the commie pool via their website and be entered into the daily draw for  a chance of winning  free passes. They are also having an overall draw for Commie goodies, a year’s free membership and new sports kit courtesy of our official swimwear partner, Speedo.

Information

Royal Commonwealth Pool
Dalkeith Road
Edinburgh
EH16 5BB
0131 667 7211

You can find all the opening times of the pool and other facilities on the Commie Pool website.

New features

The new features will include:

-  a 50m, eight-lane pool for community and specialist swimming use with a boom capable of subdividing the pool into two areas;

- a re-orientated 25m diving pool up to 5m deep with moveable floor which can be used for swimming when not in use for diving;

- a dry dive facility including trampoline and springboards to allow divers to practise out of the pool;

- a 25m pool with moveable floor to accommodate warm-up provision, swimming lessons and informal play utilising pool toys;

- new dry soft play facilities;

- a refurbished and expanded gym and fitness studios; and

- a refurbished and redesigned changing village, meeting and conference rooms

The RCP will host the diving events as part of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the British Swimming squad have selected the facility as the venue for their final training camp in July 2012 ahead of the London Olympics.

Mimi's at The Shore

New extension for Mimi’s Bakehouse at The Shore

Mimi’s Bakehouse at The Shore has taken Leith by storm since opening its doors at the end of 2010. The family run business has been welcoming visitors from Edinburgh and beyond whilst serving up glorious food and cakes.

The new extension to Mimi’s opened this morning, creating a whole new area to sit down and relax in with friends.

We can confirm that it’s looking fabulous with the same Mimi’s decoration that visitors know and love, with lots of extra little touches. There are extra tables that increase the total capacity, but the staff at Mimi’s want everyone to be comfortable as they eat. The general feel of the place is certainly more spacious and there’s a clear walkway to the bathrooms.

There’s a new ‘soft seating’ area comprising of two velvet sofas which is perfect for small groups and is bookable in advance. Further soft chairs and tables fill up the rear wall.

The wall in the new extension

The brand new kitchen is where the bread will be made each morning. During opening hours, you can peek through the glass windows of this new baking area and witness the cakes coming out of the oven and being decorated.

All in all, it’s the same great Mimi’s, but with more room to enjoy your food. We’ll be heading down there soon!

You can read our latest review of Mimi’s.

Improved facilities

There is a now a separate bathroom for gents and the ladies ‘powder room’ has several cubicles. There’s also a dedicated disabled toilet that’s spacious and also houses the baby-changing facilities.

Information

You can check out Mimi’s Bakehouse website or like them on facebook and follow them on twitter.  Open weekdays 9am- 5pm and weekends 9am-6pm.

We advise booking ahead on weekends. Telephone 0131 555 5908.

Suitable for disabled? Yes, ground even access (with ramp from outside) and accessible toilet.

Edinburgh Castle turns pink during previous Moonwalk

Moonwalk 2012

The 7th Edinburgh Moonwalk takes place on Saturday 9th June 2012 and will be another special night where 10,00 women and men will come together to raise money that stays in Scotland.

You can enter online here or pick up an application from these Edinburgh shops.

In the last few years, the Scottish Moonwalks have raised over £10 million for breast cancer causes in Scotland.  Why not take part yourself in 2012?  If you are not able to do the full 26 mile walk, there is the 13 mile option or you can volunteer.

Edinburgh Spotlight fully supports the Edinburgh 2012 Moonwalk and will be volunteering again and supporting many of our friends who will be taking part in this excellent event.

Walk the Walk are on facebook and twitter.

Read our previous interview with Nina here.

Edinburgh Moonwalk 2012

Toddler Play Group

From the people behind Edinburgh’s excellent Knot Stressed comes a brand new Toddler Play Group from 10th January 2012.

All parents with children from toddling age (around 1.5 years) to 3 years old are welcome.

This new and exciting group will take place every Tuesday from 11.15am-12.15pm at the Calton Centre, 121 Montgomery Street, Edinburgh EH7 5EP.

The group is primarily a social group for parents and toddlers. However, each week we will include activities such as toddler yoga, action singalong, musical instruments story time and soft football.

There will also be a selection of small toys out for free play time, including a pop up tent, musical steps, a floor puzzle and a crawl-through tunnel.

The groups will be small and friendly (group size between 5-15 parents and children).

Plenty of tea, coffee and biscuits are provided for the grown ups and the little ones are welcome to bring a snack/packed lunch with them.

The cost to drop in is £3, which helps to cover the cost of the room and snack.

The group will be facilitated by either Onie (with the help of her nearly 3 year old, Mairin) or Frances each week.  Occasionally, there will be extra help from willing, friendly parents!

Where possible, there will also be fun guest activities and speakers.

The Toddler Play Group will run every Tuesday until 18th December 2012. For further information, contact Knot Stressed.

Edinburgh Spotlight loves living in ‘Festival City’ and already has all these dates in its calendar – here’s the rundown of 2012′s festivals.

Mary King’s Ghost Fest TBC for 2012

Paranormal investigations, celebrity ghost hunts and other spooky goings on at The Real Mary King’s Close.

Ceilidh Culture 16 March – 25 April

Edinburgh’s traditional arts festival, featuring music, dance, storytelling and more.

International Science Festival 31 March- 13 April 2012
The International Science Festival features a host of fun and educational events, lectures and attractions celebrating all things scientific.

Beltane Fire Festival 30 April 2012
Beltane is an ancient Celtic festival and Edinburgh plays host to some colourful and exciting celebrations to mark the date.

Imaginate Festival 7 – 14 May 2012
The Imaginate Festival is Edinburgh’s children’s festival and has loads of plays, activities and fun things to do for youngsters of all ages.

Leith Festival 8 -17 June 2012
Come and celebrate all things Leith at this festival, featuring music, dance, art and other exciting events.

Edinburgh International Film Festival 20 June – 1 July
The Edinburgh Film Festival is an internationally-renowned event on the movie festival circuit and attracts premieres and stars from all over the world.

Edinburgh International Magic Festival 29 June – 6 July 2012

2012 will see Edinburgh host the third International Magic Festival with a range of performers show-casing their magical talents.

Edinburgh Art Festival August 2 – September 2
Edinburgh Art Festival celebrates the visual arts in all its diversity, from world-class exhibitions to strikingly original installations.

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 28 July – 6 August 2012
Get your gladrags on and party to the sounds of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, a popular event which attracts international talent.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 3 - 27 August 2012
Getting bigger, better and – some may say – weirder every year, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the highlight of many a festival-goer’s calendar.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 3 – 25 August 2012
Selling out months in advance, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a spectacular event taking place on the Castle Esplanade.

The Edge Music Festival TBC 2012
Adding alternative music to the August festival mix, The Edge Music Festival attracts A-list bands as part of its programme.

Festival of Spirituality and Peace TBC 2012

The Festival of Spirituality and Peace features music, dance, talks and other events highlighting humanitarian issues and causes.

Edinburgh International Festival 10 August – 2 September 2012
The one that started it all, the Edinburgh International Festival is a feast of world-class music, dance and theatrical performances.

Edinburgh International Book Festival 11 - 27 August 2012
This literary event attracts major names in the writing, publishing and political fields to the serene Charlotte Square Gardens setting.

Edinburgh Mela Festival 31 August  - 2nd September 2012

Celebrating the cultural diversity of the city, the Mela Festival brings colour and exotic flair to Edinburgh in August.

Scottish Story Telling Festival 19-28 October
Celebrating the great Scottish oral tradition, the Story Telling Festival showcases the talents of national bards, poets and tale-spinners.

Edinburgh’s Christmas TBC – late November – End Dec 2011
Edinburgh sparkles at Christmas and features events, attractions and shows for all the family to enjoy during the festival season.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30 December 2012 – 2 January 2013
End the year with the biggest street party in the world!

Sighthill demolition

Blowdown operation of three Sighthill tower blocks

Three tower blocks at Sighthill are scheduled for demolition on Sunday 25th September. Safedem are in charge of the demolition of Glenalmond, Hermiston and Weir Courts and it will mark the third blowdown operation for Safedem on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council.

You can see the exclusion zone here. The public are allowed to watch the demolition in person but we will be tuning in live on the internet (courtesy of Stevenson College TV)  for the demolition on Sunday.

This clip of previous Sighthill demolitions shows that the dust caused from the explosions travels quite far!

We had a last look at the flats today, which are all sealed off to the public, but you can still seem them from behind the security fence.

The time of the demolition depends on the evacuation of nearby residents, but it is expected to be between 11am and 12 noon.

Sep 25 update –  Edinburgh Council’s YouTube page with their video of the demolition.

The tower blocks a few days ahead of demolition

Will be rubble on Sunday

Sunset over the flats, 20th September

Demolition

Photo added shortly after demolition. More here.

Another one of our photos from January 2010.

Sighthill flats and the Pentlands

Jungle City in Edinburgh

Jungle City unveiled in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens

Today saw the launch of Jungle City in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanical Gardens. There’s around 130 life sized animals dotted around the gardens, with some special ones on show in Harvey Nichols at St Andrew Square and inside The Dome on George Street.

The Elephant Family exists to save the endangered Asian elephant from extinction in the wild, along with tigers, orang-utans and all the other animals who share their habitat.

The Botanics are free to enter and the Jungle City is situated around the main paths and trees and easy to spot.

For those that want to learn more about the animals, there is an audio guide available and the £4.50 cost to hire the guide goes direct to the charity. One audio guide is fine per family as it is speaker-based and not through headphones.

The sculptures will remain in the Botanical Gardens for the next few weeks and will then be relocated on the streets of Edinburgh on 6th September.  They will then regroup for one final gathering at the National Museum of Scotland, before being sold at auction in aid of the preservation of Asian elephants.

• There are 130 sculptures of mother and baby elephants, tigers, hornbills, crocodiles, orangutans and tigers.  All have been creatively decorated by artists and celebrities.

• Fifty of the sculptures can ‘talk’ and feature voiceovers by a number of celebrities including Andrea Corr, Dame Rula Lenska and Geri Halliwell.  You will have the opportunity to use the audio guides to listen to the voices.

• The Jungle City concept is the brainchild of Elephant Family founder and conservationist Mark Shand.

• The online auction will go live on 22^nd September – please visit www.jungle-city.org for further details
• The auction will take place 29^th September at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.

We’ll be bringing you more pictures of our favourites and a full review in due course. When the animals move to the Edinburgh Streets, there will be a map available to track them all down. Elephant merchandise is available to purchase at the Botanics and Harvey Nichols, with all the profit going direct to the cause.

You can find the Elephant Family and Jungle City on Facebook and follow them on twitter.

Life sized elephants on display

A huge crowd gathered outside the National Museum of Scotland this morning, eager to get inside and see all that this fabulous museum has to offer after having been closed for refurbishment for three years.

The National Museum of Scotland - open once again

Dinosaurs, strange sea creatures, firecrackers, drummers – the spectacle was almost as impressive as what lay behind the doors, which 11 year-old Bryony Hare officially opened as Grant Stott looked on.

The entertainment continued on the street outside as the crowds filed inside the Museum’s new street-level entrance, packing the new galleries and proving that the National Museum of Scotland is one of the city’s best-loved attractions.

Have a look at our gallery and video for a taste of the fun which took place outside.

Chambers Street

The newly re-developed National Museum opens on 29th July 2011

We are absolutely itching to see inside the newly re-developed National Museum on Chambers Street.

On Friday 29th July 2011, there will be an opening ceremony to celebrate, with the entertainment starting at 9.15am.

Marvel at the sea creatures on stilts from and an animatronic T-rex dinosaur whilst enjoying the beats of the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers. Just before the museum opens to the public, Grant Stott will invite the competition winner to open the doors, prompting a fanfare and the unfurling of banners. There will also be an abseil from the roof of the building.

The museum opens at 10am sharp – be one of the first to discover the amazing displays with new objects like the T.rex and familiar favourites like the Totem Pole.

Grant Stott will be hosting the festivities and continue with his 10am – 2pm radio show live from Chambers Street.

A world of discovery will awaits with 16 new galleries to explore, showing a dramatic range of treasures from dinosaurs to designer chairs, and mummies to motor cars. Music and activities will feature throughout the day.

Getting around the museum will be even easier with new entrances, glass lifts and escalators and a complete new floor at street level.

Other activites on at the museum over the summer are:

• Drop-in Days. Mon 1 – Sun 21 August 1030 – 1630 (drop in) Free
  Visit our fantastic new Learning Centre and meet the team. Take part in daily taster activities to mark the opening of our new galleries.
• Explore Time. Daily during August and September  1030 – 1630 (drop in) Free
  Get the most out of our new family galleries. Enablers in Imagine and Adventure Planet help you and your family discover even more about the stories these galleries tell.
• Free Fringe Music. Sat 6 – Fri 26 August. 1245 – 1330 (drop in) Free
  Each lunchtime, take time out in the transformed National Museum of Scotland to enjoy a musical celebration of our new World Cultures and Discoveries galleries with music from around the world

The best thing of all that the National Museum is free to enter and is suitable for all weathers.

 

Now open

Candy Cupcake opens its doors offering more than cake

We do love a new shop in Edinburgh, especially one that sells cake and sweets!  Candy Cupcake opened its doors yesterday and we couldn’t resist paying them a visit today.

As you walk into the shop, you can’t help but squeal with delight at everything on offer.  It’s not just confectionary and cakes here, there’s cake-themed decorations, party invites and a selection of cards for all occasions.

Once you’ve walked past the pick n’ mix section, the shelves are full of retro sweets and jars of old favourites such as kola cubes and sherbet pips. A range of Stewart Tower Dairy ice cream is on offer and as you get to the counter, a selection of freshly made cupcakes awaits.

Some Highland Favours tablet was the order of the day along with some gourmet marshmallow from local company, Burgh Bakes.

As I headed out the shop, some popping candy and Love Hearts caught my eye as I returned to the counter to pay for the additional treats.

The assistants are friendly and took on board my request for Beer Pots and Chelsea Whoppers, but in the case of the latter, a supplier has got it in hand.

Well worth a visit.

Info: Candy Cupcake, 92 Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh.  Telephone 0131 446 0907

You can also find Candy Cupcake on facebook and on twitter.

Michael Macleod

Farewell to the Guardian Edinburgh Beatblog

Ever since the Guardian Beatblog began last year, we’ve found it to be an excellent source of reliable and relevant Edinburgh news, notable for being able to get the news ‘out there’ quickly and across a number of channels.  

We enjoyed it when Tom Allan- the first Edinburgh Beatblogger – got things rolling; and equally so when Michael MacLeod took over, continuing to provide an essential community news source for the city. We met and became good friends with both Tom and Michael, and were saddened to hear the news that The Guardian have decided to close down the Edinburgh Beatblog.  

Michael received many references after the closure was announced which confirmed his enthusiasm and talent. He also volunteered at the successful Edinbuzz Social Media Surgeries. One of our favourite articles was when Michael reported an Edinburgh councillor doing sudoku during The Gathering debate.  

We’ll miss Michael’s timely updates; his round-up of local blogs and events; and his friendly and professional manner on Twitter and Facebook – and of course we wish him every success in the future!  

Michael’s last blog will be on Friday 27th May 2011.

Pic courtesy of EFT

Flawless return to Edinburgh in 2011 at the Festival Theatre.

We love Flawless at Edinburgh Spotlight and were delighted to see their exciting show at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe.   Read our review on their Edinburgh debut here.   

You can check out their official website, find them on facebook and follow them on twitter.  

Chase The Dream

They are returning to Edinburgh in April 2011 for two nights only at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre and tickets are on sale now.   

The performances are Friday 1st April and Saturday 2nd April at 7.30pm enabling all ages to go since it’s the weekend.  This show really is suitable for all the family and the lads are amazing to watch live.  

You’ll see Flawless as never before as they fuse the stunning street dance for which they have become famous with contemporary jazz and ballet in a show that is breathtaking, funny and moving. Then it’s your turn as you join Flawless on a journey through time and space to chase the dream.  

Competition

To win a pair of tickets for the performance on Friday 1st April 2011, answer the following question.   

On which show did Flawless first appear on television?    

You must enter by emailing the answer to competitions@edinburghspotlight.com  Twitter and facebook entries will not be accepted.   

Competition closes at 1300 hours on Friday 11th March 2011. The winner will be notified by email that afternoon.  Good luck!  

The lovely Flawless

Earlybird Fringe tickets

A selection of Edinburgh Fringe 2011 tickets on sale now

Last April we couldn’t believe that the Fringe tickets had been on sale since March and we started to collate a list of tickets to buy before the official Fringe box office opened in June.

In December 2010  the Big Comedy Gala put the tickets for their one-off comedy gala in August 2011 on sale at the excellent Venue 150. Proceeds of this show will go to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The tickets for the Waverley Care Comedy Gala at the Festival Theatre on 16t August are also on sale now.

More tickets have just been announced for Ed Byrne’s Fringe 2011 shows at the same venue.  We can’t believe we’re collating this list in February, but here are the details to the tickets available for purchase now:

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Ed Byrne, 3rd – 7th August  Venue 150  tickets here

Jason Byrne, 3rd – 14th (not 10) August Venue 150 tickets here

Big Comedy Gala , 15th August  Venue 150  tickets here

Waverley Care Comedy Gala, 16th August, Edinburgh Festival Theatre tickets here

Faulty Towers dining experience, dates throughout August – tickets here

Daniel Sloss, 3rd-28th August, Assembly Spiegel Tent – tickets here

Jimeoin, 3rd – 28th August, Assembly Spiegel Tent – tickets here

The Pajama Men, 4th – 28th August, Assemby Rainy Hall – tickets here

Shylock, 4th – 28th August, Assembly, Rainy Hall – tickets here

Stand Comedy Club announces their 2011 full line up with all tickets on sale now.

Lee Evans, 8th-10th August, Edinburgh Playhouse – tickets here

Sarah Millican, 12th-28th August, Assembly Hall – tickets here

The Magnets, 5th – 29th August, Assembly George Square – tickets here

Assembly Festival are adding more shows daily – please check here for all shows that are on sale now.

Underbelly – several shows, including Free Run and Frisky and Mannish.  Check here.

The Pleasance – several shows including Des Bishop and Potted Potter.  Check here.

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We will add more listings to this page as they come available, so bookmark it for reference and keep visiting!

Meanwhile if you need a ‘Fringe’ fix – have a look at all of our 2010 coverage.  Dates of all Edinburgh’s 2011 festivals can be found here.

View from outside area at Skybar

Views to die for

Thursday 24th February 2011 is the date you should mark in your diary to try out the exciting new Sky Bar at The Point Hotel, Edinburgh.

From 6pm until midnight, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of Edinburgh Castle through the floor to ceiling windows on the penthouse floor.

The Sky Bar will subsequently be held on the last Thursday of every month throughout the year and has a capacity of 90 people.   Having visited the new bar this evening, we think it’s going to be hard to ever leave the stunning space and views behind.

The drinks menu contains some wonderful cocktails such as the classic cosmopolitan (£6.50) to house cocktails such as ‘Flying High in the Friendly Sky’ (£7.00).  There is also a selection of premiums spirits, beers and wine  on offer.  Prices are in line with other stylish central Edinburgh bars – though they can’t boast such a stunning view.

Aimed at corporate customers and city dwellers, the Sky Bar provides live jazz music which doesn’t dominate over conversation.  This evening’s music was provided by The Midas Touch and proved to be popular with the guests.  The Sky Bar has been styled by Danish furniture and design store BoConcept Glasgow and features some of their stunning  low slung Mezzo sofas, tables and iconic Imola chairs

We spoke with the Point Hotel’s General Manager Ronald Little this evening and he said:  “I am pleased to be part of this exciting new Sky Bar.  The view is completely unique and is sure to have people return monthly to enjoy the whole experience”.  We couldn’t agree more.

The Sky Bar is also available for private functions.  You can find the Point Hotel on Facebook and Twitter.

Opening hours:  last Thursday of every month throughout 2011, 6pm – midnight.

24th February, 31st March, 28th April, 26th May, 30th June, 28th July, 25th August, 29th September, 27th October, 24th November, 29th December (TBC).

Suitable for disabled?  Yes, access to the Sky Bar is via a lift on the ground floor of the hotel.

Edinburgh Zoo chimp

Reduced entry to Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Spotlight loves Edinburgh Zoo and visits many times throughout  the year.  We have previously reviewed the zoo in full from a child’s perspective, but it really is suitable for all ages.

After the recent popular offer we told you about, there is another new offer to take advantage of.

Tickets are available for £10 per adult and £5 per child until 8th April 2011 –  only when you pre-book online.  They must be booked 24 hours in advance and are subject to certain terms and conditions.  You can save £11.50 for one adult and one child admission.

Zoo opening hours for January and February are 9am – 4.30pm,  March 9am - 5pm and April 9am – 6pm.

Parts of the zoo may be closed off due to any future snow, but when we were there during a snowy period you could still see the majority of the animals – it’s just the high parts that may be closed.

The paths were all cleared and gritted and every member of staff we encountered was extremely professional and polite.  The zoo is doing a marvellous job of keeping this popular attraction open during the worst weather Edinburgh has seen in years.

Also proving popular just now is the Edinburgh Zoo Penguin Cam.   You can find the zoo on facebook and on twitter

Sunbear in the recent snow

St James Centre

Whilst passing through the St James Centre this morning, I saw this lad rowing his heart out in the middle of the mall.

Along with his mate Ant, the pictured John,  are rowing on the machine to the ‘point of no return’, half way into the Atlantic Ocean (1456 miles / 2345km) in preparation for the future water-based expedition.

They’ll be there until Monday, 24 hours a day.  I imagine it’s hard to get through the night with no shoppers to focus on, so if you’re passing through the centre over the next few days, drop a few pounds in their bucket or donate here.

Money raised is going to Baps Charities and Cancer Research.

You can also look at their website and youtube channel.

Oor Tours and Graeme E Pearson are conducting their fabulous walking tour on Hogmanay!  We reviewed this tour previously and think it would be a fabulous way to kick start celebrations into 2011. 

Starting at 2pm on 31^st December 2010, tickets are £10 and include a nip of whisky. If you and a group of friends want to book a Hogmanay Tour get in touch.  

email: ask@oortours.com Tel: +44 (0) 7817 362171 

Spaces are limited.  

Graeme Pearson

 

Penguin playing with snow

£5 entry for all until 9th January 2011

Edinburgh Spotlight loves Edinburgh Zoo and visits many times throughout  the year.  We have previously reviewed the zoo in full from a child’s perspective, but it really is suitable for all ages.

We popped along again last week and the entry price is reduced at the moment to £5 per person.  This fantastic offer runs until the 9th of January 2011.  Opening times for the offer are from 10.00am until 4.30pm with the last entry being at 3.30pm.  Parts of the zoo may be closed off due to the snow, but when we were there, you could still see the majority of the animals – it’s just the high parts that may be closed.

The paths were all cleared and gritted and every member of staff we encountered was extremely professional and polite.  The zoo is doing a marvellous job of keeping this popular attraction open during the worst weather Edinburgh has seen in years.

The zoo is also open on Christmas Day and New Year’s day.

Also proving popular just now is the Edinburgh Zoo Penguin Cam.   You can find the zoo on facebook and on twitter.

Sunbear checks out the snow

Rock hyrax

Bibi's Cake Boutique, Hanover Street

Bibi’s Bakery has opened its doors in Edinburgh.  Situated in the prime position of Hanover Street (at Rose Street) the St Andrew’s business is now going to be pleasing Edinburgh people.

Selling a range of cupcake flavours such as banoffee and double chocolate, their range of cakey goods also extends to chocolate brownies.  Everything is priced at £1.50 and can be wrapped up in boxes to give as presents.  We’ve got some cupcakes and brownies waiting to be eaten, so will report back on our findings!