Revamped winter festival plans agreed

Revamped plans for Edinburgh’s winter festivals, which will see Christmas markets and attractions spread across the city centre, have been given the official seal of approval by Edinburgh City Council.

This month council officers reached an agreement with Underbelly, the production company behind the Capital’s winter festivals, to stage a six-week programme of events.

Subject to planning approval, the Star Flyer and Big Wheel attractions will return to the city centre.

Though locations have not yet been determined councillors are pressing for somewhere with a hard surface to prevent damage to city centre greenery.

There will be a ban on markets and bars in Princes Street Gardens. Instead, a “city centre trail” of festive stalls will be spread around the Royal Mile, the Mound Precinct and Castle Street. George Street has been earmarked for a return of Edinburgh’s iconic Christmas ice rink, which was controversially ousted from St Andrew Square last year.

The fire parade, which traditionally starts the Hogmanay festival, will become a static torchlight event honouring the city’s key workers.