Former whisky boss fires parting shot at city’s ‘filthy streets’

Scotland’S capital is a magnetic attraction for millions of tourists worldwide.

But Edinburgh is starting to lose its lustre, according to the recently departed chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association.

As former diplomat David Frost left for his new role as foreign affairs special adviser to Boris Johnson, he said his memories of the city would be of ‘filthy streets, overflowing bins and endless recycling skips’.

Edinburgh, he conceded, was ‘the jewel in the crown’ – but in need of ‘polishing’.

Englishman Mr Frost added: ‘The real scandal is not the Calton development or even the new St James hotel, but the fact that the royal high School is decaying amid a seemingly endless attempt to find the perfect plan to restore it.

‘Nor is it about transport, though I remain baffled, like the tourists pulling their suitcases along Princes Street, by a tram system with no stop at the main railway station. Or by how Edinburgh planners have pulled off the difficult trick of making the city unfriendly to cars and pedestrians at the same time. ‘It is more about keeping Edinburgh attractive to tourists and residents. It has amazing scenery, extraordinary history and huge attractions.’

Mr Frost, who served on Nicola Sturgeon’s panel of Brexit advisers, claimed that if something isn’t done to improve the situation, the city will struggle.

‘This won’t be good enough in future,’ he wrote in The Times. ‘Outside the EU, our country will need to be ruthlessly focused on its competitive strengths.’

Andrew Burns, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: ‘This is a fantastic place to live, work and visit. Our latest survey showed satisfaction with

‘A fantastic place to live’

life in the capital at an alltime high.

‘All successful international cities face significant challenges and we are always engaging with the public to find out how we can improve our services.’

Marketing Edinburgh chief executive John Donnelly said: ‘The past problems highlighted by Mr Frost have been addressed.’

Visit Scotland regional director Manuela Calchini said: ‘There is always room for improvement but we work closely with partners to ensure visitors to Edinburgh have a memorable experience.’

Mr Frost, a former ambassador to Denmark, also said Stirling and Perth ‘desperately’ needed investment.

But he was more complimentary about Glasgow, saying: ‘With its zest for life and big city feel, it has enough to succeed.’