Cllr Finlay McFarlane

Don’t get caught out - from the 29th Jan pavement parking is banned in Edinburgh!

We will begin enforcing against parking on pavements, parking at crossing points and double parking from 𝟮𝟵 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆. Find out more about the new rules, which will help make our streets more welcoming for everyone 👉 https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/13891/edinburgh-sets-a-date-for-pavement-parking-ban

Very happy 2024 and thanks to everyone who helps makes Edinburgh Hogmanay a world class international New Year hit. Check out the amazing photos by like this stunner👆📷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Health, Wealth and Happiness for 2024!

Wishing you all a very happy Hogmanay. Remember to toast absent friends 🕯️ ✨

Edinburgh Trams are running all night and FREE from midnight on Hogmanay!

Split-service due to the Street Party so you can go between:

🚋 West End - Airport

🚋 Picardy Place - Newhaven

More reliable than a taxi on NYE, so make sustainable transport your 2024 resolution. !

Useful info ahead of Hogmanay 👇

Finally! Thanks to campaigning from Tommy Sheppard MP the UK Government is joining Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government in making an additional pledge to get the exciting Kings Theatre project over the line 👏

Almost two years ago I wrote to the Scottish Secretary asking the UK government to contribute to the redevelopment of the King’s Theatre.

I’m delighted that the project has now received £2m from Levelling Up funds - albeit months after the Scottish Government generous £10.3m contribution.

One last push is needed to reach the target though. I’ll be going back to ministers in the New Year. 🎭

🎅 Wishing everyone a very festive Christmas and a Happy New Year!

🌲 I will be out of office until January 3rd but will still check emails to respond to emergencies.

📞 Some useful numbers below.

These are some of the toughest economic times since devolution, but Deputy First Minister Shona Robison has delivered a budget with positive news for the culture and arts space.

Ding ding! 🛎️

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐲! 🥳

Are you heading to Edinburgh's Hogmanay this year?

Find out more about our all-night trams & see the timetable here ➡️: https://bit.ly/4717V5H

As the year draws to a close, I thought I might share a wee bit of data for those interested in what I have been up to supporting residents.

In total, ~ 500 cases were logged and closed and you can see how these break down into themes by clicking below. These cases are direct enquiries from residents and do not include committee, community or other work that I undertake in my role.

Casework Breakdown 2023 Check out this Whiteboard designed by Finlay McFarlane.

This seasonal painting features in our free talk next Friday at 2pm to celebrate landscape season at the City Art Centre. Patricia Allerston will look at much-loved winter paintings in National Galleries of Scotland. Info & booking here: https://edinburghmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/winter-wonderlands-seasonal-landscapes-national-galleries-scotland

Samuel Bough, 'Sn*******ng Outside Edinburgh University'

This charming watercolour shows students having a snowball fight outside the main entrance to Edinburgh University. Established by King James VI in 1583, Edinburgh University is the sixth oldest in Britain. In 1789 Robert Adam supplied designs for a splendid new building with a grand central courtyard, but lack of finances and the architect’s death resulted in a series of delays. The University was eventually completed in 1833 to modified designs supplied by William Henry Playfair. On the left, the entrance to the University, with its great portico framed by six large columns, was the most dominant feature of Adam’s original design. Bough has added subtle white highlights throughout to suggest the fine dusting of snow on the buildings.

Busy culture committee for the SNP today:

🌳 Million Tree City project to replenish perished street trees alongside new planting
📚 Won a commitment to no library closures or reduced hours
🏫 Getting Museum & Galleries on a more sustainable footing
🔊 Supporting residents with amplified sound

Full SNP amendments below if you are nerdy 🤓

Spent the morning with Rev. Markus Dünzkofer of the historic St. John’s church.

Lots on the agenda - community work, supporting people through the cost of living crisis and a right good blether putting the world to rights.

Nice to spend the evening with Moray Feu Residents Association at St John’s for their Christmas bash.

Raffle seems to have raised a good bit for the local food bank 👌 🎄

Rest in peace John Byrne, renowned playwright & the artist who’s local legacy will live on through his awe inspiring mural on the Kings Theatre dome.

🎅 🎄

Fresh,locally sourced, trees have just been delivered to Rogue Flowers

It’s beginning to feel like…..

Yesterday I joined the Terrence Higgins Trust, Public Health Minister Jenny Minto & friends to mark World AIDS Day at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

We have come so far, let’s eradicate stigma and get to zero new transmissions by 2030.

Know your status!

Order a free home HIV test kit here:

test.tht.org.uk/scotland

It’s set to be another expensive winter - Angus Robertson If you haven’t already, I know many will be turning up the heating this week as temperatures plummet.

Great to join Tommy Sheppard MP out on the doors speaking to residents in Dumbiedykes & offering our support!

The Council will contribute £60,000 towards the return of the Edinburgh Filmhouse Screen Scotland 📽️

Find out more here: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/13866/council-to-contribute-60-000-towards-renewed-edinburgh-filmhouse

Trying to get the jump on dreaded Xmas shopping 😬 so headed to Broughton St.

Special late night shopping event on the Street if you want to pick up some really unusual and lovely things 🤗 🎁

Our Pavement Parking campaign goes live today, reminding drivers that parking on the pavement is unsafe, unfair and illegal. To launch the campaign, Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop met with two pavement users who are impacted by pavement parking, to find out how the issue affects their daily lives.​

Visit bit.ly/pavementparking2023 to find out more.