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Times
24-05-2025
- Times
Why an Edinburgh city break doesn't have to be expensive
You can't pick up a paper these days without thinking holiday prices have gone absolutely nuts. The latest news is that Edinburgh is now among Europe's priciest city break options (behind Oslo and Copenhagen) and, according to the Post Office's City Costs Barometer, a weekend will cost you double what you'd spend in Lisbon or Porto. There's an old saying in the capital that 'you'll have had your tea', meaning 'nothing's free here, pal'. But, frankly, that 'tea' (read: three-course meal, comfy bed) will set you back about £600 for a two-night break for two. That's where I come in. I've lived in the capital for years and my family (battle-hardened cheapskates every one) are from Corstorphine near Murrayfield Stadium. As a schoolgirl, my mum used to sneak into Edinburgh Zoo with her chums, so, if anything, I've learnt from an early age how to do my home town for a song. I know there are ways to visit without requiring a ginormous outlay; hence, I'm here to cast a few doubts and share some cheats. Let's begin with the free stuff. Museums are gratis (the National Museum of Scotland and four National Galleries of Scotland are worth a city break of their own), and I remember so well going to gloriously gothic Greyfriars Kirkyard as a child. Granted, a cemetery is hardly romance-sparking stuff, but it's still worth a (free) visit. Equally, travelling around Edinburgh leads to the realisation that often the best free bits are hidden. Like the exhibitions at Edinburgh Printmakers in Fountainbridge ( and Dovecot Studios, a tapestry workshop in a former public swimming pool atop the Cowgate ( I'll add to this list the West End's peculiar Library of Mistakes, a mini Bodleian beauty with free lectures from the sharpest economic minds on the financial madness we're living through ( Another tip: the surreal Surgeons' Hall Museums isn't quite free, but its morbidly fascinating lectures on topics from bone detectives to chloroform tea parties are a measly £3 (£9.50 entry; I'll admit that Edinburgh as a pricey overnight proposition has been building for some time. The arrival of a scrum of stiff-lipped hotels (Virgin Hotels Edinburgh; 100 Princes Street; the Resident Edinburgh; W Edinburgh, which locals have dubbed the Golden Turd) has pushed prices up. But there are still options that present great value for money. • 29 of the best hotels in Edinburgh Overlooking Leith Links, the magpie-eyed will spot a newbie in the form of 3 John's Place. It's from the same owners as Eleven Stafford Street, the sleekest Georgian-era guesthouse in the West End, and it's had an equal amount of money thrown at it. The clincher is the rooms are cheaper (room-only doubles from £107; My favourite neighbourhoods are the ones outside the old town. On the northern flank of Calton Hill, beneath the unfinished National Monument of Scotland (the idea here isn't minimalism, it's just that the money ran out), there's the lovely 21212 (B&B doubles from £195; Its four townhouse rooms sit above the chef Stuart Ralston's terrific Michelin-starred Lyla, the very mention of which turns my friends into slavering eejits. Its five-course lunch menu is for deeper pockets, but — get this — you'll save on taxi fares and want to skip dinner (£65, Friday and Saturday only; • Read our full guide to Edinburgh To the north in Stockbridge, I'd stay at the Raeburn for its beer garden alone and the wonderfully free (and endlessly astonishing) Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. But you'll need to plan ahead for a bargain as prices surge in summer (B&B doubles from £139; Another I'd suggest is the two-bedroom Stevenson House, the Georgian family home of the Treasure Island author Robert Louis Stevenson. Coupled with the comfy pubs and shops of the new town, it allows you a wholly true sense of Edinburgh as a literary fantasy (B&B doubles from £160; Unlike other cities on the Post Office Barometer, where you can find dinner for two for as little as £50 — compared with an average of £116 here, so the survey says — Edinburgh has truly upped its restaurant game. It doesn't want to do cheap; rather focus on the bigger picture by better supporting local producers. That philosophy has helped in the rise of nose-twitching places such as the Palmerston in the West End (two-course lunch £21, Tuesday to Friday; and Montrose, the unbuttoned alternative to the Michelin-starred Timberyard. Pretty unbeatable on price, its ground-floor wine bar is another for a lunchtime windfall (two-course lunch £20, Friday to Sunday; While I adore those spots, Leith is the home of Roberta Hall McCarron's three essential restaurants. And though all-day café Ardfern does the same top-notch cooking as the Little Chartroom (next door), it's not dumbed down, just at a lower cost (mains from £8; Her hash browns with kelp and chilli have made it a point of pilgrimage, and their popularity goes some way to mitigating this city's curious love of chip shop salt 'n' sauce (a bafflingly watery, vinegary version of HP). • 11 of the best restaurants in Edinburgh Now the big one: whisky. It's vital, so dodge the warts-and-all Grassmarket pubs and head to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society — only its New Town address, not its HQ in Leith. Plenty of locals will say you have to pay the £100 membership to get past the door, but here's the hack. I'll tell you in a whisper that the private whisky club experience is open to everyone at its ground-floor bar ( Get me a dram as a thank you and I'll see you there. What tips would you add? Share them in the comments
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Edinburgh Zoo sun bear, Babu, in remission after 'terminal cancer' diagnosis
Edinburgh Zoo has revealed a sun bear is in remission after they were dealt a terminal cancer diagnosis. Babu, a 13-year-old bear, diagnosed with lymphoma in April 2024 after zookeepers noticed swelling in the lymph nodes across her body. Her behaviour and eating habits also changed during this time, raising alarm. Following an investigation by the wildlife conservation charity's vets, Babu was diagnosed with lymphoma, the Daily Record reports. READ MORE: Dubai-based gangland boss waging war in Edinburgh 'unmasked as ex football ultra' READ MORE: Edinburgh yobs soak members of the public as cruel American trend makes its way over This is a variety of cancer with very limited precedent in bears. After receiving a second opinion from veterinary oncologist Dr Isabel Miguel, a terminal diagnosis was confirmed. As a result, the veterinary team at Edinburgh Zoo began to prioritise ensuring quality of life. At the time, it was believed that Babu had mere weeks or months to live. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland communicated the diagnosis to adopters and its members. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Veterinary surgeon at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Stephanie Mota commented: "This diagnosis was new territory. We found one similar case involving a Himalayan black bear in China, but it died suddenly and there was very little information available to guide us. "Our top priority was that Babu was comfortable and happy in her last days." According to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, bears are known to mask symptoms and it is therefore difficult to catch illnesses early. This was the case when Edinburgh Zoo's 20-year-old sun bear Rotana was put to sleep in October 2023 following a rapid spread of cancer. The team carefully reviewed all available literature to help Babu, including studies on canine medicine as lymphoma is relatively common in dogs. They chose a treatment course that minimised potential side effects alongside pain relief, with the aim of slowing Babu's cancer and easing her discomfort. However, to the surprise of staff, the sun bear's condition began to improve. Following six months of treatment, tests in October 2024 revealed a reduction in cancerous cells. Further monitoring and additional tests carried out earlier this year showed no detectable signs of the disease. Dr Miguel also confirmed that Babu was in remission. Head of veterinary services at RZSS Professor Simon Girling stated: "We're delighted that Babu has responded so positively to the medication, especially as we were in uncharted territory. With confirmation of remission, we've been able to stop her pain medication, and are now gradually reducing her cancer treatment while closely monitoring her condition." Babu's weight is currently being recorded weekly, with daily behaviours and appetite also being monitored by keepers. An objective charting system is being employed to ensure any changes are spotted early. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. The animal's medication is being hidden in honey, which is her favourite food. Honey is normally reserved for special occasions, but has become part of Babu's twice-daily routine during her recovery. Mota added: "She's really interested in digging around in her habitat for insects at the moment. These inquisitive, natural behaviours are really good signs that she is feeling happy and healthy." Babu is among the most popular residents at Edinburgh Zoo, and her recovery has been met with joy. However, the veterinary team remain cautiously optimistic. Dr Girling continued: "This news is better than we ever hoped for, but it wasn't what we expected and there's always a possibility that the cancer could return. For now, what matters most is that Babu is happy, healthy and back to her old self."
Edinburgh Live
19-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Zoo sun bear, Babu, in remission after 'terminal cancer' diagnosis
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh Zoo has revealed a sun bear is in remission after they were dealt a terminal cancer diagnosis. Babu, a 13-year-old bear, diagnosed with lymphoma in April 2024 after zookeepers noticed swelling in the lymph nodes across her body. Her behaviour and eating habits also changed during this time, raising alarm. Following an investigation by the wildlife conservation charity's vets, Babu was diagnosed with lymphoma, the Daily Record reports. This is a variety of cancer with very limited precedent in bears. After receiving a second opinion from veterinary oncologist Dr Isabel Miguel, a terminal diagnosis was confirmed. As a result, the veterinary team at Edinburgh Zoo began to prioritise ensuring quality of life. At the time, it was believed that Babu had mere weeks or months to live. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland communicated the diagnosis to adopters and its members. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Veterinary surgeon at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland Stephanie Mota commented: "This diagnosis was new territory. We found one similar case involving a Himalayan black bear in China, but it died suddenly and there was very little information available to guide us. "Our top priority was that Babu was comfortable and happy in her last days." According to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, bears are known to mask symptoms and it is therefore difficult to catch illnesses early. This was the case when Edinburgh Zoo's 20-year-old sun bear Rotana was put to sleep in October 2023 following a rapid spread of cancer. The team carefully reviewed all available literature to help Babu, including studies on canine medicine as lymphoma is relatively common in dogs. They chose a treatment course that minimised potential side effects alongside pain relief, with the aim of slowing Babu's cancer and easing her discomfort. (Image: Edinburgh Zoo.) However, to the surprise of staff, the sun bear's condition began to improve. Following six months of treatment, tests in October 2024 revealed a reduction in cancerous cells. Further monitoring and additional tests carried out earlier this year showed no detectable signs of the disease. Dr Miguel also confirmed that Babu was in remission. Head of veterinary services at RZSS Professor Simon Girling stated: "We're delighted that Babu has responded so positively to the medication, especially as we were in uncharted territory. With confirmation of remission, we've been able to stop her pain medication, and are now gradually reducing her cancer treatment while closely monitoring her condition." Babu's weight is currently being recorded weekly, with daily behaviours and appetite also being monitored by keepers. An objective charting system is being employed to ensure any changes are spotted early. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. The animal's medication is being hidden in honey, which is her favourite food. Honey is normally reserved for special occasions, but has become part of Babu's twice-daily routine during her recovery. Mota added: "She's really interested in digging around in her habitat for insects at the moment. These inquisitive, natural behaviours are really good signs that she is feeling happy and healthy." Babu is among the most popular residents at Edinburgh Zoo, and her recovery has been met with joy. However, the veterinary team remain cautiously optimistic. Dr Girling continued: "This news is better than we ever hoped for, but it wasn't what we expected and there's always a possibility that the cancer could return. For now, what matters most is that Babu is happy, healthy and back to her old self."
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Abandoned lynx have a new home just a few miles from where they were found in the Highlands
Three young lynx abandoned in the Cairngorms National Park earlier this year have found a new home at Highland Wildlife Park. The trio were housed just a few miles from where they had been released with another juvenile which did not survive the ordeal in January. In total, four felines were rescued by experts from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and cared for at Edinburgh Zoo during a period of quarantine. However, one of the cats did not survive the trauma. RZSS chief executive David Field said: 'We are very pleased to welcome the lynx to Highland Wildlife Park and grateful to our members and everyone who made a donation to help us care for these wonderful cats. 'The lynx were clearly habituated to humans and would most likely have died if they hadn't been rescued as they would not have been able to find food for themselves. 'Caring for these cats at Highland Wildlife Park will help raise awareness of this incredible species and support discussions about how to reintroduce wildlife in Scotland responsibly. 'We are very proud of the response of our team, who worked with Police Scotland and other partners to safely rescue these animals in freezing overnight temperatures. In total four juveniles were rescued but one later died while the other three are now thriving at their new home 'All three lynx have curious personalities, they love playing together, especially with balls and other toys. We are sure they will be a big hit with everyone who comes to see them.' The rogue rewilding attempt was widely condemned as it risked the animals' safety. The 'deliberately abandoned' quartet were captured over two separate days in freezing conditions. At the time Mr Field said the animals had come from 'private facilities' and added: 'You can't just put an animal into the wild and expect it to survive. The people who have done this are negligent and have abandoned these animals. 'They are not going to attack people or take out a sheep or a deer, they aren't used to hunting these animals.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Edinburgh firefighters rush to 'building blaze' near zoo as smoke seen a mile away
Around 20 firefighters are tackling a blaze near Edinburgh Zoo as smoke can be seen from over a mile away. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to a possible building fire on Corstorphine Road at around 7.40am this morning, May 14. Images as far away as Broomhouse show smoke rising over Corstorphine Hill, with one resident reporting the smoke being seen near Edinburgh Zoo. READ MORE: Scottish man, 25, fighting for life in Edinburgh hospital after skateboard crash READ MORE: Tragedy as body of man, 26, discovered at Edinburgh beauty spot Five pump appliances are currently at the scene to extinguish the blaze. An eye witness said: "Picture taken from Forrester High School looking towards Corstorphine Hill. "It could be near the zoo or It may even be a controlled fire but we did hear sirens." A SFRS spokesperson said: "We were alerted to a possible building fire on Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh. The call came in at 07.40 and we currently have five pump appliances at the scene." We'll bring you more information and updates on this breaking news story as we get it. In the meantime, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X for the latest news, what's on, trending stories and sport. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages
