The year 2023 saw a wide variety of stories in the headlines – from the UK’s first driverless buses starting operation across the Forth Road Bridge to the Capital’s final farewell to former boxing world champion Ken Buchanan. There was also the return of trams to Leith Walk with the opening of the extension from York Place to Newhaven; Beyonce’s concert at Murrayfield and on of the city’s celebrated authors being honoured at Buckingham Palace.
Scroll through these 26 pictures and remind yourself of some of the news highlights of 2023
17. Tourist tax at 4 per cent?
City council leader Cammy Day suggested that visitors to Edinburgh were likely to face a levy of up to four per cent on the cost of overnight accommodation when the Capital introduces a tourist tax. Edinburgh is expected to be the first council in the UK to introduce a tourist tax once legislation has been passed. The council previously agreed a flat rate of £2 per person per night for the planned tax, but the legislation requires the levy to be set as a percentage rather than a flat-rate charge. Photo: Richard Scott
18. The Tarminator
A competition came up with the "perfect" name for Midlothian Council's new pothole-killer machine - The Tarminator. Almost 200 suggestions were received by the council for what the 13 tonne JCB Pothole Pro should be called - and four separate entries came up with the winning name. Other ideas included Sir Filly Connolly, Jimmy Tartruck, The Asphalt Avenger, Godfilla, Deep Purphole, Holey Moley and Harry Potholer - and, if there were two Pothole Pros, Fill and Holey. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played the title character in the 1984 blockbuster The Terminator, had recently posted a video of himself filling in a "pothole" after saying it had upset neighbours, but it turned out the hole was a service trench. Our picture shows council leader Kelly Parry and Provost Debbi McCall with 'The Tarminator'. Photo: supplied
19. Concrete problems at school
Preston Lodge High School, in Prestonpans, closed more than 20 rooms after inspections revealed the presence of RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) - a cheap building material used from the 1950s until the mid-1990s, but now recognised as prone to sudden collapse. The discovery of RAAC in roof slabs at the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh led to its closure for performances, pending repair work. Photo: Google Street View
20. 'Brutal' bus noise
Residents in Edinburgh's New Town hit out at Lothian Buses over 'brutal' noise and disruption from out-of-service buses using their street at all hours. People living in East London Street, near the Lothian Buses central depot, said they had seen more than 300 buses on the street in one day, despite not having stops for any service route. The street is being used as a cut through by buses starting or finishing shifts due to local roadworks. The residents launched a petition calling for urgent noise reduction measures. Photo: supplied