Elected members on the Transport & Environment Committee today voted 9:2 to keep St James Square for pedestrians only.

The two members who voted to back the W Hotel's request for limited access to the front of its premises by a limited number of strictly controlled taxis and minibuses entering via Elder Street were Councillors Whyte and Munro (Con).

Vehicular access will still be possible via the underground car park at the rear.

Fairyland, burlesque and a dead snake

Our account of Edinburgh's first purpose-built, permanent exhibition space on Annandale Street continues in early 1924.

On 2 January, a record crowd of 26,500 people attended the World's Fair and Carnival in the Industrial Hall (today's Lothian Buses depot) over the course of one day.

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The following account is from the Scotsman, 3 January 1924..

Charlie Ellis heads off in search of real tranquillity 

A recent trip to London was enhanced by Siobhan Wall’s Quiet London, which details peaceful nooks in the metropolis. An Edinburgh version of the book seems a faintly absurd idea given that much of the city is sedate by the standards of most major cities. 

The excitement of empire, capitalism and cleanliness

One week ago, we began this series with a