Gone are the heady spending days of the nineties when plastic was fantastic. Remember those hedonistic years when the yuppy ruled and magnums of champagne flowed.  Perhaps just as well because how could another generation have sustained those soaring spending habits? And like a house of cards it’s all come tumbling down. What this latest economic downturn has meant is a change in consumer shopping. Price tags have reversed with flashy now considered trashy and everyone looking for a bargain. Second hand shops have seen an upturn in customers, with Oxfam for instance seeing a 5% increase in sales. Online shopping, and as a result ecommerce websites, is another growth industry as people shop around for the best deals.

Take the likes of Amazon or auction site Ebay which offers a wide variety of items from cars to computers and everything in between, mostly at reduced prices. That’s because by selling online removes the expensive retail costs involved in having a high street store. However, it does bring additional costs, namely postage, which if you don’t pick the right company, can prove expensive. However, others can offer great service and wallet-friendly prices. Take UK company Pharos Parcel. It offers customers cheap courier services all over the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. That’s because it has paired up with some of the world’s top courier companies, and is passing on its high volume savings. It’s top notch customer service and easy to use system has made it a firm favourite. And those all important savings have gone down a storm too.

The building, designed by architect Enric Miralles, is home to some 129 members of Scottish Parliament, representing constituencies from all over Scotland.   The building received mixed reviews from Edinburgh residents when it was opened in 2004 as the design was considered too modern. However the design blends well into the adjacent Queens Park.

The Scottish Parliament is a great place for visitors but perhaps younger children will not be as enthralled by the inside designs as older ones, our recommended age is 8 upwards. Visiting the Scottish Parliament is free and you are able to access the public areas of your own free will or partake in a guided tour. A guided tour of the building is highly recommended as you will learn lots of fascinating facts about the building and the Scottish Parliament. You are also able to sit in on a debate though you will need to book tickets. It is worth noting that parliament does not sit on a Monday or a Friday.

Of particular interest are the inside designs of the Debating hall where the ceiling architecture is frequently described as ‘Striking’. There is an exhibition which describes how the Scottish Parliament works which you will find factual and entertaining.

The Scottish Parliament website has everything you will need to know to make you visit to the Scottish Parliament enjoyable. Please feel free to comment below on your visit and leave your tips for other visitors.

Situated to the south of Edinburgh, nestled on the Pentland Hills, the Midlothian Snow Sports Centre is a lively place and it is hard not to get caught up in the atmosphere. Open weekdays from 9.30am until 9pm and weekends from 9.30 until 7pm the Snow sports offers lessons for all ages and all abilities, even offering lessons for ladies.

The Skiing and Snow Boarding lessons are offered from very basic ‘how to stand’ on the ski’s or board up to how to pummel down the highest run. With two main slopes, two nursery slopes and a jump slope, the centre offers fun and adrenaline for every level of skier. All equipment is available to hire at the centre, all you need to do is book your desired lesson and turn up. However you will need to make sure you have the correct attire as it can get very cold on the Pentland Hills. We highly recommend layering up and wearing gloves.

Serviced by the 360 cafe, which serves up hot food and drinks as well as cold snacks, the cafe has ample seating and you are able to watch the slopes while you sit on comfort. Wifi is also available.  The Snowsports centre is also available as a conference centre, and birthday parties are also offered.

For all enquires please contact the centre on 0131 445 4433 or email ski@midlothian.gov.uk

Photo credit to http://www.flickr.com/photos/tessawatson/

Arthur’s seat is very easy to climb, accessed form many directions. The pathways are clear and well maintained. It is a safe walk to undertake with, energetic children, in tow. Once at the top you can view the whole of Edinburgh. Holyrood Park is also known as Queen’s Park or King’s Park, it contains three beautiful loch’s. Watch or feed the birds all year round and enjoy the park life in all seasons.

Holyrood Park is popular with Edinburgh residents because of it’s lush green open spaces, similar to The Meadows, the park is a hive of activity. You will find Edinburgh residents using the park for walks, jogging, running, training, picnics in the summer and sledging in the winter.

Tourists in the city usually find the park after visiting the Scottish Parliament or Holyrood Palace, as both can be found towards the Meadowbank end as the road through the park, Queens Drive, joins the bottom of the Royal Mile. For the energetic there is plenty open space to play frisbee or football, or simply walking around the base of Arthur’s Seat and the Salisbury Crags will stretch away those winter cobwebs.

Photo credits and thanks to

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photojoy/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/schnappi/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brostad/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/inspirekelly/

In Edinburgh this year we have two great pantomimes to choose from, and if you are visiting Edinburgh then you too have a lucky choice to make.  At The King’s Theatre at Bruntsfield Place, we have Grant Stott, Andy Gray and Allan Stewart playing riotous characters in Cinderella. The show runs from 3rd December until 22nd January and promises to be as laughter filled as it always is.  Reviews already in say the regular trio are on top form with their banter.

At The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street we have a lavish production of Beauty and The Beast. Running from 25th November to 31st December. Karen Traynor and Nicola Roy steal the show playing the Ugly Sisters, and reviews in say the show is amazing!

There are several smaller venues running Pantomimes, in particular check out The Churchill Theatre in Morningside. Theatrical group The People’s Theatre put on a panto every year at the Churchill Theatre and it is a must see. While you will find a less polished performance than those of the bigger venues, you are still guaranteed to be howling with laughter laughing in true panto fashion. This year their chosen production, Mother Goose, runs from 23rd until the 31st of December.

Tickets can be bought form all venues here

The King’s Theatre production of Cinderella

http://www.fctt.org.uk/kings_theatre/event.aspx?evtid=444

The Royal Lyceum production of Beauty and The Beast https://bookings.lyceum.org.uk/WebPages/EntaWebShow/ShowList.aspx

The Churchill Theatre production of Mother Goose

http://www.list.co.uk/event/236265-mother-goose/

The King and I at The festival theatre, Newington

With thanks to http://www.flickr.com/photos/global-jet/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/spiderdog/ for photographs.

Edinburgh’s Hogmany celebrations are famous the world over, as Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens transforms into a sea of revelers dancing and singing their way into the New Year. Counting down the bells on Princes Street was my first experience of Edinburgh and one that encouraged me to come and live here some years ago, I am very excited.

As usual organisers have pulled out all the stops to ensure it’s a fabulous event and this year we see the headline acts Primal Scream, Mark Ronson, The Vaccines, Kassidy, Frisky and Mannish and The Cuban Brothers take to the stage to mark Edinburgh’s Hogmany celebrations.

For Edinburgh based band Matt Norris and The Moon, this 2012 Edinburgh Hogmany party will be extra special. After entering the ‘Hog The Street’ competition run by Edinburgh based Leith Records and winning, they will be playing on stage in front of thousands at the New Year celebrations.

With a set of 3 to 4 songs, Dave Law, who plays trumpet for the band, said it will be the biggest crowd they have played to so far, meaning the whole band is hugely excited.  Since forming in 2009 Matt Norris and The Moon have rapidly rose on the Edinburgh gigging scene. As yet unsigned they have gained momentum supporting the likes of Woodenbox, Three Blind Wolves and Villagers as well as their successful own shows at venues such as The Voodoo Rooms.

The band are fresh from the studio where they have recorded their soon to be released EP, and besides practising for this exciting Hogmany gig,  they are getting ready to tour the Highlands of Scotland. “The crowds in the Highlands are so appreciative of bands touring, we love it there” says Dave. “As well as the Highland Tour we’re hoping to play at more festivals next year, we start off in May with the Brew Dog Festival, ‘Brew on the Bog’, which will see us playing alongside some of our favourite Scottish bands, Kitty The Lion and Three Blind Wolves, the line up is amazing!”

“We jumped at the chance to enter the ‘Hog The Street’ competition and although we thought our chances of winning were good, we never imagined we would. It’s the continued support of our fans that have put us here. They got involved in our facebook page, and supported us on judging day, coming down to see us busking on Princes Street,  and giving generously to the chosen charity, Shelter. The Hogmany gig is a different league to what we’re used to, and we’ll enjoy minute of it i’m sure! Then we’re celebrating the rest of the new year together with a big after party!”

Matt Norris and The Moon can be found on Facebook and if you would like to listen to this great Edinburgh band you can do so there.

Standing opposite Edinburgh’s famous Jenners department store and looking out across to Princes Street Gardens, visitors to Edinburgh cannot fail to miss the impressive Victorian designed Scott Monument located at the top of the Gardens.  Visitors to the monument can climb the 287 steps, (yes we counted) to the top and enjoy clear views across Edinburgh and beyond. Open from April through to September the Scott Monument is a popular tourist attraction.

A notable part of Edinburgh city’s famous skyline, The Scott Monument, stands in memory of one of Scotland’s most notable writers, Sir Walter Scott. The 61.11 metre Victorian Gothic design is the largest monument to a writer in the world and it began creation in 1840.

Confusion has often surrounded the monument as to it’s ‘dirty’ appearance and it has received mixed reviews from visitors.  Indeed its 1990′s refurbishment was halted for this reason.  It was intended to undergo a full clean up but arguments were considered that the sandstone used in design, Binny Sandstone, is thought to have been chosen as it attracts dirt quickly to give the monument an ‘aged’ effect. In Victorian Britain this was a common design feature, though perhaps the smoke and soot from industrious Britain was not overly considered at the time.

Self taught architect George Meikle Kemp was appointed to construct the monument and Aberdeen born sculptor John Steell was commissioned for the design of the marble statue of Sir Walter Scott. John Steell’s works are dotted around Edinburgh. Visitors to the city can enjoy his further works including The Duke of Wellington, known locally as ‘The Iron Duke’ opposite the Balmoral Hotel, the Artist Allan Ramsey on The Mound and The Prince Consort in Charlotte Square. John Steell was appointed Sculptor to Queen Victoria in 1898. and shortly after the unveiling of his statue of Queen Victoria’s beloved Prince Albert, he received a knighthood.

Full details of the Scott Monument can be found here on the The City of Edinburgh’s website and with thanks to www.australiaphotos.co.uk