We Are Hiring- Director of The Cockburn Association
The Cockburn Association is welcoming applications for the role of Director.
The Cockburn Association is welcoming applications for the role of Director.
“How will Edinburgh look in 1949, or in 2049? Periods far off to us; but they will arrive; and those who live then will wonder how any other periods were cared for”.
“How will Edinburgh look in 1949, or in 2049? Periods far off to us; but they will arrive; and those who live then will wonder how any other periods were cared for”.
the tensions and wider costs of development activity that planning systems are tasked to address are often missing or denied in simplified and politicised claims regarding delay
the tensions and wider costs of development activity that planning systems are tasked to address are often missing or denied in simplified and politicised claims regarding delay
“There is a requirement of the tourism industry to consider the host community first and foremost, and to actively engage outside of a sector echo-chamber. There is a responsibility of the tourists themselves to be conscious travellers and guests. There is a responsibility for the Government to establish and enforce concrete regulations and direct the revenue of levies where it rightfully belongs. There is a responsibility of the local community to engage where possible in these conversations and voice their concerns as well as suggest opportunities for management.
Should we all accept these responsibilities, this city that is a good place to visit will remain a good place to live.”
Edinburgh and East Lothian Doors Open Days is supported by:
Event Sponsor
“There is a requirement of the tourism industry to consider the host community first and foremost, and to actively engage outside of a sector echo-chamber. There is a responsibility of the tourists themselves to be conscious travellers and guests. There is a responsibility for the Government to establish and enforce concrete regulations and direct the revenue of levies where it rightfully belongs. There is a responsibility of the local community to engage where possible in these conversations and voice their concerns as well as suggest opportunities for management.
Should we all accept these responsibilities, this city that is a good place to visit will remain a good place to live.”
“There is a requirement of the tourism industry to consider the host community first and foremost, and to actively engage outside of a sector echo-chamber. There is a responsibility of the tourists themselves to be conscious travellers and guests. There is a responsibility for the Government to establish and enforce concrete regulations and direct the revenue of levies where it rightfully belongs. There is a responsibility of the local community to engage where possible in these conversations and voice their concerns as well as suggest opportunities for management.
Should we all accept these responsibilities, this city that is a good place to visit will remain a good place to live.”
The Association does not support an increase in the number of major events at the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens.
The Association does not support an increase in the number of major events at the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens.
The Cockburn Association appreciates the opportunity to respond to the City of Edinburgh Council’s consultation on the future of the Ross Bandstand and the proposed relaxation of the Major Events policy. We recognize the historical significance of the bandstand and fully support its refurbishment to preserve its heritage.
Additionally, we endorse its use for community and small-scale events, which align with the character and spirit of Princes Street Gardens.
However, we have significant concerns regarding the potential negative impacts of large-scale events at the Ross Bandstand on public access to Princes Street Gardens, the parkland and greenspace, and biodiversity. As such, we do not support the proposal to increase the number of major events in the Gardens. This policy was put in place only two years ago, following extensive public consultation and we can see no evidence that would support such a change, other than a desire to further commercialise the gardens. We appreciate the need for investment and the desire to support local community/school events in the gardens and bandstand. However, we feel that these two issues have been unnecessarily conflated and should not be; that is, for small community/local school events, it is not a requirement change the current “4 major events” policy.
Similarly, we feel that this consultation, and the previous report to the Culture & Communities Committee in May 2024, ignores the public value of the gardens. In surveys over the past few decades, its greenness and its tranquillity were cited as the top benefits for citizens . The continued pressure from the Council and others to turn West Princes Street Gardens and the Ross Bandstand into a major performance hub is not agreeable in this context.
Similarly, there are no concrete proposals available for the refurbishment and enhancement of the existing bandstand. These should be advanced first before any change on major events policy is considered. The separate Waverley Valley and Princes Street Strategy, which is out for consultation at the same, should be determined first, and it can help any further consideration of the intensification of commercial events in the gardens.
See our full response to the consultation here – https://www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cockburn-Association-Response-to-Ross-Bandstand-events-consultation-18-December-2024.pdf.
We believe that the main objective of the levy is to improve the City of Edinburgh for its resident population, mitigating the impacts of mass tourism in the city. The funds should be aligned to enhance those attributes which entice visitors to the city, namely its heritage and landscape qualities as well as improve the amenity of public assets such as greenspaces and cultural attractions, which would benefit visitors and residents alike.
We believe that the main objective of the levy is to improve the City of Edinburgh for its resident population, mitigating the impacts of mass tourism in the city. The funds should be aligned to enhance those attributes which entice visitors to the city, namely its heritage and landscape qualities as well as improve the amenity of public assets such as greenspaces and cultural attractions, which would benefit visitors and residents alike.
The conference noted that the dichotomy of “a good place to live is a good place to visit” did not follow, in that a good place to visit might not a good place to live.
The conference noted that the dichotomy of “a good place to live is a good place to visit” did not follow, in that a good place to visit might not a good place to live.
For the Cockburn, this proposal extends the discussion into the wider promotional and tourism marketing of the city.
For the Cockburn, this proposal extends the discussion into the wider promotional and tourism marketing of the city.
As the 2024 Edinburgh Summer Festivals recede into the past once more, it is a good time to draw breath, take stock, and think about what it is about tourism in Edinburgh that most needs to be addressed.
As the 2024 Edinburgh Summer Festivals recede into the past once more, it is a good time to draw breath, take stock, and think about what it is about tourism in Edinburgh that most needs to be addressed.
