The digital transformation of Edinburgh

This autumn will see Edinburgh become the UK’s largest Gigabit City as CityFibre, the country’s leading pure fibre infrastructure provider, completes the installation of the capital’s new 150km ultra-fast network. The network will offer connectivity at gigabit speeds 50–100 times faster than the UK average to around 7,000 businesses. More than 300 pubic sector sites including schools, libraries and office buildings will also benefit.

The EICC recently joined the ultra-fast CORE network, likewise developed by CityFibre in collaboration with Commsworld. The EICC required high-speed bandwidth when it hosted thousands of gaming aficionados for the Insomnia Gaming Festival in April this year. The connection was ‘supercharged’ for the event, which facilitated some of the fastest network speeds present anywhere in the UK.

A superhighway for cyclists

There was welcome news for the city’s cyclists in September as a proposed £6 million superhighway across central Edinburgh was approved in principle by the City of Edinburgh Council. There will be further consultation on the proposed route linking the east and west of the city before it is fully finalised.

Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “We remain 100% committed to delivering this bold and transformational project, which will make it so much easier to cycle into and through the city centre by linking up with our already well-used cycle routes across the north and west of Edinburgh.”

Cycling is an increasingly popular way to commute and travel in Edinburgh, with more than 45,000 trips made by bike every day.

Winter festivities return

The capital’s annual winter festivities promise magic, music and a myriad of attractions. The new Festival Square Theatre pop-up on Lothian Road will be headlined by a revival of Clarke Peters’ West End and Broadway hit, Five Guys Named Moe, with songs from jazz legend Louis Jordan. Family favourites Morgan and West will also perform Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, A Christmas Carol.

Following its huge popularity last year, the Street of Light returns in a new location, illuminating West George Street and synchronised to music from the likes of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Blazin’ Fiddles and Scotland’s very own Bhangra group, Tigerstyle.

On Hogmanay, Indie veterans The Charlatans, as well as Scottish Celtic bands Salsa Celtica and Manran, will perform on various stages for the annual street party. In the glow of Edinburgh Castle, globally acclaimed singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini will headline the concert in Princes Street Gardens in one of his only two shows in 2016.

For more information on Edinburgh’s winter festivities, please visit their website.