Pluses and Minuses

On the plus side the annual Tree of Remembrance in Edinburgh ‘s Charlotte Square not only looks good but raises funds for St Columbia’s Hospice and allows the commemoration of loved ones. It also has minimal impact on this fine green centre of a famous square formed by the great architecture of the New Town and lying at the heart of a world heritage site.

But the minus is that this year the annual restoration of the gardens after the book festival hasn’t been as quick or effective as usual - in fact more than three months after the event a big part of the area is still earth or mud raising more issues about the use of Edinburgh’s green spaces .