Skip to player
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
Search
Connect
Watch fullscreen
Like
Comments
Bookmark
Share
Add to Playlist
Report
Edinburgh residents react to controversial Ferris wheel plans in Princes Street Gardens
Edinburgh Evening News
Follow
14/03/2025
Following news that organisers behind Edinburgh’s Christmas market had lodged plans to have the seasonal big wheel in place at East Prince Street Gardens for most of the year, we asked locals for their opinions.
Category
🗞
News
Transcript
Display full video transcript
00:00
I don't think we need it.
00:02
I think it being plonked where it is, it kind of ruins the skyline a little bit.
00:07
The tourists like it. I don't.
00:10
I thought that that was something that we didn't really need.
00:29
You know, there's viewpoints in Edinburgh where you don't have to go very far to see what the city's about.
00:37
You just need to walk up a hill, and we have many hills.
00:40
And I think that's part of the charm of Edinburgh, the walks that you can get to see the viewpoints and see over the city.
00:48
And I don't think we need it.
00:51
And apart from that, it's incredibly expensive.
00:55
There's not many families can afford 30, 40 quid to have a burl round on the big wheel.
01:02
So no, I don't think we need it.
01:04
I think with regards to bringing more things for tourists to be able to do in the city,
01:10
and kind of bring more eyes on the city, I think is a good thing.
01:13
However, I'm a tour guide.
01:16
Bringing tourists around, I think it being plonked where it is, it kind of ruins the skyline a little bit.
01:23
I know I've had multiple comments from tourists saying the W Hotel and things and sort of controversial things like that,
01:29
kind of ruin that kind of historical skyline.
01:31
And I think having a big wheel in the middle.
01:33
But you see places like the Millennial Wheel in London and things are really successful.
01:38
And that brings a lot of eyes to the city.
01:40
And I think that can maybe only be a good thing.
01:42
So it's a bit of a balance there, really, I think.
01:45
It's not a pretty sight.
01:47
But Edinburgh is a tourist city, and we have to look after the tourists.
01:51
The charge of fortune was at 20 quid to have a shot in that wheel.
01:55
People seem to be paying it.
01:56
People seem to be paying it.
01:57
Over Christmas, it was packed out.
01:59
It did very well.
02:01
Edinburgh depends on its tourism.
02:03
Obviously, it depends on its banking and its insurance as well.
02:05
But it depends on its tourism.
02:07
They have to have a tourism offering.
02:09
Go along to Princes Street.
02:10
How many tourist tax shops can you see in Princes Street?
02:12
So the fact of the matter is, I think you might just have to live with the fact that the tourists like it.
02:18
I don't.
02:20
You know, if you take a look around you, on both sides of the gardens,
02:24
there's absolutely nothing that we need.
02:26
Where else could you get a view like that?
02:30
We've got everything.
02:32
And it's big and it's shiny, and it should be kept to Christmas because Christmas is big and shiny.
02:37
But during the summertime, I don't think we need it at all.
02:40
It adds nothing to the city.
02:42
Well, it might add a wee bit to the city,
02:44
but it certainly does absolutely nothing to enhance the gardens and what we've got here right now.
Recommended
3:17
|
Up next
André Rieu & Sanne Mestrom - Yackety Sax
Soul Of Musica
03/03/2020
1:11
Man wielding large knife robs West Lothian shop owner in terrifying incident
Edinburgh Evening News
4 days ago
1:10
Edinburgh’s latest café opens on Calton Hill
Edinburgh Evening News
3 days ago
1:01
Watch: Trump plans to sign executive order to end sanctions on Syria
The Independent
yesterday
0:55
Prince William delivers inspiring good luck message to Lionesses ahead of Euro 2025
The Independent
yesterday
1:15
Edinburgh Headlines 28 September: Edinburgh's Elm Row branded a 'missed opportunity' by locals after return of parking bays
Edinburgh Evening News
28/09/2023
1:25
Edinburgh Headlines 10 August: Edinburgh residents plagued by sewage-flooded gardens in Easter Drylaw Drive 'terrified' of more rain
Edinburgh Evening News
10/08/2023
1:13
Miniso opens in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Evening News
21/03/2025
1:27
Edinburgh Headlines 13 July: Edinburgh named the second-worst city in UK for parking according to motorist complaints
Edinburgh Evening News
13/07/2023
1:16
Edinburgh Headlines 12 September: Edinburgh Castle and other iconic heritage sites in Lothian set to open their doors for free this winter
Edinburgh Evening News
12/09/2023
1:03
The public shares good luck messages ahead of Edinburgh Marathon
Edinburgh Evening News
25/05/2025
6:09
Edinburgh's Hogmanay outdoor events cancelled
The Scotsman
30/12/2024
0:32
Edinburgh Hidden Door Festival launch party
Edinburgh Evening News
20/11/2024
1:04
Edinburgh residents surprised to find out they live in ‘Scotland’s most expensive street’
Edinburgh Evening News
26/03/2025
1:01
Day Fever to come to Edinburgh for Hogmanay celebrations
Edinburgh Evening News
28/10/2024
2:56
Edinburgh Headlines October 27: Call for rethink on how Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations are run in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Evening News
27/10/2022
1:12
Edinburgh Headlines 6 March: Delays to some services between Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness after bridge strike
Edinburgh Evening News
06/03/2024
1:16
Edinburgh Headlines October 5: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland organisers who pulled out will still have key role
Edinburgh Evening News
05/10/2022
1:14
Edinburgh Headlines 30 May: Here’s everything you need to know about Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band gig in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Evening News
30/05/2023
1:15
Edinburgh Headlines September 29: Company pulls out of contract for Edinburgh's Christmas festival sending plans into chaos
Edinburgh Evening News
29/09/2022
1:00
Spectacular Christmas light trail returns to Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens
Edinburgh Evening News
27/11/2024
0:21
Edinburgh's Chapel Street closed after fire breaks out
Edinburgh Evening News
27/02/2025
1:42
Edinburgh Headlines 9 January: Community to have a say on Newcraighall development plans
Edinburgh Evening News
09/01/2023
3:15
Edinburgh's Hogmanay ceilidh dances
The Scotsman
31/12/2024
2:54
Edinburgh Christmas Market opens for festive season
Edinburgh Evening News
15/11/2024