What's happened
Edinburgh's New Year resolutions, as imagined by local columnist Stephen Jardine, include humorous suggestions like being nicer to Glasgow, avoiding new restaurants, and turning scaffolding into a museum. The piece blends satire with reflections on city life and local culture as the city enters 2026.
What's behind the headline?
Edinburgh’s resolutions reveal a city grappling with its identity and urban challenges. Jardine’s satire highlights issues like over-saturation of restaurants, the iconic yet problematic W hotel, and social media’s impact on city spaces. The suggestion to turn the scaffolding site into an international festival underscores a desire to embrace local imperfections and turn them into cultural assets. The humorous tone masks deeper concerns about urban development, tourism, and community cohesion. This piece will likely resonate with residents who see their city’s quirks as part of its charm, but it also serves as a critique of superficial tourism and urban planning. The satire encourages reflection on what truly benefits the city and its inhabitants, suggesting that embracing imperfections could foster a more authentic city identity. The piece forecasts a year where Edinburgh might lean into its eccentricities, turning challenges into opportunities for cultural expression and community engagement.
What the papers say
The Scotsman’s articles by Stephen Jardine and Mikey Smith provide contrasting tones—Jardine’s satirical city resolutions and Smith’s humorous take on Trump’s Christmas antics. Jardine’s piece offers a playful yet pointed critique of Edinburgh’s urban issues, while Smith’s article highlights the ongoing spectacle of Trump’s unpredictable behavior during the holiday season. Both articles use humor to engage readers but serve different purposes: one to reflect on city life and local culture, the other to satirize political absurdity. The juxtaposition underscores how humor remains a vital tool for commentary on current affairs, whether at the city level or in international politics.
How we got here
The articles reflect a tradition of New Year’s resolutions, both personal and communal, with Jardine’s piece offering a satirical take on Edinburgh’s local issues and cultural quirks. The timing coincides with the start of 2026, a period when many reflect on the past year and plan for the next, often with humor and optimism.
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Common question
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What Are Edinburgh's Quirkiest New Year Resolutions for 2026?
As Edinburgh steps into 2026, locals are embracing humor and creativity with their New Year resolutions. From playful jabs at city life to humorous ideas for community improvement, these resolutions reflect the city's unique character. Curious about what Edinburgh's residents are planning for a fun and quirky year ahead? Below, we explore some of the most amusing and imaginative resolutions shaping Edinburgh's 2026 landscape.
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