Lecture 'tremendous success'

CITY leaders today hailed the first New Year's Day Edinburgh Lecture a "tremendous success".

Speakers, including former Bishop of Edinburgh Richard Holloway and journalist Harry Reid, discussed the Reformation in Scotland to mark that 2010 is its 450th anniversary.

The event formed part of the "Making Scotland" series of Edinburgh Lectures, which continues on 12 January with a discussion with First Minister Alex Salmond about the independence referendum. Lord Provost George Grubb said: "The New Year's Day Conversation was a tremendous success.

"We look forward very much to hearing the First Minister's Edinburgh Lecture on 12 January."

The Edinburgh Lectures are led by the city council and presented in partnership with the city's universities, National Museums Scotland, the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Government and The Royal Society of Edinburgh.