Talk of the Town: Burke and Hare too lifelike for comfort

THE audiences at Burke and Hare screenings are braced for a close brush with the dead, but their expectations were exceeded when the film's two main characters sat amongst them - with a corpse.

The alternative Burke, Hare and victim were in fact actors from the Edinburgh Dungeon and headed down to Cineworld in costume to get some inspiration for the attraction's own feature on the 19th century murderers.

Kieran Wood, aka the Dungeon's Burke, said: "We've been gagging to see the movie and couldn't resist going in full costume. It was hilarious to see people glance around the cinema and suddenly see us sitting there amongst them."

Diners splash out on a diamond opportunity

SO times are hard, are they?

Not, it seems, at Hotel Missoni where in a fortnight's time, diners will sit down to a five course extravaganza created using one of the most indulgent of ingredients.

Diners at the hotel's restaurant Cucina will pay up to 150 a head for a set menu using the Italian delicacy known as the 'diamond of the kitchen', white truffles.

The truffles have been specially imported from San Pietro a Pettine, an Italian estate with over 700 acres of ancient woodlands and used to create starter, main courses and a dessert by Michelin star chef Giorgio Locatelli.

But if 150 sounds too steep, fear not. Skip the wine and you'll not only avoid a hangover but you can tuck in for just ... 110.

Cheap at half the price.

Conquer the winter blues

PRIZE for the most depressing news of the day goes to people who say Monday will be "the most miserable day of the most miserable winter" in Edinburgh.

Between Government cuts, chilly weather and the days drawing in, they tell us that 64 per cent of people in the Capital feel depressed as the clocks go back. And the sender of this cheery missive? The Canary Islands Tourist Board. Wonder what their suggested for the winter blues is?

Rarer wine than you'd think

DISTRIBUTOR Alliance Wine wanted some 1980s Chardonnay for a city wine masterclass.

But Giles Cooke, Edinburgh-based buying and marketing director at the firm, had to look as far as Germany to find the bottles.

He said: "The initial Chardonnay explosion of the 1980/90s was enjoyed by millions but it fell out of favour. We wanted to remember the old days in a light-hearted way, but we'd no idea how hard it would be to find bottles in the UK. In fact, there was none - so we had to go to Germany."

Let's just hope it's a wine that travels well.