Thursday May 28th 2026
Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan
Council staff went ‘above and beyond’ in efforts to save the Edinburgh Trades Taxi Outing, according to council leader Jane Meagher.
Police confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that an ‘outline plan’ to allow the event to go ahead had been agreed with organisers and other partners.
Labour councillor Meagher said she was ‘overjoyed and relieved’ by the news, which comes a day after city councillors agreed to hold an emergency meeting on the issue.
Organisers had originally announced the cancellation of the event on Monday, saying Police Scotland would not be able to support the event as in years past.
But according to the police statement on Wednesday, a way to run the event safely along its original route had been found.
The event, which has run since 1947, allows children with special needs, as well as those with life-limiting and terminal issues, to get out for a day of excitement.
Fully funded by the city’s taxi trades, it sees a convoy of brightly-decorated taxis travel in Edinburgh and East Lothian, with the kids inside firing water guns at eager supporters.
Meagher added that she knew ‘how valued and important’ the event was to families in the city, and that she looked forward to seeing brightly-decorated taxis on city streets.
She stressed that council roads and transport teams had gone to great lengths to help ensure the event ran.
The council leader said during a council meeting yesterday that she had participated in the event with her daughter in years past, and that she had seen the joy it brought to the young people it supported and the public alike.
In prior years, the police service provided a rolling road closure for the convoy along the route, but organisers said on Monday that the police service could not provide this.
They detailed that this was due to how Police Scotland interpreted recently-announced guidance by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
It is understood that, due to the interpretation of the guidance, that the service’s motorcycle unit would not be able to support the convoy.
At time of press, it is unclear what changes from previous years have been made to enable the procession to run, if any, and if any costs will be incurred by any parties.
Keith Bell, secretary of the committee organising the outing, said he was ‘deeply humbled’ by the public support the taxi outing had received.
He added that he was hopeful a firm plan would be finalised during a meeting on Thursday.
Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher said:
“I’m overjoyed and relieved that the Edinburgh Taxi Outing can go ahead as planned this year. I want to pay particular tribute to our colleagues in the Council’s transport and roads teams for finding a way to make this work. They really have gone above and beyond.
“I know how valued and important this event is to families across the city and look forward to seeing the wonderful sight of brightly decorated taxis on our streets once again – in what I’m sure will be another fun-filled and memorable day out.”
Police Scotland Superintendent Neil Wilson added:
“Our focus throughout has been to support the Edinburgh Taxi Outing as we have done for many years.
“We have held constructive discussions today with the event organiser and have agreed an outline plan which allows the event to run safely on its original route.
“Further discussions will take place in the coming days to finalise the police operation to support the event and ensure the children enjoy their day.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
