just received a £60 fine from council, claiming I got a lesser fine around 6 weeks ago, I didn't see one on the car, though I was on double yellows for about 2 minutes I think.

There appears to be strictly limited bases on which you can object-not including "I should only pay £30 cos you never gave the initial ticket".

Am I screwed?

I appealed a parking ticket by posting it off to the address given (somewhere down south I think) with a letter explaining exactly why I wasn't paying it. Got one back saying they agreed and voila no more fine.

I'd contest it with a letter – you've already got the fine so what's there to lose?

EDIT: The envelope that the original fine is in, is I think sticky on the back and tucked under your wipers so you couldn't possibly fail to spot it, if it was there…

yours was private and in England? Different law…

Nope, parked in a residents parking bay outside my flat in Edinburgh. Cooncil traffic wardens got me.

EDIT (again): I addressed my letter to:

Parking Services
The City of Edinburgh Council
PO Box 4660
WORTHING
BN11 9FR

why did it come from down south?

ah…that's the address I have too…

It didn't, but to contest it you have to write to the address above.