13th JULY 10am- 7pm
ROSS BANDSTAND in PRINCES STREET GARDENS
Join us at the Nepali Mela on 13 July at Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens
We warmly welcome people from all communities, cultures, and backgrounds to come together, celebrate diversity, enjoy great food, music, and cultural performances.
Bring your family and friends and be part of this wonderful event.
We look forward to welcoming you all!
An Edinburgh woman is preparing to take on a unique fundraising challenge that will see her and her beloved pet pooch walk 100 miles and visit 30 war memorials across Edinburgh and East Lothian.
Claudea Rizzo and her dog Zeus will embark on their ‘Paws for Remembrance’ fundraiser on July 1st, 2026, walking 100 Miles to 30 memorials in 30 days in a bid to raise funds and awareness for veterans and their families while encouraging remembrance within local communities.
Throughout the challenge, Claudea, who works as the Events & Communications Coordinator at Legion Scotland, and Zeus will visit war memorials and places of remembrance across the region, sharing photographs and reflections from each location through social media and a dedicated fundraising page.
Claudea said: “Working for Legion Scotland, I see first-hand the importance of supporting veterans and preserving remembrance. This challenge is an opportunity to combine both.
“Every memorial tells a story, and I hope this journey encourages people to pause, remember those who served, and support veterans who may need help today.”
Funds raised will support the work of Legion Scotland, which aids, advocacy, community support and remembrance activities for veterans and their families throughout Scotland.
Supporters will be able to follow the journey online as Zeus becomes the face of the campaign, accompanying the challenge every step of the way.
Anyone wishing to support the fundraiser can do so through the challenge’s JustGiving page.
Challenge at a Glance:
• 100 Miles
• 30 Memorials
• 30 Days
• Supporting Legion Scotland
• Edinburgh and East Lothian
Instagram: blacklabtrails_
JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/page/claudea-and-zeus26?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
Families can enjoy free ocean-inspired fun at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as the centre launches its summer holiday activity programme.
Running from Saturday 27th June until Saturday 1st August, the Ocean Putt Trail will give visitors the chance to take on a free eight-hole mini golf experience while discovering facts about local sea life and marine conservation along the way.
Located outside ODEON Cinema, the trail has been created using recycled ocean-inspired materials, including driftwood, netting and bottle caps. Visitors of all ages can take on a series of putting challenges while learning more about the local ecosystem.
Throughout the summer, families can also get involved in the Sea-to-Shore Trail. Trail sheets are available from the Ocean Putt Shack outside ODEON Cinema and will guide families on an adventure around the centre to uncover facts about the natural world and Edinburgh’s oceans.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know it’s not always easy keeping the kids entertained during the school holidays, so it was important to us to offer something free for all of the family to enjoy on a day out this summer.
“The trails are a fun way to spend time together, try something new and learn a little more about marine life and the importance of looking after our oceans. We’re also really proud that the Ocean Putt Trail has been created using recycled materials, and we hope it sparks some great conversations with visitors while they enjoy a day out with us.”
The Ocean Putt Trail is open daily from 11am to 4pm, with times subject to change.
For more information and to plan a visit to Fort Kinnaird, go to:
A consultation on how the Council should shape our communities, and the wider city, to meet the needs of local people and a growing population, is open from today until 30 September.
‘Call for Ideas’ is an opportunity for those living and working in the city to give their ideas and proposals at this early stage in the process to help set the direction of the next local development plan – City Plan 2040. The consultation is asking residents including young people, community councils and groups, businesses, social enterprises, the public and private sector, developers and landowners to share their vision, proposals and every idea will be considered.
Anyone passionate about how their community will look in the future and how City Plan 2040 can help to protect it should get involved. Ideas need to relate to a specific area but can be any size covering a whole district, neighbourhood, a single plot of land or building.
Planning Convener, Councillor Joan Griffiths said: “Your idea could cover proposals for new buildings and homes, improving how you get around, additional spaces for playing, sports or growing food or ideas to reuse important buildings.
“It would be good to know why you think it’s important for your area and why it would a make a difference. Your local knowledge will help us focus on making change where it is needed.
“I’d encourage you to find out what others think by reaching out to your community to find out what is most important to them. You could ask about the changes you’d like to make, what you’d like to protect, what they think is missing in the community and you can point out planning policies you think could be changed.
You could do this through surveys and questionnaires, drop in events, exhibitions and by attending planned local events.
“My vision is that you can help us create City Plan 2040 to strengthen communities and make sure that they look after the wellbeing of their residents.
“We want to build attractive places where people can afford to buy or rent their homes, walk to educational and healthcare facilities, enjoy cultural and sporting activities and easily access sustainable transport to visit other parts of Edinburgh.”
Further information:
The Evidence Report outlining the critical information which should be considered to create City Plan 2040, compiled following engagement with residents including young people, government agencies, politicians, and other stakeholders over the last couple of years, was agreed by Council on Thursday 24 June.
The document, which also sets out the implications of the evidence examined, will now be considered by the Scottish Government for ‘Gate Check’.
When the Scottish Government decides there is sufficient evidence, the next step is for the Council to prepare a proposed plan and consult on it.
Members from The Heart Dementia Meeting Centre The Heart of Newhaven have an arts exhibition coming up soon titled Finished Business.
This is a collaboration with the family of the late Kate Sharp whose unfinished canvases have been ‘finished’ by members of the Heart of Newhaven Dementia Meeting Centre.
Kate was an architect who loved to paint and stopped painting when she received a diagnosis of dementia and so our members were encouraged to pick up a paint brush and finish what Kate had started.
See the dates in the flier = we hope to see you there!
Health Secretary Angela Constance has welcomed official figures that show sustained progress in reducing waiting times.
Public Health Scotland statistics published today demonstrate the waiting list for new outpatients is down 12.9% compared to last year, with the number of outpatient waits of more than a year dropping for 12 months in a row.
More people are being treated for cancer on time, within both 62 and 31 day standards, compared to pre-pandemic and to 10 years ago. The median wait for treatment after a decision to treat is just two days – the joint lowest on record.
Ms Constance said significant pressures remain at the hospital front door, with A&E performance requiring improvement and the NHS facing increases in attendances and activity across a number of services.
She highlighted the need to continue to focus on shifting the balance of care into communities, using initiatives like GP walk-in services and Hospital at Home to ensure patients get the right care, in the right place at the right time.
During a visit to Western General Hospital in Edinburgh to learn more about cancer monitoring, Ms Constance said: “These latest official figures illustrate that our exceptional NHS workforce is treating more people across Scotland and dealing with significant pressures in doing so.
“Hospital activity is up and as a result we are seeing long waits for operations coming down. Thanks to our hard-working staff and targeted Scottish Government investment, we are building more capacity. This is surpassing our target to provide 150,000 additional appointments last year and an additional 30,000 procedures in our network of National Treatment Centres.
“We know, however, that delivering better care cannot be achieved simply by increasing activity. Real long-term progress will mean improving access to care on our doorstep and in communities. It requires change in how we deliver social care and address delayed discharges from hospitals.
“In our first 100 days of government we will introduce a new national plan for the flow of patients through hospital. We are investing in more community care, including opening more GP walk-in centres across the country and introducing heart and lung MOTs. Prevention is better than cure and catching problems early saves lives.”
In total, 7,225 cancer patients were treated in the first quarter of 2026 on the 31-day standard, 13.1% higher than the quarter ending 31 December 2019.
Linlithgow Palace and other Historic Scotland sites are offering UK residents the chance to visit for less this summer
Historic Scotland is offering a 20% discount on admission tickets at a range of sites across the country as part of its Historic Summer campaign.
The offer, open to UK residents from 26 June to 1 September 2026, aims to encourage people and families to visit their local historic sites and venture further afield to explore participating locations across the country.
Included in the offer are some of the Scotland’s most iconic historic sites, from Stirling Castle, once the seat of royal power for Scottish monarchs, to Fort George, an imposing coastal fort near Inverness that has served the British Army for almost 250 years.
Linlithgow Palace will also take part, which was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and her father, James V of Scotland.
Olivia Devine, Senior Marketing Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Summer is a wonderful time to visit our sites across Scotland, and we want as many people to enjoy them as possible. We hope the offer will encourage people to rediscover their local landmarks or travel somewhere they haven’t been before.
“We have such rich history at our fingertips in Scotland, and many of our sites can be found within some of the most beautiful landscapes the country has to offer. Historic Summer will allow people and families to make new memories in wonderful places!”
Historic Summer tickets are limited and must be booked online at historicsummer.scot.
Terms and conditions apply. Each ticket provides general admission to one site and cannot be reused at another site. Historic Summer ticket holders will be asked for proof of address when they arrive at the site.
Historic Scotland sites taking part in Historic Summer are:
Stirling Castle
Urquhart Castle
Aberdour Castle
Arbroath Abbey
Balvenie Castle
Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces
The Blackhouse, Arnol
Bonawe Historic Iron Furnace
Bothwell Castle
Broch of Gurness
Caerlaverock Castle
Cairnpapple Hill
Castle Campbell
Corgarff Castle
Craigmillar Castle
Crossraguel Abbey
Dirleton Castle
Doune Castle
Dryburgh Abbey
Duff House
Dumbarton Castle
Dundrennan Abbey
Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel
Elgin Cathedral
Fort George
Glenluce Abbey
Hermitage Castle
Huntingtower Castle
Huntly Castle
Iona Abbey
Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement
Jedburgh Abbey
Kildrummy Castle
Linlithgow Palace
Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum
Melrose Abbey
New Abbey Corn Mill
Newark Castle
Rothesay Castle
Seton Collegiate Church
Skara Brae
Smailholm Tower
St Andrews Castle
St Vigeans Sculptured Stone Museum
Stanley Mills
Tantallon Castle
Threave Castle
Tolquhon Castle
Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), Assembly Festival and Leith Theatre are excited to announce a special 30th anniversary celebration of Danny Boyle’s iconic film Trainspotting with a screening with live commentary from cast and crew followed by a major club night celebrating the iconic soundtrack on Friday 14 August 2026.
Starring Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd, Kelly Macdonald, Peter Mullan, Shirley Henderson and James Cosmo, written by Irvine Welsh and John Hodge and produced by Andrew Macdonald, Trainspotting remains an audacious, innovative, era-defining and darkly funny film about addiction and survival in the heart of Leith in the capital of Scotland.
Based on Irvine Welsh’s incendiary Leith-set novel, the film celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and will be marked by a special live commentary screening in the historic Leith Theatre with cast and crew sharing exclusive behind the scenes anecdotes about the making of the film.
This special screening will be followed by a club night with DJ sets from Irvine Welsh and Darren Emerson, whose music as part of Underworld is synonymous with the film and its iconic soundtrack.
Leith Theatre recently signed a 50-year lease and secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund following a 20-year campaign to help secure the future of the renowned Grade B listed building.
EIFF’s 79th edition runs from 13 – 19 August 2026.
EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd has said: “Ask anyone about Scotland and cinema and the first things they would likely think of would be Sean Connery and Trainspotting.
“For the past couple of years we have kept the memory and legacy of Connery in Edinburgh alive with our features competition, and now this year we are thrilled to finally honour the most iconic Scottish film ever made in the place where it originated and with a new spin.
“The opportunity to hear directly from the people who made the film followed by the thrill of celebrating that iconic soundtrack together should make for a night for the ages. That we get to do all that in a venue as full of promise and renewal as Leith Theatre is the icing on the cake. We cannot wait!”
Andrew Macdonald, Producer of Trainspotting said: “Hard to believe it, but it has indeed been thirty years since we made Trainspotting, and I am delighted that it is heading back to Leith where the whole story began, to celebrate this big anniversary.
“Big thanks to the teams at Assembly Festival, Leith Theatre and of course Edinburgh International Film Festival for making this all happen.
“It is going to be a very special night.”
Farhana Bhula, Director of Film4 said: “Thirty years after its release, Trainspotting remains one of the defining films of British cinema.
“Film4 is incredibly proud to have been part of bringing this landmark film to the screen, and we’re delighted to join Edinburgh International Film Festival in celebrating its legacy where it all began.
“Returning Trainspotting to Leith for this special anniversary is a fitting tribute to a film that continues to shape the cultural conversation three decades on.”
Lynn Morrison, Chief Executive of Leith Theatre Trust said: “Thirty years on, Trainspotting remains as one of the most influential cultural stories to come out of Leith and continues to resonate with audiences around the world.
“We’re excited to be partnering with Edinburgh International Film Festival to welcome audiences for an evening that brings together film, live commentary, music and some of the people who helped shape one of Scotland’s most iconic films.
“This is an event that showcases the breadth of experiences Leith Theatre can host and highlights the growing role the venue is playing within Edinburgh’s cultural landscape.
“If there was ever a place to celebrate Trainspotting’s legacy, it has to be here.”
Dani Rae, Managing Director of Assembly Festival: “We are delighted to be working alongside the team at EIFF and Leith Theatre to bring Trainspotting back to the heart of Leith for a night to remember.
“Assembly Festival have been producing events in this city for over 40 years and are looking forward to adding to the story of the hallowed halls of such an iconic building, with the scenes of such an iconic moment from the city’s rich cultural history.”
Following the EIFF premiere, Trainspotting will be re-released by Park Circus in UK & Ireland cinemas from 21 August and thereafter internationally. The re-release from Park Circus will also screen as part of Rip it Up, the BFI Film Audience Network’s UK-wide film season that explores and celebrates the changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression – from joy to heartbreak.
Press and Industry accreditation is now open for this year’s Festival and available to apply for via the EIFF website.
Hundreds of thousands of young people could soon be reunited with unclaimed savings worth more than £1.6 billion, as the Government launches a new push to trace matured Child Trust Funds (CTFs).
Around 6.3 million Child Trust Fund accounts were opened for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, predominantly by parents and guardians, with the remainder established by HMRC. Accounts can go unclaimed for a number of reasons difficulty locating them, people forget they have them, or a decision to leave the funds invested for the time being.
Child Trust Funds were introduced to give every child a financial asset at adulthood, and this Government is doing everything it can to make sure young adults are aware of and can access their accounts.
To make this happen, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Rachel Blake MP, has convened a new Child Trust Fund Taskforce, bringing together CTF providers and the Government to drive a coordinated effort to increase reunification of accounts.
Members of the Taskforce will include One Family, Coutts, Nationwide, HSBC UK, Pilling, The Coventry (Co-operative), Sheffield Mutual, Unity Mutual, Forester, Healthy Investments and Yorkshire Building Society – with the first meeting happening today.
More than 750,000 young adults still have unclaimed matured accounts, holding £2,200 on average. The funds were originally set up by the government for those born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The Taskforce will improve coordination across government and industry to encourage more young people to access their unclaimed matured CTFs.
Rachel Blake, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Too many young people are missing out simply because they are not aware of where their Child Trust Fund is or how to access it.
“We are acting to fix that by bringing government and industry together – improving coordination and making it easier for people to find and claim what’s rightfully theirs.”
JP Marks, HMRC’s Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary, said: “Many young people have Child Trust Fund accounts with an average £2,200 waiting to be claimed. This is their money, and we want to do all we can to help them find and access it.
“If you think you have one, you can use the ‘Find my Child Trust Fund’ tool on GOV.UK to find out where your account is held.”
The Taskforce will bring providers together to improve tracing approaches, test more effective engagement with young people, and drive practical actions that lead to more accounts being claimed.
Today’s move builds on existing action to tackle unclaimed matured accounts, including ongoing HMRC communications campaigns and direct letters going out to eligible 21-year-olds.
Anyone born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 can search for their account on GOV.UK. The search is free, requires only a National Insurance number, and takes minutes. Those aged 18 or over can access funds immediately.
Jim Islam, Chief Executive Officer, OneFamily, said: “We welcome the creation of the Child Trust Fund Taskforce to help more young people access their savings. We know from our own experience that making this process as easy as possible is essential and we look forward to working together with government and industry partners.
“Child Trust Funds have already provided a valuable financial boost to millions of individuals who have claimed their accounts as they enter adulthood, making a real difference to people’s lives.
“We’re committed to playing our part in helping people who have not yet claimed. Anyone born after 1 September 2002 who has already turned 18 will have a Child Trust Fund, and can search for their account on the government website.”
Philip Kurtenbach, Head of Product Management & Governance, Wealth & PB, HSBC UK said: “At HSBC UK, we’re committed to putting customers at the heart of everything we do.
“We know that having a fund to support young people as they start adult life can make a real difference – opening up opportunities at a pivotal moment in their lives. That’s why we’re supporting the HMT Taskforce as the industry comes together to ensure the funds reach those they were intended for.”
Richard Stocker, Head of Savings, Nationwide said: “Nationwide is pleased to be part of the Child Trust Fund taskforce and fully supports its aims.
“We remain committed to working collaboratively across the industry to build on the progress made so far and deliver a meaningful outcome on this important issue.”
Official Statement From The Dove Centre:
We have to share some distressing news.
We have been located within the Wester Hailes Baptist Church for the last 13 years. There has recently been a change in their leadership, and with that, their vision for the future of their church has been under development.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t include us.
We have now been given 12 months’ notice to quit the premises. This has understandably been a huge shock for us.
We are therefore urgently seeking new premises for our services which include our own day services but also transport and catering services to many organisations within Edinburgh. We currently provide day care, catering and transport services to around 400 people per week. The repercussions of this decision could be truly devastating to our whole community if we cannot secure alternative accommodation.
We would kindly ask everyone to help us in our search for new premises and share this post far and wide! We are grateful for any support you can give us. We know that our organisation is truly valued in our community and we will do our utmost to preserve services going forward.
This is a stressful time for the Dove Centre but we are resilient and committed to all our users and will not let this decision by the Wester Hailes Baptist Church defeat us.
It should be said that we are thankful for those in the church who have wholeheartedly supported us during the last few years. You have our eternal gratitude for standing with us against this decision.
Please contact us if you have any knowledge of possible accommodation.
With thanks from all of us at The Dove Centre.
