Copyright Zhi Kang Chua for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. www.beltane.org
THOUSANDS of revellers gathered on Calton Hill to mark the turning of the seasons and reconnect with nature through this year’s re-wilding-themed Beltane Fire Festival.
Just over 9500 people joined in celebrating this powerful Edinburgh tradition, immersing themselves in a vivid, elemental journey of fire, rhythm, and transformation.
Calton Hill was lit up with roaring fires and performers as story and ritual brought us together once more to mark the season of growth, connection, and renewal. It was a beautifully clear and hot evening to bring in the start of the warmer months!
Copyright Sébastien Lemaire for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. www.beltane.org
Jenny Bloom, Beltane Fire Society’s Chair said: “Thank you to the thousands of Witnesses and the hundreds of Volunteers who wove another beautiful Beltane story this year. Renewed alongside the Green Man and inspired by the May Queen, we can all lean towards the new Summer in joy and community – even as we stand in readiness for the hard work we must do.”
The modern Beltane Fire Festival has been running since 1988 and is the spring and summer counterpart to Samhuinn Fire Festival, which is also held at Calton Hill on 31 October. The events are immersive experiences, which involve modern re-imaginings of ancient celtic festivals to mark the turning seasons.
Copyright Kitt Bunney for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. www.beltane.org
The Beltane Fire Society is a charity run by volunteers, dedicated to marking the fire festivals of the ancient celtic calendar and keeping traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, music and pageantry alive.
PICTURES: Zhi Kang Chua, Sebastian Lemaire & Kitt Bunney
The final total of voters registered for the Scottish Parliament election is 4,320,981 – a record number for a Scottish Parliament election.
Those planning to vote in person on Thursday 7 May are being encouraged to check their polling place location and to exercise patience if queues form.
Voting should only take a few minutes and there is no requirement to bring photo ID.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm and anyone in the queue at their polling station at 10pm will be able to vote.
Malcolm Burr, Convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland said:“A significant amount of work has gone into preparing for this election and we are confident that polling day arrangements are robust and ready for this record number of voters.
“If anyone needs additional support on the day, polling staff are there to help. Please be patient and respectful as they carry out their jobs.
“As always, we are keeping the voter at the heart of all that we do and look forward to producing results in which everyone can have full confidence.”
Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “If you become unwell or have an emergency which prevents you from attending a polling place in person next Thursday, you don’t need to miss out on your vote.
“You can apply for an emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day, so someone you trust can vote on your behalf. You can do this by contacting your local electoral registration office.”
Multrees Walk, Scotland’s leading luxury shopping destination, is proud to announce an exciting showcase event Exhibition: Coordinated celebrating the conclusion of its collaboration with students from Edinburgh College of Art (ECA).
The fashion exhibition, which will take place at Genesis Studio Edinburgh on Multrees Walk from 1st to 3rdMay, unveils a stunning collection of fashion designs created by Edinburgh College of Art’s talented second year students.
The event spotlights several of the students’ final works in a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and collaboration. Visitors can expect an engaging experience of fashion installations and behind-the-scenes storytelling and design journeys from the students themselves.
Launched at the start of their second-year programme, this unique collaboration has seen Multrees Walk mentor and sponsor ECA fashion students throughout their academic year, from early design concepts to commercial recognition.
Over the past several months, students were tasked with creating a commercially minded co-ord garment, exploring themes of sustainability, customer profiling and commercialisation. The students have gained invaluable experience working with Multrees Walk and luxury retailers such as Harvey Nichols and Johnstons of Elgin.
Professor Mal James, Programme Director, Personal Chair of Fashion Design, BA (Hons) Fashion at Edinburgh College of Art,commented: “Having our students’ designs and final garments exhibited within Multrees Walk is a rewarding opportunity for our students.
“By taking their ideas out with the college studios and directly into the city’s heart of fashion, this allows their creativity to be seen in the same space as some of the world’s leading brands.
“This event is truly a celebration of their hard work, talent and creativity- we are thankful to Multrees Walk for this fantastic opportunity, and to our fashion lecturers and technicians who worked closely with them on the project.”
Dr Patricia Wu, Year 2 Fashion Lecturer and academic project lead,added: “Collaborating on this project has been a delight.
“It has provided students with an enriching experience, teaching them the importance of commercial design and the relationship between designers and real-world customers beyond fashion shows.
“This project encouraged students to consider consumer preferences while allowing them to express their unique design identities”
Leigh Aitchison, Centre Manager at Multrees Walk, said: “Over the past academic year, and through mentorship and real-world insight from our retailers, the students have developed a real understanding of the commercial world of fashion.
“We have all been truly impressed and inspired by the students’ creativity, their passion for research and the original ideas they brought to life through their final designs.”
Adam Stone, Head of European Retail Leasing Strategy at Nuveen,added: “Supporting second-year fashion students from Edinburgh College of Art has been central to our vision for Multrees Walk.
“This collaboration has connected students with leading international brands and we can see first-hand how beneficial this project has been. We’re thrilled to be able to showcase the students’ designs in this impressive and illustrative exhibition.”
Exhibition: Coordinated will take place between 1 May and 3 May at Genesis Studio Edinburgh, Multrees Walk, Edinburgh. The free event will be open to the public from 10:00 to 16:00 each day.
Three million UK households are being forced to skip meals and cut family visits according to new research from Which? that reveals the human impact of cost of living pressures and collapsing consumer confidence.
Which?’s latest Consumer Insight Tracker shows that households across the country are having to take more and more drastic measures to mitigate rising costs.
In the month to 10 April, Which? found consumer confidence fell to -62 – the lowest level since the height of the cost of living crisis in 2022 (-70). This decline reflects a widespread pessimism as the vast majority of UK adults (71%) think the UK economy will worsen over the next 12 months, while fewer than one in ten (9%) think it will improve.
Which? found an overwhelming majority of UK adults (85%) are now worried about food prices – up from 83 per cent in February. This concern is forcing lifestyle changes as two thirds (67%) of households have made at least one adjustment to their shopping or eating habits in the last month to reduce how much they spend on food.
The most common adjustments are buying cheaper products (43%), buying more supermarket own budget-range items (37%), and buying extra items when on promotion (31%).
Concerningly, Which? found one in seven (15%) UK households reported going without some foods and one in ten – equivalent to three million households – are now skipping meals to keep the cost of their weekly shop down.
Food is not the only major concern for households, Which? found eight in ten (83%) UK adults are worried about fuel prices – this figure has shot up from 71 per cent in February of this year. Over two thirds (69%) have made adjustments to their driving habits to battle costs, with knock-on effects on their social and family lives.
Most common adjustments include making fewer leisure trips over the last month (33%), and planning journeys more carefully (23%). However, about one in eight said they had visited friends and family less (13%).
This increase in concern over everyday essentials reflects how financial difficulty has risen rapidly throughout 2026. Consumer sentiment was already bad prior to the Middle East conflict, but has fallen sharply in the last two months.
In the month to 10 April, over half (53%), or an estimated 15 million UK households, made adjustments to cover essential spending, such as cutting back on essentials (29%), using savings (25%), selling possessions (9%), or borrowing from friends or family (9%).
Worryingly, 7.7% of UK households missed a house bill, loan, or credit card payment. The average rate of missed payments over the last three months was 7.5%, up significantly from 5.7% at the end of last year. If this trend continues, missed payments will reach levels seen during the peak of the cost-of-living crisis over the next few months.
These findings intensify pressure on the government to find interventions that will ease household costs, improve consumer confidence and restore faith in markets. Businesses must also do everything possible to support their customers and ensure they are offering genuine value for money as millions of households struggle to cover the basics.
With many households now reaching a breaking point, Which? is calling for urgent policy interventions outlined in a manifesto launched in Parliament this week to tackle unfair rip-offs and improve access to essentials.
The manifesto includes a priority call to reform the Healthy Start scheme, a vital nutritional safety net for low-income families during pregnancy and early childhood. Which? is warning that its value has failed to keep pace with food inflation and is urging the government to uprate payments, expand eligibility to all families on Universal Credit, and encourage supermarket support to ensure those struggling most can afford a healthy diet.
As financial difficulty continues to rise, anyone struggling to afford essential payments such as housing, bills or credit cards should speak to their provider immediately for support.
Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: “Our latest research highlights the deepening strain not only on household finances, but also on people’s physical and social wellbeing as cost of living pressures bite.
“Many are already making difficult choices, such as skipping meals. Without meaningful interventions the number of people taking drastic measures is likely to increase.
“We need to see urgent action, as set out in our Cost of Living Manifesto, to address these costs and help restore confidence before even more households are pushed into serious financial difficulty.”
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Giants Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 Until 14 Sep Tickets from £13
Giants showcases the colossal prehistoric creatures that lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago. Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils in this immersive, family-friendly exhibition. The Giants exhibition is designed and produced by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
COMING SOONScotland’s First Warriors Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Opening 27 June Entrance into the museum and exhibition is free
Explore archaeological evidence for the origins of organised conflict, from the Neolithic (late Stone Age) to the Romans, through over 250 objects.
Scotland’s First Warriors explores how and why people fought, the impact of war, and the legacy of prehistoric conflict. Internationally significant discoveries from Scotland will be on display for the first time, including the Carnoustie Hoard.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Magic Carpet Learning Centre Event Space, Level 2 11, 18 & 25 May 10:30-11:15 & 11:45-12:30 Tickets £4
Our Magic Carpet sessions introduce you and your little one to some of the fascinating objects and themes in the museum in a fun and interactive way. Each month we explore a different theme using song, rhyme, movement, play and handling objects. This will help you and your little one discover more about our topic.
Gordon Buchanan: Giants of the Land Auditorium, Level 1 16 May 14:00 Tickets from £12
Join award-winning wildlife filmmaker, presenter and author Gordon Buchanan as he makes his first-ever appearance at the National Museum of Scotland. In this auditorium talk, Gordon will reflect on 30 years of taking part in daring expeditions, pushing boundaries, and raising awareness of the world’s most endangered species and habitats.
Centre for Open Learning: the History and Culture of Colour Various galleries 21 May–18 Jun 14:00-15:30 £80 per person
The University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Open Learning invites you to take your learning beyond the classroom. Explore artifacts in the museum’s remarkable collections and uncover stories linking the history of colour with culture, society and art. Focusing on specific colours, you will explore their histories and examine the impact these colours have had, and continue to have, on specific cultures and the world as a whole. Through gallery-based teaching, trace the effects of colour on culture and society throughout history up to the present day.
Creative Workshop: Paper Creations Learning Centre Studios, Level 4 23 May 10:30-13:00 and 14:00-16:30 Tickets from £45
Join paper folding artist Kate Colin for a bespoke workshop, inspired by our Giants exhibition and fossil collections. You will learn paper folding techniques and create a collection of handcrafted paper sculptures inspired by spiral forms and fossil structures.
Curiosity Club Learning Centre, Level 4 23 May 10:30-12:00 £10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Inspired by some of the Museum’s most exciting collections, our Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum without their adult helpers through games, activities, and gallery visits.
Relaxed Curiosity Club Learning Centre, Level 4 23 May 14:30-15:30 £10 (£9 Members and Concessions)
Relaxed Curiosity Club sessions are particularly aimed at children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children, and children with disabilities. Parents/carers (up to two per participating child) are invited to stay and either join in with the activities or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the foyer of the activity area.
Festival Family Day Grand Gallery 30 May 10:00-16:30 Free, drop in
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival Family Day returns for 2026. Experience exciting pop-up performances and creative encounters with local artists – from theatre and dance to walk-about characters – there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
James Hutton at 300: A Celebration of Geology 5 Jun 13:30-16:15 Free, drop in
Discover the legacy of James Hutton, the ‘father of modern geology’. Celebrate his tercentenary with free, drop-in short talks, mini tours and object handling.
Audio Descriptive Tour: Giants Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 16 Jun 17:30-19:30 Tickets from £13, concessions available
Join us after hours for an audio-described tour of the Giants exhibition. Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons and fossils in this immersive exhibition with audio descriptions and tactile opportunities.
Summer Family Fun Grand Gallery Every Monday and Friday in July 10:00-16:00 Free, drop in
Join us on Mondays and Fridays in July for a range of exciting, drop-in activities for the whole family. Each week, we’ll explore a new theme – from Scottish stories to around-the-world-adventures, there will be something new to discover.
Museum Socials Learning Centre Seminar Room, Level 4 Third Friday of the month 10:30–12:00 Free, booking required
Our Museum Socials events are designed for people living with dementia, their relatives, friends, carers, and supporters. Relaxed and informal, each session explores a different museum theme through various interactive activities, including curator talks, object handling, and creative crafts. Tea, cake and a warm welcome are always provided.
National Museums Collection Centre 242 W Granton Rd, Edinburgh EH5 1JA
Collection Centre Tours 19 May & 16 Jun 10:30 – 12:00 or 13:00 – 14:30 Tickets from £10, advance booking required
Discover the secrets of how we store and research our collections. Find out how our collections are used in international research and see objects rarely on public display.
National Museum of Rural Life Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Relaxed Afternoon: National Museum of Rural Life Last Tuesday of every month 14:30-17:00 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Join us for our monthly Relaxed Afternoon for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with neurodivergent children; neurodivergent young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems; and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.
Woolly Weekend Museum and farm 23 & 24 May 10:30-16:00 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Celebrate all things woolly with a weekend of family fun at the National Museum of Rural Life. See woolly farm friends up close and take part in wool-themed crafts, storytelling, and activities in the museum. Then take a walk to the farm to watch YouTube sensation Cammy Wilson shear our flock. Cammy will explain how, when, and why sheep are sheared, and will demonstrate traditional and modern shearing techniques.
Tractor Tots 29 May Learning Centre £25 per child for block of 3, £20 per Member child for block of 3
Running in blocks of three sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to rural life through interactive creative play. Each session will feature handling objects from our learning boxes, singing, storytelling, rhymes, actions, and sensory play to learn all about life in the countryside
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF Open Weekends only, 10:00–16:00
Expert Talks Concorde Theatre 15 May & 12 Jun 11:00-11:20 Free with museum admission
Learn more about our collections and the history of East Fortune Airfield with our series of free expert talks at the museum. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of each talk. In April, join Matteo Randazzo who will discuss ‘Second World War Archaeology at East Fortune’.
BSL Tour: National Museum of Flight 16 May 14:00-15:30 Free add-on to general admission ticket
Discover our amazing aircraft and explore the history of aviation in this Deaf-led tour delivered in British Sign Language. This event is Deaf-led and aimed at adult BSL users.
Awesome Bricks 20 & 21 Jun 10:00-17:00 Tickets from £17, concessions available
Our hands-on celebration of LEGO® returns to the National Museum of Flight. Join us for a weekend packed full of LEGO® brick fun, with lots to see and do for all ages. Get a close-up view of incredible LEGO® constructions created by talented AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO®), including an interactive train set, and make your own unique creations in our brick build zone.
Relaxed Morning: National Museum of Flight Every second Sunday of the month, 10:00-12:00 Free with museum admission
Join us for a Relaxed Morning at the National Museum of Flight, for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore the museum without noisy interactives and videos to create a more relaxed environment.
In 2024/25, hospital admissions included 515 lawnmower injuries, 2,421 incidents involving non‑powered hand tools, and 5,784 injuries from powered hand tools and household machinery.
In 2024/25 there were 21,234 admissions in England caused by contact with animals or plants, reflecting a 23% increase over the past decade.
RoSPA has launched a garden safety checklist to help prevent injuries
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging households to carry out basic garden safety checks ahead of the bank holiday weekend, as people prepare to spend more time outdoors.
The warning comes amid recurring injuries linked to falls, garden tools, barbecues and unsecured ponds during spring and summer peaks across the UK.
RoSPA is advising people to inspect gardens before the weekend, focusing on trip hazards, safe use of equipment, and proper supervision of children around ponds, barbecues and firepits. The safety charity says many serious accidents are preventable with simple precautions.
Each year, emergency departments see a rise in avoidable injuries during periods of good weather, with uneven paths, ladders, barbecues and garden tools among the most common causes. Children are particularly at risk around ponds, paddling pools and play equipment left unchecked between seasons.
Ahead of the long weekend, RoSPA has published an updated garden safety checklist, encouraging households to:
buy garden products from reputable retailers,
remove debris and other trip hazards
store tools and equipment securely,
position ladders correctly
supervise children at all times near water
The guidance also reminds families to fence or cover water features and to securely store hazardous substances out of children’s reach.
Rebecca Guy, Senior Policy Manager at RoSPA, said: “Gardens should be places for relaxation, but they can quickly become dangerous if basic safety checks are overlooked.
“Warmer weather often creates a false sense of security. We see the same patterns every year: falls from ladders, burns from barbecues, and children accessing water or tools unsupervised.
“These incidents are not inevitable, and a few simple steps before the weekend can make a real difference in preventing serious injuries and keeping families safe.
“It’s also important to resist the temptation to buy a ‘bargain’ online , as items purchased from overseas suppliers may not meet UK safety standards, particularly for garden tools, equipment and chargers.”
For more information, visit the newly launched RoSPA Garden Safety webpage here: RoSPA- Garden safety
The publication of the National Garden Scheme’s sixth Little Yellow Book of Gardens and Health (cited as one of seven horticultural media musts by Pro Landscaper in 2025) heralds the start of the charity’s Gardens and Health Week (2-10 May) – celebrating all that is good about gardens and green spaces.
Commenting, National Garden Scheme Chief Executive, Dr Richard Claxton says:“This is a Little Yellow Book with a big message. Through the tapestry of stories within its pages the power and impact of gardens for health and healing is clear.
“As individuals we need to grab this message and invest in building green time into our daily lives and routines. As a society we can’t afford not to.”
The digital publication The Little Yellow Book of Gardens and Healthbrings to life the National Garden Scheme’s Gardens and Health programme* which not only funds hundreds of people and projects – from nurses and community gardens to the creation of gardens at Maggie’s and Horatio’s Garden – but also supports thousands through the simple act of opening gardens to the public.
“This year, our theme is ‘The Great Outdoors,’ and the book is packed with brilliant stories, hints and tips all focusing on how gardens and time spent outdoors can affect our health for the good. The publication, which includes personal and practical stories, is as beautiful as it is vital,” adds Richard Claxton.
Through many personal stories and expert opinion from contributors including Dr Susan Taheri, Dame Laura Lee, Tom Hoblyn, Arit Anderson, The Beardy Gardener, a host of medical professionals, and garden owners, plus key nursing charities, the book explores the benefit of gardens and gardening for our own, and the planets, health.
Commenting on contributing to this year’s book Leigh Johnstone, aka The Beardy Gardener, said: “I love this publication and am thrilled to be involved.”
You can read his story about how the joy of creating a garden changed his life on page 48.
Writing in this year’s publication on the importance of rewilding the hearts of the young, Andrew Jackson adds: “Every year, the National Garden Scheme opens thousands of private gardens … not just to show off borders and blooms, but to tell stories.”
From the elemental chemistry that connects us to the soil to the social connections formed in gardens, the stories are testament to the enduring goodness of time spent outdoors.
Thousands rally in a single week to support 330+ environmental charities, with £5m in match funding doubling public donations
Creators, celebrities and national media unite to bring environmental issues to the forefront of UK culture
Big Give’s Earth Raise 2026 campaign, formerly known as the Green Match Fund, has successfully concluded, raising over £10.9M in just one week, marking a major milestone for environmental fundraising in the UK and reinforcing its position as the largest collective environmental fundraising campaign of its kind.
Running from 22 to 29 April, the campaign successfully mobilised tens of thousands of donations across the UK, with every public contribution doubled through £5 million in match funding provided by a coalition of leading philanthropic partners. This included a £1 million contribution from Postcode Green Trust, supported by Postcode Lottery players, alongside The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Reed Foundation and other generous funders.
Now in its strongest year yet, Earth Raise continues to grow at pace, both in scale and cultural impact, bringing together over 330 environmental charities across five urgent environmental themes, including nature, water, climate, wildlife and people.
Charities supported include household names such as The Wildlife Trusts, Surfers Against Sewage, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and Rewilding Britain, alongside a diverse network of smaller, grassroots organisations driving change in communities across the UK and beyond.
At a time when environmental organisations face increasing pressure and funding challenges, Earth Raise demonstrates the continued power of collective action, unlocking vital support for projects ranging from habitat restoration and species protection to climate action and community resilience.
A defining feature of this year’s campaign was its cultural reach and creative ambition. Through the “Pass the Mic: Lend Your Voice to Nature” initiative, more than 100 pieces of original content were created and shared across the week by leading creators, influencers and public figures.
Contributors included Bear Grylls, Lily James, Deborah Meaden, Sabrina Elba, Tristan Phipps, Tasha Ghouri, Naomi Wilkinson and many more, collectively helping to engage new, younger and more diverse audiences with environmental causes.
This cultural momentum was further amplified through a landmark partnership with Studio BlueGreen, which saw the release of “True Doves”, a new nature-inspired track by Jordan Stephens (one half of Rizzle Kicks), bringing environmental storytelling into music and popular culture.
Earth Raise 2026 also achieved unprecedented national visibility, with a coordinated out-of-home campaign spanning the UK, made possible through the support of Bauer Media, JCDecaux, I-Media and Global.
High-profile voices, including Ruby Wax, Julia Bradbury, Peter Lord and Steve Cram, also supported the campaign through PR and media engagement – further elevating environmental issues across mainstream platforms.
Since its inception in 2021, Earth Raise has now raised over £33M for environmental causes, supporting hundreds of charities and building a growing movement of donors committed to protecting and restoring the planet.
James Reed, Chairman of Big Give, said: “Earth Raise has become a defining moment for environmental giving in the UK.
“What we’re seeing now is a movement – tens of thousands of people coming together to take practical action for the planet, and doing so in a way that doubles their impact.
“This is only possible thanks to our generous Champions, whose match funding transforms individual donations into something far more powerful.”
Big Give Ambassador, Megan McCubbin, said: “People care deeply about nature, but they don’t always know how to help.
“Earth Raise makes that connection simple, and this year we’ve seen just how powerful that can be. I’m incredibly proud to support a campaign that’s helping so many people take meaningful action for the planet.”
Clare Gough, Director, Garfield Weston Foundation, said: “The Garfield Weston Foundation is proud to support such a varied range of environmental charities through Earth Raise, from well-known names to grassroots organisations, every one of them delivering real impact in their local areas.
“We’re delighted to encourage community giving, helping the public see their donation go further to protect nature and wildlife across the UK.”
The success of Earth Raise 2026 reflects growing public concern for environmental issues, as well as increasing appetite for accessible, high-impact ways to give. Early indicators show strong engagement from new donors, alongside increased visibility and digital confidence among participating charities.”
Big Give will continue to build on this momentum as it develops future campaigns and prepares for the next evolution of Earth Raise 2027.
To learn more about the campaign and the charities supported, visit:
