We’re delighted to let you know that our popular Chat and Chill sessions are returning.
No sign up required. Just pop in on Wednesday’s between 12noon and 1.30pm from 9th September for some lunch and a chat 
Children under 5 are welcome but they must be supervised at all times.
We look forward to seeing you all in 2 weeks.
#Chat&Chill
10 days to go until our Harvest Festival!
We’re looking forward to welcoming you all to Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on Saturday 5th September, 11am–2pm for an afternoon of food, activities and things to see and do.
There’ll be plenty happening throughout the day, including:
Apple picking and apple pressing
Garden activities with Trudi and our volunteers
Garden plant sale
Tummies Not Trash stall and a free lunch from the Scran Van
Dr Bike activities
NGS Cargo Bike art activities
Craft stall, henna artist, face painting and temporary tattoos
Tombola and bake sale
Drumming with Moving Music
Football activities with Spartans
Bouncy castle
Musical statues with Bev
…and more!
The event is free to attend, so bring along family, friends and neighbours and spend some time in the garden with us!
Saturday 5th September
11am–2pm
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
Our creative sessions for local children are back this week after the summer break! Let’s get messy, move, and make things together.
CREATE (ages 0–5, with parents/carers)
Thursdays 10am–12pm & Saturdays 10.30am–12.30pm | Starts 27 August
A hands-on, messy-play art experience for our youngest artists and their grown-ups, using low-cost materials you can easily recreate at home.
Saturday Arts & Dance (ages 5–12)
Saturdays 10.30am–12.30pm | Starts 29 August
A relaxed morning of art-making, games, movement and play, split into two age groups (5–7 and 8–12).
Both sessions are completely free and run during term time, for families living in Muirhouse, Pilton, Granton & Drylaw. Healthy snacks are provided.
Places are first-come, first-served, so we’d recommend arriving in good time to avoid disappointment. Registration is required (but if you’ve already signed up earlier, no need to do it again)
Visit our website for more details or get in touch with us:
https://northedinburgharts.co.uk/whats-on
*Please note there will be no sessions on Saturday 5 September due to the NEA building closure for essential works.
Images by Olly Benton: Creative sessions at the North Edinburgh Community Festival 2026
As Britain prepares to welcome the start of the 114th Tour de France in 2027, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been appointed by Grand Départ GB 2027 to deliver the opening moment of the Grand Départ – the iconic official team presentation.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will stage and produce a spectacular opening ceremony celebration to begin the Grand Départ, including the official Presentation of Riders Ceremony for the 2027 Tour de France, on the early evening of Wednesday 30 June. The event will see the world’s top elite cyclists and their teams introduced to fans, ahead of the stage starting in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July, during a spectacular event to be held at The Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
Blending the Tattoo’s seven decades of world-class outdoor performances with the heritage and energy of the Tour de France, the ceremony will feature the cultures of all three nations that the race passes through, as well as a Highland welcome, massed pipes and drums, a bespoke song created by Angus MacPhail of the iconic Scottish band Skippinish, and cultural showcases celebrating the best of Britain and France. The event will blend elite sport, world-class Scottish traditional arts and community participation.
Jason Barrett, Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said: “We are thrilled to bring the artistry and energy of the Tattoo to the Riders Presentation Ceremony on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade next year.
“This event is not only a chance to showcase the United Kingdom and Scotland to a global audience, honour the athletes, and inspire millions, it’s also a celebration of our ability to adapt and innovate.
“For over seventy-five years, the Tattoo has delivered unforgettable performances rooted in Scottish tradition, but this marks an exciting new chapter as we expand our production portfolio into other iconic major international events.
“By partnering with the Tour de France, two globally recognised national brands on a world stage, we are creating an experience that will resonate far beyond Edinburgh, leaving a legacy for audiences both at home and abroad.”
Alan Lane, Creative Director at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo added: “The creative production team have perfected the process of making a Tattoo on the iconic esplanade in front of Edinburgh Castle.
“The opportunity to apply those years of experience in the service of a different global story is exciting all of us. Same breathtaking stage, same traditional Scottish performance at our heart, a different compelling story to be told to the audience!”
Positioning Edinburgh Castle at the heart of an unforgettable international moment for sport and culture, a live audience of 8,500 fans within the arena – and millions watching live globally – will experience a production filled with music, movement, special effects, and storytelling.
In addition to fans at Edinburgh Castle, thousands more are expected to line the Royal Mile to join in the celebrations to ensure that as many fans and residents as possible can watch.
The event will honour the athletes, celebrate the cultures and landscapes of Scotland, England, and Wales, and set the tone for their epic journey of the men’s Tour de France across its opening three stages through the Scottish Borders, the Lake District and north west England, and the heart of Wales across the 2, 3 and 4 July 2027, before Le Tour continues in France.
The 2027 Grands Départs will make history as Britain becomes the first nation outside of France to host both the men’s and women’s race starts in the same year, thanks to the support of funding partners the UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, UK Sport and British Cycling.
Further details of the celebrations planned ahead of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which begins in Leeds on Friday 30 July, will be announced in the coming months.
Paul Bush OBE, Managing Director, Grand Départ GB Ltd said: “The Grand Départ is always a celebration of sport, culture, and community, and the 2027 edition promises to be something truly special.
“Partnering with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to deliver the Presentation of Riders Ceremony allows us to begin the Grand Départ celebrations on a stage unlike any other, in a way that honours British traditions, while sharing our creativity and spirit with the world.
“The Tattoo’s ability to create unforgettable large-scale performances will give the riders, and millions of fans, an opening that sets the tone for the entire Grand Départ and will be remembered long after the peloton has crossed the finish line in Paris.”
Scottish Government Economy and Tourism Secretary Stephen Flynn said: “Teaming up with the Edinburgh Royal Military Tattoo is an amazing way to continue the build-up to the Tour de France Grand Départ 2027.
“Bringing together two extraordinary events – the world’s greatest cycling race and the Military Tattoo, part of Edinburgh’s world-renowned Festival season – will be a spectacle to behold.
“It’s great to see major events teaming up with the local creative sector to enhance the Grand Départ when the eyes of the world will be on Edinburgh.”
Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener at City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The Grand Départ will be a landmark moment for Edinburgh and a fantastic opportunity to showcase the beauty and heritage of our city to millions of people around the world.
“I’m delighted that The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will deliver the Presentation of Riders Ceremony, there truly is no better place to begin this historic sporting event than Edinburgh Castle, one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.
“I’m confident it will offer a memorable welcome for competitors and visitors alike, setting the stage for an unforgettable Tour.”
Rob Dickson, Director of Industry & Events, said: “The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of Scotland’s most spectacular cultural events. It’s fitting that the highly experienced and talented team behind the REMT will help deliver a celebration to mark the start of what promises to be one of the biggest sporting events Scotland has ever hosted.
“Major events like the Tour de France Grand Départ shine an international spotlight on Scotland, driving global awareness and delivering lasting benefits for our visitor economy. They demonstrate our ability to host world-class experiences that bring together sport, culture and community on an extraordinary scale; the 2027 Grand Depart will be another global moment in Scotland.”
Gillian MacDonald, Director of Marketing and Engagement at Historic Environment Scotland which manages Edinburgh Castle, said: “Edinburgh Castle has provided a backdrop to many defining moments across Scotland’s history, dominating the skyline of the capital for centuries.
“We’re very proud to be providing the venue for one of the world’s most iconic sporting events, with the Tour de France Grand Départ bringing fans from across the country and around the world to the heart of Edinburgh in what is sure to be a historic occasion.”
Further details of ticketing information for the Edinburgh opening celebration and presentation will be announced in the coming months.
To be the first to find out more and to benefit from an exclusive pre-sale window, subscribe to the Grand Départ GB 2027 newsletter via letourgb.com
Fort Kinnaird has crowned nine-year-old Hannah Donoghue from Musselburgh as Edinburgh’s young sustainability hero, recognising her efforts to protect the environment at home and across her local community.
Her nomination stood out for the range of sustainable habits which she has made a natural part of her everyday life.
This includes regularly heading out with her litter picker and encouraging friends to join her – she has even been rewarded by neighbours for helping to keep the area clean. At home, she turns household recycling into craft projects, growing peppers and tomatoes and helps care for the family garden.
She is also choosing greener ways to travel wherever possible. Hannah recently started cycling to the supermarket using a trailer and has asked to ride her bike to school when the new term begins.
The competition was launched as part of Fort Kinnaird’s free ocean-inspired summer activity programme and invited families to nominate children aged four to ten who are helping the planet through actions such as recycling, litter-picking, saving water and supporting wildlife.
In recognition of her efforts, Hannah was treated to a family day out at Fort Kinnaird, including a trip to ODEON, a meal at Frankie & Benny’s and an eco-activity bundle to help her continue her sustainability mission at home.
Jennifer Tait, Hannah’s mum, said: “Hannah has always had a natural instinct to look after things – whether that’s the plants in our garden, the streets in our neighbourhood or turning materials she finds around the house into something new.
“She never sees any of it as a chore; it is simply part of her everyday life. To have her efforts recognised in this way is really special, and we’re so proud of her.”
The search reflects Fort Kinnaird’s wider commitment to sustainability. The centre supports local biodiversity through wildflower planting and on-site beehives and has sent zero waste to landfill since 2018, recycling more than 260 tonnes in the process. It also runs on 98% renewable energy.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Hannah’s nomination immediately stood out because of the sheer range of things she is already doing to help the environment.
“From litter-picking and encouraging her friends to get involved to growing food, reusing materials and choosing to cycle when she can, she shows how small everyday actions can make a real difference.
“Sustainability is a key focus for us at Fort Kinnaird, so it’s fantastic to see that same care for the environment being championed by young people in our community. Hannah is a very deserving winner, and we hope her and her family had a wonderful time celebrating.”
To plan your visit to Fort Kinnaird, please visit https://www.fortkinnaird.com/
First Minister John Swinney has announced 24 more areas will benefit from new GP-led walk-in services across Scotland, bringing the number of centres planned or operational to 40.
Work is underway with health boards to establish new walk-in services for communities including Angus, Dumbarton, East Kilbride, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Inverness, North Ayrshire, Paisley, Shotts, Tweeddale and West Lothian. Many will be able to open within a year.
Proposals are also in development for walk-in services in communities in Ayr, East Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, Glasgow North East, Glenrothes, Grangemouth, Inverclyde, Musselburgh, North Lanarkshire and Oban.
It comes as First Minister John Swinney marked the official opening of the 11th GP walk-in service in Buckhaven in Fife and announced an extension of the pilot programme until April 2029.
The GP walk-in pilot is testing new ways of accessing same-day care from GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners or other clinicians at a wider range of times. They have been designed to provide more choice for patients while helping to relieve pressure on wider NHS services.
Speaking at the service at Randolph Wemyss Community Hospital, the First Minister said: “I promised that my government would break from the status quo and introduce a new way for patients to access same day care – and we are delivering on that commitment.
“We are listening and want to create more choice for patients, closer to home and without the need for a pre-booked appointment.
“In the first six months since we opened the first service in February, more than 10,500 walk-in cases have been seen. As these services are phased in to become fully operational, seven days a week, I am confident that many more people will benefit.
“The opening of our newest GP walk-in service, in Fife, is an important milestone in the roll-out of this pilot project, fulfilling my government’s commitment to open five new walk-in centres within our first 100 days of office. We have done this in Aberdeen, Dunoon, Invergordon, Cardonald and Buckhaven.
“This is part of my Government’s wider agenda to provide patients with greater choice and access to care closer to home – in turn relieving pressure on hospitals and acute services. It will complement our trusted network of GP practices across the country, which we are bolstering with historic additional investment to recruit more GPs with £531 million to 2029.”
WEDNESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 10am – 1pm
Our next Community Job Fair is coming up on the 23rd of September at the Muirhouse Millennium Centre! 
Meet with a wide range of hiring employers as well as organisations to give advice on training, self-employment, CV’s, applications and interviews.
Jobseekers can register for a place using link https://tinyurl.com/bd8tu3zf .
We look forward to seeing you there!
DEADLINE 31st AUGUST at 12 NOON
The application deadline is approaching. This is the final week to apply for the role of Non-Executive Board Member at NHS Lothian.
£16,224 per annum
Apply by 31 August 2026, 12 noon.
Details below:
Scotland’s future football stars will benefit from a £500,000 World Cup Fund officially launched by First Minister John Swinney during a visit to Barclays Hampden.
The fund will support a three-year programme delivered in partnership with the Scottish FA to strengthen elite youth development pathways for boys and girls across Scotland.
The programme will provide specialist support to clubs within the boys’ Club Academy Scotland – the national programme for developing young talent at club level – and girls’ Next Gen pathways, enhance player development opportunities and expand the use of performance insights and innovation across the game.
During the visit, the First Minister met young players, coaches and Scottish FA representatives to hear how the investment will help develop talent and support the next generation of Scotland internationals.
First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s return to the World Cup reminded us all of what can be achieved through talent, hard work and ambition. Sport and physical activity can transform lives, and we want to support the next generation of talent in Scottish football.
“Alongside our £20 million Summer of Sport programme to get children and young people active, this World Cup Fund builds on that momentum by investing in the young people who could represent Scotland in years ahead and delivers on my commitment made for the Scottish Government’s first 100 days.
“Supporting both boys’ and girls’ pathways, this investment will help create more opportunities for talented young people, strengthen clubs and support the long-term future of Scottish football.”
Scottish FA’s Chief Football Officer, Craig Mulholland, said: “Scotland was gripped by our return to the World Cup stage this summer, and it united a nation in a way no other event can do.
“It had been too long, and our job is to make sure it’s a regular occurrence.
“We are delighted with the investment and support from the Scottish Government, on the back of their excellent Summer of Sport programme.
“This initiative aligns fully with our Scottish FA strategy. We will take a bespoke, creative, and innovative approach to supporting our club network through Club Academy Scotland, for our boys, and our girls’ Barclays NextGen pathways. Helping our clubs grow in a modern way, using objective insights that will significantly enhance the offering to young Scottish talent – creating better players and coaches.
“We need our young people in Scotland to have ambition and aspire to follow in the footsteps of the exceptional role models we have, such as Andy Robertson and Caroline Weir. Our task, working with the Scottish Government, is to provide the best environment for these dreams to be realised.
“In addition, the wider benefits of football – to the individual, families, communities, and country in general – are apparent.
“We need to harness the power of football, on and off the pitch.”
The £500,000 investment is part of a three-year programme, delivered in partnership with the Scottish FA, running from 2026-2029.
The Scottish Government will invest £500,000, with the Scottish FA contributing a further £85,000.
From 1 October to 31 December 2026 energy prices will go up by 4% for a typical household who use electricity and gas and pay by Direct Debit.
Energy price cap rates 1 October to 31 December 2026
You are not affected by the changes to the energy price cap if you have changed to a fixed rate tariff.
Electricity rates
If you are on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) and pay for your electricity by Direct Debit, you will pay on average 26.32 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh). The daily standing charge is 54.83 pence per day. This is based on the average across England, Scotland and Wales. It does not include VAT from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027./
Gas rates
If you are on a standard variable tariff (default tariff) and pay for your gas by Direct Debit, you will pay on average 7.97 pence per kilowatt hour (kWh). The daily standing charge is 29.68 pence per day. This is based on the average across England, Scotland and Wales and includes VAT at 5%.
Changes to VAT from 1 October 2026*
The government has removed VAT from electricity bills from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
As a result, VAT is not included in electricity bills for people covered under the energy price cap between 1 October and 31 December 2026. You will still pay 5% VAT for gas.
This means that all households that are covered by the energy price cap (on a default tariff) will pay less for their electricity. This also applies to some small businesses.
Some people who use more electricity than gas, or only use electricity, will have a bigger reduction in their bill.
We have included this change in the figures we have published. You might not see the full impact of the VAT reduction on electricity in your bill, because gas wholesale prices are still high due to global events.
Costs cannot be compared directly to previous periods because of this change.
Unit rates and standing charges
You can get and compare by area 1 October to 31 December 2026 and 1 July to 30 September 2026 energy price cap unit rates and standing charges.
You can also find and compare all the energy price cap (default tariff) levels.
Read about who the price cap protects and how the energy price cap is calculated in energy price cap and standing charges explained.
Why energy prices are changing
This increase is a result of higher wholesale gas prices, caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, prices are still very much below the height of the energy crisis in 2022. The government then put a limit on bills of £2,500.
Managing your energy bills and tariff
You are covered by the energy price cap if you are on a default tariff and pay for your electricity and gas by:
The actual amount you pay will depend on how much energy your household uses, where you live and the type of meter you have.
You could pay less for your energy by changing your energy tariff or payment type. Find out if you can change or fix your tariff and how to switch energy supplier.
You could also save money if your supplier offers half price or lower cost electricity at weekends. Most people who have a smart meter or other low carbon technologies can take advantage of these offers.
Tell your energy supplier if you cannot pay your bills. They must help you if you ask. They could set up a repayment plan or provide you with emergency credit.
Energy price cap level dates
We review and update the price cap level on how much an energy supplier can charge for each unit of energy, including the standing charge, every 3 months. The levels for the next periods will be announced by:
25 November 2026 – period 1 January 2027 to 31 March 2027
23 February 2027 – period 1 April 2027 to 30 June 2027
26 May 2027 – period 1 July 2027 to 30 September 2027
We may publish before these dates if we need to because of external reasons.
Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at Uswitch.com, said: “Households holding out for a last-minute reprieve on rising energy bills set to have their hopes dashed, with predictions suggesting a 4% increase in the October price cap.
“With continued instability in the Middle East, higher energy costs are now looking very likely throughout winter as a third consecutive price cap hike is predicted for January.
“Those still on price cap tariffs who don’t take action before October should brace themselves to pay even more for their heating, with standard gas prices likely to be a staggering 26% higher than they were last year.
“But there is an escape route. The best fixed deals on the market right now undercut this prediction by around 12%, with the cheapest priced at £1,522 for a typical home.
“Don’t suffer higher winter bills when you don’t have to – a decent fixed tariff beats these rates and protects you from further price rises. Every week spent on a standard tariff is another week paying higher rates than you need to.”
Commenting on today’s Ofgem energy price cap announcement, Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson, CBE said: “Today’s Ofgem energy price cap announcement will heap more pressure on the already stretched budgets of the 1.7 million older people in the UK living in poverty and the million others teetering on the brink.
“With winter on the horizon, older people on low incomes will once again be forced to take drastic action to keep themselves warm as rising energy bills eat away at already inadequate incomes.
“Each winter we hear heartbreaking testimony from older people wearing winter clothing to bed to fend off the cold, being forced to choose between putting food on the table or using their heating, and some are abandoning their cold homes altogether to find warmth in public buildings.
“We are urging Andy Burnham’s government to protect people on low incomes, including people in later life, from relentless energy price hikes. Boosting the Warm Home Discount from £150 to £400, funding this increase directly and improving targeting would make an immediate difference to those who cannot make ends meet.
“In the long-term, the development of a more comprehensive targeted energy social tariff is essential to protect low-income households from the all too regular price shocks that are pushing them deeper into financial hardship and poverty.”
