Open Music Sessions are back for five dates across the Summer!
Join guest musician Shea M and local musicians for a relaxed evening of tunes and the best views
Thursday evenings 5pm – 6.30pm
17 & 24 July; 7, 14 & 21 August
Feel free to come along and play, or just listen to the audible pleasures
You can bring an instrument, or borrow one
Free and drop in – no booking needed, at the wooden gazebo by the wildflower mound
SAVE THE DATE: 22 Oct – 1 Nov 2025
FULL PROGRAMME LAUNCHES: Wed 10th September
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival, now in its 36th year, (22nd October to 1st November 2025) is the world’s largest celebration of storytelling – encompassing a wealth of cultures, traditions and styles.
This year’s programme, inspired by the traditional folklore, myths, and legends of Nordic culture, includes storytelling events for adults and families, workshops, exhibitions, and discussion events online.
International storyteller Heidi Dahlsveen from Norway (above)
Under the theme ‘Lights of the North’, storytellers from Scotland will be joining storytellers from Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Iceland for an 11 day celebration, thanks to continued support from Creative Scotland’s Multi-Year Funding and the Scottish Government Festivals EXPO Fund.
Among the international storytellers taking part, are Hjörleifur Stefánsson who will present classic folk tales from Iceland; award-winning Swedish actor and storyteller Jerker Fahlström; nature writer and storyteller Georgiana Keable Jerstad and folktale performer Heidi Dahlsveen from Norway; storyteller and folk singer Anna-Maria Toivonen from Finland; and Suse Weisse from Germany, whose dark myths and fairytales include stories by authors such as Calvino and the Brothers Grimm.
Festival favourites returning from Scotland include Ruth Kirkpatrick, Mara Menzies, Marjolein Robertson, Daniel Serridge, and Niall Moorjani,with many more to be announced when the full programme launches in September.
The Festival takes place at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh and in venues across Scotland as part of the festival’s Go Local programme and its Story Ripple events.
It is organised by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), and is a key platform for showcasing Scotland’s intangible cultural heritage, which includes traditional songs, dances, storytelling, customs, local languages and rituals of everyday life, passed down through the generations.
This year, storytelling traditions of the Travelling community will be highlighted in the programme, with celebrated Traveller tradition bearers Jess Smith and Jimmy Williamson taking part, along with a celebratory event exploring Martyn Bennett’s use of Traveller stories and culture through his musical legacy.
As well as events for adults and families, the Festival includes performances from young emerging voices in association with FEST (Federation for European Storytelling); and networking events for those interested in storytelling skills and sources, community projects and creative collaboration.
Plus, new for 2025, the festival is partnering with the Scottish Wildlife Trust on its Words of the Wild nature writing competition for aspiring writers to tell their own story based on the theme ‘From Source to Sea’ about Scotland’s freshwater and marine habitat. The competition closes in July, with the winner being announced at this year’s festival.
Full details of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival’s programme will be announced on Wednesday 10 September at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh.
Wanna know a secret? 
Our Art in the Open bike is popping up at The Pitt in Granton next Friday (18 July) and Friday 8 August!
Join us for a free workshop inspired by our Bruce McLean exhibition at Modern One, I Want My Crown.
We’ll provide all you need to get creative, and you can take your creation home at the end.
Best part? It’s totally free, just like the exhibition at Modern One
Set a reminder – we’ll see you there! 
Interested in cycling and bike maintenance? Come meet us and find out what ELREC Cycling Club has in store for you!
The free session will cover tips to keep your bike in top condition with demonstrations on puncture repair, brake and cable adjustments. It is informal, social, hands on, and above all fun!
Date and time:
Friday, July 25 · 10:30am – 12:30pm GMT+1. Doors at 10:20am
Location: Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
67B Groathill Road North Edinburgh EH4 2SA
About this event:
Event lasts 2 hours
Ages 16+
Free venue parking
Language: English
Target: New Scots (people of any nationality who have immigrated or moved to Scotland), with a basic understanding of English
Remarks:
Light refreshments will be provided
The event will be held in a sheltered area
Please do let us know if you have any access requirements prior to the event
We expect all participants to be friendly and kind, and to show respect for individual differences, including race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, age, nationality, and identity
Disclaimer: Personal data collected will be used for this event or contact purpose solely
For enquiries, please email our Community Link Officer at cadence@elrec.org.uk.
More info: https://linktr.ee/elrec_c3r
Registration link:
Young people with experience of being out of education, employment and training will help shape policy as part of a new Youth Guarantee Advisory Panel.
The panel, made up of 17 young people aged 18 to 24, will regularly meet to discuss the biggest barriers they face to building their careers and advise what can be done to break these down.
It comes as the latest data shows one in eight young people are currently not in education, employment or training – demonstrating the urgent need for reform to ensure the next generation get the support they need to get on in work and in life.
Officially launched in Youth Employment Week, the step to put young people’s voices at the heart of decision-making marks another major milestone in building the UK Government’s Youth Guarantee to ensure all 18-to-21-year-olds in England get the chance to earn or learn.
Panel members were recruited with the help of our partners, Youth Futures Foundation and Youth Employment UK. These key organisations support the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education to run the sessions.
Early insight from the panel has found that some of the most significant obstacles include mental health challenges and an overemphasis in school on UCAS applications instead of tailored careers advice, including alternative options like apprenticeships and training. Lack of public transport and access to digital tools and devices have also been raised as barriers.
The Government has already started making changes to address these challenges – including reforming the apprenticeship system, providing access to mental health support in every school and college and maintaining the £3 bus fare cap on single bus fares in England outside of London.
This comes alongside wider Get Britain Working reforms to transform Jobcentres and roll out eight Youth Guarantee trailblazers across England to test and deliver targeted skills and employment support for young people.
All views shared in the panel meetings will go on to inform policy to ensure that the Youth Guarantee best serves young people.
Giving every young person the best start in life is central to the Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity in every part of the country as part of the Plan for Change.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Young people know better than anyone the challenges they face – and the support they need to succeed.
“That’s why their voices will shape how we will deliver a Youth Guarantee that truly works, opening up real opportunities for every 18-to-21-year-old to be in work, training or education.
“Backed by our £45 million investment in targeted youth employment support, this is about unlocking potential, tackling inequality and transforming lives.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “For too long, young people have been talked down to and had their opinions dismissed. The Youth Advisory Panel’s contributions so far have been incredibly insightful, and we are already starting to implement some of their suggestions.
“We have started to reform the apprenticeship system, reprioritising funding to young people, cutting red tape to make it easier to start or complete an apprenticeship and introducing foundation apprenticeships to give young people a route into careers in critical sectors.
“We are also committed to improving careers advice, as well as delivering two weeks’ worth of work experience for every secondary school pupil and providing access to mental health support in every school and college.
“We will ensure the Youth Advisory Panel’s views continue to be taken into account as we continue to break down barriers to opportunity to help young people thrive through our Plan for Change.”
Barry Fletcher, CEO, Youth Futures Foundation and Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE, CEO, Youth Employment UK said: “We are proud to jointly support the launch of the Youth Guarantee Advisory Panel and welcome the decision by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education to involve young people from the outset in the design of this policy.
“This partnership is about ensuring young people have a meaningful role in shaping the Youth Guarantee, and it’s encouraging that trailblazers are actively exploring how to do this locally.
“Panel members are already highlighting barriers to education and employment and offering critical insights into the support young people need to succeed.
“We look forward to continuing this work to build a system that works for all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances.”
Shana Fatahali, Youth Advisory Panel member and Future Voices Group Ambassador, Youth Futures Foundation said: “It has been empowering to be a member of the Youth Guarantee Youth Advisory Panel.
“I’ve had the opportunity to make connections with other young people who share my passion for creating a better future. Since we are the ones using the system, we are aware of its challenges and where it needs to be improved. For this reason, youth voices are important.
“I’m honoured to be a member of an organisation that is influencing actual decisions and introducing alternative perspectives. I can’t wait to keep advocating for a system that genuinely hears, involves, and supports all youth.”
Brewster, Youth Ambassador, Youth Employment UK said: “During the time I have spent with the Youth Advisory Panel, it has been amazing to see others engage in the activities and discussions.
“I really love how committed my fellow Youth Ambassadors, Youth Employment UK, Youth Futures Foundations, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education are to change things for the better for the youth.
“I’m really proud to see this happening with my own eyes. I can’t wait to see what things will happen that will positively affect young people. I can’t wait to learn more and work towards making a positive difference to young people.’’
In May, the Government officially launched eight Youth Guarantee trailblazers across England.
Backed by £45 million, the trailblazers are testing a new form of local delivery, matching young people to local job or training opportunities. The trailblazers will provide all-important learnings to inform the national roll-out of the programme.
This comes alongside record investment in skills and apprenticeships, providing a more personalised system for employers and those looking for work.
The Westminster Government has also taken further action to boost employment and drive-up living standards through boosting the National Living Wage, creating more secure jobs through the Employment Rights Bill and overhauling jobcentres as part of the Get Britain Working White Paper.
Further information
We’re excited to announce that we’ve officially submitted our planning application for a brand-new Center Parcs village in Scotland!
Over the past 8 months, we’ve met with nearly 1,000 local people, hosted numerous public drop-in events, and listened closely to feedback.
What could be in store for Scotland:
Up to 700 lodges.
The iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise. 
A wonderful Aqua Sana Forest Spa. 
Delicious dining and a wide range of activities.
Growing our own forest by planting thousands of native trees.
Up to 1,200 jobs which will be mainly filled by local people. 
Find out more and stay up to date with the project here 
We have a series of family free drop-in workshops over the summer at the City Art Centre.
Join us on Wed 6 August 10.30am – 12.30pm.
Messy Masterpieces
Creative Workshop for families to accompany the exhibition Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000
HOT WEATHER ADVICE FROM CATS PROTECTION
Cats are pretty good at knowing when they need to seek out shade, but could all use a little help in the heat!
Here are some simple ways to keep them cool and safe in warmer weather: http://spr.ly/WarmerWeather
TACKLING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
On Saturday, Community Officers and Special Constables from our North East Support Team (#NEST) patrolled Portobello Beach throughout the day, robustly challenging and addressing any antisocial behaviour.
During a foot patrol, NEST officers engaged in a foot pursuit. They apprehended an individual who has since been charged with multiple drug supply offences involving Class A and B substances. The individual has been issued police bail, banning them from returning to Portobello, pending a court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Officers will continue visibly patrolling Portobello and engaging with the local community over the summer period.
Pioneering wheelchair basketball star Robyn Love has paid tribute to the place where her sporting career began, after being awarded an honorary doctorate by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).
Since graduating from ENU with a degree in Biomedical Science in 2013, the 34-year-old from Ayr has represented Great Britain at three Paralympic Games – in Rio, Tokyo and Paris – captained Team Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and won silver and bronze medals at European and World Championships.
Born with arthrogryposis, a condition affecting muscle development, Robyn took up basketball during her time at ENU, where she was Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association vice president, captain of the women’s basketball team, and president of the LGBTQ+ society.
She has continued to champion equality and accessibility in her roles as a director at Basketball Scotland, an LGBTQ+ ambassador with the British Elite Athlete Association.
Robyn’s honorary doctorate is awarded as she prepares to represent Scotland on home soil in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
She was formally presented with the degree during a graduation ceremony at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall on Friday [11 July], celebrating alongside her fiancé and teammate Laurie Williams.
Responding to the award of her honorary doctorate, Robyn said: “I’m deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the very institution where my journey truly began.
“It was here that I first picked up a basketball and discovered wheelchair sport – a moment that sparked a decade-long career representing Great Britain on the international stage.
“Alongside my sporting journey, I’ve been proud to advocate for the LGBT community, striving to create spaces where everyone can be seen, valued and empowered to thrive – much like my experience at Edinburgh Napier.
“This honorary doctorate is not just a celebration of achievement, but a reminder of the power of education, opportunity, and inclusion to transform lives.”
Presenting the degree, Professor Susan Brown, from ENU’s School of Applied Sciences said: “Robyn’s story reflects ambition, professionalism, inclusivity and innovation – each a cornerstone of our university’s values.
“She is a powerful role model for our graduates, reminding us that adversity can be a catalyst for greatness, and that leadership comes in many forms.
“Robyn has broken boundaries and redefined what is possible – not just for herself, but for the communities she represents. Her ambition drives her to excel, her professionalism is evident in her leadership and advocacy, inclusivity is at the heart of all she does, and her innovative spirit turns challenges into opportunities.”
