FRIDAY 19th DECEMBER 2 – 5pm
We can’t believe it’s almost Christmas already! 
To bring in the Christmas spirit, we are hosting our annual Christmas community meal on Friday, the 19th of December, for free!
This means that anyone who fills in the link below can guarantee a spot at the meal and take part in the festive cheer! So bring along the whole family and celebrate Christmas early with FetLor!
The City Art Centre presents the new exhibition by Michael Fullerton (b.1971), whose work spans painting, printmaking, and sculpture, from Saturday 22 November 2025 to Sunday 1 March 2026.
Known for his focus on portraiture, Fullerton engages with complex figures, exposes socio-political power dynamics, and brings to light hidden or forgotten histories. His practice brings attention to overlooked individuals, often connecting disparate ideas and images to form new meanings.
For this exhibition, Fullerton presents a new series of paintings created following his time living and working at the Hilltop Hotel in Carlisle. At the time, the hotel was used as accommodation for people seeking asylum in the UK.
While employed there, first as a general assistant and later in the kitchen, Fullerton developed close relationships with members of the community who hailed from various countries. The resulting portraits reflect these encounters, giving visibility to people and stories often absent from public view.
Alongside these new works, the exhibition includes a selection of prints spanning more than 20 years of Fullerton’s career. Working primarily with silkscreen on newsprint, he has used printmaking as both an extension and counterpoint to his painting, exploring the medium’s capacity for mass-production.
To accompany the exhibition, Fullerton has produced a new commissioned screenprint. His reinterpretation of John Thomson’s ‘Abbotsford, The Home of Sir Walter Scott’ (1828) considers the continuing influence of Romanticism and the legacies of Thomson and Scott in shaping ideas of Scottish national identity.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: “Edinburgh’s cultural institutions are central to our city’s identity, and exhibitions like this remind us of the importance of art in helping us understand the world around us.
“I’m delighted that the City Art Centre continues to champion artists who contribute to Scotland’s vibrant and inclusive culture, and Michael Fullerton’s work speaks directly to this by exploring themes of identity and socio-political power dynamics, and the way we tell and preserve our stories.
“By drawing attention to people and experiences that are often overlooked, his work encourages us to reflect on belonging and the shared humanity that connects us all.”
Curator Stuart Fallon said: “Michael is an artist who asks important questions in new ways, inviting his audiences to deeply consider, or reconsider, the subjects of his works.
“Alongside, the display of his print archive brings together an extraordinary body of work created over 25 years. Together they showcase the practice of one of the most significant Scottish artists of his generation.”
Tickets are £5.00 and are available to purchase online.
Free concessionary or discounted entry tickets can only be purchased on the day of the visit, from the reception desk at the City Art Centre.
SATURDAY 6th DECEMBER from 11am – 3pm
Christmas is right around the corner…
If you haven’t already, make sure to pop our Christmas Fair into your diaries for the 6th December
We will have lots of festive stalls, baked goodies, activities, raffles, games and Christmassy spirit! See you all there!
PS: There is one stall left to take.
If you’re interested, email sarahduckmanton@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk
Pupils across Scotland are set to benefit from a £150,000 funding boost as school library projects across the country secure grants through the 2025-26 School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF).
Administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) on behalf of the Scottish Government, SLIF supports creative initiatives in line with Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools, the national strategy for the development of school libraries.
This year, 17 innovative projects across 78 schools have been awarded funding.
The successful projects focus on developing employability skills, digital literacy, creativity and family learning, with initiatives designed to boost pupils’ love for reading, support neurodiverse pupils and strengthen the bond between parents and children through reading.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, said: “School libraries play a vital role in getting children and young people excited about reading, empowering them to learn and preparing them for the future. That’s why we’ve proudly supported the School Library Improvement Fund since it started in 2017.
“This year’s funding means that over £1.8 million has been made available to help schools create innovative programmes that bring pupils closer to books and stories.
“This helps improve literacy skills and supports our work to close the poverty-related attainment gap, and I’m confident that the projects announced today will have a positive impact for pupils across Scotland.”
The 2025-26 successful SLIF projects:
Alison Nolan, chief executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), said: “School libraries are safe, inspiring spaces that help young people learn, grow and reach their full potential, and the School Library Improvement Fund champions that spirit of creativity and innovation.
“This year’s 17 successful projects reflect the ingenuity of school library teams who are committed to developing employability skills, strengthening digital literacy and fostering family learning in their communities.
“This latest investment will help school libraries continue to evolve and adapt to the needs of pupils, parents and teachers and we’re excited to see these trailblazing initiatives come to life.”
The 2025-26 SLIF brings the total investment from the Scottish Government to £1.87 million since the scheme’s inception.
Open to all state-run nurseries, primary and secondary schools, the fund allows schools to apply individually or collaboratively, ensuring wide and equal access to this transformative support.
For more information about SLIF and to learn about some of the previous projects, visit: https://scottishlibraries.org/the-school-library-improvement-fund/
Brain tumour patients and family members who have lost loved ones gathered at the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, a game-changing collaboration with Beatson Cancer Charity, in Edinburgh to learn more about the world-class research taking place there and call on the Scottish Government to increase investment in and widen access to clinical trials.
This urgent call comes ahead of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group (CPG) on Brain Tumours meeting today (Tuesday 25 November), convened by Brain Tumour Research. Attendees, including Convener Beatrice Wishart MSP and MSP Finlay Carson, will hear about the latest clinical innovations in the field, and about inequitable access to genomic testing.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of brain tumour tissue reveals powerful information about the underlying biology driving tumour growth and helps to inform what drugs could be used to target specific cancer-causing pathways. This information unlocks access to clinical trials based on cancer biology rather than location in the body. Without it, the pool of trials that patients can be part of shrinks.
In Scotland, WGS is not routinely offered through the NHS and access is largely limited to research studies. The lack of routine testing means patients are not accessing treatment options based on the biology of their individual tumour when needed. It also means that patients won’t be eligible for more personalised treatments such as immunotherapy that may become available in the coming years.
Among the families calling for more action is Nadia Majid, from Airdrie, who lost her four-year-old son Rayhan to a brain tumour. On 13 December 2017, an MRI scan revealed that little Rayhan had a high-grade medulloblastoma brain tumour.
Two days later, Rayhan underwent a 10-hour operation. Surgeons removed most of the tumour, but not all, as it was touching his brainstem. Despite three further surgeries and six weeks of radiotherapy, Rayhan tragically died just four months after diagnosis, shortly after starting chemotherapy.
“You think that with medicine today, there would be effective treatments and even a cure,” Nadia said. “But shockingly, brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
“Added to this, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002. It shouldn’t be left to charities to fund research.
“We can’t allow Scottish families to be left behind in the search for more effective, kinder treatments and ultimately a cure.”
Brain Tumour Research Patron Theo Burrell will join supporters at the CPG this week. Theo is supporting our active campaigning on the need for greater access to, and patient-led uptake in clinical trials.
Theo Burrell, Brain Tumour Research Patron and glioblastoma patient, said: “Being diagnosed with a brain tumour is devastating enough, without finding out that patients in Scotland are being left behind in the hunt for new treatments due to a lack of routine testing.
“I am working with Brain Tumour Research – the Secretariat of the Brain Tumours Cross Party Group in the Scottish Parliament – to make it clear to the Scottish Government that 100% of brain tumour patients should be offered genome sequencing. The technology is there – let’s use it to stop this injustice.”
New figures from Hospice UK reveal that two thirds of Scottish hospices either have already made cuts or are planning to make cuts within the next year.
Hospice UK says this reflects severe and unsustainable financial pressures across the hospice sector in Scotland at a time when demand for palliative care is at an all-time high. Hospices have had to make redundancies to both clinical and back-office staff, cut beds and reduce vital community services.
They are struggling to keep pace with rising costs, leaving people at risk of missing out on vital care at the end of life.
Helen Malo, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager for Scotland at Hospice UK said: “Hospices are an essential part of Scotland’s health and care system, easing pressure on the NHS by helping people stay out of hospital and receive expert care in their own communities. These are the services that should be growing to meet rising demand.
“But years of underfunding have left them stretched to breaking point, with many now being forced to cut services at a time when they’re needed more than ever. Without urgent action, more families will face the end of life without the expert care and compassion they deserve.”
The figures come as MPs debate amendments to the assisted dying bill today (Tuesday 25 November) including Jackie Baillie’s amendments to assess and mitigate the impact of the Bill on palliative care and create a code of practice for palliative care providers.
These amendments are vital to support hospices and the palliative care sector to be robustly prepared should the Bill become law and to ensure assisted dying is not introduced at the expense of existing palliative and end of life care services.
Helen Malo said: “Hospice UK has no collective view on whether the law should change on assisted dying, yet we feel it would be a moral and practical failure if a single person in future felt compelled to seek an assisted death due to a lack of available palliative care. Every person in Scotland should be able to access high-quality care and support at the end of life, wherever they live.”
With the Scottish Budget approaching, Hospice UK is urging the Scottish Government to include dedicated funding for hospices in the 2026/27 budget to protect vital care and support.
Looking ahead to the Holyrood elections, we’re also calling on the next Scottish Government to make palliative and hospice care a national priority and commit to a long-term plan to reform and invest in palliative and end of life care.
Jackie Stone, CEO, St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “Demand for hospice care is rising year after year, yet the funding we rely on continues to fall behind. Hospices are being asked to deliver more complex care for more people, but with resources that are already stretched to breaking point. That gap is simply not sustainable.
“Hospice care is not optional; it is a vital part of Scotland’s healthcare system. We need the Scottish Government to recognise the essential role hospices play and to commit to fair, sustainable funding, so that every family can rely on the care and compassion they deserve when it matters most.”
Jacki Smart, Chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group, said: “Without secure, long-term funding, hospices across Scotland are facing devastating choices – cutting back services, reducing staff, or even turning patients away for the first time. These hospices care for thousands of people every year, offering comfort and dignity at life’s most difficult moments.
“If funding falls short, families will lose vital support, and pressure on the NHS will grow. Hospices are a lifeline for communities, and we need urgent action to protect them.”
Hospice UK says that with the right investment, hospices stand ready to help the Scottish Government deliver its long-term ambition to shift more care into communities, providing expert, person-centred care closer to home.
POLICE Officers in Edinburgh have seized 13 e-bikes following complaints from residents about anti-social behaviour.
The South West Community Policing Team carried out the initiative between 20th and 23rd November in the areas of Fountain Park, Dundee Street and Morrison Road.
Thirteen males aged between 18 and 45 were charged with road traffic offences, with offences including no insurance, no licence and no helmets. Reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
PC Bob Galbraith said: “We are committed to ensuring public safety following the concerns raised by residents regarding anti-social behaviour involving e-bike riders, particularity incidents of riding in pavements, travelling at excessive speed and causing alarm or inconvenience.
“We continue to encourage residents to report any incidents so we can respond. Anyone with any concerns should contact Police Scotland on 101. We worked closely with HM Immigration officers during the initiative.”
NORTH Edinburgh community activists are taking their message to town this afternoon with two events taking place at art galleries in the city centre.
The events have been built around artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen’s RESISTANCE photo exhibition, which runs at the Modern 2 gallery on Belford Road until 4th January.
First up, community stalwarts Anna Hutchison and Willie Black will reflect on campaigns past and present in a panel discussion in the National Gallery at 12.45.
With so many years of campaigning experience Anna and Willie have a host of stories to share and, having known the pair for the best part of thirty years, I’ll be there to try to keep the event running to time!
The free event is sold out, but you can still register to watch online.
Later in the afternoon, two North Edinburgh groups have been working together on an ambitious project that encapsulates North Edinburgh’s spirit of resistance.
The result of the collaboration is the Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh exhibition, which opens at The Portrait Gallery on Queen Street from 2pm today (details below).
It promises to be very good and it’s free – don’t miss it!
The details of today’s events:
RESISTANCE|NORTH EDINBURGH PANEL DISCUSSION
Free – Booking essential SOLD OUT
PICTURE: Craig McLean, Outside Drylaw Police station, community campaign GRASP protesting against Police harassment and violence, 2001
The Resistance exhibition chronicles 100 years of protest across Britain from 1903–2003. Using the exhibition as a starting point, activists Willie Black and Anna Hutchison alongside chair Dave Pickering, editor of the North Edinburgh News and Information Worker at Granton Information Centre, discuss North Edinburgh community activism, campaigns and actions, and their relationship and solidarity with local, national and international protests and change.
All tickets for the live event have been snapped up, but you can watch the discussion online in a streamed version of the live event.
Ticketholders will be sent a joining link before the event to either watch live or view the recording later.
SOLIDARITY WINS: CREATIVE RESISTANCE in NORTH EDINBURGH
Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh Exhibition Launch
2pm – 4pm
National Galleries of Scotland, The Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, EH2 1J
Celebration with food, song and creative activities in the Contemporary Space of the Portrait Gallery. Art works, archive films and research material gathered by Art for Grown Ups and Royston Wardieburn Arts & Culture Group.
Join us for an afternoon of creativity, community and conversation celebrating North Edinburgh’s spirit of resistance.
As part of the Resistance exhibition, the National Galleries of Scotland’s Community Development programme has been working with North Edinburgh groups to create responsive work inspired by the area’s long history of community resistance.
Workshops have included song writing, poetry, photo-montage and exploring photographer Craig MacLean’s back catalogue of North Edinburgh activism, all of which will result in an riso-graph exhibition at the Portrait gallery in November.
As well as this North Edinburgh Arts worked with Local Cinema to programme films as part of their ‘Local Resistance’ programme.
Each screening event included a creative element, one of which included the Resistance choir performing their collaboratively penned song ‘Solidarity Wins: A Song for Greater Pilton‘, along with some well known songs on power of solidarity and friendship.
Thanks to song writing facilitator and choir leader Penny Stone and Tinderbox Jed Milroy and artists Sam Rutherford, Jj Fadaka and Megan Rudden, and all those involved so far!
The programme is a partnership with North Edinburgh Arts Art 4 Grown Ups and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s Arts and Culture Group.
IMAGE (above): Collaborative piece by Art 4 Grown Ups members, framed by Muirhouse anti-racism campaign image, 1991.
If anyone is free 2 – 4pm today, it’s the launch of ‘Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh‘ exhibition at the Portrait Gallery, which has been a collaboration between North Edinburgh Arts’ Art 4 Grown Ups project and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s Arts and Culture Group (writes HOLLY YEOMAN).
Together they have reflected and responded to North Edinburgh activism and campaigns over the years. There is a community lunch catered by Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts and we will be singing our anthem ‘Solidarity Wins: A Song for Greater Pilton‘ at around 3pm-ish(!)
The exhibition will run till April, and we welcome community groups who might want to visit. If interested please email hyeoman@nationalgalleries.org
Holly Yeoman
Theatre in Schools Scotland (TiSS), National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate’s schools touring project, was delighted to welcome Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, to its final school performance of 2025, at James Gillespie’s Primary School in Edinburgh.
TiSS was at James Gillepsie’s Primary School with three performances of A Home for Hamish, by Just Us, presented by Scottish Theatre Producers.
Created and performed by Deaf Dance Artist, Clare Adam and Autistic Dance Artist, Lesley Howard (Just Us), A Home for Hamish is a colourful, immersive, interactive adventure playfully merging dance and British Sign Language and is made for younger audiences.
Across a two day visit to James Gillespie’s Primary School over 170 pupils from Nursery through to P3 enjoyed the performances in the school hall.
Following the final performance Ian Murray MP was joined by performers Clare Adam and Lesley Howard, representatives from National Theatre of Scotland, Imaginate and Scottish Theatre Producers along with pupils from the school to fly paper aeroplanes in the school hall.
Ian Murray MP for Edinburgh South said: “It was delightful to see the young people completely captivated by, and participating in, the performance.
“The performers were utterly superb. The impact of the school’s programme was encapsulated in the questions from their audience at the end.
“The interest in British Sign Language, the challenge of the story, and the “can we play more with you” were all testament to the power of the show. Well done to all involved.”
Ben Horsburgh, Head Teacher, James Gillespie’s Primary School said: “We were delighted to welcome Theatre in Schools Scotland to James Gillespie’s Primary School. A Home for Hamish was a truly memorable experience for our younger learners.
“It brought theatre right into the heart of the school and gave the children a chance to engage with themes of belonging and community in a fun, imaginative way.
“Opportunities like this enrich our curriculum and inspire our young people to see themselves as part of Scotland’s vibrant cultural story.”
Belinda McElhinney, Chief Executive, Imaginate said: “It was lovely to watch the children fully absorbed into the world of Hamish. The performers beautifully integrated British Sign Language into the work and kept the children focused on their every move.
“The excited response from the children encapsulates for me the importance of bringing performance into schools as a key step to ensuring every child accesses their right to culture.”
Liam Sinclair, Executive Director and Joint CEO, National Theatre of Scotland, said: “It was a delightful experience watching the inspiring A Home for Hamish at James Gillespie’s Primary School, Edinburgh and being part of such an engaged and enthused audience. We appreciated Ian Murray MP attending and sharing this occasion with us.
“TiSS is a vital project for National Theatre of Scotland, enabling children across Scotland to benefit from the joy and enrichment that live performance can bring, and we are looking forward to celebrating the Theatre in Schools Scotland 10th year anniversary in 2026”
The performances at James Gillespie’s Primary School concluded a busy autumn term for the Theatre in Schools Scotland project which tours inspiring, live theatre and dance performances to primary schools across Scotland. A Home for Hamish toured to schools from Shetland to Slamannan and will be back on the road with TiSS in March 2026.
Next year will mark ten years of touring world class theatre and dance directly into schools across the country. To celebrate a decade of creativity every Theatre in Schools Scotland performance will be free of charge for participating schools from August 2026 to June 2027, as part of a special TiSS at 10 anniversary programme. Visit the Theatre in Schools Scotland website for more info.
Move over Mariah, The Botanist has rewritten the soundtrack to Christmas with its own take on 12 Days of Christmas!
Think glasses clinking, ladies dancing, kebabs swinging, bands playing and cocktails shaking – it’s the ultimate Christmas packed with the gifts you actually want.
But the fun doesn’t stop at the music – to celebrate the season of giving, The Botanist is launching a huge social media giveaway in a countdown to Christmas, with prizes themed to each of the 12 days.
Guests can expect everything from gig tickets and champagne to big bar tabs, date nights, a year’s worth of hanging kebabs (yes, really) and even a mini break up for grabs. The giveaways will start from Wednesday 19th November and happen every few days in the lead up to Christmas, with all 12 prizes being won by Christmas Eve.
Those feeling lucky should keep an eye on The Botanist’s Instagram page, where the remixed 12 Days of Christmas song and video will launch, each day to find out what’s up for grabs and how they can enter.
And of course, it wouldn’t be winter at The Botanist without their Famous Hanging Kebabs and there’s a new festive addition to the line-up, the Christmas Dinner Hanging Kebab, stacked with roast turkey, pork and sage stuffing and pigs in blankets in a cranberry glaze, served with all the trimmings including maple roasted carrots, braised red cabbage, garlic & herb roast potatoes and Brussels sprouts, and finished with a jug of rich gravy to pour over.
We all know Christmas is the time to treat ourselves, and The Botanist’s festive take on its signature sharing cookie dough is the ultimate indulgence. Those with a sweet tooth can savour a giant chocolate orange cookie dough served with honeycomb pieces, mini mince pies, ice cream coconut snowmen and Cointreau chocolate orange sauce (plus two spoons to dig in!)
Behind the bar, the team has been busy working on this year’s limited-edition Christmas cocktails. Let nostalgia take over with the “It’s Mine” Old Fashioned – Maker’s Mark Bourbon infused with orange and stirred down with indulgent chocolate – it’s a boozy tribute to a festive favourite.
The Partridge in a Pear Tree, a nod to The Botanist’s 12 Days of Christmas campaign, featuring Absolut Vanilia Vodka shaken with pear, cinnamon, and a splash of lemon juice and topped with prosecco, is set to be your new favourite festive tipple!
With imaginative and festive twists on The Botanist’s well-loved signature dishes, all created in house from scratch, this is the food and drink to celebrate over as party season gets underway!
And that’s not all, the halls are being decked with larger-than-life Christmas trees, giant Christmas presents and golden pears for a photo backdrop worthy of a Christmas card!
The Botanist’s homegrown live musicians are ready to keep the festive cheer wild, playing live throughout the November and December as guests drinks and dine.
The Botanist’s Christmas menu is available now. To find your nearest restaurant and book your table visit https://thebotanist.uk.com.
