The NHS in Scotland has not improved in line with commitments made by the Scottish Government, despite having more staff and more money.
Health spending in 2024/25 was over £20 billion – a £3 billion real terms increase from 2019 and 25 per cent higher than a decade ago.
The NHS now employs more than 160,000 whole-time equivalent staff, a 20,000 increase since 2019.
However, despite health boards making unprecedented savings, the NHS in Scotland remains financially unsustainable. In 2024/25, boards struggled to break even and seven needed Scottish Government loans.
Activity has increased in acute hospital settings, helping cut waiting times and waiting lists, but is still below pre-pandemic levels. Demand is high across the health system, and it remains to be seen if this progress can be sustained.
The Scottish Government has made progress in setting out its plans for reform, including a short-term operational improvement plan and longer term health and social care frameworks.
But the published improvement plan lacks clear actions, timeframes and accountability, which will make reporting its progress difficult.
And some of the ambitions within the documents, such as moving more care into communities, are longstanding and have yet to be delivered.
Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: ‘Despite increased spending, the NHS in Scotland remains unsustainable and it will be extremely challenging to eradicate long waits by the spring of 2026.
‘The plan and frameworks the Scottish Government has put in place for reforming the NHS are welcome. But there is still a persistent implementation gap between policy ambitions dating back over a decade and delivery on the ground.
‘This time round, it’s vital that the Scottish Government delivers on its reform plans. That means publicly setting out the detailed, measurable actions that will enable change and help everyone understand how a different health service will work.’
Read the Auditor General’s annual overview of the NHS here:
Scottish deal site, itison, has returned with its much loved £5 Christmas Appeal voucher which can buy a person who is vulnerable or experiencing homelessness a Christmas meal or gift this festive period with Social Bite.
The £5 vouchers have become a tradition for many kind-hearted Scots who like to give back over Christmas and help make a difference to people who are facing a challenging winter period. Since the partnership between itison and leading homelessness charity began in 2014, they have raised over £4.5 million, providing more than 700,000 people with a much needed gift or Christmas meal – which may be the only one they receive this festive period.
Despite the rise in costs across the country, Social Bite and itison have ensured that the vouchers stay at £5 to continue to reach as many people as possible.
A fiver goes further with Social Bite and itison – with just one voucher you can buy a gift for a child or individual to open on Christmas Day, a hot Christmas meal with all the trimmings, or help break the cycle of homelessness in the UK by helping to fund Social Bite’s services and its supported accommodation villages in South Lanarkshire and Edinburgh.
Social Bite Tree of Kindness
Pic Peter Devlin
Oli Norman, founder of itison, said: “So many of us take for granted that we will wake up on Christmas Day to gifts, the company of our loved ones and a filling meal in a warm, safe place – unfortunately that’s not the reality for a growing number of people in Scotland. But by purchasing a £5 Christmas Appeal voucher on itison, you can change that for someone.
“It’s hard to imagine the incredible difference even just one voucher can make to children, individuals and families who are facing a challenging Christmas. We want to support a record number of people this year, so please, get involved and let’s spread Christmas cheer!”
Josh Littlejohn, founder of Social Bite, said: “When the £5 Christmas Appeal started we had no idea how much of an annual tradition it would become for many generous supporters.
“It has now grown into one of Social Bite’s most exciting fundraising moments of the year and is a key part of our Festival of Kindness campaign. A huge thank you to everyone who buys a voucher, and to itison for their ongoing support.”
In addition to the itison £5 Christmas Appeal, donations and gifts can be made to Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness online or at one of the Kindness Trees located throughout the UK:
Glasgow – Vinicombe Street
Edinburgh – St Andrew Square
Aberdeen – outside the Bon Accord Centre
Birmingham – New Street Station, outside All Bar One
NHSGGC encourages people to wear masks when visiting hospitals
As is the case throughout the UK, hospitals across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are currently seeing rising numbers of patients with symptoms of flu.
While all our staff are doing all they can to address these challenges, we are asking visitors to help us reduce the spread of the virus and to minimise the risk to vulnerable patients.
In response to advice from our Infection Prevention and Control Teams, and in line with other Health Boards across Scotland, we are encouraging all visitors to our hospitals, and all clinical staff, to wear Fluid Resistant Surgical Masks – similar to those used during the COVID pandemic – at all times while they are on our premises.
We will keep this situation under review and we will advise of any changes as soon as we can.
In addition, we are asking people who have mild to moderate flu-like symptoms not to attend A&E or visit friends and family in hospital – and to follow a few simple suggestions:
Think before you go out. Use our online self-help guides to manage symptoms safely at home. Go to NHS Inform or download the NHS 24 app.
Seek local support. If you need medical advice, call your GP surgery. Alternatively, you can drop in to your community pharmacist without an appointment. They can review your symptoms and direct you to further care if necessary.
Call 111. If you think your condition is urgent, or if it is out of hours, NHS 24 is available 24 hours a day and will be able to give you the help you need, or arrange an appointment if required. It’s better to wait in the comfort of your own home and reduce the risk of spreading flu.
Professor Angela Wallace, Executive Director of Nursing at NHSGGC, said: “Flu season is here, and we want to ensure that you, your loved ones, and those who are the most vulnerable stay protected.
“By wearing a mask when you visit a hospital, or by following our simple suggestions if you are experiencing symptoms, you are doing your bit to help reduce the spread of the virus.”
However, we are also reminding people that the best thing they can do to maximise protection from flu is to get the vaccine if they are eligible.
If you are eligible, you will receive an invitation to get your vaccine, and we would encourage people to take up their appointment.
Alternatively, or if you have missed your appointment, many community pharmacies are administering the vaccine if you check availability in advance, while mobile vaccination clinics are operation throughout NHSGGC, where eligible patients can drop in without an appointment.
BALFOUR Beattie started work on the West Edinburgh Link this week (December 3). The West Edinburgh Link (WEL) will transform provision for cycling, walking, and accessibility around one of Scotland’s key business parks, whilst better connecting local communities to places of work, retail, leisure, and education.
WEL will also link up with key active travel routes to the city centre, including Quiet Route 8, the Union Canal and the Water of Leith Path.
Some of the work the city council is undertaking in the first phase includes new segregated cycleways on South Gyle Access and Bankhead Avenue, along with widening, surfacing, and improving lighting on the Torwood Path.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said:“It’s brilliant to see this new work getting underway in the west of the city.
“Properly connecting our communities and encouraging our residents to travel in more sustainable and healthy ways remain key priorities for us. WEL is an important project under our ambitious City Mobility Plan as we keep Edinburgh moving.
“From revitalising active travel provision on the Torwood Path to improving access to Edinburgh College at Sighthill, alongside a host of other improvements, I’ve no doubt that local people will experience real benefits once this transformational project is complete.”
The funding will create 350,000 new workplace opportunities designed to support young people into employment.
Hundreds of thousands more young people on Universal Credit to benefit from dedicated support.
Guaranteed jobs scheme to roll out in areas with some of the highest need from Spring 2026.
Almost one million young people will benefit from learning or employment opportunities as a result of a major £820 million funding package.
Thanks to the funding, 350,000 new training or workplace opportunities in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality will be provided to young people on Universal Credit to help them develop on the job skills, employer networks, and CV and interview coaching – breaking down barriers to employment and ensuring every young person has the chance to reach their potential.
In total, 900,000 young people on Universal Credit and looking for work will also benefit from a dedicated work support session, followed by four additional weeks of intensive support.
They will be referred to one of up to six pathways by their work coach: work, work experience, apprenticeship, wider training, learning or a workplace training programme with a guaranteed interview, designed in partnership with employers.
The investment will provide a springboard to a better future for close to a million young people, giving them the chance to gain crucial skills and support to find a job with long term prospects.
As part of this training, young people will receive six weeks of training, work experience, and a guaranteed job interview, giving young people their first foot in the door towards meaningful employment, boosting their prospects and supporting a stronger economy as part of our Plan for Change.
55,000 young people also stand to gain from a government-backed guaranteed job, which will begin roll-out from Spring 2026 in areas with some of the highest need in Great Britain. These regions are:
Birmingham & Solihull
East Midlands
Greater Manchester
Hertfordshire & Essex
Central & East Scotland
Southwest & Southeast Wales
More than 1,000 young people are expected to start a job in the first six months alone, with local partners and employers to play a key role in supporting young people as they transition into meaningful employment with fully funded wages and wraparound support for young people.
Alongside this, Youth Hubs – centres where young people can receive vital help to get them back on track – will be expanded to every local area of Great Britain, bringing the total to over 360. This will ensure young people up and down the country can access the lifechanging support Youth Hubs offer, such as CV advice, skills training, mental health support, housing advice, and careers guidance.
There is an expectation that young people will take up the opportunities they are offered, and sanctions to benefits could be applied for those who don’t engage with the offered support without good reason.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, said: “Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. When given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them.
“That’s why we are introducing a range of reforms to help young people take that vital step into the workplace or training and to go on and make something of their lives.
“This funding is a downpayment on young people’s futures and the future of the country, creating real pathways into good jobs and providing work experience, skills training and guaranteed employment.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Too many young people fall out of education unnoticed, crippling their life changes and denting the economy.
“Smarter data and early-warning tools will change that – helping us to spot risks sooner, step in faster, and keep learners on track through our Plan for Change.
“With these ambitious measures, we can break down barriers to opportunity to make sure every young person gets the support they deserve.”
Recent data shows that almost one million young people are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), a 26% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Today’s announcement represents a major intervention to reverse this trend and ensure no young person is left behind.
It builds on a wide range of measures the Government is bringing forward to support young people, including expanded funding for youth trailblazers, and a major investigation spearheaded by Alan Milburn into the barriers preventing the young from accessing work.
Earlier intervention is being prioritised, with a £34 million investment to make it easier to identify young people who need support before they drop out of the system. This includes a new Risk of NEET indicator tool, giving local areas more accurate insights to target support where it’s needed most.
The Government will also invest in further education attendance monitoring and provide targeted support for young people in state-funded alternative provision schools, helping them secure valuable work experience.
To ensure young people transition effectively from school into post-16 education or training, we are working with schools and piloting automatic enrolment with further education providers for young people without a place.
As announced by the Chancellor, the Government has committed to delivering a Jobs Guarantee for 18 to 21-year-olds who have been searching for work whilst in receipt of Universal Credit for 18 months.
The initiative will provide 25 hours/week of fully subsidised six-month paid work to every eligible 18- to 21-year-old who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months. The young people will be paid at the relevant minimum wage and also receive fully funded wrap around support.
The Government is finalising its National Youth Strategy, shaped by insights from over 14,000 young people, that will set out a long-term vision for youth policy across government.
Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE, CEO & Founder, Youth Employment UK: “The Youth Guarantee is a hugely important step forward and reflects many of the recommendations we have championed through our work.
“More than 8,000 young people took part in our 2025 Youth Voice Census, and the message was clear: they value work experience, skills development and local support, but too often cannot access it.
“This package – from the Youth Guarantee Gateway and expanded Youth Hubs to additional work experience, SWAPs and apprenticeships – represents the most focused investment in tackling youth unemployment we have seen in many years.
“We particularly welcome the commitment to early support, personalised pathways and strong local partnerships. We look forward to working closely with the government, Mayors, local areas and employers to ensure delivery reaches every young person, especially those facing the highest barriers. Together, we can make this Guarantee a meaningful reality for all.”
Barry Fletcher, CEO at Youth Futures Foundation said: “Youth Futures Foundation welcomes the Government’s focus and investment in tackling the growing, stubborn challenge of youth unemployment and inactivity.
“Today’s measures present an ambitious, comprehensive package to reform the system and support more young people into earning or learning.
“Crucially, reforms like the Jobs Guarantee are grounded in the evidence of what works, especially for marginalised young people. This will be vital to ensure a better future for young people and drive long-term economic prosperity.”
Naomi Clayton, CEO, Institute for Employment Studies, said: “With one in eight young people out of work and not in education and training, and the lasting scarring effects that can have, we’re pleased to see the government’s reforms to support more young people.
“We welcome the dedicated support being introduced through the Youth Guarantee Gateway to help prevent young people becoming long-term unemployed, alongside broader preventative measures to make it easier to identify young people who need support. We also welcome the wraparound support that will be provided to long-term unemployed young people as part of the Jobs Guarantee.
“Supporting young people to access meaningful work experience, training opportunities and good jobs will help secure a brighter future for a generation, their communities and the economy.”
Richard Rigby, Head of UK Government Affairs at The King’s Trust said: “At The King’s Trust, we know that when you match young people’s potential with opportunity, they can transform their own lives. This Youth Guarantee is a crucial step towards unlocking that potential.
“Increasing training and work experience opportunities, alongside a guaranteed job scheme for the long-term unemployed, will help the young people we support in our centres each day to start overcoming the barriers they face, and take their first steps into work.
“If we get this right, we can transform the futures of young people out of work across the UK, and build a healthier, wealthier society.”
Neil Morrison, HR Director at Severn Trent said: “Giving a young person that first opportunity can be game changing, so we’re fully supportive of government’s Youth Guarantee.
“At Severn Trent we’re tackling youth unemployment head on, and we’re giving young people real chances to grow and creating opportunities that unlock potential and true talent. We look forward to working together on this, and the role business can play in giving the next generation the very best start.”
Susannah Hardyman, CEO of Impetus, said: “We are delighted that the Government has chosen to invest in the futures of young people.
“With hundreds of thousands of young people neither earning nor learning, and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds twice as likely to be NEET as their better off peers, this Youth Guarantee is much-needed to ensure everyone aged 16-24 gets the support they need to succeed, whether that’s a work placement, work experience or training.
“Expanding Youth Hubs across the country is a particularly encouraging move, especially as they are a place where young people can access support even if they are not currently claiming Universal Credit.
“As our Blueprint for a Youth Hub research found, a culture of hospitality enables Youth Hubs to be an easy front door for young people to start accessing the opportunities they need for a fulfilling life.”
Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Executive, said: “There is a moral and economic imperative for government and businesses to work together to support more young people into training and work.
“These announcements will allow more young people to gain the vital experience that only work can provide.”
Dr Emily Andrews, Director of Policy and Research at the Learning and Work Institute, said: “With nearly one million young people neither earning nor learning, we welcome today’s announcements to tackle the current waste of potential and boost our future workforce.
“Building on our long-standing call for a Youth Guarantee, we are pleased to see a more comprehensive offer developing, with a range of new opportunities for young people to access experience and training in the workplace.
“Crucially, the national system-level offer is being balanced by more place-based approaches, including Trailblazers and the continued expansion of youth hubs to reach young people outside the benefits system.
“We will continue to work with partners on the delivery and implementation of this package at a national, regional and local level, to make the most of these opportunities.”
Debbie Cook, EFL’s Director of Community said: “From employment, mentoring and education programmes to sport and wellbeing initiatives, EFL Football Clubs and their charities are deeply embedded in their communities, empowering young people to unlock their potential and thrive.
“Through the Youth Guarantee, we look forward to maximising opportunities for young people via new employment hubs in EFL communities, ensuring they can access guaranteed pathways into work, training, and skills development.”
Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The number of young people who are not in education, employment or training is at its highest level for a decade.
“BCC research also shows that 75% of businesses are struggling to recruit skilled workers, so it is good to see the government taking action with an ambitious plan to get young people into work.
“Expanding Youth Hubs and investing in the Jobs Guarantee will help young people gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in the workplace. Our network of 51 Chambers of Commerce across the UK stands ready to help government deliver the Youth Guarantee in full.
“Ensuing young people can access fulfilling careers and businesses can find the talent they need are vital to unlocking growth.”
Tracey Collins, Director of Emerging Talent and Social Impact at Kier, said: “At Kier, we are committed to providing opportunities for young people and bring emerging talent into construction through hundreds of work experience and apprenticeship positions every year.
“It’s important that these opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of background or history, as every young person deserves the chance to flourish.
“To support this, we are delivering a number of initiatives to make Kier accessible to underrepresented groups including a pilot project with the Youth Futures Foundation as well as through our Kierriculum schools’ engagement programme.
“We believe that the Youth Guarantee will further strengthen this activity and we are proud to support the government’s work to collectively reduce long-term youth unemployment and help them reach a better future.”
The targeted support for young people at particular risk of becoming NEET to secure work experience will focus on pupils in state-funded Alternative Provision settings.
Alternative Provision refers to education provided outside mainstream or special schools for children who cannot attend a regular school—often due to exclusion, health needs, or other circumstances
Following the incredible success of last year’s blockbuster exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland, Scotland’s own much-loved Turners are back in Edinburgh for 2026!
Bring in the new year with the eagerly awaited return of Turner in January at the National Galleries of Scotland. Featuring 38 watercolours by renowned artist Joseph Mallord William Turner, the highly anticipated free annual display will take pride of place in room 21 in National Galleries Scotland: National in Edinburgh from 1 – 31 January 2026.
Last year saw thousands of visitors flocking to the National Galleries of Scotland to marvel at a once in a lifetime exchange of Turner watercolours from the Henry Vaughan Bequest with the National Gallery of Ireland, honouring the 250th anniversary of the artist’s birth. January 2026 will mark the triumphant return of Scotland’s Turners to Edinburgh, giving avid fans and newfound admirers the chance to spend time with some of the most treasured works from the Scottish national collection.
Turner in January is a beloved tradition for many people in Scotland. It signals the dawning of the New Year, and as we leave behind the darkest days of winter, the bright vitality of Turner’s work is exactly what we need.
Scotland’s famous collection of Turner watercolours was left to the nation by the great art collector Henry Vaughan in 1900. Following Vaughan’s strict guidelines, they have only ever been displayed during the month of January, when natural light levels are at their lowest. Because of this, these watercolours still possess a freshness and an intensity of colour almost 200 years since they were originally created.
This mesmerising exhibition demonstrates the extraordinary range of Turner’s work in watercolour, including atmospheric early drawings, experimental colour studies for prints and book illustrations and exhibition showstoppers.
Born in London in 1775, Turner’s combination of exceptional talent, intellectual curiosity and and relentless hard work resulted in watercolours which capture the sublime beauty of nature and encourage us to look again at the world around us.
In a career spanning 50 years, he developed new ways of painting in watercolour and revolutionised ideas of what could be achieved in the medium. Experimenting with an array of techniques and colour, Turner created works which continue to captivate and excite audiences today.
Turner in January invites visitors on an exciting, colourful journey, leaving behind January blues in favor of Turner’s views of the world, via moody landscapes, impressive city views and dramatic seascapes.
Travel across Britain, Europe and beyond through a dazzling array of artwork including scenes of the Himalayas, Venice and the Swiss Alps, to places a little closer to home, from a tempestuous view of Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye all the way down to serene Melrose in the Scottish Borders.
This year Turner in January will also feature the picturesque watercolour Virginia Water (about 1829),on long term loan to the National Galleries of Scotland and displayed for the first time since 2020.
The work shows a royal fishing expedition on Virginia Water, the artificial lake created as a royal pleasure ground in Windsor Great Park, with King George IV’s newly built ‘Chinese’ Fishing Temple in the background. In the foreground a pair of royal swans seem to be chasing away mallard ducks, a visual pun on Turner’s middle name.
Visitors will be able to immerse themselves further into the world of Turner through a Smartify audio highlights guide, returning for 2026.
Free to use on mobile devices, this audio guided tour will give fresh insights into the artwork on display, expanding Turner’s ideas and inspirations and adding another layer to the Turner in January experience.
Summer 2026 will also offer an additional opportunity to enjoy Turner’s work at the National Galleries of Scotland. Join us for an unmissable chance to see one of the artist’s most iconic paintings, Norham Castle, Sunrise, (c. 1845), which will be displayed for free at the National for the very first time as part of a special loan from Tate.
The National Galleries of Sctoland
Charlotte Topsfield, Senior Curator of British Drawings and Prints at National Galleries of Scotland said: “After a year of celebrations for Turner’s 250th birthday and the huge excitement of the exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland in January 2025, we are so pleased to be showing Scotland’s Vaughan Turners and honouring Henry Vaughan’s bequest once again.
“We hope visitors will enjoy seeing familiar friends and find new inspiration in Turner’s glorious colour and light.”
Turner in January has been gratefully supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and the Postcode Culture Trust. Turner in January is a free National Galleries of Scotland exhibition opening to the public at 12pm on Thursday 1 January 2026.
Children First is urging shoppers across Edinburgh and the Lothians to donate gifts through its festive Amazon Wish List to give children, who might otherwise go without, a brighter Christmas.
Online shoppers could make a huge difference to children and families supported by Children First across Edinburgh and the Lothians this Christmas.
Scotland’s national children’s charity protects children from harm and supports them to recover from trauma and abuse in their homes, schools and communities and through its national support line.
The charity’s team in Edinburgh has launched its festive Amazon Wish List so that people can give local children, that might otherwise go without, a brighter Christmas by choosing a gift online to donate.
Supporters can choose from a range of gifts, including supermarket vouchers to help families with festive essentials, warm clothing and blankets, or toys and games for children of all ages.
Simon McGowan, Assistant Director at Children First, said: “Many families across Edinburgh and the Lothians will be finding things tough this Christmas with increased pressure on family budgets.
“By choosing to donate a gift through our Amazon Wish List, your gift will bring joy to children and families that might otherwise go without.
“At Children First we rely on the generosity of donations to provide practical, emotional and financial help and hope to families.
“We are so grateful for people’s support. Please donate a gift if you can and help brighten Christmas for children across Edinburgh and the Lothians.”
Children First offers practical, emotional and financial support to children and families across Scotland.
If you are a parent or carer who is struggling, Children First’s support line is here to help on 08000 28 22 33.
Tickets are on sale now for Scottish Opera’s Opera Highlights The Office Party, which journeys to 18 venues across Scotland this Spring.
Bringing world-class opera direct to communities, the production hits the road from 3 February to 14 March.
Telling the story of a raucous office party and a messy love triangle, it features four talented singers and a pianist and is the perfect opportunity to hear extracts from much-loved classics and lesser-known treasures.
This production is woven together with music from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, Gounod’s Romeo and Juliette, Massenet’s Werther, Handel’s Alcina, Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus and Samuel Barber’s one-act opera, A Hand of Bridge, all sung in English.
Transforming smaller venues into a local opera house, the show travels to Glasgow, Tillicoultry, Helensburgh, Town Yetholm, Newton Stewart, Dunlop, Dalmally, Dornie, Stornoway, Gairloch, Newtonmore, Banchory, Fraserburgh, Cromarty, Orkney, Wick, Lairg and Bathgate. Scottish Opera’s extensive touring programme is one of the largest of any European opera company, ensuring performances are within reach of as many of Scotland’s dispersed population as possible.
Created specifically for Scottish Opera each season, performing in The Office Party are 2025/26 Emerging Artists soprano Kira Kaplan (Trial by Jury & A Matter of Misconduct! 2025),baritone Daniel Barrett (L’heure espagnole & The Bear 2025), tenor Connor James Smith (The Merry Widow 2025) and mezzo-soprano Alexandria Moon, who is making her Company debut. Accompanying the singers on piano is Music Director Toby Stanford, Emerging Artist Repetiteur.
The show’s Director is Emma Doherty who last worked with Scottish Opera on the Outreach & Education show, The Giant’s Harp, and was Assistant Director in 2024 on Oedipus Rex and Marx in London! Designs are by the award-winning Kenneth MacLeod, who worked on last Season’s Opera Highlights.
Emma Dohertysaid: ‘It was fantastic to see the audience reactions to our production this autumn, which showcases some beautiful music and deals with the themes of forbidden love and deception.
“I am looking forward to getting back into the rehearsal room with the new cast, to prepare for the spring tour. In the show, designed by the brilliant Kenneth MacLeod, audiences can expect to see four colleagues with complicated love triangles who are gearing up for their office party!’
The operatic snapshots in the Spring tour are curated by Fiona MacSherry, Scottish Opera’s Head of Music, and her choices of music make the story immediate and accessible for the audience, from teens to grandparents, opera buffs to complete newcomers.
The Spring tour follows a successful Autumn production, which visited 17 venues all over Scotland, includingEast Kilbride, Nairn, Castlebay, Lochranza, Johnstone, and Edinburgh.
Over 4000 people of all ages attended the Spring 2025 Opera Highlights tour, with audience members commenting how it was ‘wonderful that Scottish Opera comes to some of the more remote and rural areas’, bringing the show ‘to our doorstep’.
Audiences have praised the Autumn Opera Highlights tour, with one member saying they “loved every minute” of the show, and commented on the “excellent production, good acting and, of course, superb singing.”
Another “liked the ingenuity of building a story from excerpts” adding the “singing was wonderful”.
Opera Highlights is supported by Friends of Scottish Opera and JTH Charitable Trust.
