Host Claudia Winkleman will welcome ‘an exciting and eclectic mix’ of people and personalities to The Traitors castle
The RTS and BAFTA Craft Award winning The Celebrity Traitors will return to BBC One and iPlayer later this year with its biggest celebrity cast to date.
Made by Studio Lambert Scotland, The Celebrity Traitors will see twenty-one famous faces head to The Traitors castle, ready to play the ultimate game of deception and betrayal in the hope of winning a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice.
Host Claudia Winkleman will welcome an exciting and eclectic mix of people and personalities. Ranging from BAFTA and BRIT award winners, through to social media stars plus some of the UK’s most cherished actors, comedians, presenters and beyond. As celebrities will question who can they trust, who deserves to be banished and who is secretly plotting murder under the cover of darkness?
Heading to the Scottish Highlands are:
Amol Rajan – Journalist and Broadcaster
Bella Ramsey – Actor
James Acaster – Comedian and Podcaster
James Blunt – Singer/Songwriter
Jerry Hall – Model and Actress
Joanne McNally – Comedian
Joe Lycett – Comedian
Julie Hesmondhalgh – Actor
King Kenny – Content Creator
Leigh-Anne Pinnock – Singer/Songwriter
Maya Jama – Broadcaster and Entrepreneur
Michael Sheen – Actor and Presenter
Miranda Hart – Actor and Author
Myha’la – Actor
Professor Hannah Fry– Broadcaster and Mathematician
Richard E. Grant – Actor and Author
Rob Beckett – Comedian
Romesh Ranganathan – Comedian
Ross Kemp – Actor and Presenter
Sebastian Croft – Musician and Actor
Sharon Rooney – Actor
Series One of The Celebrity Traitors debuted on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in October 2025 and has been a runaway success with an average audience of 14.9m across the run with a peak of 15.4m for the finale.
The series has seen unprecedented growth, making it the top entertainment episode across the whole market since 2016 and the number one series across all genres and platforms in 2025.
Meanwhile the fourth series of The Traitors, which had the nation hooked in January 2026, achieved a 12.5m 28-day average, this is up +22% on Series Three (10.3m).
The majority of viewing has been driven by BBC iPlayer, making up 6.6m of the audience (53%), and increasing +28% on the third series. This is the second biggest series across the market since the start of 2025, only behind The Celebrity Traitors
The Celebrity Traitors will be coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer later in 2026.
The Celebrity Traitors series two (10 x 60) will be produced by Studio Lambert Scotland for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and has been commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning for the BBC.
The Executive Producers for Studio Lambert Scotland are Mike Cotton, Sarah Fay, Lewis Thurlow and Katy Fox with Production Executives, Lynette Woods-Reynolds, Gemma Scholes and Faye Donaldson. The Commissioning Editors for the BBC are Neil McCallum and Michael Jochnowitz.
The Traitors (Dutch title: De Verraders) was created and developed by IDTV in cooperation with RTL Creative Unit. All3Media International is global partner for The Traitors and handles format and tape sales worldwide. Studio Lambert is part of All3Media
Residents and staff at Strachan House care home in Edinburgh were delighted to welcome back furry friends for their annual dog show.
Residents at the home are all keen animal lovers and were delighted to host the dog show a yearly event in the home.
Canine fans at Strachan House were on the edge of their seat as the winners in each category were announced. Residents and staff joined in judging and couldn’t wait to see who won the award for best in show.
Daisy the beautiful Lhasa Apso won this prize but no one was left out with residents also giving away prizes for the waggiest tail, most perfect pedigree and best trick.
Fran Fisher General Manager at the home, said: “Our residents all love animals, we have lots of visits from different therapy pets which always cause a great deal of excitement.
“The dog show is absolute heaven for our canine-loving residents here, they absolutely love seeing all the different breeds and seeing which one comes out on top!”
Resident, Janet commented: “I have always been a huge fan of all sorts of different animals but these dogs are all just so wonderful.”
Janet even gave up her spot on the judging panel as she just loved them all so much!
Strachan House is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides nursing care, respite care and dementia nursing care for 83 residents.
Endorsed by big names like George Clooney, Bob Geldof and Rob Brydon, we’re rolling out our village franchise model
We’re calling for the UK’s Local Authorities to franchise the Social Bite Village model, a proven alternative to temporary accommodation for people who are homeless.
Find out more about the villages and get involved – read our village franchise model:
In a first for a Scottish Parliamentary election, the majority of major parties have endorsed tenement law reform.
Ahead of the Holyrood election, the SNP, Liberal Democrats, Labour, and Greens have explicitly mentioned supporting reforms to help tenement flat owners organise repairs in their 2026 manifestos.
Obligation for tenements to be inspected every five years
Establishment of building reserve funds
TAG members, whose membership includes architects, surveyors, flat owners, and other housing professionals from across the sector, believe that enacting these recommendations will result in well-maintained buildings providing warm homes, affordable maintenance bills, and enhanced resilience to deal with future repairs.
BEFS, the umbrella body for organisations working in Scotland’s built environment and TAG member, has published a party manifesto round-up which summarises the positions of each major political party on issues related to BEF’s 2026 Manifesto for the Built Environment.
The SNP have committed to reform the Tenements (Scotland) Act, while the Liberal Democrats specifically mention support for the introduction of mandatory owners’ associations, building reserve funds, and building inspections.
Scottish Labour have promised to speed up progress on tenement maintenance reforms, and widen eligibility for financial help for retrofit, and the Scottish Greens have committed to make it easier for tenement flat owners to manage repairs, maintenance and retrofit, specifically supporting mandatory owners’ associations.
Mike Heffron, Chief Executive of Scotland’s tenement charity Under One Roof and TAG member, said:“The successful work of the Tenement Action Group to get a majority of Scotland’s major political parties to make explicit commitments on tenement law reform is an excellent outcome for the 900,000 tenement flat owners in Scotland.
“These flat owners will be expecting reforms to be quickly enacted to ensure their homes are warm, and their buildings well-maintained, for many decades to come.”
Hazel Johnson, Director of Built Environment Forum Scotland said:“Across the new term of the Scottish Parliament BEFS will continue to advocate for tenement reform and the recommendations of the Tenement Maintenance Working Group – and how these can deliver cross cutting benefits in addressing the climate emergency, achieving net zero, and keeping Scotland’s homes warm, comfortable, and wind and watertight.
“We look forward to supporting further cross-party efforts to leverage the value of the built environment and deliver tangible positive outcomes for our people and places.”
Copyright Zhi Kang Chua for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. www.beltane.org
THOUSANDS of revellers gathered on Calton Hill to mark the turning of the seasons and reconnect with nature through this year’s re-wilding-themed Beltane Fire Festival.
Just over 9500 people joined in celebrating this powerful Edinburgh tradition, immersing themselves in a vivid, elemental journey of fire, rhythm, and transformation.
Calton Hill was lit up with roaring fires and performers as story and ritual brought us together once more to mark the season of growth, connection, and renewal. It was a beautifully clear and hot evening to bring in the start of the warmer months!
Copyright Sébastien Lemaire for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. www.beltane.org
Jenny Bloom, Beltane Fire Society’s Chair said: “Thank you to the thousands of Witnesses and the hundreds of Volunteers who wove another beautiful Beltane story this year. Renewed alongside the Green Man and inspired by the May Queen, we can all lean towards the new Summer in joy and community – even as we stand in readiness for the hard work we must do.”
The modern Beltane Fire Festival has been running since 1988 and is the spring and summer counterpart to Samhuinn Fire Festival, which is also held at Calton Hill on 31 October. The events are immersive experiences, which involve modern re-imaginings of ancient celtic festivals to mark the turning seasons.
Copyright Kitt Bunney for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. www.beltane.org
The Beltane Fire Society is a charity run by volunteers, dedicated to marking the fire festivals of the ancient celtic calendar and keeping traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, music and pageantry alive.
PICTURES: Zhi Kang Chua, Sebastian Lemaire & Kitt Bunney
The final total of voters registered for the Scottish Parliament election is 4,320,981 – a record number for a Scottish Parliament election.
Those planning to vote in person on Thursday 7 May are being encouraged to check their polling place location and to exercise patience if queues form.
Voting should only take a few minutes and there is no requirement to bring photo ID.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm and anyone in the queue at their polling station at 10pm will be able to vote.
Malcolm Burr, Convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland said:“A significant amount of work has gone into preparing for this election and we are confident that polling day arrangements are robust and ready for this record number of voters.
“If anyone needs additional support on the day, polling staff are there to help. Please be patient and respectful as they carry out their jobs.
“As always, we are keeping the voter at the heart of all that we do and look forward to producing results in which everyone can have full confidence.”
Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “If you become unwell or have an emergency which prevents you from attending a polling place in person next Thursday, you don’t need to miss out on your vote.
“You can apply for an emergency proxy up until 5pm on polling day, so someone you trust can vote on your behalf. You can do this by contacting your local electoral registration office.”
Multrees Walk, Scotland’s leading luxury shopping destination, is proud to announce an exciting showcase event Exhibition: Coordinated celebrating the conclusion of its collaboration with students from Edinburgh College of Art (ECA).
The fashion exhibition, which will take place at Genesis Studio Edinburgh on Multrees Walk from 1st to 3rdMay, unveils a stunning collection of fashion designs created by Edinburgh College of Art’s talented second year students.
The event spotlights several of the students’ final works in a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and collaboration. Visitors can expect an engaging experience of fashion installations and behind-the-scenes storytelling and design journeys from the students themselves.
Launched at the start of their second-year programme, this unique collaboration has seen Multrees Walk mentor and sponsor ECA fashion students throughout their academic year, from early design concepts to commercial recognition.
Over the past several months, students were tasked with creating a commercially minded co-ord garment, exploring themes of sustainability, customer profiling and commercialisation. The students have gained invaluable experience working with Multrees Walk and luxury retailers such as Harvey Nichols and Johnstons of Elgin.
Professor Mal James, Programme Director, Personal Chair of Fashion Design, BA (Hons) Fashion at Edinburgh College of Art,commented: “Having our students’ designs and final garments exhibited within Multrees Walk is a rewarding opportunity for our students.
“By taking their ideas out with the college studios and directly into the city’s heart of fashion, this allows their creativity to be seen in the same space as some of the world’s leading brands.
“This event is truly a celebration of their hard work, talent and creativity- we are thankful to Multrees Walk for this fantastic opportunity, and to our fashion lecturers and technicians who worked closely with them on the project.”
Dr Patricia Wu, Year 2 Fashion Lecturer and academic project lead,added: “Collaborating on this project has been a delight.
“It has provided students with an enriching experience, teaching them the importance of commercial design and the relationship between designers and real-world customers beyond fashion shows.
“This project encouraged students to consider consumer preferences while allowing them to express their unique design identities”
Leigh Aitchison, Centre Manager at Multrees Walk, said: “Over the past academic year, and through mentorship and real-world insight from our retailers, the students have developed a real understanding of the commercial world of fashion.
“We have all been truly impressed and inspired by the students’ creativity, their passion for research and the original ideas they brought to life through their final designs.”
Adam Stone, Head of European Retail Leasing Strategy at Nuveen,added: “Supporting second-year fashion students from Edinburgh College of Art has been central to our vision for Multrees Walk.
“This collaboration has connected students with leading international brands and we can see first-hand how beneficial this project has been. We’re thrilled to be able to showcase the students’ designs in this impressive and illustrative exhibition.”
Exhibition: Coordinated will take place between 1 May and 3 May at Genesis Studio Edinburgh, Multrees Walk, Edinburgh. The free event will be open to the public from 10:00 to 16:00 each day.
Three million UK households are being forced to skip meals and cut family visits according to new research from Which? that reveals the human impact of cost of living pressures and collapsing consumer confidence.
Which?’s latest Consumer Insight Tracker shows that households across the country are having to take more and more drastic measures to mitigate rising costs.
In the month to 10 April, Which? found consumer confidence fell to -62 – the lowest level since the height of the cost of living crisis in 2022 (-70). This decline reflects a widespread pessimism as the vast majority of UK adults (71%) think the UK economy will worsen over the next 12 months, while fewer than one in ten (9%) think it will improve.
Which? found an overwhelming majority of UK adults (85%) are now worried about food prices – up from 83 per cent in February. This concern is forcing lifestyle changes as two thirds (67%) of households have made at least one adjustment to their shopping or eating habits in the last month to reduce how much they spend on food.
The most common adjustments are buying cheaper products (43%), buying more supermarket own budget-range items (37%), and buying extra items when on promotion (31%).
Concerningly, Which? found one in seven (15%) UK households reported going without some foods and one in ten – equivalent to three million households – are now skipping meals to keep the cost of their weekly shop down.
Food is not the only major concern for households, Which? found eight in ten (83%) UK adults are worried about fuel prices – this figure has shot up from 71 per cent in February of this year. Over two thirds (69%) have made adjustments to their driving habits to battle costs, with knock-on effects on their social and family lives.
Most common adjustments include making fewer leisure trips over the last month (33%), and planning journeys more carefully (23%). However, about one in eight said they had visited friends and family less (13%).
This increase in concern over everyday essentials reflects how financial difficulty has risen rapidly throughout 2026. Consumer sentiment was already bad prior to the Middle East conflict, but has fallen sharply in the last two months.
In the month to 10 April, over half (53%), or an estimated 15 million UK households, made adjustments to cover essential spending, such as cutting back on essentials (29%), using savings (25%), selling possessions (9%), or borrowing from friends or family (9%).
Worryingly, 7.7% of UK households missed a house bill, loan, or credit card payment. The average rate of missed payments over the last three months was 7.5%, up significantly from 5.7% at the end of last year. If this trend continues, missed payments will reach levels seen during the peak of the cost-of-living crisis over the next few months.
These findings intensify pressure on the government to find interventions that will ease household costs, improve consumer confidence and restore faith in markets. Businesses must also do everything possible to support their customers and ensure they are offering genuine value for money as millions of households struggle to cover the basics.
With many households now reaching a breaking point, Which? is calling for urgent policy interventions outlined in a manifesto launched in Parliament this week to tackle unfair rip-offs and improve access to essentials.
The manifesto includes a priority call to reform the Healthy Start scheme, a vital nutritional safety net for low-income families during pregnancy and early childhood. Which? is warning that its value has failed to keep pace with food inflation and is urging the government to uprate payments, expand eligibility to all families on Universal Credit, and encourage supermarket support to ensure those struggling most can afford a healthy diet.
As financial difficulty continues to rise, anyone struggling to afford essential payments such as housing, bills or credit cards should speak to their provider immediately for support.
Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: “Our latest research highlights the deepening strain not only on household finances, but also on people’s physical and social wellbeing as cost of living pressures bite.
“Many are already making difficult choices, such as skipping meals. Without meaningful interventions the number of people taking drastic measures is likely to increase.
“We need to see urgent action, as set out in our Cost of Living Manifesto, to address these costs and help restore confidence before even more households are pushed into serious financial difficulty.”
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Giants Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 Until 14 Sep Tickets from £13
Giants showcases the colossal prehistoric creatures that lived after the extinction of the dinosaurs, 66 million years ago. Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons, and fossils in this immersive, family-friendly exhibition. The Giants exhibition is designed and produced by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
COMING SOONScotland’s First Warriors Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Opening 27 June Entrance into the museum and exhibition is free
Explore archaeological evidence for the origins of organised conflict, from the Neolithic (late Stone Age) to the Romans, through over 250 objects.
Scotland’s First Warriors explores how and why people fought, the impact of war, and the legacy of prehistoric conflict. Internationally significant discoveries from Scotland will be on display for the first time, including the Carnoustie Hoard.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Magic Carpet Learning Centre Event Space, Level 2 11, 18 & 25 May 10:30-11:15 & 11:45-12:30 Tickets £4
Our Magic Carpet sessions introduce you and your little one to some of the fascinating objects and themes in the museum in a fun and interactive way. Each month we explore a different theme using song, rhyme, movement, play and handling objects. This will help you and your little one discover more about our topic.
Gordon Buchanan: Giants of the Land Auditorium, Level 1 16 May 14:00 Tickets from £12
Join award-winning wildlife filmmaker, presenter and author Gordon Buchanan as he makes his first-ever appearance at the National Museum of Scotland. In this auditorium talk, Gordon will reflect on 30 years of taking part in daring expeditions, pushing boundaries, and raising awareness of the world’s most endangered species and habitats.
Centre for Open Learning: the History and Culture of Colour Various galleries 21 May–18 Jun 14:00-15:30 £80 per person
The University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Open Learning invites you to take your learning beyond the classroom. Explore artifacts in the museum’s remarkable collections and uncover stories linking the history of colour with culture, society and art. Focusing on specific colours, you will explore their histories and examine the impact these colours have had, and continue to have, on specific cultures and the world as a whole. Through gallery-based teaching, trace the effects of colour on culture and society throughout history up to the present day.
Creative Workshop: Paper Creations Learning Centre Studios, Level 4 23 May 10:30-13:00 and 14:00-16:30 Tickets from £45
Join paper folding artist Kate Colin for a bespoke workshop, inspired by our Giants exhibition and fossil collections. You will learn paper folding techniques and create a collection of handcrafted paper sculptures inspired by spiral forms and fossil structures.
Curiosity Club Learning Centre, Level 4 23 May 10:30-12:00 £10 (Members and Concessions £9)
Inspired by some of the Museum’s most exciting collections, our Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum without their adult helpers through games, activities, and gallery visits.
Relaxed Curiosity Club Learning Centre, Level 4 23 May 14:30-15:30 £10 (£9 Members and Concessions)
Relaxed Curiosity Club sessions are particularly aimed at children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children, and children with disabilities. Parents/carers (up to two per participating child) are invited to stay and either join in with the activities or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the foyer of the activity area.
Festival Family Day Grand Gallery 30 May 10:00-16:30 Free, drop in
Edinburgh International Children’s Festival Family Day returns for 2026. Experience exciting pop-up performances and creative encounters with local artists – from theatre and dance to walk-about characters – there is something for the whole family to enjoy.
James Hutton at 300: A Celebration of Geology 5 Jun 13:30-16:15 Free, drop in
Discover the legacy of James Hutton, the ‘father of modern geology’. Celebrate his tercentenary with free, drop-in short talks, mini tours and object handling.
Audio Descriptive Tour: Giants Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 16 Jun 17:30-19:30 Tickets from £13, concessions available
Join us after hours for an audio-described tour of the Giants exhibition. Discover life-sized 3D sculptures, skeletons and fossils in this immersive exhibition with audio descriptions and tactile opportunities.
Summer Family Fun Grand Gallery Every Monday and Friday in July 10:00-16:00 Free, drop in
Join us on Mondays and Fridays in July for a range of exciting, drop-in activities for the whole family. Each week, we’ll explore a new theme – from Scottish stories to around-the-world-adventures, there will be something new to discover.
Museum Socials Learning Centre Seminar Room, Level 4 Third Friday of the month 10:30–12:00 Free, booking required
Our Museum Socials events are designed for people living with dementia, their relatives, friends, carers, and supporters. Relaxed and informal, each session explores a different museum theme through various interactive activities, including curator talks, object handling, and creative crafts. Tea, cake and a warm welcome are always provided.
National Museums Collection Centre 242 W Granton Rd, Edinburgh EH5 1JA
Collection Centre Tours 19 May & 16 Jun 10:30 – 12:00 or 13:00 – 14:30 Tickets from £10, advance booking required
Discover the secrets of how we store and research our collections. Find out how our collections are used in international research and see objects rarely on public display.
National Museum of Rural Life Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Relaxed Afternoon: National Museum of Rural Life Last Tuesday of every month 14:30-17:00 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Join us for our monthly Relaxed Afternoon for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with neurodivergent children; neurodivergent young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems; and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers.
Woolly Weekend Museum and farm 23 & 24 May 10:30-16:00 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Celebrate all things woolly with a weekend of family fun at the National Museum of Rural Life. See woolly farm friends up close and take part in wool-themed crafts, storytelling, and activities in the museum. Then take a walk to the farm to watch YouTube sensation Cammy Wilson shear our flock. Cammy will explain how, when, and why sheep are sheared, and will demonstrate traditional and modern shearing techniques.
Tractor Tots 29 May Learning Centre £25 per child for block of 3, £20 per Member child for block of 3
Running in blocks of three sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to rural life through interactive creative play. Each session will feature handling objects from our learning boxes, singing, storytelling, rhymes, actions, and sensory play to learn all about life in the countryside
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF Open Weekends only, 10:00–16:00
Expert Talks Concorde Theatre 15 May & 12 Jun 11:00-11:20 Free with museum admission
Learn more about our collections and the history of East Fortune Airfield with our series of free expert talks at the museum. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of each talk. In April, join Matteo Randazzo who will discuss ‘Second World War Archaeology at East Fortune’.
BSL Tour: National Museum of Flight 16 May 14:00-15:30 Free add-on to general admission ticket
Discover our amazing aircraft and explore the history of aviation in this Deaf-led tour delivered in British Sign Language. This event is Deaf-led and aimed at adult BSL users.
Awesome Bricks 20 & 21 Jun 10:00-17:00 Tickets from £17, concessions available
Our hands-on celebration of LEGO® returns to the National Museum of Flight. Join us for a weekend packed full of LEGO® brick fun, with lots to see and do for all ages. Get a close-up view of incredible LEGO® constructions created by talented AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO®), including an interactive train set, and make your own unique creations in our brick build zone.
Relaxed Morning: National Museum of Flight Every second Sunday of the month, 10:00-12:00 Free with museum admission
Join us for a Relaxed Morning at the National Museum of Flight, for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore the museum without noisy interactives and videos to create a more relaxed environment.
