We are thrilled to be teaming up with Muirhouse Library and our friends Art Buds Collective to bring the Macmillan Hub to life with a fun programme packed full of free activities for local children and families!
From 29 June right through to 8 August, we’ll be running creative drop-in activities for all summer long.
Whether it’s a free breakfast and a catch-up with friends, getting creative with arts and crafts, enjoying nature in the NEA Garden, singing along at Bookbug, or settling in for a film and some popcorn, there’s something on nearly every day of the week.
So grab the kids, pop down to MacMillan Hub, and join in the fun this summer!
POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was seriously assaulted on a cycle path.
Around 10.20pm on Saturday, 20 June, 2026, we were called to a report of a man injured after being assaulted on the Innocent Railway Cycle Path, between the Bingham tunnel and Duddingston Road West area.
He suffered a serious leg injury and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
Detective Constable Christopher Stewart of CID said: “We are looking to trace three men wearing dark clothing and balaclavas who were riding together on a white motorbike.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who was in area at the time or thinks they might know who the men are.
“We would also be eager to hear from anyone travelling in the area who have a dash-cam. Please check the footage, as it may have captured something which could prove vital to our ongoing enquiries.
“Any small piece of information could assist our enquiries, so please pass it on. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting 4051 of 20 June, 2026.”
The programme for the Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament, taking place on Saturday 27 June, has been announced today.
Their Majesties The King and Queen attended the Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament yesterday, formally marking the beginning of the Seventh Session of the Holyrood Parliament.
The day start with The Crown of Scotland being escorted from Edinburgh Castle. Along with the Elizabeth Sword, the Crown of Scotland was processed into the Scottish Parliament through a guard of honour made up of young people from across Scotland.
Following the arrival of The King and Queen, the event in Holyrood’s Debating Chamber began with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Brass Ensemble performing a Fanfare composed by Sir James McMillan KT CBE and conducted by John Logan.
The Mace was carried by Robert White, an administrator at the Scottish Parliament. Three Team Scotland athletes who are competing in the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games were also be part of the procession.
Boxer Nicholas Devlin will carry the Elizabeth Sword accompanied by para-athlete Joanna Robertson who will be racing on the athletics track and Beth Riva who is competing in Bowls.
The Officers of Arms was accompanied by young people from Young Scot, the Scottish Youth Parliament, RNIB Scotland (Haggeye), the John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme, sportscotland’s Young People’s Sport panel and the Young Women’s movement.
The Crown of Scotland will be borne by the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon escorted by the Lord Lyon King of Arms.
The event, which was broadcast live, included opening remarks from the Presiding Officer, Kenneth Gibson MSP. His Majesty The King then make an address to the Chamber and First Minister John Swinney MSP responded to His Majesty’s address.
The event also celebrated the special anniversaries of two of Scotland’s cultural organisations with specially commissioned performances.
The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and members of the NYCOS Edinburgh Regional Choir and NYCOS BSL Youth Choir performed Sarah Quartel’s The Beat of a Different Drum.
National Theatre of Scotland presented As Others See Us written and directed by Martin O’Connor, incorporating a poem to celebrate their 20th anniversary and an excerpt from their acclaimed production Through the Shortbread Tin and performed by members of The Lyceum Youth Theatre.
Scotland’s Makar Pàdraig MacAoidh [Peter Mackay] also delivered a poem in Gaelic called Let This Hall be Full of Noises.
Ae Fond Kiss, by Robert Burns was be performed by Rachel Groves (clarsach) and Ellie Beaton (vocalist), who are the current and previous winners of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.
The Parliament’s piper Stuart McMillan MSP then played Bonnie Dundee and A Hundred Pipers from the Members’ Garden to close the event.
Their Majesties then went on to meet Local Heroes, who have been nominated by MSPs for their extraordinary contribution to their local communities.
The King and Queen departed the Scottish Parliament through a Guard of Honour made up of young people.
Hope Keating, 5, from Girlguiding Scotland presented a posy to The Queen.
Don’t forget about our INSECT WEEK CELEBRATIONS TOMORROW at Granton Castle Walled Garden.🦋
22-28 June is Insect Week. We are celebrating in the garden as part of our Citizen Science project in collaboration with the National Museums Scotland
The event will honour insect week with a focus on what insects can be seen locally.
Insect experts Ashleigh, Dorothy & Alyx will demonstrate how to identify common insects and how we can support them via recording and encouraging habitat creation.
Join us for a relaxed morning with refreshments and bring all your insect-related questions! No need to book, just show up. Everyone welcome.🪲 📷️ by Alyx
Yesterday, I had the privilege of facilitating the second Introduction to Advocacy, Campaigning and Lobbying training for third-sector professionals in Edinburgh (writes TESFU GESSESSE).
In a time when narratives of division, fear, and “otherness” seem to be growing louder, it is more important than ever that we stand up for inclusion, fairness, and community. Advocacy is not just about influencing policy—it is about amplifying voices that are often unheard, challenging misinformation, and helping to build a society where everyone belongs.
What gives me hope is the passion, commitment, and determination of the people in this photo. Their energy reminded me that many individuals and organisations are still working every day to strengthen community cohesion, promote social justice, and bring people together.
Thank you to everyone who participated, shared their experiences, and contributed to such thoughtful discussions. Change happens when people come together, organise, and speak up.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we can shape a fairer future.
Proposals focus on prevention, reducing reoffending and strengthening community justice
Proposed reforms to ease the high prison population, support rehabilitation, reduce reoffending and improve public safety have been published for public consultation.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray told Parliament that despite a range of measures taken to reduce numbers and maximise capacity, the prison population is at a critical level and is projected to rise further.
He said further action is necessary to ensure prisons can function safely and effectively, allowing prison staff and others to focus resources on prevention and rehabilitation, helping to reduce reoffending and keeping communities safe.
The plans, which are subject to an eight-week consultation, set out proposed changes to community justice and supervision of long term prisoners on release, with public safety remaining paramount. The Scottish Government will continue to engage with victims’ organisations throughout the process.
The proposals build on the recommendations of the independent Scottish Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission and include:
extending the presumption against short sentences from 12 to 24 months
amending the definition of a short-term prisoner from those serving less than four years to those serving less than five years, more closely aligning with sheriffs’ sentencing powers in solemn cases
making Community Payback Orders more flexible and effective as a robust alternative to short custodial periods
strengthening the bail test in courts to ensure that remand is used proportionately and is focused on protecting public safety
amending release arrangements for some long-term prisoners so they serve a greater portion of their sentence under supervision and licence conditions in the community
As well as the measures outlined in the consultation, work is underway to rapidly develop plans to expand the prison estate, including through consideration of temporary modular accommodation and new houseblocks at existing prison sites.
There will also be continued expansion of the use of Home Detention Curfew and a pilot where GPS-tracking technology is used to monitor individuals on bail curfew as an alternative to being remanded in custody ahead of trial or sentencing, where it is safe to do so.
The Justice Secretary highlighted evidence that community-based sentences and interventions are more effective at reducing reoffending than short custodial sentences – which can lead to the loss of employment, housing and family access that might otherwise provide stability for those at risk of re-offending.
Mr Gray said: “Protecting victims and the public is my top priority, and I am clear that prison will always be necessary.
“It is absolutely crucial, however, that our prisons function safely and effectively. If not, rehabilitation breaks down, reoffending rises and more people become victims. With the sustained population pressures we have seen over recent years, that is the reality we are facing, and that is why we must act.
“The planned reforms build on the recommendations of the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission, which recognise that Scotland must rethink its approach to community sentencing and imprisonment.
“Alongside expansion of the prison estate, they will strike the right balance across custodial sentences, community sentencing and the need to robustly protect victims and the public – ensuring prisons house those who pose the greatest risk and rehabilitate them effectively, with the ultimate goal of reducing crime.
“We will consult on our proposals over the summer and engage with victims’ organisations throughout the consultation process and beyond.
“Clearly the best way to tackle the prison population is by stopping crime happening in the first place, which is why we will continue our preventative work to intervene early to steer people away from crime, with a focus on addiction, health, poverty, homelessness and employability, which are all significant contributing factors to offending and reoffending.”
The Old Chain Pier, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic pubs, is celebrating a historic milestone following the implementation of the new Scottish Pubs Code. The landmark legislation, which gives pub owners the right to request a rent-only agreement without being tied to a pub-owning business for stock supply, has empowered the venue to break free from restrictive purchasing obligations.
This newfound independence means the historic pub can stock a wider, more exciting range of beers and permanently slash the price of its house lager to just £5 a pint, as well as reduce the price of all its beers.
To mark the occasion, The Old Chain Pier is hosting a massive, week-long celebration from Monday, 29th June to Sunday, 5th July. Throughout the entire week, all pints poured at the pub will be reduced to just £5. As part of the celebration The Old Chain Pier will also hand over its beer garden to three of Edinburgh’s finest local breweries, with free pints up for grabs.
The victory arrives at a critical time for the local hospitality sector. Edinburgh’s pubs and restaurants are currently navigating unprecedented financial pressures including high VAT, soaring business rates, road closures, rising Employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC), and the highest local authority charges in Europe for outdoor tables and chairs.
Against this challenging backdrop, the Scottish Pubs Code provides a much-needed lifeline, finally allowing venues like The Old Chain Pier to operate fairly and pass those savings directly to customers and sell pints at true market prices.
January Watson, Area Manager for Malt Group, said: “The Scottish Pubs Code has been a massive relief for us. Operating in Edinburgh’s hospitality sector is incredibly tough right now with mounting taxes, rates, and the highest table and chair charges in Europe.
“Being able to step away from tied stock means we finally have the freedom to curate our own beer selection, support brilliant local breweries, and pass those savings directly on to our loyal customers with £5 pints.”
The week-long party promises fun for the whole family, two-legged and four-legged alike. Guests who book a table to dine from Monday, 29th June through Thursday, 2nd July will receive 20% off their food bill.
All week long, the pub’s famous beer garden will be transformed into a playground featuring giant Jenga, hopscotch, quoits, and cornhole. Additional festivities running throughout the week include live music performances, free face painting for all ages, and a pet fancy dress competition.
As the week progresses, Stewart Brewing Beer (Friday 3rd July), Newbarns Brewery (Saturday 4th July) and Campervan Brewery (Sunday 5th July) will take over the beer garden with free pints for the first 20 customers, complete with a garden BBQ serving up hot dogs, chicken kebabs, and more from 6:00 pm each evening.
More events and surprises for the week are still to be confirmed. Customers are encouraged to keep an eye on the pub’s website and social media channels for the latest updates.
The Leith Legends (aged 60-95) who virtually walked the 3,070-mile distance from Edinburgh to Boston have returned to their starting point at Easter Road Stadium.
Since January the group have been recording their distance walked at locations around the city, attempting to virtually reach Boston before Scotland’s first game at the FIFA World Cup. The group walked their final mile from Edinburgh Castle to the Scottish Parliament Building on Thursday 11 June.
The Leith Legends have received hundreds of messages of support from people in Scotland and around the world after completing their ‘March to the Match’ the same day that thousands of football fans flew to Boston.
In recognition of their achievement, the group were invited to a reception at Easter Road Stadium, greeted by a bagpiper as they disembarked from their team bus. The celebration was made more special when the Leith Legends met Hibernian legend John “Yogi” Hughes, who presented them with certificates.
“What an effort by the Leith Legends!” said Yogi. “It’s truly a remarkable achievement to have virtually walked all the way to Boston, and I know people at home and over watching in the States will be incredibly proud of them.
I miss playing football, I miss it every day. But what I miss most about football is the friendship, the band of brothers, the sense of purpose, getting up in the morning, and being a leader. Having met a few of the Leith Legends today and in the last few months, I’ve seen all of these things. Well done on a fantastic achievement.”
Pic Neil Hanna
07702 246823
John Hughes was recently announced as an ambassador for the Hibernian Community Foundation, the official charity of Hibernian FC, and in his role will support at events across Edinburgh and Scotland, championing the services, programmes, and achievements of HCF and its many partners.
Maureen Combe who leads the Sheltered Housing Team at Harbour Homes said: “The enthusiasm and team spirit that our tenants have brought to this challenge is what made it so special.
“They lived up to the name of ‘Leith Legends’ and brought a smile to hundreds if not thousands of people who followed the story of their final mile.”
Pic Neil Hanna
07702 246823
In completing the challenge, the Leith Legends walked a combined distance of just over 3,070 miles in 140 days, at a pace of around 22 miles per day. This equates to a combined total of 17,048,303 steps taken by the group.
Come Along and Find Out More About PEP!
North Edinburgh Arts
Wednesday 1st July 2026
9:30am – 12:00pm
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Wellbeing Groups (Monday to Saturday)
Volunteering Opportunities
Transport Services
Community Sharing Shelf
