Month: July 2026

Edinburgh International Film Festival announces special presentation of The Talented Mr Ripley

The film will be presented by actor and director Max Minghella, Anthony’s son

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced a special tribute screening of Anthony Minghella’s iconic film The Talented Mr Ripley which will be presented on Sunday 16 August by actor and director Max Minghella (The Handmaid’s Tale, Shell, Teen Spirit, Clayface), Anthony’s son. 

The thrilling 1999 film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s electrifying novel stars Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffmann. In late 1950s New York, a young underachiever Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) is sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures. 

The screening joins other special presentations of repertory titles at this year’s EIFF including Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting, Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet and Takeshi Miike’s Visitor Q, Hal Ashby’s Coming Home and Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton’s Little Miss Sunshine.

EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd has said: “A titan of television and cinema, Anthony Minghella’s extraordinary career – cut cruelly short at the age of 54 – included directing acclaimed films Truly Madly Deeply (1990), The English Patient (1996) and Cold Mountain (2003).

“A superb director of actors and a master of large scale productions, with a versatility that encompassed sprawling epics and intimate character dramas, Minghella is a much missed British filmmaker who we are delighted to honour with a special presentation of his wonderful Patricia Highsmith adaptation The Talented Mr Ripley (1999).

“Mr Minghella’s hugely talented son Max has followed in his father’s footsteps both as a filmmaker in his own right and as an actor, and we are honoured to welcome him to EIFF to introduce this special screening.” 

Max Minghella has said: “Thankyou to Paul Ridd and the fantastic team at the Edinburgh International Film Festival for selecting The Talented Mr Ripley.

“I look forward to this special opportunity for my father’s work to play at this exciting and groundbreaking festival.”

EIFF will run from 13 – 19 August 2026.

New study reveals unseen benefits of furniture reuse in the circular economy

A new study by The James Hutton Institute, Scotland’s leading interdisciplinary research institute for sustainable land, crop and nature management, and DePaul University in Chicago has confirmed unseen benefits to furniture reuse, which go beyond helping the environment.

The study was based on research by Dr Alice Hague, a Hutton social scientist, and colleagues in Scotland, investigating how to increase the re-use of resources in people’s everyday lives, as part of a transition towards creating a more ‘circular’ economy.  

Dr Hague’s team found that, as well as diverting large amounts of bulky waste from landfill, second-hand furniture shops in Scotland create jobs and work experience opportunities, often engaging those who struggle with conventional employment.

The organisations behind these furniture reuse shops additionally provide training in logistics, furniture removal, accountancy and business management, equipping employees with valuable career skills. Meanwhile, income from the sale of reused furniture also goes towards providing other support services.

One employee at a furniture reuse centre said, “We have an awful lot of people who perhaps would have struggled to get into the workforce, but only because of, maybe, anxiety or confidence. Very able people, our best members of staff now.”

Alongside the study led by Hutton, Alice discovered through a conversation with her brother Professor Euan Hague, based at DePaul University in Chicago, that he was also leading a study about furniture reuse, but from a different angle.

Working with colleagues based in Chicago, Euan was looking to find out more about the impact of furniture donated for reuse to the Chicago Furniture bank.

His study was pointing to how reusing furniture has impacts on health and wellbeing, providing stability and a sense of home for people transitioning into permanent housing.

In Chicago, Professor Hague’s team heard about a mother who had been able to provide her children with separate beds thanks to furniture donations. She told researchers: “My kids are happy, they have beds, they each are happy they have their own bed. I’m not in the bed with them. They’re just happy.”

Together, the two studies reinforced the significant social benefits of reusing furniture that are often overlooked in discussions about the circular economy, with its focus on reusing resources and reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.

In addition to diverting waste from landfill, interviewees pointed out the impact of reusing furniture include employment and training opportunities, and how families felt more of a sense of home after receiving used sofas, tables and beds.

The study’s findings show that the circular economy – a concept which aims to keep resources, products and materials in use and out of landfill sites for as long as possible – can offer more than just environmental benefits.

Dr Hague said, “I was expecting barriers to furniture reuse to be about policy and lack of funding – I wasn’t expecting to hear about families from Ukraine being helped with furniture in a moment of crisis.

“There’s way more going on here than kilograms or tons of waste being avoided.”

The study, titled ‘The Social Benefits of Furniture Reuse in the Circular Economy’, can be read in full on the Journal of Circular Economy website.

PICTURES: The James Hutton Institute

NHS 24: Top Tips to Beat the Bites!

Mauled by midgies, tormented by ticks, chomped by clegs?🦟🐜🐝

Scotland’s summer wildlife is out in full force and they’re hungry!

Whether you’re hiking the Highlands or just enjoying a garden BBQ, insect bites can be more than just annoying. Some can cause allergic reactions or even carry infections like Lyme disease.

🧴 Top tips to stay bite-free:

✔️ Use insect repellent

✔️ Wear long sleeves and trousers in grassy or wooded areas

✔️ Keep food covered

✔️ Avoid strong perfumes that attract bugs

✔️ If you’re camping, avoid pitching your tent near water like rivers or lochs

If you’ve been bitten and it’s swollen, painful or not healing, get it checked. Your pharmacist can provide helpful advice or visit our bites and stings page on #NHSinform.

#SummerHealth

#InsectBites

#NHS24

#TickAwareness

#Midges

#Clegs

#OutdoorSafety

Communist Party candidates to stand as “a socialist alternative” for Edinburgh voters

The Communist Party of Britain has today (Friday 17 July 2026) officially launched its campaign for the upcoming Edinburgh City Council by-elections, announcing a slate of candidates running on a platform of peace, public ownership, tax justice and workers’ rights.

The party will stand candidates in both the Southside/Newington and Portobello/Craigmillar wards.

A Communist Party spokesperson said: “”Our candidates are standing to address the city’s growing housing crisis, its underfunded public services, and the rising cost of living. 

“We are offering voters a distinct socialist alternative to the mainstream political parties.”

Key Platform Priorities

Housing for Need, Not Profit: Immediate rent freezes, a cap on short-term holiday lets, and an expansion of high-quality, municipal council housing.

Funding Local Services: Reversing budget cuts to local services such as libraries, community centres, road maintenance and youth services by demanding a fairer funding model from national government and taxing the wealthiest in the city.

Investment in people not wars: Demand an end to funding genocide in Palestine and endless foreign wars and instead spend that money for the benefit of working class people.

Peter Olech, the Communist Party candidate in Portobello/Craigmillar ward, said: “Edinburgh is a city of vast wealth, yet working-class communities are being priced out of their own homes and left with crumbling public services.”

Richard Shillcock the Communist Party candidate for Southside/Newington ward, added: “We are standing in this election to give a voice to working class people and to fight for a city managed in the interests of the many, not the wealthy elite. 

“Edinburgh Council should have greater responsibility for local economic development, with increased investment in council housing and public services.”

Residents will go to the polls on Thursday 3 September to elect one new councillor in each ward. The current electorate is 24,304 for Southside/Newington and 27,347 for Portobello/Craigmillar.

PICTURED: Peter Olech (L) and Richard Shillcock (R) outside City of Edinburgh Council Chambers after declaring as candidates.

Cairngorms Wildfire Update

Police and partners continue to respond to a large fire near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.

The fire was reported around 11.50am on Wednesday, 15 July, 2026, and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service remain on scene.

Police Scotland is co-ordinating a multi-agency response and a number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution.

The C7 road, known locally as Ski Road, is closed at Coylumbridge.

Please avoid the area and check with your accommodation if you are due to travel in the coming days to check if it is still accessible.

Police have assisted walkers off the hill, and we are advising remaining walkers to continue to make efforts to get to safety. Anyone requiring emergency assistance should call 999. Please let family or friends know when you have returned.

The Care for People plans are in place, and partners have been in touch with vulnerable people in the area.

Nearby residents are asked to keep windows and doors closed. Anyone concerned about symptoms should check NHS24.

Unmanned aircraft should not be flown close to or within the airspace.

Drone pilots and operators are reminded it is an offence to fly over an ongoing emergency response without prior permission from emergency services.

Please check NOTAM information and Drone Safety Map before flying.

For more information, visit: https://notaminfo.com/ukmap

SCOTTISH Fire and Rescue Service said earlier: ‘We are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.

Operations Control were first alerted at 11.49am and we have mobilised four fire appliances and specialist wildfire resources to the area. There are no reported casualties.

‘Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice.

‘While we want people to enjoy the good weather, we ask that anyone in the Cairngorms National Park near to Aviemore and Glenmore avoids the area.’

Dry weather sees water scarcity spread further across Scotland

Dry weather has led to more Scottish river catchments moving through the water scarcity levels, according to the latest report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). 

The number of catchments affected continues to grow this week, with four additional areas moving into Moderate Scarcity and nine more reaching Early Warning. Around half of Scotland’s river catchments are now at one of SEPA’s water scarcity levels. 

Moderate Scarcity is now in place in the Tyne in Lothian, Firth of Forth, Firth of Tay, Don in Aberdeenshire, Esk and Tweed catchments. 

Alert remains in place for the Deveron, Ythan, Dee in Aberdeenshire, Almond and Findhorn catchments, while Early Warning now covers the Conon, Spey, Tay, Earn, Ness, Forth, Esk in Dumfriesshire, Annan, Nith, Dee in Galloway, Cree, Clyde, Irvine and Ayr catchments. 

The River Lossie catchment is no longer at Significant Scarcity following rainfall last weekend. However, the overall trend across Scotland is one of continued drying, with more catchments now affected. 

Water scarcity means there is less water available in rivers, lochs and groundwater, increasing pressure on the environment and on businesses, farmers and other organisations that rely on taking water directly from these natural sources. 

Rainfall has been normal to wet across western and much of northern Scotland. In contrast, much of the east has experienced dry conditions, with parts of Angus and Fife extremely dry. 

River flows reflect this pattern, with high to very high flows across western catchments and low to very low flows across much of the east. In the Tweed catchment, July river flows at the Coldstream gauging station reached the second lowest recorded at the site since records began in 1971. 

Ground conditions are dry across much of eastern Scotland, particularly in parts of the northeast and along the east coast. Groundwater levels in Fife are also very low for the time of year. 

SEPA are continuing to work directly with businesses, farmers and other organisations that take water from rivers, lochs and groundwater, providing practical advice to help them plan ahead, use water efficiently and reduce pressure on the environment. 

 Eilidh Johnston, SEPA Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “Scotland’s climate is changing, and periods of prolonged dry weather are becoming an increasingly important challenge for our rivers and the businesses that rely on taking water directly from the environment. 

“While conditions are not as severe as they were at this point last year, the coming weeks and months are a critical time for water demand. Those who take water directly from rivers, lochs and groundwater should already be taking steps to use less, plan ahead and make sure they are prepared if conditions continue to deteriorate. 

“We are working directly with businesses and other water users in affected catchments, providing practical advice to help them manage water responsibly and reduce pressure on Scotland’s rivers and the plants and animals that depend on them. 

“Acting early will help protect the environment and reduce the risk of restrictions being needed later in the summer. Anyone concerned about accessing enough water for their business, or who needs advice on preparing for drier conditions, should contact SEPA as early as possible.” 

SEPA are advising businesses and other organisations that take water directly from the environment to: 

  • monitor how much water they are using; 
  • use water as efficiently as possible; 
  • keep equipment in good working order to reduce leaks and losses; 
  • understand the water scarcity level in their catchment;  
  • have contingency plans in place should conditions worsen. 

People can also help by reporting signs of water scarcity, including exceptionally low river levels, dry riverbeds and impacts on habitats, through SEPA’s website.

These observations complement SEPA’s monitoring network and help build a clearer picture of conditions across Scotland. 

The latest Water Scarcity Report, catchment maps, advice for businesses and other water users, and information on reporting signs of water scarcity are available on SEPA’s website at sepa.org.uk/waterscarcity  

SEPA Water Scarcity situation report – 16th July 2026

Edinburgh law firm joins forces with Age Scotland in Power of Attorney drive

  • Importance of legal documents highlighted as new partnership is announced
  • Lawyers will donate a percentage of their fees to charity to support its work with older people
Age Scotland Chief Executive Katherine Crawford and Grant Johnson, Partner and Head of Private Client Services at Lindsays, marking the organisations’ partnership promoting Powers of Attorney. Picture: Ryan McGoverne / Lindsays July 2026

A new partnership has been forged to encourage more people in Scotland to put a Power of Attorney in place.

Age Scotland has joined forces with independent Edinburgh-headquartered legal firm Lindsays to help people appoint someone they trust to manage their finances and make welfare decisions on their behalf, should they need extra help.

The move comes as new research by the charity reveals that more than one million over-50s in Scotland do not have a Power of Attorney – with its staff fielding high numbers of queries from older people and their families around the legal process.

They are now making referrals to Lindsays, whose headquarters are at Caledonian Exchange, who will help clients draw up Powers of Attorney.

Lindsays is making a donation from every referral to the charity, which supports people across the country to grow old securely, with a good quality of life.

A Power of Attorney is a document that an individual creates to set out who they would like to take decisions for them around critical issues such as money and care if they become incapacitated. They are relevant whatever someone’s age or personal circumstances.

Katherine Crawford, Chief Executive of Age Scotland, said: “One of the most common requests for support older people and their families make to our helpline and information service is for advice about Power of Attorney.

“Our research shows more than one million over-50s in Scotland do not have a Power of Attorney. If life takes an unexpected turn, it is important to know that the support you need will be available, but barely one in five people in their fifties have this important tool set up.

“Having a Power of Attorney in place can give you peace of mind, as you know you will have the support of someone you trust if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. It is an essential part of planning for the future and retaining control of how you wish to live your life.”

She added: “Our new partnership with Lindsays deepens the level of professional advice and legal support we are able to signpost people to, at the same time as helping to raise vital funds for the services we offer older people and their families. We’re grateful for their support and look forward to working closely with them on this important issue.”

Lindsays has been raising awareness about the importance of Powers of Attorney for a number of years.

Grant Johnson, a Partner and Head of Private Client Services at Lindsays, said: “Too few people have Powers of Attorney in place.

“Having one gives clarity, reduces uncertainty, and helps avoid difficult decisions and potentially additional delays and costs later on. It gives people and their loved ones peace of mind at what are challenging and stressful times.

“Age is not a factor. Any one of us can become unexpectedly incapacitated at any time, whether temporarily or permanently.

“For small business owners, having a Power of Attorney in place can ensure your company can continue should something unforeseen happen to impair your ability to work, or even if you are simply unavailable to manage things for an extended period of time.”

He added: “We are delighted to be working with Age Scotland not only to increase awareness in its network about the importance of having a Power of Attorney, but to also be able to directly support the charity’s critical work.”

Powers of Attorney are lodged with The Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland).

Age Scotland’s latest Big Survey questioned 4,400 over-50s across Scotland.

About half of respondents (49%) said they had yet to put a Power of Attorney in place. If translated to Scotland’s entire over-50s population, that would equate to more than one million people – a number the charity says needs to dramatically reduce.

Only 21% of those aged 59 and younger said they had a Power of Attorney.

More details about the Age Scotland and Lindsays partnership – and the importance of Powers of Attorney – are available at www.lindsays.co.uk/age-scotland/.

EICC confirms £50m boost to economy with new client wins

Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) has generated almost £50 million in future economic impact for Edinburgh after securing 91 new events in the last six months.

The conferences and meetings are expected to bring nearly 54,000 delegates to the city and include several multi-year bookings extending through to 2031.

Medical conferences led the way, accounting for more than £17 million in economic impact during the period. This milestone is particularly significant in 2026, as the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh celebrates its 300th anniversary. Finance and Investment, Charity, Education and IT & Technology events also featured strongly among the new bookings.

Major events confirmed to take place at the venue include the International Marine Conservation Congress 2026; World Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage Conference 2026; and The Aerosol Society – Drug Delivery to the Lungs, which has been a client of the venue for more than 21 years, has now booked a multi-year event from 2029 until 2031.

Amanda Wrathall, Chief Executive Officer of the EICC, said: “We are hugely encouraged by the venue’s strong performance over the last six months.

Every business event we welcome to the EICC represents more than a booking; it brings together delegates from around the world to enable knowledge exchange, foster collaboration, generate economic impact and showcase Edinburgh on a global stage.

“This continued momentum reflects the confidence our clients place in both the EICC and Edinburgh, demonstrating the city’s enduring strengths as a destination for business events and the value these events create for our economy, our innovation ecosystem and our global reputation.

“We are incredibly grateful to our clients for that confidence and to our team for delivering the high standards and trusted partnerships that make it possible.”

Since opening in 1995, the EICC has delivered more than £1 billion in total economic impact to Edinburgh supporting jobs, investment, knowledge exchange and commercial opportunities created by world-class events.

Scran Café celebrates one year of impact at Royal Hospital for Children and Young People

Today marks one year since the opening of Scran Café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP), the largest café operated by youth-led social enterprise Scran Academy.

In just 12 months, the café has become a valued and welcoming space for patients, families, NHS staff and visitors, while creating life-changing opportunities for young people across Edinburgh through real-life enterprise experience and Scran Academy’s youth programmes.

This year the café has made over 33,758 meals and 15,305 coffees, welcoming more than 37,540 customers, that’s over 200 NHS staff, patients and family members served each day, who are supporting Scran Academy’s mission to see every young person, regardless of background or barrier, realise their full potential in learning, work and life.

The RHCYP café represents this mission in action. Since opening, it has provided 8  young people with Living Wage employment, alongside work placements and volunteering opportunities, with young people making up the majority of the café team.

For many, it is their first experience of paid employment, giving them the chance to develop workplace skills, confidence and independence in a busy healthcare environment.

This impact has resulted in the café team gaining national recognition, with Scran Café becoming a finalist at the National Youth Work Awards 2026.

Reflecting on their first year, the young team at RHCYP shared: “Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. We are also thankful to all the people who made this possible, who have been leading and supporting us in this newly opened space.

“We have also built great friendships along the way, and we are so proud of what we have created.”

Founder and Chair of Scran Academy, John Loughton BEM, said: “This year we’ve watched young people graft, grow in confidence and build something pretty special.

“Yet again, they proved what I believe to my core: Back young people and they will amaze you.

“To NHS Lothian, our customers, partners and every person who has championed us this year, thank you for believing in young people with us.”

UK’s biggest travelling Titanic exhibition makes Edinburgh debut this winter

Early bird tickets available as landmark exhibition featuring world-famous artefacts opens at the Royal Highland Centre this November

Tickets are on sale now for the Edinburgh debut of the UK’s biggest travelling Titanic exhibition, with Titanic Exhibition opening at the Royal Highland Centre on 28 November 2026 for a limited run until 14 February 2027.

White Star Heritage has announced that Titanic Exhibition will make its Edinburgh debut this winter, opening at the Royal Highland Centre on 28 November 2026 and running until 14 February 2027.

Following hugely successful exhibitions in Aberdeen and Glasgow, which recorded some of the strongest opening-week ticket sales anywhere in the UK, the exhibition will arrive in the capital for the first time for its biggest Scottish run to date, featuring new displays and at least eight artefacts never before displayed in Scotland, giving returning visitors fresh reasons to experience the exhibition.

Visitors will experience one of the country’s most significant collections of Titanic artefacts, assembled over years by White Star Heritage.

Highlights include an original deckchair from R.M.S. Titanic – one of only a handful to survive, alongside a fragment of the aft Grand Staircase recovered from the surface of the sea shortly after the disaster, a genuine Titanic lifeboat plaque, and four fragments of metal, glass and ceramic brought up entirely by accident from a Second Class cabin during a scientific expedition.

Also on display will be the expedition jumpsuit of the late Paul-Henri Nargeolet, the celebrated French Navy commander who completed more than 35 dives to the wreck before losing his life in the Titan submersible implosion of June 2023.

The immersive exhibition traces Titanic’s complete story – from its construction at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, through its ill-fated maiden voyage, to its rediscovery on the ocean floor – told through authentic artefacts, powerful personal accounts and vivid set pieces. At the start of their visit, every visitor receives a boarding pass for a real passenger or crew member who sailed on Titanic, and discovers their fate at the end.

Tom Rudderham, Director of White Star Heritage, said: “Scotland has always given this exhibition a wonderful welcome, and bringing it to Edinburgh for the very first time is something we have wanted to do for a long while.

“We cannot wait to welcome visitors aboard this winter.”

Mark Currie, Managing Director of the Royal Highland Centre, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Titanic Exhibition to the Royal Highland Centre for its Edinburgh debut.

“This is exactly the type of large-scale, immersive experience our venue is designed to host. With the space to showcase internationally significant collections and welcome thousands of visitors, the Royal Highland Centre provides the perfect setting for an exhibition of this scale and ambition all year round. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across Scotland throughout the winter.”

Originally set up as an enthusiast’s passion project, Titanic Exhibition has grown into the UK’s biggest travelling Titanic exhibition. Led by Titanic historian, collector and exhibition designer Tom Rudderham, alongside event manager Joe Levy, whose background in archaeology and social history has helped shape the visitor experience, the exhibition combines rare artefacts with compelling storytelling to bring one of history’s most famous voyages to life.

Titanic Exhibition: Edinburgh opens at the Royal Highland Centre on 28 November 2026 and runs until 14 February 2027.

Tickets are on sale now at titanicedinburgh.com, with early bird prices available until midnight on 31 August 2026.