The Communist Party of Britain’s (CPB) candidates in Edinburgh’s two by-elections have called out political opinion in the city.
The party is standing candidates Richard Shillcock (Southside/Newington ward) and Peter Olech (Portobello/Craigmillar ward) in the September 3rd council by-elections.
The Communist candidates note Edinburgh’s reputation for liberal politics. Many voters—particularly young ones—across Labour, Greens and the SNP see themselves as voting for a much better, new kind of Scotland.
But Communists are presenting crucially different policies to what is on offer from the other parties.
Communists say particular policies of Edinburgh’s established parties might sound good in isolation but they are overshadowed by the liberal commitment to rejoining the EU and/or to Scottish “independence”.
The EU. Rejoining the EU means accepting the EU’s foundational principles of the free movement of capital, goods and services, and its restrictions on state funding of industry.
Communists say we need to trade extensively with Europe but we need to be able to control the movement of capital and we need to be able to direct state-led investment if working people are ever to own and control a rebuilt productive economy.
“Independence”. Similarly, we need to control our own currency. A separate Scotland, in or out of the EU, means losing our central bank. Greece’s debt crisis had its roots in adopting the euro and losing its central bank.
Communists say the Scottish people have the right to decide whether to secede from the UK, but that better prospects for working people lie in strengthening working class organisation across Britain to win deeper and deeper federal autonomy in which working people own and control the productive economy.
Housing. Few idealistic voters would say “just let the market sort out housing”. But that is exactly what is happening when other parties’ housing policy is for a mix of measures like “affordable housing” at the expense of council housing. Communists say only large-scale, permanent investment in council housing, owned and run by the local authority, can solve the housing problem.
Women’s rights. Communists say that we need to urgently implement the Supreme Court ruling on sex in the Equality Act 2010. Local government should fully uphold women’s rights and protections under the Act, including the right to single-sex services. The Scottish Government should enforce the Act.
Violence against women. Liberal activists have been arguing that prostitution is “sex work”, that it is a mutually consensual transaction, that it can be empowering and that it should be decriminalised and destigmatised.
Communists say prostitution is not work. A woman’s body is not a workplace. Prostitution is unique sexual exploitation, reflecting class and sex inequalities. We need to support women to exit prostitution, with zero tolerance towards the sexual exploitation of women by men.
Caring for each other. There is strong liberal support—in the Greens, LibDems and SNP—favouring assisted dying.
Communists stand with disabled activists in opposing assisted dying. It cannot be made safe. It will disproportionately endanger disabled people. Communists call for adequate funding for end-of-life care.
The local by-elections were triggered following the resignation of two local SNP councillors who were recently elected as MSPs to Holyrood.
The Communist Party urges voters across Southside/Newington and Portobello/Craigmillar to use their ballot papers to vote for the policies they believe in—ones that will defend and extend the rights and the quality of life of working people.
I SWEAR is a frank, funny and powerful film inspired by the life of John Davidson, MBE, charting his journey from a misunderstood teenager in 1980s Britain to a present-day advocate for the understanding and acceptance of Tourette Syndrome.
Diagnosed at 15, John navigates troubled teenage years and into adulthood, finding inspiration in the kindness of others to discover his true purpose. It’s a hilarious, moving and life-affirming story that shines a light on a condition still widely misunderstood.
This screening is part of the Local Cinema Network, supporting film screenings co-curated with and for local communities across a range of community venues in Edinburgh.
39% of Scottish students have experienced tension or awkwardness with flatmates over different budgets
58% are owed money they do not expect to get back
65% have made an excuse to skip a social plan rather than admit they couldn’t afford it
To help new students prepare for the realities of university life, Royal Bank of Scotland has launched the Student Handover Report, sharing the money lessons current students wish they’d known before arriving on campus.
From splitting bills to keeping up with social plans, money is becoming an early test of university friendships, with more than half (59%) of students in Scotland saying finances have caused friction in their relationships according to new Royal Bank of Scotland research.
The survey of over 5,000 current undergraduates found that for almost one in ten (11%) Scottish students the friendship ended altogether and that money pressures can quickly spill into shared living. 39% reported experiencing tension or awkwardness with flatmates over differing budgets and 58% are owed money by friends or flatmates they do not expect to get back.
The findings form part of new Royal Bank of Scotland research into the financial realities facing today’s students. With just over half (53%) of those who received parental advice about university saying at least some of it proved outdated or inaccurate, Royal Bank of Scotland created the Student Handover Report to turn current students’ first-hand experience into practical guidance for the next intake.
New friendships quickly become financial relationships
The financial stakes of university life can rise quickly:
Almost one-third (31%) of students in Scotland began looking for second-year accommodation within the first month of their first term, bringing major financial decisions into friendships that may only be days or weeks old.
Almost two-thirds (65%) of students have made an excuse to skip a social plan, rather than admit they were short of money.
27% of Scottish students identify money as the single biggest barrier to their university social life.
Despite the reluctance to admit when money is tight, university appears to make financial conversations more commonplace. 66% of Scottish students say they are more open discussing finances with friends than they were before university, while 78% have helped a friend or flatmate with a money issue, whether by covering their share of something (19%) or helping them to budget and find better deals (27%).
The costs students did not see coming
Socialising is only one area where the financial reality of university differs from students’ expectations. Among Scottish students who receive a maintenance loan, 84% have run out of money before their next instalment at least once, including 42% who say it happens in most or every term.
While the research highlights the financial pressures many students face, it also points to the financial skills gained through university life, 78% of Scotland students say they are now more confident managing their finances than when they first arrived. Many also report developing practical money-saving habits, from meal planning and batch cooking (42%) to switching to cheaper alternatives for everyday essentials (38%).
What current students want freshers to know
The Student Handover Report brings together practical money advice based on the experiences of current students. Among the key lessons for the next intake are:
1. Don’t ghost the money chat
If a plan is out of budget, say so rather than making an excuse. Being upfront can make it easier for everyone to suggest something that works.
2. Don’t let shared costs become shared drama
Talk about bills, food and who owes what before it becomes an issue. Agreeing the basics early can save awkward conversations later.
3. Make saving part of the social plan
If money is tight, suggest something cheaper rather than sitting it out. Students say movie or game nights in, park hangs, walks and studying together are all part of how they socialise without spending heavily.
4. Budget for fitting in, not just moving in
Freshers’ week, society events, spontaneous plans and the everyday costs of getting to know new people can add up quickly. Students recommend leaving room in your budget for the social side of settling in, as well as the obvious essentials.
5. Don’t make full price your default
Current students recommend getting smart about how and when you spend — from reduced-to-clear food and student discounts to buying second-hand, selling what you no longer use and sharing costs where it makes sense.
Paul Slinger, Head of Customer Onboarding at Royal Bank of Scotland said: “Starting university is a major step towards financial independence, and it can bring money decisions that are difficult to anticipate before you arrive, particularly when new friendships, shared living and social plans all come with their own financial pressures.
“At Royal Bank of Scotland, we support one in three UK families and we want to help young people feel confident taking action with their money, from setting a realistic budget and speaking openly about what they can afford, to looking out for the little wins that can help money go further. That’s also why our Student Account includes practical benefits designed to support students day to day.”
Getting a bank account set up is another part of preparing for university. The Royal Bank of Scotland Student Account currently comes with a £100 cash offer, an interest-free arranged overdraft of up to £3,250 and a four-year tastecard.
Scotland is being invited to celebrate the joy of reading as a new national library campaign launches with one simple ask: make a pledge to read.
Wee Read, taking place on Wednesday 7 October 2026, will bring together people of all ages, interests and abilities for a collective celebration of reading for pleasure – whether that means getting lost in a novel, flicking through a magazine or comic, finding new recipe inspiration in a cookbook or finally getting round to the manual that’s been sitting on your bedside table.
The campaign is a Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) programme funded by the Scottish Government and supported by libraries, culture and literacy partners across Scotland.
Part of the National Year of Reading 2026, Wee Read officially launched at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, with comedian, writer and TV presenter Mel Giedroyc, award-winning children’s author M G Leonard and Scots language poet Len Pennie among the first to make their Wee Read pledge alongside children, families and a curious audience of all ages.
TV and radio presenter Bryan Burnett, award-winning author, playwright, academic and journalist Ali Smith, novelist Hannah Lillith Assadi and journalist and author Alison van Diggelen also showed their support for the campaign, making their pledge to have a Wee Read on 7 October.
The launch formed part of the Festival’s vibrant programme of activities celebrating the power of words, stories and ideas, providing a fitting setting to invite people across Scotland to join in a shared celebration of reading.
The message behind Wee Read is simple: reading doesn’t have to look a certain way to count. From poetry and comics to newspapers, cookbooks, blogs and travel guides, Scotland is being encouraged to discover – or rediscover – the joy of reading whatever they enjoy, for however long they can.
Ahead of the national reading moment, people across Scotland are now being encouraged to visit www.WeeRead.scot and make their own pledge to read on 7 October.
The campaign also shines a spotlight on Scotland’s local libraries which offer a gateway to discovering something new, with free access to a wide variety of reading materials, resources and activities.
Alison Nolan, chief executive of SLIC, said: “Reading has the power to entertain us, inspire us, help us escape and connect us with other people. But at its heart, Wee Read is about something wonderfully simple: making time to read something you enjoy.
“There is no right way to take part. You can read a novel, a comic, a magazine, a newspaper or a recipe; you can read for five minutes or fifty. Every read counts.
“We hope Wee Read encourages people across Scotland to find something that sparks their interest or rediscover the pleasure of an old favourite. With our brilliant local libraries on hand to help everyone find their next read, there’s never been a better time to get involved – and perhaps even kickstart a new reading habit.”
From families reading together and schools sharing stories, to workplaces taking a reading break and communities coming together around a favourite book, Wee Read aims to create a moment of shared enjoyment across the country with a target of 50,000 pledges.
People are encouraged to make their pledge, visit their local library to find their next read and share their recommendations using #WeeRead26.
Make your Wee Read pledge today at www.WeeRead.scot and join Scotland in celebrating the joy of reading on Wednesday 7 October 2026.
Children with additional support needs will be supported wherever they are in Scotland through a new National Staged Intervention Model for additional support for learning that is being developed.
Education Secretary Màiri McAllan made the commitment as she set out plans to provide a nationwide approach to identifying, planning, delivering and reviewing support for children and young people who experience barriers to learning in all council areas – to ensure they receive the right support at the right time.
The newly-published route map sets out the next steps to introducing a model that will set out more clearly how support is delivered to meet the needs of children and young people in different areas.
It is being developed in partnership with local government in response to recommendations from the McManus Review of additional support for learning, and will be rolled out in phases with full implementation across all of Scotland’s 32 council areas planned for August 2028.
Ms McAllan said: “Every child deserves the best possible support that is right for their needs, regardless of where they live in Scotland so they can realise their full potential.
“A National Staged Intervention approach will help ensure that how support needs are identified, responded to and reviewed is consistent, no matter where a child or young person goes to school.
“Through this Model children and young people will receive support that is right for them, and families will have greater understanding of the support available to their child. For teachers, it means clearer national guidance being developed alongside updated training, aligned with the Model to help them support pupils with additional needs.
“We will develop the Model jointly with councils, teachers and school staff, and with children and their families, to ensure the National Staged Intervention Model delivers the support children and young people need across Scotland.”
Councillor Tony Buchanan, COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People said: “COSLA is committed to working collectively with Scottish Government to improve the outcomes for all children and young people.
“We recognise the need in particular to support children with additional support needs and are focused on building upon the strong practice that already exists and recognise that developing a national model offers opportunity to further enhance the consistency of approach our children and young people.
“Together with our professional associations and colleagues in Scottish Government, we look forward to enhancing what is working well and helping embed continuous improvement across the support framework that is available to children and families in all parts of Scotland.”
Sheena Devlin, General Secretary at the Association of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES) said: “ADES welcomes the direction of travel set out today. Scotland already has much strong practice in supporting children and young people with additional needs, and a national model offers the opportunity to build greater consistency of approach to recording and planning for our children and young people.
“We look forward to working with the Scottish Government and partners to shape the detail, ensuring the Model strengthens what is working well while improving the support framework available to children, young people and families wherever they live.”
DIY fashion is having a major moment, with a new generation turning to sewing, customisation and upcycling to create more individual and conscious wardrobes.
With The Great British Sewing Bee currently airing its latest series, sewing is reaching a new generation of makers – with TikTok and Instagram helping to make everything from upcycling tutorials to handmade fashion more accessible and aspirational.
#Sewing has racked up a huge 3.5M searches on TikTok, while Google searches for “sewing” have soared 235% since The Great British Sewing Bee returned in July, compared with the same period last year.
Rather than following fast fashion trends, younger consumers are increasingly looking to make, customise and transform clothing themselves, creating pieces that feel more personal and unique. From styling concert outfits to altering vintage finds, sewing has become another form of self-expression. And with growing interest in extending the life of clothes, upcycling and repairing are also giving sewing a fresh relevance.
For those looking to try DIY fashion for themselves, Hobbycraft has everything from sewing machines, fabric and thread to scissors, patches and haberdashery essentials, making it easy to transform existing pieces or create something completely new.
Whether adding patches to a favourite jacket, altering a garment or making clothes from scratch, the retailer offers a range of products to help makers bring their ideas to life.
To mark its 175th anniversary, Singer Sewing Machines is offering customers the chance to win a spot at an exclusive workshop with Patrick Grant at its London school.
Customers who purchase a Singer sewing machine before 16th October 2026 can enter the prize draw. Winners will be invited to upcycle a garment or accessory of their choice, with support from Patrick and Singer’s sewing experts, making the workshop suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced sewers.
Hobbycraft also offers a nationwide programme of sewing workshops for all abilities, helping budding makers build their confidence and develop their skills.
With The Great British Sewing Bee inspiring new audiences, DIY fashion is proving that creating your own style is the ultimate way to stand out.
EDINBURGH SOLDIER HEADS TO CYPRUS JUST DAYS INTO LIFE WITH THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND
A young soldier has had a whirlwind introduction to army life, travelling to Cyprus for overseas training less than two weeks after joining his new battalion.
Fusilier Daniel Collier, 24, from Tranent, had only just arrived at 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS) when he was given the opportunity to join fellow Jocks heading abroad.
His deployment capped a busy first week. After arriving at Glencorse Barracks on the Sunday, Fus Collier came top of his Company in a five-kilometre best-effort run the following day, before taking part in the Highland Games.
By Thursday, he was in his newly issued dress uniform for the battalion-wide photograph, before beginning preparations to head overseas.
Fus Collier said: “Everything happened really quickly. I had only just arrived, met everyone and started settling in when the opportunity to go to Cyprus came up. I managed to get my name down for it and on my 13th day in battalion, I was off.
“I definitely didn’t expect Cyprus to be the first place I would travel to, especially so soon. The heat was definitely something different, but it was a great experience.”
Major Richard Hill, 2 SCOTS, joked that Fus Collier had probably had “a better week than I’ve managed in 11 years”, such was the pace of his first few days with the battalion.
Once in Cyprus, Fus Collier joined a 2 SCOTS company supporting fellow soldiers from 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS), who are based on the island as the Regional Standby Battalion.
During the week of training, 2 SCOTS took on the role of the enemy, using the Cypriot terrain to stay hidden while 4 SCOTS worked to locate and track them. It was Fus Collier’s first experience playing an opposing force.
“It was completely different from a normal exercise and from what I’d been used to in training,” he said. “We would go out on patrol, try to stay hidden and make it difficult for 4 SCOTS to find us.”
The following week, Fus Collier took part in Exercise CRONOS CLANSMAN, spending time on the ranges and firing a Glock pistol for the very first time.
“In training, you touch on a lot of different things, but this gave us more time on the ranges. If you were shooting too far to one side, the corporals could come over, tell you exactly what you needed to change and help you improve.”
Away from training, the trip also gave Fus Collier an opportunity to get to know his new colleagues, with downtime spent on the beach and taking part in water sports. He also caught up with former training mates who had since joined 4 SCOTS.
“It was a good chance for me to get to know everyone because I hadn’t really had the opportunity yet,” he said. “It was also interesting going to another battalion and seeing how they do things.”
Before joining the Army, Fus Collier had spent six years working at McDonald’s. Wanting a change from the routine of civilian life, he decided to pursue something he had thought about since growing up in East Lothian.
He said: “I had been doing the same thing for a long time and I wanted something different. One day I just decided I was going to join the Army and I’m glad I did. I wish I’d done it sooner.”
Fus Collier joins the Regiment as The Royal Regiment of Scotland marks its 20th anniversary. Formed in 2006, the Regiment is celebrating two decades of service while looking to the next generation of soldiers who will carry it forward.
With his first overseas training already complete, Fus Collier is now continuing his training and preparing for what comes next.
~ Earlier monitoring increased detection and reduced one-year death rate ~
Fitting a wearable heart monitor for 14 days when patients go to A&E with unexplained fainting improves detection of life-threatening heart problems, according to the results of an Edinburgh-led trial funded by the British Heart Foundation and presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich.
Using the two-week monitor, which is about the size of a car key fob, more than doubled the detection rate of heart rhythm problems in the study of 2,234 people. After one year, heart rhythm problems were identified in 22 per cent in the monitor group compared to nine per cent of those who received standard care.
The death rate after one year in the two-week monitoring group, at 1.5 per cent, was almost half that of the standard care group, at 2.9 per cent.
Heart rhythm problems, known as arrhythmias, were identified in an average of 22 days in those with chest-worn monitors, compared to 54.5 days with standard care. This included life-threatening arrhythmias like complete heart block, ventricular tachycardia, and a pause in the heartbeat of over six seconds.
As a result of increased and quicker detection, more people who used the chest-worn monitor started treatment for their arrhythmia. The findings are also published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Professor Matthew Reed, Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, who led the study, said:“We were able to begin patient monitoring within 72 hours of people arriving at A&E, much faster than the current standard.
“Continuous data on a patient’s heart rhythm for two weeks is invaluable to cardiologists when they are trying to diagnose an arrhythmia. As the results show, more patients with hidden heart rhythm problems were identified, and their treatment could be sped up.
“We believe that the lower death rate seen for this group is strong evidence that this new strategy can save lives. Hopefully it will be adopted by hospitals across the country, so that fewer people with a potentially life-threatening condition slip through the net.”
The researchers estimate that around 650,000 people visit A&E with unexplained fainting each year in the UK.
Regular unexplained fainting can seriously impact patients’ lives, preventing them from doing day-to-day tasks like driving. Although in many cases the cause is harmless, fainting episodes can be a sign of abnormal heart rhythms, some of which can be dangerous.
Arrhythmias in these patients are hard to diagnose. People who have fainted have usually recovered by the time they reach A&E, meaning their heart rhythm has likely returned to normal, and tests performed in A&E won’t show any abnormalities.
Currently, patients with unexplained fainting are referred for tests such as a Holter monitor – a small wearable device that records the heart’s rhythm – to try and identify arrhythmias. But a Holter monitor is usually only worn for 48 hours, so can only identify an arrhythmia in this small time window.
Patients must also attend an outpatient cardiology clinic first, meaning that monitoring is done at any point from six weeks to two years after they attend A&E.
The new heart monitor is smaller and is worn in the middle of the chest. It can be worn continuously for the two-week period. In the trial, half of the study volunteers who attended one of 45 UK A&E departments with unexplained fainting were fitted with the new monitor. The other half received the current standard monitoring.
Data from the monitors were sent to clinicians after the two-week monitoring period, who then determined whether their recordings showed signs of an arrhythmia and if treatment was needed. If the monitor had picked up a serious arrythmia, the patient’s clinician was alerted within 24 working hours.
There was no difference in the average number of fainting episodes reported after one year – 1.37 in the monitor group compared to 1.58 in the standard care group.
However, improved detection of arrhythmias meant two-week monitoring improved the number of people receiving treatment. For the monitoring group, 10.8 percent were given anti-arrhythmic medication, and 6.8 per cent had a pacemaker implanted, versus 7.3 per cent and 4.6 per cent respectively for the standard care group.
The researchers hope that now the new strategy has been shown to help doctors treat more dangerous heart problems, and reduce death rates, it will become standard practice in the NHS.
Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the trial, said:“This large trial is a good example of how BHF investment in research can drive life changing innovations in healthcare.
“The study shows that monitoring the heart with simple new technology after a patient has had a sudden collapse can identify potentially life-threatening disturbances in heart rhythm that can be treated to reduce risk of death.
“The results of this trial should certainly help inform future clinical practice when treating patients with sudden unexplained collapse in the future.”
STEPHEN’s STORY
Stephen, from West Lothian, joined the trial after fainting whilst exercising on a cross trainer.
The 68-year-old had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a common arrythmia that affects the top chambers of the heart and can raise a person’s risk of having a stroke, when he was 49. However, he had never fainted until he did so twice within a week in August 2023.
“The first time came on all of a sudden” he said. “I was sitting in a chair in the front room, and I started fading in and out. I lost consciousness for a few seconds, and I had no idea what had happened. It was so out of the blue that I thought I should go to the doctor.”
Stephen’s doctor sent him to hospital, where he was kept in for the day whilst clinicians did standard checks. These did not flag any issues, so he was sent home and told to return if the symptom happened again.
“The next day, I was on the cross trainer, and I just passed out” he said. “This time, I was in hospital for three days. They kept an eye on me, and they thought it might be exercise related. I was given a stress test on a treadmill, which went alright.”
It was at this point that a nurse asked Stephen if he’d like to join the trial.
“I didn’t need any extra time to think it over. I thought it was a great opportunity to help others who might be in a similar situation. It’s always important to get involved in things like this” he said.
“The device is very user friendly; it goes in the middle of your chest and it’s small enough that it doesn’t get in the way at all. You can wear it whatever you’re doing, even in the shower, and you hardly notice it.”
He wore the monitoring device for 14 days but didn’t experience any episodes of fainting during that time. However, the data from Stephen’s device showed that his atrial fibrillation was not being controlled by his medication.
The condition was causing his heart to beat at 227 beats per minute at certain points, a dangerously high number.
The clinicians caring for Stephen raised his dosage of bisoprolol, a medication that can help control heart rate.
“They advised me on all the different treatment options, and I decided to stay on the medication rather than have a cardiac procedure and see how I go. I’m very glad I took part in the trial and that this was picked up. I haven’t fainted since, it looks like the treatment has been working, so I’m really happy” he said.
“The doctor signed me off and I don’t need regular check-ups, but the door is always open to go back if I need to. Touch wood it won’t happen again, but if it does, I’m definitely in a better place to deal with it now.”
20% increase in footfall, with more than 28,000 people welcomed to the site on each of the Book Festival’s three weekends
Fewer events delivered more ticket sales, with 62% of tickets sold to people in EH postcodes
Changing Your Mind: Book Festival audiences gathered to explore the defining questions of our age, from AI and social media to democracy, culture and the future of society
People in 52 countries tuned in online, extending the Book Festival’s international reach
62 schools from across Scotland were welcomed during the National Year of Reading, with every child receiving a free book
217 library watch parties across more than 80 libraries in 22 local authority areas brought Book Festival conversations to communities across Scotland
International artists, writers and cultural leaders came together through Global Ink and Scotland to the World
Val McDermid and Jo Sharp’s This Door of the Seas and Lyse Doucet’s The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People’s History of Afghanistan were among the Book Festival’s bestselling books
Edinburgh International Book Festival has concluded a record-breaking year that reaffirmed its position as one of the world’s leading spaces for public conversation.
With a smaller programme but a higher proportion of available tickets sold, the Book Festival brought together writers, thinkers, artists and audiences to explore the defining issues of our time under this year’s theme, Changing Your Mind.
In its third year at Edinburgh Futures Institute, footfall increased by 20% compared with last year, while ticket sales rose despite a smaller programme. Meanwhile, 62% of tickets were sold to people in EH postcodes, underlining the Book Festival’s strong local support.
Alongside major discussions on politics, technology and society, audiences flocked to hear acclaimed fiction writers including John Grisham, Maggie O’Farrell and 2026 International Booker Prize winners Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and Lin King.
The programme also brought together leading voices writing in English alongside internationally celebrated authors in translation, reinforcing the Book Festival’s reputation as a global home for literature and storytelling.
Together, these conversations demonstrated the Book Festival’s role as a space where complex issues can be explored openly, while helping connect people of all ages with books, writers and reading.
Jenny Niven, Director and CEO of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said:“Changing Your Mind was more than this year’s theme. It was an invitation to approach the world with curiosity rather than certainty, and to do that in real life, in the company of other people, has felt both joyful and necessary.
“In the National Year of Reading, it is heartening to see footfall increase, more tickets sold across a smaller programme and our Waterstones bookshop achieve its biggest-ever sales. At a time when literacy rates are declining, book festivals have an important role in helping people discover the pleasure, confidence and connection that reading can bring. Our schools programme, free books for every child attending and year-round work with communities are all part of that commitment.
“With 62% of tickets sold to people in EH postcodes, the Book Festival remains deeply rooted in Edinburgh. At the same time, people in 52 countries joined us online. That combination of strong local support and international reach shows a Book Festival that is both determinedly local and open-heartedly international.”
A PLACE TO DISCUSS THE DEFINING ISSUES OF OUR TIME
From artificial intelligence and social media to democracy, culture and creativity, the Book Festival provided a space for audiences to engage with some of the defining questions of our age.
Former technology executive and whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams highlighted the urgency of debates around social media and public discourse, arguing that “it’s really important that we start to build up that offline muscle of disagreement”, and warning that social media algorithms encourage people “to fix our identity in increasingly strident and narrow boxes.”
Professor Daisy Fancourt explored the growing importance of meaning, creativity and culture in an AI-driven world, arguing that “What we’re all inherently going to want more and more in an AI world is meaning.”
Politics and public life also remained central to the programme. Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown considered how citizens can help bring about positive change, while former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin reflected on the challenges and choices that shaped their leadership. Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also joined the programme, bringing audiences into conversations about the political and economic questions shaping public life.
The appetite for new perspectives extended beyond Book Festival events. The Book Festival’s Waterstones bookshop recorded its biggest-ever sales.
Among its bestselling titles were Val McDermid and Jo Sharp‘s This Door of the Seas and Lyse Doucet‘s The Finest Hotel in Kabul, reflecting audiences’ appetite for ideas and stories that help them see the world differently.
YEAR-ROUND IMPACT ACROSS SCOTLAND
The Book Festival’s commitment to access and participation extended far beyond Edinburgh through a programme of free digital activity hosted in communities across Scotland.
This year, more than 80 libraries across 22 local authority areas hosted 217 watch parties, enabling audiences to experience major Book Festival events together in their local communities. People from 52 countries also tuned in online, extending access to the programme around the world.
These free screenings ensured geography and cost were not barriers to participation and demonstrated how the Book Festival continues to use technology to connect audiences with writers, thinkers and ideas.
THE BBC
A new collaboration with the BBC brought Book Festival conversations to wider audiences through programmes including Front Row, Loose Ends and Take Four Books, extending the reach of writers, thinkers and cultural commentators appearing across the programme.
SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF READERS
The Book Festival welcomed more than 62 schools from across Scotland and 21 from Edinburgh, with every child receiving a free book to take home.
Taking place during the National Year of Reading, the schools programme is central to the Book Festival’s commitment to encouraging reading and helping children build lasting relationships with books.
GLOBAL REACH THROUGH GLOBAL INK
2026 marked the third year of Global Ink, supported by Expo, bringing international festival directors from four continents to Edinburgh. The programme created opportunities to exchange ideas, develop partnerships and strengthen Edinburgh’s position as a global meeting place for literature, culture and ideas.
SCOTLAND TO THE WORLD
This year’s Book Festival also saw the continued development of Scotland to the World, showcasing ambitious collaborations between writers, musicians and theatre-makers.
Highlights included India Alba, Ali Smith’s collaboration with the New European Ensemble, Delusions by Len Pennie and Paul Leonard-Morgan, and a Japanese Noh Theatre adaptation of The Song of Rona Island, demonstrating how Scottish stories can inspire new artistic forms and reach audiences around the world.
Doors open & food sharing from 5.30pm (soup & bread served)
Screening starts 6pm
£2 (NEA Members) | £4 (General Admission)
Book tickets at: 
