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Global delegation scouts Edinburgh festivals to take UK shows overseas

26 commissioners, producers and arts leaders from 13 countries will travel to Edinburgh to discover UK theatre and dance with the potential to reach audiences in their countries

26 leading international commissioners, producers and arts leaders will explore UK work at the Edinburgh Fringe and Edinburgh International festival.
The visit forms part of the British Council’s Edinburgh International Performing Arts Delegation.
More than four in five delegates from last year’s programme said they were likely to programme a UK production.

Organised by the British Council, the Edinburgh International Performing Arts Delegation (IPAD) will connect delegates directly with UK artists and performing companies.

Running from 19 to 26 August, the programme will give delegates access to performances across the festivals, alongside curated showcases, industry briefing and networking events.

Journalist Lyn Gardner, who briefed last year’s delegation, said UK companies can be disadvantaged in comparison to international counterparts who have more funding and time to develop their work.

Edinburgh IPAD helps address this imbalance by connecting UK artists and companies with international decision-makers, creating opportunities for new commissions, touring partnerships, re-stagings and other international collaborations.

Previous editions have already helped UK work reach audiences worldwide. Recent outcomes include a Japanese tour for Ramesh Meyyappan’s Love Beyond, performances of Emma Frankland’s No Apologies across the Western Balkans and in Brazil, and a Spanish-language production of Karis Kelly’s Consumed in Venezuela.

This year’s delegation includes representatives from Australia, China, Egypt, India, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Ukraine and Venezuela.

Among them are three delegates from Ukraine, including Kyrylo Beskorovainyi, co-composer and writer of multi-award-winning musical, The Tiger Hunters.

A full list of the delegates and biographies can be found here.

The programme builds on the success of Edinburgh IPAD 2025, which in just six days saw 24 delegates from 15 countries make 448 new connections with UK artists, companies and industry professionals, and generate 124 expressions of interest in programming 27 UK productions internationally.

More than four in five delegates said they were likely or very likely to programme a UK show following their visit, and more than half also expressed an interest in restaging productions or directing translated versions, creating long-term routes for UK work to reach international audiences without the financial and environmental costs of touring an entire company.

Every delegate surveyed said the programme had strengthened their understanding of contemporary UK performing arts, created new opportunities to connect with UK artists and made them more likely to pursue future collaborations. Delegates’ confidence in working with UK partners increased by 45%, while their understanding of the current UK theatre landscape rose by 53%.

Seung Mee Kim of South Korean performing arts company ARTIGO described the programme as “the most productive time in Edinburgh I’ve ever had”, adding that it had helped her understand the arts scenes across all four UK nations and connect with the right people.

Edinburgh IPAD coincides with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, as well as three curated national showcases: Made in Scotland, Cymru Wales in Edinburgh and Spotlight on Theatre and Dance from Northern Ireland.

Together, these events give delegates direct access to the breadth of contemporary performance being created across the whole of the UK and enable international commissioners to discover, connect with and champion work for audiences around the world.

Neil Webb, British Council Director of Theatre and Dance, said: “The Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival showcase some of the UK’s most exciting new performances.

“Edinburgh IPAD ensures their impact extends beyond August by connecting UK artists with international commissioners, creating lasting opportunities for their work to reach audiences around the world.”

PICTURE: Emma Frankland’s “No Apologies” was performed in Brazil and across the Western Balkans following connections made through previous IPAD programmes. Photo: Matt Crockett

Astronomical Society of Edinburgh celebrates special celestial event

A memorable eclipse on Calton Hill!

Calton Hill was busy with visitors and locals gathering to watch the partial solar eclipse. Our free eclipse glasses were snapped up within just 10 minutes, while TV crews were also on hand, including an interview with our President.

Initially, it looked as though the clouds might spoil the show. But they repeatedly parted in the run-up to maximum, giving us a series of fantastic glimpses as the Moon steadily moved across the Sun.

As we approached 91% coverage, the excitement grew. Clouds continued to roll across the sky, but once again they opened up at just the right moments. As maximum eclipse approached, cheers went up from the crowd as the clouds parted, giving everyone a great view of the Sun at its most obscured.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, to our Astronomical Society of Edinburgh volunteers, and to everyone who helped make the event possible.

Thanks especially to Collective Gallery At the City Observatory for allowing us access and supporting us. Thanks also to Go Stargazing who provided the bulk order of glasses for us and many more organisations and events, in collaboration with Astronomers Without Borders and First Light Optics Thanks also to DWARF LAB who provided us with a DWARF Mini for the event.

PICTURES: Fantastic images captured by Astronomical Society of Edinburgh members.

Cabinet Secretary opens Edinburgh International Book Festival

Gala night explores this year’s theme Changing Your Mind

The 2026 Edinburgh International Book Festival opened last night with a special Opening Gala exploring this year’s theme, Changing Your Mind, which explores how ideas, beliefs and identities shift, and what it takes to change them.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Màiri McAllan, opened the Book Festival, welcoming guests to more than two weeks of public events, conversations and cultural exchange in Edinburgh.

Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic said: “As the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature, Edinburgh has long demonstrated the importance the city places on ideas, creativity and international exchange. The Book Festival is one of the clearest expressions of that ambition.

“The Scottish Government is delighted to be supporting, and enhancing, the Book Festival’s ambitions through Creative Scotland’s Multi Year Funding programme, Expo Funding and the Expanded Festivals Fund.

“We are especially excited to be working closely with the festival to support the Global Ink industry programme – bringing literary festival leaders from four continents to Scotland’s capital for a three-day international forum.

“With this year’s Book Festival theme a call to us all, I am delighted to open a programme that puts curiosity and open-mindedness at its heart.”

The gala, hosted by Jenny Niven, CEO and Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, featured newly commissioned writing, music and reflection from acclaimed writers including Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Graeme Armstrong, Anne Enright, Gavin Francis, Naomi Ishiguro and Jackie Kay, with original music from Aidan O’Rourke and Harben Kay.

Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Changing Your Mind isn’t just this year’s theme, it’s an invitation.

“Every one of these writers has, in their own way, made a case for staying curious and willing to be moved by a story, an argument, or a piece of music. That’s what tonight was about, and it’s what the next two weeks hold for our audiences.”

Running from 15 – 30 August, this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival features more than 600 events with writers from 41 countries, creating one of the world’s most international gatherings of books, ideas and stories.

Through the theme Changing Your Mind, audiences will be invited to engage with new perspectives, challenge assumptions and take part in conversations that matter, while also getting a chance to hear their favourite authors live on stage.

PICTURES: Chris Scott

Local man joins Hibernian board

Hibernian FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of long-standing associate of the Club and lifelong Hibs supporter – Jim Brydon – to the Board of Directors.

Jim joins the Board as a Non-Executive Director, having worked closely with the Club for more than 20 years as a business associate.

Owner of JB Contracts (Scotland) Limited, West Pilton-born Jim has an established relationship with Hibernian, having supported the Club on a number of key projects, including the redevelopment of the Hibernian Training Centre, the renovation of Easter Road Stadium and various other facilities management and development projects over the years.

His involvement with Hibs extends well beyond his professional relationship with the Club. Jim was one of the early members involved in establishing Club 86 and has continued to contribute to and support the revamped Hibs Kids initiative over the years.

He was also been a long-standing member of various Hibernian FC supporters’ groups including The Stanton Branch and The Carlton Branch, whilst contributing funds to support the Hibernian Community Foundation’s charitable work across Leith and the surrounding areas of Edinburgh.

Jim also organised many Hampden trips from Silverknowes Golf Club – including the most memorable one of all on 21 May 2016!

Football-daft Jim has also coached youth teams for many years at Broughton Boys and then at Spartans Community Foundation.

Jim is also the younger brother of Hearts saviour Ann Budge, who rescued the Tynecastle club from imminent closure in 2014.

Hibernian FC Chairman Ian Gordon said: “I am delighted to be able to bring Jim onto the Board. He has a brilliant knowledge and understanding of the Club, and he knows what Hibs means to our supporters and the community.

“Since my family came to the Club, Jim was one of the first people who welcomed us to Edinburgh and has supported us all the way through. He is an incredibly loyal and trustworthy individual and is already intertwined with everyone at the Club, so it was an easy decision to invite him onto the Board.

“He has been involved in many key projects, developments and milestones throughout his time following the Club, and he will bring with him a vast range of local knowledge, experience and expertise to the Board.”

Jim Brydon, Non-Executive Director at Hibernian FC, added: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity and to be invited onto the Board here at Hibs.

“Everyone who knows me knows that Hibs is an incredibly special Club for me, so when Ian approached me, I was honoured to accept the invitation.

“I will do my best to contribute ideas and offer my experience, opinion and guidance where required. This is an exciting time for the Football Club, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Jim is the latest addition to the Hibernian FC Board of Directors, which now includes:

Ian Gordon, Executive Chairman
Dan Barnett, Chief Executive Officer
Kathrin Hamilton, Non-Executive Director
Malcolm McPherson, Non-Executive Director
Leslie Robb, Non-Executive Director
Colin Gordon, Non-Executive Director
Jim Brydon, Non-Executive Director

Canonmills abduction: Six charged

Five men and a woman arrested in connection with the abduction of a man in Edinburgh have now been charged.

Around 10.30pm on Thursday, 13 August, officers received a report that a man had been abducted in the Canonmills area.

A 22-year-old man was later traced in the Longniddry area on Friday, 14 August, and taken to hospital as a precaution.

The A198 was closed between Coal Road and the junction for Cunningham Court while enquiries were carried out and subsequently re-opened.

The men aged 21, 21, 22, 23 and 45 and the 40-year-old woman are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow – Monday, 17 August, 2026.

Celebrating the life and legacy of a legend

Petition launched for an official Sir Harry Lauder Day

A Greenock-born musician, now living in the US, is on a mission to mark the life and legacy of a legendary Scottish entertainer.

Carl Peterson has started a petition to create an official Sir Harry Lauder Day from August 4th 2027 onwards and it is already garnering thousands of signatures.

Harry Lauder was a pioneering Scottish singer, comedian, and global music hall superstar recognized for his signature kilt and crooked walking stick. Rising from humble beginnings as a coal miner, he became the world’s highest-paid entertainer and first million-selling recording artist.

He was born in 1870 in Portobello near Edinburgh, spent much of his life in Dunoon and was laid to rest in Hamilton in 1950. His showmanship won him millions of fans around the world.

Carl explained: “Harry Lauder was the world’s first ‘pop star’ and he was loved wherever he performed. Indeed, tens of thousands of folk in Australia and north America lined the dockside whenever his boat arrived or left as part of his regular international tours.

“We will be looking to organise musical performances and talks about his life in various locations around Scotland and further afield but, first off, we want to get an idea of the sort of appetite there might be for such an initiative. Early signs are very positive!” added Carl who is a regular visitor to Dunoon where he performs live at various venues in the town.

Jamie MacDougall, a leading Scottish tenor and broadcaster who has performed globally in opera, classical and folk music is fully behind the bid: “I’ve loved Sir Harry Lauder’s songs and the story of his life since I was 10 years old, when I was taken to Glasgow’s King’s Theatre to see Jimmy Logan’s one-man production, Lauder.

“It charted Sir Harry’s extraordinary journey from singing as a boy in Arbroath and working in the pits of Lanarkshire to becoming the first music hall performer to be knighted. That honour recognised his tireless efforts to raise over £1 million for wounded servicemen returning from the First World War.

“Years later, I had the privilege of reviving Jimmy’s show with Scottish Opera, and it has been a dream come true to introduce Sir Harry’s remarkable story to new audiences. Most recently, we spent four weeks off-Broadway in New York, where the response from people who had never heard of him or his extraordinary achievements was overwhelming.

“What many people don’t realise is that Sir Harry’s legacy continues today, with royalties from his work still supporting the wonderful work of Erskine Veterans Charity. His kindness and generosity have never stopped making a difference.

“A Harry Lauder Day would be a fitting and lasting tribute to a man who gave Scotland so much and whose influence reached every corner of the world. More than seventy-five years after his passing, he is still bringing joy through his music, inspiring audiences with his remarkable story, and helping veterans through his enduring legacy. That’s surely something worth celebrating every year.”

Anyone wanting to sign the petition can do so by visiting:

https://c.org/rHLHWNKRMQ.

Tomorrow: Summer-themed flower arranging workshop at Granton Castle Walled Garden

Summer-themed flower arranging workshop with Ochre Botanical Studios

This Sunday, 16 August, at Granton Castle Walled Garden

Drop-in session from 2-4 pm

Come along and make a small hanging design.

#flowerarranging

#grantoncastlewalledgarden

#workshop #freeevents

#communityevents

#flowerworkshop

RAF Benevolent Fund proudly featured at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2026

The RAF Benevolent Fund is proud to continue its partnership with The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2026, as the world-renowned event celebrates its RAF Year of Showcase and marks a decade of support for the RAF’s longest-standing charity.

This year’s Tattoo, A Call to Gather, taking place from 7-29 August 2026 will bring together military musicians, performers and cultural acts from across the globe in an immersive spectacle on Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.

As part of the celebrations, the RAF Benevolent Fund will be prominently featured throughout the month, with special projections during the event helping to raise awareness of the Fund’s vital services and the support it provides to members of the RAF Family.

The partnership between the RAF Benevolent Fund and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has now reached its 10-year milestone, with the Tattoo having donated more than £1.5 million to the Fund. Donations to the Fund are raised through the event’s ticket sales and contribute to The Edinburgh Tattoo’s charitable mission of supporting military welfare and wider cultural causes across Scotland and the UK.

Previous donations have enabled the RAF Benevolent Fund to provide vital welfare services, from essential home adaptations to financial assistance during illness, bereavement and unemployment, helping RAF personnel, veterans and their families when they need it most.

Gavin Davey, Area Director (Scotland, Northern Ireland and North East England) at the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “We are incredibly proud to be part of this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the RAF Year of Showcase.

As we celebrate 10 years of partnership, we are hugely grateful for the Tattoo’s continued support, which has raised more than £1.5 million for the RAF Benevolent Fund through ticket sales. The Tattoo’s global platform not only helps raise awareness of our services but also makes a lasting difference to the lives of serving RAF personnel, veterans and their families.”

Jason Barrett, Chief Executive of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “2025 was a monumental year for the Tattoo, and we’re incredibly proud to see its success translated into tangible support for charitable partners like the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

“Our mission has always been to use the platform of the Tattoo to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. We’re delighted to continue this partnership and help to support the vital welfare work across Scotland for members of the RAF Family.”

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s A Call to Gather runs from 7-29 August 2026. Tickets can be purchased here.

The RAF Benevolent Fund provides financial, emotional and practical assistance to serving and former RAF personnel and their families, from welfare breaks and grants to mental wellbeing support, youth programmes and more.

Safety first at Ratho Dry Dock

As the Union Canal’s summer cruising season nears its end, Seagull Trust Cruises is reminding boat owners, clubs and charities that its fully enclosed dry dock at Ratho is available for their own use when it is not being used by the charity’s own fleet.

The dry dock, the only facility of its kind on the Union Canal, sits at the charity’s Baird Road base and provides a roofed, protected environment ideal for autumn and winter maintenance. With the main cruising season finishing at the end of October, boat owners are encouraged to book early to secure a slot before Seagull Trust’s three passenger boats enter the dock for their annual overhaul.

The dock is made available from Saturday to Saturday for other canal charities, boat clubs and private owners. Its impressive size means draining down or refilling the dock typically takes between two and three hours.

The facility supports a wide range of essential maintenance tasks that can be carried out by the owners, including full hull inspections, out-of-water surveys, hull scraping and antifouling, below-waterline repairs, repainting with marine-grade coatings, engine servicing, propeller and rudder work, and general pre-winter preparation.

In response to increasing demand for above-waterline maintenance, the Trust has recently installed new fall-restraint systems, ‘Safe-Hold’ HLLR 31604 tension rope system to meet current working-at-height regulations.

Training will be available to ensure users have a safe experience while undertaking their vessel maintenance while in the dock facility. The equipment was very generously provided by an anonymous donor

Donations play an important role in supporting Seagull Trust Cruises’ free cruising programme, which carries thousands of passengers each year along the Union Canal. Boat owners wishing to secure time in the dock are advised to book early.

For bookings and enquiries:

Ratho Dry Dock Email: rathodrydock@gmail.com

Phone: 07847 611398

Caledonia Gladiators launch 2026/27 fixtures with greater value for fans

Scotland’s professional basketball club, Caledonia Gladiators, is encouraging fans to secure their seats for the 2026/27 season, with Season Tickets now offering greater value than ever across both the men’s and women’s teams.

Fixtures are now confirmed with the Gladiators returning to East Kilbride this September for their fourth season at the 1,600-capacity Arena at Playsport, with the new campaign bringing another season of top-level basketball to Scotland.

With players travelling from as far as the US and as close to home as Falkirk, fans can secure their place at every home game through a Season Ticket, with packages designed to make following the Gladiators throughout the season more accessible.

Season Tickets for the women’s team start from just £115, while men’s Season Tickets start from £280. Junior Season Tickets are available from £54, while families can follow the women’s team for £284 for a family of four, with a family Season Ticket for the men’s team available for £625.

The value-led pricing comes as the Gladiators continue to see their fanbase grow across both teams. Following the women’s historic campaign at the Playoff Finals earlier this year, Season Ticket sales for women’s games have already increased by 20%, highlighting the growing appetite for women’s basketball and the momentum behind the club.

Season Ticket holders become part of the new and exclusive Courtside Club to benefit from a host of exclusive perks, including a guaranteed seat at every home game, discounts, exclusive access to players, discounts with club partners and more.

Tony McDaid, CEO of Caledonia Gladiators, said: “We want to make following the Gladiators for the season as accessible and rewarding as possible, whether you’re a long-time supporter, a family coming to basketball for the first time or a fan who wants to make sure they never miss a game.

“We’ve introduced a new Season Ticket structure that we believe offers fantastic value across both our men’s and women’s teams, while giving supporters the chance to be part of everything we are building here in Scotland.

“In particular, we know how important families are to our club, so being able to offer junior Season Tickets from just £54 and family packages that make watching live basketball more affordable is something we’re really pleased to introduce.

“Our ambition is to build a basketball nation and our supporters are at the heart of that. A Season Ticket is more than just a seat – it’s the opportunity to be there for the big moments, support our players and be part of the Gladiators community throughout the season.”

Caledonia Gladiators will officially return to the court on 20 September 2026 at 4pm for the 2026/27 Season Opener, with the men taking on Super League Basketball’s newest team, Liverpool Basketball, for the first time.

With fixtures now confirmed, fans can secure their Season Tickets now and guarantee their seat for the campaign, while benefiting from the club’s new value-led pricing structure.

Season Tickets and individual game tickets are available now at:

caledoniagladiators.com.