Oxfam Scotland and Tearfund have welcomed Scottish Government funding to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where millions of people face hunger, insecurity and the devastating impacts of violence and forced displacement.
Since January, more than three million people in the DRC have been forced to flee their homes as fighting by armed groups intensifies and humanitarian needs increase exponentially, triggering one of the world’s most urgent and complex crises.
The £250,000 provided through the Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) will be distributed to Oxfam Scotland and Tearfund, and through local partners, to support emergency relief efforts across eastern DRC – helping families pay for essentials such as food, fuel, shelter or hygiene items, as well as accessing urgent medical care, trauma services and safe transport.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on a scale we can hardly imagine here in Scotland.Successive waves of violence are claiming the lives of civilians, including children, with millions forced to flee to temporary accommodation where conditions are deteriorating.
“The situation is being worsened by the scaling back of humanitarian assistance by other international donors.
“While our funding may only make a small impact in the face of such overwhelming need, we are determined to stand behind our values and Scotland’s long and proud history of responding to humanitarian crises around the world.”
Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam Scotland’s Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said: “Every day, our partners and colleagues are meeting mothers who’ve walked for miles with nothing but their children in their arms, desperately searching for safety.
“They’ve lost everything: their homes, their loved ones, their hope of a normal life. The scale of human suffering here is staggering.
“The recent cuts to humanitarian funding have been devastating. We’ve had to make impossible choices about who gets clean water, medicine, or even a place to sleep.
“That’s why support from the Scottish Government is so vital. With our local partner, it’s helping us reach people who would otherwise be left with nothing. But with millions still in desperate need, we urgently need other governments and donors to follow Scotland’s lead. Now is the time to step up, not step back.”
Poppy Anguandia, Tearfund’s Country Director for the DRC, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this vital funding, which arrives at a critical time for communities in North Kivu.
“The intensification of conflict has led to widespread displacement and immense suffering, with many returnees in Malehe finding their homes destroyed and livelihoods lost.
“This support will enable us to provide immediate, life-saving assistance where it’s needed most, directly addressing urgent needs for food and basic essentials for 925 conflict-affected households through multipurpose cash assistance, while also tackling the alarming rise in gender-based violence for 9,000 individuals through community awareness and support sessions.”
The Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) is an annual £1 million fund provided by the Scottish Government to respond to overseas humanitarian emergencies.
‘We’re on our way to delivering a bold new vision for George Street and our city centre’
A full design for the George Street and First New Town project, has been approved by the Transport and Environment Committee.
The report discusses the completion of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stage 4 Technical Design. The progression of this stage has led to a revised overall cost estimate of £35.07m, representing a saving of over £4.3m on previous estimates.
The full design will contain the following features:
Plans for natural stone material throughout (including yorkstone slabs on the footway, re-laid traditional setts in the parking areas, whinstone kerbs and setts on the carriageway).
Dwell zones with incorporated raised planters and seating.
Eight trees (four at the Charlotte Square end, four at the St Andrew Square end) along with low-level planting within a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDs), linking to the existing drainage system.
Full suite of Hostile Vehicle Measures (HVM) at all junctions and associated utility diversions.
Under the current timeline, construction is due to begin in Autumn 2027 and take approximately two years with a further one-year defect period.
The appropriate road orders will now be implemented before moving on to final budget confirmation and ultimately to RIBA Stage 4B (Tender) and securing of statutory consents. Final approval will then be sought to proceed to RIBA Stage 5 (Construction).
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said:“I’m really pleased that we’ve taken the decision today to move forward with the George Street and First New Town project. The project is rooted in making the area safer, more sustainable and accessible for all.
“This is a unique opportunity to bring one of Edinburgh’s most important streets into the modern world whilst still maintaining its unique history and features.
“The wider potential improvements are vast, from benefits to local residents and businesses to enhancing Edinburgh as a visitor destination, and beyond – we’re on our way to delivering a bold new vision for George Street and our city centre.
“Whilst we’re committed to this important project, we’re also committed to making broader improvements across the city for the benefit of all our residents.”
Pet owners urged to be wary of dangerous fake treatments discovered on e-commerce sites
Main developments are:
urgent government warning issued after toxic insecticide discovered in counterfeit flea treatments – one cat required emergency surgery after severe poisoning
fake pet medicines lack essential ingredients while containing dangerous chemicals that trigger vomiting, seizures and potential death
warning signs include poor packaging, spelling mistakes, unusual smells and suspiciously low prices
new figures show three quarters of consumers wrongly believe fake goods are of similar quality to genuine products
pet owners should only buy from trusted sources and immediately report suspicious products
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) are urging pet owners to take caution when purchasing common medicines, including common flea treatments and wormers.
The alert comes after toxic pesticide traces were found in a fake flea treatment that caused a pet cat to become seriously ill, prompting the owner to have the product tested. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Pirimiphos-methyl, a dangerous insecticide toxic to cats.
Officials are urging pet owners to recognise signs of counterfeit products, avoid using suspicious items, and know how to report concerns.
Counterfeit animal medicines deliberately copy the appearance, packaging and branding of genuine veterinary products to deceive pet owners. Like all counterfeits, they are illegal to sell in the UK.
These fakes typically lack proper active ingredients, making them ineffective. Worse still, they may also contain harmful substances, causing severe reactions including vomiting, muscle tremors, breathing difficulties, seizures and potentially death.
Pet owners seeking bargains, or a quick purchase online may unknowingly purchase these dangerous counterfeits.
The VMD and IPO are urging owners to check for warning signs including poor packaging, spelling errors, missing information, and unusual smells.
Last year alone, the VMD issued 122 seizure notices for the selling of unauthorised animal medicines and supplements, preventing around 18,000 illegal items from reaching consumers.
After purchasing what appeared to be genuine FRONTLINE ® flea treatment online for his cat, Smokey, Alan Wall from Preston was devastated when Smokey became very unwell.
The condition was so severe that Smokey required emergency intestinal surgery to survive. This was followed by a week-long stay at the veterinary surgery and significant bills to support his recovery.
Alan Wall said:Smokey is more than just a pet, he’s a member of our family. When he became ill after using what we believed was a genuine flea treatment, we were terrified.
“Watching him suffer, not knowing whether he would pull through, was heartbreaking. It’s taken a huge emotional toll on all of us. Without the support of our vets and the extensive surgery they performed we know Smokey wouldn’t be with us today.
“We want to warn other pet owners about these fake products so that no one else has to endure what we’ve been through.”
Images of Smokey the cat – receiving treatment, and when healthier
A Veterinary Medicines Directorate Veterinary Surgeon and Efficacy Assessor, Dr Heilin-Anne Leonard-Pugh, explains:“Pirimiphos-methyl is toxic to cats. Exposure to this insecticide can prevent the cat’s body from breaking down a substance called acetylcholine, leading to an overstimulation of the cat’s nervous system.
“This can cause symptoms such as vomiting, uncoordinated gait, muscle tremors, weakness, paralysis, increased sensitivity to touch, difficulty breathing, restlessness, urinary incontinence, low heart rate and seizures.
“In some cases, even death can sadly occur. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a counterfeit medicine, seek veterinary advice immediately.”
Sue Horseman from Bristol also purchased what appeared to be FRONTLINE® flea treatment online for her cat, but quickly became suspicious that the product wasn’t genuine.
Sue explained that the product was difficult to open and had a distinct smell of white spirit and paraffin, whereas the genuine flea treatment has no smell. When she reported this to Trading Standards, experts confirmed that the treatment was a counterfeit.
While the online platform has removed the seller, they had already managed to sell 211 batches of suspected counterfeit pet medicines and supplements, including fake FRONTLINE Flea and Tick Treatment and PRO PLAN FortiFlora Probiotic Sachets for dogs and cats.
New counterfeit goods research (Wave 4) shows that counterfeit goods of all types are frequently purchased via global e-commerce websites. The figures also show that in 2024, nearly-one-in-five (17%) consumers unknowingly purchased goods later found to be fake, with 60% of purchasers also saying that ‘ease of purchasing’ influenced their decision.
Saving money is a strong motivator for buying fakes, with around three quarters (72%) of purchasers saying price was an important factor in their decision. Worryingly, around three-quarters (72%) wrongly believed the products would be of a similar quality to the genuine item.
The IPO’s Deputy Director of Enforcement Helen Barnham, said: “We are a nation of animal lovers, and criminals dealing in counterfeits are targeting pet owners with complete disregard for the animal’s wellbeing.
“This can have some distressing consequences, as they may contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to our pets. We are urging pet owners to be vigilant when purchasing any type of animal treatment, and beware of any offers that ‘look too good to be true’.
“Counterfeiting is anything but a victimless crime and this latest discovery confirms this. If you suspect that any goods offered for sale may be counterfeit, you should always report this to your local Trading Standards or Crimestoppers Online.”
Caroline Allen, RSPCA Chief Veterinary Officer said: “We are very concerned about counterfeit vet treatments on sale which can be highly toxic to pets and we would always urge pet owners to seek professional veterinary advice if they have any health concerns.
“We appreciate financial pressures can lead to some owners to look for cheaper treatments online but they could be unwittingly putting their beloved pets in serious danger by inadvertently buying these counterfeit goods and would urge them to take on board this government advice.”
Nina Downing, Vet Nurse from PDSA, a vet charity and a leading authority on pet health in the UK, said: “Counterfeit veterinary medicines can pose a serious threat to our pets ‘ health and wellbeing.
“While legitimate medications play a vital role in keeping our pets healthy, counterfeit products can cause severe harm or even be fatal. These fake medicines may contain incorrect ingredients or dangerous substances that can make pets extremely ill – leading to symptoms like twitching, swelling, breathing difficulties, vomiting, diarrhoea, collapse, coma and even death.
“We always recommend that you only give your pet medication which has been prescribed by your vet. When fulfilling a prescription online, source them from reputable companies that are on the Register of online retailers, brought to you by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. If you suspect your pet is reacting badly to any medication, contact your vet immediately.”
When examining the counterfeit FRONTLINE® flea treatment, experts from the University of Bath also identified telling packaging flaws.
Most notably, the label used ‘GATTI’ (Italian for cats) instead of the English ‘CAT’, alongside multiple spelling errors – common indicators of counterfeit products.
Image: Packaging featuring spelling mistakes and mixed languages
Pet owners should check the packaging and always be cautious of third-party sellers when shopping on e-commerce sites for any type of pet medication.
The IPO and VMD are offering advice for consumers to help spot fake animal medicines, and what to do if they believe they may have purchased them or seen them offered for sale.
How to identify fake animal medicines online:
1. Warning signs of fake medicines. Look out for:
poor quality or damaged packaging
spelling or grammar errors
missing leaflets or expiry dates
instructions not provided in English
suspicious smell, colour or texture
poor quality tablets, capsules, vials or pipettes – homemade appearance
Be wary of any retailer selling prescription only products without asking for your prescription. This is illegal.
All online sellers of prescription only animal medicines must be registered with the VMD. If in any doubt, you can check retailers on the VMD’s Register of Online Retailers.
2. Always shop safely online. Be cautious of:
heavily discounted goods and flash sales. Question the price if much cheaper than elsewhere. Whether buying online or in person, always think about the price
a seller asking for sensitive information or requesting payment by bank transfer
fake websites and social media profiles. These can contain original brand names – confirm the website is authentic and check seller details and reviews before purchasing
any deal or offer that looks ‘too good to be true’
If you see these goods being offered for sale, whether on a website, social media post or on the high street, contact your local Trading Standards or Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.
If you encounter suspicious veterinary medicines or retailers, please also report them to the VMD Enforcement Team. (You can do so anonymously if preferred):
Liberal Democrat Kein Joseph McKay have won the Fountainbridge /Craiglockhart by-election – but fewer than ONE in THREE people chose to cast their vote..
The result declaration was made in the early hours of this morning (Friday 27 June) by Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence.
Returning Officer for Edinburgh Paul Lawrence, said: “Thanks to everyone who took part in this by-election. I would like to welcome Kevin as a new councillor, and I look forward to working with him. Kevin will now have a key role in representing his constituents on matters affecting the ward and the wider city.
“My thanks also go to our elections team and other council colleagues who have been working hard to deliver this by-election smoothly and securely.”
The current electorate is 18,945. The turnout for the by-election was 33.1% (6,264).
The by-election was initiated by the sudden death of Labour councillor Val Walker in April. Labour actually came first in the first preference vote, beating the Lib-Dem candidate by just 14 votes, but lost out in subsequent rounds of the transferable vote PR system.
Labour continues to lead the city council, however, despite now having just ten of the city’s 62 councillors.
Move to Plaza News, Unit 23-26 Upper Ground Floor Level, Westside Plaza, Edinburgh, EH14 2SW
Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm
51 hours of Post Office service per week
Branch would open on Saturday afternoons
Experienced postmasters
Post Office is proposing to relocate Wester Hailes Post Office to a new location – Plaza News, Unit 23-26 Upper Ground Floor Level, Westside Plaza, Edinburgh, EH14 2SW.
Wester Hailes Post Office, which is currently directly managed by Post Office, would be run by our new retail franchise partner at the new location within the same shopping centre.
Father and son, Mohammed and Aamir Arshad have run Plaza News, a hardware and convenience store, since 2016. Previously they ran Whitecraig Post Office and off-licence store in Musselburgh for six years.
Post Office Limited recently announced it is moving to a fully franchised network, as part of our wider commitment to deliver a “New Deal for Postmasters”. Over 99% of the Post Office network is already successfully operated on a franchise basis by carefully selected retail partners.
We are confident this would create a long-term, sustainable future for post offices in communities across the UK, including Wester Hailes.
The same range of services would still be available, including an internal ATM.
The opening hours would be Monday to Saturday: 9am – 5.30pm. This would be an extra 5 hours and 30 minutes of Post Office service a week including Saturday afternoon and earlier opening on a Tuesday morning than currently for the convenience of customers.
Wester Hailes Post Office would have two open plan serving positions at the retail counter.
There is a car park at the shopping center with dedicated disabled parking bays on upper level where the proposed branch would be located.
Current Post Office employees have the opportunity to TUPE across to continue to work at the relocated branch.
Consultation will close on 13 August. Customers can share their views during the consultation online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 018824.
Submissions can also be made via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, by post to Freepost YOUR COMMENTS, or by telephone 03452 66 01 15 or Textphone 03457 22 33 55.
Scotland-born charity reaches global goal FIVE YEARS EARLY!
A WORLD-LEADING surgical charity is marking a major milestone in its efforts to transform global access to children’s surgery, celebrating the opening of both its 100th and 101st dedicated operating rooms.
Kids Operating Room, headquartered in Edinburgh, will hit its 100th operating room on Tuesday 24 June with the opening of a new high-tech and specialised surgical theatre in Gaborone, Botswana.
Just two days later, the team is set to open its 101st facility in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, underscoring the rapid pace and sustained impact of the charity’s work.
The charity, founded in 2018 by husband-and-wife, Garreth and Nicola Wood MBE, set a bold target to install 100 operating rooms for children in low and middle-income countries by 2030. That goal has now been met five years ahead of schedule.
Its paediatric rooms, often the only specialised spaces for children’s surgery in a country, have to date enabled more than 680,000 life-changing operations, across Africa, South and Central America, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Dr Kutlo Moalosi, Head of Paediatric Surgery at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, said: “This new operating room will be truly life-changing for children in Botswana. It allows us to treat conditions earlier, avoid complications and help children grow up healthy and strong.
“More than that, it provides hope. It signals that children here matter just as much as children anywhere else in the world.”
Nicola Wood, Co-Founder, said: “To have completed 100 dedicated operating rooms is a deeply emotional moment for all of us.
“This is not just a number. It represents lives saved, disabilities prevented and a global movement that believes every child deserves access to safe surgery.”
The 100th operating room was made possible by the philanthropic support of entrepreneur Steve Lansdown and his wife, who have been central to the charity’s wider surgical initiative across Botswana.
Each Kids Operating Room is designed to create capacity for around 2,000 lifesaving or life-changing operations every year. The global network now enables approximately 200,000 procedures annually.
Working across more than 40 countries, Kids Operating Room has embedded permanent surgical infrastructure, trained clinical teams, and delivered vital resources to regions where paediatric surgical care was previously unavailable or inconsistent.
As well as providing the infrastructure for safe surgery, the charity ensures its operating rooms are uplifting and child-focused, with colourful murals and specialist paediatric surgical equipment designed to create a calming environment.
The charity’s approach is centred on sustainability and local empowerment. Its solar-powered surgical systems help hospitals operate safely during blackouts and its training model builds long-term capacity in each region.
Garreth Wood, Co-founder and Executive Chairman, said: “When Nicola and I founded Kids Operating Room, it was with a vision that no child should suffer or die simply because they were born in the wrong place.
“This milestone shows what can be achieved through collaboration, local leadership and relentless commitment. But we are not stopping here and have already re-focused on how we build on this success, so no child is left behind.
“We believe surgery is not a luxury, it’s a fundamental right. The children we serve deserve dignity, opportunity and care. This is the work we’ll continue to do until every nation can provide for its children independently.”
David Cunningham, Chief Executive at Kids Operating Room added: “Since we began this work, every 27 days our team has opened a new operating theatre, always in complex and/or low-resource settings.
“These are world-class, solar powered surgical facilities but before they’re deployed the hospitals have to be surveyed, the staff interviewed, the patient demand assessed, and the funds raised. Then, despite often working around conflict and natural disasters, our amazing people build amazing facilities.
“I could not be more grateful to everyone who has contributed to this success and look forward to continuing to scale that impact in the years to come.”
Measures to protect the public and establish industry standards
New proposals to improve safety and standards in the non-surgical cosmetic procedures sector have been set out as the Scottish Government publishes its response to a consultation on the issue.
The proposals, informed by over 2,200 responses and broad stakeholder engagement, intends to introduce a minimum age of 18 for all procedures and classify treatments into three distinct groups which will be regulated to reflect the associated risk:
group 1 procedures – such as microneedling and non-ablative laser treatments – will require both a premises licence and individual practitioner licences issued by local authorities
group 2 procedures – including injectables like Botox® and dermal fillers – will have to be supervised by a qualified health care professional in a setting regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS)
group 3 procedures – for instance, breast and buttock augmentation – will have to be performed by a qualified healthcare professional in an HIS-regulated setting
The Scottish Government will take forward a combination of primary and secondary legislation to implement the proposals.
A new Bill regulating Group 2 and Group 3 procedures will be introduced later this year. Secondary legislation under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 will establish the licensing regime for Group 1 procedures.
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “It is deeply upsetting to hear of cases where people have suffered as a result of non-surgical cosmetic procedures going wrong.
“The current gaps in regulation mean that anyone can perform most of these procedures without the need for any formal training or qualifications. These proposals reflect our determination to protect the public and ensure high standards across this growing industry.
“I am particularly heartened by the broad support for action to make the sector safer, and we will continue to work closely with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, local authorities, and the wider industry to support a smooth and effective implementation.”
High School student wins milk bottle brand design competition for this year’s Royal Highland Show
Firrhill High School pupil, Lucy Bell, saw her winning milk bottle design featured at this year’s Royal Highland Show, after competing against 47 other entries as part of a school’s competition launched by the organisers of Scotland’s largest outdoor event and leading agricultural Show.
Secondary school pupils (S1- S4) from across Scotland, were invited to design their own milk bottle brand by RHASS, the producers of the event, in partnership with the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET), to support this year’s Show theme of Education and Learning and RHET’s Year of Dairy, with the aim of placing skills, knowledge, and innovation front and centre throughout the Show.
Lucy’s winning milk bottle design, which features a cow as part of her ‘Milk Magic’ and ‘Udderly Delicious’ branding, was printed on a one litre glass bottle by Seaways Services (UK) Ltd, which provides a range of resources to the dairy sector, and was showcased at the Scottish Milk Championships during the Show.
As part of her prize, Lucy received free tickets to the Show on Sunday 22nd June for her family and friends, as well as a keepsake of her design.
Lucy Bell, who is in second year at Firrhil High School, said: “I wanted to design something that helped to get a simple message across about the health benefits of milk and that it was a brand of milk that was udderly delicious and something to be enjoyed!
“I’m over the moon that my design was selected and thoroughly enjoyed going to the Royal Highland Show for the very first time!”
The top ten shortlisted design entries from the competition were showcased across the four-day event. These included other Firrhill High School pupils: Nemika Bandara, Olivia MacDougall, Alison Forbes and Alex Bian, as well as Oxgangs Primary pupils who took part in a rosette design competition for those from P1-P7: Rayyan Amir and Jack Jurasinski.
David Tennant, Head of Royal Highland Show and one of the judges of the competition, said: “A huge congratulations to Lucy! Her design really stood out to the judges for it’s simple but effective design.
“We all agreed that it was a brand that we could imagine on the supermarket shelves and who knows, maybe we will see Lucy’s artwork featured there one day in the future!”
The Royal Highland Show took place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh from 19th – 22nd June 2025.
Children aged 15 and under attended for free, with the event offering a number of free educational activities and experiential opportunities for children including hands-on workshops at the RHET Discovery Centre where children explored everything from pizza building to cheese tasting and sushi rolling!
Savings rising to £2.6 billion in 2029-30 will ensure funding can be targeted at frontline services such as the NHS, social security, action to eradicate child poverty and other priorities.
Under the five-year Medium Term Financial Strategy and Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan the Scottish Government will:
increase value for public money, with affordable and sustainable investment plans set out through a Scottish Spending Review in December
improve efficiencies and productivity across the public sector by using more technology and automation while improving collaboration between public bodies
reform public services, doing more with available resources and prioritising people with the greatest need
reduce the public sector workforce by an average of 0.5% every year until 2030 while protecting frontline services
invest in preventative measures to reduce demand on services such as health, social care and justice
The strategy and action plan also include measures to support sustainable, inclusive economic growth and ensure a strategic approach to tax policy that considers longer term impacts and competitiveness.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: ““With the world facing profound economic uncertainty this Medium Term Financial Strategy is being published in deeply challenging circumstances.Those challenges have been exacerbated by the actions of the UK Government, whose decisions continue to have serious consequences for the delivery of our public services.
“Managing the impact of Westminster austerity is all too familiar. In spite of this we continue to invest in the people of Scotland, supporting a better paid public sector, delivering high-quality public services and providing welfare support that is not available in other parts of the UK. And we have done this while delivering a balanced budget every single year.
“Fiscal sustainability is about more than balancing the books – it’s about delivering value, driving reform and making strategic choices that support long-term growth. By focusing on efficient public spending, modernising services, growing our economy and taking a strategic approach to tax, we can build a stronger, fairer Scotland.”
NEW SCREENS AND SPACES UNVEILED IN NEW IMAGES OF THE LANDMARK, REFURBISHED CINEMA
SCOTLAND’S FLAGSHIP CINEMA IN EDINBURGH REOPENS ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC TOMORROW – ON 27 JUNE 2025
Edinburgh’s landmark cinema Filmhouse has today revealed images of its new screens and spaces ahead of its public reopening tomorrow Friday 27 June.
Built in a repurposed church on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road, Filmhouse has been a cinematic landmark since 1978. Following a £2 million refurbishment, Scotland’s leading independent cinema Filmhouse returns with new leadership, a vision which builds on the venue’s legacy as a space for learning and discovery, and a commitment to building a sustainable future for this iconic cultural landmark.
Screen 1 has a capacity of 186 seats + 2 wheelchair spaces. The screen has Dual 35mm/70mm film projectors, 4K digital projection and 5.1 audio.
Screen 2 has a capacity of 70 seats + 1 wheelchair space. The screen has dual 35mm film projectors and can screen 2K digital projection with 5.1 audio
Screen 3 has a capacity of 57 + 2 wheelchair spaces. The screen has dual 35mm film projectors and a 16mm film projector and can screen 2K digital projection with 5.1 audio.
Soon to be unveiled Screen 4 will have a capacity of 22 + 1 wheelchair space and will include 2K digital projection and 5.1 audio
The completely refurbished Filmhouse Bar will be able to seat 100 people for lunch and dinner, with drinks available throughout the day, catering for film fans who enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere, and placing an emphasis on produce from Edinburgh and Scotland, offering great food and drink alongside environmental sustainability. Filmhouse fans will be pleased to know that the cinema’s world-famous nachos are staying put too.
Comfort has been prioritised across the new Filmhouse. Film-lovers can expect extra legroom and comfortable seats across the cinema’s screens, alongside a completely reworked foyer space.
Following its closure in October 2022, the reopening of Filmhouse marks the culmination of a three-year long campaign to save the historic cinema backed by film lovers in Edinburgh, Scotland, and around the world and by A-list film talent including patrons Jack Lowden and Charlotte Wells, as well as Dougray Scott, Brian Cox, and Emma Thompson.
Filmhouse will re-open its doors with a hand-picked programme of the very best films the cinema missed out on playing during the venue’s two-and-a-half-year closure. The programme will have a strong emphasis on films that did not screen in the city because of its absence.
Filmhouse has long been celebrated as a cultural cornerstone, showcasing world cinema in all its brilliance and diversity, from crowd-pleasing favourites to avant-garde arthouse works, restored classics, and curated retrospectives.
The first film to welcome audiences back to the venue will be the much-loved film gem and ode to the beauty of the cinemagoing experience, Giuseppe Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso (1988).
Filmhouse is set to once again become a hub for film enthusiasts, offering a cutting-edge cinematic experience, a vibrant social space, and a platform for film lovers and filmmakers to engage with the very best in global cinema.
Previously a three-screen venue, the new Filmhouse will become a four-screen cinema and soon will be unveiling a fourth screen with a capacity of 24, allowing for an even more expansive programme, as well as being available for private screenings and hires.
Filmhouse’s technical capabilities include 70mm, 35mm, 16mm, 8mm, and digital projection. The cinema also includes a Clipster Unit for creating Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) required for festival and theatrical distribution.
The stage is set, the screens are ready, and the story of Filmhouse continues!
