Seven new culture, heritage and infrastructure projects to benefit from Visitor Levy investment

Councillors have agreed to proceed with seven additional Visitor Levy-funded projects to protect and enhance heritage and cultural spaces across the city.

Following approval at Thursday’s Full Council meeting, transformative projects involving Leith Customs House, the Tron Kirk and the Portobello Kilns will be funded through the Levy’s Culture, Heritage and Events investment programme.

Meanwhile The Causey, Access to the Lost Shore and Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, City Centre Public Realm (including George Street and Princes Street), and developing a network of nature footpaths and walkways across the city will proceed under the Visitor Levy’s City Operations and Infrastructure programme.

Together, these projects are set to strengthen Edinburgh’s cultural offering, protect and revitalise nationally significant heritage buildings and public spaces, and improve access to natural and historic destinations across the city.

The seven projects were originally proposed at the special Visitor Levy budget meeting of the Council in February, where councillors agreed an overall funding package worth over £90 million over the next three years to sustain and enhance Edinburgh’s reputation as one of the most beautiful and enjoyable destinations in the world.

As with all of the other projects agreed under the Visitor Levy’s investment programmes, the proposals have been developed by Council officers, informed by feedback from public consultation and industry engagement, elected members and other stakeholders.

The independent Edinburgh Visitor Levy Advisory Forum has also been consulted and provided feedback on the projects.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Our Visitor Levy is already beginning to strengthen the services and spaces that make our city so special and supporting these additional initiatives shows how we can continue to invest in projects that support a safer, more accessible and more welcoming Edinburgh for residents and visitors alike.

“Feedback from our partners and community groups across Edinburgh has played a central part in shaping these new proposals. From restoring the Portobello Kilns to improving public transport access to the Lost Shore and EICA, we’re confident these investments in our culture and heritage will deliver lasting benefits, encouraging visitors to see more of Edinburgh beyond our city centre.

“The projects reflect our ambition that the levy is a city-wide fund and spending decisions must be taken with the whole city in mind. We’re making sure Edinburgh continues to thrive and that the Visitor Levy delivers visible improvements for everyone who lives and works here all year round.”

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS OVERVIEW

Leith Customs House

Funding will support the development phase of restoring Leith Customs House, Scotland’s oldest Custom House and a Category A‑listed building.

The investment will enable essential preparatory work to progress the building’s transformation into an accessible community and creative hub, including delivering a proof‑of‑concept exhibition and an economic impact assessment to support future funding.

Tron Kirk

Investment has been approved towards the major restoration of the Tron Kirk, a landmark 17th‑century building on the Royal Mile that has been on the Buildings at Risk Register since 2023.

The funding will support a coordinated programme delivered by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, linking the restoration of the Tron Kirk with the redevelopment of Hunter Square.

The combined programme will repair and future‑proof the building, improve accessibility, protect vulnerable historic features and create new opportunities to develop local heritage skills and enhance visitor experiences.

Portobello Kilns

Investment has been approved to rebuild the 1906 Portobello Kiln, one of the last surviving industrial pottery kilns in Scotland and a key feature of the Portobello Conservation Area.

The project will restore the kiln to its original form alongside the previously conserved 1914 kiln, fulfilling the Council’s statutory obligations under scheduled monument consent and preventing further deterioration of this nationally significant heritage asset.

The project will be delivered in partnership with Portobello Heritage Trust and will be developed alongside wider proposed improvements to the Portobello Promenade through the Visitor Levy’s City Transformation Fund investment programme.

Nature Footpaths and Walkways

Funding has been approved to develop and improve nature footpaths and walkways across Edinburgh, encouraging visitors to explore destinations beyond the city centre such as the Pentland Hills, Cramond Foreshore and the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho.

The investment will support with developing designs, community engagement and works to create accessible, inclusive routes that enhance biodiversity, improve visitor experiences and deliver benefits for local communities.

The Causey

The Causey will transform West Cross Causeway into a people‑first public square with wider pavements, traffic calming measures and segregated cycling routes. Once complete, it will host performances, markets, art installations and community events.

The first phase will deliver core infrastructure improvements, while the second phase will extend upgrades towards Nicolson Street to improve connections with the wider area and improve public spaces.

Lost Shore & EICA Bus Services

A new six‑month trial bus service is providing direct links between the city centre, Lost Shore, EICA and Ratho. The trial will gather data on who uses the service to inform future decisions on a permanent service.

The amount of Visitor Levy funding supporting the service will be reviewed following the trial stage, reflecting the results of the data showing the proportion of visitors using the service.

City Centre Public Realm (Princes Street / George Street)

Funding will support potential work on major public realm upgrades across Princes Street and George Street to create more accessible, attractive and pedestrian‑friendly streets.

A report on the overall project will be brought to the Transport and Environment Committee outlining the need for public realm investment within the city centre, including both Princes Street and George Street.

These projects sit alongside those previously agreed in February to be delivered over the next three years, including (but not limited to):

Ambitious projects to renew and restore principal areas of Edinburgh, including investments in our town centre high streets and £2m and £2.5m respectively towards transforming the city’s key coastal visitor attractions at Cramond foreshore and Portobello Promenade.
£5m to restore Leith Theatre and create a year round culture and live music space, expanding cultural opportunity beyond the city centre.
£3m towards transforming the iconic Old Royal High School into a world class, accessible national centre for music, shaped by community engagement and open to all.
£2.75m to create a Market Street Arts Hub, reinvigorating the City Art Centre and creating a new arts and learning destination at one of the city’s major visitor gateways.
£3.85m to speed up the setted streets renewal programme and £3m for new and upgraded public toilets to maintain Edinburgh’s streets, public spaces and public infrastructure to a world-class standard.
Funding to ensure the city’s streets and open spaces are cleaned and kept to a high standard, including a £100,000 per year upgrade and replacement programme for bins in high footfall areas, £500,000 per annum to expand work to tackle graffiti through extra support for private businesses and £1.3m on additional operations services for the city centre (waste, cleansing, patrols).
Investing in our premier parks across the city to create improved spaces where the highest footfall and impact on the environment is experienced – and increases to the parks repairs budgets, while doubling the number of park rangers across the city.
Programmes to green the city with additional investment in planting, such as floral gateways, to improve the look and feel of the city’s green spaces as well as the overall visitor experience

In accordance with the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act (2024), funds raised by the levy must be reinvested in local facilities and services substantially used by business and leisure visitors. All investment streams will be formally reviewed alongside the overall scheme in 2029.

Edinburgh College of Art alumni to share career journeys at Westfield St James Quarter

In Fashion: Edinburgh College of Art Alumni in Conversation takes place TODAY – Friday 18 September – as part of Westfield Days: The Sound of Style

Westfield St James Quarter will bring together four Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) fashion alumni on Friday 18 September, who have gone on to build careers across independent fashion, illustration and bespoke tailoring, for a conversation on what it takes to forge a career in the fashion industry.

In Fashion: Edinburgh College of Art Alumni in Conversation is one of the closing events of Westfield Days: The Sound of Style, the ten-day fashion and music takeover curated by Scottish designer Charles Jeffrey to mark the centre’s rebrand to Westfield St James Quarter on 10 September.

Hosted by Professor Mal James, Personal Chair of Fashion at ECA, the panel brings together:

Samantha McCoach, Founder and Designer of Le Kilt, the Leith-born, Scottish-made label stocked at Dover Street Market, Matches and Selfridges. In 2025, Le Kilt joined forces with COS for a capsule collection rooted in craftsmanship and heritage, which was sold at COS in the Quarter.
Rosie Baird, Founder of BAIRD, a Scottish clothing brand launched in 2025 exploring modern Scottish identity through craft and storytelling. Rosie was also responsible for the tartan created for St James Quarter in 2022.
Katie Braid, fashion illustrator, educator and FIDA Award winner, whose work has been exhibited internationally and shown at V&A Dundee.
Alistair Nimmo, Head Cutter and Managing Director of Kathryn Sargent Bespoke Tailoring’s Edinburgh atelier, and a 2025 Walpole Powerlist honouree.

Together, the four alumni represent very different routes into the fashion industry, from launching independent Scottish labels to working as an illustrator and building a career in the highly specialised world of bespoke tailoring.

The panellists will discuss the transition from studying at ECA to building careers across ready-to-wear, illustration and bespoke tailoring, offering practical advice on portfolios, creative practice and navigating the industry after graduation. A Q&A and informal meet-the-panellists session will follow the discussion.

Professor Mal James, Personal Chair of Fashion at Edinburgh College of Art, said: “One of the most valuable things we can offer the next generation of fashion talent is an honest insight into what comes after graduation.

“There is no single route into the industry, and our alumni have gone on to build careers across very different areas of fashion, from independent labels and illustration to the highly specialised world of bespoke tailoring.

“Bringing them together at Westfield St James Quarter gives students and emerging creatives the chance to hear directly about those journeys, the challenges they have faced and the opportunities they have created for themselves.”

Presented in partnership with the British Fashion Council as part of the nationwide Fashion Britain initiative, Westfield Days: The Sound of Style has run from 10 to 20 September and included Charles Jeffrey’s own Listening Room installation, built from his personal archive and soundscapes, and the PUNK FLEA MARKET, a limited-time pop-up of archival LOVERBOY pieces and accessories, alongside a wider programme of talks, workshops and live music.

Anne Ledgerwood, Estate Director at Westfield St James Quarter, said: “Fashion careers rarely follow a straight line, and this conversation with four ECA graduates who’ve built such different paths – from bespoke tailoring to independent Scottish labels – feels like the right way to bring Westfield Days: The Sound of Style to a close. It’s a reminder that Edinburgh doesn’t just watch the fashion industry, it produces it.”

The event is free to attend and is aimed at students, emerging creatives and anyone interested in pursuing a career in Scotland’s fashion industry.

The conversation reflects Westfield Days: The Sound of Style’s focus on connecting fashion, music, creativity and emerging talent, while highlighting Edinburgh’s contribution to the wider UK fashion industry.

Event details In Fashion: Edinburgh College of Art Alumni in Conversation
Date/ Time: Friday 18 September, 3:30pm–4:15pm
Venue: Listening Rooms, Level 3, St James Quarter, Edinburgh
Booking link: here.

Doors Open Days Can Help Us Fall In Love With Edinburgh Again

Over 100 venues across Edinburgh and East Lothian to open their doors for Scotland’s largest free heritage festival

Fall in love with Edinburgh again – that is the challenge to residents as Doors Open Day returns with its most accessible ever programme of events.

The two-day festival on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026 will give locals free access to buildings, unique experiences and a new perspective on the spaces and stories that shape Edinburgh and East Lothian.

Coordinated locally by The Cockburn Association, Edinburgh’s civic trust, this year’s event will bring together over 100 venues spanning the length and breadth of the city, and beyond, with a programme ranging from guided walking tours, events for children and young people, novel partnerships, and rare behind-the-scenes opportunities.

This year’s theme, Heritage at Risk: Revive, Resist, Reimagine, invites participating venues and visitors to explore how Edinburgh’s built heritage is being protected, adapted for new uses, and reimagined for the future.

As the coordinators of Doors Open Days in a region shaped by the pressures of over-tourism, The Cockburn Association believes residents should also benefit from their own city’s cultural landscape, and that engaging with local heritage brings genuine benefits to health and wellbeing.

This year’s festival builds on our digital offerings, making it more accessible than ever and giving residents more ways to take part without leaving their homes.

Now in its 36^th year locally, after beginning in France in 1984. Doors Open Days first arrived in the UK in Glasgow in 1990. It has since grown into Scotland’s largest free cultural festival, with more than 950 venues taking part nationally last year.

Unlike much of Edinburgh’s cultural offer, Doors Open Days is aimed squarely at residents, encouraging people to see their own city with fresh eyes, and it’s FREE.

Stephen Jardine, President of The Cockburn Association, said: “At a time when Edinburgh is under more pressure than ever, it’s easy to overlook what makes Scotland’s capital so special.

“Doors Open Days is a chance for us to encounter the amazing heritage we have all around us. I’d encourage everyone to use it as an opportunity to explore the city with fresh eyes….and to fall in love with Edinburgh again”

Rowan Brown, Director of The Cockburn Association, said: “I’m thrilled that the Cockburn is coordinating part of Scotland’s largest free heritage festival and delighted that it’s set to be our most accessible yet, with something for all ages, interests, and abilities.

“There is unequivocal evidence that engaging with heritage makes you happier, and healthier, so be kind to yourself, your friends and your family and join in one or, ideally, several, free Doors Open Days events.

“I’m extremely grateful to our Doors Open Days Venue Hosts and Volunteers, my colleagues and our sponsors, the City of Edinburgh Council and the Neilson Family Foundation, whose collective civic spirit is simply inspiring.”

INVITING EVERY PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILD IN EDINBURGH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IMPACT ARTS

This year’s festival also includes a landmark initiative to send a Doors Open Days invitation to every primary school child in Edinburgh, extending the festival’s reach to the city’s youngest residents and helping build a lifelong relationship with the city’s heritage from an early age.

Delivered in partnership with Impact Arts, a Scottish charity established in 1994 that uses creativity to tackle inequalities and transform young people’s lives, engaging communities across almost all of Scotland’s local authorities, the first 10,000 primary school children to attend selected venues on the 26 and 27 of September will receive a free box of Cockburn-branded coloured pencils and a monochrome artwork created by Impact Arts.

Due to a shipment delay, free boxes of Cockburn-branded coloured pencils will be available at some, but not all, participating venues.

Children are then invited to colour in their artwork and submit it as part of a competition, with prizes generously donated by Camera Obscura, Filmhouse, the National Galleries of Scotland and Contini which will be awarded by our President. Competition entries must be submitted by Friday, 9^th of October.

Winners will be notified on Monday, 26^th of October, ahead of our prize-giving ceremony on Thursday, 12th of November (venue to be announced).

Impact Arts will also host an exhibition at St Michael’s Parish Church, accompanied by a booklet showcasing the artwork and participating venues, available in print and online.

PARTNERING WITH INVISIBLE CITIES

This year’s festival also includes a partnership with Invisible Cities, a social enterprise that trains people with experience of homelessness to become walking tour guides.

The Cockburn Association has funded four tours over the Doors Open Days weekend, giving residents a unique perspective on the city.

PARTNERING WITH THE TRINITY NETWORK

As part of the digital offerings, The Cockburn Association is also partnering with Jill Harrison, a research associate at the Open University and the lead of the Trinity Network to curate an online exhibition on Trinity Apse, one of Edinburgh’s finest medieval structures, and all that remains of a church built in the 1460s for Mary of Guelders, Queen of Scotland.

Built around this year’s Doors Open Days theme, Heritage at Risk, the exhibition revives the story of the apse and its founder, resists their slide into obscurity, and reimagines what the building’s future could hold.

All events are free to attend, but on some experiences, spaces are limited.

The full programme of venues and activities went live on the Doors Open Days website on 31 July 2026, at www.doorsopendays.org.uk.

FLY Festival: Eight arrests following disorder in city centre

Eight people were arrested following disorder in Edinburgh city centre over the weekend.

Officers policing the FLY Festival music event at Princes Street Gardens on Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 September, 2026, were faced with a large number of youths attempting to breach the perimeter fencing, involved in anti-social behaviour, vandalism and assaults.

On Saturday, four males, aged 15, 17, 18 and 27, were arrested and charged in connection with offences including assault, breach of the peace and misuse of drugs.

On Sunday, males, aged 12, 18, 18 and 20, were also arrested in connection with similar offences.

Reports will be submitted to the relevant authorities and enquiries remain ongoing into the disorder.

Superintendent Neil Wilson said: “While the majority of people came along to the event in good spirits and without incident, there were others intent on gaining entry without tickets, involved in disorder and violence, and trespassing on the railway line. Bus transport was also disrupted as officers dealt with various incidents.

“This type of behaviour is unacceptable, dangerous and will not be tolerated. Everyone should be able to attend the city centre without fear of intimidation or harm at the hands of those who cannot conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

“While there have been eight arrests, further enquiries are ongoing to trace others involved in the disorder. I’d appeal to anyone who has information or footage which could assist us to come forward.”

If you can help, please call 101 quoting reference 1161 of Saturday, 12 September, 2026. Alternatively, you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Edinburgh’s EICC to welcome world’s cycling elite in 2027 for first ever Tour de France start in Scotland

Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), has revealed that it will play a significant role in the operational delivery of the Tour de France 2027 when the world’s biggest cycling race arrives in the UK next year.

Marking the first time in the event’s history that the race has started in Scotland, the Grand Départ will begin in Edinburgh on 2 July 2027 and cover 184km to Carlisle, showcasing Edinburgh and Scotland to millions of spectators worldwide.

Working closely with the Grand Départ GB team, Edinburgh City Council and partners across Edinburgh, the EICC will host the race headquarters and official international press centre for the duration of the Grand Départ in July, while the team presentation will take place at Edinburgh Castle on 30 June.

Adept at delivering complex, high-profile international events at scale, The Tour de France Grand Départ selected the EICC as its race and media hub because of its proven operational expertise, unmatched technical infrastructure and highly experienced team.

The landmark international venue, centrally located in Edinburgh’s Exchange District, has connected people, ideas and industries for over 30 years, welcoming more than 2.2 million delegates across over 5,000 events.

Chair of the EICC board, Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, said: “The Tour de France Grand Départ in Edinburgh is a historic moment and a huge honour for the city, cementing Edinburgh’s reputation as a world-class events destination, with EICC at its heart.

“We are immensely proud that EICC has been trusted with a significant part of the operational delivery of this most prestigious sporting event, becoming the nerve centre for the race and international media for the duration of the Grand Départ.

“All eyes will be on Edinburgh and the EICC during this time, and the event’s legacy will benefit the city and Scotland’s wider events industry. Bringing this to fruition was a complex collaborative effort between the Grand Départ GB team, the City of Edinburgh Council and our partners across Edinburgh, highlighting the city and EICC’s collective approach to delivering events of this scale and complexity.”

Paul Bush, Managing Director of Grand Départ GB, said: “We are delighted to be working with the EICC’s expert team and to have their world-class facilities to host the race headquarters and press centre ahead of next year’s historic Grand Départ.

“These facilities will be the focus of much of the build-up ahead of stage one beginning in Edinburgh, and there is nowhere better to be at the heart of the city than with the EICC.”

EICC’s infrastructure, technical capability and team will support hundreds of accredited international journalists, photographers and broadcasters for the duration of the Grand Départ, with the press centre’s official launch on Tuesday 29 June 2027.

For more information on the Grand Départ and the route please visit:

https://www.letourgb.com/

City Art Centre showcases most recent additions to Fine Art collection

Gifted: New Acquisitions at the City Art Centre presents a selection of historical and contemporary Scottish artworks recently received as donations and bequests.

The City of Edinburgh’s Fine Art collection charts the history of the visual arts in Scotland from the 17th century to the present day.

Containing more than 5,000 individual artworks, the collection continues to grow every year, with new acquisitions filling historical gaps and introducing contemporary talents. Many of these artworks are generously donated by artists, cultural organisations and members of the public.

Gifted reveals over 50 recent gifts and bequests, ranging from 19^th century oil paintings to modern-day artists’ prints. The exhibition explores the stories behind each acquisition, celebrating donors and their important role in developing the Fine Art collection.

Over 40 different artists feature in the new exhibition, including: Victoria Crowe, Agnes Miller Parker, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, John Bellany, Jessie M. King, Robert Blomfield, David Cass, Gareth Fisher, Tess Glen, Bet Low, Will Maclean, Caroline McNairn, Robin Philipson and Willie Rodger.

Among the highlights are Jessie M. King’s exquisite Art Nouveau drawing Fraunchyse (c.1907), Robin Philipson’s colourful still life Poppies on a Gold Ground (1984), and a group of miniature scenes painted on found objects by contemporary artist David Cass.

Cllr Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: Edinburgh’s art collection tells a remarkable story of Scotland’s creative talent, made possible in large part through the generosity of those who have gifted works to the city.

“From drawing and painting to photography and sculpture, the collection reflects the richness and diversity of Scottish art.

“This exhibition gives residents and visitors the chance to experience works by artists such as Victoria Crowe up close, and to enjoy them completely free of charge.”

Curator Dr Helen Scott (pictured top) said: “Over the last few years, we’ve been really fortunate to receive so many wonderful artworks as donations and bequests to the Fine Art collection.

“Some pieces have been gifted by artists themselves, while others have been offered by cultural organisations and members of the public. Such generosity allows us to increase the breadth and depth of the collection, sharing artworks in the public domain that might otherwise never be seen.

“Many of these artworks are being displayed here for the first time since their arrival. I’m really looking forward to visitors discovering them, and perhaps even finding a new personal favourite.“

Gifted: New Acquisitions at the City Art Centre opens on Saturday 12 September 2026 and continues until 6 June 2027. Admission is free.

The Real Mary King’s Close celebrates record-breaking summer

Welcoming guests from over 100 nations, visitors from the US, Hong Kong and Mauritius all flocked the 17th-century site this season.

One of Edinburgh’s leading heritage attractions, The Real Mary King’s Close, has celebrated a record-breaking summer after welcoming 106,477 guests across June, July and August.

Admissions at the historic attraction, located beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, increased by 12% year on year across June and July, with August admissions 6% ahead of the same period in 2025.

The strong performance comes during another busy summer for Edinburgh, as visitors from around the world travelled to the capital during its tourism peak.

The Real Mary King’s Close recorded visitors from more than 100 countries and territories this summer, underlining both Edinburgh’s continued international appeal and growing interest in the city’s hidden history.

The United States was the attraction’s largest identifiable overseas market, with 6,357 visitors, followed by Canada with 1,304 and Germany with 1,037. Strong numbers were also recorded from France, Spain, Australia, the Netherlands and Italy.

Guests travelled from across Europe, North and South America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania, including visitors from locations as far afield as Afghanistan, French Polynesia, Samoa, Mauritius and the Cayman Islands.

Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “Welcoming more than 106,000 guests and achieving a record-breaking summer is a fantastic result for The Real Mary King’s Close and our dedicated team.

“This performance comes against the backdrop of an increasingly competitive tourism market, with visitors understandably more conscious of how and where they spend their money. Our team has worked incredibly hard to achieve these results and ensure that every guest enjoys an experience which offers both quality and value.

“It has been another incredibly busy summer for Edinburgh, and it is encouraging to see visitor numbers continuing to grow. Welcoming guests from more than 100 countries and territories demonstrates the enduring international appeal of the Capital and the appetite for authentic heritage experiences that bring its history to life.

“We are proud to play our part in Edinburgh’s world-class tourism offering and look forward to building on this momentum throughout the remainder of the year.”

For more information about The Real Mary King’s Close and bookings, please visit:

www.realmarykingsclose.com

Brian Cox returns to The Lyceum stage for one night only fundraising event

Brian Cox, legend of the stage and screen, returns to The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh on Sunday 8 November 2026 for an evening of conversation and stories, looking back on his remarkable life and career so far.

As one of the founding members of The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company in 1965, Brian Cox performed in the company’s first production, The Servant o’ Twa Maisters. Since then, he’s returned to The Lyceum stage in notable productions of The Master Builder (1993), Uncle Varick (2004), and most recently in Waiting for Godot (2015) where he marked the celebration of 50 years of the Company.

In an extraordinary career, spanning more than six decades, Brian’s journey has taken him from his early years in Scottish theatre to acclaimed roles on stage and screen around the world – including his unforgettable performance as Logan Roy in Succession. His feature directorial debut Glenrothan serves as a love letter to Scotland.

In this one-off event, audiences will have the rare chance to spend an evening in the company of one of Scotland’s most celebrated actors, with a chance to submit their questions for Brian to answer.

Money raised will go towards supporting the theatre in continuing to provide stand-out productions for Edinburgh audiences year-round and creating vital employment opportunities for creatives across Scotland.

James Brining, Artistic Director at The Lyceum, said: “Having Brian back on The Lyceum stage is a real treat, not only because he’s one of Scotland’s most celebrated actors, but because he’s played such a significant part in our history.

Brian’s career is a testament to the power of Scottish theatre in nurturing exceptional talent and to the importance of giving audiences the opportunity to experience the work of Scottish artists through every stage of their creative journey.”

A limited number of VIP seats are available, which include an invitation to a pre-show reception. Starting at 6pm, the reception will include a welcome drink and a meet and greet with Brian.

An Evening with Brian Cox is at The Lyceum on Sunday 8 November 2026.

Tickets can be found at lyceum.org.uk.

PICTURE: David Ho

swim school headline the launch of Westfield St James Quarter

Designer Charles Jeffrey brings Westfield Days: The Sound of Style to Edinburgh

Rock band swim school headlined a night of live performance, DJ sets and Scottish design at Westfield St James Quarter on Thursday night (10 September), as the centre officially became Westfield St James Quarter with the opening of ten days of cultural programming curated by Scottish designer Charles Jeffrey.

The evening was one of three UK events held on the same night for Westfield Days: The Sound of Style, presented in partnership with the British Fashion Council, with sister events at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City.

In Edinburgh, guests were treated to a headline set from swim school, a performance from drag act Jonbers, a DJ set from Jungle Hussi with guests piped down to the stage by trans piper, Malin Lewis.

Westfield Days centres around Charles Jeffrey’s Listening Room, an immersive installation built from his own archive and soundscapes, and his PUNK FLEA MARKET, a limited-time shop of archival pieces, accessories and exclusive products. Guests got a first look at both ahead of the wider ten-day programme, which runs at Westfield St James Quarter until 20th September.

Born in Scotland, Jeffrey is internationally recognised for blending design, performance, music and culture into a distinctive creative vision.

Returning home for the takeover, he said: “I’m looking forward to celebrating the people, places and cultural influences that inspire my work, on home turf here in Scotland.

“This is ten days of everything that’s shaped me – the music, the people, the chaotic creativity of it all – and I want Edinburgh to feel like it’s part of that story, not just watching it happen.”

Alice Johnson, singer with swim school said: “Headlining the opening night of Westfield St James Quarter was brilliant, and playing alongside everything Charles Jeffrey’s put together for Westfield Days: The Sound of Style made the night feel like something genuinely different for the city.

“Westfield St James Quarter feels buzzing – and we’re proud to have been a part of the launch.”

Anne Ledgerwood, Estate Director at Westfield St James Quarter, said:“This is what the new chapter for Westfield St James Quarter looks like – bold and built around real creative talent.

“Becoming Westfield St James Quarter is an exciting evolution for this destination, and we wanted the launch to feel like that. Ten days of music, fashion and ideas from Charles Jeffrey, one of Scotland’s most exciting creative voices, is exactly the statement we hoped to make.”

Highlights of the Westfield St James Quarter launch included:

An exclusive Listening Room and soundscapes built from Scottish designer Charles Jeffrey
The opening of Jeffrey’s PUNK FLEA MARKET, a limited-time shop of archival pieces, accessories and exclusive products
A headline performance from rock band swim school, alongside drag performer Jonbers, DJ Jungle Hussi and piper Malin Lewis

Guests to Westfield St James Quarter can experience a full programme of talks, workshops and live performances continuing at each centre as part of the wider Fashion Britain initiative.

Highlights include:

Fri 11 Sept, 5.30-6.15pm: Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY x V&A Dundee: Scottish Fashion in Conversation. Charles Jeffrey and V&A Dundee’s Kirsty Hassard discuss Scottish fashion history, introduced by the British Fashion Council’s Laura Weir.
Sun 13 Sept, 10-11.30am: Fashion Photography Workshop: Creating the Narrative with Claudius Ricketts. A hands-on session on building a fashion image from concept to shoot, with real models. Ages 16+.
Sun 13 Sept, 12-1pm: Love Your Body Dance Workshop with Ivan Blackstock. An energetic Hip Hop-rooted movement session from the choreographer behind Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl. Ages 16+.
Wed 16 Sept, 2-2.30pm: Talk: Tarot, Fashion & Identity with Jade Mordente. Jade Mordente explores tarot and fashion as parallel tools for self-expression.

Full programme of activity is available to view here.

Edinburgh landmarks shine a light of hope on World Suicide Prevention Day

On World Suicide Prevention Day, 10^th September, venues across Edinburgh’s iconic skyline joined landmarks across Scotland in lighting up green to raise awareness of suicide prevention and Samaritans’ charity.

Buildings and landmarks across Scotland united in shining a light on suicide prevention and the support available for people in crisis on Thursday. In Edinburgh, Museum on the Mound, Camera Obscura and the Balmoral Hotel were some of those landmarks shining green, Samaritans’ well-known colour.

Joining the venues were Lerwick Town Hall in Shetland; Discovery Point in Dundee; Stirling Castle, Glasgow Science Centre; the Kelpies; Marischal College and King’s College in Aberdeen.

Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through human connection, and this World Suicide Prevention Day, the charity’s message to people in Scotland is that you don’t have to be an expert to save someone’s life. Small, everyday interruptions and actions could help someone who is suicidal by distracting them from their thoughts.

It could be a face-to-face conversation, a phone call, a text or any other way of connecting with someone. It could be as simple as asking someone you’re worried about if they are OK, perhaps making a positive comment on something you notice about them (for example, their shoes or coat), or even giving them something to touch or hold, which can help to distract somebody and help them feel grounded.

For Paul, 45, an unexpected interruption from a taxi driver simply asking if he was OK was all it took to change the course of his life:

“That taxi driver probably doesn’t know the impact he had that day or how much it helped me,” said Paul. “It seems a bit dramatic to say I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that conversation, but that is the reality. It shows that anyone can save a life, just by showing that they care.”

After struggling to balance a high-pressure job and family life, Paul reached crisis point and decided to take his own life. But a passing taxi driver stopped and got out to check on him.

“I had started to feel like I was the root cause of every problem and if I removed myself, then that would fix everything. I felt tired, burnt out and broken. I decided I was going to take my own life.”

“I was crossing the road when the taxi stopped me. I suspect the driver initially thought it was some idiot not paying attention, but he must’ve recognised that something wasn’t right. He got out to check if I was OK and said something like, ‘You need to talk to someone.’”

“So, I called Samaritans. I don’t remember much about that call, but they helped me get through the night. They listened and allowed me to offload. It helped me go to bed and try again the next day.”

A life-saving interruption for Paul, and a reminder that an interruption can make an enormous difference when it matters.

A new survey commissioned by Samaritans revealed that almost three quarters (74%) of respondents in Scotland felt that society is increasingly being designed to avoid interaction, with just over two in five (43%) saying they interact with people less than they did five years ago.

But despite the direction of travel towards less interaction with others, people still place huge value on human connection.

More people in Scotland say they would prefer to turn to a stranger (50%) than AI (23%) if they needed help – showing that we can all have a role to play in looking out for one another.

It can be difficult to know what to say or do if you think someone may be experiencing a suicidal crisis. Samaritans has put together advice suggested by people with lived experience to help guide others through these moments:

Ask them if they’ve felt like this before and what, if anything, has helped them, and then do something they’ve suggested if possible.
If you feel able to, stay with them and sit quietly, letting them know you’re there if they want to talk.
Do not coerce or force anything on the person. Meet them as they are in that moment.
Let them know they are not alone.
Let them know that an emotion or thought does not last forever. An emotion or thought does not have to define them. It does not need to lead to a decision they can’t reverse.
Ask them what things they care about and what they like.

Samaritans’ Executive Director for Scotland, Neil Mathers, said: “As Scotland glows green on World Suicide Prevention Day, we’re reminded of the power of connection. Each light represents hope, a moment of support, a conversation, and the reminder that Samaritans is here to listen.

“Suicide is preventable. The more openly we talk about suicide, the easier we can make it for people experiencing suicidal thoughts to speak honestly about how they are feeling.

“We’re urging people across Scotland not to be afraid to ask someone if they are feeling suicidal. It can be a difficult conversation, but you don’t need to be an expert or have all the answers. What matters is being there, listening without judgement and showing that you care.”

Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK and Ireland dies by suicide. But suicide isn’t inevitable. This World Suicide Prevention Day, Samaritans is encouraging everyone to be prepared to interrupt if they’re worried someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. Find advice on how to start a conversation, listen and support someone at www.samaritans.org/interrupt.

Samaritans provides a vital lifeline for people and communities across Scotland. Our helpline is available for anyone struggling to cope with suicidal thoughts, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE, any time, from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. Or you can visit www.samaritans.org.