Category: city centre

Animatronic pig shocks Edinburgh by exposing ‘pregnancy cage cruelty’ with installation in city centre

  • ‘It’s not a fight of people versus farmers, but about working with farmers to make sure we can get better protections for animals’ – James Dalgleish
  • ‘A cage is a cage, and public opinion is clear: mother pigs don’t belong behind bars’ – Claire Bass 

Humane World for Animals UK (formerly known as Humane Society International UK) was in Edinburgh city centre on April 14 with its campaign to ban farrowing crates. Campaigners installed a life-sized animatronic pig named Penny to highlight the harsh reality faced by tens of thousands of mother pigs on industrial farms. 

Penny sparked discussions among members of the public about her presence inside a metal crate, like those used to confine sows while they give birth and nurse their piglets. The striking installation is designed to show the severe restriction endured by mother pigs kept in these systems.

Abdullah from Livingstone, said: “Putting a sentient being in any sort of cage is unacceptable. I think mother pigs should be free to look after their babies, without being confined or exploited, just like we would expect a human mother or a mother from any other animal species.”

According to the latest agricultural census, as of 2025, Scotland is home to 25,600 sows, about half of whom are kept in indoor pig farms that keep mother pigs in these cages. Under current laws, they can be kept for up to five weeks confined in narrow metal cages every time they give birth, typically two or three times a year.

The cages are so restrictive that the animals are unable to turn around and have little opportunity to engage in natural behaviours such as nest-building or moving freely with their piglets, damaging their physical and mental health.

James Dalgleish, Labour candidate for Edinburgh Central, said: “It’s not a fight of people versus farmers but about working with farmers to make sure we can get better protections for animals who can then be healthier and happier.”

Polling commissioned by Humane World for Animals UK revealed that 84% of the Scottish public reject the use of farrowing crates for mother pigs.

Over half of respondents (54%) stated they would be willing to pay more for meat from crate-free pigs, indicating opportunities for farmers to benefit from the highest welfare standards financially.

Humane World for Animals UK warns that some parts of the industry are shifting towards so-called ‘flexible’ farrowing crates, which involve the same extreme confinement for a shorter period (10 days). The organisation says these systems will condemn another generation of mother pigs to unnecessary suffering, and advocates instead for cages to be replaced with free-farrowing pens. 

Claire Bass, senior director of campaigns at Humane World for Animals UK, said: “Many people are shocked that such extreme, prolonged confinement is still legal in Scotland. Farmers must end cruel caging, not replace old cages with new ones that would condemn millions more pregnant and nursing pigs to future decades of misery. A cage is a cage, and public opinion is clear: mother pigs don’t belong behind bars. 

“With the Scottish election fast approaching, our tour is turning public compassion into political pressure. Voters in Edinburgh and across Scotland are demanding change and joining our call for the next Scottish Government to support farmers to put an end to pregnancy cage cruelty.” 

ABOUT HUMANE WORLD FOR ANIMALS

Together, we tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. With millions of supporters and work underway in over 50 countries, Humane World for Animals—formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International—addresses the most deeply entrenched forms of animal cruelty and suffering.

As the leading voice in the animal protection space, we work to end the cruellest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Driving toward the greatest global impact, we aim to achieve the vision behind our name: a more humane world.  

humaneworld.org

Photography competition celebrates World Heritage Day

Photography enthusiasts are being encouraged to enter a competition running until October celebrating three decades of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site.

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were first inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995 making this World Heritage Day (Saturday, 18 April) so special as the competition is part of the Site’s 30th birthday celebrations.

This makes this weekend the perfect time to explore the Old and New Towns to capture images of one of the most extraordinary urban landscapes in the world.

The winner of the competition, which is run by Edinburgh World Heritage, Historic Environment Scotland, and the Council, will receive a year’s membership to Historic Scotland.

Entries will be grouped into twelve categories, each celebrating a particular value of Scotland’s capital city. The winning photograph in each category will become part of a year-long calendar, which will be sold on Historic Scotland sites and at Edinburgh World Heritage events to raise money for the Trust.

The over-all winner will take pride of place on the front cover of the calendar and will receive a one-year membership for Historic Scotland, who run top-rated visitor attractions all over the country.

The entries will be judged by Tom Duffin, a professional photographer who specialises in showcasing Edinburgh’s heritage; Neil Hanna, a multi-award-winning photographer with over 35 years of experience; and Jane Bradley, celebrated Arts and Culture Correspondent at the Scotsman.

This year’s World Heritage Day celebrations also include the following event:

DID JOHN BAYNE TAKE A SECRET TO HIS GRAVE?

TODAY (Saturday 18 April) as part of the Legacies in Stone project, Edinburgh World Heritage, the Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard, and the Council (funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund) aim to lift the lid on a secret centuries in the making: does a broken gravestone in John Bayne’s mausoleum hide a forgotten burial vault?

By repairing a simple flat grave slab, the aim is to unlock the mystery of this unique tomb in Scotland’s most famous kirkyard.

How to join:

Cllr Joan Griffiths Planning Convener said: “This year World Heritage Day is so special as there is much to celebrate. The 30th birthday is a significant achievement and milestone to reach as looking after the Site with our partners takes a lot of care and has many challenges. Edinburgh is a living, breathing city and it needs to be well managed to balance the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors.

“This World Heritage Day is a great time to enter our photography competition as it’s a lovely time of year to capture the changing light, sunsets and skylines this part of our stunning capital city is so famous for.

“The beautiful spring flowers appearing in the many gardens and open spaces are also there for us all to enjoy. If you’re interested in photography, why not explore the area this weekend to capture what inspires you most about the Old and New Towns.

“You could combine your visit to find out if John Bayne took a secret to his grave by attending the event in Greyfriars Kirkyard – or if history is more your interest – just attend the event instead.”

George Findlater, Head of Community and Economic Development at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “After thirty years of being a World Heritage Site, Edinburgh continues to inspire admiration from visitors and locals alike.

“We are excited to offer a year’s membership to Historic Scotland as a prize in the photography competition, and World Heritage Day is a terrific opportunity to bring out your camera and capture what makes Edinburgh so unique across the competition categories.”

Douglas Brotherston, Chairman of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: “Thirty years as a World Heritage Site is quite a wonderful achievement and we are delighted at Edinburgh World Heritage, together with our partners at HES and the City of Edinburgh Council to mark the occasion by holding this photography competition.

“The unique appeal of Edinburgh’s streets and landscapes, skylines and special heritage is so varied, it lives up to its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We hope that we will get many entries from locals and visitors alike who can capture the glorious views of our spectacular city.”

The twelve categories for which applicants can submit their photographs are:

  1. Medieval Old Town
  2. Neo-classical New Town
  3. Gardens and open spaces
  4. Urban planning/street layout
  5. Topography and skyline
  6. Public and commercial monuments
  7. Conservation
  8. Layering of heritage
  9. Architectural detail
  10. Graveyards
  11. Juxtaposition
  12.  The Living City

Tomorrow: Free Palestine Prisoners

🇵🇸SCOTTISH NATIONAL DEMO🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

📍EDINBURGH📍

Stay Ignited. Come United. Show the Zionists/Epsteins of today your power in numbers!

🗓️ Sat 18th April

🕰️ 1pm

📍 Foot of the mound – March to the Scottish Parliament

GLASGOW FOLKS⬇️⬇️

Travel Information

Trains leaving from Glasgow Queen St. – Edinburgh Waverley

11:30AM -> 12:22PM

11:45AM -> 12:35PM

12:00PM -> 12:49PM

Journey time 50 Mins

#freethemall

#israelisaterrorstate

#fromtherivertotheseapalestinewillbefree

OMNi To Host The Big Meet Event in May After £5M Transformation

OMNI NEARS COMPLETION OF £5 MILLION TRANSFORMATION AND INVITES  EDINBURGH TO BIG REVEAL EVENT ON SATURDAY 2 MAY 

Edinburgh’s leisure and entertainment destination, OMNi, is adding the finishing touches  to its fresh new look as the £5 million pound refurbishment enters its final stages – signalling the start  of an exciting new chapter for the much-loved city centre destination. 

The refurb project has delivered significant enhancements to the public realm with the aim of creating  a more welcoming space for visitors to meet and enjoy.

Improvements include new flooring throughout  the centre, an upgraded and more visible main entrance, modern LED lighting, new seating zones,  and extensive internal structural improvements. 

Neil Mackie, OMNi Centre Manager, said: “OMNi is on a mission to get Edinburgh to meet more and enjoy more. With a renewed focus  on community and connection, the revitalised OMNi aims to become the go-to spot for affordable fun, and meeting point for everyday moments in Edinburgh, from morning coffees  before exploring the city and family meals after a day out.

“We’re excited for everyone to  experience the newly refurbished entertainment destination for all.” 

The refreshed centre marks the start of a new chapter for OMNi and brings with it a programme of  planned and surprise enlivenment and events into 2026 and beyond.

To celebrate new beginnings,  OMNi is hosting The Big Meet on Saturday 2 May – a free event designed to bring the people of  Edinburgh together and give back to the community. 

The Big Meet will bring a burst of feel-good energy to the centre between 11am and 5pm. OMNi brand  ambassadors will be surprising visitors with complimentary coffees, meals, cinema tickets and other  treats, while brands offer up one-day-only deals. Guests can also take home a personalised sketch  from a live illustrator, along with a few extra surprises along the way. 

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the local community, OMNi has donated a significant £180,000 over three years to the University of Edinburgh’s Access Edinburgh Scholarship  programme, which supports students from low‑income backgrounds.

The funding will aid 30  undergraduates, with each scholar receiving a total of £3,000 per year. This is funded equally from  OMNi and the University, to help students with personal and academic costs.

Thomas Archer Bata, Director at Triple B, said: “At Triple B, our ambition is always to enrich the lives of the communities we serve.

“OMNi is  especially meaningful to me, having studied at the University of Edinburgh and seen first hand the role it plays as an important social hub for the city. Its transformation reflects our  commitment to creating a welcoming place for the local community to come together and  enjoy accessible, affordable fun.

“We’re proud to build on that by supporting the University of  Edinburgh’s Access Edinburgh Scholarship programme, helping students focus on their  studies without financial strain.” 

Visit the OMNi website for full details on The Big Meet event on 2 May 2026. Join OMNi on its social  channels for latest information and behind the scenes content: Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. 

OMNi is open 6am – 1am, Monday to Sunday. Individual brand opening times may vary, including  Bank Holidays.

Takeaway cup recycling made easier in Edinburgh

Recycling takeaway cups in Edinburgh is now easier thanks to a collaborative scheme Keep Scotland Beautiful has launched with the National Cup Recycling Scheme and City of Edinburgh Council.

Dedicated cup bins will be deployed on Market Street, Waverley Bridge and outside Haymarket Station to collect single-use cups in a new trial to test the effectiveness of on-street cup recycling and see if it is possible to boost the number of cups being recycled in Scotland – currently 4% – and prevent them from ending up as litter or in landfill.  

Furthermore, the partners have teamed up with retailers including Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero, Greggs and McDonald’s to launch Take It Back in Edinburgh. 

This is the first time our Cup Movement campaign has taken place in Edinburgh and will build on the previous success and learnings of trials in Glasgow and Dundee. 

More than 30 stores in Edinburgh are participating in Take It Back, allowing customers to take a single-use cup back to any of the above retailers to be recycled.  

Heather McLaughlin, Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Campaigns Manager, said: “Single-use cups make up a huge percentage of the items polluting Scotland’s environment. 

“More than half of people in Scotland (59%) often see littered single-use cups. In Edinburgh alone a recent bin audit of on-street bins outside Waverley Station found that single-use cups made up 59% of the drinks waste. 

“The reality is that these single-use products are already ending up as litter. We need to address our over consumption of single-use products and make an effort to choose reusable options. 

“However, we know that reuse is not always possible or practical. This scheme will make it easier for people who use single-use cups to ensure they are recycled properly.” 

Hannah Osman, National Cup Recycling Manager at Valpak Ltd, said: “Transport hubs are some of the highest footfall locations in Scotland, and we know from our data that a significant volume of single-use cups are consumed on the go.  

“By targeting key commuter routes, this trial allows us to test how dedicated infrastructure in the right locations can capture more material and significantly increase recycling rates. 

“Through this partnership, we’re using real-time data and evidence from previous trials to understand what works, measure contamination levels, track capture rates, and build a scalable model for on-street cup recycling. 

“The goal is simple: make cup recycling visible, convenient and data-driven so it can be rolled out effectively across other cities in Scotland and beyond.” 

Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, City of Edinburgh Council’s Environment Convener, said: “Increasing recycling rates in the city is one of our key priorities. 

“It’s important we support targeted projects like this to make it easier for people to dispose of takeaway cups, which have become so popular in recent years and the prominent locations of these three new dedicated bins will hopefully do that. 

“I’d also always encourage residents and visitors buying a regular cuppa to wherever possible take their own cup into takeaway stores to cut down on the need to use the disposable ones at all.” 

Typical single-use hot drink cups cannot go into standard recycling bins or be recycled at home. To avoid cups ending up in landfill, it is really important to #TakeItBack.  So, even if you forget your reusable cup, you can still help reduce the negative environmental impact of single-use cups if you #TakeItBack. 

Find the participating Edinburgh stores on our interactive map.

Read more on our website and remember to #TakeItBack next time you’re in Edinburgh: https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/…/takeaway-cup…/

Still to see at Edinburgh Science Festival 2026 

Edinburgh Science Festival, the world’s first and still one of Europe’s biggest science festivals continues until 19 April

This week’s highlights include: 
 
Science Festival Favourites (13 – 19 April) 

Enjoy the perfect family day out this Easter break with a special programme of shows and workshops at the National Museum of Scotland. Kids can play the role of scientist as they Dig Up a Dinosaur, solve a crime in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation or make slime to take home in Splat-tastic.

The whole family can enjoy Mini-Medics: The Body Show and The Rocket Show, and explore our free Tech Decoded drop-in activities. 

Celebrating Jane Goodall: A Life of Impact (15 April) 

Celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE – Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace – whose groundbreaking research and community-led conservation work transformed our understanding of chimpanzees and the natural world.

Audiences will hear personal reflections from some of Jane’s former colleagues, view images and video from Goodall’s career, and will have the opportunity to submit questions for a concluding Q&A.  

The Science of Origin (17 April) 

Join Prof Dame Lorna Dawson of The James Hutton Institute and international experts for an interactive event exploring the science of provenance. 

Learn how scientists determine authenticity and link objects or people to places, including crime scenes. The panel will discuss organised crime, murders, illegal mining, conflict minerals, gold trading, wildlife crime and the fossil trade. 

Bloody Powerful: The Taboo-busting Guide to Periods, Menopause and Everything In-Between (18 April) 

Dr Brooke Vandermolen has taken the internet by storm as ‘The OBGYN Mum’, smashing down taboos and debunking myths about overlooked and misunderstood areas of women’s health and medicine.

In this special event, join Dr Brooke Vandermolen and host Prof Philippa Saunders, as they navigate the biggest myths, misinformation, and medical jargon about female health, and show how the internet is making it harder than ever to find accurate information you can trust. 

Doing Science on the Roof of the World (18 April) 

In remote Himalayan regions of Nepal, yaks are vital for local livelihoods, yet crossbreeding with cattle – where antibiotics use is common – may help spread resistant germs. 

Join an international team from the Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology in Nepal and the University of Edinburgh to explore this urgent issue, its implications for yak milk safety, and the challenges of conducting science in the Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park. 

To view the full programme, visit: 

https://www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/whats-on/ 

Animatronic pig visits Edinburgh to expose ‘pregnancy age cruelty’ 

Humane World for Animals UK (formerly known as Humane Society International UK) will take its campaign to ban farrowing crates to Edinburgh today (14 April) by installing a life-sized animatronic pig named Penny to highlight the harsh reality faced by tens of thousands of mother pigs on industrial farms.

Penny will appear inside a metal crate like those used to confine sows while they give birth and nurse their piglets. The striking installation is designed to show the severe restriction endured by mother pigs kept in these systems.

You can meet Penny at the Mercat Cross today from 10am – 2pm.

As of 2025, Scotland is home to 25,600 sows, about half of whom are kept in indoor pig farms that keep mother pigs in these cages. Under current laws, they can be kept for up to five weeks confined in narrow metal cages every time they give birth, typically two or three times a year.

The cages are so restrictive that the animals are unable to turn around and have little opportunity to engage in natural behaviours such as nest-building or moving freely with their piglets, damaging their physical and mental health.

Polling commissioned by Humane World for Animals UK revealed that 84% of the Scottish public reject the use of farrowing crates for mother pigs.

Over half of respondents (54%) stated they would be willing to pay more for meat from crate-free pigs, indicating opportunities for farmers to benefit from the highest welfare standards financially.

Claire Bass, senior director of campaigns at Humane World for Animals UK, said: “Many people are shocked that such extreme, prolonged confinement is still legal in Scotland.

“Farmers must end cruel caging, not replace old cages with new ones that would condemn millions more pregnant and nursing pigs to future decades of misery. A cage is a cage, and public opinion is clear: mother pigs don’t belong behind bars. 

“With the Scottish election fast approaching, our tour is turning public compassion into political pressure. Voters in Edinburgh and across Scotland are demanding  change and joining our call for the next Scottish Government to support farmers to put an end to pregnancy cage cruelty.” 

WHEN: TODAY 14 April 10:00 – 14:00

WHERE: Edinburgh: Mercat Cross, High Street.

New Art Gallery opens in Picardy Place

Unveiling Yaniv Edery Gallery: International artist opens new Edinburgh venue for contemporary art and exclusive events

 A new gallery showcasing the work of internationally acclaimed artist, Yaniv Edery, is opening in the heart of Edinburgh, establishing a world-class destination for contemporary art and exclusive private events. 

Housed within an elegant Georgian townhouse on the city’s historic Picardy Place, Yaniv Edery Gallery officially opened on Thursday (26 March 2026) marking the artist’s UK debut.

The new gallery, Yaniv Edery’s first in the UK, presents his vibrant, immersive collection of artworks that has captivated audiences worldwide, from private collectors to luxury venues across the globe.

The destination is also introducing a unique new luxury events venue in Edinburgh, available for private hire for weddings and exclusive occasions.

Born in Casablanca, Morocco in 1977, Yaniv’s artistic journey began in fashion and textile design before evolving into a distinctive contemporary practice. 

A self-taught artist, he has developed a one-of-a-kind technique through years of experimentation, layering resin over carefully injected acrylic and ink on brushed aluminium. The result is richly textured works with striking dimensionality, extraordinary depth and intricate detail. 

Blending bold colour with luxury motifs, Yaniv’s signature animal portraits incorporate resin, crystals, and metallic finishes to create light, reactive pieces that blur the line between pop art and contemporary sculpture. 

Each piece is a dynamic, almost living work revealing intricate detail, encouraging viewers to engage with each artwork from multiple perspectives. 

Yaniv Edery said: “I’m proud to present my collection in this extraordinary new setting in Edinburgh, a city rich in art, history and culture. This new gallery is designed to bring contemporary art and curated events together, creating a unique experience where audiences can connect with vibrant, immersive works. 

“Art is constantly evolving, and my aim is to celebrate this growth by combining creativity, luxury, and pop culture in a way that engages, inspires, and surprises. I hope this gallery becomes a special place where people come together to explore, reflect, and celebrate, while hosting unforgettable private occasions.”

Throughout his career, Yaniv Edery has led several unique collaborations that blend styles and disciplines. Among the most notable, he was honoured to create a custom piano for Stevie Wonder and to paint family portraits for an array of international celebrities. 

Now based in Monaco, Yaniv enjoys international recognition and is represented by prestigious galleries worldwide. His work has been exhibited at Art Basel in Miami, one of the world’s most renowned art fairs, and he was selected as the opening artist for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.  

For the past eight years, Yaniv has been the official artist of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. His pieces also reside in prestigious private collections, including the Royal Palace of Monaco, as well as the homes of Formula One drivers Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc.

The opening marks Yaniv’s first UK gallery, bringing his creative vision to Edinburgh in a space that seamlessly merges contemporary art with a refined event setting. 

Located within a UNESCO World Heritage site on 4 Picardy Place, famously the birthplace of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the gallery preserves its classical architectural character while providing a striking backdrop for the distinctive artworks and a versatile setting for events. 

Featuring a dedicated function room, reception bar, private basement bar, and boutique suites, the venue combines elegance with versatility, making it ideal for intimate weddings, private gatherings, exclusive business events and celebrations.

Yaniv Edery Gallery operates seven days a week for private viewings by appointment, offering visitors the chance to experience the artist’s immersive works firsthand and explore the event spaces. It is also available for private event hire seven days.

Pricing is available from the gallery on enquiry, but each artwork is produced in a limited-edition collection of five copies per size, a conscious choice that preserves exclusivity while maintaining accessible pricing, despite the complexity and cost of the artist’s process. It is also possible to commission a unique, fully customised, bespoke piece of artwork.

For further information on visiting the gallery or hosting private events, visit:

https://yanivederygallery.com or contact info@yanivederygallery.com

The Digital Mirror

Discover the intriguing digital photography of Scottish artist Wendy McMurdo in her biggest ever exhibition at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait

Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror

30 May – 25 October 2026

National Galleries Scotland: Portrait

Free admission

Wendy McMurdo | The Digital Mirror | National Galleries of Scotland

From 30 May, discover leading Scottish photographer Wendy McMurdo’s biggest exhibition to date, spanning over 20 years of the artist’s career, for free at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait.

Explore McMurdo’s photographic reflections on childhood, the digital world, learning and make-believe in Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror. Featuring over 50 works, visitors will find some never-before seen photographs as well as several rarely seen digital animations newly configured to respond to the context of the historic Portrait gallery building.

McMurdo has blazed a trail in the experimental use of computers and digital tools in photography, from the early days of computer-based learning in schools to the growth of the internet and networked gaming. Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror presents the ground-breaking work of the artist, made between 1995 and 2018, exploring the evolving role of computers in children’s lives.

Coming at a time when the digital landscape is changing faster than ever before, with technology offering limitless possibilities and children spending more and more time online, the exhibition offers a fascinating response to the impact of technology on learning and play in childhood.

Growing up in Edinburgh and attending Edinburgh College of Art, McMurdo became a regular visitor to galleries and museums. She was influenced by key works in Scotland’s national art collection such as Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch (The Skating Minister), and the sculptural work of Leith-born artist Eduardo Paolozzi. 

Showing how the artist takes inspiration from the past to create photographic works like Avatar (i) and the Robot Workshop series, both the iconic Skating Minister and several Paolozzi sculptures will be displayed in the exhibition alongside McMurdo’s photographs.  Visitors will also be able explore a range of other objects which have influenced the artist’s practice.

Thinking about the evolution of play, McMurdo has selected a collection of early 20th century dolls on loan from the Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh. McMurdo has included them in the exhibition to share the lasting impact they have had on her work and ideas, and in recognition of the importance of local museums on her own creative development.

Discover McMurdo’s moving image works, created using digital animation and source material such as conversations from online gaming chatrooms.

See how she has presented these in new configurations within the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait Library and Upper Balcony areas in response to the historic building and the collection it holds.

Installed at the centre of the exhibition, is McMurdo’s large moving image work, Indeterminate Objects (Classrooms), which was originally commissioned by The Photographers’ Gallery, London in 2017.

The work combines photography with three-dimensional animated forms similar in appearance to those associated with computer games such as Minecraft.

McMurdo uses hovering shapes to cast a shadow on an empty classroom to explore how children – like adults – are increasingly subject to a world augmented by data and simulation. In making this work, McMurdo was reflecting on her observations of the pervasive nature of online games and virtual worlds and the way these digital spaces shape how children think, play and learn about themselves, each other and the world. 

The exhibition will also include a display of McMurdo’s working photography contact sheets, revealing some of the technology and processes she has evolved to generate her own dreamlike imagery. McMurdo’s photographic works often start as a result of group workshops. From multiple tests and countless variations, new bodies of work then emerge.

Many of the works in the exhibition were made during a period of rapid technological development, McMurdo delves into the ways in which the introduction of computers for example changed children’s educational experience  and the changing nature of play.

Discover Let’s Go to a Place, an installation that explores the collision between real and digital worlds, through a series of portraits of primary school children.

This body of work was created around the same time as the mobile game, Pokémon Go was at the height of popularity, the work reflects on the impact of location-based gaming and technology on children’s play, capturing the dual existence in both the physical and virtual worlds. 

McMurdo is a pioneering figure in Scottish art and a key contributor to Scotland’s international reputation as a centre for experimental contemporary art. This exhibition coincides with the bicentenary year of the Royal Scottish Academy to which McMurdo was the first woman photographer to be elected.

To coincide with the exhibition, visitors to the Library in the Portrait gallery will be able to read a new brochure. The free publication includes two new pieces of writing on McMurdo’s work by Patricia Allmer, Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art History, University of Edinburgh and David Hopkins, Emeritus Professor of Art History, University of Glasgow. 

Wendy McMurdo said: “With new legislation focussing on the impact of online culture on children’s lives, now is a particularly apt time to revisit this body of work.

“It is an invitation to celebrate play and creativity and to consider the wider implications of new technologies on the lives of young people.”

Ben Harman, Senior Curator of Photography and Lead Curator of Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror at the National Galleries of Scotland said: “We’re excited to have this opportunity to celebrate a pioneering body of photographic work by an artist based in Edinburgh with an internationally-renowned reputation in the world of contemporary photography.”

Wendy McMurdo: The Digital Mirror is a free exhibition opening at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait on 30 May 2026.

Monday coffee deal offers a brighter start to the week

Edinburgh café launches reusable cup offer with sustainability at its heart

MONDAYS could soon feel a little brighter in Edinburgh as a city centre café launches reusable cups alongside a new half-price hot drinks offer.

Located beside Surgeons’ Hall Museums in the heart of the capital, Café 1505 is encouraging customers to switch to its reusable cup by offering 50% off hot drinks every Monday.

The discount is available exclusively to customers using the café’s own reusable cup, combining value with a more sustainable choice.

The campaign is being introduced by Surgeons Quarter, which manages Café 1505 as part of its wider commercial activity across the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh campus. Profits support the College’s charitable work in surgical education, training and improving patient outcomes worldwide.

Scott Michell, Managing Director of Surgeons Quarter, said: “Monday can be the toughest day of the week for customers and for hospitality businesses, so this is a simple way to give people a lift while also encouraging a more sustainable choice. It is about making the start of the week a little brighter, while reflecting the values behind Café 1505.

“We know people are thinking more carefully about the choices they make every day. This offer gives them a good reason to come in on a Monday, while also shining a light on the ethical and environmental thinking already built into the café.”

Café 1505 serves Caffia Grown by Women coffee, using beans produced by female farmers in cooperatives across regions including Peru, Nicaragua and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Used coffee grounds are also recycled at Cyrenians Farm for composting.

The reusable cup launch forms part of a wider sustainability drive across Surgeons Quarter’s commercial operations.

Its four-star Ten Hill Place Hotel has held a Gold Green Tourism Award since 2008, with further environmental measures including the removal of single-use plastic bottles and the use of 100 per cent renewable energy.

By linking value with sustainability, Café 1505 aims to give workers, students, visitors and local residents another reason to rethink their Monday routine.

The Café 1505 reusable cup is available to purchase for £19, which includes the first hot drink free – with every Monday thereafter offering 50% off for cup holders.

For more information, visit the Surgeons Quarter: https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/