To celebrate the launch of its newly opened George Street restaurant, Prezzo Italian is offering food lovers the chance to land what might just be the city’s tastiest new role of ‘Chief Tasting Officer.’
Pizza enthusiasts and pasta fans are invited to apply for the honorary position, which will see one lucky recruit enjoy a free main dish every week of the year. The Chief Tasting Officer will spend their time sampling Prezzo Italian’s signature dishes, from handmade pizzas to indulgent pastas, and sharing their thoughts on flavours, combinations and menu favourites.
Ideal candidates will have a genuine love of Italian food, a passion for flavour, and the ability to spot the perfect pizza topping or pasta pairing. Whether you’re a self-confessed foodie or simply never say no to a slice, this could be the dream role for you.
Naddy Onions, Marketing Director of Prezzo Italian, said:“With the opening of our new Edinburgh restaurant, what better way to celebrate than by giving one lucky Scot the chance to step into a role created just for them.
“The Chief Tasting Officer role is our way of inviting a passionate foodie to join the Prezzo Italian family, enjoy a signature dish every week, and help us share our love of Italian cooking with the city.”
The new restaurant, located at135 George St, is open seven days a week from 12-10pm and seats up to 250 guests across two floors and an outdoor terrace. Guests can expect a wide-ranging menu of handmade pizzas and pastas, burgers, grill dishes, indulgent desserts and handcrafted cocktails.
Applications for the Chief Tasting Office are now open via this link until Sunday 16th November
Prezzo Italian also operates in Glasgow’s Braehead shopping centre and Aberdeen’s Union Square, with further expansion planned across the UK, including Central London.
2MANYDJS, VALTOS AND HAYLEY ZALASSI TAKE OVER STREET PARTY
ASSEMBLY ROOMS FESTIVAL CLUB WELCOMES VIC GALLOWAY’S VITAMIN C CLUB NIGHT, SUSIE MCCABE, LARRY DEAN AND MORE, AS WELL AS RETURN OF TRADITIONAL CEILIDHS
PLUS, ST.GILES’ WELCOMES LAU FOR SPECIAL CANDLELIT CONCERT
Edinburgh’s Hogmanayhas today announced a music and comedy programme spannning four days of the festival, with Scottish talent topping the bill across the famous Street Party, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival Club at the Assembly Rooms and Candlelit Concerts at St.Giles’ Cathedral.
From electro-trad trailblazers Valtos to comedy mainstays Susie McCabe, Larry Dean and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, trad trio Lau, as well as Street Party headliners 2manydjs and more, there’s non-stop entertainment to end the year on a high at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY STREET PARTY
Amidst the backdrop of Edinburgh’s historic skyline, the legendary Street Party will once again transform the city centre into one of the world’s largest open-air dancefloors on 31 December, bringing in the bells with the last show of 2025 and the first of 2026.
Electronic sensations 2manydjs will headline the Party Zone, delivering a set relayed throughout Princes Street, building up to the world-famous Midnight Moment fireworks from Edinburgh Castle.
Known for their eclectic, boundary-pushing DJ sets, the Belgian duo will take to the decks for one night only, joined by special guest DJHayley Zalassi, who will kickstart the party with one of her euphoric sets.
Meanwhile, the Tartan Zone will spotlight homegrown talent, headlined by genre-bending Skye duo Valtos. Known for their powerful fusion of electronic soundscapes and contemporary folk, Martyn MacDonald and Daniel Docherty will set the tone for a high-energy night, joined by their full live band.
Partygoers can dance the night away to all-female folk outfit The Poozies and the upbeat Bella McNab’s Dance Band, creating one of the world’s largest ceilidh dances and spotlighting Scottish traditional music to end the year.
Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald of Valtos said: “We are absolutely delighted to be asked to perform at the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party this year.
“The Street Party is iconic worldwide and the opportunity to showcase our sound (and the sound of Scotland) to locals, and visitors alike, fills us with much excitement. The only thing blowing the roof off this year will be Valtos!”
ASSEMBLY ROOMS FESTIVAL CLUB
Some of Scotland’s leading comedians join the Hogmanay festivities this year with a night of non-stop laughs at Ho Ho Hogmanay on 30 December, featuring award-winning comedy from Larry Dean, Christopher Macarthur-Boyd and more.
A stellar bill of Scottish acts will take to the stage including one of the UK’s leading comics and three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Larry Dean and, following a completely sold out Edinburgh Fringe run, Glaswegian stand-up Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, plus Edinburgh local and rising star Ayo Adenekan, with the night hosted by comedy legend Susie McCabe.
Susie McCabe said: “New Year is such a brilliant time to be in Edinburgh, and a night of comedy at the Assembly Rooms is the perfect starter before the main event on Hogmanay night!”
Assembly Rooms will also host a special opening-night takeover with Vic Galloway’s Vitamin C Club Night on 29 December, following the annual Torchlight Procession. Curated and hosted by BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic Galloway and Andy Wake (The Phantom Band), this spectacular night of live music will feature live music from local indie-rock band waverley. and a DJ set from Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai fame, for non-stop dancin’, a night of rock’n’roll, psych, cosmic disco, soul, funk and rarities – and everyone is invited.
The festival’s beloved foot-stompin’ ceilidhs also return, inviting revellers of all ages to dance their way into the New Year in true Scottish style.
An annual sell-out, the Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh Club returns for an afternoon of family fun on 31 December with the Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience, whilst the late-night Hogmanay Ceilidh Club invites guests to dress to impress and take to the dancefloor for a night of high-energy ceilidh in traditional Hogmanay fashion, featuring Scotland’s best live ceilidh bands across two dancefloors with Ceilidhonia,Teannaich, Hugh McDiarmid’s Haircut, and Bodhran Bodhran, delicious whisky tasting and a raucous countdown to midnight and Auld Lang Syne.
CANDLELIT CONCERTS
In the Old Town, the beloved Candlelit Concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral returns on Hogmanay night, offering an evening of musical reflection in one of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric settings.
This year’s concert marks the arrival of 2026 with works from classical giants Bach and Mozart, performed by the St. Giles’ Cathedral Choir, directed by new Master of Music Jack Oades, along with the St. Giles’ Camerata, and a stunning array of talented young soloists.
Brand new for 2025, St. Giles’ is also the setting for an intimate candlelit performance from acclaimed folk trio Lau on 30 December. Lau by Candlelight sees some of traditional music’s most celebrated innovators Kris Drever (guitar, vocals), Martin Green (accordion) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle), strip away their banks of electronics, loops and wild effects, for a performance less about spectacle and more about close listening and reflection.
These newly announced shows further expand a four-day programme that already features Grammy Award-winners Wet Leg at the Concert in the Gardens, joined by Scots favourites Hamish Hawk and Lucia & The Best Boys.
Scottish music legends Peat & Diesel headline the Night Afore Concert on 30 December, performing a barnstorming set underneath the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, with support from Scottish accordion sensation RuMac.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is always an unforgettable experience, and 2025 promises to be another year to remember.
“With a fantastic four-day festival lined up for the celebrated Street Party, there’s no better place in the world to welcome the New Year.
“This year’s programme truly offers something for people of all ages – whether you’re dancing to DJ sets from international icons like 2MANYDJs and local favourite Hayley Zalassi or enjoying the family-friendly fun of the beloved Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh Club.
“I have no doubt this will be one of the most memorable Hogmanay celebrations yet. It’s not to be missed.”
Directors of Unique Assembly, who create and produce the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival said: “We’re incredibly proud to unveil the next wave of events, with a feast of live music, ceilidhs and comedy across four days of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
“From rising stars to much-loved mainstays of the cultural scene, these artists and events promise to light up every corner of the city, from the exhilarating Street Party, the hilarious Ho Ho Hogmanay and our raucous traditional ceilidhs, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.”
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2025/26 is supported by Principal Funding Partners City of Edinburgh Council and Major Partners the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund all working together to create spectacular Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations for Scotland.
Follow Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on social media – Facebook and Instagram.
TOMORROW, Saturday 25th October, Child Poverty Action Group – alongside other members of the End Child Poverty Coalition – will be joining charities, community organisations, faith groups, trade unions and many more in a march from Holyrood to the Meadows in Edinburgh (writes CPAG Scotland’s MARIA MARSHALL).
#ScotlandDemandsBetter has been organised to give organisations and individuals in Scotland an opportunity to make their voices heard and demand that politicians make the change needed so that every household in Scotland can thrive.
Signs we are on the right track…
In a lot of ways, we have seen progress to tackle child poverty in the past several years, at least here in Scotland.
The passing of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act in 2017 was a watershed moment. Following the abandoning of child poverty targets by the UK Government in 2015, the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act ( unanimously backed by all of Holyrood’s parties) set targets for child poverty reduction and requirements such as a tackling child poverty delivery plan to be published by the Scottish Government every four years.
The result of this cross-government, cross-party effort in Scotland has been to sharpen the minds of those who hold the power and drive real and tangible progress for families.
Since then, we have seen the introduction and expansion of the Scottish child payment (SCP), first introduced in February 2021 and now worth £27.15 a week for every eligible child under 16.
Along with other members of End Child Poverty and the Scotland Demands Better movement we are now calling for immediate and sustained increases in its value so that it reaches £55 per week by the end of the next parliament. Investing further in the Scottish child payment is the most direct and cost-effective tool available to the Scottish government to further reduce child poverty.
SCP is one of a suite of policy interventions in the first two delivery plans including; Best Start Foods and Best Start grant (replacing Healthy Start and Sure Start in the UK), an expanded offer of 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare, increased focus on parental employability support and the expansion of universal free school meals in primary schools (despite subsequent backtracking on promises for universal provision for P6-7 pupils too…)
Of all the interventions taken, it is the increased investment in social security in Scotland that is behind the diverging trend confirmed in the latest child poverty statistics which saw child poverty in Scotland fall by four percentage points, while rising (once again) UK-wide. Steps in the right direction for sure.
We’ve come some way, but not far enough
So on the one hand, we have seen some real success. In December last year, research commissioned by CPAG on the costs of raising a child, found that the gap between costs and incomes for families in Scotland was narrower than the rest of the UK. However, this same research found that Scotland’s lowest-income families are still left with less than half the income they need for a minimum socially acceptable standard of living.
Despite showing that progress had been made, this year’s child poverty statistics also confirmed that over one in five children in Scotland are still growing up in poverty. For those children, for all children, we are demanding better.
We can shout about the progress made, but for families living on the sharp end of the cost of living crisis, this will ring hollow. Summer holidays this year too often brought more stress and anxiety for Scottish parents than opportunities to learn and play. Like Hope, parent and participant in the Changing Realities project, who wrote in July:
“Already it has been a bit stressful. The kids are constantly hungry and “bored” then hungry again. Which means more food shopping. I can’t afford summer clubs/camps (tennis, football, multi sports, water sports etc) as they are coming in at around £40 a day and some of them state you have to bring your own packed lunches … I also am embarrassed to take the kids to a food bank this year. So if my oldest boy is in I’ll get him to watch my youngest and tell them “I’m going shopping.”
Too many families are being denied the security and opportunity to thrive that we all deserve. But looking to the future, there should be reason to feel hope.
Standing at the crossroads
We now have two governments, UK and Scotland, who have made a commitment to tackling child poverty. Campaigners are anxiously awaiting the UK child poverty strategy due to be published this Autumn.
Next year’s elections in Scotland also provide an opportunity for all parties, MSPs and candidates to commit to building on the progress made and delivering a better future for all of Scotland’s children.
In theory, we are at the cusp of a real opportunity for making progress on tackling child poverty. But we can also risk losing our way…
Will we build on the progress made in Scotland to meet the 2030 targets? Will the UK Government pull the levers in their power such as scrapping the two-child limit and benefit cap to move us in the right direction together?
Or will we see a stalling in Scotland, resting on existing progress and unable to keep up with the rising costs squeezing low-income families? Will the UK strategy fail to tackle the true drivers of rising child poverty such as the slashing of social security support in the past 15 years?
Walking with hope
In May last year, parents from the Changing Realities project launched their own campaign ‘Hope Starts Here’ with the aim to change the narrative on the progress we need to see by shifting the focus on the potential that all children have.
One parent, Faith, expressed that: “I hope that my children will be able to have endless possibilities of what and who they want to become in the future when they grow up. There is a big world waiting out there for them.”
Faith’s words encapsulate why members of the End Child Poverty coalition will be marching together to demand better for our children. All children should have endless possibilities of what and who they want to be when they grow up.
Better is possible. There is already ambition across the political spectrum to tackle child poverty. We now need to see the two-child limit and benefit cap scrapped at UK level, and in Scotland we need all parties to set out a clear path that will deliver year on year progress towards the 2030 targets, so that every child in Scotland can have the best possible start in life.
If you’re in Edinburgh on Saturday, please join us.
Multrees Walk Edinburgh, Scotland’s leading luxury shopping destination, has announced an exciting new collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art (ECA), supporting the next generation of fashion talent.
As part of this partnership, Multrees Walk will provide mentorship and sponsorship to second-year fashion students as they embark on their annual commercial project.
This initiative will give students invaluable insight into the world of fashion, from design development to market positioning, supporting the gap between education and commercial practice.
Students will explore and consider sustainability, responsible material choices, understanding customer profiles, and developing strong brand narratives.
Working closely with its retailers, Multrees Walk is uniquely positioned to offer students a wealth of real-world expertise and a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about the creative processes, the commercial routes and the commerce opportunities, all at an international level. Retailers from Multrees Walk including Harvey Nichols and Johnstons of Elgin will be offering student mentorship.
Leigh Aitchison, Centre Manager at Multrees Walk said; “We are delighted to be able to support and mentor the students of Edinburgh College of Art this year. By partnering with our retailers, we are able to share industry insight and tangible experiences that bring the education of fashion to life.
“Together, we will aim to inspire and equip the next generation of fashion designers, buyers and marketeers with the tools they need to navigate in today’s ever-changing fashion landscape.”
Adam Stone, Head of Retail Asset Management UK at Nuveen (landlord of Multrees Walk)said: “Multrees Walk is committed to supporting the fashion industry of the future and our collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art will give students the unique and valuable opportunity to work alongside our wide range of leading global brands and retailers.
“We are proud to be able to help provide this wonderful opportunity and offer this exceptional mentor and sponsor partnership to the students.”
Professor Mal James, Programme Director BA fashion programme Edinburgh College of Art,added: “Partnering with Multrees Walk connects our students to a global network of leading international brands and retailers.
“This collaboration allows us to bring real life industry insight directly into the classroom. It’s a fundamental opportunity for our students to understand not only the creative demands of fashion, but the business side of the industry, too.”
Taking place in Genesis Studio Edinburgh, Multrees Walk, this event will offer the public, industry professionals and the wider creative community the chance to engage with the students and their work.
Having lived at National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two since the early 2000’s, a triumphant effort has seen the sculpture travel through the city to its new location at the National.
Dr Patricia Allerston, Deputy Director & Chief Curator of European & Scottish Art, National Galleries of Scotland said: ‘We wanted to bring the art outdoors and into the gardens at the National to spotlight that we are a gallery from the moment people arrive in the gardens.
“We wanted it to welcome people in and to show a snapshot of the incredible Scottish art on offer inside. Paolozzi seemed like a perfect choice for this spot, he was very much an artist who looked to the past as well as to the future, which is very much what we are about at the National Galleries of Scotland.
“He was also from Edinburgh, which seemed very fitting as he will now be looking out over the city and facing towards his hometown of Leith.’
Taking two days and extensive pre-planning to move the impressive one tonne sculpture, it called on expertise inside and outside the gallery to make it possible. Requiring the skills of curators, conservators, collections management, specialist movers with specialist kit including a crane and gimble to get the statue in position.
Master of the Universe is based on a famous drawing by William Blake, which shows the scientist Isaac Newton. Paolozzi used the same pose as in the Blake drawing but has mechanised the figure.
The artist also fashioned it to put himself in the picture, creating himself as the sculpture. Interested in the relationship between nature, science and the man made, Paolozzi brought all of this together to create Master of the Universe.
Visit National Galleries Scotland: National to see Master of the Universe and lots of other free art, including the greatest collection of Scottish art in the world.
The Right Honourable Lord Provost of the city of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, led a special group of wreath-layers at the annual Opening Ceremony of the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance, at the Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens yesterday (Monday, 20th October, 2025).
Members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, attended the poignant event, organised by Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, to remember those who have fallen in conflicts, with more than 40 wreaths laid at a service which was also well attended by members of the public.
Among those that joined Edinburgh’s Lord Provost was Reverend Dr Karen Campbell, National Padre of the Royal British Legion Scotland, who led the service, along with attendees from Scottish Government, Police Scotland and other dignitaries.
Music was provided by The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, as well as piper Eddie Molyneux, who led the wreath-layers into the garden.
Commenting on the service, Legion Scotland Events Manager, Brian Ward, said: “This was a wonderful occasion which was very well attended by representatives of the Armed Forces and other dignitaries from across our capital city and of course Scotland.
“The lovely weather certainly helped to draw out the crowds with so many people turning out, as well as the many passers-by who stopped to reflect and pay their respects to our fallen.”
The Garden features thousands of poppy crosses and other remembrance symbols with personal dedications from across Scotland. It will remain open until the Armistice Day service on Tuesday, November 11 for visitors to pay their own tributes.
The opening event coincided with the launch of this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal on the same day, whereby Scottish Rugby legend Chris Paterson attended Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh for a tour of the premises and to encourage people to donate and wear their poppy with pride this remembrance period.
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s biggest fundraising appeal, with more than two million poppies already being distributed around the country. All funds raised will go to support Poppyscotland’s work, providing life-changing support and advice to veterans, servicemen and women, and their families.
UK motorists face £12 million in monthly clean air and low emission zone penalties
Over £627 million has been generated by Clean Air Zones (CAZ) and Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in the UK
On average 200,000 fines are issued to motorists driving through these zones each month
Almost 8 million penalty charge notices (PCNs) have been issued in London since 2019
On average, UK cities have seen a 39% decrease in penalty charge notices since their introduction
Clean Air Zones (CAZ) and Low Emission Zones (LEZ) are designed to improve air quality, by charging drivers of high-polluting vehicles that enter into a specific area. London was the first city to introduce one of these zones, with a number of other cities following suit in recent years.
With this in mind, taxi insurance specialists ChoiceQuote aimed to determine the number of vehicles fined since the introduction of clean air and low emission zones, how much each council has fined drivers in this period and whether these zones are effectively deterring high-pollution vehicles from the area or motivating people to invest in low emission vehicles.
In total, over 11 million Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) have been issued by councils since their introduction of clean air and low emission zones. However on average, the number of PCN issued has decreased by 39% since their introduction which is encouraging to see.
The study analysed Freedom of Information data from Transport for London and local councils across the UK to identify which areas have issued the most fines and which have experienced the largest decreases in PCN since the introduction of the zones.
How many penalty charge notices have been issued by UK councils?
City
Total PCN
Total £
Avg Monthly PCNs
Avg Monthly £
Aberdeen
33,850
£5,015,160
2,821
£417,930
Birmingham
2,196,729
£100,766,280
47,755
£2,190,571
Bristol
1,045,013
£125,401,560
37,322
£4,478,627
Dundee
16,696
£2,282,340
1,284
£175,565
Edinburgh
51,015
£5,261,520
3,924
£404,732
Glasgow
72,100
£7,267,800
3,005
£302,825
London
7,814,614
£386,293,224
108,536
£5,365,184
Over £627 million has been generated by clean air and low emission zones throughout the UK, with almost 200,000 PCNs given out per month on average, amounting to over 11 million since the zones first began.
London launched its Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2019, initially covering inner London, before, expanding to cover all 32 boroughs by 2023[1]. In its five years of operation the capital has received over £386 million in fines during this period, with over 108,000 penalty charge notices being issued each month to drivers.
Birmingham introduced its clean air zone in June 2021 and over a 48 month period, drivers in the city have received over 2 million fines, averaging out at nearly 48,000 per month. This equates to fines of over £100 million, or nearly £2.2 million per month.
Bristol Introduced its clean air zone in 2022 and has issued fines totalling over £125 million, or an average of £3.2 million per month. Despite receiving fewer fines overall, Bristol drivers pay £1.2 million more on average per month than drivers in Birmingham. This suggests a significant presence of repeat offenders in Bristol, which raises the average fine amount from £60 to up to £960.
Which cities have seen the biggest decrease in penalty charge notices?
City
% decrease in PCNs
Dundee*
52%
Edinburgh*
48%
Aberdeen*
35%
Glasgow**
35%
Birmingham**
33%
Bristol**
28%
(London data excluded due to expansion of ULEZ in 2021 and 2023 inflating figures)
* % decrease since the introduction of CAZ and LEZs **Yearly average decreases in number of PCNs
On average, there has been a 39% drop in the number of PCNs handed out to motorists, as more drivers either avoid clean air and low emission zones entirely, or upgrade to compliant vehicles.
Since Dundee implemented its low emission zone in June 2024, the city has experienced a 52% reduction in PCNs. In June 2024, 2,117 charges were issued, with this number dropping to 1,014 by June 2025.
While the number of PCNs issued has decreased by over half, the amount fined has increased by £31,320 to £167,160 in June 2025. This is due to an increasing number of drivers being charged a higher fine for driving through the zone multiple times.
Edinburgh has experienced the second most significant decrease in PCNs. The Scottish capital issued 6,039 fines issued in June 2024, compared to just 3,157 in June 2025.
Aberdeen has seen a 35% reduction in PCNs issued since June 2024. Initially, 3,751 fines were issued in June 2024, but by May 2025, this number had decreased to 2,437. Notably, in May 2025, only 1,727 vehicles were caught driving through low emission zones for the first time, compared to 3,387 vehicles in June 2024.
However, 262 vehicles received their fifth fine within a 12-month period, resulting in a fine of £960, significantly higher than the £60 penalty for a first-time offence.
Phil Leese, Taxi and Specialist Motor Trading Manager at insurance broker ChoiceQuote, comments:“It’s positive to see that the introduction of low emission and clean air zones within UK cities is working in minimising the amount of high polluting vehicles travelling through congested areas.
“In some areas the number of fines issued has reduced by half! These zones have influenced driving habits, not only by prompting drivers to avoid certain areas but also by encouraging investment in more environmentally friendly vehicles.
“Data indicates that while a high number of people were charged in the first month of low emission and clean air zone introductions people are now aware of which roads to avoid if their vehicle is not compliant. However, if you are visiting a city for the first time is can be tricky to navigate which roads you can and can’t travel on.
“Motorists are advised to look out for signs indicating the boundaries of clean air and low emission zones within a city and do their research on whether their vehicle is compliant before making any journeys through these zones.
“If you are a Google or Apple Maps user, these apps will provide you with alternative routes to avoid restrictions so it’s important to always pay attention and plan your route before setting off on your journey.”
This weekend at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh, take to the skies and see the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work ofAlfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer.
From 18 October 2025 – 19 April 2026, meet the man behind some of the most iconic aerial photographs ever taken, marvel at the death-defying lengths he took to capture the perfect image and explore how his innovative techniques in the darkroom paved the way for modern technologies such as Photoshop and AI.
Free to visit at the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait, this will be the first major exhibition dedicated to Alfred Buckham and can only be seen in Scotland.
This exhibition will bring together over 100 photographs and objects including popular works from the Scottish national collection, alongside extensive archival material generously loaned by Alfred Buckham’s grandsons, Richard and John Buckham. Thanks to the support of the Buckham family, personal objects including letters, photographs and even the passport Alfred Buckham used will be put on public display for the first time.
A maverick of early aviation, Alfred Buckham (1879-1956) created his own unique style of photography by combining daring exploits in the air with innovation in the darkroom.
Born in London, Buckham learned his craft by teaching photography before joining the Royal Naval Air Service in 1916, a predecessor to the Royal Air Force.
Hailed as an exceptionally skilled flyer, he combined his talent for aviation with his passion for photography, resulting in remarkable endeavours and trailblazing images.
Based for most of his military career at RAF Turnhouse, now Edinburgh Airport, central Scotland became a natural playground for Buckham to refine his photographic techniques and let his imagination soar.
Unknown
Daredevil Photographer will chart his phenomenal story from his early photographic experiments in Scotland to exciting adventures in South America and look closer at the skilled and inventive ways he created his work.
Explore Scotland from the air and get a new perspective of well-known sights, just as Buckham himself would have. Daredevil Photographer celebrates the impact Scotland had on Buckham’s work through his images of recognisable landmarks including St Andrews Golf Links, Linlithgow Palace and the Wallace Monument in Stirling.
The exhibition will also feature several images of the Forth Rail Bridge, Buckham’s most photographed landmark. The iconic bridge was the subject of one of his first composite photographs and appeared on the 1918 RAF Turnhouse Christmas card, which will go on display alongside the original photography.
Daredevil Photographer will delve into the darkroom and uncover more about the creative processes used to bring Buckham’s unique images to life. After the First World War, Buckham began experimenting with composite photography; a technique where several negatives are used to create one photographic print.
While this wasn’t a new concept, composite photography added a layer of creative freedom to Buckham’s work, much like a very early form of Photoshop.
From his vast collection of glass negatives – he had over 2000 cloud images alone in his ‘cloud library’ – Buckham had the means to create images which became immersive, giving a unique sense of flying alongside these incredible aircraft while viewing the world below.
It was through the technique of composite photography that some of Buckham’s most famous works were born, including the iconic aerial view of Edinburgh (about 1920). This striking photograph shows a bi-plane hovering amongst wispy clouds above Edinburgh Castle, with Arthur’s Seat visible through the mist in the background, and the bustling city below.
For the first time, Edinburgh will be displayed alongside the camera and original glass negatives Buckham used to capture and create this much-loved image. Visitors will also be encouraged to get inspired and try their hand at creating their own composite creations through interactive exhibits.
Telling Buckham’s story through his own wordsand memories, Daredevil Photographer allows visitors to meet the courageous and humorous man behind the camera. Firsthand accounts of his incredible exploits in the air and ingenious creative methods on the ground will enhance his story and highlight his adventurous spirit:Ah! One was a rare daredevil in those days! (Alfred Buckham, The New York Times, 1930).
A free and unique immersive audio experience will bring Buckham’s world of flight and imagination to life through his own words. Hear Buckham’s grandson Richard give a voice to his grandfather’s memories and reflections on his daredevil persona.
Daredevil in every sense of the word, Buckham went to incredible feats to capture the perfect shot, which the exhibition will explore.
His preferred methods included standing in an open cockpit while mid-air, with his leg tied to the seat as a nod to safety. As a result, he experienced no less than nine crashes in his lifetime, one ending in a serious throat injury that cut his military career short.
However, he would not be deterred, describing his eccentric photography methods in a surprisingly relaxed way:
“It is not easy to tumble out of an aeroplane, unless you really want to, and on considerably more than a thousand flights I have used a safety belt only once, and then it was thrust upon me. I always stand up to make an exposure and, taking the precaution to tie my right leg to the seat, I am free to move rapidly, and easily, in any desired direction; and loop the loop; and indulge in other such delights, with perfect safety” – Alfred Buckham, The Camera, January 1927.
Daredevil Photographer will celebrate Buckham’s skill in the air through a range of his mesmerising photographs.
Encounter stunning images of the leading aircraft of the day, such as the Bristol Fighter, a two seated bi-plane designed for aerial reconnaissance, and the bizarre airships of the 1920s. See them soaring through the skies in all weathers, amongst an array of remarkable landscapes.
The exhibition will include one of his most well-known works, The Heart of the Empire (1923), on loan from the V&A Museum in London and displayed in Edinburgh for the first time.
The photograph follows a bi-plane as it glides across the London skyline, with landmarks such as Tower Bridge and the River Thames in view. Exhibited by the Royal Photographic Society in 1925, The Heart of the Empire secured Buckham’s position as one of Britain’s leading aerial photographers.
Experience the golden age of travel through Buckham’s portfolio of images spanning across the globe.
In 1931, a commission from Fortune Magazine took Buckham on an epic fifteen-week trip across the Americas, covering 19,000 miles and setting a world record.
Starting in New York City and taking the opportunity to capture the newly built Empire State Building, Buckham photographed his intrepid journey from the United States to the tip of South America to share with the world.
Daredevil Photographer will chart Buckham’s incredible journey, from expansive views of Christ the Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro and the snowy caps of the Andes Mountains to perilous scenes of smoking volcanic creators in Guatemala and Mexico.
Through his death-defying adventures and stunning photographs, Buckham expanded public understanding of the world, creating an exciting legacy which continues to capture imaginations today.
Louise Pearson, curator of photography at the National Galleries of Scotland says: “Alfred Buckham’s eye-catching photograph of Edinburgh is one of the most popular artworks in the National Galleries of Scotland collection.
“This enthralling image becomes even more intriguing when you learn that it is a darkroom jigsaw – a composite photograph made through a combination of technical skill and creative vision.
“Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer tells the remarkable story of this maverick of early aviation whose adventures took him from aerial reconnaissance photographer to intrepid explorer via numerous loop the loops.”
Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer isa free exhibition at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait, opening on 18 October 2025.
Join us for a Family History Fair at Central Library on Friday 24 October 2025, between 10am and 4pm!
Come along to talk to experts from the following organisations who will be on hand to introduce their collections and answer questions about using materials to search for missing details in your family history.
There will also be a series of presentations held throughout the day. Both the day and talks are free to attend, but the talks should be booked in advance via TicketSource.
