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St James Quarter set to sparkle once again this festive season
ST JAMES QUARTER UNVEILS A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS 2025 PROGRAMME
From dazzling parades to hands-on festive fun, the Capital’s most stylish Christmas celebration returns bigger and brighter than ever.
St James Quarter, Edinburgh, is set to sparkle once again this festive season with a showstopping Christmas Programme for 2025 – from a spectacular light switch-on with starry performances, family-friendly experiences, and festive magic on every level.
The St James Quarter Christmas Parade returns again this year – bigger, brighter, and more spectacular than ever.
On Saturday, 8th November, from 4pm, the Galleria will come alive with a joyous celebration of colour, music, dance, and performance, featuring wandering musicians, graceful ballerinas, energetic street-style dancers and, of course, a very stylish Santa making his entrance in true St James Quarter STYLE.
Adding an extra touch of sparkle, Santa will be touring the City in a St James Quarter taxi, inviting Edinburgh locals to join him on his journey to the Quarter before leading the crowds to Register Square for a spectacular finale – a magical light switch-on and Christmas sing-along led by Community favourites, Tinderbox Orchestra, who will be joined by some surprise guests.
From traditional carols to contemporary hip-hop beats, the evening promises an unforgettable fusion of sound and celebration, creating a free, family-friendly night for residents and visitors alike.
The Tinderbox Orchestra, renowned for redefining what an orchestra can be, will fill the Quarter with the sound of Christmas. Combining rappers, singers, strings, brass, and drums, their performances bring together some of Scotland’s most dynamic musicians, delivering unexpected melodies and boundless festive energy.
Families can also look forward to the return of Elf Adventures on Sunday, 16th November and Sunday, 7th December, from 11am to 3pm at the Santa Express on Level 3. Little ones can learn how to be Santa’s little helpers through playful drop-in sessions, including Elf School (age 3+), where they’ll tackle an elf agility course, ; Reindeer Food Making (age 3+), where they can craft their own magical oats to sprinkle outside their homes on Christmas Eve; and Storytime sessions (age 0+), where little ones can settle in for cosy, interactive storytelling with Santa’s elves. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and there’s no need to book in advance.
For those feeling inspired by the sounds of the season, the Tinderbox Orchestra will host a day of interactive music workshops on Sunday, 30th November, from 10:30am to 6pm.
Ticketed via the St James Quarter App, these sessions offer the chance to try an instrument, play alongside the 20-piece orchestra, and even write and perform your own Christmas song.
Open to all ages and abilities, the workshops are a unique opportunity to join one of Scotland’s most exciting musical collectives for a day of festive creativity and collaboration.
Throughout the season, visitors can continue to enjoy the festive spirit across the Quarter. The Santa Express will offer a magical interactive photo opportunity on Level 3, while the Present Tree, in partnership with St James Quarter charity partner Children’s First, will encourage guests to donate gifts and spread goodwill to those in need.
Pop-up choir and dance performances will fill the Galleria with music and movement, and with bars and restaurants open until late and extended retail hours from 16th November, guests can shop, dine, and celebrate long into the evening.
Susan Hewlett, Brand Director at St James Quarter, said: “Christmas at St James Quarter is always something special, and this year we’re pulling out all the stops to make it our most magical celebration yet.
“From the dazzling parade and spectacular light switch-on to the creative energy of the Tinderbox Orchestra and the joyful return of Elf Adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
“We can’t wait to welcome Edinburgh’s residents and visitors to experience the wonder, warmth and togetherness that makes this time of year so special in the heart of the city.”
Whether singing under the lights, dancing to the beat of the Tinderbox Orchestra, or watching little ones graduate from Elf School, St James Quarter is set to be Edinburgh’s ultimate destination for Christmas magic in 2025.
For more information, please visit:
World lawyers give back to Edinburgh with Water of Leith clean-up
More than 40 lawyers from across the globe traded boardrooms for wellies last week, teaming up with Morton Fraser MacRoberts (MFMac) and the Water of Leith Conservation Trust (WOLCT) for a morning of hands-on volunteering.
Volunteers split into teams to carry out a range of task to look after the Water of Leith walkway, including cutting back overgrown vegetation, sweeping up leaves and litter picking locally to stop rubbish getting into the river.
The clean-up formed part of Interlaw’s Annual Global Meeting in Edinburgh, where senior lawyers from over 80 countries gathered for four days of knowledge-sharing and international collaboration.
This year marks the first time the conference has been hosted in Scotland for almost 40 years. Edinburgh headquartered MFMac – this year’s host – organised the clean-up event as a way to make a positive impact and help protect the natural environment that makes Edinburgh a beautiful and inspiring place to live and work.
Chris Harte, Chief Executive Officer at Morton Fraser MacRoberts: “Interlaw is a powerful network bringing hundreds of delegates to Edinburgh and this clean-up has been a great opportunity to give something back to our host city while they’re visiting.
“The Water of Leith is a landmark that flows through many of Edinburgh’s local communities, so it’s been a privilege to organise a meaningful activity to protect it. We know how packed our colleagues’ schedules are so we’re grateful to everyone who rolled up their sleeves!”
Johnny Wells, Ranger from the Water of Leith Conservation Trust, said: “The Water of Leith is an amazing green corridor for both people and wildlife in Edinburgh, support like this makes a real difference allowing us to care for it.
“We’re very grateful to MFMac for involving us in their programme and for highlighting the importance of looking after this special place.”
RHASS and Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral come together to celebrate in a Harvest Thanksgiving service
RHASS and Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral come together to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of Scotland’s farmers in a Harvest Thanksgiving service
A John Deere tractor and a seed drill took centre stage outside of Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral yesterday (5th October) as the exceptional efforts and hard work of Scotland’s farming community were recognised in a Harvest Thanksgiving service in partnership with RHASS (the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland).
Conducted by Rev Dr Scott Rennie, the service celebrated the tireless efforts of Scotland’s farming community, while acknowledging the ever-changing weather conditions farmers across the country have faced ahead of this year’s harvest.
Displays of seasonal vegetables, including broccoli, pumpkins, potatoes, parsnips and carrots were donated by RHASS Directors for the service from farms across the country to shine a light on the array of local produce grown in Scotland.
RHET (the Royal Highland Education Trust) also supported the Harvest Thanksgiving celebrations by creating a display inside the cathedral.
Their exhibit drew on educational resources used in schools to highlight what’s in season, Scottish crops, images of harvesting through the ages, examples of school growing projects, and a seasonal calendar.
This provided visitors with a chance to reflect on Scotland’s food harvest and the work of farmers, while showcasing RHET’s role in connecting young people with food and farming.
The produce on display during the service has since been donated to Edinburgh charities, Empty Kitchens Full Hearts, the Grassmarket Community Project and the Salvation Army Hostel, to be made into meals for those in the city who are in need.
RHASS Chairman, James Logan, said: “At RHASS, we’re proud to stand side by side Scotland’s rural community all year round and the harvest season provides us with an opportunity to take stock and show our incredible gratitude towards those farmers working day and night to help feed our nation.
“This year has brought more unpredictable weather and following a dry spring harvest experiences can vary widely for each farmer. Everyone involved in farming and rural life plays a vital role in producing our food, and they all deserve recognition and thanks. Sunday’s service provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these efforts, and we are grateful to all who joined us and shared produce in support of local causes.”
Speaking on the Harvest Thanksgiving service, Katrina Barclay, Executive Officer at RHET, commented: “As an education charity, it’s an honour for RHET to be asked by the team at St Giles to be part of this celebration of harvest and to share some of the learning information we create for teachers all about food and farming in Scotland.”
Catherine Jones, Social Enterprise Director, said: “We are truly thankful for this incredible donation of fresh vegetables again this year.
“Every week, we support more than 230 vulnerable adults who often struggle to access healthy and nutritious meals. Food poverty continues to be a serious issue across our communities, and contributions like this make a real difference to those most affected.
“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to St Giles’ Cathedral for their ongoing support, and to RHASS and the dedicated farmers whose hard work has made this gift possible.”
Rev Dr Scott Rennie, Minister of St Giles’ Cathedral, said: “In this time when we are more than ever aware of our need of local food production and the vital role that Scottish farmers in bringing the food we need to our tables, we are delighted to partner with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.
“There is a particular poignancy to celebrating the Harvest in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, a city filled with tables set for visitors and residents alike. We are reminded of where our food comes from, and the labour in its production. For all this, and more, we give thanks to God.
“Bringing farming equipment to the Royal Mile is one way to remind us of all of our dependence on those who work hard to produce our food.”
For further information about the work of RHASS, visit: rhass.org.uk
Samhuinn Fire Festival 2025: Face The Dark, Find Community
SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL 2025: FACE THE DARK, FIND COMMUNITY
On Friday 31st October 2025, Edinburgh’s historic Calton Hill will once again blaze with fire, myth, and performance as the Samhuinn Fire Festival marks the turning of the seasons, brought to you by Beltane Fire Society.
Reimagining ancient Celtic traditions through immersive, contemporary performance, Samhuinn tells the story of the struggle between Summer and Winter, light and dark.
Drummers, acrobats, dancers, and a host of otherworldly characters will transform the city’s skyline with fire, music, and ritual.
At the heart of the festival stands the Cailleach – the divine Crone – who guides us through this time of transition.
She asks: ‘Have you lived with care and courage? Have you supported your community and thought with nuance?’
With Her deer by her side, and with the Summer and Winter Courts locked in their eternal battle, the audience will be invited to step into the dark with courage and connection.
This year, Samhuinn centres on radical connection: the strength we find in each other, the wisdom of perspective, and the courage to face our shadows.
The festival is both a spectacle and a reflection, a chance to gather as a community and embrace the coming of winter together.
Chair of Beltane Fire Society, Jenny Bloom, says: “”As the dark Scottish Winter approaches, hundreds of volunteers and thousands of witnesses will join together on Samhuinn night to welcome Winter, to honour the Summer’s passing, and make something magical on Calton Hill. Come and join us!”
EVENT INFORMATION
Tickets
Adults from £9.50 in advance
Under 18s £7 in advance
Booking fees an additional cost.
Tickets are only available from our authorised box office supplier, Citizen Ticket, and are not available for resale or transfer on any secondary market.
Do not attempt to buy tickets for sale on other platforms – they will not be genuine.
Location:
Calton Hill
Times
Gates open: 6:30pm
Event ends: 11pm.
Samhuinn brings together a host of volunteer performers with fire-play, drumming, and wild costumes to Calton Hill, marking the transition of Summer into Winter. Audiences will witness a host of characters representing Summer and Winter.
The characters will coalesce around a stage where the mysterious figure of the Cailleach, a Celtic representation of the goddess, or Divine Hag, will usher in the colder months.
The Beltane Fire Society is a registered Scottish charity run by volunteers and a staple of Edinburgh’s cultural scene, dedicated to keeping the ancient Celtic calendar alive and sharing skills of street theatre, costume-making, folklore, music and immersive performance.
Its Summer counterpart, Samhuinn takes place at Calton Hill on the last day of October each year. The festival celebrates one of the four Celtic quarter day festivals and marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Summer.
The Scottish Gallery to present ‘From the Forest to the Forge’ by Lachlan Goudie
‘From the Forest to the Forge’
by Lachlan Goudie
The Scottish Gallery, Dundas Street
30 October to 22 November 2025
For over 15 years Lachlan Goudie has been drawing and painting in extraordinary industrial locations across the United Kingdom. From shipyards on the River Clyde, to blast furnaces in Wales and high-tech Satellite manufacturing laboratories in Portsmouth, he has found creative inspiration in the unlikeliest of studios.
Over the years these visits to engineering sites, factories, harboursides and mines have enabled him to produce hundreds of drawings, paintings and prints. When viewed together these images constitute an unusual archive; a picture history of modern British industry. A story of national achievement, pride and technological innovation.
Lachlan Goudie said: “I’ve always been fascinated by industry as a painting subject. Growing up in Glasgow in the 1980s, my father described the days when the River Clyde bustled with ships and shipbuilding.
“But when I went to see for myself, the River was all but silent. So I began to draw the archaeology of a dying industrial landscape along the Clyde, desperate to re-capture what I had missed.
“In time I managed to gain access to the BAE shipyards in Govan and Scotstoun, the last two major yards surviving on the Clyde and my first visits coincided with a resurgence of shipbuilding activity.
“I was the only artist permitted on site to document the construction of Britain’s vast naval flagships, the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, and the craftsmen and women involved in that project.”
Lachlan Goudie’s experiences on the Clyde motivated him to seek out other locations that might contribute to a portrait of working Britain.
He added: “Over the course of more than a decade I have made a painting pilgrimage to, amongst other places, the UK’s deepest mine in Yorkshire, one of the world’s largest slate quarries at Dinorwig in Wales, the country’s most important oil refinery and a steel furnace the size of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
“At each extraordinary site I have found myself drawing rarely documented manufacturing processes, intricately assembled products and a workforce who often identify closely with the history and the economic importance of the jobs they do.”
Goudie is not the first painter to find themselves enthralled by both British industry and the countryside. Over the centuries there have been many celebrated artists who saw no contradiction in taking their inspiration from nature as well as the country’s manufacturing landscape, the factories, forges and awesome engineering sites that built the modern nation.
Pastoral painters like JMW Turner, Stanley Spencer and Dame Laura Knight produced a range of responses to the story of British industry, from social critique to full blown celebrations of the industrial sublime.
Lachlan Goudie added: “Many of us treasure the idea that we are a pastoral nation, but modern industry and nature are portrayed as being in perennial conflict. The legacy of heavy industry and the environmental pressure this creates, has placed them at odds with one another.
“As an artist, however, I find both subjects equally compelling. And through the course of my work I have discovered that natural and industrial landscapes share certain characteristics.
“Sublime scale and intricacy are unexpected components of both environments. ‘From the Forest to the Forge’ will include many works inspired by woods, trees, and the wonders of natural engineering.”
In many cases, Goudie’s work has borne witness to the end of an industrial legacy and the environmental impact this represents.
His paintings document the last days of steel production at Port Talbot and Redcar, the changing skyline of Glasgow as ‘Titan’ cranes were demolished and replaced, whilst on the northeast coast at Hartlepool, he has charted the dismantling of immense offshore rigs, monumental structures that once defined the North Sea Oil boom.
On other occasions he has been able to record the resilience of steel rolling at Dalzell (the last surviving component of the immense Ravenscraig steel works) and the advance of innovative new technologies, at the Airbus space and satellite manufacturing labs in Portsmouth and Stevenage.
His creative relationship with British industry helped inform the making of two BBC documentaries; ‘The Colours of the Clyde’ (2014), which explored the work of Stanley Spencer in the shipyards at Port Glasgow during WWII, and ‘Awesome Beauty – The Art of Industrial Britain’ (2017), which investigated the legacy of British artists who, like Goudie, were inspired by industry.
This exhibition will, for the first time, bring together the complete range of works produced during his fifteen-year painting pilgrimage through Industrial Britain. The display will also include drawings and paintings produced in the woods of the Scottish Borders and in Dorset.
Local Charities and Communities at the Heart of Edinburgh’s Christmas
Spreading Christmas cheer, Edinburgh’s Christmas offers over 8,500 free tickets to local community groups and charities
Edinburgh’s Christmas spreads festive cheer further across the capital this year by offering more tickets than ever before to local community groups and charities, with over 8,500 free tickets now available across the community.
Apply here – applications close 23.59, 05 November
With more people than ever before able to share in the Christmas magic, this year over 8,500 tickets for Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions – including the Ice Rink, Santa’s Stories, West Princes Street Gardens Funfair, LNER Big Wheel and for the first time ever, the Around the World Star Flyer – are being gifted to local community groups and charities to join in the festive fun.
Unique Assembly, producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas are now keen to hear from charities and volunteer organisations working in communities across the capital.
Over 8,000 tickets in 2024 were gifted to over 160 local charities including those working with people with disabilities, young carers, refugees, and other disadvantaged groups, to ensure that Edinburgh’s Christmas is magical for as many as possible this festive season from funfair rides to meeting Santa himself.
Local groups and charities can apply now for tickets to this year’s event which will bring a dusting of Christmas sparkle to the Scottish capital from 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.
More information on this year’s highlights can be found on the edinburghs-christmas.com website.
Donations and money raised across both Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay festivals this year will be distributed to the event’s Official Charity Partners; One City Trust, When You Wish Upon A Star, Simon Community Scotland and Age Scotland. Last year visitors raised £11,000 for charity via donations made online when purchasing tickets and at fundraising points around Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay.
Unique Assembly will also soon announce a programme of free community-focused events at the iconic Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens.
Judith King, Scotland Fundraiser at When You Wish Upon A Star said: “We are truly honoured to be selected as one of the charity partners for Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay festival with their support, we can grant even more wishes for local children living with life-threatening or terminal illnesses.
“Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay are at the heart of our Wish family in Scotland. They consistently go above and beyond to support not only our wish-granting work but also our beloved Edinburgh Santa Fun Run and Walk, now in its 21st year.
“This festive season, their contribution will strengthen local communities, positively impact service users, and make a real difference for those who rely heavily on charitable support every day.
“We are proud to be part of Edinburgh Christmas Magic this year.”
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: “With even more tickets available for communities and charities than ever before, I’m delighted that so many residents will have a chance to experience the magic of Edinburgh’s Christmas.
“It’s a small but meaningful way to say thank you and celebrate the incredible impact these groups have all year round.”
“I’d encourage organisations and charities to apply for tickets to make the most of what promises to be a truly memorable festive season for all.”
A Spokesperson for Unique Assembly, producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas said: “We’re delighted that so many community groups and charities in the city received free tickets last year and we’re building on that to offer even more Community Tickets this year.
“The work of community groups and charities in Edinburgh is more vital than ever, so offering free tickets to ensure that those most in need of some Christmas cheer can enjoy themselves this year, is hugely important to us.
“Whether you’re applying for tickets for your own organisation or want to support our wonderful charity partners with a donation, we encourage everyone to give what they can and support those who need it most this Christmas.”
The opportunity to apply is now open and the deadline for Community Ticket applications is 23:59 on Wednesday 05 November, and those who apply will hear about their tickets by Friday 07 November.
More information and the application form is available at edinburgh-christmas.com.
Residents with an EH postcode remain eligible for a 20% discount on tickets to all of Edinburgh’s Christmas events. For further information, visit the edinburgh-christmas.com website.
Organisations applying for community tickets can also get in touch at communities@unique-assembly.co.uk. Tickets are limited per application and applications should include details of your organisation’s aims and how you would like to use the tickets.
Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions are open daily from 15 November to 4 January, except Christmas Day, with varying opening dates and times available at the official website.
For further information and to buy tickets, please go to edinburghs-christmas.com
Full Line-up Announced for Soundhouse Winter Festival
Thursday 27 November to Monday 1 December 2025
The 2025 Soundhouse Winter Festival returns from Thursday 27 November to Monday 1 December at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, thanks to support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
The festival showcases musicians either from, or based in Scotland, and runs over St Andrews Day and the Fair Saturday weekend. The programme includes some of Scotland’s finest jazz, and trad musicians, a showcase of emerging new musicians, music workshops for adults and young people, and a silent film accompanied by live music.
Headliners include experimental folk band Constant Follower led by songwriter Steven McAll playing tracks from their latest album Let the Healing Begin which has recently been added to the long list for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) award, 2024’s Scottish Jazz Vocalist of the Year Niki King; genre blending spoken word artist, rapper, and rising star Bee Asha; andguitarist Chris Amer and his Sextet (Matt Carmichael, Fergus McCreadie, Gus Stirrat, Stephen Henderson and Mhairi Marwick) performing music from their new collection Making Peace With What Is.
In addition, award-winning Scottish composer and guitarist Graeme Stephen will present his score for the 1927 silent film Metropolis, performedby Stephen on guitar and a classical string quartet lead by Fiona Winning on viola.
The quartet is completed by Tom Hanky (violin), George Smith (violin) and Robert Irvine (‘cello). Graeme will also be giving a non-participatory masterclass in Developing Concepts for Composition, Improvisation and Practice, for learners to explore creative ways to turn their ideas into compositions.
Other highlights over the weekend include harpist and lead vocalist Dara Dubh performing fan favourites and new tracks with Tony McVey on drums, Eve Simpson on keys/vocals and Brad Phillips on doublebass.
Multi-instrumentalist and folk singer Cahalen Morrison performing songs from his forthcoming album with his freshly minted trio; and jazz saxaphonist Rachel Duns, whose music ranges from blues and soul, to thepsychedelic sounds of the 1960s.
Over the weekend, audiences will also be treated to an afternoon concert from Scottish/Egyptian instrumentalists and composers The Ayoub Sisters who rose to stardom after their debut album premiered at No.1 in the Official Classical Charts.
Plus, three emerging artists playing in this year’s Spotlight concert, showcasing the very best up and coming jazz musicians in Scotland.
They include guitarist and double bass player Timmy Allan who won the BBC Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award in 2024 and this year’s Alan McAuley Jazz Award; The Ewan Johnston Trio formed of pianist Ewan Johnston, Christopher Quinnon on bass and Roan Anderson on drums; and the Milele Collective a young five-piece making waves on the Scottish scene with their jazz, latin and afro grooves.
In addition, cellist and improvisor Simone Seales will be giving an Improvisation Workshop for beginners on how to make sound without musical notation, open to amateur or experienced instrumentalists, vocalists or musicians from any other discipline.
Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers said: “After last year’s multi-genre celebration of the Scottish music scene, we are delighted to be back for our second annual Soundhouse Winter Festival.
“We’ll be presenting jazz, pop, rap, classical, soul, funk, folk, trad, and many points where those categories intersect. It will be heartwarming, life affirming and a great antidote to the November blues. We extend a warm welcome to all: come and be part of Edinburgh’s great music-loving community.“
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “The closes and wynds of the capital are about to come alive as the Soundhouse Winter Festival returns to Edinburgh with another excellent array of rising stars and familiar faces.
“This compact and perfectly curated programme offers plenty of opportunities to discover new talent across an extended weekend in November, with must-see gigs each and every day.
“Organised by the same people as Edinburgh’s rejuvenated Tradfest, the quality of music is guaranteed to be top-level, with something to suit all tastes.”
Booking link for tickets – soundhousewinterfest.com
Time capsule interred at North Bridge
‘I hope they’ll appreciate the labour of love that went into preserving this iconic landmark’
A time capsule has been interred at North Bridge to mark the project’s work for future generations.
Some of the items for the capsule included:
- A letter from the Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Council Leader Jane Meagher to the future citizens of Edinburgh.
- A paint brush used by the Transport and Environment Convener Stephen Jenkinson to hand finish the cast iron façade.
- A Balfour Beatty high visibility vest.
- A Glengarry Cap from the Kings Own Scottish Borderers regiment.
- The school prayer of St Augustine’s High School etched in glass.
- A photograph of the Historic Environment Scotland grants team on a site visit.
- Three books created as part of the North Bridge Refurbishment Project Legacy Arts Programme.
Objects were contributed by a number of partner organisations and invited guests.
The Category A listed structure is a key transport link between the north and south of the city. The original North Bridge began construction in 1763 and was then replaced between 1894 and 1897 by the structure which we see today.
According to historical records, at some point between 1894 and 1897 a time capsule was interned inside the structure.
Whilst this capsule is inaccessible, local school pupils alongside the Super Power Agency, were inspired to write two books of fiction about the bridge and ultimately the idea for a new time capsule.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “North Bridge has been a familiar feature of Edinburgh’s cityscape for well over two centuries. This corridor continues to form a vital part of our city’s modern transport network, whilst also serving as a visual reminder of our city’s rich history and building tradition.
“As we gather today to inter our own pieces of history, it’s comforting to think that many years from now future generations will look back at the vital work we’ve been undertaking, just as we have appreciated the work of those before us.
“The complexity and skill of this work cannot be understated, with some areas being repaired and renovated which hadn’t seen the light of day in over one hundred years. I’m incredibly grateful for the efforts of everyone involved with the project.
“We owe it to Edinburgh’s future residents and visitors to make sure that we complete this project to the highest standards. With the bridge on the cusp of being fully refurbished to its former glory, this is a moment that we can all look forward to together with pride and optimism.”
Project Director for Balfour Beatty, Rory McFadden said: “As we welcome guests to mark the placing of this time capsule and celebrate the restoration of Edinburgh’s North Bridge, I’d like to reflect on the incredible journey undertaken by those involved. It hasn’t been easy.
“When discussions began in 2017, none of us could have anticipated the challenges ahead—especially the bridge’s condition, which was far worse than expected.
“Yet, through determination, innovation, and teamwork, we’ve delivered something truly special.
“We can take immense pride in restoring this historic structure, ensuring its preservation for generations. The past Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) President’s comparison to dentistry on a massive scale couldn’t be more fitting, describing the meticulous care and precision required to return the bridge to its former glory.
“Throughout this journey, we engaged with thousands of individuals, many of whom left in awe and became allies of the project. Over 3,000 people contributed on-site, learning new techniques as we delivered the works while respecting our neighbours and keeping this vital north-south link open. Their dedication was instrumental in our success.
“As the scaffolding comes down and the bridge slowly reveals itself, it will stand tall – a testament to our collective efforts. The people of Edinburgh and its visitors will witness the bridge in all its grandeur.
“I think about the future, about those who will open this time capsule years from now. Will they be as impressed by our restoration as we are by its original construction? I believe they will – and I hope they’ll appreciate the labour of love that went into preserving this iconic landmark.”
Major works are expected to be completed in Spring 2026 with all remaining works to be completed in Summer 2026.
The time capsule interment ceremony was attended by representatives from the City of Edinburgh Council, Balfour Beatty, Atkins Realis, NBR Legacy Projects: Moving Image Commission (Rachel Mclean & Jonathan Webb), the Super Power Agency, Volker Laser, SCAPE Scotland, Currie & Brown, Invisible Cities, Historic Environment Scotland, Capital City Partnership, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers Association, and pupils from St Augustine’s High School, St Thomas of Aquin’s High School, Jeda Pearl Lewis (Artist/Author), Estelle Meyer (Cobble Tales).
A full list of the items contributed to the time capsule is below with the contributor in brackets at the end:
- A signed copy of Our Storied Town by Donald Smith (Author), Cat Outram (Illustrator) and the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge. (Lord Provost)
- A letter to the future generations of Edinburgh from the Lord Provost and Council Leader Jane Meagher. (Lord Provost and Council Leader)
- An Edinburgh 900 programme. (Lord Provost)
- An invitation to the Edinburgh 900 Book Launch which took place earlier this year for Edinburgh: A New History by Alastair Moffat & Edinburgh: The Autobiography by Alan Taylor. (Lord Provost)
- Paint brush used to hand finish the cast iron façade (Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson)
- Copy of a Green Pencil Award and brochure of poems (Central Library)
- A signed Hibernian FC strip (Central Library/Hibernian FC)
- Leaflets from the Edinburgh Playhouse and Cockburn Association (Central Library, Edinburgh Playhouse and Cockburn Association)
- Glass etching of the St Augustine’s High School prayer and school pennant. (St Augustine’s High School)
- A package including a Glengarry Cap, a concise version of the regiment’s history and their tartan. (The King’s Own Scottish Borderer’s Association)
- A high visibility vest, water bottle, bolts and rivets from the bridge and construction drawings (Balfour Beatty)
- A Lego man and a fifty pence piece (St Thomas of Aquin’s High School)
- A letter from a pupil named Archie to the future of Edinburgh (St Thomas of Aquin’s High School)
- A photograph of the grants team on a site visit to the bridge with a note. (Historic Environment Scotland)
- A copy of North Bridge Where We Travelled – North Bridge Refurbishment Project Legacy Arts Programme (Jeda Pearl Lewis)
- A copy of Stories From The Stones and What’s That About North Bridge – North Bridge Refurbishment Project Legacy Arts Programme (Super Power Agency)
- A commemorative coin (Anonymous)
Further information on the North Bridge refurbishment project is available on the Council’s website.
Royal Scottish Academy exhibitions programme announced for 200th anniversary year
In 2026, the Royal Scottish Academy, one of the oldest and most prestigious cultural institutions in the UK, will be 200 years old.
An independent artist-led organisation with links to every part of Scotland and beyond, the Royal Scottish Academy is planning a unique celebration involving hundreds of artists, partners, galleries and institutions across the country and with an ambitious programme at their Edinburgh home; the largest and most expansive yet, including a major focus on women artists past and present.
Today, the RSA are delighted with the exhibition programme for the gallery spaces in Edinburgh, including major solo shows with RSA members past and present, including Joyce W. Cairns and Barbara Rae, a celebratory Annual Exhibition, the annual New Contemporaries moment for emerging Scottish artists, as well as fresh takes on the institutions collection; curated by a wide range of artists and experts from the RSA and across the Scottish artworld.
RSA Director Colin Greenslade said: “I am delighted to share the full gallery programme for our 200th anniversary year.
“There is truly something for everyone; the finest in Scottish contemporary art and architecture, made by those just beginning their careers, through to those with a revered, established practice.
“For the Summer we have an important retrospective by Joyce W. Cairns and we round off the year with a major new exhibition by Dame Barbara Rae. As a membership organisation with threads of activity across the sector, our group exhibitions for 2026 will explore our history, our legacy and our future.
“Complementing the vast range of associated activities of our partners across the length and breadth of Scotland, the exciting programme for the galleries here in Edinburgh will be an opportunity to learn more about our extensive support of Scottish artists’ and architects’ practice during this important anniversary moment”
More information can be found here about the UK wide celebrations which were announced earlier this summer.
In chronological order the RSA exhibitions are:
Generation
24 January – 8 March 2026
Curated by Richard Murphy RSA OBE, Generation explores the idea of the architectural family tree, bringing together the work of sixteen architects, all of whom formerly worked at the Edinburgh practice of Richard Murphy Architects and have since gone on to establish their own successful practices.
Richard Murphy acknowledges Ted Cullinan (1931-2019), Richard MacCormac (1938-2014), Isi Metzstein RSA (1928-2012), Glen Murcutt and Carlo Scarpa (1906-1978) as influential on his own practice. Now he is looking to the next generation to see how this legacy is continued.
Origin Stories
24 January – 8 March 2026
Everyone remembers their favourite teacher. For art students, the intensely creative environment of art school can make their tutors hugely important influencers and facilitators of their future careers.
Origin Stories will explore the web of artistic relationships that have manifested through the evolution of art teaching in Scotland. Since its foundation, the Royal Scottish Academy has put the support of teaching and training of artists at the heart of its endeavours.
Royal Scottish Academicians have been involved in the art teaching institutions that have evolved in Scotland over the last two hundred years.
Flowing from tutor to student, a fascinating lineage of influence can be traced from the nineteenth century to the present day, involving multiple interconnecting narratives via many hundreds of artists.
Curated by the RSA’s Head of Collections Sandy Wood, this exhibition will tell this previously untold story of influence and legacy, with artworks by some of the best-known names in Scottish art on view alongside those by emerging artists.
New Contemporaries (2022), artwork L-R Jack Whitelock, Jess Townley Hume, Josie Jones. Photo: Julie Howden
RSA New Contemporaries 2026
28 March – 22 April 2026
For 200 years the Royal Scottish Academy has been a champion of knowledge and education in the visual arts.
RSA New Contemporaries represents the Academy’s commitment to supporting and promoting emerging artists and architects in Scotland.
Now in its seventeenth year, it offers a unique opportunity to see some of the most promising talent in Scotland in one single, large-scale exhibition in the heart of Edinburgh. Supported by the RSA Blackadder Houston Bequest and showcasing 64 graduates selected from the 2025 degree shows, the exhibition is the best overview of the current outlook of emerging Scottish art and architecture.
The 2026 exhibition is convened by Michael Visocchi RSA, with assistance from his fellow Royal Scottish Academicians, and Architecture Convenor Christopher Platt RSA.
The 200th Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Academy
9 May – 14 June 2026
The Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Academy is the largest and longest running exhibition of contemporary art in Scotland.
A yearly barometer of Scottish art, the exhibition has been at the heart of the Academy’s activity since its founding in 1826. For 200 years, the exhibition has captured art and architecture at a moment in time, reflecting the world as it has changed with the Industrial Revolution, two world wars, the invention of the telephone and the birth of the internet.
The 200th edition of the Annual Exhibition will be a melting pot of contemporary art from across Scotland and further afield, with all artworks shown side by side in the Academy’s grand Neoclassical galleries in the heart of Edinburgh.
This year’s Exhibition Convenor is artist Annie Cattrell RSA, assisted by Architecture Convenor Fergus Purdie RSA. This significant year for the RSA also marks the tricentenary of the birth of James Hutton (1726–1797), the ‘father of modern geology’.
Reflecting on the RSA’s philosophical and physical foundations (with the building constructed on ancient volcanic rock), Cattrell’s curation will explore the RSA’s rich and layered development over time. She has invited artists interested in ideas of geology and the passage of time, including Martin Creed, James Geurts, Cathie Pilkington and Stephen Skrynka, to take part in the exhibition.
Architecture Convenor Fergus Purdie will reflect on the themes of identity and beginnings by inviting his fellow Academicians to design an imagined, alternative building for the RSA in Glasgow. Sam Ainsley RSA has been commissioned to design banners for the iconic columned façade of the Academy building.
Chaos & Control: Printmaking in Scotland Now
27 June – 26 July 2026
This timely survey exhibition will explore the contribution of printmaking to the landscape of contemporary art in Scotland.
Described by Niki de Saint Phalle as ‘controlled chaos,’ printmaking encourages collaboration, offering artists opportunities to share knowledge and working practices.
Printmaking studios have been community hubs for artists in Scotland since the first open access workshops opened in the 1960s and 70s. Whilst other visual arts organisations have struggled to secure funding and support in Scotland in recent years, printmaking studios continue to thrive, with strong artist-led memberships and affordable art at the centre of their purpose.
Curated by acclaimed printmaker Ade Adesina RSA and the RSA’s Head of Programme Flora La Thangue, the exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to view artworks by the foremost names in contemporary Scottish printmaking, as well as lesser-known and emerging artists pushing the boundaries of contemporary printmaking techniques.
Joyce W. Cairns: A Personal Odyssey
1 August – 2 September 2026
The Royal Scottish Academy will mount a wide-reaching exhibition exploring the career of acclaimed artist Joyce W. Cairns as part of its 200th anniversary celebrations.
As the first woman to be elected President of the RSA and an influential educator to generations of Scottish artists, Cairns has long been an important voice in Scottish art. A major exhibition of her practice is long overdue.
Joyce W. Cairns PPRSA, Bonjour Matelot
This exhibition will explore major bodies of work from across Cairns’ career, with the haunting characters of her Aberdeen harbour scenes on view alongside monumental paintings from her seminal War Tourist project.
Early works from the artist’s days as a student at Gray’s School of Art will be on view alongside her distinctive figurative painting, pulling from memories of her childhood and her home in the once fishing village of Footdee.
The exhibition will trace the progression of Cairns’ intensely personal, autobiographical style of painting and position her as a linchpin in the trajectory of contemporary Scottish art.
Born in Edinburgh, Joyce W. Cairns PPRSA studied painting at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen (1966-71), and at the Royal College of Art (1971-74).
Following a fellowship at Gloucester College of Art and Design, she studied at Goldsmiths College, University of London. In 1976 she returned to Aberdeen to teach Drawing and Painting at Gray’s until 2004 when she left to complete a substantial body of work culminating in the exhibition War Tourist at Aberdeen Art Gallery. Cairns was President of the Royal Scottish Academy from 2018 to 2022.
This 26: Contemporary Scottish Art and the Academy
12 September – 11 October 2026
Every year the Royal Scottish Academy supports hundreds of artists through awards, residencies, exhibitions and scholarships.
Since the start of this century, the Academy has given over £5.5 million to artists, many of whom have used the financial support as a springboard for professional success and artistic acclaim.
Curated by Edward Summerton RSA and Amy Cameron, This 26 will look at the recent history of the RSA’s artist opportunity programme, presenting works by 26 artists, one selected for each year of this century so far.
200 Years
17 October – 15 November 2026
Taking cue from the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Scottish Academy, 200 Years will celebrate the rich history of Scottish art in all its forms over the last two centuries.
Reflecting the centrality of the Academy to the development of Scottish art, the exhibition will include works created by Royal Scottish Academicians since its founding in 1826.
The exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to explore paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints by the foremost artists working in Scotland over the last 200 years.
James Good Tunny, Interior of the Great [Octagon] Room in the shared National Gallery, RSA Annual Exhibition 1860, RSA Collections
Ade Adesina RSA in front of Revolver II and Revolver III, Photo Alan Dimmick
Barbara Rae: Charting South
21 November 2026 – 24 January 2027
In the wake of the hugely popular exhibition Barbara Rae: The Northwest Passage in 2018, the Royal Scottish Academy will present a major, new exhibition.
The Northwest Passage was the culmination of Barbara Rae’s travels following in the footsteps of her namesake, the explorer John Rae. The resulting body of work drew on the intense colour and light of the Arctic in monumental, luminous paintings.
Her interest piqued by the history of exploration, in late 2022 Rae took her work from one pole to the other, travelling to Antarctica to trace the ill-fated journey of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914-17).
This exhibition presents a significant body of new work by Rae, relating to locations along Shackleton’s route, including South Georgia and Elephant Island.
Born in Falkirk, Dame Barbara Rae RSA RA studied painting at Edinburgh College of Art (1961-1965). Travelling to France and Spain on a postgraduate scholarship, her early work drew upon trends of abstraction and mixed media practices in European art at the time.
Since her first solo exhibition in Edinburgh in 1967, she has gone on to exhibit worldwide. She was elected Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1980 and became a full Member in 1992.
In 1996 she was elected a Member of the Royal Academy. She holds honorary doctorates from Napier University, Aberdeen University and the University of St Andrews; and is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College.
Barbara Rae was made a dame in the New Year’s Honours 2025.
Dame Barbara Rae RA RSA in front of her work Exit (2015), photo Gareth Wardell.