Free Toy Hospital Pop-Up comes to OMNi this weekend
Edinburgh’s OMNi Centre is set to give beloved toys a new lease of life this weekend (20 – 21 June), as it hosts the Leith Toy Hospital for the very first time.Offering free toy repairs for local families. Coinciding with the buzz around Toy Story 5, visitors can bring along their well-loved teddies and dolls for expert TLC.
Run by skilled toy surgeons, the Toy Hospital based in Musselburgh specialises in soft toy and doll repair and restoration, giving cherished toys a new lease of life.
Visitors are invited to bring along teddies or dolls in need of repair to OMNi on 20 and 21 June where the Leith Toy Hospital team will be on hand to carry out first aid style repairs, along with prescription cards for toys needing further work offsite.
The pop-up toy hospital service is free of charge and charity donations for OMNi’s charity partner Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) are welcome on the day.
Neil Mackie, OMNi Centre Manager, said: “We’re delighted to host Leith Toy Hospital’s expert team for the first time at OMNi.
“Offering free toy repairs is a fantastic way to give back to our community and bring families together around something truly special.”
Mari Jones, director of Leith Toy Hospital, added: “Favourite toys become part of the family, and just like Woody and Jessie, they each have a story to tell. It’s an honour to care for these treasured companions so that their stories can continue for many years to come.”
The free pop-up will take place from 10am-4pm on the 20th and 21st June, with no booking required. Free on-the-day repairs will include seam repairs, stuffing top ups, surface cleaning and sprucing up of fur.
The family fun doesn’t stop there… OMNi will continue its family entertainment into July, with money saving offers and a free craft station to keep little ones busy.
For full details, visit the OMNi website and 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.
Leading charity Poppyscotland is calling for volunteers to help man collection stations during Armed Forces Week in Edinburgh later this month.
Volunteers are being sought at both Waverley and Haymarket train stations in the city centre on Saturday, 27th June and Sunday 28th June, as well as at the Armed Forces Day parade at St Andrew Square on Saturday, 27th June.
Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving personnel to Service families, veterans and cadets. It marks the culmination of a week of celebrations, beginning on Monday 22nd June, when the public show their appreciation for the Armed Forces community.
Poppyscotland requires volunteer collectors during Armed Forces Week to allow the charity to continue the valuable work they do in helping countless men, women and families with issues linked to their time in the Armed Forces.
There are roles that suit a range of interests and experiences, and no matter how much time you can spare, you will make a difference.
Volunteers will be ably looked after, supported and trained by dedicated Poppyscotland staff. But, most importantly, the chance to make a real difference is there for the taking.
Sean Walsh has been volunteering with Poppyscotland for six years. The 20 year old said: “I volunteer at various events throughout the year, including at Armed Forces Day. Sometimes I can manage full days and other times I sign up for a couple of hours at a time due to my busy shift patterns at work.
“I know that even a few hours can make a real difference.
“I really enjoy my volunteering with Poppyscotland, you definitely feel part of something bigger!
“It’s a very straightforward process too – I sign up online, where I get all the information I need.”
St John Scotland has unveiled its 300th Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) in Edinburgh city centre, marking a major milestone in the charity’s work to improve access to lifesaving equipment across the city.
The defibrillator was officially unveiled by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh during Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June 2026), a fitting moment to recognise the dedication and commitment of St John Scotland’s Edinburgh volunteers, whose efforts help make communities in the city safer every day. St John Scotland is now working with the local area to identify the best location for it.
PADs play a crucial role in improving survival rates from out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest. Having a defibrillator nearby, and people confident enough to use it, can make the difference between life and death while emergency services are on their way. For every PAD St John Scotland help place, volunteers provide CPR and defibrillator training to the hosts.
The installation of the 300th defibrillator in Edinburgh reflects years of sustained effort by St John Scotland volunteers in the city, working alongside local partners, communities and supporters to identify gaps in provision and help make lifesaving equipment more accessible.
The unveiling also recognised the long‑standing support of Mike Pinkerton, whose work with St John Scotland has raised over £20,000 to support the expansion of community lifesaving initiatives across Edinburgh.
The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, said:“This impressive milestone is a testament to the power of community action and the incredible long-standing support for St John Scotland.
“Reaching 300 Public Access Defibrillators across Edinburgh is a fantastic achievement that the city can be truly proud of. It reflects the dedication and generosity of volunteers, partners, and supporters who give their time to help protect lives in their communities. Across the city St John Scotland public access defibrillators have been used to save lives.”
“I hope this success inspires even more organisations and community groups to get involved and explore hosting a Public Access Defibrillator at their building. “
John Craig, Edinburgh Chair of St John Scotland, said:“Reaching 300 Public Access Defibrillators in Edinburgh is a huge milestone for us, but it’s one that simply wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers.
“From installing and maintaining defibrillators to delivering training and raising awareness in their communities and much more, their commitment saves lives every day. It’s especially fitting to celebrate this during Volunteers’ Week.”
Mike Pinkerton said: “I know how lucky I am to still be here and to be able to do my bit for such a worthwhile cause. I’m also lucky to have had such great support from St John Scotland and their incredible team of volunteers.
“Of course, we hope these defibrillators are never needed but the truth is they will be and, when they are, we know we’re giving someone suffering a cardiac arrest the best possible chance of survival.”
St John Scotland’s volunteers give thousands of hours each year to support communities across Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland, delivering essential CPR education, transporting vulnerable patients to and from vital treatment and helping to build confidence in lifesaving skills.
With the support of existing host organisations across the city, St John Scotland has been able to expand access to lifesaving equipment in local communities. The charity is aiming to inspire more businesses, community groups and local organisations to host future defibrillators.
The charity continues to work towards its goal of safer, more resilient communities, ensuring that defibrillators are not only available, but visible, accessible and supported by training.
Adventure, swashbuckling and intrigue will take centre stage as Crown Square at Edinburgh Castle is transformed into an outdoor theatre for a production of The Three Musketeers later this month (Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June).
Visitors are invited to experience a rip-roaring adventure that will see the Musketeers cross swords with the scheming Cardinal Richelieu and the dastardly Milady de Winter.
Caught up in a whirlwind of excitement and romance in 17th century France, will D’Artagnan and the Musketeers be able to recover the Queen’s jewels and restore Her Majesty’s honour in time?
The production, based on the 1844 novel by Alexander Dumas and staged by theatre company Illyria, will be the first outdoor theatre performance at Edinburgh Castle in recent times. Visitors can take in the views of Edinburgh as they make their way to the top of the castle for an evening of thrilling entertainment in Crown Square.
Theatregoers should bring their own seating and are encouraged to dress accordingly for forecasted weather conditions. Theatre company Illyria specialises in outdoor performances, and the show will go on, rain or shine.
Shona Burns, Assistant Visitor Events Manager at Historic Environment Scotland said: “We cannot wait to get swept up in adventure by The Three Musketeers here at Edinburgh Castle. Visitors are in for a fantastic show, and there is no better backdrop to the dazzling storytelling on display than the walls of this iconic heritage site in the heart of the city.
“Live theatre is just one of the incredibly exciting ways that visitors and locals alike can experience Edinburgh Castle during the warmer months, with a variety of outdoor events and performances scheduled throughout the summer.”
Oliver Gray, Artistic Director of Illyria said: “Outdoors, with good company, good food and a glass of something bubbly is a much less formal way to enjoy theatre, and there’s something truly unifying about actors performing, and audiences listening, all under the same sky.”
Further information about The Three Musketeers and how to buy tickets can be found at edinburghcastle.scot.
Police Scotland is appealing to the public to help trace 15-year-old Hollie Thompson, who is reported missing from Grangemouth.
Hollie was last seen walking in the North Bridge and West Regent Street areas of Edinburgh city centre around 5pm on Friday, 5 June, 2026.
She is described as around 5ft 1 in height, of slim build with long brown hair. When last seen, Hollie was wearing a grey leather jacket, a pink top with cherries on it, black leggings and leopard print shoes.
Inspector Thomas Gorman said: “We are looking to trace Hollie who hasn’t been seen for around 24 hours now.
“She was last seen in Edinburgh city centre however several hours have passed so she could have travelled away from that area.
“I would ask anyone who may have seen Hollie, or has any information on her whereabouts to contact Police Scotland, on 101, quoting reference 2912 of 5 June, 2026.”
Living Streets Edinburgh to host special speakers and community discussion on 11 June
Residents from across Edinburgh are being invited to attend Living Streets Edinburgh’s annual public meeting on Thursday 11 June, bringing together campaigners, community leaders and local people passionate about making the city safer, healthier and more accessible for walking.
The event will take place from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh (EH1 2JL), and is free and open to all.
Attendees will hear from two guest speakers who have made significant contributions to creating people-friendly places and improving public health:
Malcolm Fraser, architect, cyclist and pedestrian advocate, known for championing the renovation of existing buildings and promoting development that serves local communities.
Helga Rhein, former GP and trustee of B Healthy Together, who has campaigned extensively for healthier neighbourhoods and improved pavements in Broomhouse.
The meeting will also provide an opportunity for Edinburgh residents to share their experiences, identify walking-related problem hotspots across the city, and help shape Living Streets Edinburgh’s priorities for the coming year.
The organisation will celebrate a number of recent successes, including helping secure reduced waiting times at 24 standalone pedestrian crossings and supporting the pedestrianisation of the Lawnmarket in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
David Hunter, Convenor of Living Streets Edinburgh, said:“Walking is the most accessible form of transport and one of the simplest ways to improve our health and strengthen communities.
“We’re delighted to welcome Malcolm Fraser and Helga Rhein to this year’s meeting, and just as importantly, we want to hear directly from Edinburgh residents about their experiences and ideas.
“We’ve seen real progress over the past year, from shorter waiting times at pedestrian crossings to more space being given over to people rather than traffic. But there’s still much more to do.
“Whether you’re a regular campaigner, a local resident concerned about a particular street, or simply interested in making Edinburgh a better place to walk, I’d encourage you to come along and join the conversation.”
Living Streets Edinburgh is the local branch of the UK’s charity for everyday walking and works to improve conditions for pedestrians across the city.
Event details:
Living Streets Edinburgh Annual Public Meeting Thursday 11 June 6.00pm – 7.30pm Friends Meeting House Victoria Terrace Edinburgh EH1 2JL
Today, Thursday 4 June, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is delighted to launch the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme.
This year’s programme celebrates the diverse range of creativity at the Fringe and includes work from 71 countries – reinforcing the Fringe’s place within the world’s cultural landscape, with performers hailing from around the globe.
The programme features 3,649 shows across 258 venues, making up 53,884 performances, with themes tackling some of the most topical issues being discussed in the world today. Prominent themes include artificial intelligence, cults, the manosphere, identity crisis, social class, Y2K nostalgia, the state of the world and resilience and hope.
Launching the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme, Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said:‘Programme launch is an exciting moment for everyone involved in making the Festival Fringe happen. Thank you to the artists, venues, producers, technicians, promoters, support staff and audiences that bring their unique creative lens and exceptional energy to Edinburgh each August.
‘Within the number of productions registering this year, we’ve seen a notable increase in artist registrations from overseas. This tells us that, despite the economic and political headwinds the world is facing, the Fringe continues to be relevant and important to our artists, and taking part marks, for them, a significant moment and investment in their careers.
‘This year’s Fringe programme is packed with every kind of performance, so we’re asking audiences to mix it up and explore the unique, creative performances available at this Fringe.
“From theatre or circus, or the best of comedy, music, dance, children’s shows, magic or cabaret, there is something for everyone in Edinburgh this August.’
In Cabaret and Varietyat theSpaceUK,Confirmation Sponsor Variety Hour presents ‘the best damn talent show ever’ that is ‘sponsored by God.’ Head to artSpace@St Marks for a Piano Recital of Dvořák’s Suite, with ‘much variety and richness.’show
In Dance and Physical Theatre, Korean Tightrope Walking explores the ‘edge of balance and freedom’ through the traditional theatrical form of jultagi at Meeting Point at the Meadows.
There are a range of new shows at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. In Children’s Shows, Romeo and Juliet for Bairns portrays ‘an immersive, theatrical, comical version of the love story of Romeo and Juliet’ just for children. Exhibition: Craigmillar Tapestry showcases ‘a community initiative to create a series of tapestry panels representing the rich history of Craigmillar.’ The Scottish Storytelling Centre also presents Spoken Word performances such as Traditional Tales, which explores ‘folk tales, fairie tales, myths and legends, stories which have been handed down to inspire and entertain across generations.’
In theatre,the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s Irrational explores the balance between mathematics and storytelling to ‘reflect on the role of mathematics in Western culture.’ In Marjolein Robertson: Shetland Folklore at Traverse, Robertson takes audiences ‘across the sea to the UK’s most northerly isles for an hour of immersive tales.’ Meanwhile, over at theSpaceUK, Until Hope Fades Away ‘follows Ali, a young man anxiously waiting at an old harbour for the return of his father.’
At Pleasance, Copycat features Fringe First winner Joe Sellman-Leava as he explores whether ‘AI spells the end of humanity, or a dawn of a new utopia?’ At Hoots, Australian freestyle comedian Stian Macshane challenges a custom-built AI controlled entirely by the audience to a fully improvised rap challenge in RapGPT: Macshane.
Head to Assembly for An Echo in the Void, ‘a darkly funny, emotionally charged chamber thriller’ about four strangers who must choose between a painful reality and a perfect world designed by AI.
At Just the Tonic, Improbotics Presents: Artificial Reality, letting ‘audiences become producers of a reality show… Because of budget cuts, “celebrities” are recreated using questionable artificial reality methods (deep fakes, video generation and AR glasses to send lines from a chatbot to control the “celebrity”).’
‘Can you create a new and exciting innovative business and still be ethical?… The Provocateurs: Ethical Innovators? / Satellites Destroy Privacy at The Stand Comedy Club explores if new ideas and technologies – including AI – can still be ethical and inclusive’. Over at Venue 13, ‘step into an intimate, immersive campfire where mythical forces of nature meet in the shadow of a changing world. Once again guided by AI database, Symbiolene, as she conjures figures from her past: The Green Man, Brigid and the Cailleach’ in AI Campfire (return).
At Laughing Horse, The Buddha Wears Prada is ‘a dark stand-up comedy hour about Sofia May’s experience as a former member of a Buddhist cult’s inner circle.’ All Religions Explained – The Cabaret Musical is ‘a piano-pounding cabaret musical celebrating faith and the human comedy of belief’ at PBH’s Free Fringe.
Taking place at Gilded Balloon, Brit Barron: CHURCH explores stand-up, storytelling and gospel music about Barron’s experience as a former megachurch pastor. Meanwhile, Prophets from Fringe First-winning writer Jack MacGregor is at Assembly,travelling to Saint John to research the ‘dangerous theology of the cult’ that has taken over.
At Laughing Horse, Eat Pray Cult is ‘ a stand-up comedy about getting divorced and joining a cult’ in a ‘seasonal, off-grid, techo-futurist protopia and decentralized intentional community’.
Sex, Drugs and Conscious Souls at PBH’s Free Fringe explores the unlikely love story built upon polyamorous throuples between a pastor and a prostitute. It focuses upon ‘healing from religious trauma and mental illness while exploring society’s stigmas around sex, drugs and new age consciousness.’
Audiences can also join Jonas and Sylas, who tell their experiences of escaping a cult in Oh My Jehovah! at Hoots.
At Pleasance,MAN!FEST: The Drag Boyband Musical is the ‘riotous drag musical that exposes toxic masculinity and its effect on boybands and fangirls.’
At Monkey Barrel Comedy, Finlay Christie: Champagne Casanova provides an hour of stand-up discussing ‘the myths constructed by incels, billionaires and even human people, that mean we don’t have to admit we’re ordinary, rejected or wrong. There’s also a strong section on air fryers.’ Alice Fraser: Oh Man! is alsoat Monkey Barrel Comedy, with some ‘stuff to say’ about masculinity, featuring ‘a sentient Roomba and some Ancient Greek philosophy’.
In Aideen McQueen: Wo-Manosphere at Gilded Balloon,McQueen ‘finally understands dating, boundaries, attachment and the male loneliness epidemic’ in a stand-up show exploring masculinity and female delusion.
Explore a single mother’s ‘real-world encounter with the Manosphere that stokes her rage’ in SLAYERS by Corinne Salisbury at Assembly.Also, No Hard Felix follows Felix as his ‘chaotic quest to “fix” himself spirals into an accidental journey into vulnerability and the scared parts of himself he’s spent a lifetime avoiding’ at Just The Tonic.
Over at Greenside, Shinjuku follows a woman’s unfinished business in a ‘darkly funny exploration of women’s choices in a man’s world.’
In Extraordinary Alien at Le Monde, a Jewish actress and mum new to New York must prove she’s exceptional in a stand-up about ‘ambition, impostor syndrome and never quite fitting in.’ In Why English?, an Indian woman ‘questions her life in the post-colonial era’ through physical theatre at Assembly.
At Greenside, Chloe Campbell Bites Back explores Campbell’s move from County Down to London and tackles her Irish/British identity. Also at Greenside,Abby tells the story of her ‘immaculate-conception-adjacent origin story’ featuring ‘gay divorce, coming out as straight, OCD, Jewishness and Germans who fetishise it, and career heartache’ in Most of My Moms Are Gay.
Former astrophysics researcher Rao explores being ‘a brown Australian navigating family expectations, creative work and burnout in a confusing world, whilst clinging to a sense of joy’ in How Now Brown Rao at Laughing Horse.
Tap Out! (Or I’ll Hit You Again) at Gilded Balloon is a ‘dramedy story about violence, masculinity and morality; an examination of identity, purpose and male loneliness.’ Lance Mao: The Pig with the Dragon Tattoo at Hoots offers ‘a dark confessional hour about racism, mental health, fear, and embracing your crazy’ as ‘a perpetual foreigner’
‘Expect class clashes, romantic disasters and the familiar feeling of trying to do the right thing, and rarely succeeding’ in Gareth Mutch Means Well at The Stand Comedy Club. Follow a portrayal of ambition, social mobility and culture shock featuring ‘pink shell suits, Playboy garms, and Britpop’s parting cries’ in comedy Giro Baby at Greenside.
Drag performance I AM JOHNNY explores the ‘fragile power dynamics, performative masculinity and ownership of the female body’ at Summerhall.
Irene Cleans Up tells the story of an unlikely partnership between a London cleaner and a successful competitive sommelier, exploring reinvention, friendship and the ‘courage to redefine yourself’ at Paradise Green.
haim. teeth. CLUB. explores the story of a ‘working class Scottish young woman at the centre of her own narrative – as a living, breathing, contradictory person’ at Underbelly.
At Pleasance, Emmeline Downie: Gail ‘gives a voice to the voiceless: vivacious middle-aged women from Milton Keynes’.
A&E at theSpaceUK ‘invites the audience to sit in the A&E waiting room and participate in humanity’s favourite activity: voyeurism’ while meeting hospital regulars.
At Pleasance,Cecily Hitchcock: Family Recipe dives into ’00s Britain where ‘Blair and Brown played in her child mind like a Greek tragedy’.
They’re Just Small Town (Northern) Lads at Summerhall explores boyhood, masculinity and the moments young boys must decide what kind of men they will become in a Northern UK working-class town in 2000.
At Underbelly, Saving Britney, inspired by the #FreeBritney movement, returns to the Fringe to explore how the princess of pop, Britney Spears, influenced millennials’ lives and led to ‘an unbelievable moment of self-discovery.’ Over at Laughing Horse,00s Throwback Party explores Noughties’ iconography of ‘Fad diets. Flip phones. MySpace. MSN.’ through a multimedia performance.
YUCK Circus: Naughties is celebrating a decade not to be forgotten, featuring ‘high-flying acrobatics, comedy and absolute bangers’ at Assembly. Based on the film, Brassed Off shows ‘the value of solidarity and friendship and the power of music’ at Inverleith St Serf’s Church Centre.
We Were Young is at theSpaceUK, telling ‘a powerful and hilarious story about the realities of gang culture and young team mentality in Glasgow during the 90s’.
In Broken Planet Show at Just the Tonic, ‘comedy, circus and indie cosmic lunacy collide in an ever-changing nightly riot of world-class weirdos, hellbent on healing our planetary divide.’ Also at Just the Tonic, Meka Mo uses New York as a lens to comedically explore the multicultural world in ‘an age of political chaos and cultural contradiction’ in New York City Dreams.
Lorraine Hoodless: Mean at PBH’s Free Fringe tells Hoodless’ account of ‘burnout, billionaires, consumer guilt, the myth of meritocracy, and the slow collapse of society.’ The Last Funny Womanat PBH’s Free Fringe features Kate, who thinks ‘it is time to burn [the world] down.’
Political comedian Matt Forde ’embarks on finding joy amid global political turmoil, the rising tide of populism and his own ongoing health challenges’ in Matt Forde: Project Holy Moly at Pleasance.
At Paradise Green, The Pod is a comedy play about grief, the state of the world and the importance of human connection, as Kaia and Adam move to a ‘doomsday bunker that might jettison into space when the world ends in eight minutes and 19 seconds’.
Will Adamsdale tell his robo-bromance about finally embracing his old enemy technology in Will Adamsdale: AI, AI, Oh… (Or How I Wrote a Hit Sitcom with ChatGPT But We’re Not Talking Now) at Underbelly.
Part of the Made in Scotland showcase, FLOWERCORE by Siobhan Wilson at The Gilded Saloon is a celebration of ‘preservation, belonging and resilience through music and immersive imagery featuring flower videography and flower art by Scottish artists’.
In his first show in 25 years, Bruce Devlin: Mummy Loves M&S at TheStand Comedy Club explores ‘the four Ds: death, dyslexia, divorce and Dundee’, as well as the need for resilience and the power of laughter in the face of life’s challenges.
At the Ukrainian Community Centre, the Solo Way Ukrainian Choir ‘connects audiences to the passion, resilience and joy of Ukrainian music.’ At the Scottish Storytelling Centre, The Dark Pool explores ‘disability and resilience in the face of trauma and societal expectations’.
Jessies at theSpaceUK ‘dives into the highs and lows of queer life’ between 1980 and 1995 for ‘three unforgettable drag queens.’ Also at theSpaceUK, A Forgotten Woman: Mrs Oscar Wilde explores Constance Lloyd’s life ‘told through letter excerpts written in her own hand’ which reveal her ‘wit to rival Oscar [Wilde’s]’.
At The Speakeasy at The Royal Scots Club, Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads, a ‘multi-generational company of Edinburgh-based women, perform four of Alan Bennett’s iconic Talking Heads monologues’ exploring loneliness, desperation and resilience through humour.
Gilded Balloon Teviotreopens for the Fringe after being closed for renovations since September 2023, featuring Brit Barron: CHURCH, Fab Goualin: Mixed Messages, Aideen McQueen: Wo-Manosphere and many more.
Sauna Theatre @ Summerhall is a working sauna and will feature shows such as Morning Sauna Rave, Mysteries of the Picts and Bubble Schmeisis (Remixed). Sauna Theatre will be a hub for relaxing and recharging, as well as experiencing choreography and storytelling through traditional sauna rituals.
Brown’s of Leith is hosting a ‘site-specific adaption of Andrew O’Hagan’s best-selling novel’ Mayflies, part of the Made in Scotland showcase, within Leith’s unique Victorian engineering works.
Pianodrome’s new, second location at St Oswaldsshares ‘the world’s first amphitheatre made entirely from disused pianos’ which will feature free shows, evening events and workshops such as Golden Beryl: Special Oblivion, Piano Dismantling Action and Vroni’s Streetpiano Party.
The Fringe Society is grateful to the many partners, supporters, funders and sponsors this year. They would like to thank Cheez-It, The Magnum Ice Cream Company, Edinburgh Gin, Baillie Gifford, Cirrus Logic, Apex Bars & Events, Binks Trust, Bloomberg Philanthropies, PPL, EventScotland, VisitScotland, and Young Start – The National Lottery Community Fund.
The Fringe Society would also like to thank the UK Government, Foyle Foundation, SP Energy Networks, and the Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund for their support of Fringe Central. The Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council for strategic funding support, the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund support for the Made in Scotland programme; and Screen Scotland for supporting Screen Fringe.
The Fringe Society works with accommodation partners who provide much needed affordable accommodation to artists – they would like to thank Queen Margaret University, the University of Edinburgh and Theatre Digs Booker.
Health in Mind are also returning in 2026 to support the delivery of mental health and wellbeing services within Fringe Central.
Discover powerful photographic portraits by groundbreaking American artist Catherine Opie in the National Galleries of Scotland’s showstopping summer exhibition.
Curated in collaboration with the artist, Catherine Opie: To Be Seen is Opie’s first ever solo exhibition in Scotland.
Specially adapted for presentation at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, To Be Seen presents a unique experience of the people, communities and stories in the art of Catherine Opie.
The exhibition comes to Edinburgh from the National Portrait Gallery in London, having already received rave reviews from the likes of The Guardian and the Independent, with Time Out calling it ‘something worth celebrating’.
Tickets are on sale now and for the first time, under 18s can visit the National Galleries of Scotland summer exhibition for free.
Explore nearly 80 vibrant portraits by Opie alongside her selection of works from Scotland’s national art collection. Displayed across seven rooms in the Royal Scottish Academy building, come face to face with Opie’s mentors and collaborators, Queer communities, children, surfers, high school footballers and political crowds as well as self-portraits of the artist.
See Opie’s work alongside a selection of 13 paintings from the national collection in arrangements prompting new narratives around ideas of identity. Join Opie as she questions ‘what is identity right now, and how do we look at it?
Where and how do we belong’. Documenting people brought together by common experiences or a shared sense of identity, Opie celebrates these communities by making them visible and offers us a platform to recognise ourselves in her exquisite and colourful images.
Thought-provoking and visually powerful, her striking work challenges who is represented in art and who remains unseen. Depicting a world made meaningful through connection, the artist says: ‘If you can walk away having a little better understanding about being human, that’s what I care about the most.’
One of the most influential artists of our time, Opie’s work is driven by the urgency to examine the ebb and flow of human culture and communities. Journey through 35 years of the artist’s work as she questions representations of home, intimacy and family, and explores politics, identity and power structures.
At the basis of her practice is her ongoing questioning of evolving ideas of community, identity and belonging. For Opie, portraiture is a radical act of representation – a desire to make the invisible visible and a gesture of belonging and resistance. Opie’s art attests to a great sense of humanity and care.
Whether as a university professor, a mother, a member of the Queer community, an American, or a world citizen, her portraits of fellow artists, friends, children and protestors draw attention to the power of visibility.
From photographs covering Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, Tea Party rallies, and LGBTQ+ rights protests, to tender family moments and vulnerable self-portraits, Opie’s photographs collapse divisions between the personal and the political.
Experience Opie’s portraits alongside works such as Benedetto Gennari’s Elizabeth Murray, Duchess of Lauderdale and Pablo Picasso’s Mère et enfant and consider how history is recorded through portraiture.
Opie says, ‘What first drew me to photography was the idea that history was being made and language was being made through images.’
The artist has long been influenced by historic portraits, taking early inspiration from Hans Holbein the Younger. Inspired by Holbein’s precise renderings of nobility, Opie sought to give stature to her friends and challenge notions of ‘normality’.
Opie’s first major work, Being and Having (1991) is her own representation of identity challenging gender norms. Comprised of 13 closely cropped portraits of Opie and her friends enacting their masculine personas, Opie considers these her ‘own royal portraits,’ and affirms that ‘without representation, there is no visibility’.
To Be Seen will span the artist’s most famous works, with Opie’s own identity also threaded through the exhibition. Works range from ennobling portraits of the artist’s LGBTQ+ friends, Baroque inspired portraits of artists, images chronicling the likes of 1990s West-Coast leather dyke scene alongside her own experiences of family life and community.
Opie says, ‘I like to think that portraiture literally creates a history of one’s community’. The exhibition’s wide-ranging portraits span intimate studio shots capturing moments of vulnerability, pride and resilience to socially engaged documentary narratives.
Born 1961 in Sandusky, Ohio— the American Midwest—Opie got her first Kodak camera at the age of 9 and remembers, ‘I photographed everything around me’.
Her fascination with photography continued throughout her childhood after she moved to California at the age of 13. She fashioned her teenage years, through friendships forged by taking photographs of school plays. Opie was later encouraged to study photography at the San Francisco Art Institute.
Moving to the city she worked and lodged at the Kenmore Residence Club, coming out as a lesbian and having her first significant relationship.
Later, Opie studied for a master’s at the California Institute of the Arts, where she developed her critical approach and secured her technical knowledge.
Rising to prominence in the early 1990s, Opie has since been at the cutting edge of documentary and portrait photography. She taught at UCLA for 25 years and was the Endowed Chair, Department of Art at UCLA (2021–23), retiring in 2023. Opie currently lives and works in Los Angeles.
Domestic 40×50
Catherine Opie said: ‘After my first visit to Edinburgh it is a deep privilege and honour in bringing To Be Seen to a place that immediately felt like home.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know Scotland in the exchange of ideas and humanity when I return in August.“
Anne Lyden, Director General of National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘One of the most significant artists of our time, Catherine Opie is really not to be missed this summer!
“We are so excited to be working with the National Portrait Gallery, London, to host the artist’s first ever solo exhibition in Scotland. We cannot wait to share these incredibly powerful and human portraits with the people of Edinburgh and beyond.
“Opie’s life’s work resonates with our values to offer our audiences a feeling of community, connection and fun! We hope that our visitors find these moments while they explore this wonderful exhibition by a truly groundbreaking artist.’
Catherine Opie: To Be Seen is a National Galleries Scotland exhibition taking place in the Royal Scottish Academy building, opening on 8 August 2026.
The exhibition also forms part of the Edinburgh Art Festival, the UK’s largest annual festival of visual art, from 14 – 30 August, presenting alternative perspectives across the breadth of the city.
Catherine Opie: To Be Seen is kindly supported by the players of Postcode Lottery and Friends of the National Galleries of Scotland.
The award-winning Amber Restaurant at The Scotch Whisky Experience has announced a series of food and drink offerings to celebrate its 25th anniversary. To mark the milestone, the restaurant has launched two retrospective menus featuring some of Amber’s most memorable dishes from the past 25 years, alongside a specially created anniversary cocktail, the Amber ’25.
Since opening in 2001, Amber has helped champion whisky pairing and whisky-led cooking within Scotland’s dining scene, pairing dishes with whiskies from all five whisky producing regions.
At the heart of the celebrations is the limited-edition ‘Taste of Scotland’ menu, running across two periods, 20th – 24th May and 23rd – 30th November. Curated by Executive Chef David Neave, who has led the kitchen since the restaurant opened, the menu revisits a selection of standout dishes from the past 25 years. Each course reflects the evolution of Scottish seasonal ingredients and Amber’s distinctive approach to whisky-infused cuisine.
David Neave, Executive Chef at Amber Restaurant, said: “Reaching 25 years at Amber Restaurant is a hugely proud moment for all of us. This anniversary menu, created by our team of chefs, is an opportunity to celebrate the very best of Scottish produce and revisit the dishes that have helped define who we are, as a restaurant, over the years.
“Whisky has always been central to our cooking, not only as a pairing, but also as an ingredient that can bring real depth and character to a dish. Looking back at these menus has been incredibly special and reflects the journey Amber has been on over the past 25 years.”
Amber was also the restaurant that introduced the concept of Scottish tapas, creating small plates designed to give visitors from around the world the opportunity to experience a broad taste of Scotland in one sitting. A quarter of a century on, the concept remains at the heart of the restaurant, with a celebratory Scottish tapas offering running throughout the anniversary year and featuring guest favourites from across the decades.
Wendy Neave, Head of Events and daughter of Executive Chef David Neave, said: “Amber Restaurant is extremely special to our family. My father, David, has led the kitchen with real passion since the beginning, and my brother Michael has also played an important role in the kitchen over the years, following in his father’s footsteps, so it’s something we’ve all been closely connected to.
“Our team have always been passionate about showcasing the very best of Scotland to our guests, and that’s what led to the creation of our Scottish tapas concept. We wanted visitors to have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of Scottish dishes and flavours in a small plate format.”
To find out more about The Scotch Whisky Experience’s Amber Restaurant please visit Amber Restaurant.
