One of the most iconic and beloved fantasy trilogies of all time, The Lord of The Rings, is returning to the big screen at Vue venues in Edinburgh – marking a quarter of a century since audiences fell in love with the epic adventures of Frodo and the fellowship.
Based on the legendary book series by J.R.R. Tolkien, the extended editions of this epic saga will be shown at Vue, giving fans the chance to experience the trilogy as it was meant to be seen.
Directed by Peter Jackson, the trilogy received a combined total of 30 Academy Award nominations and won 17 Oscars upon its original release, cementing its place as one of the most celebrated achievements in cinematic history.
Set in the realm of Middle-earth, Frodo Baggins leads a group of hobbits, who find themselves tasked with a quest to destroy the One Ring, a perilous mission that could determine the fate of the world and stop the dark forces of Mordor, led by the Dark Lord Sauron.
Joined by the wizard Gandalf, the human ranger Aragorn and other unforgettable characters such as Legolas and Gimli, audiences are invited to follow this motley crew across treacherous terrain and epic cinematic battles in one of cinema’s most beloved and ambitious stories.
Robert Smith, General Manager of Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “The Lord of the Rings trilogy is simply made to be seen on the big screen so, to mark 25 years since its release, we’re thrilled to return to Middle-Earth at Vue.
“Whether you’ve simply walked to Mordor many times before or are venturing into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien for the first time, we’re excited to welcome audiences to enjoy this iconic trilogy at Vue.”
Road Policing officers are appealing for information after a serious crash in Edinburgh.
The incident happened around 12.30am on Thursday, 1 January, 2026 on Queensferry Road near Dean Bridge and involved a male pedestrian and a white Suzuki Ignis.
Emergency services attended, and the pedestrian, an 81-year-old man, was taken to hospital for treatment to what are described as serious injuries.
No other injuries were reported.
Officers are appealing to those in the area at the time to come forward with information.
Sergeant Christopher Bright, of Road Policing East, said: “We are appealing to anyone who witnessed the crash or who has any information to come forward.
“We know that this was a busy evening with it being Hogmanay and that there were a number of pedestrians and vehicles in the area at the time, so we’d ask those who have yet to speak to us to get in touch.
“In addition, we’d ask those with dash-cam footage to review this to see if it has captured anything significant.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0161 of 1 January, 2026.
You’ll be surprised at the range of ways the Council supports Edinburgh’s businesses to help them succeed.
Join us at the Assembly Rooms on 3 February 2026 to talk with our teams and some of our partner organisations that support businesses. It’s your chance to ask questions, share your thoughts, and learn more about how we work for, and with, businesses to make our city a better place.
Get answers to practical questions – from business rates and what licences you may need for new businesses and much, much more.
Our new exhibition on the Mezzanine, Books as Art, opens this Saturday 3rd January, our first day of services in 2026.
This exhibition presents a selection of artists’ books from the Art & Design Library, revealing the remarkable range and freedom of a form that continues to challenge how we see, read, and move through the world.
Bringing together works from Britain and abroad, the exhibition traces the many ways artists use the book as a site of exploration—from walking, observing, and documenting the everyday, to testing the boundaries between text and image, material and message, intimacy and public voice.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations officially began last night (29 December) as Hearts and Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon kicked off the city’s Torchlight Procession alongside Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad, igniting four days of New Year celebrations in the capital.
Fresh from an exhilarating year that saw Scotland’s national team qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Gordon’s appearance at the helm of the procession in his hometown marked a powerful moment of Scottish pride as 2025 draws to a close.
The local hero and Hearts No.1 played a key role in Scotland securing their first World Cup place in 28 years in an action-packed game against Denmark, with the Tartan Army heading to the US in 2026 to take on Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
Over 15,000 participants and 10,000 spectators took part in the spectacular Torchlight Procession which is supported by presenting partners EventScotland, part of Visit Scotland, following Gordon’s lead and weaving a dramatic river of fire through Edinburgh’s historic Old Town in support of local and national charities One City Trust, When You Wish Upon a Star Scotland, Simon Community Scotland and Age Scotland.
£2 from each torch and £1 from every procession ticket sold is donated directly to make a difference in communities across Edinburgh and Scotland. Along with other ticket donations from Edinburgh’s Hogmanay events, the festival has already raised over £40,000 for the local charities and will continue to fundraise over the coming days.
The fiery festivities began in the Meadows, where participants of all ages enjoyed a host of entertainment including live street theatre, pipe bands and drummers. A firm favourite with families, locals and visitors alike, the Torchlight Procession is rooted in Celtic and Norse traditions aimed at banishing winter darkness and welcoming in the New Year.
Scotland International Craig Gordon was joined by Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad in guiding the crowd through the capital, finishing with a fiery finale beneath Edinburgh Castle before revellers headed to the official Torchlight After Party at Assembly Rooms, hosted by BBC Scotland’s Vic Galloway, for a night of live music and DJs featuring Edinburgh bands Swim School, Waverley. and Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite.
The Torchlight Procession is the start of the world’s New Year celebrations, as well as Edinburgh’s four-day celebrations, with festivities running until 1 January.
On 30 December, Assembly Rooms hosts a night of side-splitting comedy at Ho-Ho-Hogmanay, and a very special acoustic gig from Glasvegas, while Peat & Diesel headline the Night Afore Concert in West Princes Street Gardens, supported by RuMac and Levi Heron.
On the 31 December, Wet Leg headline the iconic Concert in the Gardens, supported by Scottish stars Hamish Hawk and Lucia & The Best Boys, with 2manydjs and Valtos bringing the beats at the legendary Street Party alongside a traditional Scottish stage hosting Valtos, The Poozies and more.
New Years Day will welcome First Footin’, the free, live music trail spanning the city’s Old and New Towns, as well as Muckle be the Light, a cultural recap with poet Michael Pederson, Garbage singer Shirley Manson and guest speaker Nicola Sturgeon, as well as a day of free family fun at Sprogmanay.
Many events are already sold-out, so those looking to join the celebrations are advised to grab their tickets fast to avoid disappointment.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2025/26 is supported by Principal Funding Partners City of EdinburghCouncil and Major Event Partners the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund throughCreative Scotland, and EventScotland, all working together to create spectacular Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations for Scotland.
The full Edinburgh’s Hogmanay line-up, as well tickets and set times, can be found at www.edinburghshogmanay.com
As part of the policing operation for the Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival a temporary airspace restriction will be in place covering the city centre between 5pm on Monday, 29 December, to 1am on Tuesday, 30 December, 2025, for security and public safety.
It will be an offence for any unmanned aircraft to fly below 2000ft above sea level and within one nautical mile of Edinburgh Castle.
Following the incredible success of last year’s blockbuster exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland, Scotland’s own much-loved Turners are back in Edinburgh for 2026!
Bring in the new year with the eagerly awaited return of Turner in January at the National Galleries of Scotland. Featuring 38 watercolours by renowned artist Joseph Mallord William Turner, the highly anticipated free annual display will take pride of place in room 21 in National Galleries Scotland: National in Edinburgh from 1 – 31 January 2026.
Last year saw thousands of visitors flocking to the National Galleries of Scotland to marvel at a once in a lifetime exchange of Turner watercolours from the Henry Vaughan Bequest with the National Gallery of Ireland, honouring the 250th anniversary of the artist’s birth.
January 2026 will mark the triumphant return of Scotland’s Turners to Edinburgh, giving avid fans and newfound admirers the chance to spend time with some of the most treasured works from the Scottish national collection.
Turner in January is a beloved tradition for many people in Scotland. It signals the dawning of the New Year, and as we leave behind the darkest days of winter, the bright vitality of Turner’s work is exactly what we need.
Scotland’s famous collection of Turner watercolours was left to the nation by the great art collector Henry Vaughan in 1900. Following Vaughan’s strict guidelines, they have only ever been displayed during the month of January, when natural light levels are at their lowest. Because of this, these watercolours still possess a freshness and an intensity of colour almost 200 years since they were originally created.
This mesmerising exhibition demonstrates the extraordinary range of Turner’s work in watercolour, including atmospheric early drawings, experimental colour studies, spellbinding studies for prints and book illustrations and exhibition showstoppers.
Born in London in 1775, Turner’s combination of exceptional talent, intellectual curiosity and relentless hard work resulted in watercolours which capture the sublime beauty of nature and encourage us to look again at the world around us.
In a career spanning 50 years, he developed new ways of painting in watercolour and revolutionised ideas of what could be achieved in the medium. Experimenting with an array of techniques and colour, Turner created works which continue to captivate and excite audiences today.
Turner in January invites visitors on an exciting, colourful journey, leaving behind January blues in favor of Turner’s views of the world, via moody landscapes, impressive city views and dramatic seascapes.
Travel across Britain, Europe and beyond through a dazzling array of artwork including scenes of the Himalayas, Venice and the Swiss Alps, to places a little closer to home, from a tempestuous view of Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye all the way down to serene Melrose in the Scottish Borders.
This year Turner in January will also feature the picturesque watercolour Virginia Water (about 1829),on long term loan to the National Galleries of Scotland and displayed for the first time since 2020.
The work shows a royal fishing expedition on Virginia Water, the artificial lake created as a royal pleasure ground in Windsor Great Park, with King George IV’s newly built ‘Chinese’ Fishing Temple in the background.
In the foreground a pair of royal swans seem to be chasing away mallard ducks, a visual pun on Turner’s middle name.
Visitors will be able to immerse themselves further into the world of Turner through a Smartify audio highlights guide, returning for 2026. Free to use on mobile devices, this audio guided tour will give fresh insights into the artwork on display, expanding Turner’s ideas and inspirations and adding another layer to the Turner in January experience.
Summer 2026 will also offer an additional opportunity to enjoy Turner’s work at the National Galleries of Scotland. Join us for an unmissable chance to see one of the artist’s most iconic paintings, Norham Castle, Sunrise, (c. 1845), which will be displayed for free at the National for the very first time as part of a special loan from Tate.
Charlotte Topsfield, Senior Curator of British Drawings and Prints at National Galleries of Scotland said: “After a year of celebrations for Turner’s 250th birthday and the huge excitement of the exchange with the National Gallery of Ireland in January 2025, we are so pleased to be showing Scotland’s Vaughan Turners and honouring Henry Vaughan’s bequest once again.
“We hope visitors will enjoy seeing familiar friends and find new inspiration in Turner’s glorious colour and light.”
Turner in January has been gratefully supported by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery and the Postcode Culture Trust. Turner in January is a free National Galleries of Scotland exhibition opening to the public at 12pm on Thursday 1 January 2026.
Analysing TripAdvisor ratings, festive mentions in TripAdvisor reviews, average snowfall in December and the distance to the closest cosy pub, the team at GO Outdoors have highlighted the best places to head out to for a festive walk:
The UK’s Best Christmas Walks:
Rank
Location
Area
Country
TripAdvisor Rating /5
Reviews Mentioning Festive Keywords
Snowfall in December (cm)
Miles to Closest Pub
Overall Score /10
1
Barmouth Beach
Barmouth
Wales
4.7
28.6%
1.5
0.2
9.09
2
Glastonbury Tor
Somerset
England
4.7
29.3%
0.8
0.5
8.46
3
Bournemouth Beach
Bournemouth
England
4.5
35.5%
0.5
0.4
8.04
4
Arthur’s Seat
Edinburgh
Scotland
4.7
18.0%
1.7
0.5
7.94
5
Calton Hill
Edinburgh
Scotland
4.6
16.6%
1.7
0.2
7.84
6
Camber Sands
Camber
England
4.3
30.5%
0.6
0.2
7.83
7
Filey Beach
North Yorkshire
England
4.7
29.0%
0.0
0.2
7.63
8
Fistral Beach
Cornwall
England
4.6
32.3%
0.0
0.2
7.52
9
Brighton Beach
Brighton
England
4.1
30.4%
0.3
0.1
7.42
10
Dovedale
Ashbourne
England
4.5
28.9%
3.4
1.5
7.41
Barmouth Beach has been crowned the UK’s best Christmas walk, scoring an impressive 9.09 out of 10.
Located in southern Snowdonia, the beach has a Christmassy feel in winter, with 29% of reviews highlighting festive elements. With a seafront path, it’s a great spot for both family outings and peaceful solo walks. December can bring occasional light snowfall, and with a pub only 0.2 miles away, there’s a convenient spot to warm up after your walk.
Glastonbury Tor takes second place with a Christmas score of 8.46 out of 10.
The route is a steady, manageable climb that ends with wide views of Somerset. Although the incline requires a bit of effort, most walkers will find it comfortable, making it suitable for most abilities. With 29% of reviews mentioning festive terms, it’s a great choice for a December outing, and with a pub only 0.5 miles away, it’s easy to round off the walk with a warm drink or meal.
Bournemouth Beach comes in third with a Christmas score of 8.04 out of 10.
It stands out for its festive atmosphere, receiving the highest percentage of reviews mentioning festive charm among the top 10 walks. The long sandy shore and wide promenade make it perfect for a leisurely winter stroll. Occasional light snowfall in December can add a touch of magic, giving the beach an especially Christmassy feel.
Natalie Wolfenden, Author and outdoor enthusiast at GO Outdoors, said: “A Christmas walk is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors during the colder months, and the UK offers plenty of festive destinations to explore. Whether you’re heading to Somerset or Edinburgh, a little preparation can make your outing even more enjoyable.
“Plan your route well in advance and make sure it’s suitable for everyone taking part. With the colder weather, it’s best to choose paths you’re confident with, as this will make it easier for you to relax and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
“Dressing in warm, breathable layers with an insulated coat will help you stay comfortable, and supportive footwear is essential for any slippery or uneven terrain. If temperatures are set to drop particularly low, a hat and gloves can make a big difference to how long you’re able to stay outside comfortably.
“Finally, on the day of your walk, be sure to check the latest weather forecast before heading out, and be ready to change your plans if conditions take a turn.
“Staying flexible will help ensure a more enjoyable Christmas outing!”
As Castle of Light: Fire and Ice prepares to draw its sixth dazzling season to a close, visitors are being invited to experience the award-winning after-dark event at Edinburgh Castle one final time, with a special £10 ticket available for the final night (Sunday 4 January 2026).
Illuminating the capital’s skyline throughout the festive season, Castle of Light has once again captivated audiences with extraordinary installations, immersive storytelling and breathtaking projections, this year inspired by the elemental forces of fire and ice.
With only a handful of dates remaining in its seven-week run, there are limited opportunities to journey through Scotland’s most iconic fortress as its transformed into a mesmerising world of light, sound and wonder.
To celebrate the closing night on Sunday 4 January 2026, all tickets will be available for just £10, offering a final chance for visitors to escape the everyday and experience the magic of Castle of Light before the festive season fades.
Created by a consortium of Scotland’s leading digital and visual artists, in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Castle of Light has become a highlight of Edinburgh’s winter calendar, blending cutting-edge creativity with centuries of Scottish heritage.
Kit Reid, Head of Experience at HES, said: “Castle of Light: Fire and Ice has been a huge hit with visitors, with people travelling from far and wide to experience the iconic site lit up after-dark.
“We’re delighted to offer these £10 tickets and encourage anyone who hasn’t experienced the event yet to come along and celebrate the final night of this year’s spectacular event.”
