Category: city centre

One month remaining of Summer Savings at Camera Obscura

Families have just a few weeks left to enjoy discounted tickets at Which? UK’s third best tourist attraction, with five floors of interactive illusions, family-friendly experiences and panoramic rooftop views waiting to be discovered.

With the school summer holidays in full swing and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival bringing the city to life in August, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is inviting visitors to make the most of their Edinburgh adventure with all tickets reduced as part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings Initiative.

Families, friends and curious explorers can save on admission while stepping into a world where nothing is quite as it seems from shrinking rooms and gravity-defying illusions to mesmerising light displays and spectacular views across the capital.

After exploring more than one hundred interactive exhibits, visitors can unwind away from the festival crowds with panoramic views of Edinburgh from the attraction’s latest rooftop bar, with refreshments available to purchase including cold soft drinks, snacks and ice cream.

With extended summer opening hours and a location on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, Camera Obscura offers the perfect addition to a summer day in the city.

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions welcomes families of all needs. To support visitors with sensory needs, they can borrow Sensory Backpacks containing items such as ear defenders, sunglasses, a torch, an activities sheet and sensory toys, alongside a sensory map of the building to help families plan and enjoy their visit.

Discounted tickets are now available via the Camera Obscura’s website and available for walk-up admissions and will continue to be until September 1. A family of four visiting during the summer holidays could save more than £10 compared to standard admission prices.

Reduced ticket prices include:

  • Adult tickets reduced from £24.95 to £21.85
  • Senior/Student tickets reduced from £21.95 to £19.20
  • Child tickets reduced from £17.95 to £15.70
  • Children under 5 go FREE 

Andrew Johnson, General Manager of Camera Obscura said; “The response to the Summer Savings initiative has been fantastic so far, and we are delighted to be supporting an initiative that helps people discover and enjoy what UK attractions have to offer.

“The summer holidays can be a financially stressful time for many families, which is why we are pleased to be offering discounted rates and helping visitors make the most of the summer season, especially as the city comes alive with activity.

“Our latest addition to the rooftop offers the perfect place to take a break from the festival crowds, enjoy a soft drink or an ice cream and soak up some of the best views overlooking Edinburgh.”

Edinburgh artist prepares for National Galleries showcase

An Edinburgh artist who transforms local landscapes and architecture into stunning prints has been selected to showcase his work at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait.

Callum Russell, who completed a Masters in Contemporary Art at the Edinburgh College of Art after studying Illustration at Falmouth School of Art, specialises in paper cutting and lino printing, creating prints inspired by the distinctive landscapes, industrial buildings and green spaces in and around the city and beyond.

Next weekend, Callum will join over 40 of Scotland’s leading independent makers, artists and designers at the Tea Green Events Summer Market at National Galleries Scotland: Portrait. Open to the public and free to attend, the two-day event runs on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August (10am – 5pm).

Now in its 12th year, Dundee-based Tea Green Events, owned by Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen, has become one of Scotland’s leading platforms for independent designers, attracting thousands of visitors to markets across the country. The Edinburgh event will feature everything from artwork, textiles and ceramics to jewellery and stationery.

Callum, who creates his work from a home studio in Edinburgh, has also exhibited at Tea Green markets at V&A Dundee and Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

He said, “Initially I got into printmaking purely as a way of making copies of my papercut images, but I soon fell in love with lino cutting and printing as a process in itself. I have always been inspired by cities, urban and industrial settings, from black-and-white, almost cinematic images of the cranes at Leith Docks to the shadows and commuters of Waverley Railway Station. 

“However, I’m fortunate to live in a city with so many natural and colourful landscapes like Holyrood Park, Greyfriars Bobby, Arthur’s Seat and The Meadows so I’m increasingly incorporating these spaces, which have a different appeal.”

Joanne said, “We are excited to once again be returning to National Galleries: Portrait, a truly spectacular space and the perfect backdrop to show off the cream of Scotland’s creative talent, including many designers and makers who, like Callum, live, work and take their inspiration from the capital and its surroundings. 

“Due to the large number of tourists visiting Edinburgh over the summer, the market also takes Scotland’s talent to a global level, celebrating the very best of Scottish craftsmanship.”

Callum added, “It’s always a delight to exhibit at Tea Green markets and a genuine privilege to be considered amongst other creatives at such a high standard.

“They are so well curated, held in some of Scotland’s most stunning spaces and, as a result, attracting visitors with a genuine interest in art and creativity, which really adds something to the event. And more than ever, it’s a real joy to interact with the public, to talk to them about my work and to get feedback on what I do.”

Lord Provost officially opens iconic Floral Clock for 2026

The Lord Provost has officially unveiled Edinburgh’s Floral Clock in West Princes Street Gardens, revealing a striking new design celebrating the 20th anniversary of Trellis.

Joined by representatives from the charity, the Lord Provost marked the completion of the display, which took a team of three gardeners six weeks to create.

Comprising around 35,000 colourful flowers and plants across a 200-square-metre display, this year’s Floral Clock has been co-designed with Trellis to celebrate the charity’s work improving mental and physical wellbeing through gardening, plants and connecting with nature.

For the past 20 years, Trellis has supported people to recover from ill health, overcome adversity and build confidence through therapeutic gardening. In the last year alone, the charity has helped more than 1,000 people across Edinburgh and the Lothians improve their health and wellbeing, while supporting communities to create green spaces in hospitals, GP surgeries, schools, prisons, and other community settings.

The 2026 design highlights the positive impact of gardening for wellbeing, inviting visitors to pause, reflect and connect with nature in the heart of the city.

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “The Floral Clock is one of Edinburgh’s most treasured landmarks, delighting residents and visitors alike for more than 120 years. Every year, it showcases the incredible talent and dedication of our Parks team while celebrating the people and organisations who make a positive contribution to our city.

I”t is particularly fitting that this year’s design recognises Trellis and the life-changing work they do to improve health and wellbeing through gardening.

“I hope everyone visiting West Princes Street Gardens takes a moment to enjoy this beautiful display and reflect on the power of nature to bring people together.”

Fiona Thackeray, chief executive at Trellis, said: “Through our work, we have seen first-hand the transformative changes that can be achieved by connecting with nature, creating something beautiful and unique outdoors, and meeting other people taking action to manage their own health and wellbeing.

“Over the last 20 years we have supported over 15,000 people across Edinburgh and the surrounding area through therapeutic horticulture. Alongside those we have directly supported, the wider impact is far-reaching.

“From the communities benefiting from the gardens and greenscapes created, to the families of those supported, the impact of the work Trellis does is ever growing, thanks to the support from our donors and funders.

“Receiving this recognition from the City of Edinburgh Council to commemorate the incredible work done by our volunteers and team members is absolutely incredible and we hope it will allow us to continue supporting people in need in the future.”

First created in 1903 by Edinburgh’s then Parks Superintendent, John McHattie, the Floral Clock is the oldest of its kind in the world.

Originally featuring only an hour hand, a minute hand was added in 1904, followed by the famous cuckoo mechanism in 1952. Operated mechanically and wound by hand until 1972, it has celebrated charities, organisations and notable individuals through its annual designs for almost 80 years.

Previous themes have honoured the Girl Guides Association, Robert Louis Stevenson and Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to mark her Golden Jubilee. In its centenary year in 2003, the Floral Clock received a Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Police seek witnesses to two assaults on South Bridge

POLICE are appealing for information following two assaults in Edinburgh.

Around 2.10am this morning (Saturday, 1 August, 2026), a man was assaulted on South Bridge near the junction with High Street. Enquiries to trace the victim, a man, are ongoing.

A short time later, the suspect continued further along South Bridge and assaulted another man, before walking towards Chambers Street. The man was taken to hospital for treatment.

The suspect is described as male, white, and between 30 and 40-years-old. He was wearing a green top, a dark-coloured gilet, white trainers, and a light-coloured baseball cap.

Detective Sergeant Steven Dick said: “Enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed either assault to contact us.

“We’d also ask the victim in the first assault to get in touch with us.

“Anyone with information, private CCTV or dash-cam footage which could assist our enquiries, is asked to come forward.

“Information can be given be calling Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0421 of 1 August, 2026. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

More: https://orlo.uk/XPHRs

North Bridge fully reopens

North Bridge fully reopened last night (Friday 31 July), with final completion of the project expected later this year.

Both pavements and traffic lanes will be brought back into use in time for the peak festival season in August, which starts next weekend.

Work on the North Bridge began in 2018 and since then the Category A Listed structure has undergone a complete restoration.

This has included grit blasting and repainting all structural steelwork, restoring and hand finishing the cast iron façade, and installing a permanent access platform for future monitoring and care of the bridge.

The project has also brought significant social benefits through partnerships with local schools and universities, collaboration with charities and community groups, alongside careers support for young people, ex-offenders and people with disabilities.

A time capsule was interred last year with key objects from the project and an exhibition Study for North Bridge is running until September at the City Art Centre.

A co-curated video with contractor Balfour Beatty discusses this milestone and goes into some of the key information behind the project.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m delighted that we’ve reached this key milestone in the project. This reopening is all the more welcome given the busy time of year, and the wider travel disruption we’re currently experiencing as a result of the fire on Princes Street.

“Make no mistake, this has been one of the most complex and ambitious projects the Council has ever undertaken. When work first began, some areas of the bridge hadn’t seen the light of day in over a century, and few could’ve imagined the scale of the challenge we faced.

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“I’m conscious that this has taken longer, and cost more than we initially anticipated. Our residents, businesses and visitors have my sincere thanks for their patience during this time. However, I’m incredibly proud that we’ve successfully preserved and enhanced this cornerstone of Edinburgh’s history, and key transport corridor, for future generations of our city.

“To see the bridge back to its former glory, with the new façade shining in the summer sun, is something we can all celebrate together.”

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Rory McFadden, Project Director at Balfour Beatty, said: “The reopening of North Bridge to both traffic and pedestrians marks a major milestone in this complex restoration project and is a significant step towards returning this iconic structure to the heart of Edinburgh’s transport network.

“While there is still work to complete in the months ahead, it will be incredibly rewarding to see residents, visitors and businesses once again utilising the bridge and benefitting from this vital transport link.”

Princes Street Fire: Deputy First Minister to meet council leader

Direct Scottish Government support to help address the ongoing impact of the fire on Princes Street, including potential financial support, will be discussed during talks with City of Edinburgh Council leaders next week.

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth has acknowledged the “major difficulties” being faced in the capital as a result of the blaze at the former Debenham’s store on July 9th.

Ms Gilruth will visit the site of the fire next week and meet with the head of the local authority to clarify what action is required to assist with the recovery.

The Deputy First Minister said: “I am acutely aware of the major difficulties faced by city centre commuters, businesses and tourists in the aftermath of the fire – particularly as Edinburgh prepares for the August Festivals.

“The Scottish Government has been working with City of Edinburgh Council and other partners to deliver the immediate priorities of ensuring the public’s safety while minimising and reducing disruption. I welcome the quick action taken to support festival organisers given the diversions along George Street.

“I am firmly committed to working urgently with partners to ensure there is the fullest possible recovery in what is the heart of the capital.

“I will also be meeting with the council leader next week to make clear what further support ministers can provide, including financial assistance, to help alleviate the situation.”

Edinburgh’s summer festivals oficially begin next weekend, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to the capital.

Free Iced Matcha for every National 5 and Scottish Highers students, and their teachers, no matter the grades!

4th August at Bird & Blend stores in Edinburgh and Glasgow

Bird & Blend Tea Co. Celebrates Tea-rrific A-Level and GCSE Results Days in Scotland with a Free Iced Matcha Worth £5.25 for Students and Teachers on 4th August at Bird & Blend Edinburgh & Glasgow

It’s time to sip back and relax – A-Level and GCSE results day has arrived!

To celebrate the hard work, dedication and achievements of the Class of 2026, Bird & Blend Tea Co. is treating students and their hard working and deserving teachers to a free iced Superstar Matcha, worth £5.25, on A-Level and GCSE Results Day.

Whether you’re celebrating smashing your goals or simply making it through the exam season, Bird & Blend believes every student and their teachers deserve a moment to pause, refresh and celebrate. Pop into your nearest store and enjoy a matcha on us.

Date & Time

Tuesday 4th August 2026
11:00am – 5:00pm

Location

Bird & Blend Tea Co. stores:

Edinburgh, 89 Rose Street, EH2 3DT

Glasgow, 215 Byres Road, G12 8UD

Offer Details

  • Claim a free iced Superstar Matcha latte, worth £5.25, by showing your A-Level & GCSE results and valid student ID at the till, or TRN/school staff badge.
  • Offer is for an Iced Superstar Matcha only.
  • One free drink per person.

The offer is available at all Bird & Blend Tea Co. stores in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Terms & Conditions

Offer available at all Bird & Blend Tea Co. In-store only.

Redeemable between 11:00am and 5:00pm on Tuesday 4th August 2026 only.

No cash alternative. Drink choice subject to availability. One free drink per person.

A-Level & GCSE results and valid student ID, or a Teacher Reference Number (TRN) or school staff badge must be presented to redeem the offer.

RNLI celebrates lifeguards as charity marks 25 years of keeping beaches safer

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the RNLI Lifeguard Service, a lifeguard installation  is being installed in St Andrew Square today – Lifeguard Appreciation Day, (Friday  31st July 2026).

Launching in 2001, following a successful pilot scheme in South-West England, over over  245 beaches are now patrolled by RNLI lifeguards.  

RNLI lifeguards were first introduced in Scotland on Coldingham Bay in 2013, and the  team has been expanding ever since. They can now be found on 8 Scottish beaches throughout the summer season. 

Since the service began in Scotland, RNLI lifeguards have saved 8 lives, aided more  than 3,500 people, responded to over 2,400 incidents and carried out more than  560,000 preventative actions. 

RNLI lifeguards are best known for rescuing people in difficulty in the water, but much  of their work takes place before an incident ever develops.

Around 95% of a lifeguard’s  role is prevention, from advising swimmers about rip currents and changing conditions to helping families stay safe on the beach and reuniting lost children with their parents.  

Lachlan Edwards, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor, says: “International Lifeguard Day is an  opportunity to celebrate our fantastic and dedicated lifeguard team, both past and  present.  

“We have a team of around 40 lifeguards, including volunteer lifeguards, who help keep  the public safe and well informed. They not only work across our eight beaches,  providing casualty care, support and carrying out rescues, they also work in local  primary schools and help educate communities on water safety at events throughout  the year.  

“Having been part of the team since 2015 I have seen first-hand how the service in  Scotland has grown and the impact our lifeguards have had is remarkable. We look  forward to growing the team further and continuing to provide this lifesaving service.”

Owen McQueenie is a senior lifeguard who joined the service in 2019, inspired by his  dad, Martin, and older sister, Tamsin, who were both RNLI lifeguards.

 Owen says: ‘Being part of the lifeguard team is incredibly rewarding. I have always  loved being in and around the water and surfing with my family, so being able to do this  as a job, while helping to protect the public is really awesome. 

‘I was inspired by my dad and sister to get involved with the RNLI lifeguard team. It’s  great to work in the same field as my family and be able to share our experiences after  our shifts. They were a huge support when I became a senior lifeguard, and I’m proud  to follow in their footsteps.’ 

Owen recently assisted two girls who were caught by the wind on their paddleboard at  Coldingham Bay and safely guided them back to the shore.  

As families continue to enjoy the coast this summer, the RNLI is encouraging people to  choose a lifeguarded beach whenever possible and to swim between the red and  yellow flags.  

To find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach, visit rnli.org/lifeguardedbeach.

Historic features survive Princes Street fire

WORK EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR AT LEAST THREE MORE WEEKS

Work is expected to continue on site for at least three weeks, during which time this section of Princes Street will remain closed.

Securing the front façade of the building is one of the key tasks being undertaken. Structural engineers have concluded that the building’s fragile state means vehicles, including trams, should not pass, even at low speeds. Doing so would pose a serious risk to public safety.

Steelwork is being installed to reinforce the façade and once this is in place, vehicles will be able to pass the structure. The earliest this is expected to be is in around three weeks’ time, if wind speeds remain low. Work is weather dependent and cranes cannot operate once wind speeds exceed safe limits. The safety of the operatives carrying out this complex work is a key factor.

Good progress has been made on the eastern end of the building, and it is hoped the cordon on Princes Street will be reduced later this week, allowing Boots to re-open over the weekend.

It has also emerged that the original Victorian staircase and the stained-glass windows memorial to former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, at 111-112 Princes Street, have survived relatively unscathed.

These two key features from the 1880’s will now be examined to assess if any further work is required.

Trams will continue running from the Airport and terminating at West End (Shandwick Place stop), with buses being diverted via George Street.

Check our dedicated webpage for detailed information and travel advice.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Whilst I understand how concerning this news will be to everyone, I want to reiterate that we’re doing everything within our power to reopen Princes Street as soon as it’s safe to do so.

“The complexity of the remedial work cannot be overstated, with specialists working, mostly by hand, under extremely challenging circumstances.

“I’m acutely aware of the impact that this is having across the city each and every day, and I’ll repeat my thanks to the public for their continued patience during this incredibly difficult time. The city is very much open, and I’d encourage everyone to support our fantastic local businesses as we enter the August festival season.

“We’re continuing to work alongside our partners, particularly Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses, to keep Edinburgh moving.

“A part-tram service and full bus services continue citywide, but please plan ahead and allow plenty of time for your journey. We’ve also increased the number of Voi e-bike parking locations and hires available across the city, helping people to get around easier.

It’s positive that the cordon is being reduced, and the fact that these key historical features of the site have survived is a rare silver lining in this terrible event.

“From tram and bus drivers working overtime to the engineers on site, Council colleagues and many more, I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in the response so far.

“Despite these trying circumstances I’ve no doubt we can all enjoy a fantastic summer here in the world’s cultural capital.”

The recent fire on Princes Street has had a significant impact on our city.

@on_lothianbuses and @EdinburghTrams‘ Chief Operating Officer, Willie Hamilton, thanks our colleagues and customers for their support during this challenging time.

Read his full statement below:

Edinburgh hosts landmark exhibition confronting slavery’s enduring legacy

The first international exhibition from the world-renowned Legacy Museum arrives in Scotland for a limited run at Edinburgh International Festival from 8 to 30 August

This August, UK audiences will have a rare opportunity to experience one of the most powerful cultural exhibitions ever created about slavery, racial injustice and their continuing legacy.

Opening on 8 August, The Legacy of Slavery brings the work of the internationally acclaimed Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama to Scotland – and marks the first occasion the Museum has created a major exhibition outside the United States. 

Presented by Edinburgh International Festival in the spectacular surroundings of the Playfair Library Hall in one of Scotland’s great civic institutions, the exhibition coordinated by the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) invites visitors to confront the history of slavery across the Atlantic world and consider how its consequences continue to shape modern society. 

The Legacy of Slavery is an immersive, hour-long experience. Visitors travel through centuries of history, from the transatlantic slave trade and the economics of enslavement to segregation, racial terror, mass incarceration and contemporary inequalities within systems of justice. 

Founded by the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), the Legacy Museum has become internationally recognised for transforming public understanding of slavery and racial injustice through rigorous historical research and powerful storytelling. 

The exhibition is guided by the work of Bryan Stevenson, founder of the EJI and one of the world’s most influential advocates for justice and human rights.

Through decades of legal advocacy, Stevenson has challenged wrongful convictions, overturned death sentences and sparked international conversations about how societies reckon with difficult histories. 

Bryan Stevenson said: “We are thrilled to bring a part of the Legacy Sites to Edinburgh for this exciting festival.

“The relationship between art, music, and justice is deep, profound, and ancient.  So much of the world’s most extraordinary creative works have been shaped by eras of inequality, bigotry, and injustice.

“The Legacy Museum documents and explores a painful part of America’s history, which should deepen visitors’ appreciation of the extraordinary music and creative expression this history has inspired.”

Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti said: “The Edinburgh International Festival was founded in 1947 as an act of reconciliation, built on the belief that art and dialogue together could help humanity reckon with its darkest chapters and find a way forward.

“That is what this work with The Legacy Museum offers: a chance to bring the International Festival’s tradition of ideas and conversation into direct contact with one of the most searching acts of historical reckoning being made anywhere today. Hosting the first ever international exhibition of The Legacy Museum is a profound expression of our founding purpose.

“With this year’s International Festival we are placing a particular spotlight on the United States, and this exhibition sits at its heart. Running from the 8th to the 30th of August, it will sit alongside performances and works that explore the same history from different artistic angles, from theatre works Angels in America and HANG TIME to Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra performing Duke Ellington’s monumental symphony Black, Brown and Beige.

“Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative have created something that demands our attention, our honesty and our willingness to sit with discomfort in the service of truth. This exhibition is free and open to everyone, and we hope as many people as possible will come and see it.”

The exhibition, which is focused on the Legacy of Slavery in the US, also includes some context on Scotland’s connections to transatlantic slavery. The exhibit explores the evolution of slavery in America using multiple forms of immersive content and material documenting the past all the way to the present.

Presented within the Edinburgh International Festival’s 2026 programme, which marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, The Legacy of Slavery sits at the heart of the Festival’s wider examination of freedom, hypocrisy and the contradictions that have shaped the modern world.

Tickets are free, book online www.eif.co.uk

The Legacy of Slavery runs from 8–30 August 2026.