Join Edinburgh Tool Library and The Crannie for a screening of a powerful short film, War Without Bullets, about Glaswegian activist Cathy McCormack – who transformed her fight against poor housing conditions in her own community into a global movement for health justice.
The film will be accompanied by food and an open conversation about our experiences and hopes for our own homes, and our struggles and successes with fighting for safe and healthy housing conditions.
There will be more information about housing and energy advice at the event if you have any specific questions about your own situation.
Royal Collection Trust hasannounced an artist residency in collaboration with Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) at The University of Edinburgh for the upcoming major exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance at The King’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
ArtistsPhoebe Leach and Dette Allmark, bothECA alumni, will be responding to the masterpieces on display and drawing in the Gallery throughout the exhibition’s run, with their creations forming a changing display for visitors.
The residency, which is the first at The King’s Gallery in Edinburgh, has been organised in partnership with ECA, a leading international art school within The University of Edinburgh that traces its history back to 1760.
Drawing the Italian Renaissance, which opens on 17 October 2025, will be the widest ranging exhibition of Italian Renaissance drawings in Scotland for over 50 years. Works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Titian are among more than 80 works on display, with 45 drawings going on show in Scotland for the first time.
The residency programme will demonstrate how drawing remains a vital practice for artists today, just as it was for the artists of the Italian Renaissance.
Visitors to the exhibition will also be encouraged to take inspiration from the works on display and try their hand at drawing, with pencils and paper freely available in the Gallery.
For artist Phoebe Leach, who was raised in Lincolnshire and graduated from ECA in 2024, drawing has been critical to her work. As a painter and printmaker, she explores how people experience and interact with the world around them, with drawing allowing her to shed light on often unseen spaces.
Since October 2024, Phoebe has been documenting the work of the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Drawing brain surgeries and operations from life, she has created a unique record of the unit’s surgical activities and the experiences of patients (above).
Phoebe Leach said: ‘It’s a real privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of this residency so early in my career, just a year after graduating.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with the works in the exhibition – studying the techniques of the Old Masters to refine my own technical drawing skills, while also creating contemporary interpretations in response.
“Most of all, I’m excited to record the activity of visitors and their interaction with the exhibition to create live response drawings in the Gallery space.”
Dette Allmark, who graduated from ECA with a degree in Tapestry in 2000 and a Master’s in Illustration in 2022, as well as spending a year at the Royal Drawing School in 2007, is an established artist, illustrator and writer who has been a long-term resident of Edinburgh.
Drawing forms the basis for all Dette’s work, but it has increasingly grown in importance for her as an art form in its own right.
It provides a way for her to process the world around her to make sense of her life and experiences, with much of Dette’s work exploring the narratives, myths and archetypes that surround women.
Dette is currently a visiting artist to Scottish Opera in Glasgow, observing and drawing from rehearsals and live performances.
Dette Allmark said: ‘The characters and worlds created by the Renaissance artists not only capture beauty, ignite awe and tell stories but also allow us to see that these artists scrutinised their world, the imagined world and its characters to understand more about themselves, humanity and spirituality.
“I draw to make sense of my experiences, and I hope the visitors will be inspired to revisit what it is to play with a pencil, lay their judgement aside and conjure up a visual world that is uniquely theirs.’
Professor Juan Cruz, ECA Principal, Edinburgh College of Art, The University of Edinburgh said: ‘We’re thrilled that alumni of Edinburgh College of Art will be involved in this landmark exhibition, bringing some of the greatest works of the Italian Renaissance to Scotland for the first time.
“Drawing, in many guises, continues to be a vital part of creative practice, and this residency offers a unique opportunity for our graduates to engage with these historic works in a live public setting. We look forward to seeing how they interpret and respond to the collection through their own creative lens.’
Lauren Porter, Senior Curator of Works on Paper and curator of the exhibition, said: ‘We are delighted to have Phoebe and Dette as the first artists in residence at The King’s Gallery in Edinburgh.
“Drawing was fundamental to the Italian Renaissance and the residency will show its continued importance while offering both artists the time to engage with and respond to the works in their own unique way. We hope that visitors will not only enjoy seeing the artists at work and their drawings on display, but also feel inspired to pick up a pencil and try their hand at drawing.’
Highlights of the exhibition’s accompanying programme of events will include a Gallery Late with music, crafts, and drop-in talks, and family workshops which will explore the exhibition through yoga, storytelling, and drawing.
The two artists in residence will take part in family and community group events, while also on select days offering drop-in support, advice and discussion on drawing in the Gallery.
This September, step beneath the Royal Mile and into a world where history and folklore entwine, as The Real Mary King’s Close unveils its brand-new “Myths and Legends Tour”.
Throughout the month, Edinburgh’s hidden streets will reveal the stories that have plagued the city for centuries, as visitors wander through the dimly lit closes, guided by tales – steeped in history – of witches and fairies.
From the eerie glow of the Will-o’-the-Wisp to the mysterious tiny coffins un-earthed on Arthur’s Seat, discover how these incredible stories have shaped the city’s identity and continue to echo beneath its streets.
Among the figures brought to life on the tour are the Glaistig, half-woman and half-goat, said to guard cattle and mislead travellers, the sound of pipers believed to remain lost beneath the city, and headless drummers once thought to warn off danger.
Legends of goddesses and fairies blur the line between history and myth, weaving tales that link Edinburgh’s present to the lives, dreams, and anxieties of those who walked its closes centuries ago.
In 2024, The Real Mary King’s Close was crowned the UK’s best tourist attraction in the TripAdvisor® Travellers’ Choice® Awards ‘Best of the Best’, also ranking 11th among Europe’s top visitor attractions. It continues to captivate visitors with its unique blend of history, storytelling, and immersive experiences.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said:“Edinburgh has always been a city of stories, and the Close holds some of its darkest and most captivating.
“These legends reveal the fears and beliefs of the real people who lived here, and experiencing them underground, in the streets where these lives unfolded, makes the past feel immediate and alive.”
The new Myths and Legends tours take place every Friday and Saturday throughout September, starting on 5th September, with two departures each day at 16.00 and 17.30.
The one-hour tours are limited to 20 guests, and visitors are advised to prebook as tours are expected to sell out fast.
Musical performance by Steph Legg and ensemble at St Giles’ Cathedral
TONIGHT, audiences are invited to experience the life and work of one of Scotland’s most important painters through an entirely new medium: music.
On Thursday 28 August, which marks the anniversary of John Bellany’s death, saxophonist and composer Steph Legg will perform her debut album, Bellany, in the stunning surrounds of St Giles’ Cathedral.
A deeply personal and imaginative project, Bellany transforms the painter’s bold, autobiographical vision into a rich, genre-blending soundscape.
Steph was first captivated by Bellany’s work as a child after encountering his 1995 painting The Skate and the Kate. That moment sparked a lifelong fascination with his vivid imagery, religious symbolism, and deep reflections on Scottish identity, all of which find voice in this moving musical tribute.
Performed by a dynamic ensemble featuring:
Steph Legg (saxophone and voice)
Julia Hart (violin)
Cameron Smith (cello)
Erin Sawicka (piano)
The performance leads audiences through a folk inspired chasm into the centre of Bellany’s world, exploring the social and religious themes of his work and visiting key people, places and events which shaped him.
The ensemble paint their own portraits of this complex character and as the final chords fade out, the fragments of Bellany interfuse to reveal his extraordinary life.
The exhibition features over 80 works spanning Bellany’s remarkable career. The performance is accompanied by the installation of Bellany’s 1965 work Box Meeting which is on show in St. Giles’ until end of September.
Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Margaret Graham said: “Steph Legg’s Bellany is a powerful and deeply original response to the life and legacy of one of Scotland’s most celebrated artists.
“Her music captures the same emotional intensity and storytelling spirit that define Bellany’s works. We’re thrilled to see this performance complement our current exhibition, John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture and offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience his work in both sight and sound.
£150,000 ‘Restore the magic’ fundraising campaign launched
Appeal for ‘fandals’ to support restoration
The original world-famous Elephant House Café, renowned as the birthplace of Harry Potter, is set to reopen following a devastating fire that forced its closure four years ago.
Today, the owners have announced an ambitious restoration plan, including the launch of the ‘Restore the magic’ fundraising campaign to help bring the beloved literary landmark back to life.
A must-visit destination for Harry Potter fans worldwide, The Elephant House Café became famous for being one of J.K. Rowling’s favourite writing spots in the early days of the series.
Fans from across the globe flocked to the café to soak up its magical atmosphere and, in true Potterhead tradition, scrawled messages of admiration, quotes, and artwork in the toilets – a spontaneous tribute that became an iconic feature of the café’s history and a symbol of the love people had for the café and the stories born within its walls.
As part of the fundraising efforts, the café owners are now appealing for the graffiti ‘fandals’ to support the crowdfunder for the opportunity to come back and leave their mark again.
“The Elephant House has always been a home for writers, dreamers, and fans of literature,” said David Taylor, owner of The Elephant House Café. “The fire was a heartbreaking loss, but the passion and enthusiasm from fans have been overwhelming.
“The scale of the devastation caused by the fire in such an historic building in the heart of a world heritage site means restoration is complex. We are determined to bring back this special place, and with the ‘Restore the magic’ campaign, we hope to unite the community and fans worldwide to help us rebuild.”
The restoration project aims to preserve the charm and legacy of The Elephant House while modernising it to create an even more welcoming space for writers, readers, and coffee lovers.
The fundraising campaign will offer multiple ways for supporters to contribute, including exclusive merchandise, sponsorship opportunities, and donation tiers that allow fans to leave their mark in creative ways within the rebuilt café.
DUKE AND DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH COMMEMORATE VJ DAY 80
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were among a host of dignitaries and special guests who laid wreaths to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day yesterday (Friday).
Held within the Scottish National War Memorial, the Duke and Duchess attended the special service, organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland and led by Reverend Dr Karen Campbell, and were joined by the Rt. Hon Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Veterans, Kirsty McNeill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, Rear Admiral Mark Beverstock, National President, Royal British Legion Scotland, Colonel Patrick O’Meara QAM, Poppyscotland, Elaine Edwards, Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Sue Raw, War Widows Association, among others.
As well as paying homage to those who lost their lives during the war, those in attendance heard the stories of World War II veterans Bill Ramage, Whitson Johnston and Jack Ransom, all of whom have since sadly died.
The trio had previously spoken about that day on 15 August, 1945, when Japan announced its surrender to the Allied forces and how it was met with relief and celebration that after six long years the war was finally over.
Also present at the event was Jenny Martin, whose mother was pregnant when she was captured by the Japanese in the fall of Singapore in 1942, and was born a Far East prisoner of war spending the first three years of her life in captivity.
Charmaine McMeekin, the daughter of British Army Officer and author of The Railway Man, Eric Lomax, and Nigel Robb, the son of Flt Sgt George Deuchar Robb from the 117 Sqn RAF, who flew Bristol Beaufighters in India were also in attendance.
Music was performed by the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Edinburgh Voices choir and Piper, Ronan Gilchrist.
Dr Claire Armstrong, OBE, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “It’s hugely important that we commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, a day that marked the end of six years of world war.
“We were honoured to have Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in attendance, as well as World War II veterans and their families, especially in such a historic setting as the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle.
“We hope others stop and take a moment of reflection today to remember the importance of VJ Day 80 years on.”
Music on the Mezzanine, Central Library’s programme of free Saturday lunchtime concerts, returns for a new season on Saturday 30 August at 1pm.
Ten fortnightly concerts throughout the autumn will feature new performers and groups you have asked to see and hear again.
Kicking off the 2025/26 season is Music on the Mezzanine favourite Django’s Swing. This Edinburgh-based, jazz-guitar duo will perform a programme of Gypsy Swing in the style popularised by Django Reinhardt in 1930s Paris.
Find out more about the programme on our blog, Tales of One City:
The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, has paid tribute to former Presiding Officer and MSP, Rt Hon Sir George Reid, following his death in the early hours of Tuesday 12 August.
The Rt Hon Sir George Reid served as Deputy Presiding Officer from 1999 to 2003, and then as Presiding Officer from 2003 to 2007. He was elected as MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region from 1999 to 2003 and then for the Ochil constituency from 2003 to 2007.
During his time as Presiding Officer, he oversaw the completion of the new Scottish Parliament building, opening in 2004. He was also MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire from 1974 to 1979.
A Book of Condolence has been opened and flags at the Scottish Parliament lowered as a mark of respect.
On his passing, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, said:“On behalf of all at the Scottish Parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid.
“He’ll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young Parliament.
“A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new Parliament in action.
“The story of devolution and the early years of our Parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude. My deepest condolences to Daphne, his daughter and grandchildren and his many friends and colleagues. Sir George was welcoming and supportive to me, in Holyrood and outwith. He will be very much missed.
“Flags at Holyrood have been lowered as a mark of respect.”
The Real Mary King’s Close launches first-ever sign language tours ahead of Edinburgh Deaf Festival
One of Edinburgh’s most iconic attractions is making its own history by launching digital sign language tours for the first time. The Real Mary King’s Close will offer tours in British Sign Language (BSL) and International Sign Language (IS) using a multimedia app, launching to coincide with Edinburgh Deaf Festival which began on 8th August.
The milestone is a significant step in The Real Mary King’s Close’s commitment to making history immersive and more accessible than ever to anyone wanting to step back in time into the fascinating world of 17th-century Edinburgh.
Developed in close collaboration with Deaf Action, the translation is delivered digitally by a storyteller portraying Alexander Blackwood – the founder of the world’s first deaf church and deaf organisation in 1830, whose early meetings were held at nearby Lady Stair’s Close – a stone’s throw away from Mary King’s Close in Edinburgh. The historical connection helps root the experience in the city’s wider cultural and deaf heritage.
From initial scripting to on-screen performances, every aspect of the project has been shaped with deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences in mind. The result is a fully accessible and engaging guest experience, allowing more people to step into the streets and understand the stories hidden beneath the Royal Mile.
Paul Nixon, general manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “We want everyone to feel the thrill of stepping into Edinburgh’s hidden past. These new BSL and IS options are more than just a translation – they’re a meaningful extension of our storytelling, built in partnership with the deaf community.
“Reprising the Alexander Blackwood character adds an extra dimension to the tours, allowing our guests to connect not only with the history of the Close, but with a pivotal figure in deaf heritage, rooted in Edinburgh. His story belongs here and we’re proud to honour it in a way that makes our experience more accessible, more immersive and more representative of all who shaped this city’s past.”
The idea for these new sign language tours came directly from The Real Mary King’s Close team, who used the expert guidance of Deaf Action to ensure the needs of deaf guests were met. From scripting to filming, every stage was thoughtfully designed to ensure deaf and hard of hearing guests can fully engage with the stories.
Richard MacQueen, commercial manager at Deaf Action, said: “As the world’s oldest deaf charity, established in 1835, Deaf Action is proud to partner with The Real Mary King’s Close to make this iconic Edinburgh attraction accessible in both British Sign Language and International Sign.
“With such a strong shared connection to the city’s history, it’s fitting that two organisations with deep roots in Edinburgh are working together to break down barriers. We applaud The Real Mary King’s Close for taking meaningful steps to ensure deaf residents and visitors can fully experience the fascinating stories hidden beneath the Royal Mile.”
The Close invites the public to experience this new offering and celebrate the launch during the Edinburgh Deaf Festival, which highlights deaf culture, language and creativity.
Guests can access the new tours from The Real Mary King’s Close free language guide app, which also features translations in 11 other languages.
For more information about The Real Mary King’s Close and bookings please visit: www.realmarykingsclose.com
Police Scotland has released a CCTV image of man they believe may be able to assist with their ongoing enquiries into a serious assault that occurred on Guthrie Steet, Edinburgh at around 1.30am Monday 14, July 2025.
The man is described as white, of slim build, aged 18-24 years old, with short dark hair. He was wearing a red jumper, dark coloured shorts and dark coloured trainers.
Detective Constable Lindsay Johnston, of Corstorphine CID, said: “We would encourage this man, anyone who may recognise him, or anyone with information about this incident to get in touch.
“If you have any information that can assist with our investigation then please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 0344 of 14 July 2025.
“Alternatively, make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
12 Sept, 5.30pm
MUSIC ON THE MEZZANINE RETURNS
