Category: Old Town

Public to be given unique glimpse into Queen Elizabeth II’s private rooms at her official Scottish residence

Centenary tours to go on sale at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

The private apartments used by Queen Elizabeth II when in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the monarch in Scotland, will open to visitors for the first time in 2026 to mark the centenary of her birth.

Available only this year, the tours will run for 100 days and will see small groups taken behind the scenes by expert guides to discover the history of the rooms and learn how they were used by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, during her 70-year reign.

Royal Collection Trust email subscribers will be given priority access to book tickets at an exclusive offer price from Monday, 9 March, with remaining tickets going on general sale on Thursday, 12 March.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse was the setting for many significant occasions during the late Queen’s reign. While visiting Edinburgh to meet and celebrate Scots from all walks of life, she and Prince Philip would occupy a suite of private rooms on the Palace’s east side, with stunning views of the gardens and Holyrood Park.

These modestly decorated rooms offer a rare glimpse into the personal, ‘lived-in’ spaces used during private moments between official duties.

The rooms date from the 17th century and have been used by successive monarchs and members of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria’s reign. They are furnished with historic objects from the Royal Collection, as well as pieces from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s personal collections, many of which reflect their longstanding affection for Scotland.

Tours will take visitors through rooms and spaces including the Royal Breakfast Room, where the Queen and Prince Philip would dine privately while in residence. The room is hung with magnificent Flemish tapestries, woven around 1650, featuring a beautiful design of a pergola framing an ornate vase filled with flowers. The tapestries were hung in the room in the 1920s at the request of Queen Elizabeth’s grandparents, King George V and Queen Mary.

In the Dressing Room, giving a sense of how the Queen would prepare for official engagements, visitors will see three ensembles from her wardrobe, each worn during a significant occasion in Edinburgh.

For the official opening of the Scottish Parliament on 1 July 1999, the Queen wore a purple coat made of a silk-wool blend with a green silk-crepe and lace dress, and a shawl of purple and green Isle of Skye tartan, woven on the Island of Lewis.

The ensemble was inspired by the Scottish landscape and reflects the designer Sandra Murray’s interest in her Scottish heritage.

The matching hat, by the milliner Philip Somerville, is trimmed with a bow of the silk-wool fabric of the coat and curled dark-green feathers.

For the Commonwealth Heads of Government reception held at the Palace in 1997, Queen Elizabeth wore a silk evening dress designed by John Anderson.

The entire gown is covered with white, pink, gold and cream beads and sequins, embroidered on to the surface of the garment with gold thread.

In late June or early July each year, the Queen would stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse during what was known as ‘Holyrood Week’, undertaking a series of engagements celebrating Scottish culture, history and achievement.

These included an annual Garden Party at the Palace for around 8,000 guests. For the Garden Party in 2017, Queen Elizabeth II wore a coat of white tweed fabric, highlighted with accents of pink, yellow and green within the weave, with a pink wool crepe day dress, both by designer Karl Ludwig van Rehse.

The ensemble is completed by a hat by Angela Kelly, which includes the tweed fabric accentuated by an upturned straw brim and is highlighted with floral embellishments.

The tours will conclude in the Sitting Room where the late Queen would work, reviewing the papers and documents presented in the Government red dispatch boxes, as well as using the room for private audiences or resting between engagements, often while watching horseracing on television.

Prince Philip was an enthusiastic collector of contemporary Scottish art and served as Patron of the Royal Scottish Academy of Art. Throughout the rooms, visitors will see highlights from his private collection, including works by 20th‑century Scottish artists, acquired over four decades at the RSA’s annual exhibitions and reflecting his deep appreciation of Scotland’s landscapes and wildlife.

The rooms are also furnished with a remarkable collection of furniture from the Royal Collection, made by the Edinburgh firm of Young, Trotter and Hamilton. The pieces were supplied to the Palace in 1796 in preparation for the arrival of Charles-Philippe, Comte d’Artois – Marie Antoinette’s brother-in-law and the future Charles X of France – who took refuge at the Palace during the French Revolution.

Emma Stead, Curator, Palace of Holyroodhouse said: ‘Queen Elizabeth II’s well-known love for Scotland will be given fresh context through this unique and special access to the private apartments, where visitors will enjoy a new perspective into both the formal and more informal use of Edinburgh’s royal palace.’

After their tour of Queen Elizabeth II’s private apartments, visitors can explore the rich history of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, including the magnificent State Apartments and the historic apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots, all included in the ticket price.

Herstory Tour relaunches for International Women’s Day

The Real Mary King’s Close is celebrating International Women’s Day with a specially curated Herstory Tour. The underground experience invites visitors to journey underneath The Royal Mile and learn all about the incredible lives of the women who once lived and worked on the now hidden streets of Edinburgh. 

The one-hour tour will include fascinating revelations about some of the most famous women in Scottish history. The tour is guided by a former resident of The Close, including Janet Chesney, a member of the last family to leave the historic street behind.

Guests will even get to meet Mary King herself and find out how she obtained voting rights nearly 300 years ahead of her time. They will also hear how revolutionary thinkers like Sophia-Jex Blake and the other medical students who formed the Edinburgh Seven pioneered gender equality.  

The Herstory Tour shares stories of the women who faced suppression and persecution over the centuries but also of how Auld Reekie’s most influential women shaped the city’s history and impacted our lives today.  

Mary King’s Close is known for having been “a haven for independent women” with 45% of properties having a female head of the household.

The Close is the perfect place to celebrate International Women’s Day, learning about the achievements of the women of the Close.

Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “Telling stories of the past, shining a light on Edinburgh’s history and those who came before us are things we are extremely passionate about.

“We are delighted to be sharing the less popular stories of some of the remarkable women who once occupied the Close.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone on the Herstory Tour and explore a hidden world together.”

Tours will run on Sunday March 8th at 1400 and 1600.

Prices are £30 per adult / £24 per child (5 to 15yo – no under 5 allowed). 

For more information and bookings please visit: www.realmarykingsclose.com

Scotland’s Food Debate: Feed into the Conversation

WEDNESDAY 8th APRIL from 6.30 – 8.30pm

AUGUSTINE UNITED CHURCH and ONLINE

Too many families in Scotland face hunger due to a lack of income.

Join us & the Scottish Food Coalition on 8 April for Scotland’s National Food Debate. Hear how political parties will act to ensure everyone has dignified access to food.

#SP26

We invite you to take part in Scotland’s flagship ‘National Food Debate’ ahead of the 2026 Scottish Elections.

With the publication of Scotland’s first National Good Food Nation Plan, continued pressure on household budgets, significant public health challenges and a farming sector under severe strain, food policy has become a defining issue for this election.

This pre-election hustings will see party representatives answer questions from a live audience from Augustine United Church in central Edinburgh and will be broadcast online to members of the public across Scotland. The session will be a mixture of pre-selected questions and questions from the audience on the night.

The debate, chaired by Vicky Allan, Environment Correspondent for The Herald,  will reach a highly engaged audience of voters, civil society leaders and food-system stakeholders in Scotland, with significant online reach beyond the room.

Who we are:

The Scottish Food Coalition is a diverse alliance of 70+ organisations working for a just transition to a fair, healthy, sustainable food system.

Our members come from across the food system including those concerned with poverty, health, biodiversity, climate change and animal welfare, as well as trade unions, food producers and retailers, international development organisations and faith groups.

Established in 2015, we were instrumental in securing Scotland’s Good Food Nation Act and offer support and expertise to Scottish Government, local authorities and health boards during the journey to achieve our Good Food Nation ambitions.

http://bit.ly/49E4CWI

King’s Trust ‘Enterprise for All’ event at Fruitmarket

TUESDAY 3rd MARCH from 12 – 3.30pm

@KingsTrust are hosting an event for 18-30 year olds that are interested in starting their own business speakers, discussions on the issues/obstacles, networking and refreshments

The Fruitmarket

3rd March 12pm – 3.30pm

RSVP : enterprisescotland@kingstrust.org.uk

Edinburgh stands in solidarity with Ukraine four years on

The Lord Provost Robert Aldridge reflects on the Capital’s response over the last four years:

As we mark this solemn fourth anniversary of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we also draw hope and comfort in Edinburgh’s long history as a proud, welcoming and diverse city.

Our biggest strength lies in those who live here – people from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds.

From our long-standing links with the Norwegians and Poles during and after the Second World War to the thousands of Ukrainians, Afghans, Syrians and other refugees and displaced families who now call Edinburgh home, we’re proud to be a city of sanctuary – welcoming all those who come here in search of a better life.

As Kyiv’s twin city, I’m incredibly proud of the role that Edinburgh’s communities have played in helping those fleeing the horrors of Russia’s illegal war, with around 3,000 Ukrainians now residing in the Capital.

Since the first days of the invasion, we’ve been working hard across our services to help assimilate Ukrainians into their new lives here. The wider collective response encompassing the public, private and third sectors represents the very best qualities of our city and our citizens.

Residents, volunteers, and colleagues have worked steadfastly to help our new arrivals, opening their hearts and in many cases their homes to Ukrainians in their hour of need.

In the first year of the conflict we worked alongside the Scottish Government and other partners to house over 1,500 Ukrainians aboard the MS Victoria at the Port of Leith.

Edinburgh continues to be the gateway for the vast majority of Ukrainian arrivals into Scotland. Since February 2022, we have had almost 12,000 Ukrainians pass through our Welcome Hub, first at Gogarburn House and now at Flassches Yard. 

On Tuesday morning, alongside representatives from the Scottish and UK Governments, the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain and other partners, I laid a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance.

My thoughts remain with those continuing to fight for freedom, those who have fallen or been injured in defence of Ukraine, and for everyone who has had to abandon their homes and lives.

Whilst this terrible war has endured for longer than any of us could have imagined, my hope remains that we will soon see peace in Ukraine.

To Edinburgh’s Ukrainian population my message is simple. This is your home. You are a valued part of our city and have our full support for as long as you need it.

Community Energy Hustings

THURSDAY 5th MARCH at 7pm

GRASSMARKET COMMUNITY PROJECT

With the Scottish Parliament election just around the corner, the critical questions of who owns what and who benefits in the era-defining shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy are more pressing than ever.

Join us in person or online for a community energy hustings, hosted by the Scottish Community Coalition on Energy (Community Energy Scotland, Community Land Scotland & Development Trusts Association Scotland) where candidates from across the political spectrum will face your questions on local power.

This is our chance to demand clear commitments on support for community-owned renewable energy, on ensuring local wealth stays local, and on making sure the energy transition benefits every household, village and town across Scotland.

📅 Thursday 5th March

🕖 Doors open for refreshments at 6:30pm, event starts at 7pm

📍 Grassmarket Community Project, Edinburgh EH1 2QA (or join online!)

🎟️ Find out more and secure your ticket here: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/shape-scotlands-energy…

Over 10,000 people said ‘I do’ at this unique Edinburgh destination

One of Scotland’s oldest visitor attractions has turned Edinburgh’s Royal Mile into the ultimate aisle. From sightseeing to ‘I do’, last year the iconic location saw more than 10,000 people put a ring on it at its unique marriage machine.

This Valentine’s Day, Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is once again setting the scene for love, laughter, and unforgettable memories with its famous AutoWed Machine.

The fully automated ceremony is one of only two of its kind in the world, with the other located in the USA. Created by the innovative Cornwall-based company ConceptShed, AutoWed first captured the public’s imagination after appearing on the BBC TV show Dragons’ Den. The novelty wedding vending machine delivers a fun, tongue-in-cheek ceremony at the push of a button, with couples receiving rings and a personalised keepsake wedding certificate.

The entire AutoWed ceremony lasts around 60 seconds / minutes, making it one of the quickest ways to celebrate love in the capital city. Last year, Olympic diver Tom Daley was amongst the many visitors to take the plunge and get ‘AutoWed’ with his husband, Oscar-winning Hollywood screenwriter Dustin Lance Black.

Andrew Johson, General Manager at Camera Obscura said; “The AutoWed Machine has become one of our most-loved experiences, and it’s incredible to see just how many people choose to tie the knot here.

“This Valentine’s Day, we’re inviting even more couples to come and celebrate their love in a fun and memorable way, and we can’t wait to welcome more visitors this February.”

In addition to the AutoWed, couples can explore over 100 interactive, hands-on exhibits that challenge the senses and dazzle the mind. From bewildering optical illusions to breathtaking views of Edinburgh from the Rooftop Terrace.

Spokes public meeting: Holyrood Hustings on Monday 16th March

Spokes/CUK Election Hustings

#Holyrood2026

Spokes and Cycling UK are holding a joint election hustings, on Monday 16 March, for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, to hear from Holyrood candidates on cycling and related policies.

Rather than the usual hustings approach, which can be rather boring, our meeting will comprise several sections, with speakers undertaking Initiation, Interrogation, Combination, Clarification and Education, as in the agenda below.

Speakers

All the main parties currently represented at Holyrood have been invited to send along a candidate for an Edinburgh, Lothians or Lothians List seat.  So far, we have…

  • Conservative – awaited
  • Green – Chas Booth [councillor, Lothians List candidate, councillor, Spokes member]
  • Labour – Daniel Johnson [MSP, standing again in Edinburgh Southern]
  • LibDem – awaited
  • Reform – awaited
  • SNP – Kate Campbell [councillor, Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh & Tranent candidate]
  • Chair/Maestro – Brendan Paddy, Spokes member, Director of Ramblers Scotland

Provisional agenda

  • Initiation – each candidate speaks for up to 3 mins on what they and their party would do for cycling and its wider policy context
  • Interrogation – each candidate in turn is questioned by the audience & chair for 5 minutes, on what they have said
  • Combination – two or three important questions are put to all candidates
  • Clarification [if time] – audience follow-up reactions or questions to any candidate
  • Education – each speaker has 2 minutes to say what they have learned and will take away with them

Arrangements

  • Date Monday 16 March
  • Time  Starts 7.30, Ends 9.30.  Doors open 6.45 for coffee, stalls and chat, including a special stall to join Spokes or renew your membership
  • Online We hope to live broadcast on our youtube channel – confirmation nearer the time – and make the recording available a few days later

Submit a question

If you have a question for all candidates (“Combination” section above) please email it in advance to spokes@ spokes.org.uk with the subject line hustings question. Note that questions to individual candidates (“Interrogation”) can only be asked in person at the meeting, after their Initiation speech.

Background

Check out the Holyrood 2026 manifesto signed by over 60 Scottish organisations, including Spokes. Commitments we’d like to see from parties include 10% of the transport budget going to active travel, and reorganised street space with well maintained, accessible networks of walking and cycling routes.

Edinburgh Tradfest announces 2026 Music Programme

FESTIVAL DATES: Friday 1 May – Monday 11 May 2026

The festival’s FULL programme including workshops, folk films, and  storytelling will be announced on Tuesday 17 March, thanks to support from the  National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation. 

Opening this year’s festival at Potterrow, is multi-award winning, trad music  powerhouse RURA (below) performing tunes from their 15-year-long repertoire; and Scottish newcomers Astro Bloc (Eryn Rae, Paul Jennings, Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín, Gillie Ó Flaherty) playing an exhilarating mix of tunes that push boundaries to create a  thrilling new sound.  

Also headlining is ‘velvet-vocalist’ Kim Carnie; The Furrow Collective, (Lucy Farrell,  Rachel Newton, Emily Portman, Alasdair Roberts) playing contemporary versions of  folk songs against a Cantastoria of visuals on a moving scroll; RANT (Anna Massie,  Lauren MacColl, Bethany Reid, Gillian Frame) playing a mix of all-time favourites and  tunes from their brand new album; and the Brian Molley Quartet celebrating the  Scottish roots of jazz. 

Additionally, acclaimed singer, composer and live-looping artist GANNA Gryniva presents her new album UTOPIA which mixes Ukrainian folk tunes, with Peruvian  grooves, jazz-tinged arrangements and electronic soundscapes.

Finally, closing this  year’s packed festival is Scottish supergroup Session A9 (Charlie McKerron, Kevin  Henderson, Gordon Gunn, Adam Sutherland, Marc Clement, Brian McAlpine, David  ‘Chimp’ Robertson) – an unmissable gig by a group reputed to be one of the best live  bands in Scotland. 

Other must-sees include: 

• Séamus and Caoimhe, beautiful blood harmony, dexterous instrumentals  and energetic Irish dancing, all from two incredibly talented young  people. 

• The Complete Recordings of Hezekiah Procter, a vaudeville act from the  1920s looking back on the beginnings of country music, with Montreal based  songwriter Li’l Andy taking on the fictional persona of “Hezekiah Procter”, a  long-lost legend of old-time music. This piece is accompanied by musicians from Sheesham and Lotus & ‘Son, who combine harmony vocals, fiddles,  banjos, and sousaphone.  

• This year’s festival commission is A’ Chiad Litir (The First Letter) led by  captivating singer songwriter Josie Duncan from the Isle of Lewis.

• The festival Spotlight event which gives a platform to new artists each year.  Bands for 2026 include: Curlew, Dauntless and old-time fiddle and banjo duo  Jeri Foreman and Ruth Eliza. 

Music highlights from this year’s early evening programme which kicks off at  6.30pm each night include: 

• Fiddle player Laura Jane Wilkie and folk guitarist Ian Carr 

• Master of the melodeon Tim Edey 

• The Nexus Project featuring Bede Patterson who explores contemporary  and ancient Highland Bagpipes. With creative and experimental  contributions from Dean Garrity, Ewan Johnston, and Roan Anderson.  

• Multi-award-winning harp and percussion duo Eleanor Dunsdon and Gregor  Black. 

• Deiseil: Dancing in Time – a powerful exploration of the revival of stepdance  told through fiddle, feet, Gaelic song and story. Directed by Gerry Mulgrew, with dancing by Alison Carlyle and music by Amy Geddes. This 5-star show  premiered during the Edinburgh Fringe in 2025.  

Other early evening trad/folk bands programmed for 2026, that are making waves on the international scene include: 

• Old-time stringband The Onlies a collective of Gen Z folkies originally from Seattle. 

• String trio Northern Resonance who take Scandinavian music in a new  direction with their mix of explosive rhythms and grand chamber-like  arrangements. They play viola, Nyckelharpa and Hardanger fiddle.  

• Rajasthani folk trio SAZ whose repertoire encompasses centuries-old folk  music, passed down the generations. 

• Banjo-playing singer-songwriter from Montreal Kaïa Kater. Her music reflects  ties to the Canadian folk music scene, her college years spent in West Virginia,  and growing up in Grenada. 

In addition, we will be celebrating World Play A Strathspey Day on Saturday 2 May  with Laura Jane Wilkie, Madeleine Stewart, Sam Mabbett and Angus Lyon; and  enjoying an afternoon performance of Isla Ratcliff’s reimagining of Vivaldi’s four  seasons. 

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest  said: “It’s such a tonic for a dreich February to look forward to the warmth of May  and such a dazzling line up of trad and traditionally-inspired music at Edinburgh  Tradfest.

“We have carefully curated a programme that has something for everyone. Included are the very best musicians from Scotland who are currently carrying our traditions forward in myriad exciting ways.

“We are also delighted to be welcoming  a wide variety of touring musicians from Ireland, India, Sweden, Ukraine, Canada  and the United States. Whether you love song, tunes or beats, jazz influences,  classical inspiration or a straight ahead Strathspey, we have you covered.” 

Participating Musician Josie Duncan who is leading this year’s special  commission said: “It’s a total honour to be creating this year’s special commission.  As artists, we’re often involved in a wide range of musical projects, so having the  time and space to slow down and create something entirely new feels incredibly  special.

“I feel very lucky to be exploring the powerful work of Marie Maitland and to  be working alongside historian Ashley Douglas who has brought this work to light.” 

Participating musician and co-programmer Laura Jane Wilkie said: “Tradfest is a wonderful exhibition of the quality in folk and traditional music in all  its glorious cultures and subcultures.

“It is an inclusive and beautifully curated  festival and heralds the transition from spring to summer in the capital city. Delighted to be a part of it.” 

Edinburgh Tradfest 2026 will run from Friday 1 May – Monday 11 May.

Full  programme announced on Tuesday 17 March 2026.

For tickets and more information visit edinburghtradfest.com

Happy 15th Anniversary, NEN blog!

NEN PUBLISHED OUR FIRST BLOG POST ON THIS DAY IN 2011

The very first NEN blog post was published on this day in 2011. The post read:

Hello, and welcome to the brand new NEN blog.

For those of you not already familiar with the newspaper, we are a local community paper serving the North Edinburgh community. We’ve been here for over thirty years.

This blog, along with our new Facebook page and Twitter stream, represents our first foray into the world of social media.  We really want to encourage more participation, more questions and ideas from the North Edinburgh community – both online and offline – and hope that these new tools will help us to do that.

We already have a good website, where you can always find the latest edition of the printed newspaper. The blog won’t be replacing that, but will instead be there to show people the latest news about the area, and also to help us cover the current funding crisis we are facing as an organisation.

Above all, we want to include your input on the blog – be it ideas for stories, comments, pictures and events. So get in touch!

The NEN’s website was sadly deleted when funding ceased but our social media presence continues on both Twitter and Facebook and the blog is still going strong with 10 – 12 posts daily.

2025 was the NEN blog’s busiest ever year with 36,000 visitors. As I write this we’ve published more than 38,000 posts – all of these remain accessible online – and we’re currently on a run of publishing on 2749 consecutive days.

When the NEN office in Crewe Road North closed much of the NEN archive material was lost, but thankfully some of our picture library was salvaged and can now be found at granton:hub (Madelvic House), where the volunteer archive team has also collated all remaining hard copies of the North Edinburgh News newspaper.

Hopefully, between the physical archive and the NEN blog, you can find all you need to know about our community’s rich history – and we’re adding to that history every day!