Category: Old Town

Enjoy an original, fun Christmas show and make a difference this festive season

Strange Town’s December Shows Are On Sale!

Strange Town’s December 2025 performances are the perfect way to celebrate the festive season. With seven shows across three days — Friday 12th to Sunday 14th December — at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile, there’s something for everyone. Why not book a ticket and see for yourself?

In challenging times, access to creativity, connection and the arts is a necessity, not a luxury. Leith-based charity Strange Town works to ensure no young person misses out on the chance to get creative, offering free and subsidised opportunities to those who need them most.

Recently affected by the well-publicised funding cuts from the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB), Strange Town is working hard to sustain its vital support for young people.

Local people and businesses are encouraged to get involved — by buying a ticket to the show, joining ‘15 for 15’, Strange Town’s regular giving programme, or getting in touch to discuss other ways to help.

This support is crucial in securing the future of accessible arts opportunities, ensuring young people continue to benefit from high-quality creative experiences regardless of financial circumstance. Regular contributions also provide the stability needed during these uncertain times.

This December’s shows promise festive energy, fresh stories, lots of laughter and a brilliant showcase of young talent. Audiences can enjoy something new, feel festive, and know they are supporting a good cause — all at a family-friendly price.

Thank you to everyone who has donated already this year, it is much appreciated. 

Buy tickets now at https://strangetown.org.uk/december-2025-show-now-on-sale/

For fundraising enquiries or information about 15for15, contact:

fundraiser@strangetown.org.uk

Give the gift of creativity this winter — support young people, support local talent, and support a charity that gives everyone the chance to shine.

Dynamic Earth calls for support as Big Give Match Funding opens

Dynamic Earth has launched its 2025 Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign, inviting families, supporters and science enthusiasts across the UK to Double the Discovery and help give thousands of young people the chance to fall in love with STEM.

For one week only (2–9 December), every donation made to Dynamic Earth will be doubled through The Big Give, the UK’s largest online match-funding campaign.

With more than 30,000 children visiting Dynamic Earth’s Learning Bases each year, many from communities who face barriers to accessing high-quality science learning, the charity is calling on the public to help create classrooms where curiosity can truly come alive.

Upgrading the spaces where science starts

Funds raised through The Big Give will support essential upgrades to Dynamic Earth’s Learning Bases: hands-on, immersive classrooms where Scotland’s young explorers learn about volcanoes, space, climate, coding, engineering and the wonders of the planet.

Matched donations will go directly towards equipment that teachers, parents and community groups say makes the biggest difference:

  • £20 – new early years floor mats to support sensory storytelling for budding young scientists
  • £50 – flexible furniture to better support diverse needs, including young wheelchair users
  • £100 – tablets to build tech confidence for tomorrow’s coders and engineers

These improvements will help Dynamic Earth continue delivering more than 250,000 science learning experiences every year, ensuring every child, regardless of background, can experience the joy and excitement of discovery.

Dynamic Earth’s programmes have a powerful track record of removing barriers to STEM engagement.

Dynamic Earth’s impact is best reflected in the voices of the schools, teachers, parents and young people who experience its programmes first-hand.

Their feedback highlights how transformative, accessible, hands-on science learning can be, sparking curiosity, boosting confidence and opening doors to opportunities many learners would not otherwise have.

Teacher feedback:

“The workshops were excellent and engaged the pupils with plenty of interactive activities. Information was aimed at the right level and the course leaders were engaging and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend.”

“The workshop we attended was brilliant in the way the activities were so active and engaging. I feel that I gained a lot of information in different ways, and it gave me ideas of how to use active learning in my classroom.”

“The majority of pupils who came on the trip had never even been to Edinburgh let alone Dynamic Earth. This real life experience of leaving the classroom to visit an educational experience really does make the difference to our pupils and many refer to it as being the best day of S2.”

Parent feedback:

“It is an amazing club. The kids love it, learn from it and the staff are amazing. So lucky to have this club!!”

“Is enhancing my daughter’s interest in science and gives her an opportunity to meet like minded peers”

A call to support the next generation

Speaking about the campaign, Dynamic Earth Director of Fundraising and Marketing Helen Chomczuk said: “This is about giving every child the chance to feel that spark; the moment science suddenly makes sense, becomes exciting, becomes theirs.

“With matched funding in place, every pound goes twice as far, helping us build better spaces for learning and ensuring that more young people can experience the wonder of our planet. We’re asking the public to stand with us in giving the gift of discovery this Christmas and inspire tomorrow’s scientists.”

How to take part

The Big Give Christmas Challenge runs from 2–9 December 2025, with all donations doubled while match funds last.

Supporters can give via the campaign page: 

Learning Comes To Life at Dynamic Earth – Big Give

The Real Mary King’s Close unveils festive events exploring the Edinburgh’s hidden past

This December, The Real Mary King’s Close invites visitors to escape into Edinburgh’s past with two interactive underground experiences: the return of its sell-out Victorian Christmas Experience and the once-a-year revival of Underground Unlocked.

The Victorian Christmas Experience, running across all weekends from Saturday 6th to Friday 28th December, brings guests face to face with a member of the Chesney family, among some of the last to live on the Close.

Through expert-storytelling, visitors will discover how Christmas slowly re-emerged in Scotland after centuries of suppression, and how Victorian Edinburgh shaped many traditions we still enjoy today.

Following the guided tour, visitors will gather in a candlelit room to enjoy tea, traditional scones with jam and clotted cream, and a craft activity inspired by authentic Victorian practices.

December will also see the return of the exclusive Underground Unlocked tours, offering two special evenings on Thursday 4th and 11th where visitors can roam freely through the preserved 17th-century streets at their own pace.

Rather than following a guided tour, guests will encounter a number of historical residents including merchants, plague doctors, poets, businesswomen and even those once condemned during the witch trials, each sharing their own vivid story.

For just a few hours, the Close will echo with the bustle of the people who once lived and worked beneath the Royal Mile.

Characters include Mary King herself, the sharp-witted merchant and burgess; Patrick Byrne the leather tanner; Dr John Paulitious, Edinburgh’s first plague doctor; Marie Maitland, the bold poet whose verses were hidden for centuries; and Euphame MacCalzean, determined to reclaim her voice after a wrongful accusation during the witch trials.

With more than a dozen figures appearing across the site, every turn reveals a new fragment of the city’s hidden history and offers a fleeting glimpse into Edinburgh’s past as it might’ve felt centuries ago. 

Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close said: “December is always packed with events, and we know people have so much to choose from.

“That’s why we’re excited to offer something a bit different – an immersive festive experience that the whole family can enjoy together.

“It’s a fun and interactive way to learn more about Edinburgh’s past, and after the overwhelming response last year, we’re delighted to bring it back. 

“We’re also reintroducing our ever-popular Underground Unlocked evenings, which remain one of the most memorable ways to experience the Close. Together, the two events offer something truly unique for anyone looking to do Christmas a little differently this year.”

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

Despicable: Men jailed for serious assault and robbery of pensioners

Two men have been jailed following a serious assault and robbery in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Andrew Stobbs, 40, was sentenced to three years and five months and Jon Wood, 46, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison on Monday, 24 November 2025 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

A 79-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man sustained serious injuries as a result of attack and robbery, which happened on Saturday, 30 November, 2024 in High School Wynd.

Stobbs and Wood, who were wearing face coverings grabbed the woman’s bag and dragged her to the ground, causing serious injuries. The man attempted to intervene which saw him being punched.

Detective Constable Michael Campbell said: “This was a violent, needless and deeply distressing attack on the couple. I hope this sentence brings some measure of comfort to them.

“Violence of this nature will never be tolerated. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and bringing offenders to justice.”

Christmas arrives at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

VISITORS to the Palace of Holyroodhouse will see the State Apartments decked with glistening Christmas trees, garlands, and a magnificent table display to celebrate the festive season. 

This year marks 100 years since King George V first opened the grand State Apartments to the public, providing the opportunity for visitors to explore the suite of 17th-century rooms in the monarch’s official residence in Scotland.

This festive period, visitors will see two majestic 12-foot-high Christmas trees decorating the atmospheric wood-panelled Throne Room, their branches adorned with sparkling ornaments and twinkling lights, alongside dramatic mantle garlands above the fireplace.

In the Great Gallery, the longest room in the Palace where grand balls were once held, a 15-foot-high Nordmann fir tree features glass ornaments echoing the room’s glittering chandeliers. This Christmas, visitors can take photographs in front of the tree as a special memento of their visit – usually photography inside the Palace is not permitted.

In the Royal Dining Room, first used as a dining room by Queen Victoria, the table is laid with a silver service, sugared fruits and seasonal foliage.

Further highlights include garlands decorating the stone arches in the Quadrangle and adorning the Great Stair.

As part of Royal Collection Trust’s charitable aim to ensure that as many people as possible can access and enjoy the royal residences, £1 tickets are available for visitors receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits. Further concessions, including discounted Young Person tickets for 18–24-year-olds, are also available.

The income from visitor admissions and purchases contributes to the care and conservation of the Royal Collection and helps Royal Collection Trust to share it with everyone, wherever they are.

Winter Exclusive Guided Tours

November and December

On select dates in November and December, exclusive guided tours of the State Apartments will reveal the magic of the Palace when it is closed to other visitors.

Festive Events

Carols at the Palace, 9 and 10 December

Over two evenings, visitors will experience the beautifully decorated State Apartments before a festive concert of carols in the Great Gallery. Each evening will conclude with a glass of wine and mince pies.

Christmas Activity Day, 13 December

The Palace will host a Christmas activity day with arts and crafts activities and a festive music performance for all the family to enjoy.

Festive family films at Dynamic Earth

Escape the winter chill and capture the festive magic ❄

This holiday season, enjoy festive family films in Edinburgh’s Planetarium.

At 10am on selected mornings from 29th November, experience these four Christmas favourites under the stars for just £6 per person!

🚂 The Polar Express

🏠 Home Alone

🍬 Elf

🎁 How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Book your winter movie morning, and find out what else is on at Dynamic Earth this December, on our website: https://dynamicearth.org.uk/christmas-at-dynamic-earth…/

Scottish International Storytelling Festival – most successful yet

TICKET SALES SOARED… that’s the story!

Multiple sell-outs and packed houses were enjoyed by audiences and participants at this year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival (22 October to 1 November), which is supported by Multi-Year funding from Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund.

The festival’s programme, themed under ‘Lights of the North’, included live storytelling, music, art, and song.  Across the core festival programme, which included 39 live performances and workshops at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, over 93% of all available tickets were sold, and an incredible 77% of all events were completely sold out (30 total).  Ticket income increased by 70%, and the number of festival passes bought doubled from 2024.

Highlights included international guest storytellers from the world’s northern arc, sharing tales of Huldufólk (or the hidden people from Iceland), trolls, and the dark northern winters. Plus, there were tales from Scotland’s Travellers; stories about Vikings and selkies; and as the festival nudged closer to Halloween, there were plenty of dark tales inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s original collection of fairytales, tales of Corpse Roads, spooky stories, and mystic legends to be enjoyed.

Even though the main festival has ended, throughout November the festival’s Go Local programme continues in village halls, churches, castles, and venues across Scotland. 

Plus, at the University of Edinburgh, on Saturday 8 November, Festival Director Donald Smith and playwright Linda McLean, will join Randall Stevenson and Greg Walker the editors of the Oxford Handbook of Scottish theatre, for Religion and Scottish Drama, at the New College Festival of Books and Belief. 

And, also on Saturday 8 and 22 November, Stephen McCabe, who is a storytelling therapist, will be running Folktales for New Scots: Connected with Nature, which are nature-connection walks aimed at migrants and the local community.

These walks, starting from outside the Scottish Parliament also include a printing from nature art workshop with Beetroots Collective’s artists Marta Adamowicz and Robert Motyka.

Online audiences can still continue to enjoy more stories by listening to the festival’s podcast series Another Story, hosted by Daniel Abercrombie, Associate Director, Scottish International Storytelling Festival, available on all podcast platforms via: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/another-story

Plus, there are Recorded Performances of some of this year’s events available to watch on Youtube at: https://www.sisf.org.uk/home/recorded-performances:

  • The Alan Bruford Lecture ‘A Curious Episode at Balquhidder: Placenames in the North and the Nackens’ with Dr Robert Fell and special guest Shamus McPhee.
  • Storyteller: Martyn Bennett and the Travellers’ Stories with James MacDonald Reid, Gauri Raja, Jess Smith and Gary West.
  • Open Hearth storytelling session with storytellers Grace Banks, Johan Sandberg McGuinne, Jackie Ross and musician Tom Oakes.

Donald Smith, Director, Scottish International Storytelling Festival said: “The storytellers and musicians excelled; packed audiences loved it; workshops were full of fresh talent. We all made new friends.

“I’ve worked in a lot of festivals over fifty years, but this one will resonate for years to come – it was the pure drop.”

Catriona Hawksworth, Traditional Arts Officer at Creative Scotland said: “The Scottish International Storytelling Festival’s resounding success is a testament to the richness and diversity of storytelling it brings to audiences – from the heart of Scotland to voices around the globe.

“With vital support from the Scottish Government’s EXPO funding, the festival has flourished as a beacon of international collaboration and socially engaged storytelling. By celebrating intangible cultural heritage, it’s inspiring communities and setting a vibrant example of how traditions can be shared, honoured, and reimagined across Scotland.”

The dates of next year’s Scottish International Storytelling Festival are 21 to 31 October 2026.

New Scottish pie dinner at John’s Coffee House & Tavern

The historic Old Town venue has launched ‘John’s Pies’, a brand-new dinner menu dedicated entirely to one of the nation’s favourite comfort foods.

In partnership with Jarvis Pickle, based in the Scottish Borders and winners of 46 British Pie Awards and 21 Great Taste Awards, John’s Coffee House & Tavern now serves a menu of eight handcrafted pies, seven regulars and one rotating seasonal flavour, all made in Scotland using the finest ingredients.

Each pie is served with creamy mash, peas, and a rich gravy for £14.50, available daily from 5pm to 9pm. Diners can choose from a comforting and flavour-packed line-up, from rich venison to hearty beef, plus vegan and seasonal specials.

“Pies have always been part of Scottish heritage – simple, hearty and full of flavour,” says Corrina Croy, General Manager at John’s Coffee House & Tavern.

“Collaborating with Jarvis Pickle felt like the perfect fit for us. They share our values of quality, craftsmanship and celebrating the best of Scotland’s produce. John’s Pies brings a true taste of comfort to our dinner menu, just in time for the cold season.”

True to its ethos of supporting Scottish producers, John’s Coffee House & Tavern continues to champion local suppliers across its menu and bar. The bar serves only Bellfield Brewery beers and Edinburgh Cider Company ciders, both proudly brewed in Edinburgh, alongside a wide range of Scotch whiskies, offering the perfect pairing for a hearty pie supper.

Nestled behind St Giles’ Cathedral, John’s Coffee House & Tavern sits within CODE The Court, a boutique hotel and urban hostel housed in Edinburgh’s former police chambers and courthouse; a space steeped in character, stories, and tradition.

‘John’s Pies’ is now being served daily from 5pm to 9pm – walk-ins only.

Free digital support sessions at Central Library!

Tuesday 18th & 25th November, 2:30 – 4:30pm

Get help with email, internet, apps, staying safe online & more from @LloydsBank volunteers

Book: getonline@edinburgh.gov.uk / 07716 702180

Drop-ins also welcome on the day

#digitalinclusion

Family History – Getting Started

Want to trace your family tree, but not sure where to start?

Come along to our beginners’ #FamilyHistory session Edinburgh Central Library to find out about the free resources that can help you with your research.

We’ll guide you through the basics and show you how to navigate Ancestry and British Newspaper Archive, two brilliant resources for family history and both free to use in all Edinburgh Libraries.

The session ends with a short tour of the physical genealogical resources held in the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection.

The next session is on Thursday 30 October at 2pm.

Book your place by emailing informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk