Fringe Days Out returns for 2026

THE Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has announced the return of Fringe Days Out, the Fringe Society’s flagship community engagement programme.

Fringe Days Out supports Edinburgh-based community groups by providing free Fringe tickets to deliver an entire festival experience paid for by the Fringe Society. Through Fringe Days Out, more than 20,000 community group participants have visited the festival since 2017, with many having never experienced the Fringe before.    

This year, Fringe Days Out launched at the Heart of Newhaven, a community hub in north Edinburgh that hosts a range of community groups. The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, joined Fringe Day Out community groups such as Vintage Vibes and Gig Buddies to celebrate the launch of this year’s programme.

Encouraging community groups to continue to embrace the Fringe in their own way and on their own terms, the event also featured a performance by Edinburgh Festival Fringe performer Greg Sinclair from the show Tongue Twister, part of this year’s Made in Scotland showcase.   

The Fringe Days Out partner organisations work with a range of groups in Edinburgh and the surrounding area, including young people, single parents, isolated older adults, disabled and autistic people, ethnic minority communities, refugees and asylum seekers, LGBTQ+ people and many more.

This collaboration has fostered long-term, meaningful relationships and helps the Fringe Society better understand how it can open doors and allow communities to celebrate the arts, culture and creativity on their own terms.   

Alongside the launch of Fringe Days Out, the Fringe Society has published an independent report studying the impact of Fringe Days Out, produced by Ruthless Research and funded by the Scottish Government.

The report highlights the positive effects Fringe Days Out has had on local Edinburgh communities such as:

  • around one in six respondents (17%) were first-time Fringe-goers
  • 95% of the community members felt welcome at the Fringe following their visit
  • 52% of the community partners reported that Fringe Days Out had led them to work with the Fringe Society in other ways

The Fringe Society looks forward to further developing the relationships forged by Fringe Days Out, ensuring this project supports community groups across Edinburgh and the festival remains a force for good in the city.

Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘Fringe Days Out is a real privilege for the Fringe Society to deliver and a joy to relaunch for 2026.

“Fringe Days Out is a wonderful example of how the Fringe Society collaborates with Edinburgh’s communities to break down long-term barriers and celebrate this amazing festival.

“It is vitally important that the Fringe Society continues to ensure that our Fringe Day Out community partners feel empowered to enjoy the Fringe in their own way and on their own terms.’

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, said: ‘Fringe Days Out by the Fringe Society is really important as it helps local people to take part in this world-class festival taking place on their door-step.

“I’m proud to support Fringe Days Out 2026 and all it does to show the fringe is for everyone across the city and not only in its peak month of August.’

Sam Maggs, from Fringe Days Out community partner Gig Buddies, said: ‘Fringe Days Out gives Gig Buddies members a sense of ownership in their community.

“A lot of the time, access barriers and needing support can mean people feel disconnected from the place they live in. Fringe Days Out means that Gig Buddies members are part of the Fringe that’s on their doorstep.’

Find out more about Fringe Days Out and view the impact assessment at: 

https://www.edfringe.com/about-us/news-and-blog/fringe-days-out-launches-for-2026/ 

Duke of Edinburgh attends service for the Kirking of the Scottish Parliament

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was joined by incoming MSPs, the Presiding Officer, and representatives from Scotland’s faith and belief communities at the Kirking for the Seventh Session of the Scottish Parliament in St Giles’ Cathedral last night (Wednesday 13 May).

The service in Edinburgh traditionally takes place on the evening before the first sitting of a new parliamentary term.

The Kirking is a ceremonial tradition that reflects on the responsibilities of leadership in public service, while recognising Scotland’s wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs.

It also provides an opportunity for organisations from across Scotland, including participants from civic society, the diplomatic corps, academia, business, industry and charities, to meet with the newly elected MSPs.

The ecumenical service was led by The Reverend Dr Scott Rennie, The Minister of St Giles’ Cathedral, with the Sermon being delivered by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Right Reverend Rosie Frew.

This, together with readings by the Presiding Officer and the Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, is intended to encourage thoughtful reflection on serving others.

The congregation heard performances from the Choir of St Giles’ and the National Youth Choir of Scotland as well as from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland traditional Scottish music duo Stella Rose McIntyre (clàrsach) and Naomi Priestnall (fiddle). Interfaith blessings also featured.

The seventh session of the Scottish Parliament will formally begin today when MSPs will be sworn in by the Presiding Officer in the Holyrood Chamber.

An election will then be held to choose a new Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers.

PICTURES: Scottish Parliament

Police Scotland: Herbert Protocol survey

We’re seeking your views on the proposed digitalisation of information that helps trace missing people living with dementia.

As part of the Herbert Protocol, families/carers can obtain, print and complete a pro-forma document from the Police Scotland website that is handed to investigating officers whenever someone with dementia goes missing.

The form records a range of useful information which will allow police to respond swiftly during the crucial first hour – rather than spend it gathering information.

At present, families and carers are responsible for owning, updating and providing this document to police.

Read more about the Herbert Protocol and get the link to our consultation survey here:

https://orlo.uk/2t4dd

Norway Paramedic Students visit Edinburgh

The Scottish Ambulance Service welcomed two groups of trainees from the Ambulance Service of the University Hospital of Northern Norway to Edinburgh City Station recently.

The groups were given a tour by Team Leader Donna Edwards and attended presentations from Kevin Scott from the National Risk and Resilience Department (NRRD) and Andrew Nisbet, who spoke about the Advanced Practice in Urgent and Primary Care team.

Social Security Scotland: Young Carer Grant success

As of 31 March, 13,080 young carers had received our Young Carer Grant.

The payment is worth over £400 and can be applied for annually when carers are aged 16, 17, 18 and 19 – a little something for those who give a lot

Read the full publication:

ttps://bit.ly/YoungCarerGrantStatsNov25

Goal Getters at North Edinburgh Arts

Do you want to lose weight, run a marathon, declutter your home, spend less time on your phone, learn to speak a new language or whatever your goal may be, we’re running a new group that will support you with achieving your goals.

Goal Getters is for anyone who wants to build better habits, start something new, and/or see something through. Join the weekly group to stay motivated, connect with others, and achieve together.

When: Fridays, 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Where: North Edinburgh Arts

You are welcome to attend with children/babies.

For more information, please contact: Laurie at Laurence_Bell@proton.me

Sign up to Walk to School Challenge

Welcome to a new year of WOW – the walk to school challenge ⭐

The theme for 2026/27 is Walk the Senses, which celebrates what we hear, see, smell, taste or feel as we walk and wheel to school 🏫

🚶On average, WOW schools see 18% more walking and wheeling to school and 58% fewer car journeys. Plus, it takes only five minutes a day to run!

Join more than 2,000 schools across the UK already taking part.

Start your WOW journey today ➡️https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/wow

Police appeal for witnesses after woman robbed of car

POLICE are appealing for information after a woman was robbed of her car in Edinburgh yesterday (Tuesday, 12 May, 2026).

Around 3.20pm, the 22-year-old woman was parking her white Peugeot 208 at the rear of the Scotmid store at Morvenside Close, Wester Hailes. As she was sitting in her car, a man approached, threatened her with a knife and demanded her keys.

A member of the public came to assist the woman as she got out the car. The suspect managed to enter the car and another man who had been standing nearby got into the passenger side. They drove off.

The two suspects are described as white and of gaunt appearance. One was aged 30-40 years with a scruffy blonde beard. He was wearing a black tracksuit and baseball cap. The second man was wearing a navy tracksuit and a black balaclava.

Detective Inspector Robert Wallace said: “This was a very frightening experience for this woman who was simply trying to go to the shops when she was targeted. Thankfully, she was uninjured.

“We are continuing significant enquiries to trace the two men responsible. This includes gathering and viewing CCTV footage from in and around the area.

“This is a busy area and I am confident that there were people nearby who haven’t yet spoken to police. I urge them to please get in touch.

“I also ask anyone with personal footage or dash-cam to review their footage and come forward if it holds anything relevant.”

Information should be passed to Police Scotland through 101 quoting incident number 2051 of Tuesday, 12 May, 2026.