Sean Batty urges Edinburgh residents to celebrate their high street heroes

Nominations for the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards are open until August 14th

Television presenter Sean Batty is urging people across Edinburgh and the Lothians to celebrate their high street heroes.

The STV weatherman launched Scotland Loves Local Week in North Berwick earlier this summer, joining traders at East Lothian Food and Drink’s harbour market.

And now he is calling on residents to nominate their high street heroes as part of the 2026 Scotland Loves Local Awards – before they close on Friday August 14th.

Sean, an ambassador for Scotland Loves Local, said: “The Scotland Loves Local Awards are about celebrating the people and businesses in your community who go above and beyond – as well as the innovation, ambition and determination which is forging a better future for the places we call home.

“Not all heroes wear capes, but the way in which so many people give so much time and energy into making life better in our communities is truly heroic. What better way to celebrate that than nominating them as a High Street Hero?”

A High Street Hero will be named in each Scottish Parliament region, including Edinburgh and Lothians East, as well as Central Scotland and Lothians West.

Nationally, awards will be presented for:

Town of the Year (recognising a town that demonstrates a clear vision, strong partnership working and meaningful progress in creating a vibrant and sustainable place).

Innovation in Place (recognising a specific project or initiative that has delivered meaningful, measurable impact within a town or neighbourhood, celebrating practical work happening on the ground).

The awards are organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) as an extension of its wider Scotland Loves Local campaign, which encourages people to help grow stronger communities by supporting the enterprises, organisations and initiatives in them.

Now in their sixth year, they recognise leadership, innovation and community action that supports thriving local places – from transformational regeneration projects and entrepreneurial community initiatives to the individuals making a difference.

They highlight the impact of place-based collaboration in delivering stronger, greener and more resilient town centres and places.

Award nominations can be made at www.lovelocal.scot/awards-2026/, where full category criteria can also be found. There, you can briefly share the details of your nominee and why you would like to see them recognised.

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday August 14th, with winners announced in October.

Scotland Loves Local is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership with support from the Scottish Government.

Alzheimer Scotland’s Edinburgh Memory Walk to raise funds for dementia

SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER at LAURISTON CASTLE GARDENS

A fundraising walk that pays tribute to people with dementia is returning to Edinburgh. People across the Lothians are being encouraged to book their place for Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk 2026 on Sunday, 6 September.

Those joining the event in Lauriston Castle Gardens on Cramond Road South can walk in memory of loved ones affected by the illness while also raising vital funds to support dementia care, research and improvements in brain health.

The Edinburgh event is the first of a series of memory walks taking place across Scotland in 2026.

Those looking to take part can sign up at memorywalk.alzscot.org.

Walks will also be taking place in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Perth, Irvine, Inverness and Kirkcaldy. Tickets cost just £10 for adults and children can be registered for free. It’s quick and easy to set up a sponsorship page, which can be shared with family, friends and colleagues.

Every penny raised will help people with dementia and their carers, as well as supporting better brain health for everyone in Scotland.

Scotland’s Memory Walk is also about celebrating the lives of people with dementia and walking to remember them.

Among those taking part is Debbie Magee, 48, a contracts manager from Broxburn. She will be walking in memory of her mum Rosie who passed away in January aged 82, six years after being diagnosed with vascular dementia.

Debbie will be joined by her sister Annie and 15-year-old daughter Jess, and supported on the day by her other sisters Caroline and Jane.

Debbie said: “My mum Rosie was quite a woman. She was the heart and soul of our family and was dedicated to looking after us all.

“Losing mum to dementia was really tough for the whole family, and it inspired me to sign up to Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk in Edinburgh.

“I wanted to do something positive that would help keep mum’s memory alive and also raise funds for such a great cause. I’m really looking forward to the day. Our team name is Rosie’s Forget Me Nots. Those were mum’s favourite flowers, which feels extra poignant in light of her diagnosis.

“Dementia affects every person differently and it’s important for me to raise awareness of that, and of the huge impact it has on the wider family.

“Alzheimer Scotland do amazing work and I hope the money we raise can help them support other families like mine who are affected by dementia.”

Lauren Heap, Alzheimer Scotland’s Day Services Manager for Edinburgh and the Lothians, said: “Alzheimer Scotland is proud to support people living with dementia, their families and carers right from our centres in Edinburgh.

“We are delighted to host this Memory Walk in Edinburgh. It is such a special event and it will be wonderful to walk alongside our supporters again in the local community.

“Alzheimer Scotland relies heavily on fundraised money – now more than ever – and every penny helps us continue to develop and deliver vital dementia support. We can’t wait to see Lauriston Castle Gardens filled with a sea of purple t-shirts.”

To find out more and to sign up for Scotland’s Memory Walk, visit: 

memorywalk.alzscot.org 

NHS Lothian prepares for Festival crowds

Teams across NHS Lothian are preparing for the annual influx of visitors during Edinburgh’s world-famous Festivals.

The city’s population doubles to around a million throughout August as people from across the world enjoy the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and more.

NHS Lothian has a number of arrangements in place to make sure visitors can access healthcare if they need it, while continuing to provide routine and planned care for local residents.

Visitors are being urged to take the same route as locals and call 111 if they have an urgent injury or illness.

Experienced NHS 24 advisors will direct them to the most appropriate service to make sure they get the right care in the right place. NHS 24 also has an interpretation service for those whose first language is not English.

Depending on a patient’s circumstances, they may be given an appointment for a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU), be asked to attend a local pharmacy, or be given an appointment at a GP Practice which provides care and treatment for visitors who are not registered with a GP in the city.

Michelle Carr, Chief Officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian, said: “We want everyone visiting Edinburgh during the Festivals to enjoy their time here, but if they become unwell or suffer an urgent injury, the best thing to do is call NHS 24 on 111. They should not turn up at a hospital.

“It’s important to stress that there is no walk-in service for visitors, but by calling 111 they will be able to access necessary healthcare 24/7.

“They will also be seen sooner than walking into a busy hospital A&E department that will prioritise patients and work in order of clinical urgency.

“The message is the same for visitors and local residents alike. If you need urgent healthcare, call 111. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.”

Police Scotland: Early success for City Centre Policing Unit

49 ARRESTS IN FIRST MONTH OF OPERATION

Almost 50 people have been arrested by officers from our new City Centre Policing Unit during their first month of operations.

From 1 to 31 July, a total of 49 individuals were arrested and 114 charges brought against them for a range of offences within the city centre during proactive patrols and reactive responses undertaken by the unit.

The CCPU officially launched on 2 July 2026, supported by funding from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Visitor Levy.

Over the last month over 2,300 hours of patrols by CCPU officers have taken place to engage with members of the public and businesses within the city-centre, respond to intelligence relating to criminal activity and provide a high-visibility presence to deter offending.

In addition to the arrests, two Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued for antisocial behaviour and a further 20 Recorded Police Warnings were handed out for incidents that did not require arrests to be made.

A total of 208 youth interactions were carried out to engage with young people visiting the city centre and build strong relationships with this demographic to help deter offences such as antisocial behaviour.

Extensive work has also been done to tackle street drinking in the Hunters Square area, with alcohol seized on 47 occasions.

Throughout August, CCPU officers will play a pivotal role in policing the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe to offer reassurance to the increased number of people within the city-centre and respond to any incidents that arise during this time.

Inspector Stephen Quinn, who leads the City Centre Policing Unit, said: “Our first month has been immensely challenging but extremely rewarding, as CCPU officers set about providing benefit to Edinburgh’s city centre.

“Extensive support from the CCPU was provided to staffing the cordons required to keep the public safe following the significant fire on Princes Street and this meant that resources that would previously have been required from other parts of the city were able to continue with their normal duties.

“Despite the demands of the fire, we have also been successful in tackling some of the key issues affecting the city-centre, including shop theft, antisocial behaviour and disorder.

“Working alongside key partners such as our colleagues at the Retail Crime Taskforce, Simon Community Scotland, Street Assist and representatives from the night-time economy, we continue to tackle hotspot areas and improve confidence in the policing response to ongoing problems.

“We’re under no illusion that more work needs to be done and we will continue to build on the success of our first month as we strive to make Edinburgh’s city-centre as safe as possible for all of those who live, work and visit the area.”

Edinburgh to celebrate 180 years of Scott Monument

PICTURE: Culture Edinburgh

One of Edinburgh’s most recognisable landmarks is celebrating a major milestone this summer, with visitors invited to join in the celebrations.

From 10 to 17 August, the Council is marking the anniversary with 12 free tickets available each day for visitors wishing to climb the famous monument. Tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Those who complete the climb of 221 steps will receive a special commemorative certificate to mark the occasion.

Completed in 1844 and opened in 1846, the Scott Monument was built in memory of Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland’s best-loved writers and the author of Waverley and many other classic novels. Scott, who died in 1932, played a pivotal role in promoting Scotland’s history and culture through his writing.

Affectionately known by many as the “Gothic Rocket”, the monument is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic architecture. Designed by architect George Meikle Kemp following a competition in 1838, it is adorned with statues of writers, poets, and characters from Scott’s novels. Tragically, Kemp died before seeing his masterpiece completed, drowning in the Union Canal shortly before construction finished.

At its base sits John Steell’s statue of Sir Walter Scott alongside his faithful dog, Maida, overlooking Princes Street that remains at the heart of the city Scott helped to celebrate through his work.

Cllr Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “The Scott Monument is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks and a much-loved part of our city’s heritage.

“I’m delighted to be celebrating its 180th anniversary by giving more people the chance to experience the monument, whether that’s climbing to enjoy its spectacular views or learning more about the life and legacy of Sir Walter Scott.

“We hope residents and visitors alike will join us in marking this special milestone.”

Find out more about the Scott Monument on the Culture Edinburgh website.

Farewell to FetLor as Richie retires

We would like to say a massive thank you and farewell to Richie Adams, who has been our CEO for the last 5 and a half years! He has made a huge impact on FetLor through his leadership and ingenuity.

Richie joined FetLor at the height of the pandemic when we couldn’t even meet in person at the time due to the restrictions, but this didn’t stop him leaving a lasting impact at FetLor.

Please take a moment to read some kind words he would like to pass on:

National Galleries Scotland: Revised opening hours this month

UPDATE ON INDUSTRIAL ACTION

The Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents some of our visitor facing colleagues, has announced industrial action this month.

Our colleagues, visitors and the art in our care are our highest priorities, so we have made some changes to when our galleries open in August:

– Saturday 8 August: Our summer exhibition, Catherine Opie: To Be Seen, will open as intended from 10am – 5pm at the Royal Scottish Academy. The National, Modern and Portrait galleries, shops and cafés will be closed.

– Wednesday 12 August: The National, Modern and Portrait galleries, including shops, cafés and the Royal Scottish Academy building, will be closed.

– Sunday 16 August: The Tea Green Summer Market, café and shop will be open at the Portrait gallery. The National and Modern galleries, the upper floors of the Portrait gallery, the Royal Scottish Academy building and our shops and cafes will be closed.

– Thursday 20 August: The National, Modern and Portrait galleries, including shops, cafés and the Royal Scottish Academy building, will be closed.

The grounds and car parks at Modern One and Modern Two will be open as normal throughout.

Catherine Opie: To Be Seen, will open from 10am – 5pm on Saturday 8 August, then closed on Wednesday 12 August, Sunday 17 August and Thursday 20 August.

Gwen John: Strange Beauties will be closed on Saturday 8 August, Wednesday 12 August, Sunday 17 August and Thursday 20 August.

Between these dates, all our Galleries will be open for you to enjoy.

Thanks for your patience, we hope to see you soon.

£5 million for Princes Street recovery

Deputy First Minister visits site and meets council leader

Up to £5 million will be made available to help support recovery from the fire on Edinburgh’s Princes Street.

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth met with City of Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher yesterday following a tour of the site of the blaze at the former Debenhams store which broke out on 9 July.

The funding will be administered by the council and include support for a number of areas to assist the recovery from the fire, including support to incentivise and assist with travel around the city, acknowledging the concerns of businesses facing reduced footfall after the closure on Princes Street, in particular along the tram route to Leith and Newhaven.

It will also provide assistance to help secure the site and make the building safe to facilitate the reopening of Princes Street, as well as support for festival operators forced to relocate.

The Deputy First Minister has also confirmed that work is underway with Highland Council to finalise the financial support that the Scottish Government will provide for recovery from the Cairngorms fire.

Ms Gilruth said: “This fire has caused widespread difficulties in Edinburgh, not just in the city centre but extending north into Leith and Newhaven, as business and commuters adjust to the disruption caused by the fire.

“The Scottish Government has been determined from the start to ensure that we are ready to support the council in assisting those affected and the funding being set out today will help to keep the city moving and to adapt, while also enabling long term recovery.

“The impact in the capital has been significant at a time when the August festivals are getting underway. The Scottish Government is committed to working urgently with partners to ensure there is the fullest possible recovery, including the reopening of Princes Street as soon as is safely possible.” 

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “This is a significant step in our city’s recovery from the Princes Street fire, and I wholeheartedly welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement today.

“Whilst I remain acutely aware of the impact that this is having across the city every day, I hope that this news can bring some comfort to our residents, businesses and visitors. The city is very much open, and I’d encourage everyone to support our fantastic local businesses as the festivals begin later this week.

“We’re continuing to do 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 understated, with specialists working, mostly by hand, under extremely challenging circumstances.

“I’d also urge people to continue to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.

“I was encouraged by my conversations with the Deputy First Minister today and we’ll continue to work alongside the Scottish Government and our partners in our collective response to this incredibly difficult issue.”

The fund will be administered by the Council and divided into the following sections –

Building Works:

The Council is incurring substantial daily costs to progress work on the site, including making the building safe and the retention of heritage features, alongside associated security costs. This support will go towards covering these in the short to medium term.

Ultimately, the Council will still attempt to recover appropriate costs from the owners under the Building (Scotland) Act 2003.

Business Recovery: The Council recognises the impact that this has had on businesses across Edinburgh, particularly in Leith and the north of the city due to tram disruption. This funding will be used to encourage people to visit local businesses through a communications campaign, creating a local events fund and further incentivising patronage.

Festivals Support: The fire has resulted in some events by festival partners in the immediate vicinity being relocated at short notice. Bookings have also been impacted. Requests for funding will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Public Transport Support: Edinburgh Trams has experienced increased costs and a loss of income due to disruption on the network. As a large section of the tram network has been offline since the fire, this fund would be used specifically to help mitigate this ongoing impact on both Edinburgh Trams and the Council.  

Princes Street City Dressing: Funding will support the installation of dressing at any vacant units or construction sites, including the former Debenham’s building, while works are ongoing, to maintain a positive image for Princes Street.

‘Getting Around Town’ Communications Campaign: Work has already commenced on a campaign to help residents and visitors get around the city.

Work is taking place to finalise arrangements for the support package which will be made available to the council. 

Due to serious concerns about the structural integrity of the building a substantial exclusion zone was established and remains in place around the affected section of Princes Street.

For the latest advice and updates on Princes Street please visit the Council’s dedicated webpage.

Gilded Balloon returns to iconic Teviot home following three year absence

Gilded Balloon has returned to its beloved home at Teviot Row House for the first time since August 2023.

Scotland’s leading producer of live comedy and entertainment year-round and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has opened its doors to the public today across its four venues: Gilded Balloon Teviot, The Gilded Saloon, Gilded Balloon at the Museum, and Gilded Balloon Patter House.

Teviot, The University of Edinburgh’s student union, and the world’s oldest purpose-built student union, reopened its doors in March following a two-and-a-half-year refurbishment. The venue has been home to Gilded Balloon during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe since 2001.

Gilded Balloon’s exciting 2026 programme features 225 shows spanning comedy, theatre, magic, cabaret, musicals and more from today until Monday 31st August.

Famous faces taking the stage include Graham Norton and Maria McErlane, Gregor Fisher, Rich Hall, Deborah Frances-White, Mariella Frostrup, Gina Bellman, Phil Nichol, Fiona Allen, Fred MacAulay, Jack Docherty, Grace Campbell, Mhairi Black, Jimmy Rees, Paul Black, Jamie Kilstein, Tom Read Wilson, Kim Blythe and many more.

At the heart of the programme are several flagship Gilded Balloon productions and co-productions, showcasing the very best of comedy, theatre, conversation and live events. Highlights include the return of five-star hit Doris, Dolly and the Dressing Room Divas; the world premiere of Lois-Amber Toole‘s powerful new play SLAY; acclaimed US comedian Jamie Kilstein’s Can’t Tie Knots; reigning So You Think You’re Funny? champion Madeleine Brettingham‘s debut hour Legend.

Jack Docherty will also return with his eagerly awaited Butterfly; Mhairi Black returns with Difficult Second Album; broadcaster Mariella Frostrup will present Cracking the Menopause; the award-winning podcast The Guilty Feminist will take to the stage; iconic Scottish comedian Fred MacAulay’s showcases In Conversation as well as his new stand-up show Good Evening!; Wanging On – Live with Graham Norton and Maria McErlane will have its stage debut; the next generation of storytellers will tread the boards in Story Platform; and the ever-popular Comedy Night at the Museum also returns.

Beloved Gilded Balloon institutions also return to Teviot, with an iconic line-up of comedians taking to the stage every night for Late’n’Live, the legendary late-night showcase that has become a cornerstone of the Fringe. Meanwhile, So You Think You’re Funny? continues its search for the next generation of comedy stars through its competition heats and grand final, as well as celebrating its brightest new talent with Best of So You Think You’re Funny?

Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon, said: “Coming home to Teviot is a really emotional moment for all of us. It has been at the heart of Gilded Balloon’s Fringe story for more than 25 years, and while we’ve loved creating new homes across the city during that time, there is something truly special about returning to the place where so many unforgettable Fringe memories have been made.

“We’ve spent the past three years looking forward to this moment, and we’re returning with our biggest and most ambitious programme yet.

“We can’t wait to see you all there!”

For full programme listings and tickets, visit gildedballoon.co.uk.