New Edinburgh Sketcher artworks revealed

Celebrating the Third Year of the Festival City Stories project

  • Edinburgh Festivals and BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland celebrate third year of the Festival City Stories project  
  • Showcasing the partnerships of Edinburgh’s Festivals and local community groups with new collaborative artwork from the Edinburgh Sketcher and a Dundee Street hoardings takeover

Edinburgh’s Festivals, BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland and local community groups have come together to celebrate the third year of the Festival City Stories project. 

As part of the celebration, new artwork has been unveiled from renowned Edinburgh artist, Mark Kirkham, also known as the Edinburgh Sketcher. Attending events and workshops from across the Festivals’ work with local communities, organisations, charities and schools, he captured their projects through a series of sketches, which were transformed into postcards for the participants to share their own stories and experiences.

These sketches and postcard responses are now presented as a part of an artwork takeover across BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland’s hoardings on Edinburgh’s Dundee Street and Wishaw Terrace from 23 February – 8 March this year. 

The artwork takeover was unveiled at the event at Edinburgh Printmakers which also featured stories and performances from people involved in year-round partnerships between some of the festivals and local community groups, schools and organisations. 

Project participant Sally and Dance leader Albi Mendoza from Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival – Inclusive Latin Dance project at the Dundee Street hoardings takeover | Credit Iain MacKay

Projects featured include:

Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival – Latin Dance Inclusive is a community-based project that introduces young people with disabilities, alongside their parents, carers and families, to the joy of dance in a fun, friendly and inclusive environment.

Edinburgh International Book Festival – Paper Trails is Edinburgh International Book Festival’s multi-year communities project working to tackle literacy inequality and social isolation, in partnership with Edinburgh Libraries and Streetreads.

Noëlle Cobden, Edinburgh International Book Festival – Paper Trails project looks over Edinburgh Sketcher postcards for Festival City Stories at Edinburgh Printmakers | Credit Iain MacKay

EIBF activity so far has included poetry residencies in care homes with the Mobile Library, author talks at Muirhouse Library, an intergenerational storytelling project at Ratho Library and zine-making sessions at Liberton High School Library.

Edinburgh Art Festival – World AIDS Day marked World AIDS Day on 1 December 2025 with a celebration of the ongoing work of Ally Van Tillo: Leith resident, and pioneering activist in the Scottish fight against the AIDS crisis.

People gathered to watch a documentary, participate in a table discussion, and experience a musical performance before congregating outside for a torchlight procession. 

Edinburgh International Festival – Welcome to the International Festival was a course tailored for international residents in Edinburgh, inviting group members to explore how experiencing different cultures connect us through workshops. These culminated in an international community meal featuring performances by International Festival performers. 

Edinburgh International Children’s Festival – Creative Encounters – Election performance. Part of Imaginate’s landmark project, Creative Encounters, Election by Bishop May Down, commissioned by North Edinburgh Youth Arts Collective, imagined children as bigwig decisionmakers with the power to make real change. Three eleven-year-olds in oversized suits and fake moustaches delivered a political manifesto, offering a child’s perspective on what is valuable in the world.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Generation Fringe, formerly Fringe Young Ambassadors, works with young people from high schools around Edinburgh to explore careers pathways to the arts. The project aims to engage and inspire young people, introducing them to parts of the industry they might not have known existed, and provides opportunities to visit Fringe venues and arts spaces around Edinburgh. 

Scottish International Storytelling Festival – BSL Apprenticeship Programme. Hosted by Deaf storyteller Tania Allan, the Festival set up the BSL storytelling workshops at the Blackwood Bar, to provide a welcoming space where the Deaf community can come together to share stories, humour, memories or anything they feel inspired to perform in BSL. 

Edinburgh International Film Festival – In Conversation. Edinburgh International Film Festival’sdynamic programme offers audiences the opportunity to engage directly with filmmakers and creative talent, through In Conversation events and post-screening Q&As. 

To find out more about all projects, visit: 

www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/about/stories  

Belinda McElhinney, Chair, Festivals Edinburgh said: “Residents are the lifeblood of our festivals and so it’s great to have this opportunity to highlight the year-round partnerships between the festivals and their local communities, with thanks especially to BuildHollywood Scotland for their support and to the Edinburgh Sketcher who beautifully presents the many festival community projects in his unique creative style.”

Charlotte Black, General Manager, BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland has said: “It’s been a real pleasure to once again champion the many incredible stories behind our city’s leading festivals and their collaborations with our vibrant, creative communities, organisations and schools.

“Through the magic of the Edinburgh Sketcher and handwritten postcards from participants, these stories have been brought to life beautifully. Together, they form a series of rich visuals we’re proud to platform across our posters and billboard sites throughout the city.” 

Mark Kirkham, The Edinburgh Sketcher has said: “I am so pleased to work with Festivals Edinburgh and BUILDHOLLYWOOD Scotland to create these sketches that showcase the great community work that many of Edinburgh’s festivals are doing as part of the Festival City Stories project.

“Seeing the work going on behind the scenes in my community and meeting the many people who are coming together to help others and to make lives easier for locals and visitors to the city has been a very positive and hopeful experience.

“I hope these sketches capture some of the energy of these happy occasions and lead to more people taking an interest and finding out more about the events the Edinburgh festivals are running within the city throughout the year.”

Mark Kirkham at the Dundee Street hoardings | Credit Iain MacKay

Tackling stigma around social security

Survey shows stigma could be holding people back from seeking support

People may be missing out on social security support they are entitled to due to stigma around social security, new research shows.

Independent research commissioned by Social Security Scotland found that while nine in ten (91%) people agree anyone could need financial support when their circumstances change – four in ten (39%) say applying would make them feel less positive about themselves. This rises to almost half (48%) among 16 to 34-year-olds.

The survey also shows how negative portrayals could be fuelling this. Three quarters (75%) of people believe those who receive social security support are portrayed negatively by politicians and/or the media. Almost four in ten (39%) of people surveyed agreed people who receive social security are judged negatively by their family and friends.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Everyone should be able to access support without fear or shame, and these findings reinforce why we are delivering social security differently in Scotland — through a system rooted in dignity, fairness and respect.

“From the language we use to how we deliver our services – we designed our social security system based on feedback from people with lived experience. This has included using more compassionate language in letters, providing help in a format or language that best suits the individual and offering help with applications online, over the phone and in person. We all share responsibility for talking about social security with kindness – words matter.

“We’ll continue to work with clients and stakeholders to make further improvements and help break down the barriers that stop too many people getting the help they are entitled to.”

David Reilly, Communities and Networks Manager at Poverty Alliance added: “Our social security is a public good like the NHS – it’s there for everybody, especially those who need it most.

“There are 1.1 million people in Scotland who are struggling today on a low income – they have the same right to thrive as everybody else.

“But prejudice and negative stereotypes, often starting in our media and politics, then trickling down into our own communities and families – this unfair judgement can hold people back from reaching out and claiming what they’re entitled to – sometimes to the point of starvation and destitution. That’s simply wrong.

“Together, we can stand up for each other and reclaim the idea of social security as a basic human right, and a foundation that allows people to build better futures for themselves and their households.”

Karen Wylie, Policy and Participation Manager at Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) added: “GDA hears from our members that disability benefits are a lifeline not a luxury for disabled people.

“In our survey conducted in October 2025, we heard that stigma played a significant, prohibitive role in how and when people apply for benefits.

“Our members call for a change in narrative around social security so that it’s seen as a human right that not only covers the basics but also covers the additional costs of being disabled and enables people to live full and participative lives with choice and control.” 

Scottish Government confirms Public Inquiry into group-based child sexual abuse

Professor Alexis Jay to chair statutory Inquiry

Professor Alexis Jay has agreed to chair a statutory Public Inquiry to examine Scotland’s response to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE).

In a statement to Parliament, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth confirmed the Scottish Government’s intention to establish a targeted independent Inquiry and establish a Scottish Truth Project.

The Inquiry will focus on the prevalence of group-based CSAE now and in the recent past, whether brought forward by survivors or relating to findings from the independent National Review being led by four Inspectorates.

The new Inquiry will be distinct from the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), chaired by Lady Smith. The Scottish Government will ensure the new Inquiry does not duplicate the valuable work of the SCAI.

The scope of the Inquiry and its detailed terms of reference will be finalised and confirmed in due course, following input from Prof Jay.

The Education Secretary also announced that the Government intends to establish a Truth Project in Scotland, to enable victims and survivors of CSAE to share their experiences to help inform change and access support.  

Ms Gilruth said: “Survivors of abuse want to see accountability and improvement delivered as quickly as possible, and that sense of urgency is shared by the Scottish Government.

“We are determined to act decisively to protect children from the horrendous harm of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

“I consider the establishment of a Public Inquiry to be essential, and from discussions I know Professor Jay wants to ensure that the Inquiry is carried out at pace. Announcing an Independent Public Inquiry today will not cure all which has come before, but it is a statement of intent from this Government that we will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice for survivors of child sexual abuse.

“The work of the National Review and Police Scotland’s ongoing review of cases of group-based abuse will ensure that any improvements that must be made to practice or action to bring perpetrators to justice is taken as quickly as possible.

“The Truth Project, to be led by John O’Brien, will ensure that the voice of survivors is central to our collective efforts so that every action is informed by their experience and brings about the changes they have told me must be made.”

Professor Alexis Jay said: “The sexual and criminal exploitation of children entails abuse of the most horrific kind, usually at the hands of many perpetrators. The Public Inquiry will get to the truth of exploitation in Scotland in the past and the present, in order to prevent it in the future.

“It will examine the extent to which public authorities and other organisations effectively identify the risk of child exploitation and take action to protect children. I will engage with victims and survivors early, as the terms of reference are formed.”

Education Secretary’s statement to Parliament on protecting children from harm.

Commenting on the Scottish Government announcement today of a public inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland, Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First said: “Children First have long supported victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to fight for better systems of prevention, detection and protection. Scotland has a duty to confront the harm children have suffered and to put a stop to more children being abused.  

“We now need to see full details of this inquiry so we can understand its scope and how it will ensure children’s voices and rights are placed at its centre.

“What cannot wait is urgent investment in specialist support like that provided by Bairns Hoose. This must be made available to every child who needs it so they can safely disclose harm and receive all the help they need to heal and reclaim their childhood.” 

PYCP Chat & Chill Tomorrow

We will be holding another Chat & Chill Cafe tomorrow. Come along between 12 midday and 2pm for some lunch (free on us!)

We will also have another free PRIZE bingo session and some other free goodies to give away.

You don’t have to have children at PY to come along, everyone welcome.

Under 5s are welcome but you need to supervise them at all times.

We hope to see you then.

Lesley & Debbie

Life in a Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 0 announced as major UK tour for 2026

Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF) has announced that Life in a Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 0 – its acclaimed original production created by Hamish Hawk and band, commissioned for the 2025 Festival – will tour major UK venues in spring 2026, marking a significant new chapter for one of the Book Festival’s most distinctive recent commissions.

First developed for EIBF, Life in a Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 0 blends music, storytelling and performance into a sharply observed, darkly funny and deeply Scottish meditation on class, domestic life and identity.

Following its inaugural performance in August 2025, the production will now reach new audiences across the UK, with dates confirmed for Manchester, Bristol, London and Glasgow.

Tour dates (2026)

  • Wednesday 30 April – O2 Ritz Manchester
  • Thursday 1 May – The Lantern, Bristol
  • Friday 2 May – Bloomsbury Theatre, London
  • Sunday 10 May – Òran Mór, Glasgow 

Tour dates were announced on Monday 23 February 2026, with pre‑sale access for the Hamish Hawk mailing list opening on Wednesday 25 February, ahead of general sale on Friday 27 February.

The tour announcement reinforces EIBF’s growing reputation as both the world’s leading festival of words and ideas and a commissioning force that nurtures bold, genre‑defying work with a life far beyond the Book Festival itself – a reputation recognised when it won ‘Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival’ at the Scottish Thistle Awards in late 2025. 

Hamish Hawk said: ““Life in a Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 0 grew out of a very particular moment and place at EIBF, and it’s been extraordinary to see it resonate so widely.

“Taking it on tour feels like an expansion of that original invitation – into new rooms, new cities, new conversations.” 

Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, said: “Commissioning original work is at the heart of what EIBF exists to do. From the beginning, Life in a Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 0 felt like a project with a life beyond the Book Festival – bold, playful, and rooted in a distinctly Scottish sensibility while speaking to much wider audiences.

“We’re thrilled to see this commission tour the UK and reach new stages and communities.” 

The tour brings together music fans and theatre audiences, underscoring EIBF’s distinctive place at the crossroads of live performance, storytelling and contemporary culture.

With Hamish Hawk fresh from a sold‑out, show‑stopping Barrowland Ballroom gig, a headline support slot at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, and a recent SAY Award shortlist nod, the Book Festival clearly joined forces early with one of Scotland’s most compelling rising artists. 

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.

Hospitality Group launches campaign to STOP hospitality rates hike

A campaign to halt the planned rise in hospitality rates, organised by the Scottish Hospitality Group, aims to amplify the voice of Scotland’s family-run restaurants, bars, pubs, and hotels, by calling on the Scottish Government to halt the current non-domestic rates revaluation for hospitality properties until after the Gill Review, a government examination of how licensed premises are valued for rates purposes.

Visible on giant advertising sites throughout the Central Belt from today (25th February)  the campaign comes ahead of the Scottish Budget being rubber-stamped today. SHG says the Scottish Government can and should still act to stop the rates hikes before they come into force in April.

The initiative highlights the devastating impact of rising non-domestic rates on Scotland’s hospitality sector – effecting premises including local and long-established family-run restaurants and hotels.

The Gill Review, commissioned to examine the valuation methodology for licensed premises, seeks to ensure the system is fair. Currently, hospitality is effectively rated on turnover, a methodology SHG says is no longer fit for purpose. Until the review concludes, it is unfair for businesses – especially those with higher turnovers – to face dramatic rate hikes in April, even with new relief measures for smaller premises.

“Hospitality businesses are being taxed on turnover,” said a spokesperson for the Scottish Hospitality Group. “Revenue growth is swallowed by wages, energy, food costs, and regulatory pressures, so even successful businesses are being punished simply for growing.

“There should be a pause on the current revaluation increases until after the Gill Review. Even after the Budget is rubber-stamped, the government can still act – to protect jobs, sustain communities, and safeguard the future of Scotland’s hospitality sector.”

Many SHG members, and other hospitality businesses – including Signature Group, DRG Group, Buzzworks Eusebi Deli, Lisini Group, McGintys Group, Scoop Restaurants and Rusk & Rusk, fall outside the thresholds for existing relief schemes and face crippling cost pressures.

Established businesses that have invested heavily over decades report that development and expansion projects are being mothballed, shifting operators from growth into survival mode.

Said Susan Young, Editor of trade publication, DRAM, “The Scottish Government knows that the current methodology is flawed and has commissioned the Gill Review. Despite this, it has not halted the planned, unprecedented rates increases for hospitality businesses due to come into force in April. It is time for it to reconsider.

“The people I have spoken to across the country are disheartened and dismayed. They are cutting staff and shelving development plans.

“Having looked at the increases on the rates assessors’ websites, I have been dismayed at some of the exorbitant rises. It is time a decision was made to STOP the rates increases until the methodology is fit for purpose.”

Arboretum Place Public Realm and Streetscape Proposals

Community Pop Up Event Saturday 7th March

I am pleased to be getting in touch to inform you about a Community Pop Up event regarding improvements to Arboretum Place and the area in front of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Inverleith Park. 

With thanks to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, we welcome you to join us to see the proposals on Saturday 7th March from 10:30 –  2:00 pm on the Ground Floor of the John Hope Visitor Centre, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, EH3 5NZ.  The venue is fully accessible.

Stop by to hear more about the project, see the proposals, meet the design team and share your feedback.

We are working with the City of Edinburgh Council to develop concept designs for improvements to the site, looking at the introduction of sustainable drainage measures along the length of Arboretum Place and around the entrances to Inverleith Park and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, including placemaking opportunities between the two.  

This work forms part of Climate Ready Craigleith looking at flood management interventions and improvements across the catchment and sits under the cities overarching Climate Ready Edinburgh strategy.

Rising attainment among school leavers

Positive destinations second highest on record

The proportion of young people leaving school with five or more passes at National Courses and Highers, as well as their equivalent vocational and technical qualifications, has increased over the past year.

A record high of 68.6% of young people left school with five or more qualifications at SCQF Level  5 (National 5 equivalent), according to the School Leaver Attainment and Initial Destination statistics 2024-25 published today. Those leaving with five or more passes at SCQF level 6 (Higher equivalent) rose to 40.8%. The gap between those from the most and least deprived areas leaving with five or more qualifications narrowed at Level 5.

Nine out of ten young people (95.7%) were in positive destinations – such as work, training, college or university – three months after leaving school. This is the same level as 2023-24 and the second highest on record.

There has also been a fall in the number of young people leaving school at S4, down by 544 pupils to 7,540, and in S5 (down 370), with more pupils (732) staying on until S6. This starts to reverse the trend seen in the immediate post-COVID period.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “An increasing number of young people are leaving school with five qualifications or more at SCQF Level 5 or better, including National 5s and Highers.

“This underlines the strong recovery we are seeing in education, following the pandemic and the importance of the breadth of choice schools offer to young people in the senior phase.

“It shows the hard work of learners, teachers and parents and carers and comes after we saw record levels of literacy and numeracy in Scotland’s schools in the recent ACEL statistics  

“The Scottish Government has invested £1.75 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade helping improve outcomes for children and young people impacted by poverty – and, while this latest data shows there is more to do, we remain determined to address this.

“The proportion of Scotland’s young people in positive destinations remains at a near record high. The welcome increase among those going on to Higher  Education underlines the importance of our commitment to free tuition, ensuring in Scotland education is based on the ability to learn, not pay.

“The recently passed Tertiary Education and Training Bill will also put apprenticeships on a statutory footing for the first time, creating parity with other post-school routes to provide more choices for young people.” 

destinations and attainment of 2024-25 leavers

Literacy and numeracy standards reach record high – gov.scot

Scottish humanitarian charity hits out at “cruel and devastating” aid cuts

Aid cuts, brought in by the UK Government exactly a year ago have been labelled “cruel and devastating” by a leading Scottish charity. 

SCIAF – the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund – has hit out at a decision in 2025 to cut the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget from 0.5% to 0.3% by 2027 – set to be the steepest reduction of any G7 country. 

SCIAF’s CEO Lorraine Currie said: “Quite simply these cuts hit the most vulnerable people in the world the hardest. They are cruel and devastating. 

“Much needed aid programmes in some of the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected countries across Africa and Asia are at risk of closure. People will die as a result. 

“These cuts were made without warning, preparation or consultation with organisations like SCIAF – charity experts who have daily dealings with overseas partners who know the reality on the ground. These cuts mean fewer families in conflict zones able to access shelter, food and water, and fewer children able to go to school.” 

UK aid represents a tiny proportion of public spending yet delivers significant return on investment by preventing diseases before they become pandemics, reducing conflict and crises that force people to flee, and strengthening global stability to protect people in the UK and around the world.  

Lorraine added: “The UK government’s own Equalities Impact Assessment of the 2025/26 cuts confirms that women and girls, people with disabilities, children and people affected by conflict, will be hardest hit. This decision will arguably have the most damaging global consequences of any this UK government will make.

“With a significantly reduced UK aid budget, the government must step up its ambitions around global financial sector reform and help build a fairer economic system that enables lower income countries to invest in their own sustainable development.

“The UK’s upcoming G20 leadership offers a critical window to advance this agenda, rebuild damaged partnerships, and re-establish the UK as a trusted global partner.”

SCIAF, together with a number of different UK charities is urging the UK Government to reverse the cuts. It has signed up to a letter from BOND – the UK network for organisations working in international development.  

BOND includes over 330 organisations, ranging from small specialist charities to large international NGOs with a worldwide presence. 

You can read the full letter here: BOND Statement