Tag: arts

Summerhall Arts announces first shows of 2026 festival programme

Summerhall Arts announce first seven shows of Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 programme – now on sale – including premieres from acclaimed company Wonder Fools, in collaboration with Theatre SAN, and award-winning company YESYESNONO

Clockwise from top left: PUTTANA (Credit: Stefano Pradel), LANDSFRAU (Credit: Cornelius Reitmayr), Tether 인연 (Credit: Kaugain Jang), SAND

  • Acclaimed Glasgow-based theatre company Wonder Fools (Òran; Alright Sunshine) premieres Tether 인연, a vibrant Scottish-Korean collaboration with Theatre SAN
  • Award-winning London company YESYESNONO (We Were Promised Honey!; Nation) returns to Summerhall to premiere new storytelling show by Sam Ward
  • Leading Danish queer art company HIMHERANDIT (Mass Effect; Champions) brings new physical theatre show, GOOD ENOUGH?
  • Keith Alessi’s much-loved show, Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life, returns for a fourth festival in a row after three sell-out runs
  • Acclaimed Devon-based company Kook Ensemble explores lives of people living with Dementia with non-verbal circus theatre show, SAND 
  • Fringe debutant Beatrice Festi and TeatroE ETS premiere bold immersive solo performance with PUTTANA
  • Mariann Yar brings moving feminist perspective on Afghanistan and its diaspora with solo show, LANDSFRAU

Home of boundary-pushing performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, arts charity and year-round cultural hub, Summerhall Arts has announced the first seven shows of its 2026 festival programme on sale NOW.

Following a hugely acclaimed and multi-award-winning inaugural festival programme last year, the first batch of shows in Summerhall Arts 2026 programme spans theatre, dance, circus, music and storytelling from artists and companies hailing from Scotland, Afghanistan, Denmark, England, Italy, and the United States.

Part ceilidh, part storytelling, and an all-round good night out; acclaimed Glasgow-based theatre company Wonder Fools (Òran; Alright Sunshine; The Kelton Hill Fair) premieres Tether 인연 – a bold new collaboration with South Korea’s Theatre SAN. Spanning sixty years and three generations, Tether 인연 weaves together folk songs, love letters and war stories – tracing the invisible threads that bind two nations together in a shared experience of music and memory.

Award-winning company YESYESNONO (We Were Promised Honey!; Nation) returns to Summerhall with a brand new prophetic storytelling show. Written and performed by Sam Ward, the show is a hallucinogenic journey through a world of anomalies – about holes appearing in the ground and about prices that go up and up. Sam urges audiences to continue trying to understand what’s going wrong in a world that refuses to be understood.

Award-winning Danish queer art company HIMHERANDIT (Mass Effect; Champions) returns to Summerhall with a brand new performance celebrating imperfection, queer joy, and the courage to find your tribe. GOOD ENOUGH? is a queer, quirky and boisterous physical theatre performance about reclaiming your story and having the courage to be loud, awkward and unapologetically yourself.

Fringe legend Keith Alessi returns to Edinburgh with his much-loved comedy-musical-storytelling show, Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life, for a fourth festival in a row after back-to-back-to-back sell-out runs. Told with warmth, humour and banjo music, this highly awarded, internationally toured, and inspirational true story is about overcoming obstacles, pursuing passions and the healing power of the arts.

Through donations, including 100% of all artist fees, Keith has raised over $1.2m dollars as of December 2025 for various charities including cancer charities and arts organisations, and all proceeds from the 2026 run will contribute to Summerhall Arts.

Acclaimed Devon-based company Kook Ensemble brings SAND – a new non-verbal circus theatre show exploring the lives of people living with Dementia.

Set against Devon’s dramatic coast line, SAND combines exceptional acrobatics with meticulously crafted storytelling to create a profoundly moving and resonant theatrical experience.

Fringe debutant Beatrice Festi and TeatroE ETS bring a bold new immersive solo performance with PUTTANA. A work that questions the things society has normalised and the boundaries between body and commodity, PUTTANA sees a single actress give voice to five characters, through a uniquely delivered combination of music and words, to tell an uncomfortable and cruel story.

Afghan theatremaker Mariann Yar brings her solo show, LANDSFRAU, a story of a life shaped by war and distance.

Moving between 9/11 and 2021, Mariann dismantles images of Afghanistan and builds her own counter-archive through songs, dance and memories – exposing a feminist perspective on Afghanistan and its diaspora. LANDSFRAU is about attempting to let go of inherited guilt without taking on more, offering an intimate of diasporic life, marked by both deep fractures and undeniable privilege.

This is the first of three programme announcements ahead of this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 7th – 31st August. The remainder of Summerhall Arts’ festival programme will be announced on 31st March and 6th May.

Tickets now on sale: festival.summerhallarts.co.uk

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

When Rankin Met Rankin

Marking Muriel Spark’s Birthday on 1 February 2026

  • A new production of David Harrower’s adaptation of Muriel Spark’s classic novel The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is set to tour Scotland in 2026
  • The production is directed by Vicky Featherstone and features Gayle Rankin as Jean Brodie
  • To mark the birthday of author Muriel Spark on 1 February, new images will be released of Gayle Rankin, in the iconic role of Jean Brodie, shot by renowned photographer Rankin.

A National Theatre of Scotland Production

Presented in partnership with The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and in association with Pitlochry Festival Theatre

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

Adapted by David Harrower from the novel by Muriel Spark

Directed by Vicky Featherstone

Featuring Gayle Rankin as Jean Brodie

Touring Scotland from 02 October to 07 November 2026.

Previews and opening at The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh before touring to The Citizens Theatre, Glasgow; His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen and Pitlochry Festival Theatre.

Opening performance at The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh on 9 October 2026.

National Theatre of Scotland in partnership with The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and in association with Pitlochry Festival Theatre is bringing one of Scotland’s most iconic and enduring Scottish literary characters to the stage, in a brand-new production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. This production will mark 60 years since the premiere of the original stage version.

Adapted for the stage by acclaimed Scottish playwright David Harrower from Muriel Spark’s much-loved novel, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is directed by Vicky Featherstone and features Gayle Rankin making her National Theatre of Scotland debut as the charismatic Jean Brodie.

To mark Muriel Spark’s birthday, born in Edinburgh on 1 February,1918, National Theatre of Scotland is releasing newly commissioned images to promote this new production. The photos were captured by Rankin in his studio in London.

Gayle Rankin, photographed by Rankin.

Born in Edinburgh in 1918, Muriel Spark he wrote 22 novels including The Driver’s Seat, Memento Mori and The Girls of Slender Means with The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie being the best known of her works.

First published in the New Yorker and reissued in volume form in 1961, the novel is set in Edinburgh in 1936 with the central character based in part on a teacher at Muriel Spark’s Edinburgh school, James Gillespie’s School for Girls. The novel was subsequently adapted for stage, film and television.

Gayle Rankin is a Tony Award-nominated Scottish performer well known for her role as Sheila the She-Wolf in the hit Netflix series GLOW. Gayle recently finished a run on Broadway as Sally Bowles opposite Eddie Redmayne in the award-winning production of Cabaret (Tony nominated).

Other TV credits include House of the Dragon and Perry Mason (HBO). Film includes Alex Garland’s Men, Amazon’s Blow the Man Down, Bad Things and The Greatest Showman. New York theatre credits include Sam Gold’s Hamlet and Phyllida Lloyd’s The Taming of the Shrew.

Gayle Rankin said: “Working with the legendary photographer Rankin was an incredible experience.

His deep curiosity as an artist, alongside Vicky Featherstone and me, helped crack open the earliest beginnings of our Jean Brodie—approaching her not just as an icon, a myth or character, but as a real woman for our time. We were thrilled to start this journey with Rankin’s lens on her.”

Rankin is a British photographer, publisher, and film director.

Best known for work that is on the cultural cusp and leading future trends, he has produced rule-breaking campaigns for brands such as Rolls Royce, Unilever, L’Oreal, Lego, and Samsonite; creating wide reaching projects for charities including Women’s Aid and Macmillan; and shooting music videos for the likes of Miley Cyrus, Rita Ora and Kelis.

As a photographer Rankin’s portfolio ranges from portraiture to documentary. He has shot The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner and Zendaya to name only a few. In 2023 Rankin photographed King Charles III to mark the monarch’s 75th Birthday for The Big Issue magazine.

As a publisher, Rankin co-founded the seminal magazine Dazed & Confused with Jefferson Hack in 1990 and has since published the likes of AnOther and AnOther Man, alongside over 40 books, and the fashion and culture publication Hunger. His photography has been published everywhere from his own publications to Elle, Vogue, Esquire, GQ, Rolling Stone, and Wonderland, and exhibited in galleries globally, including MoMA, New York, and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

Gayle Rankin, photographed by Rankin

Rankin said: “It was a thrill and a privilege to be invited to capture the extraordinary Gayle Rankin in the iconic role of the dangerous but alluring Jean Brodie. Her power as an actor brought an electric theatricality to the shoot as can be seen in the final images.

“It was fantastic to collaborate with the National Theatre of Scotland on this production, which I hope I can get to see later this year.”

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

‘Give me a girl at an impressionable age, and she is mine for life’

At the Marcia Blaine School for Girls, junior-school teacher Miss Jean Brodie is, famously, in her prime.

Each year, Brodie selects her ‘set’. The crème de la crème of girls whom she will shape through art and politics, stories of sexual liberation and titillating glimpses of the women they could become. In return, she demands utter loyalty from them all.

Witty, seductive and swirling in contradictions, Brodie’s mythical ability to invent her own truths and manipulate her girls ultimately leads her to risk everything.

In an adaptation by David Harrower, which sharpens the knives of Spark’s extraordinary work, and with a cast led by Gayle Rankin (Sally Bowles in Cabaret on Broadway, and TV’s Glow & House of The Dragon and The Greatest Showman), this visceral production takes a head-on look at the enduring moral fascination with such a beguiling and dangerous character.

“The crème de la crème of Brodie adaptations”

The Theatre Times on The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Donmar Warehouse, 2018

This is the first time that David Harrower’s adaptation of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie has been performed in Scotland, having been originally staged at the Donmar Warehouse in 2018 to critical acclaim.

The original 1966 London stage adaptation was by Jay Presson Allen (Marnie, Cabaret). Scottish productions include Pitlochry Festival Theatre in 1985 and 2009 and at The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh in 2003.

Gayle Rankin played one of the schoolgirls in The Lyceum production and this 2026 production marks her homecoming to Scotland’s stages.

Vicky Featherstone, director, said “20 years after we made our first tentative steps towards what a National Theatre for Scotland could be, I am honoured to be part of this year’s celebrations, with what is undoubtably one of the most iconic characters and stories ever written.

“It is testament to Spark that this story penned in 1961 Edinburgh, feels as sharp, as shocking, as thrilling, as alive as it did on publication and is an incredible opportunity to exalt the exceptional theatre artists and celebrate Scottish audience’s unbridled passion for theatre that gave us the courage to begin all those years ago.”

David Harrower is an Olivier Award-winning and Tony-nominated Scottish playwright and screenwriter. Plays include Blackbird (Olivier Award for Best New Play and Tony nominated), Knives in Hens, Kill the Old, Torture Their Young (Traverse Theatre), Six Characters in Search of an Author, 365, Calum’s Road (National Theatre of Scotland). Film & TV work includes Una, Outlaw King, Lockerbie: A Search for the Truth and the forthcoming The Day of the Jackal Season 2.

Vicky Featherstone was the founding Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland, and she returns to direct The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie with the company, following a decade as Artistic Director of London’s Royal Court Theatre. Theatre credits include: Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, Enquirer (National Theatre of Scotland); Shoe Lady, The Glow (Royal Court); The Outrun (Royal Lyceum Theatre for Edinburgh International Festival 2024). Her production of Krapp’s Last Tape with Stephen Rea recently played in NYC following an earlier presentation at Barbican, London and Pavilion Theatre, Dublin in 2025.

Touring in 2026 to The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh (Previews Fri 2, Mon 5-Thu 8 October) Fri 9 October to Sun 18 October; The Citizens Theatre, Glasgow Wed 21October to Sat 24 October; His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen Thu 29 October to Sat 31 October; Pitlochry Festival Theatre Wed 4 November to Sat 7 November 2026.

Impact Arts launches Holyrood Elections Manifesto

🗳️ For the first time ever, Impact Arts is launching a manifesto ahead of the 2026 Scottish elections.

Our vision: A Scotland where people and communities benefit from life-transforming creativity that tackles inequalities and addresses poverty. 🎨

CEO Fiona Doring says: “For decades, Impact Arts has seen first hand how arts-based approaches transform their lives through improving wellbeing, strengthening communities, and developing life chances.

“Ahead of the 2026 Scottish elections, we urge decision makers to recognise the arts as a vital part of building a fairer, healthier, and more connected Scotland.”

OUR MANIFESTO ASKS

📣 Scotland’s leaders, we urge you to:

1. Recognise Creative Engagement as a Public Health Approach

2. Improve Access to Creative Preventative Mental Health Approaches

3. Ensure Access to Arts-Based Therapies for Children Facing Trauma and Poverty

4. Embed Creative, Flexible and Person-Centred Approaches into Whole Family Wellbeing

5. Support Creative Ageing to Bring Joy to Later Years

6. Increase Access to Quality Arts-Based Education & Employment Programmes

7. Support Neurodiverse Young People Through Quality Arts & Creativity Projects

8. Promote Creative Home-Making as Key to Sustaining Tenancies & Preventing Homelessness

9. Celebrate Creative Placemaking

Impact Arts urges Scotland’s leaders to embed creativity across public policy. By investing in arts-based and creative approaches, we can build a more inclusive, stronger, and imaginative society.

📖 Explore our extended manifesto featuring references to research and commentary from Culture Counts, Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland, Voluntary Health Scotland, Social Biobehavioural Research Group, National Academy for Social Prescribing, Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership, The Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland, Children’s and Youth Arts Advocacy (CYAA), Scottish Autism, Homeless Network Scotland, and SURF – Scotland’s Regeneration Forum.

Read the full manifesto ➡️https://www.impactarts.co.uk/impact-arts-launches…/

#manifesto

#scottishelections

#artscharity

Luminate: Scotland’s creative ageing organisation

Scottish Federation of Housing Associations – SFHAYouthLink Scotland

Applications open for Traditional Arts & Culture Fund

The Traditional Arts and Culture Fund, previously known as Tasgadh, will open for applications at 10am today (19 January 2026). 

The fund, administered by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), offers small grants of up to £1,200 to artists, community groups, and grassroots organisations working across Scotland’s traditional music, song, storytelling, dance, crafts, indigenous languages, and wider intangible heritage.

TRACS won the Creative Scotland tender to administer the fund in October last year, with traditional crafts included for the first time as a new addition to the fund.

In 2026, the total fund available is £43k and applications for the first round close on Monday 16 February, with a second round of funding due to open on 6 April and close on 4 May. Awards of up to £1,200 are available (an increase of 20% on previous years), enabling around 18 applicants in each round to be funded the maximum amount. 

Applications can be submitted in Gaelic, Scots, and English language. All applicants are required to demonstrate a positive track record in and/or professional commitment to one or more traditional artforms, and awards are decided by a panel of traditional arts and craft specialists.

TRACS won the Creative Scotland tender to administer the fund in October last year, with traditional crafts included for the first time as a new addition to the fund. 

In 2026, the total fund available is £43k and applications for the first round close on Monday 16 February, with a second round of funding due to open on 6 April and close on 4 May. Awards of up to £1,200 are available (an increase of 20% on previous years), enabling around 18 applicants in each round to be funded the maximum amount. 

Applications can be submitted in Gaelic, Scots, and English language. All applicants are required to demonstrate a positive track record in and/or professional commitment to one or more traditional artforms, and awards are decided by a panel of traditional arts and craft specialists. 

Funding is available for the creation, performance, touring, and showcasing of traditional arts and crafts in Scotland, and for professional development and learning projects.

Previous successful projects include music classes and workshops, dance development and collaborations, composition of new music, tours, personal development projects, internships, and festivals.

Previous applicants who received awards of between £250 and £1,000 include Sangstream Scots Folk Choir celebrating the heritage of Midlothian miners in song; puirt à beul workshops for Dundee Gaelic Choir; Cabraich Community Arts’ weekly song and story cèilidhs in Stornoway; storytelling development at Glenesk Folk Museum with the Grampian Association of Storytellers; and the creation of new work in Scottish stepdance by Deiseil Airson Dannsa. 

Steve Byrne CEO of TRACS said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as the new administrators of this important fund.

“Being able to provide support to artists and organisations at all stages of their development is essential to ensuring that Scotland has a buoyant traditional arts community, and experience shows that a nimble small grants programme like this can make a huge difference to grassroots activity.

“We look forward to announcing the successful applicants in due course.” 

Catriona Hawksworth, Traditional Arts Officer at Creative Scotland said: “The newly redeveloped Traditional Arts and Culture Fund will directly benefit the tradition-bearers and communities upholding Scotland’s many traditions, and we’re delighted that the fund will support traditional crafts for the first time, alongside traditional music, storytelling and dance. 

“With increased funding, more traditional artists and practitioners will be able to boost their offerings within their local communities thanks to National Lottery funding. TRACS are expertly placed as a custodian of this crucial funding as champions of Scottish traditions with their invaluable knowledge and networks.” 

Helen Voce, panellist representing Traditional Craft said: “The Fund’s recognition of traditional crafts for the first time is welcomed and timely.

“A supporter of craftspeople in Scotland, including as a volunteer Regional Coordinator of Scottish members of Heritage Crafts,I know the Fund will make a difference to the practice of experienced and emerging practitioners alike.

“It arrives following a year that saw a number of traditional crafts practised in Scotland listed as endangered (e.g. Shinty Caman Making) and critically endangered (e.g. Highlands & Islands Thatching) on theRed List of Heritage Crafts 2025.

“And, as communities are poised to submit traditional craft practices to the Crafts Inventory of Living Heritage following the UK’s ratification of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.” 

The Traditional Arts and Culture Fund is administered by TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland), with support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland. 

More information on the fund and a video guide to completing the application form is available at www.tracscotland.org/traditional-arts-and-culture-fund/

Funding secures theatre’s future

Cumbernauld Theatre Trust receives £150,000

The Cumbernauld Theatre Trust, in North Lanarkshire, has been awarded £150,000 transition funding from the Scottish Government to help secure its future.

The funding will ensure the future of the Theatre as a going concern, so that it can continue its cultural programme and community work, while taking steps to enhance its financial sustainability and operations.

Cumbernauld Theatre Trust was the only was the only organisation to lose regular funding when Creative Scotland announced successful bidders for Multi-Year Funding in January, as a result of its application which was unsuccessful.

A record number of cultural organisations were successful in applying for Multi-Year Funding, following a £34 million increase for culture in the arts in the 2025-26 Scottish Budget. Over half of these organisations were awarded multi-year funding for the first time, and all successful applicants who previously received regular funding got a significant uplift.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The Cumbernauld Theatre is an important cultural asset for North Lanarkshire and the wider culture sector in Scotland.

“As a result of its failure to secure Multi-Year Funding, the Trust faced a critical funding gap for 2026-27, which would have required the Trust to consult on redundancies.

“Given the Theatre’s significance to the community and in order to protect the sector-specific skills it provides employment opportunities for, the Scottish Government has agreed to support the Trust with £150,000 in grant funding over 2026-27, and a potential further £150,000 in 2027-28 – subject to the Trust demonstrating its sustainability issues are being resolved.

“This funding should enable the Trust to move beyond a challenging period and take the necessary steps to secure Cumbernauld Theatre’s future.”

Alan Caldwell, Chair of Cumbernauld Theatre Trust said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson and the Scottish Government for our constructive conversations over the last few months and today’s announcement of its strategic investment in the future of this important cultural organisation.

“Their grant of £150,000 in 2026/27 and a potential further award in 2027/28 allows the Trust time to plan for a long-term sustainable future, while continuing to deliver its valuable work for residents in an area of Scotland which is under-served in terms of cultural and community opportunities.”

Creative Scotland has also agreed to give Cumbernauld Theatre Trust £99,557 in support of a programme of community engagement and work celebrating the town’s anniversary over the course of 2026.

BACKGROUND:

Multi-Year Funding Outcome Announcement | Creative Scotland

myf—organisations-awarded-funding-updated-february-2025Download

From the Highlands to Hornbill, Scottish folk takes centre stage in India

Supported by the British Council, Scottish musician RuMac is in India this week bringing the accordion to thousands of people at Hornbill festival, one of India’s largest cultural festivals

Originally from Ullapool, Ruairidh Maclean, a singer-songwriter who performs as RuMac, took to the main stage at the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland this week (Tuesday 02 December), where the United Kingdom is this year’s Country Partner for the festival.

RuMac’s performance at Hornbill marks his first visit to India. Following his festival appearance, he performed at the historic Tollygunge Club in Kolkata (Thursday, 4 December).

Nicknamed the “Festival of Festivals”, the 10-day Hornbill Festival is celebrating its 26th year and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. It is India’s largest celebration of tribal heritage, with audiences given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich traditions, music, and folklore of the Naga people.

RuMac began his solo set in front of a large projection of the Scottish flag, bringing a blend of traditional Scottish folk, Gaelic song, and a mix of genres to the Hornbill stage. Known for high-energy performances that move from traditional accordion playing to heavy rock, he has built a reputation as a unique live act that went down well with the large crowd.

RuMac said he felt proud to showcase Scottish culture internationally and saw parallels between Highland and Naga folk traditions, saying: ““I’m thrilled to be performing in India for the first time, in a part of theworld I’ve never had the chance to visit before.

“I didn’t know how the performance would go as the accordion is quite a weird instrument!  but the crowd have made me feel at home and it was brilliant.

“I’m especially looking forward to my show in Kolkata and to bring a little bit of The Highlands of Scotland along with me; hopefully they’ll like what I do! Slàinte!”

Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland, said: “It’s been brilliant to follow RuMac’s journey to Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival, which is such a significant moment in the Indian cultural calendar.

“His performance shows how music can bridge cultures and continents and we’re proud to create platforms for Scottish musicians to find new global audiences.”

The British Council has brought UK artists to Hornbill in previous editions, with the festival creating opportunities for musicians to connect with audiences and experience the rich musical traditions of Nagaland, a region whose folk heritage resonates strongly with Scotland’s own.

The visit forms part of the British Council’s ongoing work to foster cultural connections between the UK and India, creating opportunities for artists from both regions to share their work and develop new collaborations.

It continues the British Council’s work, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts and education.

RESISTANCE: North Edinburgh Fights Back

NORTH EDINBURGH ACTIVISTS GO TO TOWN

NORTH Edinburgh community activists are taking their message to town this afternoon with two events taking place at art galleries in the city centre.

The events have been built around artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen’s RESISTANCE photo exhibition, which runs at the Modern 2 gallery on Belford Road until 4th January.

First up, community stalwarts Anna Hutchison and Willie Black will reflect on campaigns past and present in a panel discussion in the National Gallery at 12.45.

With so many years of campaigning experience Anna and Willie have a host of stories to share and, having known the pair for the best part of thirty years, I’ll be there to try to keep the event running to time!

The free event is sold out, but you can still register to watch online.

Later in the afternoon, two North Edinburgh groups have been working together on an ambitious project that encapsulates North Edinburgh’s spirit of resistance.

The result of the collaboration is the Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh exhibition, which opens at The Portrait Gallery on Queen Street from 2pm today (details below).

It promises to be very good and it’s free – don’t miss it!

The details of today’s events:

RESISTANCE|NORTH EDINBURGH PANEL DISCUSSION

Free – Booking essential SOLD OUT

Book tickets

PICTURE: Craig McLean, Outside Drylaw Police station, community campaign GRASP protesting against Police harassment and violence, 2001

The Resistance exhibition chronicles 100 years of protest across Britain from 1903–2003. Using the exhibition as a starting point, activists Willie Black and Anna Hutchison alongside chair Dave Pickering, editor of the North Edinburgh News and Information Worker at Granton Information Centre, discuss North Edinburgh community activism, campaigns and actions, and their relationship and solidarity with local, national and international protests and change.

All tickets for the live event have been snapped up, but you can watch the discussion online in a streamed version of the live event.

Ticketholders will be sent a joining link before the event to either watch live or view the recording later. 

SOLIDARITY WINS: CREATIVE RESISTANCE in NORTH EDINBURGH

Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh Exhibition Launch

2pm – 4pm

National Galleries of Scotland, The Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, EH2 1J

Celebration with food, song and creative activities in the Contemporary Space of the Portrait Gallery. Art works, archive films and research material gathered by Art for Grown Ups and Royston Wardieburn Arts & Culture Group.

Join us for an afternoon of creativity, community and conversation celebrating North Edinburgh’s spirit of resistance.

As part of the Resistance exhibition, the National Galleries of Scotland’s Community Development programme has been working with North Edinburgh groups to create responsive work inspired by the area’s long history of community resistance.

Workshops have included song writing, poetry, photo-montage and exploring photographer Craig MacLean’s back catalogue of North Edinburgh activism, all of which will result in an riso-graph exhibition at the Portrait gallery in November.

As well as this North Edinburgh Arts worked with Local Cinema to programme films as part of their ‘Local Resistance’ programme.

Each screening event included a creative element, one of which included the Resistance choir performing their collaboratively penned song ‘Solidarity Wins: A Song for Greater Pilton‘, along with some well known songs on power of solidarity and friendship.

Thanks to song writing facilitator and choir leader Penny Stone and Tinderbox Jed Milroy and artists Sam Rutherford, Jj Fadaka and Megan Rudden, and all those involved so far!

The programme is a partnership with North Edinburgh Arts Art 4 Grown Ups and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s Arts and Culture Group.

IMAGE (above): Collaborative piece by Art 4 Grown Ups members, framed by Muirhouse anti-racism campaign image, 1991.

If anyone is free 2 – 4pm today, it’s the launch of ‘Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh‘ exhibition at the Portrait Gallery, which has been a collaboration between North Edinburgh Arts’ Art 4 Grown Ups project and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s Arts and Culture Group (writes HOLLY YEOMAN).

Together they have reflected and responded to North Edinburgh activism and campaigns over the years. There is a community lunch catered by Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts and we will be singing our anthem ‘Solidarity Wins: A Song for Greater Pilton‘ at around 3pm-ish(!)

The exhibition will run till April, and we welcome community groups who might want to visit. If interested please email hyeoman@nationalgalleries.org

Holly Yeoman

Soundhouse Winter Festival Kicks off next week 

Dates: Thursday 27 November to Monday 1 December 2025 

www.soundhousewinterfest.com 

There is just one week to go before the Soundhouse Winter Festival kicks off in Edinburgh, thanks to support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

The Festival Programme is packed with big names and up and coming bands from across Scotland including 2024’s Scottish Jazz Vocalist of the Year Niki King; experimental folk band Constant Follower who were longlisted for this year’s Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award; genre blending spoken word artist, rapper, and rising star Bee Asha; and guitarist Chris Amer and his Sextet (Matt Carmichael, Fergus McCreadie, Gus Stirrat, Stephen Henderson and Mhairi Marwick) performing music from their new collection Making Peace With What Is. 

The festival’s programme also includes early evening concerts with harpist and lead vocalist Dara Dubh performing fan favourites and new tracks from her forthcoming album, who will be joined by Toni McVey on drums, Eve Simpson on keys/vocals and Brad Phillips on doublebass.

Also performing will be multi-instrumentalist and folk singer Cahalen Morrison performing songs from his forthcoming album with Fergus McCreadie (keys) and Corrie Dick (drums); and jazz saxophonist Rachel Duns whose music ranges from blues and soul, to the psychedelic sounds of the 1960s. 

In addition, award-winning Scottish composer and guitarist Graeme Stephen will present his score for the 1927 silent film Metropolis, performed by Stephen on guitar and a classical string quartet led by Fiona Winning on viola with Tom Hanky (violin), George Smith (violin), and Robert Irvine (cello).

Graeme will also be giving a non-participatory masterclass in Developing Concepts for Composition, Improvisation and Practice, for learners to explore creative ways to turn their ideas into compositions.

Milele Collective who will perform as part of this year’s Spotlight concert. This young five-piece includes Alex Handyside (guitar), Zoe Downs (saxophone), bass player Ashwari Panesar, Finlay Mayers-Porras (drums) and Laura Oghagbon (vocals). 

Over the weekend, audiences will also be treated to an afternoon concert from Scottish/Egyptian instrumentalists and composers The Ayoub Sisters who rose to stardom after their debut album premiered at No.1 in the Official Classical Charts.

Plus, three emerging artists playing in this year’s Spotlight concert, showcasing the very best up and coming jazz musicians in Scotland.

They include the Milele Collective a young five-piece making waves on the Scottish scene with their jazz, latin and afro grooves; guitarist and double bass player Timmy Allan who won the BBC Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award in 2024 and this year’s Alan McAuley Jazz Award; and The Ewan Johnston Trio formed of pianist Ewan Johnston, Christopher Quinnon on bass and BBC Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year Roan Anderson on drums. 

In addition, cellist and improvisor Simone Seales will be giving an Improvisation Workshop for beginners on how to make sound without musical notation, open to amateur or experienced instrumentalists, vocalists or musicians from any other discipline.  

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers said: “After last year’s multi-genre celebration of the Scottish music scene, we are delighted to be back for our second annual Soundhouse Winter Festival.

“We’ll be presenting jazz, pop, rap, classical, soul, funk, folk, trad, and many points where those categories intersect. It will be heartwarming, life affirming and a great antidote to the November blues.

“We extend a warm welcome to all: come and be part of Edinburgh’s great music-loving community.”

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “The closes and wynds of the capital are about to come alive as the Soundhouse Winter Festival returns to Edinburgh with another excellent array of rising stars and familiar faces.

“This compact and perfectly curated programme offers plenty of opportunities to discover new talent across an extended weekend in November, with must-see gigs each and every day.

“Organised by the same people as Edinburgh’s rejuvenated Tradfest, the quality of music is guaranteed to be top-level, with something to suit all tastes.” 

Booking link for tickets – soundhousewinterfest.com

Full Line-up Announced for Soundhouse Winter Festival

Thursday 27 November to Monday 1 December 2025

www.soundhousewinterfest.com

The 2025 Soundhouse Winter Festival returns from Thursday 27 November to Monday 1 December at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, thanks to support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

The festival showcases musicians either from, or based in Scotland, and runs over St Andrews Day and the Fair Saturday weekend. The programme includes some of Scotland’s finest jazz, and trad musicians, a showcase of emerging new musicians, music workshops for adults and young people, and a silent film accompanied by live music.

Headliners include experimental folk band Constant Follower led by songwriter Steven McAll playing tracks from their latest album Let the Healing Begin which has recently been added to the long list for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) award, 2024’s Scottish Jazz Vocalist of the Year Niki King; genre blending spoken word artist, rapper, and rising star Bee Asha; andguitarist Chris Amer and his Sextet (Matt Carmichael, Fergus McCreadie, Gus Stirrat, Stephen Henderson and Mhairi Marwick) performing music from their new collection Making Peace With What Is.

In addition, award-winning Scottish composer and guitarist Graeme Stephen will present his score for the 1927 silent film Metropolis, performedby Stephen on guitar and a classical string quartet lead by Fiona Winning on viola.

The quartet is completed by Tom Hanky (violin), George Smith (violin) and Robert Irvine (‘cello). Graeme will also be giving a non-participatory masterclass in Developing Concepts for Composition, Improvisation and Practice, for learners to explore creative ways to turn their ideas into compositions.

Other highlights over the weekend include harpist and lead vocalist Dara Dubh performing fan favourites and new tracks with Tony McVey on drums, Eve Simpson on keys/vocals and Brad Phillips on doublebass.

Multi-instrumentalist and folk singer Cahalen Morrison performing songs from his forthcoming album with his freshly minted trio; and jazz saxaphonist Rachel Duns, whose music ranges from blues and soul, to thepsychedelic sounds of the 1960s.

Over the weekend, audiences will also be treated to an afternoon concert from Scottish/Egyptian instrumentalists and composers The Ayoub Sisters who rose to stardom after their debut album premiered at No.1 in the Official Classical Charts.

Plus, three emerging artists playing in this year’s Spotlight concert, showcasing the very best up and coming jazz musicians in Scotland.

They include guitarist and double bass player Timmy Allan who won the BBC Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award in 2024 and this year’s Alan McAuley Jazz Award; The Ewan Johnston Trio formed of pianist Ewan Johnston, Christopher Quinnon on bass and Roan Anderson on drums; and the Milele Collective a young five-piece making waves on the Scottish scene with their jazz, latin and afro grooves.

In addition, cellist and improvisor Simone Seales will be giving an Improvisation Workshop for beginners on how to make sound without musical notation, open to amateur or experienced instrumentalists, vocalists or musicians from any other discipline.  

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers said: “After last year’s multi-genre celebration of the Scottish music scene, we are delighted to be back for our second annual Soundhouse Winter Festival.

“We’ll be presenting jazz, pop, rap, classical, soul, funk, folk, trad, and many points where those categories intersect. It will be heartwarming, life affirming and a great antidote to the November blues. We extend a warm welcome to all: come and be part of Edinburgh’s great music-loving community.“

Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said: “The closes and wynds of the capital are about to come alive as the Soundhouse Winter Festival returns to Edinburgh with another excellent array of rising stars and familiar faces.

“This compact and perfectly curated programme offers plenty of opportunities to discover new talent across an extended weekend in November, with must-see gigs each and every day.

“Organised by the same people as Edinburgh’s rejuvenated Tradfest, the quality of music is guaranteed to be top-level, with something to suit all tastes.”

Booking link for tickets – soundhousewinterfest.com