Glasgow City Chambers hosted a special event on Thursday, 18 June to celebrate a project shining a light on the ‘voice’ of babies.Teams working on The Art of Listening to Babies Project came together to acknowledge and reflect on the work done so far.
Designed with babies as the focus, the initiative explores how arts-based practice can put their voices at the heart of their nursery environment and help them to have meaningful and responsive experiences.
The project recognises the importance of a baby’s brain development, particularly in their first 1001 days of life, and therefore the significance of every social interaction and relationship they form at that stage, as well as other ways they communicate without speaking.
Esteemed guests including nursery practitioners were welcomed and invited to share their experiences of working on the project, including carrying out research in 26 nursery baby rooms across the city.
Cllr Christina Cannon, convener for Education and Early Years, said: “Glasgow is delighted to be one of the early trailblazers of this project and learn more about what matters to the families of our youngest citizens.
“I would like to thank the dedicated nursery practitioners for the fantastic work they have done so far.
“Babies may not use words, but there is power in the way they express their feelings through movement, facial expression, gesture and sound.
“The smallest interaction can help secure attachments and support emotional wellbeing, making it vital for us to provide high-quality early years provision to support a baby’s development. It is not just about improving services, but making life changes.
“Capturing their ‘voice’ means recognising that every baby has a perspective, a right to be heard, and a right to be understood.”
Jennifer Phillips, Starcatchers’ co-CEO, said: “This project reminds us that listening starts long before words.
“Thanks to the creativity of Starcatchers’ artists, the expertise of researchers at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Queen Margaret University, inspirational Early Years practitioners, and the support of Glasgow City Council, we have gained remarkable insights into babies’ experiences of early learning and childcare.
“Most importantly, we have shown that even our youngest children can help shape policy when we take the time to understand how they communicate. The illustrated book, A Voice As Big As Any Other, being presented to participating babies is a wonderful way of recognising their contribution and demonstrating that their experiences have helped influence the future of early years services in Glasgow.”
Siobhian Brown, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, said: “It was wonderful to join the celebration and hear directly from those who have brought this project to life across Glasgow’s nurseries.
“The Art of Listening to Babies project reminds us that every baby has a voice — expressed through movement, gesture and expression — that should be truly heard and understood and that responding to that voice with care and attentiveness is one of the most important things we can do.
“I am proud that the Scottish Government is funding this innovative work through our Early Adopter Community Project, and I look forward to seeing how the insights will deepen our understanding and help shape both local and national policy across Scotland.”
The project is delivered alongside Starcatchers and funded by the Scottish Government through the All Aged Childcare, Early Adopter Project.
Rising numbers of referrals made by NSPCC to agencies in Scotland about children being left home alone
The NSPCC made 18% more referrals to Scottish agencies, including the police and children’s services, following contacts to its Helpline about children being left home alone or unsupervised last year, the charity reports as it offers parents advice with the summer holidays approaching.
In 2025/26 the Helpline, which provides help and advice for adults with concerns about the wellbeing of a child, made 197 referrals in Scotland, compared to 167 in 2024/25.
The service will refer a concern to external agencies if practitioners believe additional support or intervention is deemed necessary.
Contacts to the NSPCC Helpline from adults across the UK who were concerned about a child being left at home alone or unsupervised increased by 11% last year.
The service handled 7,452 contacts about this issue between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, compared to6,719 contacts the previous year (2024/25).
More than two fifths of these contacts (44%) were deemed serious enough for the NSPCC Helpline to make a referral to external agencies. Over a third (35%) of those referrals were made for children aged five and below.
The months with the greatest number of contacts across the UK were July and August, with 793 and 871 contacts respectively. These months can be particularly difficult for parents as they are forced to balance the competing pressures of work and childcare.
With schools across the UK breaking up in the coming weeks for the summer holidays, many adults might feel unsure about whether their child is ready to be left unsupervised or have concerns about another child being left alone.
A mother from Scotland, who contacted the NSPCC Helpline, said:“I am concerned about my children spending time alone at my ex’s house.
“We agreed they would stay with their dad during part of the school holidays, but he frequently leaves them alone even though they’re only 12 and 14 years old. He gives them money for the local shops and leaves for the day, which really worries me.
£I know the state of the house is inappropriate and dangerous. I’ve raised my concerns with him, but he either dismisses them or say he’ll clear the place and find other work that is more flexible.
“I don’t know to do – I don’t want the children to think I’m trying to stop them from seeing their father.”
There is no legal age limit for leaving children, but the NSPCC recommends not leaving a child aged under 12 years old at home alone.
Also, if a child has expressed worries about being left without a parent or carer, those should be taken seriously and respected.
Kam Thandi, Head of the NSPCC’s Helpline, said: “For many parents and carers, the long summer break can be a logistical nightmare, as they try to balance keeping their children safe and cared for with the demands of work.
“Managing these pressures may lead some to consider whether leaving their child at home alone is a practical solution.
“Even for children aged 12 and over, it’s important to make sure they feel confident about being left by themselves, and to agree in advance what they will be doing while the parent or carer is away and what they should do if anything goes wrong.
“Parents and carers can also turn to the NSPCC Helpline and website for a wide range of expert advice, information and support.”
For parents and carers of young people who are ready to remain at home unsupervised, the NSPCC has prepared advice.
Tips for parents and carers considering leaving their child alone
Being left on their own for the first time can feel just as daunting for a young person as it does for you as a parent or carer leaving them. To prepare them, it can help to talk through different situations they might face and how to handle them – for example, would they know what to do if someone knocked at the door.
Make sure they have key phone numbers written down, including the emergency services and trusted contacts like family or friends, in case they’re unable to contact you or they face an emergency.
Agree in advance what they will be doing while you are out and be clear about any rules or limits – for example, cooking can be risky and should only be done by an older child.
As a carer or parent, you should make it clear what time you expect to be back, keeping your child informed if plans change, and check in with them regularly.
Being left at home alone can be a significant adjustment, depending on the child. It is best to start with short periods – around 20 minutes – and gradually increase the time as they become more comfortable and confident.
Further advice on leaving children home alone can be found on the NSPCC website, as well as a quiz to assess if a child is ready to be left unsupervised.
Adults with concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk.
Childline is available for young people via phone on 0800 1111 and online, offering a 1-2-1 chat on the website.
As we take in the fearful effects of the worsening climate crisis and the uncertainty that takes hold of the many challenges we are facing around our planet today, looking ahead to a hopeful future can be a very daunting task.
For this, we find great importance & delight in announcing the return of this year’s Edinburgh Climate Festival, a free festival that aims to celebrate & inspirate climate action in our local communities.
A day that brings together numerous climate related organisations, projects and individuals, all looking to help positively raise awareness & work towards creating a brighter future!
The festival will be taking place at the Edinburgh Meadows, Melville Dr EH9 1ND, on Saturday 27th June 2026, from 12 to 7pm.
During the day, attendees can find a variety of free lively performances, fun workshops, art installations & themed talks, as well as wellbeing activities, facepainting and activities aimed towards younger audiences as we welcome everyone of all ages.
The festival will also be welcoming stallholders that cover topics related to circular economy, mitigation, adaptation, climate education, transport, activism, conservation and more.
As a special feature to this year’s edition is our theme: Intertwined. Following last year’s theme of Root & Rise, the question remains: what makes a forest truly strong, resilient, and nourished?
The answer lies beneath our feet, in mycelium. Mycelium is an underground root-like network of entangled threads of fungi. It creates vast connections between plants and trees serving as a shared resource for nutrients, supporting growth as well as being a magnificent communication highway, sending signals and protecting one another.
The 2026 theme embodies this ethos – supporting connection between ourselves, those around us and nature, expanding from local action to global solidarity.
A reminder that fundamentally, we are all nature.
Facing climate challenges alone can feel overwhelming. But when we recognise how deeply intertwined we are, we also recognise our shared strength.
Through collective action we can exchange ideas, re-energise, and cultivate meaningful change. Whether you’re beginning your sustainability journey or deeply rooted in climate work, you can join the festival to build a hopeful and connected community – forming a vibrant, intertwined network.
With the aim to become more sustainable as an event itself, this year the festival is also promoting different initiatives in hopes to achieve better waste reduction & improve its practices overall.
A few to highlight, is their additional single use packaging fee that will be implemented by all food vendors as well as a free raffle that aims to encourage attendees to bring their own containers, rewarding their commitment by offering a chance to win one of three prizes (which are valued at 60, 50 and 40 pounds).
Franciele Sobierai, the ECF Event Coordinator said: “The climate crisis can be daunting, leaving us feeling powerless. However, when we intertwine, work together, and support one another, we can accomplish far more.
“This is the message the Edinburgh Climate Festival aims to spread — encouraging community-driven climate action and solidarity to tackle the climate emergency.”
Scott Davidson, Deputy Director for Social Responsibility and Sustainability and Head of Sustainability at the University of Edinburgh, said: “It’s a privilege to be the Climate Champion Partner for this year’s festival.
“As climate projections become more severe, society is increasingly in a race between opportunity and dire outcomes. The University of Edinburgh is committed to playing its part in this race.
“Our sector-leading regenerative sustainability strategy ensures all students have access to meaningful education on climate and nature, and our research drives action in the circular economy, ecological regeneration and in the transition to renewables, to name just a few.
“Supporting the Festival recognises the importance we place on supporting our local community too, and our role in creating a more sustainable future for Edinburgh and beyond.”
The attractions and activities will include various artwork, free workshops, such as yoga, musical performances from Àirdan Band, SNR, Fava Beats, a circular economy fashion show, an energetic Ceilidh & much more! Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and celebrate our collective efforts towards a sustainable future!
Confirm your presence on the event here, with the option to give a donation here.
The Edinburgh Climate Festival is brought to you by Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) & Networking Key Services (NKS), through the Communities’ Reduce Reuse & Recycle (C3R) Project.
The festival is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund and is supported by the University of Edinburgh and in partnership with Caledonian Horticulture.
£15 million to help low-income households pay for childcare
Third sector organisations across Scotland are being invited to apply for a grant as part of a new £15 million Childcare Support Fund to help low-income families manage the cost of childcare.
The fund will provide short-term, flexible childcare through registered childcare providers, supporting families living in, or at risk of, poverty. This will ease the financial pressures of childcare costs which can act as a barrier to employment, training or learning.
The new fund is one of a range of measures set out in the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, Bringing Hope, Building Futures, which will help drive further progress in eradicating child poverty.
This one-year fund is designed to top up existing support – rather than replace current entitlements such as free childcare hours and Universal Credit childcare payments.
Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise Siobhian Brown said: “Every family deserves the security of knowing their child is well cared for, but for too many low-income families the cost of childcare creates real pressure at already difficult times.
“The Childcare Support Fund will help families who are struggling with childcare costs at difficult times – such as a change in job or family circumstances, to support access to training, or during a major life event like bereavement or illness.
“Organisations which are successful in applying for grants will support families to find the right childcare and help cover the cost. The fund is open to help families with children aged from nine months to the end of primary school.
“I would urge relevant third sector organisations to apply, and I look forward to seeing this funding reach the families who need it most over the coming months.
“By the end of this Parliament we will be delivering a brand new offer of childcare for families 52 weeks a year. This will reduce the cost burden and ensure our childcare system is flexible to suit family life.”
We are aware of recent concerns involving groups of young people in the Pennywell and West Granton area. Our investigations have now identified 14 young people linked to 52 offences.
They and their parents/carers have been spoken to and referrals are being made to Child Protection and Youth Justice partners.
Thank you to everyone in the community who has helped us.
We remain committed to tackling behaviour that affects your quality of life and to working with partners to support young people towards safer, more positive choices.
Scotland’s 32 chief social work officers issue rare joint statement urging action from political leaders to tackle ‘crisis’ in care system they say has led some social workers to take children home with them because of the shortage of placements
Scotland’s care system is in a state of emergency due to an acute placement shortage that has, in some cases, led to social workers taking children home with them.
It was also “placing undue and unsustainable pressure on the people entrusted with keeping Scotland’s children, young people and adults safe”, said the statement, published by leadership body Social Work Scotland.
The CSWOs said the the shortage of placement options had led to:
Social workers having to take children home with them in some parts of the country.
Newborn babies remaining in the care of hospital nurses.
Children as young as three being placed in residential care alongside young adults.
Older children sleeping on the sofas of foster carers and residential homes.
Children who do not have high needs being placed in expensive specialist provision making it unavailable for those who need it.
Foster carers going many months without a break.
They described the care system as “saturated” and said it would have collapsed entirely without “the incredible efforts of Scotland’s carers, social work staff and other professionals”.
“This is an emergency for Scotland’s care system, and we ask Scottish Government and local government leaders to work with us to take necessary action.”
The CSWOs asks for:
To have the flexibility to authorise placements which they deem suitable to protect the welfare and wellbeing of children.
The rapid implementation of commitments already made by political leaders to “alleviate the administrative demand on social work”.
The statement referenced The Promise – the pledge that all children in Scotland would grow up loved, safe and respected by 2030 – which the Scottish Government is seeking to achieve through a raft of policies.
“We share these ambitions wholeheartedly,” said the CSWOs. “But the primary responsibility of public authorities is to protect the welfare and wellbeing of people, and if we are unable to do this fundamental task, those ambitions will never be realised.”
THE CSWOs STATEMENT IN FULL:
Across Scotland there is now an acute shortage of suitable homes and carers for children who are unable to remain in the care of their family. The lack of options increases the risk of harm to children from physical, sexual, emotional abuse or exploitation and neglect, as well as placing undue and unsustainable pressure on the people entrusted with keeping Scotland’s children, young people and adults safe.
The crisis is occurring at a time of growing concerns about the impact of poverty on families, a shortage of housing, and national attention on child sexual abuse and exploitation.
We, Scotland’s thirty-two Chief Social Work Officers, are therefore taking this unusual step of issuing a joint statement to ensure that the public and political leaders are aware of the situation, and the need for urgent action.
In the absence of placement options, newborn babies are remaining in the care of hospital nurses. Children as young as three years old are being placed in residential homes with young adults; a setting characterised by frequently changing staff and other young people.
Older children are sleeping on the sofas of foster carers and residential homes. And in such scarcity, where any safe placement will do, expensive specialist options are being used for children who do not have high levels of need, making them unavailable for those children who do.
The capacity of the care system is saturated, and it is only thanks to the incredible efforts of Scotland’s carers, social work staff and other professionals that we have been able to prevent the system collapsing entirely.
Some carers have not had a break in many months, and in some parts of the country social workers have had to take children home with them, as no other safe options are available. This is an emergency for Scotland’s care system, and we ask Scottish Government and Local Government leaders to work with us to take necessary action.
Principally, we – as the leaders of social work in local government – require the flexibility to authorise placements which we deem suitable to protect the welfare and wellbeing of children. We also need to see political commitments to alleviate the administrative demand on social work implemented at pace.
Scotland aspires to be among the best places in the world to grow up, no matter what your background or circumstances. And Scotland has made a promise to those children and families who require social work support that the experience will be positive and nurturing. We share these ambitions wholeheartedly.
But the primary responsibility of public authorities is to protect the welfare and wellbeing of people, and if we are unable to do this fundamental task, those ambitions will never be realised.
Siobhian Brown, minister for children, young people and The Promise, said she took the issues raised by the statement “very seriously” and had asked to meet with Social Work Scotland “as a priority to discuss their concerns”.
“Any child or young person who cannot live at home, regardless of their age, must be able to stay in a safe, stable and caring environment,” she added.
“However, I recognise that significant pressures remain, and we will work closely with Social Work Scotland and other partners to ensure we have the right placements across the country for children and young people.”
Scottish Association of Social Work professional officer Susan Dobson said: “The dedication of the workforce to those they support is clear, but social workers having to take children home because there is nowhere else for them to go cannot be normalised.
“This environment has potentially catastrophic consequences for those children.
“The immediate needs of children must be the priority, and we must support the profession’s leadership to provide for them in the short-term. In the long-term, there must be significant changes to resourcing and funding for services to protect and care for vulnerable children and young people.”
COSLA’s children and young people spokesperson, Tony Buchanan, said:“The issues highlighted point to real and growing risks for children and young people, for families, and for the workforce who are going above and beyond to keep people safe.
“Local government is committed to working closely with Social Work Scotland, the Scottish Government and partners to deliver both urgent action and longer term solutions… Without stabilising system capacity, there is a risk that the progress we all want to see for children and families will not be achievable.”
Joanne Smith, NSPCC Scotland policy and public affairs manager, said: “It is deeply concerning to hear from social work professionals that Scotland’s care system is in a state of emergency. The situations they describe highlight how overstretched the system has become.
“Every child who cannot live safely at home must have access to safe, consistent, nurturing and responsive care as early as possible. We have overwhelming evidence that failing to provide timely, high-quality care for children who have experienced early adversity can have devastating and lifelong consequences.
“A lack of suitable placements means that babies and children are left in unsafe, unstable, or inappropriate situations that harm their wellbeing immediately and can have lasting effects on their mental health, relationships and life chances.
“This must be a turning point. We need urgent action to increase the number of suitable foster placements, ensure better support for professionals and carers, and invest in early help so that fewer families reach crisis point in the first place.
“The Scottish Government has committed to keeping The Promise. To deliver its ambitions we must see much greater recognition that how we treat children at the start of their care journey could massively impact their life chances.
“Without immediate and sustained investment, we risk failing those children who are most vulnerable and need our protection the most.”
Inspiring local youngsters to become the next generation of eco-champions
Utilita is thrilled to announce the launch of its Summer Sustainability Club, a free programme of fun, hands-on activities for children and families, taking place across all 12 high street Energy Hubs during the school holidays.
Designed to inspire the next generation of eco-champions, the Summer Sustainability Club blends creativity, education and play to help children understand sustainability in an engaging and accessible way.
The initiative builds on Utilita’s award-winning High 5campaign, which encourages households to adopt simple, everyday behaviours to save energy, reduce waste and lower bills.
On Thursday, 16 July (2pm to 3:30pm) and Friday, 31 July (10am to 11:30am) children visiting the Utilita Energy Hub (at 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA) will be able to take part in a Build-a-Robot from Waste workshop.
Children will transform everyday rubbish into imaginative robot creations, learning how waste materials can be repurposed. Each participant will name their robot and explain how it can help their family and the planet.
Donna Hall, Partnerships Manager at Utilita, said: “We love to support our communities and regularly run child-friendly activities across holiday times. We strongly believe that children should have access to experiences that spark their imagination and creativity.
“Through our Summer Sustainability Club, we’re sharing what we’ve learned from our eco programme in a fun, interactive way to ignite children’s interest in sustainability and maybe even inspire them to consider green jobs of the future.”
A key part of the programme is the support and expertise provided by Utilita’s Energy Hub Eco Experts, who are on hand to guide families through each activity, offer practical advice and share simple ways to reduce energy use at home. These specialists play a vital role in helping communities build sustainable habits, ensuring that lessons learned during the workshops can be carried into everyday life.
The Summer Sustainability Club reinforces Utilita’s commitment to community engagement, education and environmental responsibility. By combining hands-on learning with real-world advice, the initiative aims to empower families to make small, meaningful changes that contribute to a more sustainable future.
All activities are free to attend and open to children of all ages. Families are encouraged to visit their local Energy Hub to get involved.
Returning for its ninth year, the hugely popular Awesome Bricks event lands at East Lothian’s National Museum of Flight this Father’s Day weekend, 20-21 June.
Families and fans of all ages are invited to enjoy a brick-tastic weekend packed with creativity, hands-on fun, and aviation inspiration at the Museum, located on the historic wartime airfield at East Fortune, between Haddington and North Berwick.
Created in collaboration with LEGO® experts Warren and Teresa Elsmore, this year’s event promises even more building brilliance. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s inaugural journey in 1976. Visitors can help create a giant mosaic of Concorde underneath the iconic aircraft itself.
From hands-on build zones to unique LEGO® fan displays, Awesome Bricks is packed with interactive engineering experiences which will delight children, parents, and AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO®) alike. Visitors can compete in speed-building challenges and drive a LEGO® train around the tracks.
Steve McLean, General Manager, National Museum of Flight said: “We are delighted to see Awesome Bricks return to the National Museum of Flight for a weekend of invention, creativity and fun.
“As this year marks the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s historic first commercial flight, it is fitting that our big build is a mosaic of this aircraft. Combined with the chance to learn about flight and see the magnificent aircraft in our collections, this event offers a wonderful day out that the whole family can enjoy together.
Awesome Bricks 2026 highlights include:
Brick build zone: Let your creative talents run free with 70,000 LEGO® bricks.
Make a mosaic: Help us build our giant mosaic image of Concorde right next to the real aircraft!
AwesomeVille: Welcome to AwesomeVille! Build your dream house and add it to our growing awesome LEGO® town, including DUPLO® Little Awesomeville for under 5s.
LEGO® train layout: Choose your controller and drive a LEGO® train around the tracks.
LEGO® fan zones: See unique models and tiny worlds created by talented AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO®).
Speed Build Challenge: Race against friends, family or other visitors to see who is fastest in our LEGO® speed build challenge. Can you top the leaderboard?
Visitors can board Concorde, explore four historic wartime aircraft hangars packed with exciting displays telling stories of a century of aviation, and become aeronautical engineers in the family friendly Fantastic Flight gallery.
East Fortune’s wartime heritage is brought to life in the Museum’s Fortunes of War exhibition, and visitors can step back in time by exploring the recently restored Second World War blast and air raid shelters.
Awesome Bricks
Sat 20 – Sun 21 Jun (Father’s Day weekend) 10:00 – 17:00 National Museum of Flight Tickets from £17, book in advance to save
Nearly 600 writers from 41 countries gather in Edinburgh from 15–30 August for the 2026 Edinburgh International Book Festival
Over 600 events span fiction, politics, science, history, music, and live performance in a 16-day curated programme
At a time of intense polarisation and entrenched positions, our 2026 theme Changing Your Mind invites audiences to stay open and curious, championing deep listening and celebrating our capacity to evolve our thinking, informed by a range of reliable experts and diverse perspectives
The Festival brings together a carefully curated programme of voices, experts, and ideas, to create space for informed, nuanced public conversation, and encourage new and alternative thinking – a much-needed alternative to debate driven by reaction and polarisation
Major public figures include former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, technology writer Cory Doctorow, best-selling author Michael Pollan, and award-winning poet Claudia Rankine, alongside leading writers from across the world
A landmark rare event brings one of the bestselling writers of all time, John Grisham, and iconic Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin together on stage, crowning The Front List line up at the McEwan Hall. The roster also includes Tom Holland, David Olusoga, Diana Gabaldon, Kiran Desai and Kae Tempest.
Other renowned fiction writers appearing include Maggie O’Farrell, Ann Patchett, Ali Smith, Jenni Fagan, Colm Toíbín, Matt Haig, Louise Welsh, Nao-Cola Yamazaki, Candice McCarty-Williams, Ben Lerner, and 2026 International Booker Prize winner Yáng Shuāng-zi
Greyfriars Kirk becomes a Book Festival venue for the first time, hosting Scotland to the World – a new series connecting leading Scottish writers Ali Smith, Len Pennie, Kathleen Jamie, and William Dalrymple with international musicians, artists and performers.
A strong focus on trust and information runs across the programme, with journalists, analysts and researchers examining misinformation, data, and global narratives, including The New Yorker’s Fergus McIntosh, The News Agents podcast co-host Lewis Goodall, and journalist Yi Ling Liu
The Festival explores the AI revolution and its regulation, with pioneers in the development of AI tools and their application – including Steve Crossan, part of the original DeepMind team; Sarah Wynn-Williams, former Director of Public Policy at Facebook; and Tim Wu, inventor of the term ‘net neutrality’ – weighing its impact and risks
Global Ink convenes 20 cultural leaders from five continents, reinforcing the Festival’s role as an international meeting point for ideas
BBC collaboration transforms the Spiegeltent into a daytime broadcast hub (17–21 August), with live and recorded programming on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds
The Festival’s Young Adults programme returns for its second year, bringing together leading YA authors such as Juno Dawson, Samantha Shannon, and Holly Bourne with performance, spoken word and interactive events tailored for audiences under 30 More than 150 events for children and families, with a Schools programme supporting around 5,000 pupils through free tickets for those in need, transport and books
New partnership with LNER delivers a reimagined Kids Zone with free activities every day of the Festival
Livestreamed and Pay What You Can events, alongside library streaming, extend access across Scotland and beyond
The Edinburgh International Book Festival returns to Edinburgh Futures Institute from 15–30 August with one of its most relevant and international programmes to date.
In a moment of increasing global polarisation, the 2026 Festival – with a hero theme of Changing Your Mind – brings together almost 600 writers from 41 countries for 16 days of ideas, literature, conversation, and performance.
The Festival is where books and words spark new thinking, forge connections across borders, and generate conversations that matter.
The 2026 programme spans the full breadth of contemporary writing – world-class fiction and nonfiction, a rich programme for children and young people, food, poetry, and live performance – with a special focus on how we engage with the world’s biggest questions: from geopolitics and the flow of global power, to the nature of consciousness, the reliability of information, and how we live well together.
The theme, Changing Your Mind, runs through the programme as an invitation to listen, reconsider, and discover something new, unfolding across strands exploring public debate, new thinking in science and consciousness, and the role of stories and art in reshaping how we understand one another.
Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh International Book Festival, pictured outside the Book Festival’s home at Edinburgh Futures Institute. Photo credit Aly Wight.
Jenny Niven, Director of Edinburgh international Book Festival, said: “Our theme ‘Changing Your Mind’ speaks to the moment we’re in.
“At a time when opinions seem increasingly polarised and online debate is so divisive, we’re creating space for thoughtful, nuanced conversations – exploring the reasons for our increasing social and political divides, and how we might change each others’ minds, or at least agree to disagree, more agreeably.
“We’re also looking at the potential of the human brain to adapt and relearn, and at the unparalleled power of stories to change our thinking.
Changing your mind is a lifelong process of staying open to new ideas. By bringing amazing speakers and curious audiences together, around knowledge and perspectives that help us challenge our assumptions and see the world differently, we hope the Festival programme this year will help us gain a deeper understanding of both ourselves and each other.”
ARE YOU OPEN TO CHANGING YOUR MIND?
As the world becomes ever more polarised, and opinions increasingly entrenched, we’ve reached a moment where to change your mind is seen as a sign of weakness, or even disloyalty – this year’s key theme seeks to reframe that. A wide range of experts, across three thematic strands, share reliable information and nuanced perspectives, encouraging audiences to think both critically, and flexibly, on a number of prescient topics – and maybe even change their minds about their current stances as they learn more, and expand their understanding.
Can You Change Your Mind? explores how we form and revise our views – featuring internet pioneers Sarah Wynn-Williams, Jimmy Wales and Cory Doctorow on the development of the web, and leading political voices including Gordon Brown, Jeremy Hunt and former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin on the forces shaping our world today. Practical workshops offer tools for more open and productive dialogue.
Consciousness Now looks at how our understanding of the mind is being transformed – with Michael Pollan and Anil Seth in conversation about what remains distinctively human in a machine-led world, and Gwen Adshead and Orlando Swayne on the brain’s remarkable capacity for adaptation and recovery.
Stories That Change Us celebrates reading as a route to new perspectives, with Daisy Fancourt and choreographer Wayne McGregor examining how the arts support wellbeing and cognition, and Claudia Rankine and Kiran Desai sharing the books that have shaped their lives and work.
INFORMATION WE CAN TRUST
The Festival has a long-standing commitment to trusted, verifiable sources and data – and this year’s Good Information strand brings together journalists, analysts and researchers to examine how we know what we know. Sir John Curtice examines what data tells us about Britain’s electorate today; Fergus McIntosh, who runs The New Yorker’s fact-checking department, discusses rigour in modern journalismwith The News Agents podcast host Lewis Goodall; while journalist Yi Ling Liu takes audiences behind the Great Firewall for a fascinating account of China’s internet.
The New World Orders strand brings together leading voices in economics, law and politics – including former US State Department official Edward Fishman and Oxford economist Carl Benedikt Frey on the shifting flow of global money and power, and Rana Dasgupta and Ece Temelkuran on borders and displacement.
More widely, nonfiction programming this year includes discussions on topics as wide-ranging as the World Cup (Simon Kuper, who has attended every one since 1990), designing cities for the future (Gabriella Bennett), bringing data to life with design (Mona Chalabi), and using the law as a framework to navigate and protect our rights, with Baroness Brenda Hale.
GLOBAL CONVERSATIONS
At the Festival, a book is just the beginning, and a starting point for conversations that reach far beyond the page – and that spirit is at the heart of this year’s programme.
Scotland to the World is a special series at Greyfriars Kirk – the first time the venue has been part of the Book Festival – bringing together Scottish writers including Ali Smith, William Dalrymple, Kathleen Jamie, and Len Pennie with artists and performers from Japan, India, the Netherlands and the United States. Supported by the new Expanded Festivals Fund, the series reflects Edinburgh’s status as a global meeting point for culture, and Scottish writers as our ambassadors.
Highlights include a highly experimental production created by pairing Kathleen Jamie’s writing with performance from Japan’s Noh Reimagined theatre company, alongside leading musicians Aidan O’Rourke and Brìghde Chaimbeul; and Dutch contemporary classical collective New European Ensemble presenting four new pieces inspired by Ali Smith’s Seasonal Quartet, with the author reading alongside.
The Front List, presented in partnership with Underbelly at McEwan Hall, forms one of the programme’s flagship strands: a curated series of large-scale events bringing leading writers, journalists, historiansand performers into in-depth conversation on some of the most pressing questions of our time.
Highlights include Diana Gabaldon marking 35 years of Outlander, Pulitzer and Booker Prize winners including Colson Whitehead, Douglas Stuart (hot on the heels of his Oprah appearance), and Kiran Desai, as well as conversations with voices such as Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, Cory Doctorow and the BBC’s Lyse Doucet.
Fiction this year ranges from Colm Tóibín and Maggie O’Farrell to recent International Booker Prize winners Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and Lin King, and international stars Daniyal Mueenuddin and Japanese literary sensation Mieko Kawakami, with Scottish voices including Fern Brady, Jenni Fagan and Graeme Armstrong.
This August also sees a landmark pairing: John Grisham – whose books have sold over 500 million copies worldwide, with more than 50 consecutive number-one bestsellers and translations into almost 50languages – joins Ian Rankin for an event marking Grisham’s first visit to the Festival.
It is a rare chance to see the godfather of the legal thriller genre with one of the biggest names in contemporary crime writing together on stage, celebrating the accessibility of books and highlighting this year’s status as a National Year of Reading.
A limited number of VIP tickets will offer audiences the chance to enjoy a pre-event drinks reception with Ian Rankin, with proceeds supporting the Festival’s charitable aims, including its communities and Schools programmes.
BUILDING INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
The Festival’s international reach extends well beyond its programme. Global Ink, the Festival’s industry forum, reaches a new milestone in 2026 – spanning five continents for the first time, bringing senior figures from 20 of the world’s leading festivals and cultural organisations together for three days of exchange and collaboration with the support of Scottish Government EXPO funding. Now in its third year, Global Ink reflects the Festival’s role as a global meeting point for ideas and the people who champion them.
A multi-year creative partnership with Celtic Connections continues, with The Golden Road – inspired by William Dalrymple’s award-winning book – which premiered at Celtic Connections in January 2026developing into an expanded Festival performance in August.
This year, the BBC will use the Spiegeltent as a base for wider Festival coverage, curating its own selection of content and voices for broadcast on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, bringing the atmosphere of theFestival to national and international audiences.
COMMUNITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND ACCESSIBILITY
In the National Year of Reading, the Festival maintains its commitment to bringing the benefits of reading to all. New research shows fewer than 1 in 5 children currently read daily; 1 in 4 children do not reach the expected reading level by age 11. Both within the National Year of Reading, and as a long-term commitment, the Festival creates environments where reading is fun, sociable and imaginative, rather than solely educational.
Twenty percent of this year’s programme is for children and young people, with more than 150 events for families alongside a Schools programme supporting around 5,000 pupils each year through free ticketsfor pupils in need, transport support, and a free book for every participant, supported by Claire and Mark Urquhart. Authors appearing include Cressida Cowell, Julia Donaldson, Neill Cameron, and Jodie Ounsley of Gladiators fame, while the LNER Kids Zone and Families Hangout offer creative activities and relaxed reading spaces designed for all ages, with free events daily.
A dedicated Young Adults programme for readers aged 30 and under includes BookTok sensation Jack Edwards bringing his Inklings Book Club to life as a live podcast, alongside YA authors Juno Dawson, Samantha Shannon, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Holly Bourne, and a range of special pop-up events let audiences connect with one another and make new friendships.
The Festival’s year-round Communities Programme works to address literacy inequality and social isolation. Paper Trails, the flagship five-year library initiative launched by HM Queen Camilla in 2025 and developed with City of Edinburgh Council, works with five Edinburgh libraries through co-created creative programming.
This August, events will be livestreamed free to libraries across 20+ Scottish local authorities (up from 13 LA’s in 2025), including as far afield as Shetland. Community work will also be visible throughout the Festival in the Communities Cabaret, the Where We Are exhibition featuring work by Edinburgh College of Art students, and writing from young people at Spartan Foundation’s Alternative School, as well as in visits to hospitals and prisons by a range of authors.
Events will continue to be livestreamed globally with a Pay What You Can model helping to widen access, alongside live and AI captioning, British Sign Language provision and events designed for audiences with learning disabilities.
Lyse Ducet, Chief International Correspondent and senior BBC presenter
FURTHER PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
How to Live a Meaningful Life offers warmth and perspective: Waterstones Children’s Laureate and the first ever Children’ Booker Prize judge Frank Cottrell-Boyce discusses protecting childhood, Prue Leithreflects on the pleasures of ageing, and philosopher Julian Baggini celebrates the meaning of coffee – with a tasting from Santu Coffee.
Table Talks returns with the chance to share a meal with writers including Ella Risbridger, Yasmin Khan, Jess Elliott Dennison, Meera Sodha, Michelin-starred chef Santiago Lastra and former Ottolenghi pastry chef Helen Goh.
Poetry ranges from Loud Poets’ Grand Slam Final and Push the Boat Out’s Open Mic Night to Simon Armitage, Hanan Issa and Peter MacKay – the UK and Welsh Poet Laureates and Scottish Makar – on the idea of national poetic identity.
The Festival’s Spiegeltent programme includes a new edition of Buffy’s Book Club, a celebration of 50 years of Scottish punk with Caledonia Screaming, and Hamish Hawk performing the Festival-commissioned Life in a Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 0, following a UK tour and sold-out Glasgow show.
Workshops cover war reporting with Sally Hayden, translation with Polly Barton, Tarot as a writing tool with Jill Dawson, and – building on the Festival theme – open conversations with Sarah Stein Lubranoand deep listening with Emily Kasriel.
