Have you experienced loss in the past two years? Join us for gentle, creative walks, designed especially for those navigating grief.
Together, we’ll explore the local landscape through art-making, reflection and connection.
Facilitated by Caledonia Funeral Aid’s Emma Ritchie and St Columba’s Hospice’s community artist Isla Macleod, you will be warmly welcomed to share space with others who understand and find comfort in nature and community.
HILLSIDE ART GROUP’s EXHIBTION RUNS UNTIL 31st OCTOBER
Hello friends,
I’m letting you know that our art group’s new exhibition, TOUCH WOODS, is in the last week
Thursday 2nd – Friday 31st October 2025
Art & Design Department, Central Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh.
This time we’ve been exploring the theme of the forest. The works include paintings, clay footprints, sculptures, and imaginative tactile pieces. Visitors are welcome to touch and experience the art — something that is especially important to us as visually impaired artists.
It would mean a lot if you could come along, spread the word, or even bring a friend.
We have a selection of fridge magnets that are availible for donation and all proceeds will go to our materials fund.
Hope to see you there!
Hillside Art Group facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/hillsideartgroup
Youtube Alan McIntyre Studio Art channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRXJKjXf67BktrsTmhwd-sA
My Music Youtube – neonmyth channel – https://www.youtube.com/@neonmyth
INSTAGRAM – @alanmcintyrestudio
Alan McIntyre
Hillside Visual Impaired Art Group is a weekly meeting point for those who wish to practise their creative skills though visually impaired.
The group is based at the RNIB Scotland’s headquarters in Edinburgh.
Over 115 local primary school students aged between five and 11 years old are due to take part in a competition run by Fort Kinnaird to design a label for the jars of honey produced by its resident beehives.
The centre has teamed up with Niddrie Mill Primary School to host the contest, with pupils tasked with creating a label for the 100 jars of honey created by the beehives located in the service area.
Students are encouraged to put their creativity to the test, with the winner set to win a £100 voucher to spend at Fort Kinnaird and a £20 gift card for five runners up.
The competition follows pupils from Niddrie Mill visiting the beehives at Fort Kinnaird back in June, during which they learned all about the world of bees – including how they are essential to the local environment, how hives function, and what it takes to care for bees first-hand.
Fort Kinnaird runs the beehives in partnership with Colin Mackie, a local beekeeper who has tended to the beehives since they were established in May 2024.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Since our beehives were installed back in May 2024, they’ve provided fun and educational opportunities for our community and nearby schools like Niddrie Mill, while the centre’s wildflower areas support biodiversity by creating habitat for pollinators.
“We’re pleased to be continuing this with the competition and can’t wait to see all the designs the pupils of Niddrie Mill create – bringing to life the importance and impact of bees on our local environment.”
For more details and to plan your day at Fort Kinnaird, please visit:
On Friday 22 August, the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics hosted Dreaming of a Fairer Future for Culture, an inspiring event exploring the role of creativity in building a more equal and hopeful Scotland.
Chaired by Foysol Choudhury MSP, the discussion brought together an engaging panel of voices from across Scotland’s creative sector, including Katie Goh, Matthew Hickman, Claire Dufour and Jen Collins.
Together, they reflected on how creativity can drive equity, collaboration and shared resources, reimagining artists, art workers and cultural organisations as vital partners in shaping Scotland’s future.
A moving film by Indra Wilson, commissioned by Culture Counts, shared voices and aspirations of some of the people living in North Glasgow: “I am a son, a brother and an uncle.” “I am the guitar that my mother gave me.” Everyone has a story, and artists and creative minds can help us to tell them in a meaningful way.
Artist and writer Harry Mould urges us to remember that culture “isn’t caviar, it’s salt. You sprinkle it on everything because it brings out the flavour.”
The event focused not just on creativity but also on equity, shared resources and seeing artists, art workers and organisations as viable partners and collaborators.
Building on this, the discussion turned to the importance of collective action and connectivity. Speakers highlighted the many artistic projects already thriving in village halls and community spaces across the country, and the need for better data to capture and sustain this work.
As one participant put it: “Voices need to be heard, not just individual voices, but collective voices. That is how we can rally behind these efforts and make a difference.”
Reflecting on the event, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “It was a privilege to chair this conversation, and to hear how deeply culture is rooted in people’s everyday lives, whether in community halls, local projects, or the shared stories that bind us together.
“When those voices unite, they do more than celebrate creativity: they challenge inequality, demand accountability, and help shape a fairer Scotland for all.
“I am grateful to everyone who shared their perspectives, and especially to Kathryn Welch of Creative Counts, whose vision and leadership were the driving force behind this important discussion.”
The event demonstrated that Scotland’s creative community continues to be a driving force for positive change, showing that culture is not a luxury, but an essential part of building a fairer society.
Outer Spaces is revitalising communities across Scotland by turning vacant commercial properties into vibrant creative hubs.
On Saturday 23rd August, a visit facilitated by the Scottish Contemporary Art Network (SCAN) brought Foysol Choudhury MSP to the Edinburgh Art Festival Pavilion at 45 Leith Street, where he met artists from the Project Cube Studio Programme and witnessed the initiative’s impact first-hand.
Since launching in 2021, the Scottish charity Outer Spaces has been transforming unused office buildings into hubs for creativity, collaboration, and the rise of new artistic voices.
To date, it has brought more than 120 vacant properties back to life, providing free studio space for over 900 artists working across disciplines such as painting, installation, and more.
The Pavilion also houses HOST, a new six-month residency co-presented by Outer Spaces and the Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF25). HOST gives early-career artists the chance to work in the heart of the city, offering a platform for visibility and growth with support that extends well beyond the festival season.
At a time when rising studio rents and limited opportunities leave many emerging artists struggling to find a place to work, Outer Spaces is breaking down barriers.
Its work supports artists to create and connect, sustains creativity as a vital part of a fair society, and accelerates Scotland’s cultural future by nurturing new voices.
Foysol Choudhury MSP said: ““It was inspiring to see so many talented young artists confidently presenting their work. Opportunities like this don’t just happen; they’re made possible because organisations like Outer Spaces and the Scottish Contemporary Art Network open doors, providing free studio space and a platform for artists to create, connect, and thrive.
“Too often, the high cost of studios and the shortage of opportunities mean that emerging artists struggle to find resources to create. That’s why initiatives like this are so important. They give artists the chance to develop their work, build confidence, be part of Scotland’s cultural sector and shape its future.
“My thanks to Outer Spaces and SCAN for the warm welcome and for the brilliant work you do to support creativity in our communities.”
Photo credit: Neil Hanna (@neilhannaphoto)
Book artist Rachel Hazell, also known as The Travelling Bookbinder, will be taking part in the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2025 with an innovative junk journaling workshop.
The hands-on session will take place as part of the Festival’s programme, running from 9-24 August at the Edinburgh Futures Institute.
Perfectly aligned with this year’s overarching Book Festival theme of Repair, Rachel’s workshop invites participants to transform discarded ephemera into beautiful, meaningful books through the meditative art of junk journaling.
“I’m thrilled to be part of this year’s Festival and to explore how broken, forgotten, or discarded materials can be given new life and purpose,” says Rachel. “It perfectly embodies the Festival’s mission to examine ‘the many things around us which feel broken, and how we might seek to fix them.‘”
“This workshop represents the essence of what repair means in creative practice,” explains Rachel, whose acclaimed book Bound: 15 Beautiful Bookbinding Projects has inspired bookmakers worldwide.
“We’re taking fragments of the past – envelopes, festival flyers, travel tickets, magazines, brochures, old maps and maybe even an old book that has fallen apart and won’t be read again – and weaving them into new narratives.
“It’s about finding beauty in the discarded and creating something whole from the damaged or broken.”
About the Workshop
The immersive workshop offers participants the opportunity to engage in mindful making through collage, transforming everyday detritus into treasured keepsakes. While all necessary materials will be provided, attendees are encouraged to bring their own ‘found handwriting’ – personal ephemera that carries emotional resonance and hidden stories.
Drawing on her expertise in traditional bookbinding techniques combined with contemporary artistic sensibilities, Rachel will guide participants through the process of:
About Rachel Hazell – The Travelling Bookbinder
Drawing her inspiration from remote landscapes, typography, shorelines, flea-markets and remarkable literary cities, book artist Rachel Hazell takes people on creative journeys, making books and unfolding stories. Home is the city of Edinburgh and the small Hebridean island of Iona. Through The Travelling Bookbinder, she conducts bookart workshops globally, from Venetian palazzos to Nantucket libraries.
As both teacher and author, Hazell has built an international reputation for her innovative approach to bookbinding that combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary storytelling.
Her work emphasizes the transformative power of handmade books and the deep connection between physical making and emotional healing.
Her published works include the critically acclaimed Bound: 15 Beautiful Bookbinding Projects, and she offers both in-person workshops in inspiring locations worldwide and comprehensive online courses through her digital platform.
Edinburgh International Book Festival 2025
Taking place from 9-24 August, Edinburgh International Book Festival are delighted to announce our 2025 programme, with close to 700 events featuring 641 writers from 35 countries, across 6 continents. Repair is the Book Festival’s core theme for 2025, seeking to explore the many things around us which feel broken, and how we might seek to fix them.
The theme resonates across multiple dimensions – from environmental restoration to emotional healing, from social justice to personal recovery. Rachel’s workshop exemplifies this approach by demonstrating how creative practice can serve as both personal therapy and cultural commentary.
Further opportunities
Rachel also hosts workshops all over the world, from her homes in Edinburgh and Iona, to Paris, Bath and Venice.
You can find more information and booking details here:
https://www.thetravellingbookbinder.com/product-category/workshops/
To try your hand at Rachel’s craft from the comfort of your own home you can find her hugely popular e-courses here:
https://www.thetravellingbookbinder.com/product-category/e-courses/
FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2 – 4pm at GYPSY BRAE
Come along to this special Community Cycling & Walking event on Friday 20 June!
From 28th – 30th March, St James Quarter will play host to an enviable line-up of style talks, fashion shows, beauty masterclasses and more
Edinburgh STYLE will return to St James Quarter this March; bigger, bolder, and more stylish than ever before. Edinburgh STYLE 2025 will bring exciting new partners, including Pat McGrath Labs and W Edinburgh.
Set to be a vibrant celebration of fashion, design and creativity, guests can expect unmissable masterclasses, expert speakers, fashion shows and live entertainment.
Edinburgh STYLE weekend with W Edinburgh
For the first time, Edinburgh STYLE will offer a weekend package, with a two-night stay at W Edinburgh. The weekend tickets, with prices starting at £918, include exclusive access to STYLE workshops with industry luminaries, front row seats at two fashion shows, pop-up gigs, and a very special drinks reception with the Grazia team, plus VIP speakers and so much more. It’s the perfect gift for fashion-forward mums this Mother’s Day.
Book your experience here: https://www.marriott.com/offers/edinburgh-style-weekend-experience-off-154179/ediwh-w-edinburgh
Edinburgh STYLE Line-up
W Edinburgh guests and weekend ticket holders will be able to attend an incredible line-up of events across the three days, including talks from some of the UK’s fashion industry leaders and commentators.
Ex-American and UK Vogue contributing editor and novelist, Plum Sykes, will divulge some of her industry-leading knowledge; and Navaz Batiwalla – aka Disneyrollergirl – will discuss how style has influenced her career, from fashion editor to one of the first internationally recognised bloggers, to writing two ult-a stylish tomes.
Scotland’s own Iain R Webb, writer, curator and Professor of Fashion & Design at the renowned Kingston School of Art, will share his unrivalled insights into the evolution of fashion, trends and style.
CEO of Harris Tweed, Margaret Ann, will provide a unique insight into the Brand’s recent Dior partnership, and share how Harris Tweed Hebrides takes a design-led approach to collaboration and partnership. Timorous Beasties, Pam Hogg and more are also confirmed to share their stylish secrets across the weekend.
Alongside the activity at W Edinburgh, the Quarter’s Level 3 the Essential Edinburgh STYLE Lounge will play host to FREE workshops and masterclasses led by top industry insiders from some of the City’s most-loved fashion and beauty brands.
Because this year Edinburgh STYLE is being embraced by our neighbours at Multrees Walk and George Street, shoppers will be able to enjoy a wide range of in-store experiences at over 50 brands.
Susan Hewlett, Brand and Marketing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Edinburgh STYLE has been a key event for St James Quarter for the past four years, continuing to evolve with additional experiences and new collaborators. We are delighted to be joined by a new line-up of partners in 2025, who will add exciting new elements, as well as having our friends from Grazia return for a third year.
“From the ultimate fashion weekend at the W Edinburgh, to amazing shopping experiences around the Quarter, through Multrees Walk and down George Street; along with fashion talks, beauty masterclasses, runway glamour and more, – what a way to welcome spring and spoil mum! STYLE is always around the Quarter.”
Download the St James Quarter app or follow on social media for updates, sneak peeks, and more information on how to get involved in Edinburgh STYLE 2025.
Your Art World
FREE
National Galleries Scotland: National
10 May – 2 November 2025
A colourful exhibition, showcasing the artwork of creative 3–18-year-olds from across Scotland is due to open at the National gallery on 10 May.
Your Art World encourages young people across the nation to get creative, with the opportunity of having their work displayed in Scotland’s National gallery, which is home to iconic works such as The Monarch of the Glen and works by Scottish artists including William McTaggart and Phoebe Anna Traquair.
The young people are invited to be as imaginative as they liked and use any type of materials for their creations. From drawings, paintings, 3-D sculptures or video – there were no limitations on what they could make.
Plus, there is still time to submit works for display! All 3-18 year olds living in Scotland are invited to send their art for inclusion in the exhibition, all you need to do is photograph their work and upload it to the National Galleries of Scotland’s online gallery, then come along to the exhibition and see their creations featured proudly on digital screens at the National! Your Art World is a celebration of what happens when young people are encouraged to be wildly imaginative, so why not see what’s possible.
Discover physical installations created by community and school groups who have been working with the National Galleries of Scotland over the last few months. Groups involved include Redhall School in Edinburgh, Victoria Primary and Nursery in Falkirk, Oban High School and North Edinburgh’s LIFT Kids’ Club (Low Income Families Together).
The groups worked to create extraordinary displays ranging from drawings and embroideries engaging with social issues, to 3D sculptures, sensory works and vibrant abstract paintings.
Siobhan McConnachie, Head of Learning and Engagement, National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘I’m so excited and proud to be showcasing the artwork of the talented young artists of Scotland.
“The response so far has been truly inspiring and we have been so impressed with everyone’s creativity. We can’t wait to see what else is still to come! Your Art World is incredibly important to us at the National Galleries of Scotland as it hands over the creative process to young people and celebrates their work.
“Art has its place in every school, home and young person’s life, whether that be encouraging people to think creatively, use it as an expressive outlet or simply for some fun. This project and exhibition truly celebrates that art really is for everyone.’
New entries will be accepted throughout the exhibition and added to the rolling display on the digital screens every month until the end of September. All submissions can be made online.
The exhibition is part of a wider Your Art World project, designed to inspire and engage young people in art. With online resources available for teachers and families, the project supports children in creative activities. By providing tools and guidance, Your Art World demystifies the creative process and invites everyone to explore and enjoy art.
The exhibition is made possible thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
