The city council is improving the roads, pavements and drainage at Lawnmarket – between Castlehill and George IV Bridge – and Upper Bow. Work is due to start on 23 September 2024 and end in July 2025.
The improvement work includes the reconstruction of the existing natural stone setts on the streets, and will improve walking and road conditions, whilst enhancing road safety.
This will take place in four phases, which will be completed consecutively. Work will take place Monday to Saturday typically between the hours of 7.30am and 5pm.
Phase 1: 23 September – December 2024 Upper Bow – full length. Upper Bow will be closed. The Lawnmarket will continue to operate eastbound only.
Phase 2: December 2024 – February 2025 Lawnmarket – roundabout area. Road closed at the roundabout area with no through route for vehicles. Access may still be available from George IV Bridge. Deliveries to Castlehill will be via Ramsay Lane.
Phase 3: March – April 2025 Road closure of the eastern half with no through route for vehicles. Local access to the western half and Castlehill can be obtained via Johnston Terrace.
Phase 4: May – July 2025 Road closure of the western half with no through route for vehicles. Local access via Johnston Terrace – some access may be available from George IV Bridge.
Pedestrian access to the area will be maintained at all times, restrictions will be placed on vehicle access. Eastbound traffic will be maintained during phase 1, but Lawnmarket will be closed to through traffic from December 2024.
Access will be maintained at all times for emergency services vehicles.
Temporary parking restrictions will be introduced to make sure the work is done safely, with on-street signage providing details of specific restrictions.
Full details on bus access, diversion routes, loading and servicing are available on our website.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Maintaining and enhancing our streets is a key priority and I’m proud that we’re taking these steps to make improvements in the Lawnmarket area.
“The Old Town is world famous for its setts and cobblestones and we need to preserve these for the future. I appreciate these works may cause some disruption for our residents, businesses and visitors so I’d like to thank them for their patience.”
Throughout the works the council says it will monitor progress and keep residents and businesses updated.
With the summer festivals season fast approaching, we’re making temporary changes to the way some of our streets in the Old Town operate between 15 July and 30 September 2024.
We know that residents, businesses and visitors face challenges in the Old Town during the busy summer festival period.
To make the streets easier and safer to walk around, we are putting in place temporary arrangements between 15 July and 30 September 2024.
You can find more information on roadworks and travel disruptions by following Edintravel on
There will also be short-term restrictions for other events. Information on those restrictions will be published on street and at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/edintravel as and when they are available.
If you have any questions about these closures, please email us. This mailbox will be monitored regularly during working hours and we will respond as quickly as possible.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Whilst we’re rightly proud to be welcoming performers and visitors from all over the world for our summer festivals, we need to make sure this influx is managed safely and properly.
“We’ve made temporary successful changes to streets in the Old Town during this period for a number of years and I’m sure this summer will be no different.
“I’d like to thank our residents and businesses for their understanding as we get ready to showcase Edinburgh as the world’s cultural capital once again.”
Blue Badge holders
Blue Badge holders can park at all Pay and Display, Shared Use, yellow lines (without loading prohibition) free of charge and without time limit. Blue Badge holders can also get a free residents’ parking permit if they do not already have one.
Home deliveries
If you are planning any shopping or other deliveries to your home, you should organise for them to arrive when the streets are open. Outside these times, and in some closed streets, delivery drivers may need to park some distance away from you. We would be grateful if you could make sure that your delivery drivers/companies are aware of the changes. Goods delivered by bike or on foot will not be affected.
Loading and servicing for businesses
You will need to make sure that your business waste collections are completed before the affected streets close. You may have to place your waste collection in an alternative location.
We have contacted trade waste companies to make them aware of these changes.
The changes also mean that loading and servicing must take place during the period the streets are open, generally overnight between 7pm and 10.30am.
Outside of these times, and in some closed streets, suppliers and delivery drivers may need to park some distance away from your location to make deliveries.
Please make sure that your supplier or delivery drivers are aware of the changes and the potential impacts on their delivery schedules.
Places of worship
If you need closer access for worship or ceremonies during vehicle-free hours, email us in advance to let us know what you need. Our team will work hard to try to help wherever possible.
Special arrangements
We realise there may be a few specific, one-off reasons where you may need to arrange for vehicle access – for example if you are moving into a new property and need access for a removals vehicle. In these instances, please email us in advance.
We recognise that these changes may impact on your daily activities and we are extremely grateful for your patience and support with making Edinburgh a welcoming city.
If you have any questions about these closures, please email us at:
Special preview of daring new horror film will screen at Edinburgh’s Cameo Cinema on Thursday 11 July in celebration of the launch of this year’s EIFF programme and tickets going on sale
The relaunched Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has announced a special pre-festival, preview midnight screening of Chris Nash’s audacious and utterly thrilling arthouse slasher, In A Violent Nature, on Thursday 11 July.
The screening follows the EIFF programme which will launch on Wednesday 10 July at 5pm, with tickets going on sale at 12 noon on Thursday 11 July.
In A Violent Nature is a viscerally original and breathlessly entertaining dissection of the slasher genre which mashes together the poise of Gus Van Sant with the carnage of Jason Vorhees in a film that approaches its brutally direct story from the killer’s point of view.
Taking place at this year’s cinema hub, the Cameo Cinema on Home Street, one of the original venues for EIFF and home to some of its most iconic moments, the special preview screening of In A Violent Nature will give audiences a taste of EIFF’s brand new Midnight Madness programming strand that will run throughout the festival in August. Tickets to the screening are now on sale via the Cameo Cinema website.
The film had its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and will be released by Altitude in the UK and Ireland on Friday 12 July.
EIFF has recently announced that the opening night film of its 2024 festival will be Nora Fingscheidt’s (System Crasher) adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s best-selling memoir, The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan (Ladybird, Brooklyn).
Alongside this, EIFF has announced the name of its short film competition as The Thelma Schoonmaker Prize for Short Filmmaking Excellence. Thelma Schoonmaker is celebrated for her iconic work as an editor on landmark moments in cinema history, collaborating on such films as Killers of the Flower Moon and Goodfellas.
This year’s 77th edition of the Festival honours the film festival’s history, showcasing the very best talent in filmmaking in a format rooted in a local Scottish context whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression.
The Film Festival encourages general audiences, film fans and industry professionals to make the trip this summer to Edinburgh, which is universally recognised as a place of beauty, history, discovery and adventure.
EIFF Director, Paul Ridd said: ‘The team is so thrilled to be launching Midnight Madness this year as part of the fabric of our new EIFF.
“Each night of the Festival we’ll be launching top notch horror films, action films and comedies from all over the world late into the night, and we can’t wait to announce the line up.
“In the meantime, this taster of the experience at the Cameo will be a total trip. In A Violent Nature is one of the most exciting and original new horror films of the year, and a total joy to experience its gory brilliance with an audience. Bring it on.’
From August 15 to August 21 2024, the 77th edition of EIFF will take place at unique venues in Edinburgh, including Summerhall and the historic Cameo cinema, allowing audiences to seamlessly experience the best of the Fringe along with the world-class programme of cinema at EIFF.
Submissions to EIFF have now closed with more information being found atwww.edfilmfest.org.
Helmed by Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the team aims to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. Former Acquisitions Executive Ridd is supported by an expanding Board, including Chair Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; and Amy Jackson, producer of last year’s BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun. EIFF 2024 is supported by Screen Scotland.
The EIFF programme launches on Wednesday 10 July at 5pm, with tickets on sale at 12noon on Thursday 11 July.
LOTHIAN MSP CALLS FOR CRISIS SUMMIT ON FESTIVAL FUNDING
Foysol Choudhury, list MSP for Lothian and Shadow Culture Minster for Scottish Labour, has today pressed the Scottish Government to heed Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding.
Mr Choudhury questioned the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Angus Robertson MSP, in the Scottish Parliament’s Chamber today (15th May 2024).
MSP Choudhury said: “Although the Scottish Government may claim to support Scotland’s cultural sector, the situation on the ground is very different.
“It is clear that Scotland’s cultural sector is under enormous pressure, with cultural organisations crying out for support and venues and festivals under threat.
“Yet, the Scottish Government still won’t heed Scottish Labour’s calls for a crisis summit on festival funding.
“We need the concrete action of a festivals crisis summit now, not more weak platitudes from the Scottish Government.”
MSP Choudhury also raised concerns about the Scottish Government’s structure and governance and how this is impacting the culture sector.
Mr Choudhury echoed his Labour colleague Neil Bibby’s sentiments, which Mr Bibby raised in the Scottish Parliament today, about the Cabinet Secretary’s conflict of interest.
As Mr Robertson is MSP for Edinburgh Central, and Edinburgh is a major cultural hub, the Labour MSPs argue that the Cabinet Secretary should recuse himself from cultural matters pertaining to Edinburgh.
Something which will be made very difficult, they say, as there is now no specific Culture Minister in John Swinney’s new Scottish Government.
Mr Choudhury said: “Yet again we are seeing the Scottish Government’s contempt for culture as the Culture Minister role has been disposed of-meaning the Cabinet Secretary will have no Minister focused specially on culture to pass Edinburgh based cultural matters to, instead having to rely on the Deputy First Minister to pick up the pieces.
“This is not the first time we have seen the Scottish Government’s poor governance choices impact our cultural sector-whilst Creative Scotland funding is at a standstill level, the Scottish Government have been wasting nearly £2 million on staffing for the “Building New Scotland” Papers.
“Now that the Minister for Independence has been scrapped, which will hopefully stop wasting money which could have been spent to save our cultural sector, I am now also calling on the Scottish Government to scrap the independence papers altogether and reallocate the funds towards culture in Scotland.”
Mr Choudhury says he will continue to pursue the Scottish Government to take concrete action on the crisis hitting the cultural sector in Scotland and to recalibrate their governance priorities, to ensure money spent on party-driven ideologies like independence is instead spent on saving the cultural sector, which he says can benefit the whole of Scotland regardless of party allegiance.
Scotland’s culture and creative sector will be helped to flourish on the world stage with the launch of Inspiring Connections: Scotland’s International Culture Strategy 2024-30, according to Culture Secretary Angus Robertson.
The strategy sets out the value of international activity to Scotland’s culture and creative sector. It recognises the importance of international engagement to learning, innovation and to the sector’s long-term sustainability.
Mr Robertson said: “Scotland’s culture and creative sector and our historic environment are internationally renowned. Our festivals, vibrant music scene and rich cultural heritage bring people from across the world to Scotland.
“The strategy sets out our vision for international engagement to be central to the long-term development of the sector. We are starting from a strong position, but we know that recent challenges have made international cultural engagement increasingly difficult.
“Developing international cultural connections will create new opportunities, make our culture and creative sector more vibrant and diverse, and help it to reach new audiences and markets across the world.”
Julia Amour, Director, Festivals Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh’s Festivals are a place for Scotland and the wider world to exchange creative ideas, and this new International Culture Strategy recognises the importance of such an international outlook for artists, creatives and citizens across Scotland.
“We look forward to working with colleagues and Scottish Government on these ambitions to help strengthen our nation’s cultural fabric.”
The very best of cultural talent from Scotland will be under the spotlight this month as Edinburgh welcomes visitors from home and abroad to its world-class summer arts festivals.
Six of the festivals have received support from the Scottish Government’s Expo Fund to commission new work, some of which will tour internationally following festival performances. Under the Made in Scotland banner there are 18 funded shows this year featuring an exciting mix of theatre, music and dance commissions and performances.
In addition, the Platforms for Creative Excellence (PLACE) programme – jointly funded by the Scottish Government and the City of Edinburgh Council – focuses on programme innovation, creative development, and community.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Scotland has a wealth of phenomenally talented artists and the Edinburgh festivals provide a fantastic platform for them to reach a much wider audience.
“Expo and PLACE funding have not only helped to raise the profile of Scottish artists but contributed to a more vibrant and diverse arts scene both at home and internationally.
“There is something for everyone across the summer festivals and I hope people from home and abroad, whether they’re taking part in events or watching performances will enjoy this fantastic celebration of culture.”
Festivals Edinburgh chair Dr Simon Gage said: “We warmly welcome this sustained support from the Scottish Government for our festivals and the people who make them happen.
“This is crucial in allowing us to deliver unparalleled cultural, social and economic benefits that enhance lives at home and Scotland’s profile around the world.”
Since it was set up in 2008, the Expo cohort has received £32 million. Within the first ten years, the fund had supported the commissioning of more than 550 new works of art, music and theatre.
Recipients awarded a share of the £1.8 million Expo Fund for 2023-24 include Edinburgh Art Festival (£130,000), Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society (£550,000), Edinburgh International Book Festival (£85,000), Edinburgh International Festival (£100,000), Edinburgh International Film Festival (£59,000) and Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (£100,000).
The PLACE Fund was set up five years ago to provide £1 million each year over five years to the Edinburgh festivals.
Police have launched their summer campaign to keep people safe throughout the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe 2023.
From Tuesday, 1 August, an enhanced policing presence will be deployed throughout the Capital’s city centre as part of Operation Summer City to engage with the public and offer a range of crime prevention and personal safety advice.
In addition, the dedicated patrols will deter and detect criminal activity and provide public reassurance.
Local officers from across Edinburgh will be supported throughout Operation Summer City by colleagues from neighbouring divisions, as well as a range of national and specialist departments within Police Scotland.
Each day there we be a mobile police station in the High Street, where the public can report any crime or suspicious activity they experience, or receive in-person safety information from the officers working within.
Throughout the duration of the campaign, the Edinburgh Division social media channels will be used to provide crime prevention advice and other guidance aimed at safeguarding the public from harm.
Local residents and visitors to the city alike are asked to follow Police Scotland Edinburgh on Facebook and @PSOSEdinburgh on Twitter.
Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton from Edinburgh Division said: “The Edinburgh Festivals form the largest festival in the world and turns an international spotlight on the Capital. As such, we must ensure that the policing response is adequate and proportionate during this time.
“From 1 August we will have increased foot patrols within the city centre and officers will provide a visible and reassuring presence to all of those who live, work and visit the area over the course of the Festival and Fringe.
“We benefit greatly from our ability to call upon additional resources from across Police Scotland and I am grateful to the officers coming from other local policing divisions and specialisms who will enhance our response capability for Operation Summer City. We also work closely with event organisers to ensure the event spaces are safe and enjoyable for everyone who attends.
“Throughout the duration of the Military Tattoo, there will be an Air Restriction Zone in place around the Castle esplanade, Castlehill, Lawnmarket and Johnstone Terrace.
“The restriction operates from 4pm until midnight between Thursday, 3 August and Saturday, 26 August. This is to ensure the safety of all of the Tattoo performers and attendees and means that unauthorised drone flying within this area is strictly prohibited.
“Despite the population of Edinburgh doubling during the coming weeks, I am confident the Capital will remain a safe place for both tourists and local residents, but nonetheless, I would ask that anyone who sees anything suspicious during their time within the area reports their concerns to police immediately.
“In addition, I’d encourage the public to follow our social media channels so they can stay up to date with all relevant crime prevention and safety information we will be publishing.”
Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton, Operation Summer City Silver Commander, has shared the following message:
Yesterday we launched Operation Summer City 2023 to keep the public safe during the festival season.
Edinburgh’s globally renowned festivals are gearing up for another spectacular year, with Friday’s launch of the 2023 Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.
Last night Council Leader Cammy Day, Culture Minister Christina McKelvie and Jason Rust, Chair of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, launched the Festival alongside performances from Baila Venezuela and Marianne McGregor.
Taking place over ten days from 14-23 July the festival will include over 110 concerts featuring: top Scottish bands, international stars, and festival favourites alongside new names.
Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 0131 226 0013 or through the festival website.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I was delighted to attend yesterday’s launch as both Council Leader and as the newest Board Member of the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival.
“I am proud that our residents and visitors are able to take advantage of such an internationally eclectic and exciting festival.
“The Council is a proud supporter and funder of the EJBF and this year, I am pleased to see events held in every area of the city – from established music venues to churches and community centres – and spanning the length of our new tram route from the Pianodrome in Ocean Terminal to performances at Edinburgh Airport.
“I’d also like to thank the EJBF Board, the artists and everyone else who has contributed to the festival”.
Jason Rust, Chair of Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival said: “We are absolutely delighted to launch our 45th Festival.
“There is something for everyone in our ten-day programme and in communities across the city. We are really grateful to our funders, including the Council. Let’s make this a Festival to remember.”
ST JAMES QUARTER CELEBRATES PRIDE WITH DAZZLING DRAG QUEEN APPEARANCES
Aegon UK and Aegon Asset Management are pleased to announce that they’ll be sponsoring this year’s Pride Edinburgh and Fife Pride festivals. It will be Aegon’s sixth year sponsoring Pride Edinburgh and the third time sponsoring Fife Pride.
Pride Edinburgh is Scotland’s national and longest running LGBTQIA+ festival. It returns to full form on Saturday 24 June after a scaled-back event in 2022 due to Covid-19. It will consist of various activities and inclusive events to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, including a march through the city centre starting at the Scottish Parliament and finishing with a music festival at Bristo Square.
Aegon is also sponsoring the Pride Edinburgh’s Ride with Pride bus for the second year running. The bus is designed to provide better accessibility to everyone to join in with the official march.1
Fife Pride is also set to return for its sixth year, on 1st July in Kirkcaldy. In 2022 around 2,000 LGBTQIA+ people and allies of the community celebrated following a two-year absence.
As sponsors, Aegon colleagues will be at both events to engage with attendees about the business, how it celebrates inclusivity and diversity, as well as about its sustainability initiatives.
Andy Manson, Chief Marketing Officer at Aegon UK, said:“It gives us immense pleasure to support and attend these two fantastic events again this year.
“We’re an organisation passionate about creating a working environment that celebrates all forms of diversity and individuality, and our ongoing support of Pride events is just one of the many ways Aegon engages with our local communities.”
GLITZ, GLAMOUR, AND FABULOUSNESS: ST JAMES QUARTER CELEBRATES PRIDE WITH DAZZLING DRAG QUEEN APPEARANCES
St James Quarter, Edinburgh’s premier destination to shop, dine, play and stay, will be supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies with a day filled with Pride celebrations on Saturday the 24th of June.
Kicking off at 11am, St James Quarter will be joined by dynamic duo Drag Queens, Sissy Scorpio and Rozie Cheeks, extending a warm welcome to guests. Dazzling everyone with their mesmerising dance moves, they will strike poses for iconic selfies and give rainbow flags to guests.
St James Quarter is also running a pride-tastic giveaway, guests can win a £500 gift card, redeemable in the Quarter, if they download the St James Quarter app over the Pride weekend.
The celebrations don’t end there. At 3pm, guests can join the pride party as the sensational DJ Trendy Wendy takes to the decks on Level 3 bringing a pride setlist like no other. With her signature mix of disco, soul and funk music, this will be a loud and proud party you won’t want to miss.
From 11am – 3pm on Level 1, all guests can take advantage of free face painting, whether they’re joining Edinburgh’s ‘March with Pride’ event, celebrating Pride Month, or simply looking to add some fun and colour to their day.
Brands across the Quarter are also embracing Pride Month with their own special edition Pride collections and displays including Hollister, Coach and Hotel Chocolat, Boots is hosting a series of fun beauty masterclasses on 24th June, complete with live entertainment, and Everyman is screening Pride favourites, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Priscilla Queen of the Desert over the weekend.
Bross Bagels is proudly offering its fabulous rainbow bagels throughout Pride weekend, in association with LGBT Youth Scotland. These vibrant treats can be matched with any filling, creating a delightful experience for everyone to savour.
Susan Hewlett, Brand & Marketing Director, St James Quarter, said: “We have a fun packed day planned for Edinburgh Pride.
“Our Guest Services team will be joined by the inimitable Sissy Scorpio and Rozy Cheeks, two of Scotland’s leading Drag Queens, bringing a whole new vibe to our Brand Ambassador team with live voguing and iconic dance moves.
“Guests are invited to join in, grab a selfie or strike their own pose. We will also have glitter face painting for all, the chance to win a St James Quarter gift card and to close the days party atmosphere the supremely talented DJ Trendy Wendy will be filling the Quarter with the best Pride anthems from 3pm – 7pm.
“We are incredibly proud to be associated with this event, it supports our commitment to promoting diversity and equality and we invite everyone to join us in this momentous celebration of pride, acceptance, and unity.”
For further information and updates on the Pride event at St James Quarter, please visit:
Ciaran Ryan Band headlining the festival on Sunday night – 30 April
‘high-octane ferocious banjo-led music and sheer instrumental brilliance!’
L/R Donald Hay (drums), Chris Waite (guitar), Bev Morris (bass), Ciaran Ryan (banjo), Andrew Waite (accordion) Photo Douglas Robertson
FESTIVAL DATES: Friday 28 April – Monday 8 May 2023
An incredible line-up of talented musicians will descend on Edinburgh this weekend for the start of Edinburgh Tradfest (28 April to 8 May) – 11 days of live music, storytelling, dance, workshops, talks, ceilidhs and special events across the city, thanks to support from The National Lottery through Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.
Ciaran Ryan one of the UK’s foremost tenor banjo players, whose debut solo album Banjaxed released in late 2019 was shortlisted for Album of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards, will headline alongside Orcadian powerhouse Fara (above) and American folk singer, two-time winner, and six-time Grammy nominee Rhiannon Giddens who is opening the Festival with Francesco Turrisi at the Assembly Rooms on Friday night.
Plus, at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the festival kicks off with the return of Pomegranates – a weekend of dance, performance, and workshops run by the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland to celebrate International Dance Day (29 April); and the second North Atlantic Song Convention run by the Traditional Music Forum with delegates from around the Northern Hemisphere, gathers to celebrate our rich song traditions.
Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “This year’s programme is jam-packed with talent. We’ve got fantastic, award-winning musicians performing at the Traverse every night, workshops on during the day and live music in the bar until late, plus there are ceilidhs, storytelling sessions, talks, and dance taking place at other venues across the city. It’s all here to be enjoyed.”
Other highlights not to be missed include Tradfest’s new commission Two for Joy composed and arranged by award-winning harpist Ailie Robertson which explores how birdsong is used in music and folklore and the positive impact that listening to the sounds of birds can have on our mental health and wellbeing; America’s masters of old-time, bluegrass, classic country and Cajun music The Foghorn Stringband; Dirk and Amelia Powell from Louisiana who bring their deeply rooted Cajun, Appalachian and original sounds to the festival for the first time; Rory Matheson and Graham Rorie whose album We Have Won The Land celebrates the success of the Assynt Crofter’s Trust in buying back the North Lochinver Estate from a Swedish land speculator 30 years ago; this year’s Rebellious Truth lecture/recital which explores mental health issues in the music industry led by Gaelic singer, composer, researcher and broadcaster Mischa Macpherson; and Ross Ainslie (Treacherous Orchestra, Salsa Celtica) and Tim Edey (Chieftains) whose foot-stomping tunes topped with great banter are this year’s hot ticket and unmissable festival finale.
