The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (the “RCPE”) is urging Scotland’s MSPs in the new session of Parliament to support a national pilot programme to monitor air pollution around city primary schools, following compelling evidence that Scottish children may be exposed to harmful levels of pollution that are currently going unmeasured.
The proposal, led by the RCPE’s Air Pollution Working Group, calls for a pilot study to look at air quality around schools by installing of air quality monitors around three schools in each of four major Scottish cities — Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen — over a minimum period of one year. This duration is essential to capture seasonal variation and provide reliable, policy-relevant data.
The RCPE is urging MSPs from all of Scotland’s political parties to press Ministers in the new Scottish Government to support the pilot.
Why the pilot is required
Scotland rightly prides itself on having some of the cleanest air in the world and among the strongest air quality standards in Europe. Low Emission Zones and investment in cleaner public transport have delivered real progress.
However, new evidence shows that harmful health effects occur at pollution levels below current Scottish targets, particularly for children — prompting the World Health Organization to issue significantly tighter Global Air Quality Guidelines in 2021.
Despite this, pilot mapping carried out by the RCPE reveals a stark gap: air quality is rarely monitored near schools. Across five Scottish cities, over 60% of primary and secondary schools are more than one kilometre from the nearest air quality monitor. Only one primary school was found to be within 50 metres of a particulate matter monitor. The Air Pollution Working Group’s research has now been published in the BMJ Public Health Journal.
“This is a blind spot in our public health system,” said Professor Jill Belch OBE, Co-chair of the College’s Air Pollution Working Group. “We know that children are more vulnerable than adults to air pollution, yet we are failing to measure what they are breathing during the school day.”
Why schools matter
Schools are often located near busy roads and junctions. Pollution levels are intensified by the ‘school run’, idling vehicles, and congestion during drop-off and pick-up times. Vehicle emissions release nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), pollutants known to damage the lungs, heart, brain, immune system and metabolic health of children.
Robust UK and international evidence links air pollution exposure in childhood to:
impaired lung growth and increased asthma risk
effects on brain development, cognition, behaviour and educational attainment
higher blood pressure and early markers of cardiovascular disease
increased hospital admissions, with over 1,000 excess child admissions per year in Scotland on high-pollution days
These harms are not evenly distributed. Children from more deprived communities are more likely to attend schools in areas with higher pollution, compounding existing health inequalities and environmental injustice.
A practical, affordable pilot with national impact
The proposed pilot would deploy proven Airly air quality monitors within 50 metres of selected schools, measuring NO₂, PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ continuously for 12 months. The project would be delivered in partnership with local authorities and an experienced UK environmental consultancy, ensuring data quality, transparency and independence.
Crucially, the programme includes a citizen science and education component, enabling pupils to engage with real-time data, understand pollution’s health effects, and influence behaviour change such as reducing engine idling and encouraging active travel.
Because the project spans four cities rather than a single neighbourhood, it falls outside traditional community or charity funding models — making political leadership and public investment essential.
Strong professional and workforce backing
The proposal has received full endorsement from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the teachers’ union NASUWT.
Mike Corbett, National Official, NASUWT Scotland stated:“Being able to quantify the scale of the problem around our schools is the first step to cleaning up the air our children breathe and moving towards a healthier and safer future.
“NASUWT is therefore very pleased to endorse and support this proposal.”
A clear call to action
The data generated by this pilot would directly inform local and national decision-making, guiding targeted interventions such as no-idling zones, low-traffic streets, cleaner school transport, greening measures and safer routes for walking and cycling. The findings would be reported to the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee, local councils, schools and the public.
In light of recent European human rights rulings recognising that failure to address environmental pollution can violate the right to life, the case for action is both moral and legal.
“There is overwhelming evidence that air pollution harms children — often permanently,” said: Professor Belch.
“What Scotland currently lacks is the data around schools to act decisively. This pilot programme is a modest, affordable step that could deliver lifelong health benefits for our children and reduce entrenched inequalities.”
Professor Mark Strachan, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and Co-chair of the College’s Air Pollution Working Group, said: The College has serious concerns at the lack of data on air quality levels around urban schools and considers that this gap must be addressed as a priority.
“Our Air Pollution Working Group has worked hard to develop a practical and affordable pilot proposal for air quality monitoring around urban schools and I hope that this can be supported by all of our political parties in Scotland.
“It is extremely important that we have an evidence base for mitigation where that is required given the serious impacts poor air quality can have on the health of our children and young people.”
Scotland’s political parties are now being asked to show leadership — and ensure that every child has the right to breathe clean air at school.
The devolution of energy powers to Scotland would help deliver fairness for families and bring energy bills down, Energy Minister Stephen Gethins told MSPs yesterday.
The Scottish Parliament has supported a motion calling for the formal transfer of energy policy to Holyrood.
Mr Gethins said such powers would enable the Scottish Government to lower the cost of energy and set policies that work for households, communities and businesses by reducing bills, tackling fuel poverty and securing high-quality jobs.
In line with the Scottish Parliament’s position, the Energy Minister will now urge UK Ministers to formally engage over the devolution of powers.
We are calling on the UK Government to give Scotland full control over its energy.
This will allow Scotland's energy wealth to be used to help Scottish households, communities and businesses.
Mr Gethins said: “This government has been returned with a clear instruction to deliver the benefits of Scotland’s abundant energy resources to households, communities and businesses. That is what we intend to do.
“The future lies in clean, affordable and secure power – strengthening affordability, resilience and competitiveness, and protecting Scottish people and businesses from their energy bills being dictated by events halfway across the world. After the UK Government announced bills would go up again, that is more important than ever.
“Now, with the backing of the Scottish Parliament, we are formally requesting the devolution of powers that we need to maximise our remarkable energy potential, so that it helps to deliver prosperity, security and fairness for the country.”
The Westminster government is unlikely to concede, however.
A search for 129 local heroes from all over Scotland has today been launched by the Scottish Parliament.
Each Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) is being asked to nominate a person in their constituency or region who has made an extraordinary contribution to the lives of other people or who has made a significant impact on their community.
Local heroes who have been selected will be invited by the Scottish Parliament, as a special guest of their MSP, to attend the Parliament’s Opening Ceremony. The event will take place on Saturday 27 June to formally mark the new session of the Parliament.
Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Kenneth Gibson MSP said:“The start of a new Parliament is to me all about optimism, hope and a renewal of the purpose behind why the Parliament exists.
“It’s about bringing the people of Scotland along with us at the start of that journey as well as celebrating the very best of our culture and heritage too.
“People from all over Scotland, from Shetland to Selkirk, from Aberdeen to Arran, are at the centre of our plans to commemorate this milestone. Which is also a reflection of our aim – to be at the heart of communities across the country.
“I am always humbled by the selflessness of people across the country who go to extraordinary lengths to give back to their communities. I look forward to celebrating our local heroes and hearing more about their achievements.”
Local Heroes have taken part in the opening ceremonies of the Scottish Parliament in 2007, 2011, 2016 and 2021. Previous local heroes have included people who have volunteered their time for charities, set up creative ways to fundraise to help local causes or supporting others.
To find out more please contact one of your local MSPs. You can find out who your MSP is by searching by your postcode on our website.
Measures to make the Scottish Parliament more efficient, topical and effective are to be put into place by Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson MSP.
The changes, which the Parliament was informed of today, will be part of what the Presiding Officer calls “renewal and re-engagement”.
There will now be two First Minister’s Questions a week, with 30 minutes on a Tuesday for backbenchers and 30 minutes on a Thursday from Party Leaders.
MSPs were informed of the changes by the Presiding Officer during a meeting of the Parliament on Thursday.
The Presiding Officer also informed Members that:
Time taken for interventions will be added, to protect the time of speakers who most engage
Labour and Reform will alternate each week in leading off on questions in First Minister’s Questions, debates and statements
Chamber Business will run from 2pm to 5.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to provide more time for scrutiny in the Chamber
Chamber Business will run from 1.30pm to 5pm on Thursdays to accommodate more time for committee business in the morning
Questions to the First Minister will no longer be published in advance
There will be 18 general questions a week, 10 more than previously
Members will have to identify relevant procedure when making points of order
Events and cross-party groups will be permitted during Members’ debates to prevent delays to visitors
Informing MSPs of the changes, the Presiding Officer, Kenneth Gibson MSP, said: “Parliament needs renewal and re-engagement – with independent, innovative and open-minded leadership. That’s of critical importance and exactly what I’ll provide.
“We need to de-clutter and simplify how we work, make Parliament more efficient, topical end effective for those we represent.
“The collegiate working anticipated in the 90s, prior to Devolution, has not fully transpired. The status quo is not an option – and I’m keen to push at the boundaries of what’s possible within my remit.”
John Swinney: “I will be a First Minister for all of Scotland”
The Scottish Parliament has nominated John Swinney as First Minister of Scotland, following the 2026 election.
Addressing members of the Scottish Parliament, Mr Swinney outlined his ambitions for the parliamentary term, including action to tackle the cost of living, improve the NHS and grow the economy to create opportunity across Scotland. He also pledged to work together to deliver progress for Scotland and to meet the challenges facing the country.
Mr Swinney is expected to be formally appointed with a Royal Warrant from His Majesty King Charles III. He will be sworn in at the Court of Session today (Wednesday) , where he will take the Official Oath in front of the Lord President of the Court of Session and other senior judges.
First Minister John Swinney said: “I have ambitious goals for this Parliamentary session. I want to ease the cost of living crisis, ensure the NHS is protected and easy to access, ensure cohesion in our communities and protect the environment, and grow the economy and create opportunity across our country.
“I believe I can achieve a majority for every ambition I have for this Parliament and I look forward to working with many here to do so. That, of course, includes the question of Scotland’s constitutional future on which I recognise there are profound differences of opinion. Indeed the people have now elected the largest pro-independence majority in the history of devolution.
“I will be a First Minister for all of Scotland. A First Minister that works to bring people together with a strong sense of national purpose. The country I seek to build is a country where everyone feels accepted and able to contribute to our national story.
“I gratefully accept this opportunity to serve as First Minister. It is the greatest privilege and the greatest responsibility of my life. I promise to work every day to repay the trust that the people of Scotland have placed in me.”
We are concerned by the nature of the media attention focused on the election of Dr Q Manivannan to the Scottish Parliament at the recent election. Rather than celebrating the improvement in representation of Scotland’s diverse population Dr Manivannan’s election represents, our public sphere has been fixated on debating their right to be an MSP.
Less than eighteen months ago, the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed, with every party voting in favour, the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act. This gave the right to stand for election to anyone with leave to remain in Scotland, whether temporary or permanent. It is therefore clear that Dr Manivannan had a legal right to seek and win election.
That law built on earlier efforts to make the Scottish electoral system more democratic and inclusive.
The Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act 2020 expanded voting rights for the Scottish Parliament and Scottish local authorities to most people legally living in Scotland, regardless of their citizenship status. This was a recognition of the contributions that everybody living, working, raising families and studying in Scotland make to our communities and economy. It was an affirmation of the principle that Scotland is governed by and for everyone who lives here.
Dr Manivannan’s success in being elected is one of the intended results of this widely supported legislation. The people who choose to make their homes here should be included, supported and electorally represented.
It is a sad sign of the times, and the state of our public discourse, that what should have been a proud moment for Scottish democracy has been marred by partisan spin, attacks on Dr Manivannan’s identity both as an immigrant and non-binary person, and media failures to confront disinformation.
This treatment of Dr Manivannan risks further cementing barriers to public office for women, disabled people, LGBTQIA+ people and people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Research on experiences of seeking elected office in Scotland suggests that harassment on social media and hostile media coverage is a significant factor in discouraging potential candidates from underrepresented groups.
This needs to change – especially in light of the decline in women’s representation in the current parliament.
We welcome the election of Dr Manivannan as an example of what we hope will be a more open and inclusive democracy that welcomes immigrants as both voters and representatives. We hope that the new parliament will represent all of the people of Scotland, promote tolerance and respect in the chamber, and work to uphold the rights and dignity of all.
Organisations supporting the statement include:The Young Women’s Movement, Scottish Trans, Equality Network, LGBT Youth Scotland, Inclusion Scotland, CRER (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights), Equal Representation Coalition, LGBT Health and Wellbeing, CEMVO Scotland, ElectHER and Engender
Kenneth Gibson MSP has been elected as the Scottish Parliament’s seventh Presiding Officer.
Upon election, the new Presiding Officer said: “It is a huge privilege to be elected as the Parliament’s Presiding Officer, and I want to thank MSPs for placing their trust in me.
“As Presiding Officer I will be bold, innovative and imaginative and will work in the interests of all Members.
“It’s clear that Parliament needs to reform and to renew its relationship with the people. Scotland needs a Parliament that is vibrant, relevant and trusted.
“I will play my part in delivering that.”
In his acceptance speech, Kenneth Gibson MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament added: “I’m looking forward to working with every single Member in this Chamber to take this Parliament forward.
“I think there is so much more we can be as a Parliament than we have been in the past and I will certainly do my utmost in taking us forward.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Cunninghame North since 2007, having previously represented the Glasgow electoral region from 1999 to 2003, as a Scottish National Party MSP.
He was Convenor of the Finance and Public Administration Committee in the fourth and sixth sessions of Parliament and was the first MSP to lodge plans for a ban of smoking in public places.
The outgoing Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone MSP, presided over the Presiding Officer election.
His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was joined by incoming MSPs, the Presiding Officer, and representatives from Scotland’s faith and belief communities at the Kirking for the Seventh Session of the Scottish Parliament in St Giles’ Cathedral last night (Wednesday 13 May).
The service in Edinburgh traditionally takes place on the evening before the first sitting of a new parliamentary term.
The Kirking is a ceremonial tradition that reflects on the responsibilities of leadership in public service, while recognising Scotland’s wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs.
It also provides an opportunity for organisations from across Scotland, including participants from civic society, the diplomatic corps, academia, business, industry and charities, to meet with the newly elected MSPs.
The ecumenical service was led by The Reverend Dr Scott Rennie, The Minister of St Giles’ Cathedral, with the Sermon being delivered by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Right Reverend Rosie Frew.
This, together with readings by the Presiding Officer and the Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, is intended to encourage thoughtful reflection on serving others.
The congregation heard performances from the Choir of St Giles’ and the National Youth Choir of Scotland as well as from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland traditional Scottish music duo Stella Rose McIntyre (clàrsach) and Naomi Priestnall (fiddle). Interfaith blessings also featured.
The seventh session of the Scottish Parliament will formally begin today when MSPs will be sworn in by the Presiding Officer in the Holyrood Chamber.
An election will then be held to choose a new Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers.
Newly elected MSPs will take part in their first formal meeting at the Scottish Parliament at 9.30am on Thursday 14 May.
All MSPs will start their work in the Parliament by making an oath or affirmation, which must happen before they can take part in any other parliamentary business at Holyrood.
John Swinney MSP, as leader of the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, will be the first to be sworn in, followed by the other party leaders. Other MSPs will be called forward in alphabetical order.
This initial meeting will be chaired by current Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP.
In the afternoon MSPs will be asked to elect a new Presiding Officer, who will serve for the rest of the new parliamentary session. It is expected that two Deputy Presiding Officers will be elected later in the afternoon.
Ahead of their first meeting in the Chamber, MSPs will have taken part in the first part of an induction programme in the parliament building. The programme aims to welcome MSPs to their roles and will:
allow MSPs to establish a temporary office within the Parliament
help MSPs establish their constituency or regional offices
inform MSPs about what support is available to them to help their constituents
give MSPs information about how to take part in debates and votes in the Chamber
let MSPs know more about the parliamentary roles and responsibilities
Speaking ahead of the MSPs arriving at the Scottish Parliament, David McGill, the Parliament’s Clerk/Chief Executive, said:“It is great to be able to welcome new MSPs into the Parliament, where our dedicated staff team will be on hand to help them get acquainted with their roles and responsibilities.
“This Parliament’s first formal meeting, on Thursday 14 May, will be particularly significant for those performing their first duties as MSPs, and for those seeking to become Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers.
“The first sitting day has an important role in formally introducing MSPs to the public, but the election of the Presiding Officer in particular starts to set the agenda for the session ahead.”
The first sitting day will be able to be view live on the Parliament’s website.
National Theatre of Scotland announces programme for Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the company’s 20th anniversary year
The acclaimed Through the Shortbread Tin, written and performed by Martin O’Connor at the Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of the Made in Scotland programme.
One Hundred Voices – a new immersive installation, bringing creative insight into living in the care system, opening at the Scottish Parliament and running during the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics. Part of Caring Scotland, a major project documenting the lives of care experienced people in Scotland.
Marking 20 years of NTS Edinburgh Festival presentations, with 42 productions across the Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, from Black Watch to Make it Happen.
National Theatre of Scotland presents
Through the Shortbread Tin
Written and performed by Martin O’Connor
Remount directed by Joanna Bowman Original production directed by Lu Kemp
With Josie Duncan and Iona Mairead
Musical Director and Composer – Oliver Searle, Sound and Video Designer – Rob Willoughby, Set and Costume designed by Emma Bailey and Rachel O’Neill, Lighting Designer – Michaella Fee, Gaelic Consultant – Alasdair Whyte
At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre from 7 to 31 August at 4.45pm with a preview performance on 6 August 2026.
Opening press performance at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Friday 7 August 2026 at 4.45pm.
Part of the Made in Scotland Showcase
The story of the greatest literary hoax of all time.
Returning to the stage following a critically acclaimed and award-nominated Scotland-wide tour in 2025, Martin O’Connor’s Through the Shortbread Tin is a poetic, poignant and playful show, performed in Scots with Gaelic songs, which explores Scottish culture, myths, history and identity.
“Fierce, Funny and Challenging” The Scotsman ★★★★
“an entertaining and intelligent investigation into the illusions and inconsistencies of Scottish history, culture and identity.” The Stage ★★★★
“A tartan wrapped gift of a show” The Herald ★★★★
Through the Shortbread Tin will open in Edinburgh at the Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of the Made in Scotland Programme at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on Friday 7 August 2026.
Twenty years since the internationally acclaimed production of Black Watch premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Through the Shortbread Tin marks National Theatre of Scotland’s 42 productions at the Edinburgh festivals, including last year’s Edinburgh International Festival sell out success, Make It Happen.
Through the Shortbread Tin is remounted for this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe by Joanna Bowman, whose previous productions include the award-winning Tron Theatre Company production of Escaped Alone; Doubt: A Parable (Dundee Rep) and most recently, Sweat (Citizens Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh). Joanna won the 2024 CATS Award for Best Director.
In 1760 Scottish poet James Macpherson set the world ablaze with stories of the third-century Scottish bard, Ossian. This tartan-trimmed tale of Highland history spread far and wide, capturing the imagination of thousands– but was it built on a deception?
In 2026 Scottish poet Martin O’Connor decides to revisit Macpherson’s epic and begins to question his own relationship with Scottish culture. The sporrans, the stags, the shortbread – do these ‘gift-shop’ images of Scotland hold us back or bring us forward? What does it mean to be authentic, and is the truth sometimes better told in a lie?
Imagine that you were telt tae ignore the myths?
Imagine you didnae know anything about the country you came fae?
But imagine you started askin questions?
Imagine that you could jist replace wan myth wi another?
Martin will be joined on stage by Josie Duncan and Iona Mairead, distinctive Gaelic choral singers, singing original songs composed by Oliver Searle.
Audiences are invited to join Martin and Macpherson on an oral odyssey spanning centuries of Scottish history, exploring the myths we tell each other and the stories we tell ourselves.
A tour to sited venues in Scotland in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland will be announced at a later date.
Through the Shortbread Tin was nominated for Best New Play in both the Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland 2025 and the UK Theatre Awards 2025.
Through the Shortbread Tin is part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s 20th birthday programme, marking twenty years of game-changing theatre.
National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to be part of the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s 20th anniversary celebrations, as well by being part of their specially curated Festival Fringe programme, the centre piece of their year’s anniversary offering.
BACKGROUND TO OSSIAN
In 1760 Highlander Macpherson published Fragments of Ancient Poetry to great critical and commercial acclaim. The poems were collected from oral sources around Scotland and were presented as the work of a third century bard, Ossian, soon dubbed The Homer of the North. There soon followed two other publications, Fingal and Temora, and together they set the Scottish and European literary world alight. The ‘Ossian effect’ soon saw a rise in interest in Scottish and Highland ways of life and an increase in tourism and cultural interest. The impact of Ossian was immediate and permanent, even if the individual poems eventually fell out of fashion. But soon after publication, debates over Ossian’s aesthetic and moral ‘legitimacy’ surfaced, which plagued the writer and the impact and legacy of the work.
Martin O’Connor is an award-winning theatre-maker, performer and poet from Glasgow. He is interested in exploring ideas of voice and identity through theatre and poetry, with particular interest in Scots, Gaelic and verbatim. Martin won Scots Performer of the Year Award at the Scots Language Awards 2024.
He was granted a Gavin Wallace Fellowship in 2018, hosted by Playwrights’ Studio Scotland and the Lyceum Theatre, marking the first stage in his research into James Macpherson and Ossian.
He makes work for solo performance as well as with, and for, other people. He was the National Theatre of Scotland Writer in Residence in 2020. Previous projects include Turntable (MJ McCarthy/Red Bridge Arts), Mark of the Beast (Martin O’Connor/Platform), Togail Nàisean/ Building a Nation (Glasgow Life).
This remount of Through the Shortbread Tin is directed by Joanna Bowman. Joanna has directed for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Citizens Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre, Tron Theatre, Dundee Rep Theatre, Perth Theatre, and Òran Mór. Previous productions include the award-winning Tron Theatre Company production of Escaped Alone, Doubt:A Parable (Dundee Rep) and most recently, Sweat (Citizens Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh). She was Associate Director of the Tron Theatre between 2022 and 2025 and is Associate Artist with the Citizens Theatre. Joanna won the 2024 CATS Award for Best Director.
The original production of Through the Shortbread Tin was directed by Lu Kemp, a theatre director and dramaturg with a distinctive reputation for her work in new writing. Lu was Artistic Director of Perth Theatre between 2016 to 2023. Her tenure was notable for supporting the creation of new work by Scottish artists and community engaged productions. As a freelance director, Lu has worked for The Citizens, The Royal Lyceum Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland, Artangel, London, The Tricycle, Almeida and The Royal Shakespeare Company.
Josie Duncan is a folk-inspired songwriter and award-winning singer from the Isle of Lewis. Her songs have been showcased worldwide from the Hebridean Celtic Festival Opening Concert to the National Celtic Festival Australia. Josie’s music features in National Theatre of Scotland’s Carry Me Home – A Ferry Tale, an award-winning short film directed by Seth Hardwick.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre
Dates: Thursday 6 August (Preview); Friday 7 August to Monday 31 August (no shows on Wed 12, Sat 15, Wed 19, Wed 26 August)
One Hundred Voices interactive installation opens at the Scottish Parliament as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics 2026 before touring Scotland alongside the Ten Portraits photographic exhibition, as part of Caring Scotland
One Hundred Voices and Ten Portraits at the Scottish Parliament from 12 to 28 August and during the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics 2026 on 27 and 28 August
Then touring across Scotland from 2 September to 10 October 2026: Citizens Theatre, Studio Theatre and exhibition wall; Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries; Millenium Centre, Stranraer; Reid Hall, Forfar; Hall B, Rothes Halls, Glenrothes.
A National Theatre of Scotland project in partnership with Who Cares? Scotland and the National Library of Scotland, funded with an award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Lead Artist and script by Nicola McCartney
Designer - Karen Tennant, Lighting Designer - Kai Fischer, Sound Design - Niroshini Thambar and Dramaturg - Roxana Cole
Artist Facilitators: Kevin Gilday, Jo Mango, Roxana Cole, Sara Shaarawi and Mal Fraser
Ten Portraits Exhibition Photographer - Chris Scott
Opening in Edinburgh at the Scottish Parliament and part of the Festival of Politics in August 2026, One Hundred Voices is an interactive installation responding to real life stories of care experienced people.
The stories were recorded for Caring Scotland, a three-year listening project, led by acclaimed playwright Nicola McCartney documenting and recording the lives of care experienced people in Scotland.
One Hundred Voices is created by a leading team of Scottish artists and theatre-makers with design by Karen Tennant, lighting design by Kai Fischer, sound design by Niroshini Thambar, script by Nicola McCartney and dramaturgy by Roxana Cole.
“Good. You’re here. Well, come on in… We understand that for many of you, this journey will be a new experience for you. We want you to feel safe with us.”
The audience is led through the installation by an audio guide. Each room presents an intimate landscape of memory, resilience and imagination, drawn from the lives of one hundred voices from Scotland’s care experienced community. Fragments of stories unfold through sound, light, and space.
This interactive installation transforms oral history into artistic encounters and asks the audience to imagine together a more compassionate Scotland where every child is cherished, every voice amplified, every future honoured. It serves as an artistic act of recognition and celebration of the one hundred testimonies recorded through the Caring Scotland project.
The experience is audio narrated by Scott Kyle and Genna Allan. Both are actors who are also involved in the wider Caring Scotland project. Scott Kyle is one of the Ten Portraits subjects and Genna worked in the project team during the story collection phase. Both are care experienced.
The Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics takes place in the home of Scottish politics on 27 and 28 August; and will feature over 30 events tackling some of the big political, cultural and social issues of the day.
Ten Portraits exhibition, by Caring Scotland photographer in residence Chris Scott, opened at Inverness Museum on 05 May ahead of touring to Shetland, Aberdeen and Edinburgh as well as touring alongside the One Hundred Voices installation at the Scottish Parliament and beyond.
The Sound Collection –a collection of stories forms part of the audio archive of the National Library of Scotland with short excerpts also available on the NTS website.
The Sound Collectionextracts can be listened to here.
Supported by The Weir Charitable Trust and The Rayne Foundation
The Sound Collection, Ten Portraits and One Hundred Voices are the public culmination of Caring Scotland, a three-year listening project led and inspired by the practice of playwright and socially engaged theatre-maker, Nicola McCartney, documenting the lives of care experienced people in Scotland since 2024.
The project is a unique partnership between National Theatre of Scotland, Who Cares? Scotland and the National Library of Scotland and is funded with an award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Ten Portraits is a touring photographic exhibition of photographs captured by Chris Scott, inspired and informed by the Caring Scotland listening project. Chris is a Scottish photographer with a care experienced background, whose style is contemporary with a dramatic and atmospheric feel. Chris’s unobtrusive photography style captures the essence and personality of the people he photographs. He has taken individual portraiture photographs of ten of the personal story contributors during the project.
The Sound Collection – all stories gathered from the listening project have been safely deposited in a new Caring Scotland oral history audio archive, housed in perpetuity at the National Library of Scotland for public access as well as excerpts being made available online via the NTS website.
A team of multi-disciplinary artists worked with Nicola on the research into Caring Scotland. Artists Kevin Gilday (poet), Jo Mango (musician & songwriter), Roxana Cole (director) and Mal Fraser (filmmaker) and Sara Shaarawi (playwright), engaging with care experienced people from across Scotland, collecting their stories for this unprecedented oral history audio archive.
Lead artist, Nicola McCartney, has worked on many artistic projects with the care experienced community, and has worked within the system as a member of the Children’s Panel and a foster parent.
Caring Scotland is a continuation of her creative practice and her ongoing research into the care system in Scotland. Previously, in 2021, Nicola was commissioned by National Theatre of Scotland to create Holding/Holding On as part of their Care in Contemporary Scotland – A Creative Enquiry programme.
Nicola’s practice of active listening enables participants to take control of their narratives. Caring Scotland empowers the care experienced community by offering members a platform for their voices to be heard by the people of Scotland.
Nicola McCartney, lead artist, said: “It has been an honour and a challenge to lead such a large project, documenting the lives of Care Experienced people in Scotland in their own words.
“We look forward to now sharing these stories with the nation in many different and innovative ways. The testimonies we have listened to of how the Care system has impacted on people’s lives are a vital and often overlooked part of what Scotland’s story was, is now and what we can become.”
With The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s support, the project has been open to all members of the care experienced community across Scotland to contribute to and take part in.
One Hundred Voices and Ten Portraits at the Scottish Parliament as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Wed 12 to Fri 28 August 26; Festival of Politics, Thu 27 to Fri 28 August 26 then touring to
Citizens Theatre, Studio Theatre and exhibition wall, Wed 2 to Sat 12 September 26;
Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, Thu 17 to Sat 19 September 26;
Millenium Centre, Stranraer, Thu 24 to Sat 26 September 26;
Reid Hall, Forfar Thu 1 to Sat 3 October 26;
Hall B, Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, Thu 8 to Sat 10 October 26.
Tickets are Pay What You Decide pricing.
Ten Portraits touring to Inverness Museum, Tue 5 to Fri 29 May 26;
Mareel, Shetland, Tue 2 to Fri 26 June 26;
Aberdeen Music Hall Gallery Space, Wed 1 to Fri 31 July 26;
Gallery Space, Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, Sat 10 to Friday 30 October;
Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, presented with Tonic Arts, Sun 1 November 26 to Sat 27 February 27.
More details on the Caring Scotland project can be found here.
