Tag: Resident Days

Forever Edinburgh unveils Resident Days celebrating Edinburgh locals

Forever Edinburgh has unveiled its 2026 Resident Days programme, building on the success of last year’s launch which saw over 1,000 EH postcode holders enjoy exclusive access to attractions, tours and experiences across the capital.

Following a strong response to the inaugural programme, Resident Days returns with an expanded calendar of themed moments throughout the year. Delivered in partnership with a wide range of Resident Rewards partners, the initiative continues to give back to the people who power Edinburgh’s visitor economy by offering exclusive deals for those who call the city home.

Resident Days will give Edinburgh residents exclusive rewards, including discounted access to a range of leisure, hospitality and cultural experiences across the city from almost 30 organisations. This is running alongside the Resident Rewards programme, which offers residents access to exclusive deals and discounts throughout the year.

The 2026 programme begins with World Heritage Day on Saturday 18 April, celebrating Edinburgh’s rich history and internationally recognised heritage.

Residents will be able to enjoy a range of exclusive offers including 2-for-1 tickets at The Royal Yacht Britannia, a discounted Three Bridges Cruise with Forth Boat Tours, 50 per cent off food at Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard and a special rate for a round of golf at Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society, encouraging locals to rediscover the stories, locations and experiences that have shaped Edinburgh’s heritage.

The themed days continue across the year, each shining a spotlight on different communities and interests:

  • Father’s Day – Sunday 21 June 2026
  • World Tourism Day – Sunday 27 September 2026
  • Silver Sunday – Sunday 04 October 2026
  • World Children’s Day – Friday 20 November 2026

Across the programme, residents can expect everything from discounted tours and trails to free exhibitions, exclusive entry to attractions, money off treatments, as well as food and drink deals.

Several participating businesses also boast strong accessibility credentials, with attractions such as Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Edinburgh Bus Tours and The Royal Yacht Britannia offering accessible facilities and experiences, supporting the programme’s ambition to make participation as inclusive as possible.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Resident Days are an important way for us to recognise and thank the people who make Edinburgh what it is. Our residents support the local economy year-round, and this programme is about giving something meaningful back to them.

“By working in partnership with businesses across the city, we are able to offer accessible and affordable opportunities for people to explore attractions, try something new and spend quality time together. It is about ensuring that the benefits of our visitor economy are felt by the communities who live here.”

Casey Rust, Director of Marketing at The Royal Yacht Britannia said: “We are proud to support Resident Days and to support the programme for World Heritage Day. It is a brilliant opportunity to welcome local residents on board and celebrate the heritage experiences that make Edinburgh so special.

“Being part of Resident Days allows us to give something back to the local community while sharing the story of Britannia with people who live right here in the city. The response last year showed there is a real appetite for residents to rediscover their city, and we are excited to be part of that again.”

Full details of participating venues and how to claim rewards will be available on Forever Edinburgh’s dedicated Resident Day microsite:

www.edinburgh.org/residentrewards/residentrewarddays/

Local businesses interested in participating in upcoming Resident Days can contact the Forever Edinburgh team at visit@edinburgh.gov.uk

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Forever Edinburgh marks Carers Rights Day and St Andrew’s Day with new Resident Days

Forever Edinburgh is inviting residents to enjoy the next instalments of Resident Days, with dedicated rewards and experiences to mark Carers Rights Day on Thursday 20 November and St Andrew’s Day on Sunday 30 November.

These dates form part of the ongoing Resident Rewards programme, which thanks local people for their contribution to Edinburgh’s visitor economy by giving them exclusive access to free or discounted attractions, tours and cultural experiences across the city.

The upcoming Carers Rights Day Resident Day will recognise and support the city’s unpaid carers, delivered in partnership with Shared Care Scotland and VOCAL Carers Hub. A range of free and discounted offers will give carers the chance to take a well deserved break, unwind and reconnect with their city.

Later in the month, the St Andrew’s Day Resident Day will celebrate Scotland’s national day, with local businesses offering special rates and unique experiences for Edinburgh residents.

Together, these events encourage communities to rediscover the world class culture, hospitality and heritage on their doorstep.

Cllr Jane Meagher, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: ““Resident Days put our residents at the heart of the city’s visitor economy.

“Edinburgh is known across the world for its history and culture, but it is the people who live here who make it truly special. These rewards are a way of saying thank you and encouraging everyone to rediscover what makes our city so remarkable.”

Looking ahead, the programme will continue into the new year with a final date celebrating Burns Night on Sunday 25 January 2026.

Carers Rights Day Promo FINALDownload

Video content available here: https://we.tl/t-Bp0HRKwZb3

Full details of participating venues and how to claim rewards can be found at:
https://edinburgh.org/residentrewards/residentrewarddays

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Forever Edinburgh launches new Resident Days as a celebration of Edinburgh residents

Forever Edinburgh has announced the launch of Resident Days, a brand-new initiative giving people who live in the capital exclusive opportunities to enjoy free or discounted access to local attractions, tours and experiences.

This is running alongside the Resident Rewards programme – which offers residents access to exclusive deals and discounts all year.

Resident Days builds on the success of Resident Rewards Edinburgh: Gives Back, which saw Forever Edinburgh, OneCity Trust and local tourism businesses offering hundreds of free experiences for those facing challenging circumstances in our city and the St Andrew’s Day: Resident Special, which gave special discounted rates for key Edinburgh attractions for Scotland’s national day.

Resident Days will give Edinburgh residents exclusive rewards including a range of free and half-price access to leisure, hospitality and cultural experiences across the city from almost 30 organisations.

The initiative will run across four dates between September 2025 and January 2026, starting with World Tourism Day on Saturday 27 September 2025, which will see offers like half price green fees at Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society, free tours at Scotch Whisky Experience and two for one tickets for the Ghostly Tales of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile tour from Mercat Tours.

A set amount of each offer is available, so residents need to be quick to snap them up.

Later days are:

  • Carers Rights Day – Friday 21 November 2025 – exclusively for unpaid carers in Edinburgh
  • St Andrew’s Day – Sunday 30 November 2025
  • Burns Night – Sunday 25 January 2026

Resident Days are part of Forever Edinburgh’s Resident Rewards programme and have been designed to thank local people for their role in supporting the city’s visitor economy.

By showcasing Edinburgh’s world-class tourism offering, the initiative also highlights the businesses that make the city a global destination.

Cllr Jane Meagher, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This is a fantastic initiative that puts residents at the heart of our visitor economy.

“Edinburgh is rightly celebrated around the world, but it is the people who live here who give the city its character and warmth.

“Resident Days are a way of saying thank you, while encouraging communities to discover and enjoy the amazing experiences available right on their doorstep.

“We hope this makes such trips more affordable and accessible, and encourages people to enjoy being a tourist in their own city.”

Tamsin Job, Head of Visitor Experience at Port of Leith Distillery, said: “Here at Port of Leith Distillery and Lind & Lime Distillery we love being part of the Residents Rewards Programme.

“Offering great discounts through Resident Days allows us to give back to our fabulous Edinburgh community. Using the rewards at our distilleries allows residents to experience our working gin and whisky distilleries, right here in Edinburgh.

“We have something for everyone, from tours and retail, to hospitality in our amazing Port of Leith Distillery Bar and space for events and meetings too.  

“This initiative means we can offer reduced rates to first timers, repeat visitors and anyone who wants to give it a go. We love being part of this reward that lets locals discover, explore and enjoy everything Edinburgh has to offer.”

Kerry Sloan, Respitality Manager at Shared Care Scotland, said: “Shared Care Scotland is proud to be collaborating with Forever Edinburgh and VOCAL Carers Hub to create the first Resident Days focused on carers in the capital, which will help to mark both Carers Rights Day and celebrate 10 years of our social tourism short breaks service, Respitality.

“Social tourism plays a key role in making these experiences possible, helping to break down barriers and ensure that everyone – regardless of circumstance – can access the wellbeing benefits of leisure, connection and discovery.

“We hope that the Carers Rights Days celebration provides a vital opportunity for unpaid carers to not only rest, recharge and engage with their local community, but to also feel recognised and valued for the contribution they make to our society.”

Full details of participating venues and how to claim rewards will be available on Forever Edinburgh’s dedicated Resident Day microsite at: 

www.edinburgh.org/residentdays

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.