workshops – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

QMU to host Healthfest inspiring Scotland’s next generation of healthcare professionals

Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh is set to welcome more than 550 senior school pupils from across Scotland to its popular Healthfest event, designed to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals and support informed career choices.

Taking place TOMORROW Wednesday 17 June 2026, the festival-style event is aimed at pupils in S4 to S6. Now in its fourth year, Healthfest will see young people – many from schools in Scotland’s disadvantaged communities – take part in a programme of interactive workshops and campus experiences, providing valuable insight into a wide range of healthcare courses and careers.

With a strong focus on hands-on learning, pupils will have the opportunity to explore both well-known and lesser-known career roles within the health sector. These include occupational therapy, podiatry and speech and language therapy, alongside careers in radiography, paramedic science and nursing.

Suzanne Ewing, from Queen Margaret University’s Widening Participation and Outreach team, who has helped organise the event, said: “Healthfest has a real science festival feel, with lots of engaging, practical workshops for young people to get involved in.

“Activities range from using ultrasound technology to observe tongue movement during speech production, to CPR demonstrations delivered by paramedics, as well as sessions demonstrating foot injections to improve foot health and discussions around the psychology of food and eating.

“Pupils can also take part in bespoke campus tours, giving them a first-hand look at our specialist labs and clinical learning environments. This helps them understand what studying a healthcare degree at QMU is really like.”

Suzanne concluded: “Healthfest continues to grow in popularity because it opens pupils’ eyes to the wide variety of opportunities available within the health sector.

“Importantly, it supports them to make informed decisions about their future education and career pathways as they gain an insight into different professions and learn about the facilities and equipment that they would use as students on healthcare degree courses.

“In addition, it creates more equality of opportunity for Scotland’s young people – opening up the healthcare sector to a wider pool of young talent.”

Alongside the workshops, pupils can also enjoy creative activities including a themed photobooth, with props such as prosthetics, lab coats and masks, offering a fun and memorable element to the day.

QMU will host two sessions for schools to choose from: 10.00am–12.00pm and 12.30pm–2.30pm.

Schools interested in attending this widening participation healthcare festival can contact Suzanne Ewing E:Healthfestteam@qmu.ac.uk for further information.

Audiences up at this year’s Tradfest

A CELEBRATION OF THE PAST, THE PRESENT & THE FUTURE OF TRAD IN EDINBURGH

Multi-award winning Scottish folk band Session A9 closed this year’s Edinburgh Tradfest with a standout live performance, and multiple encores at the Traverse Theatre on Monday 11 May.

The festival ran from (1-11 May) and included 11 days of live music, talks, workshops, folk film screenings and storytelling, thanks to continued support from Creative Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.

This year’s programme of over 60 events, was a tremendous success, with organisers enjoying:

● A 9% increase in ticket sales to music events at the Traverse Theatre.

● Multiple sell-outs including award-winning Connemara singing sensations Séamus and Caoimhe, Kim Carnie, Eilidh Shaw and Ian Carr, The Onlies, Deiseil: Dancing in Time, Nexus Project, Dick Gaughan in conversation and Session A9.

● Standing ovations for multiple performers including: Rajasthani folk trio SAZ; and Ukrainian folk musician and live-looping artist GANNA.

● Free pop up performances from Astro Bloc at Edinburgh Airport, SAZ at the Aroma Restaurant and Bar in Broxburn, and Dauntless at Nobles Bar in Leith.

● An increase in audiences aged under 26 thanks to the festival’s £9 ticket offer for younger audiences. Under 35s up from 21% to 25%

● A more international audience than ever before with 21% of the audience from outside the UK, whilst still being popular in the local area – 73% from Scotland (55% from Edinburgh).

This year’s music commission A’Chiad Litir, (The First Letter) also received 5-star reviews.The piece, inspired by the life of sixteenth-century lesbian love poet Marie Maitland, touched on questions of language, identity and the notion of queerness and was created and performed by renowned singer songwriter and composer Josie Duncan.

Joining Josie was a stellar line-up of musicians including; Charlotte Printer (bass and vocals), Chloë Bryce (fiddle), Eilidh Rogers (percussion), Jenny Clifford (guitar) and Ashley Douglas (spoken word) who read one of Marie Maitland’s poems addressed to another woman she loved.

Other stand-out highlights from this year included trad powerhouse RURA and newcomers Astro Bloc who played to a lively crowd on opening night at Potterrow; The Complete Recordings of Hezekiah Procter – a live vaudeville act, featuring old-time music performed on fiddles, banjos and sousaphone; Isla Ratcliff’s Scottish trad reinterpretation of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons; and award-winning folk singer Fiona Hunter taming toddlers with her interactive music session for under 5s and above.

Further afield, the hugely successful Folk Film Gathering supported by Screen Scotland, drew in the crowds with its popular programme of Scottish and international films, many accompanied by live scores or introductory talks.

In particular, the launch of Faodail | Found Outer Hebrides Film Archive website which featured live music from acclaimed accordionist and composer Pàdruig Morrison with fiddler and Gaelic singer Claire Frances MacNeil; the world premiere of a new documentary exploring the life and work of tradition bearer Jimmy Hutchison; Celtic Utopia which celebrates Ireland’s current folk renaissance and features many bold, funny, and politically outspoken young Irish folk musicians including Lankum and The Mary Wallopers; the UK premiere of Italian documentary Canone Effimero which showcases the raw energy and some of the vibrant folk traditions of Italy; and a curated selection of early, rarely-seen silent films by Scottish legendary film maker Bill Douglas.

Over at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, crowds gathered on Living Heritage Discovery Day to hear Ireland’s folklore aficionado Michael Fortune talk about Intangible Cultural Heritage and tradition-bearing.

Plus, throughout the festival, the Centre’s popular ‘What is…’ series of talks explaining what makes traditional dance, music,crafts, Gaelic, and Scots, truly traditional, drew audiences from all over, keen to hear from the experts about what makes each artform unique.

Lauren Paterson, Head of Programming at the Scottish Storytelling Centre said: “During the year of the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s 20th birthday, it’s been a joy to welcome audiences, performers and tradition-bearers alike to celebrate the richness, liveliness and variety of Scotland’s living heritage as part of Edinburgh Tradfest.

“From hands-on Come and Try sessions and workshops to explorations of traditional culture and identity through conversation and performance, it’s been inspiring to see so many people engaging with traditions and making connections with their own experience.”

Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “We are delighted and encouraged with how Edinburgh Tradfest went this year. To have audiences up by 9% is a real achievement especially in tough economic times.

“We are also extremely happy to see the numbers rising amongst the younger age groups. One of the many highlights for 2026 was the move into other areas of the city with some entertaining (and free) pop up performances.

“We hit Broxburn, Turnhouse and Leith this year, and are already planning to pop up in some other unusual locations for 2027.”

Edinburgh Tradfest will return from 30 April to 10 May 2027.

www.edinburghtradfest.com

CeilidhKids Workshops

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES DAY – SATURDAY 16 MAY

OUT OF THE BLUE DRILL HALL

Sign up, and join in the fun at one of the two FREE family-friendly Scottish Ceilidh workshops which are part of the afternoon activities taking place at this year’s Festival of Europe Scotland’s European Communities Day.

Particularly aimed at families with children aged 3-9 years, new Scots and Old Scots can discover and enjoy for the first or 100th time the dances and tap along to the music.

Lead by Caroline from Ceilidhkids each workshop is aimed at families with children aged 3 – 9 years. It’s family dancing, not children’s dancing so children should be accompanied by an adult willing to join in. One adult can dance with two children.

The dance steps are simplified and non-scary. As it is a shoes off dance floor there is a chance for everyone to show off their favourite socks!

Workshop 1: 2pm – 2.55pm

Workshop 2: 3.05pm – 4pm

But there will be first come spaces saved for those who turn up on the day! Please note: a ticket is required for every person attending (both adults and children), so be sure to book a place for each member of your group.

We hope you can join us!

This Ceilidh Workshop is part of European Communities Day, 16 May, Out of the Blue Drill Hall. It is made possible thanks to #NationalLottery players

Find out more about #FestivalofEuropeScotland and European Communities Day here: https://festivalofeuropescotland.org/…/european…/

Credit Photo: Ruth Armstrong Photography

Ceilidhkids

Moths and Butterflies workshops at Granton Castle Walled Garden

We are excited to announce that there will be two moths & butterflies workshops held in the garden this month as part of our new Citizen Science project.

SATURDAY 9th MAY 2 – 4pm, and

SUNDAY 17th MAY 2 – 4pm

Moths & butterfly expert Alyx teaches you how to identify common Scottish moths and butterflies and how to record them. You will also learn why these fascinating creatures are so important for our environment.

No need to book and no prior knowledge needed, just an interest in moths and butterflies.

#grantoncastlewalledgarden

#grantoncommunity

#mothsandbutterflies

#citizenscience

Free fun at West Pilton Park

EDINBURGH and LOTHIANS GREENSPACE TRUST

Looking for some free fun this Easter holiday in your local park?

Head along to any or all of these workshops all about nature in West Pilton Park!

Spring starts with Dobbies’ Spring Shopping Evening at Edinburgh store

Celebrate the colours of spring at Dobbies’ Spring Shopping Evening, a free-to-attend evening event dedicated to outdoor living and seasonal inspiration, taking place on Thursday 2 April at the Edinburgh store.

Bring friends and family together to join the local community to mark the start of the season, with entertainment from local groups, hands-on workshops, delicious samples from Dobbies’ new foodhall, and in-store garden inspiration.

Start the evening with a complimentary drink on arrival and be in with the chance to receive a pair of gardening gloves, available to the first 100 customers that come through the door at the Edinburgh store. Browse Dobbies’ Easter Bank Holiday Weekend offers and receive a free £5 gift card when you spend £40 or £10 when you spend £70.

Shoppers can enjoy live musical entertainment from local community groups while they get inspired this spring by Dobbies in-store garden furniture and 2026 spring summer trends. There will also be samples on offer from the brand-new Dobbies ‘cottage kitchen garden’ foodhall as they shop and the restaurant will be open until 7.30pm for drinks and light bites.

A free Create Your Own Spring Container Workshop will begin at 6pm, where attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the Dobbies’ Green Team as they demonstrate how to design and plant a beautiful spring container using seasonal foliage and flowers. They will also share tips on plant combinations, soil preparation and feeding, and how to keep your container looking vibrant all season long.

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, said: “We are excited to invite our customers to Dobbies for our Spring Shopping Evening at the Edinburgh store, where they can discover fresh planting ideas and explore the latest outdoor living trends.

“This special event is the perfect way to kick off the season, celebrate community spirit, and spark garden inspiration. We can’t wait to welcome our customers and help everyone make the most of garden living in the months ahead.”

Tickets for Dobbies’ Spring Shopping Evening are free but sign up is required to receive an arrival drink. To book visit dobbies.com/events.

Events and Workshops at Granton Castle Walled Garden

Fancy learning about mushroom growing or flower arranging?

We recently added a number of new events and workshops to our website.

All of them are free to attend unless noted otherwise. Spaces fill up quickly, so don’t delay signing up.

Details here:

https://www.grantoncastlewalledgarden/events

#grantoncastlewalledgarden

Jewellery making with Flourish at North Edinburgh Arts

We’re excited to share a fantastic creative opportunity for local adults who would like to develop skills in jewellery making at North Edinburgh Arts.

We have a couple of places available for an extended jewellery programme with Flourish Jewellery Project, open to local adults living in Granton or Pilton.

Workshops will run weekly on Thursday mornings, 10.30am – 12.30pm, from February to August 2026.

As places are limited, participants must be able to commit to attending weekly to ensure they get the most out of this opportunity.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:

Places are being offered to adults (aged 18+). The course is funded by City of Edinburgh Council Forth Ward so to be eligible to attend you must live in Granton or Pilton.

If you are interested in taking part but unsure if your address is eligible, please get in touch.

TO APPLY FOR A PLACE:

Email Lisa at hello@flourishjewelleryproject.com and include the following information:

– Your full name

– Your address and postcode

– Contact telephone number

– Tell us why you would like to attend the extended Jewellery programme?

Leith Creative Trail launches this weekend

29th NOVEMBER – 7th DECEMBER

The Leith Creative Trail starts this weekend!

This winter, Leith comes alive with creativity! We’re excited to be taking part again this year with our Winter Arts Markets.

It’s your chance to explore 20 inspiring creative venues filled with markets, open studios, exhibitions, workshops, talks, and pop-up events celebrating Leith’s vibrant artistic spirit.

Come and join us from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th December where over 120 handpicked local artists and makers will be selling their work.

With everything from clothes and textiles, glass and ceramics to paintings, prints and illustrations (and lots more), there’s something for everyone.

As well as the bustling market, there will be food and drink from the fully licensed Drill Hall Cafe (including mulled wine).

The perfect place to pick up a unique Christmas gift and support local artists at the same time.

Friday 5th December | 5pm – 9pm

Saturday 6th December | 11am – 5pm

Sunday 7th December | 11am – 5pm

£3 / £1 Concessions / Free for under 12’s.

To find out more just head over to our website.

Friday market https://outoftheblue.pulse.ly/ati1ac0xls

Saturday & Sunday markets https://outoftheblue.pulse.ly/wmbxtebbti

Gracemount High School pupils gain hands-on hospitality experience in partnership with The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection has partnered with Gracemount High School to give pupils hands-on hospitality experience through the Hospitality Connect programme.

The initiative aims to reshape perceptions of hospitality careers while providing students with real-world training in a professional hotel environment.

Since launching last November, the partnership has enabled 30 Gracemount students, aged 14 to 16, to explore daily operations at The Scholar, a 4-star hotel run by The University of Edinburgh, through four immersive workshops. Participants gained practical insight into core hospitality functions including housekeeping, reception services, kitchen operations, and food & beverage management.

Hospitality Connect, founded by UK Hospitality, delivers six bespoke career experiences annually, including workshops, employer-led events, and hands-on training. By connecting classroom learning with real-world industry expertise, the programme helps bridge the gap between education and employment, offering students a tangible pathway into hospitality careers.

The programme culminated on Thursday, 27th March, with a special event at the hotel’s restaurant The Brasserie, rebranded by the students as “The Mount” for the day. Students took full control of the lunch service, overseeing everything from menu design and marketing to food preparation and front-of-house service.

This hands-on experience not only contributed to their year-end assessments but also provided them with practical skills and a deeper understanding of the industry – an invaluable stepping stone toward future career opportunities.

Gavin MacLennan, Group General Manager for Operations at the University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection, said: “We have loved opening our operations to support students who have already demonstrated a keen interest in the hospitality sector.

“By providing real-world insights and experiences, we’ve sought to equip them with the practical skills and knowledge required to excel in this field and to demonstrate the career opportunities it brings.”

Morven Langley, Teacher at Gracemount High School, added: “This initiative really brings classroom learning to life.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our students to see the inner workings of a busy Edinburgh hotel, enhancing their learning and preparing them for exciting career opportunities in this growing sector.”

This partnership marks the start of what is hoped to be a long-term collaboration, inspiring the next generation to view hospitality as an exciting and rewarding career choice.

To find out more about the University of Edinburgh Hospitality Collection, please visit:

https://www.uoecollection.com/.