Latest news with #EdinburghFestival
Scotsman
5 hours ago
- Scotsman
Readers' Letters: Lack of variety and quality among Royal Mile shops shames capital
The Royal Mile in Edinburgh is heaving with identikit shops selling 'tourist tat' (Picture: Lisa Ferguson) Walking the Royal Mile is a depresing experience, believes reader Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... As an Edinburgh Festival Voluntary Guide I thought that I knew a fair bit about our Royal Mile. While I was aware there were a fair number of tourist gift shops, I was staggered to learn there are in fact 72 in total from the Castle down to the Palace. Walking Festival visitors down the Royal Mile, I am regularly having to apologise to them for the lack of quality gift shops. What is on offer is invariably cheap, tacky 'Scottish souvenirs', most of which will most certainly not have been made here in Scotland. What a chance lost to showcase the best of Scotland when it comes to quality products. Does the council have any idea how they have let the city – and Scotland – down by allowing this state of affairs to have happened? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Compare the Royal Mile with Karuizawa, a tourist centre near Nagano in the Japanese Alps which my wife and I visited in March. It was an absolute delight to walk along the town's main shopping street. Some 150 outlets showcased the best of local products and produce. The attractive shopfronts displayed ceramics, pottery, textiles, leatherwork, clothing, artwork, local food and drink and high-quality Japanese souvenirs. And there was not a McDonalds, KFC or Starbucks to be seen, just excellent cafes with delicious home baking to be enjoyed. Thankfully, this failure on the part of Edinburgh is not repeated to the same degree elsewhere in Scotland. While the Brigadoon bric-a-brac can be seen, in towns such as Peebles you will find high-quality Scottish products for sale. Edinburgh must surely up its game and promote the best of Scotland. Eric Melvin, Edinburgh Poll closed Clearly, John Swinney has a very odd idea of how things work constitutionally in the UK. He seems to think that his party only needs to get the largest number of seats and – hey, presto! – he can demand a second referendum on independence. However, the 'once in a lifetime' referendum held in 2014 was only permitted because David Cameron allowed it. As the Government of the UK, Westminster is in charge of all such matters as referenda. The number held has been very small and none have been on the same subject twice. One might ask why they should be – if you ask a constitutional question and you get an answer, your problem has been solved. When the UK was asked if voters wanted to join the EEC, they answered and membership was confirmed. When that entity changed to the EU, to which the UK's voters had not agreed to join, the vote was to leave and we duly left. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As Scottish voters decided to remain in the UK by a substantial margin of almost 24 per cent more votes than voted to leave, there is no reason to revisit the subject. After all, in the unlikely event he was allowed a second referendum, I doubt if Mr Swinney would guarantee to hold a further referendum on rejoining the remaining UK within 11 years if he won it, would he? Maybe we should ask? Sauce for the goose? John Fraser, Glasgow Natural gasbag? Donald Trump's dismissive remarks about Scottish wind energy are out of step with the facts and counterproductive for the nation's energy future. Wind power can be one of the cheapest and cleanest forms of energy available, powering millions of homes and supporting thousands of jobs across Scotland and the wider UK. Meanwhile, the North Sea is running out of gas. By 2027, the UK will no longer extract enough gas to meet national heating demands, even if all proposed new fields are approved. Analysis of official data shows just 14 per cent of the basin's original gas reserves remain commercially viable, meaning there is no potential for a long-term energy strategy driven by fossil fuels. No amount of bluster can mask the declining economics of fossil fuels. Trump's rhetoric ignores spiralling energy bills, geopolitical risks of import dependence, and the urgent climate crisis. Denigrating renewable energy while denying the facts is not just misleading, it's dangerous. Simon Francis, End Fuel Poverty Coalition Coordinator, Edinburgh Shattered idyll Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Visitor Martin O'Gorman (Letters, 29 July) writes admiringly of the Isle of Man's unspoiled landscape and absence of wind turbines – and indeed, many of us here on the island deeply value that same beauty, but I must gently correct the impression tranquillity is guaranteed. Communities in the south of the island are now fighting to prevent the industrialisation of some of our last remaining peatlands, upland habitats and wild open spaces. A 185-metre-tall wind farm – known as Cair Vie (ironically, 'Fair Wind' in Manx Gaelic) – is proposed by the Manx Utilities Authority for the very hills above our peaceful villages. These are areas of immense cultural, ecological and historical significance, where hen harriers and other vulnerable species breed undisturbed. Our community is working to protect this fragile biosphere from poorly sited industrial developments that threaten the very ecosystems we must preserve if climate action is to mean anything. Peatland is not wasteland – it stores vast amounts of carbon and supports rare biodiversity. Once damaged, it cannot be restored overnight. We are immensely grateful to visitors who appreciate our stunning landscape – but please know that its beauty endures not by accident, but via constant vigilance and community resolve. As custodians of this landscape, we all have a responsibility to defend it for future generations. We send solidarity to all in Scotland facing similar battles, may you endure, as we will. Kirrie Jenkins, Ballagreney, Colby, Isle of Man Learn to move on Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It is right that we look to history to inform and perhaps to learn lessons from the outcomes of various decisions that impacted on where we are today. One lesson should be that we cannot change what happened in the past and events that occurred happened due to particular circumstances that shaped long-gone decisions. However, whatever the misdeed as viewed by today's standards it has to be remembered that perhaps a century or two have passed and myriad events have impacted on the original sin, as it were, making it impossible to judge whether the original sin continued to be a negative experience moving forward through the years. My point is, it is totally wrong to review historical events in isolation, for example, using slavery as a stick with which to beat modern, western man. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Yes, viewed within the prism of a single happening it was wrong that tribal chiefs could sell people to others, as it was wrong for plantation owners to purchase them to work the fields of cotton or other crops. But at the time this was not considered an evil but a necessity, rather a harsh one but 'lesser' individuals were considered expendable, to be used until they were no longer able to be useful; then they were abandoned. Fortunately, modern times have substituted the rule of law rather than the dictate or whim of an individual ruler and there is now, for most of us 'lesser' beings, the feeling that we have some control over our lives, albeit at times this is an illusion of faith over fact! Given that, we now need to move on from historical misdeeds. What is really important is tomorrow and the future. By all means learn the lessons but use them to inform present day decisions and hopefully provide for a better future. The past was yesterday learn from it! A Lewis, Coylton, Ayrshire No end to suffering Earlier this month it was the 40th anniversary of the amazing Live Aid concerts in both London and Philadelphia. Midway through proceedings, viewers were reminded of why this was happening. The great David Bowie introduced a short film showing many children suffering and dying in the famine in Ethiopia. These pictures shocked everyone and many shed tears. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Today on the BBC News, up came almost identical pictures of children suffering and dying in a man-made famine in Gaza. How can the world let something like this happen today? T West, Dumfries Spine tingling Nicola Sturgeon has just received an advance copy of her new book from her publisher and she was 'close to tears' with excitement. It has been a dream of hers to have her own name on her own book... but hold on, being a politician, all is not quite what it seems. Ms Sturgeon had a book out in 2021, containing her speeches. While she did not actually write the book, only the speeches, her name is prominently displayed on the cover, the writer, less so. Ms Sturgeon might not be too happy with her sales of this book, as currently it is 1,424,036th on the Kindle best selling list. Will she be taking a cue from JK Rowling by having the bookshops open at midnight on the first day of issue, 14 August, for the sales rush? Gerald Edwards, Glasgow Write to The Scotsman
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
34 incredible photos of Edinburgh in the swinging 60s taken six decades ago
While most of these great photos show normal Edinburgers going about their business throughout the decade when Britain was cool again thanks to the nation's worldwide success in music and fashion, we also found some great photos of famous faces from the time visiting the Scottish Capital. So as well as locals going enjoying their daily life at work, out swimming, protesting, fuelling up their cars, and trying to get on a bus with a Christmas tree, there are also photos of the Beatles, Cilla Black, the Rolling Stones, David Frost and Frankie Vaughan in Edinburgh. While, there are also a couple of great photos of Hibs embarking on European adventures, including perhaps the most impressive victory of their 150 years. 1 . I want to hold your hand Singer Frankie Vaughan holds the hand of local woman Irene Smith during a concert at Leith Town Hall in aid of a boys club in 1961. | TSPL Photo: National World Photo Sales 2 . Walking home The bus conductor stops a man boarding the bus with a large Christmas tree at a North Bridge bus stop in December 1968. | TSPL Photo: National World Photo Sales 3 . The Fab Five A young fan in a kilt meets the Beatles at the ABC cinema in Edinburgh in 1964. (l-r) Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison. | TSPL Photo: National World Photo Sales 4 . On the march The Edinburgh Revue group on Calton Hill during the Edinburgh Festival in August 1966. | TSPL Photo: National World Photo Sales Related topics: Edinburgh
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
To continue hosting the world, we must protect the planet
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has cut its carbon footprint by over a quarter since 2017 This week the world once again descends on Edinburgh, as our famous festivals burst into life with colour, creativity and culture. Every summer, the capital becomes the beating heart of global performance and that is something we should be proud of. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... But pride must be matched with responsibility. As we welcome thousands of artists, producers and audiences from across the globe, we must also confront the environmental footprint this cultural powerhouse creates. Festivals are not immune to the climate emergency. The very things that make them magical; the travel, the lights, the build-outs, the temporary venues – also make them carbon intensive. I believe Edinburgh has an opportunity to lead the world in showing that world-class culture and climate responsibility can go hand in hand. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is already important work being done. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has cut its carbon footprint by over a quarter since 2017. Electricity emissions alone are down nearly 60 per cent and they've slashed brochure printing by almost two thirds. Many venues now serve vegetarian options by default and source materials locally. These are real, commendable steps and I wonder if this is the result of the city influencing our visitors or if we are learning from their annual visits. But we cannot ignore the challenges. Travel emissions remain high, with artists and audiences still largely reliant on flying. Freight, accommodation and infrastructure continue to leave a sizeable mark on the city and its environment. Some of Edinburgh's green spaces, especially The Meadows, are still overused and vulnerable during peak festival activity. Our nature suffers from the overcrowding and hundreds of vans and lorries delivering equipment. If we want to continue hosting the world, we must protect the planet in the process. That's why we need bold ideas and decisive leadership from both local authorities and festival organisers. We should explore options like decentralised venues, better public transport access, reduced reliance on temporary diesel generators and stricter environmental standards as a condition for use of public land. We also need to secure the funding that will allow these changes to happen, not force festivals to choose between artistic quality and climate action. The Scottish economy relies on a successful Edinburgh Festival, therefore the Scottish Government should invest in making it sustainable for the city for generations to come. Culture is powerful. It moves us, challenges us, brings us together. But it also shapes our values. If Edinburgh's festivals can model sustainability with creativity and courage, they can inspire audiences from across the globe to take action too. Let Edinburgh be not only the world's festival city, but also a city where climate justice is centre stage. Lorna Slater is co-leader of the Scottish Greens
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibernian FC Host Festival play about the dark side of football
The groundbreaking collaboration highlights the harsh realities of youth football and the physical and mental abuse they are subjected to. The hour long show will be staged at Hibs' brand new Behind the Goals venue during the Edinburgh Festival and launches on Saturday 2nd August at 7pm. The play is written and performed by Alfie Cain, who himself was a trainee at Chelsea FC for many years before eventually being dropped at age 18. The production marks the first time a professional football club in Scotland has hosted a theatrical performance about the mental health challenges faced by young players who don't make the professional grade, and it's also the first time that Hibs has hosted a show at the Edinburgh Fringe. A Hibernian FC spokesperson said: "Hosting 'Dropped' at Easter Road is a statement of our continued commitment to player welfare beyond the pitch. We recognise the different challenges that academy players face and during their educational programmes with us, we attempt to prepare them for life outside the game, in case their sporting ambitions don't come true. It's vital youngsters are prepared for that reality and professional life. Alfie's play offers powerful insights that we believe can benefit our young players and the wider football community." At this time of year (end of July/early August) thousands of trainees will be told they are no longer needed at their clubs. There are no published numbers of trainee footballers at professional Scottish clubs, but figures range from over 2,000 (Source BBC) to around 10,000 but research by the SFA last year stated that Scottish Football is "significantly underachieving its potential" and that only 1% of apprentices will get to play top-flight football. (Source BBC). The chances of success for trainees are equally poor south of the border. Many trainees suffer from serious mental health issues after being dropped by their clubs and in 2020 there was the tragic case of a suicide by 18-year-old Manchester City trainee Jeremy Wisten. His family felt he was "let down" by the club and that they did not provide adequate support. That is certainly an extreme case but many other trainees struggle with mental health issues, as was certainly the case with Alfie Cain, after being dropped at age 18. Alfie said: "From the age of nine to 18 everything in my life revolved around football. Everyone expected me to turn pro, and I had the prestige of being an elite footballer. Then after nine years of commitment, I was invited into the coach's office and in nine minutes was told that the dream was over and to clear out my locker. My whole world fell apart in those few minutes, I lost everything, my purpose and confidence were shattered. It took years to get over it, and if I'd not had the support of my family I could easily have taken a wrong turn." Alfie retrained as an actor at LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) in London and wrote the play Dropped which was first performed in 2022 at the Arts Cafe Theatre in Little Venice. The play sold out and he received press in the Evening Standard, BBC and ITV. As a result he was signed up by a top talent agency and recently appeared in EastEnders. Alfie added: "This opportunity to perform at Hibernian's Easter Road is a dream come true, I've always wanted to take Dropped to the Edinburgh Festival but simply couldn't afford to do so, but thanks to Hibs' amazing support I'm able to do it. Having a professional club embrace this message is groundbreaking. The 'Behind the Goals' venue creates the perfect atmosphere for telling this story, literally in the shadow of where dreams are made and broken every week. Back when I was a trainee I'd have loved the chance to play at Easter Road, and now it's going to happen, maybe not quite the way I'd envisaged back then, but it's still fantastic." PERFORMANCE DETAILS VENUE - Behind the Goals, Easter Road Stadium (Hibernian FC), 12 Albion Pl, Edinburgh EH7 5QG DATES - 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 August - with option to extend TIME - 7:00 PM (approx running time 50 mins) TICKETS - £15, available at ENTRY - Through the North Stand door 1 . Contributed Alfie Cain performing his one-man play Dropped on stage Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 2 . Contributed Alfie Cain as a trainee at Chelsea FC aged 11. He is second row from top and in the centre. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 3 . Contributed Alfie Cain as a young trainee before he was Dropped Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 4 . Contributed Alfie Cain on the pitch at Easter Road, prior to the launch of his play Dropped. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales Related topics: BBCScotland
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Escape festival frenzy with a foodie oasis in Edinburgh's coolest neighbourhoods this August
As Edinburgh takes centre stage for the world's largest performance arts festival again this summer, some of the city's top neighbourhood restaurants and bars are offering a cooler and more relaxed alternative to city centre crowds, long queues and cramped venues. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Edinburgh Festival attracts over four million visitors to the city centre every year, but just a few minutes away from the crowded streets, Stockbridge, Morningside and Edinburgh's waterfront in Leith are just some of the capital's most popular gourmet boltholes. The coastal Edinburgh neighbourhood of Leith alone now boasts more fine dining restaurants than anywhere else in the country, including a wide variety of restaurants brimming with the best fish and seafood landed around the shores of Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Here is just a small menu of ideas to tempt you away from the city centre this August, including two new venues for 2025; a two AA Rosette restaurant onboard Scotland's only five-star luxury floating hotel; and a star of Edinburgh's first Rose Wine Trail. Barry Fish has earned its place on The Good Food Guide's UK-wide list of '100 Best Local Restaurants 2025', just five months after its launch. 1. Barry Fish, 62 The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh (NEW FOR 2025) An Edinburgh restaurant has earned its place on The Good Food Guide's UK-wide list of '100 Best Local Restaurants 2025', just five months after its launch. Chef Barry Bryson opened the doors to his first independent fish restaurant on Edinburgh's waterfront at the Shore in Leith in February. Since then, he has quickly established 'Barry Fish' as one of the city's most popular dining venues for local diners and visitors by showcasing the best fish and seafood from Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad At Barry Fish, diners can enjoy views directly into the open plan working kitchen from the pass, as well as out over the Water of Leith from the comfort of the restaurant. Fingal's new Moët Deck is the perfect spot to savour a quiet moment of luxury The newly launched Barry Fish summer menu now features whole lemon sole with shrimps, greens and sauce vermouth; barbecued monkfish brochettes with pickled beetroot and dill dressing; and Swanfield Royale – roast chicken, pancetta, cider and chestnut mushrooms baked in a pie with a big green salad and rouille. Firm favourites still include shelled half lobster with smoked fish agnolotti, brown butter sauce and pickled fennel; Barry Fish pastrami with aioli, capers and dried grapes; ceviche of sea bream with orange, pickled fennel, red onion and cardamom; as well as octopus, whipped feta and a blood orange dressing. Barry Fish is open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 5.30pm. The Big Snacks menu is served during the day Thursday to Saturday, 12pm to 2.30pm; and evenings Tuesday to Saturday, 4.30pm to 8.30pm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Shore area of Leith is already known as Edinburgh's foodie hotpot - home to the Michelin-starred The Kitchin by Tom Kitchin, Restaurant Martin Wishart and Heron. 2. The Captain Darling, 16-18 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh (NEW FOR SUMMER 2025) A new brasserie-style bar and restaurant has opened its doors on Hamilton Place in the Edinburgh neighbourhood of Stockbridge just in time for Festival season in August. Following months of planning, the team behind 'The Captain Darling' has now unveiled the venue as a social hub for the whole community on the local high street, as well as festival goers in search of a more relaxed dining experience away from the city centre crowds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A dedicated bar space has been created for people to drop in for a leisurely drink and snacks seven days a week from lunchtime until late. Edinburgh chef Scott Smith is overseeing the kitchen at The Captain Darling and helping with the launch phase of the new venue. The focus of the menu is on classic, well-made, seasonal dishes that are created to be full of flavour. A separate dining area is now serving an all-day brasserie-style menu. Starters include Cumbrae oysters; prawn cocktail, Caesar salad and haggis croquettes. Highlights of the main menu include handmade savoury pies and a selection of meats cooked over coals. The Captain Darling Sunday roast with all the trimmings is another star of the show, including rare breed pork porchetta; dry aged sirloin roast beef and confited chicken leg finished on the barbecue. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad People with a sweet tooth can enjoy lemon posset, sticky toffee pudding and milk chocolate mousse. 3. McLarens on the Corner, Morningside Road, Edinburgh Situated in a former Bank building in Edinburgh's Morningside, McLarens on the Corner is a celebrated and stylish neighbourhood bar and restaurant that prides itself on using high quality, seasonal Scottish produce. The Morningside venue has a large outdoor terrace to enjoy social gatherings during the day or on light summer evenings, making it the ideal spot for soaking up the sun. This summer, McLarens is uncorking something special as part of Edinburgh's first 'Rosé Wine Trail' (NEW FOR 2025), which is being rolled out across the capital. The summer-long campaign is celebrating the popular pink tipple from now until the end of September. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad McLarens is teaming up with its sister venues, The Huxley on Rutland Street and Copper Blossom on George Street to showcase some of the best rosé wine from France, Italy and the USA. As people's tastes turn to lighter, fruitier and more refreshing summer drink options, McLarens on the Corner is pouring its passion into a new rosé wine menu and rosé-inspired cocktails with a focus on quality, flavour and style. At McLarens on the Corner, people can look forward to Côtes de Provence rosé and M by Minuty, as well as full rosé wine flights offering people the chance to enjoy three different 125ml expressions at the same time to pair with summer menus. McLarens' new alfresco menu for the summer includes tikka skewers, lamb koftas and their famous sesame and crispy rice salad, which pair perfectly with M by Minuty's notes of red berries, white peach and citrus. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 4. The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, Fingal Hotel, Alexandra Dock, Leith, Edinburgh Permanently berthed in Edinburgh's historic Port of Leith, Fingal is Scotland's only five-star luxury floating hotel and is a world-class foodie destination with a nautical twist. Fingal has all the glamour and style of a superyacht, but with an air of old-world Art Deco luxury ocean liner elegance, inspired by the ship's rich maritime heritage. Fingal's Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar has 2 AA rosettes for culinary excellence. The galley team is continuing to enhance the dining experience for the ship's guests following the expansion of its award-winning restaurant, which offers the finest-quality Scottish menus that are bursting with seasonal flavours. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In partnership with Moët & Chandon, Fingal's new Moët Deck (NEW FOR 2025) is a space to gather, to toast a special occasion or savour a quiet moment of luxury for a leisurely afternoon. Every day at 17.43 (the year Moët & Chandon was founded) listen for the bell ringing to signal a taste of ice-cold Champagne for those out on the Deck. Clinking glasses set the rhythm with expertly crafted cocktails perfectly paired with beautifully curated sharing boards, laden with artisan cheeses, Scottish fish and vegetarian antipasto. Elevate every sip! Re-launched as a luxury hotel, restaurant and bar in 2019, the former Northern Lighthouse Board tender is owned and operated by the award-winning team at The Royal Yacht Britannia, which is located just a 10-minute walk away.
