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Edinburgh Reporter
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Festival City Goes Digital: How Edinburgh's Entertainment Landscape Is Evolving Online
Edinburgh has long been known for its vibrant festivals, cobbled streets full of performers, and the sheer buzz of live events that seem to pulse through the city every summer. It's the kind of place where creativity isn't just welcomed, it's expected. But lately, the way people are soaking up the city's culture has started to shift. And if you've noticed more screen time creeping into your free time, you're not alone. Because, like everywhere else, Edinburgh's entertainment sector is going online, and it's not a phase. Tradition Meets Technology First of all, the festivals. The Fringe, the International Festival, Hogmanay; these are interwoven with the city. They've filled theatres, transformed parks into festivals, and filled pubs to the brim for decades. But more and more, they're finding new ways to connect, and more often than not, that means online. In recent years, live performances, virtual reality experiences, and hybrid productions have been a standard feature of the festival circuit. And honestly? It's paying off. Not only can more people participate (even if they can't attend in person), but acts are getting to global crowds without having to leave Edinburgh. It's not about duplicating the miracle of live performance. It's about multiplying it. Binge-Watching the Best of Edinburgh You know that feeling when you want something to watch, but something local? And, as luck would have it, there is a demand for on-demand culture that isn't a new Netflix series. In Edinburgh alone, there are even smaller theatres and artistic groups streaming and recording their shows. From amateur theatrical productions to live acoustic performances being recorded in small, dingy spaces, there's plenty to watch without having to leave home. It's affordable, it's easy, and it's lovely watching a show in your pyjamas sometimes. This shift isn't for convenience alone either. It's making the arts more accessible to those for whom going out to events in person isn't an option, due to cost, mobility, or just a hectic schedule. Gaming, Gambling, and Digital Escapes And of course, not all that is available on the internet is arts-related. Some of it is just about switching off and unwinding. Gaming has become extremely popular in Edinburgh, as it has elsewhere in the UK, with more and more people grabbing their phones or laptops for some relaxation time. Online gambling has also grown. But with a twist here: people are getting smarter. They want sites that are secure, user-friendly, and allow for rapid, cashless payments. Amidst all the online action, many people also tried bookmakers that accept Skrill, liking how speedy and easy the websites are to execute secure, hassle-free payments. When people are in control of how they pay, they also feel more at ease with how they play. And it's not high-stakes or risky behaviour. It's a bit of innocent fun, with ease and safety first. Local Creators Go Global This online growth isn't only succeeding for viewers, it's changing creators, too. Musicians, filmmakers, artists, and comedians from Edinburgh are no longer limited to the audience in front of them. They're connecting with people across the country, or even worldwide. Others are employing platforms like Patreon or YouTube. Others are selling digital downloads, online classes, or pay-per-month livestreams. It's giving local artists a way of building their audience and their income, all without needing a massive venue or corporate backing. Even bricks-and-mortar buildings, such as The Cameo, Summerhall, or the Scottish Storytelling Centre, are going digital, streaming their events to a wider, often younger, digitally-born audience. It's Not All Smooth Sailing Of course, this internet boom hasn't all been smooth sailing. Screen fatigue is no myth. So is attempting to cut through in a very crowded digital landscape. There's something about live performance, as well, the buzz of an audience, the shared experience, that can't quite be replicated online. But with all that, the positives undeniably outweigh the negatives. One individual is missing the retro charm of a packed theatre, for everyone who now feels they can join in, thanks to digital accessibility. It is a case of balance. The Future? A Little Bit of Everything So what's next for Edinburgh entertainment? More diversity, basically. The future will be partly virtual, but not all, and nor will it be purely pre-digital. It will be both. You'll still be able to grab a pint before a show, settle into a creaky theatre seat, and experience something live. But you'll also have the option to stream it the next day. Or catch a behind-the-scenes clip online. Or support your favourite act via their latest digital gig. In a city as creative and adaptable as Edinburgh, the mix of old and new feels just right. Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
13-07-2025
- Daily Record
Walk to stunning Scottish castle that inspired a Disney film named among UK's best
A coastal walk in northeast Scotland was ranked among the UK's best for its beauty, based on five-star reviews A scenic coastal walk in northeast Scotland has been ranked among the UK's best, thanks to its dramatic cliffs, medieval fortress and striking natural beauty. The route from Stonehaven Harbour to the iconic Dunnottar Castle was named the third most beautiful walk in the UK in a new study by photo printing company CEWE, which analysed Google reviews to find the country's most-loved walking trails, Express reports. Each location was assessed on the number of five-star ratings and how often words like 'beautiful', 'stunning', 'amazing', and 'lovely' appeared in the reviews. The Stonehaven to Dunnottar walk scored highly, with 254 reviewers describing it as beautiful and an overall 4.8-star rating. The 3.5-mile circular route takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete and leads walkers south from the town's picturesque harbour to the imposing ruins of Dunnottar Castle. Along the way, the trail passes through Black Hill, Strathlethan Bay, Dunnicaer Pictish Fort, and Castle Haven. Stonehaven, a former fishing town with around 11,000 residents, is known not only for its coastal charm but also for its ancient Hogmanay fireballs ceremony, during which locals parade through the streets swinging flaming balls above their heads to banish evil spirits and welcome the new year. But the real showstopper is Dunnottar Castle itself. A ruined medieval fortress perched dramatically on a rocky headland, it sits about two miles south of Stonehaven and boasts a commanding position on the northeast coast. While most of the existing buildings date to the 15th and 16th centuries, the site has been fortified since the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a central role in Scottish history, most famously as the hiding place of the Honours of Scotland, the nation's crown jewels, during Oliver Cromwell's invasion in the 17th century. Once the seat of the powerful Earls Marischal and home to the Keith family from the 14th century, the castle declined after the final Earl forfeited his titles for supporting the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. It was later restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public. The castle has also featured on the silver screen, appearing in the 1990 film adaptation of Hamlet and inspiring Merida's family home in Disney's Brave. A few miles further south, nature lovers can continue to RSPB Fowlsheugh, a clifftop reserve teeming with life. In spring and summer, the reserve becomes a noisy haven for more than 130,000 breeding seabirds, including puffins, kittiwakes and razorbills. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Topping CEWE's list of beautiful walks was Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland, a grand 19th-century estate nestled on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. The estate features landscaped gardens, a stately mansion with an impressive art collection, and 10 miles of trails winding through farmland and woodland. It received 259 'beautiful' mentions and a 4.7-star average rating. Powis Castle and Garden in Welshpool, Wales, took second place. Originally built as a fortress in the 13th century, the castle boasts sweeping views across the Severn Valley and is surrounded by elegant gardens. It earned 255 'beautiful' reviews and also maintained a 4.7-star rating.
Scotsman
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh council seeks contractors for community events at Ross bandstand
Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. 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... Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. The Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand.
Edinburgh Reporter
11-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Council seeks Ross Bandstand events contractors
Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
11-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh council looking for Ross Bandstand community event contractor
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand.
