A young filmmaker from East Lothian is gaining recognition after his short film Battered was selected for the Oxford Shorts Film Festival 2026. He has also been nominated for the festival’s Early Career Filmmaker Award. Michael Inglis, who grew up in Tranent and studied film at Edinburgh Napier University, directed the short which will have its UK premiere at St John’s College, University of Oxford, on Sunday 12 April. The short centres on Jack, an up-and-coming MMA (mixed m

Sponsored On Thursday 16 April, buyer-behaviour and sales-process-design consultant, Gerry Forristal, is running his ‘trust triad’ workshop at Clockwise in Leith, from 10am-12.30. The session, for founders of established businesses, focuses on why buyers hesitate and how businesses can redesign their sales processes to reduce buyer risk rather than increase sales pressure. Gerry says: "Most founders struggle with sales because they're using techniques that trigger resistance

On Saturday 21 March, Lannan Pantry will host a book signing with Edinburgh food writer, Jess Elliott Dennison, to celebrate her book, Midweek Recipes . Bakes from the book, including cherry and almond pudding; flourless chocolate cake with Armagnac prunes; treacle tea loaf; and brown-butter-and-rosemary apple cake will be available on the counter, from 9am until sell out. Recipes from Midweek Recipes , which was published in 2024, reflect how Jess cooks from Monday to Friday

The programme theme for this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, running from 7-30 August, is ‘All Rise’, described as “a rallying cry, encompassing collaboration, resilience and ascendance.” Marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, the 2026 programme examines the ideas and impact of the US with the Festival's largest-ever representation of American artists. Programme highlights include the Festival’s first-ever jazz ensemble residency, from Jazz at

An Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) graduate says he hopes his invention of an emergency medical device will empower people with no medical training to prevent a serious blood loss injury from becoming fatal. Scott Rutherford first came up with the idea for ‘Scotseal’ during his final year on ENU’s product-design course. The prototype he created won the Best in Show award at the university’s 2025 Degree Show and also saw him named runner-up at the UK-wide New Designers award

Lawyers from Dentons’ Edinburgh and Glasgow offices took part in the 2026 LandAid SleepOut in Edinburgh on 5 March, spending a night outdoors in the capital to raise funds to help tackle youth homelessness. The Dentons team set an initial fundraising target of £1400 and have so far raised £3000. Dentons’ disputes partner Philip Knight joined colleagues Liam McCabe, Lauren Fowler, Fraser Crombie, Emily Zehetmayr, Jordan Houston and Robbie McElroy in sleeping outside Dynamic Ea

AMIS, an Edinburgh-based charity which supports male victims of domestic abuse, has launched a new campaign, ‘AMIS 100 – Stand with a Man’, inviting 100 organisations to take a stand against abuse and support the men who experience it. The charity reports that in 2025, it received almost 3,000 requests for support, with 651 men reaching out for help for the first time. Carol-Anne Fordyce, head of services at AMIS, said: “Many of the men who contact us tell us they delayed r

Asian-inspired restaurant chain, Maki & Ramen, has announced that it has raised £20,000 over the last 18 months, for Thistle Foundation, an Edinburgh charity which supports people to cope with the diagnosis of a long-term condition. Each Monday, for every bowl of ramen sold in Maki & Ramen’s four Edinburgh restaurants between 4pm and 8pm, £1 is donated to Thistle. Team members have participated in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk and funds were also raised at a recent celebratory eve

Edinburgh networking group, Hug The Cactus, is launching its first networking event in Fife, on 11 March, from 10am-noon, at Abbot House, in Dunfermline. Hug The Cactus started up more than three years ago and is run by its founder, photographer, Susan Heaton. Two events are held in and around the Edinburgh area on a monthly basis, attracting entrepreneurs, creatives and small business owners. Commenting on the expansion into Fife, Susan said: “Hug The Cactus has grown into

A major new partnership is set to bring one of Scotland’s contemporary folk festivals to the capital for the very first time. For one day only, on Saturday 20 June, the Royal Highland Show will partner with trad-music festival, The Reeling, at the Royal Highland Centre. The line-up for the event will include Dougie MacLean, Breabach, Dlù, Elephant Sessions, Kinnaris Q and Skippinish. Mark Currie, director at the Royal Highland Centre, said: “This is an exciting partnership op

Stockbridge bakery, Lannan, is hosting a pop-up by baker, food writer and winner of the first series of The Great British Bake Off , Edd Kimber. The pop-up, on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 March, coincides with the release of Edd’s book, Chocolate Baking . Bakes from the book will be available, including chocolate and whipped-caramel cake; chocolate and absinthe canelé; and sour-cherry custard buns with cocoa streusel. The bakes will be available from 9am until sell-out,

The Real Mary King’s Close and The Lost Close have announced a new collaborative tour experience, ‘Above & Below’. Running from Friday 13 February to Sunday 22 February, Above & Below brings together two independently guided experiences to offer guests a deeper understanding of Edinburgh’s layered history, both beneath the Royal Mile and above the Old Town. The experience begins with a one-hour guided tour at The Real Mary King’s Close, where guests descend into preserved 17t

A team of East Lothian cyclists, the Doddie Dasher’5, are gearing up for a tough test this spring, as they take on an 800-mile fundraising cycle in support of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The challenge, known as Doddie’s Triple Crown, follows the success of last year’s event, which raised more than £1m for motor-neurone-disease research. This time, the riders are going even further, increasing the distance from 700 to 800 miles over four days. Taking place from Tuesday 10

World Cheese Awards judge, Tanny Gill, has announced the launch of The Scottish Cheese Academy. Tanny, who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, has created the Academy to fill a gap in professional education, help cheese lovers learn more about Scottish cheese and to help give Scottish cheese the cultural status and global reverence enjoyed by Scottish whisky. The Academy will deliver certified cheese education, bespoke hospitality training and cultural touri

Furniture retailer, Sterling Home, has announced a new collaboration with broadcaster Vogue Williams, on an exclusive furniture collection available only through its stores in Scotland: “This partnership brings together Vogue’s creative energy with our commitment to accessible, quality design,” said Euan Graham, Sterling Home director: “Her warmth, authenticity and enthusiasm for home styling align with our brand values and customer expectations. The resulting range is a cons

Communications agency, Feel Good Comms, has announced the launch of the first Edinburgh ‘feel-good’ index, an initiative designed to celebrate the people and places that make Edinburgh. Feel Good founder, Chris Batchelor, who started up the agency earlier this month, said the index is built on the belief that the most successful businesses are those that make the world a genuinely happier place. The agency’s mission is to champion these local establishments and ensure that

Edinburgh architectural photographer, Susan Allan, has published a book, Hidden Edinburgh – A Walk Through Medieval History . The book, which contains 80 photographs, sets out the history of the city and shows where to see its hidden and historical places and features. Susan said: “The book tells the stories and legends from the very early beginnings of Edinburgh, in 600AD, right through to the late medieval days of King James VI of Scotland. “As well as including qui

Dobbies is hosting a new craft event at its Edinburgh store – the ‘crafternoon tea club’. The event takes place at 3pm on Saturday 24 January and at 2.30pm on Sunday 25 January. During the 90-minute afternoon workshop, attendees will get the chance to try their hand at using a punch needle kit. The kit features a wildlife design and includes everything that’s needed to get started, whether trying a new hobby for the first time, or honing skills. It costs £35 per person to a

Happy Thoughts Squad has donated 52 ‘confidence-boosting’ boxes to the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal, on behalf of its customers, ensuring vulnerable girls wake up to a meaningful gift on Christmas morning. Each box is designed as a confidence and emotional well-being kit, filled with age-appropriate, screen-free activities that support self-esteem and emotional understanding. Founded in 2025 by former primary teacher, Cheryl Lessels, Happy Thoughts Squad was create

Umbrella Vinyl, a vinyl-only record shop based in Tollcross, has announced that Kai Reesu will be launching the vinyl release of their debut album at the store, on 20 December, at 3pm. Kai Reesu recently won the Scottish album of the year 2025 award, for their album KOMPROMAT vol.i. The album will be played at the store throughout the day. The band is led by Paul Copeland on keyboard and features vocals from Glasgow-based LA rapper Jurnalist. Fans will have the opportunity t