CONTENTS WELCOME TO THE EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER GUIDE 2023
Summer has arrived once again and visitors
EDINBURGH CASTLE
Don’t miss out Book your tickets online in advance for guaranteed entry and the best price.
Book now: edinburghcastle.scot
MULTREES WALK
The Definition of Luxury in the Heart of Edinburgh
The perfect destination for all your exclusive and luxury shopping while visiting the Scottish Capital City.
Located just off St Andrew Square, leading luxury brands can be found at Multrees Walk. We are home to Scotland’s only Harvey Nichols, which boasts five floors dedicated to luxury fashion, beauty, food, and wine. As well as this, enjoy a bite to eat at the Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie while taking in the spectacular views overlooking Edinburgh’s historic Castle and Georgian New Town across to the Firth of Forth on the horizon as you dine in style with delicious dishes, fine wines and creative cocktails.
Multrees Walk is also home to the only Louis Vuitton in Scotland, offering unique designs that combine innovation and style, and are always of the highest quality.
Explore the British luxury design house and clothing brand, Burberry, which has grown to become one of the most valuable luxury brands worldwide.
Shop Canada Goose, the Canadian brand which has grown to be recognized internationally as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of extreme weather outerwear.
Many other exclusive fashion brands including Johnstons of Elgin, Mulberry, Strathberry, MaxMara, Michael Kors and more that bring a unique experience as well as timeless products from all over the world can be found at Multrees Walk. The combination of these retail brands makes the Multrees Walk shopping experience second to none.
Looking for some shopping inspiration? Visit our website www.multreeswalk.co.uk where you will find our monthly Style Guide, highlighting the key must have items this season.
Why not follow our vibrant Instagram account @MultreesWalk for daily fashion and lifestyle inspiration, exciting offers, and unique collaborations.
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE 2023
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet, and it happens right here in Scotland’s capital.
Each year, thousands of artists and creatives of every stripe come to Edinburgh to entertain audiences, hone their craft and make a name for themselves – some of them going on to worldwide success! From podcasters and TikTok creators to stars of stage and screen, you can see them all at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Why is it called the Fringe?
It all started in 1947, when the Edinburgh International Festival set out to demonstrate a ‘flowering of the human spirit’ following World War II. Despite being refused entry to the official programme, eight theatre companies (six of them from Scotland) turned up anyway and staged their own shows on the ‘fringe’ of the festival. It took a few more years for the name to catch on, but that’s when the earliest seeds of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe were sown!
Since then the word ‘fringe’ has evolved and taken on wider cultural significance – in the context of modern-day arts and performance, it describes shows that are fearless, rebellious or experimental. The concept of a fringe festival has also become more popular – following Edinburgh’s pioneering
example, there are now around 300 fringes worldwide.
An amazing variety
Edinburgh’s Fringe programme is split into ten broad categories, covering the many different forms of live performance: cabaret and variety; children’s shows; comedy; dance, physical theatre and circus; events; exhibitions; music; musicals and opera; spoken word; and theatre. Within those categories are seemingly infinite combinations and variations – you might see a stand-up show aimed at kids or a ‘gig theatre’ performance that uses the power and excitement of live music to tell a story. In other words, whatever style of performance you like, you’ll find it at the Fringe.
Credit_Godot is a Woman_Pleasance_ David Monteith-Hodge 2022As an open access festival, the Fringe doesn’t have an artistic director or programmer who decides which shows can take part – it’s up to the artists to decide whether they come or not. The Fringe is open to anyone with a story to tell and a venue to host them – if you think you might have your own idea for a show, you’re welcome too!
Something for every budget
Fringe performances have taken place in a wide variety of venues – from traditional theatres and concert halls to more improvised spaces like basements, swimming pools, the summit of Arthur’s Seat or even in the back of a taxi. Some shows require you to buy a ticket in advance, the same as you would for theatre shows and concerts outside of Fringe time. Other shows are free to enter, though
performers will usually ask for a donation at the end if you enjoyed it.
The world-famous Fringe street events take place on the Royal Mile and the Mound: you can watch as many shows as you like for free, but you’re encouraged to tip performers if you’re able to. There’s an amazing array of entertainment for all the family, from fire breathers and sword swallowers to jugglers, escape artists and hula hoopers!
Access at the Fringe
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is the organisation that underpins the festival, and one of their main objectives is to ensure that everyone who wants to visit the Fringe is able to. However, Edinburgh’s historic layout and architecture mean
that some shows aren’t accessible to everyone –basement venues, for example, aren’t always suitable for people with reduced mobility such as wheelchair users.
The Fringe Society is constantly working to make the festival as accessible as possible for D/deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people, and while there’s more work to be done, they’ve already undertaken various measures in that direction. These include:
• Working with venues to provide clear information about which spaces are accessible for different audiences
• Providing British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation at the street events
• Making it easier for audiences to find shows with enhanced access features such as captioning, audio description, BSL or relaxed performances
• Arranging a centrally located Changing Places toilet for people who are unable to use a standard accessible toilet
• Operating an access bookings service where audience members with access requirements can book services such as hearing loops or specific seating, or arrange complimentary tickets for personal assistants.
The Fringe Society recognises that the festival experience can be overwhelming for neurodiverse
people, such as autistic adults and children. To help make the festival more welcoming they loan out sensory backpacks containing items such as ear defenders and wobble cushions; these backpacks are free to borrow.
If you have an access requirement and would like to attend the Fringe, you can get in touch with the access bookings team by calling +44 (0)131 226 0002, emailing accessbookings@edfringe.com or sending a WhatsApp message to +44 (0)7923 525799
A Fringe for Edinburgh
The Fringe isn’t just for August – there are projects and activities throughout the year that help schools and communities in and around the city get the most out of the festival, as well as the arts more generally.
Through Fringe Days Out, the Fringe Society works with charities and community groups in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas to provide Fringe ticket vouchers and bus tickets to people who might otherwise miss out – there have been around 12,500 recipients since the project started in 2017! Fringe in Communities works in the other direction – rather than bringing people into town, the Society helps artists work and perform in places like community centres and hospitals, delivering a taste of the Fringe in people’s own neighbourhoods.
The Fringe Society also works with primary, secondary and additional support needs (ASN) schools to give Scotland’s young people an experience of the festival and inspire the next generation of creatives and arts sector professionals. Projects include Schools on the Street, which invites classes to perform as part of the world-famous street events, and Teachers’ Theatre Club (in partnership with Imaginate), which gives teachers the skills and confidence to discuss performance in the classroom.
Shows are available to book NOW!
The Fringe isn’t till August, but there are already hundreds of show listings live on edfringe.com. You can find out what’s on offer in several different ways: the website allows you to filter search results based on your own requirements (such as date, time, cost and age suitability), and lets you build a shortlist of favourite shows for future reference. The official
Fringe programme is a printed brochure that lists every show at the festival – it launches on Thursday 08 June, but you can pre-order one on edfringe.com and have it delivered to your door in time for launch. And the official Fringe app will launch in late July, and includes the ‘nearby now’ function to find shows that are starting soon in nearby venues.
Of course, you can also just take a trip into town during August and soak up the Fringe atmosphere in person. Watch a street performer, or take a flyer from someone keen to tell you about their show –who knows, you might discover your new favourite entertainer before they hit the big time!
Edinburgh Festival Fringe takes place 04 – 28 August. Find out more at edfringe.com.
THE BRUNTON
Escape to East Lothian for Festival Fringe Fun!
The Brunton delights audiences with a Festival Fringe programme of outdoor theatre, trad, jazz, pop and classical concerts at different venues in East Lothian. Here are just some of the highlights for this August.
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is one of the finest in the world and a series of fantastic recitals given by soloists from this famous ensemble take place at the beautiful Northesk Parish Church. (Tue 15, Thu 17, Sat 19 Aug).
Charming outdoor theatre can be enjoyed at Musselburgh Racecourse (Sat 26 Aug). Quantum Theatre delight families with the heart-warming classic The Wind In The Willows and Illyria present Jane Austen at her vibrant, bitchy best with Pride & Prejudice!
The Brunton with David Ross & Tommie Travers invite you to catch up with old friends at The Steamie. This amateur production promises to bring an evening packed full of nostalgia, laughter, and heart (Wed 23 to Sat 26 Aug).
Christine Bovill’s Paris: From Piaf To Pop is a delicious celebration of the Golden Age of French song.
Singing in both French and English, Bovill honours Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Serge Gainsbourg, Francoise Hardy and more (Sat 19 Aug).
Both these events take place in the Theatre within the wonderful grounds of Loretto School, Musselburgh.
So join us in Musselburgh this August, stroll on the beach, enjoy the fresh sea air and of course, relax. Full programme to follow www.thebrunton.co.uk Tickets www.thebrunton.co.uk / 0131 653 5245
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO EAT
The Haggis Box Café
43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR
Hard Rock Café
Hardrock.com
20 George Street
The Dome
Thedomeedinburgh.com
14 George St, New Town EH2 2PF
David Bann Vegetarian Restaurant
Davidbann.co.uk
56-58 St Mary’s St, Edinburgh EH1 1SX
The Witchery
Thewitchery.com
352 Castlehill, The Royal Mile EH1 2NF
The Jolly Judge Pub
Jollyjudge.co.uk
7 James Court, Lawnmarket, EH1 2PB
Castle Terrace Restaurant
Castleterracerestaurant.com
33-35 Castle Terrace EH1 2EL
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Smws.com
28 Queen St EH2 1JX
Shackleton’s Bar & Brasserie at Channing’s Hotel
Channings.co.uk/shackletons-bar
12 - 16 South Learmonth Gardens EH4 1EZ
La Favorita
Vittoriagroup.co.uk/lafavorita
331-325 Leith Walk EH6 8SA
Karen’s Unicorn
Karensunicorn.com
8B Abercromby Pl, Edinburgh EH3 6LB
THE REAL MARY KINGS CLOSE
Underneath the Royal Mile lies
Edinburgh’s deepest secret.
Imagine a warren of streets frozen in time, where centuries of stories are just waiting to be told. Discover authentic truths about Edinburgh’s dark past, and find out what it was really like for the people who lived, worked and died on Mary King’s Close…
Descend beneath the Old Town on a one-hour guided tour to uncover over 400 years of history. With the help of your guide, in character as a resident of the close, delve into the past to discover Edinburgh’s only preserved 17th century street. Avoid
the neighbours’ cries of, “Gardyloo!”, get under the skin of the plague, and find out what led to the partial destruction of – what was once – the busiest neighbourhood and market street in Edinburgh.
This year, the attraction celebrates its 20th anniversary of uncovering The Close’s hidden history. In summer, opening hours are extended and visitors can choose from a variety of special experience tours that will be announced throughout the season. Visit in June to celebrate Pride Month on a social history Pride Tour running Fridays and Saturdays. This 5-star, world-class heritage visitor attraction, is a ‘must-see’ during your visit to Edinburgh.
EDINBURGH STREET FOOD OPENS AT OMNI
OMNi is a place for all occasions, with everything you need to make your summer unforgettable. Inside you’ll find Edinburgh Street Food, Boom Battle Bar, COSMO World Buffet, Wetherspoon, Nando’s, Slug & Lettuce, Tony Macaroni and Vue as well as the boutique Glasshouse Hotel and Nuffield Health, the centre’s largest health and wellbeing club. With the best in entertainment, food & drink and leisure there is something for everyone at OMNi.
This summer EDINBURGH STREET FOOD, the city’s first 7 day a week street food market has opened at OMNi! Offering a bold and eclectic foodie’s paradise with the best independent traders in Scotland.
Boasting global flavours and textures from awardwinning traders, the Edinburgh Street Food Line-up includes: SoftCore, Antojitos, Fabbrica, Chix, The Peruvian, What Le Duck, The House of Tapas, Bundits, Junk and, Homies Pizza with vans, trucks and stalls popping up around the heated outdoor terrace.
Choose from an incredible range of world dishes and wash it down with local beers, cocktails, wines and plenty of alcohol-free alternatives. With all dietaries catered for, and over 30 vegan dishes, everyone at the table can curate their perfect meal.
Looking for a little friendly competition? BOOM BATTLE BAR is open for battles! Offering the most exciting night out in Edinburgh you can try your hand at Axe Throwing, Crazier Golf or Augmented Reality Darts as well as a whole host of games from Shuffleboard to Splash Pong. At the bar you will find a broad range of craft beers, cocktails and delicious Boom Bites! For those looking for a real challenge; ESCAPE HUNT offer adrenaline pumping escape room experiences. Are you ready to live the adventure?
At OMNi you’ll find everything you need for your trip into Edinburgh. Safe, secure, shopper parking is provided by Q-Park with 1000 spaces. You can pre-book your parking through the website to benefit from discounted rates and stop-free parking; enter your vehicle details when you book and the barrier will open upon arrival!
OMNi is a place for all occasions - whether you’re looking to celebrate with a drink, catch-up over a meal with friends, or wanting to watch a summer blockbuster at VUE - we’ve got you covered. You can find us at the east end of Princes Street on Picardy Place, opposite the New St James Quarter – just look out for our Giraffes, Martha and Gilbert!
Ride, rest, recharge
With frequent services between Edinburgh and Fife, you can see more by bus this summer. Plan your journey online or download the Stagecoach Bus App.
stagecoachbus.com
Photo coutresy of Visit ScotlandSTAGECOACH
There’s more to see by bus this summer
At a time when we’re all watching what we spend, it just makes sense to take advantage of what’s right on our doorstep with a Scottish staycation. From exciting Edinburgh, to the fresh air of Fife, there are so many great places to visit without leaving the country. But is it possible to have a fantastic staycation on a budget?
The answer is a resounding yes! Excitingly, you can explore anywhere in Fife, Perthshire, Dundee and Angus (plus travel into Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Aberdeen) by bus with our range of great value tickets.
Bus travel is so flexible too – hop on and off any Stagecoach East Scotland service to your heart’s content with an East Scotland zone MegaRider ticket. Make plans, change plans, the East of Scotland is your oyster.
Plus, if you’re under 22 or over 60 you’re eligible for free (yes, FREE!) bus travel with a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC). That means extra pennies for ice cream and chips by the sea. Tasty.
Now for the hard part: choosing what to include in your Scottish staycation. The East Scotland MegaRider zone includes two UNESCO World
Heritage sites (Edinburgh old town and the Forth Bridge) and three UNESCO Creative Cities (Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee).
You can also reach 24 award-winning beaches – East Scotland has the most in the country! That’s without mentioning fun family days out at attractions like Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura or Wild Shore Dundee, and the numerous museums like the V&A Dundee, and the National Museum of Scotland.
If history is your thing, there’s also an abundance of castles, battlefields, Pictish hill forts and even a historic ship or two. Explore historic coastal fishing villages in the East Neuk, and live out your wildest Outlander fantasies in Culross and Falkland. For walking enthusiasts, you’re spoiled for choice with the Fife Coastal Path, Perthshire river trails and more.
With frequent bus services between Edinburgh and Fife, it’s easy to see more of Scotland this summer. Sit back, relax and let Stagecoach take you there.
Plan your journey at stagecoachbus.com or download the Stagecoach Bus App.
Enjoy a delicious range of home-made cakes, pastries and sandwiches, served with your choice of loose-leaf tea (or upgrade to champagne or a gin cocktail) From £25 per person - must be pre-booked
Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan afternoon teas are available on request, and children can enjoy a special children’s version of the afternoon tea.
The Café at the Palace was awarded a Highly Commended certificate at the Afternoon Tea Awards in 2018 and 2019.
CONNECT
Connect Music Festival, Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Showgrounds, 25th - 27th August 2023
Connect Music Festival is making its return to Edinburgh, celebrating an eclectic array of musical talent, comedy, spoken word and wellness. Taking to the stage at this years’ festival includes Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand, boygenius, Fred Again.., Loyle Carner, MUNA, Friendly Fires and Young Fathers.
In addition to fantastic music, festival-goers can expect top-quality food featuring some of the best local traders thanks to Neighbourgood Market, along with Chef Barry Bryson back who will bring his sell-out
concept menu to the Chef’s Table. For those looking for something more zen, the Rest & Be Thankful wellness programme is returning this year, offering attendees a space to rejuvenate with workshops including Soul Water Sauna, breath work, sound healing and yoga.
Makers Markets will support local and national artisans who will be showcasing beautifully unique pieces such as prints, jewellery, pottery and clothing. The festival will also be home to amazing artwork, showcasing a variety of budding artists, including street art initiative Yardworks and up-and-coming artist Trackie McLeod.
Building on the phenomenal success of the 2022 festival, Connect have made a variety of enhancements and additions to the weekend, including an expansion to the camping area, allowing festival-goers to bring their own tent, along with boutique and pre-pitched tents plus an area for live-in vehicles.
Tickets are available to purchase on the Connect Music Festival website. For more information, visit connectmusicfestival.com
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Join us as we celebrate the joy of words – written, spoken, sung, and illustrated.
The Book Festival can be found at Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place, from 12-28 August 2023 and entry is free to the Festival Village.
This year, there’s an incredible line-up of great writers, thinkers, and award winners. With over 500 events there is something for everyone – there’s a fun-packed children’s programme, one off outdoor events, events with famous faces, and events with debut writers.
The Festival feeds more than your imagination, the ECA Café offers everything from breakfast to dinner, and is open until 10.00pm. There are other spots to eat and drink outdoor, so no matter the weather, you can stay and soak up the atmosphere. The Festival Village is the perfect spot to meet friends and family or find a quiet place to read a book you picked up from the on-site bookshop.
The Book Festival programme launches on 14 June 2023, where you can find the fantastic array of events on offer. Pick up a copy of the programme or go online at edbookfest.co.uk for more information and to book tickets.
EDINBURGH JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL
Back for 2023, ready to present a bumper edition as they celebrate their 45th
anniversary.
Over ten days in July, they will present over 110 concerts, curated programmes and free events. With a diverse and innovative programme showcasing the incredible music coming out of Scotland, as well as some of the best international talent, the 2023 programme will entertain, excite, and stimulate with music ranging from 1920s traditional jazz to the here and now.
No other festival covers jazz and blues, across all the styles, with such depth and quality, and with so many unique events. Tcha Limberger, Theon Cross, Popa Chubby and cover artist Lakecia Benjamin – just a few of the names within this year’s programme who are set to bring their unparalleled artistry to stages across the city.
Some familiar faces are welcomed back to the Edinburgh stage as names like Jools Holland, Ibibio Sound Machine, Hamish Stuart, and Pasadena Roof Orchestra make a welcome return to the city.
The Scottish Jazz EXPO artists are the beating heart of the programme, and feature an array of new and exciting bands, projects and commissions including Fergus McCreadie, Nicole Smit, Jed Potts, and Laura Macdonald. The EXPO series also gives voice to the new wave of Scottish jazz including Ali Watson, Chun-Wei Kang, and Escher
New Orleans’ only female brass band – The Original Pinettes Brass Band will make their Edinburgh debut, joining a host of other great female band leaders
including American saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, Liz Jones, Georgia Cecile, Nicole Smit, and Laura Macdonald
They continue the success of their digital concerts with the EJBF23 ONLINE programme, hosted in the EJBF Digital Hub. Across the 10 days, online audiences can enjoy some of the UK’s finest jazz and blues artists from the comfort of home.
On top of the programme of concerts is the muchloved Mardi Gras on Saturday 15 July. This free event brings non-stop entertainment and a party atmosphere to Edinburgh’s Grassmarket as a host of bands perform on multiple stages.
The Edinburgh Festival Carnival, Scotland’s largest and most flamboyant multicultural event, also returns to the city centre streets on Sunday 16 July with over 1000 participants from across the globe and from the heart of Edinburgh.
The festival also presents Jazz for Kids as part of a programme of events covering every ward in the city.
For more information visit: edinburghjazzfestival.com
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
4–27 August 2023
About
The Edinburgh International Festival is a global celebration of performing arts, bringing the finest performers of dance, opera, music and theatre from around the world to Edinburgh for three weeks every August.
For over 75 years the International Festival has lit up the city’s theatres and concert halls, in a programme of carefully selected performances designed by the Festival Director. This year’s programme, taking place from 4–27 August 2023 is the first from Festival Director and Scottish violinist, Nicola Benedetti, in which she asks ‘Where do we go from here?’.
Benedetti’s vision for the programme is to create the deepest level of experience, through the highest quality of art, for the broadest possible audience.
This year’s highlights:
The Rite of Spring / common ground[s]
Over 30 dancers from across Africa perform Pina Bausch’s acclaimed choreography.
17–19 Aug | Edinburgh Playhouse | From £19.75
Trojan Women
Greek tragedy meets South Korean storytelling in this epic operatic production.
9–11 Aug | Festival Theatre | From £21
Jake Bugg
Don’t miss the indie singer-songwriter’s ‘infectious guitar riffs and clever introspective lyrics’ (Vinyl Chapters).
23 Aug | Edinburgh Playhouse | From £35.50
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Discover America’s most beloved dance company in two special selections of classic and new works.
23–25 Aug | Festival Theatre | From £21
The Threepenny Opera
Acclaimed music theatre from the company set up by Brecht himself.
18–20 Aug | Festival Theatre | From £21
For more information visit www.eif.co.uk
VIVA BRAZIL
Viva Brazil is an award-winning authentic Brazilian steakhouse, offering a unique dining experience with up to 14 different cuts of BBQ meat and exceptional customer service.
So, whether it is after a day in the office or shopping, a celebration, or cocktails with friends, there really is no better place to go than Viva Brazil.
The real Brazilian dining experience begins once you are seated. Viva Brazil’s troop of passadors (meat carvers) offer up to 14 select cuts of beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and sausages, which are all slowly roasted over a charcoal open barbeque before being expertly carved at the table.
You decide the pace of your meal with discs which are provided for each diner. One side is green which signals to the passadors that you would like more; and the other side is red, which you can turn
to when you have finished or simply wish to take a break.
And Viva Brazil will not stop serving you meats until you say! To accompany the meats, their salad island boasts a wide selection of freshly prepared salads, vegetables, cold meats, fruits, breads and sauces, as well as a range of traditional hot Brazilian dishes.
Viva Brazil welcomes families and offers a free kid’s meal for kids up to 10 years old with each paying adult. Every Sunday they have kid’s entertainment, chefs specials and free dessert included with your meal. Viva Brazil has also just launched a £10 Summer special menu running from 12-4pm, Monday to Friday which includes a succulent picanha steak topped with fresh mozzarella. Try it out and enjoy! You are guaranteed to be impressed!
THE STAND
That a wee, basement comedy club in Edinburgh’s New Town can be celebrating a quarter-century of continuous comedy is testament to many things: To the city’s insatiable love for comedy; to the club’s quality line-ups; and to the unending dedication of the people who run it. What started as a hobby, created by comedy lovers who charged just what they’d need to keep the lights on, has gone on to become an Edinburgh institution that (pardon the pun) stands firm across the bridge from the towering, Centuries-old tourist spots.
Where other venues pop up for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and only then, The Stand does this all-year-round. So while their Fringe programme does involve the expansion to Stand 2 around the corner, Stand 3 & 4 at nearby hotel 28 York Place, and The Stand’s New Town Theatre on George Street (96 Freemasons Hall), you know you’re in safe hands with the people that have turned an
underground bunker into the birthplace of such careers as Frankie Boyle’s.
But fear not, it’s not just late nights and adult humour. The Stand’s hand-picked selection for their 25th Fringe also features cabaret from the likes of Ada Campe, daytime comedy from giants of the game Stewart Lee and Bridget Christie, and international mixed-bill shows that are suitable for those aged 14 and over.
Book tickets at thestand.co.uk
SCOTTISH STORYTELLING CENTRE
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is a vibrant arts venue in the heart of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile with a year-round programme of live storytelling, theatre, music, exhibitions, workshops, family events and festivals. In August they host a specially curated programme for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which reflects the energy and variety of their year-round offer. It features many wonderful stories just waiting to be shared, often with messages of hope, enthusiasm and activism, delivered with a sideways glance at the worlds we inhabit. Alongside traditional storytelling they also showcase contemporary styles of performance and support emerging performers, the future voices and talents ready to inspire and enliven us for many years to come. The Centre’s ethos is summed up nicely by the old Scottish proverb, ‘The story is told eye to eye, mind to mind and heart to heart’.
The Storytelling Centre is also home to the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, the world’s
largest celebration of the art of storytelling and oral traditions, which takes place across Scotland each October. It also acts as a base for TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) who work to empower communities across Scotland, to discover, develop and practise their unique traditional arts and heritage through storytelling, music and dance.
For food fans the Centre’s Café is run by The Haggis Box who specialise in… haggis, neeps and tatties (with veggie and vegan options available)! So whether seeing a show, browsing the bookshop or refreshing yourself at the Haggis Box Café, the Scottish Storytelling Centre is the perfect place for locals, families and visitors to meet for a creative and authentic Edinburgh experience.