This Is Edinburgh

With students from Royal College of Music and Oxford University, as well as St Mary’s Music School former pupils, this concert will include Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and famous Violin Concerto (with rising star India Reilly), alongside Beethoven’s Symphony 7. St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral is located on Palmerston Place at Edinburgh’s West End. Edinburgh Trams travel regularly to the area, with the closest stop being West End.

2026 marks 50 years of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and to celebrate, photojournalist Jude Vidal has captured a special series of photographs featuring a selection of their Fellows – some of the UK’s leading engineers. The images showcase 50 engineers whose innovation has helped to tackle some of humanity’s greatest challenges – from radar and telecommunications breakthroughs to cutting-edge AI, wind turbines, and satellites.

To mark the 30th birthday of Dolly – the first cloned mammal ever to be created from an adult cell – this event takes a closer look at her scientific innovation, historic significance and continuing cultural impact. The talk is led by Hassun El-Zafar, Director of Edinburgh Science, with panellist experts from the Roslin Institute, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Cambridge, and National Museums Scotland. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A.

Scotland’s First Warriors gives visitors the chance to see more than 200 objects from the Neolithic (late Stone Age) to the Romans, including internationally significant archaeological discoveries from Scotland on display for the very first time. A number of (chargeable) events will also be running as part of the exhibition. These should be booked in advance online. The National Museum of Scotland is located on Chambers Street.

River of Grass (1994) Kelly Reichardt’s darkly funny debut feature brings the viewer to the setting of her adolescence, the suburban landscape of southern Florida, where she grew up with her detective father and narcotics agent mother. Newbarns Taproom is located on Jane Street, just off Leith Walk. The area is well served by both Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams. River of Grass screening at Newbarns Taproom takes place on the evening of 07 July 2026.

Whether you’re visiting for the world-famous festivals, a city break or simply enjoying a day out in Scotland’s capital city, we’ve put together some suggestions to help keep Edinburgh enjoyable and sustainable for everyone. If staying overnight, ensure you book accommodation in advance. Both Forever Edinburgh and VisitScotland have information on hotels, B&Bs and self-catering apartments both within and close to Edinburgh.

Launching for the first time this summer, Treetop Challenge: Adults-only are built for anyone who fancies an escape. Navigate your way through cargo nets, giant swings, wobbly bridges, and zip wires – all of it suspended somewhere between the treetops. A great excuse to hang out with your mates after work, sessions are available on Thursdays and Fridays for a limited time until 31 August 2026. In July they run from 4pm to 8pm, while in August they are available from 5pm to 8pm.

Running every day at 11am and 2pm between 1 April and 31 October 2026, these guided tours offer the chance to explore the Botanic’s hidden treasures and learn about the world-renowned plant collection. Tours last around one hour and are suitable for ages 14+years. Tickets can be purchased from the welcome desk at the John Hope Gateway (from where tours depart from) or at the East Gate entrance. No advance booking is required. Tickets cost £10.00 per person.

Running throughout the year, and each exploring a different season, these tours are led by experienced guides and offer a relaxed, welcoming way to experience the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Upcoming tours include: 09 August 2026: Summer BSL Garden Tour (part of Edinburgh Deaf Festival) 01 November 2026: Autumn BSL Garden Tour 16 January 2027: Winter BSL Garden Tour (part of BSL Burns Week) Tours begin at the garden’s John Hope Gateway and last up to 90 minutes.

From 10 July to 13 September 2026, Richard Maguire will present There Is No Beginning, As There Is No End, an exhibition of drawing and sculpture that considers British and South Asian histories, interrogating power relations and representations of race and sexuality. Barbed wire and link fencing feature throughout Maguire’s drawings.