Edinburgh joins Eurocities call to action
Edinburgh joins more than 40 other cities in Europe to reaffirm their commitment to cultural development which is inclusive and environmentally responsible.
The pledge reinforces the Council’s commitment to sustainability and equity in culture, already embedded in both the Event Strategy and City Wide Culture Strategy, both of which prioritise sustainability and local cultural provision. The 16 priorities and principles outlined in the Call are already being addressed in Edinburgh by Council or grant funded organisations.
Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Margaret Graham said: “Culture is at the heart of what makes Edinburgh unique and we have the responsibility to make sure it thrives in a way that is both sustainable and inclusive. Culture has the power to inspire action and connect communities. By signing the call we’re making a clear commitment to a more sustainable and inclusive cultural future in Edinburgh.”
The Lord Provost or a Senior Councillor will sign the Call to Action and it will be presented to the next Eurocities Culture Forum, due to be held in Brno, Czech Republic in September 2025.
Call to delay implementation of Visitor Levy
After years of drafting the necessary framework ahead of the government legislation being introduced, the council says it is ready for the implementation of the Visitor Levy. But a question from Cllr Iain Whyte the Conservative Group leader is calling that readiness into question.
Cllr Whyte’s motion to be considered at the full council meeting on Thursday reads: “Council notes the letter received by the Council leader (copied to all councillors) from the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) dated 14 July 2025 outlining the lack of practical Guidance for operators on the implementation of the Transient Visitor Levy both from the Scottish Government and the Council, the STA view that the deadline for implementation regarding advance bookings is untenable, and the wider financial pressures on the sector.
“Council further notes that the response from the Council leader failed to refer to the specific ask of the STA for a longer lead in time for the pricing implementation deadline of 1 October 2025.
“Council therefore agrees, in light of the concerns highlighted and the new information provided, that the Chief Executive prepare a report to be submitted to the earliest possible Policy and Sustainability Committee or Council meeting providing options for extending the implementation deadline until at least 1 January 2026, or such time as full Edinburgh specific guidance is available to operators with a lead in time, as requested by the STA.”
The council derives a major portion of its income from ingathering council tax payments and it was explained to us earlier in the year that to put a new payment system in place for the Visitor Levy is relatively easy.
The system is now in position and a call has gone out for accommodation providers to come forward for training.
The page with full information for accommodation providers is here.
The levy applies for stays after 24 July 2026 and for pre-bookings for 24 July 2026 onwards which are made on or after 1 October 2025. It applies to five consecutive nights and is capped at 5%. The accommodation providers will be recompensed for gathering the payments on behalf of the council by deducting 2% of the monies which they are paid by guests.
The Visitor Levy is expected to raise around £50 million a year – every year – for the council to spend in certain ways to improve the city including developing, supporting and sustaining facilities and services which are substantially for or used by persons visiting [overnight] for leisure or business purposes (or both)”.
The papers for the full council meeting on Thursday are here.
Creative Scotland awards for Visual Artists
Visual artists and craft makers from across Scotland are invited to apply for grants of up to £1,000 to support their creative and professional development.
This funding is made possible by The National Lottery through Creative Scotland, working in partnership with 16 different Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) schemes covering 24 local authority areas. The schemes are delivered by a network of local authorities and arts organisations across the country.
VACMA can support a wide range of activities, including mentoring and skills development, exploring new ideas, experimenting with sustainable and renewable materials, purchasing essential equipment, and undertaking residencies that contribute to an artist’s creative development.
The programme currently offers a £1,000 bursary for artists and makers with over three years’ experience of the public presentation of their work, alongside a £500 early-career bursary for those who have been practising for fewer than three years.
Funding criteria and information about how to apply is available at https://www.creativescotland.com/vacma
Fringe show continues until the weekend
After a 110% sell out season from 23 July the Edinburgh-born, Olivier Award winning La Clique is extending its run at The Famous Spiegeltent in St Andrew Square until 31 August.
- 13,500 people have been to the 43 shows in the Edinburgh run so far
- 27 cans of shaving cream
- 1000 litres of bath water
- 15 boxes of popcorn kernels
David Bates (Spiegelmaestro, and creator of La Clique) said: “Edinburgh and La Clique are synonymous… there is a love affair between this show and the people of Edinburgh. After every ticket, and more, having been sold since July 23rd we want to say THANK YOU to Edinburgh for supporting this fabulous 21st anniversary show. We are presenting 5 more shows during this last week of August, one week Beyond the Fringe.
The Fringe box office is now closed but tickets are available through the Famous Spiegeltent website:https://thefamousspiegeltent.online.red61.co.uk/event/90:1/
LOUD WOMEN
This will be the first ever Loud Women event in Scotland. A bit of punk rock will be mixed with grungy dream punks and post punk alt-rockers along with floral indie kids from NYC. If you know you know.
