Edinburgh Diwali launches the winter festivals
On 2 November 2025 the city will come alive with colour and music to celebrate the tenth Edinburgh Diwali which is the Indian festival of Light.
President Edinburgh Diwali, Rajnish Singh, said: “This year marks a special milestone for Edinburgh Diwali as we proudly celebrate 10 years with the theme that embodies our journey of bringing communities together through light, culture, and joy – Uniting Communities, Celebrating Diversity.
“From a humble beginning in 2015, the Festival of Light (Diwali) has grown into one of Edinburgh’s most cherished community-led celebrations, thanks to the dedication of our committee members, the incredible talent of our performers, the unwavering support of our volunteers, and the enthusiasm of thousands of friends and audiences who have joined us over the years.”
The fun begins at St Andrew Square, where Dishoom always serve up a warming Chai before the Rt Hon Lord Provost and The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland lead a colourful procession of more than 150 performers and community representatives along George Street. The parade will include displays of traditional Indian dance and culture at either end with demonstrations from Yatra Tamil, Uttarakhand, Malayali, and Telugu dance groups, University of Edinburgh’s Junoon Dance, and Edinburgh Banghra Crew.
The Glencorse Pipe Band will keep the beat going along the parade route, while Edinburgh’s South American community join in with demonstrations from El Encanto and Mextli dance groups.
After the parade, celebrations then move to West Princes Street Gardens, with a fun-filled afternoon of performance planned at the Ross Bandstand underneath Edinburgh Castle, alongside a menu of Indian cultural activities and cuisine provided by Mr Basrai World Cuisine, Desh restaurant, treats and henna painting from Lidl.
Garden of Remembrance
A poignant service was held on Monday at the Garden of Remembrance set up next to the Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens.
The service was conducted by British Legion padre Reverend Dr Karen Campbell.
One of the wreath layers was veteran George McLeod (99) Private 4th Battalion KOSB.
At the same time as the service the Scottish Poppy Appeal was launched, the most targeted appeal for funds for veterans during the year. All funds raised will go to support Poppyscotland’s work, providing life-changing support and advice to veterans, servicemen and women, and their families.
At Greyfriars Kirk on Sunday
Trio du Levant in Concert (oboe, violin and organ) at Greyfriars Kirk on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 3pm.
Baroque Dialogues – Bach, Vivaldi, Marcello (entry by donation)
The Trio du Levant brings together three French musicians — Judith Laithier (oboe), Justin Paviot (violin), and Nicolas Kilhoffer (organ) — whose shared curiosity and sense of dialogue give new life to a rare instrumental combination.
Formed in Nantes, the trio explores the rich and intricate relationships between melody, harmony, and timbre across the centuries. Their programs move with natural ease from the clarity of the Baroque to the colors of the modern era.
After performing throughout France — including Mont-Saint-Michel, Corsica, Brittany, and Alsace — the ensemble now embarks on a series of concerts in Scotland, making a stop in Edinburgh at Greyfriars Kirk.
Coos at the zoo
Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed two new residents, a pair of Highland cows. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is asking for help to name the new arrivals, with the public able to vote in a social media poll.
Four pairs of names, all with links to Scotland, have been chosen by the wildlife conservation charity’s keepers – Heather and Bracken, Nessie and Thistle, Skye and Isla or Selkie and Kelpie.
Visitors hoping to meet the new arrivals can save money on zoo tickets when they book online edinburghzoo.org.uk/tickets
Resurfacing works on the City Bypass
Overnight works will be carried out on two sections of the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass to resurface the road and are set to begin on 23 October and will then continue on Monday to Friday nights until 17 November.
Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland will carry out the works between 8.30pm and 6am each night, with carriageway closures in place for the safety of workers and road users.
On the nights of 23, 24 and 27 October, the eastbound on-slip at Calder Junction will be closed. A lane closure will be in place on the A720 eastbound carriageway between Hermiston Gait and Baberton Junction on the nights of 23 and 24 October. A diversion route for traffic wishing to join the A720 eastbound at Calder Junction will be signposted via the A71 (Calder Road) and the B701 (Wester Hailes Road) to Clovenstone Roundabout, rejoining the A720 at Baberton Junction. This will add an estimated 1.9 miles and 7 minutes to affected journeys.
On Monday to Friday nights from 27 October to 17 November, the westbound carriageway of the A720 will be closed between Straiton and Lothianburn Junctions. A diversion route suitable for trunk road traffic will be signposted via the A701 (Burdiehouse Road), the B701 (Frogston Road), and the A702 (Biggar Road) before rejoining the A720 at Lothianburn Junction. This diversion will add an estimated 1.2 miles and 6 minutes to affected journeys
Consultation has taken place with relevant stakeholders in advance of these works to make them aware of the traffic management arrangements.
Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s South East Network Manager, said: “These surfacing improvements on the A720 will address and repair defects in the road surface such as potholes and cracks, ensuring the continued safe and reliable operation of the city bypass.
“It is essential for safety that we close the carriageway during these works, however we’ve scheduled them to be carried out during overnight hours to minimise any disruption.
“We thank road users in advance for their patience while our teams carry out these improvements.”
Live traffic information is available from the Traffic Scotland website www.traffic.gov.scot and on X at @trafficscotland.
All work are weather dependent and subject to postponement or cancellation in the event of adverse conditions.
