Edinburgh Culture Minute 🪩 1 - 7 July 2026
Ewan McGregor at the Film Festival, tributes to local comedy legend, Maccabees & Hamish Hawk at the Corn Exchange, Joe Lycett at Playhouse + Fringe expert Kerry's festival guide returns
👋 Welcome to the 135th weekly Culture Minute. It's starting to feel Fringe-y in town... Just 36 days to go until the festivals begin. Before that, lots of local creative news, events, jobs and opportunities to catch up on. If I’ve missed anything please get in touch. Thanks to YOU for subscribing and to everyone who contributes.
👀 The most-viewed links from last week’s Edinburgh Culture Minute:
- 🎭 King's Theatre's special opening weekend public tours (1+2 Aug).
- 📚 Edinburgh International Book Festival tickets on sale.
- 🍿 A special programme of screenings for Filmhouse's birthday.
- 📵 'Lights Down, Phones Off' - EIF bans phones.
- 🎤 BBC's Edinburgh Festivals line-up.
🗞️ News
🎬 Ewan McGregor will appear at this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival as part of its 'In Conversation' strand. The Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actor will discuss his life and career at Central Hall in Tollcross on Friday 14 August.
- Tickets go on sale from 10am on Thursday 2 July via edfilmfest.org and via the EdFringe official app.
- McGregor will join other cast and crew members for a 30th anniversary celebration of the Trainspotting film at Leith Theatre on Friday 14 August from 8pm. Among the DJs: writer Irvine Welsh and Darren Emerson of Underworld.
- The full Edinburgh International Film Festival programme went live at 5pm and can be found here.
- 'My 12 picks from the Edinburgh International Film Festival line-up' - Brian Ferguson in The Herald.
🎤 Tributes are being paid to local comedian Paul Sneddon, AKA 'Vladimir McTavish' and 'Bob Doolally'. He was joint-chair of The Stand. The comedy club shared this statement:
"Paul has been a vital part of The Stand since we began and much treasured and loved part of the comedy scene for many years. He was as known for his kindness, encouragement and generosity as he was for his immense talent. He made every green room brighter, every line-up funnier and the world a nicer place to live in. We are broken at the loss of our dear friend and will in time be marking his life appropriately. For the time being, all our thoughts are with his family: Christine and his girls Julia and Rosie, as well as his many many friends and fans during this time."
🇵🇸 The Palestinian Comedy Club will return to the Fringe, combining stand-up, physical theatre and storytelling. - Full details from Kevin Fullerton in The List.
🇫🇷 Scotland is set to renew its Auld Alliance with France this month, by sending a delegation of Scottish artists to the Festival d’Avignon. - Delegation leader Marion Geoffray outlined her new venture: Project Passerelle, for All Edinburgh Theatre.
🎞️ The former Odeon cinema on Clerk Street has been added to the 'at risk' register. - Callum McCormack, Evening News.
📆 July is looking busy for gigs. Including Walt Disco, who play Sneaky Pete's tonight and are 'in hearts of every 6 Music Dad' writes Kevin Fullerton in his July gig lowdown in The List.
Kevin Fullerton
🗞️ Also in July's issue of The List, out today: "We shine a light on the wellbeing of those working hospitality. Are they receiving the care and attention they deserve?" - Read the latest issue here.
Donald Reid
🎶 The team behind the Bongo club have announced a fortnight-long 'closing party' before their building is taken over by Underbelly for the festival. They say: "We are closed from Sunday 19th July, due to the lease for our building being taken over by Underbelly, as happens every summer for seven weeks. THE BUILDING DOES NOT BELONG TO US AND WE DO NOT MAKE ANY MONEY AT ALL DURING THIS PERIOD." - See the full line-up here.
🪩 Edinburgh's very own EHFM Culture Show is turning five. Hosts Katie & Katie are throwing a party, you're invited and it's free. They'll be recording a live show at Dragonfly on Wednesday 22 July, interviewing writer Jj Fadaka and, um... me! So come along, say hello and let's celebrate the city's best radio show / podcast together. - Free tickets here.
