Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 05/10/2026What will become of Summerhall? www.heraldscotland.com/news/2660599... 200
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Edinburgh Castle’s annual Christmas event has been scrapped. My latest exclusive: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2659626... @heraldscotland.bsky.socialheraldscotland.com'No longer sustainable': Plug pulled on Edinburgh's 'Castle of Light' eventUncertainty over weather conditions blamed for decision to scrap annual festive season sound and light show at Edinburgh Castle. 011
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Absolutely gutted by this news - the scran at Tapa in Leith is unbeatable. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2657806...heraldscotland.com'I'm heartbroken': A fond farewell for owner of much-loved tapas restaurantTapa’s owner, Daniel Shearon, has run the popular eatery, located at The Shore in Leith, for 17 years, but recently decided to put the restaurant… 010
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 23/09/2026“Eilidh Loan and Holly Howden Gilchrist bring the two girls to life in devastating and dervish-like fashion.” www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...heraldscotland.comYou’ve never seen Antigone like this: Greek tragedy reborn as teenage chaosTheatre review: Antigone, Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Neil Cooper, four stars 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Creative Scotland has triggered a new bidding process for the former CCA building in Glasgow - and revealed its “preference” is now selling the site or transferring ownership. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2657448... @heraldscotland.bsky.socialheraldscotland.comCCA building set to change hands as Creative Scotland triggers new bidding processCreative Scotland says its 'preference' is to sell or transfer ownership of the former Third Eye Centre and CCA building in Glasgow. 014
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 22/09/2026🎥 Exclusively in The Herald today. Sir Sean Connery’s family reveals plans for a new filmmaking centre in Edinburgh - and launch a hunt for a suitable site for the project. 🎥 013
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 21/09/2026The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is one of Scottish theatre’s hottest tickets of the year before it has even opened. I spoke to its star, Gayle Rankin, about taking on the role when the new production was first announced. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2558937...heraldscotland.comBroadway and Hollywood star returns to Scotland to play iconic female characterGayle Rankin will lead the cast of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - her last major stage show in Scotland as a teenager, 020
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 21/09/2026💥 Blast the Monday blues away with Nicola Meighan’s latest column for The Herald. 💥 www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2656... @heraldscotland.bsky.socialheraldscotland.com'Is Stirling Scotland's new cultural capital? Damn straight it is. Here's why'From Bloody Scotland and Radio 2 in the Park, via a digression to 1990's A Day From Scotland, it's been a big few weeks for the arts in… 011
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Another must-read exclusive series in The Herald this week. Don’t miss it! 011
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 18/09/2026For all those asking… www.heraldscotland.com/news/2656259...heraldscotland.comFull list of 30 festivals and arts groups getting Edinburgh tourist tax shareTheatres, festivals, music and dance venues, galleries and arts centres across the capital will see their council funding rise by 25 per cent from… 030
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 12/09/2026The Skinny latest: 🔴 Scottish Government encourages publisher to discuss financial position with Creative Scotland. 🔴 CS reveals The Skinny has already had £200,000 in funding support. 🔴 CS says it is open to discussing any available funding options. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2654347...heraldscotland.comScottish Government and Creative Scotland raise prospect of The Skinny rescueThe Scottish Government's arts agency has previously provided more than £200,000 in support for Edinburgh-based arts and culture magazine The… 010
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Exclusive: Creative Scotland tells The Herald it is “open to discussing” a possible funding lifeline for The Skinny. Full details: www.heraldscotland.com/news/2654347...heraldscotland.comCreative Scotland 'open to discussing' The Skinny rescue as past funding is revealedThe Scottish Government's arts agency has previously provided more than £200,000 in support for Edinburgh-based arts and culture magazine The… 041
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Revealed in The Herald today: The new vision for the home of the Hydro & the Armadillo aimed at transforming the riverside site into a £1 billion-a-year destination. @heraldscotland.bsky.social 001
Reposted by Brian FergusonThe Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 09/09/202610 books everyone will be talking about this autumn www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @faberbooks.bsky.social @valmcdermid.bsky.social @canongate.co.uk @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @daveeggers68.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @vikingbooks.bsky.socialheraldscotland.com10 books everyone will be talking about this autumn from Rachel Cusk to Val McDermidCrime writer Val McDermid has teamed up with Jo Sharp, the Geographer Royal for Scotland, for a new take on the Darien Venture. 012
Reposted by Brian FergusonThe Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Five-star review: Matthew Zajac’s 20-year-old solo play has had a journey almost as remarkable as its subject, says Herald theatre critic Neil Cooper www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @neilcooper.bsky.social @lyceumedinburgh.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.socialheraldscotland.comThe five-star Scottish play that tells an extraordinary story of exile and survivalTheatre review: The Tailor of Inverness, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, Neil Cooper, Five stars: Matthew Zajac’s now almost twenty-year-old solo… 023
Reposted by Brian FergusonThe Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 07/09/2026In-depth review: The new Arab Strap album is a sprawling, 14 track album - which is worth an hour of anyone's time www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @arabstrap.scot @heraldscotland.bsky.social @rockactionrecords.scotheraldscotland.comArab Strap are back and still brilliantly sharp on sprawling new album - reviewFrom the lyrics, then, it’s hard not to come to the conclusion that Moffat spends a lot of time on his phone, enraged by what he sees on his… 085
Reposted by Brian FergusonThe Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Autumn is packed with uncommonly good theatre across Scotland. Here's theatre critic Neil Cooper's picks www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @heraldscotland.bsky.social @neilcooper.bsky.social @alancumming.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @irvinewelsh.bsky.socialheraldscotland.comAlan Cumming, Irvine Welsh and Liberace lead Scotland's autumn theatre seasonAlan Cumming returns to the stage, Simon Russell Beale becomes Liberace and George Orwell's dystopian masterpiece gets a new look. 153
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 07/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Government is being warned it risks damaging the country’s global reputation and eroding "already fragile infrastructure" if it targets the arts for cuts as part of its public service reforms. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2652442... @heraldscotland.bsky.socialheraldscotland.com'Extreme caution': Ministers warned any new arts cuts will damage global reputationCulture sector leaders have warned that targeting the arts industry for savings would erode 'already fragile infrastructure'. 022
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 05/09/2026One of the most-read news stories on The Herald website over the last 24 hours. Do you agree with Essential Edinburgh? www.heraldscotland.com/news/2652313... @heraldscotland.bsky.socialheraldscotland.comSchools back, audiences gone: Calls to rethink Edinburgh festival datesOne of Edinburgh’s leading business organisations has called on the city's summer festivals to move their dates earlier to stop ticket sales… 032
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026There are more common-sense ideas in this Bella Caledonia piece on Edinburgh’s festivals and the visitor levy than anything I’ve heard from the city council, which seems to want to wish them away. bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/09/02/d...bellacaledonia.org.ukDemocratising the Edinburgh FestivalI was going to say that as the festival ends the numbers of tourists subsides, but they don’t really. Overtourism in Edinburgh is relentless. Inevitably, there’s been some reflection on… 010
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026“Sustainability is not only environmental. The festivals were built on grassroots creativity and on the idea that artists could come to Edinburgh and find an audience. Preserving that openness matters.” 010
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026“Festival organisations can make a compelling case that they generate visitors, employment and substantial economic activity. Supporting their resilience is therefore an entirely legitimate use of visitor levy funding.” 010
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026“Affordability is already one of the greatest challenges facing the festival model. If performers, technicians, seasonal workers and smaller companies can no longer afford to stay in Edinburgh, the diversity and openness on which the festivals were built will inevitably suffer.” 001
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026“There is a temptation every August to cast discussion of the festivals as a contest between residents and visitors, heritage and events, culture and liveability. It is a false choice. Edinburgh benefits enormously from its festivals.” 020
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Now this is intriguing. The Cockburn Association now appears to much more supportive of Edinburgh’s festivals & the case for them to be supported by the new visitor levy than the city council. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2652075...heraldscotland.comCockburn Association: Edinburgh festivals will 'suffer' without tourist tax supportThe heritage group has said support for Edinburgh's festivals is an 'entirely legitimate use' of income raised via the new visitor… 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Why is there so little support for local performers & companies? Why is comedy excluded from Scottish Government funding? Why are many of the busiest streets not more people-friendly? Why is the city not dressed properly? Why has visitor levy money not been committed to these events? 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 02/09/2026The countdown is now underway to the 80th anniversary of Edinburgh’s festivals in 2027. As the dust settles on another season, I’ve been mulling over some big questions, including how they are supported, the dates dilemma & the state of the city centre. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2651345...heraldscotland.comEdinburgh's festivals are turning 80. Here's what must change by 2027The Scottish Government taking responsibility, more support for home-grown talent, starting the Fringe early and making the streets more… 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Interesting stuff. I wrote about the lack of public funding support for Scottish comedy earlier this year. Comics are effectively excluded from the Scottish Government showcase at the Fringe & Glasgow Comedy Festival can’t get Creative Scotland funding. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2595635...heraldscotland.comNo laughing matter as Creative Scotland stands accused of shunning comedy industryIndustry leaders are demanding fairer treatment for festivals and acts from national arts body. 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 01/09/2026It was highly misleading to announce it the way they did. Just creates confusion & false expectations. It’s pretty daft to think folk will not see through it when they examine the figures. It undermines the new promises they have made & the fact manifesto commitments have been signed off. 110
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 01/09/2026There are loads of other specific commitments which should be funded on top of that, such as a minimum income for artists pilot, the People’s Palace revamp, a new national trad music company - first since NTS! - and a youth culture pass scheme. Lots of promises. Interesting times. 010
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 01/09/2026It’s the same £100m that was announced three years ago next month! They said in Jan that the 26-27 budget would mean £70m has been committed, so it should mean another £30m over two years. A further £50m has been pledged for the two years after that. 220
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 31/08/2026As ever, the final Edinburgh Festival Fringe box office figures are fascinating. The overall audience was by far the biggest since the pandemic, up almost 8% year on year. But the later dates & Princes St closure must have affected sales. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2650890...heraldscotland.comFringe audience tops 2.8m despite fire disruption and final week slumpOne of the biggest venue operators wants the festival to start a week earlier to bring it more into line with the Scottish school holidays. 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Reposting an opinion column I wrote during the first week of the Edinburgh festivals, just as the Scottish school holidays were ending, on why there needs to be a rethink to bring their dates together. Any thoughts, folks? www.heraldscotland.com/news/2645503... @heraldscotland.bsky.socialheraldscotland.comWhy the Edinburgh festivals need to coincide with the Scottish school holidaysThe new school term began just a few days into Scotland's biggest cultural gathering. 011
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Most parts of the city are relatively quiet in Aug. There are about three streets to avoid if you really don’t like crowds. The Princes St closure made me walk through the gardens, which were never busy at all. Much better experience! Leith was like a ghost town all month without the tram. 100
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 30/08/2026This has been one of the 10 most-read news stories on The Herald website over the last 24 hours. Keen to know what folk who live & work in Edinburgh think. Do you ever feel “traumatised” by the cultural events going on in your city? www.heraldscotland.com/news/2650634... @heraldscotland.bsky.socialheraldscotland.comEdinburgh culture chief: Local residents are 'traumatised' by the festivalsMargaret Graham has suggested a 'more measure approach' is needed to tackle the 'enormous pressure' on locals. 501
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Well, this is certainly one way to thank everyone involved in Edinburgh’s festivals for their efforts over the last few weeks. The level of anger at the council’s handling of these events has certainly gone up a few levels. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2650634...heraldscotland.comEdinburgh culture chief: Local residents are 'traumatised' by the festivalsMargaret Graham has suggested a 'more measure approach' is needed to tackle the 'enormous pressure' on locals. 010
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 27/08/2026It’s definitely been one of those weeks…anyone else? What will tomorrow bring, I wonder? 000
Reposted by Brian FergusonThe Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Herald theatre critic Neil Cooper picks his favourite 10 shows to see before the Fringe ends www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @neilcooper.bsky.social @heraldscotland.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.social @edfringe.bsky.socialheraldscotland.com10 essential Fringe shows to see before it ends by Scotland's top theatre criticAs the Fringe draws to a close, there is still plenty to see. The ten shows listed here are essential, and there is a lot more besides. 012
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 27/08/2026The pressure is certainly mounting on Edinburgh City Council over the handling of its visitor levy. Will the festivals secure a fair share of income generated from the new charge? www.heraldscotland.com/news/2650051... @heraldscotland.bsky.socialheraldscotland.comMàiri McAllan enters debate on Edinburgh festivals and the tourist taxThe culture secretary says 'anyone can see' how much the Edinburgh festivals underpin the city's economy. 011
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 27/08/2026The Herald’s final Edinburgh festivals supplement of the month is out today. Don’t miss it if you’re still trying to work out what to catch and don’t worry - there’s loads more coverage from the capital to come in the next few days. 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 26/08/2026"The longer-term risk is if Edinburgh under-invests in the cultural product that attracts visitors, it risks gradually eroding the very international distinctiveness on which its position as a world leading visitor destination depends." www.heraldscotland.com/news/2649778...heraldscotland.comFestivals brand new Edinburgh visitor levy spending plans 'flawed' and 'inadequate'The city council has been warned it has not gone far enough to support events which have grappled with 'a tsunami of rising costs'. 010
Reposted by Brian FergusonThe Herald comment & analysis @scottishcomment.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Eight shows given five stars by The Herald's critics that you still have time to see at the Fringe www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2... @heraldscotland.bsky.social @juliabraunraven.bsky.social @neilcooper.bsky.social @teddyjamieson.bsky.social @clairesawers.bsky.social @brianjaffa.bsky.socialheraldscotland.comEight Edinburgh Fringe shows critics loved most – and there's still time to see themWe’ve seen hundreds of Fringe shows – these are the eight five-star gems from The Herald's critics from Dracula to Mayflies, Cathy and Elf… 043
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 25/08/2026I must have imagined Jane Meagher slagging off the Scottish Government on Princes Street over its “shameful” response to the fire. 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 25/08/2026From the same council that shut down a public debate on funding for the festivals, sent senior figures packing from the City Chambers and then slagged them off behind closed doors! Trying to silence arts organisations is a pitifully poor response, esp during these festivals. 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Latest on Edinburgh’s tourist tax fiasco.: The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which is expected to generate £6m for the visitor levy and has been valued at £500m for the economy, will get a share of just £8625 under new recommendations from officials. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2649092...heraldscotland.comFringe set to get £8625 share from Edinburgh visitor levy despite generating £6mOfficials have raised concerns over a threat of legal action if festivals get too much additional funding. 101
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 21/08/2026Still trying to figure out which Fringe shows to catch in Edinburgh this month? Here’s the pick of what our critics have seen so far. www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/2...heraldscotland.comReviewed: Scotland's top critics reveal 35 best Edinburgh Fringe shows to see nextHerald critics have reviewed dozens of Edinburgh Fringe shows so far - these are the ones you should book next 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 20/08/2026www.heraldscotland.com/news/2648269...heraldscotland.comFringe chief declares culture is now Scotland's greatest global exportEdinburgh in August hailed as 'the United Nations of the arts' due to the scale of the city's annual cultural gathering. 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 20/08/2026“Edinburgh at this time of year really does become the United Nations of the arts…” 110
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 20/08/2026www.heraldscotland.com/news/2648011...heraldscotland.comUnions join forces to demand 'immediate halt' to sale of CCA building in GlasgowTrust in the Scottish Government agency is said to at an 'all-time low' over the handling of the long-running venue. 000
Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 20/08/2026A big development in the CCA building saga today. “We now call on the board of Creative Scotland to suspend the process before any proposal is assessed and open a public consultation, which must help determine how the building’s cultural and public value will be protected.” 140