Five things you need to know today
Talking about the elephant in the library....
An elephant visited Leith Library in 1976
This is part of the fascinating history of libraries in a new exhibition which opens on Friday at the National Library of Scotland.
The Edinburgh Fringe app is live
Download the app which will help you decide which shows to book - and help you to book them.
This is the page here that you need if you have an iPhone or Android phone. Follow the instructions and Shake to Search!
Edinburgh 900
An Edinburgh 900 exhibition celebrating the capital's sporting heritage is opening today at St James Quarter - at least it is on Leith Street next to Mor Bakery.
The exhibition is showcasing the City of Leisure theme with highlights from three Edinburgh Leisure displays.
Discover Edinburgh's 27 year history in promoting active lifestyles in Edinburgh and find out more about the history of the city's Victorian swimming pools.
Admission is free and no booking is required.
St Columba's Hospice Furniture Centre
St Columba’s Hospice Care, a leading provider of palliative and holistic care across Edinburgh and the Lothians, has officially opened its brand-new Furniture Centre in Bonnington. This new social enterprise marks the latest step in the hospice’s commitment to sustainable fundraising, following the recent launch of a café and second-hand bookshop in North Berwick.
The Furniture Centre offers high-quality second-hand furnishings donated by members of the local community, including sofas, bookshelves, dining sets, rugs, artwork and even electrical goods. All profits will directly support the hospice’s mission to provide care for people living with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Jon Heggie, Director of Income Generation at St Columba’s Hospice Care, said:“With ongoing financial pressures across the hospice sector, we’re always exploring new ways to diversify our income. Every new initiative helps us meet the rising demand for our services and the Furniture Centre is a fantastic opportunity to raise funds, recycle quality furniture, and give back to the community.
“Every item donated, and every sale made helps fund care for people facing life-limiting conditions. We’re grateful to our local community, not just for donating their items, but for shopping with us too. Their support is what makes our care possible.”
Thanks to a partnership with logistics platform Boxmove, the Centre offers convenient collection and delivery services throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. Donations can be booked free online, and furniture purchases can include delivery starting from just £25.
www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk/shop/furniture-centre
At Collective
On Wednesday Collective will open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.
Inspired by the work of Irish artist Robert Barker (1739–1806) – credited as inventor of the panorama – the programme invites artists and audiences to explore new ways of seeing the city of Edinburgh and our surroundings.
Barker’s Panorama of Edinburgh from Calton Hill was made in 1788, capturing a 360-degree view of the city and surrounding landscape in a continuous image. The original drawings were created from Observatory House – the oldest building on what is now Collective’s site – marking Calton Hill’s early role in science, astronomy and timekeeping, as well as a place for art and close observation.
Two centuries on, Collective responds to this legacy with the Panorama programme by inviting artists to respond to the site’s histories and present contexts. The Hillside Gallery will serve as a hub for reading, research, public events and activities. At its centre is a new large-scale reproduction of the 1792 aquatint of the panorama, offering a detailed view of the late 18th century cityscape.
https://www.collective-edinburgh.art
