David Hepburn

The Edinburgh Comedy Awards present three possible prizes in 2026: the £10,000 Audible Best Comedy Show award, the £5,000 Taffner Family Best Newcomer Award and the £5,000 Audible Panel Prize. Eligibility rules require qualifying comedy shows to be original, at least 50 minutes long, listed in the Fringe comedy programme and scheduled for the required number of performances. The shortlist will be announced on 26 August, with the awards ceremony taking place on 29 August. The judging panel includes representatives from Netflix UK, BBC Studios, Audible and DLT Entertainment, critics and public panellists.

Reviews of six Edinburgh Fringe comedy shows highlight Elf Lyons’s ★★★★★ theatrical exploration of heartbreak, vulnerability and recovery; Brendan Scannell’s ★★★★ deeply moving account of his brother’s psychosis and his own struggle with grief; and four three-star shows featuring varying combinations of crowd work, clowning, musical theatre, personal reinvention and social commentary. The strongest praise goes to Lyons and Scannell, while the other performances are described as entertaining but uneven, with weaknesses including confusing premises, forced tonal shifts, filler and overreliance on scripted or niche material.

The article explains that cat breeds differ in energy levels and need for mental stimulation, highlighting playful breeds that require toys, exercise and owner interaction. The visible section profiles the Abyssinian, Bengal, Siamese and Oriental Shorthair, describing their curiosity, intelligence, sociability and enthusiasm for interactive games.

The article presents dog breeds regarded as generally placid and unlikely to show aggression, while noting that individual temperament varies and any dog can become aggressive in certain situations. It highlights the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Japanese Chin and Bernese Mountain Dog among the featured breeds, emphasizing their affectionate, family-friendly reputations. The discussion also references rising puppy demand in the UK, the Royal Kennel Club’s recognition of 221 pedigree breeds, and Stanley Coren’s research on dog behavior and intelligence.

A guide to free ways of enjoying Edinburgh’s August festival season, including the Edinburgh International Festival’s “Together We Rise” launch event, views of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo fireworks and departing performers, free BBC Fringe programme recordings, and shows at the PBH Free Fringe. The piece notes that some supposedly free Fringe performances invite donations after the show, but emphasizes that visitors can still experience substantial festival entertainment without paying for admission.

The article outlines the typical prices of popular cat breeds in the UK and explains that costs vary according to popularity, scarcity, lineage and coat patterns. The breeds covered in the visible text include non-pedigree Moggies at around £50–£100, Ragdolls at £800–£1,500, Maine Coons at £1,000–£2,000 and Persians at £500–£1,500. It also notes that Moggies are generally more affordable and may be healthier than pedigree cats, while Persians and other flat-faced breeds can experience breathing and feeding problems associated with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.

The 2026 Sturgeon Moon will reach peak fullness on August 28 at 5:18 a.m. UK time and should appear full throughout the surrounding nights. The article explains the astronomical mechanics of a full moon and traces the Sturgeon Moon’s name to the seasonal abundance of sturgeon in the Great Lakes, while noting other August names including the Lynx, Grain and Corn Moons. It also lists the remaining 2026 full moons: the Harvest Moon on September 26, Hunter’s Moon on October 26, Beaver Moon on November 24 and Cold Moon on December 24.

Edinburgh’s major August festivals are set to feature numerous high-profile guests and performers. The article highlights appearances by Ewan McGregor, Amanda Knox, Graham Norton and Russell Tovey, alongside other notable figures including Andy Burnham and Kenneth Branagh. Events range from film conversations and book discussions to comedy and podcast performances, with some shows already selling out.

A photographic retrospective of the Edinburgh International Film Festival showcases 34 images of stars attending the event over the decades, from Gene Kelly and Orson Welles to Kylie Minogue and other contemporary film personalities. The festival, founded in 1947, is described as the world’s oldest continuously running film festival. Its future was threatened by the closure of the Filmhouse in 2023, but it recovered with a resurgence in 2024 and a planned 2026 edition featuring guests including Kenneth Branagh, Ewan McGregor and Bruce Dern.

Scotland is reported to be fourth in the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games medal table, behind Australia, England and Canada, more than halfway through the event. The Games feature around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing in 10 sports. The article lists Scottish medal winners so far, including gold medallists Duncan Scott, Faye Rogers, Angharad Evans and Ben Sandilands, with Reuben Ward also referenced in the headline.

The 2026 Booker Prize longlist, known as the Booker’s Dozen, comprises 13 novels selected by a judging panel chaired by Mary Beard, with Scottish writer Douglas Stuart among the nominees. The article outlines the award’s history and eligibility and previews four of the listed works: Chloe Aridjis’s surreal The Shadow of the Object, Emma Cline’s story of an executive traveling toward assisted suicide in Switzy, Makenna Goodman’s mysterious rural novel Helen of Nowhere, and M. John Harrison’s post-apocalyptic The End of Everything. The shortlist is due on 22 September, with the winner to be announced on 9 November.

The piece commemorates Scottish businessman and philanthropist Sir Ian Wood, who died peacefully at home in Aberdeen aged 84. It outlines his career transforming the family fishing business into the multinational Wood Group, his leadership of the company, his wealth and the creation of The Wood Foundation. Selected quotations reflect his views on ambition, spending, money, personal happiness and the responsibilities of future generations.

Bill Oddie, the comedian, actor, television presenter and birdwatcher known for The Goodies and Springwatch, has died aged 85, according to his friend and agent David Foster. His career began with Cambridge Footlights before The Goodies made him a household name alongside Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor. He later moved into wildlife broadcasting, becoming one of Britain’s best-known bird presenters. The article collects memorable remarks on birdwatching, his dislike of real ale, growing old and his mixed feelings about British identity.

The fourth full day of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games features 16 sessions across bowls, weightlifting, athletics, swimming, boxing, basketball, gymnastics and netball. Team Scotland enters the day third in the medal table after gold medals for Duncan Scott, Faye Rogers, Reuben Ward and Angharad Evans, alongside silver-medal performances from Stephen Clegg and Katie Shanahan. TNT Sports will provide more than 600 hours of UK coverage across its television channels and HBO Max, with access available through subscriptions starting at £4.99, while Channel 5, BBC Alba and BBC iPlayer will offer highlights or limited coverage.

The second full day of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games features 14 sessions across bowls, netball, 3x3 basketball, wheelchair basketball, artistic gymnastics, swimming, para swimming and boxing. Around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations are competing in the scaled-back Games, which Glasgow agreed to host after Victoria, Australia, withdrew. Tickets remain available for most sessions. In the UK, TNT Sports and HBO Max will provide extensive live coverage, while Channel 5, BBC Alba and BBC iPlayer will offer highlights or limited coverage.

The first full day of the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games features 13 sessions across sports including bowls, 3x3 basketball, gymnastics, swimming, boxing and para powerlifting. Around 3,000 athletes from 74 nations are competing across 10 sports in a scaled-back Games created after Victoria, Australia, withdrew as host because of rising costs. Tickets remain available for most sessions. TNT Sports and HBO Max will provide extensive UK live coverage, while Channel 5 will show daily highlights and the opening ceremony.

Glasgow’s previous hosting of the Commonwealth Games is recalled through 21 images highlighting the 2014 Opening Ceremony at Celtic Park, featuring performances by major artists, participation by thousands of volunteers, and attendance by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. The event is described as a major success, with record medal hauls for home nations and praise from Commonwealth Games Federation leadership.

Scottish readers highlighted their favourite ice cream spots during a heatwave, with S. Luca in Musselburgh emerging as the most popular, followed by Dino’s in Helensburgh, Mary’s Milk Bar in Edinburgh, and Janettas Gelateria in St Andrews. The rankings showcase Scotland’s longstanding Italian ice cream heritage and the continued popularity of family-run parlours across the country.

More than 1,000 shoppers queued at Edinburgh’s St James Quarter for the opening of Sephora’s first Scottish store, marked by performances and a ribbon-cutting by Sephora UK managing director Sarah Boyd, with photos capturing the event.

New exam performance data compiled by The Sunday Times ranks all six Midlothian secondary schools by the percentage of pupils achieving at least five Highers. Beeslack Community High School tops the area with 53 percent, followed by Lasswade High School Centre, Penicuik High School, and St David’s RC High School. The report highlights variation in attainment and the proportion of pupils from deprived backgrounds, while noting that league tables do not reflect broader factors such as teaching quality or school demographics.

Potential successors to Chancellor Rachel Reeves are assessed as Labour prepares for a new prime minister following Keir Starmer’s resignation, with Andy Burnham expected to assume leadership. Ed Miliband leads betting markets, followed by Pat McFadden, Shabana Mahmood and Wes Streeting, reflecting shifting prospects amid an anticipated cabinet reshuffle.

Dame Penelope Keith has died at age 86 after a battle with cancer, prompting a retrospective of her stage and television career, her charitable work, and her cultural impact. The piece highlights her acclaimed performances, awards, and service roles while presenting a selection of memorable quotes reflecting her personality and views on subjects ranging from Scotland to language and aging.