Lauren Jack

San Francisco Ballet will present the European premiere of Mere Mortals at Edinburgh Playhouse during the 2026 Edinburgh International Festival, from August 28 to 30. The production reimagines the Pandora myth through the lens of artificial intelligence and features choreography by Aszure Barton and music by Sam Shepherd. Tickets are available through ATG Tickets and the official festival website, costing approximately £24.50 to £86 plus fees. The performances include flashing lights and amplified electronic music, with age and accessibility restrictions applying.

The Scotsman’s guide highlights five-star productions from the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe, which features more than 4,000 shows. The entries visible here are the comedy Absolute Bus Stops of Northern Europe and Beyond, the physical-theatre work Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It, the musical Bliss, and the Brazilian dance production Border Bodies. Critics praise the shows for their originality, strong performances, ambitious production values and themes of community, connection and contemporary social tension.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across Scotland on 12 August 2026, with around 88% to 90% of the Sun obscured. The eclipse is expected to begin shortly after 6pm, peak at about 7pm and end around 8pm, with exact timings varying by location. The Western Isles and western Scotland are expected to receive some of the greatest coverage. Viewers are warned not to look directly at the Sun and are advised to use undamaged ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses or a pinhole projector.

The Scotsman presents a curated guide to the best-reviewed shows at the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, based on productions awarded four or five stars by its critics. The festival features more than 4,200 shows across comedy, theatre, dance, circus and other genres, making it the largest Fringe programme to date. The article also highlights The Scotsman’s long-running festival coverage, its 29 critics and the Fringe First Awards for new writing.

The Scotsman’s 2026 Edinburgh Fringe theatre guide highlights productions that have received four- or five-star reviews from its critics. It describes the festival’s large and varied programme, directs readers to the official Fringe website for ticket information, and outlines The Scotsman’s longstanding Edinburgh Festivals coverage and Fringe First Awards.

A guide to comedy shows at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe that have received four- or five-star reviews from The Scotsman's critics. It highlights the festival's scale—more than 3,500 shows across nearly 300 venues—and directs readers to the official Fringe website for tickets. The piece also outlines The Scotsman's wider festival coverage, its team of 29 critics, and its Fringe First Awards, previously won by performers including Billy Connolly and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The Scotsman highlights highly rated shows from the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe that are returning in 2026. The selections include Circa: Wolf, The Horse of Jenin, CADEL: Lungs on Legs and Ayoade Bamgboye: Swings And Roundabouts, with performances scheduled at venues including Underbelly, Pleasance Courtyard and Gilded Balloon. The productions received strong reviews for their artistry, storytelling, energy and performances, and several had sold-out runs or awards recognition in 2025.

Boyzlife, featuring Keith Duffy of Boyzone and Brian McFadden of Westlife, will perform at Inverness’s Eden Court on May 13, 2027, and Dundee’s Caird Hall on May 14. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on August 8 through Ticketmaster and venue websites, with prices expected to start at about £36. Under-16s must attend with an adult, and purchases are limited to six tickets per person and card.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will take place at Edinburgh Castle from August 7 to 29, 2026, with 26 performances, including evening shows and selected Saturday and Friday matinees. Shows last around 90 minutes, with tickets available through the official website or box office from £42 for standard seats, while packages can cost up to £1,150. The event’s theme is “A Call To Gather,” bringing together more than 800 performers from the UK and countries including Germany, Canada, the United States, Qatar and New Zealand. Actor Richard Rankin will serve as the pre-recorded narrator.

Visitors can attend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe without booking tickets in advance, although many popular shows may sell out. Last-minute tickets remain available for numerous performances, while the official Fringe website, the Box Office at 180 High Street and the Big Four venues provide booking and programme information. The official EdFringe app offers show listings, nearby performance alerts, personal planning tools and e-tickets.

Megadeth will headline Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on March 16, 2027, as part of the eight-date Breakout: Hibernation Of The Nations UK tour, with Black Label Society and Testament as support acts. General ticket sales open at 10am on August 7, while Cyber Army, artist, O2/Virgin Media, OVO Live, venue, Live Nation and Spotify presales begin between August 4 and 6. Glasgow tickets are expected to cost £72.60 to £184, with premium options from £136 to £151. Attendees must be at least eight years old; under-16s require an accompanying adult, and standing attendees must be over 14.

The article lists the visible Last One Laughing UK and Ireland comedians scheduled to appear at the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Sam Campbell will appear in Paddy Young Presents: A Night with the Stars, Harriet Kemsley will perform her work-in-progress show Floozy, Joe Lycett will host Joe Lycett & Friends with guests including Rosie Jones and Phil Wang, and Sara Pascoe will perform For One Night Only and Jazz. The appearances range from full festival runs to one-night specials, with venues and dates provided for each.

Glasgow will impose a series of road closures, parking restrictions and limits on vehicle movement around Hampden Park for Calvin Harris’s concerts on 1 and 2 August. Restrictions begin on Friday 31 July and affect roads around Calder Street, Polmadie, Prospecthill Drive, Letherby Drive and surrounding residential streets, with the most extensive measures operating during concert hours. Fans and local residents are warned to expect traffic and queues.

Limited last‑minute tickets remain for Luke Combs’ two upcoming Murrayfield concerts in Edinburgh, available through Ticketmaster, primarily via Verified Resale at prices ranging from £60 to £240. Age restrictions apply, with no children under five allowed and under‑16s requiring adult supervision, while standing areas are limited to those over fourteen.

Andy Burnham is set to become UK Prime Minister around lunchtime following Keir Starmer’s final speech and formal resignation to the King. After being invited to form a government, Burnham will deliver his first address from Downing Street. Broadcasters including BBC One, ITV, STV, Sky News and Channel 4 will provide live coverage throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Portugal faces Spain and the USA meets Belgium in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, with winners advancing to a Los Angeles quarter-final. Kickoff times in the UK are 8pm for Portugal vs Spain and 1am for USA vs Belgium, with both matches broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio 5 Live.

The article outlines the two FIFA World Cup 2026 last‑16 matches taking place on July 5, detailing UK kick‑off times and broadcast information. Brazil faces Norway in New York at 9pm UK time, while Mexico plays England in Mexico City at 1am UK time on July 6. Coverage of the first match is available on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player, with BBC Radio 5 Live providing audio commentary. England’s game airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with radio coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live. Additional tournament scheduling details can be found on FIFA’s official website.

Three World Cup 2026 matches are scheduled for July 1, with England facing DR Congo, Belgium playing Senegal, and the USA meeting Bosnia-Herzegovina. UK broadcast details include coverage split between BBC One, ITV1 or STV, and associated streaming platforms and radio commentary. Kickoff times are provided both locally and in UK time for fans planning to watch live.

Lists all World Cup 2026 fixtures taking place on June 29, including Brazil vs Japan, Germany vs Paraguay and Netherlands vs Morocco, with UK kick-off times and broadcasting details. Provides information on where to watch each match on BBC, ITV, STV and associated streaming services, along with radio commentary options. Includes the full knockout-stage schedule from the Round of 32 through to the final.