35 h. ago ‘It’s a brigade of old gits!’ Miriam Margolyes, Andy Linden and the older performers storming Edinburgh

At a festival so often dominated by bold young talent, it’s veteran performers stealing the spotlight this year. We meet them – from household names to octogenarian newcomersMiriam Margolyes is ensconced in the garden room of a fancy Edinburgh hotel, framed by tasteful greenery and smiling for a fan who wants a selfie. Apple-cheeked and foul-mouthed, she is gracious with the passing stranger, though she warns me later: “If somebody pisses me off, I’ll say: ‘Now listen to me, I’m 84!’” She pauses. “But I don’t see why they should!” she adds with a laugh.Margolyes is returning to Edinburgh for the second year running with an upgraded version of her acclaimed showcase based on the characters of Charles Dickens, her favourite author. “Same old cunt, even older,” reads the flyer. “It could be the last time, but don’t bank on it!” Continue reading...

Events

46 h. ago Readers' letters: Upgrade Edinburgh City Bypass before building a second tram line

A reader says an upgrade to the Edinburgh City Bypass should be prioritised ahead of a second tram line for the capital

Politics

50 h. ago Readers' letters: Qualification questions in Scotland's education ‘data desert’?

I am sure that most of us would accept that, as a sampling exercise, the PISA ratings for reading, mathematics and science may be more approximate than exact. That said, the figures for Scottish pupils have declined pretty steadily since the first such exercise in 2000. This is a very touchy point with Scottish nationalists, especially when it can be shown that English schools are scoring better than Scottish schools, as was the case in the latest PISA results in 2022.

Politics

4 d. ago Readers' letters: Israel's war in Gaza is not and act of 'self

A reader says it’s ludicrous to sugest Israel’s actions in Gaza are defensive or a proportionate response to Hamas’s terrorism

Politics

5 d. ago Readers' letters: Give the Fringe's favourite uncle the freedom of the city

A reader says it’s high time the founder of the Free Fringe got official recognition

Politics

6 d. ago Readers' Letters: Bridge the attainment gap with pipe bands in schools

A reader supports calls for the formation of pipe bands in schools to boost academic performance

Culture

8 d. ago Readers' letters: We must not return to the days of Mary Whitehouse

A reader says freedom of expression should be defended, even if it might offend some people

Events

9 d. ago Readers' Letters: Here's how John Swinney can dig himself out of a hole

A reader has thoughts on how John Swinney can help himself, and Scotland

Politics

3 w. ago Readers' Letters: Sack NHS Fife Board in wake of Sandy Peggie case

So far as the Sandie Peggie employment tribunal goes, NHS Fife keeps digging deeper, says reader

Politics

3 w. ago Readers' letters: Lower the voting age, but make sure all votes count

Readers have differing opinions over Labour’s changes to electoral law, such as reducing the voting age to 16

Politics

3 w. ago Readers' Letters: Give Edinburgh's Adam Smith statue the Winston Churchill treatment

A reader says the memorial to one of Scotland’s most fa mous sons should be given an overdue clean-up

Politics

4 w. ago Readers' Letters: 'Stop Trump from visiting Scotland' calls counterproductive

Calls to ban Donald Trump from Scotland are short-sighted, says reader

Politics

4 w. ago Readers' Letters: Israel/Hamas conflict shows Labour Party has lost its moral compass

Readers are appalled innocents are dying daily in Gaza while the West does, apparently, little

Politics

4 w. ago Readers' Letters: Israel/Gaza conflict shows Labour Party has lost it's moral compass

Readers are appalled innocents are dying daily in Gaza while the West does, apparently, little

Politics