Edinburgh is set to become one of the first local authorities in the country to introduce widespread restrictions on mobile phone use in schools, with the new rules taking effect at the start of the academic year in August.

Under the policy, pupils across the city’s secondary schools will be expected to keep phones switched off and out of sight during the school day, including at break and lunch times. Headteachers will be given flexibility on how the rules are enforced locally, but the council says the aim is a consistent, city-wide approach.

Education leaders said the move is intended to cut classroom distraction, support pupils’ wellbeing and reduce the pressures of constant connectivity during the school day. “Teachers have told us clearly that phones are getting in the way of learning and of pupils talking to each other,” a council education spokesperson said.

The decision follows growing concern among parents and staff about screen time and online activity during lessons, and mirrors similar steps taken by schools elsewhere in the UK and across Europe.

Some parents have raised practical questions about staying in touch with their children during the day, particularly around travel and emergencies. The council says schools will keep clear procedures in place so families can always reach pupils through the school office when needed.

The restrictions will be reviewed after the first term, with feedback from pupils, staff and parents shaping any adjustments.

Edinburgh has been named the cleanest city in Scotland, scoring 92.8 per cent in the latest national cleanliness assessment — the capital’s highest mark in more than five years.

The score, drawn from inspections of streets, parks and public spaces across the city, places Edinburgh comfortably ahead of every other Scottish local authority. Council officials credited a combination of expanded street-cleaning rounds, targeted litter enforcement and a sharp rise in residents reporting fly-tipping through the council’s online tools.

“This is a result the whole city can be proud of,” a council spokesperson said. “Keeping Edinburgh clean is a shared effort between our crews and the people who live here, and these figures show that effort paying off.”

The improvement comes after several years of mixed results, with cleanliness scores dipping during a period of reduced budgets and disruption to collection services. Officials say sustained investment in frontline teams and new monitoring routes has reversed the trend.

Community groups welcomed the news but urged the council not to ease off, pointing to recurring problem spots around the city centre and busy tourist areas during peak season. The council says additional summer cleaning will be in place ahead of the festival period.

Foodies Festival is set to return to Inverleith Park in Edinburgh from 7 to 9 August, marking the 21st year of the touring food and music event.

This year’s edition announces a large line-up of TV celebrity chefs and chart-topping music acts, combining cookery demonstrations with live performances across the weekend. The festival has become a regular fixture of Edinburgh’s summer, drawing crowds to the leafy surroundings of Inverleith Park.

Alongside the chef demonstrations, visitors can expect street food stalls, tastings and a main stage programme of music. Organisers say the milestone 21st edition will be one of the biggest yet.

The inaugural Leith Food Festival arrives at Leith Links this summer, with a full cookery theatre programme now confirmed.

The Cookery Theatre will host nine separate demonstrations across the event, delivered in partnership with host Barry Bryson, head chef and director of the Michelin Guide-listed Barry Fish restaurant. The line-up brings together local chefs and producers to celebrate Leith’s growing reputation as one of Edinburgh’s most dynamic food neighbourhoods.

Set against the backdrop of Leith Links, the festival aims to combine live cooking, tastings and family-friendly entertainment, marking a new addition to the city’s busy summer events calendar.

Eat Out Edinburgh returns in 2026 with a diverse mix of restaurants, cafés and bars spread across Princes Street, George Street, St Andrew Square and the St James Quarter.

City favourites including Dishoom, Hawksmoor, Contini and Sushisamba are among the venues taking part, alongside a string of new additions joining the line-up this year. The initiative is designed to showcase the breadth of Edinburgh’s dining scene and to draw both locals and visitors into the heart of the city.

Organisers say the programme reflects the strength of Edinburgh’s food and drink sector, which continues to expand with new openings across the centre. Full details of participating restaurants and any special menus are being confirmed in the coming weeks.

Scottish singer-songwriter Wave Of The Flood will celebrate the release of her debut album, FortyFive, with a launch performance at the Pianodrome in Bruntsfield on Saturday 13 June 2026.

The rising folk artist, one of a new wave of acoustic acts emerging from Edinburgh’s grassroots music scene, has spent the past two years writing and recording the collection. Built around the venue’s signature amphitheatre made entirely from reclaimed pianos, the launch night promises an intimate first listen for fans.

The Pianodrome has become a fixture of the city’s independent cultural calendar, hosting concerts, workshops and community events throughout the year. Tickets for the album launch are expected to be in high demand.