The Herald's Unspun Live heads to the Edinburgh Fringe
Across four nights, audiences will hear from First Minister John Swinney, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and Britain's leading polling expert, Professor Sir John Curtice.
Tickets are available now — click here to book your place at Unspun Live.
These discussions will move beyond the usual political talking points, exploring the personal motivations, challenges and life experiences that shape Scotland's most influential figures.
Professor Sir John Curtice and guestsThe series opens on 4 August with Professor Sir John Curtice, who will be joined by special guests to take the political temperature of the nation and analyse the trends influencing the next Holyrood election.
Click here to buy tickets to Unspun Live with John Curtice and guests
John Swinney (Image: Gordon Terris) On 5 August, John Swinney will make a rare festival appearance. He will be interviewed by The Herald's Brian Taylor — the legendary former political editor of BBC Scotland, who has been covering the First Minister for more than 25 years.
The SNP leader will reflect on his first year leading the Scottish Government, the challenges facing his party and the country, and share a personal perspective on leadership and life in high office.
Click here to buy tickets for Unspun Live with John Swinney
Anas Sarwar reading The Herald (Image: Gordon Terris) On 6 August, attention turns to the opposition. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will discuss one of the most dramatic years in his party's recent history. Buoyed by a strong performance at Thursday's by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, his appearance comes at a pivotal moment in his campaign to lead the next Scottish Government.
Click here to buy tickets for Unspun Live with Anas Sarwar
Kate Forbes speaking to The Herald (Image: Colin Mearns) Closing the series on 7 August is Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. A former SNP leadership contender and key figure in the Cabinet, she will offer insights into the Government's economic priorities — and reflect on her political journey to date.
Click here to buy tickets for Unspun Live with Kate Forbes
Each Unspun Live session will be hosted by journalists and columnists from The Herald. The events will combine political analysis with personal storytelling, offering audiences a rare chance to engage with both the public views and private reflections of Scotland's leading politicians.
Audience members will also be invited to put their questions directly to the guests, ensuring a two-way conversation about Scotland's political direction — and the people behind the headlines.
Catherine Salmond, Editor of The Herald, said: 'We are delighted to bring the world's longest-running national newspaper into the heart of the world's largest arts festival.
'As Scotland faces a pivotal election in 2026, there is real value in having these conversations live on stage — where our readers and the wider public can engage directly with the people shaping our country's future.
'For those with a serious interest in Scottish politics, The Herald remains an essential read, combining authoritative coverage with unparalleled access to the key players and issues that matter.
'It is all part of our commitment to fostering understanding and informed debate — ensuring Scots have access to the insight they need, whether in our pages or face to face.'
Click here to book your tickets now via the Summerhall box office.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
'Scottish David Attenborough' bringing tour to Glasgow
Gordon Buchanan, acclaimed Scottish filmmaker and photographer, is bringing his tour - Lions and Tigers and Bears with Gordon Buchanan - back to the UK. He will stop at 30 venues across England and Scotland including a night at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre on February 28, 2026. Read more: New Glasgow exhibition poses question 'What might feminist energy systems look like?' Originally launching in February, the tour has already played to packed audiences across the UK and is now returning to Scotland thanks to popular demand. Speaking about his tour, Gordon said: "I had a wonderful time touring Lions and Tigers and Bears earlier this year – and I had to say 'yes' when the chance came up to go back out on the road to a load of new venues. "We joked that it sounded like a line from The Wizard of Oz – but the show is all about these amazing creatures, the undisputed icons of the animal kingdom, who I have been incredibly privileged to spend a lifetime observing. Gordon's Glasgow date is the first of his five Scottish shows, followed by Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Stirling. Buchanan, often described as "Scotland's own Sir David Attenborough", has spent more than three decades documenting wildlife across the globe. He began his filmmaking career in 1989 as an assistant to survival cameraman Nick Gordon, travelling to Sierra Leone to film in the Gola Rainforest. His credits include the BBC's Big Cat Diary, the Lost Land Of The… series, and the long-running Family & Me documentaries, which began in 2010 and have featured various species including some Minnesota black bears. Read more: Scotland's biggest motorcycle event set to roar back into action next month Most recently, Buchanan appeared in the BBC series Big Cats 24/7, tracking lions, leopards, and cheetahs in Botswana. Gordon said: "From pandas in China to orphaned grizzlies in Russia, from high-altitude tigers in the Himalayas to jaguars in the depths of the Amazon, I have been fortunate enough to meet many of these incredible creatures in their natural habitats – and I love being able to share their secrets with audiences. "I cannot wait to get back out there, to meet more animal lovers and to tell more tales of amazing adventures. "See you in 2026." Tickets for the Glasgow show go on sale on Friday, June 6, and can be purchased from the Pavilion Theatre or the Gordon Buchanan website.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Cineworld launches Father's Day 4DX thrill gift in Glasgow
The experience, available at Cineworld Glasgow Renfrew Street, forms part of a Father's Day gift box and includes two tickets for the 4DX showing, as well as a pair of ponchos. The 4DX gift experience is designed for dads who thought they were brave until their seat started moving. Read more: Nine men charged over mobbing and rioting before Partick Thistle game in Ayr Spider-Man 4 filming to take over Glasgow city centre this summer Car torched outside home during early hours of the morning The highlight of the experience is the live-action version of 'How to Train Your Dragon'. With fire-breathing effects, air bursts, sudden drops, windstorms, and water sprays, this promises to be a thrilling cinema experience. Grainne Clarke, head of corporate sales and partnerships at Cineworld, said: "With two 4DX tickets and matching ponchos, our Father's Day 4DX Gift Experience is part bonding exercise, part survival test – just enough splash to test Dad's bravery and see who flinches first. "Expect airborne popcorn, dragon breath, and a cinema seat with a mind of its own. "This is extreme cinema – not for the faint-of-heart. Or faint-of-poncho." Cineworld has also released a video guide featuring Gerard Butler and his young co-star, Mason Thames, who share survival tips for dads in 4DX. Butler declared: "I'm Scottish, fear's not in my vocabulary," before being rocked, shaken, and sprayed in his seat, with a firm grip on the armrest. The 4DX gift experience is available while stocks last at Cineworld 4DX foyers or online at For those unsure if their dad can handle the thrill of 4DX, Cineworld has other gift ideas, including a Cineworld gift card or a three-month unlimited pass for summer blockbusters. These are available for purchase in-cinema and online.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
St Mirren land dispute judgment a 'crucial precedent' for free speech
The claim for damages surrounded comments made by Mr Wardrop around the legality of an application for public funds for a regeneration project including a well-being centre on what appeared to be club land. Lord Clark dismissed Mr Gillespie and Mr MacMillan's claim for damages, which might have amounted to £80,000 because he believed that Mr Wardrop's comments made surrounding the legality of the application in were in the public interest and were honestly held based on the evidence he had at the time - both defences under the Scottish law around defamation damages. Campbell Deane, head of BKF and Co who represented Mr Wardrop, said: "This case sets a crucial precedent in the application of Defamation and Malicious Publication (Scotland) Act 2021, particularly the public interest defence. READ MORE by Martin Williams "The ruling underscores the legal protection available to individuals who responsibly raise issues of public concern – even if they are ultimately mistaken in their claims. It affirms that Scottish defamation law now balances reputation rights with the importance of free expression in democratic discourse." Alan Wardrop (left) and St Mirren directors and Kibble execs Jim Gillespie and Mark MacMillan (Image: Damian Shields) Mr Deane represented former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale in a successful defamation case battle in 2020, an appeal case of Wings over Scotland blogger Stuart Campbell, who claimed Ms Dugdale defamed him in a newspaper column three years ago. Mr Campbell lost the defamation case and demand for £25,000 in reputational damages at Edinburgh Sheriff Court when it was decided that while Ms Dugdale was incorrect to imply Mr Campbell was homophobic, she was protected under the principle of fair comment. Mr Deane in the Wardrop case said it was a defence to a defamatory statement if it relates to publication of a "matter of public interest and the defender reasonably believed that publishing it was in the public interest". He said: "This defence is designed to protect freedom of expression on issues that affect the public, so long as the individual making the statements acts responsibly, seeks to verify the facts, and is not motivated by malice. This ruling makes clear that raising concerns about governance, charity involvement, or the use of public funds can fall within the scope of public interest. "This ruling confirms that the defender does not need to be correct in the allegations. Rather, the defender must show that their belief in the truth and public value of the statements was formed through reasonable effort. "As the first judicial interpretation of this new defence in Scotland, the decision is likely to have a significant impact on how future public interest defences are framed." Stuart Munro of Livingstone Brown, solicitor for Mr Gillespie and Mr MacMillan, said: 'My clients required to bring this action after Mr Wardrop wrongly accused them of having a 'secret plan' to build on land owned by St Mirren FC and of lying about it. 'They are extremely pleased the judge, having heard detailed evidence from numerous witnesses, made it clear in his written judgment that there was no such secret plan, thus setting the record straight. 'Furthermore, the judgement underlines that Mr Wardrop's very public allegations were, as my clients have consistently stated, both untrue and defamatory. "The judge also agreed that Mr Wardrop's untrue and defamatory statements caused serious harm to their reputations. 'Notwithstanding the finding that Mr Wardrop was entitled to publish, the judge made it very clear that, the true facts having now been established, any future repetition of his claims would have serious consequences.' Alan Wardrop (Image: .) But Mr Wardrop said: "As a lifelong St Mirren supporter this entirely unfounded and misconceived court action has unquestionably proved difficult. To be banned from attending home football matches and have my motivations put under the spotlight, when all I was doing was trying to shine a light on a significant issue concerning St Mirren has been taxing. "Prior to applying to join the SMISA board, I had conducted detailed investigations as to the whereabouts of the land forming part of Kibble's applications for a well-being centre. I had done this, having been met with a wall of silence from the Kibble directors of St Mirren Football Club, Jim Gillespie and Mark McMillan to my repeated requests for information." He said he had maintained throughout the process that what he said in relation to the land dispute was "honest opinion" and what he brought into the public forum was "in the public interest". "I am delighted, but not in any way surprised, that the court has accepted that it was in the public interest to publish what I did. The law promotes free speech, and based on all my thorough and detailed enquiries, what I wrote was clearly a statement on a matter of public interest and I believed in the public interest to publish," he said.
