What's On

John Maher is a local photographer returning for his 5th year at Thomson's Tower and opening our 2026 season of Exhibitions. 

This year, John’s show is a retrospective of images from the last 25 years, printed on paper (giclée) and aluminium, and including some ready-framed prints to clear. 

John is keen to emphasise that “No AI is involved in generating these photos!”.

Join Forest Bathing guide Rosie and Aromatherapist Gill, from àile holistic, for a slow Spring morning at Dr Neil's Garden. 

Two hours of guided forest bathing through the Spring landscape, followed by a light lunch and an aromatherapy workshop in Thomson's Tower, where you'll create your own 10ml therapeutic perfume inspired by the season. 

A chance to slow down, connect and leave with a creation using pure essential oils, the distilled essence of plants, each one chosen for its therapeutic properties as much as its scent.

> Book a place with àile holistic

Join this botanical embroidery class in the Garden and discover the soothing power of sewing in the sunshine. While embroidery is already a wonderfully relaxing craft, taking your needles and thread outdoors to a tranquil garden setting brings a whole new level of bliss to your creative practice.

You’ll spend your session in the Garden which is perfectly suited for contemplation and inspiration. The Glass Shelter overlooks the grounds and you’ll stay cosy and dry if the weather turns but, if the sun is shining, you can settle into one of the many seating areas nestled in nature. These workshops will be held across spring, summer and autumn allowing you to observe and stitch the changing seasons of the Garden as they happen.

During the workshop, you will:

• Master colour blending – learn how to use satin stitch and long and short stitch to create depth and realism.

• Paint with thread – use your needle to bring botanical details to life with vibrant textures.

• Explore the Garden – take the time to soak up your surroundings while you get hands-on with your project.

• Connect with others – enjoy a small, intimate group setting that's perfect for catching up with friends or meeting fellow makers.

Everything you need will be set up and waiting for you, so you can simply show up and switch off. You'll finish the session feeling refreshed and inspired, walking away with a beautiful handmade keepsake and the skills to continue your next creative obsession at home.

Spaces limited. Book your place here:

https://www.edinburghsewingclasses.uk/copy-of-botanical-embroidery

Chris Watkins is returning to the Garden for an exhibition of his very special pottery alongside artist and art educator, Siri France. 

Chris Watkins is an Edinburgh based potter, painter and Qigong teacher. Having studied art and architecture at Kingston College of Art and later Edinburgh College of Art and Architecture, Chris started his first pottery in Scotland in 1970. He is a member of the Scottish Potters Association and has pieces in galleries and exhibitions throughout Scotland.

Siri France’s work is mainly in painting and drawing and combines careful observation with expressive use of materials. She has a BA in fine art from Newcastle Polytechnic and the school of the Art Institute of Chicago. She also has a post graduate diploma in art therapy from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. As well as work in and out of the studio, Siri has 20 years’ experience teaching art both privately and with local art schools, Birchwood art studio and Edinburgh Drawing School.

A painting and photography exhibition with four artists.

Damian Callan is a figurative painter based in Edinburgh. His subject is the moving figure, drawn and painted in strong tonal contrasts. 

He runs drawing and painting classes for adults and art classes for children from his studio at Silvan House, opposite Edinburgh Zoo. He is the author of two books, Paint Like Degas and Paint Like Renoir, and his work has been widely exhibited across the UK. 

Eiko Yamashita is a printmaker and painter based in Edinburgh. She graduated with MA Fine Art from Wimbledon College of Arts in 2002 and moved to Scotland the following year. She is a member of Edinburgh Printmakers and Society of Scottish Artists.

Her recent works are about nature and nature worship, inspired by Hokusai and other 18-19th century Japanese artists who depicted hills, lakes and woods as objects of worship. These ideas are from Japanese Shinto, animism which deeply influenced Japanese culture and philosophy. Another theme is gravity. She has been creating prints and paintings of the human body in air and water, symbolizing the conflicted feelings of restraint & stability, freedom & uncertainty, anxiety & healing.

Komachi Goto’s artistic work focuses mainly on painting and drawing subjects that capture her curiosity. She often explores the hidden stories, histories, and emotional backgrounds behind the people or scenes she depicts. Her art reflects a strong interest in narrative and the unseen context surrounding everyday life.

Patrick Poon takes a daily walk with his camera in Edinburgh’s green spaces, coastline and beyond. He is sometimes lucky enough to find the extraordinary in the everyday. Patrick delights in collecting and sharing these serendipitous images, hoping they convey the quiet wonder felt when he captured them.