Edinburgh Science Festival photography street exhibition to return to the city

An annual free photography exhibition by Edinburgh Science Festival is returning to the city this year.

This year’s theme is Wild Scotland, highlighting the people, flora, and fauna of Scotland and the adaptation of the changing world in the face of the climate emergency.

The exhibition will run on Portobello Promenade until May 5, in line with Edinburgh Science Festival – Europe’s largest science festival – which kicks off on Saturday.

The exhibition features a fantastic range of professional photographers from all over the country covering topics such as animal conservation, the fishing industry and extreme weather.

They include Scottish sisters Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson who travel around Scotland capturing its amazing wildlife and landscapes, Ross McLaren, a scuba diver and hillwalker known for his beautiful underwater photographs, Andy McCandlish whose work often focuses on mountain bikes and adventure sports and Eilidh Cameron whose images celebrate the beauty of Scotland and the geological processes that shaped it.

Amanda Tyndall, Edinburgh Science Festival Creative Director said: “Scotland is a beautiful country filled with amazing landscapes and fascinating wildlife which all make for great photos, but more than just pretty picture, Wild Scotland tells the story of them adapting to the climate crisis and shines a light on the greatest challenge of our time.”

Edinburgh Science Festival team worked with primary schools across Scotland on the photography competition, encouraging children to explore the nature around them and capture it on camera to show adults their Wild Scotland.

With over 80 submissions celebrating everything from puddle-jumping and hide-and-seek to foxes in gardens and bug hotels in playgrounds, Carson Rowe of Pennyburn Primary School in Ayrshire is now announced the winner.

Paula Dickson, Head Teacher at Pennyburn Primary School said: “We are absolutely delighted to hear that our pupil Carson Rowe has been recognised as the overall winner of the photography competition for the Edinburgh Science Festival and Jack Gunn as a runner up.

“This has given our school community a real boost during extremely difficult times.  In an area where staff, families, pupils and the local community strive to ensure positive outcomes for our children this demonstrates first-hand the impact that such an achievement can have.”