Resident Advisors: Edinburgh Art Festival

This article is taken from the 2025 edition of The Skinny Guide to Edinburgh – a 116-page selection of some of our favourite things to do and places to go across the city. Pick up a copy at venues across Edinburgh this summer, or read it online via Issuu.

What’s been a highlight of the last 12 months for you?
We’re an annual festival, so it would be madness not to say EAF24! BUT, for fairness:
Kim: I absolutely adored A Kind Of Glamour About Me by Linder at Mount Stuart (Isle of Bute) last weekend. We launch the festival with that performance, and I cannot wait!
Ellie: I would say seeing Lewis Walker perform Bornsick at the Round Chapel – collaboration is so key to what we do, and working with Serpentine on this was a dream  – it comes to us on 23 August.

What’s coming up in the future?
EAF25! Expect bold performances, intimate conversations, and amazing parties. We run 7-25 August – do not miss out!

Where do you recommend people go in Edinburgh? 
Ellie: I will take walks – Kim famously doesn’t walk anywhere. Edinburgh’s cycle paths are lush and green right now, and you can get right across the city.
Kim: I live in Newhaven – it’s a real sanctuary from the city’s busyness. Head to Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop for a nose around or a coffee at Milk, and the sea right beside.

Favourite place to eat?
Easy – Montrose is our all-time favourite, whether it’s a chill bite in the bar or the set menu upstairs. Honourable mention to Dumplings of China and Noodles Home – both have a very special place in our hearts.

Favourite place to drink?
Kim: I love Spry – the staff, the atmosphere. It’s quiet and dark enough to have a good gossip.
Ellie: I have to say Nauticus – I’ve never had a bad drink there. Order a half and half or a dirty martini!

Favourite shop?
Kim: I love Lighthouse Books – events, browsing, or most importantly a hug and chat with Mairi.
Ellie: I love a Sunday stroll down to the Shore and a peek in Bard – best chat, and their shop is a real life heaven.

Why do you like living here?
Kim: I genuinely love the festivals and galleries – over 30,000 events in August and so many are free to attend.
Ellie: I’m going to quote my fiancé (!?!) here “not many cities give you a beach, a mountain, and a castle.”

Do you have an Edinburgh festivals survival tip?
Can we say Bloody Marys? X Muse single-handedly gets us through the festival every year.

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Edinburgh Art Festival, venues across the city, 7-25 Aug