New Zealand Society Scotland

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Kia Ora! Welcome to the New Zealand Society Scotland

"Keeping kilted Kiwi's in touch" Our membership is open to everyone with a connection to New Zealand.

We are a social network for New Zealander's and people with links to New Zealand in Scotland.

03/06/2026

SPOTTED IN EDINBURGH!

Kia ora NZSScot whanau! Our Vice President, Bridget Harris, had the pleasure of meeting the brilliant Mhairi of Girl Paua Jewellery (pictured) at the Castle Street Market in Edinburgh yesterday.

If you’re craving a little slice of home (or just want to support an awesome local creative), you need to head down to Castle Street! Girl Paua Jewellery will be there for the week, showcasing stunning Paua shell jewellery and creations.

Finding artists and artisans that remind us of home on this side of the world is always a treat, and we know our community is full of them. What other New Zealand creatives, makers, or small businesses do you know of operating here in Scotland?

Drop their links or pages in the comments below so we can all follow, support, and keep it local!

01/06/2026

🌊A KIWI’S GUIDE TO LOWER LARGO

If you’re looking for a weekend escape that feels a bit like a rugged South Island coastline (there are cabbage trees growing all over the place, but significantly more 17th-century stone cottages) it’s time to point your car toward Lower Largo in Fife.

This tiny seaside village is the ultimate spot for a Sunday drive that hits all the right notes: history, sea air, and a solid pub.

🏴‍☠️ The Real Robinson Crusoe

First things first: Lower Largo is the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk, the man who spent four years shipwrecked on a desert island and inspired Robinson Crusoe.

The Photo Op: Look up! There’s a bronze statue of Selkirk in his goatskins integrated into the wall of a house on Main Street (it marks his original birthplace). You’ll appreciate the grit of a man who survived on turtles and goats before it was a reality TV trope.

🍺 The Railway Inn & The Crusoe

You can’t visit without stopping at The Crusoe. It sits right on the pier, and if the tide is high, you’re practically drinking your pint in the Forth. It’s cozy, dog-friendly, and the seafood is choice. For a more local vibe, duck into The Railway Inn for a chat with the regulars.

🥾 Stretch the Legs

The Beach: At low tide, the beach is massive. It’s perfect for a long walk to blow the cobwebs away.

🚗 Getting There

It’s a breezy 1 hour drive from Edinburgh or about 20 minutes from St Andrews. If you’re lucky with the weather, the "Fife Riviera" actually delivers some sunshine!

Pro Tip: Wear your puffer jacket (obviously). Even in summer, that North Sea breeze doesn't mess around.

29/05/2026

THIS WEEKEND: PORTOBELLO FOOD MARKET

Kia ora all! A heads-up for anyone looking for something fun to do in Edinburgh this weekend. Portobello Indoor Food market is happening this Sunday!

Founded and run by our society member Regan Black, it’s a great indoor market packed with incredible Scottish artisan food, drink, and local food trucks.

📍 Location: Portobello Town Hall
📅 Date: This Sunday, 31 May
🕒 Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Grab yourself some delicious street food and support local independent traders 🍩🍕☀️

28/05/2026

Fat Freddy's Drop are coming to Glasgow!

Can you believe it’s been 21 years since Based On A True Story was released? 🤯 The legends themselves are heading to the O2 Academy Glasgow on Sunday, 25 October 2026, as part of their tour celebrating the anniversary of the iconic album.

This album has been the soundtrack to so many of our summers, and now we get to experience it right here in Scotland.

Grab your tickets before they’re gone!

🎟 Tickets & Info: https://www.livenation.co.uk/event/fat-freddy-s-drop-presents-celebration-of-the-21st-anniversary-of-based-on-a-true-story-glasgow-tickets-edp1627074

26/05/2026

Is anyone else currently melting, or is it just us? We moved to Scotland expecting woolly jumpers, moody drizzle, and cozy pubs. Instead, the Scottish weather has decided to turn up the heat this week, and frankly, none of our flats were built for this!

Since we don't have much air con over here, we’ve put together a survival guide for Kiwis trying to handle the rare Scottish scorcher or the three days of the year known as “summer”:

1. The Footwear 🩴
Dig out the jandals from the back of your wardrobe. Yes, walking on Edinburgh cobblestones or Glasgow pavements in them feels like running a gauntlet, but your feet will thank you for the breeze.

2. Hunt Down a Really Good Icecream 🍦
Forget a standard 99 flake. What we really need right now is a Fruju! But since we can’t have that, an awesome gelato is our friend instead [note for those who are really keen…the photo on this post is from Ciccetta’s in Edinburgh, an Aussie-run gelataria!]

3. Seek "Natural Air Con" 🏔️
If your top-floor tenement flat feels like a literal sauna, it's time to escape the concrete jungle if you can. Hop on a bus to the beach and dip your toes in the North Sea or head to the nearest green space (like the Hermitage or Pollok Park).

4. The Classic Kiwi Move🧊
Desperate times call for Kiwi ingenuity:
Wet a tea towel, wring it out, and hang it over an open window or a desk fan. Instant cooler.

How are you keeping cool today? Drop your best heatwave hacks, your favorite swimming spots, or just a photo of your thermometer in the comments below so we can all commiserate together!

Stay hydrated and stay cool, team! 😎🍦

25/05/2026

WEBSITE SNEAK PEEK 👀

Kia ora whānau!

We’ve been working away in the background, and we’re excited to share that a brand new online presence for the New Zealand Society Scotland is currently in the works!

Whether you’ve been in Scotland for two years or twenty, we want our digital home to be the go-to spot for staying connected and keeping the Kiwi spirit alive across the North.

We’re putting the finishing touches on the site as we speak. Keep your eyes peeled right here…we’ll be dropping the link and going live soon!

In the meantime, feel free to bookmark the address:
👉 www.nzsocietyscotland.org.uk

Watch this space! 🥝✨

22/05/2026

SPOTTING KIWIS AT THE FRINGE... (UPDATED!)🥝🕵️

Edinburgh Festival Fringe has announced another round of early listings with even more New Zealand talent!

Here is a look at what’s been announced so far (look out for the ✨ to see the latest additions to the list!):

🎭 Comedy & Chaos:

🎤 Chris Parker: Take a Good Hard Look at Me ✨: One of NZ’s most beloved exports returns with his signature high-energy storytelling and observational wit.

🎤 Guy Williams: Rich people are stealing from you and blaming brown people and... ✨: Guy is back with a characteristically long title and his blunt, hilarious, socially conscious brand of stand-up.

🎤 Julie Belliveau: Enlightened ✨: Canadian/Kiwi comedian Julie Belliveau brings her sharp perspective to the Fringe.

🎤 0% in My Savings and a Fox in My Kitchen ✨: Kiwi stand-up comedian Dan Boerman returns to Edinburgh with a high-energy and chaotic solo hour of comedy, after a viral 2025 stunt, folding a fitted sheet on Calton Hill for 1,000 people.

🎤 1 in 2 Men Think They Could Land a Plane – Could You? ✨: A hilarious new concept show featuring Dan Boerman exploring the limits of male confidence.

🎤 Hugo’s Rainbow Show ✨: A drag show for kids about the science of rainbows! Join New Zealand superstar Hugo Grrrl for a musical, magical adventure exploring the skies above.

🎤 New Zealand Comedian, New Zealand Comedian, New Zealand Comedian: Up-and-coming NZ comedian and serial OCD sufferer Danny Sewell presents his funniest hour of comedy to date.

🎤 David Correos (Noise Zealand): If you’ve seen David on Taskmaster NZ, you know to expect a high-energy, chaotic "comedy rave."

🎤 Lord of the Zings: A Kiwi comedy showcase featuring Danny Sewell, Hoani Hotene, and Fin McLachlan.

🎤 4 Antipodeans Walk Into a Bar: A rotating showcase of comics from both sides of the Tasman, hosted by Sully O’Sullivan.

🎤 A Complete Idiot’s Guide to New Zealand: Sully O’Sullivan answers all the questions about home you never knew to ask.

🎤 Hoani Hoani Hoani: A charming, musical hour from Māori comedian Hoani Hotene.

🎭 Theatre & Music Highlights:

🎤 Cleo ✨: New musical Cleo reclaims the story of Cleopatra VII, following her rise from teenage queen to one of history’s most formidable political leaders.

🎤 The First 8 ✨: A new musical telling the remarkable true story of the first eight female pilots to fly for the Air Transport Auxiliary during WWII.

🎤 Babyface: A powerful solo play by Nick Tipa (Kāi Tahu) about professional wrestling and growing up in small-town Aotearoa.

🎤 Macbeth: Blood and Bluegrass: A high-energy, multi-award-winning reimagining of the Bard, set to a live bluegrass score.

🎤 Heracles: Of Men and Beasts: A world-premiere folk musical from the acclaimed Barden Party.

🎤 Piano Masterworks: NZ pianist Charles Whitehead performing a stunning programme of Romantic solo works.

These are just the first few shows to be announced! The official full program launch isn't until 4th June, so we expect the list of Kiwi performers to grow much larger very soon.

Who else are you hoping to see in the lineup this year? 👇

20/05/2026

SUMMER SOLSTICE BBQ BY MATT BURGESS: One month to go!

If you fancy celebrating the longest day of the year with a taste of home, NZ chef Matt Burgess will be staging a takeover at Balgone Estate, bringing his incredible "Scotland meets Aotearoa" live-fire cooking style to the grills.

We first shared this back in February, but just a friendly reminder for our members and friends that the clock is ticking if you want to kick off summer with some world-class Māori-inspired BBQ. 🪵🔥

It’s a great chance to catch a bit of Kiwi culinary magic right here in East Lothian.

🗓 When: 20 June 2026
📍 Where: Balgone Estate
🔗 Full details & tickets: https://www.balgoneestate.co.uk/summer-solstice-bbq

Who’s heading along? Give us a shout in the comments 👇

17/05/2026

GLASGOW THIS SUMMER!

Glasgow Life presents has announced its 2026 Summer of Events programme, and it’s packed with something for everyone!

🎨 5 to 21 June: Glasgow International - this free festival will showcase more than 60 artists across 30+ spaces across the city

🌍 3 and 4 July: WOMAD Glasgow - Kiwis know and love the World of Music, Arts and Dance festival, and it’s coming to Scotland for the first time ever, with pop, dance, folk, jazz and hip-hop in Kelvingrove Park

🥁 5 July: Glasgow Mela returns to Kelvingrove Park with Scotland's biggest South Asian festival, featuring free live music, workshops, food and more!

🏅23 July to 2 August: Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is bringing 3,000 athletes from 74 nations to compete across 10 sports, as Glasgow makes history hosting the Games for a second time (Go The NZ Team!!! 🇳🇿)

🎪 24 July to 2 August: Merchant City Festival will transform the city streets into a stage for circus, dance, live music and outdoor arts

🎶 14 and 15 August: the World Pipe Band Championships hosts 8,000 of the world's best pipers and drummers competing on Glasgow Green

What’s everyone planning on going to? Shout it out on the comments 👇

15/05/2026

EXCITING NEWS! As if we couldn’t be more hyped about the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games already, The NZ Team have shared an exciting new entertainment partnership with iconic Kiwi band SIX60!

As part of the band’s upcoming European tour, SIX60 will play a special concert at NZ House in Glasgow on Friday 24 July.

Get your tickets here whānau🖤:
https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/six60-glasgow-24-07-2026/event/360064A8FC699805

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https://www.nzsocietyscotland.org.uk/

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