Edinburgh has launched a new campaign highlighting the benefits of migration to the city’s economy and culture.
The campaign, entitled Edinburgh is our home, tells the stories of migrants and refugees who have moved to the city and now call it home.
“We are a city of migrants; a city of sanctuary,” City of Edinburgh Council’s website reads. “Many people who have travelled to Edinburgh looking for a new life have gone on to contribute to our city’s story and play a part in its history.
“Many have lived here for generations and some of the city’s best loved institutions are only here thanks to immigrants. We all benefit from this, and our city and its culture are all the better for it.
“We want to recognise and celebrate this through our new campaign: Edinburgh is our home.”
While the campaign had been in the works for several months, it has taken on an increased importance following a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks in the city last week.
Lewis Hawkes, 36, appeared in court on Monday and was charged with five counts of attempted murder “aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection”.
Council leader Jane Meagher said she was “shocked and outraged” to hear about the incidents.
She remarked: “My thoughts are with those injured in the attacks and I wish them a quick recovery. I want to pay tribute to Police Scotland, including counter terrorism officers, and other emergency services for their quick action.
“I absolutely echo the words of Police Scotland that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate. I condemn all acts of racist violence and disorder - there is simply no place for it in our city.
“Those in our Muslim communities may understandably be feeling worried and concerned. I want to reassure that we will be working closely with Police colleagues and other partners to do all we can to make sure that communities across the city are safe and supported.”
There has been a wellspring of migration to the city over the last decade.
Between 2014 and 2024, Edinburgh’s population rose from 485,270 to an estimated 530,680 people. The 9.4% increase is primarily the result of “overseas migrants” moving to the city.
A net increase in overseas migration of 62,130 was recorded between 2013 and 2023, compared to a net decrease of 10,590 in migration from other parts of the UK.
The council’s campaign highlights a number of famous Edinburgh residents who immigrated from other parts of the world, including academic and human rights activist Ruth Adler, the daughter of German refugees, Hearts chairman Elias Fürst, who was born in Lithuania, Professor Charlotte Auerbach, a zoologist who fled the Nazis, and John Edmonstone, an enslaved man from Guyana who was emancipated and taught Charles Darwin the art of taxidermy.
Read more:
- Edinburgh population boom result of overseas migration boost over last decade
- 'We are a city of migrants': Council leader hits out at 'racist language'
- Suspected anti-Muslim attacks condemned by Scotland's Christian and Jewish leaders
“We have launched ‘Edinburgh is Our Home’ to showcase and celebrate the positive contribution immigration makes to our city,” the council’s website adds, “while promoting understanding, acceptance, and an interest in our city’s many cultures and communities.
“Throughout 2026, we will be sharing a wide variety of stories in the media and online of people who have made Edinburgh their home and are now making a welcome and positive difference to the city.”
The first set of stories being shared include those of Fijan-born MSP for Edinburgh South Western Simita Kumar, Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie, who came to Scotland from Bosnia at the age of nine and now runs the charity Beyond Srebrenica, Edinburgh Napier Students Association president Evans Eghan, from Ghana, and Vineet Lal, the son of Saroj Lal, one of the first Asian women to teach in a Scottish primary school.
