Tonic Arts
Enhancing environments and enriching experiences.
Tonic Arts is NHS Lothian Charity’s vibrant, award-winning arts in health programme, creatively enhancing the patient, staff and visitor experience at NHS Lothian.
Working in partnership with staff and patients, we deliver a diverse arts programme of events, workshops, exhibitions and site-specific art commissions that help improve staff and patient health and wellbeing across the NHS Lothian community.
Watch our video to find out more about how we use art and creativity to enhance health and wellbeing
Latest news
Hivestock Festival brings music, sunshine and smiles t…
The grounds of Royal Edinburgh Hospital came alive at the end of August with music and celebration as annual outdoor festival, Hivestock, returned once again
Nicola Benedetti brings festival experience to patient…
We were delighted to welcome Nicola Benedetti, Director of the Edinburgh International Festival and world-renowned violinist, to the Royal Infirmary […]
Music jams help to improve mental health and wellbeing…
Music jams bring the healing power of live music to the Royal Edinburgh hospital during Mental Health Awareness Week.
Healing Through Dance: Gentle Movement Classes Boost W…
In a heartwarming collaboration between Dance Base and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts, patients at East Lothian Community Hospital are […]
What’s on
Edinburgh: Four Seasons in One Day – Outdoor Photography Exhibition by Dr Pete Wands
“Edinburgh: Four Seasons in One Day” is a captivating outdoor photography exhibition by Dr Pete Wands, GP at Morningside Medical Practice.
Mindful Walks in West Edinburgh: An Art Exhibition by Julia Murden
Explore Julia Murden’s Mindful Walks in West Edinburgh exhibition at The Western General Hospital, featuring art inspired by mindful walking […]
Positive Health: Green Health and Tonic Arts Network Gathering 2025
Our 2025 Network Gathering is a platform for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and advancing positive health initiatives using creativity and nature.
NHS Festival Sessions
We’re thrilled to be continuing our exciting partnership with Edinburgh International Festival, bringing world class artists to perform for patients and staff across NHS Lothian.
Spotlight on: Havens
NHS Lothian Charity’s programmes, Tonic Arts and Green Health, in partnership with Stills Gallery, are proud to present ‘Havens’ – a series of portraits and stories documenting NHS Lothian staff members’ work-life experiences.
Our Work
Tonic Commissions
Tonic Collection
Tonic Exhibitions
Tonic Participation
This week we are celebrating Climate Week! Our Green Health team try hard to help keep the hospitals cool and stop flooding. But good news you can help to! By applying for one of our Climate Challenge Grants. Up to £5,000 available to help:
🌳Improve biodiversity
🌳Improve energy efficiency
🌳Increase waste recycling
🌳Reduce plastic consumption
🌳Lower travel emissions
For more information visit the `apply for funding` section on our website!
*Grants are only opened to NHS Lothian staff.
#ClimateChange #GreenHealth
This week we are celebrating Climate Week! Our Green Health team try hard to help keep the hospitals cool and stop flooding. But good news you can help to! By applying for one of our Climate Challenge Grants. Up to £5,000 available to help:
🌳Improve biodiversity
🌳Improve energy efficiency
🌳Increase waste recycling
🌳Reduce plastic consumption
🌳Lower travel emissions
For more information visit the `apply for funding` section on our website!
*Grants are only opened to NHS Lothian staff.
#ClimateChange #GreenHealth
This Organ and Tissue Donation Week, we are highlighting a team of 30 patients, families, and staff from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh’s Transplant Unit who took on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk 2025 – raising over £10,000 for NHS Lothian Charity! 🎉
Led by Senior Charge Nurse Sam Slight, the Transplant Trekkers walked together to celebrate second chances, honour organ donors, and support transplant care.
For many, it was more than a walk – it was a powerful reminder of resilience, recovery, and community. 🫶
Read the full story on our website!
#TransplantTrekkers #OrganDonationWeek #EdinburghKiltwalk
This Organ and Tissue Donation Week, we are highlighting a team of 30 patients, families, and staff from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh’s Transplant Unit who took on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk 2025 – raising over £10,000 for NHS Lothian Charity! 🎉
Led by Senior Charge Nurse Sam Slight, the Transplant Trekkers walked together to celebrate second chances, honour organ donors, and support transplant care.
For many, it was more than a walk – it was a powerful reminder of resilience, recovery, and community. 🫶
Read the full story on our website!
#TransplantTrekkers #OrganDonationWeek #EdinburghKiltwalk
We are here at the Scottish Fundraising Conference, where our Community and Events Fundraiser Tumong is on the panel alongside some other amazing charities! Which is a great opportunity to meet some amazing people and share our good work! 🏃🏃🏼♀️
We are here at the Scottish Fundraising Conference, where our Community and Events Fundraiser Tumong is on the panel alongside some other amazing charities! Which is a great opportunity to meet some amazing people and share our good work! 🏃🏃🏼♀️
"This has been 3 years in the making... from the Hairy Haggis Relay to running a sub-4-hour marathon! I couldn’t have done it without the support of our amazing team and donors. Everyone is a winner in this process!" - Neil
For Neil and Grant from Public Health Scotland, the @EdinburghMarathonFestival 2025 wasn’t just another race, it was another powerful step in their mission to support our incredible NHS.
Their story began in 2020 when Grant turned a football injury into a running journey, starting with Couch to 5K. Since then, both he and Neil have pushed their limits year after year, running everything from relays to full marathons, all to raise funds for NHS Lothian Charity.
Over the years, they’ve raised an amazing £5,084.56, including £1,400 in 2025 alone, helping to enhance patient care and staff wellbeing across NHS Lothian.
Their dedication proves that running for a cause can be life-changing - not just for those who benefit, but for the runners themselves.
🌟 Feeling inspired? Join us for EMF 2026 and run for something bigger than yourself. Whether it’s your first 5K or your next marathon, every step helps support patients, families, and NHS staff across Lothian.
Sign up, lace up, and be part of something amazing
*Find the link in our bio*
#EMF2026 #RunWithPurpose #RunningForGood
"This has been 3 years in the making... from the Hairy Haggis Relay to running a sub-4-hour marathon! I couldn’t have done it without the support of our amazing team and donors. Everyone is a winner in this process!" - Neil
For Neil and Grant from Public Health Scotland, the @EdinburghMarathonFestival 2025 wasn’t just another race, it was another powerful step in their mission to support our incredible NHS.
Their story began in 2020 when Grant turned a football injury into a running journey, starting with Couch to 5K. Since then, both he and Neil have pushed their limits year after year, running everything from relays to full marathons, all to raise funds for NHS Lothian Charity.
Over the years, they’ve raised an amazing £5,084.56, including £1,400 in 2025 alone, helping to enhance patient care and staff wellbeing across NHS Lothian.
Their dedication proves that running for a cause can be life-changing - not just for those who benefit, but for the runners themselves.
🌟 Feeling inspired? Join us for EMF 2026 and run for something bigger than yourself. Whether it’s your first 5K or your next marathon, every step helps support patients, families, and NHS staff across Lothian.
Sign up, lace up, and be part of something amazing
*Find the link in our bio*
#EMF2026 #RunWithPurpose #RunningForGood
We have over 100 people taking part in the Kiltwalk Edinburgh on Sunday!🚶🚶♀️
We are extremely proud of each and every single one of you 🤩
May you enjoy the experience and your trainers stay intact!
We have over 100 people taking part in the Kiltwalk Edinburgh on Sunday!🚶🚶♀️
We are extremely proud of each and every single one of you 🤩
May you enjoy the experience and your trainers stay intact!
This week is #RememberaCharityWeek! 💜
Why not remember a charity by leaving a gift in your will? We offer a free will writing service to help you get started!
Find out more and create your will today on our website! Find the link in our bio 🔗
This week is #RememberaCharityWeek! 💜
Why not remember a charity by leaving a gift in your will? We offer a free will writing service to help you get started!
Find out more and create your will today on our website! Find the link in our bio 🔗
🎶Calling all musicians! 🎶
Do you want to bring the joy of live music to patients across NHS Lothian hospitals? Why not volunteer with us and spread your talent amongst hospital wards.
You’ll need to bring your own instrument, have a repertoire that allows you to play for 30–40 minutes, and be confident performing independently.
Find out more and apply via our Tonic Arts website (in our bio) or send us a message!
#TonicArts #Volunteer
🎶Calling all musicians! 🎶
Do you want to bring the joy of live music to patients across NHS Lothian hospitals? Why not volunteer with us and spread your talent amongst hospital wards.
You’ll need to bring your own instrument, have a repertoire that allows you to play for 30–40 minutes, and be confident performing independently.
Find out more and apply via our Tonic Arts website (in our bio) or send us a message!
#TonicArts #Volunteer
🎶 Join the Scottish Opera & NHS Lothian Chorus this winter! Sing opera, classical & popular music. No experience needed—just have fun!
Find out more via the link in our bio!
*NHS Lothian Staff only! #Chorus #Singing #TonicArts
🎶 Join the Scottish Opera & NHS Lothian Chorus this winter! Sing opera, classical & popular music. No experience needed—just have fun!
Find out more via the link in our bio!
*NHS Lothian Staff only! #Chorus #Singing #TonicArts