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
Art prizes bring new works into NHS Lothian settings, …
Patients, visitors and staff across NHS Lothian will benefit from new additions to the Tonic Arts collection, following the award of three purchase prizes at major Scottish exhibitions in 2026.
Edinburgh Artist Reunited with Long-Lost Painting at t…
What began as an ordinary hospital visit turned into an extraordinary moment of rediscovery for one Edinburgh artist and a heartwarming reminder of the stories hanging on the walls of our hospitals.
New Staff Wellbeing Space Officially Opens at St John�…
We were delighted to official open the new dedicated staff wellbeing space at St John’s, designed to provide a calm and restorative environment away from the clinical setting.
Art for Health: RSA200 Exhibition Arrives at the Royal…
This spring, Tonic Arts is hosting RSA200 Art for Health at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh – part of a Scotland-wide touring programme celebrating the Royal Scottish Academy’s 200th anniversary.
What’s on
BOLD by Caroline Sikkenk
A photography exhibition highlighting the experiences of women living with breast cancer including patients from the Western General Hospital. We […]
Pressure, Light, Fire by Daniele Sambo
NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts are excited to bring Daniele Sambo’s beautiful, personal and thought-provoking artwork to the Hospital Exhibitions […]
My Journey by the Renal Young Adult Service
My Journey is a moving and inspiring art exhibition created by young adults living with kidney conditions, marking a milestone […]
Looking Through a New Lens
NHS Lothian Charity’s Green Health and Tonic Arts programmes are proud to present a photographic exhibition of original images created by […]
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
For people waiting for a kidney transplant, every day can feel uncertain.
The call can come at any time, bringing hope, nerves and the possibility of a new beginning.
Earlier this year, 64-year-old James Rhind from Dufftown received that life-changing call. His transplant also marked an important milestone for Scotland, becoming the first to use a pioneering kidney preservation machine at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh as part of a pilot study that was funded through the Charity.
“It was a surprise to get the call that I had a match for a kidney. The team explained I`d be the first to have a transplanted kidney on the machine and I think it`s fantastic that they`re making strides in using this new technology."
- James Rhind, patient
The new technology can keep a donor kidney healthy for up to 24 hours – around twice as long as traditional preservation methods. This extra time gives transplant teams greater flexibility to match available donor kidneys with patients, plan surgery around theatre availability and ensure patients can get to where they need to be in time for their transplant.
By continuously circulating oxygenated fluid through the kidney, the machine helps keep it in optimal condition before transplant, improving immediate post-transplant kidney function and offering greater long-term outcomes for patients. The technology has only been used once before elsewhere in the UK.
Transplant surgeon Andrew Sutherland described it as "a really exciting development for kidney transplantation in Scotland", with the potential to improve patient outcomes and increase the number of donated kidneys that can be successfully transplanted.
By leaving a Gift in your Will to NHS Lothian Charity, you’re saying thank you in a way that will carry on making a positive difference long after you’re gone. Find out more via our website.
Are you an NHS Lothian Staff member and love to sing? Then why not join our Community Chorus that takes place every Tuesday night at 7pm, 14 Johnston Terrace, led by conductor Alistair Digges.
Sign up today on the Scottish Opera Website, or contact us for more information!
WOW! Where do we even start… We had almost 300 people take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk for us! Our largest group ever!
All walking for different reasons and taking on different challenges, but all meeting us at the finish line for one last big cheer from us for their amazing efforts!
To our Kiltwalkers,
We cannot thank you enough for taking on this challenge to raise money for us, from start to finish we hope you enjoyed the build up and event, but even more so we hope your feet aren’t too sore today!
Roll on next year! 🤩👏
On Sunday we have almost 300 walkers taking part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk! We cannot wait to see them in all their glory taking on the challenge!
If you see any of our NHS Lothian Charity or FACE t-shirts be sure to give them a big cheer!
This week is Remember a Charity Week and we are offering our amazing supporters the chance to get a free Will.
It is your chance to leave a forever thank you and ensure your loved ones are looked after in the future.
Get your free guide on our website!
Calling all Kiltwalkers! 📣
A photo like this could help us win £500 for the charity! This Sunday we have over 240 Kiltwalkers taking on Edinburgh, if you take a photo at one of the Arnold Clark photo stops or with their mascot and tag them on social media, you could be in for the chance of winning an extra £500 to go towards your fundraising!
Good Luck and we can`t wait to see the photos!
@arnoldclark_ltd
The #TonicArts Collection team are pleased to share photos of their recent install at the Western General Hospital’s Sanctuary. This series of oil paintings by artist Ritchie Collins was commissioned by the Department of Spiritual Care in 2025. Collins` art is influenced by the Scottish coast and wild countryside, with Celtic art and Scottish folklore being a constant source of inspiration. The paintings depict a panoramic view from Cramond Island to the Bass Rock; each painted at a different time of day to reflect the different stages of a person`s life.
Artwork by @ritchiecollinsart
#NHSCharity #artandhealth #adoseofcreativity @nhs_lothian
Behind every Kiltwalker is a story, often shaped by gratitude, love and a deep desire to give something back.
For Carly Poterala and her Aunt Bev, that story is one of heartfelt thanks, with the Kiltwalk offering the perfect way to show their gratitude and say thank you for the care, compassion and support that has always been shown to them and their family by NHS Lothian staff during incredibly difficult times of their lives.
This is your chance to sign up now and walk for FREE on the 13th September 2026