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

NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts Welcomes Trolleydarity…
Trolleydarityโs Scratch n Sniff Staycation for the Discerning Static Traveller is an innovative new project by artists Shona Reppe and […]

Art Exhibition Shines Light on Scotlandโs First Rena…
A moving and inspiring art exhibition created by young adults living with kidney conditions, is now open at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh marking a milestone moment for NHS Lothianโs pioneering Renal Young Adult Service.

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,ย 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 […]
What’s on

Network Event: Creatively Minded
Our next online Tonic Arts network meeting is to let you know about our Creatively Minded project.

Looking Through a New Lens
NHS Lothian Charityโs Green Health and Tonic Arts programmes are proud to present a photographic exhibition of original images created by […]

Out of the BluePrint: A 10 year retrospective
This exhibition is produced collaboratively between Out of the Blueprint and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts as part of a […]

Sea Trek Parade
This exhibition showcases the costumes, artwork and photos from the recent Sea Trek parade at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, which […]
Spotlight on: Havens
NHS Lothian Charityโs programmes, Tonic Arts and Green Health, in partnership with Stills Gallery, are proud to present โHavensโ โ a series of portraits and stories documenting NHS Lothian staff membersโ work-life experiences.ย

Our Work

Tonic Commissions

Tonic Collection

Tonic Exhibitions

Tonic Participation
After months of training our TCS London Marathon runners are ready to go! Join us in wishing them luck for the long run ahead! We know the three of them are going to SMASH it! Keep an eye out in case you see them on TV ๐
The sun is shining for our #CharityChampions who are taking on the Glasgow Kiltwalk this weekend! We are wishing them the best of luck and can`t wait to see the photos!
If you missed out on Glasgow why not join us at another location? https://nhslothiancharity.org/event/kiltwalk/
Each year, around 840 people will hear the words no one ever wants to hear: a breast cancer diagnosis. And for nearly one in three, their cancer has already spread or returned.
But what if one day, breast cancer spreading or returning was a thing of the past?
When breast cancer spreads, every moment and every piece of knowledge matters. Behind the scenes is a dedicated team of consultants, surgeons, oncologists and researchers at NHS Lothian Charityโs Breast Cancer Institute who are making breakthroughs to improve and save the lives of breast cancer patients, now and in the future.
Charlene Kay has dedicated 20 years to breast cancer research and has recently completed three research projects as part of her NHS Lothian Charity-funded PhD. Charlene explained: โMy work is focused on breast cancer recurrence and why many patients start out responding to treatment and then for different reasons, the cancer comes back, or their tumour stops responding in the same way.
โI specifically looked at breast cancer that had spread to the regional lymph nodes, located mostly under the armpits, as this is where breast cancer typically spreads to first.
โPeopleโs lives are most affected when their cancer develops to secondary breast cancer, which is when it spreads to distant sites such as the bone, liver or brain. A key focus of our work is to find out what`s making the cancer spread. Once we can do this, we can figure out how to stop it.โ
For patients whose cancer has spread, the right treatment can make all the difference, which is why research funded by donations to NHS Lothian Charity is so important.
โCancer can behave differently once it spreads, and thatโs what this research is uncovering. Weโre monitoring changes in how the tumours grow and, importantly, in the markers doctors use to choose treatments, such as whether the cancer responds to hormones or to targeted drugsโ, Charlene explained.
Breakthroughs are happening right here in Edinburgh, but research like this is only possible with help from people like you.
You`re invited! To our Tonic Arts and Green Health Joint Network Event: Delivering Together on the 13th of May at the Western General Hospital. This event is a platform for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and advancing positive health initiatives using creativity and nature.
Spaces are limited so don`t miss out! Sign up via our Green Health or Tonic Arts websites - or message us!
Have you visited our Handle with Care exhibition at St John`s? It is there for another two days!
This exhibition has been well loved by many, swipe to see the artwork along with some feedback from patients and visitors.
We are RECRUITING... for cheerers at this years` Edinburgh Marathon Festival!
Fancy taking in the atmosphere whilst cheering on our amazing runners? Or do you have a loved one taking part in the festival and want to cheer them on? Let us know as we would love to have you as part of our squad!
Sign up on our website or send us a message ๐ฃ
Weโre delighted to welcome Art for Health โ Scottish Healthcare Collective to the Tonic Arts Gallery at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, from 1 Aprilโ24 June 2026.
This powerful touring exhibition is part of the RSA200 celebrations and brings together visual artworks by @RoyalScottishAcademy Academicians, award winners and emerging artists, drawn from health boards and national art-in-health collections across Scotland. Exploring themes of identity, place, nature and colour, the works celebrate creativity as an essential part of health, healing and everyday life.
๐ Find out more about it on our website.
The weather is getting better, are you ready to step outside and take on a new challenge? Why not sign up for our Walk 100 Miles in June challenge! This way you can discover new places and enjoy being outdoors all whilst raising money and saying `Thank You` to our beloved NHS.
If you refer a friend you get a FREE gift! Sign up today on our website! ๐๐ถ


