Scottish Ballet has cancelled its planned Christmas run in Edinburgh, citing the high cost of staging shows in the city, in a decision that highlights the growing financial pressures facing arts organisations in Scotland. The move means audiences in the Scottish capital will miss out on festive performances this year, a development likely to disappoint families and theatregoers who see the ballet as a seasonal tradition.

The company's decision reflects wider concerns about rising venue and production costs squeezing cultural institutions, with Edinburgh singled out as a particularly expensive place to put on large-scale shows. The cancellation is expected to affect local audiences and businesses that benefit from the seasonal cultural calendar, though full details on alternative arrangements or future plans for Edinburgh performances were not specified.