The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 22 - 24 May 2026

👋 Good morning Edinburgh. In today's newsletter: all the local news I can find, your community notices and the weekend guide. Thank you for reading, subscribing, sending things in, sharing the newsletter or supporting it. This newsletter wouldn't exist without you. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...

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🌦️ Weekend weather : Next week is looking summer-like with 26C forecast on Thursday. It will gradually warm up this weekend, hitting 20C today and 22C on Sunday. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.

✈️ Around 370 workers employed by Edinburgh Airport have backed strike action over a pay dispute. The Unite union plans to announce strikes dates in the coming days and said it could be 'during the peak of the summer holiday rush'. - The Unite union press release is here.

• ⮑ Strike action could ground planes during the World Cup and Commonwealth Games, reports Callum McCormack in the Evening News.
• There are already 'airport chaos ' headlines even though the strike dates are not confirmed. An Edinburgh Airport statement said: "Constructive talks on pay were held today (Thursday) with ACAS between Edinburgh Airport and its unions, including Unite. Further talks are planned for early next week." - Craig Turnbull, STV News.

🚨 A stolen car was crashed into traffic lights outside Preston Street Primary School around 8am yesterday. Minute subscriber Diarmid Mogg sent the photo above, saying: "20 minutes later, that pavement would have been crowded with kids."

• Four men were arrested, with police now appealing for witnesses. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.
• Keiran Fleming's report for STV News has video footage from residents showing part of the police chase.

🚔 St Leonards Police Station has been urged to review its staffing levels following a 'damning' inspection report. - Callum McCormack, Evening News.

🍺 A new Wetherspoon's pub at Fountainpark will be called 'Norris & Parmelee', named after the founders of the former North British Rubber Company factory. - First reported on Skyscraper City.

🏗️ Responding to 'inaccurate rumours ' about the Astley Ainslie hospital site in Morningside being earmarked for student flats, the local Community Trust has published an update on the future of the site, saying housing is still on the table.

@astleyainslie on Instagram****.****

💰 Local politics : Council leader Jane Meagher is 'extremely worried' that MSP Ivan McKee’s new remit as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform could result in council funding cuts. - Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.

📊 The 19th annual Edinburgh by Numbers report is now live, revealing a snapshot of life in the city, from residents' health to employment rates. - The council published it here and shared these highlights:

• Edinburgh attracted 5 million overnight visits in 2024, generating £2.57 billion in total visitor spend — a 14.3% increase on 2023.
• 17% of the city’s residents live in relative poverty (households whose income is below 60% of UK median income in the same year) though this is below the national average of 21%.
• 86% of residents are satisfied with public transport , more than 20 percentage points above the Scottish average.

🚴‍♀️ E-bike hire firm Voi says its bikes have been used 590,563 since it started a new rental scheme in Edinburgh in September. - Alastair Dalton, The Scotsman.

👑 'I was the first visitor to Queen Elizabeth'sPalace of Holyroodhouse apartments and this is what I saw' - Jane Bradley in The Scotsman.

💌 An exhibition of embroidered postcards of Edinburgh by local textile artist Laura Lees opens today at Bard on the Shore in Leith next Friday. Titled 'Wish You Were Here', it depicts celebrated Edinburgh scenes, buildings and emblems in thread. On show from Friday 29 May to Saturday 18 July. Bard is open Fridays and Saturdays (11-5pm) and by appointment outside these times at 1 Customs Wharf, EH6 6AL. - More details here.

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🐧 Wild Fungarium Bookshop has been awarded the Penguin Children's Bookshop Grant. - 'Wild Fungarium is one of five Scottish bookshops to be awarded the Penguin Children's Bookshop Grant. They will be launching free children's events this summer, introducing children aged 3–6 to wildlife through books and guided nature walks.' - More details here, shared by Wild Fungarium.

📚 Edinburgh's Tills Bookshop features as location in series finale of Good Omens! - 'Tills Bookshop has featured as a location in the series finale of Good Omens, where the show's final scenes were filmed in March 2025. The Tills team are stoked to be the location for the conclusion of such an epic, cosmic love story!' - Photo here, shared by Tills Bookshop.

🏃‍♂️ The men in recovery running for the place that saved them - 'Six residents of the Bethany Christian Centre will be participating in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. The centre in Leith is a supported community for men who are homeless, providing assistance to individuals in their recovery from addiction.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

🌞 Tigerlily's Terrace is back for 2026 - 'Tigerlily has opened its outdoor terrace on George Street for the summer in partnership with Casamigos. With a dedicated food and drinks menu, the seasonal space is intended for outdoor dining, cocktails and socialising throughout the summer months!' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

This weekend's events, from readers:

🌿 GreenAF Today, Fri 22 May - '"GreenAF has collaborated with local community groups, The Pitt and Granton Goes Greener, to organise Scotland's first Houseplant festival at The Pitt on May 22-23, 2026. Organised by our small team passionate about plants and the local community.".' 10.30am to 1.30pm | The Pitt, EH5 1QD | £12.50 - More details here, shared by Fionn Mahnig.

GreenAF – Houseplant Festival – The Pitt – Street Food Market, Community Hub & VenueThe Pitt – Street Food Market, Community Hub & Venue

🗣️ The Story Sessions Fri 22 May - 'Join us on May 22nd from 6pm for an evening of storytelling. A space to gather, connect, and be inspired. This month's theme is endurance, with real stories of resilience and strength. We'd love to see you there!' 6pm to 8.30pm | Tribe Porty, EH15 2AJ | £5 & £10 - More details here, shared by Ellie Clinch, Soapbox.

🏛️ Inside Out | Edinburgh Old and New: Walking tour Today, Fri 22 May - 'Edinburgh's cityscape inspires artists, writers and photographers. Tour led by Alastair Learmont, starts at the National Gallery, concludes in Princes' Street Gardens. Come dressed for the weather. Also on Saturday: https://tinyurl.com/4v3mdnpz.' 11am to 1pm | National Galleries of Scotland: National, EH2 2EL | £20 (£15) - More details here, shared by National Galleries of Scotland.

🛍️ Shop With No Name Pop up [Daily] Today, Fri 22 May - 'Three independent brands are coming together:@ekatto,@byvickymalone and @linaresartisanespadrilles for hand-painted ceramics, slow-made clothing, espadrilles and shoes handcrafted in Spain. Opening evening Friday 5-9pm with drinks from Moonwake Beer Co.' 1pm to 9pm | Shop With No Name, EH1 3RX | FREE - More details here, shared by Vicki, Ekaterina and Maria + on Instagram here.

👶 Offspring Festival [Daily] Today, Fri 22 May - 'New writing collective Kolective Theatre present Offspring, a brand-new 2-day festival presenting readings of fresh, bold work on the theme of procreation and parent/child relationships.' 6.30pm to 9.30pm | Summerhall, EH9 1PL | £33 - More details here, shared by Summerhall Arts.

Offspring - Summerhall ArtsNew writing collective Kolective Theatre present Offspring, a brand-new festival presenting readings of fresh, bold work on the theme of procreation and parent/child relationships. Kolective Theatre was founded by Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir, an Icelandic director and playwright based between Edinburgh and Reykjavik.Summerhall Arts

☕ Dumbiedykes Coffee Morning with Southside Community Council Tomorrow, Sat 23 May - 'Bilbao has outdoor escalators and lifts to help residents up the steep slopes, but Dumbiedykes people have to schlepp up the equally steep hill to get to the shops and buses. Getting around and other matters can be discussed.' 11am to 1pm | The Braidwood Centre, EH8 9UT | FREE - More details here, shared by Andrew Syme, Southside Community Council.

💃 Breton Dance Workshop Tomorrow, Sat 23 May - 'Join us for a 2hr dance workshop, using dances and music to take you through Brittany. No dance experience, no booking, no partner needed, just comfortable shoes. We will be in the St Ninians Hall at Greyfriars Charteris Centre.' 5pm to 7pm | Greyfriars Charteris Centre, EH8 9RR | £10; £8 concession - More details here, shared by Nadia Kondratiev, BreizhAlba.

🎶 The Yummy Fur & Buffet Lunch Tomorrow, Sat 23 May - 'Second City Static 005. Local post punks Buffet Lunch and 90s legends The Yummy Fur perform live at Leith FAB CC. Entry is £15 and includes a 7" single and download card.' 7.30pm to 10.30pm | Leith FAB cricket club (Leith Franklin Academical Beige Cricket Club), EH6 7QR | £15 including 7" - More details here, shared by Perry o'bray, Good Grief Gigs.

🍺 A Pisstake in a Brewery Sun 24 May - ''Because the last event went so well after being featured here we are returning for one more comedy gig! This Sunday you can see four fantastic stand ups performing, and get a free pint of Campervan Brewery beer for just £5! (Plus booking fee)'.' 4.30pm to 7pm | Campervan Brewery Tap Room, EH6 5HG | £5 tickets - More details here, shared by Thomas Futter.

A Pisstake in a BreweryA stand up comedy night at the Campervan Brewery Taproom, hosted by Tom Futter, starting at 5pm (doors at 4:30) on Sunday May 24th.Eventbrite

Looking ahead:

👥 Netwalking for Changemakers Thu 28 May - 'Working for social and environmental change - in business, the public sector, NGOs or with communities? Join your peers for a walk in the park and connect with a growing community of practice. Optionally, continue the conversation at the Pakora Bar.' 5.30pm to 7pm | Holyrood Park, EH8 8HG | FREE - More details here, shared by Osbert Lancaster, Thrivable Scotland.

Netwalking for ChangemakersWorking for social and environmental change? Build your community walking with good people, enjoying worthwhile conversations, in wonderful green spaces.Humanitix logo

🌺 28th May Botanical Collage Workshop with Susan Mitchell Thu 28 May - 'Working with a variety of vintage papers, you will create your own botanical collage inspired by Mary Delaney's detailed floral cut-outs. This class is perfect if you're looking to develop your artistic skills in a relaxed and friendly environment.' 6.30pm to 8.30pm | Leith Makers, EH6 8NP | £30 - More details here, shared by Leith makers.

Botanical Collage - Mixed media collage 28th May 2026 6:30 - 8:30pmEdinburgh art gallery studiosleithmakers.co.uk

📚 An Evening With Rare Birds x TBCo Thu 28 May - 'Ever wondered what it takes to write a bestseller? Join us at TBCo Studio for an exclusive evening with Rachel Wood, founder of Rare Birds. From building a cult book brand to penning her debut rom-com, Annie Knows Everything, get your backstage pass.' 6.30pm to 8pm | TBCo, EH6 5LJ | £25 (includes book) - More details here, shared by TBCo.

An Evening With Rare Birds EventAn Evening With Rare Birds Books Meet Author & Bookshop Owner, Rachel Wood Ever wondered what it takes to go from selling bestsellers to writing one? Join us at TBCo Studio for an exclusive evening with Rachel Wood, the founder of Stockbridge’s own Rare Birds.From building a cult-followed book brand to the whirlwinTBCo

🎉 PeopleFest: the Festival of Public Anthropology [Daily] Fri 29 May - 'The Festival of Public Anthropology is coming to Edinburgh! Join us for exhibitions, films, zine-making, embroidery, talks, games, and much more. Discover and celebrate all that is exciting, thought-provoking, and fun about Social Anthropology!' 10am to 9pm | Chrystal Macmillan Building, EH8 9LD - More details here, shared by University of Edinburgh.

🏅 Napier Talks: Building Communities Through Sport Fri 29 May - 'This promises to be an inspiring & informative for anyone studying sport, working in sports or community organisations, & for everyone who wants to see sport continue to expand its beneficial impact across all contexts of community activity.' 2.30pm to 5.45pm | Edinburgh Napier University, EH11 4BN | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Napier University - EDINBURGH.

Napier Talks: Building Communities Through SportWe recognise the power of sport to drive meaningful impact both locally and globally.Humanitix logo

💎 Fiona Luing & Tracy Wilson - 10 Years of Making at Coburg House [Weekly] Sat 30 May - 'Celebrate a decade of creativity at Coburg House as jewellers Fiona and Tracy exhibit work that represents where they have been, what inspires them now, and the excitement of what is still to come.' 11am to 4pm | Coburg House Art Studios, EH6 6ET | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

Fiona Luing & Tracy Wilson │ 10 Years of Making — Coburg House Art StudiosA celebration of ten years at Coburg House by jewellers Fiona Luing and Tracy Wilson. This exhibition brings together pieces shaped by texture, colour, and everyday details, reflecting their growth, inspirations, and shared love of craft. Coburg House Art Studios

📚 TypeMenace All Night Bookshop! Sat 30 May - 'Typewronger is pulling another all-nighter and this time 50% of the night's profits (9pm-11am) will be going to Save Lavender Menace! We'll be switching the shop stamp to purple, and you can get the timestamp to prove you were buying books at 3am!' 9pm to 11am | Typewronger Books, EH7 4AE | FREE - More details here, shared by Typewronger CIC.

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🛝 Plenty of family-friendly things to do this weekend and beyond in Gayle's Guide, including: Bookbug Week, Jazz for Kids, Therapets and more...

Gayle’s Guide ✨ 21st May 26Issue 99 - Early morning moth trapping, Jazz for kids, Therapets and much more!Gayle's GuideGayle’s Guide

📆 What else is on this weekend in town? The weekend guide is for paying subscribers only…

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