The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 9 - 11 May 2025
Shandon safety protest, film school shuts, forest bathing in the Braids, Porty Festival + kids take over National Gallery
Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute followed by the weekend guide for paying subscribers.
☀️ It’s due to be a sunny weekend with highs of 21C and lows of 7C. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🎭 Founded in Edinburgh in 2006, the The Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television has gone in to liquidation. The organisation’s Facebook post has more details, as well as questions from students.
🚔 Another man suspected of being involved in the city’s ongoing ‘gang war’ appeared in court yesterday after being arrested by armed police in Leith on Wednesday. - Keiran Fleming, STV News.
⚠️ Shandon residents held a road safety protest to highlight delays to a long-awaited pedestrian crossing after an 80-year-old woman was hit by a BMW car being driven on Ashley Terrace next to Craiglockhart Primary School last Monday. - Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan was there and filed this report published by the Evening News.
🗳️ There were tearful tributes at yesterday’s monthly council meeting to late Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart councillor Val Walker, who passed away suddenly last month. She was described as “gentle, yet fierce and loyal.” - Joe Sullivan: Evening News / Edinburgh Live.
🚧 You’ll see the local BBC News site lead this morning on another North Bridge delay. Those paying attention will see it’s the same delay that was reported in Monday’s Minute. So it’s not a new delay. But it’s still a good summary of the delays and worth a read if you’re following the saga closely.
☕️ A St James Quarter shop unit formerly occupied by the liquidated Bross Bagels chain could become Edinburgh’s tenth Black Sheep Coffee shop, if plans are approved.
⮑ “The location is less than 500 feet from an existing Black Sheep Coffee shop, and less than a mile from three others. This seems to mark the end of the Bross Bagels saga as its other Edinburgh locations have already been replaced by a pet shop, a restaurant and a deli,” writes Alekia Gill for Deadline News.
⮑ The plans were spotted by Harry Williams, who runs Edinburgh Planning Updates.
🚎 Local bus users want higher frequencies, wider route coverage and services outside standard hours according to a new survey by Napier University students. Bus ‘cleanliness and comfort’ scored highly, but passengers said they want improvements to reliability, real-time information and route coverage. - This summary of findings was shared by Edinburgh Bus Users Group.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
⮑ Big thanks again to everyone who’s contributed to the community noticeboard this week. It’s my favourite part of curating the daily newsletter, as you always prove Edinburgh is a much better place than the traditional media portrays. By participating, you’ve helped improve local people’s lives and experiences. I hear every day from people who are grateful for this section and the community spirit it generates. - Michael
If this post gets cut-off in your email inbox, read it online at this link.
📌 Today: “Welcome to Coven Studios! Join us for an exciting Open Day at our Leith based studios, where you can explore our creative spaces, meet our members of our creative collective and enjoy coffee by Flat Flat White. Free entry!” - Thanks to Siam Colvine, Director, Coven Studios, for sharing this.
📌 Saturday: “Tartan Parade Scotland is thrilled to announce the inaugural Edinburgh Tartan Parade, on Saturday, May 10th at 1pm on the Royal Mile. This exciting event will bring together tartans, pipe bands, dancers, musicians and Vikings from across Scotland, and beyond - to celebrate the country's rich heritage, tartans, culture and inclusivity. Come along to see the colour and energy of Scotland’s history and remember to wear a little, or a lot of tartan! I will be there sketching too so if you see me say hello :) Mark, EdinburghSketcher” - Thanks to Mark Kirkham, EdinburghSketcher, for sharing this.
📌 “Edinburgh Food Project’s ‘Roll for Foodbanks’ role-playing game event is taking place this weekend at Ancient Robot Games. A team of adventurers has been sponsored to do a 24 hour RPG marathon, you can come down to see how they're getting on and try your hand at a 15-minute mini-adventure, roll some dice, and contribute to a good cause. Whether you're a seasoned player or curious about trying D&D for the very first time – come down, help foodbanks and enter the competition for the chance to win a fantastic prize – 2 x weekend tickets to Tabletop Scotland – Saturday May 10, 12pm-7pm and Sunday May 11, 10.30am-12pm.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Carlsson Properties will be unveiling a their onsite hoarding for their upcoming residential development at the Currie Primary Schools May Fayre event on Saturday 10 May, 12:00-15:00. As part of Carlsson's community engagement commitment, they asked the pupils at Currie Primary School to design the onsite hoarding showing themes on nature, community and sustainability. ” - Thanks to Neil Cunningham, Marketing Consultant, Carlsson Properties, for sharing this.
📌 “Jump Ship is hosting its first alcohol-free taproom of 2025! Come and join us for pints and pizza from Wood Oven Wonders in the sunny wildflower meadow. Find us at Rosemains Steading in Pathhead from 12–4 pm this Sunday (11 May); and as it’s alcohol-free, even the driver can enjoy a pint.” - Thanks to Sonja Mitchell, Founder of Jump Ship, for sharing this.
📌 “Celebrate International Museum Day at St Cecilia's Hall! Join a special curator-led tour at 14:00 on the 17th May to learn about how this unique musical instrument collection changed through the years and how it responded to the changing nature of collecting practices, curatorial whims, community needs and emerging technologies. Free (booking essential) and open to all!” - Thanks to Justina, Museum Assistant at St Cecilia's Hall, for sharing this.
📌 “Drop by the free Connecting Europe Fair on Saturday, May 10th anytime from 10am - 5pm at the French Institute, Royal Mile, Edinburgh to hear about learning exchange opportunities, and travel adventures. There are quizzes for prizes, and free to enter draws to win pairs of interrrail tickets! If that's not enough, plan your pose to celebrate Europe Day for a snap in the free photo booth!” - Thanks to Niamh Donnellan, Trustee, Festival of Europe Scotland, for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 13.00-15.00: Come and Sing with Pitchcraft, Edinburgh’s premier a cappella choir! We are performing at the Fringe this year; this is your opportunity to take part in our incredible journey! The event is FREE and open to all though you need to sign up in advance here.” - Thanks to the choir for sharing this.
📌 “5 young Edinburgh based artists are exhibiting their latest works at The Thomson Tower, Dr Neil's Garden, Duddingston, EH15 3PX from 9th - 14th May. Expect to see handcrafted wood objects and furniture by 3 recent graduates of Chippendale International School of Furniture, decorative brass folklore votives, pressed flower artworks and fine jewellery.” - Thanks to Jenny for sharing this.
📌 “Things that make you say “Wow!” - Phoebe Anna Traquair’s murals at the Mansfield Traquair Centre. Come to our open day and see for yourself on Sunday 11 May from 1.00 pm until 4pm close. Free entry, tours available every 20 minutes from our friendly guides, donations welcome to maintain 'Edinburgh's Sistine Chapel'. ” - Thanks to A Friend of Mansfield Traquair Centre for sharing this.
📌 “Join Strongman Collective on Sunday May 11 from 2-3:30pm for a FREE experimental life drawing session featuring a professional dance artist as model. Artists of all levels welcome. Location: ESHC Basement, 34 Wright's Houses.” - Thanks to Strongman Collective for sharing this.
📌 “Join a guided Forest Bathing walk and Nature Mandala experience on Sunday, May 11, 10:30am–1pm at, Hermitage of Braid. Led by a certified guide, this mindful session invites you to slow down, connect, and create with the forest, leaving you grounded and calm.” - Thanks to Creative Roots in Nature for sharing this.
📌 “Join Urban Market at the Drill Hall in Leith this Saturday! Showcasing a curated collection of the very best artists, makers, producers, independent retailers and vintage/mid century dealers, the Urban Market is not to be missed! It starts at 11am and entry is free!” - Thanks to Out of the Blue for sharing this.
🛝 If you’re looking for more family-friendly things to do, the new edition of Gayle’s Guide includes: Porty Festival highlights, Bookbug Week, kids' play at The Pitt and more…
