The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition 2 - 4 May 2025

Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute followed by the weekend guide for paying subscribers.

☀️ Dry conditions are likely continue all weekend. The full Met Office forecast is here.

🚗 The council is considering introducing a new charge on motorists. - Alastair Dalton, The Scotsman.

🚨 Police are investigating after a woman was raped in Montgomery Street Park at around 10.30pm on Tuesday. Police claimed: “There is not believed to be any threat to the wider community.” - Calum Loudon, STV News.

🏥 NHS Lothian has apologised to maternity care staff at the Royal Infirmary after an investigation found a toxic workplace culture across its women's services, sparked by a whistleblower who spoke up for colleagues. - Andrew Picken and Lisa Summers, BBC Scotland News.

🚧 Ratho and Newbridge-based campaigners are celebrating with ‘huge relief for so many people’ after owners of Bonnington Mains quarry was denied permission to expand. - Joseph Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, in The Edinburgh Reporter.
⮑ Meanwhile owners of Ravelrig quarry, west of Balerno, have been granted planning permission to start mining the rock under land to the south of its current site.

🍻 The Stockbridge Tap has been sold by the family-owned Edinburgh Real Ale Company to new operators for £950,000. - Liam J Moran, Catering Today.

🍾 “Leith Bottle Shop has been granted permission to add a sit-in area to their shop after a 14-month battle with Licensing. They hope to start pouring pints as a ‘pop-up’ in just a few weeks’ time.” - Thanks to Alex Harriss, Owner of Leith Bottle Shop, for sharing this link. More details are in The Edinburgh Reporter.

🥐 A panel of four Edinburgh-based food business founders will share their experiences at a panel event hosted by Pippa Perriam next month. The panel includes: Roberta Hall-McCarron of The Little Chartroom, Eleanore, and Ardfern; Robi Lambie, Founder of Cairngorm Coffee; Rosanna Campbell, Baker and founder of 101 Bakery + Lewis Gill of Dune Bakery. - Get more details about ‘Dish It Out’ via Habits on Eventbrite.

📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:

⮑ Huge 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, perceptions and experiences. I hear every day from people who are grateful for this section and the community spirit it generates, so big thanks to everyone who uses it. - Michael

📌 An update from the Bellfield Porty volunteers: “That's the FINAL total updated! £162,515. They told us 50% of shares would sell in the last week and that's what happened. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this campaign, whether you've sent us a generous cheque, given what you can afford, liked all our posts, delivered flyers, talked to neighbours about it or simply tolerated us taking up so much airspace on Porty People, we're so grateful and we shall be leaving the stage for others now.” - Read on for ‘Belonging at Bellfield’, a poem about the campaign ‘to capture something of the amazing feeling of everyone coming together this month’

📌 “Edinburgh Tradfest kicks off today (2 May) with a packed programme of traditional music, film, and storytelling. Don't miss tonight's opening concert at the Queens Hall which features celebrated piper Ross Ainslie and The Sanctuary Band - a stellar line-up of musicians supported by Terra Kin. The festival runs until 12 May at The Traverse Theatre and various venues across the city.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 “May Day Special - Mick Lynch and The Tenementals at Portobello Town Hall! Mick Lynch, former Secretary-General of the RMT Union and the most celebrated trade union leader for a generation will deliver May Day Greetings on Saturday 3rd May. He'll be joined on stage by Scotland's Young Makar, Leah Sinforiani, TV comedian, Zara Gladman, and the award-winning band, The Tenementals. What a line up! Doors Open, 7pm!” - Thanks to David Archibald of The Tenementals for sharing this.

📌 “A cosmic extravaganza in Portobello. Music and visuals at a family friendly gig at the Wash House. 7-10pm Saturday 3rd May.” Get tickets for ‘Planet Earth Rock and Roll: A psychedelic Cinco de Mayo Latin American special with Los Chichanos’ here. - Thanks to Rory for sharing this.

📌 “On Saturday from 11am to 2pm women researchers from across Scotland will take to their soapboxes on the historic Mound, next to the National Galleries, to share their passion for science with the public. Members of the public will have the opportunity to find out more about world-leading research, to ask questions and be inspired by our remarkable women in science. The speakers will be armed only with a soapbox and a white coat – there’s no loudspeaker, no blackboard, and definitely no powerpoint! Come along to The Mound from 11am to 2pm on Saturday to find out more.” - Thanks to Dawn Smith, Public Engagement Manager at Edinburgh Napier University, for sharing this.

📌 “The last Art Wednesday at the Anatomical Museum, University of Edinburgh, will take place next Wednesday 7th May, which will be a themed event - Historical Anatomical Art Wednesday! See historic artworks from the archives, create your own educational Anatomy poster and visit the Artist's flat! The event runs 1 - 4pm in the Anatomical Museum.” - Thanks to Victoria McCulloch, Lecturer in Anatomy, University of Edinburgh, for sharing this.

ℹ️ If the email cuts off because it’s too long, please read the full thing online at this link.

📌 “Fun art classes for teenagers, aged 12-17, who want to deepen their art practice. Held in the small hall at Bellfield, Portobello on Saturday mornings, 11-12.30, and led by experienced teachers, Kasia Matyjaszek and Kate Leiper. For more info or to book a place, please send an email portyartclasses@gmail.com.” - Thanks to the organiser for sharing this.

📌 “Thank Music It’s Friday at the Stockbridge Music Hub presents internationally acclaimed American guitarist Suvan Agarwal. 1pm- entry for a suggested donation of £5/£10. Stockbridge Church EH3 5BN.” - Thanks to Clea, Creative Director of Stockbridge Music Hub, for sharing this.

📌 “A new solo exhibition from award-winning artist Kate Bentley opens at Morningside Gallery this Saturday 3 May, including forty new paintings which explore two main subjects: Edinburgh as a city, and the artist's love of gardens, whether her own, those of her imagination, or the Royal Botanic Gardens here in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is presented as a witness to the many stories told and lives lived, a city of beautiful gardens and breathtaking natural landmarks alongside historic architecture. The exhibition will run in the gallery until 18 May, is open to the public and free to attend, or all the paintings can be viewed online at morningsidegallery.co.uk.” - Thanks to Carrie for sharing this.

📌 “Edinburgh Street Historians’ tour of the Meadows has its last weekend this weekend. This is the end of a two week run talking about the history of this much loved park, supported by the Old Edinburgh Club. The meeting place is outside Uplands Roast in the clearing at 10am, the guide has a pink and white umbrella, pay what you like for this one hour experience!” - Thanks to Fraser Horn, Founder and Tour Guide of the Edinburgh Street Historians, for sharing this.

📌 “Come and meet award-winning local author Nadine Aisha Jassat at Edinburgh Central Library on 5th May at 6pm. She’ll be celebrating the launch of her new book, The House At The Edge of The World. This free event is suitable for 9-12 year olds and their families. More details on the Ticket Source page.” - Thanks to Zoe at Central Library for sharing this.

📌 “Queer Yoga Edinburgh is hosting a clothes swap event on Sunday 4th May at Coven Studios in Leith, 2-4pm. Bring your preloved clothes and accessories, and come home with something new-to-you. Entry from £2; all money raised will support local LGBTQ+ people to access more than 5 warm and welcoming yoga classes and events each week across Edinburgh. All are welcome!” - Thanks to Ruth MacGilp, yoga teacher at Queer Yoga Edinburgh, for sharing this.

📌 “Ella Reilly and Jaz Riley – Debut Gig at Sneaky Pete’s! Join us this Monday night at Sneaky Pete’s for the debut performance of Ella Reilly and Jaz Riley! The event celebrates the release of both of their brand new singles — a night of fresh music, energy, and creative connection. We’d love to welcome fellow artists, music lovers, and creative minds to come along, enjoy the show, and take the chance to chat and network in a relaxed, inspiring atmosphere.” - Thanks to Mirror Glass Records, a student-run pop-up label from Napier, 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 us at Collective for artist Alliyah Enyo's special live performance, 12-3pm on Sunday 4 May, for the closing weekend of Jerwood Survey III exhibition! Alliyah will activate her installation, 'Aphotic Archaeology', and will perform an ethereal story echoing a futuristic deep sea apocalypse, and a strange creature that wakes there. Admission is free and no booking required: you can drop in at any time during the performance – but space may be limited.” - Thanks to the Collective team based at Calton Hill for sharing this.

📌 “On Tuesday 6th May at 2pm, join us for a free film screening at Duncan Place Community Hub of 'Much Ado About Dying', a documentary covering the filmmaker's experience suddenly caring for his eccentric Uncle David, a retired Shakespearean actor. To celebrate Demystifying Death Week, this screening will be followed by an optional (free) Death Cafe, a group directed discussion on death with an emphasis on listening and sharing experiences (this is not a grief support or counselling session). Reserve a ticket on Ticketlab.” - Thanks to Ot, Community Events Assistant at Duncan Place Community Hub, for sharing this.

📌 “Please come celebrate MakeBelieve - The Baby Play Place's first birthday with us Sunday May 4th from 9am-4pm. To say thank you to our amazing Edinburgh community, we’ve made play space entrance ‘pay what you want’ for the day. Bring your kiddos for a play and soak in the happy family vibes!” - Thanks to Alicia Thomas for sharing this.

🛝 If you’re looking for more family-friendly things to do, the current edition of Gayle’s Guide includes: row boats, the May Day Parade at Parliament Square by St Giles Cathedral and a Family Festival Bird Day at Craigmillar Castle Park.

📆 Here’s your weekend guide. It’s a busy one…