The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 22 June 2026
Five injured in 'anti-Muslim' attacks, 'Pride teaches us that hate will never win', airport back to normal after 'bomb' scare + orcas spotted in the Forth
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. A seriously busy weekend of local news that saw Edinburgh hit the global headlines. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌤️ This week's weather forecast: A damp start today but the sunshine will return tomorrow and Wednesday. The temperature could top 26C tomorrow, with a low of 15C forecast on Friday night. - Get the full local Met Office forecast here.
🚔 A 36-year-old man has been charged following a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks across the city that left five men injured on Friday evening. Three were taken to hospital, none are in a life-threatening condition. - Counter Terrorism Policing Scotland are investigating and released this statement.
- CCTV and mobile phone footage showed a topless man wielding two large knives while roaming Leith Walk. - This BBC Scotland report by Mary McCool contains footage some may find disturbing.
- Council leader Jane Meagher said: "Those in our Muslim communities may understandably be feeling worried and concerned. I want to reassure that we will be working closely with Police colleagues and other partners to do all we can to make sure that communities across the city are safe and supported."
🌍 The incidents were covered by news outlets around the world:
- 🇺🇸 'Counterterror police investigate after 5 hurt in Edinburgh attacks that appeared to target Muslims' - The Washington Post.
- 🇫🇷 'UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the suspect "appears to be motivated by anti-Muslim hatred"' - France 24.
- 🇦🇺 'Muslim Engagement and Development noted the alleged footage of the arrested man circulating online also showed him shouting about "protecting the country" from Muslims, accompanied by expletive-filled language.' - The Australian.
- 🇬🇧 'Two Muslim victims of knife rampage had ‘just arrived in Edinburgh’' - Barney Davis, Metro.
🪧 A peaceful protest was held on Leith Walk yesterday, with attendees sharing messages of solidarity. - See a video here.
- Many of the hand-made signs from Sunday's protest are on display in the window of the Settlement Projects shop at the top of Leith Walk (34A Haddington Place). - See them here.
- A 'reclaim our streets' demonstration is planned in Leith next Saturday at 1pm, organised by the Stand Up To Racism Edinburgh group.
- A smaller group with a 'white lives matter' banner gathered at the Mound on Saturday. - Photos by Wojtek Kutyla.
🏳️🌈 Thousands of people marched at Edinburgh Pride on Saturday. Cher Lloyd headlined the Bristo Square stage. - ind coverage on the Edinburgh Pride Instagram page.
- Local MSP Kayleigh Kinross-O’Neill said: "Pride teaches us that hate will never win. Our LGBT+ community and allies from all spaces must come together to resist hate, demand better, and keep the spirit of the progressive Scotland we know and love very much alive and proud.”
🛃 Edinburgh Airport is now operating as normal having been evacuated on Friday evening due to reports of potentially suspicious items. Police published this statement, while the airport said 'safety will always come first'.
🚨 A car was driven into the railings outside the Mansfield Traquair Centre at the bottom of Broughton Street on Saturday. - Photos are on Reddit.
🌸 This year’s floral clock in Princes Street Gardens has been designed in honour of mental health charity Trellis. - Lauren Beavis, Evening News.
🛶 'Blue skies bring out crowds to Canal Festival' - lots of photos from the weekend's festivities from Nigel Duncan in The Edinburgh Reporter.
🐋 Some Orcas were spotted in the Firth of Forth near the Bass Rock over the weekend. - Scottish Seabird Centre has the video.
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🏃♂️ World record-chasing Ultra Marathoner heads to Edinburgh for 4 days - 'Former rugby player David ‘Jacko’ Jackson, forced to retire after a brain injury, is attempting 100 consecutive ultramarathons to raise funds for Headway UK and Head for Change. He reaches Edinburgh Monday for four 50k runs from Silverknowes Beach.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🏃 My Name’5 Doddie Running Event Raises £1,500 for Charity - 'Thank you to everyone who took part in the My Name’5 Doddie events on 7 June. Runners and supporters raised nearly £1,000 for MND and over £500 for Cramond Primary School’s Equipment Fund. The July Sundowners 5K Series supports Earth in Common.' - More details here, shared by Cat Bruce, Blast Running.
🏡 Enter your home into ESPC's new property YouTube series! 🏠📺 - 'ESPC’s Open Viewing is a brand-new YouTube series showcasing exceptional homes from across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & the Scottish Borders. If you'd like to show off your unique home - enter now! 📨' - More details here, shared by ESPC.
🗣️ Survey on exploring sexual communication between young Scottish men ages 18 to 25 - 'Looking for survey participants for my master’s thesis on sexual communication who fit the following criteria: - identify as male - between 18-25 years old - have lived in Scotland for at least 5 years (Deadline: 30 Jun)' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧑🤝🧑 Trans Masc and Non-Binary Volunteers Wanted - 'I’m running a workshop for trans masc and non-binary people about online age verification as part of my Masters dissertation, and would love volunteers! It’ll be on the 30th of June. Please contact s2151111@ed.ac.uk for more information!' - More details here, shared by Theo Moreman.
👗 Fashion Showcase
Today, Mon 22 June - 'Free fashion show TONIGHT at Wester Hailes Library! Free craft supplies raffle! Local industry professionals! Anyone (all ages) is welcome to show off a handmade creation on the runway too! No sign up needed, just turn up at 6pm.'
6pm to 7.30pm | Wester Hailes Library, EH14 2ST | FREE - More details here, shared by Wester Hailes Library.
🤝 Collective Advocacy Meeting for adults with ADHD and/or Autism in Edinburgh
Tomorrow, Tue 23 June - 'CAPS Independent Advocacy are hosting a collective advocacy meeting for adults with ADHD and/or Autism. At this meeting you will get a chance to share your views on support in Edinburgh and feed directly into service planning. Please book a space!'
2pm to 5pm | Norton Park Business and Conference Centre, EH7 5QY | FREE - More details here, shared by Alex Kellas, CAPS Independent Advocacy.
📖 Uprising: Tahmima Anam on fiction and rebellion
Tomorrow, Tue 23 June - 'Prize-winning writer Tahmima Anam comes to Lighthouse to discuss Uprising, a novel about an island of sex workers rising up to claim their rights and autonomy! Based on a real place off the coast of Bangladesh.'
7pm to 8pm | Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop, EH8 9DB | £4/free - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🗂️ Admin & Chill - Life Admin co-working
Wed 24 June - 'Admin & Chill are regular get-togethers where we tackle all the life admin & finance tasks we tend to put off in a supportive little group. Beat procrastination with us in focus sessions and a social afterwards!'
5.45pm to 7.30pm | YOTEL Edinburgh, EH2 4NA | FREE - More details here, shared by Admin & Chill.
🎨 Collage Workshop
Wed 24 June - 'Dive into the colourful world of Memphis Milano with Concrete Nature's collage workshop at Field Studio on Wednesday 24th June. All materials provided, all levels welcome.'
6pm to 8pm | Field Studio Ltd, EH9 1ST | £17.50 - More details here, shared by Concrete Nature.
😺 Rewilding Talk and Social 'Scotland's missing lynx: ecology and emotion'
Wed 24 June - 'Interested in nature recovery? Our next Rewilding Talk and Social is 'Scotland's missing lynx: ecology and emotion'. Half-hour talk by Hugh Webster of SCOTLAND: The Big Picture followed by social chat. Over-18s due to licensing.'
7pm to 9pm | The Outhouse, EH1 3LY | FREE - More details here, shared by Gareth Overton.
🥁 Samba Sene and Diwan at Edinburgh Folk Club
Wed 24 June - 'The charismatic vocalist Samba Sene and his band Diwan bring exubarant, irrestistable rhythms from Senegal via the world. Pure, upbeat celebration of love, humanity with influences ranging from Baaba Maal to Van Morrison, Aswad to Paul Simon.'
7.30pm to 10.30pm | Ukrainian Community Centre (AUGB Edinburgh), EH7 5AB | £15, £12 concessions - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎻 Lunchtime recital
Thu 25 June - 'Lunchtime recital featuring traditional Scottish music & works by Bach, Fauré, Vaughan Williams & others Michael Bonaventure (organ) and Moray Rumney (violin/fiddle)'
1pm to 2pm | Barclay Viewforth Church of Scotland, EH10 4HN | FREE - More details here, shared by Julie, Barclay Viewforth Church.
🌿 Houseplant Bingo
Thu 25 June - 'Houseplant Bingo is back with bigger and better plants! Come along to the canal for a night of bingo, coffee, mocktails, and sweet treats. You can show up solo or bring a friend or two. £4 tickets available at the coffee shop for May attendees.'
6pm to 8pm | Fir Espresso Bar, EH3 9QB | £5 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 The Shell & Sonia Killmann at Pianodrome Bruntsfield
Fri 26 June - 'The Shell move seamlessly between ambient, free jazz, minimalism, driving kosmische rhythms, and an all-encompassing apocalyptic sound that ebbs and flows across their compositions. Support from saxophonist and electronic musician Sonia Killmann.'
7.30pm to 10pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub, EH10 4NB | £13.60/£11.43 - More details here, shared by The Shell.
📚 Silent Reading Slumber Party
Fri 26 June - 'Get ready for the 2nd Silent Reading Slumber Party! The first was brilliant, but this one's even better. Bring your fave book & best pyjamas to read & chat 😊 Best pyjamas wins a £10 gift card from Toppings & Co.! Who's in? Book your free spot!'
9pm to 12am | Victoria Bar, EH6 8PD | FREE - More details here, shared by Sara.
🍝 Family Style Pasta Night - Menù Fisso
Sat 27 June - 'Menù Fisso is back at The Tailor's! A three-course meal with homemade fresh pasta as main event of the night: share a meal family style, with seatings at 6pm and 8pm. For info and bookings oioitailor@gmail.com. Vegetarian and GF options available.'
6pm to 10pm | The Tailor Cafe + Wine Bar, EH7 5DR | 38 - More details here, shared by The Tailor.
🍰 Cake Picnic Pride Mixer
Sat 27 June - 'Come celebrate cake and queerness at The Cookbook Shop! We'll have good tunes, foodie conversation starters, and cake samplers from the newly released cookbook, Cake Picnic. Your ticket includes a welcome drink and unlimited cake (while it lasts...).'
8pm to 12am | The Cookbook Shop, EH7 4AF - More details here, shared by Liz Bryson, The Cookbook Shop.
🛠️ Repair Cafe Edinburgh - Lifecare Stockbridge
Sun 28 June - 'Got something that's broken? Want to try fixing it yourself but not sure how? Repair Cafes are free community events where you can bring your item and our volunteers will you through your repair. Contact us to book a space!'
11am to 2.30pm | LifeCare Edinburgh, EH4 1JB | FREE - More details here, shared by Repair Cafe Edinburgh.
🍴 Ugandan Supper Club with Beth and Rose
Sun 28 June - 'Interested in trying authentic Ugandan dishes? Come and join us for a delicious Ugandan Supper Club, cooked with love by Beth and Rose, and with funds supporting our charity Cook School.'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Cyrenians Flavour and Haver Cook School, EH6 5HG | £38 Concessions £15 - More details here, shared by Cyrenians.
🧀 A Weekend for Cheese Lovers
Sat 04 July - 'Spend a weekend immersed in the art of cheesemaking with artisan cheesemaker Kristen Allan. Learn mozzarella and burrata on 4 July or feta, halloumi and mascarpone on 5 July. Expect hands-on learning, great food and plenty of cheese to take home.'
10am to 3pm | Elliott's, EH9 1NX - More details here, shared by Kristen.
🗣️ The Festival of Politics
Thu 27 August - 'Join us at Holyrood for engaging discussions, lively debate and thought-provoking panels with expert speakers and inspiring voices debating the issues shaping Scotland - from AI, climate change and the manosphere to poverty, housing and free speech.'
9.30am to 8pm | Scottish Parliament Building, EH99 1SP | £5-£10 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
📮 What's missing from the Minute? Got an event to share? Nothing's too local! Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- ⚽️ Harrison Park's Scott McTominay postbox.
- 🌊 Reddit discussion on Portobello sewage alerts.
- 🏴 Local brand Pieute featured in V&A Dundee’s football exhibition.
- 📆 Local school summer holiday events in Gayle's Guide.
- 🏟️ Bookd: new platform to book any sports venue in the city in one place.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 933.
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