The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 4 May 2026
Hunt for Stockbridge hit & run van driver, Granton Beach pollution concerns, Summerhall to host Fringe Sauna Theatre + farewell to Easter Road eco shop
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. May the fourth be with you. It's election week! Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
⏰ Not sure I'll be able to get full editions of the Minute out every morning this week, as I'm heading to Berlin this week for the 89th annual International News Media Association Global Media Awards, where this newsletter is shortlisted for the 'Best Newsletter Regional/Local' award on Thursday. That's also election day here in Scotland. I'll still aim to send a Friday edition with the election results and the weekend guide. But please bear with me while I take a few days off to meet other local newsletter writers from around the world. Thanks to everyone who has supported the newsletter ahead of this milestone. It's a 'never in my wildest dreams' moment.
🌦️ This week’s weather: Sunny spells today, which looks likely to be the warmest day of the week, hitting 15C. Tomorrow evening it dips down to 4C. Occasional drizzle on most days this week. - The full Edinburgh Met Office forecast is here.
🚨 Police are hunting for a van driver after a dog was hit and killed on Deanhaugh Street in Stockbridge on Thursday around 7pm. - Heather Carrick, Evening News.
🎓 Industrial action at the University of Edinburgh could last until next April, reports Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.
🌊 Thousands of polystyrene balls from a bean bag were found dumped at Granton Beach. Locals concerns about the impact on wildlife are still trying to clean it up. - Heather Carrick & David McLean, Evening News.
🚲 With updates on the Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route and the Pedal on Parliament protest (30 May), this week's edi.bike newsletter is a must-read for anyone interested in local transport.
🌙 With perfect weather and spectacular scenes, this year's Beltane was a belter. Local photographer Tom Duffin shared his images from the fire festival in this post.
Tom Duffin
🛍️ 'Shoplifting, business rates, accessibility, energy costs and a cashless society' are causing problems for some Leith Walk businesses, writes Jacob Farr of Edinburgh Live. One shop owner complained: "Every card payment comes with processing fees." Elsewhere on Edinburgh Live: an advertising feature by Square.
🏨 Some residents living near a planned new 90-bedroom aparthotel on Forth Street have shared their concerns. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.
🏗️ Construction has begun on 55 new affordable homes at the new 850-home Edmonstone development near Danderhall (map link here). Completion is planned for late 2027. - Project Scotland.
🔥 There was another fire in the Pentlands on Friday. Park rangers said they took a wooden pallet away from people who planned to fling it on to the fire. - Pentland Hills Regional Park on Facebook.
🏆 WhyNot nightclub, Teviot Row House and The Torfin were among the local winners at the Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.
🍻 Owners of The Mash Tun on Easter Road are looking for a new landlord. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
🍨 The Scoopz dessert shop on West Nicolson Street has closed after 15 years in business. - The owners wrote more here.
☕️ The city's 12th branch of Black Sheep Coffee is due to open on Thursday (first reported in the Minute in December).
👀 The 'Private Shop' at 60 Elm Row has closed down. It was 'an Edinburgh institution that no one ever visited', writes Stephen Jardine in The Scotsman.
🇵🇸 An exhibition of writing by authors from Gaza has gone on display at the Palestine Museum Scotland on Dundas Street in the New Town. - Lucy Jackson, The National.
🧖🏻♀️ Summerhall will host a Sauna Theatre during the Fringe this summer. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
Matthew Norris
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.
💔 Final farewells at Planet.A Boutique - 'With heavy hearts, Planet.A Boutique is closing its Easter Road doors in mid-June. It’s been a beautiful 3 years, and we'd love to see you for a final chat and big discounts. If you have a gift card, please come and enjoy it before we go!' - Thanks to the folks at Planet.A Boutique for sharing this.
🚻 Disabled access charity Euan's Guide: 200k accessible loos safer with Safer Toilets campaign - 'We’re so proud to announce a major milestone in our national Safer Toilets campaign: the distribution of 200,000 Red Cord Cards! That’s 200,000 accessible toilets made safer thanks to our community.' - More details here, shared by Euan's Guide.
💆♀️ Massage for Mental Health Awareness - 'May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Massage improves your mental health by reducing your cortisol levels while boosting your serotonin and dopamine levels. Book a treatment, Fridays at The Whole Works, other days at Bruntsfield location.' - More details here, shared by Kim Davidson, Davidson Massage.
🤝 Palestine Museum Scotland needs volunteers! - 'Palestine Museum Scotland is recruiting volunteers to help staff the museum. Open 7 days a week with two shifts: 11-2.30/2-6. We need friendly, responsible people, ideally can commit to one shift a week. Meet interesting people, do good, join us!' - More details here, shared by Palestine Museum Scotland.
🎲 Last chance to participate: A fun language game for children aged 4-12 (University of Edinburgh)
Today, Mon 04 May - 'We're looking for 4-12-year-old children to play a short laptop game learning new alien words - the whole session takes about 15 minutes, at a time that suits you, and children receive a small gift! This is the final week of the study.'
10am to 5pm | Dugald Stewart Building, EH8 9AD | FREE - More details here, shared by The University of Edinburgh.
💬 Demystifying Death week info stall
Today, Mon 04 May - 'It happens to all of us. DDW is about starting conversations about grief & dying. By talking about death, we can make the most of living our lives to the full. Drop in, all welcome. NB We are not therapists or counsellors.'
4pm to 6pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups, EH7 4LT | FREE - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith walk polisbox pop ups.
🕯️ Death Café "Grave Talk"
Sun 10 May - 'Join us for Death Café "Grave Talk", a welcoming safe space to chat openly about life, death, and all that accompanies the journey. Join us at a cozy café space where we chat openly about all things death. No taboos, just honest conversations.'
2pm to 4pm | St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church, EH1 2PW | FREE - More details here, shared by St Columba by the Castle (Scottish Episcopal Church).
🕊️ Demystifying Death Week drop-in
Sun 10 May - 'Death remains a taboo subject, even though we all experience it. As part of Demystifying Death Week, pop in for a wee chat about what you may want at the end of your life and barriers you face in talking about it. There's no right or wrong answers!'
3pm to 4.30pm | Argonaut Books, EH6 8LN | FREE - More details here, shared by Cyndee, volunteer, Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief.
📚 Free Book Event: Life, Death and the Worlds of J. G. Ballard - Nina Allan and Christopher Priest
Thu 07 May - 'Join us in the bookshop for an evening with Nina Allan to discuss her and her late partner Christopher's new book 'The Illuminated Man: Life, Death and the Worlds of J.G Ballard. This event will be chaired by Calum Barnes, writer and bookseller.'
7pm to 9pm | Argonaut Books, EH6 8LN | FREE - More details here, shared by Argonaut Books.
🎯 Goal Getters! [Weekly]
Fri 08 May - 'A supportive group for turning goals into achievements. Whatever you want to change, start, learn, do this group will help you find the right path and stay on it, through structure, accountability, camaraderie and mutual support.'
5pm to 6pm | North Edinburgh Arts, EH4 4AB | FREE - More details here, shared by Laurie Bell.
👣 Stockbridge Charity Walk, 9th of May! Join us!
Sat 09 May - 'Stockbridge Charity Walk! Sat 9 May, 9:30 am. Free to join! Come walk and enjoy! Many Raffle Prizes from local businesses. Support our community: all donations are split 50/50 between Stockbridge Primary School and LifeCare Centre.'
9.30am to 11.30am | Stockbridge Market, EH3 6TQ | FREE - More details here, shared by Liliana Angelo, Stockbridge Primary School Parent Council.
🪡 Sewing Techniques Workshop
Sat 09 May - 'Ready to finally use your sewing machine? 🧵✨ Learn seams, hems, topstitching & more in a fun, hands-on session. Perfect for beginners. Leave with a sampler, new skills & confidence to start your next project. All materials included.'
11am to 3pm | Edinburgh Open Workshop, EH6 7BQ | £60 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Open Workshop.
🎤 Sarah McQuaid -
Sat 09 May - 'Sarah's velvety voice combines with engaging personality and "brilliant musicianship" on acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards. Her live performances are full of warmth, wit, and intimacy.'
6pm to 8pm | Stockbridge Parish Church, EH3 5BN | £15/£10 concessions - More details here, shared by Clea Friend, Stockbridge Music Hub.
🎉 The Loft Party Leith
Sat 09 May - 'Saturday 9th May | 7PM-1AM TICKETS FLYING! 2 Rooms. 2 Vibes. 1 Spectacular Venue. Inclusive dance-floor. All welcome. POLD, The perfect stage for a standout night, with an exceptional lineup across two rooms dedicated to House & Disco.'
7pm to 1am | Port of Leith Distillery, EH6 6JH | £30 - More details here, shared by Luvin' Leith Events.
🎲 IWGB Board Game Night at Ancient Robot Games
Sat 09 May - 'We at Ancient Robot will be hosting a fundraising boardgame night to support those affected by the unfair dismissals at Rockstar and their families. Ticket price comes in the form of a minimum donation to IWGB Fighting Fund!'
7pm to 10.30pm | Ancient Robot Games, EH6 8LN | £5 donation - More details here, shared by Ancient Robot Games.
📐 Pattern Drafting 2 Day Workshop: Bodice and Sleeve Block
Sun 10 May - 'For those who love to make their own clothes but want better fitting patterns - create your own perfectly fitting top & sleeve blocks in this 2 day workshop over consecutive Sundays. Suitable for all genders, all materials are provided.'
10am to 4pm | Out of the Blue Abbeymount Studios, EH7 5AN | 175 - More details here, shared by Jen Byrne (and on Instagram here).
🕺 Swing Dance (Collegiate Shag) Workshop & Tea Dance
Sun 10 May - 'Discover the joy of upbeat Swing dancing in a fun session that's beginner‑friendly and welcoming to all levels. Then test out your new moves at a relaxed tea dance with cake and live music from the brilliant Bill Jones Renaissance Swing Band.'
10.30am to 5.30pm | Edinburgh Academy Senior School, EH3 5BL | £10, £9 concessions - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Swing Dance Society.
🏏 Try Bowls with the Northern Bowling Club [Weekly]
Sun 10 May - 'We are welcoming people to come and try out lawn bowls with the hope that you might enjoy it enough to join our club and community. The event is free and even membership is free for the first year to people who are brand new to the sport.'
12pm to 4pm | Northern Bowling Club, EH3 5LB | FREE - More details here, shared by Alasdair Mitchell.
🎉 The Phoenix Choir's Big 10 Party!
Sun 10 May - 'Calling all Phoenix Choir members past + present: join us in celebrating the huge milestone of TEN YEARS! If ever there was cause for celebration, this is it - and we can't do it without all of you. To register for free tickets, follow the link.'
3pm to 6pm | Summerhall, EH9 1PL | FREE - More details here, shared by The Phoenix Choir.
🍽️ ORBIT001
Wed 13 May - 'A 3-hour warehouse takeover launching the Orbit Dining Collective at Brown's of Leith. An off-menu feast by HAZE (by the Timberyard team), Pilot beer, and DJSB. 75 capacity. Communal club tables. We're swapping algorithms for actual connection.'
7pm to 10pm | Brown's of Leith, EH6 6QS | £55 - More details here, shared by Alex, ORBITDININGCOLLECTIVE.
🌱 Caley Growing Workshop: Maintaining your Plot
Sat 16 May - 'This workshop will be a mix of demonstration and hands-on activties, held at our Demonstration Allotment. We will look at the ongoing care and maintenance of your crops, succession sowing, planting out, feeding, supporting and protecting your plants.'
10am to 1pm | Bridgend Allotments, EH16 4TH | £25 / £30 - More details here, shared by The Caley.
🏳️🌈 Bend It: PQFC Fundraiser
Sat 16 May - 'Join us for a night of fun & dancing in support of Porty Queer Football Community ⚽ There will be iconic local DJs, a raffle with prizes, plus the chance to take the mic for karaoke 🎤 Come celebrate and support local queer football! 🌈.'
6.30pm to 10.30pm | Bellfield, EH15 2BP | £5-20 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌍 Pint of Science - Planet Earth [Daily]
Mon 18 May - 'Come learn about the science of sound, poison frogs, ocean plastics, and carbon capture over a pint! Adults of all backgrounds are welcome.'
7pm to 9.30pm | Salisbury Arms Edinburgh, EH16 5AD | £5 - More details here, shared by Elise Darragh, Pint of Science.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🌳 Friends of Holyrood Park survey on park legislation.
- 🚎 Unclaimed lost property items from Lothian Buses raise £12,800 for Shelter.
- 🗞️ May's edition of the Spurtle is online here.
- 🚴♂️ Free Voi bikes in Edinburgh on Scottish election polling day.
- 🥔 Morningside tattie shop owner calls for more local CCTV after break-in.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 904.
📬 Free subscribers: 30,000+.
📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 2,500,000+.
👍 The Edinburgh Minute only exists thanks to voluntary subscribers. Please consider chipping in for a fiver a month to ensure it continues. The community spirit behind this newsletter is real. Your support makes Edinburgh a better place.
Don’t want to subscribe but still keen to show your support? Please like this post or put a coin/note into the tip jar below. It all helps keep the Minute ticking over. Thanks again.
