The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 21 May 2026

🌧️ Good morning Edinburgh. Light rain today before things get sunnier over the next week, according to the Met Office. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.

⛪️ Five staff members and 14 volunteers of the shop at St Giles' Cathedral have been dismissed, reports Ian Swanson in The Scotsman.

🚛 A lorry crashed into a railway bridge at Balgreen yesterday afternoon, sparking delays on the roads and rails. - Isla Storie & Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.

• 'All ScotRail Glasgow to Edinburgh trains stopped as lorry hits bridge' - Donald Erskine has the travel impacts in The Herald.
• 'ScotRail staff confirmed around 5.25pm that engineers had examined the bridge and confirmed it was safe for trains to run again,' reports Phyllis Stephen of The Edinburgh Reporter.
• The bridge location is mapped here.

Trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh disrupted after lorry strikes bridge

Engineers have been called to the scene of the incident near Haymarket

STV NewsCalum Loudon

🚉 The council's handling of the £836m Edinburgh Trams project amounted to 'organisational incompetence', according to a newly published investigation report. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.

🇵🇸 The former owner of Movski's cafe in Leith, who was arrested and charged with a hate crime for displaying a poster which read 'Declare Leith a Zionist Free Zone', has been cleared. - Alexander Lawrie, Deadline News.

"It is deeply worrying that in a democracy that cases such as these are being brought to court by Police Scotland under Hate Crime laws. Following today’s verdict we will be asking both the Chief Constable and Lord Advocate to review their guidelines for pursuing such cases." - Lawyer Aamer Anwar.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The council is planning a campaign highlighting the 'positive contributions' of migrants to the city, after 'racist language' and 'political rhetoric' led to some residents feeling unsafe. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.

🎪 Volunteers of Corstorphine Fair say the event is under threat due to rising costs of licensing fees. - Phyllis Stephen, The Edinburgh Reporter.

⚽️ Hearts have written to the SFA and SPFL asking how 'a pitch invasion can effectively determine the duration of a football match, rather than the match officials,' after their chaotic end-of-season showdown with Celtic. - The club published this statement yesterday.

"The final whistle hadn't gone so no supporter should be on the pitch. The Hearts players were in danger, one or two got assaulted. It's completely unacceptable behaviour." - Hearts co-owner Tony Bloom on TalkSPORT, quoted in Barry Anderson's Evening News report.

Club Statement – Hearts

Heart of Midlothian Football Club would once again like to thank our incredible supporters for their magnificent backing throughout this season, and to provide an update in relation to the events which unfolded at Celtic Park on Saturday. As previously noted, the Club is investigating events before, during and after

🎭 Leading historian Murray Pittock has been tasked with studying the economic benefits of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.

📚 This month's annual Edinburgh New Town Church Book Sale raised around £67,000 in support of Christian Aid. It has now raised more than £3m over its 50-year history. - This report in The Herald by Rose Moncur has details on this year's 'unusual finds'.

🚴‍♀️ Cycling on Forrest Road now makes up a third of all vehicle journeys, according to the latest Spokes traffic count. The count also found that car single-occupancy was at its lowest ever level city-wide, except in Portobello. - More details via Spokes.

🍽️ 'Memorably good' - the new Cottage at Royal Terrace eatery is reviewed by Richard Bath in Scottish Field.

😻 Edinburgh's Good Time Running Club is producing a T-shirt to raise money for the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home charity. - More details on Instagram and you can pre-order it here.

🐾 A new map of dog-friendly local cafes is seeking nominations. 'Bring Yer Wee Pal' is looking for owners who 'go above and beyond to make your business a dog friendly place to visit'. Founder Jemma says: "Up until now I have relied on my own knowledge of the city and where to go when developing the map but I’m just one person at the minute and I know for a fact I’ll have missed places, so I’d love to include as many places as I can. So repost, share, tag your favourite dog friendly places and let’s try and make the best guide we can for Edinburgh!" - More details on Instagram.

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🧶 Knits to fit every body - Woolkind launches its first collection of customisable garments - 'Edinburgh knitwear brand Woolkind has launched bespoke tank tops, made to order in its Marchmont studio. Online shoppers can also enjoy the custom experience thanks to an amazing community response which helped create a 'fit library' sizing guide.' - More details here, shared by Carrie.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Friendly Coworking Space on Marchmont Road - 'Friendly coworking space on 27c Marchmont Road with 3-4 desks available. Flexible full-time or shared use, sit/stand desks, dual monitors, and 24/7 access. I’m looking to build a relaxed, neighbourly little community. Just pop round for a coffee!' - Shared by David Schulte, Embra Consulting Ltd.

📸 Lomography in Leith [Daily]
Today, Thu 21 May - '"What is Leith? Not what it looks like, but how it feel? What does it mean to the people who walk its streets?" 'Lomography' is an analogue photography movement that views imperfection as a virtue and sees photography as part of everyday life.'
10am to 5pm | Wee Museum of Memory, EH6 6JJ | FREE - More details here, shared by School of History, Classics and Archaeology - University of Edinburgh + on the Wee Museum of Memory.

🌊 Right to Roam Exhibition and Osmosis performance [Daily]
Today, Thu 21 May - 'Visit Right To Roam, an immersive multisensory exhibition from artist Sarah Calmus on at Inspace Gallery until Sunday 24th May focusing on the the River Forth. Join an exhibition late and performance also on Thursday 21st 6-8pm. Tickets are free!'
10am to 5pm | Inspace, EH8 9AB | Free - More details here, shared by Sarah Calmus.

🧘‍♂️ Rocket Yoga weekly class [Weekly]
Today, Thu 21 May - 'Traditional roots. Modern energy. Rocket Yoga is designed to wake up the nervous system, build heat and challenge your perspective on what you're capable of. Move with intention. Find freedom on the mat. Every Thursday in-person and online!'
6pm to 7pm | Larch Leith Walk, EH6 5AH | 15 - More details here, shared by Dee McQueen Yoga.

🍽️ Lebanese Cuisine with Jad Youssef
Tomorrow, Fri 22 May - 'Jad Youssef (Celebrity Masterchef UK) is visiting The Cookbook Shop to demo and hand out tasters of ful maa'la akhadar, Lebanese muhammara, and apple mint ginger lemonade. Guests will also be able to buy a signed copy of his cookbook, Lebnani.'
7pm to 9.30pm | The Cookbook Shop, EH7 4AF - More details here, shared by The Cookbook Shop.

📚 Ella Risbridger launches The Kitchen Book
Tomorrow, Fri 22 May - 'A brand new cookbook from the bestselling author of Midnight Chicken and The Year of Miracles is cause for celebration, so join her in the bookshop and do exactly that! There will be great conversation and the chance to get your books signed too.'
7pm to 8pm | The Portobello Bookshop, EH15 1DA - More details here, shared by The Portobello Bookshop.

Ella Risbridger - The Kitchen Book at The Portobello Bookshop

Please come and join us for Ella Risbridger - The Kitchen Book on 22nd May, at The Portobello Bookshop

The Kitchen Book at The Portobello Bookshop

🎷 The Corner Room
Tomorrow, Fri 22 May - 'A modern jazz double bill with Harben Kay's fresh, UK-influenced sound and Modern Vikings' acclaimed Scandinavian-meets-American jazz energy. Featuring Fergus McCreadie and more, expect creative, dynamic live music worth catching.'
8pm to 10.30pm | Hope City Church Edinburgh, EH12 9EB - More details here, shared by Hope City Church Edinburgh.

The Corner Room: Modern Vikings / Harben Kay

Harben Kay (Duo) + Modern Vikings (Quintet) Live at The Corner Room, Edinburgh A great night of modern jazz from two of the most exciting acts around right now. Harben Kay brings a fresh, personal sound that blends jazz with influences from across the UK and beyond. With a couple of acclaimed albums, UK tours, and shows at places like Ronnie Scott’s and the Royal Albert Hall, their music feels both thoughtful and easy to connect with. Modern Vikings are a top-tier quintet led by Stephen Henderson, featuring Fergus McCreadie, David Bowden, Graeme Stephen, and Konrad Wiszniewski. Their sound mixes the melodic feel of Scandinavian jazz with the energy of the American scene. They’ve picked up serious recognition too, including a Critics’ Choice win at the 2024 Scottish Jazz Awards. If you’re into live music that’s tight, creative, and actually fun to listen to — this one’s worth catching. TICKET INFORMATION REDUCED: We know that sometimes money can be tight, so we’ve set a lower price for those who need it. If £8 is still a bit much, please get in touch. STANDARD: This is our regular ticket price—nothing fancy, just the usual cost to help us keep things running smoothly! SUPPORTER: Want to do a little extra? This ticket lets you cover your own spot and help someone else enjoy the event too. We really appreciate your generosity—thank you so much!

WeGotTickets

🏰 Huntly Castle, 'The Fairest in the Country'
Mon 25 May - 'Learn about the Renaissance splendour of Huntly Castle in this talk, and find out what it takes to write a new guidebook for an old castle. You can also see old drawings and photos from the archives of Historic Environment Scotland.'
2pm to 3.30pm | HES Archives and Library, EH8 9NX | FREE - More details here, shared by Historic Environment Scotland.

🎥 Radiograph of a Family + Between Us
Wed 27 May - 'Join us for an evening of contemporary Iranian cinema. SDI brings together two striking docs centred on family and the realities of living across (and within) divides, exploring the invisible thread that continues to bind people to their country.'
6.10pm to 8.10pm | Filmhouse, EH3 9BZ | £5 - £12 - More details here, shared by Scottish Documentary Institute.

Radiograph of a Family + Between Us + intro

This screening is curated by Edinburgh-based Iranian filmmaker Maryam Haddadi, who will also introduce the films. There seems to be something persistent in the experience of being Iranian—something that resists distance, difference, and even division. A kind of invisible thread that continues to bind people to a place called Iran, no matter where they are or how far they have moved away from it. Maryam Haddadi’s Between Us explores this connection through the intimate lens of migration. Using a shared camera between a mother and her child, the film maps an emotional landscape shaped by displacement, distance, and the quiet negotiations of belonging. Yet even within this space of separation, something remains—an unspoken attachment that cannot be fully translated or replaced. Firouzeh Khosrovani’s Radiograph of a Family, on the other hand, turns inward. Through the story of her parents—divided by ideology, shaped by revolution, and living through profound historical shifts—the film reveals how the fractures of a nation can exist within the most intimate unit: the family. And yet, despite these deep differences, a form of connection endures. Together, these two films trace a powerful continuum: from physical distance to internal division. One looks at what happens when we leave; the other at what happens when we stay but are pulled apart from within. And yet both arrive at a similar question—what is it that remains? Perhaps what connects these stories is something deeply embedded in Iranian identity: a shared memory, a long historical consciousness, or a sense of rootedness that transcends geography and ideology. It is not simply nostalgia, nor merely cultural habit. It is something more enduring—something that continues to take us back, in different ways, to the idea of Iran. No matter how different we are, or where we find ourselves in the world, we always have something in common: Iran. And it is through this shared point of reference that connection becomes possible again. Written by Maryam Haddadi. Between Us (dir. Maryam Haddadi, Scotland, 17 mins) A mother and her four-year-old son navigate the emotional terrain of migration through a shared camera, capturing fleeting moments, quiet fears, and enduring love in an attempt to preserve their shared heritage before it fades. Radiograph of a Family (dir. Firouzeh Khosrovani, Norway/Iran/Switzerland, 81 mins) A Pre-and Post-revolutionary story of the daughter of a secular father and a devout Muslim mother, as they co-exist under one roof in Tehran. The Islamic Revolution took place in the director’s home. It affected every corner of their family life. This screening is part of Doc Screen, an initiative run by Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI) in partnership with Filmhouse.

Filmhouse Edinburgh

👥 Craigentinny & Meadowbank Community Council. Annual General Meeting
Wed 27 May - 'What to know more about the Community Council? Join us for our annual general meeting. 27 May 2026 07:00-08:30 PM Wilson Memorial Church 127 Moira Terrace EH7 6RY If you have any questions email: craigentinnymeadowbankcc@gmail.com'
7pm to 8.30pm | Wilson Memorial Church, EH7 6RY | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

🗣️ Stories on the Way: Subversive Stories! A medley of traditional Scottish storytelling.
Wed 27 May - '9 subversive stories told by 5 storytellers trained in traditional Scottish storytelling. We aim to make you laugh... then make you think! Great accessible venue, food and drink available.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Scottish Storytelling Centre, EH1 1SR | £10, £8 concessions - More details here, shared by Mary Baxter, Tatterhood Tales.

💻 SWURF Co Working Club 28th May
Thu 28 May - 'SWURF's Co-Working Club gives you a proper place to focus, a room full of driven people, and the kind of energy that makes you productive. No commute. No commitment. Just one brilliant day a month that makes the rest of the month feel easier.'
11am to 4pm | Brewhemia, EH1 1DE | £10 - More details here, shared by SWURF.

🦌 Wild Fungarium - Wilderlands with Eloise Kane - 'Join historical archaeologist, Eloise Kane, as she uncovers the unexpectedly human history of wild Britain and reveals the surprisingly human origins of Britain's flora and fauna with her new book, Wilderlands. Thursday 28th May, 7pm' - More details here, shared by Wild Fungarium.

📮 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:

1. 🏃‍♀️ Plan ahead for weekend's Marathon Festival.
2. 🚈 ScotRail's 'extra time' tip ahead of busy sporting weekend.
3. 💰 Boroughmuir High School raises £13k+ for charity.
4. 🛍️ Lucy & Yak shop on Rose Street planning upcycled stock weekend.
5. 🐯 Paper Tiger wins UK award for window displays.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 917.
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