The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 15 - 17 May 2026
New details for Hearts' trophy parade (TBC), free outdoor summer cinema planned, pro surfers ride in for Lost Shore international contest + your weekend guide
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. It's been a busy week! The community events calendars and maps went live and this newsletter was named Best Regional/Local Newsletter in the world at the International News Media Association's Global Media Awards in Berlin. I always say this and I always mean it: huge thanks to everybody who supports or sends things in, shares the newsletter or donates to it. The Minute wouldn't exist without you. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather: Things should warm up again later next week. Meantime expect showers again this afternoon, Saturday afternoon and much of Sunday. A temperature high of 17C is expected on Sunday and a low of 4C is forecast on Saturday morning. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
⚽️ There could be major disruption to city centre streets on Sunday. Princes Street and much of the West End could be closed to all traffic from 10am and 9pm - if Hearts win the men's football Scottish Premiership title on Saturday.
- A trophy parade through the city centre is planned for Sunday, if Hearts beat Celtic on Saturday. Details were published in the Evening News and by Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams and the council, with its own map here.
- What has not been published elsewhere is the plan for Saturday afternoon and evening, after the title-deciding game. If Hearts do win, it's expected the Gorgie side will bring the cup back to Tynecastle Park on an open-top bus and show it to fans at Foundation Plaza. The club will not announce further details of Saturday's plan unless victorious.
- Sunday's provisional parade route and list of bus & tram diversions is on the Lothian Buses website. There will be no trams in the city centre. To reiterate: all depending on whether Hearts win the league.
- 'Hearts superfans remain 'supremely confident' for title win over Celtic' - Claire Thomson, BBC Scotland News.
Karen Keith
🚉 'Edinburgh trams: Council reaches out-of-court settlement in its case against law firm over original tram project' - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🟢 Three newly-elected Scottish Green MSPs will continue in their roles as local councillors until the 2027 council elections. But they will step back from leadership and chair roles within their remit as councillors. - Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.
🍿 A series of free outdoor cinema screenings are due to return to St Andrew Square next month. - Rose Moncur has the details in The Herald.
- Meanwhile in George Square, organisers have confirmed the Folk & Food Festival is set to return in July and August. - Again, Rose Moncur with the details in the Herald.
🎤 Professor Beth Simone Noveck, a former adviser to US President Barack Obama, is due to speak at a public event in Edinburgh next month on the impact of AI on the future of democracy. - Liam Eunson, Midlothian View.
⏰ The founder of The Edinburgh Minute newsletter has spoken about winning a prestigious global news award... hang on, that's me. - Interview by Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.
Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
🍻 Popular beer garden now open at Bristo Square following 2-year closure - 'The University of Edinburgh’s historic Teviot has reopened Union Social Garden just in time for this summer's sport season. Students, locals and tourists are all invited to enjoy this space and student-friendly prices. Open daily from 4pm.' - More details here, shared by Edinburgh University Students' Association.
🤝 Duncan Place Community Hub - new volunteer trustees wanted! - 'Duncan Place Community Hub in Leith is looking for more volunteers to join our board of trustees from our AGM on 18th June. Closing date for applications is 21st May. See the Good Moves link for further information. (Deadline: 21 May)' - More details here, shared by Duncan Place Community Hub.
🏆 Edinburgh’s Forth Valley Chorus are 2026 Barbershop Champions. - 'Forth Valley Chorus has proudly achieved gold at the Women’s Barbershop Convention in Manchester. This remarkable accomplishment places the Chorus first in the region to achieve the magical 700 points at contest. Photography by Eric Ideler.' - More details here, shared by Forth Valley Chorus.
🎥 Free opportunity for young filmmakers & journalists (18-26) with SYFF & The Scottish Parliament - 'Apply to join the Festival of Politics TV team! You'll get filmmaking & video journalism training, then broadcast live from the Scottish Parliament at this year’s Festival of Politics. Learn loads, have great fun and gain valuable experience. (Deadline: 29 May)' - More details here, shared by Scottish Youth Film Foundation + on Instagram here.
🏄♂️ Hi-Land Fling [Daily]
Fri & Saturday - 'Lost Shore Surf Resort's international surf competition with over 20 pro surfers from around the world. Watch elite-level surfing, enjoy food, drink and entertainment. Free to attend for all the family.'
9am to 7pm | Lost Shore Surf Resort, EH28 8AY | FREE - More details here, shared by Lost Shore Surf Resort.
🎶 Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival Tickets On Sale!
Today, Fri 15 May - 'Tickets for Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival on sale 12pm Friday 15 May! This year's lineup includes performances from Scottish contemporary folk band Breabach, Mercury Prize nominated Seth Lakeman, An Dannsa Dub, and Indie trad fusion group Dlù.'
12pm to 11.30am | George Square Gardens, EH8 9JZ - More details here, shared by Assembly Festival.
🎻 Viper Swing at Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive
Today, Fri 15 May - 'This Friday, 15th May, the Hot Jazz string quartet Viper Swing returns to the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club! The band's infectious rhythms, joyful improvisations, and gravelly vocals blend to evoke the Swing-Era spirit of the 1920s-40s.'
8pm to 11pm | Heriot's Rugby Club, EH3 5QN | £12.00 & £15.00 - More details here, shared by Nicholas Harrison.
🏳️🌈 Fundraiser for Porty Queer Football Community 🏳️🌈⚽️🥅 - 'Join us this Saturday 16th May for a night of DJs, dancing, karaoke and a raffle with big prizes all in support of Porty Queer Football Community 🕺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️' - More details here, shared by Katherine M.
🥃 Global Whisky Toast on World Whisky Day!
Tomorrow, Sat 16 May - 'Be part of #GlobalWhiskyToast! Raise a dram today & toast our Amber Restaurant's 25th! Post your own Slàinte Mhath - just tag us @scotchwhiskyexp to be part of the celebration!'
12am to 11.30pm | The Scotch Whisky Experience, EH1 2NE | FREE - More details here, shared by The Scotch Whisky Experience.
🌿 Nutrition & Yoga for Perimenopause and Menopause
Tomorrow, Sat 16 May - 'We are delighted to collaborate with Clare McMillan, a BANT-registered Nutritional Therapist. Learn which foods suit your body, alongside supportive yoga practices to nurture mind and body during this transformative time. Healthy snacks included.'
10am to 12.15pm | Edinburgh Yoga Room, EH1 3JX | £35 - More details here, shared by Stacey Chavis, Edinburgh Yoga Room.
📸 Edinburgh Photographic Society Members' Exhibition 2026 [Daily]
Tomorrow, Sat 16 May - 'Our Members Exhibition 2026 includes prints, digital images and AVs. A highlight of our year, we'd love you to come and see it. It gets better every year! Open on Saturday 16 May from 10.30 to 12.30 and on Sunday 17 May from 10.30 to 15.30.'
10.30am to 12.30pm | Edinburgh Photographic Society, EH3 6QU | FREE - More details here, shared by Muriel Binnie, Edinburgh Photographic Society.
🌱 Edinburgh Vegan Festival
Tomorrow, Sat 16 May - '80+ fantastic stalls, world food caterers, exciting demos, interactive workshops and inspirational talks running throughout the day from 10.30am - 4.30pm at Edinburgh College, Granton Campus, 350 W Granton Rd, Edinburgh, EH5 1QE.'
10.30am to 4.30pm | Edinburgh College (Granton Campus), EH5 1QE | Standard entry is £5 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌿 Nature School for Grownups: Foraging, Play & Bushcraft (2 locations: Leith & Craigmillar) [Weekly]
Tomorrow, Sat 16 May - 'Join a playful outdoor session for adults. Learn to identify seasonal plants, try simple bushcraft, play some fun nature games, and spend time outside. Lots of laughs, learning, and fun!'
2pm to 4pm | Leith Community Croft, EH6 7EL | 15 GBP per session - More details here, shared by Nature School for Grownups.
🎪 Think Circus Scratch night
Tomorrow, Sat 16 May - 'Think Circus present an evening of experimental contemporary circus acts, suitable for all ages. Based in Edinburgh, Think Circus specialise in ground-based circus arts such as juggling, hula hoop, poi-spinning and acrobatics.'
7.45pm to 9.30pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub, EH10 4NB | £7-£11 - More details here, shared by Think Circus SCIO.
🎨 Wildlife art and handmade bags
Sun 17 May - 'Discover talented makers and artists Mara J & Adriana de Matos. Inspired by nature, Adriana paints wildlife and pet portraits. Mara J makes gorgeous high quality pouches and bags.'
11am to 5pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups, EH7 4LT - More details here, shared by Monty.
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🍔 Stockbridge Eating House x Company Bakery
Sun 17 May - 'Stockbridge Eating House are bringing their famous burgers to Musselburgh for a pop up at Company Bakery this coming Sunday. Chef Dale will be firing up the grill and serving delicious burgers on our sesame buns all afternoon.'
12pm to 4pm | Company Bakery, EH21 7PE - More details here, shared by Fiona Murray.
📚 The Travelling Bookbinder wraps up support for Scottish literacy with book parcels
Sun 17 May - 'Edinburgh and Iona-based bookbinder and book artist Rachel Hazell - also known as The Travelling Bookbinder - returns to the Stockbridge Colonies Yard Sale with a selection of book parcels for sale. All proceeds go to the Scottish Book Trust.'
1pm to 5pm | Stockbridge Colonies, EH3 5HT | £10 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
📚 B.Y.O.Book Silent Reading
Sun 17 May - 'B.Y.O.Book Silent Reading Sunday 17th May from 2.30pm at The Tailor Cafe Bring your book and best book chat!'
2pm to 4.30pm | The Tailor Cafe + Wine Bar, EH7 5DR | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 Orla Noble | unfurl album launch + Holly Powers
Sun 17 May - 'Join Orla Noble for the launch of her self-produced debut album 'unfurl', out 15th May. Having garnered support across BBC Radio Scotland & 6Music, unfurl draws from Scottish folk influences & traverses from powerless despair to luminous hope.'
7pm to 10pm | The Caves, EH1 1NS | £15 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🍻 Pint of Science TechMeOut [Daily]
Mon 18 May - 'Come to hear scientists talk about their latest discoveries with a pint! There are still tickets for: Monday: The care crisis meets AI: Are robots the answer? Wednesday: The trust problem: Understanding AI for applications in healthcare.'
7pm to 9.30pm | Leith Depot, EH6 5DT | £5 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 like an endless scotland
Thu 28 May - 'like an endless scotland is an upcoming multimedia performance blending folk sounds with digital projection. Featuring live harmonium and spoken-word performed against a backdrop of dynamic visual lyric maps of Scotland's landscapes.'
7pm to 10pm | The Wee Red Bar, EH3 9DF | £5/£10 - More details here, shared by Euan Stamper.
🛝 Find this weekend's list of family-friendly things to do in Gayle's Guide, including: European Communities Day at the Drill Hall, Shrek at the cinema and a children's art club at Central Library.
Gayle’s Guide
