The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 20 - 22 June 2025
Uni staff strike today, mystery restaurant for sale, new cafe on Calton Hill opens, Lost Shore surf contest + Pride weekend
☀️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute, including the Community Noticeboard + the weekend guide for subscribers. Thank you to the paying subscribers who make this newsletter possible, and everyone who shares it too. And many thanks to every person who sends something in.
☀️ Weekend weather: A mostly sunny weekend with a chance of rain on Sunday. Highs of 28C and lows of 11C. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🎓 University of Edinburgh staff are on strike today. They’re calling for uni bosses to rule out compulsory redundancies from plans to make £140m in cuts. The demonstration has been deliberately timed to clash with the summer undergraduate Open Day, according to University and College Union branch president Sophia Woodman and secretary Elaine Newton-Bruzza:
“We estimate approximately 1800 jobs could be lost, which would be terrible. We’re striking on open day to get our message out that we really do care about this university and we want them to be aware of what’s going on. We’re fighting really hard to make this a place they can get a quality education where people know their jobs are stable so they can dedicate their energy.” - There’s more from the union leaders in the video below.
⮑ University principal Peter Mathieson defended the cuts plan: “While we are not currently in deficit, we must take clear and decisive action now to avoid this.”
🏟️ Murrayfield Stadium bosses plan to spend £1.9m on new toilets. - Graham Bean, The Scotsman.
🗳️ There was drama in the City Chambers yesterday when councillors debated the readmission of former council leader Cammy Day. - Joseph Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, Edinburgh Live.
⮑ For a blow-by-blow account, Donald Turvill covered the meeting live in The Herald.
🚴♂️ Councillors decided to delay a decision on spending £1.7m on the Tour de France. - Joseph Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, in the Edinburgh Reporter.
🏗️ A former Armenian restaurant (‘Gastronom Aghtamar’), pumphouse and orchard next to Holyrood Palace are for sale for offers over £500,000. It was built in 1896 and was originally a police station. - Scott Reid, The Scotsman.
⮑ The restaurant had ‘a culinary cult following’ according to this BBC report.
⮑ The sale listing is here and there are some internal photos in the sale brochure.
🚔 Part of Queensferry Road was closed overnight so police could reconstruct a crash that claimed the life of a 61-year-old motorcycle rider. - Neil Johnstone, Evening News.
🟨 Dougie MacLean has been announced to lead the Edinburgh International Festival opening weekend with a ‘Caledonia’ singalong. - Jane Bradley, The Scotsman.
🛶 The Edinburgh Canal Festival is on Saturday between midday and 5pm on the stretch of the Union Canal from the Lochrin Basin along to Harrison Park. - Full details of all the activities are here.
☕️ The new Cafe Calton at the top of Calton Hill opens this Sunday. You can find the menus here. Breakfasts start at 8.30am.
⚽️ For the Jambos: Journalist Martin Geissler has been on the hunt for Vladimir Romanov. He writes about spending ‘a year chasing a wanted man who may or may not live in a submarine and who still refuses any blame’ in the new edition of Nutmeg magazine (produced in Edinburgh!).
⮑ And for Hibs fans: Jake Doyle-Hayes’ case is analysed by investigative journalist Nick Harris.
🏳️🌈 The Equality Network and Scottish Trans Pride in Our Community event is planned for Holyrood Park from 11am on Saturday. - More details here.
⮑ Then from 12.30pm the Pride March starts at the Scottish Parliament. More details in the guide here.
⮑ Find many more Pride events in the listings on My Queer Diary Edinburgh.
🛝 For more family-friendly things to do, this week’s edition of Gayle’s Guide includes: all the fairs and galas, plus a free summer BBQ in Stockbridge.
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📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
📌 "Edinburgh Road Club (ERC), one of Scotland's oldest cycling clubs, is proud to celebrate its 100-year anniversary. Founded in 1925, ERC has a rich history of promoting cycling and fostering community spirit. To mark this milestone, ERC is organising a special anniversary ride on Saturday June 21st including a club kit photoshoot at the Commonwealth Pool, 9.30 am. Members will don the club's new centenary kit and embark on a ride from Edinburgh and around Midlothian. The ride promises to be a memorable occasion for all participants and a great chance to show off our new kit or retro kits if they have it." - Thanks to Edinburgh Road Club for sharing this.
📌 "Over the years graffiti has left our neighbourhoods looking worse and worse. Join The Great Edinburgh Clean Up and let's do something about it! All you need to join is either a phone to report it, or a sponge to start scrubbing." - Thanks to The Great Edinburgh Clean Up for sharing this.
📌 "Talk, in person and live-streamed, by Terry Levinthal, Director of the Cockburn Association, on Tuesday 24 June, 2.30 pm, at The Crannie, Cranston Street. Terry will look at 150 years of campaigning to preserve the beauties of Edinburgh and ponder 'what's next' for Edinburgh. Contact EOTA for details on how to get tickets." - Thanks to Edinburgh Old Town Association for sharing this.
📌 "Tinderbox and Granton Youth are taking over the Pitt Market for the NxNW All-Dayer; a whole day of live music featuring some of the best new bands around! Featuring: Low Tide, Lewis McLaughlin, Ace & All the Other Animals, The Citrines, Silenced Blue, Logans Close, Parma Violence, Leon Highway, and Kieran Crosbie. Tickets are £5 for those under 25 (£10 for 25+) This is a 14+ event, and all under 16s must be accompanied by an adult." - Thanks to Tinderbox Collective for sharing this.
📌 "Do you wish to make friends and boost your creativity this summer? Make the most of your summer with our Adult Creative Summer Camp!! Recharge - Make friends -Develop your creativity - Improve your mental health Join our summer storytelling, music, art, improvisation, creative games and creative writing sessions outdoors! (indoors if terrible weather conditions). Who knows, you might meet your next creative partner or even form a band together! Every Saturdays until August 2nd Time: From 2-4pm Outdoor location: Holyrood park. Indoor location: Creative Arts Therapies Space EH7 5PL" - Thanks to Alexandra Borghino for sharing this.
📌 "Get ready for the next monthly community meal at the Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative Basement! Volunteers at ESHC will be teaming up to bring you an evening filled with delicious home cooked food and great company. This event is FREE and open to all! Date: Friday June 20 Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm Location: ESHC basement, 34 Wright's Houses, Edinburgh." - Thanks to ESHC for sharing this.
📌 "Grange Open Studios is back on Saturday 21st June, 11–4 with 10 local artists opening their doors around the neighbourhood! 🎨 Discover a mix of painting, printmaking, ceramics, jewellery and more — all within walking distance in the Grange. Pick up a map, enjoy a wander, and meet the makers behind the work! 🌿" - Thanks to Rachel Brown, ⅓ founder of Grange Open Studios for sharing this.
📌 "The annual Arienas Collective X Jimmys Vintage & Mid-Century Homeware shopping event is on Friday, 20 June 5-8pm and Saturday, 21 June 11am-4pm hosted at The Arienas Collective in Edinburgh New Town. Guest visit from the Edinburgh Sketcher on Friday at 6pm. Entrance is by ticket only to ensure a comfortable shopping experience and the £5 price includes drinks and nibbles." - Thanks to Lynn Powell, Founder of The Arienas Collective for sharing this.
📌 "Rachel Ashenden, Art Editor of The Skinny and co-founder of The Debutante, will be hosting an art writing masterclass at The Portobello Bookshop on Thursday, 26th June, 6.30-8.30pm. In this art writing masterclass, Rachel will support participants to find their critical edge; from pitching to filing, we'll explore how to hone your personal and political voice in art writing, drawing upon its various forms including features, interviews and reviews. Whether you're looking to break into journalism or searching for artistic inspiration, this masterclass is open to art writers at any stage in the process." - Thanks to The Portobello Bookshop for sharing this.
📌 "Rising Tide Cafe along with Edinburgh Forage and Eat are running a Summer Solstice Feast event in Portobello on Saturday 21st June at 7pm. Come along to learn about the many uses and benefits of local seasonal plants while enjoying a three course foraged tasting menu with matched guest Summer wines, a welcome cocktail and a seasonal aperitif, all included in ticket price! This is a ticketed event, tickets are £55 in advance - available via Eventbrite." - Thanks to Rising Tide Cafe for sharing this.
📌 "Got something broken you want to fix? Join us at Repair Café Edinburgh's pop-up event, this Saturday 12-4pm in Colinton where our experts will help you!" - Thanks to Repair Café Edinburgh for sharing this.
📌 "The Ripple Project are currently polling on community grants for the EH7 area. People can vote in person (worth TWO votes) on Saturday 21st June at The Ripple Project, 198 Restalrig Road South, Edinburgh, EH7 6DZ or online here. I'm voting for Chi & Tea; the grant would provide funding for 20 weekly Tai Chi classes to residents in the local area." - Thanks to a subscriber for sharing this.
📌 "The Tiphereth, Camphill community invite you to our annual Summer Fayre this Saturday, 10am-2pm - find us at the no. 16 bus terminus (Torphin). Cards, cushions, prints, textiles, woodwork, pottery, flowers, crafting and more available to buy, as well as some great food, baking, raffle and tombola! All to raise money for our local and international charity who celebrate the gifts of people with learning disabilities and autism." - Thanks to Tiphereth Edinburgh (Camphill Community) for sharing this.
📌 "Come and hear about the remarkable, multi-lingual, visionary musician, scientist and aid worker, Nigel Osborne MBE. From prestigious orchestral premieres to life changing work with trauma affected children in conflict zones, he bridges artistry and activism. Prepare to be inspired and entertained at the Stockbridge Music Hub 6pm on Thursday 26th. All donations will go to Edinburgh Direct Aid." - Thanks to Clea Friend, Creative Director - Music Hub for sharing this.
📌 "Join us for an evening of live music and solidarity on Sunday 22 June, from 5:30 PM to 11 PM at Leith Depot (138–142 Leith Walk, EH6 5DT). Enjoy an amazing lineup of local musicians, alongside artwork, handmade goods, and books for sale - plus a raffle with fantastic prizes from local artists and businesses 🎟️ All funds raised will go directly to supporting Palestinian families." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Following on from Nick Payne's cerebral drama 'Incognito', Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group's season of the mind continues with one of Tennessee Williams' most haunting dramas, 'Suddenly Last Summer'. On for four nights only, Tue 24 - Fri 27 June at Assembly Roxy." - Thanks to EGTG for sharing this.
📌 "St Mark's Episcopal Church, on Portobello High Street, is holding an open day on Saturday 21st June from 10am to 3pm, following the completion of a major project to repair and renovate the historic building. Come and have a look round, enjoy some refreshments, music and a plant sale (while stocks last). Doors open at 10am and ribbon cutting at 11am - all welcome!" - Thanks to St Mark's Episcopal Church for sharing this.
📌 "Gooses Quizzes, Edinburgh's premier quiz company, has announced the return of its popular show, The Elimination Game, to the Edinburgh Fringe 2025. The Elimination Game will run consecutively across 25 nights from 31st July - 24th August at Assembly Rooms, Bijou on George Street. Tickets are now on sale via The Assembly website." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Everyone is welcome to LifeCare's FREE Summer BBQ this Friday! Join us at the LifeCare Hub, 2 Cheyne Street, Stockbridge, from 12 noon to 4pm – with free food (meat and veggie options!), bouncy castle, delicious cakes (thanks to Soderberg!) and activities for all ages. Part of the Love the LifeCare Hub campaign – donations are always welcome to help keep this special place thriving for years to come!" - Thanks to Claire, LifeCare Edinburgh for sharing this.
📌 "Room 29 Theatre sinks its teeth into Little Shop of Horrors, opening this week with a thrilling new take on the cult classic. Packed with jaw-dropping vocals, spine-tingling charm, and earnestly delivered comedy and drama, this dynamic cast will have audiences laughing, gasping and singing along all night!" - Thanks to Room 29 Theatre for sharing this.
📌 "We welcome you to a unique experience in a beautiful space in the city centre - think crystal bowls and sacred transmissions through voice. This is Sacred Sound Healing with Darren Austin Hall (CAN) - an international sound oracle. This is for you if you would like to experience how sonic medicine can heal on a profound level." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Ashtanga Reimagined for Every Body! 🧘♂️ Blend Ashtanga with functional flow, somatic practices, meditation & philosophy - at Edinburgh Yoga Room's welcoming space. From beginners to seasoned practitioners - starts the week of the 23rd of June!" - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Welcome to Start the Week with Dance under the open sky (silent disco style) in Inverleith Park’s beautiful secluded SUNDIAL GARDEN. Set the tone for the week ahead, tune in to yourself, connect with nature, connect with others, dance freely, our bodies love to move!" - Thanks to Bernadeta Zyla for sharing this.
📌 "Viola da gamba player Sarah Small is on an epic early music cycling tour of the British Isles which sees her dropping in to Edinburgh for a second show at Granton Pianodrome on Wed 25th June having performed in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland! Back by popular demand, her gentle yet powerful playing and zero carbon odyssey is an inspiration to us all. 6.30pm open 'Folia' jam (A:415), 7.30pm concert" - Thanks to Matt Wright of Pianodrome for sharing this.
📌 "To celebrate the Summer Solstice Umbrella Vinyl and our good friends at Greenhouse Records will be hosting a vinyl-only Soundclash at the Royal Dick on Saturday 21st June! Music starts at 8:30pm - be there and expect to dance! Free entry!" - Thanks to Laura, co-owner of Umbrella Vinyl for sharing this.
📌 "Aurora Ensemble presents our Summer Concert on Sunday 22nd June, 7:30pm, at Stockbridge Parish Church. We are an amateur orchestra who specialise in promoting classical music written by under-represented composers, especially women. This concert features music Louise Farrenc, and classical music power couple Clara and Robert Schumann." - Thanks to Tim Espin for sharing this.
📌 "The Lost Shore Hi-Land Fling Surf Competition starts on Monday and runs all day Monday + Tuesday! Open entirely to the public and free to attend, we'd love for locals to come down and be a part of the action. The world's finest pro surfers will be competing on our most advanced waves, and you can watch, meet and chat with them, join them in our public surf jams, watch some surf classics at our film screening, or sit back and enjoy some great food and drink at our event BBQ." - Thanks to Lost Shore Surf Resort for sharing this.