The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 24 - 26 April 2026
'Very high risk of wildfire' this weekend, bid to extend festival venue hours, budding filmmakers offered roles on Dept Q shoot + Focus skate shop rolls back the years
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Another busy Friday edition: all the local news I can find, community notices and a bustling weekend guide (including the annual Cherry Blossom Picnic at Starbank Park on Sunday). Thanks again to everyone who sends things in, shares the newsletter or supports it. This newsletter wouldn't exist without you. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
☀️ Weekend weather: After a misty start, another mostly sunny day today. Cloudier on Saturday and Sunday. No rain is forecast. Temperature high of 16C today and a low of 5C overnight on Saturday in to Sunday. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🔥 With low winds forecast, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is warning of a 'very high risk of wildfire' in Edinburgh this weekend. - Jack Davies, Evening News.
- A fire was reported at Torduff Reservoir in the Pentlands on Wednesday. - Jacob Farr and Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
🏛️ Heritage watchdog The Cockburn Association is calling for a reform of the planning system due to controversial large advertisements on Princes Street buildings. - Jamie Calder, The National.
🎭 Plans to let Edinburgh venues extend their opening times by two hours during the festival will be considered by councillors at Monday's licensing board meeting. - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, STV News.
- ⮑ See the meeting agenda papers here.
🏥 A business case to demolish several buildings at the Western General Hospital has been approved by NHS Lothian’s board, reports Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, on Edinburgh Live.
📚 This year's Edinburgh Book Festival Schools Programme has been announced. The brochure is here. The full programme announcement is due on 16 June and the festival runs from 15 to 30 August.
💰 A former finance manager who embezzled £19,000 from the Scottish Action for Mental Health charity in Edinburgh has been ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work. - Alexander Lawrie, Evening News.
🏰 A photo of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the words '1984 scrap digital ID' were projected on to Edinburgh Castle as part of a nationwide campaign. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.
🏫 A £10m refurbishment of Brunstane Primary School has been completed after 18 months. - Heather Carrick, Evening News.
🎬 Paid traineeships are being offered for up to 20 new entrants to the film and TV industry on the set of the second series of Dept. Q when it begins filming in Edinburgh in July. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.
- ⮑ Roles include costume, make-up, camera, lighting, sound, script and more. Find out more and apply via Screen Scotland and on LinkedIn. Deadline: 29 April.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
🤸🏼♀️ A new, state of the art gym is opening in Gorgie - £500,000 renovations coming soon! - 'After 'LIFT' gym’s liquidation, the new 'Fitness Street' will be the next big gym! Doors are already open, with full renovations due by the end of May; bringing general fitness, powerlifting, Olympic lifting, and martial arts together into one space.' - More details here, shared by Fitness street.
📚 More than a Book Sale - 'The Annual Christian Aid Book Sale is back for 2026! Discover the stories, hidden treasures and community spirit behind one of Edinburgh’s most loved traditions.' - More details here, shared by Julia Forsyth, The New Town Chuch.
- ⮑ Doors open for donations on Monday 27 April. The first day of the say is 9 May.
🎻 Scottish Chamber Orchestra announce their 26/27 Season! - 'We are delighted to announce our new season, celebrating the power of music to inspire, connect & transform. We look forward to showcasing our core orchestral repertoire, bold contemporary music & community engagement. Single tickets on sale 29 June' - More details here, shared by Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
🏆 Marchmont Hardware finalists for hardware shop of the year - 'Marchmont Hardware have been shortlisted as a finalist for hardware shop of the year in the Scottish Independent Retail awards 2026. Thank you for all who voted for us and support us everyday, we couldn’t do it without you.' - More details here, shared by Kayleigh Gordon, Marchmont Hardware.
🌸 'Here’s a photo of the stunning blossom outside Mayfield Church on Southside. Love the Edinburgh Minute. Keep up the good work. Fiona Hall' - Many thanks Fiona!
🌍 Help us gain your views on heating and enter £50 draw - 'If you're sick of huge heating bills and companies taking all the profits community heat networks offer a solution. Its a system used in Denmark that's enviromental and cheap to use. Please fill in this short survey if you live in EH16/EH17 thanks!' - More details here, shared by Bridgend Farmhouse.
🥁 Djembe drumming for all! - 'Join us on Saturday at the Djembe Drum Workshop to learn the rhythms and techniques of traditional African drumming - make some noise!' - More details here, shared by Bridgend Farmhouse.
🛶 Kayaking and canoeing for people with disabilities - 'Forth Canoe Club are on a mission to share the wellbeing benefits of paddle sport! From 30 April we have weekly supported sessions for people with disabilities. Get in touch for details: secretary@forthcanoeclub.co.uk' - More details here, shared by Forth Canoe Club.
📆 Weekend community events:
📝 Zines from Gaza - Meet the Writers
Today, Fri 24 April - 'Coastal Lines Press is a collective of writers from Gaza who collaborate to produce zines. This is a chance to meet the writers LIVE ONLINE from Gaza. Zines are on display in Palestine Museum Scotland right now till 3rd May. Click link to register.'
6pm to 7.30pm | Palestine Museum Scotland, EH3 6QG | FREE - More details here, shared by Rayya Ghul, Palestine Museum Scotland.
🎷 Jerry Forde's New Phoenix Jazz Band with Christine Adams at Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive!
Today, Fri 24 April - 'Friday, 24th April, Jerry Forde's New Phoenix Jazz Band returns to the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club. Expect a fantastic mix of Dixieland / New Orleans and swinging Jazz standards, all perfectly performed for both dancing and listening.'
8pm to 11pm | Heriot's Rugby Club, EH3 5QN | £12.00 & £15.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club.
🎹 Och Vey at the Pianodrome!
Tomorrow, Sat 25 April - 'Och Vey bring a special acoustic show to the Bruntsfield Pianodrome, featuring mellow klezmer tunes, rousing songs of workers' struggles, losses and victories, and utopian post capitalist futures. Plus we guarantee a bit of foot stomping too!'
3pm to 4pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub, EH10 4NB | £10 / conc - More details here, shared by Och Vey.
🍝 Eve's Long Italian Lunch [Monthly]
Sun 26 April - '£35pp for all-you-can eat Italian food. Eve's Long Italian Lunch is a relaxed, free-flowing Sunday celebration inspired by Italy's great family gatherings. Dig into antipasti stations, fresh pasta, and sweet treats.'
12.30pm to 3.30pm | Eve Edinburgh, EH1 1JR | £35 - More details here, shared by Virgin Hotels Edinburgh.
🎶 Lucky Pluckers: A Celebration of Music for Mandolins and Guitars
Sun 26 April - 'Come along for a rare treat to hear The Edinburgh Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra with their guests the British Fretted Orchestra for an afternoon of plucked music (a relaxed mix of Spanish, British & American Folk, Classical and some modern pieces).'
4pm to 5.30pm | Marchmont St. Giles’ Parish Church, EH9 2DW | £10 on the door - More details here, shared by EMGO.
😂 A Pisstake in a Brewery
Sun 26 April - 'For just £5 this Sunday you can see four fantastic stand ups performing, and get a free pint of Campervan Brewery beer with every ticket! Eva Peroni, Max Prentice, Mara Joy and Ifrah Qureshi are performing, and the show is hosted by Tom Futter.'
4.30pm to 7pm | Campervan Brewery Tap Room, EH6 5HG | £5 tickets - More details here, shared by Thomas Futter.
🍲 Community Meal & Discussion: Are elections a vehicle for change?
Sun 26 April - 'Join us for a free community meal & conversation on whether elections are a vehicle for change, featuring perspectives from RS21, Living Rent, RCP, & IWW. The meal will be vegan and the venue is accessible. No booking required, and all are welcome!'
5pm to 7pm | St James Scottish Episcopal Church, EH6 7EL | FREE - More details here, shared by Zionism Free Leith.
Looking ahead:
🥐 Spentwell Masterclass - Retirement
Tue 28 April - 'Complimentary Gleneagles breakfast The 'highly sought after' Spentwell goodie bag A healthy dose of wisdom from me as I take you through my 12 key principles to embrace on your money journey. Simple, engaging with lots of good actionable takeaways.'
8.30am to 9.30am | Gleneagles Townhouse, EH2 2AD | FREE - More details here, shared by Keith Boyes, Spentwell.
💚 Netwalking for Changemakers
Thu 30 April - 'Working for social and environmental change - in business, the public sector, NGOs or with communities? Join us for an inspiring walk in the Meadows to meet new people, discover what others are doing and share your experiences.'
9.15am to 10.45am | The Meadows, EH9 1ND | FREE - More details here, shared by Osbert Lancaster, Thrivable Scotland.
🎨 Lino printing workshop
Thu 30 April - 'Explore your creative side in this relaxed 2 hour workshop where we will learn about the tools and techniques of lino printing. You will leave with a print of your own making and the skills to explore the craft further on your own.'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Tribe Porty, EH15 2AJ - More details here, shared by Studio Lilow.
⚽ Women's 5-a-side Football League [Weekly]
Wed 13 May - 'Our weekly Wednesday women's 5-a-side league restarts on 13th May! The league is mixed ability, trans inclusive, and open to all ages (18+). Drop us a DM on our instagram if you'd like to sign up & join a team!'
7pm to 9pm | World Of Football Marine Drive, EH4 5EJ | £4-6 per game approx - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🛝 Gayle's Guide returns with family-friendly events in town this weekend and beyond.
Gayle’s Guide
