A major public discussion on the future of tourism in Edinburgh will take place at the City Chambers on 12 May, bringing together European experts, local practitioners, and community voices to address one of the most pressing issues facing historic cities today.
Hosted by the Cockburn Association as part of the Festival of Europe, Homes or Homecomings? Managing Tourism Tensions with European Partners will explore how cities can balance the economic benefits of tourism with the needs of residents.
Tourism remains central to Edinburgh’s economy and identity, but increasing visitor numbers have placed growing pressure on housing, infrastructure, and everyday life in the city centre. The event will present new research on tourism impacts in Edinburgh while drawing on European case studies to examine how other historic cities are responding to similar challenges.
Speakers include academics and practitioners working across the UK and Europe, alongside representatives from business and community-led organisations. The discussion will consider issues such as short-term lets, housing availability, and how to sustain living communities in globally recognised heritage destinations.
The event is open to the public and will bring together policymakers, researchers, residents, and those working in tourism and heritage.
Event details:
Date: Tuesday, 12 May
Venue: City Chambers, Edinburgh
Host: The Cockburn Association
Part of: Festival of Europe programme
Tickets and further information are available via Eventbrite.
A jam-packed, free Living Heritage Discovery Day on Sunday at the Storytelling Centre with Michael Fortune, one of Ireland’s leading folklorists, a traditional fayre, cèilidh and taster sessions.
EDINBURGH TRADFEST runs until Monday 11 May 2026
An unmissable weekend of the very best in traditional music, storytelling and film kicks off with Swedish folk trio Northern Resonance on Thursday playing explosive rhythms using a combination of viola d’amore, Hardanger fiddle and 12-string guitar.
Followed by, internationally acclaimed saxophonist Brian Molley and his quartet (Tom Gibbs-piano, David Bowden-bass, Stephen Henderson-drums) sharing tunes from their recently released album Tùs/Origin which loosely follows an 18th century journey from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, all the way to Louisiana, and features a mix of traditional folk, Afro-Caribbean Grooves, Gospel, Sea-Shanties and Fugue.
Continuing into the weekend, on Friday night The Nexus Project led by piper Bede Patterson launch their new album Glaisvair which unites different musical voices from around the world. Plus, headliners RANT (Anna Massie, Lauren MacColl, Bethany Reid, Gillian Frame) who areat the forefront of the Scottish fiddle scene, share powerful melodies and some favourite tunes from their new album, that celebrates a decade of them performing together.
The trad tunes continue over the weekend with Isla Ratcliff’s reinterpretation of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons released last year to mark the 300th anniversary of the work’s original publication; multi-award-winning harp and percussion duo Eleanor Dunsdon and Gregor Black; and live-looping artist GANNA Gryniva performing tracks from her new album UTOPIA which mixes Ukrainian folk tunes, with Peruvian grooves, jazz- tinged arrangements, and electronic soundscapes.
Plus, singer-songwriter and artful banjo player from Montreal Kaïa Kater performs solo, ahead of this year’s ETF Spotlight concert which will showcase threeamazing up-and-coming combos: Jeri Foreman & Ruth Eliza, Curlew and Dauntless. (Fans can also find Dauntless popping-up on stage at Nobles Bar, in Leith on Friday 8 May at 2pm.)
Other unmissable weekend highlights include:
· Folk legend Dick Gaughan in conversation with Dr Lori Watson from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Celtic and Scottish Studies. (This talk is currently sold out but will be streamed online.)
· The Cold Heart by storyteller Franziska Droll and musician Greg Harradine which explores the terrible cost that comes with the desire for wealth and belonging. (Storytelling Centre)
· A jam-packed Living Heritage Discovery Day which will include a talk with Michael Fortune, Ireland’s folklore aficionado, to discuss approaches to Intangible Cultural Heritage (Living Heritage) and tradition-bearing. On the day there will also be a Living Heritage Fayre, Come and Try Sessions, and a traditional ‘house cèilidh’. (Storytelling Centre – Sun 10 May)
· The Folk Film Gathering’s screening of Jack Archers’ Sailm nan Daoine (Psalms of the People) fresh from its recent success at the Glasgow Film Festival, which follow’s psalm precentor Rob MacNeacail’s journey across Scotland and Ireland, to bring together communities old and new through the power of Gaelic psalm singing. (Cameo Cinema)
· A rousing performance by Edinburgh’s Ukrainian Choir who will perform live ahead of a rare screening of 1954 Ukrainian classic cinematic folk tale Andriesh. (Cameo Cinema)
· And, finally Scotland’s original folk supergroup Session A9, will close the festival with great tunes and top banter on Monday night.
Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of Edinburgh Tradfest said: “Don’t miss the final weekend of this year’s festival, there are some amazing bands coming up, and fantastic films and storytelling events still to come.
“Shows are selling out and the 5 star reviews are rolling in. The buzz around the ETF venues is palpable, come and be part of it.”
A 17-year-old male youth has been convicted of the murder of John McNab that happened in Leith in September, 2025, and a further serious assault in Portobello in March, 2025.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Wednesday, 6 May, 2026). He will be sentenced at a later date.
John McNab, aged, 22 was found injured on Great Junction Street at the corner of Bonnington Road in the Leith area around 2.10am on Tuesday, 2 September, 2025. He died at the scene.
A 17-year-old male youth was stabbed around 8.45pm on Friday, 21 March, 2025 at The Promenade in the Portobello area. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
A 17-year-old male youth has been convicted of the murder of John McNab that happened in Edinburgh in September, 2025, and a serious assault in the city in March, 2025.
— Police Scotland Edinburgh (@PSOSEdinburgh) May 6, 2026
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait, senior investigating officer, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of John McNab at what is a very difficult time for them. And also with the victim seriously injured in the separate incident.
“An extreme level of violence was used in these incidents. This kind of behaviour is never acceptable and will not be tolerated. This conviction sends a message to anyone carrying knives that they will be apprehended and dealt with robustly.
“I would like to personally thank the officers who worked on these harrowing investigations and the public who significantly assisted my investigation team.”
Superintendent Neil Wilson said that proactive work is being carried out across Edinburgh to educate young people and tackle knife crime and violence.
“I can’t stress enough the devastating impact weapon carrying and use has on our communities and our thoughts go out to all who have been affected by this type of crime.
“Officers regularly carry out patrols in areas where knife crime is reported and we urge the public to support us and get in touch with any information or concerns that they have.
“While bringing offenders to justice is vital in keeping communities safe, education to prevent offending happening in the first place is key, along with promoting positive life choices.
“We have a number of new initiatives on violence prevention in Edinburgh involving partners and young people and details will be unveiled in the coming months. These will focus on raising awareness of the dangers of carrying weapons and the impact of violence.
“Edinburgh is a safe place to live, work and visit but we will not be complacent. We know that violence remains a concern in our communities and we’re determined to do everything we can to reduce harm and keep people safe.”
Since her son’s murder Lisa Petrie has tirelessly campaigned to address knife crime and has embarked on a mission to increase access to blood kits across the city:
My name is Lisa Petrie. On 2nd September 2025 my son, John McNab, was fatally stabbed on a street in Leith, Edinburgh. He was 22.
We were best pals, we were inseparable at times, and now it feels like I’ve lost my right arm and my left leg.
No family should ever get that phone call.
I’m determined that John’s death will not be in vain, and one simple change could help stop other families going through this.
Right now in the UK you often need ID and staff checks to buy alcohol, razors or even energy drinks. But in many supermarkets, kitchen knives sit openly on shelves, easy to steal or buy with minimal challenge.
We’re calling on major supermarkets and retailers – including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl and others – to:
Put all kitchen knives in locked cabinets or behind customer service counters
Fit security tags to knife packaging so alarms trigger if someone walks out with them
Only allow knives to be brought to the till by staff, with strict over-18 ID checks
We’re also asking the UK Government and Scottish Government to work with retailers and Trading Standards so secure storage and display of knives becomes the norm, building on existing laws that already restrict knife sales to under-18s.
This won’t end knife crime on its own and it won’t stop online sales. But letting lethal weapons sit unsecured on supermarket shelves is an obvious weak point we can fix now – just as we already do for alcohol and razors. It’s a basic safety measure, not a ban.
Please add your name. I will deliver this petition, and John’s story, to the CEOs of the major supermarkets, the Scottish Government and the Home Office.
The more signatures we have, the harder it is for them to ignore us.I don’t want any other family to live with the pain we do.
TODAY – Thursday 7 May – the people of Scotland will decide which MSPs will represent them in the Scottish Parliament, and which party will form a new Scottish Government.
But how does the voting system work in Scotland?
Everyone gets two votes
73 constituency MSPs are chosen by First Past the Post
56 regional MSPs, representing Scotland’s eight regions, are chosen by the share of the regional vote (Additional Member System)
Each constituency has one MSP and seven MSPs are chosen to represent each region
It’s REALLY important that you use your vote, so that our elected politicians best reflect the views of the people of Scotland.
Watch this video to find out how the system works in more detail:
On Thursday 7 May, the people of Scotland will decide which MSPs will represent them in the Scottish Parliament, and which party will form a new Scottish Government.
Throughout May, Olio users will have the option to donate to the Mental Health Foundation after collecting or sharing an item in the app. Because even sharing what you no longer need, can help make a big difference.
Our next Positive Climate Film Club screening will be on Tuesday 26th May 18.00-20.45.
This time it is a more serious evening with the People’s Emergency Briefing which is an up to date fact check on the latest scientific and ecological (nature) information within the climate and nature crises.
This briefing style film charts our UK and global situation across many different topics such as food, transport, weather patterns and nature health from experts in each field, followed by discussion by well known faces such as Chris Packham and Jennifer Saunders.
It will be an interesting night and we are inviting politicians across the parties to respond too.
Book your tickets early here – this will be at full capacity!
Those claiming on behalf of deceased affected people can now register for compensation
To register, you must be the executor or administrator of the estate
You need a grant of probate (or confirmation in Scotland) before making a claim
Registration is now open for those claiming infected blood compensation on behalf of someone who was affected but has now died. This includes family members, partners, or unpaid carers of someone who was infected and who have sadly died since the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) opened.
An affected person is someone who was the partner, parent, child, sibling, or unpaid carer of an infected person.
This latest update to IBCA’s registration service means that all groups are now able to register their intent to claim compensation with IBCA, including those who are living with infection, affected, deceased infected and deceased affected.
To register, you must have legal authority to act on behalf of the deceased person’s estate. This means being the executor or administrator of that estate. You can also register if you represent someone with that legal authority.
The death of the affected person must be in the window between 21 May 2024 and 31 March 2031 in order to be eligible for compensation. You will need a grant of probate or confirmation to start a claim.
David Foley, Chief Executive of IBCA said: “Opening up our service to those claiming on behalf of someone affected who has sadly died is an important milestone in paying people the compensation they are due.
“We’ve developed the registration service so we know who intends to claim, helping us to deliver compensation as quickly as possible. I would encourage everyone who is eligible to register now.
“We know there is much more to do, and no amount of money can make up for losing a loved one. However, compensation is an important acknowledgement of the decades of harm, and the wait for recognition. “
IBCA has now paid compensation to over 3,000 people, totalling more than £2 billion, and remains committed to paying every eligible person as quickly as possible.
IBCA is prioritising claims based on recommendations from the Infected Blood Inquiry, starting with those who are sadly nearing end of life, those aged 75 or over, where no interim compensation has yet been received, a child whose parent was both infected and died, then by age with the oldest first.
