Assembly Festival have today announced the expansion of the Edinburgh Food Festival, which takes place in George Square Gardens, to include live folk music.
The newly expanded Folk & Food Festival runs from 18 – 28 July and will include a host of delicious food and drinks from local traders, and a jam-packed programme of free and ticketed events and live folk music.
With performances from Duncan Chisholm, The Unthanks, The East Pointers and more, this is an exciting new addition to the Edinburgh festival scene.
On expanding the Folk & Food Festival, Assembly Festival Managing Director Dani Rae said; “We’re really excited for the Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival this year, having built an incredible programme of tasty treats over the years, it’s brilliant to add some of the best folk music in the business.
“We hope foodies and folkers come and join us for what is set to be our best one yet.”
On being part of the Folk & Food Festival, Duncan Chisholm said; ‘I am delighted to be a part of the Edinburgh Folk & Food Festival this year. The beautiful Spiegeltent Palais du Variété is an incredible venue, located in the heart of Edinburgh, at a time of year when everywhere in the city is buzzing.
“I will have a great band with me, performing on the opening night of the festival and we’re all looking forward to it very much.”
Tickets for the first Folk & Food Fest events are on sale 10am TODAY Friday 16 May at edfoodfest.com
Four Edinburgh mothers who bonded through a local exercise group are in the final stages of training for the Edinburgh Marathon, running as a relay team to raise funds for the charity that supported their return to fitness after childbirth – a timely example of community impact as Edinburgh Leisure prepares to celebrate Seriously Social Week.
The women met through the Active Mums programme, part of Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities initiative. They’ll join 55 other participants participating on behalf of Edinburgh Leisure at the Marathon events.
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival weekend (24-25 May) will feature 11 Edinburgh Leisure participants running the full marathon, 12 in the half marathon, 4 relay teams, 10 running the 10k, 8 running the 5k and four juniors.
Chio Martinez, one of the relay team members, explained: “Like many people looking for a fundraising challenge in 2025, I signed up to raise funds for Active Communities and Edinburgh Leisure by taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. Of course, there are lots of other big-name charities out there, but funding for smaller projects is under threat in Edinburgh, and this is my way of giving something back.
“Active Mums has been a lifeline for me and other mothers with young babies and toddlers. It’s not just about fitness—it’s created a community where I’ve formed meaningful connections, established a vital routine, and found reasons to leave the house on those challenging days.
“The programme offers clear fitness milestones in a judgment-free environment where we all understand the unique struggles of postpartum wellness. It’s given me the confidence to take on the EMF challenge—something I never would have considered before. We’re all excited to step up to this challenge together, and it’s become the perfect motivation to keep moving forward on our fitness journeys.”
The Active Mums relay team has already exceeded their fundraising target and have raised £945, which is 150% of their £600 fundraising target.
Seriously Social Impact
The marathon fundraising effort comes as Edinburgh Leisure marks the second Seriously Social Week (12-16 May), part of a national campaign showcasing the work of charities that prioritise people over profit, connect communities, and promote health, happiness, and creativity for all ages and abilities.
Organised by Community Leisure UK, each day of Seriously Social Week highlights how organisations like Edinburgh Leisure create social impact and foster healthier, happier communities. The campaign focuses on five key themes: health and wellbeing, community, inclusion, employment and skills, and the environment.
Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “We are proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good through public leisure services.
“Our core mission is about purpose, not profit, helping people first. We support Edinburgh in becoming healthier and happier with quality health and wellbeing services for everyone, regardless of age or ability, including those with serious health conditions, which helps reduce the financial burden on the NHS.”
The Marathon Mums relay team exemplifies this mission in action. Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programmes supported 14,782 people in 2024-2025 who face significant barriers to physical activity, including those affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty—empowering participants to improve their health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
These vital Active Communities programmes depend on funding and fundraising to continue their work using physical activity to transform lives and communities across Edinburgh. The initiatives foster social inclusion, promote physical activity, and enhance overall wellbeing throughout the city.
Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.
Marking 25th anniversary of their big screen debut, Marvel’s mutant team-up including favourites such as Cyclops, Storm, Professor X and a career defining role for Hugh Jackman as Wolverine has gone on to become one of the genre’s most beloved franchises with some of the cast even returning in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
Back from today, Friday 16 May, X-Men and X-Men 2 introduces us to the world of the X-Men as Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his band of heroes must protect the world, and mutant-kind themselves, from the evil forces such as Sabretooth, William Stryker and the legendary villain Magneto (Ian McKellan).
Revisiting the origins behind the friendship and mortal adversary between Professor X and Magneto (this time played by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender), X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past dives back into the 1960’s & 70’s to explain how the team originally learned how to control their powers and got together from Friday 6 June.
The series most acclaimed spin-offs will also be returning to the big screen as the beloved final tale starring Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Logan, sees the character embark on a claws out adventure with a mysterious young girl who is showing similar mutant powers to him on Friday 13 June.
Robert Smith, General Manager of Vue Edinburgh Omni, said: “With fantastic stories and climatic action sequences, superhero films have easily become one of the most popular genres to catch up on the big screen.
“That’s why we’re hugely excited to bring one of the first franchises to start it all, The X-Men, back to Vue – offering a way for families and fans to enjoy their favourite mutant moments on the big screen.
“Whether you’re a fan of the original films, the prequels versions of the team or just excited to rewatch these adventures before the X-Men show up in the MCU with Avengers: Doomsday next year, we welcome fans to enjoy these films as they’re meant to be seen on the big screen at Vue.’
The Lord Provost of Edinburgh hosted a Civic Reception at the City Chambers last night to honour the 25th anniversary of Volunteer Edinburgh as an independent organisation and its outstanding contribution to the life of the city.
The event brought together past and present staff, volunteers, trustees, and civic leaders to mark a quarter-century of innovation, impact, and service.
At the heart of the celebration was a powerful address by the organisation’s CEO, Paul Wilson, who reflected on the journey from a small volunteer exchange to becoming one of the city’s most dynamic and adaptive third sector organisations.
Paul said: “If anyone asked me what Volunteer Edinburgh is all about,I simply say: ‘people’.”
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
Volunteer Edinburgh has supported over 60,000 individuals in their volunteering journeys and welcomed more than 20,000 visitors to its annual recruitment fair over the past 25 years. Its pioneering Health and Wellbeing Service, which began as the UK’s first “Voluntary Work as Therapy” project, has helped more than 2,500 people in the past decade improve their lives through volunteering — many credit it with literally saving their lives.
However, this world-leading project is currently under threat due to potential disinvestment from the Health and Social Care Partnership. The CEO called on civic leaders to recognise and protect this invaluable service that embodies Edinburgh’s compassionate values.
Leading in Digital, Crisis Response, and Community Engagement
From launching Scotland’s first local authority-backed Volunteering Strategy in 2006 to building the country’s most-used volunteer management resource at volunteerwiki.org.uk, Volunteer Edinburgh has consistently led the way in developing practical solutions that scale.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation rapidly built and deployed a Community Taskforce, onboarding 550 trained volunteers to deliver over 17,000 critical support tasks city-wide. This flexible model later supported displaced Ukrainians, NHS vaccination efforts, and even mobilised 200 volunteers during the vigil for the Queen at St Giles’ cathedral in 2022.
“We Just Get Things Done”
Described by peers as an organisation that “just gets things done”, Volunteer Edinburgh has continually reinvented itself — from launching an AI tool for volunteer managers to establishing city-wide hubs and community engagement tools. The CEO paid tribute to the team’s dedication, noting “for a tiny wee organisation, we regularly punch above our weight.”
A Shared Belief in Service
Reflecting on his own 27-year journey with the organisation, the CEO emphasised that the core of Volunteer Edinburgh’s success is a shared belief across its team that “service to others is inherently a good thing.”
He paid tribute to his predecessors, trustees, and colleagues past and present, saying, “Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making Volunteer Edinburgh the vital asset it is today.
“Edinburgh needs it — and I hope it continues to flourish for decades to come.”
Gas network company SGN is investing £120,000 to upgrade the gas network in the Gorgie Road area of Edinburgh. The critical work will begin on Monday 2 June and last for approximately 10 weeks.
The project involves upgrading the old, metal gas pipes in the area to new, plastic pipes which will ensure safe and reliable gas supplies to homes and businesses for many years to come.
SGN Project Manager Matt Ferguson said: “We’ve worked closely with the local authorities in planning this work and we will be doing everything we can to limit disruption during our essential project.
“We know this is a very busy route and would advise motorists to allow more time for their journeys, and plan ahead particularly during peak travel times.
“This particular location has experienced multiple gas leaks in recent years and by upgrading our pipes now, we can prevent future emergency work and disruption.
“We appreciate that roadworks can be frustrating and would like to thank everyone affected for your patience, understanding and support as we work to improve Edinburgh’s energy infrastructure.”
Due to the location of the gas pipe in the middle of the road, three-way temporary traffic lights are required to ensure everyone’s safety whilst the work is carried out. The temporary lights will be in place in Gorgie Road near to its junction with Stenhouse Drive from Monday 9 June for approximately eight weeks.
For the duration of the project, Stenhouse Drive will be closed at its junction with Gorgie Road, and local diversion routes will be in place for motorists.
There will also be no left-hand turn onto Gorgie Road from Els House.
The parade begins May 17th at 10:30am at North Edinburgh Childcare Centre (address on the flyer!) We want to see you all there, dress up, have fun! It’s time to party!!
Remember one of our themes this year is RAINBOWS so get out your most colourful attire! We can’t wait to see you there
A national action plan must be developed to tackle the housing emergency to avoid the risk the crisis “drifts on indefinitely”, according to a new report published by a Scottish Parliament Committee.
A year on from the official declaration of the national housing emergency by the Scottish Parliament, the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee say a Housing Emergency Action Plan with clear milestones and outcomes would ensure progress towards ending the crisis can be properly assessed.
It is one of ten recommendations for the Scottish Government made in the Committee’s Housing Inquiry Report.
Other recommendations include, that the Scottish Government should:
As a matter of urgency, complete and implement its review of the affordable housing target (due summer 2024), provide an update on what progress has been made, and what the revised timescales are for completion
Provide clarity on whether its additional funding for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme budget will ensure that it meets its target of providing 110,000 affordable homes by 2030
Explore further the opportunities presented by increasing social investment in housing and in developing the capacity of the non-profit sector to obtain private finance
The Committee launched its inquiry last year, hearing from professionals working in the housing industry, local authorities, academics, homeless charities, tenants and landlords.
Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee Convener, Ariane Burgess MSP, said:“It’s now a year since the Scottish Parliament officially declared a national housing emergency and homelessness remains dangerously high in some areas where there is now a systemic failure in the ability of local authorities to meet their statutory duties.
“During this Inquiry, we heard that the housing emergency was years, even decades, in the making and was therefore both predictable and preventable.
“We can’t afford to be complacent. The Scottish Government must work with the wider housing sector to take urgent collective action to address the emergency and ensure all its departments and policies are having a measurable, clear and positive impact.”
The Committee also took evidence from the Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan, including on the Scottish Government’s Housing 2040 strategy – and is calling for an implementation plan of that policy to be developed as a matter of urgency.
It also made a further recommendation that housing providers are given urgent clarity on the intended legal requirements for homes to meet net zero standards.
The Scottish Government is expected to respond to the report within two months.
Scotland’s housing emergency now impacting 2.3 million adults, Shelter Scotland warns
Over four in 10 adults in Scotland are now impacted by the housing emergency (42%), an increase of 800,000 in just four years (up six percentage points from 36% in 2021), our new research has revealed.
Marking one year since the Scottish Parliament officially declared a housing emergency, a new poll conducted by YouGov exposes the deepening scale of the emergency. It found that 2.3 million adults in Scotland (42 per cent) are struggling with the condition, security, suitability or affordability of their home, or have faced discrimination while trying to find one. *
This comes less than a year before the next Scottish Parliamentary election. Shelter Scotland warns that political leaders have so far failed to deliver meaningful solutions to address the worsening housing emergency.
As it launches its new strategy, Shelter Scotland is setting the goal of making next year’s Scottish election an election to end the housing emergency. The charity is calling on every voter in Scotland to join the fight for home and demand that politicians of all parties focus on building enough homes.
Shelter Scotland Director Alison Watson said:“It’s been a year since the Scottish Parliament declared a housing emergency. Since then, homelessness has gone up and social housebuilding has gone down.
“Last week the Scottish Government announced a Programme for Government with no plan to end the housing emergency. Instead, we had a Programme for Homelessness which says nothing about the 10,360 children are trapped in temporary accommodation which experts say exposes them to violence, vermin and isolation. This simply cannot continue into the next government.
“Everyone deserves a safe, secure home. But too many people in Scotland still live in fear — battling unaffordable rents, unsuitable housing, or outright discrimination.
“Today’s research reveals the harsh toll Scotland’s housing emergency has taken over the last four years – and it’s only getting worse.”
She added: “We want people to arm themselves with the knowledge of their housing rights. Scotland has some of the strongest housing legislation, but local authorities and the government need to comply to the law.
“This continued harm cannot be the norm. It’s time to say: enough is enough. The Scottish Government must urgently publish an updated housing emergency action plan. We need more social homes so the hundreds of thousands of people in Scotland no longer have to compromise their health, safety and education.”
Chelsea’s Story
Chelsea [33] has been in the homeless system since the start of 2023. After being placed in mould ridden temporary accommodation with her three children aged seven months, two, and eight years old, she had no choice but to leave it, fearing it was harming her children’s health.
She was placed in a hotel in the centre of Glasgow for a month where they had no cooking facilities and were cramped in one room.
Chelsea said:“It is a worry when I think about getting a forever home for my children. Whenever I speak to the housing officers, they keep telling me we’re in a housing emergency. People can’t carry on like this. Something has to give.”
Chelsea explained how her children were complaining of headaches and getting nose bleeds, which she worries was from the mould and damp conditions from the temporary accommodation.
“Me and my three children were placed into a hotel room in Glasgow’s city centre. It was horrendous! Three of us were living in just one room with no facilities.
“I had to wash baby bottles in the sink. There was nowhere to cook, no plates to eat food from, so every day we had to eat out. It is financially unstable. The council took our clothes to the laundrette but returned them still wet.
“The bed sheets were stained with blood. It was disgusting. We were in the middle of Glasgow and really felt unsafe.
“It’s had a horrific impact on my children, and I worry about the future impact on them. My son has significant neurodevelopmental issues; he has additional needs and he’s been out of school for three months. His school wouldn’t pay for a taxi from Glasgow city centre to his school. They wouldn’t facilitate him.
“The Government needs to do something. Something has to give. People are trapped and disabled children and women are suffering.”
Most of mainland Scotland’s east coast has now moved to Moderate Scarcity, according to the latest Water Situation Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
River catchments across the Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Dee (Aberdeen), Esk, Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond, Tyne (Lothian), Tweed and Esk (Dumfriesshire) are now at Moderate.
There has been no recovery elsewhere and most of the rest of Scotland is now at Alert, with only the Inner and Outer Hebrides remaining at Early Warning.
This follows on from a drier than normal autumn and winter with some areas of the east now having 11 months of below average rainfall. With no significant rainfall currently forecast, it is likely that river and ground conditions will remain very dry over the next week.
All businesses with licences to take water from the environment have a responsibility to use water economically.
Record-breaking dryness
Groundwater levels in Fife and Angus were at their lowest April averages on record, with Newton of Falkland recording the lowest level for April in 28 years. Soil moisture deficits are continuing to increase, and soils are becoming drier than would be expected for the time of year.
In the River Dee in Aberdeenshire records going back 97 years show flows are at their second lowest this early in the year, only 1938 was drier. Typically, the lowest river flows in the Dee occur in July, August or September.
Some parts of Fife have now gone nearly four weeks without measurable rainfall. Across the east river flows are well below normal for this time of year and without significant rain conditions are unlikely to recover soon.
Water scarcity levels
Early Warning: Conditions are drying. No action required, but abstractors should start preparing.
Alert: Water levels are falling. SEPA advises voluntary reductions in non-essential water use for abstractors.
Moderate Scarcity: Environmental impact is clear. Action from abstractors is expected to protect rivers and the species that rely on them.
Significant Scarcity: Critical river levels. Restrictions on abstraction licences may be imposed.
Advice to abstractors
SEPA have been contacting abstractors directly to understand more about their water use and provide targeted advice. These conversations are showing that many have already put measures in place to use water more efficiently. As well as direct contact with individuals, all those with a licence in an area at Alert or Moderate Scarcity are receiving messages to remind them of their responsibilities.
Active consultation is ongoing with organisations across Scotland, including NFU Scotland, Fisheries Management Scotland, Golf Scotland, Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Water to help share important information and ensure that advice and support is available.
If your business abstracts water from the environment, here’s what you need to do:
At Alert:
Check and maintain abstraction equipment
Review your water use plans
Reduce non-essential water use
Consider low-water irrigation techniques or alternative scheduling
At Moderate Scarcity:
Actively reduce water use, particularly during peak daylight hours
Coordinate with neighbours to optimise shared use
Consider alternative sources or reduced production if possible
Claire Tunaley, Senior Hydrologist – Water Resources Unit, SEPA said: “We’re seeing the kind of conditions we normally associate with late summer in some places – and it’s only May.
“Groundwater and river levels across the east are already hitting record lows. In Fife and Aberdeenshire, we’re seeing some of the driest conditions in living memory for this time of year. With parts of Scotland now at 11 months of below average rainfall it will take above-average rainfall over an extended period to recover to normal levels, especially for groundwater levels.
“Our message is clear: if you abstract water from our environment – whether you work in agriculture, energy, industry, distilling, food and drink or the leisure sector – you must take action now to help protect your operations and help safeguard Scotland’s rivers and wildlife in the weeks ahead.”
Everyone can use water more efficiently
Scottish Water is calling on people to use water as efficiently as possible in homes and gardens and help the utility protect resources and maintain normal supplies across the country.
The public water supply is resilient, and Scottish Water is continuously monitoring the levels of storage throughout the country to maintain supplies, but there has been an increase in water use by customers in the past weeks. The amount of water the company put into the network across Scotland has had to be increased from mid-April by 150 million litres per day.
Scottish Water is urging people to help save water by:
using water efficiently in the garden and outdoor spaces by using a watering can instead of a garden hose where possible and avoiding using sprinklers
taking shorter showers
turning the tap off when brushing teeth
using washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded
using a bucket and sponge rather than a hose to wash the car.
A by-election will be held in the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart ward following the sad passing of Councillor Val Walker last month.
Residents will go to the polls on Thursday 26 June 2025 to elect one new councillor to represent the ward. The current electorate is 18,563.
Tomorrow, on Friday 16 May, the formal Notice of Election will be published, and the Election Timetable, Election Notices and Nomination Papers will all be accessible on the Council website.
Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence said:“I want to reiterate my condolences to Councillor Walker’s family, friends, and colleagues. The tributes we saw last week at the Council meeting shows the esteem in which she was held across all sides of the Chamber, and she will be sorely missed.
“Her passing has resulted in the vacancy for the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart ward. I’d urge all residents in the ward to make sure they are registered and have their details or preference of how they would like to vote up to date in plenty of time.
“Details on how to register, where to vote or how to vote by post can be found on the Council website.”
Nomination papers can be submitted from 10am on Monday 19 May until 4pm on Friday 23 May to the Returning Officer in the City Chambers.
Candidates will be confirmed when nominations close at 4pm on Friday 23 May.
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 26 June.
The election will use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system where voters can rank candidates in order of preference rather than using a single cross. Voters can give a rank to as many or as few candidates as they like.
The deadline to register to vote in this by-election is midnight on Tuesday June 10. For new postal vote applications, it’s 5pm on Wednesday June 11 and for new proxy votes its 5pm on Wednesday June 18.
Health Secretary Neil Gray visited Gartnavel General Hospital today to see first-hand how Scottish Government investment is supporting increased capacity in orthopaedic services to deliver faster care for patients.
The visit follows the Programme for Government announced by the First Minister last week, which committed to the delivery of more than 150,000 additional NHS appointments and procedures, including in surgical procedures such as hip and knee replacements compared to last year.
This investment is part of the government’s commitment to strengthening the NHS and ensuring timely access to essential treatments.
During his visit, Mr. Gray toured Gartnavel’s state-of-the-art theatre complex, where he met with frontline staff involved in the expanded orthopaedic services. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde will be allocated funding to support the delivery of additional orthopaedic procedures through extra elective theatres at the hospital.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “The Scottish Government is determined to increase capacity in our NHS – making sure people can get the quality care they need when they need it.
“Increasing orthopaedic capacity here means faster, more efficient care for those who need it most, allowing patients to regain mobility and quality of life without unnecessary delays.
“We have seen real progress in the last year, with more than 105,000 appointments and procedures delivered through an additional £30 million of targeted investment in 2024-25.
“Now we want to build on that momentum through the additional £200 million set out in this year’s Budget to reduce waiting lists and to help support reduction of delayed discharge.”
RAINBOWS
