The Scottish Cup travelled through to Edinburgh on Friday, for the first stop of this season's trophy tour.

Ahead of The Spartans' Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup Second Round clash with Cowdenbeath on Saturday, the famous old trophy stopped off at Ainslie Park for this season's first 'Evening with the Scottish Cup' event. 

The Scottish Cup visited Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dumbarton, Dunfermline Athletic, Ayr United, Queen's Park and Hibernian last season as part of a revamped trophy tour. Fans heard from cup legends, including Barry Wilson, who was a goalscorer in Inverness' shock victory over Celtic, Kilmarnock's 1997 Scottish Cup winning captain Ray Montgomerie and Darren McGregor, who was one of Hibs' heroes from their 2016 triumph.

At Ainslie Park, Spartans supporters heard from midfielder James Craigen, left-back Callum Booth - a 2021 Scottish Cup winner with St Johnstone - and Jack Beesley, who scored a last minute winner for Spartans against Morton in the Fourth Round in 2014 before also leading Spartans Women out as manager at Hampden in last season's Semi-Final.

Author Daniel Gray also appeared at the 'Evening with the Scottish Cup' event, discussing his new book, 'Cup Tied: Scenes and Stories from the 150th Scottish Cup' which was released on Thursday's. 

The Nutmeg photo essay, which was published by Back Page Press, features words from Gray and photos from photographer Alan McCredie and can be purchased here.

The cup was also present at a number of the Edinburgh clubs community sessions throughout Friday afternoon and a number of young supporters had their chance to get their photo with the world's oldest national football trophy.

James Craigen reflected on his wonder-goal from last season which brought Spartans level in their Fourth Round match against Hearts. He said: "I actually didn't see the ball go in the net because there was a player in the way. It felt good when it left my foot and I heard the cheer and I think I did about five different celebrations in one. 

"I remember pointing to James McFadden who was on commentary because I'd said to him before the game 'I'm 33 now, be kind to me' and he did 'You'll have to do something good then!'

"Obviously I knew it was a good strike but I didn't know it had gone into the top corner until I saw it back. It was a great feeling and will be one I'll remember for a lifetime. 

"It was unfortunate that we couldn't hold on to extra-time but it was a great day for the club, with a full house and a good performance."

Spartans Women Head Coach Jack Beesley was part of the Spartans side who reached the Fifth Round in 2014/2015 and his discussed his memories from that run. He said: "I remember we beat Clyde who were managed by Barry Ferguson - one of my heroes growing up.

"We didn't feel we were underdogs in those games - we felt we could definitely compete. Kevin Motion scored two penalties and we competed well throughout.

"We then played Morton who I think were top of League One and around 17 games unbeaten when we played them. It was another game when we thought, as a one-off game, why not?

"We had a massive crowd, one of the biggest I've ever played in front of, so naturally that gave us a bit of a lift. They went 1-0 up and then we equalised around the 75th minute then I scored a tap-in in stoppage time to win it 2-1. 

"We then lost to Berwick Rangers in a replay and it felt like a missed opportunity, but to have beaten two league teams that season, it was still a great season overall."

Spartans left-back Callum Booth has already seen his Scottish Cup dreams come true in 2021 as he lifted the trophy with St Johnstone at Hampden Park. The defender started both finals as the Saints won the League Cup and Scottish Cup double. He recalled: "I remember standing in the showers at Hampden before the cup final and just thinking, this is a moment I've thought about for years and one I never really truly believed I'd have the chance to be there.

"I remember we'd secured Europe and won the League Cup already so the club was on a massive high. We just made the week leading up the game a normal week, we didn't even stay over.

"I've not watched the game back, it probably wasn't a classic but Shaun Rooney scored a header and it didn't feel like we were hanging on too much but once the final whistle went I was just overcome with emotion.

"It would've been great to have had the family there and that's the one negative but we had played with covid restrictions all season so we were at least used to it.

"We went back to the stadium afterwards and both cups were there, so it was a memorable night and an outstanding achievement from the club."

Writer and broadcaster Daniel Gray discussed his love for the Scottish Cup as he told fans about Cup Tied, which was written during the competition's anniversary season last year, as he travelled to a different match every round. He said: "Growing up in England, I remember watching the FA Cup Final and the Scottish Cup Final was always on the same day. 

"In my time living in Scotland, I've loved the democracy of the Scottish Cup and the fact we've seen the likes of Hibs, Inverness, St Johnstone, Hearts and Dundee United all win it, which is something they've lost a bit in the FA Cup.

"We loved the idea of the luck of the balls sending us all round the country to these wonderful rural settings. 

"We started at Luncarty, this beautiful village in Perthshire with a viadact above the ground. It was a stunning setting, and to go from there to a final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden, it just shows the contrast of how you can watch football.

"As a writer and a football romantic, going to the grounds that were full of character was a stand-out for me, and I'm proud of the fact that we hopefully get across the love that these communities have for their local football clubs."

The 'Evening with the Scottish Cup' will return ahead of the Third Round, with a venue to be confirmed following Sunday night's draw.