The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition 29 Nov - 1 Dec 2024

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. There is lots of good stuff happening this weekend. But first, the news. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute followed by the weekend guide.

If the newsletter gets cut off half way through, you can view it online here.

🏠 Councillors on the housing committee will have ‘urgent’ discussions today over temporary accommodation for people facing homelessness. - Donald Turvill, The Herald.
⮑ See the full meeting agenda and webcast link here.

🔑 Campaigners celebrated the first step towards the introduction of rent controls in Scotland last night, after politicians at Holyrood debated the general principles of the Housing (Scotland) Bill on Thursday. - STV News.
⮑ Living Rent’s National Secretary Ruaraidh Dempster said: “Ten years of organising in our communities got us here. That's daily hard graft by thousands of working-class people across Scotland. There's still a lot of work to be done - and a hard fight ahead - but we know it can be done. By recruiting, by organising, by winning.”

🚓 Police were called to reports of a car on fire on the Ferry Road path near Boswall Avenue yesterday. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.

🚧 Part of the Union Canal towpath will close on Monday ahead of six months of improvement works. The £605,000 paving and lighting project will start from Leamington Lift Bridge to Edinburgh Quay, with local diversions in place. - Full details via Scottish Canals.

🛬 Loganair is planning to launch a direct weekly service between Edinburgh and Guernsey from May next year. - Juliet Pouteaux, Guernsey Press.

👀 The List magazine threw a party last night to celebrate the publication of its annual Hot 100: ‘A countdown of those who made their mark on Scotland’s cultural scene over the last 12 months’. The winner is a Fifer.
⮑ See the top 100 to 50 here (containing 12 people connected to Edinburgh), the top 49 to 11 here (featuring three Edinburgh folk) and the top 10 each have their own stand-alone articles published here.

🦛 Zookeepers say a cute wee baby hippo named Haggis who was born in October is now ready for visitors at Edinburgh Zoo. - Beth Franklin, STV News.

🏗️ The council has published plans to build 125 residential units on Niddrie Mains Road in Craigmillar. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.

📆 Dozens of local people and places are taking part in an anti-Black Friday event this weekend. Organisers of Fair Saturday say:

“We prioritise culture and community over consumerism. Although most events in the Fair Saturday Movement take place on Fair Saturday itself, we do have some lovely events on Friday 29th November. So, if you have had enough of special offer emails, why not try some of these lovely events instead? Have a fantastic time, while supporting artists, cultural organisations charities, artisans and makers.” - Find out more here.

⮑ Some of Broughton Street’s independent traders are hosting late-night shopping. Lifestory owner Susan wrote: “This week can be a tricky time for small, indie businesses like ours.” So in response to the ever-lengthening Black Friday, she is running a ‘buy a gift, get a gift’ campaign instead.

⮑ María Linares of local shoe firm Linares Artisan Espadrilles contacted the Minute to urge people to ‘shop small’: “Who needs Black Friday when it's GIFT WEEK at Linares Artisan Espadrilles! All our customers will receive a complimentary and super cute espadrille keychain with their orders (Gift Value £8). And not only that...our Edinburgh customers will also receive a useful tote bag to carry all their essentials.”

🚴‍♀️ Riders taking part in this weekend’s Critical Mass bike event plan to dress up as animals in a bid to highlight ‘the positive relationship between cycling and nature, and increase awareness for a rewilding charter.’ - Mark McDougall, The Herald.

🖼️ Around 140 local artists will be exhibiting more than 250 artworks to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support this weekend. The Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show 2024 is at the Cornerstone Centre, St. Johns Church on Saturday to Sunday and is open from 10am to 4pm. - Thanks to Iain Plunkett, Volunteer, Edinburgh Macmillan Art Show, for sharing this.

💰 Community research awards of up to £5,000 are available through the Royal Society of Edinburgh charity. The projects must promote the fostering of healthy environments and communities through enabling access to healthy foods. The deadline is 5 December. - Find out more here.

📌  Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard

There’s been an overwhelming number of community notices about local events on this weekend. Most have been published in the newsletter over the past fortnight. I’ve brought them together into one chronological list below so you can pick and plan your weekend:

📌 Saturday 30 November:

• “🎄 Join us this weekend at Abbeymount OOTB Studios for our Winter Open Studios featuring over 30 resident artists, designers and creatives showcasing their work as part of Leith Creative Trail! Saturday and Sunday, 12-5pm ✨️” - Thanks to the Abbeymount OOTB Studio Residents for sharing this. - The Instagram post is here.
• “As part of Fair Saturday, Leith School of Art will open its doors to the public and provide an opportunity to take part in a 2 hour beginner level art class, under the supervision of professional art tutor, Jo Richardson, and studio assistants. All materials and refreshments will be freely provided. 30th November 2024 2pm - 4pm, 25 North Junction Street Free, unticketed (20 places, first come first served).” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
• “Festive Market at Lind & Lime Gin Distillery with Scottish makers, Italian Street Food, Origami Bauble Workshop, Wreath Workshop, Gin Bar & Bottle Your Own Gin. We are #11 on the Leith Creative Trail. 11.00am - 5.00pm Free Entry / Fully Accessible / No Dogs.” - Thanks to Carmen Chalmers, Founder of Support The Makers, for sharing this.
• Rosemains Steading Winter Market.
• “Screen Porty is screening the wickedly hilarious and delightfully deranged. 'WILD TALES'! Damián Szifron’s anthology of over-the-top tales of revenge is an Argentinian film treat! To celebrate our first Spanish language feature, we'll have some Hispanic finger foods, and we invite our audience to add any small plates (pls see website for details).” - Thanks to the Screen Porty Community Cinema team for sharing this. - The poster is here.
• “Join us at Dovecot Studios for SPOT's inaugural Edinburgh Winter Market! Running Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December, 11am - 4pm, with 35 incredible makers and producers specialising in homewares, jewellery, ceramics and prints for you to enjoy!” - Thanks to the Dovecot team and many readers who shared this event.
• “Join the German Speaking Congregation in Marchmont on Sat 30 November, 2pm - 4pm, for their annual Christmas Fair. You can look forward to handmade Advent wreaths, German baking & waffles, Bratwurst, crafts & gifts, and a wide selection of German children’s books. For the kids there will be a free puppet show (in English), and the Fair ends with communal carol singing in German and English.” - Thank you to German Speaking Congregation member Jenni for sharing this.
• “One of Scotland's longest-established amateur orchestras, the St Andrew Orchestra, are celebrating their 145th anniversary this year. They are marking the occasion with a concert of Beethoven, Mortimer, and Mendelssohn, conducted by Michael Graham in Canongate Kirk, 7.30pm on Saturday 30th November.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
• “We'll be at the Leith Walk Police Box on the 30th of November from 10 am - 4 pm. Come say hello and check out our socks! Inspired by Scotland's wildlife, design, and culture, we offer tartan socks, native animal socks, boozy socks (whisky), and more! Part of the amazing Leith Creative Trail, allowing you to discover local makers and brands around Leith!” - Adam Leel, founder, Tartan Studio.
• “This Saturday 30th November, 12 local Edinburgh bands take on 13 albums by The Beatles to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. Come and join us for the second Beatles Marathon UK, hosted at Portobello Town Hall from 11:45am. Food, drink, and children's entertainment is available.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
• “OPEN DAY at Tidal Yoga, new Leith based Yoga Studio at 115 Leith Walk. Please pop in and see the space, meet some teachers and say hello. Great opportunity to sign up to December deal of 3 classes for £20. Studio opens on December 2nd with a great timetable offering yoga (and some pilates) to those with experience and for people with none!” - Thanks to Alexandra Black, Founder & Director, for sharing this.
• “This weekend, Style Your Spaces are hosting a special Christmas pop-up shop featuring beautiful handmade tree decorations, fresh festive wreaths and gift ideas. Held at 6A Howe Street, 10am-4pm Saturday 30th Nov + Sunday 1st Dec - come and have a shop and a festive drink!” - Thanks to Katie Brigstock, Founder, Style Your Spaces, for this.

📌 Sunday 1 December:

• “Join us to raise money for The Palestinian Red Cross Society (PRCS) on December 1st at the Leith Arches from from 6 - 11pm. For the second year, 'In the Art 'O' Leith', is showcasing a selection of Edinburghs finest Artists and musicians. Pay a tenner, donate to a good cause, see some art and listen to some music.” - Thanks to a kind subscriber for sharing this. - The poster is here.
• “Bespoke Retrocraft are a new business that handcrafts pieces from scratch using reclaimed or recycled materials. They’ll be at East Fortune Farm outdoor market this Sunday, along with many other local producers from East Lothian.” - Thanks to one of the participants for this.
• “On Sunday 1st December chef Alex Jackson will be cooking a 'pot-au-feu' lunch with the team at The Palmerston. The four-course menu is priced at £60pp, including snacks, a starter, pot-au-feu and pudding. Email hello@thepalmerstonedinburgh.co.uk to book.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing. Here’s the menu.
• “Advent Carols with the Choir of St John's, Sunday 1 December at 6pm in St John's Princes Street. Music by Byrd, Ramsay, Praetorius, Joubert, Bruckner and more. A gentle and thoughtful way to begin the festive season in Edinburgh.” - Thanks to a choir member for sharing this.
• “Stockbridge and New Town Community Orchestra concert at Stockbridge Parish Church on Sunday 1 December 2024 at 3:15 pm. Programme includes Rimsky-Korsakov's Symphony no. 3 and Prokofiev's Montagus and Capulets. This is a family friendly event and tickets are available on the door.” - Thanks to a supporter for sharing this.
• “Christmas Market at Portobello Town Hall, with Scottish makers, Italian Street Food, Origami Bauble Workshop, Festive Banner Workshop, Wreath Workshop, Christmas Choirs, Knife Sharpening, Coffee, Cake & Plants! 11.00am - 4.00pm Free Entry / Fully Accessible / Dogs on leads.” - Thanks to Carmen Chalmers, Founder of Support The Makers, for sharing this.

📆 Phew, that was a lot. But wait, THERE’S EVEN MORE in your weekend guide, including: new exhibitions, gigs, club nights, theatre, family-friendly events and all the food market details. It’s for paying subscribers only, so please support this newsletter for just a fiver a month to read on. Thanks!