The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition 17 - 19 January 2025
Tourist tax debate, Leithers urged to vote, Arthur’s Seat path revamp + join Mark Beaumont for charity ride
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Dry and cloudy weather is forecast on Friday and Saturday, while Sunday could even be sunny according to the Met Office. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute followed by the weekend guide for paying subscribers.
💰 Councillors will meet today to discuss proposals for a 5% ‘tourist tax’ on accommodation. Elected members will gather for the ‘Special Meeting’ from 10am at the City Chambers. - The agenda and webcast link are here.
⮑ There’s more background in this preview published by Phyllis Stephen in The Edinburgh Reporter.
🚔 A family who were reported missing from Gracemount yesterday have been found safe and well, according to police who have now arrested two people. - Police Scotland.
✏️ Dozens of pupils from private schools have moved to state primaries and secondaries in Edinburgh since the UK Government announced plans to increase VAT to fees, the council has confirmed. - Calum Ross, The Scotsman.
🚔 A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged after a string of thefts from garages and sheds in the Craiglockhart and Colinton areas earlier this month. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
🐷 A new plan to reopen Gorgie City Farm has taken a step forward, with councillors agreeing a 25 year lease with a new company. - Stuart Sommerville, Evening News.
🚴 Record-breaking round-the-world adventurer and writer Mark Beaumont will lead a cycle around Arthur’s Seat on Saturday morning. It’s part of the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign. To join him, meet at the Holyrood Car Park by 10.45am on Saturday. - More details in this post, including info for those who’d prefer to walk it.
⛰️ If you’ve looked at Arthur’s Seat from afar within the past couple of days, you might have seen some helicopter action and huge bags of stones on the hill. It’s part of efforts to improve the path, specifically the zig-zag part higher up. Historic Environments Scotland, who are responsible for the management of Arthur’s Seat explain more in Jamie Calder’s report for The Edinburgh Tab.
🔥 Multiple fires are still active in California. A local Reddit user has superimposed LA’s Eaton Fire (just one of many) onto a map of Edinburgh to indicate the size of the blaze.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
📌 “A local Stockbridge barbershop building a community through running, partnering with fitness giants Lululemon on the 26th of January. To kick-start 2025 in a positive way.” - Thanks to Dan smith, founder of Blank. Training club for sharing this. Reserve your free spot here.
📌 “Join MakeBelieve - The Baby Play Place for a very special 'Wee Beasties' children's play date themed around legendary Scots poet Robert Burns. The evening will be a celebration of Scottish tradition and creativity, with lots of kiddo-friendly fun and play. Tartan and kilts heavily encouraged, January 25th from 4:30-6:30pm, 3 Drumsheugh Place. ” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “The £eith Chooses Voting Day is on Saturday 18 January 12-3pm, at Leith Community Centre, Kirkgate. Please come and vote for your top charities if you live, work, volunteer or go to school in Leith. It’s a fun day, kids welcome, free refreshments.” - Thanks to the £eith Chooses team for sharing this. - Full details on the website.
📌 “Graham & Neil Guitar Duo, a talented brother duo, will perform their signature blend of acoustic guitar fusion at the Scottish Arts Club on Queen Street tomorrow evening, 19th January, from 7 PM. Expect a captivating mix of Latino, Spanish, Blues, Flamenco, Pop, and Rock influences. Tickets are available through the Scottish Arts Club website or on the door - don’t miss this enchanting musical evening in the heart of Edinburgh!” - Thanks to a subscriber for sharing this.
📌 “Hi. I’ve had my personal bike stolen from my flat building (Montgomery Street). I wondered do you put out any adverts about this kind of thing in the newsletter? I’ve attached the flyer I made.” - Thanks and good luck to subscriber Alex.