The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 25 - 27 September 2026
Thousands sign petition against ECA cuts, funding fears for museums and galleries, fourth tram closure in a month after cable problem + Doors Open at 100+ venues this weekend
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. It's a much quieter Friday edition for news. But the noticeboard and events sections are as busy as ever. Thanks again to everyone who sends things in, who shares the newsletter or supports it. This newsletter wouldn't exist without you. And it would be a lot emptier too. It's people-powered community news. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather forecast: It rained overnight but the cloud should break up for sunny spells later this morning. Saturday is due to be mostly sunny, while light rain is expected for much of Sunday. Then a clear sunny Monday. This weekend's temperature high will be 17C around 5pm on Saturday, with a low of 10C on Sunday night into Monday morning. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
🎨 More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for the University of Edinburgh to halt plans to close three courses at Edinburgh College of Art. The courses under threat are Jewellery and Silversmithing, Textiles and Performance Costume. The university said it was 'refreshing our programme to consolidate our offering'. - The petition is here.
- The petition was launched yesterday by Irene Kernan, Director of Craft Scotland, the national development agency for craft, who said:
"As young people look towards a sustainable A.I. resistant career, the closure of these courses denies Scotland's creative talent the skills and training required to build successful futureproofed careers in craft and design."
🖼️ 'One in six museums and galleries under threat of closure within a year' - Exclusive by Brian Ferguson in The Herald this morning.
Brian Ferguson
🚊 The city's tram network was partially closed for the fourth time this month yesterday, due to a damaged overhead line at Leith Walk. - Jack Davies, Evening News.
🚔 A 40-year-old motorcycle rider has died after he was involved in a collision with a vehicle on Salamander Street. Police published a statement last night saying two officers had signalled for the motorcyclist to stop in the Seafield Road area just one minute before Wednesday's fatal crash. Specialist crash investigators are now investigating and have released this appeal for witnesses.
🚧 Some homes in the Jewel have been without water since Thursday due to a burst water main. 'Severe flooding' and emergency works have closed Duddingston Park South (between the Jewel and Mountcastle Drive South). - Heather Carrick, Evening News + Holly Lennon, STV News.
✈️ A 32-year-old man appeared in court yesterday charged with multiple assaults on board a Jet2 flight from Edinburgh to Cyprus on Wednesday. - Ruth Suter & Chloe Goodall, Edinburgh Live.
🚗 More than 8,000 'incorrectly and dangerously parked' cars have been impounded by the council since 2022, earning £2,143,780 in release fees. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
🚉 Poems by Scottish writers and literary figures including Norman MacCaig, Zain Rishi and Hannah Lavery are appearing across the city's tram network as part of a new initiative celebrating the city’s literary heritage. - Rose Moncur, The Herald + Dave Pickering, North Edinburgh News.
🎭 Cabaret show La Clique is returning to Edinburgh for a seven-week winter run, following a licensing dispute that prevented it from appearing at the Fringe. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.
🧖🏻♀️ One Spa at the Sheraton Hotel has had a £700,000 revamp to give people 'more choice', adding a new reformer pilates studio, upgraded Technogym equipment, virtual classes and a new training area. - More details via Hotel Scotland.
🏰 The B-listed Millburn Tower country house in Gogar is for sale at £1.8 million. - Jody Harrison, The Herald.
🏆 The Edinburgh Futures Institute has been shortlisted for the 2026 RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award. - Project Scotland.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
🧑🍳 Fun, BYOB Cooking Classes at The Wee Kitchen Cookery School - spaces available - 'The Autumn timetable includes classes such as Lebanese, Greek, Vietnamese and Sichuan Street Food. Expect relaxed, hands-on cooking in a sociable setting. Come solo or with a friend or partner, and enjoy a delicious meal together at the end 🍂🍷' - More details here, shared by Ailsa McGuinness, The Wee Kitchen Cookery School.
🌟 New Qigong classes in Leith - Special Offer for Edinburgh Minute readers!! - 'Hi all! A few spots available at a £5 taster price for the fabulous Edinburgh Minute readers who want to check out these new classes at Alae, Leith. Use code MINUTE and book a spot for Monday! Valid till Sat. Hope to see you there! 🤩🌸🙏🌟 (Deadline: 26 Sep)' - More details here, shared by Evi, Numinous Flow.
☕ Macmillan @Edinburgh Libraries Coffee Morning (in the afternoon!)
Today, Fri 25 September - 'Join the Macmillan @Edinburgh Libraries' team for our annual coffee morning at the Rose Garden, Saughton Park, today (Fri 25 Sept) between 12-3pm. Enjoy delicious bakes and help raise funds to support people in the UK living with cancer. All welcome!'
12pm to 3pm | Saughton Rose Gardens · Saughton - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎨 Reflect and Reframe at the Gather Exhibition
Today, Fri 25 September - 'A relaxed sharing of Curious Seed's Creative Movement for Grown Ups at North Edinburgh Arts: move and draw to live music from Tinderbox Collective, or just watch. Materials, tea and coffee provided. See the Gather Exhibition and meet the artists.'
2pm to 4pm | St Margaret's House · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | FREE - More details here, shared by Eva McKenzie, WHALE Arts.
🎷 Dick Lee's Jammy Piece at Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive
Today, Fri 25 September - 'Dick Lee's Jammy Piece returns to the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club on Friday 25th Sept. Join us for classic Jazz tunes, played in a jam-style session. The music will be great for swing dancing (Lindy Hop, Balboa & Shag) as well as Foxtrot and Jive.'
8pm to 11pm | Heriot's Rugby Club · Inverleith | £13.00 & £16.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club.
🌼 Saturday Morning Happiness Hour [Every Saturday]
Tomorrow, Sat 26 September - 'Through guided meditations and practical Buddhist wisdom, you'll discover simple yet powerful ways to let go of stress, develop a more positive outlook, and bring greater joy and meaning into everyday life.'
11am to 12pm | Kadampa Meditation Centre Edinburgh · Leith | £8/£11/£3 members - More details here, shared by Jen Derwingson-Peacock, KMC Edinburgh.
🎨 Collage Ur own Utopia workshop
Sun 27 September - 'Roots are Fuzzy is a new art collective offering creative workshops grounded in play, experimentation and exploration. Join our first workshop, a cosy afternoon to collage Ur own Utopia! Materials provided and no previous art experience needed.'
4pm to 6pm | Renroc · Canonmills & Broughton | £5-15 - More details here, shared by Roots are Fuzzy.
🍻 A Pisstake in a Brewery
Sun 27 September - 'For just £5* this Sunday you can see four fantastic local stand ups performing, including this year's Chortle Student Comedian of the Year Eva Peroni. And you'll get a free pint of Campervan Brewery beer to enjoy with the show! *(Plus booking fee)'
4.30pm to 7pm | Campervan Brewery Tap Room · Leith - More details here, shared by Thomas Futter.
📆 Looking ahead to next week:
💃 Dance Afternoon
Mon 28 September - 'Free Dancing and Music Event for all ages featuring Miss Annabel Sings and the Forget Me Notes Choir on the first floor of Ocean Terminal.'
1.30pm to 2.30pm | Ocean Terminal · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by The Living Memory Association.
🎲 [New Game]
Mon 28 September - '[NEW GAME] encourages game enthusiasts of all experiences to come along and play new games. Whether it's a new one-shot, an old campaign stuck in the calendar planning phase or a board game that's never been out of the box... Let's hit start!'
6pm to 10pm | Ancient Robot Workshop · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Ancient Robot Workshop.
🌭 Courtyard Sessions at The Free Company [Monthly]
Wed 30 September - 'Come out to the Free Company for our monthly run of relaxed Wednesday evenings! This month we'll be serving up Shetland Hogget Merguez sausages (or smoked aubergine for our vegetarian friends!). Grab a plate and enjoy the last of the September sun!'
5pm to 10pm | The Free Company · Currie & Balerno | £25 - More details here, shared by Mushen.
🧠 The People's Conference 2026 - Why are we waiting?
Thu 01 October - 'A safe space exclusively for people with lived experience of a mental health issue living in Edinburgh or the Lothians. It's an informal relaxed day of discussion and solidarity, with a nice lunch included!'
10am to 4.30pm | Norton Park Business and Conference Centre · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | FREE - More details here, shared by CAPS Independent Advocacy.
🧵 6 Week Garment Making Course: Sustainable Sewing
Thu 01 October - 'Learn how to use a sewing pattern & sew your own clothes in this 6 week sewing class in our lovely new studio! Suitable for beginners and improvers, we'll guide you through all the steps so that you can make something you'll be proud of!'
6pm to 8.30pm | Studio Nine Edinburgh · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | 175 - More details here, shared by Jen Byrne.
ClassBento
🎬 Community Cinema: Nae Pasaran
Thu 08 October - 'Join us for our next Community Cinema Night where we'll be screening 'Nae Pasaran', the incredible story of the Scots who managed to ground half of Chile's Air Force, in the longest single act of solidarity against Pinochet's brutal dictatorship.'
6pm to 8.15pm | Norton Park Business and Conference Centre · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | £6.89 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
Remember you can always see all 330+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
🛝 This weekend's Doors Open Day events include more than 100 venues on Saturday and Sunday. There's a good selection of the family-friendly doors opening in this week's edition of Gayle's Guide.
Gayle’s Guide