The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 6 - 8 June 2025
All the local news + a busy weekend including: Meadows Festival 50th anniversary, Porty Pride, Architecture Fringe + Leith Jazz & Blues Festival
☀️ Good morning Edinburgh. It’s a busy one! Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute, including the Community Noticeboard + the weekend guide for paying subscribers. Big thanks to the paying subscribers who make this newsletter possible, and everyone who shares it too. I appreciate you!
☀️ Weekend weather: A mix of sun, cloud and showers on Friday, definitely rainy on Saturday and wet but less so on Sunday. Highs of 16C and lows of 8C. In short: spring. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🏴 I wrote a rant / love letter to local news in The Herald: ‘Edinburgh Minute founder on why city is 'better' than you think’.
🚦 Councillors will be presented with ‘gold, silver and bronze’ tier options for George Street’s pedestrianisation this month as concerns grow over escalating costs. - Donald Turvill, The Herald.
🚲 ‘Can the city that failed at Just Eat bikes now go dockless?’ - Vicky Allan looks at Lime bikes’ problems elsewhere.
🎥 ‘The warehouse powering Edinburgh's new era of screen success’ - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
🎵 ‘The projects transforming Edinburgh's cultural landscape’ - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
🗞️ Remember: this week there’s a special offer for all Minute readers. To mark The Herald’s special series of reports about Edinburgh, they’ve shared their best ever offer exclusively to Minute readers: £18 will get you a year of access to The Herald + all their other Scottish sites including Hibs Observer and Hearts Standard. There’s literally nowhere else you can get a better value deal for all that journalism.
📚 Councillors have voted to adjust some libraries’ opening hours to save money. Overall the change will result in a net increase in opening hours, but some branches will be open for fewer hours each day. - Local Democracy Reporter Joseph Sullivan has more details in Edinburgh Live.
🌊 Plans to build over 2,000 homes to help tackle the housing crisis at Seafield are ‘not realistic’ and will take at least ‘20 years’ to get off the ground, locals fear. - Donald Turvill, The Herald.
💃 Kate Bush fans are planning to gather in the Meadows on Saturday for an event titled: ‘The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever’. Organiser Elspeth Spalding got in touch with this:
“Mass dance tribute to Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights”. Part of the Meadows Festival 50th Anniversary weekend. Saturday 7th June -The Meadows at 4:30-5:30pm. Over 700 people in full red costume performing together. A joyful, inclusive cultural phenomenon. One of the standout visual moments of the Meadows Festival 50th year. Local creativity in action — fun, free, and community-driven. Part of a growing international movement honouring an iconic artist. Come dressed in red and join us on the day. Sign up at the festival.”
🎆 The council stands to recoup more than £140,000 once the Hogmanay weather cancellation insurance claim is settled. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
🎪 The line-up for Fringe by the Sea festival was finalised yesterday, taking the total number of events past 250. - See all the acts here.
🍽️ ‘Why are there so many Michelin Star restaurants in Leith?’ - Sarah Campbell, The Herald.
☕️ Dalry’s GF Edinburgh cafe has closed. - The owners posted this message on Instagram.
🚣♂️ Three Edinburgh brothers aiming to become the fastest people to row across the Pacific have received a surprise video call from Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg, who told them their record-breaking bid ‘could be a movie’. The Maclean brothers are currently 55 days into their 9,000 mile journey. - Nick Forbes, Forth 1 News.
✈️ ‘Edinburgh Airport chief reveals £1.6 billion lift and hopes’ - Exclusive by Ian McConnell in The Herald.
⮑ ‘Edinburgh's West Town: A new city rising – or a chance slipping away?’ - former editor of the Edinburgh Evening News and The Scotsman Frank O’Donnell writes in The Herald.
🏠 The average selling price of property in Edinburgh has gone up 3.6% annually to £283,335. - ESPC published its monthly house price report here.
📍 Here’s a handy thing: using publicly-available council data, Minute subscriber Harry Williams has created a user-friendly way to find out about planning applications anywhere in Edinburgh. It’s called City Scope. Harry says:
“City Scope is my attempt to make local planning easier to access and understand. The council’s current portal is very functional but can be restrictive - there is no easy way to filter by the scale of a project or category of application. I built City Scope to make this information more transparent and approachable for everyone, whether you’re curious about a neighbour’s extension or a major development down the street. I believe local planning shouldn’t be such a mystery.
“I started this project because I kept finding myself frustrated by how hard it was to get a clear picture of what was happening in my own area, and across Edinburgh. City Scope began as a personal experiment to rethink how this info could be presented - and it’s grown into something I hope can genuinely help others feel more informed and engaged with what’s happening around them.
“There’s still a lot I want to build - including better maps, an alerts and leads system and of course wider coverage across Scotland. But even in its current form, I think it shows how planning data can be made more useful, accessible, and even enjoyable to explore. It’s early days, but I’m excited by the potential to turn a somewhat cumbersome portal into something that feels live, local, and relevant.”
⮑ Take a look at City Scope here.
If this post gets cut-off in your email inbox, read it online at this link.
👀 The former George Brown & Sons engineering works at the shore in Leith is open this weekend as part of the 2025 Architecture Fringe Festival. Find out more about its events and exhibitions in the full programme here. Thanks to Andy for sharing this. - You can also view the Edinburgh-based events in a map here.
🛝 For more family-friendly things to do, this week’s edition of Gayle’s Guide includes: Porty Pride, Meadows Festival, a Marvel concert at Usher Hall and more…
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
📌 “Through the Lens of Flow is a photography-based research project inviting participants to explore emotional restoration and self-discovery in nature. Join a 30–60 minute walk at Hermitage of Braid & Blackford Hill, take photos, and reflect on your experience in a short interview. Email s2627774@ed.ac.uk to get involved.” - Thanks to The University of Edinburgh for sharing this.
📌 “Join us on the 8th of June at Duddingston Loch for a Forest Bathing Walk and Watercolour Painting Experience that blends relaxation with creativity. Set in this peaceful natural haven, the guided event invites you to slow down and connect with nature.” - Thanks to Creative Roots in Nature for sharing this.
📌 “Learn the fundamentals of both metalwork and woodworking in our six-week, hands-on "Craft a Stool" course, where you’ll design and build your own custom short stool. Guided by experienced makers Gavin (Models and Props) and James (Birbeck’s Woodwork), you’ll gain confidence using a range of metal and wood tools, machines, and techniques, and explore the design possibilities of mixing materials. This course, which runs from 11 June - 16 July, 6pm - 8pm) is ideal for beginners or anyone keen to try their hand at furniture making in a friendly, supportive setting.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Open Workshop for sharing this.
📌 “Kim Carnie Out Loud with Live Q+A: Scottish singer-songwriter Kim Carnie brings her multi award-winning film Kim Carnie Out Loud to the Cameo this Saturday (7th June) at 8:30pm. In the film, Kim meets other members of the LGBTQ+ community from around the world sharing powerful stories of hidden sexuality and activism. Kim shares her own journey and shares songs she’s written to reflect the stories told in the film. The film is ultimately a joyous celebration sharing perspectives from Scotland and beyond.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “"Colour in the Everyday" - Come and see Edinburgh artist Robert Cole’s first solo exhibition of nine still life paintings. These colourful and energetic works created by Robert at Leith School of Art painting and drawing classes. Venue: McDonald Greene Jewellers, 165 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4DG. Sat June 7th 12-5pm then Tues-Sat 10am-5pm until Sat Jun 28th.” - Thanks to Robert for sharing this.
📌 “Pentecost is the Christian equivalent of a fire festival—public and impassioned. If you want to see it marked with both solemnity and flair, come to St Michael and All Saints on Saturday 7 June at 18:00. Fine choral music, incense, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.” - Thanks to Oliver Brewer-Lennon for sharing this.
📌 “SAVE The Date - our Porty Pride Makers Market at Portobello Town Hall! Join us for a joyful celebration of creativity, community, and pride – featuring incredible local makers showcasing everything from handmade jewellery, ceramics, prints, accessories, textiles, homewares, art, candles, bakes, and much more including our special offer - shop at the market and get a discount on your food at Mamacita’s Miami Eats. The fabulous the Knife Guy will also be joining us for all your knife sharpening too!” - Thanks to Carmen Chalmers for sharing this.
📌 “Leith Jazz and Blues in the Community at The Citadel Youth Centre. An afternoon of great music, great company and some dancing! Saturday 7th June 2025, 1.00pm - 4.30pm.” - Thanks to Willy Barr for sharing this.
📌 “Coffee meet up for wellbeing practitioners! An informal chance to meet others, chat and share expertise. Santosa (21 Albert Street, Leith) from 3pm-5pm on Sunday 8th June.” - Thanks to yoga teacher and yoga therapist Emily for sharing this.
📌 “Edinburgh singer songwriter SheBeat's debut album From Liverpool To Leith is out on Last Night From Glasgow. Made with love at home in Leith and pressed locally at Seabass Vinyl it's loveable lofi indie pop and available on limited edition vinyl and CD. SheBeat is also performing at Hidden Door Festival for Creative Edinburgh on June 11th. ” - Thanks to SheBeat Jodie for sharing this.
📌 “Hi Edinburgh, this weekend Roisin Kenny Caird will be premiering the Forgotten Women’s Tour of Edinburgh, which highlights the role of women in our city’s history. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a couple hours of walk and history, this Friday or this Sunday. Meet at the High Street Wellhead at 2pm, Pay What You Think It’s Worth!” - Thanks to Edinburgh Street Historians for sharing this.
📌 “Scotland’s favourite Highland-Highwaymen the Clown and the Wolfman arrive in Edinburgh this weekend. Restless Natives: The Musical will be running at Leith Theatre from 7-21 June in the penultimate stop on its tour across Scotland. 40 years on from their last ride, this hilarious new musical is produced by the same creative team behind the beloved classic Scottish film.” - Thanks to the theatre for sharing this.
📌 “A new exhibition is open at Edinburgh Waverley celebrating 40 inspiring railway restoration projects from across Britain. Free and open to everyone, it’s on display next to the Calton Road exit from 2–13 June. You'll discover how historic stations are being reimagined for the future.” - Thanks to Network Rail for sending this in to the noticeboard.
📌 “Sunday: Join us at Tidal Yoga as we welcome sound artist Nikki Kent aka FONN for a beautiful sound bath; Nikki will offer her Sonic Landscape where she will craft immersive sound landscapes, seamlessly weaving together ambient music, field recordings, singing bowls, vocals and percussion to create a transformative and restorative experience. This is an experience not to miss and will leave you feeling calm and deeply rested.” - Thanks to Tidal Yoga for sharing this.
📌 “Music for a Summer Evening: Heriot-Watt Chamber Choir presents a summer concert in Currie Kirk, Kirkgate; uplifting choral music including Stanford, Finzi, Richard Rodgers, Chilcott and Rutter. 7.30pm - 8.30pm. Free admission with retiring collection.” - Thanks to C&B News for sharing this.