The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 16 September 2026
Locals hit back over Granton tram decision, AI cameras to target litterbugs, new West End 'five-star dive bar' + a course to turn your good idea for community into reality
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ Today's weather forecast: Another decent day of sunny intervals, a high of 17C around 3pm before showers in the evening. Wetter and windier tomorrow. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
🚉 Local councillors are being blamed for letting politics play 'too big a part' in the decision to shelve the Granton tram extension plan. "The community in the North, including three of the highest areas of poverty and deprivation, have not been heard," said Granton and District Community Council chair Fred Marinello. - Jack Davies, Evening News.
- 'Tram-trains, Roseburn, and the future of Edinburgh's transport system - What's next for capital's tram network after northern extension goes off the rails?' - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.
Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
🚁 For the second time in two days, an injured walker was rescued by helicopter from Arthur's Seat yesterday afternoon. - South Queensferry Coastguard shared this update.
🎆 A teenager has been jailed for 18 months for attacking police and members of the public with fireworks in Moredun. - Reporting by Alexander Lawrie in the Evening News and Edinburgh Live.
🚔 Artificial Intelligence technology is being trialled on the Edinburgh City Bypass to catch litter criminals. The new 'LitterCam' software detects rubbish thrown from vehicles. Last year, 15 tonnes of litter (more than 3,000 bags) were collected on the bypass. - Alastair Dalton, The Scotsman.
Alastair Dalton
🍩 Randy's Donuts is replacing Barburrito at 55 Forrest Road. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
🥐 The third annual Scotland’s Best Croissant Competition will be hosted at The Balmoral Hotel on 26 October. Entries close on 30 September. - More details from Rosalind Erskine in The Scotsman.
🍸 Billed as a 'five-star dive bar', a new cocktail bar called Understory opened in the vaults beneath Rutland Street yesterday. It's led by former Bramble manager Sam Baxendale and Rutland Hotel bar boss James Grant. - Rose Moncur, The Herald + the bar is on Instagram here.
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🏛️ Doors Open Days Can Help Us Fall In Love With Edinburgh Again - 'Fall in love with Edinburgh again – that is the challenge to residents as Doors Open Days returns with its most accessible ever programme of events running over the two-day festival on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September 2026.' - More details here, shared by The Cockburn Association.
🖼️ Curator-Producer (Parental Leave Cover) - 'EAF is looking for a Curator-Producer (Parental Leave Cover) who will join EAF to deliver a confirmed programme of exhibitions, events, and performances for the EAF27 programme. Further information, including how to apply, available on EAF site! (Deadline: 04 Oct)' - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Art Festival.
💡 Good Ideas Class 2026 - 'Good Ideas Class is a seven-month programme for people across Scotland with good ideas that could make a positive difference to society, their community or the environment. We have 16 places available for the 2026 programme. (Deadline: 13 Oct)' - More details here, shared by The Melting Pot.
🚌 Have your say about Edinburgh's Buses - Edinburgh Bus Users Group AGM - 'Edinburgh Bus Users Group (EBUG) was set up to provide a voice for people using the buses in Edinburgh. We are holding our next AGM online on Thursday 24 September at 6.00pm. To become a member, please contact us using the form on our website.' - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Bus Users Group.
🌌 Creatures & Cosmos: Affordable Prints Exhibition [Until 06 Oct]
Today, Wed 16 September - 'A playful collection where wildlife meets the night sky. Featuring a mix of animals, birds, feathers, and lunar landscapes, this exhibition balances earth-bound nature with cosmic calm.'
10am to 4pm | Rising Tide Cafe · Portobello | FREE - More details here, shared by Rising Tide Cafe.
📷 Edinburgh Photographic Society - Open Night
Today, Wed 16 September - 'Passionate about photography? Then come to our Open Night on 16 September at 7.30 pm. You'll meet fellow photo enthusiasts, tour our New Town base, meet our active special interest groups and get a preview of this year's exciting programme.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Edinburgh Photographic Society · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Muriel Binnie, Edinbugh Photographic Society.
🏑 Social Hockey [Every Thursday]
Tomorrow, Thu 17 September - 'Ready to try a new sport and meet new people? The Watsonian Hockey Club is running mixed adult Social Hockey sessions at George Watsons College, Thursdays 6:45-7:45, for any and all, no fitness or skills needed! Contact edi@watsonianshockeyclub.com'
6.30pm to 8pm | George Watson's College · Morningside - More details here, shared by Watsonians Hockey Club.
🧵 Hear About ...my life in stitches
Fri 18 September - 'Join Susie Finlayson for My Life in Stitches, a personal and engaging talk exploring a life connected through stitching. Come along for an afternoon of stories, experience and an insight into the world behind the title.'
3pm to 5pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community · Trinity & Newhaven | FREE - More details here, shared by Roger, Heart of Newhaven Community.
💍 Wedding Coffee Morning
Sat 19 September - 'Looking for a unique wedding venue? Join our events team for a look around Dovecot Studios, a former Victorian bathhouse turned tapestry studio, with refreshments provided by the team at our wonderful café.'
10am to 1pm | Dovecot Studios · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Dovecot Studios.
🌧️ The launch of Every Drop of Rain That Falls Is Sacred by Caitlin Allmond Sherret
Sat 19 September - 'Local poet and makar Caitlin Allmond Sherret is launching her debut poetry pamphlet 'Every Drop of Rain That Falls is Sacred'. Alongside some of Edinburgh's leading next generation of artists, she'll be reading from her new collection.'
2pm to 3.30pm | The BirdsNest Gallery · Southside | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 Just Like Honey
Sat 19 September - 'Post-Punk, Indie, New Wave club night at Wee Red Bar playing Bowie, New Order, Smiths, Cure, Talking Heads and many more!'
11pm to 3am | The Wee Red Bar · Tollcross | £5 OTD - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
💃 Join Latvian folk dance group 'Dindaru Dandaru' in Edinburgh [Every Sunday]
Sun 20 September - ''Dindaru Dandaru' have just started hitting the dance floor again after a summer break and we'd love for you to join the group! You don't need to be Latvian or have prior dance experience. Come give Latvian Folk dance a go!'
9.30am to 12pm | Morningside United Church · Bruntsfield - More details here, shared by Anna.
🧘🏻♀️ Qigong at Alae - Weekly Qigong in Leith, Edinburgh [Every Monday]
Mon 21 September - 'Qigong is a gentle, accessible movement and meditation practice supporting good health, balance, and renewed energy in body and mind. Drop-ins and passes available for this joyful, relaxing class. Beginners welcome!'
6.30pm to 7.30pm | Alae · Leith | £10 - £12 - More details here, shared by Evi Tsiligaridou, Numinous Flow.
🎥 Film London Jarman Award 2026: Screening and Q&A with artist Rhea Storr
Tue 22 September - 'LUX Scotland and Filmhouse host the Jarman Award tour - an annual award inspired by visionary British filmmaker Derek Jarman - presenting a screening of the shortlisted artists' work and a Q&A with shortlisted artist Rhea Storr at Filmhouse!'
5.30pm to 8.30pm | Filmhouse · Tollcross | £6.50/£3/free - More details here, shared by LUX Scotland.
🍂 Equinox Printing and Preservation with the Queer Gardening Group
Wed 23 September - 'To celebrate the Autumn Equinox in the garden we will be trying out two ways of bringing a little of the summer into autumn with us, with hapa zome printing and herbal tinctures. Access info: https://queergardening.carrd.co/'
11am to 3pm | Gracemount Community Garden · Gracemount | FREE - More details here, shared by Jim.
🎉 Malones Off Campus Themed Party
Wed 23 September - 'Love the Off Campus series? We're throwing an Off Campus themed party at the REAL Malones! We'll have a live DJ, karaoke, songs from the soundtrack, and our fantastic food and drinks. Oh yeah... there's also a dynamic duo dress code. Have fun!'
8pm to 11pm | Malones Edinburgh · Haymarket & Dalry | FREE - More details here, shared by Charlie Roscoe, Malones Leith.
🎥 Guardian Documentaries Showcase + Q&A
Thu 24 September - 'Join us for an evening of shorts from around the world, documentaries that dig into memory, conflict and inheritance, followed by a fantastic opportunity to pick the brain of the Guardian team after the screening.'
6pm to 7.30pm | Filmhouse · Tollcross | £11 - £13 - More details here, shared by Scottish Documentary Institute + in this Instagram post.
🍻 Gravity Beer Festival is Back!
Fri 25 September - 'Gravity Beer Festival is back for its 4th edition! 🚀🍺 Join us at Summerhall for a weekend of craft beer and sample from the most exciting lineup of breweries we ever had! As usual, all your beer is included in your ticket price! Cheers! 🍻'
1pm to 5pm and 6pm to 10pm | Summerhall · Southside | £41.50 - More details here, shared by Storytelling PR.
🏰 Human Towers Workshop & Open Rehearsal
Sat 26 September - 'Come along and discover the Catalan tradition of human towers! Have a go at building a castell with us, or simply watch the rehearsal. A family-friendly event for everyone - no experience needed!'
3pm to 5pm | St. Oswald's Centre · Bruntsfield | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
⚽ Edinburgh Football Programme and Memorabilia Fair
Sun 27 September - 'A collector fair for all things football, with a variety of major dealers from around the country. Main focus is football programmes but there will also be memorabilia, cards and much more. Buy or sell.'
10.30am to 1.30pm | Bainfield Bowling & Social Club · Gorgie | FREE - More details here, shared by Andy Mitchell.
- Also, if you're in to football fanzines, local writer Dan Gray has just released his new book 'Fanzine: The story of football's alternative press', which is highly recommended.
📌 Remember you can always see all 310+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🚔 Children among eight arrests at Princes Street Gardens FLY music fest.
- ✈️ Airport waiting time blame game.
- 🌍 Screening of People's Emergency Briefing film in Bruntsfield.
- 🔥 Fundraiser for Muirhouse couple who 'lost everything' in fire.
- 💛 Leith yellow towers community art project.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 998.
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