The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 10 November 2025

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Firstly, I'm aware some of you are seeing this email in a tiny font size. Apologies for that! Trying to fix it. Meantime, there's a lot happening in the local news so let's zoom in. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.

☔️ This week's weather forecast: This morning's rain should dry up by afternoon. Then we're looking at a week dominated by rain, I'm afraid, with occasional breaks of sunshine. A temperature high of 13C on Wednesday and low of 1C on Sunday night. - See the full Met Office forecast here.

🚨 A 66-year-old man was injured after being hit by a tram on Constitution Street in Leith on Friday. - Calum Loudon, STV News.

🚔 A thief made off with a four-figure sum of cash and cigarettes from a shop on Slateford Road on Sunday morning. - Police Scotland published this appeal for information.

🎬 There are new fears for the future of Portobello’s 86-year-old Art Deco former George Cinema, with the local Friends of The George community campaign group criticising its owners for 'a strategy of demolition via neglect.' - Martyn McLaughlin, Scotland on Sunday.

🚉 Edinburgh Trams: Back to the drawing board? A council source tells the Minute: "Currently it's clear there is overwhelming rejection of *both options*" in the tram extension consultation. They said 'thousands' have responded so far. The consultation, at this link, closes on Monday 17 November. < Have your say.

• Today The Herald launches a new series titled 'The Future of Edinburgh's Trams', looking at the two controversial options proposed in for extension, which is currently estimated at between £2 billion and £2.9 billion with nobody to pay for it. - Here's an overview.
• What does research published so far tell us about the two routes? - Donald Turvill: 'Edinburgh tram routes: cost, journey times and comparison'.

🚦 The council has published plans to 'improve' Barnton Junction. - More details here.

🏠 The Scottish Government announced it will put £42m towards existing plans to build more than 800 new homes in Granton. - Luke Jackson, Midlothian View.

🚲 Photos of Voi hire bikes blocking existing cycle parking are being documented by readers of the edi.bike newsletter.

📆 This week's council meetings:

• This month's Licensing Sub-Committee agenda is split over two days: Monday and Tuesday. In summary, Monday is focused on HMOs (House in Multiple Occupation licences) and trading licences for the city centre winter festival events, while Tuesday is dominated by Short-Term Let applications.
• It's the Planning Committee on Wednesday. On the agenda: George Cinema in Portobello, the 'finalised' Princes Street and Waverley Valley Strategy, plus a debate on late applications for festival events. - Agenda and webcast link here.
• This month's Transport and Environment Committee meeting is on Thursday. On the agenda: a proposal to let private hire vehicles use bus lanes, a petition about brown bins for community gardens, faded road markings, subsidised buses for Ratho + the Longstone Sinkhole.
  • One of the big topics at Thursday's transport meeting will be a list of 66 streets where a news 20mph limit is proposed. - The council's 62 page PDF report is here (with the full list of streets starting on page 30), while Ian Swanson has a report in the Evening News. The council says road casualties have fallen by 30% since the lower limit was introduced.
    • Marking a year since a fatal collision in the Cowgate, road safety campaigners are planning to protest in front of the City Chambers from 8.30am before the transport meeting. Local organisers of Critical Mass say: "One year on from the awful collision on the Cowgate, cars still flow freely. Edinburgh council has delayed and delayed implementing promised restrictions. We are telling the Transport and Environment Committee to take action now!"

⮑ This month's New Town and Broughton Community Council meeting is scheduled for 7pm in the Garden Room at Broughton St Mary's Church. On the agenda: A response to tram expansion plans, Charlotte Square, an 'outdoor wellness  area / sauna etc' in Royal Terrace and more. - The full agenda is here and all are welcome in person or online.

🏥 More than 400 people attended meetings about the future of Morningside's Astley Ainslie hospital site. - More details via the AACT here.

🦋 Butterfly numbers have doubled in a year at Lauriston Farm, according to a survey by the Agroecology Farm. - Read the results and report here. (I found this via Juliet Wilson on Bluesky.

🎬 Film director Guillermo del Toro has spoken of his love for Edinburgh. In a newly-released video interview from the end of the shoot for his Frankenstein film during his sixth visit, he said: "It's absolutely been a pleasure to work here. I plan to return. I could not recommend it more openly and more thoroughly. As a filmmaker with 30 years' experience shooting all over Europe, all over the world, this is the single most gratifying experience I have had shooting outside of America." - More details via Film Edinburgh.

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📌 "Monday 10th November. Well-known Holyrood political Journalist Alan Smith brings his new band Under The Rock to Bannermans on Monday 10th. for their debut Edinburgh show. Expect some original songs and some belting rock covers. £10 on the door." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 "LUX Scotland and Filmhouse presents a screening of films by the artists' shortlisted for the Film London Jarman Award including a Q&A with shortlisted artist Hope Strickland. Inspired by visionary British filmmaker Derek Jarman, the award recognises and supports artists working with the moving image." - Thanks to LUX Scotland for sharing this.

📌 "Edinburgh has taken a major step toward reducing single-use waste with the launch of 2GoCup — a simple, sustainable swap for cafés and coffee lovers. A deposit-return scheme, customers pay a £2 deposit for a cup, which they can reuse, exchange, or return to any participating café for their refund." - Thanks to 2GoCup for sharing this.

📌 "Wednesday 12 November 11.00 (and Thursday 13 November 10.00) at the National Monument on Calton Hill. VOLUNTEERS wanted for laying turf for Calton Hill Conservation Trust's Community Action to address the Erosion Emergency. Please write to chair@caltonhilltrust.org." - Thanks to Calton Hill Conservation Trust for sharing this.

📌 "Wednesday 12 Nov 6pm - Join the SEAD-Fund charity at The Antiquary in Stockbridge as we review micro-grant applications from community groups, for playgrounds and women's education, to LGBTi campaigns and tree planting. Bring your laptop, and help us help others." - Thanks to Daniel Winterstein, Trustee at SEAD for sharing this.

📌 "Wednesday 12 November - Drag King Competition: Battle of the Bros, at The Bro Code, Edinburgh's only all king show. Week 1 categories: Butch Realness, Live Singing. Leith Arches, doors at 7, show 7.45-10.30 (with 20 min interval), tickets sliding scale on Outsavvy or £9 on the door." - Thanks to Dom Perignon for sharing this.

📌 "Wednesday 12 November 7pm. Gaza: A Story of Love and War. With updated interview, talking about life in Gaza since the ceasefire. Also an interview with Tracy Gilbert, MP, about what the UK Government should do in response to the crisis. All profits to MAP and to Palestinian journalists." - Thanks to Alison Murphy, Local Association Secretary of Edinburgh EIS, for sharing this.

📌 "Wednesday 12th November - Stroke survivor Cathy is doing a sponsored performance of thoroughly silly, fun raps about her cat, Donnie, at the Bowler's Rest Pub in Leith. Raffle tickets are being sold to raise funds for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) and a refugee nurse education fund." - Thanks to Alison for sharing this.

📌 "Week 2 of the 2025 Edinburgh Short Film Festival continues from Weds 12th Nov with 5 nights of award winning short film from Venice, the Berlinale & Locarno. Scottish Shorts night on Sat 15th, our awards ceremony on Sun 16th, Q and As with visiting filmmakers & networking all at the Filmhouse!" - Thanks to Edinburgh Short Film Festival for sharing this.

📌 "Thursday 13 November - When all the leaves are brown and the sky is grey, bring warmth back into your life at the Private View of Graystone Gallery's Winter Exhibition. Enjoy amazing art this Xmas and join us from 6pm – 8pm. To get on the guest list, simply email lesley@graystonegallery.com." - Thanks to Lesley Briggs, Co-Founder and Director of Graystone Gallery, for sharing this.

📌 "Thursday 13th November: Learn how financial planning can work for you in a free online lunch and learn webinar hosted by Mearns & Company, Chartered Financial Planners. Register at this link." - Thanks to Mearns & Company for sharing this.

📌 "Thu 13 Nov, 5-8pm - An evening of conscious fashion & good company @ Shop With No Name featuring local designers. Hear a short Founders' Chat and Q&A, where they'll share a little about the brands and the ideas behind their collections. Enjoy beautiful fashion with a voucher to spend on the night." - Thanks to Jen Byrne for sharing this.

📌 "Thu 13th Nov - Join us for the next Women Healing Art Circle on Thursday 13th November, 8–9:30 PM at The Salisbury Centre. A gentle, creative space to explore feelings through art and connect with others in a supportive community. Just come as you are and take time to create, reflect, and unwind." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 "Saturday 15 November- Edinburgh Library of Things is hosting a free event! We're going on a Leith Walk Charity Shop Crawl, pointing out local makers studios, independent bookshops and popular bakeries along the route. If you're looking to treat yourself or wrap up some holiday shopping, come along!" - Thanks to Alix, co-founder of Edinburgh Library of Things for sharing this.

📌 "Saturday 15 November: A Day to Pause in Corstorphine! Join us on my Wellbeing Day. What's on offer? Gentle Yoga, introduction to Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, lunch, jewellery stall and a sound bath - the perfect day to leave you feeling restored and ready to carry calm into the season ahead." - Thanks to Liliana Pavone of Indigo Hypnotherapy & Yoga for sharing this.

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📌 "Saturday 15th November: Riverside House, a new community of artists in Gorgie, is holding an Open Studios day from 11:00 - 18.00. Forty-two artists and makers will be opening their studios, running demonstrations, selling items and welcoming visitors to see what they do." - Thanks to the Riverside House members for sharing this.

📌 " Saturday at Gilded Balloon: Live your childhood dreams of being a LEGO Master Builder, while fulfilling your adult dreams of having a drink! Tickets includes 1 drink on arrival to loosen up those creative gears. Our Master Builder will guide you through three challenges, bake off style: Signature, Technical, Show Stopper!" - Thanks to Aaron Finan of Brick and Sip for sharing this.

📌 "Saturday 15 November: - Charity band night in the Wee Red Bar! New music and classic covers from Root5, Black Doves and friends from 7pm. Tickets £10 cash on the door, all proceeds going to the fantastic Euan's Guide" - Thanks to Root5 for sharing this.

📌 "Street Photo Social is a free and friendly street photography walk in Edinburgh. The next walk is on Sunday 16th Nov, 3-6pm. We'll be exploring the light and shadow of Edinburgh's Old Town after dark. Meet outside Monument to Wellington, Waterloo Place. Email hello@streetphoto.social to register." - Thanks to Olly for sharing this.

📌 "Advent Calendar Workshop. Come along for a fun filled day of sewing, see website for more details." - Thanks to Carole for sharing this.

📌 "Tuesday 18 November - Is your organisation looking to innovate, or are you simply curious about how academic partnerships can fuel business success? Join Peer Works for our upcoming 'Lunch & Learn' session with Edinburgh College. Free networking lunch provided!" - Thanks to Peer Works for sharing this.

📌 "Thursday 20 November: Big laughs for little lives, a brilliant night of stand up comedy at Malones, Edinburgh. All in aid of Tommy's, email biglaughsforlitttlelives@outlook.com for tickets." - Thanks to Kev for sharing this.

📌 "Towpath Talks - November 21st. Time: Doors open 18:30 for 19:00 talk Ticket price: £12. Join us on Friday November 21st to hear from two exciting guests: Sam Kerr, an adventure racer, and Donnie Campbell, an adventurer and coach." - Thanks to MacKenzie and Izabela. for sharing this.

📌 "Monday 24 November - Podcaster? Let's improve and grow our shows by sharing experience, solving problems and generating ideas together. Established or starting out; for fun or for work; for yourself, community group, NGOs or business etc, join us at the Podcasters' Pub & Pizza Meet Up." - Thanks to Osbert Lancaster, the forthcoming Thrivable Scotland, thrivable planet podcast, for sharing this.

📌 "Knitting classes are back at Kathy's Knits, Broughton St! First up is a 4 week 'Learn to Knit' course for the absolute beginner, starting 25 November at 6pm. Sign up by Wednesday 12th to guarantee your place." - Thanks to Kathy's Knits for sharing this.

📌 "Edinburgh University Short Courses open for booking for courses starting in January." - Thanks to Jenny for sharing this.

📌 "Interested in acting? Looking to develop your performance skills? Edinburgh Acting School has launched its courses for next term, perfect for everyone regardless of experience!" - Thanks to Edinburgh Acting School for sharing this.

📌 "The fifth anthology of Leith Writings, The Silence in Between, has been released. This latest collection brings together 32 pieces of prose and poetry, showcasing a wide range of local talent, from seasoned scribes to emerging young talents. Copies are available from Argonaut Books on Leith Walk." - Charlie Ellis reports from last week's launch event.

📮 What's missing? Please share your local news and events here.

👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:

1. 🚨 Taxi driver stops van rolling down hill.
2. 💍 Wedding venue announces closure.
3. 🛍️ Winter markets from Support The Makers.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 765.
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