The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 13 July 2026

👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s today's Edinburgh Minute.

🌤️ This week's weather forecast: The risk of more thunderstorms (reported last week by Edinburgh Live, specifically for July 14 at both 1pm and 7pm), has passed. It turns out the forecast for this week has no thunder forecast at all and it's looking sunny and warm, reaching a peak of 21C on Thursday. - Here's the local forecast by qualified meteorologists at the Met Office.

🔥 There is speculation that Criterion Capital, the developer behind the planned hotel project at the former Debenhams on Princes Street, could decide to quit the site after last week's fire. But it's also speculated that they could stay because 'the economics of the site would have improved as a result of the fire'. The site owner has not responded to these claims. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.

🚉 Trams and buses continue to be affected. Buses are diverted and trams are not serving Princes Street. - Get live travel updates from Lothian Buses here and Edinburgh Trams here.

🚒 Firefighters had left the scene at 8.15am on Friday, only to return again at around 5.30pm due to a smouldering wooden beam. - Chloe Goodall, Edinburgh Live.

🚦 The affected section Princes Street will only reopen after emergency services hand the site over to the council's building standards team for assessments on safety and any need for demolition. - Heather Carrick, Evening News.

🏗️ Both Edinburgh World Heritage and the Cockburn Association hope the building’s facade can be rescued. - Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan in The Herald.

🎙️ "Why Princes Street fire is the wake-up call that Edinburgh desperately needed. Edinburgh needs a grand plan on the scale of the ambition that young James Craig had when he designed the New Town in 1767" - Stephen Jardine in The Scotsman.

In other local news:

🚑 A 65-year-old woman was hit by a car being driven on Morningside Road on Saturday. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.

🚨 A 19-year-old woman has been charged for alleged shoplifting at the St James Quarter, carrying a 'bladed weapon' and various road traffic offences. - Rachel Fergusson, Evening News.

🚧 Closures are planned on Westfield Road ahead of a £1.3m Network Rail project to renew a rail bridge. - Network Rail press release.

🍷 The owner of Starter Culture wine bar and cafe on Argyle Place is annoyed at people using their toilets without buying anything, then leaving negative reviews online. - Nicholas Malizia. Edinburgh Live.

💰 The council has paid 65 companies at least £1m in the first three months of the year. The contractors include a Canadian IT firm getting £10m despite an 18-month delay in work. - The full list is in this report by Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan on Edinburgh Live.

🏨 The council's new 5% tourist tax begins on Friday 24 July. A 'range of display materials' is being given out to businesses to help explain the levy to visits. - City of Edinburgh Council.

✈️ A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged after an Edinburgh Airport runway services engineering maintenance van was stolen then found in the city. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.

🔔 The church bells at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in the West End are expected to ring out for the first time in months tomorrow after community members helped raise £15,000 for 'essential repairs'. - Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.

🚢 The UK's biggest travelling Titanic exhibition will be at the Royal Highland Centre between 28 November and 14 February. - Exclusive by Rose Moncur in The Herald.

📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard

⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.

🐾 Do you know this dog? - 'Rupert was well known around Leith and sadly passed away on July 6 2026 unexpectedly. We are looking for people in Edinburgh that might have interacted with him, took a picture or a video. This has really helped deal with his loss. (Deadline: 18 Jul)' - More details here, shared by Ry Gavan.

💙 Help Shape Leith Theatre's Future Survey - 'Leith Theatre Trust wants to hear from you! As we work to reopen Leith Theatre, tell us what makes venues welcoming and the events you'd like to see. Your feedback will help shape its future. Complete the survey for a chance to win a £75 voucher. (Deadline: 31 Jul)' - More details here, shared by Leith Theatre.

📸 ‘Readers of Edinburgh’ photography competition! Only a few weeks left to enter. - 'The Readers of Edinburgh photography competition is in its final weeks! We’re looking for photos of the places we read, and the ways we hoard our books! £100 top prize for the best photo, plus a chance to have your photos exhibited at Tills! (Deadline: 30 Jul)' - More details here, shared by Tills Bookshop.

🧶 Want to learn Crochet this summer? For free? [Every Wednesday]
Wed 15 July - 'Learn to Crochet in a friendly, relaxed environment with others, suitable for beginners. We provide all the equipment and wool, so just bring yourself and we'll help you get started! Come along or get in touch if you have any questions.'
12pm to 1pm | The Wee Hub · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Inspiring Leith.

🌱 Houseplant Bingo
Thu 16 July - 'Spend your Thursday having fun and winning houseplants at Fir Espresso Bar. You will have the chance to take home one of the ten houseplants available. Although some people have won up to four! Tickets available at the coffee shop and Eventbrite.'
6pm to 8pm | Fir Espresso Bar · Tollcross | £5 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

🪺 Wild Fungarium - 'Wild Pavements: Exploring Britains Cities With an Urban Naturalist' - 'We're delighted to have urban naturalist, Amanda Tuke, with us for an evening as we explore the urban wildlife found within our cities and discuss her fantastic new book 'Wild Pavements 16th July 7pm' - More details here, shared by Wild Fungarium.

☀️ Scottish Technology Club Summer Social
Thu 16 July - '​Come along to socialise and network with fellow software developers and technologists in a relaxed setting. Expect coders, UXers, product managers and indie hackers. All are welcome, whether you are an industry veteran or just starting out.'
7pm to 10pm | 56 North · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Jamie McHale, Scottish Technology Club.

📸 Mastering the Frame: Photography Course
Fri 17 July - 'The perfect introduction to photography for anyone looking to improve their picture-taking skills. Sam will support students to learn how to extract professional-quality images from a smartphone.'
6.30pm to 9pm | Birchwood Art Studio · Slateford - More details here, shared by Raphie.

🧘‍♀️ Can You Feel It?
Fri 17 July - 'Supportive space for reflection, connection, and inner clarity. Explore emotions through systemic constellation-inspired exercises, followed by a restorative sound bath to integrate, release, and reconnect.'
6pm to 9pm | BUCHANAN STREET · Canonmills & Broughton | £44 - More details here, shared by Kaja Jurkowska, MiaAlma.

📚 Mark Howitt ~ A Change of Direction ~ Book Launch
Fri 17 July - 'After 38 years working as an accountant Mark Howitt decided it wasn't for him and started writing & performing poetry. As well as performing poems from his first published collection, he'll be in conversation with author & journalist Eleanor Tucker.'
8pm to 9.30pm | The Argyle and Cellar Bar · Marchmont & Meadows | Free but ticketed - More details here, shared by The New Ramsay Head Press.

🎉 This Is What Community Looks Like - Closet Brewing Birthday Market
Sat 18 July - 'Join Closet Brewing as we celebrate our 4th birthday with This Is What Community Looks Like! With a craft market, vegan food vendors, charity raffle, some extra special activities and of course a Closet Brewing bar, there is something for everyone!'
12pm to 10pm | Portobello Town Hall · Portobello | FREE - More details here, shared by Closet Brewing.

🧱 Clay Sculpting
Sun 19 July - 'Explore, shape and create with clay Join us for a hands-on and creative day working with air-dry clay, where you'll explore sculptural techniques to design and make your own personal, symbolic sculpture.'
10am to 4pm | Birchwood Art Studio · Slateford | £95 - More details here, shared by Raphie.

🚴‍♂️ Cycle Kitchen DIY Bike Fixing at Edinburgh Tool Library
Wed 22 July - 'Come fix your own bike with help from our certified bike mechanic volunteers!'
3pm to 8pm | Edinburgh Tool Library - Meadowbank Hub · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | Tool Library Members - More details here, shared by Thomas Bartels, Edinburgh Tool Library.

🎨 Artists' Showcase with Creative Edinburgh at The Melting Pot
Wed 22 July - 'Join us on the 22nd July to celebrate a new Artist Showcase collaboration at The Melting Pot in partnership with Creative Edinburgh. This evening will spotlight this year's selected emerging artists and will showcase a diverse range of creative work.'
5.30pm to 7.30pm | The Melting Pot · Old Town | £8.00 - More details here, shared by Ambika Okhandiar, The Melting Pot.

🍷 Sip n' Paint
Thu 20 August - 'Unwind and get creative at evening of painting, wine and great company at our Sip n' Paint experience with Talia Pelosi in the heart of Edinburgh at The Melting Pot.'
7pm to 9pm | The Melting Pot · Old Town | 25.00 - More details here, shared by Ambika Okhandiar, The Melting Pot.

🍷 Wild Wine Fair
Sun 26 July - 'Scotland's Natural Wine Fair is back for its 7th year on 26th July. There will be 19 UK importers joined by winemakers from around the world to pour & chat about natural wine. There will be talks to join during the day & food served by Higher Ground.'
1pm to 5pm | TIMBERYARD · Tollcross | £25 and £6 for trade - More details here, shared by India Parry-Williams, Wild.

🎨 Measured Study Life Drawing Workshop
Sat 01 August - 'This class is about observational accuracy through repeated measurement. Perfect for beginners and good for sharpening observational skills for those who have experience with Life drawing. There will be a mix of shorter and longer poses.'
10am to 3pm | Birchwood Art Studio · Slateford | £90 - More details here, shared by Raphie.

Remember you can always see all 181 upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!

📮 What's missing from the Minute? Got an event to share? Nothing's too local! Please share your local news and events here.

👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:

1. 📸 Aerial photos show extent of Princes Street fire damage. [4,000 clicks]
2. ⚓️ Good news for Leith 'Town of Culture' bid. [1,100 clicks]
3. 🎭 Oscar-winning actor Tilda Swinton returning to Traverse. [450 clicks]
4. 🔥 Historic Victorian 'treasures' feared lost in Debenhams fire. [300 clicks]
5. 🏥 Teenagers charged after break-in at former Liberton Hospital. [200 clicks]

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 951.
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📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 4,000,000+.

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