The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 19 October 2026
Uni strikes enter fourth week, Summerhall developer 'distressed' by own plans, community buyout bid for Blackford church + meet the Pacific row record-breaking Maclean brothers
👋 Good morning good people of Edinburgh. Thanks for bearing with me while I took a few days off from sending the newsletter. Hello and welcome to the 100 or so folks who signed up last week and must be wondering why they weren't receiving anything! Normal service resumes now. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ This week's weather forecast: A misty start compared to that glorious weekend. It's 2C just now with a 'feels like' temperature of zero, so wrap up. The morning sun is likely to be replaced by cloud from 11am. Rain moves in tonight with light showers throughout Tuesday and Wednesday. Drier and sunnier on Thursday before a weekend of sunshine and showers. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
🌅 Sunrise: 7.52am. Sunset: 6.02pm.
📰 Here’s a round-up of key headlines from this morning, this weekend and last week:
🚔 Police are investigating a string of vandalism reports at the homes of Leonardo UK military defence technology staff, including at a property in South Queensferry. - Dipesh Gadher, Sunday Times + Neil Pooran, Independent + Laura Pollock, The National.
🎓 A fourth week of strike action by some University of Edinburgh staff continues today amid plans to close around 90 degrees to new applicants as part of £140m cuts.
- Great British Sewing Bee finalist Órla Ní Eadhra is among the students supporting staff. - Christina O'Neill & Amie Flett, STV News.
- ''My dream career started here': Costume designers protest degree closure' - Orla MacLeod, BBC Scotland News.
- 'Edinburgh programme closures have staff asking about the purpose of university.' - Garrett Baylor Stell, The Herald.
- '‘Students aren’t getting what was promised, regardless of strikes’: Strikers speak out'. - Jorja Lindsay, The Tab.
- 'Ian Rankin reveals dismay over 'terrible' university funding system' - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
- And in case you missed it: 'Principal pledges dedication to role, as 2028 departure announced' - University of Edinburgh.
🎨 Ali Afshar, the developer behind plans to replace parts of Summerhall with a hotel and student flats, says he feels 'upset' and 'quite distressed that a large proportion of them [resident artists] may not be able to afford to go back to Summerhall', adding that he believes the council should do more to support local creatives. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
⮑ ‘You can’t just build something like Summerhall. You have to take the journey.’ - Summerhall Arts boss Sam Gough interviewed in the Edinburgh Inquirer.
🏢 Westfield Court owners 'fear years of limbo' over an uncertain future for the troubled Gorgie flats. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🏗️ Cracks in part of Powderhall Footbridge were first noted in 2017, reports the Spurtle.
⮑ A council report on the state of the closed bridge estimates that replacement works could be delayed until early 2028, reports the edi.bike newsletter.
🏗️ 'Council warned gift shops could stop Princes Street hotel construction' - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
🔥 'Mystery deepens over bizarre animal bones discovered in wake of Arthur’s Seat wildfire' - Rachel Fergusson, Evening News.
🏍️ "I see them all around me, breaking the law, and people bring it up all the time" - City MP Scott Arthur has secured a House of Commons debate on the 'growing problems' of illegal e-motorbikes, reports Ian Swanson in the Evening News.
🚌 Nearly 700 people have signed a petition against planned cuts for some school bus routes as the council tries to tackle a £1.3 million overspend. - Jack Davies, Evening News.
🤝 Edinburgh to host G20 finance summit next year. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🏊♂️ Edinburgh-based swimmer and brain cancer patient Archie Goodburn has been successful in his efforts to improve brain cancer care for patients, after the UK Government announced new measures. - Katy Scott & Claire Thomson, BBC Scotland News.
⚽️ Hibs banned their Block Seven supporter group for three matches after clashes with police. - Alistair Gordon, Evening News.
💷 A set of rare banknotes worth more than £85,000 were donated to the British Heart Foundation charity shop at Straiton Retail Park. - Erin Maguire, STV News.
🏆 Winners of the annual Forth Awards at the Usher Hall included Lisa Petrie for her campaigning work against knife crime. - All the award winner photos are on the Forth 1 website.
📆 Coming up this week in council meetings at the City Chambers:
⮑ Monday, 2pm: Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee. - Agenda here, including an update on the Westfield Court flats in Gorgie, where owners and residents will make deputations. (You can read the residents' statement in advance here).
⮑ Tuesday, 10am: Policy and Sustainability Committee. Agenda here, including the 2030 Climate Strategy annual progress update + a request from council leader Jane Meagher to spend £1,032 to fly to Paris for one day for the Tour de France route launch event.
⮑ Wednesday 10am: Development Management Sub-Committee. Agenda here.
🎞️ Local history: The story of 200 Great Junction Street, previously a 'Luxury Supercinema', bingo hall, nightclub and now flats, is detailed in Andy Arthur's latest entry on Threadinburgh.
Andy Arthur - Threadinburgh
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
⮑ Please get in touch using this form. It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.
🌳 Launch of the Friends of Princes Street Gardens - 'The LAUNCH MEETING of the Friends is on Tuesday 20 October 2026, 19.00 — at the City of Edinburgh Council Chamber, High Street EH1 1YJ. Speakers: Richard Rodger, Cliff Hague, Jo Mowat etc. Tickets available on Eventbrite: shorturl.at/Db5r3' - More details here, shared by Friends of Princes Street Gardens.
🦴 The Curious Case of the Crow Hill Bones - 'Who collected hundreds of animal bones and left them on a hillside beside Arthur's Seat? Explore Edinburgh's newest archaeological mystery.' - More details here, shared by Historic Environment Scotland.
Kelsi McDaniel
🥳 Filmhouse longlisted for BIFA Cinema of the Year - 'Filmhouse has been named as one of 15 cinemas on the longlist for the BIFA Cinema of the Year award! With nearly 50,000 votes cast and over 70 cinemas in the running, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for Filmhouse!' - More details here, shared by Filmhouse.
🖼 Yellow Towers Exhibition Crowdfunder - 'Yellow Towers is a community art project reflecting on the 18 wind turbine jacket foundations in the Port of Leith. The project exists now as a website and we are seeking funding to expand it into a physical exhibition in Leith and a publication. (Deadline: 28 Nov)' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🛍️ Skip the queue & shop early at Polwarth Pre-Loved Sale - 'VOLUNTEERS WANTED! Our Nov 14th sale is SOLD OUT for seller spaces, so it’s set to be a good one! Help us make it happen and, as a thank you, shop before the public – first pick of 6,000+ pre-loved children’s clothes, toys & equipment, with no queue!' - More details here, shared by Elaine MacDonald-Keen, Polwarth Pre-Loved Sale.
🏛️ THE REID MEMORIAL CHURCH IS TO BE SOLD, LET’S DECIDE WHAT COMES NEXT. - 'The Church of Scotland plans to sell The Reid Memorial Church (West Savile Terrace, Blackford). Should the community own and run it instead? Join our public meeting Sunday 25 October, 4pm at Reid Memorial Church Large Hall. Help decide the Reid's future before someone else does. (Deadline: 25 Oct)' - More details here, shared by The Reid for the Community.
🔧 Talk on North Bridge Repairs
Tomorrow, Tue 20 October - 'This illustrated talk will be given by Rory McFadden of Balfour Beatty on the epic nine-year repair of North Bridge. This is a not-to-be-missed chance to hear the full story.'
5pm to 8pm | Waverley Court · Old Town | £7.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Old Town Association.
🌿 Seafield Road clean + drink at Portobello
Tomorrow, Tue 20 October - 'Meet us at McDonald's and we will walk n' pick along Seafield Road, stretching those grabbers as long as we can into the greenery, and ending up at the Portobello Boathouse. Kit provided, but bring a head torch!'
6.30pm to 7.30pm | McDonald's · Lochend & Restalrig | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Trash Club.
👻 Greyfriar's Bobby & William Wallace VS The HAGGIS ~ A Haunted Bunker Maze [Until 30 Oct]
Tomorrow, Tue 20 October - 'In this volunteer hand-crafted haunted maze, William Wallace and Greyfriar's Bobby must face the darkness as Scottish folklore creatures, history, and horror collide! This scary yet humorous charity fundraiser is a true slice of Halloween weirdness!'
6.30pm to 11pm | Barnton Bunker · Silverknowes & Blackhall | 5 to 15 pounds. - More details here, shared by Jean Paul A., Barnton Bunker.
🖌️ Life Drawing Classes in Granton [Every Tuesday]
Tomorrow, Tue 20 October - 'Relaxing life drawing classes at a reasonable price. Spend autumn evenings in friendly, welcoming company. The live model offers shorter and longer poses as you develop skills in each four week block.'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Madelvic House · Granton & Pilton | £57 for four weeks - More details here, shared by juliet henderson.
🏛️ Corstorphine and Clermiston Community Council meeting
Tomorrow, Tue 20 October - 'A chance for the local community to hear about issues such as planning, policing, schools and streets.'
7pm to 9pm | St. Ninian’s Church Corstorphine · Corstorphine | FREE - More details here, shared by Bruce Mason, Corstorphine and Clermiston Community Council.
The next Corstorphine and Clermiston Community Council meeting is on Tuesday 20th October 2026, 7pm-9pm in the Beith Room at St Ninian's Church, Corstorphine. corstorphineclermistoncc.wordpress.com/2026/10/13/a...
— Corstorphine and Clermiston Community Council (@cor-clem.bsky.social) 2026-10-18T17:44:42.679Z
🌟 Celebrating Edinburgh's Young Volunteers - Exhibition Event
Wed 21 October - 'Join Volunteer Edinburgh to celebrate the amazing young volunteers making a difference across our city! Enjoy inspiring stories, music and activities. Whether you volunteer, work with young people or simply want to celebrate, everyone's welcome!'
5pm to 7pm | Cornerstone Centre St John’s · West End | FREE - More details here, shared by Will Toms, Volunteer Edinburgh.
🍁 One Last Autumn Forage with Nature School for Grownups! Wild Plants, Tasty Makes & Playing Outside
Fri 23 October - 'One last chance to come play in the woods this autumn! 🍂 Join us at Bridgend Farmhouse on Fri 23 Oct, 2-4pm. We'll meet some wild plants, learn a thing or two about foraging and make something tasty together. No experience needed, just curiosity!'
2pm to 4pm | Bridgend Farmhouse Cafe · Cameron Toll | 15 - More details here, shared by Nash, Nature School for Grown Ups.
🛑 Stop AI Data Centres protest
Sat 14 November - 'March down the Royal Mile and rally at the Scottish Parliament to protest the 20+ monster AI data centres threatened to be built in Scotland. We are calling for a national conversation for the need for AI data centres.'
11.30am to 3pm | Royal Mile · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Kate Whitaker, Friends of the Earth Scotland.
🚣♂️ An Evening with the Maclean Brothers: Three Brothers in a Boat
Sun 22 November - 'Meet the Maclean Brothers from Edinburgh and hear about their record-breaking row across the Pacific in 139 days, unsupported and without stopping. They raised over £1m for clean water projects in Madagascar. Co-organised with St Andrew Boat Club.'
7pm to 9.30pm | Edinburgh Greenbank Parish Church of Scotland · Morningside | £13 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
📍 Remember you can always see all 250+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🚂 From the noticeboard: 322 new walks by train for an autumn day out.
- 🟢 Four local Scottish Greens councillors to stand down before election.
- 🌻 Former Secret Herb Garden venue near Hillend for sale at £1.45m.
- 🎆 McEwan Hall announced as new Hogmanay concert series venue.
- 🚔 Politicians bid to ban balaclavas in city centre.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 1,018.
📬 Free subscribers: 33,800+.
📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 5,000,000+.
👍 The Edinburgh Minute only exists thanks to voluntary subscribers. Please consider chipping in for a fiver a month to help keep it ticking over. It's even cheaper when you buy an annual subscription. You'll get bonus content, the city's best events guides and exclusive investigative journalism. Thanks.