The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 2 February 2026

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Plenty going on this morning. Here’s your round-up of local journalism and community news in Monday's Edinburgh Minute.

🌦️ This week’s weather. It's a mixed week ahead with a chance of rain most days. The temperature will be noticeably colder at night, dropping to 2C most nights (feeling like -2C on Wednesday), with a high of 7C on Monday. - Get the full Met Office forecast here.

🎟️ Lothian bus and tram fares are going up from Sunday 22 February. An adult single is going up from £2.20 to £2.40, while day tickets are up from £5.50 to £6. The highest percentage rise is the City DAY TapTapCap going up 14% from £5 per day to £5.70. - Full details are here.

"Since our last fares review, we have experienced significant cost increases across all areas of our businesses. While no fare increase is ever welcome and we are aware of the cost pressures faced by our customers, our fares continue to represent excellent value for money." - Sarah Boyd, Chief Executive for Lothian and Edinburgh Trams.

🎨 The Out of the Blue education and arts trust is planning to provide a new 'space where creative individuals, organisations, social enterprises and SMEs thrive' at Powderhall Stables when it moves in later this year. - There's a report and a first look at the building's refurbished interior in the Spurtle.

📲 The duo behind one of Edinburgh’s fastest-growing social media projects, Keep Edinburgh Thriving, have split after a trail of debt and unpaid tax totalling over £200,000 was revealed by Minute readers.  - Read the full report here.

Revealed: Liquidation and trail of debt of ‘Keep Edinburgh Thriving’ co-founder Robbie Allen: £125,000 owed to HMRC + further £100,000 owed to suppliers

Reader tip-offs lead to investigation. Alan ‘Nashy’ Nash insists he had ‘no prior knowledge’ of project’s past. Local businesses say they feel ‘insulted’.

The Edinburgh MinuteMichael MacLeod

🚉 Following last week's headlines about a possible third tram line, the council's transport leader said the widely circulated map was more of a 'concept' than a firm 'plan'. Writing on Bluesky, Stephen Jenkinson said: "the concept I presented seems to have taken on a life on its own 😬".

• 'The council said it was intended purely as an illustration', reports Rose Moncur in The Herald.
• Local development expert Harry Williams making an interactive map with the proposed new stations including south suburban railway.

🔥 Two cars caught fire in Great King Street yesterday around midday. There were no injuries. - Neil Johnstone, Evening News.

🚔 Police are trying to find a woman who stole a three-figure sum of cash from a shop on Portobello High Street on Saturday. - John Hislop, The Edinburgh Reporter.

🪦 A group of 'four men in long white robes' have been blamed for late night vandalism of Old Calton burial ground tombs including the David Hume mausoleum. - Emine Sinmaz, The Guardian.
⮑ Last month 'disturbing occult-style paraphernalia' was reported at the cemetery - Alistair Grant was first with the news in The Scotsman.
⮑ The Guardian report also has an eye-witness account from a tour guide who caught the hooded man kneeling and chanting at the Hume mausoleum. Further research shows the group called themselves the 'Anti-Metaphysical Front', whose actions are separate from recent vandalism blamed on teenagers. The council locks the gates at 10pm each night but members of the group still enter.

💰 A final decision on the council's shopping list for how it would spend income from the tourist tax is expected later this month. - The council shared this update.

🎓 The publication of the latest University of Edinburgh accounts shows a surplus of £43 million for the past year, despite previous concerns over a £140 million funding black hole, angering union leaders. The uni said: "Our university is not in deficit, but costs are rising faster than income." - Kitty Messer, The Edinburgh Tab.

🏗️ New images show what a proposed replacement of Argyle House could look like if a plan to demolish the existing building and replace it with a hotel and flats gets the green light. The new images were seen at a second consultation event last week.

• ⮑ The updated consultation document has new details on how the developer is considering reusing materials from the building, if given permission to tear it down. It says: "A deconstruction process would seek to salvage as many of these elements for reuse as possible, reducing the need for new materials and upfront embodied carbon. The design team have begun cataloguing materials and elements which may have the potential to be salvaged and re-used. Further assessment is required to ascertain the structural, and commercial viability of re-using any materials." - Read the full thing here.

• ⮑ People who work in Argyle House had their say on the plan in when the Minute broke the news last year. (Scroll down to the comments section)

🚲 There's a round-up of last Thursday's council Transport and Environment Committee meeting in today's new issue of edi.bike, including an update on the ongoing dispute over attempts to control St James Square as a pedestrianised space.

🏗️ The Caledonian Brewery will open its doors for one‑day tour on 21 February before developers move in to turn the site into housing. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.

🇺🇦 Members of Edinburgh’s Abandoned Artists collective have found a new (temporary) home. Last October they were plunged into 'crisis mode' having been given a week to vacate their studio in the Gyle centre. Now, they're celebrating having accepted an offer of a new space at the North Edinburgh Arts MacMillan Hub building in Muirhouse. - In a post documenting their move, the group thanked this newsletter for helping share the news last year. (Even bigger thanks are due to readers for spreading the word!)

🎤 Garbage singer Shirley Manson reunited with her former Angelfish bandmates for a charity gig at the Liquid Room on Friday night, with all proceeds going to humanitarian aid charities for Palestinian children. - More details and footage from the show via Poppy Burton, NME.

🎹 Musician David Byrne has announced a concert at the Edinburgh Playhouse on 21 July. Tickets go on sale on Friday. - Jane Bradley, The Scotsman.

🗞️ February's editions of hyperlocal newspapers are out now, including:

• Broughton Spurtle.
• C&B News.
• The Edinburgh Reporter.
• The Leither.

📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard

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

📌 "Today from 6pm: Leslie Hills, author of 10 Scotland Street, will speak on the extraordinary history of 28 Queen Street. Broughton History Society, McDonald Road Library, non-members welcome for a small sum. Tea and biscuits 18.00 Talk 18.30." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 “Monday 02 February, 19:00 Stand in solidarity with Chile at Leith Depot! Come enjoy music, spoken word, and stalls to help the Fire Brigade fight the Wildfires in the south. Tickets £8 at the door, includes tea and Cake.” - Thanks to Tere Bertucci (Organiser) for sharing this.

📌 “Mon 2nd Feb - Live jazz at Flux 2.1 (Home Bar, Tollcross) - Caledonia's Raymond MacDonald + Calabria's Christian Ferlaino new album launch A Jig In The Future (saxes, objects) + The Social Process (debut of this new Edinburgh improvisation collective) at Home Bar, Tollcross - expect the unexpected!” - Thanks to Nick + Neil of Flux Gigs for sharing this.

📌 “Monday 02 February - Open Men’s Netball Training - all experiences and levels welcome! Join the ENC Kelpies from 7pm at Oriam Sports Centre at Heriot Watt! Full details available on Instagram @edinburghmensnetball” - Thanks to Benny, ENC Kelpies Treasurer, for sharing this.

📌 “Tues 3 Feb 1pm today (free, online) - Creative Circles: Can technology help my creative practice? Are you a creative practitioner who wonders how technology could support your practice? Join us online with Techscaler to explore how you can build simple, achievable digital offerings to support and elevate your work.” - Thanks to Creative Edinburgh for sharing this.

📌 “Digital Kindness is thrilled to receive a National Lottery Community Fund award, just months after registering with OSCR. This funding will allow to support small and volunteer-led organisations across Edinburgh and the Lothians, boosting digital skills, confidence, and online visibility.” - Thanks to Larisa for sharing this.

📌 “Have you been affected by sewage pollution? The campaign to Clean Up Scotland's Sewage is collecting postcards about sewage at Edinburgh's rivers, burns and beaches. Add yours to build a map of evidence and demand action.” - Thanks to Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland for sharing this.

📌 “Tuesday 3 February- 10 March 2pm-3.30pm. Five weekly Tuesday Iyengar Yoga Classes with Lucienne Vidah at Hillside Yoga Studio. Small group/Intermediate level. Sign up soon! Email: lucienne@studiospine.com for more info and registration.” - Thanks to Lucienne Vidah, Iyengar Yoga teacher, for sharing this.

📌 “Wednesday 4th Feb, twice monthly "Open Craft Night", presented by Scarecrow Woodcrafts & August_21 Cafe.'” - Thanks to Rick Giujusa, Scarecrow Woodcrafts, for sharing this.

📌 “Wednesday 4 Feb – Join Peer Works and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce for “How to Start Your Net Zero Transition”, and learn how your business can reduce its carbon emissions. Featuring speakers from Dynamic Earth and the EICC, plus a complimentary networking breakfast for all attendees.” - Thanks to Peer Works for sharing this.

📌 “Wednesday 4th February - As part of our Sustainable Fashion Series, upcycle your old or unloved jewellery at The Crannie's workshop! Bring along your jewellery pieces and use our fun upcycling resources to spice them up, or take them apart to make something entirely new!” - Thanks to Rowena from Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust, for sharing this.

📌 “Wednesday 4 February, Online Zoom Forum: David Abram: The Spiritual, Ecological, and Philosophical Vision in His Life and Work. There will be five talks, each of 12 minutes, followed by discussion among the speakers and the chair, followed by Q & A.” - Thanks to Neill Walker. Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace, for sharing this.

📌 “Scottish Book Trust is offering workplaces, cafes and community centres in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas free boxes of books. Complete their simple form to order your copies of Scotland's Stories of Friendship – a collection of personal stories from the people of Scotland.” - Thanks to Danny Scott, Scottish Book Trust, for sharing this.

📌 “Thursday 5th February (7-8pm) - Louise Welsh is coming to The Portobello Bookshop to launch 'The Cut Up' in conversation with fellow writer Mary Paulson-Ellis. Come along and hear about the keenly anticipated Rilke novel, which explores the dark underbelly of contemporary Glasgow.” - Thanks to The Portobello Bookshop for sharing this.

📌 “The Georgian Concert Society is looking for a part-time Administrator (approx 2-3 days per month) to organise six concerts of Early Music in Edinburgh between October and March. Closing date 16 February. Further information on the website.” - Thanks to The Georgian Concert Society for sharing this.

📌 “Job vacancy at ECCAN - Edinburgh's Climate Hub. We are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced Events Lead.” - Thanks to Mark Dowey for sharing this.

📌 “Edinburgh based The John Preston Trust exists to fund music and arts projects for 16 - 30 year olds in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Applications re-open on 2nd February 2026 until 31st March 2026. See web link.” - Thanks to David Heavenor, Trustee of John Preston Trust, for sharing this.

📌 “Corstorphine-based charity Dean and Cauvin Young People's Trust are recruiting new foster carers based in the Lothians for age 11+ or parent and child placements. Find out more about the process, comprehensive training and competitive fees on their website or get in touch for further information.” - Thanks to Dean & Cauvin Young People's Trust for sharing this.

📌 “Participate in 10-15 minute online research study on GLP-1 medications and psychology (both users and non-users encouraged to take part). This will help QMU researchers know more about how health factors impact perception. Requires computer with keyboard - more information and sign-up via the link!” - Thanks to Karin Aspers, student researcher at Queen Margaret University, for sharing this.

📌 “Thursday 5th February - Come and join our Music Circle at Duncan Place Community Hub! Meeting regularly at 7:30pm, we play with percussion, voice, and improvisation to make music together in a relaxed environment. Beginners and all experience levels very welcome, £3 per session.” - Thanks to Ot from Duncan Place Community Hub for sharing this.

📌 “Saturday 7 February. One hour of music by Some Strange Harmony in Abbeyhill's Red Kite Cafe. From Scandinavian folk/metal tunes to a re-imagined Auld Lang Syne to turbulent original poetry over passages of Vivaldi, this duo will bring you on a journey of the mind, heart, and spirit.” - Thanks to Some Strange Harmony for sharing this.

📌 “Sat, Feb 7th at 9:45 am - 12:00 pm - Walk and Coffee Club Meeting at Four Square Cafe, Saughton Park. Everyone is welcome to meet us outside the Cafe for a 45 minute walk around the park and at 10:30 a light bite and a chat with Rotarians and their spouses and friends.” - Thanks to Gordon Young, Club President of Rotary Edinburgh, for sharing this.

📌 “Tuesday 10 February - Join Kenan Malik (The Observer, BBC, Author) for his lecture: How the British Working Class Became White, which explores class, race, and identity in Britain. The lecture will be held in G.07, Informatics Forum, at the University of Edinburgh it is free and open to all.” - Thanks to Prof. Mirko Canevaro, PI of Class Struggle in Ancient Greek Democracy, University of Edinburgh, for sharing this.

📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.

👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:

1. 🚉 'Plans for third tram line on south suburban railway unveiled'. [3,000 clicks]
2. 🎓  Teviot Row House due to open in March. [1,000 clicks]
3. 💡 Eonarium Experience light-show opens at McEwan Hall. [700 clicks]
4. 🧶 The Woolly Good Gathering festival of yarn (April) tickets on sale. [500 clicks]
5. 🗞️ New edition of The Leither magazine. [200 clicks]

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 828.
📬 Free subscribers: 28,200+.
📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 2,000,000+.