The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 26 October 2026
Storm clean-up before more wind tomorrow, gang links to Gilmerton shooting, St Margaret's House eviction delay vote + the Big Wheel arrives on Princes Street
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. There are now more than 34,000 of you on this mailing list. That's nuts! I try not to think about how many folk that actually is. But thank you for subscribing. I've delivered more than 1,000 editions now. But not everyone pays. That's the model I believe in: ad-free and free to read unless you want to pay. Please consider it, otherwise the newsletter stops. Big thanks to the few who do. You are local legends. You get bonus editions when you support and it's 25% cheaper when you opt for the annual deal. The price has never gone up. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ This week's weather forecast: It's a brighter start (literally, thanks to the clocks going back yesterday) and the worst of the wind has blown away. But we're still looking at spells of heavy rain throughout late morning and afternoon. Wind picks up again tonight and into tomorrow, with gusts expected to peak around 55mph at midday. The maximum gusts on Wednesday are forecast to be around 40mph. It should calm right down by Thursday when sunshine is due to return through to next week. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
🌅 Sunrise: 7.03am. Sunset: 4.46pm.
💨 Properties in multiple local postcodes were without power for a few hours yesterday during a weekend of stormy weather. There's been travel disruption with diverted and cancelled planes and trains, plus a few fallen trees and big puddles blocking roads and railway lines. An amber weather warning was lifted at 9pm last night. There is now a yellow weather warning for tomorrow from 3am to 11.59pm. Here are the live updates:
- Lothian Buses: Normal service.
- Edinburgh Trams: Normal service.
- ScotRail: Back to normal.
- Edinburgh Airport: Back to normal.
- The Evening News had a storm live blog here and shared some slightly dramatic footage of planes wobbling in the sky while coming in to land or giving up on landing.
- Scottish Power Energy Networks power cuts map.
- Forth Bridges live status for all three crossings + traffic cameras are here.
- Parks including Princes Street Gardens, Lauriston Castle grounds and Saughton Winter Gardens were closed yesterday. The council will publish updates here today.
- A panel on the side of the Citadel Court high flats in Leith came loose and was rattling around in the wind yesterday. As Shell Bryson says in the video caption, take care if you're in the area.
🌊 The Water of Leith rose above 1m 'for the first time in many months' according to its Conservation Trust, who posted this video and data. They also had to close their visitor centre and cancel the Summer’s End event.
🚔 A person with a gun is on the run after one person was injured when shots were fired towards the window of the Robin's Nest pub on Gilmerton Road on Friday night. - BBC Scotland News.
- Police say the shooting was 'targeted', with reports that a group was gathered for a wake for a 'gang war suspect' at the pub: "Gun maniac shot up wake for gang war suspect at Edinburgh pub weeks after death in horror crash while fleeing from cops." - Piecing things together: Graham Mann & Oliver Norton in the Scottish Sun.
🕳️ A sinkhole once again appeared outside Towerbank Primary School on Friday. Police and the council are looking in to it. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
🎨 Councillors will vote on Thursday on whether to push for a delay of the eviction of more than 200 local art studios at St Margaret's House in Meadowbank. - Local Democracy Reporter Nicholas Malizia has the details on Midlothian View and Edinburgh Live.
⮑ The situation will be discussed at Thursday's council meeting, having been raised by councillor Finlay McFarlane (SNP, City Centre), whose motion can be read here, while councillor Jack Caldwell (Lib Dem, Leith Walk) also calls for support for artists in this motion.
⮑ 'From snakes to sewing, tenants fear impact of Edinburgh art hub closure' - Orla MacLeod, BBC Scotland News.
⮑ 'We care about Summerhall - don't let it be yet another unwanted Edinburgh redevelopment' - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.
🎨 The first round of public consultation on demolition plans for Summerhall closed on Friday. Developer AMA, which wants to build student flats and a hotel on the site, claims options include 'at least 17 per cent more arts space than is currently available and used out of the buildings on site', reports Jane Bradley in The Scotsman.
🏰 Politicians have condemned a far-right demonstration outside Edinburgh Castle over the weekend. The stunt involved around 200 men wearing black standing around in silence in the dark with a sign about children, then leaving. - Marco Suttie, The National.
👶 The Joy Tots independent baby and toddler craft cafe on Ferry Road will close down in March. Owner Isla Rae Shortland wrote on Instagram: "There are of course many reasons for this, but the main one is that I just can’t make it work financially and can no longer justify the sacrifice of my own family time. It has honestly been the loveliest job."
🍽️ Owners of Duck & Waffle at the St James Centre announced the restaurant's sudden closure on Saturday.
🔥 'Council incorrectly blocked FOI request into Princes Street gift shops' rates arrears' - The Herald's Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco is appealing the council’s decision to the Scottish Information Commissioner.
⛸️ A painting of people ice skating on Duddingston Loch (not Henry Raeburn's The Skating Minister) is expected to fetch up to £100,000 at auction. - Jane Bradley, The Scotsman.
Jane Bradley
🎬 BurnTime, a new six-part paramedic TV drama set during the Fringe is being developed by Emmy Award-winning director Douglas Mackinnon. - Fergus Morgan, The Stage.
🎮 The Scottish Game Developers Association brings its three-day touring showcase of lightning talks and networking to The Voodoo Rooms tomorrow evening. - More details via The Scottish Games Network.
🎡 Parts of the Edinburgh's Christmas Big Wheel arrived on Princes Street last night. - Edinburgh & Beyond on Instagram.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
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🎪 Edinburgh's Christmas Announce More Spiegeltent Shows - 'Edinburgh's Christmas have announced two more shows to join La Clique Noel in the Palais du Variété on Bristo Sq Stamptown The Big Christmas Show promises jaw-dropping magic, world-class circus, and all-round Christmas chaos from start to finish.🪄' - More details here, shared by the organisers.
🐾 Help test OurCat, a free Android app made in Edinburgh - 'See who fed the cat and when, and keep care details together. Solo carers welcome, up to 3 cats per household. 16+, Google Play UK/US/Canada/Australia. I'd ask you to try it in your usual routine and stay opted in for 14 days.' - More details here, shared by OurCat (personal project).
🎲 Alchemax D&D 5e [Every Monday]
Today, Mon 26 October - 'Come and join a thrilling Dungeons and Dragons session inspired by the enchanting world of Potions and Rations. Only 5 places available at each table to give everyone their chance to create a story.'
6.30pm to 9.30pm | Potions And Rations · Canonmills & Broughton | £35 - More details here, shared by Chris Mckenzie.
☕ Co-Work Club
Tomorrow, Tue 27 October - 'Escape the house, join us at the Hoxton Hotel, Edinburgh for a day of coworking with a bunch of other great humans. First coffee and delicious pastries included. Furry fiends also welcome'
11.30am to 4pm | The Hoxton · Haymarket & Dalry | £10 - More details here, shared by Nikki Gibson, SWURF.
📚 The Comfort of Distant Stars: An evening with I.O.Echeruo
Tomorrow, Tue 27 October - 'A bold coming-of-age tale blending physics, philosophy and Igbo cosmology, examining how we understand our place in the universe! Join us for a book launch of The Comfort of Distant Stars with Orwell Prize finalist I.O.Echeruo, hosted by T L Huchu.'
7pm to 8pm | Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop · Old Town | £4/free - More details here, shared by Mairi Oliver, Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop.
🎃 Dads, Babies, & Beers - Halloween Special
Wed 28 October - 'Following the successful launch of Dads, Babies, & Beers, the next edition will be at Malones Leith for a Halloween special. We'd love to see the whole family join this week, as we know this will be the first Halloween as a family for many!'
5.30pm to 8.30pm | Malones Leith · Leith | Free - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎹 Quantum Worlds - Music and Poetry.
Wed 28 October - 'Quantum Worlds - a journey from mind-bending quantum concepts to everyday applications. Tunes in superposition, poems on quantum love, quantum-entangled knitted mittens! Engaging, accessible: how quantum concepts and technology shapes our future.'
6pm to 7.30pm | Wester Hailes Library · Wester Hailes | FREE - More details here, shared by Ruth Aylett, Noisy Toys.
🩺 Ragged Uni: Medical Thermography - plus - Damage and Harms to Cognition
Thu 29 October - '2 talks in friendly informal settings; one about Medical Thermography, a new way of imaging breast and bodily health followed after the break by a talk on the cognitive damages done by structural violence. Free and open to all'
7pm to 9.30pm | The Outhouse · Canonmills & Broughton | FREE - More details here, shared by Alex Dunedin, Ragged University.
🌋 Poetry Launch: Let Me Carry That For You
Thu 29 October - 'Join us for an evening of poetry with Saskia McCracken, JL Williams and Jane Goldman to launch Let Me Carry That For You: a collection of poems that meditate on the complex relationship between maternity and family history.'
7pm to 9pm | Typewronger Books · Bruntsfield | FREE - More details here, shared by Main Point Books.
🎶 Emma Stevens at Sneaky Pete's
Thu 29 October - 'Radio 2 pop artist Emma Stevens is touring and playing Sneaky Pete's on 29th October with her new album, Chapters! Bringing uplifting, joyful tunes with a country twist!'
7.30pm to 10pm | Sneaky Pete's · Old Town - More details here, shared by Ellen Stevens.
🌑 The Big Yin: Yoga for dark nights
Fri 30 October - 'Looking for something a little different this Halloween weekend? We're back in black this month for Big Yin as we focus on yoga for dark nights... Expect long holds, deep relaxation and low lighting, with *just a little* spookiness.'
6.30pm to 8pm | The Salisbury Centre · Southside | £15 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎭 Young People's Gathering: Almond by Milly Sweeney & Parasocial Activity by Briony Martha
Fri 30 October - 'A double bill from two of Scotland's most exciting young theatre-makers, Milly Sweeney and Briony Martha, addressing the dangers of growing up in a society that is constantly online.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Summerhall · Southside | £4 - 12 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🕷️ Cinetopia Salon Halloween special: "Häxan" (1922) + Live Score
Sat 31 October - 'This Halloween, experience one of the oldest horror films on witchcraft, Benjamin Christensen's silent film "Häxan"(1922)! It will be presented with an original score performed live by musicians/composers Jane Gardner and Hazel Morrison'
6pm to 9pm | French Institute of Scotland · Old Town - More details here, shared by Institut français d'Écosse.
🎃 Habitat
Sat 31 October - 'Edinburgh's exciting new hi-fi party returns to the Port of Leith Distillery for a Halloween special. Don't miss this one!'
7pm to 1am | Port of Leith Distillery · Leith | £6 - £12 - More details here, shared by Mark Quinn.
🎶 Black: The Colour of Velvet
Sat 31 October - 'As part of Black History Month - a fundraising concert celebrating Black Art Song with Quanda Johnson. An evening of songs by black composers accompanied by cello, African drum, and dance.'
7pm to 8pm | The Quaker Meeting House · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by juliet henderson.
🎶 Victoria's 20th Anniversary Live Music [Until 22 Nov]
Sun 01 November - 'Celebrating Victoria's 20th Anniversary with bringing back Live Music on Sundays 3-5pm. August Watkinson, Haftor Medboe, Jessie Bates, Nicole Smit and El Ruedo are taking to the stage in Victoria. Bring your friends together for a chilled Sunday.'
3pm to 5pm | Victoria Bar · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Victoria Bar.
💕 Romance books pop up and crafternoon [Until Sun]
Fri 06 November - 'Pop up romance bookshop, featuring signed and exclusive edition romance books, and bookish merch. We're also running 1 hour bag charm crafternoon sessions. Supplies provided. Workshop attendees will get £5 off a purchase of £15+ of books.'
11am to 7pm | Edinburgh Pop-Up Shop · Canonmills & Broughton | Free/£15 - More details here, shared by Olly.
📚 EDINBURGH ZINE FAIR 2026 [Until Sun]
Sat 07 November - 'Edinburgh's Biggest Zine Fair - with over 40 tablers over two days showing a massive variety of zines and small press/grass roots publishing and art. There are free risgoraph sessions running both days, and free workshops TBA'
12pm to 5.30pm | St Margaret's House · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
👗 The Power of Fashion: An Evening with Anna Murphy and Justine Picardie
Thu 12 November - 'Join Smart Works Scotland for The Power of Fashion: a fireside conversation with Anna Murphy, Fashion Director of The Times, and acclaimed author Justine Picardie on style, confidence and self-belief. Enjoy drinks, shopping and a book signing.'
6pm to 9pm | InterContinental Edinburgh the George by IHG · New Town | £38 - More details here, shared by Tina Liversidge, Smart Works Scotland.
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:
- 🚴♀️ Tour de France Edinburgh route revealed (+ Google Map here).
- 🦁 Two lion cubs born at zoo enclosure.
- 🏫 New Wester Hailes High School opens.
- 🎉 Scottish International Storytelling Festival on NOW.
- 🚧 Politicians propose car-free day for Tour de France event.
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