The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 29 December 2025

Cowgate church attack, global broadcast for Hogmanay, Elephant House to reopen today + when The Mound had an 'electric blanket'

Michael MacLeod

29 Dec 2025 — 6 min read

Photo by Tom Duffin.

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It's edition number 800! Whether you've been reading since day one, or you've just discovered the city's favourite ad-free daily newsletter, thank you for reading, sharing and subscribing. I can't do this without you. Or coffee. Here’s everything I could find online this morning for Monday's Edinburgh Minute.

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❄️ 'Light snow' is showing on the BBC Weather forecast for Friday.

🎄 The council has published its Christmas tree collection dates at this link. You can also find the bin emptying dates here.

🚔 A statue of a baby Jesus was smashed at St Patrick's Church in the Cowgate on Christmas Eve. - The church posted photos and a message here and another one here, saying there was 'blood spilled in the sanctuary, side chapel and nave' after a person was heard saying: 'You’re finished here'.
⮑ Police are investigating, reports William Gaddi in the Daily Record.

🔥 A Christmas day house fire in Stevenson Drive, near Saughton Park, was possibly deliberate, according to police. - John Hislop, The Edinburgh Reporter.

🚑 Two cyclists were taken to hospital after a crash with an 'unoccupied van' in Picardy Place on Saturday afternoon. - Christina O'Neill, STV News.

🚉 The council's Labour leaders are trying to convince councillors of other parties to back the proposed new tramline from Granton to the Royal Infirmary. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.

🏢 Local architect Richard Murphy has added his voice to those arguing against plans to demolish Argyle House, instead calling for it to be 'completely reclad'. - Donald Turvill, The Herald.

🏡 Families living in the Dreghorn estate say their successful campaign against eviction earlier this year has boosted their sense of community. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.

☕️ Owners of the Elephant House cafe on George IV Bridge announced last night that it is due to reopen today from 10am, after closing due to a major fire in 2021. - The shop posted this update on Instagram.

🍦 Owners of the Crolla's Gelateria ice cream shop in Leith have announced it will reopen, after closing in September 2024. - More details in this Facebook post.

🍽️ "The Scottish capital punches above its weight and has plenty to offer beyond haggis, neeps and tatties" - US news agency Bloomberg has listed its 'top-5 tables' in Edinburgh, including Kim’s Mini Meals in Newington and L’Escargot Bleu on Broughton Street. - James Ludden, Bloomberg.

🗳️ 'Edinburgh is to recruit a night czar - but does it need one?' - Donald Turvill in The Herald.

🔑 Local cobbler Mark Gibson has more than 300,000 subscribers on YouTube who watch him rescuing shoes from landfill. - He talks to BBC Scotland News.

✈️ Edinburgh Airport has thanked passengers who flagged up a spelling error of Andrew Carnegie's name on a sign welcoming visitors. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.

📺 Millions of TV viewers will see Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations after a deal was announced for the capital to appear on CNN International's broadcast. Anchor Max Foster will be in the city to host the show. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.

🎆 Remember to check out all this week's events in the Hogmanay guide:

🌱 There are 'green shoots of recovery' on Arthur's Seat after summer's large fire. - Joanne MacAulay, BBC Scotland News.

❄️ Did you know there was once an 'electric blanket' built into the road surface of The Mound to stop it freezing? - Historian Andy Arthur looks through the archives at the problems caused by weather on the city's famous hill.

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📌 “Substance cycles opening its new shop after relocating down Montagu terrace to a bigger unit. Pop by and see it and say hello!” - Thanks to Mackenzie Barker of Substance cycles. for sharing this.

📌 “Monday 29 & Tuesday 30 December - Meet the Makers at the annual Distillers' Fair at The Scotch Whisky Experience, next to Edinburgh Castle. End your Gold Tour experience with the chance to discuss the drams with the distillers themselves.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 “Tuesday 30th December, 10–11.30am, Edinburgh Iyengar Yoga Centre is offering a men-only yoga class, designed to support strength, stamina and ease in the body. 195 Bruntsfield Place, use the code UNDER30 if you’re 30 or under.” - Thanks to Elena Rodchenko, Iyengar Yoga Teacher, for sharing this.

📌 “Tues 30th Dec: Last pop up of 2025 at Leith Walk polisbox with Scottish Street food award winners - Smoked Tamago Japanese Korean street food. A big thank you to all our pop ups at the box this year and to you for supporting them or following on social media. The box is closed til mid Feb 2026.” - Thanks to Monty for sharing this.

📌 “Hogmanay Music at the CanonsGait. Americana from the Chilli Dogs and Acoustic Bangers from Trio Ami. 7pm until 1230am.” - Thanks to Ian for sharing this.

📌 “The Conversation Project: A Little Space for big Conversations at the End of the Year. A small welcome gathering in the outdoors where we'll use specially selected conversation prompts to reflect on 2025 and set intentions for 2026. Attend alone or with friends.” - Thanks to Eileen Inglis for sharing this. It's on Calton Hill (at the stone circle surrounding the cannon) from 11.30am on Thursday.

📌 “Monday 12 January - 'Get Fit from Home' workshop, Griffen Fitness. Learn everything you need to effectively exercise at home, in this interactive 90 minute workshop. Free healthy nibbles and a Q & A at the end, ask PT Tracy anything.” - Thanks to Tracy Griffen for sharing this.