The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 8 December 2025
Princes Street summit, free trams for New Year, Tennant backs Lyceum theatre, Leith bar & bakery close + local guide to 'gifts for good'
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. It was a relatively quiet weekend for news. Here’s everything I could find for today's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ This week’s weather: Rain showers this morning and most of Tuesday and Wednesday. Then drier on Thursday and Friday. Not too cold for this time of year, with a high of 15C on Tuesday (stand by for ridiculous 'Hotter than Lanzarote' headlines) and a low of 4C on Friday. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🛍️ There are calls for an upcoming summit on the future of Princes Street to be held in public. The Cockburn Association's new president Stephen Jardine says walking on the street has become a 'fundamentally depressing experience'. - Ena Saracevic, The Scotsman.
⮑ Earlier this year the Minute reported on how some Princes Street businesses were not paying tax.
🚉 Tram fares will once again be waived between midnight and 2am on New Year's Day. - This year's trams' festive timetable has been published here.
🚖 A charity has donated military-grade emergency medical kits to around 200 Edinburgh taxis for use in the crucial minutes after a serious accident, fall, or stabbing. - Amie Flett, STV News.
🚲 Voi, operator of the city's new-ish hire bike scheme, says it is 'keen on collaboration' after local cyclists complained about hire bikes being left in normal cycle parking. - There's an update in this week's edi.bike newsletter.
🎭 Actor David Tennant has spoken out in support of the Lyceum Theatre, saying it was becoming 'tougher and tougher' for venues to put on year-round programmes. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
🍸 Leith's Chancho bar is closing next weekend. The owners said: "Like many other independent hospitality businesses, the current economic challenges have had an overwhelming impact on us." - They published this note on Instagram.
🍰 Maria's Kakes on Leith Walk has closed down. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
🍽️ "On Commercial Street in Leith two very different worlds live cheek by jowl. On one side of the road, there's a Michelin-starred restaurant with a high-end menu. On the other side, The Citadel Youth Centre, which is struggling for funds in an area where child poverty is high. But these neighbours have a plan to try to bridge the gap. The restaurant chef is training young people to put on a fundraising lunch." - Here's BBC Scotland's 'Reporting Scotland' video report and online report by Joanne MacAulay.
- ⮑ Willy Barr, Manager The Citadel, wrote to the Minute to say: "Everyone at The Citadel Youth Centre would like to thank Chef Tom Kitchin and his team for their ongoing support to local young people in Leith. Thanks to everyone who is coming along or who has donated prizes." - You can support the Citadel here.
🐾 More than 100 dogs were gathered in Princes Street Gardens yesterday in a bid to break a world record for the most dressed-up dogs in one place. The fundraiser for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home followed the annual (human) Santa Dash. - Find out more about the dog charity stunt in Victoria Pease's STV News report + see photos from the Santa fun run in this Daily Record report.
- ⮑ Amelia Morgan, the new chief executive of Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, speaks about landing her 'dream job' at the Seafield centre. - Donald Turvill, The Herald.
📝 Looking outside of Edinburgh, here are some other hyperlocal publications on the radar:
Kirsty Peebles
Pat Lowe
Dunfermline Weekly
Kirsty Peebles
Callum Carson
💬 Got a local publication to share? Please share a link in the comments section below.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.
📌 “Scottish Government Independent Culture Fair Work Task Force chaired by Edinburgh resident Briana Pegado published Friday 05 December detailing 16 recommendations to implement fair work in the culture sector and creative industries. This task force commissioned was by Cabinet Secretary for Culture.” - Thanks to Briana Pegado, Chair of the Scottish Government Independent Culture Fair Work Task Force, for sharing this.
📌 “Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network has put together a "Gift for Good" guide with a number of Edinburgh based businesses that put the profit made from these presents into good causes such as homelessness, mental health services, learning disabilities and more.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network for sharing this.
📌 "8th-11th Dec: Spyglass Books pop-up bookshop for children's and illustrated books as well as delightful stationery. Spyglass Books will open at a permanent location on Leith Walk in 2026, in the meantime come and meet us at our pop-up at Curioso, 27 Albert Place, EH7 5HN." - Thanks to Anna of Spyglass Books for sharing this.
📌 “Tuesday 9 December - Tuesday Night Live is an all new sketch comedy night from the Edinburgh-based sketch group Warmest Regards. Starring, Poppy McLean, David Hodges, Lauren Piskothy, Charles Dundas, and Steven Millar. 7pm, downstairs at Home Bar, Tollcross next to the King’s Theatre.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Writers, Tuesday 9th is your Christmas Night Out! Novelist and memoirist Catherine Simpson joins The Edinburgh Writers' Forum for a brief chat about writing in different genres followed by our annual Festive Quiz - with prizes! 7pm at The Edinburgh Bookshop and ticket includes a drink.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Writers' Forum for sharing this.
📌 “Wednesday 10th December - Friday 12th December 6pm - Performing Arts Studio Scotland HND Acting students are presenting ‘The Jungle Book’ adapted by Jessica Swale with songs by Joe Stilgoe. Come down to Granton for a big family musical rendition of this classic story.” - Thanks to Martyn Dempsey, HND Acting Lecturer, for sharing this.
📌 “Wednesday 10 December at FILMHOUSE. Cinetopia DOC presents the 50th anniversary of NIGHTCLEANERS + Q&A with Berwick Street Collective: A landmark documentary and political art film that captures the struggles of women night cleaners in London’s offices in the 1970s as they attempt to unionise.” - Thanks to Cinetopia for sharing this.
📌 “Wednesday 10 December, 6pm: Join SHBT at Riddle's Court for our next lecture, Tale of Two Streets: Regenerating Princes St and Sauchiehall Street. Terry Levinthal (EWH) and Niall Murphy (GCHT) discuss how commerce, heritage, and change can coexist in Scotland's most iconic urban thoroughfares.” - Thanks to Scottish Historic Buildings Trust for sharing this.
📌 “🎄✨ Thursday 11th of December, 6-8pm - 🎄Festive Fabric Star Workshop - Craft a unique & sustainable decoration at this festive workshop hosted at Shop With no Name during our Winter Atelier Pop-Up open from 10th - 13th of December. Book your place here!” - Thanks to sustainable fashion designer Jen for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 11 December - The Big Quiz is a charity quiz night organised by Big Hearts Community Trust, taking place at Tynecastle Park. Tickets include event entry, a drink on arrival and a pie; no team registration is required; you can join solo. All proceeds go towards Big Hearts’ Winter Appeal.” - Thanks to Julia Coley, Fundraising Manager, Big Hearts Community Trust, for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 11th December - The Tailor presents 'Chocolates & Cocktails': a night of handmade artisan chocolates, paired with unique cocktails. Join us at The Tailor in Abbeyhill to celebrate this festive season with your friends for a unique experience. Info: IG @oioitailor / oioitailor@gmail.com” - Thanks to Lorenzo from The Tailor for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 11 December, 7pm to 9pm. Make your own needle felted decorations at Leith Makers. Beginner friendly needle felting class - create a wee bit of Christmas magic.” - Thanks to Susan Mitchell Illustration for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 11th December, The Banjo Lounge 2 are performing a set of their "bangers and mash-ups" live at The Bowler's Rest, Mitchell Street in Leith. Onstage at 8pm. Expect their usual mix of hip hop, heavy metal, RnB and pop music all played on banjo and acoustic guitar.” - Thanks to Pat from The Banjo Lounge 2 for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 11 December - ❄️Edinburgh Short Showcase - Christmas Edition!❄️ Join the 48 Hour Film Project and Screen Education Edinburgh at the Cameo this Thursday for our big Christmas night out, featuring some amazing short films by Edinburgh filmmakers. £5.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Sapphic Sounds is woman and gender queer-led open mic night! We will be hosting our next event on Friday 12th December 7:30-10:30pm at the Edinburgh Student Housing Coop Basement. All are welcome to attend but the performers we are prioritising are women, gender-queer and queer folk.” - Thanks to Rachel Elliott - one of the event organisers, for sharing this.
📌 “12th December-13th December. Local adult ballet performance group Edinburgh Ballet Theatre are performing their adaptation of the classic Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker! Performances are on Friday 12th at 7.30pm, and on Saturday 13th at 2.30pm and 7.30pm at the St Bride's Centre.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Ballet Theatre for sharing this. - (There's a trailer for the show here)
📌 “Saturday 13 December - Free Tension Release Exercise Workshop. Learn to shake out stress using T.R.E. Booking essential due to limited spaces.” - Thanks to T.R.E. with Kala for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th December. The Winter Market comes to Summerhall for a weekend of festive shopping, featuring 30+ independent makers and artisan products from Edinburgh and beyond - plus workshops, cinema, exhibitions, carolling and mulled wine!” - Thanks to Summerhall Arts for sharing this.
📌 “On Saturday 13th December Eric Liddell Centre Morningside take part in willow weaving workshops to raise money and make a Xmas angel or bird feeder as a sustainable gift- £45 per person. Tuition by www.awaywithwillow.com
Please contact Zsofia at molnarz@ericliddell.org to reserve your space.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Come along to Edinburgh's Autonomous Library and have a look through the books on working class history, queer liberation, anti-colonial struggles, the Black Panther Party, cooperatives, and much much more!” - Thanks to Autonomous Library of Edinburgh for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 13th Dec & Sunday 14th Dec. ESFF Highlights at Summerhall’s Winter Fair over the weekend of Sat 13th and Sun 14th December. Screenings of staff picks & audience favourites from this year & some of our award winners. Cozy up at the cinema with a winter warmer and be transported!” - Thanks to Edinburgh Short Film Festival for sharing this.
📌 “Join us at Alby’s for a hands-on evening exploring quick Japanese pickles. You’ll learn simple, flavour-packed techniques using salt, koji and vinegar while making your own jars to take home. A relaxed, tasty night of fermentation, good chat and bold, crunchy flavours.” - Thanks to Robin Sherriff of The Koji Kitchen and Hannah Morrison of Alby's for sharing this.
📌 “Monday 15th December. Join us at The Lost Close for an exclusive tasting to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Kilchoman distillery. We’ll celebrate with 4 different Kilchoman drams and some storytelling.” - Thanks to Eleanor, 'Lost Close tour guide and longtime Minute reader', for sharing this.
📌 “Tuesdays 6:45 PM Every Week. You work hard, you lift heavy, you sit long hours, and your back’s as stiff as your handshake. If touching your toes feels like a myth and your shoulders haven’t moved freely since college, this class is for you. Iron Stretch is a no-fluff, male-only mobility session.” - Thanks to Marpole Retreats for sharing this.
📌 “17th December, 6pm. St John’s, Princes Street - Join us for a festive evening of Carols for Charity in aid of Held in Our Hearts and The Country Food Trust.” - Thanks to Annabel Blackett, organiser - Carols for Charity, for sharing this.
📌 “Gilded Saloon, Wednesday 17 December - Lost in Translation: Love Actually. What would happen if you took the script from "Love Actually" and ran it through an online translator a dozen times, then read the results live on stage in character? Lost in Translation: Love Actually.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Wednesday 17 December - Vinyl Club #2: Following last month's sold-out Joni Mitchell: Blue, join us for a deep dive into our club's monthly chosen wine-vinyl experience: Buckingham/Nicks (1973) and its reimagining, Cunningham/Bird (2025), led by our musician/sommelier team. 25-person capacity!” - Thanks to Todd Henkin, Vinyl Club Curator, for sharing this.
📌 “Until Tuesday 9 December, donations to Empty Kitchens Full Hearts will be doubled by the Big Give! EKFH helps 1,200 people in poverty every year with healthy meals and wraparound care. We're serving Edinburgh throughout the festive season, helping people eat well this Christmas.” - Thanks to Empty Kitchens Full Hearts for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🌳 Barnton high hedge row.
- 🏗️ George IV Bridge hotel scaffolding delayed by another year.
- 💰 'University refuses to use £5 million property sales to fund budget shortfalls' - [Thanks to everyone who wrote in to the Minute to point out that the university is not actually in 'deficit'].
- 🎭 Spreadsheet: 80 Edinburgh orgs to share £80m of Creative Scotland funding.
- 💰 Creative Scotland press release on multi-year funding announcement.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 784.
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Thanks for reading! See you tomorrow at 7am.
