The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 1 October 2026

New events series for Ross Bandstand, Leith shop ceiling collapse drama, Portobello bar The Espy is not closing + Tom Kelly's monthly Water of Leith wildlife update

👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Somehow it's October. Hello to Susan the Donor Carer who took my 30th blood donation yesterday. She told me about the Honey Pot Creative Cafe in South Queensferry, and I recommended Gayle's Guide for more family-friendly places to go. A lovely chat! You can see current blood stock levels or book an appointment to donate using this link. Now, here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.

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🌦️ Today's weather forecast: A bright start and a top temperature of 16C around 2pm. Cloud in the afternoon, clearing by the evening. It's expected to rain overnight from about 1am, with showers continuing through to 8pm on Friday. The weekend's looking drier. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.

🌅 Sunrise: 7.16am. Sunset: 6.48pm.

🚨 A Leith newsagent owner said he feared the worst as he was pinned to the ground when the shop ceiling collapsed on top of him last night. - Rachel Fergusson of the Evening News was on the scene.

🚔 A few readers got in touch to ask why emergency services were in Lauriston Place on Tuesday evening. Police say they arrested a man with a 'potentially suspicious item', but confirmed there was 'no threat to the public'. - More details via Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.

🎨 "This is the third time in as many years that Edinburgh artists are being evicted from a much–needed arts hub" - Councillor Dan Heap is among the politicians speaking out about the newly-announced closure of the St Margaret’s House creative hub on London Road. Operating charity Scot-ART still hasn't responded to requests for comment from the Minute and other local journalists. One tenant said: "It could be that they're busy trying to sort a plan-B for us, but we're running out of time and just need a sign before making other plans for a move." - Some of the creatives who work in the building spoke to Heather Carrick in the Evening News.

💰 Income from the tourist tax is to be used to fund a new six-month series of free open-air music, theatre and cinema events at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens. - Brian Ferguson has the exclusive in The Herald.

🏰 After six years of winter light shows, the Castle of Light event has been cancelled. Historic Environment Scotland blamed unpredictable weather contributing to 'financial uncertainty'. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.

🏨 Plans to transform the former Scottish Widows HQ into a hotel were approved by councillors yesterday. - Kevin Quinn reports in the Evening News.

💍 An open letter has been published by the Edinburgh Assay Office calling for the University of Edinburgh to reconsider plans to close the undergraduate Jewellery and Silversmithing degree at Edinburgh College of Art. It states: "At a time when artificial intelligence is changing the nature of work, we should place greater value on skills developed through making. Jewellery and silversmithing demand judgement of materials, dexterity, patience and the ability to turn an idea into a physical object. Technology may assist makers, but these human skills cannot simply be generated by a machine. We should be investing in the teaching and transmission of craft skills, not closing one of the places where they are learned." - Read more here.

More than 11,500 people have signed the petition, titled: 'Save the Craft and Design Courses at Edinburgh College of Art', including actor Hugh Bonneville among others.

⮑ University principal Peter Mathieson insisted: "We are reducing the number of courses but we are not stopping subjects or closing things down. We're taking steps that we believe are in the best interests of the university right now but also into the future."

⮑ Read more in this week's Edinburgh Culture Minute. The edition also includes 25% off Gilded Saloon's comedy shows, exclusively for Minute subscribers.

🍺 Portobello bar The Espy is not closing, despite this headline in yesterday's Evening News: 'Hugely popular Portobello pub closing doors as owner calls last orders'. In fact, the Bath Street bar is just changing hands. Owner Amanda Caygill said: "Judging by some of the messages and comments, we may have accidentally made it sound like The Espy itself is disappearing. IT ISN’T! It’s just the end of our 18+ year chapter here. Amanda is hanging up her Espy hat and heading home to Australia — apparently to ride kangaroos and rescue koalas. After our final day on Sunday 11th October, The Espy will close its doors for a little makeover before reopening sometime in November under new management." - Read the bar's statement on Instagram.

🍽️ Restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi’s new restaurant opens tomorrow on George Street. It's reviewed by Hugo Macdonald in Wallpaper.

Rosalind Erskine reviews the food at the opening party in The Scotsman.

🗞️ A new months means a new edition of the Spurtle, Broughton's hyperlocal newspaper, which you can read as a PDF online here.

🙌 "While many volunteers don’t seek recognition and reward for their work, I believe it remains important for the City of Edinburgh to acknowledge the vital and life-changing impacts that volunteers achieve." - City Provost Robert Aldridge writes in the Evening News about his role as the city’s Volunteer Ambassador.

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🌱 Volunteering in Your Retirement Information Session
Tue 20 October - 'Volunteer Edinburgh is offering a fantastic opportunity for people approaching or in retirement. If anyone is interested in volunteering, we have an informative session to find the best and most suitable role for you.'
11am to 12pm | Volunteer Edinburgh · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Volunteer Edinburgh.

🌿 Healing Therapy Centre Welcomes Therapists Relocating from St Margaret House - 'With the closure of St Margaret House, Healing Therapy Centre would like to welcome therapists looking for a new professional space and to continue their work from a Meadowbank location. If you are a therapist, we would be happy to hear from you.' - More details here, shared by Monika Szymanska, Healing Therapy Centre.

🦦 Water of Leith Wildlife: Sept 2026 | Otter Mum & Cub Attacked - 'September's wildlife video round up, features a dramatic encounter between an otter mum, her cub and a male otter! Plus a hedgehog preparing for hibernation, a heron's amazing vision and updates on the roe deer, badgers, foxes, mallards and more.' - More details here, shared by Tom Kelly, GoWildInEdinburgh.co.uk.

🌮 'ThEreS nO gOoD MeXicAn fOoD In EdinBurGh' - 'Gringo's new Mexican menu is on sale now! Dates for Nov & Dec all the way to Christmas available. 8 courses of excellent regional mexican cuisine served around the communal table in our West End home. Book now to secure your place! (Deadline: 01 Oct)' - More details here, shared by Kevin McPadden, Gringo Supperclub.

🌿 Tonic. Exhibition with Alloyed Collective [Until Sun]
Today, Thu 01 October - 'Alloyed Collective is back in Dr Neil's' Garden with 'Tonic.', exploring the healing art of craft at the turn of the seasons. Join jewellers Andrea McCarthy, Sasanqua Link, and Lyndsay Fairley and friends for a restorative exhibition of applied arts.'
11am to 7pm | Dr Neil's Garden · Holyrood Park | FREE - More details here, shared by Alloyed Collective.

🌳 The Medicine Tree: Nick Hayes on repairing our rotten roots
Today, Thu 01 October - 'Lighthouse Bookshop is so excited to be bringing you award-winning writer, illustrator and land justice campaigner Nick Hayes in conversation with Nadia Shaikh for the Edinburgh launch of The Medicine Tree!'
7pm to 8pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub · Bruntsfield | £4/free - More details here, shared by Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop.

📚 Jordan Prosser: Blue Giant
Today, Thu 01 October - 'Join us, and Melbourne-based author Jordan Prosser, as we celebrate the release of his vibrant, whip-smart, new novel about one woman's quest to make her mark on the world, 'Blue Giant'. Jordan will be in discussion with local writer Calum Barnes.'
7pm to 8pm | Blackwell's Bookshop · Old Town | £3 Ticket (£11+Book) - More details here, shared by Blackwell's Bookshop.

🎬 Edinburgh Film Guild Season at the French Institute
Tomorrow, Fri 02 October - 'Join us at the French Institute for an exciting programme of French award-winning films and timeless classics: "La pointe courte" by Agnès Varda, "Le Samouraï" with Alain Delon, "Casque d'or" with Simone Signoret and more! A Season Pass is available'
6pm to 9pm | French Institute of Scotland · Old Town - More details here, shared by Institut français d'Écosse.

🎤 Phoenix One & Done Singing Session!
Tomorrow, Fri 02 October - 'One night of singing Phoenix style - big energy, and big sound! Come along to this "pop-up" style session where we'll be teaching one whole song in one evening and by the end of the night we'll be belting out a soulful tune in glorious harmony!'
7pm to 9.30pm | La Belle Angele · Old Town | 11.50 - More details here, shared by The Phoenix Choir.

👗 Pamoja Fashion Sale - preloved clothes at great prices. [Monthly]
Sat 03 October - 'Quality preloved clothes for women, men and children at great prices. New stock every month. Proceeds go to supporting educational programmes in Tanzania. Tea and coffee.'
10am to 1pm | St. John The Evangelist · Portobello | FREE - More details here, shared by Maria McCann, Twende Pamoja - Let us walk together.

🎨 Art for Breakfast | Angie Lewin in conversation with Jan Patience
Sat 03 October - 'Spend Saturday morning with Angie Lewin, who will be in conversation with writer and journalist Jan Patience, surrounded by the new watercolours in Cultivated Colour.'
10.15am to 11am | The Scottish Gallery · New Town | £10 - More details here, shared by The Scottish Gallery.

🎷 Live Jazz at Umbrella Vinyl - The Em Craig Ensemble
Sat 03 October - 'The Em Craig Ensemble is playing at 4pm on Sat! Em is a saxophonist & composer originally from Edinburgh. Expect groove & virtuosity! Em Craig - Saxophone, Lizzie Beesley - Guitar, Nils Kavanagh - Piano, Benedict Stephens - Bass, Bailey - Love Drums'
4pm to 5.15pm | Umbrella Vinyl · Tollcross | FREE - More details here, shared by Laura, Umbrella Vinyl.

🎶 Bring Kelly Back!
Sat 03 October - 'Six up-and-coming local music groups are putting on a fundraiser gig to support our friend/fellow musician who was recently deported from the UK. Folk/classical/blues/originals-- we will play you the music we love most in an intimate pub basement.'
5pm to 9pm | The Royal Oak · Old Town | £10 - More details here, shared by Sylvie Nelson, Some Strange Harmony.

🎶 The Great Scottish Double Bass Day
Sun 04 October - 'Join the Scottish Bass Trust and St Mary's Music School for the Great Scottish Double Bass Day. There will be workshops, ensemble sessions, jazz and much, much more. All ages and abilities welcome!'
9.30am to 4pm | St Mary's Music School · Haymarket & Dalry | FREE - More details here, shared by St Mary's Music School.

🎶 TFEH presents: AUTOREVERSE (ARNAUD RIVIÈRE & NINA GARCIA)/ N. QUIGLEY / Z. MINDIKOWSKI & OFF BRAND .
Sun 04 October - 'Tfeh resumes normal services for the first instalment of our Autumn/ Winter programme with representatives of the international experimental music underground fae all over this burning globe's ever-increasingly unpleasant crust.'
8pm to 11pm | Fruitmarket · Old Town | £10 advance/ £12 OTD - More details here, shared by Ali Robertson, Giant Tank / Tfeh.

🎼 Volunteer-led Tours at St Cecilia's Hall [Until 30 Oct]
Tue 06 October - 'Join us this October for three free, volunteer-led tours of the collection at St Cecilia's Hall. Immerse yourself in the history behind many of the instruments in our collection & see them come to life through anecdotes, stories and demonstrations!'
2pm to 3pm | St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Hannah.

🏛️ The 2026 Doolan Award Shortlist: In Conversation
Thu 08 October - 'Join RIAS President Libby Heathcote for a panel discussion with the three practices in the running for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland'
6pm to 9pm | Edinburgh Futures Institute · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by RIAS.

🌿 Are you a hiker, camper or climber? ... Can you also read the hedgerow?
Fri 09 October - 'You know the trails - but do you know what's growing beside them? Join Nature School for Grownups at Bridgend Farmhouse to identify seasonal wild plants, forage responsibly & turn what we find into something useful. 🍂'
2pm to 4pm | Bridgend Farmhouse Cafe · Cameron Toll | 15 - More details here, shared by Nature School for Grown Ups.

🌾 Tour of Lauriston Farm: Harvest (various start times)
Sat 10 October - 'Are you interested in what a local farm can grow to feed the city? As the season changes, it's time to take stock of the 2026 harvest - join us on a farm tour to hear about what's been happening this year at this unusual urban farm'
10am to 2pm | Lauriston Agroecology Farm · Silverknowes & Blackhall | £15, £10 or £5 - More details here, shared by Kate MacDougall, Edinburgh Agroecology Co-op.

🎶 DJ SB x Populus cafe
Sat 10 October - 'Come to Populus cafe to hear Edinburgh based DJ/Producer SB. Best known for his extended sets, typically existing of slowly evolving sound creating an immersive sonic experience.'
6pm to 9pm | Populus Cafe (Leith Community Croft) · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader + more details on Instagram too.

Remember you can always see all 270+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!

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⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 1,010.
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