The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 11 June 2026
Racist protesters 'have no place in Scotland', tram 'fantasy project' claim, hopes for Lochend to Powderhall line + Lyceum at Home plays hit the stage
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Thanks as always to everyone who sends in pieces for the newsletter. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.
🪧 First Minister John Swinney says 'racism, hatred and intimidation have no place in Scotland' after groups of anti-immigration protestors gathered on streets across Scotland including Princes Street and St Andrew Square on Tuesday night. - Steph Brawn, The National.
- ⮑ Police said some people in Glasgow were 'attacked because of the colour of their skin', and warned any repeat attacks will be met with arrests. - James Delaney & Iona Young, BBC Scotland News.
🚉 The council's proposals for a new north-south tramline risk becoming a 'fantasy project' due to lack of funding, a councillor has claimed. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
⮑ As reported in yesterday's Minute, a majority of consultation responses were against both new tram line options for Roseburn Path and Dean Bridge. Councillors are due to vote on a decision in September.
⮑ 'What's next for Edinburgh's proposed tram line extension?' - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, STV News.
🛤️ Prominent local safer-cycling campaigners have are pushing for the former railway line running from Lochend to Powderhall to be opened to the public. - Read more on Powderhall.Link.
🛟 Ahead of this weekend's warmer weather, the local RNLI rescue crews are warning anyone planning to head to Cramond to check the safe crossing times ahead before visiting. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
♻️ Edinburgh has been rated Scotland's cleanest city in the latest annual survey of local authorities. The council says it plans to invest more than £100,000 in upgrading or replacing bins in busy areas. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
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🌻 Farmer family pledge £1 million to St Columba’s Hospice Care in loving memory of Sir Tom and Lady An - 'St Columba’s Hospice Care is honoured to announce a donation of £1 million over five years from the Sir Tom Farmer Foundation, in loving memory of Sir Tom and Lady Anne Farmer. This gift will support the Hospice wherever it is needed most.' - More details here, shared by St Columba's Hospice Care.
❤️ St John Scotland unveils 300th Public Access Defibrillator in Edinburgh - 'St John Scotland has unveiled its 300th Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) in Edinburgh city centre. The milestone celebrates volunteers’ efforts to help make lifesaving equipment more accessible and create safer, more resilient communities.' - More details here, shared by Rachel Watson, St John Scotland.
🎭 Lyceum at Home brings theatre to Edinburgh living rooms this week - 'Lyceum at Home takes theatre into Edinburgh homes this week (8–14 June), offering intimate performances across the city. It then moves to The Lyceum stage, 18–20 June, where four new plays unite in one powerful evening. Tickets on sale now.' - More details here, shared by Alice Pelan, The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh.
🎥 Edinburgh Cine & Video Society 90th Year Fundraising - 'The ECVS is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and is asking the city to help secure the future of one of its lesser-known creative treasures. Support the campaign: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/edinburgh-cine-video-society-00967' - More details here, shared by SC227261.
☀️ Edinburgh Community Solar Cooperative Community Benefit scheme is now open for applications - 'Cash grants of up to £2500 or reused solar panels + £1500 towards installation costs are now available for community-focused organisations in Edinburgh see https://www.edinburghsolar.coop/community-fund/. The deadline for applicants is 21 August 2026' - More details here, shared by Mark Bitel, Edinnburgh Community Solar Cooperative.
🧘♀️ Functional Foundations Summer yoga course now open for booking - 'Do you want to build strength, flexibility, self-awareness and self-confidence? The nine-week Functional Foundations course will run on Monday evenings from 6 Jul to 31 Aug, and costs just £85. Spaces are limited, so advance booking is recommended.' - More details here, shared by Hannah Simpson.
🔊 How does sound impact your learning and well-being? - 'Share your experiences as part of this research. Open to all campus-based students and should take around 15 minutes. We hope this study will help to support the comfort, focus, and well-being of all students.' - More details here, shared by Luke Farrelly.
☕ £2 Coffees
Tomorrow, Fri 12 June - 'We're putting on £2 coffee for the day to celebrate Scotland making the World Cup for the first time since 1998. All Coffee £2 from 7am - 12 for one day only :)'
7am to 12pm | Carter Coffee, EH6 5FX - More details here, shared by Carter.
🎉 The Get Down #15 3rd Birthday
Tomorrow, Fri 12 June - '🔥 Fresh from sharing the decks with Armand Van Helden at London's Koko, DJ Faro lands in Leith! 🎧 Joining her is Scottish favourite Rebecca Vasmant ❤️🎶 Come celebrate our 3rd Birthday Bash with 150+ dancers, good vibes and quality music!'
5pm to 1am | Leith Arches, EH6 8LY | £10-£20 - More details here, shared by Ricardo, Luvin' Leith Events.
🎬 ECVS 48hr Film Night
Tomorrow, Fri 12 June - 'A screening of short films made this year by Cine Club members for the 2026 Edinburgh 48 Hour Film Project. Come and meet the filmmakers, have coffee and biscuits, and learn how you can join our next set of productions!'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Edinburgh Cine & Video Society, EH3 6RH | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Cine & Video Society.
📚 Wimbledon Rogue Book Launch
Tomorrow, Fri 12 June - 'Local author William Coles's new book Wimbledon Rogue is launched - in fact you could even say it's OUTTTT! Coles had his one and only outing as a Wimbledon line umpire in 2024. Could a rogue linesman swing The Championships?'
7pm to 8pm | Larch Leith Walk, EH6 5AH | £5, £10 with book - More details here, shared by William Coles.
🥕 Balerno Farmers' Market
Sat 13 June - 'The monthly market returns with a strong selection of local food, drink, treats, gifts and community spirit. Plus, the announcement of this year's winners of the Balerno Scarecrow competition! (See Facebook for details.).'
9am to 1pm | Balerno Main Street, EH14 7EH - More details here, shared by C&B News.
🧘♀️ Open Day & Discover Meditation Weekend
Sat 13 June - 'Discover meditation this weekend. Visit our free Open Day on Saturday with meditation tasters and guided tours, or learn the basics of meditation and start a regular practice at our beginner's workshop on Sunday.'
10.30am to 4pm | Kadampa Meditation Centre Edinburgh, EH6 5EA - More details here, shared by Kadampa Meditation Centre edinburgh.
🌿 All the Greens - Introduction to gouache and colour mixing 13th June 2026 2pm - 4pm
Sat 13 June - 'Discover the versatility of gouache paint, from delicate translucent washes to rich, opaque layers, while learning how to mix a beautiful range of greens-without using a single tube of green paint.'
2pm to 4pm | Leith Makers, EH6 8NP | £30 - More details here, shared by Leith Makers.
🎷 Live Jazz at Umbrella Vinyl
Sat 13 June - 'Join us to hear the fantastic Glen, Holroyd, Kyle, Mercieca Quartet live! We're excited to host the quartet - some of Scotland's best emerging talent! Ruairi Glen - Double Bass Ben Holroyd - Drums Jack Kyle - Tenor Sax Simon Mercieca - Electric Piano'
3.45pm to 5.30pm | Umbrella Vinyl, EH3 9LR | FREE - More details here, shared by Laura, Umbrella Vinyl.
🎨 Talk & Signing with Candice Purwin, a talented local comics artist
Sat 13 June - 'La Belle Adventure is very pleased to invite you for the launch of Candice Purwin's first graphic novel "The book of murmurs" published by Fantagraphics. Join us for a Talk, to discover the univers of this talented local artist, & a signing session.'
4pm to 6pm | La Belle Adventure, EH6 8NX | FREE - More details here, shared by La Belle Adventure.
🎶 Sypert Early Music Concert: Anna Stegmann & Corina Marti
Sat 13 June - 'Original works by Tromboncino, Gombert, Cara, Willaert, and others with diminutions in the style of Silvestro Ganassi. The harpsichord used in this concert is an original example from the University of Edinburgh's Musical Instrument Collection.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum, EH1 1LG | £8-23 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 Easy Sundays: Family Ceilidh
Sun 14 June - 'Come with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the Minnow Cèilidh Band. All dances will be called and there'll be easy-to-follow circles for wee ones. A fun introduction to sociable dancing with live music.'
1pm to 2.30pm | Scottish Storytelling Centre, EH1 1SR - More details here, shared by Harriet Wood, Scottish Storytelling Centre.
📚 B.Y.O. Book Silent Reading
Sun 14 June - 'B.Y.O.Book and read in silence while making friends with a bunch of lovely people! Book chat and laughs guaranteed!!'
2pm to 5pm | The Tailor Cafe + Wine Bar, EH7 5DR | FREE - More details here, shared by Sara.
🥃 EH Evenings [Weekly]
Sun 14 June - 'Holyrood Distillery have released the next batch of tickets for EH Evenings in May & June. Exclusively for EH residents, we are offering spaces on our classic Tour and Tasting for just £5 - which will be donated in full to Edinburgh Food Project.'
5.30pm to 6.30pm | Holyrood Distillery, EH8 9SH | £5 charity donation - More details here, shared by Holyrood Distillery.
🧶 The Weaving Project Exhibition [Daily]
Mon 15 June - 'Exhibition of natural dyed handwoven wool rugs, silk scarves, cushions and linen table mats. Featuring Scots elm console tables and boxes by Graham Martin on the Isle of Mull. @grahammartinelm Scandi style inspired by Scotland's natural landscape.'
10am to 5.30pm | 121 George Street Edinburgh EH2 4YN, EH2 4YN | FREE - More details here, shared by Kristina Taylor, The Weaving Projects.
🐧 Linux Cafe
Tue 16 June - 'With the end of official Windows 10 support, many will be forced to buy a new computer. Edinburgh Linux Café can help by showing you Linux Mint, a free and easy alternative that can add years to the life of your machine.'
6pm to 8pm | Tribe Porty, EH15 2AJ | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Linux Cafe.
⚔️ Wargames Workshop
Wed 17 June - 'Wargames Workshop is an event to make and play new wargames in a friendly, supportive environment. Buzz #4 on the Sandstone Building intercom (beside Kiki's Café). Ramp/elevator available for access. Beginners warmly welcomed!'
6pm to 10pm | Ancient Robot Workshop, EH6 5DT | FREE - More details here, shared by Tanya Floaker.
🧘♀️ Free Pop Up Pregnancy Yoga
Wed 17 June - 'Free event as part of Yoga Scotland's International Day of Yoga Community programme Yoga especially tailored for pregnancy (all experiences of Yoga) 6-7pm + refreshments (included) 7-7.30pm. Pls BOOK via link (Event Source) below.'
6pm to 7.30pm | Pregnancy and Parents Centre, EH8 9RT | FREE - More details here, shared by Andrea St Clair, Pregnancy and Parents Centre.
📖 (More) Poetry at Palestine Museum Scotland
Wed 17 June - 'Poets Issam Zineh and Tracy Fuad read from their new collections, and Arianna Asfari reads from Argentinian poet laureate, Juan Gelman's new bilingual version of Notas/Notes. Hosted by academic and author Jessica Widman. In collab with The87Press.'
7.30pm to 9pm | Palestine Museum Scotland, EH3 6QG | FREE - More details here, shared by Palestine Museum Scotland.
🎸 Faetooth + Maud the moth
Wed 17 June - 'Fairy Doom coven Faetooth bring their forest-shaking riffs to Edinburgh's Mash House. Supported by undefinable dark songstress Maud the moth.'
7pm to 10pm | The Mash House, EH1 1JG | 16 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌸 Pressed Flower Workshop
Thu 18 June - 'You will learn the basics of flower pressing and create some cards. There will also be a goody bag for you that includes a flower press and some surprises too. Please email me (Sandi) for a payment link here: scottishflowerart@gmail.com'
1.30pm to 3.30pm | The Old Barn Edinburgh, EH22 1RS | £35 - More details here, shared by Sandi Phillips.
⚔️ Martial Fervour: The Representation of Scottish Officers and Highland Regiments from 1793 to 1815 [Daily]
Fri 19 June - 'Passionate about cultural history and Scotland's past, especially the period of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars? Free tickets are still available for our hybrid Rhind Lectures from 19 to 21 June, taking place online and in Edinburgh.'
5pm to 8.15pm | Augustine United Church, EH1 1EL | FREE - More details here, shared by Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
🎤 Make Music Day concert with Emma Martin + francophone karaoke!
Fri 19 June - 'Come to celebrate Make Music Day with a free concert of award-winning musician and folk singer Emma Martin, presented by Live Music Now Scotland! The concert will be followed by a karaoke: come and sing along to your favorite French songs!'
7pm to 9.30pm | French Institute of Scotland, EH1 1RN | FREE - More details here, shared by Institut français d'Écosse.
🎶 Scottish Chamber Orchestra performs Duruflé Requiem
Fri 19 June - 'As part of the SCO's 2026 Summer Tour, the SCO Chorus brings spiritual and intimate sound worlds to Edinburgh. They perform Duruflé's Requiem, Philip Glass' Three Songs and James MacMillan's Miserere in a concert led by conductor Gregory Batsleer.'
7.30pm to 10pm | Greyfriars Kirk, EH1 2QQ - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌞 QMU invites local community to summer Community Forum
Tue 30 June - 'Local residents, community groups and anyone with an interest in the work of Queen Margaret University are invited to QMU's Community Forum - find out about our current research projects and community opportunities! Email marketing@qmu.ac.uk.'
6.30pm to 7.45pm | Queen Margaret University, EH21 6UU | FREE - More details here, shared by Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.
🪙 Cammo Open Day
Sat 04 July - 'Join us for a fun day digging into history and uncovering cool stuff! Learn about the characters who lived on the estate, take part in the excavations, view our finds and enjoy the surroundings (dogs welcome). Tours at 11:00 and 1:30. www.eafs.org.uk.'
10am to 3pm | Cammo Estate, EH4 8AW | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society.
🇺🇸 Democrats Abroad Scotland Fourth of July Gathering
Sat 04 July - 'Join Democrats Abroad Scotland for our annual Fourth of July Gathering. This is our largest event of the year, bringing together likeminded folks from across Scotland. Your ticket provides you with a buffet lunch, drinks and a day of games.'
12pm to 4pm | Location shared with ticket purchase, EH3 5NY | £26 / £85 - More details here, shared by Democrats Abroad Scotland.
📮 What's missing from the Minute? Got an event to share? Nothing's too local! Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🍽️ 14 new foodie spots around the city.
- 🏡 Inside a local writer’s Victorian-Era flat.
- 🔥 Fire in the roof of a block of flats on Restalrig Road South.
- ⛔️ Telfer Subway to close for five days of construction works.
- 🚉 Majority of consultation responses oppose Roseburn tram plan.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 925.
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