The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 12 February 2026
Decision day for tourist tax spending plan, Tour de France disruption fears, (minor) snow and ice alert, local charity founder on Dragons’ Den + even more Better News
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.
☔️ The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice today from 4pm to Friday midday. Forecasters say 'snow showers and icy roads could lead to some travel disruption', but the expected impact is 'low' and the likelihood of snow and ice is rated as 'medium'. Today's temperature high is forecast to be 4C and the low is 0C, dropping to -2C on Friday. But there's sunshine due on Saturday. - See the full Met Office forecast here.
🚴♂️ Hosting the start of next year's Tour de France will result in 'similar levels of disruption to aftermath of the death of the Queen', the council has warned. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
💰 It's a big day for the council's tourist tax proposed income spending plans. Councillors will vote on how to spend the expected £100m over three years. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
- ⮑ The meeting is due to start at 10am at the city chambers. - The webcast link and agenda papers are here: Special Meeting - Visitor Levy, City of Edinburgh Council.
🏗️ Ediston Real Estate, the developer of the rejected New Town Quarter student housing plans, has lodged an appeal. - Brian Donnelly, The Herald.
🚔 Shoplifting in Edinburgh has risen 24% to an average of 27 incidents per day in a six-month period. There were 4,959 shoplifting incidents reported between April and September, up from 4,006. Car thefts are up by 13%. - Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan looks at the latest crime stats in this report on Edinburgh Live.
- ⮑ The full police report containing Edinburgh's most recent crime statistics is in this 28 page PDF.
🎇 Crime on Bonfire Night is 'a multi-year problem that requires a multi-year solution', according to Edinburgh's police Chief Superintendent David Robertson. Speaking to councillors at yesterday's culture and communities committee, he pointed to how social media can 'glamorise and normalise serious disorder and criminality'. But he added that a recent youth summit left him hopeful and inspired. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
- ⮑ You can now apply to the council for a firework control zone in your neighbourhood at this link.
🧪 Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to chair panel of female Scottish scientists to open this year's Edinburgh Science Festival. - Jane Bradley previews the line-up (unveiled at 10am today) in The Scotsman.
🏠 Plans for 90 new council homes in Pennywell have been approved. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.
🚒 Hundreds of students and staff were evacuated from the University of Edinburgh’s Main Library yesterday evening following a fire alarm activation. - Jamie Calder, The Tab.
✌️ Better news
This section aims to include better news from all over Edinburgh. It’s a wide range of things, and as always you’re welcome to submit yours here. My hope is that it inspires more civic pride and community spirit, new plans in your calendar and a few smiles or laughs along the way.
🎹 Central Library has announced a new season of Music on the Mezzanine, offering free live performances every fortnight with a mix of returning and new acts. - Full details are here.
⚽️ An Edinburgh-based entrepreneur whose corporate events idea has raised £1m for charities will appear on BBC's Dragons’ Den next week. John McClarey, founder of Business Fives, is featured by Scott Reid in The Scotsman + Liam Eunson in Midlothian View.
🍨 A new 'luxury Italian gelato' shop is opening on North Bridge. The Amorino brand has been franchised to the Crolla family, who run the Landy's restaurant next door to the new ice cream shop. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News + Tony Crolla on LinkedIn.
🔴 A commemorative Red Wheel plaque was unveiled yesterday at the western gable end of Powderhall Stables on Broughton Road, recognising it as a 'transport heritage site'. - The Spurtle was there and published this report.
🚎 Electric bus operator Ember has launched a new hourly service from Aberdeen to Edinburgh Airport. - Ruaraidh Britton, Aberdeen Live.
🎓 "The University of Edinburgh has published its final report on how it contributed to local communities between 2020 and 2025. Progress includes free meeting space for almost 200 local community groups and improving public access to Rullion Green Wood in the Pentland Hills Regional Park." - Thanks to Sarah Anderson, Senior Community Engagement Manager, The University of Edinburgh, for sharing this. The full report can be found here.
🪩 In this week's Culture Minute newsletter: The local bookshop pulling an all-nighter in a bid to raise enough money to pay their taxes, 350 Fringe shows on sale already, Rura playing the opening night of Tradfest at Potterow + a new £65k salary job at a local music venue...
Michael MacLeod
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
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📌 “Not a publishing request; just wanted to let you know that I have paid for subscription today, was planning on it anyway, but your addition of 'Better News' section pushed me over the edge - what a wonderful thing to include, long may it continue!” - Thanks to subscriber Ben for sharing this. Made my day.
📌 “Thursday 12 February, 12:30 - 2pm 📣 Get your ticket for our online Q&A with award-winning author/illustrator Hari Conner on comics and working with publishers! 💫 We are a friendly meet-up for illustrators from all backgrounds, styles, and experience levels.” - Thanks to Mhairi, Host of Rough Draft, for sharing this.
📌 “Chapter One Dental Clinic in Bruntsfield are a little bit bookish. They have partnered with the Scottish Book Trust to bring a little community book library to the heart of the Bruntsfield. Feel free to stop by and share your own books, have a nosy or take some of the lovely tomes in there.” - Thanks to Ashley Chisholm, Dentist and Owner of Chapter One dental clinic, for sharing this.
📌 “Just three days to go! Pentlands Open Studios (POSt) is delighted to announce our Call for Artists is now open. We are looking for professional artists and creators for our annual summer Art Trail planned for 15/16th August 2026 and the closing date to apply is 14th February 2026.” - Thanks to John Elliott, POSt Founder, for sharing this.
📌 “Sat 14th Feb, 11-4 or sell out. Vegan pie fundraiser for TASS. Who doesn't love a pie? Part of a foodie weekend of pop ups as Leith walk policebox pop ups reopens for 2026.” - Thanks to the one and only Monty for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 14 February at Home Bar - November Group performs “Fragments In Time” by Paul Research ex- Scars. A modern classical chamber group - live strings and electronics - contemplates the meaning of time in spatial surround sound. Featuring poetry by Mira Knoche.” - Thanks to Paul Research for sharing this.
📌 “Far Flung Trio will play at the Stockbridge Music Hub on Saturday 14th February at 6pm. Music styles include Klezmer, Piaf, Gershwin. Tango, Brazilian Choros and show-stopping hits from the Classical world. Tickets (and wine) available on the door or via the website www.musichub.uk” - Thanks to Clea Friend - Creative Director, Stockbridge Music Hub, for sharing this.
📌 “Sat 14th February, Edinburgh Iyengar Yoga Centre is inviting you to their Winter Warmer Active Yoga Class. A fun, active introduction to Iyengar Yoga, building strength and flexibility. Open to all levels. A grounded, energising way to spend Valentine’s weekend — time and attention for yourself.” - Thanks to Emma Schumacher Pugh for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 14th | 3-6pm| Rainy weekend in Edinburgh? We’ve got the perfect last minute plan for you. 🌧️✨ This Saturday afternoon, Marpole Retreats is teaming up with LUSH for a cosy mini retreat at 378 Leith Walk. Think creative fun, deep relaxation, and bath bomsbs. £45 pp.” - Thanks to Marpole Retreats & LUSH for sharing this.
📌 “Sunday 15 February - Leith Kino is back this Valentine’s weekend with Tod Browning’s pre-Code classic, Freaks! Known by many within the Disability community as the “grandfather of disability horror”, Freaks was released in 1932. The screening will be introduced by Kino team member Charlie Little.” - Thanks to Leith Kino member Morvern for sharing this.
📌 “Monday 16 February, at the Scottish Parliament - Sport and the power of soft power. In a year when sport will again place Scotland on the international stage, this panel will look at the powerful and influential role of soft power.” - Thanks to the Scottish Council on Global Affairs for sharing this.
📌 “Monday: Join the EEHN Lab for a screening of: A Guided Tour of the Unacceptable: "a geographical and historical tour of the UK’s nuclear weapons on the Clyde and resistance to them with archival footage" jointly commissioned by the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (SCND) and Secure Scotland.” - Thanks to Emma Meehan for sharing this.
📌 “Friday 20th February at 3pm - Join Queer Yoga Edinburgh for the first session of our new weekly chair yoga class! Beginner friendly chair based yoga for the LGBTQ+ community at Duncan Place Community Hub in Leith. Props and tea are provided and pricing is tiered from free - £8.” - Thanks to Queer Yoga Edinburgh for sharing this.
📌 “Edinburgh Therapy Centre in Leith is becoming an established centre for Counselling & Psychotherapy for just over one year. In this time we have built a team of excellent therapists helping people to understand emotions and life challenges. Get in touch to speak to one of the team.” - Thanks to Daniel Killeen, Founder of Edinburgh Therapy Centre, for sharing this.
📌 “Sunday 22 February – A free community gathering exploring care, memory, and the stories we inherit from our grandmothers. Lush & Legacy: Care, Memory, and Stories brings together gentle self care practices and short storytelling in an inclusive space. Participation optional, booking required.” - Thanks to Zha Zha, Founder of Legacy of Grandmothers, for sharing this.
📌 “Minecraft Monday launches on Feb 23rd in Stockbridge: an invite-only Realm with guided builds + weekly challenges for P4–P7 (max 10 kids). Mondays 5:30–7:30pm at No.7 Raeburn Place, £12 for the 6-week term (bring your own device). Reserve a place via jessiedeopp@gmail.com” - Thanks to Jessie Deopp for sharing this.
📌 “Thu 26 Feb 5.30-8pm Prison Nursing Unlocked - an evening of talks exploring how prison nurses bring a wide range of specialist skills to provide compassionate care in uniquely challenging environments. Royal College of Nursing 42 South Oswald Road EH9 2HH. Free event.” - Thanks to the Royal College of Nursing for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 💚 Tributes to ESF and Breakfast Bothy charity founder Andrew Marshall (on Instagram + LinkedIn).
- 🪴 Scotland's first houseplant festival, Green AF, at The Pitt.
- 🔭 Astronomy for All talks at the Royal Observatory every Tuesday.
- 🎮 Grand Theft Auto workers struggling after layoffs.
- 🏫 Threadinburgh local history: the long-lost St Leonard’s Public School.
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