The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 12 November 2026
'Our schools are safe' after hoax bomb threat, victory for Leith St Andrews church campaign, crucial council transport meeting today + learn sign writing with the master, Thomas Paints
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. A busy one this morning! Thanks as always to everyone helping to keep the Minute ticking over. Honestly couldn't do it without you. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ Today's weather forecast: The 'feels like' temperature is currently -2. That's due to a breeze and gusts hitting 23mph from the west. It's forecast to be a sunny and clear day, with the temperature reaching 6C at most. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
🌅 Sunrise: 7.43am. Sunset: 4.10pm.
🚨 "Our schools are safe and there is no need to keep your child off school." - Council education boss Jackie Reid issued a message to local parents after Edinburgh high schools were evacuated following another bomb hoax threat yesterday. A similar thing happened on 19 October. Yesterday's hoax threat came in the form of an email headed 'Death is near'. At least 470 schools across Scotland received the hoax warnings, reports Severin Carrell in The Guardian.
⮑ The full council statement is here and a police update is here, with Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland saying: "Police Scotland’s Cyber and Fraud Unit is carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the source of the messages, and officers continue to liaise with law enforcement partners across the UK and internationally."
⮑ Scotland's education minister Mairi McAllan said: "As a parent and as a constituency MSP I understand just how concerning this will be for parents, for pupils, for carers and for school staff. There is nothing to suggest any threats to the public from the content of the emails." - BBC Scotland News.
⮑ Connect, a national organisation representing parents and parent councils, says there is now a bomb threat hoax 'epidemic' and called for a national emergency plan. - Martin Williams, The Herald.
⮑ Meanwhile Queensferry High School was shut yesterday after a 'suspicious item' was found, in what the council said was a 'separate and unrelated' incident. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald + Jack Davies, Evening News. A council source told the Minute it was 'an airsoft dummy grenade', which police later described as a toy.
- 'The school will open as usual' today, reports Chloe Goodall on Edinburgh Live.
💰 Organisers of a campaign to save the former Leith St Andrews church have declared victory after being awarded £589,750 from the Scottish Land Fund. The Easter Road building is set to be transformed into a community wellbeing centre. The group was concerned it would have to be sold to private developers. - More details here.
🛤️ Organisers of a campaign to turn the disused rail line between Powderhall and Meadowbank into a ‘linear park’ and active travel link say they are disappointed but not surprised that the project has become a political football. - Ian Swanson has the latest update in the Evening News.
- Ahead of today's council transport meeting (10am at the City Chambers, agenda here), active travel campaigners will gather from 8.30am to call for 'faster change' to city cycling projects. The local Critical Mass group says: "We have seen no meaningful action in the Cowgate, despite two serious incidents. Traffic-free routes have not been improved for night time safety. The numbers of people killed or seriously injured on Edinburgh roads has not changed. Join us on Thursday to call for faster change."
- 🌳 Councillors will vote on plans to remove trees from a planned George Street revamp (as reported last week). The plan includes new pedestrianisation, planters and benches as part of a reduced design with an estimated £20m price tag, compared to an original £34m plan. - The report is here.
🔐 More than 700 council investigations into unlicensed short-term lets in Edinburgh started the last three years, resulting in five warnings and fines. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
🩸 Only 85% of blood donation appointments are currently being filled in Edinburgh, with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service warning that stocks have dropped to 'unprecedented low levels' due to the shortage of donors. - More details in the appeal here.
🎨 A new apprenticeship has opened up with Thomas Payne, the sign writer & glass gilder behind many of the city's eye-catching custom shop signs. His firm, Thomas Paints, will host a Sign Painting Apprentice on a fixed term for 18 months on a full-time wage of £27,740, employed by Historic Environment Scotland who shared the job details here. See more of Thomas' work here and on Instagram.
🪩 In this week's Culture Minute: Creative Edinburgh Awards on Friday, Push the Boat Out poetry festival begins, creatives unite against AI data centres + Dolly Parton gig for local kids' books & much more...
Michael MacLeod
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🌍 Screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing film at the Braid Bowling Club, Edinburgh - 'What’s happening with climate and nature? How will it affect life in the UK? Join us for a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing followed by an open discussion about what it means for our community and what we can do.' - More details here, shared by Braid Bowling Club.
📚 Local graphic novel publisher Quindrie Press is closing - 'Edinburgh-based publisher Quindrie Press is closing at the end of 2026, and all our books and comics are up to 50% off with free UK shipping. Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years!' - More details here, shared by Eve Greenwood.
🎭 Calling all creatives, performers, artists, and writers: Creative Community Wednesdays 🎨✨ - 'We're opening up The Pend to Edinburgh's creative community for free every Wednesday, 9AM-4PM. If you're looking for somewhere to work on your next project or collaborate creatively with others, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now!' - More details here, shared by The Pend.
🎄 Open Call - Handmade Winter Market - 'Hello, we are looking for applicants for our Winter Markets. These will be at our Leith Walk Shop. We would like stallholders to be handmade items from local makers. Various weekend dates in December. £40 per table. Deadline: Sunday 15th November' - More details here, shared by Paradigm Shift Open Studio Ltd.
🗳️ Help shape the future of trainable - 'Edinburgh Minuters have been brilliant in helping guide trainable through its early phases. We'd now like your help working out what to focus on in 2027, so we'd be grateful if you could complete a quick survey for us (with some chocs to be won!).' - More details here, shared by Jamie, trainable.
🌿 Nature Walks with Aisling
Sat 14 November - 'Aisling will guide us starting in Harrison Park East looking for birds, trees, fungi etc. 10 am suitable for all ages. Our second walk at 11.30am is suitable for adults starting with a grounding activity. Please sign up.'
10am to 1pm | Harrison Park East · Gorgie | FREE - More details here, shared by Fiona, Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust.
🎹 Free Piano Playing Teaching and Advice - drop in [Every Saturday]
Sat 14 November - 'Come to Pianodrome Bruntsfield on a Saturday morning for FREE piano advice and teaching from pianist Dhiran Sodha. All ages and abilities are welcome. Come along for some tips to progress your playing or just come for a chat.'
10am to 12pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub · Bruntsfield | FREE - More details here, shared by Dhiran Sodha, Pianodrome.
👶 Polwarth Pre-Loved Sale
Sat 14 November - 'Edinburgh's favourite pre-loved children's sale is back on 14 November! Shop 6,000+ quality clothes, toys and baby essentials. Get ahead with affordable, sustainable Christmas shopping and support Edinburgh Pregnancy and Parents Centre.'
11am to 1pm | Polwarth Parish Church · Bruntsfield | £2 - More details here, shared by Elaine MacDonald-Keen, Polwarth Pre-Loved Sale Committee.
💃 Beginners Salsa Class and Social Fundraiser
Sat 14 November - 'Come join us for a beginners salsa lesson and social to fundraise for Palestinian families. There will be a raffle and soft drinks/snacks as well Saturday 14/11/26. 7.30- 10pm. St James Church, 11A Johns Place, Leith, EH6 7EL'
7.30pm to 10pm | St James Scottish Episcopal Church · Leith | £15 or sliding scale - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎄 Light Up Leith Windows Design Workshop
Sun 15 November - 'Join an informal workshop to get inspiration and practical hints and tips about lighting up YOUR window for Leith, this Christmas! No experience needed. Free but please email to book your spot: LeithLightUp@gmail.com'
2pm to 4.30pm | Leith Community Centre · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Sally Millar, Christmas in Leith.
💼 Azets Post-Budget Breakfast Briefing
Thu 19 November - 'With rising debt and borrowing costs, and with a manifesto that has ruled out increases to our principal taxes, how are Burnham and Healey going to deliver against the rhetoric? Businesses face further challenges through new accounting regulation.'
8.30am to 10am | Azets - Accountants & Business Advisors · Tollcross | FREE - More details here, shared by Tracy Wilkes, Azets.
☕ Edinburgh u3a Open Coffee Morning
Thu 19 November - 'Retired or semi-retired? You are welcome to come along for a chat over a cuppa, and find out about joining us for just £10 a year. We have over 200 member-led groups covering everything from Album Club to Yoga, plus Monthly Talks and regular Trips.'
10am to 12pm | London Road Foundry Bowling Club · Portobello | FREE - More details here, shared by Vikki Kirby, Edinburgh u3a.
🌾 Meet the Scientists: Grasslands
Thu 19 November - 'Join us for a short talk to accompany our current exhibition Grasslands. This talk will be held by Tshering Dorji, a grassy scientist conducting research on the dynamics of woody encroachment and their impacts on rangeland resources of Bhutan.'
11am to 11.30am | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh · Inverleith | FREE - More details here, shared by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
🛍️ Festive shopping event - enjoy a glass of bubbly, special reductions and meet some talented makers!
Thu 19 November - 'Join us for our special Christmas shopping evening - find us just off the Royal Mile, a treasure trove of Scottish knitwear and woven goods. Meet some of our talented makers and enjoy special reductions across the store along with a glass of bubbly!'
5.30pm to 7pm | Scottish Textiles Showcase · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🕯️ Winter Rituals Workshop: Energy Types & the Art of Creating Rituals
Thu 19 November - 'An evening of conversation and connection. Discover your energy type and learn the art of creating rituals that nurture you. Come away with a toolkit of rituals that you can turn to whenever you need a moment of calm.'
6pm to 8pm | Jamaica Yard · New Town | 25 - More details here, shared by House of Ritual.
🎶 Music + Connection | Share & Listen
Thu 19 November - 'A music night designed to get to know the musicians, connect with others, and share a little bit of yourself. Think of it less like a formal performance and more like a friendly house party. Tea and Biscuit included'
7pm to 9pm | The Cookbook Shop · Canonmills & Broughton | from £8 - More details here, shared by Parasol Wu, Autum Audio.
📖 In Conversation with Richard Demarco & Roddy Martine
Sat 21 November - 'Join Richard Demarco and Roddy Martine in conversation at the Royal Scots Club to celebrate the launch of Demarco's Europe, published by Luath Press.'
11.30am to 1pm | The Royal Scots Club Edinburgh · New Town | £5 - More details here, shared by Elena Culman, The Royal Scots Club.
Remember you can always see all 280+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🎄 Tourist tax cash to hire festive 'ambassadors'.
- 👮♂️ Two police officers 'violently attacked' on bus.
- 🏫 Edinburgh's first Muslim faith school to welcome pupils next August.
- 🎪 Questions over Bristo Square Spiegeltent planning permission.
- 🖼️ Go inside the Stockbridge Creative Colonies.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 1,039.
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