The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 13 August 2026
Festivals in funding fears, 11-week closure for Waterloo Place, Gorgie Social Club facing demolition + thousands up hills to see partial eclipse
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It's a busy one again today. Let's zoom through it and get you up to speed. With no adverts and no AI! Here’s today's Edinburgh Minute.
🌞 We start with sunshine until midday when cloud returns. There's a small chance of light rain around 3pm. A top temperature of 28C today. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
💰 Leaders of the city's multiple festivals have united to warn the council that Edinburgh risks eroding its global appeal unless core funding is increased. - Exclusive by Brian Ferguson in The Herald.
⮑ Cultural funding tops a busy agenda at today's council Culture and Communities Committee, starting at 10am at the City Chambers. A deputation from Edinburgh Festivals leaders will be presented, saying they generated £558 million of net economic impact for Edinburgh last year, supporting thousands of jobs. But currently-proposed levels of funding would see the likes of the Edinburgh International Film Festival receiving an uplift of 'only £750'. The group says: "We ask the Committee to maximise investment in the Third Party Cultural Grants for 2026- 27 by increasing the proposed 5% uplift by reassigning the £1.51million from the second round of Innovate fund. This will ensure a level of support that better reflects both the pressures the Edinburgh Festivals face and the extraordinary value they generate for the city."
🎤 Speakers will include Fringe boss Tony Lankester and Jenny Niven, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, reports Jane Bradley in The Scotsman this morning.
"The risk of underinvestment is not that the Festivals suddenly disappear, but that their programmes are constrained in ambition and their reach and impact are gradually reduced - fewer premieres and commissions, less experimentation and innovation, reduced national and international activity, erosion of brand and appeal. We risk losing the things that give Edinburgh the edge over other festival cities." - Edinburgh Festivals.
⮑ The Labour-run council's Third Party Cultural Grant Funding report is here. It's opposed by the local SNP group, whose culture spokesperson Finlay McFarlane said money from the new tourist tax should be more readily available:
"It's completely unacceptable that this fund is not ready to be opened for applications so we could do this in a fair and transparent way. And it's completely unacceptable to be offering what I think is a derisory 5% increase. That would give the Edinburgh International Film Festival an extra £750 on top of what they normally get. Really, £750. So the SNP group believe the best way of funding cultural organisations is to give them the money as core, preferably multi-year, and trust them to deliver all the fantastic community and visitor benefits that they do. There are number of new organisations you would expect to have that relationship with the council but don't because it's been a closed shop for 10 years."
⮑ Also on today's meeting agenda: A petition for an upgrade to Inverleith Park, funding for restoration projects at Leith Customs House, Tron Kirk and Portobello Kilns and a proposed temporary ban on new public art works in Princes Street Gardens. - The meeting will be webcast on this link.
🎭 The Edinburgh International Festival has defended its ticket pricing after it emerged some cost up to £150 each. The festival said the higher-end tickets enable it to open access to others for as low as £10. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
🌘 Thousands of people were up Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill to watch last night's partial eclipse. Minute reader Niels Bootsma shared this brilliant selection of photos, saying: "Not everyone managed to get themselves eclipse glasses but many queued up to watch through the scopes set up by the Edinburgh Astronomical Society, others found their own creative ways to project the celestial spectacle!" Here's a selection of photos kindly shared by readers:
Photos by Jack Dalgleish.
🌙 An album of images by Tom Duffin is here, featuring Batman:
Tom Duffin
🔭 And this nice note of community spirit shared by subscriber Marta Wittek:
"I wanted to big up the local hero who brought a telescope with a solar lens to st Marks park this evening. He set it up and let anyone take a look at the eclipse. What an absolute joy & a legend. Thanks to him me and many other people got to see something special with our own eyes. Made my day! I’m not sure he reads the Minute but deserves all the praise in any way."
🔥 A ‘very high’ wildfire warning has been issued for Edinburgh by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Wildlife Forum. - Heather Carrick, Evening News.
🏫 George Heriots School is planning new sports facilities at Goldenacre. Some neighbours have raised objections about losing their city skyline view, report Rachel Hitchman & Chloe Goodall, Edinburgh Live.
🏗️ Plans have been lodged to demolish the Gorgie Social Club building on McLeod Street and replace it with temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness. The development would have temporary accommodation for 97 households, plus on-site care and management services. Local MP Scott Arthur said: "The aim is to offer safe and suitable housing for people experiencing homelessness and to reduce reliance on emergency or inadequate accommodation within the city." - More details on the plans are on the Urban Realm website and the planning application is here.
Urban Realm
⛔️ Waterloo Place will be shut off to westbound traffic between Calton Hill and Leith Street for about 11 weeks from 7 September. Scottish Water is planning a £3m sewer upgrade. - BBC Scotland News. + Thanks to Minute subscriber Aisling for sharing this link to more details from Scottish Water.
3️⃣x2️⃣ = Sciennes Primary School has welcomed three sets of twins to primary one this week. - The council shared more details.
🛍️ A couple of new independent business openings:
- A new tiramisu cafe opened yesterday in Causewayside. - 102 Tiramisu is on Instagram.
- A new flower and plant shop called Goose is due to open today in Morningside. - Goose is also on Instagram.
🎯 Yesterday the Minute reported that the Borlands darts and television shop on Leith Walk is listed for sale. But what's the story behind this legendary Leith icon, and why darts and TVs? - Local historian Andy Arthur of Threadinburgh has dug into the archives to produce an incredible piece of local reporting on a family story dating back more than 100 years.
Andy Arthur - Threadinburgh
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📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.
🎤 Duncan Place Community Choir - '😮🎶 Four spaces available to join our upcoming 8-wk choir block (Tue 18th Aug - Tue 6th Oct, 7pm-8:45pm) for folks in Leith & surrounding areas. Block costs £45. A friendly, fun, & welcoming choir! Email Drew at events@duncanplace.org for more info. (Deadline: 18 Aug)' - More details here, shared by Drew Bain, Duncan Place Community Hub.
💆♂️ 10% Off Your Next Massage 💆♀️ - 'Take some time to escape the August crowds and switch off. Whether you need to ease tired muscles, recharge your mind or enjoy a moment of calm now is the time to reset. Located in Bruntsfield or Fridays in Old Town. (Deadline: 14 Aug)' - More details here, shared by Kim Davidson, Davidson Massage.
🎨 Phoebe Anna Traquair Murals [Until Fri]
Today, Thu 13 August - 'Escape into the world of Phoebe Anna Traquair's breathtaking murals. Mansfield Traquair Centre open day, 10.30am-12.30pm Short tours available with our friendly guides, free entry, donations welcome.'
10.30am to 12.30pm | Mansfield Traquair · Canonmills & Broughton | Donations welcome - More details here, shared by Friend of Mansfield Traquair Centre.
🎶 Sing-a-long-Scotland [Until Fri]
Today, Thu 13 August - ''Sing-a-Long Scotland' is a unique, inclusive EdFringe event. A feel-good family show for all ages. If you're looking for something uplifting and packed with Scottish music, you'll love this and you're invited to join in with the singing too!'
3pm to 4pm | LifeCare Edinburgh · Stockbridge | FREE - More details here, shared by Alison Collington.
🧘♀️ Yoga with Align. By Colette [Every Saturday]
Sat 15 August - 'Weekly Yoga with Colette, various venues'
9am to 10.30am | The Meadows · Marchmont & Meadows - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎨 Creating in the Park
Sat 15 August - 'A fun weekend of art, music and dance in spylaw park!'
10am to 6pm | Spylaw Park · Colinton | FREE - More details here, shared by The Colinton Tunnel.
🗣️ Speak Out Languages for Teens
Mon 17 August - 'Speak Out Languages is delighted to announce its online language classes for teens, designed to get them speaking - fast! Choose from Spanish, German, French or Italian. Text books are out, talking is in! Classes are small (just 6 students).'
5pm to 6pm | Speak Out Languages · New Town - More details here, shared by Speak Out Languages.
🎥 Bridging the Gap | Documentary Shorts
Tue 18 August - 'A collection of intriguing, deeply felt shorts uncovering extraordinary stories - from a remote therapeutic community to the rare condition of two Irish Giants, the hidden lives of feral cats, and North East queer icon Michael Sundin. And much more!'
6pm to 7.30pm | Cameo Picturehouse · Tollcross | £10 - £12 - More details here, shared by Scottish Documentary Institute.
🎻 Creating a Sonic Haven: Music, Connection and Equality
Thu 20 August - 'Join Dr Claire Garabedian for a dynamic session offering fresh perspectives and practical, accessible ways to use music creatively in care and community settings!'
6pm to 7pm | St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum · Old Town | £5 or PWYC - More details here, shared by St Cecilia's Hall.
🥕 Successful Veg Growing: Harvesting, storage and preserving
Sat 22 August - 'This workshop will be a mix of demonstration and useful hands-on activities. We will look at the best way to harvest your crops, the optimum methods of storing them, with a chance to exchange ideas and recipes for preserving your produce.'
10am to 12.30pm | Caley Demonstration Allotment · Cameron Toll | £30, members £25 - More details here, shared by Caroline Kerr-Smith, The Caley.
♠️ Bridge Taster Sessions in Edinburgh [Until Sat]
Sat 05 September - 'Ever thought of playing one of the most popular card games - Bridge? Then sign up for a free Taster Session on 2nd or 5th Sep at the New Melville Bridge Club. Bridge combines luck, skill and friendship to make it uniquely sociable and challenging'
1pm to 2.30pm | The New Melville Bridge Club · Corstorphine | FREE - More details here, shared by Troy van-de-l'Isle, New Melville Bridge Club Limited.
🎼 Sing Porty - choir taster sessions for new members [Every Thursday]
Thu 10 September - 'We are a fun and friendly choir in Portobello, and we're looking for new singers! No auditions, no need to read music, all welcome. We're running free tasters for new members on 3 & 10 Sep. Sign up at the link below. Hope to sing with you soon!'
8pm to 9.15pm | St John the Evangelist Church · Portobello - More details here, shared by Sing Porty.
📌 You can always see all 230+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
📮 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:
- 🏨 Exclusive: new hotel plan for Rennie’s Isle in Leith.
- 🏡 Couple ask friend and architect Richard Murphy to design their home.
- 🛝 Hundreds call for Inverleith Park play park upgrade.
- 🎯 Borlands darts and television shop on Leith Walk up for sale.
- ☕️ New coffee spot opens today: The Rose Shed.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 974.
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