The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 19 February 2026
Council tax could rise again, Corstorphine carpark tragedy, airport boss jets off + 'find treasures' at Leith clothes swap
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.
💰 Council tax could be going up again. Councillors will vote on proposed new rates at a special budget meeting next week. It went up 8% last year and could go up 5% from April if plans are approved.
- The proposed increases are:
- Band A: £1,042.34 to £1,094.46 per year
- Band B: £1,216.06 to £1,276.86
- Band C: £1,389.79 to £1,459.28
- Band D: £1,563.51 to £1,641.69
- Band E: £2,054.28 to £2,156.99
- Band F: £2,540.70 to £2,667.74
- Band G: £3,061.87 to £3,214.96
- Band H: £3,830.60 to £4,022.13.
- There's coverage by Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan on: BBC Scotland News, STV News, The Herald, Edinburgh Live, Midlothian View and The Edinburgh Reporter.
- The council budget meeting agenda papers are here, including opposition parties' proposed alternative budgets.
🚑 Police are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage after a 66-year-old man was fatally struck by a vehicle outside the Tesco Extra supermarket in Corstorphine yesterday morning. - The police appeal is here.
⮑ An air ambulance was involved in the emergency response and landed in the car park. - BBC Scotland has video from the scene here.
✈️ Longstanding Edinburgh Airport Chief Executive Gordon Dewar has announced he'll step down at the end of 2026 after 14 years in the job. - The airport published more details here.
🍽️ The owner of Glasgow’s Horseshoe Bar is taking over the former Charwood Bar and Grill on Buckstone Terrace. - Scott Wright, The Herald.
⭐️ Hollywood star George Clooney is continuing his support of the Social Bite charity. Having visited its Rose Street cafe in 2015, now the actor and humanitarian is helping raise money for the homelessness charity by offering to have lunch with competition winners. - More details via Social Bite.
✌️ 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.
🏃 A flippin’ good run! - 'Thank you to nearly 100 runners who took part in the Shrove Tues 5K at The Meadows, raising £125 for Youth Vision in the Pentlands following their break in. Join us on the 17th March for our St Patrick’s Day 5K, raising funds for The Scran Academy.' - Thanks to Catriona Bruce from Blast Running for sharing this.
🍸 Keeping you up-to-date with what's going on in Edinburgh's bars and restaurants, the latest edition of Popped Cork has news on the Edinburgh Bar Show and the Cork & Cask Summer Fair, as well as local hospitality jobs and deals. - Popped Cork.
POPPED CORK
- ⮑ There are also more local jobs on the weekly Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network noticeboard: 31 different paid positions available in Edinburgh now and a multitude of voluntary positions.
🖼️ Painter and printmaker Jenny Martin has been announced as the next monthly CreativeMornings speaker. It's on Friday 27 February (from 8.30am) at the Royal Scottish Academy building, where Jenny will share insight into how the 145th Open Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour has come together. - More details and limited free tickets are here.
🏰 A series of events has been announced to celebrate 100 years since Lauriston Castle was gifted to the public, including a murder mystery where guests can use their sleuthing skills to uncover the culprit. - More details here.
🪩 In this week's Culture Minute: £172k available for local creative events, three Japan-inspired vinyl listening bars + win lunch with George Clooney.
Michael MacLeod
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🗣️ The Edinburgh Suburban and Southside Junction Railway (the 'South Sub')
Today, Thu 19 February - An illustrated talk on Edinburgh's 'South Sub' rail line - by railway author Kenneth G Williamson.
7pm to 8.30pm | The Quaker Meeting House, EH1 2JL | FREE - More details here, shared by Lawrence Marshall, Capital Rail Action Group.
🎸 Fundraiser for Edinburgh's International Women's Day March
Today, Thu 19 February - Join us for a riotous night of bands and poetry to raise funds to run this year's International Women's Day March in Edinburgh, featuring Sheila at the Pound Shop, Fistymuffs, Cici, and poet Azra with Mega Raffle! Everyone is welcome.
7pm to 10pm | Leith Depot, EH6 5DT - More details here, shared by Victoria Plutshack, IWD Edinburgh.
☕ Tea Ceilidhs [Weekly]
Today, Thu 19 February - A live band will call Scots ceilidh dances and a few others. the venue has a cafe for tea, scones and cake. A friendy sociable crowd. Music by Stan Reeves and friends.
2pm to 3.45pm | Marchmont St. Giles’ Parish Church, EH9 2DW | £6 on the door - More details here, shared by Stan Reeves.
🪿 Scottish Wildlife Trust talk about creation of Levenhall Links and Musselburgh Lagoons nature reserve
Today, Thu 19 February - Wildlife talk from East Lothian ranger about the development of the Musselburgh lagoons from ash dump to nature reserve and how this is managed today. No booking required and no charge to attend. Doors open 7:15pm.
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Cornerstone Centre, St John's Church, Princes Street, EH1 2EP | FREE - More details here.
🎤 Tango Evening Fundraiser starring CARLOS ROULET
Sat 21 February - Fourth-year Edinburgh Napier students are organising a fundraiser this Saturday to help fund their graduation films. Spend the evening listening to renowned Argentine Tango singer Carlos Roulet while supporting local students. More info via the link!
7pm to 8.30pm | Morningside United Church, EH10 4DH | Tickets from £5 - More details here, shared by Tomás Vega Roulet.
🎨 'Drawing Buddha' Art Workshop
Sun 22 February - Sun 22 Feb: 10.30am-1.30pm The Art of Enlightenment Workshop with Buddhist Nun, Gen Tubchen. Try a creative way to calm your mind, increase your focus, & feel inspired! Enjoy a special workshop drawing the peaceful face of Buddha; no experience req.
10.30am to 1.30pm | Kadampa Meditation Centre Edinburgh, EH6 5EA | £25 (incl materials) - More details here, shared by Kadampa Meditation Centre.
🧵 Stitches & Bitches [Weekly]
Sun 22 February - Calling Edinburgh craft lovers, you're welcome to stitching club Stitches & Bitches ! This group was created for people to get together and have a good ol' stitch wether that be crotchet, knitting or cross stitching.
12.30pm to 3.30pm | Biblos, EH1 1HR | FREE - More details here, shared by Indy Jasmin, Stitches & Bitches.
🍷 Kimchi and Kraut Workshop
Sun 22 February - Learn to ferment your vegetables into delicious kimchi and a custom kraut using your favourite herbs and spices. This fun class will demystify fermentation for you. We'll be tasting fermented foods and kombucha. Discount code EMdiscount
1pm to 3pm | Leith Pilates, EH6 6AY | 25% off on Sun 22nd - More details here, shared by Ruth munro, Edinburgh Fermentation.
🍜 “Wednesday 25th Feb, 6.30pm Leith Community Centre - Edinburgh SOUP. Come for a bowl of soup, live music and hear from brilliant small local projects doing something positive for Edinburgh. The audience votes and the winning idea takes home the ticket money to help make it happen.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Can B for sharing this.
🎶 Nicola Benedetti plays Mendelssohn with the SCO
Thu 26 February - Join Scotland's favourite violinist Nicola Benedetti as she joins conductor Maxim Emelyanychev and the SCO for Mendelssohn's exhilarating Violin Concerto. Limited tickets available.
7pm to 10pm | The Usher Hall, EH1 2EA | From £15 - U18s FREE - More details here, shared by Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
📌 “Thursday 26 February, 6.30-7.30pm: Edinburgh Qigong Classes at the Salisbury Centre. Join Chris on Thursday evenings to learn and practice the gentle, rhythmic movements and exercises of Zhineng Qigong. To book message Chris on 07760665597. chriscatcune21@yahoo.com” - Thanks to Chris Watkins of Edinburgh Qigong Classes for sharing this.
🤝 Leith Clothes Swap
Sat 28 February - Leith Clothes Swap is a free event for thrifty folks to find a new-to-you wardrobe or to donate one! Drop your decluttered, life-left clothes off or just come by to find a treasure. There will also be home baking and some local art from @debipirieart.
1pm to 4pm | Leith Depot, EH6 5DT | FREE - More details here, shared by Debi Pirie.
👑 This Is Not A Tragedy Drag Show
Sat 28 February - Part cabaret, part party, part social, the night is designed to feel warm, welcoming, and easy to be in. Expect drag hosting and performances, music and dancing, and plenty of space to talk, laugh, and connect without pressure.
8pm to 12am | The Wee Red Bar, EH3 9DF - More details here, shared by Romeo & Juliet.
🍷 CLAY: Amphora Wine Fair
Sun 01 March - CLAY: Amphora Wine Fair is back for 2026. To welcome the start of spring on Sunday, 1st March from 12-5pm we're transforming Stockbridge's Sotto Enoteca & Trattoria into a showcase of over 100 amphora wines. Ticket includes clay cup (valued at £22).
11am to 5pm | Sotto Enoteca & Trattoria, EH4 1LY | £28 (+ fee) - More details here, shared by CLAY.
🥾 “Thursday 5 March. Netwalking in Holyrood Park for people working to create places and planet where people and nature can thrive. Discover what others are doing; be part of a growing community of practice; slow down, reflect and reconnect in nature. Our conversation topic is ‘resilience’.” - Thanks to Osbert Lancaster, Host of the Thrivable Scotland podcast, for sharing this.
🧘🏻♀️ Flow & Connect: A Hot Yoga Social for Singles
Sun 08 March - A curated hot yoga experience for singles who want to meet naturally. Enjoy a 50-minute guided hot yoga class (all levels), then relaxed mingling with healthy snacks and drinks. No speed dating - just movement, good energy, and organic connection. 💘
7pm to 9pm | Hotpod Yoga Edinburgh Haymarket, EH11 1AF - More details here, shared by Romeo & Juliet.
✨ ️ From Clutter to Clarity - Decluttering as a Spiritual Practice (3-week course)
Thu 12 March - Beginning 12 March: A three-week spiritual decluttering journey at The Salisbury Centre. Drawing on the KonMari Method® and Swedish Death Cleaning, explore how mindful clearing can create space in your home - and in your inner life.
1.30pm to 3.30pm | The Salisbury Centre, EH16 5AB | £95 - More details here, shared by Rebecca Jo-Rushdy, Spark Joy & Flow.
⚽️ “Sunday 22nd March. An affordable 6-a-side football tournament organised by First Class Football Shirts. £100 entry. Cash prizes.” - Thanks to Zavian Khalil from First Class Football Shirts for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Or an event to share? Nothing's too local! Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🎓 Questions over University of Edinburgh staff vehicles.
- 🪴 Mini-documentary: 'Inside Eliza’s Beautifully Cluttered Home.
- 🍺 Inside new 'Parliament Arms' pub opposite Scottish Parliament + the planning docs here.
- 🚔 Plan for city police drone team.
- 📘 Writer Ian Rankin plots Rebus return.
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⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 845.
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