The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 6 August 2026

👋 Good morning Edinburgh. If you heard a loud boom last night, you probably heard rehearsals for the Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle, which has another private preview tonight and then begins its 20-night run tomorrow (limited tickets still available). In newsletter news, the first of August's daily Edinburgh Festival Minute series lands tomorrow... Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.

🌦️ Today’s weather forecast: This morning's drizzle should clear early on but it will remain cloudy for much of the day. Sunshine could break through towards the end of the afternoon. A high of 18C around 3pm and a low of 12C tonight. Still no sign of those thunderstorms Edinburgh Live told us to 'brace' for. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.

💰 The Scottish Government yesterday announced a fund of up to £5m to support the city’s ongoing response and recovery to the Princes Street fire. Local businesses affected by the disruption will be able to apply for cash. Full details of how to apply for support 'will be released in the coming days', the council said. The fund will be share across the following:

• Building Works: To cover what the council describes as 'substantial daily costs' to make the building safe and retain heritage features, along with security bills. The council reiterated it 'will still attempt to recover appropriate costs from the owners.'
• Business Recovery: The council said it: 'recognises the impact that this has had on businesses across Edinburgh, particularly in Leith and the north of the city due to tram disruption. This funding will be used to encourage people to visit local businesses through a communications campaign, creating a local events fund and further incentivising patronage.'
• Festivals Support: "The fire has resulted in some events by festival partners in the immediate vicinity being relocated at short notice. Bookings have also been impacted. Requests for funding will be considered on a case-by-case basis."
• Other parts of the £5m will go to: Edinburgh Trams to cover its increased costs and loss of income, 'the installation of dressing at vacant units and construction sites [...] to maintain a positive image for Princes Street' and a new 'getting around town' communications campaign. - Limited early details on all of this are here + a Scottish Government press release is here but doesn't add much more detail. The council shared these photos:

⮑ Despite the funding news, council leader Jane Meagher was highly critical of First Minister John Swinney, saying the speed of response (just under four weeks) was 'shameful'. - Ian Swanson, Evening News / The Scotsman / Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.

🖼️ The National Galleries of Scotland will close some of its Edinburgh venues during proposed staff strike dates this month. Staff are planning to begin walk outs tomorrow, protesting against 'management imposing detrimental changes to working practices', which the NGS contests. - The galleries published a statement and closure details here.

🚔 Police found heroin and cannabis worth £210,000 in a car travelling on Calder Road on Tuesday. A 39-year-old man was arrested and charged. - Ross Hempseed, STV News.

🏨 The Four Points by Sheraton hotel on Haymarket Terrace will be 'rendered unrecognisable' by a revamp, reports Urban Realm.

Edinburgh hotel builds presence with a stone and slate makeover - August 2026 - News - Urban Realm

A dated Edinburgh hotel is to be rendered unrecognisable by a full programme of alterations, extensions, and refurbishments to complement a recent internal make

Urban RealmUrban Realm

🏠 The average selling price of local property was £296,298 during May–July 2026, up 2.7% year-on-year, according to the latest ESPC house price report.

ESPC House Price Report

Find out what’s been happening in the property market with the latest news from ESPC.

ESPC

🎭 The Scotsman newspaper has announced its 30-strong team of writers who will be covering this month's Edinburgh festivals. - Roger Cox, The Scotsman.

🎭 'The 50 powerbrokers shaping Edinburgh’s festivals this August' - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.

The 50 powerbrokers shaping Edinburgh’s festivals this August

The Herald turns the spotlight on who puts the festivals together, knows them inside out and makes sure they go ahead.

The HeraldBrian Ferguson

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🪩 In this week's Edinburgh Culture Minute: Get prepared for the first weekend of the Fringe, NGS to close venues during strikes, dynamic pricing warning, how to get phone signal, Graham Norton tickets + National Centre for Music seeks Creative Producer...

Edinburgh Culture Minute 🪩 5 - 11 August 2026

First weekend of the Fringe, NGS to close venues during strikes, dynamic pricing warning, how to get phone signal, Graham Norton tickets + National Centre for Music seeks Creative Producer

The Edinburgh MinuteMichael MacLeod

📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard

⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.

(Including today's first notice again because I made a mistake with the URL earlier this week)

🦞 Gringo Supperclub September Seafood Menu Now on Sale - 'Beautiful Scottish Seafood meets the flavours of Peru and Mexico. After months of working in Mexico and Peru we are delighted to announce a newly entirely seafood menu for September. 8 courses served around the communal table in our home. Book Now!' - More details here, shared by Kevin, Gringo Supperclub.

🚗 In search of Delivery Volunteers at Empty Kitchens Full Hearts - 'EKFH prepares & delivers meals to those in need across Edinburgh, free of charge & without judgment. If you have access to a car or bike, & a few hours a week (M-F) spare to help with deliveries, get in touch at edith.macdougall@emptykitchens.co.uk' - Shared by Empty Kitchens Full Hearts.

🏃‍♀️ Fundraising half-marathon for local artists - 'Ola from the Creative Edinburgh team is running a half-marathon in October to raise money for mentoring spaces for local artists & creatives. If you can chip in, please help secure five months of mentoring for those who need it most and raise £1050.' - More details here, shared by Ola, Creative Edinburgh.

☀️ Applications for solar panels and/or grants of up to £2500 will be closing soon on 21 August - 'Edinburgh Community Solar Co-Op raises capital from the public to install solar panels on Council and other community-owned buildings. Profits are distributed to community groups in Edinburgh. Grants for cash and/or solar panels are available.' - More details here, shared by Mark Bitel, Edinburgh Community Solar Cooperative.

Community Fund – Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative

🏒 Edinburgh Lions Ice Hockey - 'We're looking for adult recreational ice hockey players for our upcoming 2026/2027 season. Ice times are Monday nights from 9:30pm-10:30pm at the Murrayfield Ice Rink. If interested, drop us a message! edinburgh_lions_ihc@outlook.com' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

🧠 Language game for kids - 'We're looking for children aged 10-12 to play a short game to help us learn more about how children use language. Come visit us at the Dugald Stewart Building and contribute to our knowledge about linguistics! More info at the attached link. (Deadline: 20 Aug)' - Shared by Maisy Hallam, University of Edinburgh.

🧵 Celebrating 40 years of Festival Exhibitions - A Merchant's Journey and Jewellery of the World [Until 13 Sept]
Today, Thu 06 August - 'We are proud to host our 40th Festival Exhibition, featuring stunning textiles and jewellery from India, Central Asia and the Sahara. Join us in a merchant's Journey. Also presenting an outstanding collection of miniature textiles from the Pip Rau.'
10am to 5.30pm | Galerie Mirages · Stockbridge | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

🎶 Causewayside Session [Every Thursday]
Today, Thu 06 August - 'Free, live traditional Scottish folk music every Thursday'
8pm to 11pm | Steel Coulson Southside · Southside | FREE - More details here, shared by Glen Dawkins.

⚽ Kitback At The Market
Sat 08 August - 'Kitback, the social enterprise by sport for change charity Street Soccer, is popping up at Grassmarket Market on 8th August with hundreds of pre-loved football shirts for sale, with all proceeds supporting local community programmes.'
10am to 5pm | Grassmarket Market · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Darryn, Kitback.

🌳 Inch Park litter pick [Monthly]
Sat 08 August - 'Monthly litter pick. Picker, bags & gloves included. The second Saturday of every month. 11am-1pm Meet at Inch House'
11am to 1pm | Inch House Community Centre · Cameron Toll | FREE - More details here, shared by Friends of Inch Park.

💃 Detours X Dance Base All Styles Street Battle
Sat 08 August - 'A free dance battle open to all on the streets of the Fringe. Catch styles like Breakin', Contemporary, Afro, Popping, Locking, Irish or even Tap, and help decide the winner alongside the judges!'
12pm to 2.30pm | Assembly George Square (southeast corner · Marchmont & Meadows | FREE - More details here, shared by Dance Base.

Detours x Dance Base All Styles Street Battle

A free dance battle open to all on the streets of the Fringe. Catch styles like breakin’, contemporary, afro, popping, locking, Irish or even tap, or go head-to-head for your chance to win a cash prize and a spot in the Detours World Final in Brussels this October. To add some extra spice, a panel of local and international judges will be joined by you, the audience, to decide the winner. If you’re looking for more funk in your Fringe this Summer, make sure you turn up to get down.

Assembly Festival

🎶 Harmony in Blue
Sun 09 August - 'Come and support a local choir at the Fringe. Edinburgh Police Choir will showcase their unique medleys and arrangements of Scottish and pop songs in an afternoon concert in town. We'll also feature guest artists. Get tickets on the Fringe website.'
2.30pm to 3.30pm | Edinburgh New Town Church · New Town | £12 or £8 concessios - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Police Choir.

🪑 Empty Chairs with Kitty & Isabelle [Every Sunday]
Sun 09 August - 'A community-led campaign inviting people to sit together at pub tables across the UK - no one has to sit alone. No registering or sign-up, no pressure, just come along.'
6pm to 9pm | Steel Coulson Southside · Southside | FREE - More details here, shared by Glen Dawkins.

🧵 Beginner's Patchwork & Quilting Course [Every Monday]
Mon 10 August - 'In this six-week skill-building course, you'll learn all the basics, we cover rotary cutting, precise sewing and pressing, colour theory, quilt layout, and walking-foot quilting. You'll finish a 4 block "sampler" table runner. Materials are included.'
6pm to 8.30pm | Wasps Riverside House · Saughton | £195 for 6 classes - More details here, shared by Alison Tonï, StitchLounge.Scot.

Patchwork & Quilting

Join a four-week Patchwork Quilting course to learn fundamentals like rotary cutting, sewing, and colour theory. Create a 4 block “sampler” table runner using included materials. Upon c…

StitchLounge.scot

⚔️ Wargames Workshop
Wed 12 August - '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 · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Tanya Floaker.

🌀 Circle Dance Comes To Leith: Muckers, Ravelston, otisworming, Bog Factor, discjocelyne
Fri 14 August - 'discjocelyne brings Circle Dance to the Scottish capital for the very first time! Radical film screenings, live trombone electronica, DJs and dancing. Expect pastoral psychedelia perfect for high summer and a wee haven from the usual fringe madness.'
7pm to 1am | Leith FAB cricket club (Leith Franklin Academical Beige Cricket Club) · Leith | £10 - More details here, shared by Vicky Kavanagh.

🍽️ Eating and Waiting to Eat: Podcast Live - with Ben Lippett
Sun 16 August - 'Local favorite foodie podcast - Eating and Waiting to Eat - are doing their first ever LIVE recording at this year's International Book Festival; they'll be chatting with Chef and cook book author Ben Lippett at the famous Spiegeltent.'
10.30am to 11.30am | Edinburgh Futures Institute · Old Town | £15.50 - More details here, shared by Carlos Miranda, Eating and Waiting to Eat.

Eating and Waiting to Eat: Podcast Live – with Ben Lippett | Edinburgh International Book Festival

no description

Edinburgh International Book FestivalSpeaking at this event Kevin Rivers Carlos Miranda Ben Lippett

❤️ Caring Scotland?
Mon 17 August - 'By 2030, The Promise aims for every child in Scotland to grow up loved, safe and respected. Yet many looked-after children still face deprivation, additional support needs, poor attendance and exclusion. How far has Scotland come?'
5.30pm to 6.30pm | Scottish Parliament Building · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Stuart Buchanan, The Festival of Politics.

🏛️ Leith Central Community Council meeting
Mon 17 August - 'The Leith Central Community Council meets every third month at the Nelson Hall in the McDonald Library - it's open to all, come listen and participate to discussions on planning, transport, clean streets etc and more in the area.'
7pm to 9pm | McDonald Road Library · Canonmills & Broughton | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

Leith Central Community Council

Representing Albion, Bonnington, Easter Road, Hillside, Leith Walk, Pilrig and South Leith

Leith Central Community Councilminsec

📷 The Problem of Alice Kerr: Tracing a 'Lost' Victorian Photographer
Wed 19 August - 'Lady Alice Kerr (later Gaisford) was an amateur photographer working in Britain the 1860s. There is evidence to suggest she was photographing at Little Holland House, the centre of Kensington's social and artistic society in the early 1860s.'
10.30am to 12pm | Lauriston Castle · Silverknowes & Blackhall | £10 or £16 with tour - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

The Problem of Alice Kerr [Lauriston Castle Lectures]

Lecture about lady Alice Kerr (later Gaisford) an amateur photographer working in Britain the 1860s.

Culture Edinburgh

🎶 MC MAD Groove Armada presents
Fri 21 August - 'Bands, rappers, beatboxers and Dj from 3pm until 1am @ The Biscuit Factory on Friday 21st August 2026. Rock, funk, punk, ska, dub and alternative music'
3pm | The Biscuit Factory · Leith | £10 - More details here, shared by Hayley Goldthorpe.

🖌️ Leaf and Lino Fabric Printing Workshop
Sun 23 August - 'In this workshop we will explore lino and relief printing techniques for fabric that can be used at home. Layering colours and texture to create striking designs with tote bags to print on. The class is suitable for beginners. All materials provided.'
12.30pm to 4.30pm | Edinburgh Palette · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | £65 - More details here, shared by The Edinburgh Sewcial Club.

🍽️ Leith Kino presents Buffet Infinity (2025)
Sun 06 September - 'Buffet Infinity is an ambitious first feature made up entirely of spoof local tv adverts and news stories that suggest that all is not well with the new buffet that's opened up at the Crossroads Shopping Complex, south of Highway 1...'
7pm to 10pm | Leith Depot · Leith | £6, limited free tix - More details here, shared by Morvern Choudhry Cunningham, Freelance.

Buffet Infinity (2025)

. Buffet Infinity is an ambitious first feature by Canadian director Simon Glassman - a film made up entirely of spoof local tv adverts and news stories that suggest that all is not well with the new buffet that’s opened up at the Crossroads Shopping Complex, south of Highway 1... Recieving its UK premiere at Dundead this year, this is a rare chance to see Buffet Infinity with an audience. Fans of Adult Swim’s Too Many Cooks and SCTV - this one’s for you! Content warning: the film may contain flashing lights which may not be suitable for people with photosensitive epilepsy. We have also allocated a number of free accessible tickets for those not in a position to pay. If you would like to help support our free ticket initiative, you can pay it forward here. Leith Kino! A weekly community cinema night based at Leith Depot. Join us for weekly screenings, celebrating films that are international, experimental, arthouse, trash, cult, a little bit strange, and maybe otherwise hard to see on the big screen. There will be free (vegan) popcorn. Drinks and refreshments are available to purchase at the Depot bar, alongside our monthly posters, each designed by a different Leith-based artist. Leith Kino Access Information English subtitles will be onscreen for every screening, including descriptive subtitles where possible. The screening room is on ground level and is wheelchair accessible from the Leith Depot bar with flexible seating to accommodate specific requirements. There are accessible toilets in both the screening room and the bar. If you have any questions about access or if you need to reserve a specific seat, please email us at leithkino@gmail.com Leith Depot is well-served by public transport. It’s a short walk from the Foot of the Walk tram stop, and there is a bus stop outside the venue for services: 7, 14, 16, 25, and 49

Ticketlab

📮 What's missing from the Minute? Got an event to share? Nothing's too local! Please share your local news and events here.
Remember you can always see all 210+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps.

👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:

1. 🐣 Monthly Water of Leith wildlife update from Tom Kelly.
2. 🛣️ Trial scheme for Lothianburn Junction on City Bypass.
3. 🛍️ TBCo announces sample sale on the Community Noticeboard.
4. 🚲 'New contender for world's worst cycle lane'.
5. 🚎 New bus routes bid to beat George Street gridlock.

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