The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 6 November 2025

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. The Culture Minute will be landing in paying subscribers' inboxes later today! Here’s today’s Edinburgh Minute.

🤝 First up: in case you missed it yesterday, I wrote about how refusing to take advertising in this newsletter has resulted in a big donation to the Edinburgh Food Project charity, which operates seven foodbanks around the city. - Read more here. This sort of thing only happens thanks to paying subscribers helping the Minute to exist, so thank you.

🔥 There was a 'considerable reduction in serious disorder over the Halloween and Bonfire Night period' said a joint statement issued by police and the fire brigade. Unlike last year, there were 'no significant incidents recorded' and 'only minor reports of antisocial behaviour and disorder reported in parts of Edinburgh and Midlothian', according to this police statement.

• The number 21 Lothian Bus service was diverted in the early evening due to anti-social behaviour at Calder Road and Broomhouse Road, reports John-Paul Clark in the Daily Record.
• Police said 25 Dispersal Orders were issued in Edinburgh, along with 34 stop and searches under new powers implemented for Bonfire Night.
• Helicopter footage filmed over Niddrie was released by police overnight. Officers said it 'shows officers coordinating movements on the ground and monitoring incidents from the air.' - The 20-minute Police Scotland video is here.
• The video is 20 mins long. I've watched it to save you the bother. Nothing jumps out but some notable moments:
• ⮑ Police said some 'small fires' were set near the Bingham Medway underpass last night.
• ⮑ Police can be seen tracking people on bikes they say were 'doing wheelies up and down Niddrie Mains Road in balaclavas'.
• ⮑ Among some of the people police said they spoke to were 'families out looking at the helicopter'. One officer responds: "I'm sure you can suggest it would be better doing that inside so you don't get wet."

🪧 Staff at the University of Edinburgh have voted to go on strike again later this month. - The news was broken first by Lucy Frewin and Maryse Bots in the Edinburgh Dot.

EXCLUSIVE: UCU confirms strike action for last week of teaching

By Lucy Frewin and Maryse Bots

EdinburghDot’s SubstackEdinburghDot

• ⮑ A 'plumbing issue' forced the University of Edinburgh to close its Main Library yesterday evening. - Jamie Calder, The Edinburgh Tab.

🏥 The social work team at Edinburgh's Sick Kids Hospital has been retained after councillors reversed a decision to scrap it. - Joseph Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter.

🎄 The Edinburgh’s Christmas festival has been denied permission to expand this year’s events over concerns about damage in Princes Street Gardens. Yesterday councillors voted to refused Unique Assembly's plan to add eight new market stalls and two new attractions in the eastern part of the gardens. - Joseph Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, in The Herald.

🏠 The average local house price has gone up by 3.7% to £298,181 year-on-year for the August to October period. - More details in the quarterly ESPC report here.

🚗 Car hire firm Enterprise has been given permission to increase the number of vehicles in its City Car Club scheme t0 more than 180. It has more than 13,000 members. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.

💰 Edinburgh's Children First and Bethany Christian Trust are among eight charities awarded £250,000 each in the Essentia Foundation's record £3.5m investment in Scotland's young people. - More details via Foundation Scotland.

📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard

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

📌 Tonight: "Thursday 6 November – Join Edinburgh Climate Drinks at the Joseph Pearce pub from 7pm for a friendly chat about all things climate. With COP30 kicking off in Belem next week there's lots to talk about! All welcome (you don't have to work on climate issues to come along)." - Thanks to the Edinburgh Climate Drinks organisers for sharing this.

📌 "Grab a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of wine in the other—it's time to get creative! Our Paint & Sip evening is all about fun, laughter, and letting your artistic side shine. Every Saturday 5.30-7.30pm, at Marpole Retreats (Leith Walk), with local artist Susie Beveridge." - Thanks to Marpole Retreats for sharing this.

📌 "Thursday 6 November 2025 at 7:30pm at Ashfield 61 Melville Street. West End Community Council Meeting. Including, at the start, a brief presentation from the developers proposing a pod hotel in Atholl Cres. Also trams, licensing, planning, roads, and local councillors feedback, see Facebook page." - Thanks to the West End Community Council for sharing this.

📌 "7th-9th November: Come and support St Columba's Hospice Care Pop Up Christmas shop. 10am-4pm. 17 Boswell Road, EH5- 3RW and then enjoy a cuppa in the Iona Cafe." - Thanks to St Columba's Hospice Care for sharing this.

📌 "Friday 07 Nov at Dance Base: Pirita and Thabo invite you to a sharing of work from their residency week, The Measure of Beauty R&D is a bold exploration of how global beauty standards influence body image and mental health while blending dance, poetry & visual installation." - Thanks to Pirita - Dance Artist & Thabo - Spoken Word Artist/Poet for sharing this.

📌 "Friday 7 November. One day pop-up display celebrating the legacy of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at the National Library of Scotland. Learn more about Shelley's Scottish connections and see some of her unique handwritten letters. 11am to 4pm (free)." - Thanks to the National Library of Scotland for sharing this.

📌 "Friday 7 November 6pm AND Saturday 8 November 11am - Chamber music at St Vincent's Chapel. Violin/viola duo Deux Mèches, originating in Paris bring a programme of music by Pierre Boulez, Judith Weir, Pal Jardanyi and others for a celebration of the magical combination of music-making and friendship." - Thanks to Emma Lloyd for sharing this.

📌 "7-8 November - Shinty Taster Weekend. Gaelic Week Edinburgh are hosting a weekend of shinty-themed fun, starting with a talk by BBC sports presenter Hugh Dan MacLennan on Friday 17.00-18.30 followed on Saturday by a match between two local shinty teams at The Meadows from 10.30." - Thanks to Gaelic Week Edinburgh for sharing this.

📌 "Saturday 8 November: A FULL MOON READING – "I'm two halves of the moon, I'm still evolving" at Typewronger Bookshop | Under the November full moon, writers Fariha Róisín & Sophia Hembeck spend an evening reading from their works!" - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 "Calling all Dance Lovers: Join our dancing and social lunch gathering at Voodoo Rooms this Saturday! 11- 1 pm Reggaeton Christmas Party workshop and 1.30 pm lunch gathering with like-minded people. Few places left, get in touch and I can share more details : info@piritatuisku.com" - Thanks to Pirita Tuisku Founder of Groove Back Community for sharing this.

📌 "Saturday 8th NOV. From Edinburgh to Jerez: Celebrate International Sherry Week at Scotch Malt Whisky Society, with a sherry & sherried whisky tasting led by Lenka Whyles, a Certified Sherry Educator and Keeper of the Quaich. Tasting includes 4 sherries, 4 whiskies and Spanish-style nibbles." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 "Sunday 9th November. One day only, 20 fabulous vintage pop-ups, all under one roof! Glorious vintage clothing for all genders and budgets, fully curated stalls by incredible vintage sellers who know their onions (and vintage), plus accessories, jewellery and collectibles!" - Thanks to Out of the Blue Drill Hall for sharing this. - See a video of the market here.

📌 "Tuesday 11th November - Rare Birds Book Shop are so excited to be hosting Amanda Block & CJ Cooke into the store to celebrate the publications of their new novels - The Haunting of Hero's Bay & The Last Witch. Tickets are £5 and can be redeemed against any purchase on the night." - Thanks to Rare Birds Book Shop for sharing this.

📌 "Wednesday 12 November, 6pm: Join SHBT at Riddle's Court for our next lecture, Seaside City: Revisiting the History of Edinburgh's Coastline. Jonathan Gardner and Tamsin Grainger will discuss the history and heritage of the city's coastline and its importance for thinking about the city of the future." - Thanks to Scottish Historic Buildings Trust for sharing this.

📌 "Wednesday 12 November – Running your own business? Join The Knowledge Room at Hotel Indigo, Princes St. A relaxed and friendly morning for freelancers and small business owners to share ideas, ask questions, and find the right support to help your business grow." - Thanks to Susan Graham (Creator of Embra Digital) for sharing this.

📌 "If you're interested in learning more about how both coders and non-coders are using AI to build software, please join us for Top of the Slop, a prompt based coding competition at CodeBase on Wednesday 12th." - Thanks to Oli from New Stacks for sharing this.

📌 "Saturday 15th November. Join us for a wonderful bookish morning with 2 author interviews, goodie bags, lunch, tea/coffee all included in ticket price. Tigerlily, George Street 10-2pm." - Thanks to Amanda and Amanda, Book and Pudding Club Edinburgh, for sharing this.

📌 "Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November 10:00-12:30. Are you looking to try something new, boost your energy, or support your wellbeing? My intuitive painting workshops in Leith are light-hearted mindful sessions to help you experiment, let go of your inner critic, have fun and release judgement." - Thanks to artist Vicky Paul for sharing this.

📌 "Sun 16 Nov 7pm - Don't miss 'Sons of Townhall' Scottish debut at Leith Arches. Perfect for fans of Simon & Garfunkel, Tom Waits, & Monty Python alike, you'll be uplifted, inspired, transfixed and transformed, in awe of their harmonies, drunk on the adventure & tragic beauty of the human condition." - Thanks to Tandem Tales for sharing this.

📌 "Tuesday 18th November 8-10pm - Choose Chess Tuesday at Rising Tide Cafe. Bring your own chess board and a winning strategy for an evening of chess in our relaxed licensed cafe. Tickets £6.50 includes welcome drink." - Thanks to Rising Tide Cafe for sharing this.

📌 "Your donations can make a real difference for our Fashion Sale – Sun 30 Nov at the Leith Walk office. We're asking for good-quality, pre-loved adult clothing and handbags, with every item helping us raise vital funds for our Community Taskforce. Visit our website for info on drop offs. Thanks." - Thanks to Jason, Events & Volunteer Coordinator at Volunteer Edinburgh, for sharing this.

📌 "Help a lonely older person in Edinburgh know they matter this Christmas by sending them a Christmas card. This wonderful annual campaign run by local charity Vintage Vibes is a firm festive tradition for many. Sign up from today to receive a profile of a local older person to write a card to." - Thanks to Georgia Artus, Vintage Vibes, for sharing this.

📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.

👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:

1. 🦉 Tom Kelly's Water of Leith wildlife video diary for October.
2. 🎂 Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith surprises Bruntsfield hairdresser.
3. 📵 Edinburgh schools' mobile phone ban could cost £500k.
4. 🌊 Porty beach on 'worst affected' pollution list.
5. ⚡️ Controversial AI data centre plan 'will be reviewed'.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 762.
📬 Free subscribers: 25,500+.
📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 850,000+.

Don’t want to subscribe but still keen to show your support? Please like this post or put a coin/note into the tip jar below. Thanks!