The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 9 July 2026
Major fire overnight on Princes Street, work on new concert arena has stalled, Cameron Toll confusion after dodgy paint job + can you help a local charity find a new home?
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It will be even warmer today, with the temperature due to hit 25C this afternoon once the cloud clears around midday, according to the Met Office forecast. Same again tomorrow. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.
🔥 There was a large fire overnight at a row of empty shops on Princes Street. Firefighters remain on the scene this morning and continues to billow from the former department store.
- There's a video of the building fully ablaze just after 3am here. Firefighters got the call around 2.50am, reports BBC Scotland News.
- The building is part of the 109-112 Princes Street complex, formerly home to River Island and Levi's shops (next to the former Debenhams) which are all closed. The site is owned by Criterion Capital, which has planning permission to build a Zedwell hotel there.
- The cause of the fire will be investigated. The row of buildings was linked to a string of tax-evading gift shops, exposed in the Minute last September.
Is there a massive fire at princes street?
by u/Kokonadee in Edinburgh
Jim Waterson
- Traffic diversions are affecting buses and trams. Get live updates from Edinburgh Trams here and Lothian Buses here.
🏟️ Work on the long-awaited new indoor concert arena at Edinburgh Park has stalled due to challenges in the construction industry. The 8,500-capacity venue was originally hoped to open next year. - Exclusive by Brian Ferguson in The Herald.
Brian Ferguson
🚧 New road markings at Cameron Toll have drawn criticism after last weekend's roadworks left the paint job half-finished. One local quoted claims 'there’s no pride' in such work anymore. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.
🎓 A couple who fled war-torn Syria and settled in Edinburgh have graduated with distinction from Edinburgh Napier University with degrees in architectural technology. - They're interviewed by Chloe Goodall, Edinburgh Live.
🛍️ 'First look inside Scotland's hugely anticipated Sephora store' - STV News.
🪩 The final few days of this week have a 'calm before the storm' feel about them, with the Castle Concerts series on Friday night starting a busy cultural calendar for the capital this summer. I've done my best to sum up the highlights in this week's bonus Edinburgh Culture Minute newsletter.
Michael MacLeod
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter. Remember you can find all the listings on a map here and on the calendar here.
🏢 Charity seeking accommodation in Edinburgh city centre - 'We are a small charity of seven persons working in community climate action seeking premises in Edinburgh city centre. Happy to discuss sub-leases/sharing etc. We have a reasonable budget for circa 700sq ft of space. (Deadline: 31 Jul)' - More details here, shared by Mark Dowey, ECCAN.
🏡 Looking for Edinburgh homes to feature in new YouTube series - 'Just 4 days left to submit your home to ESPC's new YouTube series, Open Viewing! We're looking for stylish, showstopping properties - our presenter and judges will tour each home and decide: make an offer, note interest or move on. Apply here 👇 (Deadline: 13 Jul)' - More details here, shared by ESPC.
🎓 Retiring soon, or recently retired? Share your experience in a University of Edinburgh study - 'MSc student researching the transition into retirement. Looking for adults who are retired or approaching retirement to take part in an interview or group workshop. If you are interested email S2898813@ed.ac.uk or sign up: https://l1nk.dev/4r38wgg (Deadline: 10 Jul)' - Shared by a Minute reader.
📝 Survey participants wanted! - 'I'm doing research for the University of Edinburgh on environmental issues and voting behaviour in Edinburgh. If you're a voting resident of the city, I'd be grateful if you could fill out this 2 minute survey. Answers are anonymous and confidential.' - More details here, shared by Benedict Brown, University of Edinburgh.
🥥 SPAMALOT! [Until Sat]
Today, Thu 09 July - 'Happy Sad Productions proudly presents Monty Python's SPAMALOT! A crazy colourful comedy musical based on the iconic cult film 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'! Running Thursday to Saturday evenings at Portobello Town Hall (plus Saturday matinee)'
7.30pm to 10pm | Portobello Town Hall · Portobello | £15, £12 concessions - More details here, shared by Happy Sad Productions.
🤔 Makers Q&A Live with Carmen & Lauren
Sat 11 July - 'Join Carmen & Lauren live for an open Maker Q&A. Ask about applications, waiting lists, markets, updates or anything on your mind. No question? Come and listen. Live only, limited spaces-book now before they're gone.'
10am to 10.45am | Online · Portobello | FREE - More details here, shared by Carmen Chalmers, Support The Makers.
🎥 Vertigo screening at the Filmhouse
Sat 11 July - 'The Filmhouse is screening a 4K restoration of the Alfred Hitchcock classic Vertigo. It includes an introduction and post-film Q&A with Caroline Young, author of Fashioning Hitchcock, who will discuss the film's visual language and costume design.'
2pm to 5pm | Filmhouse · Tollcross | £13 (Conc £11.50) - More details here, shared by Caroline Young.
🎉 10: Exhibition and Birthday Party Celebrating a Decade of Detail Framing & Gallery
Sat 11 July - 'We're 10! Please celebrate with us at the opening of our latest exhibition, 10, which showcases the work of some wonderful artists we've had the privilege of working with since we opened in 2016. Nibbles, drinks, music & goodie bags. All welcome!'
3pm to 6pm | Detail Framing Studio & Gallery · Tollcross | FREE - More details here, shared by Jamie McAteer, Detail Framing Studio.
🏃♂️ Social 5k run with Runners of Leith
Sun 12 July - 'Join Runners of Leith for a socially paced 5K run hosted by our friends The Trusted Crumb on Sun 12th July. No need to register - just turn up at 10am at Leith walk polisbox for a 1015 start. Refuel with 20% off wholefood bakery Trusted Crumb.'
10am to 11am | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups · Canonmills & Broughton - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith walk polisbox pop ups.
🌈 Darwin and the Queer Origins of Life: Ross Brooks on the History of Sex and Science
Tue 14 July - 'What did Darwin and Linnaeus really think about sex? In this iconoclastic history book, Ross Brooks shows how queerness was at the heart of evolutionists' thinking about the natural world. Come join us for a discussion chaired by Kevin Guyan!'
7pm to 8pm | Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop · Old Town | £4/free - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
⚔️ Wargames Workshop
Wed 15 July - '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.
🌍 Circular Economy Netwalking
Thu 16 July - 'Active in the circular economy or curious about getting your business or organisation invovled? Join us for a walk on the Meadow to connect, share and learn - and grow the circular economy so people and nature can thrive.'
9.15am to 10.45am | The Meadows · Marchmont & Meadows | FREE - More details here, shared by Thrivable Scotland & Edinburgh Circular Economy Network.
💻️ Linux Cafe
Sat 18 July - 'With the end of official Windows 10 support, many will be forced to buy a new computer. Edinburgh Linux Café can help by showing you Linux Mint, a free and easy alternative that can add years to the life of your machine.'
1pm to 4pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Linux Cafe.
📒 Travel Log Bookbinding Workshop
Mon 27 July - 'Learn two nifty book structures in this travel themed workshop - one to take on your next adventure and one to keep as a record of your trip. All materials, refreshments and follow up instructions provided.'
10.30am to 4.30pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community · Trinity & Newhaven | £100 - More details here, shared by Cass Barron, Bookbinding with Cass.
🫖 Step into Wonderland and unlock your creativity with Tracey!
Sat 01 August - 'Join published poet and experienced workshop leader Tracey S. Rosenberg for a magical creative writing session inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Ticket price includes 3 Moleskine cahiers and tea from Whittard's.'
4pm to 5pm | Moleskine · New Town | £18.04 - More details here, shared by Tracey S. Rosenberg.
🎶 St Mary's Cathedral: Lunchtime Recitals [Until 31 Aug]
Fri 07 August - 'Free lunchtime recitals from some of the best classical musicians in the city. With different performers each day, in Edinburgh's most beautiful acoustic.'
1pm to 2pm | St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral · West End | FREE - More details here, shared by Timothy Coleman, St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral.
🎶 Sing-a-Long Scotland [Until 14 Aug]
Fri 07 August - 'Only Fringe show created for people living with dementia, their families, friends and carers. Join in our feel good show as Johnny plays guitar and sings a selection of Scotland's favourite songs. All proceeds to Alzheimer Scotland and LifeCare.'
3pm to 4pm | LifeCare Edinburgh · Stockbridge | FREE - More details here, shared by Alison Collington.
🚀 Turing Fest 2026
Wed 23 September - 'TuringFest is the UK summit for tech startups and investors! The ever-popular Edinburgh event is back with a packed two day program - day one for startups and investors, and day two for the general tech community! 10% code: EDINBURGHMINUTE10'
9am to 11.30pm | The Biscuit Factory · Leith - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
📮 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:
- 🏗️ Hotel plan for former Scottish Widows HQ.
- 🚦 Pedestrianisation plan for city centre streets.
- 🎬 Derry Girls star Nicola Coughlan filming in Dumbiedykes.
- 🍽️ Victoria Street's new restaurant Whirlybird reviewed in Scottish Field.
- 🍾 New local bar and restaurant job listings in Popped Cork newsletter.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 949.
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