The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 10 November 2026
Protest planned for transport meeting, Saughton Park cafe closing after three years of losses, Meadows Festival 2027 postponed + new bar planned for Forrest Road
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Sorry there was no newsletter yesterday. Thankfully much of what was published elsewhere yesterday was already in last Friday's Minute. It's a longer edition today as I'm squeezing in bits I missed over the weekend. Hopefully it's useful! Some really brilliant items in the noticeboard, thanks to many contributors. People-powered news beats AI and automatically aggregated news every time! Here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ Today's weather forecast: Still dry and a bit sunnier today. Another chilly start, 3C at sunrise, reaching 7C by lunchtime. It could dip to 1C tomorrow evening. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
🌅 Sunrise: 7.39am. Sunset: 4.14pm.
🔥 Police want locals to help them trace 'a group of youths' who blocked Oxgangs Road North with flaming bins and threw fireworks at police on Bonfire Night. - More details here. Saying she was 'angry and disappointed to see isolated incidents of disorder', council leader Jane Meagher published a statement thanking those who behaved.
- Meanwhile 'Bonfire Night was lovely in Niddrie,' reports Clifford Heberden in The Edinburgh Inquirer.
🚔 Three people have been charged with terrorism offences after a Palestine Action demonstration outside the US consulate on Regent Terrace on Saturday. - Calum Loudon, STV News.
🎓 'Edinburgh University paid firm £435,000 to help with cuts bid' - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
🎼 New images show the ongoing transformation a site near St Andrew Square which will become home to the Dunard Centre 1,000-capacity concert hall. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
🚦 This Thursday's council Transport Committee has a lengthy agenda as usual (see it here), helpfully previewed here in the latest edition of the edi.bike newsletter. In summary:
- 🔥 A section of Princes Street currently reduced to one lane following June's fire is expected to fully reopen 'by the end of December'. - The report is here (page 11/12) + Ian Swanson reports in the Evening News.
- 🚎 Councillors will consider a petition said to have been signed by 2,000 people against the trial of new bus lane hours between London Road and East Milton Road. The report is here.
- 🌳 Councillors will vote on plans to remove trees from a planned George Street revamp (as reported last week). The plan includes new pedestrianisation, planters and benches as part of a reduced design with an estimated £20m price tag, compared to an original £34m plan. - The report is here.
- 🪧 Before the meeting there will be a protest outside the City Chambers, organised by the local Critical Mass group, who say: "We have seen no meaningful action in the Cowgate, despite two serious incidents. Traffic-free routes have not been improved for night time safety. The numbers of people killed or seriously injured on Edinburgh roads has not changed. Join us on Thursday to call for faster change."
🔵 After nearly a decade on the council, Liberton and Gilmerton's Conservative councillor Phil Doggart has resigned to take up a new job in the private sector, reports Phyllis Stephen in The Edinburgh Reporter.
- "Since next year’s council elections in May fall within six months, there will be no by-election to fill the vacancy," writes Ian Swanson in the Evening News.
🍻 Having sat empty for two years since Ballie Ballerson went into administration, plans for the Oddfellows' Hall building at 10-18 Forrest Road have surfaced. Local pubs firm Signature Group says it will create 90 jobs when it opens the Ember & Fellows bar 'early' next year. - Heather Carrick, Evening News + Sarah Campbell, The Herald.
🌳 The Four Square Park Cafe in Saughton Park is closing on Wednesday after making 'losses for three years' despite support from the council, Friends of Saughton Park and the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. Jane Devine, CEO of the Four Square Scotland charity, said:
“Closing Four Square Park Café is a decision we have not wanted to make. We have worked for three years to make the cafe a success, and we are incredibly proud of what it has achieved. The café has been about community and providing a beautiful space for people to come together, celebrated some of life's most important occasions and it has given more than 20 young people the opportunity to take their first steps into employment. Sadly, despite everything the café has contributed socially, we have not been able to make the business financially viable. Despite support from the City of Edinburgh Council, Friends of Saughton Park and the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, we have carried losses for three years, and even a glorious summer has not brought the level of sales needed to sustain the café. As a charity, we have a responsibility to manage our resources carefully, and we cannot continue to absorb these losses indefinitely. We are immensely grateful to everyone who has supported the café, worked in it, volunteered in it, celebrated in it and made it part of their lives. We will always be proud of its social impact. We hope that someone with a fresh perspective and an innovative approach to running a park café will see the potential in this wonderful space and find a way to make it work for the local community.”
🎪 Organisers of the Meadows Festival are postponing next year's event. They said: "With rising costs and fewer volunteers available to organise the festival, we need some time to regroup, recharge and plan for the future." - More details here.
🐦 A Southside flat that had a 'pigeon infestation' has been listed for sale for £100,000. The East Crosscauseway property is advertised by Auction House Scotland, adding: "Please note the pigeons have now been removed from the property and the property is secure." (If anyone knows why this happened to this flat, please get in touch with the Minute here.)
🏨 A developer has submitted revised proposals for a hotel on York Place. 'Are the changes enough to satisfy previous critics?' asks the Broughton Spurtle.
🎭 Grid Iron Theatre Company say they've been given a month to leave their office of 17 years at The Shore, adding that others in their building have also had to 'make way for short-term let flats': "If you push out cultural and community groups, independent artists and craftspeople, small businesses and charitable organisations, communities will suffer. Cafes, corner shops and pubs will suffer." - Read their full statement here.
🎨 'Edinburgh arts groups condemned for 'lobbying' councillors' - Brian Ferguson in The Herald.
🪩 Sophie Ellis-Bextor to headline Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party DJ stage - Liam Eunson, Midlothian View.
📚 "The library gave us a safe nocturnal space, a respite from standing outside the chip shop, fearing the aggressive attention of the bigger boys, hoping to bully the smaller ones, or to cadge chip money from the drunks streaming out the boozer." - Writer Irvine Welsh looks back on being a 'handful' for Muirhouse library staff when he was a child, as he launches The Herald's Christmas Appeal in partnership with Scottish Book Trust.
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💚 DATE UPDATE, THIS IS ON TONIGHT: 🍽️ Edinburgh Writers' Forum
Tue 10 November - 'Food writer and Elliot's founder Jess Elliott Dennison joins us to talk about how to add the dimension of taste to our writing, claiming the word 'writer', and swapping from a major publisher to indie. Ticket includes a drink & good people.'
7pm to 9pm | The Edinburgh Bookshop · Bruntsfield | £5 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Writers' Forum.
🗣️ Call for residents to shape how Visitor Levy funds are spent in their communities (9 Nov - 6 Dec) - 'Residents across Edinburgh are being asked to share their ideas for how some of the funds raised through the Visitor Levy should be spent in their local areas, as the Council launches Your Voice: Visitor Levy. Submit your ideas online now. (Deadline: 06 Dec)' - More details here, shared by City of Edinburgh Council.
💔 The Gym Group Edinburgh City - 'After 14 years and currently around 3,000 members Edinburgh City The Gym Group announced its closure on November 30th. Please sign the petition and share the link to spread the word. (Deadline: 30 Nov)' - More details here, shared by Indiah Turner.
🎄 LifeCare launches its Christmas Campaign - 'Local charity LifeCare is asking for donations to ensure older people living alone this Christmas receive a gift. £10 ensures an older person has something to open, a moment of warmth, a feeling of connection, feels seen and smiles this Christmas' - More details here, shared by Molly Nicoll, LifeCare.
🌮 Gringo Supperclub Launches 2027 Cooking Class Dates - 'Dates are now on sale for our Jan, Feb and Mar 2027 taco cooking classes. Come learn how to make tacos, salsas and tortillas from scratch, the perfect date night or gift for your foodie loved ones.' - More details here, shared by Kevin, Gringo Supperclub.
🖥️ Desk available in shared West End office - 'Fancy a desk away from home? We’re a small group of remote workers & freelancers sharing a bright West End studio – and we have room for more right now. Approx. £210/month incl. WiFi, meeting room, 24/7 access. Come and have a look!' - More details here, shared by Denise, sandstonecastles marketing.
🤝 Could you befriend an older person living in the Southside? - 'Southside Buddies is our hyperlocal befriending service which aims to support those aged sixty plus to be less isolated and feel less lonely through the provision of befriending service. We're recruiting new volunteer befrienders.' - More details here, shared by Southside Community Centre Association SCIO.
👶 Trying for a baby or expecting? Couples needed for research! - 'I'm a trainee clinical psychologist researching couples' attitudes and behaviours around alcohol when trying for a baby or during pregnancy. UK men and women in couples can take part in a 10-minute online survey, with a chance to win a £50 voucher!' - More details here, shared by Nicole Walsh, University of Edinburgh.
🌱 Thrive: Free business support for neurodivergent & disabled Scottish founders - 'Build a business that works with your brain, body and life, not against them. There’s no pressure to fit a mould here, just practical support, people who get it and room to do things differently. 3-week programme funded by the Scottish Government. (Deadline: 18 Nov)' - More details here, shared by Digital Boost.
🚲 Cargo Bikes to Hire - 'Porty Bike Library hires out cargo & other electric bikes for a small fee or for free. Cargo bikes are great for families to carry younger children or for moving cargo about. We have different trikes & bikes to suit different people.' - More details here, shared by Porty Community Energy.
🎄 VOCAL's wellbeing advent calendar - 'VOCAL is launching a Christmas fundraising challenge with a twist – an online advent calendar of daily actions to help you feel your best, while raising money for unpaid carers. Email fundraising@vocal.org.uk to sign up or find out more.' - More details here, shared by VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian).
🌍 Online Zoom Forum: R S Thomas: The Spiritual, Ecological and Social Vision in His Life and Work. - 'There will be five talks, each of 15 minutes, followed by discussion among the speakers and the chair, followed by Q & A. Date: Wednesday 11 November 2026. Time: 7pm-9pm (UK time).' - More details here, shared by Neill Walker, Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace.
🎄 Before We Gather: Four Free Christmas Relationship Webinars - 'Christmas gatherings can bring up more than festive feelings. Join us for four free Sunday webinars on family patterns, boundaries, disagreement and repair by ReConnect Scotland. 22 Nov - 13 Dec, 2 - 3:20pm online, with space for questions.' - More details here, shared by ReConnect Scotland.
♟️ Greenhouse Gambit
Tuesday 10 November - 'Greenhouse Gambit chess night is back!'
6pm to 11pm | Paradise Palms · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Mark Quinn.
🪑 Edinburgh Decorative and Fine Arts Society Talk
Tuesday 10 November - 'Jane Geddes on "Piping Pigs, Groping Mermaids: some carved panels from Fetteresso". Lecture at both 14.30 and 19.00. Jane is a co-editor of "Lothian" in the Buildings of Scotland series. She is Professor Emerita of Art History at Aberdeen University.'
7pm to 8pm | St John's Church · West End | £6 - More details here, shared by Peter Hunter, EDFAS.
📚 Programmatic Advertising 101
Wed 11 November - 'Want to understand how programmatic advertising really works? Join The Women in Programmatic Network and Bloom Scotland for a Programmatic 101 session, designed for anyone working in digital media, marketing, or advertising.'
9.30am to 11am | Dentsu Creative Edinburgh · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Natasha Walker, The Women in Programmatic Network.
🦇 Edinburgh's Witches, Wh*res and Wayward Women Walking Tour
Tomorrow, Wed 11 November - 'A 90-minute walk through Edinburgh's Old Town with a gothic novelist, through stories of women history labelled. Expect witch trials, gallows, body snatchers, brothels, Bedlam, and gallows humour (literally). Pay-What-You-Want Wednesdays (no catch😉)'
6pm to 7.30pm | The Witches Well · Old Town | Pay-What-You-Want - More details here, shared by Melanie Frome.
🎲 Captain Georgie's Quiz at Tamson's Bar! [Every Wednesday]
Tomorrow, Wed 11 November - 'NEW quiz night at Tamson's Bar starting Wednesday! Come and check out Easter Road's newest pub quiz for a super fun evening and super cool prizes 🎊 £2 entry each, no bookings - just turn up!'
8pm to 10pm | Tamsons Bar · Leith | £2 - More details here, shared by Tamson's Bar.
🕊️ Talk on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Wed 11 November - 'A special for Armistice Day: a talk by Elaine Edwards of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. As well as describing the work of the CWGC the talk will include information about the CWGC graves in the Canongate Kirkyard. Online or in-person.'
2.30pm to 3.30pm | The Crannie Community Hub · Old Town | £7.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Old Town Association.
🏰 The Lost Royal Lodgings of Edinburgh Castle and the Birthplace of Great Britain
Wed 11 November - 'Hear about this fascinating topic from a speaker with 40 years involvement in the history and archaeology of Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Lodgings are where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the future James VI of Scotland/ I of Great Britain.'
7pm to 8.30pm | Paterson's Land · Old Town | £3 for non-members - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Archaeological Field Society.
📢 'Breaking the Silence' - Historic Adoption Practices Exhibition
Thu 12 November - 'In the recent past, babies were taken from unmarried mothers. This happened in state-funded homes and hospitals. Join us in learning about and exploring the experiences of mothers whose children were removed and adopted without their consent.'
10.30am to 4.30pm | Leith Public Library · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by MAA Scotland.
📚 The World's End Murders - The Inside Story
Thu 12 November - 'Tom Wood was one of Scotland's most senior police officers investigating the most serious crimes and is now an author. He will talk on the 1977 murders of Helen Scott and Christine Eadie and the investigation he led, bringing the case to court.'
10.30am to 12pm | Nelson Hall Community Centre · Southside | FREE - More details here, shared by Southside Heritage Group.
🐧 Edinburgh Linux Cafe
Thu 12 November - 'Ever had to endure mandatory updates minutes before a key deadline? Or been forced to replace a device by Microsoft or Apple? We can show you a free and easy alternative using Linux without these irritations, as well giving new life to your device.'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | 50 George Square · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Linux Cafe.
🌀 An Hour in Chrysalis - Time, Tantra and Telescopes
Thu 12 November - 'Artist Hetal Chudasama will deliver a performative lecture on Tantra and its non-linear dissection of time, drawing from the research at the foundation of her new site-specific installation in Collective Gallery's heritage observatory.'
6pm to 7.30pm | Collective · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Collective Gallery.
🎬 Ready, Set, Shoot! The Art of Working as a Film Crew
Thu 12 November - 'Join ECVS' Anna Brehm and Erik Bamberg sharing their experiences and tips on running a shoot where everyone has a great time and all the shots are in the can. Open to members, friends, anyone who's always wondered just what it's really like on set.'
7.30pm to 9pm | Edinburgh Cine & Video Society · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Susan Stewart, ECVS.
🥑 Vegan Masterclass with Norma Gray
Fri 13 November - 'Join Norma for a hands-on cooking masterclass and learn to create seriously flavourful, more-ish vegan food that you'll want to make again and again. Funds raised from this event go directly to the Cyrenians Cook School.'
6pm to 9pm | Cyrenians Flavour and Haver Cook School · Leith | £70 - More details here, shared by Cyrenians.
👠 'Strut Your Sparkle' - A Sparkle Sisters Fundraising Fashion Show
Fri 13 November - 'A WOMEN ONLY EVENT - come along and support our amazing courageous women taking to the catwalk. It's a fundraiser but as importantly an empowering celebration of women whose lives have been affected by homelessness or abuse. Doors open at 7pm 💞'
7.30pm to 9pm | St Columba's Free Church of Scotland · Old Town | £15 - More details here, shared by Catriona Lamont, Sparkle Sisters Edinburgh.
💙 T1D Companion Club
Sat 14 November - 'It's diabetes awareness month! An afternoon of conversation, connection and "oh gawd you too?!" Moments around life with type 1 diabetes. Come solo or bring a friend, partner or supporter - for adults 18+. Tickets include a soft drink & hypo snacks'
2pm to 4pm | Round The World Studios · Leith | £6 - More details here, shared by Alex Durussel-Baker, Diabetes By Design.
🖋️ Poetry Workshop: Writing Into the Unknown
Sat 14 November - 'A workshop to explore what we don't know - that infinite resource! - and invite unknowing into our poems. All welcome.'
2pm to 4pm | 6 Glengyle Terrace Bruntsfield · Tollcross | £40.00 - More details here, shared by LYNN DAVIDSON.
🎶 The Beatles Marathon UK - Saturday 14th November 2026 - 'Local bands are taking on every album by The Beatles to raise money for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. Join us from midday on Saturday 14th November at Portobello Town Hall, and bring all the family to journey through the hits of the fab four. (Deadline: 14 Nov)' - More details here, shared by Dan, The Beatles Marathon UK.
🖼️ Seeing Scotland Differently
Sat 14 November - 'Discover Scotland through art and mindfulness. Explore unique perspectives, connect with emotions and find inspiration through art.'
7pm to 10pm | Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End · Haymarket & Dalry | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🇳🇵 Fundraising Lunch for Educational Charities in Nepal
Sun 15 November - 'Enjoy a Nepali buffet lunch at Gurkha Bar & Restaurant in Musselburgh while raising funds for two charities supporting education in Nepal. Sunday 15 November, 12 noon. £45 per person, with vegetarian options available.'
12pm to 3pm | Gurkha Bar & Restaurant · Musselburgh | £45 per person - More details here, shared by Patricia.
🏢 Edinburgh tenements: Organising and managing common building repairs
Thu 19 November - 'Under One Roof, Scotland's tenement charity, is hosting a free information and Q+A session on managing common repairs and retrofit in flatted properties. We will also be providing free copies of our new owners' association toolkit.'
10am to 12pm | Edinburgh City Chambers · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Under One Roof.
🏃♂️ Edinburgh 24
Sat 08 May - 'Edinburgh 24 is back in May '27! Take on 6, 12 or 24 hours running around Holyrood Park, solo or as a team, completing as many laps as you can. Winding around Arthur's Seat, the route offers varied elevation and a challenge to keep you on your toes.'
10am to 9.30am | Arthur's Seat · Holyrood Park | £45- £200 - More details here, shared by Breaking Strain.
📍 Remember you can always see all 280+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🏨 Argyle House 400-bed hotel plan revealed.
- 🧨 Van full of fireworks worth £5,000 stopped on London Road.
- 🏫 The history of Leith Walk Public School, 150 years since its opening.
- 🧑🍳 Leith Wee Kitchen's new Winter / Spring cooking class timetable.
- 🏡 Base rate raised to 4%: What it means for Edinburgh home buyers & sellers.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 1,036.
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