The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 11 August 2026

Restalrig residents evacuated by police bomb squad, Princes Street fire political fall out, eclipse viewing parties tomorrow + comedians' free show for local foodbanks

Last night's sunset, photographed by Tom Duffin.

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.

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🚔 Houses on Restalrig Avenue were evacuated yesterday afternoon after a bomb disposal team was called to reports of a suspicious item around 1pm.

The all-clear came around 6pm, with Police saying: "Emergency services, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal, attended, and the item was made safe."

😎 The weather forecast is looking uncertain for tomorrow's solar eclipse. Around 90% of the sun will disappear behind the moon. Here's when it's due to happen, followed by links to local coverage:

🌓 6.08pm - first contact of the eclipse.
🌑 7.05pm - maximum eclipse.
🌞 8pm - eclipse ends.

⮑ There are suggested viewing spots including Arthur's Seat and Blackford Hill in Heather Carrick's Evening News report.

⮑ The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh is hosting a partial eclipse viewing party on top of Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat. The event will offer use of some telescopes and some free eclipse glasses, as people are warned not to look directly at the eclipse. - Ross Hempseed, STV News.

🚨 People are warned against using dodgy glasses to watch the eclipse as safety-approved options began selling out, reports The Herald.

🔥 The political debate over the response to the Princes Street fire continues. Local politicians have a 'deeply-felt dismay at the way Edinburgh had been treated' compared to the response to Glasgow's Union Street fire, reports Ian Swanson in the Evening News.

'Does Glasgow really get preferential treatment from the Scottish Government?' - asks The Bell. There's a lively debate on its Instagram post.

🐾 A 62-year-old Edinburgh man has been banned from keeping pets and ordered to pay compensation to the Scottish SPCA charity after he mistreated two dogs in his care. - Alexander Lawrie, Evening News.

🚗 Around 50 parking fines were issued to cars parked on grass at Calvary Park near Duddingston during a football tournament over the weekend, reports Jacob Farr, Edinburgh Live.

☕️ The Traade cafe and shop in Portobello reopens from 9am today after a revamp. - See it here.

🎤 Comedians will perform in support of the Edinburgh Food Project charity today. The Seven Minute Stage returns to George Square for its second year from 6pm today. - Full details here.

🎭 'How to survive the Edinburgh Fringe: A local’s guide to making it through August' - Phoebe Davies, Edinburgh Tab.

💌 Thanks to everyone who got in touch about The Scotsman report I linked to in yesterday's Minute. It sparked some strong reactions, with some asking for justification of its inclusion or further context. To be clear: The Minute's linking to any other sites or local news coverage is never an endorsement of its framing. My role is keeping public scrutiny and local government actions on your radar. When a council investigation is reported in local media, I believe Edinburgh residents should know about it, regardless of the other publisher's framing. There were fair challenges of my one-sentence coverage, which I agree could have included more detail, such as the Queer Milk peer support group flagging up what it called 'factual inaccuracies' in other publications. Nuance often gets lost in this quick bulletin format and I appreciate those who pointed that out constructively. It's welcome feedback. However the thought of choosing not to report on local press coverage when the council is involved would have felt worse. To be clear, the Minute is always intended to be a safe and encouraging space for all. Since the first editions three years ago, it's always been, and will always be, an inclusive space that celebrates trans people, as those who read all of yesterday's edition closely will have noticed. Linking to local press coverage doesn't change that value of reflecting city life. I'll be keeping a close eye on how the council responds too, from transparency, public scrutiny and equality points of view. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to share helpful feedback. To those who sent personal abuse, please remember there’s a human on the other end of this newsletter doing their best to keep the city informed.

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🌲 The Woodcraft Folk youth group - New term starting - 'We have spaces for the upcoming term (ages 13+), we meet on Mondays, fortnightly in Broughton. Free taster session 7pm 24th Aug . More information and register your interest here. Interested in volunteering? We would love to hear from you too! (Deadline: 24 Aug)' - More details here, shared by Emmeline Aves, The Woodcraft Folk.

🧵 New sewing and textiles courses launch at Edinburgh Open Workshop - 'Edinburgh Open Workshop has expanded its textiles programme, with new courses in machine knitting, garment making, sewing, textile art and laser cutting, developed in response to growing demand and feedback from its creative community.' - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Open Workshop.

☕ Community Host Café - 'North Merchiston Club is hiring a Café 48 Community Host! Help us run our warm, welcoming café, preparing food & drinks, keeping things clean and friendly. 12 hrs/wk, above Living Wage, meals on duty. Friendly, hardworking people welcome, apply now! (Deadline: 14 Aug)' - More details here, shared by The North Merchiston Club.

🧠 Participants Wanted For Psychology Study - 'Help University of Edinburgh researchers uncover how we understand language! Take part in a 30mins eye-tracking study, view images while listening to recordings, and support cutting-edge research! For Details Email: v1emcco@ed.ac.uk (Deadline: 11 Sep)' - Shared by University of Edinburgh.

📚 Local history Drop-Ins [Every Tuesday]
Today, Tue 11 August - 'Are you passionate about local history? The Granton Archive Project (GAP) volunteerswill be there to chat, explain and show you our rich collection of photos, videos and documents, and we also have tea and biscuits!'
2pm to 4pm | Madelvic House · Granton & Pilton | FREE - More details here, shared by juliet henderson, granton:hub.

🍻 Pub Quiz [Every Tuesday]
Today, Tue 11 August - 'Win £50 bar tab, for once a decent runner-up prize, other rather more disappointing/frankly bizarre prizes. Beer from £3.90/pint! £2/head entry. Max 6/team. Don't ask about question 50... Reserve a table here https://shorturl.at/XmFEy'
8pm to 10pm | Steel Coulson Southside · Southside | £2 - More details here, shared by Glen Dawkins.

💃 Nat’s Zumba classes [Every Wednesday]
Tomorrow, Wed 12 August - 'Fun packed Zumba class that will make you forget your working out. All classes drop in.'
6.20pm to 7.20pm | Gorgie War Memorial Hall · Gorgie | £5 - More details here, shared by Natalie Hall, Nats Zumba classes.

🔒 Online Safety Seminar with ACE IT
Thu 13 August - 'ACE IT is hosting a 'Staying Safe Online' session for Edinburgh Tenants Federation members. Join us for a presentation to learn more about password management, staying safe online, avoiding scams and viruses and more.'
10am to 11am | Norton Park Business and Conference Centre · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF).

🎨 Wind from afar- Chinese pigment painting workshop
Thu 13 August - 'Step into the world of traditional Chinese art through a hands-on pigment painting workshop with artist Mengyuan Tong. Guided by the rich visual language of Chinese patterns, we will explore the meanings and transform them into artworks.'
3.30pm to 5pm | Leith Makers · Leith | £16 - More details here, shared by Mengyuan Tong, Leith Makers (Calum MacLean).

🧵 6 Week Absolute Beginner Sewing Course [Every Thursday]
Thu 13 August - 'Our 6-week course is designed to take you through a range of beginner sewing skills, including basics, zips, and a garment project of your choosing.'
6pm to 9pm | Paradigm Shift Open Studio Ltd · Leith | 170 - More details here, shared by Paradigm Shift Open Studio Ltd.

🎶 Free lunchtime klezmer concert
Fri 14 August - 'Och Vey brings a special semi-acoustic set to the Bruntsfield Pianodrome. Our usual foot-stomping melodies will be interspersed with mellower instrumental and vocal klezmer tunes as we invite you into a space of solidarity and resistance.'
1pm to 2pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub · Bruntsfield | FREE - More details here, shared by Och Vey.

🤝 6 Degrees of Separation
Sat 15 August - 'Six Degrees of Separation is a live tattoo performance exploring the invisible connections between strangers. Watch or take part at The Island, Custom Lane, as simple black line tattoos become a collective artwork documenting human connection.'
10am to 6pm | The Island · Leith - More details here, shared by JamJam Tattoo.

🧵 Edinburgh Street Stitchers at The Pavilion Cafe
Sat 15 August - 'Edinburgh Street Stitchers will be outside the Pavilion Cafe on the Meadows between 11am and 12.30pm on Saturday 15th August. Bring along a garment and get advice on how to repair it. There will be needles, thread, scissors, patching fabric etc.'
11am to 12.30pm | The Pavilion Café · Marchmont & Meadows | FREE - More details here, shared by Mary Morton, Edinburgh Street Stitchers.

🍽️ Persian Fringe Dinner Masterclass with Solmaz
Sat 15 August - 'Solmaz is back with another Persian Masterclass, drawing on old family recipes in this hands on cooking class - the perfect start to a wondful Fringe evening in Edinburgh! Proceeds support our community Cook School in Leith.'
5pm to 7.30pm | Cyrenians Flavour and Haver Cook School · Leith | £35 - More details here, shared by Cyrenians.

✊ FREEnge - Festival of Resistance
Sun 16 August - 'This Sunday, The Meadows becomes a stage of resistance - FREEnge returns for year 3! Organised by Scottish PSC in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation and standing against Zionist occupation, apartheid, and genocide.'
12pm to 6pm | The Meadows · Marchmont & Meadows | FREE - More details here, shared by Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

🧘‍♀️ Space to Breathe - Relaxation Retreat [Until Wed]
Sun 16 August - 'It is easy to feel overstimulated, tired and in need of some space during the Festival. Drop into any session for guided meditations to release stress, quiet the mind and fresh energy. A peaceful oasis with a beautiful back garden to relax in.'
7pm to 10pm | Kadampa Meditation Centre Edinburgh · Leith | £8 per session - More details here, shared by Kadampa Meditation Centre Edinburgh.

🌳 Monday Meadows Walk [Every Monday]
Mon 17 August - 'A short gentle walk round the Meadows suitable for anyone who's returning to exercise, perhaps from injury or illness, or wanting to increase activity levels. Free & friendly! No obligation to attend regularly, just come along when you feel like it.'
10.30am to 11.30am | East Meadows at the benches between Cafe Refresh and the loos · Marchmont & Meadows | FREE - More details here, shared by Cherry Ledlie, Active Communities, Edinburgh Leisure.

🧘‍♀️ 6 Week Beginners Pilates Course [Every Monday]
Mon 17 August - 'This course fuses classical Pilates with exercises from physiotherapy and strength & conditioning to build a resilient, connected body. Open to everyone, including those recovering from an injury, and older adults focusing on stability and posture.'
11.15am to 12.15pm | Ashtanga Yoga Edinburgh & Hillside Collective · Canonmills & Broughton - More details here, shared by Emma McCready.

🎉 Edinburgh People's Procession
Sun 13 September - 'The People's Procession offers local community groups and organisations the chance to be part of the Edinburgh Riding of the Marches, with its stunning cavalcade of 280 horses and riders on the Royal Mile, cheered on by thousands of spectators.'
2pm to 4.30pm | Royal Mile · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh March Riding of the Association.

📌 You can always see all 200+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things.

📮 What's missing from the Minute? Got an event to share? Nothing's too local! Please share your local news and events here.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 972.
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