The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 16 June 2026
Edinburgh Airport strike called-off, council computer systems blackout, debate on data centre ban + a look inside new Fringe HQ
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.
✈️ A planned summer strike by 400 workers at Edinburgh Airport has been called off after they secured a pay deal. - Holly Lennon, STV News.
⮑ The airport said it was 'pleased that a deal has been agreed', reports Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.
⮑ The new pay offer will earn the workers an extra £1800 or 5.5%, whichever is greater, alongside improvements to shift, sickness and paternity pay, said the Unite union in a press release.
🛜 Council computer systems apparently decided to opt-in to the optional Bank Holiday yesterday. All systems including phone lines were unexpectedly non-operational all morning. The council said 'system issues' were resolved just after 1pm.
🚦 There will be an update on the Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route at Thursday's council Transport & Environment Committee meeting. - The edi.bike newsletter has a helpful preview, along with much more local transport news in the weekly newsletter.
⮑ Also on Thursday's Transport & Environment Committee agenda: the tram extension consultation results (detailed in Minute edition 924), Salamander Street Air Quality Action Plan, Controlled Parking at Balgreen Road, an update on Water of Leith water quality + a Waste and Cleaning Performance update. - Find the full agenda and reports here.
📆 Other council meetings this week include:
⮑ Today from 10am councillors will get an update on proposals for 'safer drug consumption facility' in Edinburgh. - More details in this report for the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board + in this report by Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald. The public consultation on the proposal is open until 1 July.
⮑ Tomorrow's Planning Committee will include discussion about whether or not the council should ban the construction of new data centres. The topic surfaced after councillors rejected plans for a 'green' data centre in South Gyle, which is now being appealed by the applicant. - Read the council's full report here.
⮑ Tomorrow's councillors will also discuss the future of the Westfield Court block in Gorgie. They will vote on whether to formally object to a crucial (possible) historic listing of the building. - The council report is here.
🤝 Find 27 jobs with Edinburgh-based social enterprises and a multitude of voluntary positions in the weekly Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network round-up. - Links to apply to each role are here.
ESENAdmin
📚 The full programme for this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival is due to be announced at 10am today. - More details on the event website and in tomorrow's Edinburgh Culture Minute for paying subscribers.
- New additions to the book festival line-up include best-selling authors John Grisham, Juno Dawson, Mark Haddon, Matt Haig and Ann Patchett, as well as some politicians. - Brian Ferguson has the details in The Herald this morning.
- LNER has been announced as a new sponsor of the book festival. - Director Jenny Niven talks to Jane Bradley in The Scotsman.
🎭 The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has unveiled a first look at its new permanent home, Fringe Central, ahead of its opening this August. Over the last 12 months, the former school building on Infirmary Street has undergone a major refurbishment. - There's a clip on YouTube and coverage here from Theatre Weekly.
⮑ All Edinburgh Theatre is looking for volunteer reviewers to join the team for its Fringe coverage this year. - More details here.
🥃 A prime commercial unit on St Giles Street (map link) overlooking the city just off the Royal Mile is to become a new whisky bar. Whisky Quay Bar will be operated by the team behind Port of Leith Distillery. - Splintr Design shared some details.
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📚 Edinburgh mum shortlisted for Kelpies Writing Prize - 'Edinburgh mum Jenni Fuchs is one of only five finalists shortlisted for the 2026 Kelpies Prize for Writing, a prestigious Scottish competition celebrating new voices in children’s literature. The winner will be announced in September.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌳 Summer Solstice Forest Bathing (mindful walk & tea ceremony) in Inveresk Gardens - '🌱🌻Saturday 20th of June 10:30-13:00 join a Summer Solstice Forest Bathing session to soothe, restore and connect deeply to nature. Learn creative nature connection invitations & share with others in an intimate group of 10, five spaces left. 🌻🌱 (Deadline: 19 Jun)' - More details here, shared by Wild Rose Forest Therapy.
🏠 Caretaker Wanted – Heart of Newhaven - 'We're looking for a reliable and motivated Caretaker to join our team at the Heart of Newhaven. Hours: 16 hours per week Working Pattern: Predominantly evenings and weekends Pay: Real Living Wage' - More details here, shared by Roger Walpole, Heart of Newhaven.
♿️ Step-free access at Armchair Books! - 'Armchair Books is delighted to welcome even more customers to the shop. Same floor-to-ceiling chaos, now with step-free access across the whole shop floor! (ECA Library just up the road has the nearest wheelchair accessible toilets.)' - More details here, shared by Armchair Books.
🌉 From across the bridge - A massive data centre has been proposed in Fife - 'A massive data centre has been proposed for Auchtertool greenfield land. If built, the facility will consume energy equivalent to 20% of Scotland’s total energy consumption and more than 50% of Scottish residential energy usage. Object by 2 July. (Deadline: 02 Jul)' - More details here, shared by JP.
🛍️ Stoarra Summer Pop-Up [Daily]
Today, Tue 16 June - 'Locally owned Stoarra is hosting a pop-up shop from June 15th-30th. Pop in and find a selection of independent brands offering homeware, accessories, clothing and more!'
10.30am to 4pm | 25a Thistle Street, EH2 1DX | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 Patagonia Latin Sound live in the Jazzbar!
Tomorrow, Wed 17 June - 'Patagonia Latin Sound is a joyful eight-piece band based in Edinburgh that incorporates musicians from Chile, Mexico, and the UK. Come dance to a wide repertoire of Latin American music: Boleros, Bossa, Cumbia, Cuban son, Afro-Peruvian music, and pop.'
8.30pm to 10.30pm | The Jazz Bar, EH1 1HR | £12 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🥃 GNAW issue three launch party
Thu 18 June - 'Issue three of GNAW, the food and drink magazine from The Skinny, is out now! We're celebrating with a launch party - get your copy and raise a glass at Lost in Leith this Thursday from 6pm.'
6pm to 9pm | Lost in Leith, EH6 6LX | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎓 Teachers' Evening: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Fri 19 June - 'Calling local teachers! Join the Learning Team at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to discover our latest exhibition, The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, and find out more about our Nursery and Schools programme for next academic year. Booking essential.'
4.30pm to 6pm | The King's Gallery, EH8 8DX | FREE - More details here, shared by Royal Collection Trust.
🏔️ Navigation Course with Mountain Buddies: Boost your map & compass skills in the Pentland Hills 🧭
Sat 20 June - 'Fancy boosting your map & compass skills and heading into the hills with more confidence? We've added more local navigation courses for Beginners and anyone wanting to brush up their skills. Fist date is Sat 20 June! ⛰️ (@mtnbuddies).'
8.30am to 4pm | Threipmuir Reservoir | £55 - More details here, shared by Will, Mountain Buddies.
🎨 Grange Open Studio - Saturday 20 June
Sat 20 June - 'Seven artists opening their studios doors across the Grange: pottery, printmaking, painting, illustration and ceramics. Free entry. Look out for the green venue boards'
11am to 4pm | 18a Dick Place | FREE - More details here, shared by Rachel Brown.
🏳️🌈 Pride Party at Half-Cut Coffee
Sat 20 June - 'We're throwing a wee party on Saturday! We'll be playing tunes and caffeinating you to celebrate PRIDE ❤️🧡💛💚💙🩵💜🏳️🌈 DJs on from 11:30am to close'
11.30am to 6pm | Half-Cut Coffee, EH1 2QG | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎉 Armed Forces Community: The Big Day Out
Sat 20 June - 'Join us for a free fun day out at the historic Craiglockhart Campus and enjoy an afternoon of activities, entertainment, information, and community connection. All welcome including dogs who can enter the Brave Hound Dog Competition!'
12pm to 4pm | Edinburgh Napier University, EH14 1DJ | FREE - More details here, shared by Dr Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick, Centre for Military Research, Education and Public Engagement, Edinburgh Napier University.
🧺 Picnic in the Park @ Victoria Park
Sun 21 June - 'Pack your picnic baskets and join us in Victoria Park! Trinity Community Croft and Drakkar's Drift garden, located on the bowling greens, will be open to all. There will be live music, tours and activities throughout. See you there!'
12.30pm to 3.30pm | Victoria Park, EH6 4NG | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
💌 Letter-Writing Workshop
Sun 21 June - 'Join local writer Elizabeth Gaglio for a relaxing afternoon of writing letters. This workshop will give you the time and inspiration to write that letter you've been meaning to send. Materials provided. Come solo or bring a friend!'
1pm to 2pm | The Resident Edinburgh, EH3 7UG | FREE - More details here, shared by Elizabeth Gaglio.
✍️ Show Some Teeth - Queer Writing Workshop
Sun 21 June - 'Inviting all writing abilities & queer identities (16yrs+) to come along and write creatively from music by predominantly queer artists.'
6pm to 7.30pm | August_21 Coffee House, EH9 1QG | 6 + booking fees - More details here, shared by Alex Ough Dealy, August_21 Coffee House.
🌺 Summer fiction: Jane Healey presents Crescendo, a novel of rivalry and ambition set in 1950s Paris
Mon 22 June - 'Join Lighthouse Bookshop for a summer garden event with Jane Healey, author of The Ophelia Girls, who introduces her enthralling new novel Crescendo! Jane will be interviewed by writer Amna Saleem. Includes grenadine soda and macarons on arrival!'
5pm to 6pm | Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop, EH8 9DB | £4/free - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧵 Wester Hailes Library Fashion Showcase
Mon 22 June - 'Do you love to craft? Sew? Knit? Crochet? Something else? Wester Hailes Library is hosting a FREE Fashion Showcase where you can rock the runway with anything homemade! Show off your hard work on any crafting style and any item! Open to all ages.'
6pm to 7.30pm | Wester Hailes Library, EH14 2ST | FREE - More details here, shared by Wester Hailes Library.
🍝 Pasta Making Workshop
This pasta workshop is set up in response to Susan Aldworth's current exhibition at Edinburgh Printmakers, Belongings. The pasta will then be gathered together, cooked, and served for a relaxed meal.6pm | Edinburgh Printmakers | More info
🏃♂️ PAIN 134 - Ultramarathon in its 4th year raising fund for young minds in Leith.
Sat 12 September - 'Smls is a community interested company which raises funds to put Leithers aged 16-18 through private mental health therapy to reduce the amount of people sitting on waiting lists. This is our major event for the year!'
11am to 5pm | Carter Coffee, EH6 5FX | £10-£29 - More details here, shared by Smls.
📮 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:
- 🥐 Twelve Triangles bakery co-founder leaves.
- 🛍️ Marchmont Nisa shop repeatedly targeted by thieves.
- 🍽️ New concept for former Six by Nico restaurant on Queensferry Street.
- 🛤️ Boost for Powderhall railway line campaign.
- 🌊 Portobello beach dirty water warning.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 929.
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