The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 18 November 2025
Uni staff threaten exam boycott, Leith indie bookshop vows to fight Waterstones, Craiglockhart's new cycle studio + Mimi's leaving the Shore
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. There are now 26,000 of you on this free mailing list. 26,000! Thank you for giving the newsletter a go and supporting it. It exists thanks to those who upgrade for a fiver a month (or less annually). That support keeps it independent and ad-free for everyone. Here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.
❄️ The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning of ice between 5am today and midday. - See the latest forecast here.
⮑ There's still no snow in the Met Office forecast. The BBC says there could be sleet. But Edinburgh Live claims the city will be 'hit by three days of winter showers' from Wednesday. Up to you who you believe! But it's another cold start to the day, no doubt about that.
🎓 Some University of Edinburgh staff are on their second day of a three-day strike against cuts. The University and College Union says it could escalate: "Future action could also see a marking and assessment boycott which would see members refuse to take part in marking and assessment duties, including work such as exam invigilation and the processing of marks, and would be an escalation of this dispute." - More details from the UCU here.
- This week's UoE staff strikes will culminate with a rally outside the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday from 1pm. - Morning Star.
- Speaking to staff on the picket lines, Kitty Messer reports in The Edinburgh Tab.
- Uni principal Peter Mathieson said: "We respect colleagues’ right to take part in industrial action and will do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum."
🎮 Another protest today: Sacked computer game development staff plan to gather outside Rockstar North's office at 5pm before marching to Holyrood. - Chris Kerr on Game Developer.
📙 The owners of independent Argonaut Books have hit out at Waterstones for planning to move in to the former British Heart Foundation store in the Kirkgate less than 100m away. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
- ⮑ Waterstones said: "We are confident that both bookshops will complement each other to serve the readers of Leith in their unique ways."
- ⮑ Argonaut owner Adam Barclay told the Minute: “I can’t emphasise just how close they are to us. I can’t help but feel it’s a slap in the face after surviving the tramworks and in an already uncertain time for independent bookshops.”
- ⮑ The situation mirrors a similar move in 2018 in Stockbridge when Waterstones was accused of breaking a pledge not to open in areas that are already home to independent bookshops.
🚔 A 30-year-old man was charged in connection with an alleged stabbing in London Road on Sunday morning. - Keiran Fleming, STV News.
🏢 A student housing developer is planning to build on a large gap site in Fountainbridge, according to local MP Scott Arthur.
🚎 Councillors have voted against a plan to let private hire taxis use bus lanes. - More details on all the week's cycle travel news are in the weekly edi.bike newsletter.
🧁 After 15 years in Leith, the owners of Mimi's Bakehouse have announced they're closing their Shore bakery on Sunday 23 November. Founder Michelle Phillips said: "While the Leith location will close, the business will now focus on investing in and elevating its other Edinburgh cafes - City Art Centre, Comely Bank, Corstorphine and Lauriston Castle - as well as its online bakery, which delivers baked goods UK-wide and specialises in celebration cakes, along with its concessions and partnerships."
- A last-minute council U-turn that left South Queensferry’s Dune Bakery facing a £70,000 bill will be discussed by councillors today. - Phyllis Stephen, The Edinburgh Reporter.
🎞️ Edinburgh-based filmmaker Laura Carreira's debut film On Falling was a double winner for best feature film, and best film and TV writer at the BAFTA Scotland Awards. - Brian Ferguson reports in The Herald.
🔊 BRIT Award-winning dance duo Basement Jaxx have announced a concert at the Usher Hall on 30 March. - Jon Stickler, Stereoboard.
🍸 There are awards, new openings and new menus in the latest edition of The Edinburgh Edit newsletter for the local hospitality sector.
The Edinburgh Edit
🚴♀️ Edinburgh Leisure’s Craiglockhart Leisure & Tennis Centre has opened a new cycle studio. It features Les Mills Sprint, Group Cycle, and RPM classes. - Find out more here.
☕️ Local charity The Wee Hours has launched a new breakfast service for rough sleepers and those struggling with food poverty. - Nicholas Malizia, Edinburgh Live.
🐧 More than 150 penguins got their annual vaccinations at Edinburgh Zoo. - Liam Eunson, Midlothian View.
📸 Local photographer Tom Duffin has opened up nominations for his 2026 calendar. - The most-liked image for each month goes in the calendar.
Tom Duffin
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
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🙋♂️ Firstly a question from me (Michael, the newsletter writer): Would it be useful if there was a calendar of all the community notices? For example, most this week's events were already sent in earlier this month. But I could put a small summary and calendar link here at the start of each week/day if that's useful? Please let me know in the comments if that does/doesn't sound useful. I'm keen to hear how you use this section and how I could improve it.
📌 "Tues 18th Nov - Thurs 20th: Artist Andrew Glidden is having a studio sale at Whitespace Gallery, 76 East Crosscauseway, Edinburgh EH8 9HQ Free entry. Original artworks plus signed copies of his book series '52 in 52, sketches of Edinburgh & beyond' available with 25% discount. Check website for times." - Thanks to Andrew Glidden, artist and serial sketcher for sharing this.
📌 "Wednesday 19 November 7:00-8:30 PM - An open meeting on routes to reparations for slavery. With the input of local experts, and drawing on Quaker practices, we will collectively consider how to address this difficult issue. People of all faiths, and none, are welcome!" - Thanks to Central Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House for sharing this.
📌 "Group Gong Bath: Wednesday Evenings 7.30pm starts 19/11/2025. Edinburgh therapy Centres sound practitioner Daniel Killeen will take you on a journey of sound using gongs, percussion and his voice. An amazing way to find deep relaxation and connection through sound." - Thanks to Daniel Killeen, Founder of Edinburgh Therapy Centre, for sharing this.
📌 "Thurs. 20 Nov. 2025 6.30pm, Golden Hare Books, EH3 5AQ, is launching Miriam Landor's memoir 'Stumbling Stones: the Holocaust, my family and me'. Miriam, a psychologist, examines the Holocaust's shadow on mental health in her parents' generation and in her own. Book online or in the bookshop." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "21st & 22nd November, Menù Fisso is back at The Tailor, Abbeyhill! "(Italian) Winter is coming", two nights of homemade winter comfort food from Northern Italy: Set menu with polenta, pizzoccheri and chestnuts, £35 per person. For info and bookings: oioitailor@gmail.com or instagram @oioitailor." - Thanks to Lorenzo Luzzani for sharing this.
📌 "Step into a winter wonderland at Edinburgh Steiner Christmas Market on Saturday 22 November, 11am - 4pm. Discover magical craft workshops, craft & maker stalls, festive storytelling, puppet shows and more. Meet the enchanting Pocket Lady & King Winter. Festive bakes and savoury food. Raffle prizes!" - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday 22nd November, 11am-1pm Wassail Workshop, St Mark's Church (Portobello): Workshop with community song leader, Jane Lewis to help create a new wassail song that will be performed in January in Portobello. Further details on our Instagram." - Thanks to Art Walk Projects for sharing this.
📌 "Wednesday 19 and Sunday 23 November: Free fitness taster classes at THE WORX, Conference Square Edinburgh. Come and try out our classes and get a 10% discount on a 5 class pass for future classes. Suitable for all levels of fitness." - Thanks to Hugh McInnes, co-founder and owner for sharing this.
📌 "Read and Mend: Fortnightly on Sundays at Granton:Hub, 7:30pm. Keeping company in the darker months, we bring our mending, (stitching, knitting..) and take turns reading aloud to each other. All welcome, free to attend. Email wildflowers@grantonhub.org to tell us you're coming and for more info!" - Thanks to Jenny and Katharina for sharing this.
📌 "Monday 24 November: creative soundLAB Music Sync Networking and Showcase Event. Come meet and interact with super-talented musicians composers sound designers. Explore discover sample perfect music audio and sound for your creative multimedia projects. We hope to see you there!" - Thanks to opera.agency for sharing this.
📌 "Tuesday 25 November, Scottish Storytelling Centre: Free event. Four widely published Italian Scottish women writers in conversation with Professor Manuela D'Amore. Chaired by Makar Dr Peter Mackay (Scotland's National Poet, University of St Andrews) and featuring dance from Italian Folk Connections." - Thanks to Comites for Scotland and Northern Ireland for sharing this.
📌 "still drawing. is running another still life drawing session in Leith. We'll be sketching selected thrifted/antique items, there'll be some non-alc bevs so you can sketch and sip. Limited early bird available so click for Eventbrite or go to @stilldrawing.edi Insta for info. Cozy vibes promised!" - Thanks to Viv Hu, illustrator from still drawing. for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday 29 November, St Cecilia's Hall, Niddry St. Sangstream Sing Songs of Land and Sea. Some new songs and some old favourites." - Thanks to Sangstream Folk Choir for sharing this.
📌 "Come along to our hand-mending workshop where you'll learn to fix your clothes whilst also meeting some wonderful new people! We'll walk you through darning and patching techniques step by step, helping you to troubleshoot any tricky repairs. Plus, all the materials are provided!" - Thanks to Orémi for sharing this.
📌 "Monday 1st December. Join Women in Tourism for a festive evening of connection and celebration at the award-winning Edinburgh Gin Distillery. Enjoy two complimentary drinks — G&Ts or soft drinks — as you network with women from across Scotland's tourism sector. Spaces are limited, so book early." - Thanks to Women in Tourism for sharing this.
📌 "Monday 01 December - ESOL for Specific Purposes: We’re excited to launch LINKnet’s Free Online English for Employment Programme, a fantastic stepping stone for people from ethnic minority communities in Edinburgh who are looking to improve their English and boost their employability skills." - Thanks to Afaf Azzahari-LINKnet Mentoring for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🍸 Panda & Sons on Queen Street tops global list.
- 🦴 'Unusual' animal bones after Arthur's Seat wildfire.
- ☕️ Coffee bar owner's plea ahead of St Mark's Path closure.
- 🎓 Uni strike latest.
- 🚊 Tram consultation (now closed). (More than 500 of you clicked this. The Minute sent more than 4,000 visits to the consultation since August).
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 772.
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