The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 2 December 2025

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Two small admin updates that have been missing since I moved this newsletter off Substack and on to my own platform: You can now 'like' a post! It's at the foot of the newsletter when you view it online. If there are any other features you want, feel free to request them in the comments section, also at the end of each post. Also from today, the 'sender' email address is now an actual inbox (inbox@edinburghminute.com), meaning you can reply to every newsletter I send. But the only way to get something into the newsletter is still to use the trusty old Google form (which I'm also upgrading from soon). But if you do want to reply, now you can. OK, admin out the way, here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.

🚦 The roundabout in Polwarth will be replaced by a new T-junction, after more than 140 locals took part in a consultation. The design, due to be installed 'within 18 months' includes wider pavements, new zebra crossings and 'speed management'. - An update here from Merchiston Community Council.

• There's more local transport news in the weekly edi.bike newsletter.

🏠 From 9am this morning, residents of Gorgie's Westfield Court will protest outside today's council housing meeting over plans to demolish the flats. - There's some context from the Minute last month, plus an update from Living Rent on Instagram here.

🏠 The maximum financial penalty for owners of unlicensed short-term lets could rise from £2,500 to £50,000 after councillors voted yesterday to lobby the government. - Joseph Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, Edinburgh Live.

🏨 Premier Inn has secured planning permission to convert a vacant office at Festival Square on Lothian Road (next to the Filmhouse) into a 195-bedroom hotel. - Scottish Construction Now.

🎤 Singer Lorde has been announced to play at the Edinburgh Summer Sessions concert series. She'll play on 25 August, supported by Zara Larsson and Audrey Hobert. - Ticketmaster has the details.

🎭 A new study estimates that the city's festivals could generate £6.5 million through the city's new tourist tax, due to begin in July. - Jane Bradley, The Scotsman.

🎵 Construction on the new Dunard Centre concert hall at St Andrew Square, due to open in 2029, could have been cancelled if the Scottish Government had not stepped in with a £20m lifeline, the First Minister has claimed. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.

• ⮑ The build officially began yesterday, at an event with music from a string quartet of Scottish Chamber Orchestra musicians, pipes from Finlay MacDonald and then a rendition of 'Caledonia' by Dougie MacLean and P6 pupils from Broughton Primary School.

🍷 After more than 17 years in business, The Bon Vivant restaurant in Thistle Street has closed suddenly due to financial pressures. It was highly rated and described as 'Still The Best Cocktail Bar in Edinburgh' by Time Out. Last night the owners wrote on Instagram: "Despite the commitment of our team and the loyalty of our guests, growing economic pressures mean that continuing to trade is no longer commercially viable. We have chosen to close now to give our customers as much time as possible to make alternative arrangements for the Christmas period."

🍻 The Black Fox on Leith Walk has been sold, with the buyer currently unknown but reported as a 'local brewery'. - Brian Donnelly, The Herald.

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📌 “Help save lives this #GivingTuesday! For this week only, every donation towards Bethany's Buy a Bed campaign will be doubled. All funds go towards the Welcome Centre, providing people in Edinburgh who would otherwise be sleeping rough with a warm room, hot food and access to wrap-around support.” - Thanks to Bethany Christian Trust for sharing this.

📌 “Tonight, Tuesday 2 December - Drink Wine & Speak Spanish comes to Stockbridge. Join us at St Bernard's Bar for a relaxed evening chatting in Spanish, wine included.” - Thanks to Daniel, Marcus, and Eugenia for sharing this.

📌 “Wed 3 December from 4pm onwards - Morningside & Bruntsfield Christmas Shopping Night. Over 50 traders taking part, offering late night shopping, festive drinks and nibbles, tasters & discounts and more including Santa's Grotto, festive choirs & Christmas light switch-on.” - Thanks to Carrie for sharing this.

📌 “Thursday 4 December – Join us in Stockbridge for an all-day Holiday Stroll with local shops. Collect a punchcard, visit five participating stores, and receive a festive goodie bag at treen. Support local businesses, enjoy exclusive discounts, and kick off your Christmas shopping!” - Thanks to Cat Anderson - founder of treen, for sharing this.

📌 “Wednesday 3rd December - The Edinburgh Makars are having auditions for their entry for the SCDA's One Act Festival at 7:30pm. All welcome, details at the link.” - Thanks to Liam Mortell, Secretary of the Edinburgh Makars, for sharing this.

📌 “Thursday 4th December - Under Irish Skies is a new contemporary Irish art exhibition curated by West Cork native Joni O'Sullivan and running at the Dundas Street Gallery from 4th to 9th December. Featuring work by four artists, the private view will take place on Thursday 4th December from 6-8pm.” - Thanks to Joni O'Sullivan, Under Irish Skies for sharing this.

📌 “The Portobello Bookshop is hosting its annual festive late night opening on Thursday 4th December. Join us from 6pm until 8pm - your festive browsing will be accompanied by mulled wine, mince pies, some festive singing courtesy of The Swingettes... and 10% off all purchases on the night!” - Thanks as always to the shop team for sharing this.

📌 “Friday 5 December 2025 at 4PM - The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra presents "Chasin' the Horizon: The Railway Suite" at the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh. Expect a world-class performance of train-themed tunes by jazz icons Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Mary Lou Williams, Glenn Miller & more! 🚂” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 “Friday 5th December at Out of the Blue in Leith - Over 30 hand-picked local artists and makers will be at our Evening Winter Arts Market. From paintings and prints to jewellery and textiles, there’s something for everyone. Have a beer and enjoy German market faves: Bratwurst and mulled wine while you Christmas shop.” - Thanks to the venue for sharing this.

📌 “Friday 5th Dec from 6-8pm: Whitespace Gallery Preview of "Textures of Sea and Land" Oil Paintings of the Western Isles by Ruth Bond. Each painting is inspired by the unique colours of Harris tweed - drawn from its history, craftsmanship, and the natural landscapes of the Hebrides.” - Thanks to Ruth for sharing this.

📌 “Friday 5 December - Join us at Summerhall for our final CreativeMornings of the year with Marta Monellini from Company Bakery as she shares the story behind one of Edinburgh’s most loved bakeries. Expect cake, festive coffee and a warm morning of creative connection. Free tickets, limited spaces.” - Thanks to Sophie of CreativeMornings Edinburgh for sharing this.

📌 “Friday 5th December – Come along Populus Café for a fun charity quiz night supporting charity Earth in Common! Test your knowledge across topics - including Xmas - with general knowledge, picture and music rounds. Book for teams of 2–8 from £5 pp + drinks, snacks and good vibes to enjoy.” - Thanks to Jaimie MacDonald of Earth in Common for sharing this.

📌 “Friday 5 December at 7pm - Award Ceremony (online) for The Selkie Comic Awards. And exhibition of comics throughout December at La Belle Adventure Bookshop, 225 Leith Walk.” - Thanks to Ros Williams proud mother of Jack Stamp artist shortlisted in two categories for sharing this.

📌 “Edinburgh's newest sauna and cold plunge spot is officially open at Leith Community Croft! Puffin Sauna hosts community sessions for up to six people. Readers can get 50% off this weekend only (5-7 Dec) with code WELCOME.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 “Saturday 6th December - Portobello Local Christmas Market - 9.30-1.30 in Brighton Park. Come along and support local produce and crafts and pick up your Christmas presents. Dogs are welcome, Portobello Community Choir are singing for us, and Portobello Beach Wheelchairs helping with accessibility.” - Thanks to Ruth for sharing this.

📌 “Saturday: Water of Leith Conservation Trust Christmas Fayre - Join us for some Festive Fun – Stalls, Crafts and Seasonal Refreshments. Stalls include local wood crafts and plants, fundraising activities such as bottle tombola, raffle. Crafts suitable for adults and children including wreath making.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 “Saturday 6 December - Loads of kids' activities at Cramond Kirk's Christmas Fair, plus all your favourite stalls: crafts, toys, books, cake & candy, Santa, refreshments. Win a lavishly stuffed Hamper! Proceeds benefit local charity Fresh Start & Police Scotland Youth Volunteers.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Northwest Kirk for sharing this.

📌 “Saturday 6 December - Christmas Wreath Making with Mulled Wine and Mince Pies, all for charity! Come join us for a fun afternoon of making Christmas wreaths while sipping on mulled wine and enjoying delicious mince pies! Spaces are limited so please book!” - Thanks to Simon Warr, Operational Manager, The Open Door Edinburgh for sharing this.

📌 “LifeCare Edinburgh urgently needs donations from local people and businesses for winter tombolas & raffles. Bottles of wine, soap sets, gift packs, candles, chocolates etc all welcome. To donate, contact: enquiries@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk or drop into the hub on Cheyne Street EH4 1JB. Thank you!” - Thanks to Claire at LifeCare Edinburgh for sharing this.

📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.

👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:

1. 📰 December's issue of the Broughton Spurtle.
2. 📘 Author Val McDermid's verdict on Edinburgh's Hogmanay.
3. 🚔 Police hunt for Fort Kinnaird stabber.
4. 🎭 '12 of the best events in Edinburgh before Christmas'.
5. 🍿 Locals in The List's annual top-100 list.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 779.
📬 Free subscribers: 26,200+.
📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 1,000,000+.

💌 Remember: You can now 'like' a post! Technically, it doesn't do anything other than let me know you enjoyed the newsletter, which is actually really helpful feedback. I know some of you used to hit that 'like' button every day. It's a nice way to let me know if you read to the end too. Comments are also always welcome if you've got something to say or add.