The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 28 July 2026

Council considering 'moving trams by road', top chef says trams saga 'has destroyed our trade in Leith', show must go on for Assembly at St Andrew Square + £20,000 raised in under 24hrs for murdered mum's family

Photo by Tom Duffin.

👋 Good morning Edinburgh. I'm pausing the newsletter for the rest of the week before a busy month here. Every time I try to pause it, something kicks off or goes on fire. So I'm trying again for a few days this week. The Minute will be back on Tuesday 4th ahead of an August full of festival and non-festival fun. There might be some 'breaking news' or exclusive updates later this week, as you know I'm always cooking various things, including tomorrow's weekly Culture Minute which will be sent to paying subscribers as usual. Remember you can always see the Community Noticeboard events on the calendar and map here. Here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.

🌦️ Currently we're looking at light rain and gusts of up to 27mph. The sun will break through the clouds at times. - Get the local Met Office forecast here.

🚧 For the first time in eight years, both pavements are open on North Bridge. The east side was reopened yesterday. As detailed in yesterday's newsletter, engineers and contractors have been working around the clock on the final stages of the major eight-year restoration. One local Reddit user pointed out: "Lived through school, high school and currently uni while these works were going on."

🚊 Tram carriages could be craned on to lorries and moved by road in a bid to get them back up and running in Leith. The council is actively considering moving six trams from their Gogar depot to Newhaven by road, city transport leader Stephen Jenkinson tells Ian Swanson in The Scotsman / Evening News.

🚎 The temporary suspension of trams to Leith due to the Princes Street fire 'has destroyed our trade in Leith', says Edinburgh-based Scottish Chef of the Year award-winning Dean Banks. The owner of the Dulse restaurants mentioned various government accounts on Twitter, adding: "You all need to get a finger out and have this sorted asap."

This closure has destroyed our trade in Leith! Whats going on @scotgov @theSNP @JohnSwinney in our countries capital city. You all need to get a finger out and have this sorted asap. https://t.co/4NVirZPhEJ
— ChefDeanBanks (@banks_chef) July 27, 2026

🚧 Festival performers and audiences are being warned to 'prepare for potential disruption' and 'consider walking or cycling wherever possible for shorter journeys' due to the ongoing disruption on Princes Street. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.

🎪 Assembly Festival has confirmed it will relocate its usual George Street box office, bar, food stalls and two venues (Bijou and Front Room) hosting 17 shows to St Andrew Square, due to bus diversions using George Street. - More details in Chortle. William Burdett-Coutts, Artistic Director at Assembly Festival said:

"The fire on Princes Street has had, and will continue to have, a significant effect on city centre businesses and residents. This has had a significant impact on our artists with only a week to go until their shows kick off, and we are working to support and minimise disruption for them, but it is extremely positive news that all 17 of these shows will still be able to go ahead, after the huge amount of work our artists have already put into them. We know Edinburgh locals and Fringe fans will get behind these shows and make sure they have a season to remember following their change of venue."

💰 The Edinburgh Trams annual financial accounts have been published. - You can see all the documents here. In summary, they've broken a lot of their own records but questions have been raised about where some of the money is going. Here's the local media coverage:

'Ex-Edinburgh Trams chief received £327,000 payout despite £9m loss' - Exclusive by Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.
Council transport leader Stephen Jenkinson called the payment 'outrageous', while Trams bosses blamed its own previous board members.
'Edinburgh Trams has lost £73m in eight years as taxpayers pick up 'eye-watering tab'' - David Walker, Scottish Daily Express.
And here's a round-up of the whole thing from Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.

🌍 An 'responsible travel' group claims Edinburgh’s new tourist tax won’t stop overtourism and has called for 'visitor numbers to be capped'. - Rob Perkins writes in the Independent.

"At the heart of the issue is this. Who is Edinburgh for? Is it to become like Venice, whose city centre is now essentially little more than a theme park? Or is it to be a place where residents can enjoy normal lives, and visitors can feel truly welcome and appreciated?" - Rob Perkins of Responsible Travel.

🚔 Rapist Aaron Strachan, 21, has been told he may never be released from prison after attacking a 15-year-old girl in York Place in May 2025. - STV News + CCTV footage of him escaping court in January.

💰 Hundreds of people have donated nearly £20,000 in less than a day for the family of murdered Edinburgh mother-of-two Vikki Soloman. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live + the fundraiser is here.

"Vikki lived her life to provide for her sons, Reece and Jude. Watching them grow into the wonderful young men they are today brought her immense joy. To Vikki, the boys and everyone grieving: you will never walk alone. Her tragic passing has left an unimaginable loss in their lives and has placed a heavy burden on the family as they try to navigate the difficult days, months and years ahead." - Fundraiser Karen Lennen, who was one of Vikki's closest friends.

The fundraiser for Vikki Soloman's family is here

🏊‍♀️ Results of the public consultation on Portobello Swim Centre’s revamp have been published. Edinburgh Leisure said they 'provided clear and valuable feedback which will help inform the next stage of design development'. The Edinburgh Leisure press release is here + Skye Donald reports in the Evening News.

🎸 Local band Idlewild have announced a 30th anniversary concert at the Usher Hall on 8 December. Tickets go on sale on Friday. - Jon Stickler, Stereoboard.

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🌴 Just a picture - 'I just thought this was an interesting picture of Seafield yesterday. I can almost picture it as some tropical paradise. Even though it reeks to high heaven and is fly-tipped constantly, it is still one of my favourite places in Edinburgh.' - Thanks to Minute subscriber Sam Henderson for sharing this.

🪄 Free self-guided magic walking tour of Edinburgh - 'Richard Wiseman has created a free, self-guided, walking tour of Edinburgh, visiting 10 locations in the city that are all related to magic (plus 3 more in Portobello). It's part of the 80th Anniversary celebrations of the Edinburgh Magic Circle.' - More details here, shared by Richard Wiseman.

☕ SWURF Co-work Club
Today, Tue 28 July - 'Join us for a day of coworking @ Brewhemia Cafe - coffee, pastries and good company included.'
11am to 3.30pm | Brewhemia · Old Town | £10 - More details here, shared by Nikki Gibson, SWURF.

🧘 Sound Bath - Late Session
Today, Tue 28 July - 'Helps you sleep better. Relax in reclining chairs with footrests in the salt rooms while listening to gentle soothing sounds that regulate your nervous system. Session run weekly at 7pm and occasionally at 8.30pm.'
8.30pm to 9.30pm | Edinburgh Salt Rooms · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | 25 - More details here, shared by Emma O Rorke, Sound Bath Edinburgh.

🎨 Scottish Society of Architect Artists Summer Exhibition
Thu 30 July - 'All are welcome to the SSAA's Summer Exhibition Preview evening on Thursday July 30th from 6.30pm. Come along for a glass of wine and view the artwork on display in this small and intimate venue. Free entry.'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | RIAS Bookshop · West End | FREE - More details here, shared by SSAA.

🎨 Coburg House Open Studios [all weekend]
Fri 31 July, Sat 1st & Sunday 2nd - 'You are invited behind the scenes of our 50+ studio doors! Visit working studios and meet the artists and designers on all four floors. This is a rare chance to purchase beautiful handmade art, design and contemporary craft directly from the makers.'
6pm to 9pm | Coburg House Art Studios · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Coburg House Studios.

P.S. Check out this beautiful illustrated poster by artist Jon McNaught, who is based at the Coburg House art studios loft. You might recognise his style because he produces artwork and illustrations for the London Review of Books, The New York Times and The New Yorker. And you can meet him at the open weekend!

**@jonmcn + @coburghouse on Instagram**.

🍻 Beer Tasting with A Nice Day Out
Fri 31 July - 'We're back with Appellation Wines to go on a journey around Scotland in beer styles, led again by Ash. So start the weekend the right way and join us for another night of craic while we crack open a few cans!'
7pm to 10pm | Appellation Wines · Craigleith | £25 - More details here, shared by A Nice Day Out.

🏰 Castle Street Market [Until Mon]
Sat 01 August - 'Festival season is here... and so is Castle Street Market! in the heart of Edinburgh, facing onto Princes Street, our view looking up to the castle, opening Sat 1st, open daily 10am to 7pm throughout August. We can't wait to welcome everyone soon.'
10am to 7pm | Castle Street Market · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Tania Pramschufer, LocalMotive Markets.

🌈 Children's Story Time with author Maggie Byrd
Sat 01 August - 'The Edinburgh-based author will join us to read from her picture book 'Rainbow Cookies', a gentle story that introduces the wonder of colours, counting and creativity. Suitable for children aged 5 and under.'
10.30am to 11am | The Portobello Bookshop · Portobello - More details here, shared by The Portobello Bookshop.

🎶 TraversX - Here for It Tour (From Australia)
Sat 01 August - 'YT DINGO is back in Scotland as TraversX! Howling vocals, melodic screams and percussive poetry over thunderous toms, Unorthodox dance and cinematic visuals. Gaelic supports old voice, new sound. MARCAS MAC AN TUAIRNEIR ÀDHAMH Ó BROIN (SAMHUINN WATT)'
7pm to 10pm | People's Leisure Club · Old Town | 15 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

😂 The Very Important Panel Show: Summer Spectacular!
Sun 02 August - 'We're back with a Summer Spectacular featuring Stuart Laws, Bylgja Babylons, and Jodie Sloan! Host Kate Hammer tests comedians on their general knowledge with topical news, history, music, and the legendary blender round. Audience prizes to be won!'
4pm to 6pm | The Stand Comedy Club · New Town | £12, £10 concession - More details here, shared by Get Your Goat Comedy.

🧶 In Conversation with Erika Åberg: Chat & Book Signing
Sun 02 August - 'An intimate evening with knitwear designer Erika Åberg! Join us for fizz, sample knits up close, & a Q&A + book signing. Ticket cost goes towards optional book purchase! Aug 2, 5:30PM at Ginger Twist Studio Spots strictly limited!'
5.30pm to 6.30pm | Ginger Twist Studio · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | £10 - More details here, shared by Ginger Twist Studio.

🧹 The best show in town: Cleaning Up Henderson Gardens Park!
Tue 04 August - 'Who needs comedy when you can have trash? Meet us at 7pm at the park on Henderson Street, and leave it spotless by 8pm. We provide the kit. Followed most likely by a drink (and an arancini?) at Bittersweet.'
7pm to 8pm | Henderson Gardens Park · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Trash Club.

🧘‍♀️ New Qigong Classes! [Every Thursday]
Thu 06 August - 'New Qigong classes in Leith starting on 6th August! Qigong helps reduce stress, increase energy levels, and help focus through slow and intentional movements that can be done standing or seated. Email events@duncanplace.org to reserve a space!'
2pm to 2.50pm | Duncan Place Community Hub · Leith | £6 - More details here, shared by Ot, Duncan Place Community Hub.

🌍 Edinburgh solidarity walk for families in Gaza
Fri 07 August - 'Friday - Monday 7 - 10 August: join a solidarity walk to raise money for families in Gaza. The walk follows the outline of Gaza, transposed onto Edinburgh & nearby countryside. Proceeds go to the Mattar family in Gaza City and The Sameer Project.'
8.30am to 6pm | Meet Joppa bandstand · Portobello | FREE - More details here, shared by Tom Jeffreys.

🧵 Reworked Pop Up
Fri 07 August - 'Join us for REWORKED, a three-day pop-up celebrating textiles, art and sustainable fashion. Shop handmade clothing, accessories, artwork and interiors, enjoy talks and workshops, and meet the makers in the heart of Edinburgh.'
2pm to 9pm | Shop With No Name · Canonmills & Broughton | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

📌 Remember you can always see all 180+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 964.
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📣 REMINDER: I need to take the rest of the week offline. Back on Tuesday 4th ahead of an August full of festival and non-festival fun.

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