The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 30 June 2026
Armed robber gets laughed out of Gorgie shop, rain for the annual Holyrood Garden Party + up close with Leith's yellow giants
☔️ Good morning Edinburgh. A slightly shorter newsletter today. If I've missed anything please get in touch. Here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌧️ Light rain is forecast for most of today. It's expected to be drier tomorrow and sun will return on Thursday and Friday. - Met Office.
- There's even a chance of more thunder around midday and into the evening, according to the BBC Weather forecast.
👑 As well as rain, road closures continue this afternoon in the Holyrood area ahead of the 3pm annual Garden Party, held by King Charles and Queen Camilla. - Some details are on the royal family website here and there's a more local look from Heather Carrick in the Evening News here.
- There will be a Holyrood Palace ceremony for locals receiving honours from the king, including a knighthood for Botanics regius keeper Simon Milne. - Rachel Keenan, The Standard.
🔪 An armed robber was laughed out of Gorgie Road's News Plus Store after a failed shop raid. The attacker has been jailed for three years for going on to rob a chippy and another shop. - STV News.
🐧 Animal welfare activists held a protest outside Edinburgh Zoo at the weekend. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
🏫 The head of the George Watson’s College private school head says she 'could weep' over Edinburgh schools' overcrowding problems. - Catriona Stewart, The Scotsman / Evening News.
🚎 Nine new electric buses are being added to the service 36 route between Ocean Terminal and the Gyle Centre. Costing £3.6m, the new buses promise 'a quieter and smoother journey, improved accessibility features and increased customer comfort'. - Lothian Buses published more details here.
Karen Keith
🍿 The cast and crew of Trainspotting will be reunited at the Edinburgh International Film Festival for a one-off watch party to mark the film's 30th anniversary. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
🎸 A new art exhibition by The Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde will open at Harvey & Woodd gallery on Dundas Street in August. - Callum McCormack, Evening News.
🌊 Local journalist Vicky Allen got up close to the 'giant yellow things' that have been coming and going in the Port of Leith. The structures are components of the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm. - She shares a video from her tour here and a report in The Herald here. Many questions are answered. You will learn a lot!
Vicky Allan
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🌍 A New Tourist Information opens in the City Chambers - 'Discover Scotland by Cobbs have taken over the premises previously occupied by VisitScotland at 249 High Street in the City Chambers. You can book tickets for activities and tours, get the latest information and shop locally produced souvenirs.' - Photo here, shared by a Minute reader.
✈️ Last Minute Fear of Flying CBT Sessions Available this July in New Town - 'Is fear of flying affecting your summer plans? Have an upcoming flight that is causing anxiety? Vista Wellbeing have July appointments available for short term Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Flying Anxiety. For details get in touch by email' - More details here, shared by Vista Wellbeing.
🤰 Participants Needed: Research on Mental Health Support Before Pregnancy: The University of Edinburgh - 'Public Health student at the UoE seeking women (18–49) from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic communities in Scotland who are considering pregnancy in the next few years. Join a confidential 30–60 min Teams interview. Email: A.Sharma-44@sms.ed.ac.uk' - Shared by The University of Edinburgh.
🚴♀️ Cycle Maintenance Class with Edinburgh Tool Library
Tomorrow, Wed 01 July - 'Is your bike running a little rough after spring and early summer adventures? Come along to our summer tune-up class to learn how to get everything running smoothly again, and walk away with your bike ready to go.'
6.30pm to 8pm | Edinburgh Tool Library - Meadowbank Hub · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | £8-£11.50 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Tool Library.
🎨 Opening Event: Andy Leleisi'uao
Thu 02 July - 'Renowned Samoan-born, Aotearoa-based artist Andy Leleisi'uao is showing in Scotland for the very first time at Scott Lawrie Gallery. Opening Event is 5-7pm on Thurs July 2, so join us for a drink to give Andy a warm Edinburgh welcome!'
5pm to 7pm | Scott Lawrie Gallery · Tollcross | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎨 Stylised Still Life - Art class
Thu 02 July - 'Working with bold, simplified shapes, you will create a stylised still life using layered paint and coloured pencil. Perfect for growing your artistic skills in a relaxed and encouraging small group environment. Suitable for beginners up.'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Leith Makers · Leith | £30 - More details here, shared by Calum, Leith Makers.
💖 The Compassion Salon
Thu 02 July - 'In this salon You will hear from Professor Lorna Marson, Professor or Transplant Surgery, and Dr Annabel Sowemimo, Consultant in Sexual & Reproductive Health, as they share insights on compassion in their work and life.'
7pm to 10pm | The Counting House · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌊 Poetry by the River [Every Friday]
Fri 03 July - 'Sit riverside with poet Lynn Davidson to read a poem, do a short meditation on the river, and write a poem to a prompt. All welcome!'
10am to 11am | St Bernard's Well · Stockbridge | £6.00 - More details here, shared by LYNN DAVIDSON.
🧘♀️ Mindfulness for beginners [Every Friday]
Fri 03 July - 'This course is designed to support grounding, compassion, and emotional resilience in daily life through guided meditations, reflective exercises and practical tools.'
6pm to 7pm | Leith Pilates · Leith | £49 for 4 classes - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🩵 The Stillness Code - 9D Breathwork & Crystal Sound Bath
Fri 03 July - '9D Breathwork & Crystal Sound Bath together for the first time in Edinburgh. Guiding you out of active thinking into calmer, restorative states where the body can reset & rebalance. Over two & a half hours, slow down, unwind, & access deep stillness.'
6.30pm to 9pm | East Side Yoga · Canonmills & Broughton | 50 - More details here, shared by Ciara Clarke.
🎨 Paradigms Art Exhibition
Fri 03 July - 'Paradigms features the artwork of:Louise Todd, JayneMcIntyre, Hazel Brady and Catherine Young. Their diverse approaches includes figurative work, landscape scenes and environmental abstract studies. Preview Friday evening 3 July 17.00-19.00'
7pm to 10pm | Custom House Leith · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Paradigms.
🍪 Get Cooki'd Pop Up
Sat 04 July - 'Pop up of the most scrumptious loaded cookies Edinburgh's ever tasted'
10am to 4pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups · Canonmills & Broughton | FREE - More details here, shared by Get Cooki’d.
🌈 MnB Pride Market
Sat 04 July - 'MnB are back at the Drill Hall on Saturday! Shop from 28 curated stalls, full of handmade art and crafts.'
10am to 4pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
🌿 Inverleith Park Creative Writing Walk
Sat 04 July - 'Find inspiration in nature on this guided creative writing walk. Let's slow down together and take some time to reflect and create while walking around Edinburgh's beautiful Inverleith Park.'
10.30am to 12pm | Inverleith Park · Inverleith | £10 - More details here, shared by Cameo Marlatt.
📸 Mindful Photography Workshop
Sat 04 July - 'Step away from the noise and into a slower rhythm ! Join our workshop to slow down, take notice and connect to the present moment. Mindful Photography is a gentle, meditative practice, which offers a chance to rediscover the simple joy of noticing.'
11am to 1pm | Bridgend Inspiring Growth · Cameron Toll | £16.96/£11.50/£9.00 - More details here, shared by Seeing The Now.
🎭 Lashes & 'Tashes - a playful intro to the art of drag with Dorian T. Fisk
Sat 04 July - 'If you've ever wondered if you could do drag [spoiler alert: ANYone can!] then don't miss your chance to dabble in some fun creative expression and join award-winning drag artist Dorian T. Fisk for a playful hour of drag across the gender spectrum!'
1pm to 2pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall · Leith | £15 - More details here, shared by Dorian T. Fisk.
🧵 Edinburgh Sewing Social
Sat 04 July - 'Relaxed and friendly sewing social (or knitting, crochet, etc). Work on your latest project, share ideas, help each other out. Free tea, coffee and biscuits included. More info and booking (advance booking needed): edinburghsewingsocial@aol.com'
2.30pm to 5pm | Blackhall St. Columba's Church · Silverknowes & Blackhall | £7.50-£10 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎹 You Can Play by Ear! Piano Workshop for Adults (16+)
Sun 05 July - 'Anybody can play by ear! Learn the tools you need to break free of sheet music and create your own simple piano arrangements of your favourite tunes :)'
10am to 12pm | Top floor · Southside | £40 - More details here, shared by Nicholas Franck.
🐦 The Treecreepers Birdwatching Group [Monthly]
Sun 05 July - 'A twice monthly birdwatching and nature group for people ages 18-35. No experience necessary, everyone welcome!'
1pm to 4pm | Cramond & The River Almond · Barnton & Cramond | £3/£5/£8 - More details here, shared by El, The Treecreepers.
🧘🏻♀️ Functional Foundations Yoga [Every Monday]
Mon 06 July - 'Build a strong yoga practice that will help you feel more comfortable on and off the mat. Each Monday evening, we will explore breath, movement, stretching and relaxation - through anatomy, not aesthetics. Get 10% off with code Ediminute'
7pm to 8pm | The Salisbury Centre · Southside | £12.50 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧵 Age 11-16 - Summer Sewing Course [Until Fri]
Wed 08 July - 'A fun 3-session course where kids and teens will create their own patchwork drawstring bag while learning sewing skills and upcycling. They will design, sew, and take home a unique handmade item.'
2pm to 4.30pm | Paradigm Shift Open Studio Ltd · Leith | £75 - More details here, shared by Paradigm Shift Open Studio Ltd.
📮 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:
- 🗣️ Injured victims discuss alleged 'anti-muslim' attack.
- 🚨 Balaclava gang attack man in Innocent Railway cycle path tunnel.
- 🚲 More criticism of design of Leith Walk's 'zig-zag' pavement cycle lanes.
- 🏫 Parents raise overcrowding alarm at top city schools.
- 🏗️ Update on New Town Quarter development.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 940.
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