The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 4 August 2026
Princes Street summit amid fire fall-out, 'new contender for world's worst cycle lane', Trainspotting musical is cancelled + Shed of the Year winner in Morningside
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Yes, the Minute is back! Thanks for bearing with me while I took a few days off from the newsletter, (as mentioned last week). Let’s catch up on things. Here's Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ This week's weather forecast: It rained most of the night and heavy rain is due to continue this morning, clearing by the evening to be replaced by mist. It will feel a muggy 21C today. Lighter rain on Wednesday before a clearer Thursday. Light showers on Friday and early signs of a dry and potentially sunny first weekend of the Fringe to look forward to. - Get the full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh here.
🔥 'Major difficulties faced by city centre commuters' and 'potential financial support' will be on the agenda when Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth meets council leaders this week to discuss the ongoing impact of June's Princes Street fire. - The Scottish Government published this press release.
🧱 The suspension of trams is due to around '12 metres of unrestrained masonry' and 'significantly compromised and unstable stonework' on the front of the burnt-out former Debenhams building. Some has already fallen off, according to a briefing to councillors. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
"Councils have strong powers to demolish buildings which are a threat to public safety, but especially in Edinburgh, the heritage factor weighs heavily." - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🚉 Edinburgh Trams bosses say 'every available option has been explored to restore tram services' to Leith. But they add: "Unfortunately, transporting trams by alternative means is not currently a practical solution. Trams also require regular cleaning, routine maintenance and secure overnight storage and we do not currently have suitable long-term facilities at Newhaven to support these essential operational requirements."
Karen Keith
🚔 North Bridge was vandalised with graffiti (really rubbish graffiti too) less than 24-hours after reopening on Friday following its eight-year restoration. - Rachel Fergusson, Evening News.
🚧 A new temporary extension has been added to the pavement at Greyfriars Bobby in a bid to tackle overcrowding on George IV Bridge. The new pavement replaces a section of bike lane, which has created a series of knock-on effects, listed in this week's edi.bike newsletter.
Dave McCraw
🪫 The Scottish Government has ruled that the local council was wrong when it said an Environmental Impact Assessment wasn't required for a proposed new AI data centre at the Gyle. - Jamie Calder, The National.
🏠 The council admits 'there is still much to do' after the number of people on its housing waiting list passed 31,000. More than 9,000 applicants have been waiting for a home for more than five years. - Callum McCormack, Evening News.
🗳️ Candidates standing in two upcoming by-elections (in Southside/Newington and Portobello/Craigmillar) have been announced. Polls open on Thursday 3 September. - All candidates are on the council website here.
🇬🇷 The lead pastor at Gorgie's City on a Hill church has paid tribute to Elisabeth Jane Ross, also known as Lisa, who was found dead inside a suitcase in Athens last month. - Keiran Fleming, STV News.
- Greek police say a 26-year-old man has 'confessed to his actions' (but didn't elaborate on details). - Mary McCool & Ben Philip, BBC Scotland News.
🚨 "I'm worried parents are just teaching their kids that it's okay to steal." - A Lochend shopkeeper is among locals complaining about crime in the area. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.
🚧 Powderhall footbridge and St Mark's Path remain closed. Questions are being asked due to inconveniences caused. - Full details on the front page of August's edition of Spurtle.
🎭 A new stage musical version of Leith writer Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Actor Kieran Brown revealed on social media that: "Edinburgh of all places is stuck on 19 per cent sales". - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
- 'The 20 Edinburgh Festivals shows everyone will be talking about' - Barry Didcock, The Herald.
- 'Seven highlights of the Edinburgh festivals' - Brian Donaldson, The List.
- 'All the shows on my Fringe ticket list so far' - @sarahscotland on Instagram.
💰 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society chief executive Tony Lankester has warned Leith-based Fringe shows are likely to feel 'pain' due to the knock-on effects to transport caused by last month's Princes Street fire. - Jane Bradley, The Scotsman.
🎭 A surprise drone light show for the reopening of the King's Theatre was scrapped due to a clash with Tattoo rehearsal timings on the Edinburgh Castle esplanade, reports Jane Bradley in The Scotsman.
⮑ Instead, a video was projected onto the outside of the King's, which you can see in this Instagram video.
🎻 Having previously featured his Calton Hill sunset performances in this newsletter's Community Noticeboard, violinist Jordan Sapphire talks about how he draws crowds of hundreds of people in an interview with Heather Carrick in the Evening News.
Heather Carrick
A Morningside shed owned by local gardener Thomas Chisholm has won the 'Simple But Effective' award in the 20th national annual Shed of the Year competition. - Ryan Nixon of Deadline News has more details, and you can see Tom's entry here.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
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📚 Edinburgh Napier professor self-publishes book on when not to use AI - 'Sam Illingworth, Professor of Critical AI Literacy at Edinburgh Napier, has self-published Slow AI, a book on knowing when to use AI and when to leave it alone. It reached #1 in Education on Amazon's UK Kindle store, with 1000 copies sold so far.' - More details here, shared by Sam Illingworth.
Sam Illingworth (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
💼 The Heart of Newhaven are looking for a Business Development Manager - 'The role will be to support the development of diverse and sustainable funding streams to reduce the organisation’s dependence on grant and trust funding. (Deadline: 17 Aug)' - More details here, shared by Roger, Heart of Newhaven Community.
🧸 Edinburgh Nightline is looking for trustees! - 'We are a student-run information and listening service. As the Board is currently made up of a small team of former volunteers, we are seeking to bring on specific expertise to guide the charity forward as we mature and develop. (Deadline: 30 Sep)' - More details here, shared by Zhi Kang Chua, Edinburgh Nightline.
🏓 Looking for venues/community spaces for our growing Table Tennis club - 'Edinburgh International Table Tennis Club (EITTC) is looking for a new venue to play in the evenings. If your venue has availability and can accommodate 2-4 or more TT tables, please get in touch through our website or social media. Thanks a ton!' - More details here, shared by EITTC.
📰 We’re looking for a new Newsletter Editor! - 'We’re looking for a new volunteer Newsletter Editor for The Grange Prestonfield Voice from Oct/Nov! Help share local news, events & updates. Full handover support provided. Interested? Chat with us at secretary@grangeprestonfieldcc.org.uk.' - Shared by GPCC.
* The August issue of The Grange Prestonfield Voice is here.
The Grange Prestonfield Voice
🌱 ScoreScotland launches Youth Climate Action Leadership Programme - 'A programme that supports youth aged 14-18 in SW Edinburgh in learning more about climate action and participating in conservation activities that align with the John Muir award. Programme is shaped by its participants' interests!' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🦞 Gringo Supperclub September Seafood Menu Now on Sale - 'Beautiful Scottish Seafood meets the flavours of Peru and Mexico. After months of working in Mexico and Peru we are delighted to announce a newly entirely seafood menu for September. 8 courses served around the communal table in our home. Book Now!' - More details here, shared by Kevin, Gringo Supperclub.
🕵️♂️ The Mystery of Pleasance Two
Tomorrow, Wed 05 August - 'Calling all trainee detectives! Your skills are needed to solve this thrilling murder mystery. A cross between a Cluedo-style board game, an escape room & a murder mystery event for everyone from 7 - 107 years'
12pm to 1pm | Pleasance Courtyard · Southside | from £13 - More details here, shared by Danyah, DMS Production.
🍷 Vinyl Club: Miles Davis, Kind of Blue
Tomorrow, Wed 05 August - 'At Vinyl Club, we pair wine with a classic influential record, listen together, and dive into the story behind the music. Miles Davis would be 100 this year. We're diving into his world-changing Kind of Blue with guest saxophonist Raymond MacDonald.'
7.30pm to 10pm | Smith & Gertrude · Portobello | 28.00 - More details here, shared by Todd Henkin.
🌳 Ambling Adventures - Walking Group [Every Thursday]
Thu 06 August - 'Join us for weekly ambles around Holyrood Park! Meet outside the Parliament for a 10:30 set off. Please email Rowena at wellbeing@eotdt.org before coming along so we know numbers! Guide/assistance dogs only please.'
10.30am to 12pm | Holyrood Park · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Rowena, Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust.
🇵🇸 Come Back Home
Fri 07 August - 'A one-man show by Jerusalem-based artist, Fadi Murad that questions how loss shapes ambition, identity and the idea of return. The performance shifts between humour and catharsis, while asking what it means to carry home within you.'
7pm to 8.30pm | Palestine Museum Scotland · New Town | £15 - More details here, shared by Palestine Museum Scotland.
🛍️ EH Retro Kits Pop Up
Sat 08 August - 'EH retro kits and stoppage time winner have a pop up together to sell vintage football shirts, merchandise & prints I8th & 9th August 27 Albert place leith walk and 29th and 30th August at stoodio on thistle street'
11am to 6pm | Edinburgh Pop-Up Shop · Canonmills & Broughton | FREE - More details here, shared by Eh retro kits.
🎨 Festival Fringe Exhibition at Wasps Patriothall
Sat 08 August - 'Artists at Patriothall brings together the work of 32 artists and makers working under one roof at Patriothall Studios, creating a vibrant exhibition that offers visitors a rare glimpse into one of Scotland's most dynamic creative communities.'
11am to 5pm | Wasps Patriothall Studios and Gallery · Stockbridge | FREE - More details here, shared by Tokes Sharif.
🏃♀️ Edinburgh u3a at the Craiglockhart Community Council Health and Well-being Event.
Sat 08 August - 'Edinburgh u3a is delighted to be participating in the CCC Health and Well-being Event. Whether you're curious about what we do, thinking about joining, or just looking for new ways to stay active and connected, come along and say hello! 👋'
11am to 2.30pm | Craiglockhart Parish Church · Craiglockhart | FREE - More details here, shared by Vikki Kirby, Edinburgh u3a.
🎪 Summer Fun Den Building
Sat 08 August - 'The Heart of Newhaven will be hosting their Summer Fun Day on August 8th. Den-building, dancing and face-painting for the kids; tai-chi taster sessions, free massages and chocolate bingo for the adults! Bring the whole family and have some fun!'
2pm to 4pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community · Trinity & Newhaven | FREE - More details here, shared by Heart of Newhaven.
🎶 Sound healing session + creativity circle
Sat 08 August - 'Are you feeling stuck, lost, or demotivated in your creative life? If so, join us at this afternoon sound healing workshop, combined with a therapeutic writing ritual to encourage mental clarity and help you regain a feeling of joy and flow again.'
3pm to 5pm | Art and Spirituality :Yoga · Gorgie | 20 (until Aug 6) - More details here, shared by Shze-Hui Tjoa.
🛶 Escape the Fringe
Mon 10 August - 'Find serenity in the city with Forth Canoe Club, Escape the Fringe sessions at 11am and 1.30pm. Kayak, canoe or paddleboard on the Union Canal at Harrison Park with one of our qualified team. 50% off membership for locals as a thank you for booking.'
11am to 12.30pm | Forth Canoe Club · Bruntsfield | £30 - More details here, shared by Forth Canoe Club.
🎤 Free Fringe Performers Voice Workshop
Mon 10 August - 'A free workshop for Fringe performers and staff to get your voice sounding clear, strong and with oozes of stamina for the Fringe. Join Louise voice therapist for a free online workshop.'
12pm to 1pm | Online via Zoom · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Louise Day, Louise Day Voice Coach.
🎶 Notes of Freedom
Wed 12 August - 'Join Lisa Williams as she explores Edinburgh's long historical links with Africa and the Caribbean through music!'
6pm to 7pm | St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum · Old Town | £5 or PWYC - More details here, shared by St Cecilia's Hall.
🎭 Characters of Edinburgh: Platformed [Until Fri]
Wed 12 August - 'Active Inquiry are back at the Drill Hall for an updated version of their play, Platformed. The characters of Edinburgh must confront the question of who best represents Edinburgh whilst protecting their secret at all costs.'
6.30pm to 7.30pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall · Leith | £7 - £10 - More details here, shared by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
🎨 AKU CERAMICS: Open Studio & Summer Sale
Sat 15 August - 'Visit my pottery studio! Swing by for a chat and a look around the shelves. I'll have a mix of older ceramics, seconds I've been hoarding for months, plus new work and favourites from my collection. Hope to see you there!'
11am to 2pm | Summerhall · Southside | FREE - More details here, shared by Agata Kurzawa, aku ceramics.
🚴♂️ Summer picnic bike rides from Portobello and Bingham [Every Saturday]
Sat 15 August - 'Free led bike rides for famililes and individuals to the Meadows, Craigmillar Castle, Bridgend Farmhouse, Botanics from Portobello/Bingham along easy cycle paths to a popular picnic spot. Hire an e-bike or cargo bike if you need.'
11am to 3pm | Porty Active Travel Hub · Portobello | FREE - More details here, shared by Porty Community Energy.
👀 Remember you can always see all 180+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🚉 Edinburgh Trams' financial accounts published.
- 💰 Nearly £30k raised for family of murdered mum Vikki Soloman.
- 🌊 Fringe by the Sea continues all week in North Berwick.
- 🎤 Joe Lycett hosting five nights with friends at The Pleasance.
- 🚧 Leith loses out as Princes Street closure continues after fire.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 966.
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