The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 8 September 2026
Police hunt after A8 hit & run tragedy, concerns over South Bridge tram idea, £15k tourist tax grants for local firms + help to clean up Lochend Park tonight
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. It's a busy edition! Thanks to everyone who has sent something in or helped spread the word about the newsletter. Here’s today's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ Today's weather forecast: Showers and occasional outbreaks of sunshine. Gusts of wind could peak at 41mph. A temperature high of 16C around 1pm and a low of 9C overnight tonight. The first single-digit temperature for many weeks. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
🚨 A 58-year-old driver was killed and four people were taken to hospital after a multi-vehicle crash on the A8 near Edinburgh Airport around 9.20am yesterday. Police closed the road in both directions between Newbridge and the airport for ten hours. - BBC Scotland News + Keiran Fleming, STV News.
- In an 8pm appeal for help last night, police said they were still looking for two women and a man who fled the scene:
"Around 9.25am, we received a report of a crash involving a grey Mercedes A250, a black Renault Captur, a grey Skoda Karoq and a grey Hyundai i30. Emergency services attended, however, the 58-year-old driver of the Hyundai i30 was pronounced dead at the scene. Four others were taken to hospital for treatment and released. The two women and a man from the Mercedes left the scene on foot prior to officers arriving. Extensive enquiries, using specialist resources including air support and the dog unit, were deployed to help trace them and remain ongoing."
Keiran Fleming
🚉 Ahead of Thursday's council vote on future routes for the trams, the Edinburgh World Heritage body says it has 'strong concerns' about trams using the category A-listed South Bridge. The group says: "We are particularly concerned about South Bridge. A recent structural assessment carried out on behalf of the Council concluded “that the current structure is not suitable to carry tram loading.”" It also says: "Other route options, such as Morrison Street or Lothian Road should be kept open." - More in this EWH post + wider context from Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.
Read our policy paper here: https://t.co/hlmpiAvA18
— Edinburgh World Heritage (@EdinburghWH) September 4, 2026
- ⮑ An online campaign called 'Looking for Growth', which appeared online last week trying to block the 'Save the Roseburn Path' campaign, has links to Boris Johnson’s Brexit advisor Dominic Cummings, reports The Edinburgh Inquirer. See Looking for Growth's Twitter account here.
- The group is vaguely known for its short-term stunts attempting to go viral online, such as this London Tube train graffiti-cleaning effort which came and went without much impact.
- "Looking For Growth’s very active account appears to have only tweeted about Edinburgh once before last week," writes Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.
Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
Edinburgh Inquirer
🤝 Speculation surrounding jobs at Edinburgh offices of Standard Life and Aegon UK has been described as 'premature' by company bosses ahead of their merger. - Scott Wright, The Herald.
💰 A 'major' new fund to reinvest tourist tax income 'directly back into Edinburgh’s visitor economy' was launched yesterday. Grants between £1,000 - £15,000 are available via the Edinburgh Visitor Economy Improvement Fund . - More details on how to apply via the council here.
"This is a great opportunity for visitor economy businesses to work together on practical improvements. We can support these organisations to invest in their businesses while protecting and improving their local neighbourhoods, and help to make our city a stronger and more welcoming destination for everyone in the process." - Council leader Jane Meagher.
- The council also highlighted what it called 'several early win' projects which have already started:
- £132,000 towards Edinburgh’s Festival Carnival and Mardi Gras events in July,
- Funding ten festival city ambassadors to help visitors find their way around the capital,
- The new City Centre Policing Unit.
🚨 Continued anti-social behaviour from some groups of teenagers has left some students afraid to 'go near Princes Street', after attacks including at least one with 'a clear racial motivation'. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
- The ongoing hostilities have been highlighted in some media reports and in much more depth on Reddit, where the discussion continues.
⚽️ A 22-year-old Hibs fan from Gilmerton has been banned from football matches at Easter Road after running on to the pitch to celebrate his team scoring a goal. - Alexander Lawrie, Evening News.
🏠 The average selling price of local property was £299,586 during June - August 2026, up 2.1% year-on-year, according to the latest ESPC house price report.
🤝 The new £40m Edinburgh Innovation Hub based at Queen Margaret University is officially open. It aims 'to drive economic growth and high-value employment' by supporting start-ups and firms working in life sciences, food and drink, technology and other sectors. - Jason Sergis Skiloyannis, East Lothian Courier.
🛍️ The Poundland shop on Lothian Road is closing on 25 October. - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
🔊 Community radio station EHFM is planning a record fair on Saturday at Leith Depot. - Dig into the stallholder details here.
🛹 Focus skate shop on the Royal Mile is hosting the launch of a comic by ex-Franz Ferdinand band member Paul Thomson and his pal Malcy Duff on Saturday. - More details in this Instagram post.
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🐾 Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home's brand new Advice Hub! - 'Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home have launched a hub for expert, practical advice from the team. Training, behaviour, health and settling in tips, for every dog and cat.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🚶♂️ Walking group says no to return of 'A-boards' - 'Living Streets Edinburgh has urged councillors to maintain the ban on advertising 'A-boards' to limit pavement clutter. A petition to the council calls for them to be allowed under licence, along with cheaper fees for outdoor seating.' - More details here, shared by Living Streets.
Living Streets Edinburgh
🎉 NEW AFTER-SCHOOL CLUB FOR BROUGHTON - 'Broughton St Mary's Parish Church says a new after-school club will open there once it's registered as a charity – probably in Jan. 2027. This is great news for local people struggling to balance family life and careers.' - More details here, shared by Broughton Spurtle.
🤝 Volunteering Day @ St. Oswald's Community Centre - 'Join us to stain the North Hall panelling + more. Can only spare a few hours? Come early afternoon, then stay for Colla Castellera, who will showcase their incredible human tower-building from 3pm. (Deadline: 20 Sep)' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
📌 Freelance Accessibility Consultants needed - 'Hi! We're looking to build a panel of paid freelance consultants to undertake accessibility user-testing of visitor attractions, hotels, and various hospitality venues (bars, restaurants and cafes) across Edinburgh. See the advert below: (Deadline: 25 Sep)' - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Unpacked.
Edinburgh Guarantee
🌳 A litter-picking safari at Lochend Park
Today, Tue 08 September - 'Join us at 7pm tonight at the wooden duck viewing platform at Lochend Park for a one-hour litter-picking safari, then join us at the Safari Lounge for a friendly chat. Kit provided!'
7pm to 8pm | Lochend Park · Lochend & Restalrig | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Trash Club.
🎉 Home-Start Edinburgh Celebrates 40 Years of Supporting Local Families
Thurs 10 September - 'Home-Start Edinburgh is inviting former families, volunteers, staff, trustees, donors and supporters to join them in a special event marking 40 years of supporting babies, children and families across Edinburgh. They would love to see you.'
6pm to 8pm | Lind and Lime Gin Distillery · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Home-Start Edinburgh.
🎶 Castle Chorus Weekly Rehearsal [Every Thursday]
Thurs 10 September - 'We sing a wide range of songs from around the world and throughout the ages. We focus on folk / roots, but do a bit of everything! No Auditions. Attend when you can. Sign up for the weekly email on our website. Room G.21 this term. See you there!'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Paterson's Land · Old Town | £3 / £5 / £7 - More details here, shared by Joe, Castle Chorus.
🎨 St Mark's Art Exhibition [Until Sun]
Fri 11 September - 'An exhibition of local artists, including the Craigmillar Tapestry. Refreshments available.'
12pm to 5pm | St. Mark’s Episcopal Church · Portobello | FREE - More details here, shared by St Mark's Episcopal Church.
StMarks152
🎬 Local Cinema: Power Station community film screening
Fri 11 September - 'Free community cinema screening of Power Station - a fun documentary about two artists who try to take their street off grid, kickstarting a solar-powered energy revolution. Chat with Community Energy Scotland, food and drinks!'
4pm to 7pm | The Crannie Community Hub · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust.
Minute editor's note: I can highly recommend this film! If you're looking for inspiration or practical steps on how to 'think global, start local', Power Station could help. It's deliberately hard to find online, as the makers encourage people to watch it together in the hope they'll be more likely to take action as communities. Once again, I highly recommend it. The film shows the real life struggles of community campaigning but also proves that people-power really can work and spark lasting change.
🍷 Discover Rotary
Fri 11 September - 'DISCOVER ROTARY! Many people have heard about Rotary but don't really know what we do! Why not come along to our free 'Discover Rotary' event and find out. Enjoy a glass of wine in the company of other like-minded individuals and have a chat!'
5.30pm to 6.30pm | The Scotsman Hotel · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Gordon Young, Rotary Club of Edinburgh + the FB event page is here.
🌳 Holyrood Park Creative Writing Walk
Sat 12 September - '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 through beautiful Holyrood Park.'
10.30am to 12pm | Holyrood Park | £10 - More details here, shared by Cameo Marlatt.
🧵 Textured Tapestry Workshop
Sat 12 September - 'Sat 12th Sept 12-2pm - Textured Tapestry Workshop hosted by Marangerie Artists. All abilities welcome. All materials provided to create a small textured tapestry to take away. £10 to take part, spaces limited. Email gracemaran@hotmail.com to book'
12pm to 2pm | Rising Tide Cafe · Portobello | 10 - More details here, shared by Rising Tide Cafe.
🐧 Edinburgh Linux Cafe
Sat 12 September - 'With the end of official Windows 10 support, many will be forced to buy a new computer. Edinburgh Linux Café can help by showing you Linux Mint, a free and easy alternative that can add years to the life of your machine'
1pm to 4pm | Edinburgh Tool Library - Meadowbank Hub · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Linux Cafe.
🎶 Epitaph For a Green Lover: The Linarol Consort with Héloïse Bernard
Sat 12 September - 'Epitaph for a Green Lover tells the moving story of Margaret of Austria, a great patron of the arts, through music from her own manuscripts'
3pm to 4.30pm | St Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum · Old Town | £0-23 - More details here, shared by Hannah.
🍂 Late summer gathering: meditation, pranayama and therapeutic writing
Sat 12 September - 'Come and join us to wind down after the busy summer season - to connect with our breath, set intentions and reflect on the summer as well as begin to prepare for autumn through writing prompts, guided relaxations and breathing practices.'
3pm to 5pm | The Salisbury Centre · Southside | £12 - More details here, shared by Emily James.
✒️ Make your own pocket-sized good-luck charm workshop
Sun 13 September - 'Create your own Pocket Daruma! 🎎 Japanese calligraphy meets illustration in this creative workshop with Wayfarer Shodo Edinburgh & illustrator Stephanie Brown. Design a Daruma, write your wish and carry your goal with you. Beginners welcome!'
12pm to 2pm | Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End · Haymarket & Dalry | £35 - More details here, shared by Wayfarer Shodo Edinburgh.
🎶 Anchor Line Revue - live music
Sun 13 September - 'Original Scottish Americana and old favourites, from Jon Horne, East of Appalachia, Tribute to Venus Carmichael, and the Anchor Line house band. With special guest Saraphir Camille. NB Pub open 2pm-11pm today.'
2.30pm to 4.30pm | Steel Coulson Southside · Southside | FREE - More details here, shared by Glen Dawkins.
💰 Savings and Investments Workshop
Mon 14 September - 'A free course, run by The Money Charity, that will help you build your money confidence and cover fundamental skills, information and tools you need to better manage your savings and investments.'
2pm to 4pm | The Crannie Community Hub · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by The Crannie.
🍝 Pasta & Sugo Masterclass with Daniela Forbes
Mon 14 September - 'Join chef, food stylist and educator Daniela Forbes for a relaxed, hands-on workshop learning to make one of the simplest and most joyful combinations in Italian cooking: fresh pasta and sugo. Funds raised go directly to our Community Cook School.'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Cyrenians Flavour and Haver Cook School · Leith | £35 - More details here, shared by Cyrenians.
🧘♀️ Yoga and Somatics a nourishing practice [Every Thursday]
Thu 17 September - 'We'll combine stabilising and centring movements with sequences to open, expand and express ourselves more fully. We'll explore: grounding, releasing our weight and finding support; sequencing movement; radiating and spiralling from centre.'
10.30am to 12pm | Pilates 4 All · Portobello | £15 per class - More details here, shared by movingwithease.co.uk.
🌟 Build Your Brand from the Inside Out
Sat 19 September - 'You've created something amazing, now build a brand that tells your story. Join us for a practical workshop to discover what makes you stand out, connect with the right people and create a confident, consistent brand that feels like you.'
9.30am to 11.30am | Leith Makers · Leith | 18.00 - More details here, shared by Carmen Chalmers, Support The Makers.
🍂 Autumn Equinox: Harvest Your Joy (Yoga + Live Handpan Soundbath)
Sat 19 September - 'Gentle yoga & guided visualisation with Melanie Frome, accompanied by live handpan sound bath by Fiona McNeill, journaling with tea + snack-fuelled sharing circle-gathering what nourishes as autumn settles in. 🏳️🌈 Safe space, all bodies welcome.'
3pm to 5pm | Tidal Yoga Ltd · Leith | £35 - More details here, shared by Melanie Frome + a video of what to expect here.
😂 Polish Comedy Shorts
Sat 19 September - 'An evening of inventive, witty and wonderfully off‐beat Polish short films, showcasing a wide range of comedic sensibilities - from dry observational humour to surreal, absurdist storytelling. From the team at Borscht Film.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall · Leith | £6 - £10 - More details here, shared by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
📚 Ragged Uni: Teaching Palestine plus Everyday Resistance in Palestine plus book launch
Tue 22 September - 'A screening of a seminar on 'Teaching Palestine Past and Present' with a discussion with the lecturers followed by a book launch of Life and Labour: Contested Occupation and Meaningful Alienation' published by Bristol University Press'
7pm to 9.30pm | The Outhouse · Canonmills & Broughton | FREE - More details here, shared by Alex Dunedin, Ragged University.
💛 Tribe Talks: Get to Know Your Tribe - SEO Workshop
Mon 28 September - 'This community-facilitated series celebrates the vast knowledge, skills, and experiences at Tribe Porty.'
6pm to 7pm | Tribe Porty · Portobello | £5-£8 - More details here, shared by Sonny, Tribe Porty.
Remember you can always see all 280+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🏡 'Two new laws are coming for Edinburgh homeowners that could cost thousands'. (From the Community Noticeboard)
- 💰 Five Edinburgh firms accused of failing to pay minimum wage.
- 🚔 Teenagers charged over 'assault and vandalism' in city centre.
- 📚 New short courses from the University Of Edinburgh. (from the Community Noticeboard)
- 📆 Major transport votes due this week - meeting previewed on edi.bike.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 992.
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