The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 9 December 2025
Wind, rain & flood warning, bookshop claims victory over Waterstones, George Clooney returning to town + new pub opening in Leith
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Remember you can get 20% off a subscription this week. The newsletter will always be free and ad-free but that's only thanks to paying supporters, who also get bonus newsletters. The discount makes it £36 a year instead of £45, which is just 10p per day to save yourself a lot of time. Here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.
☔️ It's a wet start to the day. A yellow weather warning for heavy rain and wind between 6am and midday has been issued by the Met Office. Gusts are forecast to reach 52mph. A yellow warning is the lowest noteworthy impact, meaning a 'medium likelihood' of disruption. - More details are here.
- The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) issued 12 flood alerts for the country, including Edinburgh and the Lothians. The organisation said: "A period of heavy and persistent rain on Tuesday could cause flooding impacts from smaller rivers and surface water. Particularly at risk are urban areas and the transport network. Impacts may include flooding to low-lying land and roads, property flooding and disruption to travel with difficult driving conditions." - See the local SEPA warning in detail here.
📙 The owners of Leith Walk independent bookshop Argonaut say they have stopped a bid by Waterstones to open a new shop nearby. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
⮑ "Following a positive meeting with the company just under two weeks ago, we have now received confirmation that the planned development of the Waterstones next door to us in the Newkirkgate Centre will not be going ahead." - The shop posted this statement on Instagram.
🔋 Councillors will discuss controversial plans for a new data centre near the Heriot Watt University campus today at the City Chambers from 10am. - Agenda papers and a webcast link for the Policy and Sustainability Committee are here.
🏗️ Plans for hundreds of new student flats in the New Town off Dundas Street have been been recommended for approval and will be voted on by councillors next week. - Phyllis Stephen, in The Edinburgh Reporter.
- Plans for nearly 1,000 new homes on the former Saica packaging facility near the Gyle have also been recommended for approval. - Brian Donnelly, The Herald.
🛬 A San Francisco-bound flight leaving London was cut short after a 'burning smell' was noticed on board, causing it to land in Edinburgh yesterday. - Amelia Neath, The Independent.
💰 City council leader Jane Meagher says she will stick to the percentage system for next year's new tourist tax, despite a Scottish Government update allowing councils to opt for a flat rate instead. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🗳️ Sighthill/Gorgie councillor Ross McKenzie has joined the Scottish Greens, having previously been a Labour, then an independent member. The move means that the Greens now have the same number of councillors as the Labour administration and one more than the local Conservatives. - The Greens published their update here.
🍿 Actor and humanitarian George Clooney is due to return to Edinburgh next April to attend both the British Business Awards at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and a fundraising dinner for the local Social Bite charity at Gleneagles Hotel. - More from Rab Armour in Third Force News.
"George made such an incredible impact to Social Bite when he visited our café 10 years ago and we’re honoured to have him join us again at these events which help us raise much-needed funds to help end homelessness in the UK." - Social Bite co-founder Josh Littlejohn.
🧪 The headliners for next April's Edinburgh Science Festival have been announced, including first British astronaut Helen Sharman and wildlife cameraman, presenter and author Hamza Yassin. - More details here.
🏰 The Calton Hill Conservation Trust has called for volunteer-run groups to get access to cash from a new levy on park events to fund improvements. - Donald Turvill, The Herald.
😷 Some Edinburgh venues and groups including Lighthouse Bookshop, Edinburgh Mask Bloc and Air Library Scotland are continuing to support COVID safety measures, while most have abandoned them. The NHS recently warned of a particularly bad flu season. - Quinn Rhodes in The Skinny.
🍻 The pub formerly known as The Village on South Fort Street in Leith is reopening on Friday as The Fort bar. The owners say it will be a dog-friendly 'all inclusive space, with a strong emphasis on creating a place where all feel welcome.' Local breweries Barney's, Moonwake and Pilot will be stocked. - It's on Instagram here.
🍺 The Malone's Irish pub on Morrison Street will get a plaque for being the only Edinburgh bar featured in Guinness’ new Harp Guide to perfect pints. - Sarah Campbell, The Herald.
💻 CodeBase hosts its annual Tech the Halls: Edinburgh Festive Social tomorrow evening. - Reserve a free spot on Eventbrite.
⮑ For this week's local tech sector news, check out the Campfire newsletter by Robert Gelb.
Robert Gelb
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📌 “8-21 Dec 25 - Winter in the West End Xmas Craft Market is returning to St John's Church, c/o Princes Street and Lothian Road. All handmade items - perfect gifts for everyone!” - Thanks to Tiana, Director 3D2D Events, for sharing this.
📌 “Tuesday 9th December 6pm - Powderhall Bronze foundry Tour 🔥 Join us for a tour of our fine art foundry in Granton, learning how we use the ancient lost wax casting process to create bronze sculptures. Gleam insight into our current foundry projects and past well-known public artworks along the way.” - Thanks to Lucy Caster from Powderhall Bronze for sharing this.
📌 “Come celebrate the 2025 writing year with the Good Eggs at Lost in Leith on Tuesday, December 9, from 6.30-9.30 pm. Chicken Coop host Naomi Head is handing over the mic to the writers across the Good Egg Project community who will be sharing original work from comedy & poetry, to fiction & music.” - Thanks to Naomi Head of The Good Egg Project for sharing this.
📌 “Social Bite's Tree of Kindness is back in St Andrew Square until 22nd December! Please bring unwrapped gifts for people including children who are homeless to open at Christmas. You can also donate towards providing someone with a hot Christmas dinner, gift, essential items and a bed for the night.” - Thanks to Amy for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 10th December. Join the Edinburgh Southside Choir at 8pm, in the lovely Binks Hall, Greyfriars Charteris Centre, Pleasance for a varied festive programme. We promise a warm welcome to begin the Christmas celebrations. Tickets £12 on the door, cash only.” - Thanks to a member of the choir for sharing this.
📌 “Join Support the Makers for a networking Q&A with Ailish, the creative mind behind All Things Ailish & founder of The Edinburgh Growth Co. Passionate about supporting local businesses & creative communities, she loves sharing stories, building connections, & helping makers & entrepreneurs thrive.” - Thanks to Carmen Chalmers, Founder of Support The Makers, for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 11th December from 9am - 2pm: Edinburgh Community Food Christmas Market at 22 Tennent Street, Edinburgh, EH6 5ND. Join us on at OperationStrawberry for a festive day filled with Christmas hampers, warm mulled apple juice, unique gifts, tombola, and more!” - Thanks to Tilly for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 11th December - Tea Ceilidh. EVERY THURSDAY Scottish and other dances with a great live band! £6 pay at the door Marchmont St. Giles Church, Kilgraston Road, EH9 2DW.” - Thanks, as always, to Stan Reeves for sharing this.
📌 “12–14 Dec, Strange Town brings 7 original festive shows to the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Enjoy an affordable Christmas treat for all the family while supporting the Leith charity recently hit by EIJB cuts. Packed with brilliant young talent, it’s a fun, festive way to help keep creativity alive.” - Thanks to The Strange Town Team for sharing this.
📌 “12/13/14 December - A wonderful opportunity to get your festive wardrobe sorted and meet renowned designer Beatrice von Tresckow at the iconic Stevenson House. Entrance donation to benefit The Teenage Cancer Trust.” - Thanks to Felicitas Macfie of The Stevenson House for sharing this.
📌 “Friday 12th December - Greyfriars Kirk 6pm. Scot’s songs and Ukrainian Carols, for Aid at the front.” - Thanks to Spiders for Ukraine for sharing this.
📌 “Friday 12th December, St Vincent's Chapel - Dementia Trust Christmas Concert - come and enjoy some festive carols from Catherine Duncan and the SCO's Young Singers to help raise funds for innovative dementia projects!” - Thanks to the Dementia Trust for sharing this.
📌 “Join the Capital Concert Band for a night of Christmas magic, music, carols and storytelling in Leith ✨️ Christmas By Candlelight, Saturday 13th December, 5pm at Leith St. Andrew's Church.” - Thanks to Katherine Annand, CCB Committee, for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 13 December - Join Edinburgh Bach Choir for a Festive Concert of Christmas music old and new. St Cuthbert's Parish Church, Lothian Road, 7.30pm. Wine, mince pies and singing included! Tickets available on the door: £20 regular, £6 students with ID, free for under 18s and carers.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Bach Choir for sharing this.
📌 “Sat 13th, 2-5pm. Free family-friendly community cargo bike event at the new Hub, on The Links, corner of Bruntsfield Place & Bruntsfield Terrace: refreshments, music, face- & shed-painting, winter trail & free health-check for your bike. Give cargo bikes a try! Discover the FREE e-cargo bike library.” - Thanks to Mick Patrick, from BANZAI Bikes (a project of Bruntsfield Area Net Zero Action Initiative), for sharing this.
📌 “Join us at Riddle's Court for an evening of candle painting in partnership with Health in Mind. Create a handmade gift, enjoy mulled wine and festive snacks. All supplies provided free. £5 tickets, all proceeds to charity. Monday 15 December, 6:30pm.” - Thanks to the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust for sharing this.
📌 “Monday, 15 December. An evening of beautiful music performed by the pupils of St Mary’s Music School at their much-loved annual Christmas Concert. This year’s programme includes works by C.P.E. Bach, Steve Reich, Pēteris Vasks and Samuel Barber. Tickets from Ticketsource.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Tuesday 16 December, 6.30pm - Festive Biscuit Decorating Workshop at The Gift Tree, Corstorphine. Join us for a fun and relaxing two-hour workshop where you will learn to decorate 7 festive biscuits using royal-icing. Take home your delicious biscuits and a new, fun skill!” - Thanks to Blinkbonnie Biscuits for sharing this.
📌 “Wednesday 17 December - Tesco Express Dundas Street is organising a bake sale and a raffle to support Cancer Research UK. There are 2 amazing hampers to be won as well as some delicious cakes, so please join us on the day and help raise money for a good cause!” - Thanks to Aga, one of the organisers for Tesco Express Dundas Street, for sharing this.
📌 “Friday 19th December 6.30pm - Winter Solstice Feast at Rising Tide Cafe with Edinburgh Forage & Eat. Enjoy a delicious seven course foraged tasting feast with matched wines, to celebrate the Winter solstice! Tickets £55 plus booking fee.” - Thanks to Rising Tide Cafe for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 15 January 2026 - Bee Asha announced as the headliner of the first ever Wild Song Wheel Night. Meet the 12 acts in the first ever WILD SONG as they spin the wheel and enjoy a live set from Bee Asha and her band.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Street Photo Social is holding its first photography exhibition in February. We have an open call for submissions until 19th December. If you're a street photographer based in the Edinburgh area, please consider submitting your best work. It's free to enter! More details on the website.” - Thanks to Olly for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🍸 Leith's Chancho bar is closing next weekend.
- 🍰 Maria's Kakes on Albert Place also closing.
- 📌 Gift for Good guide by Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 785.
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