The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 1 July 2026
Protest and pageantry at Royal Week events, Cameron Toll roundabout closure, Gorgie Community Farm seeks volunteers + support the makers at Porty Town Hall market
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. A busy day in town today as the Royal Family head to St Gilles. There's plenty of other news too and a buzzing community noticeboard - thanks to the wonderful locals who make that happen! But first, here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
Order of the Thistle ceremony, Wed 1 July.
— Edinburgh Travel News (@edintravel) June 29, 2026
Road closures affecting the Royal Mile and adjoining routes between 8am and 1pm.
Check https://t.co/r4HstSWfNQ for bus diversions.#edintravel pic.twitter.com/VgS0vOaXbr
👑 More road closures today as 'Holyrood/Royal Week' continues. The Royal Mile, the Mound and Hanover Street will shut to vehicles between 2pm and 3pm. - Get transport updates from Lothian Buses here.
- The annual 'Order of the Thistle' event at St Giles Cathedral tends to attract crowds of people both for and against the monarchy.
- The royal family published more details about the service here.
- Protest group Republic has published its own plans here.
The group displayed a banner reading 'Cut the Half Billion Royal Budget' on the crags overlooking the Palace of Holyroodhouse yesterday, where royals and guests were gathered for their annual garden party.
Meanwhile Queen Camilla visited the Royal Scottish Academy on the Mound, meeting artists involved in the 'Chaos and Control: Printmaking in Scotland Now' exhibition. - Video from the RSA here.
@republiccampaign on Instagram + @theroyalfamily on Instagram.
👑 Edinburgh-based author JK Rowling was hosted by Queen Camilla at the Palace of Holyroodhouse yesterday. - Lucy Jackson, The National / BBC News.
- 'Commentators on the royal family’s Instagram page were quick to denounce the meeting', writes Emily Burack, Town & Country.
- The royal family said the pair have 'a shared passion for books and a deep commitment to children reading for pleasure'.
- Meanwhile King Charles was presented the keys to Edinburgh by Lord Provost Robert Aldridge. - Royal week round-up by Rachel Keenan, Neil Pooran & Eilidh Farquhar in the Daily Record + on BBC News.
🚔 The 36-year-old man facing five 'anti-Muslim' attempted murder charges in Edinburgh appeared in court for the second time yesterday. He made no plea and will now face trial at a later date. - Keiran Fleming, STV News.
🚧 Part of Cameron Toll roundabout is due to close for three days of 'essential works' starting from 10am on Friday. - Rachel Fergusson, Evening News.
🚎 Electric bus operator Ember plans to launch a new 20-minute route between Livingston and Edinburgh Airport from today. - Callum McCormack, Evening News.
🎮 Some employees at bestselling computer game firm Rockstar North, based in Holyrood, are trying to gain official union recognition after mass sackings last year. - Helena Horton and Sammy Gecsoyler, The Guardian.
📰 The July edition of Spurtle, 'Broughton's independent stirrer' is out now, free in local shops and online in PDF format here. It includes news about the sale of St Stephen's Church, short-term let owners 'gaming the system' and an update on who's moving in to the space being vacated by Typewronger Books, which vacates on 5 July for Bruntsfield.
👨🌾 Gorgie Community Farm's July garden volunteering schedule is up on Instagram and on the website.
🎨 Tributes have been paid to Brian McFeely, a local street artist and illustrator known to many as Elph, who has died aged 48. - Claire Sawers, The Herald.
Claire Sawers
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📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
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🌮 Gringo Supperclub Goes Full Time: August Events On Sale Now! - 'Gringo Supperclub is now a full time business and proud to launch our new tasting menu with several new dates in August! Come join us for a journey through Latin America around the communal table at our home in the West End.' - More details here, shared by Kevin McPadden, Gringo Supperclub.
🎩 TONIGHT: Underground Magic: Edinburgh’s Magic Night - 'Edinburgh’s only night showcasing the best magicians in the U.K.! Join us for a lineup of 4 of the country’s best magicians and mind readers for a comedy night like no other! Hosted by comedian Billy Kirkwood, this is a night out unlike the others!' - More details here, shared by Cameron Gibson, Edinburgh Magic Company.
🧘♂️ Online Zoom Forum: Jain Spirituality: Values, Principles, and Practices - 'There will be five talks, each of 15 minutes, followed by discussion among the speakers and the chair, followed by Q & A. Date: Wednesday 8 July 2026. Time: 7pm-9pm (UK time).' - More details here, shared by Neill Walker, Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace.
📰 What's going on in the Grange Prestonfield Communities? - 'Looking for a friendly, quick digest of what’s actually happening in the Grange & Prestonfield areas? Come read the eighth edition of The Grange Prestonfield Voice by the GPCC. Grateful for any shares and subscribers 🙏' - More details here, shared by GPCC.
GPCC
🤰 Volunteers needed for new contraception study - 'Participate in research with NHS Lothian/University of Edinburgh. Help test a new way of providng coil insertion at the time of birth! We want to find out if a new device makes the procedure easier to perform and more comfortable.' - More details here, shared by Centre for Reproductive Health, UoE.
🏴 Kiltmaking craft & couture: a display of bespoke kilts created by the Dye, Weave, Pleat collective [Until Sun]
Today, Wed 01 July - 'The endangered craft of kiltmaking is being given new life, attracting the interest of haute couture fashion houses. A very special installation to enjoy - not standard tartan kilts but luxury pieces with incredible detailing and finishing.'
10.30am to 5.30pm | Scottish Textiles Showcase · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Carrie.
📸 Engineering Better Lives for 50 years - Free outdoor photo exhibition [Until Tue]
Tomorrow, Thu 02 July - 'Celebrate 50 incredible years of the Royal Academy of Engineering with brand new outdoor photography exhibition. Explore the photos, and the stories of the people behind them at the St Andrew Square gardens this summer.'
7am to 8pm | St. Andrew Square Garden · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Science.
🏛️ West End Community Council [Monthly]
Tomorrow, Thu 02 July - 'Monthly Community Council meeting discussing planning, licensing, roads, the Local Place Plan and other matters important to folk in the West End of Edinburgh.'
7.30pm to 9pm | Ashfield · West End | FREE - More details here, shared by West End Community Cojncil.
🏃♀️ Nation's 5K coming to Edinburgh on Saturday 4th July
Sat 04 July - 'Esmée Gunner is holding a run club in every city in the UK and running between every city. Everyone's invited. She wants to get a million people running! Join in and sign up on the website.'
9am to 11am | Holyrood Park | FREE - More details here, shared by Nation’s 5K with Esmée Gunner.
🛍️ Support the Makers Market - Portobello Town Hall
Sun 05 July - 'OH PORTOBELLO... WE'RE BACK! 💛 Discover amazing handmade finds, meet talented local makers and shop unique jewellery, ceramics, art, homeware, gifts & more. Plus knife sharpening, great coffee and permanent jewellery, all under one roof!'
11am to 4pm | Portobello Town Hall · Portobello | FREE - More details here, shared by Carmen Chalmers.
🎥 Rear Window (4K restoration) with intro from Caroline Young, author of Fashioning Hitchcock
Sun 05 July - 'Watch one of Hitchcock's most beloved films on the big screen at the Filmhouse. Edinburgh film and pop culture author Caroline Young will be hosting the introduction and Q & A, themed around her new book, Fashioning Hitchcock.'
2pm to 5pm | Filmhouse · Tollcross | £12 (£10.50 conc.) - More details here, shared by Caroline Young.
🎶 Free Concert - Enjoy some transatlantic harmony! Seattle Children's Chorus perform at Canongate Kirk
Mon 06 July - 'Three Seattle Children's Chorus ensembles - Camerata, Arioso, and Coro Vivo, join in a vibrant concert of folk songs, contemporary choral works, gospel, and spirituals. This inspiring program celebrates community, hope, and the power of young voices.'
2.30pm to 3.30pm | Canongate Kirk · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Valda Kampf, Encore.
🗣️ Speak In A Week [Until Fri]
Mon 06 July - 'This summer 2026, Speak in a Week is back! Language confidence in one week with Speak Out's popular summer intensive course. Speak in a Week for beginners will teach you the practical language skills you need to communicate confidently abroad!'
5pm to 7pm | Speak Out Languages · New Town - More details here, shared by Speak Out With Confidence.
📚 Edinburgh Silent Book Club
Tue 07 July - 'Spend a quiet hour reading alongside fellow book lovers. Bring your own book and read whatever you enjoy. Before and after the reading hour, there's the chance to chat and connect with other readers. Please sign up on Luma. Everyone is welcome!'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Not Just Coffee · Haymarket & Dalry | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
⭐ Edinburgh Trash Club heads to Newhaven
Tue 07 July - 'Let's head to Newhaven Place, round the back of the fish market, to pick up some trash - brace for scrambling in hedges and blocks of polystyrene. We provide everything you need, and at 8pm we'll head to the Harbour Inn for a drink.'
7pm to 8pm | The Fishmarket · Trinity & Newhaven | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Trash Club.
🛹 A Nice Day Out goes Surfskating!!
Wed 08 July - 'Have you ever wished there was a hybrid of a surfboard & skateboard? Meet surfskating! With an expert trainer, we'll learn the basics, including how to carve, pump and turn using a specialised front truck that brings the feel of surfing to the street'
7pm to 8.15pm | Cargilfield School · Barnton & Cramond | £24 - More details here, shared by A Nice Day Out + on Instagram here.
🎨 The Community Wellbeing Collective Art Auction Fundraiser
Thu 09 July - 'Join the Community Wellbeing Collective and Edinburgh Art Festival for an art auction fundraiser to help save the Community Wellbeing Space in Wester Hailes. A network of artists have generously donated a dazzling array of artworks for the auction.'
6pm to 8pm | Edinburgh Art Festival · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Holly, the Community Wellbeing Collective Board of Trustees.
🎉 guava issue three launch
Thu 09 July - 'guava is officially one year old! join us for the launch of our third issue, with readings from Nazaret Ranea, James Alexander McKenzie, Philippa Ramsden and more!'
7pm to 8.30pm | Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 Alma and Adam Thom at The Leith Depot
Thu 09 July - 'Rich harmonies, compelling storytelling and beautifully crafted songs come together in this special co-headline evening of contemporary folk and Americana from two of Scotland's rising folk acts.'
7pm to 9.30pm | Leith Depot · Leith | £13.00 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌿 Women in nature [Until Sun]
Fri 10 July - 'Women in Nature is a celebration of creativity, community, and the natural world. Come along to browse a beautiful nature-inspired shop showcasing the work of talented female makers and take part in hands-on workshops.'
10am to 8pm | Shop With No Name · Canonmills & Broughton - More details here, shared by Cara Davidson photography.
🍼 Nearly New Sale
Sat 11 July - 'Our Summer Nearly New Sale is coming up on 11th July. Come along for loads of bargain baby items, clothes, equipment, toys and books and of course some delicious home baking & drinks in our cafe. Take what you need, pay what you can!'
10am to 1pm | Pregnancy and Parents Centre · Southside | Entry is £1 on door - More details here, shared by Anisa Barrett, Pregnancy and Parents Centre.
🎉 Family Fun Day
Sat 18 July - 'TUIC family fun day & big giveaway. A day of free stalls, free food, music, face and nail painting, a bouncy castle and much much more!'
12pm to 3pm | Trade Unions In Communities · Craigmillar & Niddrie | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎨 Corstorphine Art Group 2026 Annual Exhibition [Until Sat]
Sat 25 July - 'The Corstorphine Art Group 2026 Annual Exhibition. The event consist of over 150 framed paintings, a selection of mounted work, and hand painted cards. Most of the exhibits will be for sale at this well attended and locally anticipated show.'
10am to 4.30pm | St. Ninian’s Church Corstorphine · Corstorphine | FREE - More details here, shared by Comittee member.
🗣️ The Festival of Politics [Until Fri]
Thu 27 August - 'Join us at Holyrood for engaging discussions, lively debate and thought-provoking panels with expert speakers and inspiring voices debating the issues shaping Scotland - from AI, climate change and the manosphere to poverty, housing and free speech.'
9.30am to 8pm | Scottish Parliament Building · Old Town | £5-£10 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🏔️ Join a fully guided Mountain Skills & Wild Camping exped in the Cairngorms (by @mtnbuddies) ⛺️
Sat 26 September - 'Local Mountain Leader Will has added two further Mountain Skills courses (26 Sep & 10 Oct). Join a small group for a two-day fully guided adventure in the Cairngorms. Learn navigation, route planning, wild camping, mountain hazards & much more 🧭⛰️⛺️'
8am to 7.30am | Tiso Edinburgh · New Town | £195 - More details here, shared by Will, Mountain Buddies.
📮 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:
- 🔪 Armed robber gets laughed out of Gorgie shop.
- 🏫 Private school head 'could weep' over overcrowding.
- 🌊 Up close with Leith's yellow giants.
- 🍿 Leith Theatre to host Trainspotting cast and crew reunion at film fest.
- 🚎 New electric buses for the 36 route.
⏰ Thank you for reading edition number 941.
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