The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 12 August 2026
New hotel plan for Rennie’s Isle in Leith, schools return as phone ban begins, new Princes St Gardens statue ban proposed + hundreds call for Inverleith Park play park upgrade
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. There's no weekly Culture Minute for paying subscribers today because the daily midday Festival Minute editions are taking over for the month. I'm also working on a list of links to reviews of the festival's top-rated shows, aimed at saving everyone time. But as my reviewer pals are keen to point out, a three star review is still a good review. Anyway enough showbiz (until midday), here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌔 There's a chance we could get to see tonight's partial solar eclipse after all. The updated Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is currently showing cloud shifting just in time for the eclipse window. The forecast has been changing a lot, however. Advice on safe ways to view the eclipse are on North Edinburgh News.
- 🌓 6.08pm - first contact of the eclipse.
- 🌑 7.05pm - maximum eclipse.
- 🌞 8pm - eclipse ends.
📵 The ban on mobile phones in Edinburgh schools begins today, but some of the city’s 23 high schools won't get lockable phone pouches until October. The council education leader says there are good reasons for the delay, reports Ian Swanson in the Evening News.
- 'Edinburgh school phone ban 'shambles' as parents told 'tell kids to switch off phones'' is the Edinburgh Live headline.
- There is also coverage on CBBC's Newsround.
The Rennie’s Isle hotel developer VRS said its proposal images are: "AI-generated conceptual imagery. They are intended to illustrate the design approach and are not precise architectural representations." - See the full plans here.
🏨 A public consultation has opened on plans for a new 121-room hotel at Rennie’s Isle in Leith. The proposal is at pre-application stage, meaning developers are seeking input from residents and businesses before formally requesting planning permission from the council. The 10-storey hotel would be on the west side of Victoria swing bridge. - More details from FaulknerBrowns architects here. The consultation closes on 1 September.
- Developer VRS (Rennie's Isle) Ltd says it has already held three pre-application meetings with the council. It claims 27 jobs (three full-time and 24 part-time) would be created if the hotel plan is approved. VRS said: "The proposal seeks to redevelop a currently under-used site at the corner of Ocean Drive and Rennie's Isle, Leith - replacing a building of limited architectural merit and poor environmental performance with a landmark hotel that responds to identified market demand, supports economic activity within Leith, and delivers a high-quality, low-carbon development."
- A previous plan for build-to-rent flats faced strong community opposition in 2021 and did not progress. A new local campaign against the proposal has emerged, claiming the hotel 'will stick out like a carbuncle'.
- A formal planning application is expected later in the month, reports Urban Realm.
🚉 Tomorrow marks five weeks since trams to Leith were cut off due to the Princes Street fire. Work continues on a steel framework to secure the damaged building, and the council is aiming to reopen the tram network by 26 August. But 'there is little prospect of a temporary service being introduced' meantime, reports Ian Swanson in the Evening News.
⮑ An 'emergency summit' is planned this evening for 'businesses, community organisations, public transport, the Festival and Fringe, alongside local councillors' to discuss solutions, reports Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.
Cllr. Finlay McFarlane
💰 Three historic locals buildings - Leith Customs House, Tron Kirk and Portobello Kilns - could benefit from £300,000 of tourist tax income going towards restoration projects. Councillors on the Culture and Communities Committee will vote on funding the projects tomorrow. - The council report (in PDF form) is here and there's a report by Ian Swanson in the Evening News.
- Also on tomorrow's culture meeting agenda (webcast here):
⮑ 🛝 A petition from 447 people demanding 'urgent investment' for the play park at Inverleith Park. - The council report is here. The local Friends of Inverleith Park group have been campaigning for a new park for many years and share some photos of its current 'scruffy' look along with some ideas for the future.
⮑ A proposal to make the Parliament Cairn on Calton Hill an officially scheduled monument. - Report here.
⮑ A temporary ban on new public art works in Princes Street Gardens could be introduced. It would not affect ongoing projects including the 'Spirit of Spark' memorial to writer Muriel Spark, nor the future memorial sculpture to remember those impacted by the Infected Blood Scandal. A third (by artist Hew Locke) acknowledging Edinburgh’s links with slavery and colonialism, is slated for 2029. Council officers are suggesting a new 'statue and memorialisation plan with firm locational criteria to guide any new proposals'. They want to pause any further additions until a wider Princes Street and Waverley Valley Strategy (consulted on last year and now being developed) is signed off. - The council report is here. Pointing out that the gardens have 21 statues or memorials in total, with two more in the works, the report gives the follow reason for a pause on new public art works:
"Stakeholders, including Edinburgh World Heritage, City Councillors and event organisers have recently expressed concerns about the siting of new permanent statues, monuments and artworks in the gardens, and provided suggestions for consideration for any future proposals."
🎯 It's the end of an era on Leith Walk: the Borlands darts and television shop is for up for sale. It is listed on ESPC for £135,000. Thanks to Andy Arthur of Threadinburgh for sharing the news. The shop closed due to family illness in 2024. Responding to the news, writer Irvine Welsh (who featured the shop in his 1993 Visitor's Guide to Edinburgh with Kevin Williamson) simply said: 'NOOOOOOO'.
ESPC
🛍️ Four new shops are opening at the Gyle Shopping Centre, including Søstrene Grene. - Scott Reid, The Scotsman.
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☕ New coffee spot opening
Today, Wed 12 August - 'Super star pair of local entrepreneurs opening a new venture on rose street!'
12pm to 3pm | The Rose Shed · New Town - More details here, shared by Jamie Fleming + follow them on Instagram here.
😂 Comedians rally to support friend, turn her hour into charity compilation - 'Scottish comedian Kathleen Hughes had to pull her hour, Twig, to focus on her health. Luckily, her friends have rallied together and will present three distinct compilation shows raising money on behalf of Kathleen for Breast Cancer Now.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
👶 (Only 5 spaces left!) New Parents: Take part in exciting research with the University of Edinburgh - 'We are looking for parents with babies under 6 months old. Try out new digital relaxation exercises and tell us what you think. Complete our 14-day study and receive a gift voucher! Find more information and register your interest in the link' - More details here, shared by Lisa Golds, University of Edinburgh.
🎶 Free live music and DJ sets at Union Social Garden during the Fringe - 'During the Fringe, DJs take over Union Social Garden at Teviot (Bristo Square) every Friday and Saturday night, keeping the party going from 11pm until 3am. There’s no need to purchase a ticket, just rock up and enjoy for free! (Deadline: 14 Aug)' - More details here, shared by Edinburgh University Students' Association.
🏡 Scottish Couple’s House With Invisible Corners - 'Graeme and Kim asked their good old friend, architect Richard Murphy, to design their house in Gullane, East Lothian — and told him he could do whatever he liked. The result is Langskail: a long, low house where the windows disappear into the walls.' - Video here, shared by NOSTALGIA.
🤸 Community Host Programme and Activities - 'North Merchiston Club is looking for a Community Host to build and grow our activities programme, sports, wellbeing, family & community events. Varied, people-facing role. 35 hrs/week, above Living Wage. Organised, personable people welcome apply now (Deadline: 14 Aug)' - More details here, shared by The North Merchiston Club.
🌿 Jock Tamson's Gairden - Garden Tool Sharpening event
Fri 14 August - 'We will be running a Garden Tool Sharpening session at Jock Tamson's Gairden this Friday. Prices are as follows: £3.00 (eg secateurs) large items £6.00 (eg hedge shears) This event will run alongside our weekly Greens To Go Market Stall.'
11am to 2pm | Jock Tamson’s Gairden · Holyrood Park - More details here, shared by Jock Tamson's Gairden.
Jock Tamson’s Gairden People | Place | Plants
🕌 Uyghur Solidarity Stall [Until Sat]
Fri 14 August - 'Edinburgh Undercroft Amnesty Group will have stall for Uyghur Solidarity Month outside Edinburgh New Town Church. Pop by to celebrate Uyghur Culture, get a bookmark, learn an Uyghur word, sign a petition and find out about the Uyghur crisis. ]'
12pm to 2.30pm | Edinburgh New Town Church · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Undercroft Amnesty Group.
💍 Wedding Coffee Morning
Sat 15 August - 'Join us for an exclusive look around our former Victorian bathhouse turned tapestry studio with refreshments provided by the team at our wonderful café. This is a free drop-in event between 10am - 1pm.'
10am to 1pm | Dovecot Studios · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Dovecot Studios.
🌿 Granton Beach Creative Writing Walk
Sat 15 August - '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 along the promenade from Granton Beach.'
10am to 12pm | Granton Beach · Granton & Pilton | £10 - More details here, shared by Cameo Marlatt.
🤸♂️ Root & Rise - A Handstand Journey
Sat 15 August - 'ROOT & RISE - Handstand Workshop 15 Aug | 3-5pm | Barclays Church, Edinburgh | £20 Explore handstands through Capoeira Angola, mobility, tensegrity & strength. Register: DM @carloalexarts or +44 7386 797330'
3pm to 5pm | Barclay Viewforth Church of Scotland · Bruntsfield | £20 - More details here, shared by Carlo Alexandre.
🎲 Long Play:Test - Board and Card Games
Sat 15 August - 'Bring your games, join new games and playtest board and card games from local independent game designers. Find new favourites and support creatives in your community!'
3pm to 6pm | Ancient Robot Workshop · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Ancient Robot Workshop.
🌳 'Woods etc'
Sat 15 August - ''Woods etc' an exhibition by local artists, Lee Ritchie, Alix Villanueva and Iain Sommerville. An examination and celebration of our arboreal landscape and a journey through the edgelands. Opening: Saturday 15th August, 7pm @tap_architects'
7pm to 9.30pm | TAP Studio Gallery · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by TAP Architects.
🧘♀️ Ferry Flow Yoga [Until 02 Sept]
Mon 17 August - '3 Week Trial of yoga classes in South Queensferry. Vinyasa and restorative, taught by 3 local qualified teachers at the Garden Room, Priory Church. Free parking on site, mats and blocks provided.'
7am to 7.45am | Priory Church · South Queensferry | 12 plus fees - More details here, shared by Sara Meyers, Ferry Flow Yoga.
🕺 Zumba With Nat [Every Monday]
Mon 17 August - 'Join our Zumba classes with Nat every Monday at 7pm and Wednesday at 6:20pm for a fun workout experience. £5'
7pm to 8pm | Gorgie War Memorial Hall · Gorgie | £5 - More details here, shared by Natalie Hall.
🔥 Powderhall Bronze Foundry Tour
Tue 18 August - '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.'
6pm to 7.30pm | Powderhall Bronze · Granton & Pilton | £20 - More details here, shared by Lucy Caster, Powderhall Bronze.
Powderhall Bronze Editions
🌈 Queer Flora, Fauna, and Funga at Lighthouse Book Fringe
Thu 20 August - 'Join for a lunchtime book launch at Lighthouse Bookshop through Book Fringe. Frances Cannon, the editor of 'Queer Flora, Fauna, and Funga', will be in conversation with Lighthouse booksellers about this new interdisciplinary anthology.'
12pm to 1pm | Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌿 Midmar Allotment Open Day
Sat 22 August - 'The Midmar Allotments Open Day will be held on Saturday 22 August, 1pm to 4pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and view the allotments. Cafe with teas, cakes and savouries, produce stand, tombola, music and activities for children.'
1pm to 4pm | Midmar Allotments · The Grange | FREE - More details here, shared by Sarah Cran, Midmar Allotments Committee.
🏙️ Cockburn Conversations: City Plan 2040 & The National Conversation
Wed 26 August - 'City Plan 2040 and The National Conversation are shaping Edinburgh's future. Join our online Cockburn Conversation on 26 August, 17:00-18:30, to explore both before the consultations close. Register now and add your voice to Edinburgh's next chapter.'
5pm to 6.30pm | Microsoft Teams · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by The Cockburn Association.
🧶 Colourwork knitting class - join our small, friendly class & learn to knit your own Hot Water Bottle [Every Tuesday]
Tue 22 September - 'Learn how to knit a beautiful hot water bottle cover with Samira Hill. Perfect for knitters who know how to cast on, knit & purl - no prior experience of circular knitting or colourwork needed. Book now and be ready to cosy in on cold nights!'
5.45pm to 7.45pm | Scottish Textiles Showcase · Old Town | £65 (2 week course) - More details here, shared by Carrie.
🌙 Edinburgh locals launch a quiet evening journal app for noticing the good in everyday life - 'After moving from London to Edinburgh, Elena and Sergei began sharing three good moments before sleep - a small ritual that helped them end each day more gently. They turned it into At Night, an evening journal app now available on iOS and Android.' - More details here, shared by Elena Suvereva.
📌 Remember you can always see all 230+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
📮 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:
- 🎭 How to survive the Fringe: A local’s guide in The Tab.
- 🌘 Astronomical Society hosting eclipse party on top of Calton Hill.
- ☕️ Traade cafe & shop reopens in Porty after revamp.
- 🧵 New sewing and textiles courses launch at Edinburgh Open Workshop.
- 🏴 'Does Glasgow really get preferential treatment from the Scottish Government?'
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 973.
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