The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 15 July 2026
Princes Street closed 'into August', 21 classroom attacks per day, £5m of fake football kits seized + swimmer Archie Goodburn grades up for the Games
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌞 Today's weather forecast: Sunny today with a high of 20C before a misty start tomorrow. - The full Met Office local forecast is here. (There was no thunder or lightening yesterday, despite one stark prediction).
🚨 School leaders warn that Edinburgh's classroom 'violence is at a level we haven't seen before', with 21 incidents per day last year, according to new data gathered by Nicholas Malizia of Edinburgh Live. The council said it was 'actively looking at what more we can do to support school staff'.
🚦 Princes Street will remain closed to all vehicles (between Frederick Street and South Charlotte Street) 'into August', the council said yesterday. Last Thursday's fire at the former Debenhams store has left the building unsafe amid what the council described as a 'painstaking process' of making it safe again. There's no re-opening date yet.
- ⮑ Council leader Jane Meagher said: "This an ever-changing situation and we will provide further updates as and when new information becomes available. I want to thank people for their patience and understanding and have no doubt that we can still look forward to a fantastic summer of festivals here in Edinburgh." - The council published a press release here and a dedicated webpage for updates here.
- There are hundreds of comments in this Reddit discussion about it.
⚽️ Around 58,000 counterfeit football kits worth an estimated £5m have been seized, the council’s Trading Standards team said yesterday. There's no detail on who was going to sell the kits, with the council only saying that it was working with police on 'intelligence led operations', adding: "Investigations into the source and supply routes continue." - Press release here.
- Geraint Hughes of Sky Sports News reported live from inside a warehouse, at an undisclosed location, to take a closer look at the nine tonnes of shirts, which the council says will be 'securely recycled'. - The Sky Sports News video is on Facebook and Twitter.
"Our Trading Standards team have secured a tremendous result in intercepting these shirts. With the World Cup well underway this is a timely reminder that criminals exploit major sporting events by flooding the market with counterfeit goods to cash in on fan demand. Let me be clear, this is not a victimless crime. Counterfeiters undermine legitimate businesses, rip off supporters and sell products with no guarantee for how or where they were made or whether they meet basic safety standards." - Edinburgh's council Regulatory Convener, Neil Ross
Photos provided by City of Edinburgh CouncilTrading Standards.
🛤️ The former Meadowbank-Powderhall railway line could become an 'active travel project' for the council, which is in discussion with Network Rail about buying it. - More details on edi.bike which was first with the news earlier this week, and some additional context from Ross Chalmers of Deadline News.
- Find out more about a campaign to bring the line into public use here.
🚒 Construction has begun on Edinburgh’s first new fire station in more than 30 years. The £10m Liberton Community Fire Station will replace the existing building, which is being demolished. - Rose Moncur, The Herald + Scottish Fire and Rescue Service press release here.
🏫 A new £4.6m extension has opened at Frogston Primary School. - Scottish Construction Now has more details.
🏊♂️ Edinburgh-born champion swimmer and cancer-fighter Archie Goodburn has graduated from university just days before representing Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games. Archie has balanced training, competition and his degree programme alongside significant health challenges, having been diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in 2024. He said: "I’ve loved every minute". - More details from the University of Edinburgh.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.
🎉 Stepping Stones celebrates 40 years of helping young families in the north Edinburgh community - 'If you're currently or have been involved with Stepping Stones we'd love you to come along to our Fun Day on 28th July, There will be food, entertainment and the chance to connect with other families. Please contact Stepping Stones for details.' - More details here, shared by n/a.
🎨 Double Your Donation: Back Pentland Open Studios' 2026 Crowdfunder - 'Help us hit £500 and Creative Scotland will double it to £1,000! Back Pentland Open Studios' crowdfunder to support 24 local artists plus Tiphereth print studio, 15–16 August — with artist rewards for donors. Every £1 becomes £2!' - More details here, shared by John Elliott, Pentlands Arts Festivals CIC.
🕯️ Vigil for Victims of ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
Today, Wed 15 July - 'Two innocent people have been shot dead by ICE in the US in the past week. The American diaspora in Edinburgh will gather to mourn their loss and many others killed by the Department of Homeland Security over the past 18 months. Stop ICE Now!'
5.30pm to 6.30pm | Consulate General of the United States · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Indivisible Edinburgh and Democrats Abroad Scotland.
🍷 Peña Latina - Fundraiser
Tomorrow, Thu 16 July - 'A night of storytelling, poetry, music, community, and wine. Just like the bards like it. Features: Jorge Sandoval (Latin American music), Sam Gamero (storytelling) and Tere Bertucci & The Maestres (songwriter), and open mic! See you there :)'
7.30pm to 11.30pm | Leith Depot · Leith | £7 - £12 - More details here, shared by Tere Bertucci.
🍰 CakeFest
Sat 18 July - 'Come to Tasty Buns for our first EVER CakeFest. We will have Six Wild, Wonderful and Brand new Flavours of Cake available by the slice on this day only! Expect Cakes verging on Savoury to a reinvented Classic. Get in early, it's usually a sell out!'
9am to 5pm | Tasty Buns · Tollcross | FREE - More details here, shared by Tasty Buns Bakery.
TownSpot
🌍 Calton Hill 15th Litter Pickup
Sat 18 July - 'Another 'high life' social event from the Calton Hill Conservation Trust! The litter pickup will be on Saturday, 18 July, starting at 10.00 from outside the City Observatory. Equipment & refreshments provided. All welcome - members and non-members.'
10am to 11.30am | Calton Hill · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Calton Hill Conservation Trust.
Admin
🎉 St Columba's Hospice Care Furniture Centre celebrating one year of making a difference
Sat 18 July - 'The generosity of Edinburgh residents has helped local people furnish their homes with stylish, affordable, pre-loved furniture while supporting vital hospice care in our community. 10% off Saturday and Sunday 18 and 19 July 2026. Free parking!'
10am to 5pm | St Columba's Hospice Care Furniture Centre · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Lorna Saunders.
👗 Costume Couture Curator Talk
Sat 18 July - 'Join us for an opening day talk with exhibition curator Keith Lodwick and explore the iconic world of Cosprop. Featuring over 80 costumes from film and television from Pride & Prejudice to Peaky Blinders.'
11.30am to 12.30pm | Dovecot Studios · Old Town | £15 - More details here, shared by Dovecot Studios.
🌀 Maceflow Foundations Workshop | Fun, Functional Movement Experience
Sat 18 July - '🌀Want to learn something completely new this Saturday? Build strength, balance and full-body control - no gym experience needed. This workshop teaches you a fun, unique way to move that most people have never tried. Small group, expert coaching'
12pm to 4pm | Bamboo Bodies · Leith | £119 - More details here, shared by Jon Waterlow, Bamboo Bodies Gym.
🎶 Cowgate Block Party
Sat 18 July - 'The third edition of Cowgate Block Party, after January and April sold out, is on 18th July with Native James, Monks, The Heart Shaped Aces, Body Horror, ugly ozo and more'
3pm to 10pm | Sneaky Pete's · Old Town | £20 + booking fee - More details here, shared by Craig Gornall, Cowgate Block Party.
💃 Sophie and Fergus' Zumba Classes [Every Sunday]
Sun 19 July - 'Bring a friend, bring the family, or come on your own - everyone's welcome! Join Sophie & Fergus every Sunday for a fun-filled hour of sunshine, dancing and fitness! Find us next to the tennis courts in Inverleith Park'
10.30am to 11.30am | Inverleith Park · Inverleith | £6 - More details here, shared by Sophie.
🌍 Ragged University: Merits of Matriarchy plus Reflections of Our Environment and Social Exclusion
Tue 21 July - 'Come along to Ragged University where there is a little food, you can get a drink and listen to two informal talks. This time we have 'The Merits of Matriarchy' by Simon Byrom plus 'Reflections of Our Environment and Social Exclusion' by Alex Dunedin'
7pm to 9.30pm | 12A Broughton St Ln · Canonmills & Broughton | FREE - More details here, shared by Alex Dunedin, Ragged University.
🎨 Creative Edinburgh x The Melting Pot Artists' Showcase 2026
Wed 22 July - 'Join us on the 22nd July to celebrate a new Artist Showcase collaboration at The Melting Pot in partnership with Creative Edinburgh. This evening will spotlight this year's selected emerging artists and showcase a diverse range of creative work.'
5.30pm to 7pm | The Melting Pot · Old Town | £8.00 - More details here, shared by Ambika Okhandiar, The Melting Pot.
🌍 Corstorphine and Gyle Community Council - Information Session
Wed 22 July - 'The City of Edinburgh Council and Corstorphine and Gyle Community Council are inviting you to a one-off information session to find out how you can make a difference in your local community by joining a community council.'
7pm to 9pm | St Thomas Church 75-70 Glasgow Road EH12 8LJ · Gyle | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 Vocal Summer School lunchtime Concert
Fri 24 July - 'Our vocal summer school pupils take to the stage for a FREE lunchtime concert at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. Featuring a variety of classical vocal music, join us on 24 July ay 1pm. All welcome.'
1pm to 2pm | St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral · West End | FREE - More details here, shared by St Mary's Music School.
🥧 Runners of Leith x Lost in Leith: Friday Pieday
Fri 31 July - 'Campervan Brewing will be hosting us at the brilliant Lost in Leith on the 31st July. We will do a social 5k then back to the bar where runners get 10% off delicious pies and drinks. Bag drop 6:30pm and Run 6:45pm'
6.30pm to 9.30pm | Lost in Leith · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Runners of Leith.
🏃♂️ Run Seamus! Run! x Runshine on Leith: Run for Alzheimers Research UK
Sun 02 August - 'A 4 mile run with a free pint of Tiny Rebel Coal Drop stout at the end. Run from Seamus's pub to Dougal's pub. £10 entry all money goes to Alzheimers Research UK.'
12pm to 3pm | Seamus's Pub · Tollcross | £10 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎹 International Piano Summer School Lunchtime Concert
Fri 07 August - 'The St Mary's Music School International Piano Summer School pupils performs a lunchtime concert as part of the St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral Festival programme. Free concert, all welcome! 7 August, 1pm.'
1pm to 2pm | St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral · West End | FREE - More details here, shared by St Mary's Music School.
Got an event to share? Please share your local news and events using this link . Nothing's too local! Remember you can always see all 200+ upcoming local events on the TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🎟️ Locals' discount for Assembly festival events.
- 🏠 June's top-10 most-viewed homes on ESPC.
- 🚔 Police say gangland feud has come to an end.
- 🎹 Pianodrome in Bruntsfield launches its Fringe programme. (Those paying close attention will have noticed this was also featured in last week's Culture Minute)
- 📸 Local photographer Ritchie Elder in Scottish Working Class Network spotlight.
- 🚦 Road safety concerns on George IV Bridge.
- 🔥 Bond Building residents warned to leave amid safety concerns.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 953.
📬 Free subscribers: 31,800+.
📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 4,000,000+.
👍 The Edinburgh Minute only exists thanks to voluntary subscribers. Please consider chipping in for a fiver a month to ensure it continues. The community spirit behind this newsletter is real. Your support makes Edinburgh a better place.
Don’t want to subscribe but still keen to show your support? Please like this post or put a coin/note into the tip jar below. It all helps keep the Minute ticking over. Thanks again.