The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 22 July 2026
Fringe shows move as fire cancels George Street pedestrianisation, bus stops axed from North Bridge, new list of the city's 100+ child-friendly pubs + chance of rain this evening
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It's a busy midweek edition. The weekly Culture Minute newsletter will land in paying subscribers' inboxes later today. And I'm looking forward to meeting some of you at the EHFM Culture Show birthday party this evening. Here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ Good news for the gorse: There's a small chance (30%) of rain this evening between 7pm-8pm. There's a higher chance of rain (60%) on Saturday night. Meantime, cloudy with sunny intervals today and a high of 23C. - See Edinburgh's full Met Office forecast here.
🔥 Fire crews left the Crags fire at 3pm yesterday, nearly 48 hours after Sunday's fire began. - The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service published this update yesterday afternoon.
- Firefighters returned to the hill last night and were seen dampening down more potential hotspots. Photographer Tom Duffin has shared a look back at how Sunday night unfolded for him, featuring some spectacular shots and some 'disturbingly apocalyptic' moments too. He says:
"We owe a huge thanks, again, to the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. Sweating away in heavy gear through the night while most of us sat on our arses watching football and climbing into bed for a comfortable night’s sleep. We owe you a pint or two."
Tom Duffin
🚏 There will be no bus stops on North Bridge when it fully reopens to traffic and pedestrians, currently scheduled for before the end of July. - Rachel Fergusson, Evening News.
- The news was first spotted by a local Reddit user, where the discussion continues. The council said it recognised how busy South Bridge is becoming, adding: “We are developing proposals to make significant improvements to bus stop infrastructure and footway widths in this area, and this work will also consider the proposal for a future tram line.”
- The council is planning to publish an update on its Summertime Streets plan soon. It has Princes Street updates here.
🔥 Questions are being asked about why fire safety checks weren't carried out on the pop-up shops at the former Debenhams store at 109-112 Princes Street before it burned down on 9 July. - Exclusive by Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.
🎭 Plans to temporarily pedestrianise part of George Street outside the Assembly Rooms have been cancelled due to traffic diversions caused by the fire. A knock-on effect is that pop-up festival Fringe venues will be relocated from the middle of George Street to St Andrew Square. - Exclusive by Brian Ferguson in The Herald.
Brian Ferguson
🖼️ Staff at the National Galleries of Scotland plan to strike during the festivals to protest 'serious health and safety concerns' and the proposed closure of exhibitions. Strike dates are TBC. The NGS says it chose not to fill five vacant positions and that 'colleagues, visitors and the art in our care remain our top priorities'. - Alasdair Ferguson, The National.
🚔 A 44-year-old woman died and a 46-year-old man was arrested following a 'disturbance' at a house in the East Craigs area on Monday night. - Police Scotland published more details.
- ⮑ Tributes have been paid to Vikki Soloman, including by Edinburgh's egg community group, who wrote: "Vikki was a good egg, a member of our community, she posted regularly about her beauty business. There are no words to describe how horrific this incident is, and the trail of devastation it has left."
- MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said: "I worked closely with Vikki as new laws governing the beauty and aesthetics sector passed through Parliament in March. She was a proud ambassador for her industry and taught me so much about her line of work. She loved what she did and I enjoyed her effervescent charm every time we met."
The owner of Laura’s Kitchen cafe on William Street in the West End arrived at work on Monday to find the front of the building had been vandalised with paint. - Angus Coleman, Edinburgh Live.
🏢 The large 7 Lochside View office building at Edinburgh Park has been sold. - Scott Reid, The Scotsman.
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🏃♂️ What sounded like a good idea at the time... - 'On Saturday 25th July, Adam Underwood, Business Development Lead at St Columba's Hospice Care will be running an epic 100 miles from Edinburgh to Glamis, as he takes on the Rat Race 100 Ultramarathon: Castle to Castle, in aid of St Columba's.' - More details here, shared by St Columbas Hospice Care.
🎟️ All Tickets Reduced at Camera Obscura - 'All tickets are reduced in price this summer at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. Visit today to save up to £4 per ticket. With five floors of fantastic fun for all ages, its a wonderful summer day out.' - More details here, shared by Camera Obscura & World of Illusions.
👶 100+ child-friendly pubs in Edinburgh - 'Edinburgh Pub Reviews has created a searchable list of child-friendly pubs in Edinburgh. It's split into pubs where you have to buy a meal and those where you don't need to buy food. Happy summer holidays! (Deadline: 22 Jul)' - More details here, shared by Imran Rahman-Jones.
Imran Rahman-Jones
🎉 The Broons and Oor Wullie's braw weekend
Fri 24 July - 'To celebrate the 90th anniversary of Scotland's much-loved comic strip icons, the National Library of Scotland and DC Thomson present a special drop-in event showcasing rare items from our collections and DC Thomson's archives.'
10am to 4pm | National Library of Scotland · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by National Library of Scotland.
📚 Inside Out book launch!
Fri 24 July - 'Come and join Emily-Rose for the launch of her new self-published book of short stories 'Inside Out'. This collection follows various characters from all walks of life. Come along to chat, share a drink and pick up your signed copy!'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Fir Espresso Bar · Tollcross | FREE - More details here, shared by Emily-Rose.
TownSpot
🥃 A Taste of Scotland - Whisky & Food Pairing
Fri 24 July - 'Master of the Quaich, Annabel Meikle, hosts a whisky & food pairing event featuring a guided nosing & tasting of three Wemyss Malts whiskies, each paired with premium charcuterie & cheeses from I.J Mellis and artisan chocolates from Quirky Chocolate.'
6.30pm to 8pm | Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy · New Town | £45 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy.
❤️ The Dating Debrief
Fri 24 July - 'This is dating done intentionally! Come hear all the gossip from the dating scene in Edinburgh, and then get some advice from our relationship experts on how to communicate effectively, flirt IRL, and build meaningful connections.'
7pm to 10pm | Shanghai Nightclub · New Town | £22 - More details here, shared by Sunehna Balu, The Girlhood Collective.
🎬 ECVS Filmmakers Social Evening
Fri 24 July - 'FREE - Edinburgh Cine & Video Society social evening for filmmakers (writers, directors, actors, camera, lighting, costume, production, set design, etc). Evening drinks, chat and how-did-you-survive-the-48hours. All welcome, introduce yourself'
7.30pm to 10.30pm | The Pear Tree · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Gordon Guthrie, Edinburgh Cine & Video Society. (And see a behind the scenes video here)
📸 Mindful Photography Workshop
Sat 25 July - 'Step away from the noise and into a slower rhythm ! Join our workshop to slow down, take notice and connect to the present moment. Mindful Photography is a gentle, meditative practice, which offers a chance to rediscover the simple joy of noticing.'
11am to 1pm | Bridgend Inspiring Growth · Cameron Toll | £16.96/£11.50/£9.00 - More details here, shared by Seeing The Now.
🕺 Headspin Fundraiser for Elph
Sat 25 July - 'Headspin are putting on a fundraiser for their long-time flyer designer Brian McFeely aka Elph, who sadly passed away recently. They will be spinning funk, hip hop, house & more from 3pm. Entry by donation with all money going to Elph's family."'
3pm to 9pm | The Street · Canonmills & Broughton | Donations on door - More details here, shared by Colin.
🥃 Speakeasy Show 'Bootleg and Bourbon'!
Sat 25 July - 'Step into the roaring 1920s -our speakeasy cabaret celebration of Chicago's golden age. Enjoy classic songs, flowing bourbon (wine), nightclub glamour, and vintage charm, performed by chanteuse Taylor Wilson with Karen MacIver at the piano.'
6pm to 8pm | Stockbridge Parish Church · Stockbridge | £15/£10 concessions - More details here, shared by Clea Friend, Stockbridge Music Hub.
🎶 TFEH presents: DANIELLE PRICE / PLASTIC COWBOY BUILDER / STEWART GREENWOOD & OFF BRAND.
Sun 26 July - 'The final chapter of Tfeh's spring/summer programme 2026 is yr last chance to fortify yr precious lugholes with experimental music before the Edinburgh Festival scares local seasoned purveyors of weirdo wonk to the peripheries of yr city 'til autum!'
8pm to 11pm | Fruitmarket · Old Town | £10 advance/ £12 OTD - More details here, shared by Ali Robertson, Giant Tank / Tfeh.
🏉 Thebans Midas Touch Rugby Welcome Week
Tue 28 July - 'Looking to learn a new sport in a fun, safe, and inclusive environment? Join the Caledonian Thebans Midas who are hosting a Welcome Week, with a training session on Tuesday 28 July, followed by a social on Saturday 1 August.'
6.30pm to 8pm | Royal High School Athletic Club · Barnton & Cramond | FREE - More details here, shared by Caledonian Thebans RFC.
🎨 All Grounds Are Sky [Until Sat]
Wed 29 July - 'Ginny's exhibition showcases recent paintings that emerged from time spent in Costa Rica and Mexico. Seeing and being are experienced through multiple and yet simultaneous viewpoints, near and far horizons, creatures seen from above and at eye level.'
11am to 4pm | The Dundas Street Gallery · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Ginny Elston.
🌊 From Source to Sea: the journey of your life (poetry workshops)
Wed 29 July - 'Join the OU in Scotland for 2 linked poetry workshops along the Water of Leith led by poet and novelist Sophie Cooke. Workshop 1: 29th July 16:30 - 19:00. Workshop 2: 12th August 16.30 - 18:30. See link for more details and to book a place.'
4.30pm to 7pm | Water of Leith Visitor Centre and Cafe · Longstone | FREE - More details here, shared by The Open University in Scotland.
🎨 Slow Art Club
Sat 01 August - 'Collage! Cut! Print! Stamp! Join Ruthie from Papercut Punk for 2 hours of self led creativity and use the available materials to create art simply for the fun of it! No rules, no pressure just lots of chat, snacks and music.'
10am to 12pm | Leith Makers · Leith | £22 - More details here, shared by Ruthie, Papercut Punk.
📚 Charity Weekend Book Sale for MAP - 8,000 non-fiction books - Allan Armstrong Memorial Event
Sat 01 August - 'CHARITY BOOK SALE in memory of Allan Armstrong 8,000 books donated by Allan's family covering a lifetime of thoughtful reading - Politics, History, Geography, Travel, Music and more. Pay what you can - all proceeds for Medical Aid for Palestinians'
11am to 6pm | 3 St Peters Buildings · Bruntsfield | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧵 Edinburgh Sewing Social
Sun 02 August - 'Relaxed & friendly sewing/fibre crafts social. Work on your latest project, share ideas, help each other out. Free tea, coffee and biscuits included. For more info, other dates & booking (advance booking needed): edinburghsewingsocial@aol.com'
2.30pm to 5pm | Blackhall St. Columba's Church · Silverknowes & Blackhall - More details here, shared by Kathy Evans.
🎭 Super Power Agency x The Skinny Young Reviewers at the Fringe [Until Sat]
Thu 06 August - 'Calling all young writers aged 14 - 17! The Super Power Agency and The Skinny are giving you the chance to become a young reviewer at this year's Fringe. Learn all about writing a great review, see some shows and get published in Fest Magazine!'
10.30am to 4pm | Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Rebecca Low, Super Power Agency.
🎨 Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust Open Day
Fri 07 August - 'Join us to explore Wilhelmina Barns-Graham's art and archive. At 3pm, writer Mattea Gernentz will lead a session on engaging with the archive and pening responses to Willie's timeless art. Bookshop open and refreshments available.'
2pm to 5pm | Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust · Canonmills & Broughton | FREE - More details here, shared by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust.
🌞 WHALE Arts Community Picnic, Saturday 8th August
Sat 08 August - 'Join us at the WHALE Arts Community Picnic! We have an incredible afternoon of summer fun lined up! Creative activities for all ages (papermaking, cyanotype and more), fun for wee ones aged 0 - 5 years, live music, a delicious free lunch, and more!'
12pm to 4pm | WHALE Arts Agency · Wester Hailes | FREE - More details here, shared by WHALE Arts.
Whale Arts
📮 What's missing from the Minute? Got news or an event to share? Nothing's too local. Please share your local news and events here. And you can always see all 190+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps.
TownSpot
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🚦 The Southside's Causey traffic island revamp a step closer.
- 🥐 Gorse bakery forced to change name.
- 📍 PSA: 'The hill(s) I will die on. Arthur's Seat & Salisbury Crags are separate hills'.
- 🚉 Plea for trams to return to Leith.
- 🔥 Council publishes frequently asked questions about Princes St partial-closure.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 959.
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