The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 31 December 2025
Tourist tax cash could fund Hogmanay events, Granton residents without heating or water, hunt for fireman's family + kindness at Southside Community Centre
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It's a quiet morning for news so far. Last newsletter of the year! I'm less of a party animal these days, so the Minute continues as normal tomorrow at 7am. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2026 when it comes. Here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
❄️ The weather is expected to be cold but clear for Hogmanay celebrations tonight. There's a slight chance of rain between 10pm and 1am. A chilly start tomorrow morning. - See the Met Office forecast here. And find the Hogmanay events guide (including New Year's Day) here.
Michael MacLeod
❄️ Edinburgh Live has, of course, jumped on the weather hyperbole bandwagon, confidently proclaiming: "The snow is set to start from 6am on Tuesday and fall for the rest of the day. Showers will then continue on Wednesday and Thursday." - Read Cara Blackhall's report with a pinch of salt here, and see the more reliable Met Office forecast here. [**Adds 6am Tuesday to diary**]
💰 Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations could get a share of the city’s tourist tax income, with council leader Jane Meagher saying it's a 'reasonable' suggestion. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald. < [If you're looking for details on how Hogmanay is funded, this is an insightful read.]
🚉 'Chaos, fun and fireballs: Working the Hogmanay night shift' - BBC Scotland's Morag Kinniburgh speaks to Edinburgh Trams staff.
🚨 Four people were injured after a police car hit another car on Salisbury Road. - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
👨🚒 Firefighters are trying to find the family of a fireman who died after falling from a fire engine in an incident almost 90 years ago. It's believed relatives of George MacDougall, who died at a fire at Beauly's Beaufort Castle in 1937, could be living in Edinburgh. - Jennifer Bowey, BBC Scotland News.
💧 Some Granton residents say they have been left without heating or hot water over the festive period. - Isla Storie & Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
🗑️ 'Why is litter such a problem in Edinburgh…and how do we fix it?' - Some helpful responses in this Reddit thread.
🛷 A miniature sleigh made by Robert Colquhon in 1870 will go on show at The King’s Gallery at Holyrood in April for the first time in Scotland as part of an exhibition showing the glamour of the Edwardian era. - Jody Harrison has more details and photos in The Herald.
📆 There are local January family day out ideas in this post by Edinburgh Family Guide.
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📌 “Southside Community Centre and partners welcomed 193 guests on Christmas Day as part of their collaboration with Simon Community Scotland, Goodies SCIO and Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust. Read more on their website. Please consider donating to their JustGiving campaign to help cover the bills.” - Read more details here. Thanks to the centre team for sending this in.
📌 “Thursday 1st January - The Conversation Project - A Little Space for Big Conversations at the End of the Year: A small welcome gathering in the outdoors where we'll use specially selected conversation prompts to reflect on 2025 and set intentions for 2026. Attend alone or with friends.” - Thanks to Eileen Inglis for sharing this.
📌 “Start the year with a goal in mind, Blast Running has plenty of events to choose from for you to get training for!” - Thanks to Catriona Bruce, Run Director, Blast Running, for sharing this.
📌 “MakeBelieve - The Baby Play Place (3 Drumsheugh Place) is open for NYE (9-3pm) and New Year’s Day (9-4pm)! Grab your glitter and dancing socks and ring in 2026 with some family friendly fun. Good for kids and grownups!” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “The Ronaq Indian restaurant in Comely Bank is running 50% off its menu for the month of January. Opening hours Monday-Sunday are 12-2pm; 5pm-10pm.” - Thanks to Paul Kiddie for sharing this.
📌 “Sunday 4 January, 2.30-4.30 - Join us for Wassailing at Victoria Park and Heart of Newhaven! We’ll sing to the trees in our orchard, share mulled drinks and apple cake, do some crafts and meet our neighbours. Starting at 2.30pm in Victoria Park, near main entrance at Craighall Road.” - Thanks to Friends of Victoria Park for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🏡 Curved brick extension on a house in Trinity.
- ✍️ Painting of writer JK Rowling in newly reopened cafe.
- 🏴 Browns of Leith venue to host recruitment event for new luxury wilderness retreat.
- 🛍️ Bruntsfield cafe 'stands against Costalots, Pret-a-faux-frenches and Sheep Coffees'.
- 👑 30 locals on New Year Honours list.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 802.
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