The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 4 November 2026

👋 Good morning Edinburgh. There's a new award-winning bakery opening in Harrison Park soon. Read on for that. But first, plenty of serious and silly news in Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.

🌦️ Today's weather forecast: Those supposedly 'light showers' yesterday morning certainly weren't light. But it's looking drier today with a chance of sun breaking through around lunchtime and a high of 10C. The temperature will dip to 6C overnight and there are more 'light showers' forecast tomorrow. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.

🌅 Sunrise: 7.26am. Sunset: 4.26pm.

🌳 Trees have been dropped from a planned George Street revamp. Councillors will vote next week on new pedestrianisation, planters and benches as part of a reduced design with an estimated £20m price tag, compared to an original £34m plan. City transport leader Stephen Jenkinson says the work 'needs to be done with an eye on the future'. Trees had previously been included as part of 'climate adaptation measures' and 'to provide shade and cooling during future heatwaves, mitigate urban heat island effects, and improve air quality'. - Previewing next week's transport meeting, Phyllis Stephen in The Edinburgh Reporter.
⮑ Trees on George Street were previously central to the Edinburgh Nature Network, described as 'a long-term strategic approach to manage, restore and enhance the urban landscape of Edinburgh'. It proposed: "Planting of trees, hedgerows and meadows along main roads in the city centre (e.g. Lothian Road, Newington Road, South Bridge, George Street etc.) will mitigate noise and air pollution, and the heat island effect." - Next week's transport meeting agenda and background reports are here. The George Street report is here.

• The reduced design keeps the originally proposed layout (removing central parking and replacing it with a two-way cycle path, along with widened pavements, planters and benches) but proposes an asphalt surface instead of natural stone setts on the road, reports Ian Swanson in the Evening News.
• The street's local business leaders from Essential Edinburgh, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and the George Street Association have sent a joint letter to councillors urging action. - Terry Murden, Daily Business.

🎨 First Minister John Swinney says he was 'concerned to hear' about the planned loss of artistic spaces at sites including Summerhall, St Margaret's House and Argyle House. In response to a question from MSP Q Manivannan, he said: "I want to make sure that we have a thriving artistic and cultural community."

• 'Swinney suggests artists facing eviction could be rehoused in government buildings' - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.

🏗️ A fundraising effort against plans for a new 121-room hotel at Rennie’s Isle in Leith has raised more than £3,000 in less than a week. Organisers say the cash will go towards 'independent Planning, Transport and Heritage consultants to provide expert analysis and help us submit the strongest possible objections.' - The hotel plan was first reported in Minute edition 973 in August + the fundraiser is here. Thanks to the 'Residents of Rennie’s Isle & neighbours' group for sharing this. The detailed plans are on the council website here. Heritage group The Cockburn Association says it is 'concerned by scale and massing' of the 10-storey tower plan next to the Victoria Swing Bridge.

🏥 A social work team supporting vulnerable children at the Sick Kids Hospital for two decades has been saved from closure. - Nicholas Malizia, Local Democracy Reporter, Evening News.

💥 Children were involved in a 'near miss' when a car was crashed into railings outside a play cafe in Davidson's Mains, reports Jacob Farr on Edinburgh Live.

🚨 Warning: AI-generated content ahead. If you're new to AI slop, here's an explainer from the Merriam-Webster dictionary's human editors.

🐶 A plan has been sent to the council for a QR-code plaque to be attached to a lamppost next to Greyfriars Bobby, linking to a website featuring AI-generated tourism content riddled with spelling mistakes. - The planning application is here.
⮑ Applicant James Hessler of The Plinth Monologues says: "For a maximum 28 day pilot an A4 visitor interpretation plaque will be temporarily mounted on the adjacent lamppost providing access by QR code to free digital cultural and historical interpretation." He adds that council planning officers advised separate applications would be needed for his similar QR code schemes at statues of Adam Smith and David Hume.
⮑ While the QR codes link to some free 'historical interpretation' content, they also link to additional £9.95 'explorer packs' containing AI-generated content with typos including 'GREYIRIARS BOBBY', 'FUM FACTS', 'JOHH GRAY' and 'MEET ADAM SHITH' (sic), all in the screenshots below. - Public comments on the plan, which is within the World Heritage Site, can be submitted here before 27 November, with a decision due by 12 December.

⮑ Melissa Terras, Professor of Digital Cultural Heritage at the University of Edinburgh, told the Minute: "While the suggestion of providing digital content to explain the statues of Edinburgh is a good one, this should be undertaken by a trusted body, under tender from the City Council, to ensure that the information will be robust, and there will be adequate oversight. Unfortunately, managing this type of engagement is much more complex than you would first think, and care needs to be taken about what content is put into the public domain, given the sensitivities that come with dealing with the past. We cannot be in a situation where private individuals or companies are allowed to broadcast their opinions via QR codes in public spaces. Additionally, the use of Generative AI here is questionable, given the biases it exhibits.

"This has the whiff of an idea which has gotten out of hand because of how easy it now is to build a website with GenAI. I would urge the council to turn this application down, while also thinking about what they can do to explain Edinburgh's statuary themselves - although I'm not sure that will be a priority for them at the moment."

🍱 The Bonnie & Wild food hall at the St James centre has recorded a fifth consecutive year of growth after gross turnover topped £11 million, reports Scott Reid in The Scotsman.

🥐 A new award-winning bakery is opening in Harrison Park. With Austrian and Hungarian goods, Linzerbakery is due to open at weekends from Saturday 14 November. - More details on Instagram.

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🏃‍♀️ Marking 60 by running first marathon for charity! - 'CEO of Edinburgh charity, Children in Scotland, Jude Turbyne runs her first marathon in Porto on Sun 8 Nov for 'Changing our World', the charity's children and young people's advisory group. Cheer Jude on: donate and help give young voices a boost!' - More details here, shared by Simon Massey.

🎙️ Popular local podcast returns - and now you can watch it too! - ''Have You Frozen Your Eggs Yet?' is a podcast about modern life, societal expectations & all the pressures we face. Made in Edinburgh, by Kelly and Louise, they are back and talking about recent debates on women's bodies. Now available on YouTube!' - More details here, shared by Kelly Crichton.

🎬 Edinburgh Film Seminar: Professor Ian Christie
Fri 06 November - 'Professor Ian Christie (Birkbeck, University of London) joins us to discuss Russian film history and to screen his documentary film detailing the story of Leonid Trauberg, one of the leaders of the FEKS workshop, an avant-garde cinema group.'
3pm to 5pm | Adam House · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Film Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

🎂 Victoria's 20th Birthday on Leith Walk
Fri 06 November - 'We are celebrating that Victoria Bar has been 20 years on Leith Walk. We have survived 2 sets of tramworks projects, Brexit, Covid, cost of living crisis and much more. This Swedish bar that used to be an outsider is now an institution. Welcome'
8pm to 1am | Victoria Bar Leith · Leith | Free - More details here, shared by Victoria Bar.

20th Birthday Party with set from Irvine Welsh | Victoria Bar Leith

20 years is a pretty big deal for an independent wee bar, and we couldn’t be prouder! Join us to celebrate this special milestone with tunes from our friend, and very famous local author and DJ, Irvine Welsh. As always free entry and everyone is welcome. See you there!

Victoria Bar Leith

🇬🇭 Coffee and Craft Morning Fundraiser
Sat 07 November - 'Help send a local teen to Ghana on a year long volunteering placement! She will be volunteering with Project Trust and working with kids. Homemade cakes, coffees and crafts avaliable!'
10am to 12.30pm | Polwarth Parish Church · Bruntsfield - More details here, shared by Charis Wright.

🪱 Composting Workshop for Beginners
Sat 07 November - 'Have you been thinking about making your own compost but not quite sure where to start? This two-hour workshop will explore different composting methods and how to pick the right one for you, leaving you with the confidence to start composting!'
3pm to 5pm | Trinity Community Croft · Trinity & Newhaven | £15; £5 for members - More details here, shared by Earth in Common.

⭐ Flotilla of light
Sat 07 November - 'Beautifully decorated boats will be entering Edinburgh at nightfall.with musicians. The boats will start passing Harrison Park at 6.30pm, and the procession will reach the Leamington lift bridge around 7.15pm.'
6.30pm to 7.30pm | Union Canal · Currie & Balerno | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

Flotilla Of Lights, Various Locations Edinburgh | What's On Edinburgh

The ever popular annual Flotilla of Light, organised by the Lowland Canals Association, returns to Edinburgh's Union Canal on Saturday 7th November! What's On Edinburgh - your guide to events in Edinburgh!

What's On EdinburghWhat's On Edinburgh

🖼️ Art Deco Edinburgh - minicoach cruise with afternoon tea
Mon 09 November - 'Join us on an afternoon journey into Edinburgh of the twenties and thirties, as we go in search of our wonderful Deco heritage. More than 25 sites, with live commentary, photo stops, several interior views, plus tea at the former Maybury Roadhouse!'
1.30pm to 6.30pm | Melville Monument · New Town | Adult £22, u16 £17 - More details here, shared by Dr Moray Grigor, 7 Hills Tours.

🌟 Shape Your Future - Careers Fair
Wed 11 November - 'Whether you're looking for work, considering training,exploring education or planning a career change, come along and discover what's available in Edinburgh. - Employment - Education - Training - Volunteering - Careers Advice'
10am to 2pm | Leith Community Centre · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Stephanie Lang, Comunity Job Fairs.

🧘‍♀️ Free 55 minute Qi gong Taster Session [Every Wednesday]
Wed 11 November - 'Slow mindful movements connected to the breath to help you release stress, calm the mind and relax. 4 week in a block package available for ONLY £40. Drop in sessions are £12. 1st Session is FREE. Class runs between 5.35pm-6.30pm.'
5.30pm to 6.30pm | LifeCare Edinburgh · Stockbridge | FREE - More details here, shared by Lisa Proudfoot, Release Therapies Coaching.

🙏 Uniting for Peace and Friendship Servcie
Wed 11 November - 'Welcome to the 2026 Uniting for Peace and Friendship service which is a growing annual tradition hosted by the Edinburgh Interfaith Association. This moving service includes uplifting music and readings from diverse faith and cultural traditions.'
7pm to 8.30pm | St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral · West End | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Interfaith Association.

🧘🏻‍♀️ Are you sitting comfortably? Alexander Technique introductory course
Wed 11 November - 'Hunched over your laptop, slouched on the sofa or battling a stressful day? This 4-week Alexander Technique course can help you move more freely, sit comfortably, manage stress & stay connected with yourself & your surroundings. Booking essential.'
7pm to 8.30pm | Alexander Technique in Portobello · Portobello | £90 (4-week course) - More details here, shared by Julia Woodman, Portobello Alexander Technique.

❤️ Getting Along with Gran
Thu 12 November - 'Gran's back for two performances only! Citadel Arts Group's warm-hearted 4-star show brings alive humorous, poignant and slightly scary stories from North Edinburgh. The cast includes professional and community performers of all ages.'
2.30pm to 3.30pm and 7pm to 8pm | Leith Dockers Club · Leith | £15/ £12 concession - More details here, shared by Liz Hare, Citadel Arts Group.

🍔 Pilot Brewery's 13th Birthday - Sabzi Desi-Burger Pop Up!
Thu 12 November - '13 years of Pilot Brewery! We're teaming up with our legendary pals up the street at Sabzi, for a one off Desi-Burger Pop Up Party in our New Town hang bar - Vessel. Live DJ's all night, and a launch of a special Birthday ale!'
5.30pm to 10pm | Vessel · New Town - More details here, shared by Sam Dick, Pilot Beer.

🧀 Festive cheesemaking - feta, halloumi and mascarpone workshop
Sat 14 November - 'Join cheesemaker Kristen Allan for a festive workshop. Learn to make feta, halloumi and mascarpone, enjoy a delicious lunch and take home handmade cheeses and inspiration for the silly season. Skills for life, not just Christmas!'
10am to 4pm | Elliott's · Marchmont & Meadows - More details here, shared by Kristen Allan.

🎨 Riverside House artist open studios [Until Mon]
Sat 14 November - 'Riverside House's thriving artist community in Gorgie-Dalry will throw open its studio doors this November, inviting the public to step inside the spaces where ideas take shape.'
11am to 6pm | Wasps Riverside House · Saughton | FREE - More details here, shared by Fiona Allan, Wasps Studios.

🍿 A Taste of SI-FAN
Sun 15 November - 'SI-FAN invites you for a visual feast with an eclectic programme of fantastic shorts from its 2026 Film Festival at the Edinburgh Cinema and Video Society, with some post screening chat about the programme. All ticket proceeds will go to the society.'
2pm to 5pm | Edinburgh Cine & Video Society · New Town | £5 - More details here, shared by Chris Aitken.

✍️ How to Get an Agent
Wed 18 November - 'Sheila M. Averbuch, novelist and author of Pitch Your Book: write the letter that hooks an agent on your novel, explains how fiction writers can craft a letter to literary agents. Learn common pitfalls to avoid and how to spark interest in your book.'
6.30pm to 7.30pm | Granton Library · Granton & Pilton | FREE - More details here, shared by Sheila M. Averbuch.

📚 Scotland's Poetry Showcase
Sat 21 November - 'Part of the Scottish Christmas Book Fair! *Enjoy performances from Alan Spence, Andres N. Ordorica, Ceitidh Chaimbeul, Nadine Aisha Jassat & Sarah Stewart *Poems celebrating love, life, landscape & language in English, Scots and Gaelic'
2.30pm to 3.30pm | Undercroft Cafe · New Town | £5 - More details here, shared by Vikki Reilly, Publishing Scotland.

🌿 Terra Madre Celebratory Dinner at Contini
Wed 25 November - 'A Slow Food celebratory dinner featuring sustainable, traditional flavours and a tasting of olive oils from the Contini family's groves in Italy. Hear all about the Slow Food Edinburgh programme for 2027. Non-members welcome!'
5.30pm to 8pm | Contini George Street · New Town | £35 / £45 - More details here, shared by Slow Food Edinburgh.

Remember you can always see all 250+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!

👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:

1. ⚠️ New map shows road speed limit crime hotspots.
2. 🦦 Tom Kelly's monthly Water of Leith wildlife update.
3. 🎓 'University accused of ignoring statutory rules in cuts bid'.
4. 🏃‍♀️ Women's run club left 'intimidated and unsafe' in Meadows.
5. 🎨 New courses at Leith School of Art.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 1,032.
📬 Free subscribers: 34,000+.
📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 5,000,000+.

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