The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 5 November 2025
Bonfire Night warning, Porty beach 'sewage scandal', protests as Rockstar North denies 'union-busting' + memorial plan for Dame Muriel Spark
🌧️ Good morning Edinburgh. It's definitely going to take more than a minute to read today's edition. A lot in here. But I hope it's useful! And Tom Kelly's monthly Water of Leith wildlife video diary is towards the end, which is always hugely popular. I hope you enjoy Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🎇 Police remain on high alert today for a repeat of last year's Bonfire Night disorder. The force has 14 dispersal zones ready.
⮑ Heavy rain is forecast to stop before 6pm, according to the Met Office.
⮑ The Fire and Rescue service says it will take a 'zero-tolerance' approach to disorder tonight. - BBC Scotland News.
⮑ A list of some of this year's local bonfire and firework events is published by Skiddle.
⮑ The Edinburgh-based Royal Zoological Society of Scotland renewed its call for a national ban on the public sale of fireworks. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
🚔 More arrests have been made as part of investigations into a gang feud over drugs between Edinburgh and Glasgow. - Police published this update.
⮑ The number of people arrested and charged in connection with Operation Portaledge is now 62, reports Matthew Fulton, STV News.
🌊 Portobello is on a list of Scottish beaches with the most unsafe faecal bacteria samples taken this summer. The Surfers Against Sewage campaign said the way test results were reported was 'failing to give a true picture of what is happening to our most loved beaches', adding: “We have no idea about the true scale of the ‘Scottish sewage scandal". - Paul Dobson, The Ferret.
⚡️ Controversial plans for an AI data centre in Edinburgh will be reviewed after claims that planning officers were wrong to dismiss environmental concerns. - Hamish Morrison, The National.
🎮 Former staff have protested outside the HQ of Rockstar North after a series of layoffs at the gaming firm, which is behind the Grand Theft Auto series. - Digit News has more details.
⮑ More than 30 people were dismissed for what the IWGB Game Workers Union described as ‘the most blatant and ruthless act of union busting in the history of the games industry.' It claimed the group were 'targeted' for being members of a union-specific Discord channel. - Independent Workers Union.
⮑ Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, denies the allegations.
⮑ Another protest is planned for Thursday from 1pm. - The UCU posted details here.
🌹 A memorial celebrating author Dame Muriel Spark is planned for Princes Street Gardens, with philanthropists Morag and James Anderson launching a design competition later this month. - Jane Bradley, The Scotsman.
📵 The proposed phone ban in Edinburgh's schools could cost nearly £500,000. Councillors will vote in January. - BBC Scotland News.
🚦 Safety concerns have been raised about a proposal to allow private hire taxi drivers to use bus lanes. - Local Democracy Reporter Joseph Sullivan reports in Edinburgh Live ahead of next Thursday's council transport meeting.
⮑ Council-subsidised buses are also on the agenda.
🎂 A Brunstfield hairdresser has described her 'surprise' after Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith visited their salon. - Nick Forbes, The Standard.
🎤 An exclusive kindly shared by award-winning Michael Pedersen: as part of this year's Hogmanay First Footin' series, The Portobello Bookshop will host Muckle Be The Light, featuring Shirley Manson (singer of Garbage), Nicola Sturgeon (former First Minister) and Norman Blake (singer of Teenage Fanclub). - It's on 1 January from 6pm and more details will be on Michael's page later today.
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📌 “Whitespace gallery has had a two week cancellation from 7th till 20th November! If you, or anyone you know would be interested in exhibiting at Whitespace (for a discounted rate) please get in contact via https://whitespace76.com/contact-us.php or email leigh.cho@hotmail.co.uk, Thank you!” - Thanks to Leigh Chorlton from Whitespace gallery for sharing this.
📌 “St James Quarter is celebrating its annual Christmas switch-on, on Saturday, 8th November, from 4pm. Join us as the Quarter comes alive with festive performances and a few special guests along the way - and of course, our very stylish Santa.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Get chilly for charity with The 12 Dips of Christmas! Complete 12 cold water swims this festive season to raise funds for VOCAL; a charity supporting unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian. Email awarburton@vocal.org.uk by 17 November if you’re interested in taking part.” - Thanks to VOCAL for sharing this.
📌 “The Edinburgh Drawing School: Bookings Open! Early Bird Ends Midnight Sunday 16th November. Christmas and early January 1&2 day workshops with renowned artists and sculptors. www.edinburghdrawingschool.co.uk, @edinburghdrawingsch (0131 556 0971) 13 & 13a Great King Street, New Town, EH3 6QW” - Thanks to Edinburgh Drawing School for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 6 November: 6pm-8pm - Join us at Frontiers Man, 18 Stafford Street for an evening with Edinburgh designer Kestin Hare. Hear him discuss his AW25 collection, with plenty of beers, snacks and whisky. Plus attendees can take 10% off the Kestin range. RSVP via info@frontiers-man.com” - Thanks to Mark from Frontiers for sharing this.
📌 “7 November - 4pm. Introducing First Fridays at Luma Pilates, join us on the first Friday of every month for a 4pm. Reformer / Mat class followed by drinks, nibbles and good company 🤍 A perfect way to move, unwind and connect with our community. Book your spot via lumapilates.co.uk” - Thanks to Lucia Poulter & Max Howarth, Luma Pilates Founders, for sharing this.
📌 “Friday 7 November. Oor Vyce will be hosting ‘The Oor Vyce Gaitherin 2025’ at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, this year with theme of ‘Scots for Aabody: Connectin Communities Thrae Language’. It promises to be a powerful day of performance, discussion and collaboration.” - Thanks to the Oor Vyce organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Friday 7 November at 10am - German Rhyme Time for under 5s, at the German Church, 1 Chalmers Crescent. Sing nursery rhymes together and listen to a seasonal story. Second hand German children's books also available to swap or for a small donation.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Friday 7th - Sunday 9th November. St Columba's Hospice Care Christmas Pop-up Shop returns to No17 Boswall Road, Edinburgh. Open daily from 10am to 4pm, you'll find a dazzling array of festive gifts, cards, wrapping and more, with all proceeds going directly to St Columba's Hospice Care.” - Thanks to St Columba's Hospice Care for sharing this.
📌 “Friday 7th November and 1pm sees the return of the Artisan Ensemble performing at the Stockbridge Music Hub. They will play Mozart's monumental Divertimento for string trio. Donations are encouraged on entry at Stockbridge Church, Saxe Coburg St, EH3 5BN.” - Thanks to Clea Friend for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 08/11 - Join artist Abigail Pooley for a cozy, relaxed draped life drawing evening at CATS. Explore form and expression in a welcoming space. BYO own materials boards, brushes tea & biscuits provided. Rates ensure fair pay for models, with net proceeds supporting the CATS Mental Health Fund.” - Thanks to the Creative Arts Therapies Space for sharing this.
📌 “In October’s 2 minute wildlife video round-up on the Water of Leith, look out for the tawny owl taking a bath (a rare sight), the spooky fox at Halloween, a couple of stoats in slow-motion, the hungry heron and lots more! Enjoy!” - Thanks to Tom Kelly of GoWildInEdinburgh.co.uk for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 8 November: Feeling stressed? Burnt out? Dreaming of life beyond work? Join us for a unique zine workshop and exhibition on Saturday 8th November (Workshop A: 12-1.30pm, Workshop B: 2-3.30pm) at the ECCI. Find more info & book your (free!) place via Eventbrite.” - Thanks to The Zine Team for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday: Scottish-based Xan Tyler and Amsterdam-based Dusty Stray are celebrating their debut album, Home, with a launch event at Loud & Clear in Edinburgh. Home blends folk noir, art-rock, and Americana with understated experimental textures - think The Velvet Underground, Cowboy Junkies and Leonard Cohen.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “SAT & SUN November 8/9, 10am-5pm Albion Open Studios! Our bustling creative hub is nestled by the Hibs football stadium, just off Easter Road. Open Studio 2025 takes place over two days with 20 studios opening their doors with a plethora of art, craft and design, with something for everyone!” - Thanks to Albion Open Studios for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 8th & 15th of November - 📐🧵 Pattern Drafting Masterclass for Bodice & Sleeve - Over two Saturdays you will draft a personalised bodice block, fit it to perfection and then draft a sleeve to match. Perfect for sewists looking to create their own patterns and achieve a better fit!” - Thanks to Abbeymount OOTB resident designer Jen for sharing this.
📌 “Sunday 9th November - Beginner polymer clay jewellery workshop: come along for a fun and cosy afternoon where you'll get to take home two finished pieces of jewellery and the skills to get started making your own jewellery right away! At the Crannie Community Hub just off the Canongate from 2-4.30pm.” - Thanks to Ruth Appleby - Mud and Marsh Jewellery Design - for sharing this.
📌 “Sunday 9th November, 3pm, Portobello Town Hall - Join the Edinburgh Ukrainian Community for “The Voices That Unite”, a free concert of beautiful Ukrainian music and dance.” - Thanks to Nadia, a member of Oberih Ukrainian Choir, for sharing this.
📌 “Get your tickets for Edinburgh Leisure's Festive Gymnastics Display, which is back on Sunday, 30 November at Meadowbank, where over 800 gymnasts from across the city will be performing. Volunteers are also welcomed, if you would like some event experience.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Leisure for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 8 November - Come learn how to save seeds and why this changes everything. This one-day workshop at Lauriston Agroecology Farm will teach you how to get started with the fascinating and powerful practice of saving seeds. Tickets £20 with solidarity options at £30 & £10.” - Thanks to Kate MacDougall, Edinburgh Agroecology Co-op, for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 8th November, 12 - 2pm; Please join us for the Opening of our fantastic Christmas Exhibition, with Featured Artists, Daniel Martin & Sandra Vick, at The Torrance Gallery, 36 Dundas Street, EH3 6JN. Thanks!” - Thanks to The Torrance Gallery for sharing this.
📌 “Fri 7th Nov-16th Nov - Screening winners & nominees from Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale and Toronto, the best Scottish & UK shorts of 2025 & guest programmes. There's networking with special guest, panel discussions and a masterclass by Stanley Kubrick's producer, Jan Harlan, on Kubrick's filmmaking.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Short Film Festival for sharing this.
📌 “Monday: SHBT’s Winter Wellbeing Challenge kicks off with a gentle yoga class at Riddle’s Court on 10 November. Suitable for every body and everybody, the session is just £5 and includes mats. It’s part of a wider monthly series supporting mental health, with all proceeds going to Health in Mind.” - Thanks to the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust for sharing this.
📌 “Monday 10 November – From Clutter to Clarity: Decluttering as a Spiritual Practice begins at The Salisbury Centre. A gentle nervous-system friendly three-week course exploring how tending to our homes can nurture calm, clarity, and connection. All are welcome — booking essential via Eventbrite.” - Thanks to Rebecca Jo-Rushdy, Founder of Spark Joy & Flow, for sharing this.
📌 “Tuesday 11th Nov - Neighbourhood event for all West Enders in Edinburgh. We will meet the team behind fundraising for the Statue of Hugo the Cat and our local author Kent Hung” - Thanks to Anna Christopherson of The Green Room for sharing this.
📌 “14 Nov - Fashion and Fizz returns for a stylish evening in aid of Smart Works Scotland, raising funds to help unemployed women with free coaching and clothing. Guests will enjoy fizz on arrival, shopping curated sale rails, a luxury raffle, and hear from speakers in the fashion industry.” - Thanks to Smart Works Scotland for sharing this.
📌 “Curious how exercise changes how you feel? Researchers at the University of Edinburgh are recruiting healthy, untrained adults aged 18–45 for a study exploring how exercise duration and intensity influence mood. Includes a VO₂max fitness test and a thank-you prize draw. Contact H.Ran@sms.ed.ac.uk” - Thanks to Jamie (Hongyu) Ran, PhD Student, Moray House School of Education and Sport, The University of Edinburgh, for sharing this.
📌 “Leith Bottle Shop have just shared their free tastings lineup for November! Kicking off with a wine and pizza pairing on Thursday 6th from 6pm - no pre-booking, just show up at 30 Great Junction Street!” - Thanks to Aoife from Leith Bottle Shop for sharing this.
📌 “Wednesday 12 November 7pm - Gaza: A Story of Love and War, including Q&A with the director. A powerful film, updated with a recent interview with Palestinian journalist Sami Abu Salem describing the current situation. Book tickets using link. All proceeds to support Palestinian journalists and MAP.” - Thanks to Alison Murphy, Local Association Secretary, Edinburgh EIS, for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- ☕️ Haze: new cafe opening at the Shore in Leith.
- 🚎 Three passengers taken to hospital after bus crash.
- 🚉 Tram-train idea 'gaining traction'.
- 🏄♀️ Lost Shore launches its own Ratho bus.
- 🍸 More local hospitality news in The Edinburgh Edit.
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Michael MacLeod
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