The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 8 July 2026
Hotel plan for former Scottish Widows HQ, Leith Theatre saved from 'at risk' register, new traffic lights for dangerous Easter Road junction + job listings for local bars and restaurants
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Later today the weekly Culture Minute round-up will land in paying subscribers' inboxes. To stay in the loop, upgrade here. Here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌤️ The humidity is steadily rising throughout the week, hitting 87% this morning and forecast to peak at 95% on a potentially misty Saturday morning. This morning's cloud should clear around lunchtime and the temperature high will be 24C around 5pm. It could be a Meadows / Leith Links / Inverleith Park sort of evening... Here's the local Met Office forecast.
🏗️ There are new plans for a hotel in the empty former Scottish Widows office next to the Commonwealth Pool. Developer Vita Group bought the building in December (Minute edition 792) after the collapse of a £100m housing and office scheme. - Lee Dalgetty of Edinburgh Live reports on the new planning application.
- ⮑ The Basil Spence-designed landmark on Dalkeith Road is an A-listed building, meaning the developer needs permission to change its use from an office to a hotel. See the plans on the council planning portal here.
- The planning documents are technical and lengthy. There's a supporting document, which is a bit easier to read in PDF format, outlining the plans here. And if you've got time to wade through 98 more pages, there are some brilliant archive photos of what was there before it in this document.
- Planning documents describe a 'selective demolition', but 'the distinctive honeycomb modules of the modernist landmark will be preserved' reports Urban Realm. The reflecting pools outside the building would also be kept.
- The design firm behind the plan, Ica Studio, won an award for its renovation work on the Virgin Hotel on Victoria Street.
🚦 There's some discussion on Reddit about yesterday's Minute lead story on the pedestrianisation plan for city centre streets. - Join the conversation on Reddit here.
City centre streets to be pedestrianised for 50 days
by u/snapmike84 in Edinburgh
🎭 Thanks to its ongoing revamp, Leith Theatre has been removed from the 'at risk' register, reports Gabriel McKay in The Herald.
🚔 Police are investigating reports that a City of Edinburgh Council employee was caught 'secretly taking pictures of girls on board a train'. - Amy Myles, Glasgow Times.
🔥 Firefighters had to put out a large fire next to a carpark full of caravans in Granton on Monday night. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.
🚔 A 33-year-old man appeared in court yesterday charged with the murder of another man outside the Cables Wynd House flats on Sunday. The victim was named as Barry Gilgun. - BBC Scotland News.
🚦 Traffic lights are planned for the junction of Easter Road, Dalmeny Street and St Clair Street. - Heather Carrick, Evening News.
⚠️ The statue of Sherlock Holmes in Picardy Place has been damaged, with one local group blaming people climbing it to place street cones on its head. A week on from raising concerns that damage could happen (Minute edition 943), the New Town & Broughton Community Council reported damage yesterday, writing on Instagram: 'A lifetime of damage for just five minutes of fun. Not worth it.'
🎬 Another film set has appeared in the city. Actor Nicola Coughlan was pictured filming in Dumbiedykes on Tuesday. - Rachel Fergusson, Evening News.
✍️ Portobello-based writer Brigid Lowe has been named as a national Bookshop Day ambassador. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.
📚 Blackhall Library has reopened in a new temporary facility next to Davidson’s Mains Primary School, after structural problems at its original building. - The council published more details here.
🍽️ "Whirlybird haven’t reinvented the wheel, and have thankfully retained (and even enhanced) the environment that made Maison Bleue such a longstanding success." - There's a review of the new Whirlybird restaurant by Richard Bath in Scottish Field.
🍾 There are new local bar and restaurant job listings in the latest edition of the Popped Cork newsletter.
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💼 Treasurer wanted for Craigmillar Literacy Trust - 'Could you be our next Treasurer? We are seeking a qualified accountant or someone with financial experience in the charity sector to join our Board of Trustees. Please email Kara Whelan at karawhelan@craigmillarliteracytrust.org.uk for info. (Deadline: 31 Jul)' - More details here, shared by Craigmillar Literacy Trust.
🥋 Leith Legend - 'At the foot of the walk, lies a martial arts legend - Rick Young 'The Quiet Warrior' is the first in a two part interview, on his journey from Leith to the World.' - More details here, shared by Nike Oruh, VII Breaths.
🐦⬛ Wild Fungarium - Urban Wildlife Walk with Amanda Tuke - 'Join urban naturalist Amanda Tuke on a guided urban nature walk through the West End of Edinburgh and the streets surrounding Wild Fungarium to explore the wildlife and plants waiting to be discovered there. Thursday 16th July, 5pm' - More details here, shared by Wild Fungarium.
Wild Fungarium
🧘♂️ Online Zoom Forum: Zen and Buddhist Therapy: Towards Healing and Psychological Well-being. - 'There will be five talks, each of 15 minutes, followed by discussion among the speakers and the chair, followed by Q & A. Date: Wednesday 15 July 2026. Time: 7pm-9pm (UK time).' - More details here, shared by Neill Walker, Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace.
🏴 Kiltmaking craft & couture: a display of bespoke kilts created by the Dye, Weave, Pleat collective [Until 30 Aug]
Today, Wed 08 July - 'The endangered craft of kiltmaking is being given new life, attracting the interest of haute couture fashion houses. A very special installation to enjoy - not standard tartan kilts but luxury pieces with incredible detailing and finishing.'
10.30am to 5.30pm | Scottish Textiles Showcase · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Carrie.
🐇 Monty Python's: SPAMALOT! [Until Sat]
Tomorrow, Thu 09 July - 'SPAMALOT! follows King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they search for the Holy Grail, dodging taunts, haunts and killer rabbits along the way! Join us for the iconic musical parody of 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail'.'
7.30pm to 10pm | Portobello Town Hall · Portobello | £15, £12 concessions - More details here, shared by HappySad Productions.
🎶 Causewayside Session [Every Thursday]
Tomorrow, Thu 09 July - 'Free, live traditional Scottish folk music every Thursday'
8pm to 11pm | Steel Coulson Southside · Southside | FREE - More details here, shared by Glen Dawkins.
🛍️ Exclusively Highlands Artisan Market at Gosford House [Daily]
Fri 10 July - 'Just East of Edinburgh is Gosford House. Come and visit our artisan market featuring 50 crafters & food/drink producers from across Scotland. The House has a series of steps at the entrance and no disabled access. Parking £3 per car.'
10am to 4pm | Gosford House · Edinburgh (Outside Coverage) | £2 - More details here, shared by Exclusively Highlands.
🍴 Online event with chef/writer Alasdair Gill
Fri 10 July - 'Gill will be in conversation with poet, food writer and performance artist Sean Wai Keung for this online-only discussion of his brand new memoir, 'Knives and Spoons: A Chef's Story of Kitchens, Addictions and Mayhem'. Join us on the livestream!'
7pm to 8pm | The Portobello Bookshop · Portobello - More details here, shared by The Portobello Bookshop.
✒️ Japanese Calligraphy & Mindfulness workshop - Goldfish theme
Sat 11 July - 'Join us for a Japanese calligraphy workshop collaborated with Tiffany, our special mindfulness instructor. You will get to learn goldful scooping - one of Japan's most beloved summer traditions with calligraphy and enjoy Japanese tea and snacks.'
2.30pm to 4.30pm | Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End · Haymarket & Dalry | £20 - More details here, shared by Wayfarer Shodo Edinburgh + on Instagram here.
🎤 The Spooky Mens Chorale
Sat 11 July - 'A magnificent, many-headed beast which has single-handedly turned the world of men's A cappella singing upside down. Exquisite tenderness, and charming stupidity to both celebrate masculinity and mock it.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral · West End - More details here, shared by DAVID Stanley HEAVENOR, DHM Concerts.
🎶 The Corner Room
Sat 11 July - 'Ewan Johnston Trio blend original jazz, improvisation and reactive visuals by Laurie O'Dowd into a dynamic audiovisual performance. Plus, Laura Osa brings soulful jazz, gospel, Afro-influenced rhythms and contemporary R&B in an emotive opening set.'
8pm to 10.30pm | Hope City Church Edinburgh · Gyle - More details here, shared by The Corner Room.
🎨 Phoebe Anna Traquair murals
Sun 12 July - 'Escape into the world of Phoebe Anna Traquair's breathtaking murals. Mansfield Traquair Centre open day, Sunday 12th July, from 1pm until 4pm - last tour 3.15pm. Free tours with friendly guides, free entry, donations welcome.'
1pm to 4pm | Mansfield Traquair Centre · Canonmills & Broughton | Donations welcome - More details here, shared by Friend of Mansfield Traquair Centre.
📚 Joint Meeting of the European Society for the History of Science and the History of Science Society [Until Thu]
Sun 12 July - 'With more than 500 sessions, this will be one of the largest academic history of science conferences ever held, with leading scholars from more than 30 countries discussing their latest research.'
5pm to 7pm | Edinburgh International Conference Centre · Tollcross - More details here, shared by Michael Barany, University of Edinburgh.
📝 Dodgeball Scotland Quiz Night (Fundraiser)
Sun 12 July - 'Sharpen your pencils, wit and gather your team. No dodgeball knowledge needed. Good times and good (competitive) vibes. All are welcome! All funds raised will support Dodgeball Scotland hosting Northern European Championships this August.'
7.30pm to 10.30pm | The Waverley Bar · Old Town | £10 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Dodgeball.
💖 The Compassion Salon: Kathryn Lovewell and Marti Balaam
Mon 13 July - 'Join us for a thoughtful conversations that explores self compassion. This is your chance to connect, reflect, and be part of a warm, engaging event.'
7pm to 10pm | Steel Coulson Southside · Southside | FREE - More details here, shared by Dr Marti Balaam, The Compassion Salon.
🎬 Screening of "On Falling" (2024) and Chat
Tue 14 July - '🎬Screening & chat 🎬 "On Falling" (2024) by Laura Carreira Laura (director) will attend, along with Boyan Karabaliev (Workers' Observatory), and Gordon Maloney (Living Rent) for a chat after the film. Donations will be used to cover venue costs.'
6.30pm to 9.30pm | Duncan Place Community Hub · Leith | £5-10 donation - More details here, shared by João Reis, Edinburgh & Lothians Socialist Association.
📖 Shared Reading with Open Book [Every Wednesday]
Wed 15 July - 'Taster sessions lead by Lead Readers as a friendly, welcoming introduction. We'll be reading some short stories and poems, with an opportunity to read - there is no pressure, however, to read or speak. Just come along, relax and listen...'
10.45am to 11.30am | The Crannie Community Hub · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Hollie, Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust.
🎹 Pop Piano for Beginners - a Piano Workshop for Adults (16+)
Sun 19 July - 'Do you like popular music and pianists like Elton John, Norah Jones, Stevie Wonder, etc...? Would you like to accompany yourself singing, play in a band or jam to your favourite songs? This workshop is for you!'
10am to 12pm | 86 Causewayside · Southside | 40 - More details here, shared by Nicholas.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🚦 City centre streets to be pedestrianised for 50 days. [1,800 clicks]
- 🤝 31 jobs in weekly Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network round-up. [1,300 clicks]
- 🚔 Man dies after 'stabbing' outside Banana Flats. [1,000 clicks]
- 🎓 Napier plans to quit Merchiston. [750 clicks]
- 🏗️ History of former La Scala cinema / Classic cinema / Premier Bingo venue. [500 clicks]
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 947.
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