The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 11 - 13 September 2026
Granton trams paused & hospital line approved, baby rescued from burning flats, 'heartbroken' MSP bids to save The Skinny + a busy weekend local events guide
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. If today's edition is too long for your email inbox, you can read it online here. As well as all the news links, today's edition includes your community notices and the weekend guide. Thanks again to everyone who sends things in, shares the newsletter or supports it. This newsletter wouldn't exist without you. In an era of AI-slop, this newsletter truly is people-powered community news. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather forecast: A sunny start and cloudy intervals today. Heavy rain is forecast throughout Saturday. Drier and sunnier on Sunday. A temperature high of 19C on Saturday and a low of 11C on Sunday morning. Looking ahead, wet on Monday morning, dry on Tuesday. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
🚊 Plans to extend the city's tram lines to Granton have been paused. Instead, councillors agreed yesterday to focus on extending trams south to the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary. - The council published this update, featuring careful wording to emphasise that trams to Granton could still happen one day: "Councillors were also clear on the need for further work to be done on taking trams from Granton to the city centre as part of a future phase of the project."
The City of Edinburgh Council
⮑ Here's how the decision is covered in the media:
- With the Granton spur shelved for now, the estimated cost of the remaining extension is reduced from up to £2.9 billion to £1.7bn. However, securing that funding will take time and is not guaranteed, as this BBC Scotland report details: "Any work on an outline business case for the route is likely to be delayed until next autumn's SEStran regional report to see if it unlocks potential funding streams."
- Even putting together the business case is expensive, as Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco writes in The Herald: "Additionally, responsibility for creating an in-depth business case has been delegated to South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SESTran) in a bid to save the council around £36 million."
- "A report by officers said bringing trams to the Bioquarter could be worth £1billion to the local economy with the creation of 9,000 additional jobs in life sciences and potential for a community of around 20,000." - Local Democracy Reporter Marie Sharp in Midlothian View.
- Not everyone was in favour at yesterday's council planning meeting. "The Conservatives objected flat out to any tram works at all, saying the plans are unfunded, unsupported and objected to by residents," reports Keiran Fleming, STV News.
- There's more detail on each local political party's stance from Phyllis Stephen in The Edinburgh Reporter.
- The debate continues in the comments section on the Edinburgh Minute Instagram post.
Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
📰 Edinburgh-based culture publications The Skinny, Fest and GNAW announced their sudden closure yesterday. Publisher Radge Media CIC 'ceased operations' yesterday after more than 20 years in business, leaving staff 'devastated that our work has come to such a sudden end'. In a statement they said: "We have not been immune to the economic difficulties in the Scottish arts and despite our very best efforts, funding pressures across the sector, rising costs and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have contributed to an increasingly challenging situation."
- Dozens of The Skinny's former writers have paid tribute, with many saying it was where they got their start. Within hours of the news, Edinburgh MSP Q Manivannan published a letter 'with the hopes that we can engage with Radge Media CIC to find alternative funding and a solution forward.' - Read the letter here.
🔥 Four adults and a baby were rescued from a four-storey block of flats on fire in Ferry Gait, just off Ferry Road, yesterday morning. - Police are investigating + there are photos from the scene by Alan Simpson in The Edinburgh Reporter + a video in Lee Dalgetty's report for Edinburgh Live.
🏨 A group of West End residents have launched a Court of Session legal challenge over the approval of a controversial 544-bed 'super hostel' development on Atholl Crescent. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🍸 New Town restaurant and bar Bon Vivant has temporarily been reopened by chef Stuart McCluskey to give 55 Thistle Street what he calls 'the send off it never got' before it's handed over to new owners on 25 October. - See the menu on Instagram.
🍽️ World-renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi says his first Scottish restaurant will open on George Street in three weeks, on Friday 2 October. It will be run by Edinburgh-based Neil John Campbell, who has been Ottolenghi's Executive Head Chef for a decade. - More details in this Instagram post.
🎆 Glasgow band The Fratellis have been announced as headliners of the Night Afore Party at Edinburgh's Hogmanay. Dance act Underworld were previously confirmed as as headliners of Hogmanay in the Gardens. - Tickets go on sale at 10am today.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
🌅 Summer Sundowner 5K Series Raises £466 for charity - 'Thank you to everyone who took part in the Summer Sundowner 5K Series in July, August & September. Runners, marshals and supporters raised £466 for Leith charity, Earth in Common. Blast 5K @ The Meadows on 6th October supports the Bowelbabe Fund.' - More details here, shared by Catriona Bruce, Blast Running.
🏃♀️ Edinburgh mum gears up for five major endurance challenges in aid of The Yard charity - 'An Edinburgh mum is gearing up to run more than 300 miles across five major endurance challenges next year which are all in aid of the Yard to help it celebrate 40th anniversary.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🦮 Guide Dog Puppy Raising - Volunteering Opportunities! - 'Guide Dogs Scotland are currently recruiting Puppy Raisers in the Edinburgh area to provide care, support and training to the newest bundle of future life changers! If you are interested in this hugely rewarding role we would love to hear from you!' - More details here, shared by Jade Steven (Puppy Development Advisor), Guide Dogs.
💼 The Salvation Army is hiring for a Debt Advice Caseworker - 'Help empower individuals and families to get out of debt and manage finances. No debt advice experience is necessary, just the ability to work within a team and with vulnerable clients. Role is available full-time and part-time. (Deadline: 29 Sep)' - More details here, shared by The Salvation Army Debt Advice Service.
🎶 Vinyl Lounge with Umbrella Vinyl
Today, Fri 11 September - 'Join Edinburgh's independent record store, Umbrella Vinyl, for a specially curated pop-up celebrating music that inspires designer Charles Jeffrey. Browse & buy a hand-picked selection of vinyl featuring some of Charles's favourites! With live DJs!'
11am to 5pm | Westfield St James Quarter · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Laura, Umbrella Vinyl.
🌸 Edinburgh Floral Art Club Demonstration
Today, Fri 11 September - 'Edinburgh Floral Art Club's first meeting of the new Session. Kirstin Coltman from Musselburgh is our demonstrator. Visitors always welcome (£10), raffle, sales table, refreshments. We are a friendly group looking for new members.'
2pm to 4pm | Blackhall St. Columba's Church · Silverknowes & Blackhall - More details here, shared by Susan Stark, Edinburgh Floral Art Club.
🥕 Balerno Farmers' Market
Tomorrow, Sat 12 September - 'From fresh local produce to unique artisan stalls, there's something for everyone, plus a great community atmosphere. Bring your friends, grab a coffee, and enjoy a morning at the market ☕🌞 #Balerno #FarmersMarket #ShopLocal'
9am to 1pm | Balerno Main Street · Currie & Balerno | FREE - More details here, shared by C&B News.
🎶 EHFM Record Fair II
Tomorrow, Sat 12 September - 'The second edition of EHFM's record This Saturday. 7 stalls of pre-loved vinyl from EHFM DJs past and present selling their collections. There will be listening booths and we will be playing music throughout the day so pop by for a dig!'
12pm to 5pm | Leith Depot · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Paddy Dixon.
🎶 Music at Noon: Alistair Warwick Organ Recital
Tomorrow, Sat 12 September - 'Director of Music at Stirling's Holy Trinity Church, Alistair Warwick gives a free organ recital including music by Buxtehude, Couperin, Croft, De La Guerre, Gambarini, Hurford, and Pärt. Entry is free, by donation.'
12pm to 1pm | Edinburgh New Town Church · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Ian Munro, Edinburgh New Town Church.
Next week:
🧘♀️ Morning Practice at Alae - Meditation, Feldenkrais Method & Yoga
Tue 15 September - 'Meditation, Feldenkrais Method and yoga class. You will experience the complimentary aspect of these practices, developing ease and presence. First class is £5. If you enjoy the practice, you can either drop in to weekly class or buy 5-class package.'
9.30am to 10.45am | Alae · Leith | £5 class deal - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧘♀️ Sound & Salt Therapy [Every Tuesday]
Tue 15 September - 'Relax and restore with a Sound Bath in the Salt Rooms. Experience the soothing sounds of singing bowls, drums and chimes to reduce stress, support better sleep, encourage easier breathing and leave feeling calm, balanced and refreshed.'
7pm to 8pm | Edinburgh Salt Rooms · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | 25 - More details here, shared by Emma O Rorke, Sound Bath Edinburgh.
🎥 Landmarks + Take One Action panel (IberoDocs)
Thu 17 September - 'Directed by Lucrecia Martel, 'Landmarks' follows the murder of Indigenous leader Javier Chocobar and the legacy of colonialism on Latin America. A post-screening panel features filmmaker Theo Panagopoulos and film studies lecturer Isabel Seguí.'
8.15pm to 10.57pm | Filmhouse · Tollcross - More details here, shared by Take One Action.
María Alché
☕ Coffee Morning at Chiro Life Ferry Road
Fri 18 September - 'Stop by next Friday to help us raise money for Macmillan Cancer - we'll be serving hot drinks and cakes, with vegan options available! Donations accepted at the event, or by using the link below:'
9am to 11am | Chiropractic Life · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Chiropractic Life.
🎶 John Coltrane Centenary Celebration featuring Emma Rawicz
Fri 18 September - 'The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra is joined by award-winning saxophonist Emma Rawicz to celebrate 100 years of John Coltrane, with exciting new arrangements and original compositions 🎷'
7.30pm to 10pm | The Queen's Hall · Southside | £6-£27 - More details here, shared by Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
🎨 Art Walk at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Fri 25 September - 'Book a guided tour of the impressive outdoor artwork collection at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, including sculptures by Barbara Hepworth and Andy Goldsworthy.'
2.30pm to 3.30pm | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh · Inverleith | £11.55 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎨 Art Therapy small group workshop @ Central Library
Sat 03 October - 'A three-hour art therapy session designed to support nervous system regulation, led by Edinburgh-based art therapist Jessica Kirkpatrick. The small group session combines guided art-making, reflection, and simple body-based awareness practices.''
1pm to 4pm | Edinburgh Central Library · Old Town | £45 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
📖 Edinburgh Women's Fiction Festival 2026
Sat 24 October - 'Fancy hearing from and meeting some of your favourite writers? Book your tickets for our festival celebrating writing for, by, and about women! Commercial, romance, historical, literary, book club and beyond. EARLY BIRD OPEN UNTIL THIS SUNDAY.'
10am to 6pm | Christ Church (Scottish Episcopal Church) · Bruntsfield | £14/panel, £40 day - More details here, shared by Amy Penrose, Edinburgh Women's Fiction Festival.
Remember you can always see all 310+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
🏴 Sir Chris Hoy will be at Holyrood Park on Sunday morning to lead out this year's Kiltwalk, as thousands of people are due to walk for their chosen charities. The 21-mile route goes out to Musselburgh, along the coast then through Leith and along the old railway path to end at Murrayfield Stadium. - Full details here.
🍿 Leith Kino's Morvern Cunningham shares some local weekend event tips in The List.
🛝 Find even more family-friendly things to do this weekend and beyond in Gayle's Guide, including: Vogrie Pogrie, Octonauts at the Zoo, the last weekend of 'Giants' at the National Museum of Scotland and more...
Gayle’s Guide