The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 12 - 14 June 2026
Update on bid to ban new data centres, 'Leith Legends' walk 3,000 miles, new Irvine Welsh documentary + your weekend guide
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Not the busiest Friday morning of news so far. Today's edition also features your community notices and the weekend guide. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather: There's a 50% chance of rain throughout today but the weekend is looking drier. Expect sunny spells and 16C on Saturday, then 19C on Sunday. It will continue to get warmer into next week too. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🦢 Police are investigating after a nesting swan was killed by a dog at Dunsapie Loch in Holyrood Park. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.
🔥 The owners of the Restalrig flats that were damaged by fire on Tuesday night have confirmed nobody was injured and thanked the Ripple Project centre, where the people affected took shelter through the night (during heavy rain) while alternative accommodation was sorted. - Trinity Factors published a statement here.
🏗️ A council bid to ban the construction of controversial new 'green' data centres has been ruled 'not possible' by planning officials. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, in The Herald.
🏫 A decision on the possible demolition of the Calderglen Nursery building in Sighthill won't be taken until September, while a full survey is completed. - Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan, in Midlothian View.
🚔 Two teenagers were hospitalised, with one arrested, after a car crashed into a building in Granton in the early hours of yesterday morning. - Matthew Fulton, STV News.
🏢 The fate of Westfield Court block in Gorgie continues to be dragged out, with councillors set to decide on Wednesday next week whether to appeal a crucial (possible) historic listing of the building. - Written by Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan in Midlothian View.
✈️ Edinburgh Airport organised a fanfare for America-bound Scotland football fans yesterday, with Highland dancers and a pipe band giving the Tartan Army a rousing send-off. - Craig Turnbull & Gordon Chree, STV News.
⚽️ McLarens on the Corner in Morningside is hosting a weekly football sticker swap shop during the men's World Cup. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.
🏗️ Plans for 63 new build-to-rent apartments on Henderson Row have been met by 23 objections and 14 notes of support. - More details in the Spurtle.
🏗️ A £1m project to transform the historic coach-house in Spylaw public park into a new community hub has entered its final phase. Members of Colinton Village Enterprise SCIO have launched a Crowdfunder to raise £50,000 to fund the internal fit-out. Once finished, the hub will provide a social cafe, wellbeing spaces, and a gathering spot for everyone using the park and Water of Leith Walkway.
Their hope is that one final funding push will ensure they can open the doors in January 2027. - Find out more and support if you can here.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
⚽️ The Leith Legends walk the ‘Final Mile’ of their 3,070-mile journey - 'A group of sheltered housing tenants known as the ‘Leith Legends’ have reached the end of a 3,070-mile challenge to walk the distance from Edinburgh to Boston ahead of Scotland’s first match at the men’s FIFA World Cup this weekend.' - More details here, shared by Harbour Homes.
🤝 Could you be an unpaid carer? - 'During Carers Week, LifeCare is highlighting the vital role carers play and the free wellbeing support the charity provides. Watch the new video to hear directly from a local carer and learn more about the growing importance of unpaid carers.' - More details here, shared by Claire at LifeCare. (Also, the LifeCare Summer BBQ in Stockbridge is today from midday to 4pm. More details here, shared by Amy Liston.)
🎥 Documentary "I am Hibs" to celebrate 150th anniversary of the club now available to watch on HibsTV - 'Narrated by Irvine Welsh, edited and directed by Matteo Zara, the documentary looks at the strong connection between Hibernian FC and the welcoming community of Leith. Available to watch on HibsTV in pay per view.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 Win an unforgettable Deacon Blue experience! - 'Enter our incredible prize draw for your chance to win 4 hospitality tickets to see Deacon Blue at Edinburgh Castle on 17 July. Entries cost £10 and will support Children First to protect babies, children and young people across Scotland.' - More details here, shared by Children First.
🧠 Pioneering Alzheimer’s study recruiting in Edinburgh - 'Scottish Brain Sciences is recruiting in Edinburgh for a new Alzheimer's study looking at a potential new treatment for behavioural symptoms associated with Alzheimer's. Edinburgh participants have been the first in Europe to join this global study.' - More details here, shared by Scottish Brain Sciences.
🚐 St Columba’s Hospice Care partners with Broughton Removals to raise awareness across Edinburgh - 'Edinburgh-based family business Broughton Removals' newest van, affectionately named "Donny", will proudly display St Columba’s Hospice Care branding, helping to raise awareness of the Hospice’s services and support for local families.' - More details here, shared by St Columba's Hospice Care.
🧘♂️ Free Chronic Pain Programme - 'Health All Round are running chronic pain courses for people with symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks who are looking for a new approach to pain management. We welcome self-referrals so don't hesitate to get in touch!' - More details here, shared by Ed Giles, Health All Round.
🧠 Reduced-fee First Sessions for Anxiety & ADHD – EH5 & Online - 'Struggle with constant worries, focus, or procrastination? This June, I'm offering a limited number of reduced-fee first sessions for Edinburgh Minute readers to help you see whether therapy could help and if we'd be a good fit to work together. (Deadline: 30 Jun)' - More details here, shared by Emily Yao Therapy & Coaching.
EVENTS
🎶 The New Town Stompers @ Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive
Today, Fri 12 June - 'A welcome return of the New Town Stompers to Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive. The band plays uplifting Rags, Trad, and Old-Time Jazz & Blues from the 1900s to the 1930s. Expect a range of tunes suitable for Swing Dancing, Jive, Fox Trot, and even some Blues.'
8pm to 11pm | Heriot's Rugby Club, EH3 5QN | £12.00 & £15.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club.
🏳️🌈 Queer Folks Tales
Fri 12 June - 'Queer Folks' Tales continues its fifth year in the Scottish home of storytelling, with rave reviews and even an award under its belt! Celebrate the start of summer 2026 with LGBTQ+ storytellers galore from around Edinburgh and Scotland.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Scottish Storytelling Centre, EH1 1SR | £14 - More details here, shared by Steve Mole.
🎶 Aurora Ensemble Summer Concert
Tomorrow, Sat 13 June - 'Join Aurora Ensemble and cellist Layla Ballard to hear a variety of music by Carwithen, Dvorak, Bloch and Sibelius, plus Scottish premiere of Carrick-a-Rede by Sarah Brialey. Also features a stall selling art and crafts made by members and friends.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Broughton St Marys Parish Church, EH3 6NE | £10, £5 concessions - More details here, shared by Tim Espin.
🦅 Wild Fungarium - Symphonic with Jim Crumley - 'Join us for an evening with renowned nature writer Jim Crumley as he discusses his new book 'Symphonic' - A lyrical and personal account of his lifelong quest to find harmony in nature as he celebrates our precious planet. 7pm, Tuesday 16th June' - More details here, shared by Wild Fungarium.
🚴♂️ Weekly Cycling Time Trial Hosted by Edinburgh Road Club [Weekly]
Wed 17 June - 'Wednesday evening time trial series run by ERC. This is a CTT Come and Try Event open to everyone. We run Wednesday evenings with first rider off at 7:00pm. All abilities on either a road bike or TT bike welcomed.'
7pm to 8pm | Near Tranent | £5 - More details here, shared by Alan Dean, Edinburgh Road Club.
💥 Edinburgh Sparks - Thursday 18th June
Thu 18 June - 'Edinburgh's open mic night for prose writers is back for June! Join Edinburgh Sparks for an evening of fiction, memoir, comedy and short stories from all genres. And if you're a writer looking for a supportive space to share your work, get in touch!'
7pm to 10pm | The Canons' Gait, EH8 8DQ | FREE - More details here, shared by Rebecca Low, Edinburgh Sparks.
🏳️🌈 discotia presents: I.JORDAN (Pride party)
Fri 19 June - 'I. Jordan's euphoric, high-energy house transcends dancefloors and speaks straight to the human spirit. They've remixed acts like Bronski Beat, Fred Again and Romy, and they're back for a special Pride show. Support from discotia resident Panooc.'
11pm to 3am | Sneaky Pete's, EH1 1JW | £8-12 - More details here, shared by discotia.
🌍 Climate Cafe - all welcome
Sat 20 June - 'Climate Cafe discussing Kevin Anderson's briefing from the film the People's Emergency Briefing on the realities of climate change and the range of severity of increases in temperature and its consequences, and how we might respond. Cuppa and cake'
2.30pm to 4pm | St Ninian's Scottish Episcopal Church, EH4 1AG | FREE - More details here, shared by Libby Morton, St Ninian's Episcopal Chruch.
🏔️ Edinburgh Zen Dōjō • Mushin-dō [Weekly]
Sun 21 June - 'Traditional Sōtō Zen practice in the lineage of Deshimaru Roshi. Led by zen monk Teikō Luke Cunningham under the guidance of Master Jikō Wolf. Branch of La Gendronnière in Europe and Sōjiji in Japan. Practice is simply sitting, beyond gain or loss.'
7am to 10am | Leith | £5.00 - More details here, shared by Luke Teikō Cunningham.
🥃 Free Tabletop Tasting with Glasgow Distillery
Fri 03 July - 'Come and try free samples of The Glasgow Distillery Co's great range of drinks. No need to book, and you can come any time while the session is running. Over 18s only.'
5pm to 7pm | Malones Leith, EH6 6RS | FREE - More details here, shared by Steven Watson, Malones Pub Group.
🎹 Sekoya: Live at Traverse Theatre
Fri 03 July - ''Following a sold-out debut at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Sekoya brings brand new compositions, blending euro jazz, contemporary classical, soul, and folk. The trio's spacious sound is shaped through collective improv, and deep listening.'
7.30pm to 10.30pm | Traverse Theatre, EH1 2ED | £17.00 - More details here, shared by Luke Teikō Cunningham, Sekoya.
🛝 Plenty of family-friendly things to do this weekend and beyond in Gayle's Guide, including: an introduction to surfing for groms age four and above, the Tribe Porty Summer Party + Leith Festival gala day.
Gayle’s Guide