The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 13 - 15 February 2026
Council's £90m shopping list, millions pledged for new housing, street clean-ups, policing & the arts; Calcutta Cup showdown at Murrayfield + a Valentine’s Ceilidh at Porty Town Hall
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. It's a busy one! Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather: The 'snow and ice' yellow weather warning is due to be lifted by midday today, followed by a sunnier afternoon. Saturday's looking sunny. Wet on Sunday, potentially sleety. A temperature low of -1C today and a high of 4C on Saturday. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
💰 Spending plans for an estimated £90m raised by the city's new tourist tax have been approved, after some political debate at yesterday's council meeting. - STV News has a text report by Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan + a video report by Laura Alderman.
- Tourist tax cash will go towards tackling the city's housing emergency and 472 new 'affordable' homes, reports BBC Scotland News, thanks to the Housing Tourism Mitigation Fund proposed last year.
- Local SNP councillors managed to pause local Labour members' plans to focus on George Street, instead instructing officers to widen the scope of 'further public realm improvements' to include Princes Street too. - Ian Swanson reports in the Evening News & Scotsman.
- ⮑ Yesterday the council published this press release on its plans. Key initiatives agreed include, (but are not limited to):
- ⛪️ 'Renew and restore' projects for town centre high streets, £3m for improvements to Hunter Square (with the potential to combine with investment in the Tron Kirk) and £2m and £2.5m respectively towards 'transforming' Cramond Foreshore and Portobello Promenade.
- 🎭 £5m to restore Leith Theatre and create a year round culture and live music space, expanding cultural opportunity beyond the city centre.
- 🎵 £3m towards the National Centre for Music at the Old Royal High School.
- 🚔 Partnering with Police Scotland to create a City Centre Policing Unit, including £850,000 for more CCTV.
- 🖼️ £2.75m to create a Market Street Arts Hub, aimed at 'reinvigorating the City Art Centre and collaborating with the Fruitmarket to create a new arts and learning destination'.
- 🚾 £3.85m to speed up the Setted Streets renewal programme and £3m for new and upgraded public toilets. The council says the money will bring Edinburgh's public infrastructure up to 'a world-class standard'.
- 🗑️ £500,000 per year to tackle graffiti and £1.3m on additional waste and cleansing services.
- 🌳 Increases to park repairs budgets and doubling the number of Park Rangers across the city.
- 🌱 Programmes to 'green the city' with additional planting.
- 🗳️ The council also agreed that £2m from the tourist tax income would be used to support new participatory budgeting (similar to 'Leith Decides'), letting local people vote on how public money is spent.
🚎 An electric bus trial route between Lost Shore Surf Resort in Ratho and Edinburgh city centre has been made permanent. The service operated by Ember is now a fully registered public bus, starting from George Street. - More details from the venue here. Thanks to Minute reader Jaf for sharing this.
🌊 Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey is due to help out the Surfers Against Sewage group at Portobello Beach today, highlighting 'the dumping of waste in our water'. - Craig Meighan, The Standard.
🏥 The Sick Kids Hospital has launched a 'world-leading' app to help visitors find their way to appointments. The app uses technology already used in shopping centres and sports stadiums. It aims to help you navigate from anywhere in Edinburgh directly to the ward. - Report by Amie Flett, STV News.
🖼️ A selection of prints by Edinburgh-born artist Peter Doig will go on display for free at National Galleries Scotland: Modern One from Saturday. - It comes after the renowned artist gifted 67 prints to the galleries. - Brian Ferguson in The Herald + Jane Bradley in The Scotsman.
🎥 Edinburgh-based filmmaker Duncan Cowles has won Best British/Irish Short Film of the Year at the 2026 London Film Critics’ Circle Awards. - More details from Ben Dalton in Screen Daily.
⚽️ Heart of Midlothian Football Club revealed a special new kit yesterday, designed to mark the celebration of the Lunar New Year, which starts on Tuesday next week. - Read more about it here.
🏉 Scotland continue their men's Six Nations rugby campaign against England at Murrayfield on Saturday, kicking off at 4.40pm. - Here's a Calcutta Cup preview by Ben Banks in the Evening News.
- ⮑ "This is the first time a Scotland Men's starting XV hasn't included a single Edinburgh player since another Calcutta Cup match in Murrayfield - in 1998," writes Kevin Millar of Scotland Rugby News.
- ⮑ Here's a list of '20 of the best Edinburgh bars for watching rugby' according to Rosaline Erskine in The Scotsman + there's also a student-focussed guide to local rugby-watching venues by Kitty Messer in The Edinburgh Tab.
- ⮑ As usual, ScotRail has adjusted its Haymarket train services before and after Saturday's game. - Full train details here + updates from Lothian Buses here.
Karen Keith
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
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📌 "Applications are now open for Summerhall Arts Spaces – supported & free opportunities for performative artists looking for space & time to develop work in the early/mid stage. Spaces includes 5 day access to a venue space without the pressure of public sharing. Apply by 1st March." - Thanks to Summerhall Arts for sharing this.
📌 "'Free Fika' at Söderberg*! Bring a friend and enjoy 2 for 1 coffee and bun from 4.30pm daily until the end of Feb! *Only at our Meadows branch." - Thanks to the Söderberg team for sharing this.
📌 "Booking is open for the University of Edinburgh’s short courses, with a wide range of learning opportunities across creative practice, cultural studies, languages, history, philosophy, or social issues. These courses are designed to be flexible and accessible to fit around work and other commitments." - Thanks to Minute subscriber Rachel C for sharing this.
📌 "New Portobello pub The Rusty Seagull has teamed up with another local Portobello business The Doghouse to front its latest food pop-up. Doghouse boss Michael Notarangelo said: “The menu may have a fast food theme but we want it to be the best fast food you’ve tasted.”" - Thanks to The Doghouse team for sharing this.
Friday:
📌 "Friday 13 February - This week at the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive its the Bill Jones Renaissance Swing Band with some of Scotlands finest exponents of hot, swinging dance music, ideal for Lindy Hop, Jive and Foxtrot. 8.00-11.00pm @ Heriot's Rugby Club, EH3 5QN Price: £12 Members / £15 non members." - Thanks to Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive for sharing this.
📌 "Fri 13 Feb; 7-8.30pm - Buddhism: love, desire & relationships! As part of a new Friday night lecture series, join Buddhist nun Gen Tubchen at Kadampa Meditation Centre in Leith for an inspiring evening of learning, reflection, and conversation! Fee £12 includes light refreshments; Everyone Welcome." - Thanks to Kelsang Lhasang for sharing this.
Saturday:
📌 "Saturday 14 February: Balerno Farmers Market returns after its January break, with a host of local and independent producers. Main Street, Balerno, 9am - 1pm." - Thanks to C&B News for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 14th February - Mark Quinn returns to the Pianodrome for an all vinyl Valentines Day special listening session. From the emergence of lovers rock to the roots of spiritual jazz he'll be telling stories of the artists who devoted themselves to spreading love through their music.” - Thanks to Greenhouse Records for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 14 February – Ceilidh Collective host a Valentine’s Ceilidh at Portobello Town Hall with live music, dancing, a bar, kids’ activities and a raffle. Raising funds for Friends of the Earth Scotland and Porty Community Energy. Tickets from £16.” - Thanks to Ruby, Friends of the Earth Scotland, for sharing this.
📌 "14 & 15 February - Valentine Weekend Screenings at Out of the Blue in Leith: Freeze Frame is back with a special selection of films for Valentine's Weekend. We'll be screening the overtly romantic All That Heaven Allows & the charming Irish musical Sing Street in our heated Rehearsal Studio. Make a day of it and join us beforehand for food from the cafe." - Thanks to Out of the Blue for sharing this.
📌 “Far Flung Trio will play at the Stockbridge Music Hub on Saturday 14th February at 6pm. Music styles include Klezmer, Piaf, Gershwin. Tango, Brazilian Choros and show-stopping hits from the Classical world. Tickets (and wine) available on the door or via the website www.musichub.uk” - Thanks to Clea Friend - Creative Director, Stockbridge Music Hub, for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 14th | 3-6pm| Rainy weekend in Edinburgh? We’ve got the perfect last minute plan for you. 🌧️✨ This Saturday afternoon, Marpole Retreats is teaming up with LUSH for a cosy mini retreat at 378 Leith Walk. Think creative fun, deep relaxation, and bath bomsbs. £45 pp.” - Thanks to Marpole Retreats & LUSH for sharing this.
📌 “Sat 14th February, Edinburgh Iyengar Yoga Centre is inviting you to their Winter Warmer Active Yoga Class. A fun, active introduction to Iyengar Yoga, building strength and flexibility. Open to all levels. A grounded, energising way to spend Valentine’s weekend — time and attention for yourself.” - Thanks to Emma Schumacher Pugh for sharing this.
📌 "In need of a last minute Valentine's day date? Join us at Birchwood Art Studio on Saturday 14th February at 6pm for a Paint & Wine dedicated to love. Not only will the experience be unique and intimate but there will also be a selection of chocolates and wines to choose from!" - Thanks to Birchwood Art Studio for sharing this.
Sunday:
📌 “Sunday 15 February - Leith Kino is back this Valentine’s weekend with Tod Browning’s pre-Code classic, Freaks! Known by many within the Disability community as the “grandfather of disability horror”, Freaks was released in 1932. The screening will be introduced by Kino team member Charlie Little.” - Thanks to Leith Kino member Morvern for sharing this.
📌 “Sunday 15 February - Postcards for Palestine: join us at Lighthouse Bookshop for a relaxed crafting session fundraising for Palestinian families in Gaza. Let's gather in radical love and solidarity this Valentine's weekend! All ticket proceeds donated.” - Thanks to organiser Xuanlin for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday 15th February at The Outhouse - Join the International Ghost Society for a new edition of Ghosted, their interactive Valentine gameshow, taking place for one night only at The Outhouse. Help a ghost find love over the course of several mildly competitive rounds, culminating in a real(ish) wedding!" - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Sunday 15th February - Join award winning opera singer and voice teacher, Louise Macdonald, who is leading a series of Breathe well. Sing well. Live well. workshops for women at The Salisbury Centre, Edinburgh, 3.30pm - 4.30pm. Breathwork meets singing for a life-affirming experience!” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "The Very Important Panel Show is coming to Edinburgh SUNDAY, 4pm at The Stand! Join Kate Hammer as she tests four comedians on their general knowledge and ability to keep up. Featuring Krystal Evans, MC Hammersmith, Chris Weir and Kimi Jackson; Valentine’s is the theme!" - Thanks to Get Your Goat Comedy for sharing this.
Next week:
📌 "CUPID MUST DIE! at Fountainbridge Library, 16th FEB, 6.15pm. Free entry and hot drinks. Poet Ash Dickinson, Singer-songwriter Aurora Engine and Host Liam Baker promise to give you an hour of song, words and wonder, to help celebrate - and commiserate - LOVE in all its wonderful and woeful forms." - Thanks to Liam Baker - Host/Organiser for sharing this.
📌 “The UNESCO Week of Sound in Edinburgh returns from 16-20 February 2026, with a packed programme of concerts, talks, and workshops on the theme of music, technology, and society. All events are free, and take place in central Edinburgh.” - Thanks to Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh, for sharing this.
📌 "6 William Street: Visit Studies in Photography’s current exhibition, Ten Men & Other Stories, by Edinburgh artist Robin Gillanders. Featuring his semi-autobiographical work, as well as 30 other portraits from his career, including familiar faces such as William McIlvanney and Tam Dalyell. on until 7 March 2026" - Thanks to Studies in Photography for sharing this.
📌 "Are you seeking a practical, effective way to reduce stress, manage emotions, and boost your resilience? Join our monthly EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) group sessions on the third Sunday of the month and experience the transformative power of tapping." - Thanks to Ann Diment, founder Resilience Rebel, for sharing this.
📌 "Monday: For the early risers - new 6:30am mat Pilates class at Edinburgh Yoga Room (3-5 Forth Street). Full body flows designed to make you feel stronger, energised, and deeply connected. First-timer offer 2 classes for £16." - Thanks to Pilates With Emma for sharing this.
📌 "Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th February, 11am to 2pm. Free February half-term drop-in activities at the Physicians' Gallery! 17th Feb - What do animals eat? 19th Feb - Make a pomander! Children’s medical library, colouring-in and dressing-up station available every week day, 10am - 4:30pm." - Thanks to the Physicians' Gallery for sharing this.
RCPE
📌 "Tuesday 17th February at 7pm at Leith Community Centre - Listen to Tom Woods' fascinating talk about the bombing of Edinburgh and Leith during World War II. He has recently published a book on the same topic. Free for members, £2 for non members." - Thanks to Leith Local History Society for sharing this.
🛝 It's a busy weekend of family-friendly things to do in Gayle's Guide, including: the Giants: Half Term Big Build LEGO event at the National Museum of Scotland, the reopening of the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage and a circus skills workshop in Stockbridge.
Gayle’s Guide
