The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 17 - 19 July 2026
Princes Street: 'tax-dodging firms raided', Social Bite finds an upside after the fire, opening date for Botanics Palm Houses + giant baby is a special delivery at Modern One
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. It's been a busy week! Thanks to everyone who subscribes and who sent items in. You really do make this newsletter happen. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather: Cloudy with sunny intervals on Friday and Saturday before a much sunnier start on Sunday. A high of 23C on Sunday and a low of 10C on Saturday night. No rain is forecast this weekend. - Get the full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh here.
💰 Council leader Jane Meagher says tax-dodging firms 'only rob the taxpayer and our city’s services of vital funding', after it emerged the owners of gift shops operating in the Princes Street building that burned down last week were raided in an investigation into alleged unpaid non-domestic rates. - Exclusive by Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco in The Herald.
Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
🔥 One upside from last week's Princes Street fire: the manager of Social Bite cafe says the diversions are proving positive for the charity, leading to more customers and more donations to the homeless people they support. - Bohdan Tymoshchuk, Edinburgh Live.
🚎 Edinburgh North Eastern & Leith MSP Ben Macpherson has asked the Scottish Government if 'additional assistance', similar to that offered to Glasgow after its Union Street fire, will be extended to Edinburgh. He's also calling for Lothian Buses to get help to put on more temporary services to/from Leith until trams are back on track. - See his letter to the First Minister here.
🎉 The revised route for Sunday's Edinburgh Festival Carnival was confirmed yesterday, with it being cut short on Princes Street. - Details here. (Watch out for the slightly confusing upside down map).
🚧 The Lothian Buses website still shows buses avoiding George Street on Sunday. - I've tried to get clarification from them and the council on this but with no luck, so keep an eye on their site for live updates over the weekend.
🚦 'Princes Street fire raises questions over long-term pedestrianisation plans for George Street' - Ian Swanson in this morning's Evening News.
Ian Swanson
🪧 Pro-Palestine protestors blockaded the entrance to the Leonardo factory at Crewe Toll yesterday morning, demanding the company drop ties with Israel. - Gabriel McKay, The Herald / Callum McCormack, Evening News / Chloe Goodall, Edinburgh Live.
🎨 Some members of the Edinburgh-based Visual Arts Scotland group have been called out for abusing the charity's team. Chair Alex Bell wrote on Instagram yesterday: "As VAS Chair I am sorry to have to write this, but we have had a few instances recently where members have been abusive, rude or unkind to our team. We welcome constructive feedback, questions and differing opinions, but abusive, aggressive, threatening or disrespectful behaviour towards volunteers, staff, trustees, artists or other members will not be tolerated.' - The full statement is here.
🖼️ After a six-year refurbishment, Titian’s Diana and Actaeon, of the most celebrated paintings in the Scottish national art collection is back on the walls of the National gallery on the Mound. - See the wraps coming off here.
🌴 And after a five-year refurbishment, Friday 2 October has been announced as the re-opening date for the newly restored Palm Houses at the Botanics. - More details from The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh charity here.
🥤 A new acai bowl and smoothie cafe called Oca is due to open in Stockbridge on 1 August.
⛰️ Edinburgh's third Nordic Outdoor shop is planned to open in Frederick Street later this month. More details here.
🏥 'Beyond the white cube: how Tonic Arts curates art in Edinburgh's hospitals' - Claire Sawers, Art UK.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
🏊♂️ Summer of Sport with Edinburgh Leisure - 'We're helping young people across Edinburgh get active with a variety of FREE and low-cost activities funded by sportscotland and Scottish Golf. The programme includes sports days, swimming passes, golf camps and after-school opportunities.' - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Leisure.
💚 Young women's views sought - 'Edinburgh-based charity The Young Women's Movement are looking to hear from young women (aged 16–30) about digital violence and its impact. The survey is anonymous, and respondents can enter a prize draw for a £50 voucher and a YWM scarf.' - More details here, shared by Abi, The Young Women's Movement.
📸 Street Photo Social - July Photo Walk, Mardis Gras
Tomorrow, Sat 18 July - 'A free, social photo walk! No booking required, all skill levels welcome. Meet outside Cold Town House. We'll be checking out Mardis Gras at the Grassmarket, wandering around the area taking photos and portraits. Probably hit the pub at the end.'
2pm to 4pm | Meet outside Cold Town House · Tollcross | FREE - More details here, shared by Olly.
🧹 Corstorphine Chiropractic litter pick with Clermiston Litterati
Sun 19 July - 'Join us in helping clean up the neighborhood with some awesome folks from Clermiston Litterati! All welcome to come and help tidy up our local area. Bring your own litter picker if you have one. We'll meet outside the clinic and work our way round.'
11am to 12pm | Corstorphine Chiropractic · Drumbrae & East Craigs | FREE - More details here, shared by Corstorphine Chiropractic.
📸 A PLACE WE SHARE
Fri 24 July - 'A Place We Share brings together 11 contemporary photographic artists whose work is made in Scotland and explores the country as it is experienced today. St. Margaret's House (Gallery 2, Floor 3) 25th to 31st of July // Opening 24th July 6-8pm'
6pm to 8pm | St Margaret's House · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank - More details here, shared by Jaime Molina.
🐝 25 July: Wild Fungarium - KIDS EVENT- 'Buzz' Reading & Bookmark Workshop with Sara Boccaccini Meadows - 'Bring your kids along for a morning full of fun facts about bees, bugs and butterflies, followed by a creative Bookmark Workshop with Sara Boccaccini Meadows, award winning illustrator of 'Buzz: A Child's Guide to Bugs and Bees and How to Spot Them'.' - More details here, shared by Wild Fungarium.
🎹 Piano Workshop: You Can Play by Ear! (Adults)
Sat 25 July - 'Anybody can play by ear! Learn the tools you need to break free of sheet music and create your own simple piano arrangements of your favourite tunes.'
10am to 12pm | Top Floor · Southside | 40 - More details here, shared by Nicholas.
Remember you can always see all 200+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
🛝 Plenty of family-friendly things to do this weekend and beyond in Gayle's Guide, including: the Jazz & Blues Festival, a kids' cake decorating class, The Little Mermaid Jr and more...
Gayle’s Guide
📆 What else is on this weekend in town? The next bit is for paying subscribers only…
🍼 Just opened: A giant sculpture of a newborn baby by artist Ron Mueck has been delivered at the National Galleries Scotland: Modern One in the West End near Dean Village. Measuring more than five meters long, 'A Girl' is free to visit and among 50 pieces of modern and contemporary art that have just gone on show. - More details via the NGS here.
'A Girl', by Ron Mueck, at National Galleries Scotland: Modern One, photographed by Stuart Armitt.
⮑ It's been 14 years since the fibre-glass A Girl sculpture was last in Edinburgh, having travelled around Europe's galleries. Visitors can also borrow a free basket full of 'art goodies' to spark creativity. - More details about those baskets here.