The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 21 - 23 August 2026
Concerns over Shore business rescue plan, Morningside Road closure over 'unknown substance', bakers donate for Leith loop charity runners + the annual Canal Raft Race at Fountainbridge
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. A reminder: I'll be hosting the First Edition event at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on Monday morning at 10am. Also on the panel: Jane Bradley (Arts Correspondent at The Scotsman) and Phyllis Stephen (founder of The Edinburgh Reporter, owner of Deadline News). Please come along for a chat. You can book a free ticket here. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather: Occasional showers today until around 3pm when the sun should give us a brighter evening. A high of 16C today. A clear and sunny start to Saturday leading in to a dry weekend with a high of 19C on both days. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
⚓️ The council is working on a discount scheme for businesses in Leith similar to incentives launched during the Covid pandemic. Some firms say footfall is down by around 40% due to trams not running while part of Princes Street remains closed following the 9 July fire. There are concerns among some business owners that support is already too late. The new campaign will be called 'More by the Shore', reports Rachel Fergusson in the Evening News, who spoke directly with local business owners at the Shore.
Rachel Fergusson
🚔 Morningside Road was closed for a few hours yesterday afternoon while police and firefighters investigated an 'unknown substance found on a lamppost'. Vehicles in both directions were diverted, causing disruption to buses. Police said: "Following testing, the substance had been found to pose no threat to the public and has been removed." - Coverage by Rachel Fergusson, Evening News.
⮑ "A non regular tried walking into the Canny Man’s" - There are some fun comments on the @auldedinburgh Instagram post about the emergency response.
🗳️ Tributes have been paid to former Corstorphine Liberal Democrat councillor Phil Wheeler, who has died aged 83. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
💰 The council has refused to publish the names of tax-avoiding businesses on the city’s busiest retail streets, citing 'commercial sensitivity'. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
✈️ A new 24hr bus service linking Edinburgh Airport with Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station will be launched by Ember on 2 September. - Ross Hempseed, STV News.
🚈 Music fans heading to next month's Radio 2 in the Park events in Stirling have been warned that ScotRail trains from Edinburgh won't go the whole way. - More details from Iona Craig, Deadline News.
🩰 Dance Base in the Grassmarket has been awarded £57,556 for a programme of draught proofing, insulation and infra-red heating works. - More details here.
🍽️ 'The independent restaurant resurgence driving Edinburgh’s ‘buoyant’ food and beverage sector' - Scott Reid, The Scotsman.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
🎥 Final Day to Submit to the Scottish Youth Film Festival! - 'This year's Scottish Youth Film Festival competition closes at midnight today. Don't miss out! Submit your short film for FREE in age categories 12 & under, 13-18 or 19-26. You could see your film on the big screen & win prizes. (Deadline: 21 Aug)' - More details here, shared by Scottish Youth Film Foundation.
🌍 Trustee Parents for Future Scotland - 'Join the Board of Parents for Future Scotland. We're seeking up to three new trustees to help guide our parent-led charity and build a climate-safe future for every child. (Deadline: 10 Sep)' - More details here, shared by Rochana Sheward.
🎪 Circo Valise - A 10 mins miniature circus show [Until 30 Aug]
Today, Fri 21 August - 'A 10-minute miniature circus show in a suitcase, outdoors in Assembly George Square. With automaton techniques, puppetry and a mechanical suitcase, Circo Valise presents a circus show like no other. Family Friendly; Free event.'
6pm to 6.10pm | Assembly George Square Studios · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Eduardo Salzane, São Paulo Showcase 2026.
🎷 The New Town Stompers at Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive
Today, Fri 21 August - 'If you are in Edinburgh for the Festival, come and join us at the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive for our regular Friday night session. This Friday, 21st August, we have the amazing New Town Stompers. Expect music with a focus on early Jazz.'
8pm to 11pm | Heriot's Rugby Club · Inverleith | £13.00 & £16.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club.
🥐 Coffee & Bakes
Tomorrow, Sat 22 August - 'Once a year Smls (a community group in leith) pull together the best bakes, coffee and beer in the city to raise money for young minds in leith! A bake sale x community running event, we hope this year is the biggest yet!'
8am to 4pm | Carter Coffee · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Smls.
📖 A Little Life [Advice]: The Launch!
Tomorrow, Sat 22 August - 'Come celebrate the launch of our latest publication, A Little Life [Advice] - a celebratory piece of print marking the finale of our work to rewrite the story of dementia. Join us for tea, coffee and conversation alongside our bookshop at Brown's.'
10am to 1pm | Brown's of Leith · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by boom saloon.
📸 Photography Walk on Calton Hill
Tomorrow, Sat 22 August - 'Calton Hill Conservation Trust's first Photography Walk, is led by well-known photographer, Tom Duffin - famous for capturing Scotland's people, places and events. Members & non-members welcome. Contact <chair@caltonhilltrust.org>.'
10am to 11.30am | Portuguese Cannon · Old Town | Non-members £10 - More details here, shared by Calton Hill Conservation Trust.
Admin
🎺 Live Jazz at Umbrella Vinyl
Tomorrow, Sat 22 August - 'We're thrilled to host the Hannah Ruddick-Trentmann Quartet for an in-store gig on Saturday at 4pm! An Edinburgh-based trumpeter, with a modern sound heavily inspired by Roy Hargrove & Ingrid Jensen, the band recently played the Pianodrome & Jazz Bar'
4pm to 5pm | Umbrella Vinyl · Tollcross | FREE - More details here, shared by Laura, Umbrella Vinyl.
🧘♀️ Shiatsu taster sessions at the polisbox
Sun 23 August - 'Fully clothed & seated making them easy for anyone to try. If you're curious or simply want a quick reset during your day, treatments help ease muscular tension & support relaxation through steady, attentive touch. Pay what you can for 25 mins.'
11am to 5pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups · Canonmills & Broughton | Pay what you can - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith walk polisbox pop ups.
☀️ UpOnARoof Alfresco All-Dayer - Skyline Sips - St James Quarter
Sun 23 August - 'UpOnARoof returns to Skyline Sips! ☀️ Aston Evans & Craig Smith headline a summer rooftop session of Soulful House, Disco, Soul & Classics. Plus 1/2 price tickets with code ILUVLEITH. Register now on EVENTBRITE'
1pm to 9pm | Skyline Sips · New Town | £7 - £15 - More details here, shared by Ricardo, Luvin'Leith Events.
Next week:
🎭 Illuminata [Until Wed]
Mon 24 August - 'Illuminata -an alchemy of live art and music with Susan Hamilton soprano, Maria Rud artist and Lucia Capellaro cello. A mesmerising feast of music and art with live projected painting onto glorious building of St Giles Cathedral.'
9.30pm to 10.30pm | St Giles' Cathedral · Old Town | £24 (£18 concessions - More details here, shared by Susan Hamilton, Laudonia.
🌿 Inspiration Sessions
Tue 25 August - 'Do you have a short documentary idea? Our Bridging the Gap scheme offers training and funding for emerging filmmakers based in Scotland. Join our inspiration sessions to learn more about the programme and discuss your ideas with us!'
5pm to 6.30pm | Duncan Place Community Hub · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Scottish Documentary Institute.
✊ The Parent Strike
Thu 27 August - 'Parents across the country are downing tools on 27th August to demand proper paternity leave and real flexible working rights.'
10am to 12pm | Scottish Parliament Building · Old Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Joe Jones.
🇵🇸 An Audience with Palestinian Performers at the Fringe
Thu 27 August - '!!FUNDRAISER!! for Palestinian performers at the Fringe. Come and hear their stories, learn about their creative process and support their ongoing development. Bringing a show to the Fringe is expensive! All donations will be go to the artists'
7pm to 8.30pm | Palestine Museum Scotland · New Town | entry by donation - More details here, shared by Palestine Museum Scotland.
Remember you can always see all 250+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
🛝 You'll find lots of family-friendly things to do this weekend and beyond in Gayle's Guide, including: the raft race on the canal, a summer party at a mansion, a singalong at a planetarium and more...
Gayle’s Guide