The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 27 - 29 June 2025
By-election results, George Street decision, theatre funding questions, local bus news + Meadows Climate Festival
☀️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute, including the Community Noticeboard + the weekend guide for subscribers. Thank you to the paying subscribers who make this newsletter possible, and everyone who shares it too. And many thanks to every person who sends something in. It’s your newsletter!
☀️ Weekend weather: Wet for much of Friday, drier on Saturday and Sunday. Highs of 21C and lows of 12C. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🗳️ The Liberal Democrats have gained a seat on the council after Kevin McKay won the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election. - Donald Turvill, The Herald.
⮑ Labour’s Catriona Munro came second and the Scottish Greens’ Q Manivannan was third. Turnout was 33% from a total electorate of 18,945. The full results are on the council website here.
🚦 A redesign of George Street was approved by councillors on the Transport and Environment Committee yesterday. They chose the £35m option with four trees at each end (which also won last week’s Minute poll). - More details from the council here.
⮑ Construction won’t start for two years and no money has been secured. ‘Doubts continue to surround its viability’, writes Donald Turvill in The Herald.
⮑ There was a good discussion in the comments last week, including subscriber Katherine: “Are they *golden* trees?”
🎭 The operators of the King’s Theatre are seeking ‘additional funding’ to finish off its major revamp, reports Brian Ferguson in The Herald this morning.
🎓 A new documentary focuses on ‘anti-Scots prejudice’ at the University of Edinburgh. - Lucy Jackson, The National.
🚔 A driver was spoken to by police after their car hit a 12-year-old boy who was riding a bike on Glasgow Road on Wednesday. - Kris Gourlay, Edinburgh Live.
🚎 Stagecoach is proposing to axe the X52 bus service between Edinburgh and Fife ‘due to continued low usage’. - Hannah Shedden, The National.
🚎 FlixBus plans to start a new Edinburgh - Glasgow service departing every 30 minutes from Monday 7 July. - The firm published details here.
🚂 The manager of Wonderland Models on Lothian Road insists ‘it's just business as usual’, despite plans being lodged to turn the shop into a restaurant. - Nicholas Malizia, Edinburgh Live.
📮 Wester Hailes Post Office could be on the move and a consultation has opened. - Dave Pickering, North Edinburgh News.
🍺 A common claim that The Salisbury Arms was ‘a favourite watering hole of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’ has been debunked by local historian Andy Arthur in this thread.
🛝 For family-friendly things to do this weekend, the new edition of Gayle’s Guide includes: Porty Books Kids' Summer Book Club, junior parkruns, Edinburgh Climate Festival, a mushroom themed kids' workshop and more.
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📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
📌 "Established, Edinburgh-based, educational charity Training for Care is fundraising! We are seeking donations to build on our new reserve fund, dedicated to purchasing additional student laptops, available for use on our premises and for loan to students who may not have access to personal technology. We understand that this is a difficult time for a lot of people and organisations, so any amount donated would be gratefully appreciated." - Thanks to Christopher Wedge, Head of Finance and Business at TfC for sharing this.
📌 "Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Then come along to these FREE arts and crafts sessions every day (except Sundays) at the Scottish Parliament! Crafternoons offer a range of activities for all ages. No need to book, just walk in and join the sessions taking place between 2pm and 4.30pm, Monday to Saturday during recess." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Central Children's Library is delighted to be launching the Summer Reading Challenge with a free storytelling event this Saturday. Come along, join the challenge, enjoy some stories, and plant a sunflower to take home and nurture all summer. Ages 5-11." - Thanks to Central Library for sharing this.
📌 "On 6th July, Cardinal will welcome the team from Wilson's in Bristol for the next installment of its Cardinal Feasts series - this time raising money for Palestine. All profits from the evening will be donated to the Palestine Museum Scotland on Dundas Street, and the European Legal Support Centre, who provide legal aid for Palestinians and their advocates in Europe and the UK. The five-course menu will be priced at £65pp, served across three sittings: 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "The Samaritans charity shop at 136 Nicholson Street is celebrating its 5th birthday on Saturday 28th June. The shop raises vital funds to support the 24/7 emotional support provided by the Samaritans Edinburgh branch. Come along to celebrate with us, bring your donations and shop along to our in-store DJ!" - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Get ready to dance the day away at The Big Day Disco, a celebration of self-expression, at Tynecastle Park on Saturday 5th July! Join us for an afternoon of feel-good fun with entertainment from DJ Danny Mason and drag performances by Groundskeeper Fanny and Giselle Chance. All funds raised will go towards supporting Big Hearts' That's Me! project which enables young people to socialise, make new friends, boost their confidence and be themselves without any judgement." - Thanks to Big Hearts Community Trust for sharing this.
📌 "Marpole Retreats is now open on Leith Walk, offering yoga, reformer pilates, paint & sip nights, nutrition workshops, coaching sessions and more. With exclusive intro bundles available, it's the perfect time to try something new. Stop by any day between 6:30 and 20:30 or explore and book online." - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Fancy an escape from the city? Hills & Herbs, a local sister duo, are putting on a nature based day retreat in Loch Ard on Sunday 13th July. We will spend the day doing foraging, hillwalking, wildswimming and yoga - all ways of connecting with nature and with yourself!" - Thanks to Sophie for sharing this.
📌 "The Light, the Bell and the Burden, a new film installation by Andy McGregor, the creative mastermind behind Edinburgh's annual Castle of Light event, is screening in St Fillan's Cave this weekend as part of this year's East Neuk Festival. The piece explores mysteries around belief, folklore and healing associated to St Fillan and is accompanied by a recording of the Witch of Leanachan, a dramatic and haunting piece of music written by Donald Grant, and performed by cellist Su-A Lee. Screenings run from 12.30 to 5pm on Saturday 28th and from 11am to 5pm on Sunday 29th. St Fillan's Cave, Pittenweem. Entry by donation." - Thanks to East Neuk Festival for sharing this.
📌 "Free Summer Fun for Primary-Age Kids at the LifeCare Hub! Every Tuesday in July, 11am–12noon – enjoy crafts, dance, Young Engineers & storytelling, all completely free! Support our Love the LifeCare Hub appeal – and we hope to see you there! lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk" - Thanks to Claire at LifeCare Edinburgh for sharing this.
📌 "Do you wish to make friends and boost your creativity this summer? Make the most of your summer with our Adult Creative Summer Camp!! Recharge - Make friends -Develop your creativity - Improve your mental health Join our summer storytelling, music, art, improvisation, creative games and creative writing sessions outdoors! (indoors if terrible weather conditions). Who knows, you might meet your next creative partner or even form a band together! Every Saturdays until August 2nd Time: From 2-4pm Outdoor location: Holyrood park. Indoor location: Creative Arts Therapies Space EH7 5PL" - Thanks to Alexandra Borghino for sharing this.