The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 6 - 8 November 2026
Overnight trouble as police attacked with fireworks, Argyle House 400-bed hotel plan revealed, Summerhall businesses demand demolition answers + comedy and Climate Ceilidh in Portobello
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. There'll be no newsletter from me on Monday. Back to normal on Tuesday. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather forecast: Scattered light showers throughout today and Saturday. Sunnier with breaks in the cloud on Sunday. A weekend low of 4C overnight from Sunday into Monday. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here.
🌅 Sunrise: 7.30am. Sunset: 4.21pm
🎇 Police, firefighters and members of the public were attacked with fireworks overnight. Vehicles were targeted in Gracemount and Gilmerton. There was earlier Bonfire Night disorder at Oxgangs Road North around 5pm. Police said: 'A group created a blockade in the road and set it alight. Police in attendance were then targeted with fireworks and Operation Amberlight resources responded in support. The group made off from the area.' - Police issued this update around 1am.
- There was trouble in Colinton Mains and Firrhill, with a Scotmid store attacked and an Evening News photographer 'forced to run for cover into a nearby flat as youths aimed fireworks at a responding fire engine,' reports Jack Davies in the Evening News.
- A recently repaired football pitch in Colinton Mains Park is reported to have been set alight. Bins were also set on fire. - David McLean, Evening News + Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
- In Wester Hailes, the fire service attended a fire near houses in Murrayburn Park. - Megan Bonar & Yana Thandrayen, BBC Scotland News.
- Police officers from around the country had gathered for what was described as their 'biggest police operation' of the year. - Paul Ward & Calum Watson, BBC Scotland.
🧨 A 39-year-old man was arrested after being caught with a van full of fireworks worth more than £5,000 on London Road. - Police Scotland published details here. Chief Superintendent David Robertson said: "There was huge potential for these fireworks to be distributed around the city for the purposes of causing disorder." - There is a photo of the massive stash of fireworks in this BBC Scotland report.
🏢 The developer behind plans to demolish Argyle House has officially applied to the council for planning permission. Their plans reveal full details to replace the 1960s office block with offices, 130 residential flats, a 244-room hotel and 156 long-stay aparthotel rooms. - Ian Swanson has the context in this Evening News report and the plans are on the council planning portal here, along with developers Henderson Herd & Mayfly Capital's 58-page planning statement here, which claims:
"The proposed development will result in significant economic benefits for the locality and wider city generating £144.9 million GVA for the Edinburgh economy, generating public sector revenue of £3.6m annually from Business Rates, £0.2m from Council Tax and £0.7m from the Visitor Levy whilst also supporting 170 net direct jobs through the construction phase, 1,210 gross operational FTE jobs, and 910 net direct and indirect operational jobs."
- More visuals of the plans are below, sourced from the Design and Access Statement here and a summary of consultation feedback is here.
🎨 'We’re not playing at this, we’re all real businesses making our income from art.' - Artists and business owners based at Summerhall share their views on AMA (New Town) Ltd's plans to partially-demolish and redevelop their building. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.
🏫 Today is the 150th birthday of the opening of Leith Walk Public School, the city’s oldest Board-era school still serving its intended function. Historian Andy Arthur celebrates the milestone with a deep dive on Threadinburgh.
Andy Arthur - Threadinburgh
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
🎃 Halloween Trail Half Raises £800 + for Charity - 'Thank you to everyone who took part in the Halloween Trail Half marathon event on 31 October. Runners and supporters raised over £800 for South Queensferry RNLI. The lunch time Blast 5K @ The Meadows in December supports 500 Miles.' - Photos of some of the runners in fancy dress are here, shared by Catriona Bruce, Blast Running.
🏘️ Do you live in the Old Town? If so, what do you think of the tourism around your home? - 'I am a 4th year Geography student gathering data for my dissertation, aiming to explore the impacts of screen tourism on residents in the Old Town. If you live in the Old Town please do the 2 minute anonymous survey below or share it with friends!' - More details here, shared by Emma.
🏡 Base rate raised to 4%: What it means for Edinburgh home buyers & sellers - 'The base rate has risen for the first time since 2023. With mortgage rates near 6%, it affects what buyers can afford and how sellers price, find out everything Edinburgh homeowners need to understand it now.' - More details here, shared by Coulters Property.
🧑🍳 The Wee Kitchen launches new website and Winter / Spring cooking class timetable! - 'Fun, BYOB cooking classes in Leith. The Wee Kitchen has launched a new website, with classes for 2027 now on sale. From Lebanese to Korean, Scottish and many more cuisines, join us for a relaxed, sociable evening of cooking, eating and good company!' - More details here, shared by Ailsa McGuinness, The Wee Kitchen Cookery School.
🎷 Sound of Seventeen at Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive
Today, Fri 06 November - 'We've got the big band "SOUND OF SEVENTEEN" at the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club. The band has created a set list of fabulous swing tunes, focused on the big band era. An evening of great tunes for listening and dancing: Lindy Hop, Jive, and Foxtrot.'
8pm to 11pm | Heriot's Rugby Club · Inverleith | £13.00 & £16.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club.
🍯 EMBA Annual Honey Show & Talk
Tomorrow, Sat 07 November - 'Edinburgh & Midlothian Beekeepers' annual honey show is open to all. 10.30 - 12.30 Andy Anderson will give a talk on all things honey, followed by tea, coffee and social time. 1.30 Judges' feedback on winning entries and honey show results & awards.'
10am to 2.30pm | The Eric Liddell Community · Bruntsfield | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh & Midlothian Beekeepers’ Association.
🌼 Wildflower Planting, Inch Park
Tomorrow, Sat 07 November - 'Wildflower Plug planting. We have a mix of wildflower plugs to plant in the relaxed cut areas along Glenallan Drive. Come along to help out next year's pollinators. Meet at Inch House. If possible bring a trowel, training provided!'
10.30am to 12.30pm | Inch House Community Centre · Cameron Toll | FREE - More details here, shared by Friends of Inch Park.
🍦 Fro Edinburgh Pop-up at The Hoxton, Edinburgh
Tomorrow, Sat 07 November - 'Froyo is coming to The Hoxton, Edinburgh! Join us for a Fro Edinburgh pop-up in the Lobby Bar on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November. Enjoy freshly made frozen yoghurt with all your favourite toppings from 12pm-8pm each day.'
12pm to 8pm | The Hoxton · Haymarket & Dalry - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🪑 Rhys Jones: Australian Chair Maker Presentation.
Tomorrow, Sat 07 November - 'In his presentation - 'Rethinking the Folding Lounge: Modernity through Craft' Rhys will share the story behind his recent work Gesto Armchair - building on the approach of Scandinavian modernism.'
2.30pm to 3.30pm | Unit 5 · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | £10 - More details here, shared by Isabelle Moore.
📵 Digital detox
Sun 08 November - 'Let's put our screens away and enjoy an analog day! You can bring your craft, or use ours (small donation of £2), play board games or read and write. Let's have fun like they had back in the 80s 🎉'
11am to 5pm | The Tailor Cafe + Wine Bar · Abbeyhill & Meadowbank | FREE - More details here, shared by Sara.
✍️ LINE: Decisive Marks art workshop
Sun 08 November - 'Workshop with artist Jules Bradbury, suitable for all levels. Inspired by the drawings of artist David Hockney, learn to work with the simple power of line. Simple exercises to build confidence and sharpen your observation skills.'
2pm to 4.30pm | Summerhall Arts · Southside | £36.25 / £29.25 - More details here, shared by Summerhall Arts.
🍹 Kinusaiga Craft 'n' Sip
Sun 08 November - 'Join us for a relaxing Sunday afternoon and create a beautiful fabric wall hanging, whilst sipping your favourite drink.'
3pm to 5pm | O'Neills Edinburgh · Old Town | £40 - More details here, shared by Splat! Edinburgh.
😊 Volunteering in Your Retirement Information Session
Wed 11 November - 'Are you retired or approaching retirement in Edinburgh and interested in volunteering? If so, come along to our information session to find out how to find volunteer opportunities in Edinburgh.'
11am to 12pm | Volunteer Edinburgh · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Volunteer Edinburgh.
📜 Free Power of Attorney Information Event
Wed 11 November - 'LifeCare are hosting a FREE information event next week. Come along to learn everything you need to know about Power of Attorney and Wills with Lindsays Solicitors. Free tea and coffee will be served!'
2.30pm to 4.30pm | LifeCare Edinburgh · Stockbridge | FREE - More details here, shared by LifeCare.
🎶 The Music Quiz at Betty's!
Wed 11 November - 'Think you know music? Prove it! Come along to our Music Trivia quiz on Wednesday in the Sidecar function room and win bar vouchers, bragging rights, and more!'
7.30pm to 9pm | Downstairs at Betty’s · West End | £2 - More details here, shared by Downstairs at Betty's (and on Instagram here).
Remember you can always see all 280+ upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things!
🛝 There are lots of family-friendly things to do this weekend and beyond in Gayle's Guide, including: Flotilla of Lights, family table tennis, Christmas light switch-ons and more...
Gayle's Guide