The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 19 - 21 June 2026
Fire station could be saved from closure, 12,000 Tartan Army reinforcements fly out, council removes Saltire flags, Harrison Park's Scott McTominay postbox + a sneak peek of the Botanics' renovated Palm Houses
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. A busy morning of news to catch up on. Thanks to the dozens of people who contributed to today's edition. There's also a busy weekend guide for paying subscribers. If the email is too long for your inbox, read it online here. Here's Friday's Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ This weekend’s weather: Light rain today but still warm at 20C. Drier and sunnier on Saturday and Sunday. The temperature will peak at 23C on Sunday. Looking like a warmer week next week, hitting 25C by Wednesday. - Get the full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh here.
🌊 The 'pollution incident' continues at Portobello beach, almost a week since swimmers were first warned against going in. The news was first reported in Monday's Minute. Today, a 3am update overnight is still showing the same result, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency website, which says: "We are currently advising against bathing or paddling." - There's a discussion about it on the local Reddit forum.
🚒 After a huge community campaign, Lochend's Marionville fire station, which serves the east of the city, looks set to be saved from immediate closure. But questions remain about its long-term future. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🛜 Despite council officials saying it was 'not possible', councillors on the city planning committee have voted 7-4 in favour of asking the Scottish Government to ban the construction of controversial new data centres. - Ian Swanson, Scotsman.
♿️ A coalition of charities has begun a campaign to improve wheelchair access in Edinburgh's parks. - Exclusive by Rose Moncur in The Herald.
⚽️ Around 12,000 fans have left Edinburgh Airport to support Scotland in Boston USA at the men's football World Cup. - 'Tartan Army reinforcements incoming', writes Alasdair Ferguson in The National.
- ⮑ Scotland take on Morocco tonight (11pm kick-off). This weekend is your last chance to see a Scotland kit designed by Edinburgh brand Pieute featured in the V&A Dundee’s football exhibition, Football Couture. - Read more about it here.
- ⮑ A knitted Scott McTominay has appeared on the top of a postbox on near Harrison Park. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.
- ⮑ Despite having voted in March against a council staff bank holiday for the football, a councillor has tabled a motion for staff to be given an extra day off, as it was granted in other areas including Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen. Mandy Watt's proposal will be considered on Tuesday, writes Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan in Midlothian View.
- 🏴 The council has been removing Scottish flags from lampposts in the Paisley Drive area. But after complaints, now says it will 'pause' removals 'in the spirit of the World Cup and supporting our national team'. - Jacob Farr, Edinburgh Live.
🏆 Edinburgh was well represented at the Scottish Independent Retail Awards on Wednesday night. Bringing home the awards:
- Hanover Healthfoods won Specialist Retailer of the Year.
- Houseproud of Morningside won Hardware Shop of the Year (for the third year in a row)
- Marchmont Hardware got the 'Outstanding Achievement' award.
- Elite Drycleaners won Dry Cleaners of the Year.
- McGills Hairdressing won Hair Salon of the Year.
- Full results are here.
- Ann Ness of Houseproud of Morningside said: "This award reflects the loyalty of our customers and the hard work and dedication of my team."
- John McKee of Hanover Healthfoods said: "It was wonderful to be with two other classic businesses of Edinburgh as we celebrated our success. It is not easy for independent retailers at the moment so it was great to be recognised along with other businesses I deeply respect."
🛝 There are lots of family-friendly things to do this weekend in Gayle's Guide, including: a pop-up Toy Hospital, vegetable growing group + a look-ahead to school summer holiday events.
Gayle’s Guide
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
😊 Stockbridge Primary School raise over £1,000 for local charity LifeCare - 'Community spirit is alive in Stockbridge! The whole school community got together with local businesses to raise vital funds for the renowned 85-year-old charity. Pupils took part in a mass workout, guided walk and raffle. Well done everyone!' - More details here, shared by Claire, LifeCare.
🏃 My Name’5 Doddie Running Event Raises £1,500 for Charity - 'Thank you to everyone who took part in the My Name’5 Doddie events on 7 June. Runners and supporters raised nearly £1,000 for MND and over £500 for Cramond Primary School’s Equipment Fund. The July Sundowners 5K Series supports Earth in Common.' - More details here, shared by Cat Bruce, Blast Running.
🏟️ Edinburgh Student launches platform to book any sports venue in the city in one place - 'Booking sports venues in Edinburgh means juggling multiple websites and systems. A University of Edinburgh student has built Bookd, a platform listing courts and pitches across the city in one place. It is currently live with 12 available venues.' - More details here, shared by Louis Bolton, Bookd.
🌿 Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh marks Summer Solstice with sneak peek inside renovated Palm Houses - 'To mark the summer solstice on Sunday – the longest day of the year – the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is offering a behind-the-scenes look inside its newly renovated Palm Houses, ahead of their official reopening later this year.'
🌧️ Rain at the National Library of Scotland
Today - 'Come rain or shine, a special exhibition exploring Scotland's relationship with rain opens Friday at the National Library of Scotland. 'Rain' features a range of collections items exploring Scotland's persistent preoccupation with inclement weather.'
10am to 5pm | National Library of Scotland, EH1 1EW | FREE - More details here, shared by National Library of Scotland.
🧘♀️ Tension Release Exercises & Sound Bath
Today, Fri 19 June - 'Please contact kala.niemierko@gmail.com to book. Spaces are limited.'
8pm to 10pm | Tidal Yoga Ltd, EH6 8NP | £22 - More details here, shared by TRE with Kala.
🪨 Geology for All
Tomorrow, Sat 20 June - 'Geology for All: Rock/fossil specimens, Hutton exhibits, Childrens' crafts, Printing with Ink on Mesh, Experience Victorian Geology lessons, Experts to identify and explain about rocks, African food from MWAMA and Sweet Ukrainian treats.'
10.30am to 3pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community, EH6 4HY | FREE - More details here, shared by Roger, Heart of Newahven Community.
🏞️ James Hutton Tercentenary Walk 'The view from Calton Hill: James Hutton's Edinburgh'
Sat 20 June - 'The walk is entitled 'The view from Calton Hill: James Hutton's Edinburgh', Angus Miller will take us around the summit of Calton Hill, reflecting on the role of this landscape in influencing the ideas of Hutton and his friend John Clerk of Eldin.'
10am to 11.30am | Calton Hill - More details here, shared by Calton Hill Conservation Trust.
🌸 Music Making In The Garden
Sat 20 June - 'Join us for a session of field recording and music making in tha garden. No previous experience needed!'
11am to 3pm | Gracemount Community Garden, EH16 6FD | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
☀️ Boroughmuir High School Summer Fair
Tomorrow, Sat 20 June - 'Boroughmuir are hosting their 3rd annual Summer Fair as part of the Edinburgh Canal Festival. Enjoy good food, many stalls, live music and games whilst raising funds for the school community. Thank you!'
12pm to 3pm | Boroughmuir High School, EH11 1FL | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
📖 Talk & Signing with Scottish comics artist Jules Scheele
Tomorrow, Sat 20 June - 'La Belle Adventure is pleased to welcome Glaswegian artist Jules Scheele for the release of "Orlando", his new graphic novel, adapted from Virginia Woolf's classic novel. The talk will be chaired by Tom Humberstone & followed by a signing session.'
4pm to 6pm | La Belle Adventure, EH6 8NX | FREE - More details here, shared by La Belle Adventure.
🕺 Historical Dance Workshop
Sat 20 June - 'Join Edinburgh Quadrille Society for a run through of the Regency and Georgian dances that we will be dancing at our Independence Ball on 4th July at Dalkeith Palace. Beginners welcome.'
1pm to 5pm | French Institute of Scotland, EH1 1RN | £30 (£25 concession) - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Quadrille Society.
🎶 New Edinburgh Orchestra
Sat 20 June - 'Join the New Edinburgh Orchestra for its summer concert this Saturday. All welcome. Tickets £15/10/5 children free'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | St Serfs Church, EH5 3NP | From £15 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🏳️🌈 Tierhaus Pride Special @ Summerhall
Sat 20 June - 'Tierhaus continues to develop a new clubbing space for Edinburgh, inspired by 90s electronic music culture. To coincide with Edinburgh pride, there'll be celebrations across Summerhall throughout the day leading into the party.'
10pm to 3am | Summerhall, EH9 1PL - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎉 Wheel of Fate's Summer Solstice Birthday Fête
Sun 21 June - 'Wheel of Fate is turning 3 on the Summer Solstice, and this year they are hosting a birthday fête to raise money for some causes near to their hearts. Try your hand at mini versions of their craft workshops or enter to win raffle prizes!'
11am to 6pm | Wheel of Fate, EH7 4AF | £2 - More details here, shared by Wheel of Fate.
🎨 Experimental Life Drawing
Sun 21 June - 'Join Strongman Collective for an afternoon of movement, illustration, and experimentation featuring a live movement artist as model. All skill levels welcome. BYO sketchbook.'
1.30pm to 3pm | Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative, EH10 4HR | FREE - More details here, shared by Strongman Collective.
🎶 Edinburgh Scandi Session
Sun 21 June - 'This is our monthly music session where we play mostly trad tunes from the Scandinavian countries and occasionally from Finland. In place of jigs & reels expect polskas, schottis, reinlanders, vals (waltz) and possibly Danish Sønderhonings.'
2pm to 5pm | The Outhouse, EH1 3LY | FREE - More details here, shared by Philip Lyon.
😂 The Very Important Panel Show
Sun 21 June - 'Join comedian Kate Hammer as she tests three hilarious comics on their general knowledge and ability to keep up as the show descends into glorious chaos. With panelist comedians Jodie Sloan, Gareth Mutch, and Ryan Cullen. Prizes for audience too!'
4pm to 6pm | The Stand Comedy Club, EH1 3EB | £12, £10 concession - More details here, shared by Heather Kondak Ross, Get Your Goat Comedy.
👀 Looking ahead to next week:
🤝 The Open Door's Big Give Week returns 22-29 June! ✨ Every donation will be doubled! ✨
Mon 22 June - 'The Open Door's Big Give Campaign offers a major fundraising opportunity to support its day care services in Morningside. From 22 to 29 June, all donations will be matched £ for £. So come for coffee&cake and book one of our special community events!'
10am to 4pm | The Open Door., EH10 5HY | On donation - More details here, shared by Anneli Lenica, The Open Door.
🎓 Mathematics and Physics: an entangled tango
Tue 23 June - 'Join the ICMS public talk by Prof Yang-Hui He on the intricate dance between theoretical physics and pure mathematics that has been unfolding over the centuries, focusing especially on contemporary developments such as string theory.'
6pm | Edinburgh Futures Institute, EH3 9EF | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🍝 Pasta Making Workshop
Tuesday 23 June - Learn how to make patterned pasta, considering how recipes are shared and hold significance to identity, family histories and social interaction! You will come away with a recipe card to be able to continue your pasta making after the workshop! ✨
6pm | Edinburgh Printmakers | More info here shared by Carla Smith + an Instagram video here showing a recent class.
🌊 Making It Heard : Delivering the Our Seas Petition to parliament
Tue 23 June - 'Over 16,000 people have now backed a petition, calling on the Scottish Government to deliver new protections for vital habitats and species in Scotland's inshore waters. Join us to hand in the petition to government.'
11am to 2pm | Scottish Parliament Building, EH99 1SP | FREE - More details here, shared by Liam Kirkaldy, Our Seas.
📚 Pulitzer Prize-winning author Andrew Sean Greer
Wed 24 June - 'Andrew Sean Greer has written the perfect summer read and he's coming to Portobello to tell us more! 'Villa Coco' is a coming-of-age novel, a love story and a tale of life-enhancing friendship. Join us for wit, warmth and great conversation.'
7pm to 8pm | The Portobello Bookshop, EH15 1DA - More details here, shared by The Portobello Bookshop.
🎶 Free Concert - Edinburgh Police Choir perform with Cappella Cantorum, USA
Wed 24 June - 'Transatlantic harmony! American choir meets Scottish voices-folk, spirituals, pop & classical with piano. Join us!'
7pm to 8.15pm | Augustine United Church, EH1 1EL | FREE - More details here, shared by Valda Kampf, Encore.
🎨 Postcard Painting with Eve Tong
Wed 24 June - 'Join us for a relaxed, creative session where you'll turn your favourite memories into beautiful, hand-painted postcards to keep (or share).'
7pm to 9pm | The Pend, EH1 1RW | £20 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧓 Wee Museum Thursday Group [Every Thursday]
Thu 25 June - 'Free activity each week with reminiscence worker Joyce. Ideal for meeting new folk if you're in the senior bracket! Refreshments included.'
11am to 12pm | Wee Museum of Memory, EH6 6JJ | FREE - More details here, shared by The Living Memory Association.
🤸 Walk and activities for children and families
Fri 26 June - 'We will walk, play, do an art activity related to local history, and learn about nature too. Starting and ending at the Granton Hub / Madelvic House. All welcome.'
2.30pm to 4pm | Madelvic House, EH5 1HS | Free / Donation - More details here, shared by Tamsin Grainger, Granton Hub.