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  "description": "Council tax could rise again, Corstorphine carpark tragedy, airport boss jets off + 'find treasures' at Leith clothes swap",
  "path": "/the-edinburgh-minute-thursday-19-february-2026/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-19T07:02:58.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.edinburghminute.com",
  "tags": [
    "Subscribe for free or upgrade here",
    "BBC Scotland News",
    "STV News",
    "The Herald",
    "Edinburgh Live",
    "Midlothian View",
    "The Edinburgh Reporter",
    "agenda papers are here",
    "The police appeal is here",
    "BBC Scotland has video from the scene here",
    "The airport published more details here",
    "Scott Wright, The Herald",
    "More details via Social Bite",
    "_you’re welcome to submit yours here_",
    "**A flippin’ good run!**",
    "Popped Cork",
    "The Round-Up: Issue #8Keeping you up-to-date with what’s going on in Edinburgh’s bars and restaurants.POPPED CORKPOPPED CORK",
    "31 different paid positions available in Edinburgh now and a multitude of voluntary positions",
    "More details and limited free tickets are here",
    "More details here",
    "**In this week's Culture Minute**",
    "Edinburgh Culture Minute 🪩 18 - 24 February 2026£172k available for local creative events, three Japan-inspired vinyl listening bars, The Streets at the Corn Exchange + win lunch with George ClooneyThe Edinburgh MinuteMichael MacLeod",
    "Please get in touch using this form",
    "More details here, shared by Lawrence Marshall, Capital Rail Action Group.",
    "More details here, shared by Victoria Plutshack, IWD Edinburgh.",
    "More details here, shared by Stan Reeves.",
    "More details here.",
    "Ashes to splashes: evening talkDetails Date: February 19 Time: 07:30 pm - 09:30 pm Event Category: Edinburgh and Lothians, Lothians Group Organizer Lothians Group Venue The Cornerstone Centre at St John’s Church Princes StreetEdinburgh, …Scottish Wildlife Trust",
    "More details here, shared by Tomás Vega Roulet.",
    "More details here, shared by Kadampa Meditation Centre.",
    "More details here, shared by Indy Jasmin, Stitches & Bitches.",
    "More details here, shared by Ruth munro, Edinburgh Fermentation.",
    "**Leith Community Centre - Edinburgh SOUP**",
    "Edinburgh Soup No2 LEITH COMMUNITY CENTREEdinburgh CanB Soup is about supporting ideas and collaboration with good food and good people. Vote for a great project to make a differenceHumanitix logo",
    "More details here, shared by Scottish Chamber Orchestra.",
    "**Edinburgh Qigong Classes at the Salisbury Centre**",
    "More details here, shared by Debi Pirie.",
    "****@****_****debipirieart****_****on Instagram****",
    "More details here, shared by Romeo & Juliet.",
    "More details here, shared by CLAY.",
    "**Netwalking in Holyrood Park for people working to create places and planet where people and nature can thrive**",
    "Netwalking: Talking ResilienceWorking for social and environmental change? Connect with your peers and discuss the role of resilience in creating a Scotland where people and nature thrive.Humanitix logo",
    "More details here, shared by Rebecca Jo-Rushdy, Spark Joy & Flow.",
    "****@firstclassfootballshirts on Instagram****",
    "_Please share your local news and events here_",
    "Questions over University of Edinburgh staff vehicles",
    "Mini-documentary: 'Inside Eliza’s Beautifully Cluttered Home",
    "Inside new 'Parliament Arms' pub opposite Scottish Parliament",
    "planning docs here",
    "Plan for city police drone team",
    "Writer Ian Rankin plots Rebus return",
    "tip jar",
    "💚 Tip jar 💚",
    "@debipirieart._"
  ],
  "textContent": "🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Thursday's**Edinburgh Minute**.\n\nSubscribe for free or upgrade here\n\n💰 Council tax could be going up again. Councillors will vote on proposed new rates at a special budget meeting next week. It went up 8% last year and **could go up 5% from April** if plans are approved.\n\n  * The proposed increases are:\n    * Band A: £1,042.34 to £1,094.46 per year\n    * Band B: £1,216.06 to £1,276.86\n    * Band C: £1,389.79 to £1,459.28\n    * Band D: £1,563.51 to £1,641.69\n    * Band E: £2,054.28 to £2,156.99\n    * Band F: £2,540.70 to £2,667.74\n    * Band G: £3,061.87 to £3,214.96\n    * Band H: £3,830.60 to £4,022.13.\n  * There's coverage by Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan on: BBC Scotland News, STV News, The Herald, Edinburgh Live, Midlothian View and The Edinburgh Reporter.\n  * The council budget meeting agenda papers are here, including opposition parties' proposed alternative budgets.\n\n\n\n* * *\n\n🚑 Police are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage after a **66-year-old man was fatally struck by a vehicle** outside the Tesco Extra supermarket in Corstorphine yesterday morning. - The police appeal is here.\n⮑ An air ambulance was involved in the emergency response and landed in the car park. - BBC Scotland has video from the scene here.\n\n✈️ Longstanding **Edinburgh Airport** Chief Executive Gordon Dewar has announced he'll step down at the end of 2026 after 14 years in the job. - The airport published more details here.\n\n🍽️ The owner of Glasgow’s _Horseshoe Bar_ is taking over the former Charwood Bar and Grill on **Buckstone Terrace**. - Scott Wright, The Herald.\n\n⭐️ Hollywood star **George Clooney** is continuing his support of the Social Bite charity. Having visited its Rose Street cafe in 2015, now the actor and humanitarian is helping raise money for the homelessness charity by offering to have lunch with competition winners. - More details via Social Bite.\n\n* * *\n\n### ✌️ Better news\n\n>  _This section aims to include**better news** from all over Edinburgh. It’s a wide range of things, and as always _ _you’re welcome to submit yours here_ _. My hope is that it inspires more civic pride and community spirit, new plans in your calendar and a few smiles or laughs along the way._\n\n**🏃****A flippin’ good run!** - '_Thank you to nearly 100 runners who took part in the Shrove Tues 5K at The Meadows, raising £125 for Youth Vision in the Pentlands following their break in. Join us on the 17th March for our St Patrick’s Day 5K, raising funds for The Scran Academy.'_ - Thanks to Catriona Bruce from Blast Running for sharing this.\n\n🍸 Keeping you up-to-date with what's going on in Edinburgh's **bars and restaurants** , the latest edition of _Popped Cork_ has news on the **Edinburgh Bar Show** and the **Cork & Cask Summer Fair**, as well as local hospitality jobs and deals. - Popped Cork.\n\nThe Round-Up: Issue #8Keeping you up-to-date with what’s going on in Edinburgh’s bars and restaurants.POPPED CORKPOPPED CORK\n\n  * ⮑ There are also **more local jobs** on the weekly Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network noticeboard: 31 different paid positions available in Edinburgh now and a multitude of voluntary positions.\n\n\n\n🖼️ Painter and printmaker **Jenny Martin** has been announced as the next monthly ** _CreativeMornings_** speaker. It's on Friday 27 February (from 8.30am) at the Royal Scottish Academy building, where Jenny will share insight into how the 145th Open Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour has come together. - More details and limited free tickets are here.\n\n🏰 A series of events has been announced to celebrate 100 years since **Lauriston Castle** was gifted to the public, including a murder mystery where guests can use their sleuthing skills to uncover the culprit. - More details here.\n\n🪩 **In this week's Culture Minute**: £172k available for local creative events, three Japan-inspired vinyl listening bars + win lunch with George Clooney.\n\nEdinburgh Culture Minute 🪩 18 - 24 February 2026£172k available for local creative events, three Japan-inspired vinyl listening bars, The Streets at the Corn Exchange + win lunch with George ClooneyThe Edinburgh MinuteMichael MacLeod\n\n* * *\n\n### 📌 **Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard**\n\n⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.\n\n**🗣️ The Edinburgh Suburban and Southside Junction Railway (the 'South Sub')\nToday, Thu 19 February** - _An illustrated talk on Edinburgh's 'South Sub' rail line - by railway author Kenneth G Williamson._\n7pm to 8.30pm | The Quaker Meeting House, EH1 2JL | FREE - More details here, shared by Lawrence Marshall, Capital Rail Action Group.\n\n**🎸 Fundraiser for Edinburgh's International Women's Day March\nToday, Thu 19 February** - _Join us for a riotous night of bands and poetry to raise funds to run this year's International Women's Day March in Edinburgh, featuring Sheila at the Pound Shop, Fistymuffs, Cici, and poet Azra with Mega Raffle! Everyone is welcome._\n7pm to 10pm | Leith Depot, EH6 5DT - More details here, shared by Victoria Plutshack, IWD Edinburgh.\n\n**☕ Tea Ceilidhs** [Weekly]\n**Today, Thu 19 February** - _A live band will call Scots ceilidh dances and a few others. the venue has a cafe for tea, scones and cake. A friendy sociable crowd. Music by Stan Reeves and friends._\n2pm to 3.45pm | Marchmont St. Giles’ Parish Church, EH9 2DW | £6 on the door - More details here, shared by Stan Reeves.\n\n**🪿 Scottish Wildlife Trust talk about creation of Levenhall Links and Musselburgh Lagoons nature reserve\nToday, Thu 19 February** - _Wildlife talk from East Lothian ranger about the development of the Musselburgh lagoons from ash dump to nature reserve and how this is managed today. No booking required and no charge to attend. Doors open 7:15pm._\n7.30pm to 9.30pm | Cornerstone Centre, St John's Church, Princes Street, EH1 2EP | FREE - More details here.\n\nAshes to splashes: evening talkDetails Date: February 19 Time: 07:30 pm - 09:30 pm Event Category: Edinburgh and Lothians, Lothians Group Organizer Lothians Group Venue The Cornerstone Centre at St John’s Church Princes StreetEdinburgh, …Scottish Wildlife Trust\n\n**🎤 Tango Evening Fundraiser starring CARLOS ROULET\nSat 21 February** - _Fourth-year Edinburgh Napier students are organising a fundraiser this Saturday to help fund their graduation films. Spend the evening listening to renowned Argentine Tango singer Carlos Roulet while supporting local students. More info via the link!_\n7pm to 8.30pm | Morningside United Church, EH10 4DH | Tickets from £5 - More details here, shared by Tomás Vega Roulet.\n\n**🎨 'Drawing Buddha' Art Workshop\nSun 22 February** - _Sun 22 Feb: 10.30am-1.30pm The Art of Enlightenment Workshop with Buddhist Nun, Gen Tubchen. Try a creative way to calm your mind, increase your focus, & feel inspired! Enjoy a special workshop drawing the peaceful face of Buddha; no experience req._\n10.30am to 1.30pm | Kadampa Meditation Centre Edinburgh, EH6 5EA | £25 (incl materials) - More details here, shared by Kadampa Meditation Centre.\n\n**🧵 Stitches & Bitches** [Weekly]\n**Sun 22 February** - _Calling Edinburgh craft lovers, you're welcome to stitching club Stitches & Bitches ! This group was created for people to get together and have a good ol' stitch wether that be crotchet, knitting or cross stitching._\n12.30pm to 3.30pm | Biblos, EH1 1HR | FREE - More details here, shared by Indy Jasmin, Stitches & Bitches.\n\n**🍷 Kimchi and Kraut Workshop\nSun 22 February** - _Learn to ferment your vegetables into delicious kimchi and a custom kraut using your favourite herbs and spices. This fun class will demystify fermentation for you. We'll be tasting fermented foods and kombucha. Discount code EMdiscount_\n1pm to 3pm | Leith Pilates, EH6 6AY | 25% off on Sun 22nd - More details here, shared by Ruth munro, Edinburgh Fermentation.\n\n🍜 “Wednesday 25th Feb, 6.30pm **Leith Community Centre - Edinburgh SOUP**. _Come for a bowl of soup, live music and hear from brilliant small local projects doing something positive for Edinburgh. The audience votes and the winning idea takes home the ticket money to help make it happen_.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Can B for sharing this.\n\nEdinburgh Soup No2 LEITH COMMUNITY CENTREEdinburgh CanB Soup is about supporting ideas and collaboration with good food and good people. Vote for a great project to make a differenceHumanitix logo\n\n**🎶 Nicola Benedetti plays Mendelssohn with the SCO\nThu 26 February** - _Join Scotland's favourite violinist Nicola Benedetti as she joins conductor Maxim Emelyanychev and the SCO for Mendelssohn's exhilarating Violin Concerto. Limited tickets available._\n7pm to 10pm | The Usher Hall, EH1 2EA | From £15 - U18s FREE - More details here, shared by Scottish Chamber Orchestra.\n\n📌 “Thursday 26 February, 6.30-7.30pm: **Edinburgh Qigong Classes at the Salisbury Centre**. _Join Chris on Thursday evenings to learn and practice the gentle, rhythmic movements and exercises of Zhineng Qigong. To book message Chris on 07760665597.__chriscatcune21@yahoo.com_” - Thanks to Chris Watkins of Edinburgh Qigong Classes for sharing this.\n\n**🤝 Leith Clothes Swap\nSat 28 February** - _Leith Clothes Swap is a free event for thrifty folks to find a new-to-you wardrobe or to donate one! Drop your decluttered, life-left clothes off or just come by to find a treasure. There will also be home baking and some local art from @debipirieart._\n1pm to 4pm | Leith Depot, EH6 5DT | FREE - More details here, shared by Debi Pirie.\n\n****@****_****debipirieart****_****on Instagram********.****\n\n**👑 This Is Not A Tragedy Drag Show\nSat 28 February** - _Part cabaret, part party, part social, the night is designed to feel warm, welcoming, and easy to be in. Expect drag hosting and performances, music and dancing, and plenty of space to talk, laugh, and connect without pressure._\n8pm to 12am | The Wee Red Bar, EH3 9DF - More details here, shared by Romeo & Juliet.\n\n**🍷 CLAY: Amphora Wine Fair\nSun 01 March** - _CLAY: Amphora Wine Fair is back for 2026. To welcome the start of spring on Sunday, 1st March from 12-5pm we're transforming Stockbridge's Sotto Enoteca & Trattoria into a showcase of over 100 amphora wines. Ticket includes clay cup (valued at £22)._\n11am to 5pm | Sotto Enoteca & Trattoria, EH4 1LY | £28 (+ fee) - More details here, shared by CLAY.\n\n🥾 “Thursday 5 March. **Netwalking in Holyrood Park for people working to create places and planet where people and nature can thrive**. _Discover what others are doing; be part of a growing community of practice; slow down, reflect and reconnect in nature. Our conversation topic is ‘resilience’_.” - Thanks to Osbert Lancaster, Host of the Thrivable Scotland podcast, for sharing this.\n\nNetwalking: Talking ResilienceWorking for social and environmental change? Connect with your peers and discuss the role of resilience in creating a Scotland where people and nature thrive.Humanitix logo\n\n**🧘🏻‍♀️ Flow & Connect: A Hot Yoga Social for Singles\nSun 08 March** - _A curated hot yoga experience for singles who want to meet naturally. Enjoy a 50-minute guided hot yoga class (all levels), then relaxed mingling with healthy snacks and drinks. No speed dating - just movement, good energy, and organic connection. 💘_\n7pm to 9pm | Hotpod Yoga Edinburgh Haymarket, EH11 1AF - More details here, shared by Romeo & Juliet.\n\n**✨ ️ From Clutter to Clarity - Decluttering as a Spiritual Practice (3-week course)\nThu 12 March** - _Beginning 12 March: A three-week spiritual decluttering journey at The Salisbury Centre. Drawing on the KonMari Method® and Swedish Death Cleaning, explore how mindful clearing can create space in your home - and in your inner life._\n1.30pm to 3.30pm | The Salisbury Centre, EH16 5AB | £95 - More details here, shared by Rebecca Jo-Rushdy, Spark Joy & Flow.\n\n⚽️ “Sunday 22nd March. _An affordable**6-a-side football tournament** organised by First Class Football Shirts. £100 entry. Cash prizes._” - Thanks to Zavian Khalil from First Class Football Shirts for sharing this.\n\n****@firstclassfootballshirts on Instagram********.****\n\n_**📮 Anything missing? Or an event to share? Nothing's too local!** __Please share your local news and events here_ _._\n\n* * *\n\n### **👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:**\n\n  1. 🎓 Questions over University of Edinburgh staff vehicles.\n  2. 🪴 Mini-documentary: 'Inside Eliza’s Beautifully Cluttered Home.\n  3. 🍺 Inside new 'Parliament Arms' pub opposite Scottish Parliament + the planning docs here.\n  4. 🚔 Plan for city police drone team.\n  5. 📘 Writer Ian Rankin plots Rebus return.\n\n\n\n* * *\n\n> Don’t want to subscribe but still keen to show your support? Please like this post or put a coin/note into the tip jar below. It all helps keep the Minute ticking over. Thanks!\n\n💚 Tip jar 💚\n\n⏰ _Thanks for reading edition number**845.**_\n📬 _Free subscribers:**28,500+.**_\n📲 _Visits generated for local news sources:**2,000,000+**. _\n\n👍 The Edinburgh Minute only exists **thanks to voluntary subscribers**. Please consider chipping in for a fiver a month to ensure it continues. The community spirit behind this newsletter is real. Your support makes Edinburgh a better place.\n\nSubscribe for free or upgrade here\n\n* * *",
  "title": "The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 19 February 2026",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-19T07:02:58.000Z"
}