Scottish Conservatives accuse John Swinney of wasting taxpayers’ money as Scotland’s £28 schoolbag scheme for 47,000 Primary 1 pupils faces value-for-money scrutiny

Parks shut as 50mph gusts forecast, outdoor ice rink axed after 30 years, £2.7m free schoolbag contract row + Patina Bakery named Scotland’s Best Croissant

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A Saudi airstrike killed this Yemeni father’s entire family. He found his little daughter’s schoolbag in the rubble—she had just come home from school. Now, he is left with nothing but unbearable grie...

👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Tuesday's**Edinburgh Minute**. Subscribe for free or upgrade here 🌦️ **Today's weather forecast** : Gusts are forecast to hit 50mph today and light showers are expected throughout the day. The wind will be at its strongest around 11am, lowering throughout the afternoon. A Met Office yellow weather warning for strong winds is in place until 9pm. Tomorrow's maximum gust is due to be 37mph and by Thursday the rain should hold off for a day or so. - The full Met Office forecast for Edinburgh is here. 🌅 **Sunrise** : 7.09am. **Sunset** : 4.43pm. ⛔️ The council has **shut Princes Street Gardens, Lauriston Castle Grounds and Saughton Winter** **Gardens** today due to high winds. ⛸️ Plans for the city's outdoor **winter ice rink** on George Street have been scrapped. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald. Meanwhile the Big Wheel went up in a day. 🇵🇸 Local **Scottish Green Party MSP** Kate Nevens posted a video to social media last night saying she had spent the day '_being detained and interrogated by Israeli forces and denied entry to Palestine_ ': "_They don't want us to see what's happening in Palestine_." - Video here. * Nevens had been attempting to enter the West Bank via Jordan, reports Xander Elliards in The National. 🎒 Opposition politicians have criticised a £2.7m Scottish Government contract given to Edinburgh-based firm APS to provide**free school bags** for primary one pupils. It's reported that the bags are manufactured in China. The Scottish Government insisted the '_high-quality bag is part of our wider work to remove barriers for all_ '. - Craig Paton, Press Association, in the Evening News + Chris McCall, Daily Record + Jody Harrison, The Herald. * "_Which Edinburgh-based PR firm? Well, the same one that got the baby boxes contract_." - James McEnaney in The Herald. 🚧 A collective of community groups have written a joint letter to the council calling for accelerated action on the closed **Powderhall Footbridge** in St Mark's Park. - More details in the Broughton Spurtle. COMMUNITY COUNCILS CALL FOR ACCELERATED ACTION ON POWDERHALL FOOTBRIDGE | Broughton SpurtleAs reported here on 20 October, Leith Central Community Council and New Town & Broughton Community Council are dissatisfied with Edinburgh Council's closure and subsequent management of Powderhall Footbridge.This morning, they jointly published an open letter to the top official and elected members concerned: Gareth Barwell (Corporate Director of Place), Cllr Margaret Graham (Convener, Culture & Communities Committee) and Cllr Stephen Jenkinson (CBroughton Spurtle 🎓 '_Departing**Edinburgh uni** boss says he’s committed to the job – but still won’t say what his second role pays_' - Paul Dobson, The Ferret. 💥 Organisers of last weekend's **Comic Con Scotland** event have blamed overcrowding issues on its Ingliston venue, saying: "_We've always had a challenge with the transition between the halls_." - There are many scathing comments from attendees in the comments section of this post. 🎵 After 43 years in business, the owner of **_Vinyl Villains_** has announced the Elm Row record shop will close in January. - There are some funny quotes in this Evening News report by Jack Davies. > Ach! Always gold in those racks… https://t.co/8vG86dB2hJ > > — Ian Rankin (@Beathhigh) October 26, 2026 🏃‍♀️ More than 300 people took part in a new weekly free 5k **parkrun** at the **_Lost Shore Surf Resort_** near Ratho at the weekend. Find out more about the Lost Shore parkrun here. It's scheduled for 9.30am every Saturday. 🥐 **_Patina Bakery_** of Edinburgh Park near the Gyle won the third annual Scotland’s Best Croissant competition at the Balmoral hotel yesterday. - Clips from the event are on Instagram and you can find out more about Patina here. Subscribe for free or upgrade here * * * ## 📌 **Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard** **🏠 Inside an Edinburgh Flat That Spent 40 Years as an Office** - _'Rafaela Taylor’s Hanover Street flat is in the oldest surviving double-bowed tenement in the New Town, and for 40 years it was an office. She spent a decade turning it back into a home, and now that it’s for sale, leaving feels a bit like a breakup.'_ - More details here, shared by NOSTALGIA. **🏔️ Always Forward Together – A team effort to raise money for Charity** - _'Gerry Crabbe’s daily Edinburgh hill climbs in October support Chris McIntosh and Jeff Tate’s 100-mile Blue Ridge Mountains challenge in 10kg vests. Both raise funds and awareness for Stop Soldier Suicide. Follow Always Forward Together on Instagram.'_ - More details here, shared by Always Forward Together. **📝 UK's largest disabled access survey open** - _'Make your voice heard in the 2026 Euan's Guide Access Survey, the UK’s largest of its kind. The survey takes around 30 minutes to complete. Most questions are multiple choice, with the option to tell us more throughout. (Deadline: 01 Dec)'_ - More details here, shared by Christina Miller, Euan's Guide. **🏙️ Do you live in the Old Town? If so, how do you find tourism?** - _'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. **💆‍♀️ Gift a Massage for Christmas 🎄** - _'Treat yourself or a loved one to a massage this holiday season. 15% OFF all 75 min and 90 min massages.**Just mention Edinburgh Minute** in the booking note!'_ - More details here, shared by Kim Davidson, Davidson Massage. **🎄 Cards for Good Causes Christmas Card Shop** [Until 17 Dec] **Today, Tue 27 October** - _'The Cards for Good Causes charity Christmas card shop is selling cards for over 50 local and national charities, plus Advent calendars and candles, a range of Christmas gifts plus everything to wrap them in! Please see cardsforcharity.co.uk for more'_ 10am to 4pm | St John's Church · West End | FREE - More details here, shared by Jan Fisher, Cards for Good Causes. **🖼️ Various Out of Sight Out of Mind Exhibition Celebrations Tomorrow, Wed 28 October** - _'Join all or one - an evening celebration, art making or a film and chat. All part of the 14th Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition presenting artworks made by 300 people with experience of mental health issues. Gather to celebrate. Everyone welcome.'_ 10am to 7pm | Summerhall · Southside | FREE - More details here, shared by Pam van de Brug, CAPS Independent Advocacy. **🌍 Friends of the Earth Edinburgh re-launch Tomorrow, Wed 28 October** - _'Come along to the re-launch meeting of Friends of the Earth Edinburgh! If you are interested in organising for climate justice in Edinburgh, come along to the meeting to identify and campaign on the issues that matter locally. Everyone welcome!'_ 7pm to 9pm | Thorn House | Ethical Property · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader. **🏳️‍🌈 Edinburgh Queer Coworking Thu 29 October** - _'Join other LGBTQ folks this Thursday in Leith for a relaxed friendly coworking space. Drinks, bakes and snacks available all day...'_ 10am to 5pm | Duncan Place Community Hub · Leith - More details here, shared by Katie, Queer Coworking. **🖼️ Art Sale** **Thu 29 October** - _'Come and browse while supporting Christian Aid Th/Fr 12-5, Sat 10-4. Art to suit all tastes and pockets including Richard Hamilton, Eduardo Paolozzi, Alan Davie, Paul Neagu, Joan Musgrave, Lucinda Mackay, David Roberts, James Fairgreave, Ken Lochhead'_ 12pm to 5pm | Edinburgh New Town Church · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh New Town Church. **🎹 Lunchtime recital Thu 29 October** - _'A short recital with atmospheric organ and electronics by Michael Bonaventure.'_ 1pm to 2pm | Barclay Viewforth Church of Scotland · Bruntsfield | FREE - More details here, shared by Julie Nicholson, Barclay Viewforth Church. **🎃 Haunted Houseplant Bingo Thu 29 October** - _'In need of sober Halloween plans? Join us for a haunted version of Houseplant Bingo! We'll have special Halloween mocktails, treat bags, and a prize for best dressed. Show up solo or bring your ghoul friends.'_ 6pm to 8pm | Fir Espresso Bar · Tollcross | £5 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader. **🧶 Crochet course** [Every Thursday] **Thu 29 October** - _'Come along for a relaxed, friendly crochet class where you can learn a new skill, get creative and enjoy some mindful making.'_ 6.30pm to 8.30pm | Portobello Art School · Portobello | £120 for 7 weeks - More details here, shared by Emily Mason, Portobello Art School. **🌸 Festival of Flowers** [Until Sun] **Fri 30 October** - _'A Festival of Flowers in support of the "Tour de 4" Cycle Event set up by Sir Chris Hoy. Proceeds will be shared between five cancer charities i.e. Prostate Cancer UK, Breast Cancer Now, Maggie's, Cure Leukaemia and Macmillan Cancer Support.'_ 10am to 6pm | Blackhall St. Columba's Church · Silverknowes & Blackhall | FREE - More details here, shared by Blackhall St Columba's Church, Edinburgh. **🌱 Meet the Scientists Fri 30 October** - _'Join the second in our series of talks where experts delve into their specialist area of grassland research. Come along to hear from Anya Courtenay, one of our grassy scientists whose research focuses on underground trees in grasslands and savannas.'_ 2pm to 2.30pm | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - West Gate · Inverleith | Free - More details here, shared by Creative Programmes, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. **🌍 Moral Ambition Edinburgh Social Fri 30 October** - _'Looking for ambitious, driven, socially-conscious friends? We are starting an Edinburgh circle of the Moral Ambition group to connect those wanting to make a difference in the world. Join us for our first social this Friday.'_ 6pm to 8pm | The Kenilworth · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Alexander Heavens. **🍷 Red Wines & Cheese Canapes - An Autumnal Tasting Evening Fri 30 October** - _'On request Clare and Catherine are hosting a red wine tasting accompanied by cheese based canapes! Come and try seven delicious red wines served with gorgeous cheese canapes. Event will be held in the lovely Rising Tide basement venue, Below Deck.'_ 7pm to 10pm | Rising Tide Cafe · Portobello | 45 - More details here, shared by Rising Tide Cafe. **👻 HALLOWEEN COFFEE RAVE Brioche x Cortino x DJ Latte Sat 31 October** - _'70's & 80's Hard House - Funk & Disco Costumes/fancy dress welcome! Tickets get you an Iced Whisky Barrel Late and PRIZE FOR BEST DRESSED! 10B Queensferry Street, West End EH2 4PG 10am-12pm SATURDAY 31st OF OCTOBER TICKETS AVAILABLE ON SKIDDLE'_ 10am to 12pm | Queensferry Street (Stop QE) · West End | From £7 - More details here, shared by Brioche Coffee Limited. **🌳 Friends of Princes Street Gardens: First Walkabout Sat 31 October** - _'The First Friends' Exploratory Walkabout of Princes Street Gardens will be on Saturday, 31 Oct/10.00 - from the Scott Monument. All welcome: members, prospective members, residents and tourists! No booking needed - only brightly-coloured scarves.'_ 10am to 11.30am | Scott Monument · New Town | FREE - More details here, shared by Friends of Princes Street Gardens. **✨ Remedies for Darker Days Sat 31 October** - _'It's Samhuinn at the Community Wellbeing Collective! Celebrate with art, music, storytelling, good food, and good folk. Build magical inflatable sculptures, get tips and tricks on staying well through the winter, and relax beside a real outdoor fire!'_ 12pm to 5pm | The Community Wellbeing Space · Wester Hailes | FREE - More details here, shared by The Community Wellbeing Space. **🕯️ Edinburgh's Witches, Warlocks & the Wakeful Dead: A Hallowe'en Walk Sat 31 October** - _'Walk Edinburgh's Old Town from dusk into dark with a gothic novelist, through witch trials, gallows, resurrections, fae folklore and a warlock who volunteered. Tarot card in hand, we finish by saying the names of the women history burned.'_ 3.30pm to 5pm | The Witches Well · Old Town | £28 - More details here, shared by Melanie Frome. **📚 Kit's No Homework Bookclub** [Monthly] **Tue 03 November** - _'Every month, the Book club decides on a new topic and everyone brings a related book to talk about. So, no homework as in you don't need to read a specific book! This month's topic is 'An author/book you couldn't put down'. We hope to see you there!'_ 6pm to 8pm | Edinburgh Community Bookshop · Leith | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Community Bookshop. **🌟 'Touching Light' Photography Exhibition Wed 04 November** - _'Exhibition by blind photographer Rosita McKenzie exploring blind imagination and the immediacy of sight through abstract light images. Tactile elements and image descriptions invite audiences to challenge perceptions and experience art differently.'_ 7pm to 10pm | Summerhall · Southside | FREE - More details here, shared by Rosita Mckenzie. **🎶 Jazz Concert with Levi Harvey Trio Fri 06 November** - _'Experience the Levi Harvey Trio, a new force on the Parisian jazz scene! Levi Harvey (piano), Cyril Drapé (double bass), and Pierre-Eden Guilbaud (drums) explore modern jazz, drawing inspiration from musicians such as Keith Jarrett and Robert Glasper'_ 7pm to 8pm | French Institute of Scotland · Old Town - More details here, shared by Institut français d'Écosse. **💜 Breaking the Silence Sat 07 November** - _'Raising awareness of domestic abuse with speakers from Edinburgh Women's Aid, Scottish Violence Reduction Unit and other agencies committed to ending domestic abuse, supporting survivors and creating safer communities. Please join our discussion.'_ 9.30am to 12.30pm | Edinburgh Greenbank Parish Church of Scotland · Morningside | FREE - More details here, shared by Greenbank Church. **🚴‍♀️ Introduction to Bikepacking Course - Alpkit x with Ana Norrie-Toch** **Tue 10 November** - _'Whether you're bikepacking-curious, held back by questions, unsure about kit choices and looking for a supportive space? This is for you! After three successful rounds, Ana is back at Alpkit Edinburgh with her Introduction to Bikepacking.'_ 6pm to 8pm | Alpkit Edinburgh · Southside | £39 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader. Intro to Bikepacking with Ana @ Alpkit Edinburgh - 10th and 11th NovemberJoin Ana at Alpkit Edinburgh for a fun intro to bikepacking and gear tips!Eventbrite **📚 Fairytale Fabulous: An Evening with Ry Herman Tue 17 November** - _'Bookshop fave Ry Herman is back with another epic quest and they are funnier than ever - join us for the Edinburgh launch of This Knight Topples Empires! Come for the silliness, stay for a story that's bursting with heart.'_ 7pm to 8pm | Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop · Old Town | £0 or £16.99 w/ book - More details here, shared by a Minute reader. Remember you can see all **275+** upcoming local events on TownSpot calendars and maps. Thanks to everyone who shares their things! Get in touch here 📮 * * * ## **👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:** 1. 🏰 Politicians condemn far-right demonstration outside Edinburgh Castle. 2. 🌊 Water of Leith above 1m 'for the first time in many months'. 3. 💡 Scottish Power's power cuts map. 4. 🛬 Planes wobble on approach to airport. 5. ⛸️ The 'other' painting of skating on Duddingston Loch. * * * ⏰ _Thanks for reading edition number**1,025.**_ 📬 _Free subscribers:_**34,000 _+._** 📲 _Visits generated for local news sources:**5,000,000+**. _ 👍 The Edinburgh Minute only exists **thanks to voluntary subscribers**. Please consider chipping in for a fiver a month to help keep it ticking over. It's even cheaper when you buy an annual subscription. You'll get bonus content, the city's best events guides and exclusive investigative journalism. Thanks. Subscribe for free or upgrade here

A girl walks alone through the rubble, carrying her schoolbag as Israeli tank fire and aircraft strike nearby in Gaza. She crosses hundreds of meters of destroyed homes, exposed to the immediate danger of being killed, just to reach her classroom.

Myriam was a 7-year-old French Jewish girl. She witnessed a terrorist break into her school and kill two of her classmates. She tried to run but tripped while grabbing her schoolbag, causing her bal...

Myriam was a 7-year-old French Jewish girl. She witnessed a terrorist break into her school and kill two of her classmates. She tried to run but tripped while grabbing her schoolbag, causing her ballet slippers to fall out. She stopped to pick them up. He chased her and grabbed her by the hair, s…

Myriam was a 7-year-old French Jewish girl. She witnessed a terrorist break into her school and kill two of her classmates. She tried to run but tripped while grabbing her schoolbag, causing her ballet slippers to fall out. She stopped to pick them up. He chased her and grabbed her by the hair, s…

THIS WAS NO ACCIDENT: Myriam was a 7-year-old French Jewish girl. She witnessed a terrorist break into her school and kill two of her classmates. She tried to run but tripped while grabbing her schoolbag, causing her ballet slippers to fall out. She stopped to pick them up. He chased her and grabbed… https://t.co/tJZAegpdby pic.twitter.com/dQz8EFGXeA […]

Myriam was a 7-year-old French Jewish girl. She witnessed a terrorist break into her school and kill two of her classmates. She tried to run but tripped while grabbing her schoolbag, causing her ballet slippers to fall out. She stopped to pick them up. He chased her and grabbed her by the hair, s…

SAFA — Fourteen-year-old Mohammed Riyad Abu Hamad had just returned from school. He was still wearing his school uniform, his backpack remained on his shoulders, and his notebooks were with him when a

Myriam was a 7-year-old French Jewish girl. She witnessed a terrorist break into her school and kill two of her classmates. She tried to run but tripped while grabbing her schoolbag, causing her ballet slippers to fall out. She stopped to pick them up. He chased her and grabbed her by the hair, s…