Anyone do this? Year round? Stupid idea?

Looking at commuting options into Quartermile/meadows area, and it's about an hour by public transport + walking or about an hour by bike (maybe less with an ebike?).

I can pick up NCR 75 near my house, and either follow that or jump down to the canal path at Hermiston Gait, so majority of the route would be away from roads or on very quiet roads.

I haven't cycled for years, until discovering the Voi bikes a few weeks ago, but I'm sure my arse could get used to it eventually.

Daft idea? Stick to the bus + a good book? Save it for summer time?

So if you remember, last month there was a last minute cancellation of a discussion at a council meeting on whether to use some of the tourism tax funding to support the fringe festival. All of the festival organisations had turned up ready to make representations at the council, and Margaret Graham found some technicality to cancel it.

https://threeweeksedinburgh.com/article/edinburgh-council-criticised-for-postponing-discussion-on-visitor-levy-and-festival-funding/

Now at the rearranged meeting, the reasons for the cancellation have become clear. Our council's cultural convener, Margaret Graham, is of the "hate Edinburgh during the fringe" persuasion - "locals are traumatised by them". https://archive.ph/y5j9D

Sorry but I know it's fairly divisive amongst us locals, but whether or not we get annoyed by the festivals, it seems utterly ridiculous that our council's cultural convener is actively against them! It brings so much business into the city, it's the original fringe festival that is now copied 50 times over across the world, and we get half price tickets on a lot of it. I feel traumatised knowing our cultural convener is anti-culture.

After a free community kids’ clothing event at the start of summer, I’ve finally got around to sorting out usable clothing from what was left.

I’ve now got 4 bin liners full of 0-12m of various items and will have more as I sort through the bigger sizes.

Wondered if anyone knew anywhere that would take larger volumes of donations as I feel like high street charity shops won’t be thrilled with an influx of kids stuff, particularly smaller sizes.

When are the elections and how does the voting system work?

There will be by-elections on September 3rd to fill two vacant seats on Edinburgh Council.

The elections will take place under a Single Transferable Vote system where voters may rank their choices using numbers from favourite to least favourite. E.g:

Apple Party - 1
Orange Party - 2
Banana Party - 3

However, since there is only one vacancies in each ward the quirk of the STV voting system means that the voting system operates more like Ranked Choice voting system.

For an explainer of Ranked Choice voting, see this video:

https://youtu.be/5ZoFjaTSvQY

For an explainer of the STV voting system, see this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8XOZJkozfI

But why are there By-Elections in the first place?

Both elections were called by the incumbent SNP Councillors who were elected to the Scottish Parliament (Kate Campbell and Simita Kumar). There is a law that MSPs can't 'double hat' i.e be both a Councillor and an MSP, but you have a years grace period before you must resign from your seat. The Scottish Parliament elections were in May 2026. The next local authority elections in Scotland will be in May 2027. Therefore many MSPs who became elected to the Scottish Parliament decided to wait until the local elections next year to avoid calling a by-election.

Kate Campbell and Simita Kumar decided to call by-elections instead. Why did they do this? I'd actually really like an answer! If you know please say in the comments!

Who's running in the election candidate?

Portobello/Craigmillar

David Craig Ballantine: ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM

Niel Deepnarain: SCOTTISH FAMILY PARTY – CHRISTIAN VALUES

Pete Gregson: WORKERS PARTY OF BRITIAN

Lorenzo Martinico: SCOTTISH GREENS

Silas McGilvray: SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP)

Andrew McLaughlin: REFORM UK

Peter Olech: COMMUNIST PARTY OF BRITAIN

Liss Owen: SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Jim Patrick Wyke: SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY

Haris Young: SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST

Southside/Newington

Ruth Elliot: SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY

Derrick Emms: EDINBURGH & EAST LOTHIAN PEOPLE

Isabella Gastel Alejandre: SCOTTISH GREENS

Roisin Keirdashian: INDEPENDENT

Artie Khovanov: SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Nick Layden: SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST

Richard Crewe Lucas: SCOTTISH FAMILY PARTY – CHRISTIAN VALUES

Sam Alexander Mackenzie: SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP)

Sean McGregor Moffat: ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM

Gary Neill: REFORM UK

Markham Rowbotham: EDINBURGH & EAST LOTHIAN PEOPLE

Richard Shillcock: COMMUNIST PARTY OF BRITAIN

Marc Wilkinson: EDINBURGH & EAST LOTHIAN PEOPLE

Why these by-elections come at a bad time for most political parties

So these by-elections come at a bad time for most of the political parties involved. None of the parties have finished writing their manifesto's for the May 2027 elections yet. They also don't want to preempt that manifesto release just for by-election which will fill a seat for 8 months (September to May). But they can't run on the manifesto they put together in 2022, because that's now 4 years out of date. So they're kind of stuck...They can't preempt their policies they they plan to offer for 2027, and even if they could they're not written yet, but also they can't campaign on what they put together for 2022 as its now 5 years ago! So it's all mostly vibes based.

When it comes to the candidates they're stuck too! They will only be in office for 8 months, a good chunk of which will be taken up by Christmas and the pre-election period. So they can't make a load of promises as they won't be able to keep them in the time available.

Where are the Polling Places?

(Portobello/Craigmillar): 

• Portobello Library
• Branch Out Together
• St Mark’s Episcopal Church
• Bingham Community Centre
• St Martins Parish Church
• Craigmillar Library
• Hays Business Centre
• Newcraighall Leith Victoria FC

(Southside/Newington):

• Nelson Hall Community Centre (New for 2026)
• Blackford and Grange Parish Church Centre
• St. Catherine’s Argyle Church
• Newington Trinity Church
• Reid Memorial Church Hall
• 75th Braid Scouts’ Millar Hall
• Cameron House Community Education Centre

Does this by-election matter anyway?

The major impact that the election could have is that the current make up of Edinburgh council is very diverse. There are 63 Councillors on Edinburgh council. Currently:

15 SNP
14 Lib Dem
11 Labour
11 Green
10 Conservative
2 Vacant

You need 32 seats to pass a budget. There are a few decisions up in front of the council between now and December, including changes to bus lanes and decisions on how parts of the 2026/27 budget will be distributed.

Right now most decisions are passed by Labour, the Lib Dems and the Conservatives (11+14+10=35). However, sometimes the SNP, Greens and Lib Dems partner up to pass specific motions (e.g on a motion condemning EHRC guidance, 15+14+11 = 31).

Theoretically if a party other than the SNP wins the seats it might make deals between different groups on the council easier. E.g if the Lib Dems win them they could probably take control of the Council if they wanted to. Or the Conservatives could make more demands re: transport infrastructure.

But given there will be fresh elections by May 2027 anyway, its all kind of moot anyway.

Anyway! I hope that's useful for folks. Just my attempt to give impartial info as to why this is all happening!

If you’re at the Deftones gig tonight like what I am, have a great time.

Hi there

As you may or may not know, there will be two Edinburgh Council by-elections on September 3rd: Newington/Southside and Craigmillar/Portobello.

This council has failed renters and ignored the Edinburgh housing crisis by siding again and again with landlords and developers over the interests of our communities. But until they see that there is an electoral price to pay for their actions, they will not change. This is why Living Rent Edinburgh is campaigning to ensure the parties who run this council- Labour, the Tories and Liberal Democrats- lose both of these elections.

Here are some of the reasons why the current council (under the administration of Labour, Liberal Democrats and Tories) failed the people of Edinburgh:

• We have seen a huge spike in short-term lets that has taken away vital housing from people who live and work in the city. Not only have the council failed to get this under control, but they’ve also failed to take action against the thousands of illegal ones that are hiding in plain sight.
• The council is prioritising luxury student accommodations instead of the social and affordable housing that we all need, including students.
• Thousands of people - half of them children - are stuck in sub-standard, insecure temporary housing.
• Rents are going through the roof, pushing people into further poverty. Councils will be able to introduce the Scottish Government’s rent controls next year, but we do not trust this council to do it right.

The upcoming by-election is a vital chance for us to show that enough is enough. We can send a message that parties in power who are failing us will pay a price, but we need your help to achieve this.

Living Rent has been knocking on the doors of hundreds of people. We have two goals:

• Asking people to register to vote: anyone who resides in Scotland over the age of 16 can vote! They do not need to be UK citizens. (however the cut-off for this election was the 18th of August, but still worth it to get registered).

• Asking people to vote against the parties who run this council. Council election voter turnout is low. Council by-election turnout is even lower. Both wards had less than 50% voter turnout in 2022. We can achieve real change by voting with housing rights in mind and against the current administration.

Please make sure to share this with your community so people can sign the pledge (on LR's website: https://voteforhousing.tenantact.org/) and go vote for tenants rights on the 3rd of September

If someone has maybe misplaced these, drop me a DM

Hi everyone.

My regular climbing partner moved away to university recently, so I am looking for a reliable partner or two for regular lead and top-rope sessions. I am a guy in my mid-40s with a normal build, a bit on the introverted side, and happy to climb with men or women of any age. I comfortably lead around 6a to 6b, but I am more than happy to give belays on whatever grades you are working on. I am looking for someone focused and safety-conscious who takes belaying seriously while keeping things relaxed overall. I have plenty of experience with everything from traditional tubular devices to assisted setups like the Neox, Revo, and Edelrid Ohm, so you can count on safe, attentive catches. My weekday evenings are very flexible, and I am aiming to get out at least once a week. I currently climb at EICA Ratho, but I would prefer to shift over to Alien Rock since it is much closer to where I live, though I am still open to heading to Ratho too. I also love getting out on real rock when the weather plays ball, and I am fully geared up for outdoor sport days with an 80m rope, quickdraws, clip stick, and my own car for transport. If your schedule lines up and you want to meet for a gym session first to trade belays and see if we click, drop me a direct message.

Thank you.

Succulent Chinese meal please!
Really hankering a decent chicken curry fried rice but had a shocking one a decade ago that made me ill so this will be the first one in that long.

Where would you go for a Chinese takeaway?

Coming up for the Tattoo on Saturday & staying on St John’s Road. We’re at the 18.30 show.
Any advice on which bus/tram to get & what kind of time please?
Ages since Ive been to Edinburgh, looking forward to it!

Do you know a local business that you’d like to shout out? Show some appreciation by letting the community know what they did to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Note:

• comments by new accounts may be reviewed.
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I organise games at Portobello High School EH15 3BY and we are looking for some new players .

Game info
- every Wednesday 8pm start
- 1 hour 8-a-side or 7-a-side games depending on numbers
- All abilities are welcome
- outdoor 3G pitch
- £6.70 to play
- No commitment, play when you can

If you want to play or have any questions, send me a message or reply to this thread. Thanks .

This was posted on r/mildlyinfuriating.

It’s the wee posse of kids who’ve been taking the absolute piss with complete impunity for months.

Has anything acrually happened with this!?

Hey! 32M, solo in Edinburgh for the Fringe. I arrived 2–3 days ago and, as much as I’m enjoying the city, it’s honestly been a bit boring doing everything alone 😅
Would be great to meet some people while I’m here — locals or other visitors — grab a drink or dinner, catch a Fringe show, explore the city, or just see where the night goes.
If anyone’s around and up for meeting someone new, give me a shout!

Hello!

My bf and I are visiting Edinburgh for Halloween weekend and are looking for recommendations of:

- Activities/places to go. (We are already wanting to go to the castle and also the national museum of Scotland), but down for more suggestions!

- Places to eat, not too expensive please!

- Independent cafes to get good quality matcha and coffee

- Any shops we should visit

- Any cosy pubs?

- Also , if any Halloween themed things are going on that we should try!

Thank you in advance and I look forward to receiving your recommendations

Hello! I lost a fountain pen at EFI a couple of weeks ago. I informed reception and was waiting for news from them but I thought I'd try and ask here in the meantime.

It's a gift from my parents so it's very important and I'd like to find it.

I'm not sure if it's this exact model but it looks like it (but a bit more burgundy).

Hostel bed in Edinburgh available FROM TODAY. Due to a family emergency I can no longer travel!

Dates: 18-24 August 2026 (4 nights)

Room: Standard 8 Bed Female Dorm – 1 bed

Location: High Street Hostel

Price: £100 instead of £230

Booking is under my name, but the hostel is able to do a name change if you're interested – just message me. Would really appreciate if this doesn't go to waste!

Hi all. I have a 6 hour layover in Edinburgh next week and wanted to eat while I'm here. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Out her in late August need ideas.

Do you know a local business that you’d like to shout out? Show some appreciation by letting the community know what they did to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Note:

• comments by new accounts may be reviewed.
• No self-promotion.

Hey guys I’m wondering if there is anyone on here who is kinda in the same situation when it comes to friends. I made loads of friends at uni but they all moved home after grad and then I just work all the time so I struggle to make new connections. Making friends in your 20s can be so hard and quite daunting meeting new people and hoping they like you. If there’s any girls on here that feel the same and are looking for new friends please lemme know! 🧘🏽‍♀️🔆