A north Edinburgh suburb at the Water of Leith, home to the Port of Leith
A blaze at the former Debenhams on Princes Street has shut trams from Leith to Newhaven. Edinburgh Council is exploring a four-tram shuttle to re-open a link between Picardy Place and Newhaven, with overnight movements and enhanced security. Officials warn the disruption will extend into August and impact Festival travel.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has moved its operations into a permanent space on Infirmary Street, transforming Fringe Central into a year‑round hub for artists, welfare support, rehearsal spaces and industry services. The project, funded by the UK Government and partners, is designed to support a thriving, inclusive fringe ecosystem alongside the city’s galleries and venues.
The Guardian’s Grace Dent reviews Lennox in Manchester, a new Six by Nico concept focused on dry-aged meat and playful tasting menus, with ambitions to expand across the UK. The piece contrasts Lennox with the brand’s earlier formats and outlines the dining experience and menu highlights.
Edinburgh’s Princes Street remains partly closed after a blaze, but authorities are pushing ahead with stabilisation work, public funding, and a plan to restore the 150-year-old Debenhams facade. Council leaders emphasise safety and momentum, while a public consultation is promised within six months.
Edinburgh hosts major Deaf-inclusive productions on its main stages as part of the Fringe and Edinburgh Deaf Festival, highlighting collaboration between Deaf and hearing artists. The Singer features Jamie Rea and KT Tunstall, while Deaf Festival enters a multi-year Creative Scotland funding cycle, showcasing over 80 events across ten days.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe production of Mayflies, staged by Grid Iron at Brown’s of Leith, has opened a nuanced, site-specific take on Andrew O’Hagan’s novel. The play follows two friends’ teenage road trip and their later confrontation with terminal illness, using 1980s Manchester and Thatcher-era Leith as backdrop. Performances fuse live theatre with striking visuals and a powerful soundscape.
The blaze at the former Debenhams building has led to seven weeks of disruption in Edinburgh. Princes Street has reopened to pedestrians and traffic as bus and tram services resume along the corridor. Officials say the work to secure the site is complete and the city is focusing on recovery and support for affected businesses.
A collage of reports shows investors and personal anecdotes intertwined with daily life in post-name-change era. CNBC cites a bullish take on PWR and Duke Energy amid election noise; Guardian pieces reflect personal narratives from dating to home life, a frog, and a CPR dog hero, illustrating human-scale consequences.
Ottolenghi Edinburgh has opened in the former Ragu site on George Street, Edinburgh. Yotam Ottolenghi and Neil Campbell lead a transformed space with an all-day menu, Croatian-inspired culinary nods, and a bustling launch attended by Ian Rankin and Kirsty Wark. The venue promises a lively mix of dishes, from miso hake to a Scottish cranberry-pantry of puddings.