Five things you need to know today
Delays in the bus lane, Edinburgh International Film Festival - something old and something new, Edinburgh 900 and a deal at Edinburgh Leisure
Delays in the bus lane
The City of Edinburgh Council have been planning to trial a 7-7-7 bus lane on the number 44 route since 2019, but this has now been pushed back until next year.
The latest scheme was unveiled in 2022 and finally in August 2024 councillors approved a trial which has not happened. Now after Cllr Chas Booth asking for an update it has been revealed that there is no funding at this point.
Cllr Jenkinson the Transport Convener, said on social media after the meeting: "It is unfortunate that this trial has been delayed. Officers have been unable to get clarity on the Bus Infrastructure Fund programme for 25/26 from Transport Scotland hence the hold up."
The Green group has been pushing for a trial in Edinburgh since 2015 and Green councillor Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill said this delay is "disappointing".
EIFF 2025
The 78th Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) will include a retrospective called Sacred Bonds each day from 15 to 20 August at 11am. Everyone is invited to join the special showing of the original six James Bond films starring Edinburgh's own Sean Connery in his most famous role.
These are new 4K restorations of the original Bond films presented on the big screen and introduced by members of the Connery family.
Booking for tickets for this year's Film Festival opens at midday on Thursday 3 July via edfilmfest.org and via the EdFringe official app.
Edinburgh 900 events - Poetry and Painting
The Melting Pot have let us know that they are holding an event which is part of the Edinburgh 900 celebrations later this month
Event: Edinburgh 900: Poetry & Painting
Date: 13 August 2025
Location: The Melting Pot, 15 Calton Rd, EH8 8DL
Tickets: £6 https://events.humanitix.com/edinburgh-900-poetry-and-painting
"Join us for an evening of poetry and painting to celebrate Edinburgh’s 900th anniversary. You'll hear new work from local poets inspired by the city and respond creatively with your own artwork. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or picking up a brush for the first time, this is a chance to explore Edinburgh’s past, present and future through words and visuals in a relaxed, welcoming space.
"No experience necessary – just curiosity and creativity! All materials will be provided, and the event is open to all."
Garden in Morningside
A community garden has been created in Morningside by people carrying out unpaid work as part of a community sentence in a partnership between charity Cyrenians and The City of Edinburgh Council's justice services.
Cllr Tim Pogson, Chair of Edinburgh’s Community Safety and Justice Partnership, said: “We have been exploring innovative ways to support those who have committed offences to repay the community for their crimes while at the same time, giving participants the opportunity to learn valuable skills and work as part of a team.
“Through joining forces with the Scottish charity Cyrenians we’ve been able to support the environment through the development of a community garden project offering placements to people completing unpaid work as part of a CPO.”
Many of those who worked in the garden said they benefited from being in the garden and now had a renewed appreciation of the outdoors.
The programme is headed up by Cyrenians who have a great deal of experience in this kind of project, as they already run a community farm in the west of Edinburgh where the aim is quite similar.
Hannah Macrae, Community Gardens Service Manager at Cyrenians, said: “We have loved working in partnership with community justice services, to offer placements to people completing a community payback order. Our community gardens provide a lot of solace to people and we are very grateful to those who have come on placement for all their efforts to maintain and improve this special space. Many of the people who come really enjoy the time working in the garden and we hope that they take away a new set of skills and a sense of pride in what they have achieved.”
A number of areas across Edinburgh have been transformed by people carrying out a CPO and previous projects have included fencing and decking work at Dr Neil’s Garden in Duddingston and supporting garden maintenance at Inverleith Park.
More than 11.6 million hours of unpaid work have been completed across Scotland since CPOs were introduced in 2010 – with around 1.4 million hours recorded benefiting communities for the reporting year 2023-24. There were 15,086 CPOs imposed by the courts - a three per cent increase on the previous year.
Summer Pass
Available now until 31 August 2025, a four-week pass with Edinburgh Leisure offers unlimited access to more than 50 venues across the city for just £49 for adults and £35 for young adults (16–24 years).
Everyone who purchases a Summer Pass will be automatically entered into a free prize draw to win a one-year free Full Fitness membership.
Whether you're a festival-goer looking to stay energised, a student home for the holidays, or a worker wanting to stay active during the summer months, the Summer Pass gives you access to:
• 17 state-of-the-art gyms
• 12 swimming pools
• 750+ fitness classes and 250+ gym-based classes weekly
• Evolve at Meadowbank – their cutting-edge hybrid gym
• Europe’s largest indoor climbing arena at Ratho
