New library opening hours to be introduced next month

EARLIER CLOSING AND CHANGED HOURS FOR CITY LIBRARIES

On 30 November 2026 we’re changing our opening hours so that more people across the city can use our library services.

Public library opening hours

We’re changing our opening hours so that more people across the city can use our library services. These changes will take place on 30 November 2026.

The opening times are based on feedback from residents, people who use our libraries, our colleagues who work there and information on how and when our libraries are used.

More information about the background to these can be found at Edinburgh Future Libraries strategy 2025 to 2030 – The City of Edinburgh Council

The new opening hours for libraries will be:

Balerno Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: closed
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Balgreen Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: closed
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Blackhall Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm (currently 10 – 8)
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm (currently 10 – 8)
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm (currently 10 – 8)
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm (currently 10 -5)

Central Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 7pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Colinton Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: closed
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Corstorphine Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm (currently 1- 8pm)
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm (currently 1 – 8pm)
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm (currently 10 – 5pm)

Craigmillar Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Currie Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Drumbrae Library Hub

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Fountainbridge Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Gilmerton Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: closed
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Granton Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm (currently 1 – 8pm)
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm (currently 1 – 8pm)
Thursday: closed
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm (currently 10 – 2pm)

Kirkliston Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: closed
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Leith Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm (currently 10 – 8pm)
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm (currently 10 – 8pm)
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm (currently 10 -8pm)
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm (currently 10 – 5pm)

McDonald Road Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Moredun Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Morningside Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Muirhouse Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm (currently 8pm)
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm (currently 8pm)
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm (currently 8pm)
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm (currently 5pm)

Newington Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Oxgangs Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Piershill Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Portobello Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Ratho Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Sighthill Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: closed
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

South Neighbourhood Office and Library

Monday: 10am to 4pm
Tuesday: 10am to 4pm
Wednesday: 10am to 4pm
Thursday: 10am to 4pm
Friday: 10am to 3.45pm
Saturday: closed

South Queensferry Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Stockbridge Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm (currently 1 – 8pm)
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm (currently 1 – 8pm)
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm (currently 10 -5pm)

Wester Hailes Library

Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday: 10am to 5pm
Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday: 10am to 5pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm.

Edinburgh_Future_Libraries_Strategy_June25 Download

Firework Control Zones 2026: Know the rules

To help keep communities safe, The City of Edinburgh Council identified 14 areas across Edinburgh designated as Firework Control Zones (FCZs) from 30 October to 8 November 2026.

Firework Control Zones 2026

The zones cover:

Balerno –

Calton Hill –

Corstorphine –

Gracemount –

Liberton –

Lochend –

Longstone –

Moredun –

Niddrie –

Seafield –

Sighthill/Broomhouse –

Stenhouse/Gaskill –

West Pilton –

Wester Hailes

Within these zones, setting off fireworks will be illegal, even on private property, during the designated period.

FCZs aim to reduce noise, stress, littering and antisocial behaviour, while protecting vulnerable people, animals and the environment.

Under the Firework and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, offences can carry a penalty of up to £5,000 or six months custodial sentence.

We will work with local authorities, communities, schools and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to raise awareness, promote responsible behaviour and enforce the law.

For more info, click the following link:

Firework Control Zones 2026

Know the rules. Check your area. Help keep Edinburgh safe.

#TomorrowWeStillLiveHere

Pupils arrive at new Wester Hailes High School building

Project milestone brings school’s education estate into single state-of-the-art building

Staff and pupils at Wester Hailes High School have returned from the October half term break into their brand new school building this week, replacing four separate teaching blocks with a single, modern education facility.

McLaughlin & Harvey was appointed by the Council to deliver the 800 capacity new building, which has been designed by Architype.

The new school building is designed around a central, bright and open atrium, bringing pupils together while connecting departments and classrooms.

Each floor features a series of breakout and retreat spaces to offer pupils choice on where they want to work, socialise or take time out. Internal spaces have been decorated with warm colours and light woods to create comfortable spaces for learning and coming together.

One of the existing buildings on the site – featuring catering, sports and swimming facilities – has been retained and refurbished. This block will operate as a secure community hub, with easily accessible services for local people while maintaining the safety of users.

Edinburgh Leisure reopened its refurbished leisure facilities at the school earlier this month.

The building also includes a range of different flexible, collaborative spaces to support staff, students and the community. Members of the community will be able to see the new facilities first hand at an open evening on Tuesday 27 October between 5pm and 7pm.

The final phase of the school redevelopment project will see the remaining former buildings demolished, to be replaced with outdoor learning spaces, an urban woodland area (creating natural habitat, play spaces and a learning resource) and a community allotment that will provide growing beds, poly tunnels and picnic benches for use by the local community.

Additional landscaping will also improve secure access to the school site from the Union Canal tow path.

As with other recently opened buildings in the Council’s learning estate, the school has been built to Passivhaus standard, minimising energy consumption and reducing the reliance on active heating or cooling systems, ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly construction.

In addition to the Passivhaus design, the new school includes other sustainable features supporting the Council to meet its sustainability commitments. This includes measures to improve the air quality and thermal performance of the building which are vital to achieving Passivhaus certification.

The new school building has been designed in line with the guiding principles of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Strategy and is one of the projects in the second phase of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme, alongside the recently opened Liberton Community Campus.

Children, Education and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish, said: “Opening this new school building is a major landmark moment for pupils, staff and the wider community in Wester Hailes.

“I’m really impressed with the quality of the spaces, and the building is all set to provide a modern, sustainable learning environment designed to support young people for generations to come.

“This investment is about more than just education. We’ve created a valuable community asset, bringing together learning, sport and support spaces in one accessible location. Through our Living Well Locally approach, we’re creating a hub that will help strengthen and serve the community for many years ahead.”

Dougie McCusker, Construction Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “It’s fantastic to see pupils and staff enjoying the new building. Having been designed and constructed to Passivhaus standards, the facility futureproofs the school’s estate for generations to come.

“Operationally, we faced the challenge of building the new facility while the school was still open and in close proximity to the construction works, however, we were able to ensure disruption was kept to an absolute minimum.

“The hard work by the whole project team, the designers, consultants and the client was definitely worth it when you see the cutting-edge building in use today.”

Further information about the design of the new Wester Hailes High School can be found on the Future Schools Edinburgh website.

New affordable homes completed in Wester Hailes

LATEST PHASE OF REGENERATION PROGRAMME COMPLETED

73 brand new affordable homes are now complete at Murrayburn Gate and ready to hand over to new residents

Delivered in partnership with CCG Scotland Ltd these modern, energy-efficient homes have renewable heating, solar panels and landscaped communal spaces.

New residents are expected to move in over the next 2 – 3 weeks.

Find out more about the homes:

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/…/murrayburn-gate…

Wester Hailes leisure facilities reopen after major refurbishment

Edinburgh Leisure has reopened the refurbished leisure facilities at Wester Hailes High School today, Thursday 1 October, giving people in the surrounding area increased local access to sport, leisure and wellbeing.

Delivered by the City of Edinburgh Council as part of its wider investment in the community campus, the refurbishment has improved a valued local facility and expanded access through a seven-day programme of gym, swimming and fitness activities.

The needs of local residents have been at the heart of the redevelopment, with improvements focused on activity spaces, inclusivity and the overall customer experience.

The swimming pool offers lane swimming, diving and family sessions, with daytime access now also available to the fitness suite and new general-purpose studio.

The fitness suite includes 30 cardio and resistance workout stations in a bright, open environment, while the studio hosts an expanded programme of classes, including Kettlecise, Pilates and Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities activities, and is also available for group hire.

The venue is also more accessible and inclusive, with improvements including modern changing accommodation, step-free access throughout, a Changing Places facility and a state-of-the-art pool pod to support easier entry to the water.

The refurbishment forms part of the wider City of Edinburgh Council project to deliver a new Passivhaus-standard secondary school adjacent to the existing site, which is due to open later this year.

David McGlade, Head of Operations (Schools) at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the community to a modern, accessible leisure facility in the heart of Wester Hailes. The investment has created brighter activity spaces, upgraded changing accommodation and a wider range of opportunities for people to be active close to home.

“Alongside our gym, swimming and fitness offer, we’re particularly excited to expand our Active Communities programme, helping people of all ages overcome barriers to being active and supporting healthier, more active lives.

“We hope these improvements will help even more local people enjoy being active and build on the facilitiy’s place at the heart of the community.”

Cllr James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener, said: “It is fantastic to see the opening of this new facility that will provide more opportunities for the local community to be active and try new sports.

“This state-of-the-art leisure centre is not just for the school, but for the whole community to use and enjoy. It is open seven days a week, with a modern gym, swimming pool and range of sport classes, Wester Hailes High School will make keeping active and developing new skills easier than ever.”

To find out more about the facilities, opening times and membership options, visit Wester Hailes High School – Gym Swimming Pool Sports Hall

Edinburgh Leisure announces delay to reopening of upgraded facilities at Wester Hailes High School

EDINBURGH Leisure can confirm that, due to late unforeseen circumstances, the reopening of Wester Hailes High School will be delayed.

The previous information issued regarding the reopening date is no longer correct and should be disregarded.

Edinburgh Leisure had previously announced that refurbished leisure facilities at the school would reopen Tuesday 1 September, giving people in the surrounding area increased local access to sport, leisure and wellbeing.

Delivered by the City of Edinburgh Council as part of its wider investment in the community campus, the refurbishment will improve a valued local facility and provide expanded access through a seven-day programme of gym, swimming and fitness activities.

The refurbishment forms part of the wider City of Edinburgh Council project to deliver a new Passivhaus-standard secondary school adjacent to the existing site, which is due to open later this year.

Positive progress in tackling housing emergency, councillors told

Positive progress is being made on in tackling Edinburgh’s housing emergency, according to updates considered by the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee on Tuesday (25 August 2026).

Since the Housing Emergency Action Plan was agreed in 2024, 1,473 affordable homes have been completed by the Council and partners, 1,144 sites started and 866 additional suitable temporary accommodation properties purchased.

There has also been a significant reduction in the number of families with children living in unsuitable temporary accommodation.

In addition the Ask and Act pilot scheme has been launched in Wester Hailes, which aims to prevent people from becoming homeless at the earliest opportunity by working with partners across the public and third sector.

Members also agreed to end the suspension of the Council’s allocations policy, put in place to prioritise people facing homelessness, following progress in reducing the number of void Council homes alongside an increase in the supply of suitable temporary accommodation. This follows the commitment of the Council to invest £1.6bn in affordable housing.

A new grant scheme will also provide eligible owners of empty homes with up to £20,000 to bring properties up to a lettable standard. In return, owners will be required to make the property available for Private Sector Leasing for a period of three or five years.

The grant scheme is intended to allow empty home owners who do not have the financial means to address necessary works to bring the home into use. In turn, this will contribute to the number of suitable temporary homes available, easing pressure on the current housing emergency. Overall up to £600k is to be granted through the scheme.

Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “I’m encouraged by the progress being made to tackle Edinburgh’s housing emergency, with significantly fewer people not being provided with temporary accommodation, and a reduction in the number of children living in unsuitable accommodation.

“Everyone has the right to a safe and suitable place to call home. The pause on housing allocations has helped us prioritise those facing homelessness, while we work to increase the supply of temporary accommodation across the city.

“Bringing empty homes back into use is another important part of increasing the supply of housing. This funding will help owners meet the costs of essential works while, in return, making these homes available for private sector leasing for a 3 or 5 years.

“If you or a friend or relative own an empty home, I would urge you to find out more about how the support available.

“There is still much to be done, but I’m encouraged by the progress being made on the Housing Emergency Action Plan, which demonstrates tangible improvements being made.”

Efforts to increase suitable temporary accommodation include bringing houses back into use, purchasing properties and commissioning new temporary accommodation.

While in place, the suspension of the allocations policy allowed more than 350 households, including 200 families, to be moved out of unsuitable temporary accommodation and directly into a settled tenancy.

Read the reports, Suspension of Allocations Policy, the Empty Homes Grant Scheme and Housing Emergency Action Plan – Biannual Update on the Council website.

GATHER Community Arts Exhibition

Gather Exhibition

A Creative Community Hubs Network Event

We are hugely excited for Gather, a new exhibition showcasing work by artists and community members from across Edinburgh for the very first time.

This is a very special exhibition, and we’d love you to join us for it!

Gather Exhibition

Private View: 11th September 2026, from 4:30pm

Main Exhibition: 12th – 26th September 2026

St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AE

Free. No need to book.

#creativecommunityhubsnetwork

—————————————-

The Creative Community Hubs Network consists of eight partner organisations based across Edinburgh: WHALE Arts, The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Granton:hub, North Edinburgh Arts, Duncan Place Leith, The Crannie, Lyra and Craigmillar Now

Dove Centre looking for new home

Official Statement From The Dove Centre:

We have to share some distressing news.

We have been located within the Wester Hailes Baptist Church for the last 13 years. There has recently been a change in their leadership, and with that, their vision for the future of their church has been under development.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t include us.

We have now been given 12 months’ notice to quit the premises. This has understandably been a huge shock for us.

We are therefore urgently seeking new premises for our services which include our own day services but also transport and catering services to many organisations within Edinburgh. We currently provide day care, catering and transport services to around 400 people per week. The repercussions of this decision could be truly devastating to our whole community if we cannot secure alternative accommodation.

We would kindly ask everyone to help us in our search for new premises and share this post far and wide! We are grateful for any support you can give us. We know that our organisation is truly valued in our community and we will do our utmost to preserve services going forward.

This is a stressful time for the Dove Centre but we are resilient and committed to all our users and will not let this decision by the Wester Hailes Baptist Church defeat us.

It should be said that we are thankful for those in the church who have wholeheartedly supported us during the last few years. You have our eternal gratitude for standing with us against this decision.

Please contact us if you have any knowledge of possible accommodation.

With thanks from all of us at The Dove Centre.

#TeamDove

#TheDoveCentreEdinburgh

#DoveTransport

#DayServicesWithADifference

Share your views on Firework Control Zones (FCZs) for 2026

Residents are being encouraged to have their say on proposed Firework Control Zones (FCZs) for autumn 2026 as a public consultation gets underway across Edinburgh.

The consultation is seeking views on continuing Firework Control Zones in Corstorphine, Longstone, Sighthill/Broomhouse, Mordeun and The Murrays, as well as introducing new zones in Liberton Grange, Lochend, Stenhouse/Gaskell Street, West Pilton and Wester Hailes.

Firework Control Zones prohibit the use of fireworks within designated areas for a limited period and form part of a wider package of measures designed to improve public safety, reduce anti-social behaviour and support local communities during the fireworks season.

Earlier this year, community groups were invited to apply for Firework Control Zone status in their neighbourhoods. Applications highlighted concerns about the misuse of fireworks, anti-social behaviour, and the impact on animals, older people and other vulnerable residents.

The proposals build on the positive results seen in recent years, with Edinburgh experiencing significantly lower levels of firework-related anti-social behaviour compared with previous years.

Councillor Margaret Graham, Convener of Culture and Communities, said: “We want to hear directly from residents and communities about the areas being considered for Firework Control Zones again this year.

“They are just one of the measures we’re using to improve safety and reduce firework-related anti-social behaviours to make sure our communities can enjoy Bonfire Night in a safe and responsible way.

“I’d encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and help shape our approach for the 2026 fireworks season.”

The consultation will run from Wednesday 24 June until Wednesday 5 August on the Council website.