Thriving Thursday

Hey! Nashy & Abs here 👋

There have been a lot of posts on socials recently about the amount of attention the Royal Mile and Festival locations get during August as tourists flock to these locations. I have spent time in the last week gathering videos from local businesses and a couple of markets to try and help shine a spotlight on the lesser trodden paths.

While the Festival seems to continually grow year on year, I think it’s a stark reminder that local business owners have to work really hard to try and attract visitors’ attention using their social media accounts. The tourists do want hidden gems and local options. Many of them do want to shop local and they just need to be made aware of how great the independent scene is in Edinburgh.

Sending love to all the independents out there! KEEP GOING!

Let's get into it! 👇

This week's newsletter includes:

🔥 New business shout-out - The Big Cheese
🏪 Local business highlights
📣 Worth shouting about, 📅 Dates for your diary
💳 A taste of what's on the Thriving Card this week!

If you haven't grabbed your Thriving Card yet, the founding-member price is still available to newsletter subscribers only.

£45 instead of £59. Forever.

A brand new independent cheese shop has just opened on Broughton Street. A completely unplanned visit as I was walking past. I popped in and met Neil, who ended up nailing the video in one take! Neil recently left the corporate world behind to follow his passion for cheese and launch something genuinely brilliant and unique in Edinburgh.

The Big Cheese is exactly what it sounds like. A proper independent cheese shop stocking a brilliant selection of cheeses from near and far. The kind of new independent that makes Broughton Street stand out and deserves every bit of Edinburgh's support.

Go and drop in, check out the £6 cheese picnic, pick up something delicious and give Neil a follow.

📍 Broughton Street, Edinburgh

One of those brilliant little stories that lives throughout the Fringe and makes Edinburgh's festival scene so special. Events Armoury is a family business with a fantastic history in Edinburgh events and the Festival. Events Armoury have worked with all sorts of productions over the years and is proud to count Edinburgh Festival legend Jason Byrne among their long-standing collaborations.

The kind of independent business that works tirelessly behind the scenes to make the magic happen. Go and give them a follow and show some love.

📍 9 West Richmond Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9EF

I caught up with Ross at the West End Fair this week and his work stopped me in my tracks. Illustrator, painter and muralist creating surreal, twisting landscapes populated with otherworldly creatures and beings. With hidden details tucked behind every tree and beneath every toadstool for viewers to find time and time again. 🩷

His work ranges from small intricate pencil drawings to large-scale murals and street art. You may already know his work without realising it. Ross is behind the beautiful murals and character designs at The Real Mary King's Close, including the iconic Plague Doctor.

A genuinely brilliant Edinburgh artist and one well worth following and supporting.

📍 Edinburgh

☕ The Bonnie Barista - Coffee Club - New Town, Edinburgh

The Bonnie Barista is hosting their very first Saturday Coffee Club and it sounds like the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning. Good coffee, pastries, DJ sets and a warm welcome. The kind of independent community event we love to see.

Saturday 15th August. 11 am - 1 pm.

📍 North Castle Street, Edinburgh

🏔️ An Evening with Mollie Hughes - Ocean Vertical - Tranent, East Lothian

Something very special is coming to East Lothian in September and this one is not to be missed. Ocean Vertical Managing Director and world record-breaking mountaineer Mollie Hughes is speaking at The Fraser Centre in Tranent on Saturday 5th September in a special fundraising evening for Empowering Women of Nepal. 🩷

Mollie became the youngest woman to summit Everest from both the north and south sides and skied solo to the South Pole over 58 days. Hear her story directly, watch stunning expedition footage and ask her anything in an audience Q&A. Signed copies of her books ‘Breathe’ and ‘Blue Scotland’ are available afterwards.

All proceeds go to Empowering Women of Nepal. A brilliant cause and a genuinely unforgettable evening. Bring the whole family along.

Doors open 6:50 pm, presentation 7 pm, Q&A 8 pm.

🎟️ Get your tickets on Eventbrite

📍 The Fraser Centre, Tranent, East Lothian

🎨 Colony of Artists - Abbeyhill, Edinburgh - 19th & 20th September 2026

One of Edinburgh's most loved and unique art events is back this September. Colony of Artists opens up over 60 artist studios across the city for a brilliant two-day open studios weekend. Meet the artists in their own working spaces, see work in progress, discover original paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and so much more. 🩷

A free self-guided trail taking you into the heart of Edinburgh's creative community. The kind of event that makes you proud to live in this city.

Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September 2026, 11 am - 6 pm. Free entry.

Follow their socials for event locations and updates.

📍 Abbeyhill, Edinburgh, EH7

🎪 Fringe by the Sea 2027 - Save the Date!

What a festival. Fringe by the Sea 2026 was absolutely brilliant and the party in North Berwick was something very special indeed. 🩷

And the best news? It's already coming back. Fringe by the Sea 2027 returns to North Berwick from 30th July to 8th August. Save the date right now and start planning. Trust us, you do not want to miss this.

📅 Save the date: 30th July to 8th August 2027.

📍 North Berwick, East Lothian

☕ Cairngorm Coffee - New Bruntsfield Cafe, 49 Barclay Place

Cairngorm Coffee has taken over the space on Barclay Place in Bruntsfield and it is a brilliant addition to the neighbourhood. An Edinburgh favourite with roots in the Highlands.

Big fan of Cairngorm and always enjoy a pit stop at their Ralia Cafe when we are travelling north.

Go and pay them a visit. Open now!

📍 49 Barclay Place, Edinburgh

💳 A TASTE OF WHAT'S ON THE THRIVING CARD THIS WEEK

The Thriving Card is doing exactly what it was built to do. Locals are saving money, tourists are finding the real Edinburgh and brilliant independents are getting the support they deserve. Here's a taste of what's on the card this week:

🍔 Ernest & Bob - Leith Walk, Edinburgh - Laid-back Leith cafe serving smash burgers, great coffee and comforting meals on Leith Walk. I recently visited and it did not disappoint. The kind of neighbourhood independent that makes Leith the place everyone loves. 🩷
Thriving Card offer: 10% off all food.

🍸 McLarens on the Corner - Morningside, Edinburgh - Vibrant neighbourhood bar and restaurant at Holy Corner where Bruntsfield meets Morningside. Fresh Scottish produce, seasonal menus and creative cocktails in a beautifully restored former bank. One of Edinburgh's most loved neighbourhood independents. 🩷
Thriving Card offer: 20% off food and drink, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Max party size 6.

💻 Tribe Porty, Portobello, Edinburgh - Community coworking space right by the sea in Portobello. Home to 150+ freelancers, charities, makers and small businesses. I paid a visit and the vibe is brilliant. If you are looking for a workspace that genuinely feels like a community, this is it. 🩷
Thriving Card offer: Free trial day plus £20 off your first month's membership if you join within 7 days. Pre-booking required.

🩷 Loads more offers across food, drink, health, wellness, shopping, experiences and outdoor activities. A wee something for everyone.

That's your Thriving Thursday! 🩷

If you haven't grabbed your Thriving Card yet, the founding member price is still available at £45 through the link below:

BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER - £45

We genuinely love putting this together for you every week. The fact that you read it, share it and support it means the world to both of us.

Our Newsletter is a place to shine a spotlight on the many brilliant local businesses on our doorstep and to keep you in the loop on local events and what’s happening in and around Edinburgh.

We really want to hear about new independent businesses that are opening in Edinburgh and the Lothians! Know a business deserving a shout-out? Reply to this email and tell us their story.

Let's Keep Edinburgh Thriving. 🚀

BIG love,

Nashy & Abs

Keep Edinburgh Thriving 🩷