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As you read this, copies of the July Spurtle are already illuminating obscure corners of the barony, glinting like gold, bouncing like sunbeams off a holidaying Italian dentist’s smile as she leaves her Bellevue Airbnb in search of the day’s first espresso. 

Reading four-page hyperlocal newspapers is widely acknowledged to increase sexual allure and cure baldness, but the Spurtle can also be enjoyed as an invigorating infusion or source of information on an area bounded by Howe Street, Queen Street, Canonmills, and the wilds of Pilrig. This month we report on 40 locations.

As rain fell on Monday, the Edinburgh Evening News reported breathlessly about ‘unbelievable scenes’ across the city. 

Images liberally borrowed from social media showed cars and buses splashing through puddles. 

There was particular coverage of ‘flash floods’ and traffic disruption to the west of the capital. 

But staff were not averse to covering dramatic events elsewhere – like this from St Mark’s Park in Broughton.

First on Monday’s Twitter …

A new scheme has been launched to plant more trees in Edinburgh, and take better care of the ones we already have. 

Tree Time is a joint initiative by Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, City of Edinburgh Council, and Woodland Trust Scotland. 

Readers who enjoyed the recent series of BBC Two’s Springwatch: Scottish Adventure will be pleased to learn there is an abundance of natural wonders right here on their doorstep.

Edinburghers need no longer be overawed by the grandeur of Glen Feshie and the towering Cairngorms. 

Nor do they have any reason to feel diminished by the lack of city-centre woodpeckers devouring tree creepers, or ring ouzels stuffing amphibians down the throats of their ravenous offspring.

Police in Edinburgh are investigating after an attempted murder at the weekend. We quote in full: 

The incident happened around 4.20pm on Sunday 16th June at an address in Spey Terrace.

A 16-year-old male sustained an injury to his chest after he was attacked by two men within a property.

He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment and inquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.

DRUMMOND REFLECTS ON AN AMAZING YEAR 

Every June, Drummond Community High School holds an annual Celebration of Achievement. 

Last week’s event brought together award-winning students from all years, plus emotional school leavers and their parents … of whom I was one, writes David Sterratt.

In her speech (see pdf at foot of page), headteacher Jodie Hannan (right) invoked Dr Seuss: ‘When you stop and look around, this [school] is pretty amazing.’

Drum Property Group has appealed to the Scottish Government against Edinburgh Council’s refusal of planning consent to develop student housing, hotel and retail at 106–162 Leith Walk (Refs 18/04332/FUL, 18/04349/CON). 

As part of that appeal process (PPA-230-2274, CAC-230-2004), in the last few days a joint submission opposing the proposal has been made by Leith Central, Leith Harbour, Leith Links, and Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Councils. 

Have you been out and about in today's weather? Are you completely sodden and downhearted? 

Cheer up! Stockbridge & Inverleith Community Council have contacted us about a traffic-free, activity-packed (and, no doubt, sun-drenched) event they will be hosting later this month. 

Unpack your sombrero and read on for details …

The Stockbridge Summer Solstice will take place on Sunday 23 June from noon till 4.00pm on Raeburn Place.

Police in Edinburgh issued the following statement this morning.

Meet Hugh Topping, the person in charge of overseeing the conversion of a Category A-listed Swiss cheese at Blenheim Place into Edinburgh’s newest bookshop. 

The family-run firm of Topping & Company Booksellers was founded in 2002. 

It already had branches in Bath, Ely, and St Andrews, and had been looking for appropriate premises in Edinburgh for some time, when the chance came up last year to lease Nos 2–3A Blenheim Place.