The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition 18 - 20 October 2024
School cuts warning, more canal attacks, new exhibitions at Modern One & Fruitmarket, storytelling festival begins, Dusherra on Calton Hill + smile for the Stills photobooth
️️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute, followed by the weekend guide for paid-subscribers.
🚔 A fresh Crimewatch appeal has been made to try and find the body of murdered Edinburgh woman Suzanne Pilley. Her ex-partner David Gilroy was convicted of murder in 2012 and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Yesterday on BBC’s Crimewatch programme Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson said:
“Unfortunately Suzanne's dad didn't survive long enough for her to be found and it's something that has been really important for Police Scotland, to recover Suzanne. We are just hoping that a member of the public will just think 'maybe that bit of information I've got is important' and let's bring Suzanne back to the family.” - There’s more background on the case in this BBC Scotland report.
🚔 Police say an assault on the Union Canal path could be linked to two other similar incidents on the same date. - Paul Reilly, Forth 1 News.
✏️ Axing ‘already overstretched’ staff for children in Edinburgh with additional support needs ‘will simply lead to reduced life chances for these individuals’, warns The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition in a letter published by the North Edinburgh News.
🏗️ Plans for the major New Town Quarter scheme at Fettes Row will be discussed by councillors on Wednesday next week. Yesterday developers published more detailed plans confirming a partial flip to from build-to-rent use to add in purpose-built student accommodation, as reported by Spurtle last month.
⮑ Developer Ediston is inviting feedback in its consultation now, to be sent in before 30 October.
🪑 New benches designed by local artists have been installed on Gorgie Road and Dalry Road. - Phyllis Stephen, The Edinburgh Reporter.
⮑ In Leith the Balfour Street bike racks (which were previously easy to move) have finally been replaced. - Tracy Griffen shared this on Twitter.
🏋️ Edinburgh Leisure has launched a new Volunteer Strategy for 2024-2027. The organisation shared this: “Volunteers are the heart of Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme. Their 187 dedicated volunteers make a huge impact, making it possible to deliver over 160 health and wellbeing classes each week, supporting over 12,500 to be active and well. If you have time on your hands and would be interested in volunteering with Edinburgh Leisure, you can find out more by clicking here or contacting: Stephen Hughes, Volunteer Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure – stephenhughes@edinburghleisure.co.uk”.
🍺 Leith Walk’s The Black Fox has been listed for sale. - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
🍟 The Crab & Lobster Fish Shack is taking over the former Frankie & Benny’s restaurant next to the Dakota Hotel in South Queensferry. It’ll be run by the family behind Jack 'O'Bryan's in Dunfermline. - Rosalind Erskine, The Scotsman.
⮑ Bryan Coghill from Jack 'O' Bryan's contacted the Minute to add: “It will specialise in upmarket fish and chips. Opening spring 2025. Creating 60 jobs. Good to see a former restaurant becoming a restaurant again as it's been closed since 2020 when the pandemic hit!”
🍽️ One of Scotland’s top chefs, Mark Donald of The Glenturret, has earned multiple Michelin stars in his career. He shares a list of his favourite Edinburgh restaurants in Conde Nast Traveller.
🎞️ Stills Centre for Photography will open what it says is Scotland’s only current analogue photobooth available for public use at its Cockburn Street gallery on Saturday. Stills’ Development Manager Caitlin Serey said:
“We envision that introducing an analogue photobooth will further enrich Stills through its historical significance and cultural value, reflecting our aim to support the advancement, enjoyment, exploration and understanding of photography. By bringing a booth to Stills, we will not only revive a vanishing form of photographic expression, but we will actively participate in its preservation, as it will be the only analogue photobooth in all of Scotland, making it a focal point for both regular Stills visitors and new enthusiasts seeking authentic, vintage photography experiences. Importantly, Stills is a registered charity and we also hope the photobooth will provide a new stream of income for Stills, contributing to our long-term organisational resilience.”
⮑ Caitlin chats more about the photobooth with Barry Didcock in The Herald.⮑ The photobooth has its own Instagram account and a launch party tonight from 6pm. It’ll become a permanent feature at the gallery, open 12-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays.
🎭 Push The Boat Out poetry festival has unveiled its 2024 programme featuring more than 120 artists. Having had to move away from its usual spot at Summerhall, four venues will host the festival; DanceBase, Dovecot Studios, Pleasance and the Scottish Storytelling Centre. - Kevin Fullerton previews in The List.
⮑ See the full programme here.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
📌 Saturday, 6pm: “Jazz-in-Stockbridge presents ‘Good Dog’ at the Stockbridge Music Hub. Guitarists Graeme Stephen and Don Paterson play original material with drummer and bass.” - Thanks to Clea Friend, Stockbridge Music Hub, for sharing this.
📌 “Enjoy a complimentary hand treatment by New York brand MALIN+GOETZ when they pop up at Lifestory from 11-3pm on Saturday, plus take home lots of free samples of this wonderful brand's products! You'll also get to check out their Wes Anderson-inspired gift collection. Everyone is welcome!” - Thanks to Susan at Lifestory for sharing this.
📌 “The Christian Aid book sale will take place on Saturday 19th October, 10am - 4pm at The New Town Church, 13 George Street. (Formerly St Andrew's and St George's West) There will be books and pictures, ephemera and maps, games and jigsaws and more! There will also be coffee, lunch and cakes to raise funds.” - Thanks to the event organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Join us for a performance by Finn Anderson, one of Scotland's most enchanting storytellers and composers. His work bridges the worlds of music and theatre, crafting songs that go straight for the heart. St Cecilia's Hall & Music Museum- Saturday 19th October 18:00-19:00.” - Thanks to Molly Ashmeade, St Cecilia's Hall & Music Museum, for sharing this.
📌 “Lyra's Greater Craigmillar-based Young Company are embarking on their first ever tour with an immersive dance-theatre and live music production, 'That Feeling When'! Join us at Capital Theatres Studio (25 - 26 Oct) to experience a unique production, which asks how the seasons can be a guide to what feels good in the cycle of teen-hood. Audiences can expect to feel immersed in the seasons and to be reminded of those experiences and sensations we can all relate to...” - Thanks to Anna Plasberg-Hill, Engagement Producer for Lyra, for sharing this. - Friday 18 October, 7pm & Saturday 19 October, 2pm at Artspace (map link).