The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition 11 - 13 April 2025
Pentland fires, uni 'accent bias' training, Calton Hill house update + a weekend of Record Store Day gigs
☀️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s all the local news I could find this Friday morning, followed by the community noticeboard and the weekend guide for paying subscribers. Thanks to all of you who’ve contributed pieces to this week’s newsletter! You absolutely make it.
☀️ The sunshine and warm weather is forecast to continue today and Saturday, with the possibility of rain on Sunday. The full Met Office forecast is here.
🔥 There were two fires on the Pentland hills yesterday evening. Emergency services received multiple calls from concerned locals about flames at Warklaw Hill near the Torduff Reservoir at around 7pm. Thanks to Minute subscriber Daire O Suilleabhain for sending in these images:
🚔 Two teenagers were arrested yesterday in connection with last week’s wilful fire-raisings at properties in Niddrie. One was also arrested over the fire attack on a salon in Albert Street. - Police Scotland shared more details here.
🏍️ A man has been charged after a motorcycle rider died following an alleged hit-and-run on Queensferry Road earlier this week, reports Ruth Suter in the Daily Record.
🏡 Controversial plans for a five-bedroom house on Blenheim Place next to Greenside Place Church below Calton Hill have been approved, reports Donald Turvill in The Herald. (More background in Minute edition 363).
💰 Plans to spend tourist tax income on advertising Edinburgh to tourists have drawn criticism from a councillor and a tenant’s union. - Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan, Midlothian View.
🗣️ Some staff at the University of Edinburgh have been getting training sessions to tackle “accent bias” within lectures, reports Amie Flett, STV News.
🍽️ “Going out for dinner is supposed to be fun - Please, put your phones down, eat your food with gusto, glug your wine and enjoy the company at your table.” - Marchmont’s highly-rated Nàdair chef Alan Keery answers this week’s Chef Q&A in The Herald.
📚 Happy birthday to Transreal Fiction. Here’s a tribute from Minute subscriber Madeleine: “Transreal Fiction, Edinburgh's dedicated science fiction and fantasy bookstore, has its 28th anniversary on Friday 11 April. Inside the shop, at 46 Candlemaker Row, you'll find novels and short stories by big names and rising stars, interesting small press publications and related art books. If you're unsure what to choose, the owner, Mike Calder, is always on hand to share his extensive knowledge of fantasy and science fiction writing.”
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
📌 “The second Saturday of the month means it’s another Balerno Farmers’ Market on Main Street, Balerno, from 9am to 1pm. Featuring a great range of stallholders with fresh Scottish produce and handmade products, plus local groups and organisations. There’s an Easter-themed egg hunt plus help celebrate the Market’s 20th birthday—will there be cake?” - Thanks to C&B News for sharing this.
📌 “An open call-out for submissions for the exhibition I am curating at SETT Studios, Leith. The exhibition is called “You’re a House of Many Rooms and All the Secrets Deep Entombed Within You; I Know a Few.” Visual and written works accepted. Deadline for submissions is 03/5. All details can be found on the @settstudios Instagram page and questions can be sent to samara.r.jundi@gmail.com” - Thanks to Samara Jundi for sharing this.
📌 “Are you looking for an Edinburgh bookclub with a difference? The Edinburgh Post-Apocalyptic Book Club meets on the third Thursday of every month, from 7pm in the Tourmalet on Buchanan Street, to discuss the end of the world and what comes next. Our next meeting is on the 17th of April where we'll be reading Aldous Huxley's Island.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Post-Apocalyptic Book Club member Mary for sharing this.
📌 “Join us at Golden Hare Books in Stockbridge to hear Joanne Rush in conversation about her new novel, Dancing on Knives on Wednesday 16th April at 6.30pm. In Dancing on Knives, Bosnian war survivor Laura struggles to forget, while her disturbing memories seem intent on keeping her company in her new life. Book your place online or in the bookshop.” - Thanks to the always amazing Golden Hare Books team for sharing this.
📌 “Mansfield Traquair Centre is open on Sunday 13 April from 1.00-4.00 pm so come and see the beautiful mural scheme by Phoebe Anna Traquair. Tours are available at twenty minute intervals until 3pm and entry is free. We welcome donations to help sustain ’Edinburgh’s Sistine Chapel’. ” - Thanks to a Friend of Mansfield Traquair Centre for sharing this.
📌 “Coffee Morning with delicious home baking in aid of Eleanor’s Orphanage, St Martin’s Episcopal Church, 232 Dalry Rd, Gorgie-Dalry, EH11 2JG, 1030-1230. Please join us to support this small charity which supports Children in Liberia through care, education and training. Refreshments, home made baking and preserves also on sale.” - Thanks to Rev John Vincent, Priest in Charge, St Martin of Tours, Gorgie-Dalry, for sharing this.
📌 “The Chicago Blues Brothers are in town on Saturday 26th April for a show you don't want to miss! Get yourself to Usher Hall for a fun filled night of singing, dancing and Blues Brothers Classics.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “THE SORRIES: LIVE CONCERT: Scottish Folk Duo. The duo sing, play and banter their way through a show which features a host of traditional tunes from the much-loved Scottish songbook, as well as some songs gathered from the oral tradition and a few original compositions.” - Thanks to The Corstorphine Trust for sharing this.
📌 “Organised by Cancer Card, the Scottish charity which aims to ensure no one faces cancer alone, this free Health and Wellbeing Event is specifically designed for cancer patients in active treatment and recovery, along with their carers, family, and friends. Discover valuable resources to support your holistic wellbeing and connect with a supportive community.” - Thanks to C&B News for sharing this.
📌 “Wheel of Fate and Sett Studios present ANTICIPATION: a group show celebrating the coming of the Spring! Join together at 127 Leith Walk on opening night for performances, readings, music, and drinks. Tickets are free, and everyone is welcome!” - Thanks to Tara McGilvray-Guard, Director, Wheel of Fate, for sharing this.
📌 “Habits Hot Mic is here—the mic is on, and nothing is off limits. 📅 April 11th ⏰ 7:00 PM – 9:15 PM 📍 Riddle’s Court, Edinburgh. For our first session, we’re handing the mic to Gabby Secomb-Flegg, founder of The Main Character Club, to share insights on building obsession-worthy communities, bold pivots, and the power of niching. No rehearsed speeches, no corporate fluff—just raw, unfiltered conversations on what it really takes to build a brand people can’t stop talking about. Stick around after for drinks and a chance to connect with fellow creatives and business owners.” - Thanks to Alix Picken, Founder of Habits, for sharing this.
📌 “RECORD STORE DAY at UNDERGROUND SOLUTION - Record Store Day is back on Saturday 12th April and we'll be proudly presenting a mountain of exclusive vinyl releases plus a rather special selection of in-store performances celebrating some of the amazing artists we sell here in the shop. As always, we'll have all 400+ exclusive RSD releases on sale from 8am in the shop with live sets and DJ's including Ian Rankin, Blanck Mass, David Keenan, Philip Joseph Rae, Accident Machine and more. We hope you can join us for this worldwide celebration of Record Shop culture and all the good folk that make 'em special...music lovers unite!” - Thanks to the shop for sharing this.