The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition 28 Feb - 2 March 2025
Bus station saved, Muirhouse money plea, stripping students, Leith Market vegan weekend + three days of sunshine
☀️ Good morning Edinburgh. Who’s ready for three days of sunshine? Full details are in the Met Office forecast.
Here’s Friday’s Edinburgh Minute, followed by the local weekend guide.
🚎 St Andrew Square bus station has been saved from possible closure after the council negotiated on a new lease. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
💰 Volunteers are appealing for £40,000 to keep the Muirhouse Millennium Centre open, arguing that ‘upper class communities get what they ask for but we are made to beg’. - Jacob Farr, Edinburgh Live.
⮑ The fundraiser is here.
⮑ Council housing leader Marion Lezley Cameron said: “If we cannot find £40,000 then we as elected members should hang our heads in shame,” reports the North Edinburgh Community News.
🎇 A decision on whether to launch a consultation for a city-wide fireworks ban in Edinburgh has been pushed back by a month. - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, STV News.
🚔 Two people are in hospital after a ‘serious assault’ in Stenhouse yesterday. - Dave Pickering, North Edinburgh News.
🔥 Emergency services attended a fire at the Saj Shawerma Grill on Chapel Street yesterday afternoon. - Nicholas Malizia and Cara Blackhall, Daily Record.
🪧 The council has announced new tactics it will use to enforce the law in a crackdown on shops displaying goods for sale on pavements. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🖼️ An Andy Warhol screenprint is among nearly 100 archive images of the royal family in a new exhibition opening today. ‘Royal Portraits: A Century Of Photography’ is at The King’s Gallery in the Palace of Holyroodhouse. - More details via STV News and tickets are here.
🔑 ‘Hidden streets’ at The Real Mary King's Close are to be fully opened to the public for one night on Thursday 13 March. The tourist attraction will replace its usual guided tour with a chance for visitors to wander the streets at their own pace. - Jody Harrison, The Herald.
🎭 ‘As the Adelaide Fringe kicks off, its vibrant community spirit contrasts with the challenges facing Edinburgh’s festivals. Is the world’s biggest fringe festival at risk of losing its relevance?’ asks Richard Jordan in The Stage (free registration required).
⚽️ On Sunday it’s the men’s Edinburgh derby with Hibs hosting Hearts at Easter Road at 12.30pm. - Here’s John Greechan’s match preview in the Evening News.
⮑ This week on A View From The Terrace: ex-Hibee Scott Allan is a guest on the show and one of AVFTT’s famous ‘wee films’ is about Hibs legend Joelle Murray. - Tune in to BBC Scotland at 10.30pm on Friday or any time after at this link.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
📌 “Following on from the story on 27th February about the 'sexploitation' at Gilmerton Primary School, I'm writing from Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland. We are a charity working to end child sexual abuse. We run a helpline for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse to get in touch and receive expert advice. Our Scotland helpline is 0131 556 3535 and it runs from 10am- 12pm Monday- Friday. We can provide support to parents, teachers, young people and anyone worried about their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours. ” - Thanks to the charity team for sharing this.
📌 FRIDAY: “First Fridays at Boro now feature ‘Pick & Mix’ our album feature / listening party where we play a selection of albums chosen by you. Given our first session will take place on 7th March, the eve of #internatioanlwomensday and the recent passing of the legendary Roberta Flack we’re going with a female soul theme. Make your submissions via our instagram or email us yo@boro-edinburgh.com” - Thanks to Rob Swain for sharing this.
📌 “The Big Giveaway; Saturday 01 March 1300-1500. A giveaway of donated adult and children’s clothing, toys, books, utensils, DVDs and much more. All free to anyone in need, organised by Granton goes Greener and hosted by St Martin’s Episcopal Church, 232 Dalry Road, EH11 2JG.” - Thanks to Rev John Vincent, Priest in Charge, St Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, for sharing this.
📌 “Welcome springtime in south west Edinburgh with the March 2025 issue of “C&B News”, now available online and in print from this Friday—see website for list of outlets. This month we highlight forthcoming anniversaries for local Ramblers, new calls for fresh volunteers, plus the latest updates from residents, local groups and political representatives across Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton Mains, and Colinton.” - Thanks to Paul for sharing this.
📌 “There will be bargains for everyone at Cramond Kirk's Jumble Sale on Sat 1 March, 11am-1pm. Bags, books, bric-a-brac jostle with clothes, toys, shoes and soft furnishings. Proceeds will be shared with local charity Fresh Start, Guiding and Scouting.” - Thanks to Cramond Kirk for sharing this.
📌 “A masterclass in self-advocacy with FiveXMore to support Black mothers and pregnant people in accessing maternity care. Free brunch and goodie bags! 11am to 1pm at Slateford Medical Centre, Monday 3rd March, hosted by KWISA-Women of African Heritage.” - Thanks to a volunteer at KWISA-Women of African Heritage for sharing this. The organisation is also launching its ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ Community Voices Report on Monday, adding: “Black women in Edinburgh still face alarming disparities in pregnancy and birth outcomes. This event will explore our report’s key findings, actions being taken, and how we can push for real change together.” - More details here.
📌 “Beyond the Flush: Community Voices on Sewage: Ben Lewis, a student of Biological Sciences (BSc) at the University of Edinburgh is conducting research for his undergraduate dissertation on wild swimming in Edinburgh. The study focuses on our local wild swimming community and their views on water quality, particularly regarding sewage overflows and associated risks. If you are involved in wild swimming in Edinburgh, please fill out the attached survey - your input could provide valuable insights into this growing recreational activity in our city.” - Thanks to Ben for sharing this.
📌 “Lose yourself in a night of wild live music, masked mayhem, and irresistible dance at Mediterraneo Carnevale! Join The Badwills and Los Chichanos for a high-energy fusion of Italian pizzica, tarantella, and tropical South American Cumbia, guaranteed to shake off the winter blues - Saturday, March 1st at Assembly Roxy!” - Thanks to Andy Cooke for sharing this.
📌 “This is feedback Michael - I went to a leitheatre workshop this week. 15 people turned up - most they have had for similar events - 8 of the 15 said they heard about it through Edinburgh Minute - (me included)! Well done! ” - Thanks so to an anonymous subscriber for sharing this. Absolutely made my week to know this is occasionally all worthwhile.