The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 16 February 2026
Airport growth plans, dispute over Granton travellers, local chef on Masterchef + local half-term holiday activity ideas
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Not the busiest Monday edition ever, to be honest. As ever, if I've missed anything, please get in touch here. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ This week's weather: This morning there's a Met Office ice warning in place until 10am. Every day this week is looking cloudy with a chance of rain and sunny intervals, except Tuesday which is looking sunny throughout. A high of 9C on Friday and low of -3C overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday. - Get the full week's Met Office forecast here.
✈️ Edinburgh Airport has announced further growth plans to spend £150m a year into new departure gates for more planes and more car parking, despite climate emergency concerns. - Alastair Dalton, The Scotsman.
🚨 Human rights protestors claimed 'victory' after stopping what they claimed was an 'unlawful eviction' of travellers in Granton. - Laura Piper, STV News.
- ⮑ The eviction was described as 'state repression of traveller communities' by the 'Autonomous Library of Edinburgh'. A Scottish Government spokesperson insisted its actions were 'legal', adding it was working 'closely with the City of Edinburgh Council, which has offered support through their homeless service and education department'.
- ⮑ There are photos of the site, and various discussions about it, in the Granton Station Facebook group.
🚈 Trains between Haymarket and Bathgate will be cancelled on three Sundays in March due to flood-prevention works. - Network Rail has the details.
🗑️ Littering along Niddrie Mains Road has been raised in the House of Commons. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.
🤝 Potentially interesting for those who are curious: Edinburgh Live published 'an exclusive look into Masonic lodges rarely seen by members of the public.' - Nicholas Malizia, Edinburgh Live.
🏡 A house and former cafe in Cramond, Cockle Mill, is up for sale for £895,000. - Edinburgh Live / Rightmove.
🧙♀️ 'Is Harry Potter tourism ruining Edinburgh?' - James Walker, The National.
✌️ Better news
This section aims to include better news from all over Edinburgh. It’s a wide range of things, and as always you’re welcome to submit yours here. My hope is that it inspires more civic pride and community spirit, new plans in your calendar and a few smiles or laughs along the way.
🍽️ Local award-winning chef Gemma Costa has been selected to appear in this year's BBC Masterchef TV show. Her vegan food truck Planet G previously won the Scottish Street Food Awards in 2024. - Gemma posted about appearing on Masterchef in this Instagram post.
💰 The Grassmarket Community Project has been announced as this year's Love Your Business charity partner, meaning it will receive 10% of all ticket sales from the LYB monthly networking events in Bruntsfield. - More details from Michelle Brown, of Love Your Business, here.
Michelle Brown
🏉 'Home fans’ pre-match gloom was soon dispelled by hair-raising Flower of Scotland and No10’s game for the ages against England — in Edinburgh I saw the championship at its very best: ‘Maradona’ Finn Russell takes Murrayfield to place no Six Nations venue can match' - David Walsh in the Sunday Times.
🛝 There are lots of local half-term holiday activity ideas for kids, families and carers in the latest edition of Gayle's Guide.
Gayle’s Guide
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.
🥞 The Shrove Tuesday 5K
Tomorrow, Tue 17 February - 'Join for a flipping good blast around The Meadows at the Shrove Tuesday 5K and enjoy a well-deserved pancake for your efforts.'
12.30pm to 1.30pm | The Meadows, EH9 1ND | £7-9 - More details here, shared by Catriona Bruce, Blast Running.
📌 “Are you looking for an opportunity to give back to your local community? Edinburgh School Uniform Bank is recruiting for an Operations Assistant to join its small but mighty team supporting children with clothing and school essentials. Applications open until 2nd March.” - Thanks to the team for sharing this.
📌 “Rhyze Mushrooms Coop is hiring a Community Mushroom Farmer - We are a non-hierarchical workers’ cooperative and we are looking for someone who wants to become a long-term member of our team and help our project grow and thrive. Applications close at 12pm, Sunday, March 1st.” - Thanks to Lauren Waterman - Co-Director, Rhyze Mushrooms Coop, for sharing this.
📌 “We have organised a family led ride to the Botanics from our Porty Prom bike library for the February break on Thursday 18 Feb. Come on your own bikes, or borrow a cargo bike or electric bike to join us. We'll ride at an easy pace, reaching the Botanics for lunch, and returning to Porty Prom by 3pm.” - Thanks to Porty Community Energy for sharing this.
📌 “Studio Sollo: A new tech-led studio has opened in Fountainbridge, with an aim to make reformer Pilates more accessible. With video-led, teacher-led or Open Sessions, there's a class format for any budget, schedule and experience level. Open all day, 7 days a week.” - Thanks to Rachel Stott, Founder of Studio Sollo, for sharing this.
📌 “Summerhall Arts are looking for artists to take part in their 2026 Group Show Exhibition in April/May. This callout is open to local, national and international visual artists, working in any medium, and offers the opportunity to exhibit one piece of work. Apply by 8th March.” - Thanks to Summerhall Arts for sharing this.
Matthew Norris
📌 “Wednesday 18 February. Online Zoom Forum: Rainer Maria Rilke: The Spiritual, Social, and Artistic Vision and Influence of His Life and Work. There will be five talks, each of 12 minutes, followed by discussion among the speakers and the chair, followed by Q & A.” - Thanks to Neill Walker, Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace, for sharing this.
🧩 Energy bills advice pop up by Citizens Advice Scotland
Thu 19 February - 'Energy bills got you worried? Citizens advice are here to help with a drop-in at the polisbox on Leith walk.'
12pm to 4pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups, EH7 4LT | FREE - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith walk polisbox pop ups.
📌 “5 week art courses starting in Feb - Come join us at granton:hub for either our "Portrait and figure drawing" or our "Life drawing" course. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, you’ll receive unwavering support as you build confidence in your own artistic style.” - Thanks to Sallie Bale, Trustee, granton:hub, for sharing this.
📌 “Wednesdays 5:30pm, Mat Pilates Classes, at Cluny Hall, Morningside Parish Church. A 45-min all levels mat pilates class, suitable for everyone from beginners to Pilates pros. £12 per class (or cheaper if you buy a class pack!)” - Thanks to Pilates by Catrin for sharing this.
📌 “Edinburgh’s finest improv show returns to Monkey Barrel Comedy tonight at 8pm! A cast of Edinburgh Fringe veteran improv comedians create comedy sketches based on your suggestions! Tickets £6/£4.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
🍽️ Sardinian Pocket pizza
Fri 20 February - 'Cuaddu is a unique and authentic Sardinian spin on pan baked pizza, folded and eaten on the go as street food.'
11am to 4pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups, EH7 4LT - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith walk polisbox pop ups.
📌 “Winter Feel-Good Movement Series at LifeCare, Fridays starting 20th February for 6 weeks. Choose between Chair-Lates (accessible functional movement in standing or seated) and a Restorative Pilates Mat Class, at £60 for the full series. Edinburgh Minute readers get 10% off with code EDIMIN10.” - Thanks to Dana Karen Ciccone, Owner of Movement Remedies, for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 21st February, The Tailor presents the first Kitchen Takeover! Join us for a special Menu Fisso prepared by Chef Lucia Gregusova. A night of Slovakian winter tastes skilfully prepared by this amazing guest chef. For info and bookings: oioitailor@gmail.com, #oioitailor” - Thanks to Lorenzo, The Tailor, for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday, 1.30pm at Southside Community Centre: Join Ink Asher Hemp for a workshop that traces and treasures disabled and neurodivergent memory and experience - using pictures and words to collage our musings, world making, and caring. To build accessible futures and climate justice we need the ground of knowledge and memory to build it on.” - Thanks to Young Friends of the Earth Scotland for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 21st February - Pick a plant to grow this spring at the Houseplant and Seed Swap & Share. The Queer Gardening Group will be in the Salisbury Centre garden 11am-3pm with snacks, practicing taking cuttings + gardening. Email queergroup@transitionedinburghsouth.org.uk for the door code!” - Thanks to Jim from the Gracemount Queer Gardening Group for sharing this.
📌 “Sunday 22nd February - 10.30-12pm - A small, welcoming workshop in Leith for women navigating change in work, relationships, or identity. Through guided journaling and gentle coaching, you’ll find calm, clarity, and direction. £30 — no experience needed, just come as you are.” - Thanks to Karen Gallagher of Finding Your Feet Coaching for sharing this.
🌿 Willow Weaving Workshop - Bird Feeder
Sun 22 February - 'Hands-on workshop to make a willow birdfeeder, perfect for a garden or as a handmade gift, with materials provided.'
1.30pm to 4.30pm | Away with Willow Coffins, EH10 5LS | £45 - More details here, shared by Koren, Away with Willow.
📌 “Monday 23rd February @ 7pm // We're thrilled to be hosting the Edinburgh launch of the brand new title from Catriona Ward "Nowhere Burning". This event will be chaired by Camilla Grudova, author of 'The Coiled Serpent' and 'Children of Paradise'.” - Thanks to Argonaut Books for sharing this.
📌 “With their mid-term starting on 23rd February, Birchwood Art Studio has spaces left on some of their spring term courses. With 5 weeks left, this would give a newcomer time to learn hone in on a set of new skills - opportunities in sculpture, mindful art or even get your art fix of the week!” - Thanks to Birchwood for sharing this.
💃 Oxgangs Light in the Darkness Family Ceilidh
Sat 28 February - 'The Oxgangs "Light in the Darkness" Family Ceilidh is a chance to shrug off some of the winter gloom with a raffle.'
2.45pm to 5pm | Pentland Community Centre, EH13 9LS | FREE - More details here, shared by Jenn.
📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 📌 Booking is open for the University of Edinburgh’s short courses. (Thanks again to subscriber Rachel C for sharing this).
- 🚎 Lost Shore Ratho bus trial becomes permanent public route.
- ⚽️ Hearts reveal Lunar New Year kit.
- 🏉 '20 of the best Edinburgh bars for watching rugby'.
- 💰 Council's £90m tourist tax shopping list gets approved.
Don’t want to subscribe but still keen to show your support? Please like this post or put a coin/note into the tip jar below. It all helps keep the Minute ticking over. Thanks!
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 841.
📬 Free subscribers: 28,500+.
📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 2,000,000+.
