The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 16 March 2026
Gun found in park, bid to finally flush the Seafield stench, Hidden Door festival headliners announced, new Sephora opening + Kathy & Davy push limits for MND
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Not the busiest weekend of news, to be honest, so this won't take you long to read. But there's some good stuff in here. Wonderful people doing brilliant things. Of course, there's some bleak news too but I hope the good outweighs the bad. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ This week’s weather: There's a dusting of snow on the Pentlands this morning. There's a chance of rain today but a drier week ahead. Expect a temperature low of 4C on Saturday and a high of 13C on Wednesday. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🚈 Trains from Edinburgh won't reach Glasgow Central station until 'at least Wednesday', says ScotRail, due to post-fire demolition work at the nearby building on Union Street. - More details from ScotRail here.
🚲 A local transport-themed election hustings is planned for this evening, organised by Spokes and Cycling UK. - More details in this morning's edi.bike newsletter.
🚨 A gun and bullets were found in wooded area near Niddrie Mains Road on Thursday. - Police Scotland published this statement, with Detective Chief Inspector George Calder saying: "This recovery will be a significant blow to organised crime groups, I have no doubt this firearm would have been used in violence, which would have resulted in serious injury, or worse."
- ⮑ The location was 'within a wooded area near the Jack Kane Centre', reports Cara Blackhall of Edinburgh Live.
- Last week a man was jailed for nine years for firing a gun less than half a mile from the park in March last year, reports Holly Lennon of STV News, although police are yet to confirm if there's a link.
😷 Efforts to stop the Seafield stench are 'on track for a summer start' and should be complete 'by the end of 2027', according to a new update from Scottish Water: "Plans have been prepared in recent years to improve the way that sludge is stored at the site, building on earlier efforts to reduce, contain and treat potential sources of odour emissions from Scotland’s largest Waste Water Treatment Works."
🅿️ Some people in the Hutchison area are annoyed that motor parking permits are being introduced for their private cars on public roads, like many other parts of the city. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.
🚴♀️ Kathy Weir, wife of the late Edinburgh rugby player Doddie Weir, completed a 750-mile cycle across four countries in four days. Kathy was part of Rob Wainwright's Triple Crown annual cycle challenge, raising £1.3m for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Kathy and her group of riders faced some 'absolutely brutal' weather, according to Edinburgh's round-the-world record-breaker Mark Beaumont, who said Friday was 'one of the hardest days I've ever had on a bike, and that's saying something' as they faced torrential rain. The ride ended in Dublin where Kathy hand-delivered the match ball for Saturday's Ireland v Scotland Six Nations rugby match. - ITV Borders News. Find out more about the MND Foundation here.
🏂 Another fundraiser wearing the MND tartan and pushing the limits: flying Scotsman Davy Zyw, the Edinburgh-born Paralympic pioneer, fulfilled his dream on Friday by completing a run in the snowboard slalom event in Italy. In an interview with BBC Sport's Katie Falkingham, Zyw said:
"When I'm unable to snowboard, looking back at my runs from the Paralympics when I turned up, despite my injuries and my disease, that is something I'll cherish and hold on to." - Read the full interview here.
🎭 The reviews are coming in for the long-awaited Edinburgh-based 'One Day: The Musical' at the Lyceum. - It's 'thoroughly engaging', writes Hugh Simpson in All Edinburgh Theatre.
🪩 The Friday and Saturday headliners have been announced for Hidden Door festival, which is due to return to The Paper Factory at the Gyle in June. On Friday 5 June: Norwegian singer-songwriter, record producer, and novelist Jenny Hval. On Saturday 6 June: Skye natives Valtos fuse folk and electro with their DJ/live hybrid project High Water Mark. Then Fred Deakin of Lemon Jelly takes over on the Saturday night. - Tickets and more details the five-day creative collaborations are here.
Hidden Door
👗 A group of 20 people all diagnosed with cancer will strut a St James Quarter catwalk on 28 March at the Edinburgh STYLE event, raising money with the Business Beats Cancer Edinburgh charity. - More details via Scottish Financial News.
💄 Sephora is opening a new shop in the St James Quarter this summer. - Nick Forbes, The Herald + Rhoda Morrison, Evening News.
🎓 'Come on Edinburgh students, it’s time for us to actually start going to our lectures' - Parthivee Mukherji, The Edinburgh Tab.
🍽️ Edinburgh eateries Table, Eorna and Argile feature in a piece about 'micro-restaurants' by Sinéad Campbell in the Guardian.
Sinéad Campbell
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🤖 Edinburgh high school team seeks sponsorship to go to World Robotics Championship - 'Thistle Robotics from James Gillespie’s High School has achieved something incredible- they’ve qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in the USA. But without financial help they can't afford to go. They are seeking sponsorship & donations.' - Thanks to Rebecca Patterson, for sharing this.
🏆 Rianne White wins Best Music Video at new festival: 'Edinburgh's own Rianne White won Best Music Video for "Besties" by Black Country, New Road at new music video festival Wild Song, held at the Cameo on Thursday. Other local winners include Rachel White, Cowboy Hunters and Hamish Hawk'. - The full list of winners is shared by the event organisers here.
🌑 Coven Studios | Spring Availability - 'Coven is a curated, professional coworking community with flexible memberships for creatives in Edinburgh. We currently have two private studios and one coworking desk available. Email us to enquire or arrange a viewing: hello@covenstudios.uk' - Thanks to Coven Studios, for sharing this.
😂 The Sketch Show
Today, Mon 16 March - 'A live sketch comedy podcast recording: The Sketch Show! Support the best local comic talent Edinburgh has to offer as they perform brand new sketch comedy material. And why not put yourself forward to write or perform for our next show?".'
7.30pm to 9pm | Leith Depot, EH6 5DT | £5-10 - More details here, shared by Joe Peden.
🍀 St Patrick's Day 5K @ The Meadows
Tomorrow, Tue 17 March - 'Join us for a blast around The Meadows at the St Patrick's Day 5K on the 17th March 2026 and enjoy some clover shaped shortbread for your efforts! 12.45pm start- online and on the day entries available. Scran Academy fundraiser!'
12.30pm to 1.30pm | East Meadows Play Park, EH8 9LW | £7-9 - More details here, shared by Cat, Blast Running Ltd.
🍷 Drink Wine and Speak Spanish, Bruntsfield
Tomorrow, Tue 17 March - 'Drink Wine & Speak Spanish. We combine fine Spanish wines with fine Spanish words and invite everyone (fluent or beginner) to join us for a relaxed and fun evening of Spanish speaking accompanied by wine.'
7pm to 9pm | Decanter Winery and Dinery, EH10 4DG | £25 (£12.50 offer) - More details here, shared by Wine & Language.
🌸 Spring Mandala Workshop
Sat 21 March - 'Spring Mandala Workshop, to welcome spring and reflect on this transitional time. We will engage in mindful and creative practice - using dried flowers to create shapes, styles, and unique patterns. All materials provided, no experience necessary.'
10am to 11.30am | Creative Arts Therapies Space CIC, EH7 5PL | Tickets £8-£15 - More details here, shared by Raycal.
🌳 Forest Bathing at Lauriston: Awakening the Forest
Sat 21 March - 'Still a few places left for our Spring Forest Bathing event. Slow down, breathe deeply, and experience the gentle awakening of spring through a guided sensory walk in Lauriston's beautiful gardens. No experience needed - all are welcome.'
10am to 12.30pm | Lauriston Castle, EH4 6AD - More details here, shared by Dr Eve Hepburn, LongLeaf.
🫸 Free Tai Chi Session for World Tai Chi Day - Tai Chi Centre Restaurant - Portobello
Sat 21 March - 'Come and celebrate World Tai Chi Day with a free introductory session run by Master Liming Yue. Suitable for all ages and abilities.'
11am to 11.50am | Tai Chi Restaurant, EH15 1EY | FREE - More details here, shared by Michael.
📸 Hollywood Film Stills - Meet Murray Close
Sat 21 March - 'Murray Close, one of the most sought after Film Stills Photographers. He has worked with the likes of Kubrick, Spielberg, Eastwood, Cruise etc. Murray will be at Gallery-Close signing copies of his prints from the cult classic Withnail and I.'
1pm to 3pm | Gallery-Close, EH3 6TD | FREE - More details here, shared by Gallery-Close photographic gallery.
🚶♀️➡️ Pennywell Mural Walk
Sun 22 March - 'A relaxed Sunday stroll visiting Pennywell Arts & Heritage Trail murals by Fraser Gray. Led by Tamsin Grainger with local history, stories, art chat and discussion. All ages welcome. Foot, wheel and paw friendly. Dress brightly for all weathers!'
2pm to 4pm | North Edinburgh Arts, EH4 4AB | Free / Donation - More details here, shared by Tamsin Grainger.
🌱 Big Ideas. Tiny Seeds.
Sun 22 March - 'We're opening Greenway Garden for a day of gathering, growing and celebrating together. Plant sunflowers, swap seeds and growing tips, share ideas about Greenway projects, play snakes and ladders, learn about compost, drink tea and enjoy a BBQ.'
10am to 4pm | Greenway Community Garden, EH14 2PE | FREE - More details here, shared by Wester Hailes Growing Communities.
🧒 Our Neighbourhood in 2040 - Final People's Assembly
Sat 28 March - 'Your last chance to shape the future of Merchiston, Marchmont & Sciennes and Bruntsfield (for 2040 at least)! Come along at 13:00 for a free lunchtime concert at the Pianodrome, or 14:00 - 16:00 for discussions and food in St Oswald's next door.'
2pm to 4pm | St. Oswald's Centre, EH10 4NB | FREE - More details here, shared by Natalie Arnold, BANZAI.
🎶 Good Vibes Record Store Day 2026
Sat 18 April - 'Good Vibes announce a packed programme of live music and DJs across two nearby venues, The False Widow and The Cricket Club. DJs curated by supper Club and live performances from Acolyte, Tony Morris, Isa Gordon, Buffet Lunch, Comfort & more!'
12pm to 11.30am | Good Vibes Neighbourhood Store & Studios, EH6 7AD | Day(free) or £10/£12 - More details here, shared by Aimee Douglas, Good Vibes Neighbourhood Store.
🗣️ Scotland and the State of World Trade
Mon 20 April - 'The global trade environment is undergoing rapid transformation. With shifting geopolitical alliances, post-Brexit trade arrangements, and the rise of digital and green trade, Scotland faces a distinct set of challenges and opportunities.'
10am to 5pm | Edinburgh Futures Institute, EH3 9EF | FREE - More details here, shared by Scottish Council on Global Affairs.
🤘 Metal Fusion band Paeizi on Mash House bill
Fri 24 April - 'Iranian Classical fused with Metal, Paeizi are joining Empty spaces headline show on their Scottish weekender with Scarred Lip & Retroskeptic. For the Daring music lovers who read The Edinburgh minute!'
6.45pm to 10pm | The Mash House, EH1 1JG | £9 + booking fee - More details here, shared by Hossein Paeizi.
🎶 Be a Chorister Afternoon
Fri 01 May - 'Come and discover life as a chorister at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. Children will take part in a fun singing session led by our choral staff, and learn more about chorister life at St Mary's Music School. Open to all P3-4s who love to sing!'
2pm to 6pm | St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, EH12 5AW | FREE - More details here, shared by Timothy Coleman, St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral.
📮 I love that the final two things sent in by readers for today's newsletter were a metal band and a choir session. It really is for everyone, this newsletter. Thanks as always to everyone who shares their news or events. The link to share your things is here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🏢 Plan to turn empty Gyle office block into a church.
- 📵 Parents and staff 'overwhelmingly back' school phone ban.
- 💰 Festival set to be left 'out of pocket' over tourist tax.
- 🚒 Questions after Edinburgh fire engine used for Glasgow fire.
- 🏂 Local snowboarder Davy Zyw shares his emotional story.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 864.
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