The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 20 April 2026
Roads redesign for Niddrie, Craigmillar and Greendykes, VoxBox Record Store Day robbery, local students in tonight's University Challenge final + let Rachel Sermanni sing you to sleep in Bruntsfield
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Bringing you a quick round-up of the weekend and this morning's news, along with your Community Noticeboard, here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
☀️ This week’s weather: Sunny intervals this morning with a chance of rain in the afternoon. A sunny afternoon on Tuesday. Cloudier on Wednesday. Then sunny on Thursday and Friday. A low of 5C on Tuesday, rising to 14C on Friday. - Here’s the full Met Office forecast.
🏗️ Plans for a large new mixed-use 'urban neighbourhood' on land south of the BioQuarter at the Royal Infirmary have been proposed. If approved, it would include housing, student accommodation, food and drink outlets, hotel space, conference and leisure spaces and educational facilities. - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, on Edinburgh Live.
- See the plans, from property developer Ryden, on the City Scope website.
City Scope Team
A major mixed-use quarter is proposed south-east of Little France Road, with labs, healthcare, homes, student living, a hotel, retail and leisure. https://t.co/sMnQK6Ta6e pic.twitter.com/k5OVAYn3P8
— EdinburghPlanningUpdates (@ediPlanUpdates) April 16, 2026
🚦 A public consultation on a major redesign of the main roads in Niddrie, Craigmillar and Greendykes has been launched by the council. - You can get involved in the Craigmillar Niddrie Connections project here and read more about it in this week's edi.bike newsletter here.
💰 The local council has paid out £3.38 million since 2019 settling compensation claims, reports Nicholas Malizia of Edinburgh Live.
🚔 Two men have been charged after drugs worth £98,000, a bladed weapon and cash were found in a 'stolen' crashed car in West Hailes on Thursday. - Matthew Fulton, STV News.
🚲 A man says kids threw a bike off a bridge at him while on the Chancelot Path passing under Bangholm View (map link). - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
🪜 As usual, break-ins plagued the weekend's annual Terminal V dance music event at Ingliston. Footage shows around a dozen people using a ladder to get in, reports Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
⮑ The same thing happened last year (Minute edition 621) and the festival's organisers blamed policing costs as a key reason they plan to leave Edinburgh for another site next year (Minute edition 851).
👀 The owner of Stockbridge record shop VoxBox has published CCTV images of a person who reportedly stole music equipment from their property on Saturday. The shop was hosting a full day of live music for the annual Record Store Day celebrations. - More from VoxBox here.
🎓 The University of Edinburgh's team will appear in the grand final of the BBC’s University Challenge TV show this evening at 8.30pm on BBC Two. They're up against Manchester. - Tune in here. It could be Edinburgh's second win eve, having last won in 2019, reports Tristan Hooper in The Edinburgh Tab. They're up against a potentially record-breaking opponent. Good luck to Parthav Easwar, Johnny Richards, Alice Leonard and Rayhana Amjad!
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📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
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👁️🗨️ A hustings for visually impaired voters - 'Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans are hosting an online hustings where representatives from Scotland’s main political parties will respond to questions from blind and partially sighted voters on topics important to you.' - More details here, shared by Sight Scotland.
🏆 Edinburgh Speakers Compete At World Championship Of Public Speaking - 'The World Championships of Public Speaking will take place in Vancouver this year and the Scottish Division Final took place this weekend in Glasgow. Representatives of 3 Edinburgh Toastmasters clubs took part in the competition.' - More details here, shared by Ronnie Smith, Toastmasters International (Non Profit).
🧑⚕️ Low Cost Counselling Available with The Edinburgh Counselling Service - 'The Edinburgh Counselling Service is delighted to be able to offer a number of low cost counselling sessions starting from Tuesday 28 April. Fill in the brief self referral form here.' - More details here, shared by The Edinburgh Counselling Service.
🗑️ Calton Hill Conservation Trust's 14th LITTER PICKUP - 'SATURDAY 25 April 10.00 — Calton Hill Conservation Trust's 14th LITTER PICKUP. Starting from CALTON HILL TOP CAR PARK at 10.00. Litter pickers provided, please bring GLOVES. Coffee available. RSVP Gerry at <info@caltonhilltrust.org> or just turn up.' - More details here, shared by Calton Hill Conservation Trust.
🙏 Online Zoom Forum: Spiritual Resources for Parenting: Values, Principles, Practices, Vision & Action - 'There will be four talks, each of 15 minutes, followed by discussion among the speakers and the chair, followed by Q & A. Date: Wednesday 22 April 2026. Time: 7pm-9pm (UK time).' - More details here, shared by Neill Walker, Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace.
🏢 Vacancy: Cathedral Administrator - 'St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, is seeking to appoint an office administrator (church membership is not required). 20hrs/week with flexible times, £16,666 (FTE £30,833). The Cathedral is a Living Wage Employer.' - More details here, shared by St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral.
🛻 Transform Scotland’s new campaign Ending Big Car Bloat - 'Across Scotland, cars are getting bigger and heavier year on year, taking up more and more space on our streets - making towns and cities more congested and dangerous. Starting Wed 22, we’re launching a week-long fundraising effort with the Big Give.' - More details here, shared by Transform Scotland.
🎨 Out of the Blue Drill Hall's Artist & Maker Showcase: "Cellular" [Daily]
Today, Mon 20 April - 'Come to the galleries of "Cellular", an exhibition of new work by local artists and makers! Prints, paintings, jewellery, crafts, mixed media, textiles, and AV installations on display at the historic Drill Hall. 15-24 April, 10am-5pm, closed Sunday.'
10am to 5pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, EH6 8RG | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧑🦽➡️ Chair Yoga [Weekly]
Tomorrow, Tue 21 April - 'This friendly and relaxed group is for adults with a physical disability. Chair Yoga is a modified, accessible and gentle version of yoga. It helps improve your health, strength, coordination and confidence. Try 2 weeks for FREE. Please book ahead.'
1.45pm to 3.30pm | Pentland Community Centre, EH13 9LS | £2.30 after tasters - More details here, shared by Ecas.
📚 Doug Johnstone in conversation with Val McDermid
Tomorrow, Tue 21 April - 'Doug Johnstone's second novel 'The Ossians' has been reissued with an introduction by Val McDermid, so a conversation between the two felt like the perfect way to celebrate it. Join us in person or online for excellent chat - and maybe a tune or two!'
7pm to 8pm | The Portobello Bookshop, EH15 1DA - More details here, shared by The Portobello Bookshop.
⚓ The Royal Navy and Leith Local History Talk
Tomorrow, Tue 21 April - 'Please join us on Tuesday 21st April in Leith Community Centre at 7pm. Brian Pinkstone will share his knowledge of the Royal Navy and Leith in the 18th century.'
7pm to 8pm | Leith Community Centre, EH6 6AD | £2 to non-members - More details here, shared by Leith Local History Society.
🌱 Lay My Heart Yoga Nidra with Rachel Sermanni
Wed 22 April - 'Yoga Nidrã is a beautiful act of resistance & reMatriation (returning your body to the land). Step off the wild waking world for an hour and return restored.'
10am to 11am | Līla Yoga, Bruntsfield, EH10 4HJ - More details here, shared by Rachel Sermanni.
🧵 Earth Day Mending Circle
Wed 22 April - 'Celebrate Earth Day with our drop-in fun and sustainable textile activities 🌎 A welcoming mending circle and / or create your own macrame style decorations with reused fabric! Pop in if you need some advice about repairing your clothes.'
10am to 4pm | Shop With No Name, EH1 3RX | FREE - More details here, shared by Mary Morton, Edinburgh Street Stitchers.
🌍 Earth Day Lecture: Can Heritage Survive Without Nature?
Wed 22 April - 'Join four experts from Historic Environment Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, GRAS Architects, and Edinburgh School of Architecture as they explore the links between built and natural environments and what this means for Scotland's heritage.'
6pm to 8pm | Riddles Court, EH1 2PG | £8, £3.50 students - More details here, shared by Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (Charity).
🌊 Surfers Against Sewage Husting Event in Edinburgh
Wed 22 April - 'Sewage and Plastic pollution are a big concern for communities around Edinburgh as we head into the Elections at Holyrood. Join us as we discuss with candidates what they and their parties will do to tackle the sewage and plastic crisis.'
7pm to 8.30pm | Edinburgh College, EH15 2PQ | FREE - More details here, shared by Emma O'Neill, SAS.
🗳️ Democrats Abroad Scotland Edinburgh Monthly Social
Wed 22 April - 'Please join us for our monthly social event, to gather with other Democrats Abroad, commiserate over US politics and find out how you can get involved with affecting change ahead of the midterms. Non-American friends welcome as well, please RSVP!'
7pm to 10pm | The Outhouse, EH1 3LY | FREE - More details here, shared by Jack Nevin, Democrats Abroad Scotland.
🪄 Underground Magic: Edinburgh's Live Magic & Comedy Night [Fortnightly]
Wed 22 April - 'The guys behind smash-hit show "Insane Magic" present a regular night packed with the best magicians, mind-readers, comedians and wild-card variety acts from across the country! Join us every two weeks for a unique night out not to be missed!'
7pm to 10pm | The Gilded Saloon, EH1 1HB | £14, £12 concession - More details here, shared by Cameron Gibson, Edinburgh Magic Company.
🎥 "My Dear Théo" - fundraising screening in Edinburgh
Thu 23 April - 'fundraising screening of "My Dear Théo" to support Ukrainian children affected by war!'
6pm to 8pm | Edinburgh Napier University Merchiston Campus, EH10 5DT | £5 - More details here, shared by shevchenko.philia.
📽️ Early Video Art from Yugoslavia (1969-1991)
Thu 23 April - 'Early video art from Yugoslavia (1969-1991) screening and discussion with Barbara Borčić and the Rewind project team. Rewind Yugoslavia is an AHRC-funded project conducting research into video art histories in the former Yugoslavia between 1969-91.'
6.30pm to 8pm | Summerhall, EH9 1PL | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧘♀️ New Beginners Yoga Class [Weekly]
Fri 24 April - 'Yoga with Veronica is starting a Beginners Yoga class on Fridays 9:30-10:30am at Morningside Parish Church, with taster sessions at half price. Come join the class just if you're curious about yoga or returning to it- You'll be most welcome!'
9.30am to 10.30am | Morningside Parish Church, EH10 6BQ - More details here, shared by Veronica Lussier.
🧑🤝🧑 FINAL CALL - Men's Therapy Group - 10 x weekly sessions at LifeCare in Stockbridge [Weekly]
Fri 24 April - 'In collaboration with Edinburgh Blue Balls charity, Room for Therapy are running a FREE 10-week therapy group for men in Edinburgh to come together and explore their experiences in a supportive, confidential and professionally facilitated setting.'
1.30pm to 3.30pm | LifeCare Edinburgh, EH4 1JB | FREE - More details here, shared by Neil Hutchison, Room for Therapy.
🎶 Dunedin Consort: Foldings & Whirlings
Sat 25 April - 'Immerse yourself in mesmerising a cappella choral music in the historic Greyfriars Kirk with the singers of Dunedin Consort, and director Ellie Slorach. Beautiful music from 16th c. polyphony through to the present day. Pre-concert talk at 6.30pm.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Greyfriars Kirk, EH1 2QQ | £30; concessions - More details here, shared by Dunedin Consort.
🏃♂️ Race The Tram!
Sun 26 April - 'Join us for this unique event in Edinburgh's running scene! Navigate the city. Outsmart the tram. Can you get back before it does? Ride the tram, and race it back - your way. 📍 St Andrew Square 📍 Foot of the Walk 📍 Newhaven Terminus.'
8am to 9am | Patina Bakery and Events, EH12 9GR | £20 - More details here, shared by Blast Running Ltd.
🌸 Laid Bare: A Long, Late Lunch
Sat 09 May - 'Join me for this unique supperclub event with a twist: we'll be dining in our lingerie! This is a womens only event to celebrate spring & to offer a space to connect over what womanhood feels like to us. Ticket includes goodie bag worth over £70.'
3pm to 6pm | Shop With No Name, EH1 3RX | £120 - More details here, shared by Emily King, Emily King Therapy.
🇪🇺 Festival of Europe Scotland - Russia's campaign against Europe
Mon 11 May - 'Event: how can Europe respond to Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, incursions into European states, bribery & disinformation. Leading journalist Allan Little will lead a panel discussion featuring experts from Poland, Germany & the UK.'
4pm to 6pm | French Institute of Scotland, EH1 1RN | £6 - More details here, shared by Festival of Europe Scotland.
⚽ Street Soccer Creative Cup 2026
Thu 14 May - 'WANTED: Scotland's creative agencies & freelancers - swap pitch decks for football pitches! 🏆⚽ The Creative Cup returns on 14th May, raising vital funds for Street Soccer Scotland. Or - just sign up for the afterparty at Moonwake Beer Co afterwards!'
12pm to 5pm | World Of Football Marine Drive, EH4 5EJ - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🏋️♂️ Edinburgh Leisure launches Spring Pass.
- 🎨 New Leith HQ and programme revealed for Edinburgh Art Festival.
- 🍽️ Former Armenian restaurant in Abbeyhill could become holiday let.
- ⛔️ Queensferry Crossing closing for three nights (24, 25 & 26 April).
- 🏗️ Causewayside Lads' Institute building has been listed.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 893.
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