The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 23 February 2026
Lecturers strike, curler brings home Olympic silver medal, £45k for Leith Chooses winners, new lion statue plan + decision day for football late licenses
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It's a busy week ahead. And a busy newsletter today. If it gets cut off in your inbox, you can read it online here. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ This week's weather: It's a much warmer week ahead. But expect rain today, Wednesday and Thursday. Some sunshine in between the showers. A high of 13C on Wednesday and a low of 3C on Friday. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🎓 Lecturing staff at Edinburgh Napier University went on strike on Friday to oppose compulsory redundancies. - The Educational Institute of Scotland union shared more details + there's more coverage by Rose Moncur in The Herald.
⮑ A Napier spokesperson said: "Universities are operating in an increasingly challenging environment, amid rising costs and acute funding pressures, and Edinburgh Napier is no different." - Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.
💰 The ten local groups who won funding through the Leith Chooses participatory budgeting scheme have been announced. The projects sharing a funding pot of £44,707.16 are:
- Dr Bell’s Family Centre – ‘Wellbeing in Leith’
- Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council – ‘Efficient and Healthy Cooking’
- Edinburgh Community Food – ‘Tasty Tales of Leith’
- Kin Collective Family Wellbeing – ‘Kin Begins: Community Wellbeing Pregnancy Support’
- Leith Community Growers – ‘Dùthchas – Growing an Orchard for the People’
- Living Memory Association – ‘The Wee Hub’
- Milan Senior Welfare Organisation – ‘Leith Connections’
- Mustard Seed Edinburgh – ‘Roots and Routes: Conversations on Easter Road’
- Pilmeny Development Project – ‘Wellbeing in Leith: Supporting Older People Out of Isolation’
- Water of Leith Conservation Trust – ‘Coalie Coalition Resources’.
🚎 Newly revised Lothian Bus and Tram fares and timetables began yesterday. - The full list of timetable changes is here and the new ticket prices are here.
Karen Keith
🗳️ The news you've all been waiting for: after a week off, council meetings return today. Woohoo. Here's what's on the agenda:
- Monday, 9.30am - Licensing Board, including: It's decision day for plans to let local pubs to open late into the early morning to accommodate Scotland's men's football World Cup matches. - Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan reports in Midlothian View.
- Council officers are recommending councillors grant the request for bars' licensed hours to be extended until 30 minutes after the end of each match between 11 June to 19 July, including a 2am kick-off. - The full council report is here and the webcast link is here.
- On Wednesday it's the planning meeting (aka 'Development Management Sub-Committee').
- There are 26 applications for short-term lets, all of which are recommended for refusal. Also on the agenda: plans for a new lion statue to The Royal Regiment of Scotland next to the Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens are recommended for approval but will be voted on by councillors. - Read more about the statue plan on the regiment's website here. The Edinburgh World Heritage Trust raised concerns about 'the cumulative impacts of statue proposals within the gardens, lack of justification for the specific location of the proposal, and site-specific issues in relation to trees'.
- Then on Thursday it's the council's annual budget meeting (as previewed in last Thursday's Minute).
🥘 The Durbar Indian Kitchen restaurant on Shandwick Place has closed over an unpaid HMRC tax bill, with all employees made redundant, reports Brian Donnelly in The Herald + details of the liquidation are on the insolvency service website.
🥌 Edinburgh-born curler Bruce Mouat is bringing home a silver medal from the Winter Olympics, after Team GB's men lost to Canada in the final. - Richard Winton, BBC Sport. With 5.5 million viewers, BBC's coverage of the match had more viewers than ITV's Britain's Got Talent.
⮑ Mouat, an Edinburgh Napier University graduate, shared photos and videos from the Games on his Instagram account.
- He said: "We hope this run inspires the next generation to pick up a brush and fall in love with this sport the way we did. Curling gave us everything, and we’re not done yet."
🚴♂️ Broadcaster Greg James is planning a 1,000km tandem charity cycle for Comic Relief, starting in Weymouth on 13 March and finishing in Edinburgh on Friday 20 March: Red Nose Day 2026. Well, that’s the plan, anyway. He'll be joined by 'various characters and celebs' along the way, writes Mat Brett in Road CC.
Mat Brett
🏢 Plans for a £200m redevelopment of the Port Hamilton office in Fountainbridge have been announced. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.
🗑️ A team of volunteers filled 20 bags of rubbish from paths around Murrayfield at the weekend. - Photos from the Water of Leith Conservation Trust.
🚾 Concerns have been raised about 'ugly' and 'smelly' temporary toilets on Calton Hill. - The Calton Hill Conservation Trust.
We are still awaiting an update from @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social about the REPLACEMENT of the PORTALOOS. They were scheduled to go at the end of January. We remain concerned about the units — not just the ugliness but also safety and security. FYI @spurtle.bsky.social @edinburghminute.com
— Calton Hill Conservation Trust (@caltonhill.bsky.social) 2026-02-22T11:49:34.953Z
🍺 The owners of the Abode bar on Leith Walk have announced plans to close next month.
🍻 The Beehive pub in the Grassmarket reopened at the weekend after a £1 million refurbishment. - Dram Scotland.
🍎 Custom Lane in Leith will host a new cider festival on 28 March. The Ubhal Cider Gathering is being organised by Aeble shop owners Jayne Hutchison her husband Grant, the former Frightened Rabbit drummer. - Gary Flockhart, The Scotsman.
🎸 The Sex Pistols have announced a concert at the Corn Exchange on 9 December. - Evening News.
⮑ Tickets aren't on sale yet but details will be posted here.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
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📌 “23-28 February is CyberScotland Week. Businesses, communities and individuals from all over Scotland are invited to host events to foster our collective cyber resilience. There are plenty of Edinburgh-based (and virtual) events happening throughout the week.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
🥐 New Bakery Opening in Haymarket - Leith & Stockbridge Food Market legend Pie Dolly has renamed and opened a brick & mortar shop as Jeannie's Bakery in Haymarket, offering all their delicious classics as well as new sandwich, cake and bun offerings. 147 Morrison Street, EH3 8AG - Thanks to a Minute reader for sharing this.
🎭 Community Play Volunteer Call Out! A Play for Palestine - Art27 Scotland has created a powerful and innovative play based on testimony from people currently in Gaza. We are looking for volunteer performers participants - actors, musicians, no experience needed. Show Mid May. - Thanks to Art27 Scotland, for sharing this.
🏳️🌈 Age Scotland LGBTQ+ History Month and Book Week event
Today, Mon 23 February - Age Scotland is hosting an event with older LGBTQ+ activists to discuss the campaign for equality and challenges facing the community. Guests include actor Mark Kydd and Lavender Menace founder, Sigrid Nelson. RSVP Keith.Paterson@agescotland.org.uk
10.30am to 3pm | Age Scotland, EH9 1PR | FREE - More details here, shared by Keith Paterson, Age Scotland.
🎪 Youth Circus Classes (ages 5 - 11) [Weekly]
Today, Mon 23 February - Spin, twirl and juggle with these fun and confidence building classes! Families can book a free trial using the code FREETRIAL
4pm to 6.30pm | Leith St Andrew's Church, EH6 8HT - More details here, shared by Think Circus SCIO.
🧒 Kids Club [Weekly]
Today, Mon 23 February - Starts Monday 23 Feb! All Primary School children are welcome to come to Kids Club. Games, crafts, Bible stories - come and have fun and make new friends! Kids Club is free but please follow the link to register your child before the club begins.
6pm to 7pm | Buccleuch and Greyfriars Free Church of Scotland, EH8 9JP | FREE - More details here, shared by Sarah Lytle, Buccleuch Free Church.
🗣️ Currie and District Local History Society: "Bletchley Park"
Today, Mon 23 February - Talk on Bletchley Park by Derek Douglas, highlighting its importance during the Second World War.
7.30pm to 9pm | Currie and District Local History Society, EH14 5NY | Guest: £5 - More details here, shared by C&B News.
🇺🇦 Talk by Dr Peter Kormylo: Scotland's Ukrainians - Their Story Marking the 4th anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Tomorrow, Tue 24 February - Join us on 24 February at Canonmills Church for a talk by Dr Peter Kormylo on Scotland's Ukrainians - Their Story. Marking four years since the full-scale invasion, this event explores 100 years of Ukrainian life in Scotland and our shared history.
2.30pm to 4pm | Canonmills Church, EH3 5LH | FREE - More details here.
📖 Turn your memories into memoirs
Tomorrow, Tue 24 February - Whether you're reflecting on your own life or looking to capture someone else's story, these memoir writing workshops run by best-selling Edinburgh author Emma Dhesi will guide you through how to turn key memories into memorable and immersive stories
10am to 1pm | The Arienas Collective - Creative Workshop Hub, EH3 6NW | £50 - More details here, shared by Lynn Powell, The Arienas Collective.
🕹️ Super Nintendo - Book event with author Keza McDonald
Tomorrow, Tue 24 February - Guardian video games editor Keza Macdonald is from Edinburgh and has been a video game journalist since she was 16. Come & hear her talk about her new book - Super Nintendo - charting the company history & games through unparalled exclusive access.
7pm to 9pm | Toppings @ Pilrig St Pauls - More details here.
🖼 Gamma PhotoForum Exhibition [Daily]
Wed 25 February - Gamma PhotoForum 2026 Expo - 80 prints covering all genres of photography. Also two small exhibitions - Dublin Camera Club and the Society's own member prints at the same venue.
10.30am to 3.30pm | Edinburgh Photographic Society, EH3 6QU - More details here, shared by Muriel Binnie, Edinburgh Photographic Society.
🎨 Collage Workshop
Wed 25 February - Join Concrete Nature for a playful monochrome themed collage workshop at Field Studio on 25th February at 6pm. All levels welcome, all materials provided, you will leave with your new collages feeling relaxed and creatively recharged!
6pm to 8pm | Field Studio Ltd, EH9 1ST | £17.50 - More details here.
📖 Doug Johnstone in conversation with Chris Brookmyre
Wed 25 February - Portobello-based writer Doug Johnstone will be launching the 20th anniversary edition of his very first novel, Tombstoning, alongside fellow writer (and Fun Lovin' Crime Writer) Chris Brookmyre. There'll be great chat & some live music!
7pm to 8pm | The Portobello Bookshop, EH15 1DA - More details here, shared by The Portobello Bookshop.
☕ Machina Coffee: Welcome to Coffee
Thu 26 February - A workshop and tasting at our Marchmont Cafe for anyone who loves coffee but feels like they might be missing part of the story. We'll taste a few coffees side by side and chat through how coffee goes from cherry to roastery. Free, open to everyone!
6pm to 7.30pm | Machina Coffee - Marchmont Cafe, EH9 1HX | FREE - More details here, shared by Machina Coffee Roasters.
📖 She-bear, Baba-Yaga and House spirits
Thu 26 February - Literary talk with writer Evgenia Nekrasova on myth, folklore and magic pessimism in contemporary Russian reality.
6pm to 8.30pm | Augustine United Church, EH1 1EL | £10 - More details here, shared by Elena Rodchenko.
🎨 CreativeMornings: Inside Scotland's Watercolours with The RSW
Fri 27 February - CreativeMornings is a monthly meet up for local creative inspiration and connection. This month, join us for networking, Machina coffee and Company Bakery breakfast before artist Jenny Martin RSW takes us behind the scenes inside the RSW exhibition.
8.30am to 9.30am | The Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture, EH2 2EL | FREE - More details here, shared by Sophie Jones, CreativeMornings Edinburgh.
🎲 Croft Fundraising Quiz February 27th
Fri 27 February - Grab your team and head to the Croft for a fun quiz night supporting social enterprise Earth in Common. General knowledge, picture & music rounds, hosted by Brian. 7pm for 7:30pm start. Book for teams of 2-8. Licensed bar with wine, beer and snacks.
7pm to 10pm | Leith Community Croft, EH6 7EL | from £5 per person - More details here, shared by Jaimie MacDonald, Earth in Common.
😊 The Big Yin
Fri 27 February - Friday 27 February 19:30 - 21:00 - The Big Yin is a 90-minute yoga and meditation class at the Salisbury Centre on the last Friday of the month. Join us for deep stretching and relaxation, and get £3 off with code 'Ediminute'.
7.30pm to 9pm | The Salisbury Centre, EH16 5AB - More details here, shared by Hannah Simpson.
🎭 Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society: The Grand Duke [Daily]
Fri 27 February - The Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society invite you to join them in the topsy-turvy, tuneful and highly entertaining world of The Grand Duke. This is a rare opportunity to see the duo's final comic opera, presented in a semi-staged production.
7.30pm to 10pm | Edinburgh New Town Church | £18 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society.
🏉 Edinburgh Rugby v Scarlets
Fri 27 February - With the Guinness Six Nations on pause, make sure you still get your rugby fix this week when Edinburgh Rugby face Welsh side Ospreys in the BKT URC under the Friday Night Lights! Bring the whole family down and support the capital in action.
7.45pm to 9.45pm | Hive Stadium, EH12 5QY - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Rugby.
🍽️ Empire BiscuitFest
Sat 28 February - Join Tasty Buns Bakery at 67 Bread Street for their third ever Empire BiscuitFest! Expect 6 weird, wacky and brand new flavours of Empire Biscuits available on this day only! It's a must for all Biscuit fiends and foodie lovers!
9am to 5pm | Tasty Buns, EH3 9AH | FREE - More details here, shared by Tasty Buns Bakery.
🎨 Furniture Upcycling Workshop
Sat 28 February - Transform a vintage table in this full-day creative workshop covering sanding, priming, decorative design and protective finishes. Materials provided. No experience necessary.
10am to 5pm | Edinburgh Open Workshop, EH6 7BQ | £175 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Open Workshop.
🔥 Spring Foray for Imbolc
Sat 28 February - Join us for an Imbolc gathering in the woods at Roslin Glen, weaving together foraging, folklore, fire and crafting. We'll wander through the glen to harvest rushes, learn how to weave Brigid's crosses, taste spring greens and warm up by the fire.
11am to 1.30pm | *Address not available in this system* - In front of Rosslyn Chapel (Chapel Loan, EH25 9PU | Sliding scale fee - More details here, shared by Hana & Jim.
🧩 Cramond Jumble Sale
Sat 28 February - A Saturday School for Ukrainian youngsters will share in the proceeds from the Jumble Sale, along with Fresh Start & Edinburgh Northwest Kirk. All the traditional stalls: clothing, bags&shoes, books, vinyl, bric-a-brac, linens, toys, games, baking.
11am to 1pm | Cramond Kirk, EH4 6NS | £2 adults, kids free - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Northwest Kirk.
🌱 Tattie Day at Lauriston Agroecology Farm
Sun 01 March - Are you wanting to grow your own potatoes this year? Drop in to Tattie Day at Lauriston Agroecology Farm to get low-cost seed tatties, plus growing tips, and share soup & bread and other veg seeds for free...
11am to 1pm | Lauriston Agroecology Farm, EH4 5EX | FREE - More details here, shared by Kate, Edinburgh Agroecology Co-op.
🗣️ Emerging and Disruptive Technologies in Scotland and the World
Mon 02 March - What technologies, applications, and industries are most critical to national and global wellbeing, prosperity, and security? What impact are they having in Scotland? What societal and ethical risks and challenges do they pose?
5.30pm to 6.45pm | Lookout Room | FREE - More details here, shared by Scottish Council on Global Affairs.
😊 Free Nordic Walking Tasters [Weekly]
Wed 04 March - Come and join us for a free Nordic Walking taster session at Meadowfield Park. If you can walk you can Nordic Walk! Its sociable, healthy and fun! Limited spaces. Booking is essential.
10am to 11am | Meadowfield Park, EH8 7JL | FREE - More details here, shared by Jessie.
🏉 An Evening With Duhan van der Merwe & Pierre Schoeman at Tigerlily
Wed 04 March - An exclusive dinner with founders & Scottish rugby stars Duhan van der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman. Hear the story behind their Hirundine Whisky and life at the top of international rugby. £70 includes paired 4-course menu/£145 with signed 12yo bottle
6.30pm to 9pm | Tigerlily – 125 George Street, EH2 4JN | £70 - More details here.
🎶 Sons of Great Men by Adrian Ross - Book Launch with Live Music from Vernon Equinox
Wed 04 March - This entertaining debut novel features a sometime actor and pantomime dame who has to battle his dyslexia to record his ailing mum's memoirs. Come and help to launch it!
7pm to 8.30pm | Typewronger Books, EH7 4AE | FREE - More details here, shared by atwr books.
⭐ Bloom Scotland - Monthly Networking Mixer
Thu 05 March - Join us for an inspiring networking event by Bloom Scotland, designed for women in marketing and communications. Connect, share insights, and explore new opportunities in an empowering, supportive space with likeminded peers.
6pm to 7.30pm | Tigerlily, EH2 4JN | FREE - More details here, shared by Bloom Scotland.
🎥 Norton Park Community Cinema: Reality is Not Enough
Thu 05 March - Join us for a community cinema screening in Leith, showing Irvine Welsh's 'Reality is Not Enough', dir. Paul Sng.
6pm to 9pm | Norton Park Business and Conference Centre, EH7 5QY | £5 - More details here, shared by Norton Park.
🕺 Until All Are Free: An IJM Ceilidh
Thu 05 March - Join International Justice Mission for a ceilidh at The Hoxton! This is a special opportunity to celebrate freedom and raise vital support for the charity (featured on The Rest is Politics) to protect people from violence and slavery globally.
7.30pm to 11pm | The Hoxton, EH12 5EF - More details here, shared by International Justice Mission.
🧘🏻♀️ Yoga By Bike
Sun 08 March - Due to popular demand, Detour are back in Edinburgh with Yoga By Bike! Join us on the 8th March for a social bike ride from Porty, and Vinyasa Yoga at Fern Bothy, Longniddry!
10am to 3pm | Portobello to Longniddry | £40 - More details here, shared by Jorja, Detour.
🧩 Women's Self Defence Workshop
Sun 08 March - Join us for an engaging and surprisingly fun session that will help you feel safer and more confident in managing your boundaries and personal safety. It will be a mix of physical and non-physical training, expect about 50/50 of each.
12.30pm to 3.30pm | North Merchiston Club, EH11 1EP | £45/£25 concessions - More details here, shared by Rencounter Krav Maga.
🎶 International Women's Day singing workshop & gig
Sun 08 March - Woman band Machine Orchid host International Women's Day celebration 3-5pm performances & singing workshop with Kirsty Law & Esther Swift 7-10pm gig with Machine Orchid, Faith Eliott, Jemima Thewes. Use discount code ORCHID for 10% off any ticket.
3pm to 10pm | The Bongo Club, EH1 1JX - More details here, shared by Machine Orchid.
🎥 Wild Song Film Fest
Thu 12 March - Edinburgh's new music video festival will include 5 videos that Edinburgh's own Rianne White has directed for top bands Franz Ferdinand, Young Fathers, AURORA, Black Country, New Road and Lucia and the Best Boys. Join us!
7pm to 10pm | Cameo Picturehouse, EH3 9LZ | £5 - More details here, shared by Sam Goldblatt.
💡 Make A Steam Bent Lamp - Weekend Masterclass with Yuri Kobayashi
Sat 14 March - Revel in the freedom of free-form steam bending with the exceptional sculptor/ furniture maker - Yuri Kobayashi - who returns to Edinburgh this March. Build workshop skills and make your version of her LED table lamp during this weekend masterclass.
9.30am to 4.30pm | Isabelle Moore Design, EH7 5QZ | £400 - More details here, shared by Isabelle Moore.
💃 Edinburgh St Patrick's Day Charity Ball
Sat 21 March - One month to go until the Edinburgh St Patrick's Day Charity Ball - a 25-year tradition celebrating Irish culture, community and connection. Limited tickets remain, with tables available and smaller groups warmly welcomed.
7pm to 2am | Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, EH3 9SR | £130 a ticket - More details here.
🚲 “Sunday 03 May - For our centenary celebrations ERC Triathlon brings you our Centenary Duathlon. We offer a totally offroad duathlon within easy reach of Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. We offer a full range of distances for younger athletes, plus separate races for Female and Open athletes.” - Thanks to The Edinburgh Road Club for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Or an event to share? Nothing's too local! Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🇲🇽 Stockbridge Caoba Mexican shop closing 'mid March' after 25 years. [1,200 clicks]
- 🏨 Updates to hotel plan to replace Centrum House in the New Town. [900 clicks]
- 🏥 Liberton GP 'Legionella' warning. [850 clicks]
- 🎓 'Uni staff are losing their jobs. Their boss has two.' [750 clicks]
- 🍻 First look as Boston Bar replaces Globe on Niddry Street. [650 clicks]
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 847.
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