The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 6 April 2026
19C and sunshine forecast for Tuesday, cafe investigating 'stressful' uni protest rammy, Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route could be saved + two new independent cafes opening this month
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Quite a few crime-related reports in this morning's newsletter. And there's plenty of good news too, thanks to readers' contributions on the Community Noticeboard. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌦️ This week's weather: After almost every type of weather yesterday, this week's forecast looks calmer. We start with sunny spells today then even more sunshine on Tuesday and Wednesday. A 70% chance of rain on Thursday and a drier weekend. Temperatures will range from 2C this morning to 19C on Tuesday. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🎓 Nicholson Street's Black Medicine Coffee issued a statement on Saturday vowing to investigate after a member of staff was filmed pushing someone out the cafe door and telling them: "I'm gonna knock you out. Get the fuck out." The person had been confronting University of Edinburgh Principal Peter Mathieson, who also faced protestors outside. - The cafe's full statement is here and a link to a video of the incident is in the top-5 links at the end of this newsletter.
🚔 Two men have been charged with attempted murder after a 38-year-old man was attacked in Calder Gardens on Thursday afternoon. - Police Scotland.
- A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged assault of a 34-year-old man outside Scotmid on Bath Street, Portobello, on Friday evening. - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
- A man was arrested in Leith and charged in connection with 39 offences including shoplifting, offences against retail workers, housebreaking and bail offences. - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
🚲 The controversial Greenbank to Meadows Quiet Route scheme has been saved, for now. On Thursday councillors voted to refer it on to the next Traffic Regulation Orders Sub-committee next month to be made permanent. - More details in this week's transport round-up in the edi.bike newsletter.
- (There are no council meetings until Friday 24 April. - See the calendar here.)
🛬 Outgoing Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar says he wants to use his 'semi-retirement' to open a new not-for-profit music venue in the capital. "I've got to first find a venue", he says, adding: "I think we've lost a few brilliant venues in the city. It’s a passion of mine." - Ian McConnell, The Herald.
🥃 The Scottish Gantry whisky shop on Queensferry Street has announced it's closing. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
☕️ A new cafe is opening in Leith later this week, offering £1 coffees on Friday. Carter Coffee is at 4 Fyfe Lane, just off Bonnington Road near The Biscuit Factory venue. Find it on Instagram.
- Another new cafe and bakery called Gorse is due to open on the Pleasance on 17 April. Its owner Natalie Rai chats to Gaby Soutar in the Evening News. You can find Gorse on Instagram here.
- 'Is Edinburgh Black Sheeped out? Black Sheep Coffee announces a new branch, because 10 in a five-mile radius wasn’t enough already' - Eve Radford, The Edinburgh Tab.
🎭 'First look at Edinburgh King's Theatre ahead of July opening' - Iona Young, BBC Scotland.
🖼️ 'Meet Edinburgh artist and musician Mike McNiven, still going strong at 88' - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🎨 Local artist & Illustrator Eve Tong has taken her mini art print vending machine to bookshops, bakeries and gift shops. It's become so popular that it's now got its own Instagram page and calendar so you can keep up with its travels. Find 'Indie The Vending Machine' here.
🏆 Thanks to paying subscribers of this newsletter, last year we (you & I) funded an investigation into tax-dodging Princes Street shops. Now that work is award-nominated! Congratulations to reporter Jim Waterson, who's in the final shortlist of three for Journalist of the Year at the annual Wincott Awards for best-in-class financial journalism. I told Jim it was all his own work but he insisted the piece about those Princes Street shops helped this to happen, so thanks to everyone who pays for the Minute. Your support helped fund this work, which cost a four-figure sum in paying reporters fairly and lawyers to clear. The winner will be announced on 21 May. Good luck Jim.
Tony Major
- ⮑ Also! The Edinburgh Minute is down to the final five shortlisted for 'Best Newsletter' at the International News Media Association's Global Media Awards in Berlin on 7 May. There were 960 entries. So to even be shortlisted into the final five for best Regional/Local Brand newsletter in the world (?!) is unbelievable to me. I wonder if any other Edinburgh-based titles will report on this. Hmm... Anyway, thanks again to everyone who backs this people-powered project. None of it would exist without your support. Please upgrade your subscription if you haven't already. It's less than a fiver a month (12p per day) and goes a long way to keeping the Minute ticking over.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.
💘 Pitch-A-Friend is coming to Edinburgh - 'A viral in-person dating event where friends can "pitch" their friends in a short 3-5 minute PowerPoint presentation is coming to Edinburgh, and is looking for a venue to partner with! Let us know which venue you would like for this event.' - More details here, shared by Pitch-A-Friend Edinburgh.
🍸 New Old Poison Distillery project with artisan cocktails bar change of use - 'To our incredible Leith community, We need your support on the proposed plan We are officially relocating our Old Poison distillery to 24 Portland Place, but this isn’t just a move—it’s a massive evolution Cocktail - Food - Masterclass - bottle shop' - More details here, shared by Bittersweet/oldpoison.
🌱 New Outdoor Fitness Class in Roslin - 'Wild Fitness Edinburgh is launching its first classes in Roslin this week. We’re all about fun, community and fitness! Your first class is free 🎁 and we’d love to see you there.' - More details here, shared by Olivia Murray, Wild Fitness Edinburgh.
🆘 Emergency appeal for Lebanon - 'Edinburgh Direct Aid International (EDAI) has launched an emergency appeal to support urgent humanitarian needs in Lebanon. Over a million people have now fled their homes heading north. Further information is on our website, including how to donate.' - More details here, shared by Neil, Edinburgh Direct Aid International (EDAI).
✍️ PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION Against Wester Hermiston Mega Data Centre - 'Our primary objective is to force a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to expose the project's catastrophic impact on air quality, noise levels, and the local power grid. We stand to protect our Green Belt from irreversible industrial sprawl.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎪 Event Assistant - 'We’re looking for a friendly, organised and people‑loving Event Assistant to join us this Spring! If you enjoy creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere and you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves to help events run smoothly, we’d love to hear from you.' - More details here, shared by Portobello Town Hall.
🎲 The RPG One-Shot Club
Wed 08 April - 'Come along and run or play one-shot tabletop role-play games. Arrive from 18:00, with games starting at 18:30. Beginners warmly welcomed!'
6.30pm to 10pm | Ancient Robot Workshop, EH6 5DT | FREE - More details here, shared by Tanya Floaker.
🧠 Croft Quiz Night - Fri 9th Apr
Thu 09 April - 'Time for another edition of our Croft quiz night! Always a laugh, always educational, led by the legend that is quiz master Brian Pendreigh. Help raise funds for all the amazing work Earth in Common do! Licensed bar and snacks available. BOOK quick!'
7pm to 10pm | Populus Cafe (Leith Community Croft), EH6 7EL | from £5 per person - More details here, shared by Earth in Common.
🍻 Big Hearts Pub Quiz
Wed 15 April - 'Come and join us for our second ever pub quiz held in the infamous Legends Lounge at Tynecastle Park! All funds raised go to Big Hearts Community Trust. Registered Scottish Charity SC037311.'
7pm to 10pm | Tynecastle Park, EH11 2NL | £5 - More details here, shared by Julia Coley, Big Hearts Community Trust.
🌱 Creative workshops for all ages in West Pilton Park
Thu 16 April - 'In collaboration with ELGT (Edinburgh Lothian Greenspace Trust) I am running a series of 3 creative, all-ages workshops in West Pilton Park. Covering Tree ID, Ecosystem layers, and history of the park! Children must come with responsible adult.'
10am to 5pm | West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, EH4 4BY | FREE - More details here, shared by Ayden.
🌸 Pressed Flower Workshop
Thu 16 April - 'Curious about pressed flowers? Learn different flower pressing methods and make something too in this two hour workshop. Refreshments provided with special gifts included. Email: scottishflowerart@gmail.com to sign up.'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | Field Studio Ltd, EH9 1ST | £35 - More details here, shared by Sandi Phillips.
✍️ Risograph Workshop for Illustrators
Thu 16 April - 'Rough Draft is a friendly meet-up for illustrators of all styles, backgrounds, and experience in Edinburgh. For our next Professional Practice event, we are learning risograph with Out of the Blueprint! Nice and relaxed - no print experience needed.'
7pm to 9.15pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, EH6 8RG | £12.50/20/25 - More details here, shared by Mhairi, Rough Draft.
🌱 Deep Dive Into Spring Foraging - Nature School for Grownups [Fortnightly]
Fri 17 April - '🌿 Nature School for Grownups - a 4-week spring journey in Craigmillar Park. Learn to identify & use seasonal plants, build foraging skills, and enjoy playful, low-pressure time outdoors. Fridays 2-4 PM. £15/session or £56 series.'
2pm to 4pm | Bridgend Farmhouse Cafe, EH16 4TE | £15 each or £56 all - More details here, shared by Natasha Lowery-Lewis, Nature School for Grownups.
🎨 Clowns, Fools & Dreamers - Launch event
Fri 17 April - 'Join me Alan Lennon with a glass of fizz at a private view of Clowns, Fools & Dreamers, an exhibition of my recent figurative paintings.'
6pm to 8pm | Edinburgh Palette, EH7 6AE | FREE - More details here, shared by Alan.
💃 Ceilidh with Da Hooley band
Sat 18 April - 'Edinburgh Greens are excited to be hosting Da Hooley ceilidh band for an evening of dancing and music. Doors and bar open at 7pm with live music from the off. Dancing from 7.30pm. Delicious vegan Punjabi street food on sale from 8pm. All welcome!'
7pm to 10.30pm | St Brides Centre, EH11 2DZ | £10-20 (kids free) - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 EPiKA: E2NMN
Sat 18 April - 'We are bringing E2NMN - a DJ and producer whose sound lives on the deeper, more immersive end of techno: atmospheric soundscapes, intricate rhythmic architecture, and powerful synth work that builds pressure without ever losing subtlety.'
11pm to 3am | The Bongo Club, EH1 1JX - More details here, shared by EPiKA.
🗣️ Loud Poets presents: Shane Koyczan live in Edinburgh
Fri 24 April - 'Join us to see Shane Koyczan live in Edinburgh. Shane is an internationally-acclaimed author and his viral poem 'To This Day' has reached millions. Shane will be supported by Loud Poets 2024 Grand Slam Champion EmmaClaire Brightlyn.'
7pm to 9.30pm | Summerhall, EH9 1PL - More details here, shared by I Am Loud CIC.
🎥 SI-FAN Fantastic Film Festival 2026 [Weekly]
Fri 01 May - 'SI-FAN are ecstatic to announce its 2026 Fantastic Film Festival programme for Edinburgh from the 1st to the 4th of May. With over 60 short films, Scottish feature premieres, David Lynch parties and even monster hunting in Edinburgh's underground.'
5pm to 11pm | Filmhouse, EH3 9BZ | £4-£13 - More details here, shared by Chris Aitken, Restless Native Productions.
🌙 New at Edinburgh TradFest: Harvest Moon - an immersive performance for babies (5-18 months) & carers
Sun 03 May - 'Harvest Moon is a gentle, moonlit performance blending live Gaelic song, harp & percussion with immersive design and poetic movement. Featuring renowned musicians Mischa Macpherson & Claire Frances MacNeil. Observer tickets available.'
10.30am to 11am | Scottish Storytelling Centre, EH1 1SR | £9 - More details here, shared by the Harvest Moon team.
📮 What's missing from the Minute? Got an event to share? Nothing's too local! Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🎓 New video shows protestors confronting uni Principal Mathieson.
- 🍽️ Ottolenghi coming to town for book event.
- 🏢 Row over large Princes Street KFC advert.
- 🛝 Gayle's Guide to family-friendly local events.
- 🪫 Power cut hits Easter Road, Meadowbank and Pilrig.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 881.
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