The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 9 March 2026

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It's a busy start to the week. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.

🌦️ This week's weather: A misty start this morning and a chance of rain today. Dry tomorrow until the evening. Wednesday and Thursday will be classic 'sunshine and showers' spring days, while Friday and the weekend will be the same but much colder. The temperature high will be 12C today, dipping to 3C on Friday. - The full Met Office forecast is here.

🚈 All ScotRail train services in and out of Glasgow Central are cancelled today after a major fire next to the station. - Find live train updates from ScotRail here and the BBC Scotland live blog here.

🚔 A group of people shouted 'stop the boats' at a block of flats in Sighthill on Friday night, in an anti-immigration protest that police said resulted in no injuries and no arrests. The group tried to clash with a nearby counter-demonstration organised by Hope Not Hate, but police kept both sides apart. Gregor Young in The National + BBC Scotland News.
⮑ The protests were sparked after a man was charged with attempting to murder two people in Sighthill last Monday, which police said led to misinformation being spread online.
⮑ Edinburgh Napier University closed its Sighthill campus early on Friday 'as a precautionary measure' after concerns were raised about student safety. - Jamie Calder, The Edinburgh Tab.

"The local people didn't want this situation, they didn't want the stabbing, they didn't want division. And that's the kind of division that those people have come to create." - Willie Black, Trades Unions in Communities.

• ⮑ Meanwhile Reform UK's leader in Scotland Malcolm Offord refused to apologise for 'stoking tensions with unsubstantiated claims' about the incident, saying he got his information from a taxi driver. - Abbi Garton-Crosbie, The National + Louise Wilson, Holyrood + Andrew Kerr, BBC Scotland News, who reported that the accused is in fact a UK national.

🪧 An Orange walk is due to go ahead on the Royal Mile on 27 June, after councillors were told not to consider social media posts by those involved. - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, The Herald.

🗳️ This week's council meetings at the City Chambers:

• Tuesday, 10am: Policy and Sustainability Committee.
• Wednesday, 10am: Planning (Development Management Sub-Committee), including:
  • Plans for a 420-pupil new school and 128-pupil nursery in South Queensferry off Builyeon Road (recommended for approval),
• 14 short-term let holiday flat applications (all recommended for refusal),
• A vote on 155 flats at Western Harbour View (recommended for approval).
• Thursday, 10am: Finance and Resources Committee.
  • Council meetings are getting longer, causing 'considerable strain on elected member and officer resources and an overload of the committee system', according to a new council review. It says 'overload of officer time has resulted in poorer reports'. Ironically, the report, to be heard at a meeting this week, says another review and report will need to be considered at another meeting by whoever is in the new council after May 2027's local government elections. - Read the latest report here (PDF).

🚁 An injured hillwalker was rescued by helicopter from Arthur's Seat on Friday afternoon. - Chloe Goodall, Edinburgh Live.

🚲 'Food delivery riders 'face violence, danger and theft' in Edinburgh' reports Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, in The Herald.

🧱 A council task-force will go down the length of Leith Walk later this month to repair loose paving stones, reports this week's edi.bike newsletter.

🍺 More than 100 jobs are going after Edinburgh-founded brewer Innis & Gunn was bought out of administration by the owner of Tennent's Lager. - BBC Scotland News + Martyn McLaughlin, The Scotsman.

• ⮑ The brand's 'taproom' pub on Lothian Road will close, reports Keiran Fleming of STV News, with founder Dougal Sharp saying: "I’m deeply sorry to everyone affected – particularly my colleagues who have lost their jobs and the shareholders who believed in what we were building. It’s been a bruising process for everyone."

🏂 Edinburgh snowboarder Davy Zyw broke two ribs in a high-speed crash but still managed to smile and celebrate after making his Winter Paralympics debut at the weekend. Davy, who was told eight years ago that he only had two or three years to live, became the first snowsports athlete with motor neurone disease to compete at the Paralympics. In his snowboard cross event seeding runs he finished just 8.5 seconds off top spot, ranking him 18th out of the world's top 20. Then in his next race (seeking a spot in the quarter-final) he managed to move from 4th in to 3rd before crashing out shortly before the finish line. His brother Tommy said: "Watching someone battle what is impossible and keep showing up, that is something you don’t forget. The fight continues." - Watch Davy's ride on this clip from Channel 4, and see his brother Tommy's updates from Italy here.
⮑ Amazingly, Davy might still consider competing in the Banked Slalom event later in the week, so watch this space for updates.

🏉 The Rugby Stuff shop at Haymarket Terrace is closing after 25 years of business, relocating to the Bilston Glen Industrial Estate. - The team shared this video message on Instagram.

🏗️ Three years after closing, the Tollcross nightclub formerly known as Atik, Cavendish, Clouds, Coasters, Outer Limits, Bermuda Triangle, Lava & Ignite and the Hoochie Coochie Club has been demolished. - Neil Johnstone, Evening News.

• ⮑ Plans to replace it with 145 student flats were approved by councillors in March 2024 (Minute #311.)
• ⮑ Local broadcaster Grant Stott shared his memories and photos on Instagram: "The place where I started out proper as a DJ - and the place where my Mum and Dad met back in the 60s. So sad to finally see it all brought down." DJ Vic Galloway added: "Saw Red Hot Chili Peppers (& loads of others) in there when it was The Network in 1989/1990".

🏗️ Meanwhile on the other side of town, work on the student flats development at Jock's Lodge is 'expected to conclude in time for the 2027/28 academic year', according to developers. - Project Scotland.

📍 'Turning over a new Leith - Fiercely independent, Edinburgh’s historic port district is fighting back against big business' - Chitra Ramaswamy in The Observer.

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🌞 Save Our Space: Willowbrae Church Building 🌞
Sat 21 March - 'We are looking for signatures for a petition to save the Willowbrae Church building for community use. Come along to get involved and show your support, help build a lego model, make a badge, learn about Jock's Lodge history, eat cake and drink tea'.
10am to 4pm | Abercorn Sports Club, EH8 7HZ | FREE - Thanks to Jocks Lodge Community Trust for sharing this.

🚴 £200 reward for safe return of bike - 'My beloved e-bike was stolen from outside the Dovecot studios on Saturday 7th March. It means everything to me. If anyone knows anything, please contact police, with crime reference CR/0098253/26' - Thanks to Katherine Hart for sharing this.

🎨 Frame Life Drawing Returns - Tomorrow Frame Life Drawing returns the beautiful Don’t Tell Mama Brunch Bar in Tollcross! Expect chill music, low pressure creativity & new friends. Bring your own supplies, first timers very welcome, last entry 6:15pm, must have ticket in advance. - Thanks to Amy Penrose at Frame Life Drawing, for sharing this.

🪴 Caley Online Talk Series: A Garden from Scratch - starting out again!
Tomorrow, Tue 10 March - Drs Carole and Ian Bainbridge from the Scottish Rock Garden Club will share their garden journey establishing a new garden in Dumfries and Galloway in just under an acre of land. The talk is free and open to all.
7.30pm to 8.30pm | Online via Zoom | FREE - More details here, shared by The Caley.

💰 Save Energy, Save Money: Low-Carbon Living from Changeworks
Thu 12 March - This online session is designed to help households reduce energy consumption, lower bills, and take practical steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Gain advice and support on better managing energy use while reducing your carbon footprint.
12pm to 1pm | Online Event | FREE - More details here, shared by Changeworks.

🌿 Nature School for Grownups @ Bridgend Farmhouse
Fri 13 March - Nature School for Grownups is a playful outdoor gathering for adults. Through nature-based activities and sensory exploration, we'll slow down, connect with the natural world, and enjoy being together in a welcoming space. No parking at venue.
1.30pm to 4.30pm | Bridgend Farmhouse Cafe, EH16 4TE | FREE - More details here, shared by Natasha Lowery-Lewis.

🎨 Tide & Seek
Fri 13 March - Afternoon of Art Installations - film, games, performance and fun! 🌟 Guided tour at 2pm, or grab a friend and just follow the map! In collaboration with ArtWalk Projects and ECA students.
2pm to 3.30pm | Nobles Amusements - Portobello, EH15 1HJ | FREE - More details here, shared by Tide&Seek.

🏳️‍🌈 Dyke's Delight: Kate Charlesworth in Conversation with Jay Whittaker
Fri 13 March - Join Lavender Menace for stories of lesbian life & art. Kate Charlesworth, author of renowned lesbian cult classics Sensible Footwear: A Girl's Guide and The Life & Times of Auntie Studs, will be in conversation with award-winning poet Jay Whittaker
2pm to 3.30pm | Assembly Rooms, EH2 2LR | FREE - More details here, shared by Lavender Menace.

🎶 Culture Club - Steven Osborne and Martin Kershaw
Fri 13 March - Internationally acclaimed Scottish pianist Steven Osborne is joined by saxophonist Martin Kershaw for a programme of waltzes and jazz. Sure to a fascinating combination of talents.
6pm to 8pm | Stockbridge Parish Church, EH3 5BN | £15/£10 concessions - More details here, shared by Clea Friend, Stockbridge Music Hub.

🎥 Animation Film Preview: ARCO by Ugo Bienvenu
Sat 14 March - A 10-year-old boy from a peaceful, distant future accidentally travels back to the year 2075 and discovers a world in peril. We'll also be hosting a free post-screening creative workshop at Cameo, designed to spark creativity across our community
2pm to 5pm | Cameo Picturehouse, EH3 9LZ | £5 + booking fee - More details here, shared by Lok Pui Lo, ESEA Creatives + a preview here.

🎶 Cantate Domino | New Reconstructions from the Dunkeld Music Book
Sat 14 March - Vocal consort Mater Matris perform three elaborate sacred works from sixteenth-century Scotland. The music comes from a manuscript known as the "Dunkeld Music Book" reconstructed by Dr Paul Newton-Jackson for this first performance in modern times.
8pm to 9.30pm | Old Saint Paul's Scottish Episcopal Church, EH1 1DH | FREE - More details here, shared by Alexander Horsburgh.

🪄 Edinburgh Magic Circle: Up Close and Personal
Thu 19 March - An evening of close-up magic performed directly to your tables by some of the capital's leading magic talent.
7pm to 9.30pm | Le Monde, EH2 2PF | £15 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Magic Circle.

🗣️ Madame Florentine Besson and the Birth of the Modern Trumpet: Women's History Month Talk
Fri 20 March - Join Dr Sabine Klaus as she explores the role of Madame Florentine Besson in the invention of the modern trumpet. Dr Klaus will be assisted by curator Dr Sarah Deters, who will demonstrate various trumpets from the St Cecilia's Hall collection.
6pm to 7pm | Main Library, EH8 9LJ | Free - £5 - More details here, shared by Hannah, St Cecilia's Hall: Concert Room & Music Museum.

🎶 Edinburgh University Singers - An Evening of Music
Fri 20 March - The Edinburgh University Singers presents An Evening of Music! We are supporting the Astro Brain Tumour Fund, a small charity supporting those with gliomas. We will be hosting a concert with a raffle, and krispy kremes and cakes for sale.
7pm to 10pm | The Dean, EH4 3BG | £8, £5 concessions - More details here, shared by Rosa Birchenough, Edinburgh University Singers.

🎶 Calton Consort: Luminous Night of the Soul
Sat 21 March - Voices and strings unite for a luminous Spring Equinox journey of poetry and song featuring music by Lucy Walker, Michael Higgins, Libby Croad, Ola Gjeilo and Anna Meredith
7.30pm to 8.30pm | Stockbridge Parish Church, EH3 5BN | £15 (£12) U18Free - More details here, shared by Calton Consort.

🖼 Natur Einsamkeit - Cyanotype Exhibition / workshops and free Cyanotype taster sessions [Daily]
Wed 08 April - The Cyanotype Hub is coming to Leith Makers. From the 8th to the 19th of April the upstairs gallery will transform into a space for all things cyanotype! With an exhibition by Tine Barkmann (opening night 09/04), workshops and free Cyanotype tasters.
11am to 5pm | Leith Makers, EH6 8NP | £0 - £44 - More details here, shared by Tiny Skies.

📮 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:

1. ⚖️ 'B&B owner faces war crimes trial from beyond the grave'.
2. 🚗 MSP claims motorists' congestion charge could be £4,000 a year.
3. 🪧 Fears for international students' safety ahead of Sighthill protest.
4. 🚧 Four months of roadworks at Restalrig Road begin Monday.
5. 🏦 RBS increasing business accelerator programme for 5,000 entrepreneurs.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 858.
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