The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 12 March 2026
Weather warning, councillors broke rules over Braids road plan, green light for 155 new flats at Western Harbour + zoo blames losses on 'misleading weather forecasts'
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It's blustery again out there today. Here's Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.
💨 Stronger winds are forecast today, with a Met Office yellow weather warning issued for today between 5am and 8pm. - Get live updates here.
☔️ Edinburgh Zoo bosses say 'misleading weather forecasts' predicting rain are costing them up to £40,000 a day. RZSS deputy chief executive Ben Supple said: "Our concern is that many sites display a rain icon for the entire day even if wet weather is only forecast for a short period early in the morning or late at night. Unfortunately, this can create the misleading impression that the whole day will be wet and put people off visiting." - Read more about the zoo's campaign here. A Met Office spokesperson said it had 'further developments planned'. - Lynette Horsburgh, BBC News.
🏗️ Plans for 155 new flats at Western Harbour were approved by councillors yesterday. Five councillors voted in favour, while four were against the plan. - Joe Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter, Edinburgh Live.
- Locals are sharing their responses on the Friends of Western Harbour Ponds Facebook group page.
🚨 There were no injuries reported after a crash resulted in a car landing on its roof on Slateford Road yesterday afternoon. - Heather Carrick, Evening News.
🚧 Two Morningside councillors have been censured by the Standards Commission for failing to disclose they lived near the Braid Estate, while voting to remove traffic calming measures. Councillors Neil Ross (Lib Dem) and Marie-Clair Munro (Tory) 'should have declared an interest, withdrawn from the meetings and taken no part in the discussion and decision-making on the matter', the commission ruled. - The full ruling is in a three-page PDF here.
"The Panel emphasised that the requirement for councillors to declare interests is a fundamental requirement of the Code as it gives the public confidence that decisions are being made in the public interest, and not the personal interest of any councillor or their friends, family or close associates. A failure to comply with the Code’s requirements in this regard can erode confidence in the Council and leave its decisions open to legal challenge." - Dr Lezley Stewart, Standards Commission Member and Chair of the Hearing Panel.
- ⮑ "It's essential that the decision to rip out the quiet route is now revisited. I have written to senior council officers to request this." - Green councillor Chas Booth.
- ⮑ "This demonstrates that the vote to rip out the modal filters and other active travel measures in the Braid estate was not only unjustifiable, but also arrived at by a tainted process which must now surely be revisited." - SNP councillor Danny Aston.
- There's more coverage from Edi.Bike here + from Ian Swanson in this morning's Evening News.
The controversial and surprising vote to remove highly effective traffic calming measures from a residential area and re-introduce up to 6,000 vehicles daily — on a 'quite route' for walking, wheeling and cycling spanning two primary schools — must surely now be revisited at Transport Committee.
— 🚲 edi.bike | weekly news digest (@edi.bike) 2026-03-11T17:34:37.745Z
🏗️ Around four months of overnight works on North Bridge will begin this weekend. The bus diversion plans are in a report by Neil Johnstone in the Evening News.
🟨 This year's Edinburgh International Festival programme was revealed yesterday, featuring 147 performances, representing 44 countries with five world premieres. - All the coverage is in the Edinburgh Culture Minute + the events are all listed here.
- ⮑ 'Scottish art workers call for Edinburgh International Festival boycott' - Abbi Garton-Crosbie, The National.
Severin Carrell
⛰️ Dynamic Earth has launched a fundraising appeal for a new gallery dedicated to Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.
🏂 Despite breaking two ribs on Sunday, Edinburgh Paralympian Davy Zyw is back on the slopes of Italy this morning in practice for the snowboarding Banked Slalom event. He posted a video 30 minutes ago, saying: "The ribs do tickle but the outpouring of support has given me the strength and energy to see it through."
🎸 'The end of an era? A tribute to Edinburgh's alternative home: Legends' - by Madison Stevens, Edinburgh Music News.
Madison Stevens
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🌍 BBC's Race Across the World is Back Casting in Edinburgh - We're looking for duos aged 18+ from Scotland to take part in the adventure of a lifetime. BBC's Race Across the World is looking for people to apply to the latest series. Terms and Conditions apply. - Thanks to Libby Potter, Studio Lambert, for sharing this.
📚 New Little Free Library launched at Merchiston Castle School - Located at the gates to the school at 294 Colinton Road and managed by the student Reading Leaders, this 'take a book, share a book' initiative has been installed for the use of the local community, where anyone can find something to read at any time - Rachel Gibb, Merchiston Castle School..
💇♀️ Meet the 25-Year-Old Behind One of Edinburgh's Most In-Demand New Salons - QUAiD is now open at 19 Brandon Terrace, Edinburgh EH3 5DZ. Alexandra is 25, has just opened her first hair salon in Edinburgh's New Town and is already booked out every month. - Thanks to a Minute reader for sharing this.
🏛️ Public Consultation - Gilmerton's Draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal - In 1977 Gilmerton was designated a Conservation Area to protect it's unique heritage. The current character appraisal (which describes what makes Gilmerton special) was adopted in 2000. Read the new draft appraisal & complete the questionnaire. - Thanks to Gilmerton and District Community Council for sharing this.
🧹 Does the design of your home get in the way of cleaning? Take part in a UoE Study (£40 voucher) - Uni of Edinburgh Research: Inviting Edinburgh residents (18+) who do own cleaning (no paid cleaners) for a 1.5-2hr in-home visit interview about what makes cleaning easier/harder. No judgement about tidiness! £40 gift voucher. See link to sign up! - Thanks to University of Edinburgh for sharing this.
📚 Local author launches sixth novel - Local author Rosie Walker's sixth psychological thriller, Not My Sister, came out last week, and is now only 99p on Kindle for the next few days. A missing sister returns home to Portobello after six years, but is it really her or an impostor? - Thanks to Rosie Walker, for sharing this.
🎶 Wild Song Music Video Fest
Today, Thu 12 March - Tonight! Edinburgh's new music video fest, featuring DJ Shadow, Courtney Barnett, King Creosote, AURORA, Franz Ferdinand, Cowboy Hunters, Hamish Hawk, plus an exclusive screening of the iconic Radiohead video "Just" - live music in the bar from 7pm.
7pm to 10pm | Cameo Picturehouse, EH3 9LZ | £5 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
☕ Kiskapu pottery pop up tea stall
Sat 14 March - Pop up tea stall 11-1630. Relax and enjoy a cuppa in a Kiskapu pottery handmade cup. Each cup is unique and inspired by coastal landscapes and textures. Cups available for purchase https://www.leithwalkpolicebox.com/events.
11am to 4.30pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups, EH7 4LT - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith walk polisbox pop ups.
🎉 Local Mums Go Free this Mother's Day
Sun 15 March - Local mums go free this Mother's Day at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. Use code MOTHERSDAYEH100. Online bookings only, one free ticket with a full paying ticket, one free ticket per transaction, proof of EH postcode required.
9.30am to 6.30pm | Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, EH1 2ND - More details here, shared by Camera Obscura & World of Illusions.
🧘♀️ Yin Yoga and Sound Bowls Experience on Mothers Day
Sun 15 March - Charles will lead you through a restorative Yin Yoga Sequence designed to relax the body and prepare you for the beautiful sound bath led by Amber. Come along to take time away from the kids or bring your Mum to treat her on Mother's Day.
2pm to 4pm | Tidal Yoga Ltd, EH6 8NP | £25 for 1/£40 for 2 - More details here, shared by Tidal Yoga Ltd.
🧠 How to Read Minds : Aimee Cliff on the Art & Science of Empathy
Mon 16 March - We're delighted to welcome Aimee Cliff to the bookshop to discuss her new book How to Read Minds, which considers how to understand each other, how to care for and love each other, in a timeless examination of questions that affect us all.
7pm to 8pm | Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop, EH8 9DB | £5, free seats avail - More details here, shared by Lighthouse - Edinburgh's Radical Bookshop.
📜 Leith from the Archives of Historic Environment Scotland
Tue 17 March - Join us as Neil Fraser explores the digital archive materials relating to Leith history. Neil will demonstrate how the archives can be used to tell the fascinating story of Leith!
7pm to 8pm | Leith Community Centre, EH6 6AD | £2 to non-members - More details here, shared by Leith Local History Society.
📖 Online Zoom Forum: Spiritual Autobiography: Examples, Themes, and Influences
Wed 18 March - Format: There will be six talks, each of 12 minutes, followed by discussion and Q & A.
7pm to 9pm | Online - More details here, shared by Neill Walker, Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace.
🎶 Woman Life Freedom Edinburgh presents Songs for Iran: Spring Rising
Thu 19 March - An evening of music for Iran by various local artists.
7pm to 9pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub, EH10 4NB | FREE - More details here, shared by Women Life Freedom Edinburgh.
🐧 Linux Install Party
Sat 21 March - With the end of official Windows 10 support, many will be forced to buy a new computer. Edinburgh Linux Café can help by showing you Linux Mint, a free and easy alternative that can add years to the life of your machine. Drop in 21st March.
1pm to 4pm | Edinburgh Cine & Video Society, EH3 6RH | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Linux Cafe.
🌱 Spring Equinox - Plant a Seed, Not Your Whole Life 😉
Sun 22 March - Join Melanie Frome for gentle yoga, guided imagination, journaling prompts, and a simple closing ritual. No glow-ups or five-year plans required-just show up, move slowly, and reconnect with what you might want to grow this spring. 🌱.
3pm to 5pm | Tidal Yoga Ltd, EH6 8NP | £20 - More details here, shared by Melanie Frome.
🐣 Easter Egg Hunt
Sat 4 April - Come and join us for a morning of community fun in the park this Easter! A free event for all the family.
10am to 11.30am | Harrison Park West, EH11 1SG | Free - More details here, shared by King's Church Edinburgh.
⚔️ Beginners Longsword Course
Mon 06 April - Discover the art of historic swordplay, based on fencing manuscripts from the 15th century, and now a modern sport for all. Starting on the the 6th of April, ran by Edinburgh's premier historic european martial arts (HEMA) club.
7.30pm to 9.30pm | St. Oswald's Centre, EH10 4NB | £70 - More details here, shared by Dawn Duellists Society.
🧵 Sashiko Embroidery Workshop
Sat 11 April - Mindful stitching and mending with Remode Collective. The repetitive movements of sashiko stitching can also promote mindfulness, offering a chance for your body to reset and activate its natural healing and renewal processes.
2pm to 5pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, EH6 8RG | £25 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 Musica Unita's Annual Spring Fundraising Concert
Fri 17 April - Join us for Musica Unita's Spring Fundraising Concert, Fri 17 April 2026, 7pm at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh. Featuring a wonderful collection of performances from Scotland's professional and young players.
6pm to 7.30pm | St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, EH12 5AW | £10 - More details here, shared by Isabella Gonzalez Diaz, Musica Unita.
📮 What's missing from the Minute? If you've got a weekend event to share, please get in touch here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🚦 Another new strategy for Princes Street and George Street (thanks to Threadinburgh for this meme).
- 🏠 Construction is complete on 31 new homes at the former Sick Kids hospital.
- 🇮🇷 Pianodrome in Bruntsfield to host concert for people of Iran. (Now sold out).
- 🍺 Grassmarket rooftop bar to reopen with retractable roof.
- ☂️ 150 umbrellas for church ceiling at Morningside Umbrella Festival.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 862.
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