The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 15 January 2026

Hundreds of uni staff leave, two violent men jailed, Botanics revamp costs grow + a Burns night 'led by the lasses'

Michael MacLeod

15 Jan 2026 — 7 min read

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.

🎓 More than 370 academics and support staff left the University of Edinburgh last year amid concerns over a bid to cut £140m from the institution’s annual budget, which is not in deficit. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.

🌴 The cost of refurbishing the Botanic Gardens glasshouses has more than doubled. RBGE bosses have submitted a new business case to the Scottish Government asking for money. The Scottish Government says its own financial pressures included 'the covid pandemic, Brexit, war in Ukraine and high inflation'. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.

🗳️ The council’s children’s social work service lacks an ‘environment of trust’ among staff, according to a new Care Inspectorate report. It also recognised 'promising improvements' under a new team. - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, Midlothian View.

🌊 The Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust has admitted its new £50,000 Cramond boardwalk was built without planning permission. - Phyllis Stephen in The Edinburgh Reporter.

💇🏻‍♂️ Tributes have been paid to Leith hairdresser Alan Scott following his death. - His sister-in-law spoke to Cara Blackhall for Edinburgh Live.

🚨 A man who was caught on CCTV stabbing a man in the stomach in the stairwell of his Gorgie home in June 2024 has been jailed for life. Brian Ramsay, 53, was killed by Paul Menzies, 45, who will serve at least 18 years in prison before he can apply for parole. - BBC Scotland News.

Separately, a gunman who was videoed firing bullets into a Niddrie home has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty. 39-year-old Nicky Robertson was previously jailed for nine years for an attempted murder with a sawn-off shotgun. - STV News has the court report (which includes the video).

🛝 Councillors are being asked to approve improvements to the play area at Blackhall Primary School. - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, Midlothian View.

🚧 Bus stops for the 10 and 27 routes along Polwarth Terrace will be diverted for four months, instead running along Colinton Road and Bruntsfield Place. - More details via Merchiston Community Council.

Gilmore place will be closed during the working day, 0930-1600, Monday to Friday. The closure is for resurfacing and for the installation of the Union Canal to Meadows cycle route (we welcome both! @edinburghminute.com
— Merchiston Districts Community Council (@merchistoncc.bsky.social) 2026-01-14T22:21:56.152Z

☕️ The Social Bite cafe on Rose Street is temporarily closing for renovation. The cafe's free food service for those in need will continue nearby at St John’s Episcopal Church on the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road. - More details in this post.

🍔 TGI Fridays on Castle Street has closed after the chain's owner went into administration. - Brian Donnelly, The Herald.

🎭 The King’s Theatre has been awarded £2.5million in the Scottish Government's culture budget announcement. It closes the venue's current funding gap. - More details and lots more creative industries news and jobs in this week's Edinburgh Culture Minute.

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📌 “We Run Edinburgh has a new run/walk option on Thursday nights for women who are just starting to run, getting back in to it or like to run easy. We’ll guide you along the 45min run/walk, offering our experience and expertise. No sign up, just come along and meet other women who enjoy running.” - Thanks to Lynette Low, Founder of We Run Edinburgh, for sharing this.

📌 “ACCORD women's choir, a friendly, fun and feel-good group would like to welcome new members. Join us on Thursday evenings (starting 15th January) in St Columba's Church Halls, 13 Upper Gray St, Newington, EH9 1SN between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Contact accordchoiredinburgh@gmail.com for more information.” - Thanks to the choir for sharing this.

📌 “NOSTALGIA is a YouTube channel (23K subscribers) making cinematic short films about real, soulful homes. We’re looking for lived-in places in Edinburgh shaped by life rather than trends; homes full of books, art or memories. If this sounds like your home, let us know: studio@getnostalgia.com” - Thanks to Ilya for sharing this.

📌 “Saturday at 27 George Street: Thinking about buying or selling in 2026? 🏠 Join ESPC at their Property Market Update, designed to give clear, practical insight into what’s happening in the market and what it could mean for your next move. Our panel of trusted experts will discuss current trends and outlooks for the year ahead.” - Thanks to Megan from ESPC for sharing this.

📌 “Discover what The Open Door (in Morningside) is all about at our FREE Day Service Taster Session on Friday 16th at 10:30am. Enjoy refreshments, a fun activity, and a friendly chat about how we can support you or a loved one. It’s relaxed, welcoming and open to all – just come along and see what we do.” - Thanks to Simon Warr from The Open Door for sharing this.

📌 “Align. by Colette. Brand new Yoga classes, Morningside and Haddington. Inclusive of all levels, your mat is waiting.” - Thanks to a Minute subscriber for sharing this.

📌 “16 Jan, 6pm Morningside Gallery’s 12th annual Small Paintings show opens, featuring over 500 small, original paintings from some of Scotland’s best known contemporary artists. There are no pre-sales in this show but mailing list subscribers will receive access to the online Private View.” - Thanks to Carrie for sharing this.

📌 “Friday 17th January - Mark Quinn of Greenhouse Records returns to the Bruntsfield Pianodrome to host a vinyl listening sessions titled 'Protest Songs - Music for the revolution.'” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 “The Embodied Voice - a series of workshops exploring what it means to give our bodies a voice, or to return our voices to the body. First workshop, 'the voice in the body', held at CATS, 43-45 Easter Road, Saturday 17/01/25. Contact Noah at lesfabricantes@gmail.com for more information.” - Thanks to Noah for sharing this.

📌 “Saturday 17th January - Poetry for Breakfast with Christine De Luca at The Scottish Gallery. Join us as Christine reads selected poems that resonate with the exhibition, The Northern Isles, exploring the island languages, rhythms and histories that shape the artistic imagination. £10, please RSVP.” - Thanks to The Scottish Gallery for sharing this.

📌 “Sunday 18 January - Sweep away the January doldrums with some intentional visioning, goal-setting, and gentle reflective practices! Get moving and help move your mind. Join Solas Yoga and coach Caitlin McDonald at OMH Therapies for a joyful start to 2026.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.

📌 “Only a few days now till the first Auld Reekie Board Gaming Club at Assembly Roxy on Tuesday 20 January 2026. We only have a few spots left for Blood on the Clocktower, the Board Game Library is filling up! It is time to grab your tickets and join us for an evening of fun.” - Thanks to Graham Colvan, Creator of Auld Reekie Board Gaming Club, for sharing this.

📌 “Starting Monday 19th January 12.30pm, join experienced teacher and international weightlifter Emma McCready for a 6 week Pilates course at Hillside Yoga Collective off Leith Walk. Build a resilient, connected body with exercises from classical mat Pilates, physiotherapy, and strength & conditioning.” - Thanks to Emma for sharing this.

📌 “Wednesday 21 January - 21 Jan is Big Adoption Day and St Andrew's Children's Society are holding 2 Adoption Information Events, including one for Single Prospective Parents, where you can meet an adopter and ask questions. There's no pressure to take it any further after the event. Sign up now!” - Thanks to Tara Macgregor for sharing this.

Get in touch

📌 “Thursday 22 January: Join us 18:00–20:30 for free board & card game playtesting with local indie designers. Playtester entry is free; if you’d like your game playtested, it’s £7 or free for Ancient Robot Workshop members with a member code.” - Thanks to Rob Gelb, Ancient Robot Workshop, for sharing this.

📌 “Friday 23 January. Stories of Endurance and Burns Supper, with Scotland's most inspirational runners, including Kayleigh Webster, who went from "Couch" to over 100 miles in 4 years. The talks will be followed by a Burns supper, with poet Medha Singh delivering the address to the haggis.” - Thanks to Earth in Common for sharing this.

📌 “Saturday 24 January – Interior Design Workshop. Learn how to use colour, styles and pattern with confidence and start the year with fresh ideas. Two last-minute tickets now available.” - Thanks to Aleksandra from Skela Studio for sharing this.

📌 “Fancy learning something new this year? Why not try your hand at jewellery making? Drill Hall based artists, Leith Jewellery Studios have an exciting programme of Saturday workshops coming up this January and February.” - Thanks to Out of the Blue for sharing this.

📌 “Sunday 25th January, Leith Depot: Amang the Lasses! A different kind of Burns night, led by the gals. Featuring performances from Caro Bridges, Nicole Smit, Ada Francis, Kat Brooks, and Sally Jaquet.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.