The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 16 April 2026
Dean Bridge church for sale, job fears at Standard Life's £2bn Aegon takeover, Dumbiekyes row over Pleasance venue noise + new padel centre plan for Fort Kinnaird
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.
⛪️ One of the city's most prominent landmarks is for sale at £750,000. Standing high above the north end of Dean Bridge, Holy Trinity Church, and formerly Scottish Episcopal Church, was built between 1837 and 1838. Since the 1980s its most recent owner was the Christian Centre Ministries, which ran Rhema Scotland services there. Now the building is named '1 Dean Bridge' by property consultancy firm Graham + Sibbald, who told the Minute it's had 15 viewings already. A sales brochure for the B-listed building states it could be converted for residential use, office use, leisure use or be retained as a place of worship depending on who buys it. Murdo McAndrew of Graham + Sibbald said: "It truly is a unique building and G+S and myself personally were delighted to be instructed to market it. We will do what we can to secure the best possible result for the seller, but at the same time we are of course very interested to see what this amazing property will be used as."
- The building's most recent occupant, Rhema Scotland, has been contacted for comment. A source said they 'have just decided that now is a good time for them to sell'.
- See a video from inside the building here.
- Fun fact: The church was temporarily converted to an electricity substation in 1957.
- See the full property sale listing here.
🏠 Edinburgh is the 'most expensive city in Scotland for floor space', with an A4 sheet-sized area costing an average of £204, according to new research by property website Zoopla. - Vicky Shaw, Press Association, in The Herald.
💰 Talk of the town in the local finance world yesterday: Pensions giant Standard Life announced a takeover of Edinburgh-based rival Aegon UK in a deal worth £2 billion. The newly enlarged group will administer £480 billion of pension assets. - Mark Williamson, The Herald.
- What about jobs? "The proposed acquisition is expected to deliver a total net “synergy value” - or cost savings - in the region of £800 million, which could have longer-term implications for jobs where there are areas of overlap," writes Scott Reid in The Scotsman.
- A Standard Life spokesperson said 'there is no fixed headcount target associated with the acquisition at this stage', adding: "Any organisational changes would be managed carefully and communicated clearly."
🔊 Some residents of Dumbiekyes claim they are being treated like 'third class citizens' in a long-running noise dispute with the neighbouring Pleasance Fringe venue. - Jane Bradley, The Scotsman.
🗳️ More than 73,000 letters containing postal voting cards are due to drop on doormats across Edinburgh today ahead of the 7 May Scottish Parliament elections. - It's not too late to apply for one, writes Ian Swanson in the Evening News.
⚽️ A group of Hibs fans are releasing a new version of the football club's anthem 'Sunshine on Leith', originally by The Proclaimers. The new version is part of a feature length documentary telling the story of the Dnipro Kids charity, set up by Hibs fans who successfully evacuated 52 children from six Ukrainian orphanage families shortly after the Russian invasion. - More details from Dnipro Kids here.
🎾 A new indoor tennis and padel centre is being proposed at Fort Kinnaird. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🎭 Shedinburgh has announced its Fringe venue this year will be based at Assembly Checkpoint, having been at the ECA last year. The 3 Bristo Place venue was originally home to the Forest Fringe, which is returning for the first time in a decade to stage a two-day takeover of 'new, experimental theatre and live art'. - More details are on the Shedinburgh website + in Theatre Weekly + by Jane Bradley in The Scotsman.
- ⮑ Also in this week’s Edinburgh Culture Minute newsletter: All the local Record Store Day events, Forest Fringe returns, Cowgate Block Party, Matthew Bourne's Red Shoes at Festival Theatre + Priscilla at the Playhouse.
Michael MacLeod
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🌼 Corstorphine hanging baskets, planters and 20 minute volunteers - 'Corstorphine locals are looking for volunteers to refurbish and look after planters. The more people who sign up the more can be supported.' - More details here, shared by Corstorphine in Bloom.
🏠 Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council Meeting - 'Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council will be having its monthly meeting on 28 April, from 18:30-20:30 at Custom House. We invite all community members to join to learn more about what is happening in their area and how they can get involved.' - More details here, shared by Morgane Perez-Huet, Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council.
📚 TAGS Festival table applications - 'Table applications are open for TAGS Festival! If you self-publish comics, TTRPGs, zines, or any other visual-storytelling-related work, we want to hear from you. TAGS 2026 will take place on 17/10/26 at Out of the Blue Drill Hall.' - More details here, shared by Small Press CIC.
🕯️ FREE CANDLE MAKING WORKSHOPS - 'If you are a teacher, hospice worker or work for the NHS I run free candle making workshops. To find out more information email me at kerry@cantocandle.com or contact me on website contact form below.' - More details here, shared by Kerrylyn Bell, Can To Candle.
🎨 The Gallery Art Club Exhibition [Daily]
Today, Thu 16 April - 'Come along to see the wonderful (and affordable) original pieces created by The Gallery Art Club in Carrick Knowe. Made by folk of all ages and backgrounds. With florals, landscapes, animals and even a tribute to Gaza, there's something for everyone'
10.30am to 4.30pm | St David's Carrick Knowe Parish Church, EH12 7DR | FREE - More details here, shared by Amy Liston.
🌿 Scottish Wildlife Trust - Monitoring local planning applications.
Today, Thu 16 April - 'Join us at our public talk to hear how Lothians volunteers monitor, survey, advise and comment on local planning applications where there is a potential adverse wildlife or biodiversity impact. Find out how you can help!'
7.15pm to 9.15pm | Cornerstone Centre St John’s, EH2 4BJ | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌮 Fri 17th April -Mexican Taco night with beer pairing
Tomorrow, Fri 17 April - 'Get ready for a flavour-packed evening!Join us for a vibrant Mexican Taco Night with perfectly paired beers. Expect bold flavours, fresh toppings, and a relaxed, social vibe. Taco fan, craft beer lover, or just fancy a fab night out, this is for you!'
6pm to 10pm | Populus Cafe (Leith Community Croft), EH6 7EL | £35 plus booking fee - More details here, shared by Earth in Common.
🎶 Concert & Afternoon Tea End of the Pier. Songs by Flanders & Swann, Noel Coward, and others.
Sat 18 April - 'Music and singalong celebrating days gone by with song by Flanders & Swann & Noel Coward & others by the small musical group End of the Pier. Fun & interactive 🎼🎶.'
3pm to 5pm | St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, EH15 2AR | Pay by card £12 - More details here, shared by Diane Devlin, St Marks Episcopal Church.
🎶 Cowgate Block Party #2
Sat 18 April - '2nd edition of Sneaky Pete's Cowgate Block Party. 20 hot bands in 3 venues. January's event sold out. "this why we named Edinburgh one of the UK's best places to visit in 2026" - TimeOut Hot acts inc Gossip Queens, Silverwingkiller, Teethin and Y.'
3pm to 10pm | Sneaky Pete's, EH1 1JW | £20 - More details here, shared by Sneaky Petes Limited.
🎶 Jemima and the Fuse
Sat 18 April - 'One of our favourite Edinburgh based acts craft an intimate yet expansive live experience where soaring vocals, strings, world rhythms and brooding electronics collide with grit and tenderness. Huddle in and experience the magic!'
7pm to 10pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub, EH10 4NB | £15/13 - More details here, shared by Pianodrome CIC.
🖊️ Sketchbook Journalling with the Edinburgh Sketcher
Sun 19 April - 'Want to improve your sketchbook journalling skills? Mark Kirkham, the Edinburgh Sketcher, is back on Sunday to share how to capture what you see in quick sketches, and why sketchbook journalling has become such an important part of his daily life.'
10.30am to 2pm | The Arienas Collective - Creative Workshop Hub, EH3 6NW | £60 - More details here, shared by Lynn, The Arienas Collective.
🎶 Robin Chapel Choir - Concert of Music for Men's Voices
Sun 19 April - 'Enjoy the luscious low registers of the men of Robin Chapel's professional Choir, in a presentation of polyphony, plainchant and poetry. Music by Bach, Tallis, Victoria and others. A chance to see inside the Robin Chapel, Edinburgh's hidden gem!'
5.30pm to 6.30pm | The Robin Chapel, EH16 4EA | Free (donations) - More details here, shared by Hugh Hillyard-Parker, Robin Chapel Choir.
📚 Sant Jordi 2026
Sat 25 April - 'Celebrate Sant Jordi's Day, Catalonia's day of love and literature, with us! A fun-filled family day of culture, tradition and love. The event will blend community, culture and solidarity with books, roses, children's activities, poetry & much more!'
10am to 1.30pm | Community Church Edinburgh - King's Hall, EH8 9NZ | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🏛️ Cockburn AGM and Lecture
Tue 28 April - 'After formal proceedings conclude, Richard Murphy will deliver a talk titled 'Three ideas which could transform the centre of Edinburgh'.'
5.30pm to 8pm | Grassmarket Community Project & Coffee Saints Cafe, EH1 2QA | By donation - More details here, shared by James Garry, James Garry, Assistant Director, Cockburn Association.
🌼 Pavement Printmaking
Sat 02 May - 'This Spring we're taking printmaking outside the Studio! All materials and tuition included for this alfresco printmaking workshop. 2 sessions: 10:15- 2:45pm or 14:00-16:30pm £15, £12 concessions, £8 child.'
10am to 12.30pm | Edinburgh Printmakers, EH3 9FP | £15, £12 concessions - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Printmakers.
🎶 Baroque and Renaissance Instrument Discovery Day
Sat 02 May - 'St Mary's Music School invites anyone who would like to learn about, hear, try to play or share expertise in Baroque and Renaissance instruments. The afternoon is run in partnership with Dunedin Consort. 15 and above. Registration required.'
1.10pm to 6pm | St Mary's Music School, EH12 5EL | FREE - More details here, shared by St Mary's Music School.
🌸 Spring Flower Pressing Workshop
Sat 02 May - 'Edinburgh author Rosie Steer is hosting a flower pressing workshop to celebrate Beltane: local flowers from Ochre, a beautiful UK-made wooden flower press to keep, craft demonstrations, cake from 101 Bakery, tea/coffee & a reading from Rosie's book.'
2pm to 4pm | Field Studio Ltd, EH9 1ST | £50 - More details here, shared by Rosie Steer, author of 'Slow Seasons'.
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🇺🇦 Ukrainian Art Exhibition - Festival of Europe Scotland [Daily]
Sat 09 May - ''Land' Exhibition of Contemporary Ukrainian Art. Works for sale relating to the artists homeland life now and nature themed works. Reflections on migration memories of homeland Ukraine and personal experiences. 20+ artists aged 15 to 70 years.'
10am to 5.30pm | French Institute of Scotland, EH1 1RN | FREE - More details here, shared by Festival of Europe Scotland.
🤝 Bridging Communities: Creating the Change You Want to See in the World
Wed 27 May - 'Join us for the first Bridging Communities event of 2026, hosted by The Melting Pot in collaboration with the Edinburgh Futures Institute. This event is for people who want to make a difference in their organisations, communities and wider society.'
10am to 1pm | Edinburgh Futures Institute, EH3 9EF | Donation - More details here, shared by The Melting Pot.
🌊 Inchcolm Ark
Tue 09 June - 'Join us on Inchcolm Island for a one-off performance to draw attention to global sea levels rising. Ticket price includes ferry journey & entrance to Inchcolm Island.'
4.30pm to 8pm | Maid of the Forth, EH30 9TB | £17, concessions - More details here, shared by Colleen Thompythomp.
📮 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:
- 🍽️ Travel mag says 'Leith is the most exciting foodie destination in the UK right now'.
- 🐮 Tourists given Pentland cows warning.
- ♻️ New recycling bins for single-use cup litter crackdown.
- ☕️ New cafe for the Southside.
- 🎭 Porty Fringe arriving in August.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 891.
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