The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 19 March 2026

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It's a relatively quiet morning so far. Here’s everything I could find for today's Edinburgh Minute. Thanks as always to everyone who contributes and subscribes!

⛴️ Plans for a direct ferry route between Scotland and France moved a step closer this morning with a UK Government announcement of a £3m upgrade for Rosyth. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.

🛝 The council will face questions today over how it handled the closure of the Calderglen Early Learning and Childcare Centre in Sighthill. - Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.

• Parents claim they were given 'conflicting information' about the nursery closure, reports Joe Sullivan on Edinburgh Live.

🗳️ The nursery closure is on the agenda at this morning's monthly full council meeting. There was a preview in yesterday's Minute, which you can read at this link. Also on the agenda:

• 🏫 A new primary school and nursery at Hunter’s Hall Park in Craigmillar,
• 💻 The council's new Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Policy,
• ⚽️ A vote on a proposed new bank holiday after the Scotland men's opening match of the football World Cup on 15 June.
• It starts at 10am. The full meeting agenda and webcast link are here.

🚲 A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for a new 850-metre two-way segregated cycle track in Leith yesterday. It goes from the Foot of the Walk to Dock Street and connects to existing segregated infrastructure linking Leith Walk, Portobello, the Water of Leith path and the North Edinburgh Path Network. - More details in this council news release.

🚔 There was a collision between a Lothian Bus and a car on Morningside Road yesterday afternoon. - Sparse details in this Edinburgh Live report.

🦒 Edinburgh Zoo is launching a new inclusive jobs scheme for people with Down’s syndrome. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.

🍕 Pizza Hut at North Bridge is closing at the end of April. - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.

🎭 The shows selected for this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe Made in Scotland programme have been announced. - More details from the Fringe here.

🏆 Performances by Edinburgh's Grant Stott and Allan Stewart at the Festival Theatre are among four UK Pantomime Association annual awards nominations. - Thom Dibdin, All Edinburgh Theatre.

🤸‍♀️ A six-year-old schoolgirl plans to cartwheel around Parsons Green Primary School for charity. Flora Walker has already raised £800 ahead of her challenge for Comic Relief. - Neil Johnstone, Evening News.

Flora’s Cartwheel Challenge

Help Flora Walker raise money to support Comic Relief

JustGiving

🅿️ The operator of Castle Terrace Car Park, NCP, has gone in to administration due to mounting debts. It means carparks at Castle Terrace, Grindlay Street Court, Holyrood Court, Bread Street Lane and St James’ Place are now 'at risk' of closure. Administrator PwC is now handling the potential insolvency process. - Julia Kollewe, The Guardian.

• ⮑ But why does Edinburgh have such a huge carpark in the shadow of the castle, and how did it get planning permission in the first place? It's a long story, and local historian Andy Arthur has pieced it together on Threadinburgh.

A multi-storey problem story: the thread about the Castle Terrace Car Park

Despite being a local history site Threadinburgh does like to try and keep things topical sometimes, so when news broke that car park operator NCP had entered administration with huge debts I felt …

ThreadinburghSkip to content

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🎨 Whitespace gallery available for exhibitions in April - 'Whitespace has opened up its next door gallery space for exhibitions (either for a week or weekend duration) available from now till end of April. If you want to put on an exhibition please get in contact. leigh.cho@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you!' - More details here, shared by leigh chorlton, Whitespace.

🏃‍♂️ New Kids Only Running Club comes to Edinburgh - 'Edinburgh coach Mark Baxter has launched “On Your Mark’s Minis,” a weekly kids running session at Dalkeith Community Campus. A free taster takes place on 9 April, helping children stay active, build confidence & have fun in a supportive environment.' - More details here from Mark Baxter, On Your Mark's Running.

🏠 Inside Richard Murphy’s Unusual Home in Edinburgh’s New Town - '600 people queued for an hour on Doors Open Day to see inside it. Edinburgh architect Richard Murphy’s New Town home has nine levels, countless mirrors and clever mechanisms, a hidden bath, a Venetian garden — and is planned to be forever unfinished.' - More details here, shared by Ilya & Lena of NOSTALGIA.

Inside Richard Murphy’s Unusual Home in Edinburgh

Richard Murphy’s New Town house has nine levels, a bath hidden behind stone panels, a garden modelled on Venice and Japan, and shutters that close like an igloo in winter. He built it to last — and to keep changing.

NOSTALGIANOSTALGIA

🌱 Radical Justice: Nani Jansen Reventlow/Lighthouse Bookshop on building the world we need - 'Fascists are winning elections, economic inequality is rampant, and the climate crisis is at its tipping point. International human rights lawyer Nani Jansen Reventlow's book shows how we can build a different future with our own hands - Sat 21 March' - More details here, shared by Lighthouse Bookshop.

Lighthouse | Radical Justice: Nani Jansen Reventlow on building the world we need

Radical Justice: Nani Jansen Reventlow on building the world we need

📚 Used book stall opening on Portobello Prom - 'Magpie Books, a pay-what-you-can used book stall, opens on Sunday 22nd in Porty! We're open from 11-4 at the Pipe Line entrance to Portobello Prom. Come and browse our books on launch day or find us at the same location every Sunday.' - More details here, shared by Magpie Books.

🍽️ Edinburgh New Town Cookery School Relaunches as Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy - 'Edinburgh New Town Cookery School, founded in 2009 by Fiona Burrell, rebrands to the Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy as of 18/03/2026. With the same team, classes and respected qualifications, and a new vision leading them forwards.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

📅 Planning deadline 27th of March – large New Town apart-hotel proposal - 'A proposal to turn offices at 16–26 Forth St into a 90-bed short term let apart-hotel (ref: 26/00660/FUL) has sparked concern over loss of popular small workplaces, rising visitor use and potential impacts on New Town heritage and residents.' - More details here, shared by Calim Renton.

Events (very soon these will have their own calendar and map)

📖 Susan Manning Memorial Lecture 2026: Cedric Tolliver - Shadow War: African American Spy Fiction
Tomorrow, Fri 20 March - 'Join Professor Cedric Tolliver for 'Shadow War: The Ellisonian Complex of African American Spy Fiction'. Cedric is visiting from the University of Oklahoma where his work focuses on African American literature, culture, and politics.'
5pm to 6.30pm | School of Literatures, EH8 9LH | FREE - More details here, shared by Maire, University of Edinburgh.

🍽️ ESHC Monthly Community Meal
Tomorrow, Fri 20 March - 'Sun's out & food's back at the Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative Basement 👀 Volunteers at ESHC will be teaming up to bring you a FREE evening filled with delicious home cooked food and great company. Come hang out and meet your neighbours!'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative, EH10 4HR | FREE - More details here, shared by ESHC.

🌷 Spring Equinox - Exploring our relationship to Spring
Sat 21 March - 'We will explore your relationship to Spring through the body using silence, somatic awareness and movement. And explore your relationship with where you would like this year to take you. What seeds have you plants and what still requires cultivating.'
1pm to 4pm | A slightly secret venue, EH17 8BD | £44 - More details here, shared by Vickie Meir, VickieM Coaching.

🎷 Raymond MacDonald - Live at Umbrella Vinyl
Sat 21 March - 'Join us to hear saxophonist Raymond MacDonald launch his new LP 'A Jig In The Future' on Klang Tone Records. Copies in store! MacDonald is a saxophonist, composer & academic whose work explores boundaries & ambiguities improvisation & composition.'
3.30pm to 4.30pm | Umbrella Vinyl, EH3 9LR | FREE - More details here, shared by Laura, Umbrella Vinyl.

🌊 Clean Up Scotland's Sewage: World Water Day at Granton Beach
Sun 22 March - 'This World Water Day, join the Clean Up Scotland's Sewage campaign to demand action on sewage pollution. Meet at 11:45 for a group photo at Granton Beach, followed by a campaign stall between 12-5pm at The Pitt.'
12pm to 5pm | The Pitt, EH5 1QD | FREE - More details here, shared by Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland.

Clean Up Scotland’s Sewage: World Water Day

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ Tales of the Suburbs with John Grindrod
Tue 24 March - 'We're looking forward to welcoming John Grindrod to the bookshop to celebrate the publication of his latest book, Tales of the Suburbs: LGBTQ+ Lives Behind Net Curtains. Grindrod will be in conversation with writer and academic Rosa Campbell.'
7pm to 8pm | The Portobello Bookshop, EH15 1DA - More details here, shared by The Portobello Bookshop.

🌷 March into Spring - Fashion Fundraiser 🌸
Thu 26 March - 'Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start - and what better way to refresh your wardrobe than with stylish pre-loved fashion at unbeatable prices? Join us at our office for a fashion fundraiser, where you can pick up any 2 items for just £5.'
10am to 5pm | Volunteer Edinburgh, EH6 5EQ | FREE - More details here, shared by Volunteer Edinburgh.

🌱 Netwalking for Changemakers
Thu 26 March - 'Working for social and environmental change - in business, the public sector, NGOs or with local groups? Build your community by walking with good people, enjoying worthwhile conversations, in peaceful green spaces.'
3.30pm to 5pm | Holyrood Park, EH8 8HG | FREE - More details here, shared by Osbert Lancaster, Thrivable Scotland.

🌼 Bridgend Farmhouse -Spring Fair
Sat 28 March - 'Spring into Spring with a visit to our Spring Fair - market stalls, circus skills, cafe, freshly made pakora, free bike repairs, lego, workshops and more ! All at Beautiful Bridgend Farmhouse - near Cameron Toll on 28 March.'
11am to 3pm | Bridgend Farmhouse Cafe, EH16 4TE | FREE - More details here, shared by Bridgend Farmhouse.

🎶 Edinburgh Singers: I Was Glad - Saturday 28 March
Sat 28 March - 'A glorious night of music for choir, organ and violin, featuring well-known works from Hubert Parry, Louis Vierne and Jonathan Dove.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | The Parish Church of St Cuthbert, EH1 2EP | £18 (£14), U12 free - More details here, shared by The Edinburgh Singers.

🗣️ Vegan Outreach Workshop
Tue 31 March - 'A practical workshop on how to have meaningful conversations about animal rights and speak confidently in public. Learn how to engage with strangers, handle common objections, and communicate clearly about veganism. Gallery 2, 3rd floor, start 6pm.'
6pm to 8pm | St Margaret's House, EH7 6AE | FREE - More details here, shared by Anonymous for the voiceless.

🤝 Tech for Every Body: Scotland Health Tech Careers Evening
Tue 31 March - 'An informal networking event to connect people from underrepresented backgrounds with professionals in health tech. Whether you are just starting, looking to pivot, or ready to accelerate your career, join us for connections, resources, and support.'
6.30pm to 8pm | Paterson's Land, EH8 8AQ | FREE - More details here, shared by Aamani and Stephen, One HealthTech.

🎹 Greyfriars Kirk Organ Concert - Matt Walters (AKA Reductio)
Sun 12 April - 'Experience organ music like you've never heard it before with viral organist Reductio, featuring music by ABBA, Hans Zimmer + more!'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Greyfriars Kirk, EH1 2QQ | £15.00 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

🏡 Home Renovation in Edinburgh: Planning, Design & What You Need to Know
Thu 07 May - 'Join home designer Sarah Maguire and expert guests, including an architect and colour specialist, for practical advice to avoid costly mistakes and plan your kitchen, bathroom or home renovation with confidence.'
6pm to 8pm | The Edinburgh Grand, EH2 2AD | £10 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

Home Renovation in Edinburgh: Planning, Design & What You Need to Know

Nail your Edinburgh home renovation - plan smarter, gain tips, avoid costly mistakes and renovate stress-free with clarity and confidence!

Eventbrite

📮 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:

1. 🗣️ Councillor claims Edinburgh 'doesn't have a regional accent'.
2. 📍 Map of Free Things to Do in Edinburgh, by Minute reader Alba McGowan.
3. 🎯 'F*ck the Small Talk' event at a secret location.
4. 🚧 Morningside councillor disputes code of conduct breach.
5. 📰 New edition of The Leither magazine.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 868.
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