The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 26 February 2026
West End 'super hostel' appeal, Cameron Toll revamp update, knitters assemble for Paralympics pom-poms + community bookshop makeover needs £300
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Thanks to everyone who got in touch to point out the big council budget meeting is today and not yesterday. The meeting preview can be read here if you missed it and I'll share updates tomorrow morning. My date error made a few councillors momentarily anxious and for that I'm slightly sorry. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.
📵 With five days remaining, the council's consultation on banning phones in schools has had 12,300 responses, more than the 11,425 responses to a recent tramline extension consultation. - Ian Swanson, The Scotsman + have your say here.
🏨 West End residents trying to stop plans for a 544-bed 'super hostel' in Atholl Crescent met with one of Scotland’s top planning appeal officials on a site visit to make their case. A decision is expected later this year. - Dave Pickering, North Edinburgh News.
⮑ The plans, featured in Urban Realm, show an 82-room hostel with around six bunkbeds per room.
🔪 The mother of Leith fatal stabbing victim John McNab has persuaded the Scottish Government to look into tightening security around the sale of knives. - David Cowan, BBC Scotland News.
🏗️ There's a chance today to see early-stage plans for a major redevelopment of Cameron Toll shopping centre. The drop-in consultation event is at the shopping centre between 2pm and 7pm.
⮑ Developer CBRE says it wants to transform the site in to 'a mixed-use neighbourhood centre with housing, a hotel, and leisure destinations, whilst retaining and reconfiguring the existing retail offer, aiming to create a vibrant place to live, work, and play, alongside strengthening connections with the wider community by improving access, encouraging public transport use, and building on the aims of creating a 20 minute neighbourhood concept'. CBRE wants to factor in a future tram stop, but pointed out: 'We’re sharing early ideas – nothing is fixed at this stage'. - More details here and you can give feedback here.
Why the change? The developer says Cameron Toll 'feels disconnected from surrounding communities', adding: "This is why change is needed. Walking and cycling routes are limited, with no clear east–west or north–south connections through the site. The culverted burn, fragmented landscape and poor links to Inch Park all reduce the site’s environmental and recreational potential. These constraints highlight the opportunity and the need to create a more open, welcoming and better-connected neighbourhood centre." - There are more details of early plans in this seven-page PDF document.
🛍️ Meanwhile in Leith, the Ocean Terminal shopping centre has been sold to American investment firm Fortress for around £15 million, reports Brian Donnelly in The Herald.
🏦 A former RBS building on the corner of Bernard Street and Constitution Street in Leith will be turned in to serviced apartments. - Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan in Edinburgh Live.
💍 After 40-years of trading, The Ringmaker jeweller on Dundas Street has gone in to liquidation. - Rachel Williams, Edinburgh Live.
🖼️ Artwork by Mark Kirkham, also known as the Edinburgh Sketcher, has gone on display on hoardings in Dundee Street, Fountainbridge, to celebrate the third year of the Festival City Stories project. The art was unveiled at an event last night at Edinburgh Printmakers, featuring stories and performances from people involved in year-round partnerships between festivals, local community groups and schools. - Find out more about the Edinburgh Festival City Stories and BUILDHOLLYWOOD project here.
New illustrations by Edinburgh Sketcher Mark Kirkham in Fountainbridge. Photos by Iain MacKay. :
🌳 Plans for a lion statue in West Princes Street Gardens commemorating 20 years of the Royal Regiment of Scotland have been approved by councillors. - Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan in Midlothian View.
📗 The owner of Leith Walk's Typewronger Books has thanked customers for backing the shop's all-night opening stunt to raise money to pay their tax bills. Shop founder Tee Hodges said: "We were mobbed and had a one hour queue from 9.30 at night until 3.30 in the morning. In fact the queue was still there at half-past four. I'm an idiot! I really should've realised that everyone would turn up for us. Thank you and I'm very glad to let you know we did raise enough to pay our bills." - See the midnight mega-queue and clips from the event here.
📚 Edinburgh Community Bookshop on Great Junction Street has launched a fundraiser to pay a local artist to decorate the shop shutters. The shopfront was recently hit by graffiti. The owners hope donations can reach £300 to cover the costs of a makeover reflecting their values of 'community, kindness and books'. - More details in this post and the fundraiser is here. (Do your thing, Minute readers!)
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🧶 The Paralympic Pom-Pom Knit & Knatter
Tomorrow, Fri 27 February - The Scottish Gallery is hosting a Knit-In on behalf of Davy Zyw, who is participating in the Paralympics Games!! Join fellow knitters (and enthusiastic beginners!) to make the official supporters' hats and pom poms.
10.30am to 12.30pm | The Scottish Gallery, EH3 6HZ | FREE - More details here, shared by Lisa Muxworthy.
"When the fabulous news broke that Davy had qualified for the Paralympics, numerous family and friends decided to travel to Cortina to support him. But how to mark out Davy’s supporters amongst all those spectators by the pistes? My sister Lesley, a champion knitter, and I came up with the idea of knitting hats in bright blue, marked with ZYW in white felt letters on front of the brim, and a wee Saltire flag on the back. We’ve mobilised our brilliant knitting community, but the growing number of Davy’s supporters heading to Cortina on 6 March means we need more hats on more needles, and fast!" - Jenny Brown.
🌱 New Local Flower Farm Launching in Edinburgh - New small-scale flower farm launching in Edinburgh. After leaving her 9 to 5, Ronda is growing seasonal flowers from her garden and launching limited bouquet subscriptions this spring. - Thanks to Ronda Steel, Pop & Petal Blooms, for sharing this.
🗣️ She-bear, Baba-Yaga and House spirits - A few tickets left for today's literary talk with writer Evgenia Nekrasova on myth, folklore and magic pessimism in contemporary Russian reality. 66pm to 8.30pm | Augustine United Church, EH1 1EL | £10 - More details here, shared by Elena Rodchenko.
🖼 Youth of Craigmillar By Toby Binder - In 2004, Toby Binder came to the Craigmillar area to photograph local young people as part of his ‘Youth in the UK’ photo series. Craigmillar Now, in partnership with Let the People Sing are holding an exhibition of his work. - Thanks to Chris Cullen, The Big Issue, for sharing this.
🎶 Our Voices Rang Out Thegither
Today, Thu 26 February - A free (no tickets required) lunchtime concert at Greyfriars Kirk with Mezzo-Soprano Eva Smeddle and pianist Anna Michels exploring classical music by female composers ahead of international woman's day next Sunday!
12pm to 1pm | Greyfriars Kirk, EH1 2QQ | FREE - More details here.
☕ Tea Ceilidhs [Weekly]
Today, Thu 26 February - A live band will call Scots ceilidh dances and a few others. the venue has a cafe for tea, scones and cake. A friendy sociable crowd. Music by Stan Reeves and friends.
2pm to 3.45pm | Marchmont St. Giles’ Parish Church, EH9 2DW - More details here, shared by Stan Reeves.
🌿 Tribe Talks [Monthly]
Today, Thu 26 February - Our next Tribe Talks series covers the theme of Body & Mind. Tribe Talks brings together bright minds and engaging topics to spark inspiration, encourage meaningful conversations, and help our community learn, grow, and do better together.
6pm to 7pm | Tribe Porty, EH15 2AJ | FREE - More details here, shared by Alice Hudson, Tribe Porty CIC.
🤝 Men's Open Group [Fortnightly]
Today, Thu 26 February - Fortnightly group for men to meet & share what's going on for them in a safe, respectful & non-clinical space. Free, no commitment, no religion/politics, no discrimination/judgment, no advice or fixing, simply being listened to with respect & empathy
6pm to 8pm | North Edinburgh Arts, EH4 4AB | FREE - More details here, shared by Jonny5050.
☕ Machina: Welcome to Coffee
Today, Thu 26 February - A workshop and tasting at our Marchmont Cafe for anyone who loves coffee but feels like they might be missing part of the story. We'll taste a few coffees side by side and chat through how coffee goes from cherry to roastery. Free, open to everyone!
6pm to 7.30pm | Machina Coffee - Marchmont Cafe, EH9 1HX | FREE - More details here, shared by Sophie Jones.
🎶 Nicola Benedetti plays Mendelssohn with the SCO
Today, Thu 26 February - Join Scotland's favourite violinist Nicola Benedetti as she joins conductor Maxim Emelyanychev and the SCO for Mendelssohn's exhilarating Violin Concerto. Limited tickets available.
7pm to 10pm | The Usher Hall, EH1 2EA | From £15 - U18s FREE - More details here, shared by Derek Gilchrist.
🧘🏻♀️ Silent Disco Yoga at Greyfriars Kirk
Today, Thu 26 February - Join us for our Silent Disco Yoga experience set inside the stunning Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh. Expect a gentle, accessible yoga flow guided through wireless headphones, paired with chilled beats and immersive sound.
6.30pm to 7.30pm | Greyfriars Kirk, EH1 2QQ | £15 - More details here, shared by barry chalmers.
📖 An Evening with Elspeth Wilson & Hester Musson
Today, Thu 26 February - Come and meet local authors Elspeth Wilson & Hester Musson to hear them talk about their new novels - These Mortal Bodies and The Night Hag!
7pm to 8.30pm | Rare Birds Book Shop, EH4 1HU | £5 (redeemable) - More details here, shared by Amanda.
🎨 Paint & Wine Evening: The Glasgow Boys
Tomorrow, Fri 27 February - Join local artist Suzanne Kemplay to learn how to paint in the style of The Glasgow Boys. Choose from two options on the night. No drawing skills required, and suitable for complete beginners. Price includes materials, wine & sharing cheese platter.
6pm to 9pm | The Arienas Collective - Creative Workshop Hub, EH3 6NW | £36-£45 - More details here, shared by Lynn, The Arienas Collective.
💃 Ecstatic Visions
Tomorrow, Fri 27 February - Ecstatic Visions is a live album concert performance by soprano Stephanie Lamprea and electronic musician Alistair MacDonald, featuring dance performance by Suzi Cunningham, video art by Oana Stanciu, and creative captions by Lamprea.
6pm to 8.30pm | Inspace, EH8 9AB | FREE - More details here, shared by Miriam Walsh.
🎶 Dance Yerself Warm
Sun 01 March - The chilly weather is still with us so get down to Pianodrome's daytime dance party and turn up the heat. Get together to raise the temperature! Dance Yerself Warm is an afternoon dance party for all ages - free your feet and get toasty.
1.30pm to 4pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub, EH10 4NB | £10, £7 concessions - More details here, shared by Matt.
🧘🏻♀️ Beginners Yoga Workshop
Sun 01 March - Join Ellen @flowithel at Tidal Yoga for a 90 minute exploration of the principles of yoga including classic poses, breath work and a little bit of philosophy. Great for total beginners and returners alike.
3pm to 4.30pm | Tidal Yoga Ltd, EH6 8NP | £20.00 - More details here, shared by Alexandra Black.
📚 W.M. Watt Lecture
Mon 02 March - The 2026 W.M. Watt Lecture comes from Prof Emily Selove, focusing on key themes in the study of Medieval Islamic occult texts, and engagement with depictions of jinn and unseen entities. The talk will be illustrated with historical Popeye cartoons!
5pm to 7pm | 40 George Square, EH8 9JX | FREE - More details here, shared by Hannah, School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures at UoE.
🦮 Guide Dog Puppy Raisers - Info Session on 3rd March - We are looking for committed individuals who would like to play a vital role in supporting the early development of future Guide Dogs. Come along to our info session at Dalkeith Library on 3rd March between 12 -2 to find out more (& meet some pups!)
💥 International Women's Day - Let's Talk About It
Thu 05 March - An honest, funny, and unfiltered hosted conversation about being a woman and how on earth we're supposed to survive it all. We'll close the evening with an inclusive poetry session exploring the mind, the body, and the many shapes of womanhood.
7pm to 9.30pm | Tribe Porty, EH15 2AJ | 10 - More details here, shared by Alice Hudson.
🎶 John Settle with Victor Estevez and the Green Note Trio
Thu 05 March - LAST 7 SEATS! An inspiring night: blues, bebop, swing, Bossa Nova, ballads, and timeless classics from the Great American Songbook - all brought to life by vibraphonist John Settle with trumpeter Victor Estevez alongside the stellar Green Note Trio.
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Baberton Golf Club | £13 - More details here, shared by John Elliott, Juniper Green Note.
🎶 Spring Community Celebration at Riddle's Court, The Royal Mile
Sat 07 March - A community celebration at one of Edinburgh's finest historic buildings to welcome in the spring and say hello to the sun, with music, canapés and a glass of fizz, free on arrival! All proceeds donated to Health in Mind, a Scottish charity.
2pm to 4.30pm | Riddles Court, EH1 2PG | £5 - More details here.
🧠 PTSD UK Firewalk
Sat 07 March - Join the PTSD UK Firewalk on 7 March, where participants will step across glowing embers after a mindset workshop, accompanied by live Mugen Taiko Dojo Drummers in an evening designed to bring people together and raise awareness of PTSD and C-PTSD.
4pm to 8.30pm | Edinburgh Corn Exchange, EH14 1RJ | £35/£75 - More details here, shared by Jacqui Suttie.
🤣 Paul Riley - Too Smart To Be Nice
Sat 07 March - Get up close and personal with Paul Riley, star of BBC's award-winning sitcom Still Game, as he brings his brand-new stand-up show "Too Smart To Be Nice" to Portobello Town Hall.
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Portobello Town Hall, EH15 1AF | From £23.85 - More details here, shared by Ollie Rushby.
🗣️ Talk on the Bombing of Edinburgh and Leith
Mon 09 March - Join us for a fascinating look into the bombing of Edinburgh and Leith during World War II by former Edinburgh City Police Officer Gerard McEwan. A great chance to learn more about the history of our local area!
6pm to 7.30pm | McDonald Road Library, EH7 4LU | FREE - More details here.
🎼 Kids & Youth Choir Workshops - free to attend!
Tue 10 March - The Phoenix Choir is holding a series of six entirely FREE Kids & Youth Choir workshops, starting on Tuesday the 10th of March at Gilmerton Community Centre and coming to all corners of the city! Simply email info@thephoenixchoir.com to sign up.
4pm to 7pm | Gilmerton Community Centre, EH17 8QG | FREE - More details here, shared by Julia Koenig.
🎉 The Hoxton announces its first hoose party with food from King of Feasts - On Saturday 14th March, The Hoxton will mark Super Saturday with its first ‘Hoose’ party of 2026 - an epic celebration of decadent food, live DJs and dancing all night long, as part of their Hoose Party event series. - More info.
🧅 Calçotada 2026: The Catalan Onion Festival
Sat 21 March - Scotland's Catalan Centre is now selling tickets for the 2026 Calçotada! 🧅 Start building up your appetite because on March 21st, Scotland's most anticipated Onion Festival is back - this time at The Pitt! Book your ticket before it sells out 🎉
12pm to 5pm | The Pitt, EH5 1QD - More details here.
🚴 Clothes Cycle
Sun 22 March - After a sellout event last October, Clothes Cycle - the UK's largest curated sustainable fashion market - is back in Edinburgh with over 100 handpicked vintage and independent sellers under one roof.
11am to 5pm | Meadowbank Sports Centre - More details here, shared by Hatty Lawrence.
🎥 Scottish Love in Action Cinema Night - Sweet Home Alabama
Thu 26 March - Join us for a screening of the classic 'Sweet Home Alabama', raising funds for children in India. Fizz, snacks and Gold Class seats are included with tickets, plus a paid raffle with fantastic prizes- all to give children an opportunity to thrive.
8pm to 10.20pm | Dominion Cinema, EH10 4RT | £50 for Two Tickets. - More details here, shared by Gabriel John Gunn.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🗺️ Live version of the Race Across the World coming to Edinburgh. (Herald coverage + official website).
- 💰 Edinburgh parents facing rising childcare costs.
- 🪩 Nightclub warned over under-agers and crowding.
- 🎓 Napier University lecturers on strike.
- 🏂 Local snowboarder Davy Zyw selected to compete at Winter Paralympics.
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