The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 5 March 2026

☔️ Good morning Edinburgh. There's a high chance of rain this afternoon and this evening, according to the Met Office forecast. Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.

🕵️‍♂️ Starting today with a message from Jim Waterson, editor of London Centric:

Last year London Centric teamed up with The Edinburgh Minute to investigate the dubious gift shops springing up along Princes Street. They were in a building linked to the billionaire London property developer Asif Aziz, who has a record of letting out retail units to tax-evading Harry Potter shops.

In recent weeks, London Centric has been looking into how Aziz's Criterion Capital has been rushing to evict hundreds of Londoners. Our reporting led to Sadiq Khan condemning Aziz's actions and resulted in a homelessness charity cutting ties with the landlord. 

Now, I’ve received a tip about a potentially similar story of evictions in Edinburgh.

So I’m asking Edinburgh Minute readers for help: Do you know of a pub in Edinburgh that, in the last few years, was sold to Asif Aziz or a company linked to him? Based on Aziz's previous transactions the pub was probably bought by an Isle of Man-registered business, and Aziz's or Criterion's name won't be on the deeds. Companies used by Aziz's property firms to conduct similar purchases of London pubs include Golfrate Ltd and Mendoza Ltd but a different company might have been used in this case.

The pub is described as having flats above it, with the residents removed from the property after the purchase was made, possibly last year or the year before. If you know a pub that fits the bill, do get in touch with me. If we do find anything out, Edinburgh Minute readers will be the first to know. And if you want to know more about Criterion Capital and Aziz - who will soon be a major player in Edinburgh’s hospitality scene with his planned Princes Street Zedwell hotel - my past reporting is here.

🚔 A man appeared in court yesterday charged with attempting to murder two people and assaulting two others during an incident in Sighthill on Monday. - David Cowan, BBC Scotland News.

🐶 Three people were arrested after drugs worth £364,000 were found in a house in the Combe Cruik, Gilmerton, area by an eight-year-old Springer Spaniel specialist drugs search dog named PC Freddie. - Police Scotland shared details and a photo of Freddie here.

🚈 ScotRail will run longer trains on key routes into and out of Edinburgh to welcome thousands of rugby supporters on board as Scotland host France in the Six Nations rugby at Murrayfield on Saturday. - Full details here.

🛬 'Flights from Middle East resume with emotional scenes at Edinburgh Airport' - Ella Kipling & Cachella Smith, BBC Scotland News.

🌸 The date for this year's annual Cherry Blossom Picnic at Starbank Park has been announced: - Sunday 26 April. - Details via Friends of Starbank Park.

⚓️ Visible from all over town, a huge ship has moored in the Port of Leith. The Spurtle shares its research on the ship and its massive cargo.

TOWERING PRESENCE IN LEITH | Broughton Spurtle

This towering presence – moored in Leith – is the Hua Yang Long: a semi-submersible heavy-lift carrier owned by Guagzhou Salvage and sailing under the flag of China.

Broughton Spurtle

🏆 The Edinburgh Minute has somehow made it to the final shortlist of the 89th annual International News Media Association Global Media Awards. There were 960 entries and the Minute is there in the final ten with newsletters from the likes of The Guardian, The Economist and the inspirational Kyiv Independent. The awards are in Berlin (at the INMA World Congress) in May. Thanks to everyone who subscribes for their support.

📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard

⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.

❤️ Ramen with purpose: Maki & Ramen raise £20,000 for Edinburgh-based Thistle Foundation charity - A simple bowl of ramen has helped transform lives in Edinburgh, as Maki & Ramen celebrates raising £20,000 for local charity, Thistle Foundation, which supports people to cope with the diagnosis of a long-term condition. - Thanks to Louise Farmer, Thistle Foundation, for sharing this.

🎶 Marketing & Comms Assistant - The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is seeking a highly organised and proactive Marketing & Comms Assistant to support their busy Marketing & Comms department. This entry-level role is ideal for someone looking to build a career in arts marketing. - Thanks to Theresa at the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for sharing this.

📸 Channel 4's 'The Dog House' is Looking for Loving Homes in Edinburgh - 'Open your home and heart to a rescue dog in need. ❤️ The BAFTA-nominated Channel 4 series The Dog House is looking for people ready to adopt and share their journey on TV. Apply at c4thedoghousetakepart.co.uk or email thedoghouse@fivemilefilms.co.uk' - Thanks to Five Mile Films, for sharing this.

🎶 Edinburgh Competition Music Festival [Daily]
Today, Thu 05 March - Ten-day competitive and non-competitive music festival with classes featuring different ages and levels. Public very welcome to sit in.
9.30am to 9pm | Various (see website) | FREE - More details here, shared by Caroline Higgitt, ECFA.

⚽ Street Soccer Scotland free women's football sessions every Thursday in Leith all abilities [Weekly]
Today, Thu 05 March - free inclusive and fun women's football session every thursday in Leith at 1030am
10.30am to 12pm | Leith Community Centre | FREE - More details here, shared by Robbie Wood, Street Soccer Scotland.

🗣️ We Are The University! - EIS Rally at the Scottish Parliament Thu 05 March
Today, Thu 05 March - TODAY! Join EIS Thursday 05 March for our rally on the 10th day of strike action in defence of jobs at Edinburgh Napier University. Compulsory redundancies are a choice; we are standing together to demand they are stopped. All supporters welcome.
11am to 12pm | Scottish Parliament Building, EH99 1SP | FREE - More details here, shared by EIS-ULA.

🎨 Art Gallery Preview for ISOBEL COLVILLE | Scottish 1935-2025
Today, Thu 05 March - Please join us in the Edinburgh gallery for a private preview of our latest art collection. Light refreshments will be served, and every guest will receive an original sketch by Isobel who studied at the Glasgow School of Art during the 1950's.
5pm to 7pm | Viki Knott Antiques and Art, EH14 1QB | FREE - More details here, shared by Viki Knott.

🏛️ West End Community Council [Monthly]
Today, Thu 05 March - We will be discussing planning, licensing, roads, & other things from the West End. To join, just turn up or email secretary@edinburghwestendcc.org.uk for a zoom invite
7.30pm to 9pm | 61 Melville St, EH3 7HL | FREE - More details here, shared by West End Community Council.

🗣️ 'You have Parkinson's...' a wobbly adventure.
Tomorrow, Fri 06 March - Garry Sloan, a storyteller with a brave heart, dry wit, and talent for finding bright bits in a complex diagnosis opens the door to the realities of Parkinson's while maintaining a tone that is both human and hopeful, and sometimes even hilarious.
3pm to 4pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community, EH6 4HY | FREE - More details here, shared by Heart of Newhaven.

What’s On — Heart of Newhaven

Heart of Newhaven

📸 Mindful Photography Workshop
Sat 07 March - Mindful photography invites a deeper appreciation of nature while fostering relaxation and clarity. This gentle, meditative practice offers a chance to rest the thinking mind and reconnect with the present moment through photography.
11am to 1pm | Bridgend Farmhouse, EH16 4TE - More details here, shared by Seeing The Now.

🪩 Umbrella Vinyl DJ Set
Sat 07 March - Vinyl only night at Leith Arches on Saturday 7th March from 9pm - 1am! Josh, Nick & Laura will be bringing their irresistible blend of international beats to the floor! Afrobeat, funk, soul, disco, latin, Bollywood and beyond! Expect to dance! ☂️🎶
9pm to 1am | Leith Arches, EH6 8LY | £5 advance, £7/£10 - More details here, shared by Laura, Umbrella Vinyl.

🛍️ Mini Market on the Croft [Weekly]
Sun 08 March - A Mini Market on the Croft returns from March 8th-29th 10-4pm. Come along to support our wonderful traders, help us build following for the market and attract more fantastic traders for 2026. Want to trade with us April onwards? click the link
10am to 4pm | Leith Community Croft, EH6 7EL | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

🏛️ 'Architecture and Urbanism in late Georgian Edinburgh: History, Modernity and Style'
Mon 09 March - John Lowrey, recently retired as a senior lecturer in architectural history at Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture will address this topic.
6.30pm to 8pm | Augustine United Church, EH1 1EL | £6 - More details here, shared by Caroline McFarlane, AHSS.

Architecture and Urbanism in late Georgian Edinburgh - John Lowrey - Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland

John Lowrey is a senior lecturer in architectural history at Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA), part of Edinburgh College of Art within Edinburgh University.

Architectural Heritage Society of ScotlandRootsWings

🎸 Martin Taylor
Mon 09 March - Being described by Jeff Beck as 'the best guitarist in the world' is quite the accolade. However Martin Taylor wears his virtuosity lightly while delighting and inspiring audiences. Expect a beautiful night of jazz standards from a master musician.
8pm to 10.15pm | Traverse Theatre, EH1 2ED | £25/£22.50 - More details here, shared by Jane-Ann, The Soundhouse Organisation.

🎶 Bar Academia [Monthly]
Wed 11 March - Bar academia is a monthly event that features a seminal jazz and improvised music recording introduced by an expert in the field.
2.30pm to 4.30pm | The Green Room Wine Bar, EH3 7NG | Speaker Donation £5 - More details here, shared by Haftor Medboe and Green Room.

🎵 Musical Theatre Fitness [Weekly]
Wed 11 March - Love Musicals? Love Fitness? Join us for Musical Theatre Fitness™ - a 45 minute all-levels workout that fuses functional training and dance fitness to the sound of Broadway, West End and movie musical hits. No experience needed. All are welcome!
5.30pm to 6.30pm | Leith Community Centre, EH6 6AD | £8 - More details here, shared by Krista Bridges.

💃 41st Edinburgh University Dance Performance [Daily]
Fri 13 March - 41st Edinburgh University Dance Performance March 13 & 14. A celebration of dance, showcasing over 15 different styles performed by Edinburgh University Student Association's dance societies, Edinburgh Uni Sport Union sports clubs & special guests.
7pm to 11pm | Pleasance Courtyard, EH8 9TJ | £15 General - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

🧵 Mother's Day Spring Flower Arranging
Sun 15 March - Bring your mum, a friend, or treat yourself to a beautiful spring morning surrounded by flowers. Join us with Ochre Botanical Studios and create your own spring bowl arrangement to take home - complete with a ceramic bowl, and treats from Patina.
11am to 1pm | 1 New Park Square, EH12 9GR | £70 per person - More details here, shared by Lindsay, Parabola.

🎨 Creative Walks (for tender-hearted humans)
Sat 21 March - Nurture the creative part of you with three spring-time walks around Holyrood Park (March/April/May). Making art of any kind can often be a vulnerable experience, this is a low-pressure chance to breathe new life into your ideas and connect.
11am to 1pm | Holyrood Park, EH8 8HG | FREE - More details here, shared by Sophie.

🍴 Eating and Waiting to Eat Supper Club: Family Style Dinner at Sabzi
Tue 24 March - Join the hosts of the Edinburgh food podcast Eating and Waiting to Eat at their next Supper Club event: a family style dinner at Sabzi. Co-hosted with Sabzi's owners, dinner will be sharing platters of many a Sabzi favorite (Chip Chaat anyone?).
7pm to 9.30pm | SABZI, EH6 4NX | £45 - More details here, shared by Carlos Miranda, Eating and Waiting to Eat.

🎶 AMPLIFI presents: Brownbear - Live with Ensemble
Fri 27 March - Brownbear perform at The Queen's Hall with a full orchestral ensemble of BPOC musicians - the first time the venue's hosted an ensemble like this. Strings and vocals arranged by Angela Chan completely transform their indie-soul sound.
7pm to 10.30pm | The Queen's Hall, EH8 9JG | £10 - More details here, shared by We Are Here Scotland.

🎶 Cadenza - Choral Masterworks
Sat 28 March - An uplifting evening of sacred choral music spanning five centuries in aid of St Columba's Hospice. Includes music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Faure, Rachmaninoff and Britten.
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Marchmont St. Giles’ Parish Church, EH9 2DW | £16/£14/child £5 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:

1. 🎓 'The harsh reality of being a woman at Edinburgh University'.
2. 🖼️ 13-year-old becomes youngest ever RSW artist.
3. 💐 Street Soccer and Timorous Beasties' charity football shirt.
4. 🗳️ 'Reform leader attacked for ‘racist’ remarks over Sightill stabbing'.
5. ☕️ Green light for city's 12th Black Sheep Coffee cafe.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 856.
📬 Free subscribers: 29,000+.
📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 2,000,000+.

👍 The Edinburgh Minute only exists thanks to voluntary subscribers. Please consider chipping in for a fiver a month to ensure it continues. The community spirit behind this newsletter is real. Your support makes Edinburgh a better place.