The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 8 January 2026

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. A short newsletter today, which is usually the aim! Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.

❄️ There's another weather warning for possible snow and ice until midday today. - Met Office.

🚨 Police are hunting for three masked men who tried to steal a cash machine from a shop on Whitehouse Road in Barnton. Police say the raid happened at around 2.50am yesterday. A black Nissan Navara was used and driven 'deliberately' at a police car. - A police appeal for help is here.
⮑ The vehicle was then abandoned at the Barnton Scotmid Co-Op store, before suspects got out of the Nissan and into an Audi A3, reports William Gaddi in the Daily Record.
⮑ Detectives are investigating whether the same gang attempted to steal an ATM from another supermarket in Glasgow earlier the same night, reports BBC Scotland News.

🏊‍♀️ The 128-year-old Portobello Swim Centre is to get a £7.5m refurbishment. - Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan, in Midlothian View.

🇻🇪 A protest is planed outside the US consulate in Edinburgh this weekend over the attack on Venezuela. - Steph Brawn, The National.
⮑ The gathering is on Saturday 10 January from 11am at Regent Terrace. - More details from the Stop The War Coalition.

🏢 Peffermill Court and Craigmillar Court in Craigmillar are to be refurbished as part of a £22m council project. - Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan, in Midlothian View.

🧘‍♀️ Two Edinburgh venues are hosting rooftop pilates this month. Instructor Jenna Robertson has sessions at the top of the W Hotel at the St James Centre on Sunday at 8am (book here) and at Cafe Calton on Calton Hill (more details here).

🍽️ When the family behind Mimi's Bakehouse at the Shore announced last year that they were turning it into a Pan Asian restaurant, there was a fair amount of bemusement. Now the new place, Nami, is open and "Mimi’s regulars wouldn't recognise the space," writes Gaby Soutar in her food review for The Scotsman, adding: "I was sad to see the old bakery go, but Nami is something even better."

🚴‍♀️ A new bike shop has opened Inverleith. Substance Cycles is at 6A Montague Terrace and on Instagram here.

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📌 “Thursday 8th January at 7:30pm: West End Community Council will meet 61 Melville Street St & via Zoom. We will be discussing planning, licensing, roads, waste management issues & other things from the West End. To join, just turn up or email secretary@edinburghwestendcc.org.uk for a zoom invite.” - Thanks to West End Community Council for sharing this.

📌 “Heart for Art, a dementia friendly community-based art group, is back at the Greyfriars Charteris Centre, EH8 9RR. Carers/family and all backgrounds welcome, and no experience is necessary. Guidance is available and all materials and refreshments are provided.” - Thanks to Callum from Heart for Art for sharing this.

📌 “We are a local charity looking for ways to make it easier for people to walk, cycle and take public transport. We doing a travel survey to help us develop our projects. If you live or spend time in Craigmillar, it would be amazing if you could fill in the survey.” - Thanks to Porty Community Energy for sharing this.

📌 “Looking for a new sport and community this January? Edinburgh City Korfball Club plays the mixed-gender, fast-paced Dutch sport korfball (a mix of netball and basketball) and welcomes new players to try it! Sessions Wednesdays 7pm from Jan 14. Contact eckc.development@gmail.com to find out more.” - Thanks to Annie Marshall from Edinburgh City Korfball Club for sharing this.

📌 “Saturday 10th January - Join the Friends of Inch Park to give the park a New Year tidy up, with our first litter pick of the year. Meet in front of Inch House main entrance. Equipment provided.” - Thanks to Stewart for sharing this.

📌 “Saturday 10th January - 1 day Beginner Sewing workshop - Join for a relaxed, creative workshop where we’ll get confident with the sewing machine, explore the basics of sewing patchwork and try some slow stitch techniques to embellish your work. Leave with a handmade pin cushion, or lavender sachet.” - Thanks to Paradigm Shift Open Studio for sharing this.

📌 “Half price yoga taster sessions– you can book now! Yoga with Veronica runs 9:30–10:30am Thursdays at Morningside Parish Church from Jan. 15. These Vinyasa flow classes are suitable for beginners and regular practitioners.” - Thanks to Veronica Lussier for sharing this.

📌 “Starting this Saturday, 10th January: Join fitandhappy's supportive, women-only running group every Saturday at 8:30 am in the Meadows. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your technique & speed, our 45-minute coached sessions offer a fun, non-competitive environment for all.” - Thanks to Julia from fitandhappy for sharing this.

📌 “Sunday 11 January – Postcards for Palestine: join us at Lighthouse Bookshop for a relaxed crafting session to make postcards to fundraise for Palestinian families in Gaza. All ticket proceeds will be donated, as will all proceeds from the postcards, which will be put on sale at Lighthouse!” - Thanks to event organiser Xuanlin for sharing this.

Lighthouse | POSTCARDS FOR PALESTINE

POSTCARDS FOR PALESTINE

📌 “Sunday 11th Jan 5-6pm Hatha/vinyasa yoga. 6.15-7pm Qigong meditative movement in Leith. Contact: Bergsagelkim@gmail.com” - Thanks to Kim Bergsagel, yoga teacher and qigong instructor, for sharing this.

📌 “Birchwood Art Studio’s new semester starts next week, and while most classes are sold out, we still have a few spaces available. Join us for Monday Mindfulness & Sculpture, Tuesday P3–P5, Wednesday Linocutting, or Thursday P5–P7. Try something new and explore the endless possibilities of creativity.” - Thanks to the venue for sharing this.

📌 “Wednesday January 14th - Beginners and improvers hula hoop course at North Merchiston club. Move your body and have fun with Think Circus!” - Thanks to Think Circus SCIO for sharing this.

📌 “The Open Door Edinburgh cafe in Morningside will be open on Wednesday 14 January between 10.30am and 4.00pm for cake and coffee for a donation. A range of amazing home baking and delicious coffee and tea, with all money raised going to charity. We look forward to welcoming you and your friends.” - Thanks to Simon Warr, Operational Manager, The Open Door Edinburgh, for sharing this.

📌 “Wednesday 14 January - your next opportunity for a free taster session with The Voice House Community Choir. New Year, new hobby? If you enjoy singing and would like to try something new, we'll give you a warm welcome.” - Thanks to The Voice House Community Choir for sharing this.

📌 “Join us Wednesday 14 January at Riddle's Court as experts debate the future of Edinburgh's historic buildings. With £2.9m secured for Granton's restoration, Chris Morgan and Henrietta Billings discuss how to balance the city's architectural heritage with urgent climate action.” - Thanks to the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust for sharing this.

📌 “Thursday 15th Jan - Join us at Paintbox School of Art for 10 weeks of printmaking! Learn a variety of DIY printing techniques and produce lots of fantastic prints. From monotypes, gelli plate printing, etching and collagraphs, why not kick off your year with a boost of creativity!” - Thanks to Lynsey Connachan, co-founder of 'Paintbox School of Art', for sharing this.

📌 “Thursday 22 & 29 January, 6-9pm evening workshop OR Monday 26 January, 10.30am-4.30pm day workshop: Join Bookbinding with Cass at The Heart of Newhaven to make a functional & fabulous Refillable Journal. Learn new skills and get creative in good company! £5 off with code Returner26.” - Thanks to Cass from Bookbinding with Cass for sharing this.

📌 “🏓⚽️☕️ We are seeking a friendly, organised person to join North Merchiston as a Club Assistant. At the heart of our busy sports and community hub your will help everything to run smoothly. Great opportunity to joint a happy team. Full time with flexible hours. Closing date 12th January.” - Thanks to the club for sharing this.

📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.

👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:

1. ⛸️ Ice skating on the Inverleith Park pond. [1,300+ clicks]
2. 🗳️ Local MSP suspended from Holyrood for two days. [800+ clicks]
3. 🅿️ Parking fees to be introduced at Pentland Hills car parks. [750+ clicks]
4. 📍 Local history of health event with architect Malcolm Fraser & historian Harriet Blakeman. [500+ clicks]
5. 🚚 Local woman launches 'Han-with-a-van' business. [450+ clicks]

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