The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Thursday 9 April 2026
Haymarket station safety fears, big Princes Street advert broke planning rules, 'naked nimbyism' claim over tram routes + get ready for the Morningside Charity Shop Crawl
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. A shorter one today, in terms of news. But lots on the community noticeboard. Thanks as always to everyone who contributes! Here’s Thursday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌤️ After a couple of days of sunshine, there's more cloud forecast today, along with a high chance of rain. Tomorrow's looking brighter. - See the full Met Office local forecast here.
🏗️ Concerns have been raised that a huge KFC advert on Princes Street was on a space that 'breached planning rules'. - Lucy Jackson, The National.
Lucy Jackson
♿️ Accessibility concerns have been raised about the outside of Haymarket station, with councillor Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill saying: "the tensions between walkers, wheelers, cyclists, buggies, tourists with suitcases etc comes to a head". Council transport leader Stephen Jenkinson said the council was 'aware of the concerns that people with visual impairments have raised regarding the location of tactile paving' and would 'be undertaking further research'. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.
💉 The Turning Point social care charity has backed plans to open a safer drugs consumption facility in Edinburgh. - Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco, The Herald.
🚔 Two men have appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a 38-year-old in Calder Gardens last Thursday. - Victoria Pease, STV News.
🚉 After yesterday's report that local SNP councillors were against both proposed options for a new tram route, the local Labour transport spokesman has accused them of 'naked nimbyism'. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🛬 'Dozens of Edinburgh plane spotters disappointed after Spitfire 'no show' over bridges' - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
🗳️ Ahead of next month's Scottish Parliamentary elections, there's a chance to meet the Central Edinburgh candidates tonight. A hustings event starts at 7pm at St Columba's church by the castle. - Grassmarket Residents' Association has more details.
🏆 Local journalists have made the shortlist of the 47th Scottish Press Awards. The Herald's nominations include 'Journalism Team of the Year' for their 'Future of Edinburgh' series, Vicky Allan is nominated for 'Feature Writer of the Year' and Brian Ferguson is nominated for the 'Arts and Entertainment Journalist of the Year' along with The Scotsman's Joyce McMillan. The Scotsman also has Martyn McLaughlin nominated for 'Financial/Business Journalist of the Year' and Alan Pattullo nominated for 'Sports Journalist of the Year'. Congratulations too to Kenny Farquharson, who is nominated for 'Podcast of The Year' with The Jaggy Thistle. - See the full shortlist here and find more details on the Newsbrands Scotland website.
A double dose of good news in the Scottish Press Awards shortlists! Really chuffed to get an arts journalist nomination for our screen industry series. Also super-proud that our Future of Edinburgh series is in contention in the team of the year category. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2600375...
— Brian Ferguson (@brianjaffa.bsky.social) 2026-04-08T19:50:03.541Z
🎵 There's mounting evidence that Edinburgh act Boards of Canada are returning after more than a decade away. Clues on this and much more in this week's Edinburgh Culture Minute for paying subscribers.
Michael MacLeod
👩🍳 Recipe: 'Darcie Maher of Stockbridge's Lannan bakery's quick and easy jammy biscuits', via The Herald.
Sarah Campbell
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🛍️ Morningside Charity Shop Crawl
Sat 11 April - 'Come to Morningside Library to collect your map, stroll through the neighbourhood, buy clothes from the charity shops, and bring back your finds for advice on how to personalise, upcycle or adjust them to fit. And there's tea and cake!'
10.30am to 4pm | Morningside Library, EH10 4PU | FREE - More details here, shared by Ros Williams, Shrub Sewing and Mending.
📷️ Agitate Members Exhibition - across the city! - 'Agitate's first ever members exhibition - a city-wide poster campaign. From now until mid-April. Featuring artwork from Christina Webber, Kat Gollock, Miriam Morris & more. East to West, take a wander and can catch the work of 17 photographers' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
😡 Leith Play Park Chronic neglect - 'Links play park seems to suffering chronic neglect, residents want to know what is is the council doing about it? The slide was removed & not replaced, the trampoline is fenced off, so is the roundabout & toilets have been broken for months.' - Shared by a Minute reader.
🏡 Location, Location, Location is coming to Edinburgh! - 'Channel 4's Location, Location, Location is looking for house hunters in and around Edinburgh for the new series filming this summer. Whether you're upsizing, downsizing, first timers, or looking for a forever home- we want to hear from you!' - More details here, shared by Maddi Scott, IWC Media.
🌮 Gringo Supperclub 9th May Event on sale NOW! - 'Our final Mexican menu event is on sale now. An 8 course menu inspired by the flavours encountered on our travels in Mexico served around the communal table at our home in the West End. This is the last chance to book for this menu!' - More details here, shared by Kevin, Gringo Supperclub.
🔊 Sounds for the Dark's April Event
Today, Thu 09 April - 'Listen to submitted pieces of sound art in a pitch black, light-proofed room at Leith Depot. There will be audio from all genres - the only rule is nothing my mum would class as music.'
7pm to 9pm | Leith Depot, EH6 5DT | FREE - More details here, shared by Matt McDonald.
📚 Cymera book festival 2026 programme launch & book giveaway
Tomorrow, Fri 10 April - 'Cymera - Scotland's Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writing take over Leith Walk Polis Box Fri 10th April 11-6. Meet the team and pick up a free book or two.'
11am to 6pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups, EH7 4LT | FREE - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith walk polisbox pop ups.
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⭐ Particles with Purpose
Tomorrow, Fri 10 April - 'Join acclaimed comedian Robin Ince for an entertaining discussion on how Particle Physics and fundamental science shape our everyday lives.'
5pm to 6.30pm | Summerhall, EH9 1PL | FREE - More details here, shared by Victoria Martin, University of Edinburgh.
🎶 Blessed Echoes by Ensemble Près de votre oreille
Tomorrow, Fri 10 April - 'Baroque Music Festival 2026: Join us for an evening of musical splendour with the Ensemble Près de votre oreille at the Reid Concert Hall on Friday 10 April! The French Ensemble seeks to revive 16th-century English song using period instruments.'
7pm to 8.30pm | Reid Concert Hall, EH8 9AL - More details here, shared by Institut français d'Écosse.
🪩 Umbrella Vinyl DJ set
Tomorrow, Fri 10 April - 'We're thrilled to be back at Leith Arches with another eclectic high-octane vinyl-only night of global music! Josh, Laura & Nick will bring their blend of international beats! Afrobeat, Funk, Soul, Disco, Latin, Bollywood & beyond! Expect to dance!'
8pm to 1am | Leith Arches, EH6 8LY | £5 advance, £7/£10 - More details here, shared by Laura, Umbrella Vinyl.
🧘♀️ When Everything Feels Uncertain (Women's Workshop)
Sat 11 April - 'Feeling overwhelmed, stuck in overthinking, or unsure what to do next? I'm hosting a small, in-person workshop in Leith for women to help you find clarity and feel more grounded. Leave feeling clearer, more in control, and more connected to yourself.'
10.30am to 12.30pm | A Quiet Room by the Shore, EH6 6QH | £30 - More details here, shared by Karen Gallagher, karengallagher.coaching.
🎨 Creative Walks (for tenderhearted humans)
Sat 11 April - 'Nurture the creative part of you with this series of 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 Car Park, EH8 8AZ | FREE - More details here, shared by Sophie.
🎶 A night with - Live music
Sat 11 April - 'David Winlo, Ezra Briggs and Rufus Beckett will play their own acoustic sets. Join us for an intimate gig at The Tailor in Abbeyhill, sit back, relax with a glass of wine while while listening to these amazing artists.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | The Tailor Cafe + Wine Bar, EH7 5DR | FREE - More details here, shared by Lorenzo, The Tailor.
🎤 Kings of Marigold, a Beatles cover band, play Across the Universe: Songs from Across the Albums
Sun 12 April - '🎸 Expect everything from A Hard Day's Night to Helter Skelter for the perfect Beatles afternoon! Catch The Kings of Marigold at the Navy Club, Edinburgh. Sunday 12 April. Doors 2pm, music at 2:30pm. Grab your tickets below! 🎶.'
2pm to 5pm | Royal Navy & Royal Marines Club, EH7 4EW - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
✍️ Edinburgh Writers' Forum - April event
Tue 14 April - 'Join us for a night of networking and writerly chat. Looking for a writing group or for advice on agents? Stuck in a marketing rut or questions about indie publishing? Bring your curiosity and creativity, ticket includes a drink.'
7pm to 9pm | The Edinburgh Bookshop, EH10 4DF - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Writers' Forum.
📜 Portobello Heritage Trust AGM and Talk
Tue 14 April - 'Portobello Heritage Trust AGM and talk on The Bombing of Edinburgh & Leith 1939-1942 by Tom Wood, Edinburgh, Lothian & Borders Police Historical Society.'
7pm to 9pm | Bellfield, EH15 2BP | FREE - More details here, shared by Portobello Heritage Trust.
🏛️ EAA Invites... Rintala Eggertsson Architects
Wed 15 April - 'Norwegian architects Rintala Eggertsson will talk about their work which includes buildings, furniture, public art and urban planning. Their ability to engage with people and the specifics of each place has led them to develop many global projects.'
6pm to 8pm | Edinburgh College of Art, EH3 9DF | £10, £5 for students - More details here, shared by Miranda Heggie, Edinburgh Architectural Association.
EAA Secretary
🎻 SCO: Bohemian Rhapsodies: A Celebration of Czech Music with Jonian Ilias Kadesha
Thu 16 April - 'No thunderbolts and lightning, maybe, but plenty of kaleidoscopic colour, whirling rhythms and strong flavours as flamboyant Greek-Albanian violinist Jonian Ilias Kadesha directs the SCO in a concert dedicated to the gutsy glories of Czech music.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | The Queen's Hall, EH8 9JG | From £15, U26s £6 - More details here, shared by Derek Gilchrist, Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
🏴☠️ Pirates, stories and songs of the high seas - Family Friendly Workshop with Joss Cameron
Sat 18 April - 'Join Joss (who is related to a Pirate Queen) for an immersive experience bringing maritime history & songs to life - welcoming all sailors and explorers to set sail! A family specific workshop at the Northern Streams Festival in the Easter holidays.'
10.30am to 11.30am | Scottish Storytelling Centre, EH1 1SR | £10/£8/£6 - More details here, shared by Fiona Campbell, TMSA Edinburgh & Lothians Branch.
🛍️ Funk Fair - Portobello
Sun 19 April - 'It's Edinburgh's original vintage market (est. 2004) and it's full of properly curated finds - mid-century furniture, vintage fashion, artwork, homeware... the kind of pieces you don't see everywhere..'
11am to 4pm | Portobello Town Hall, EH15 1AF | £2 entry (£1 concs) - More details here, shared by Mel, Funk Fair.
🧶 Charity Yarn Sale
Sun 19 April - 'One for all the hand knitters in Edinburgh I have inherited a huge stash of beautiful hand knitting yarn. In tribute to my aunt, we are holding a yarn sale for two charities close to her heart: Music in Hospitals and Care UK and Pancreatic Cancer UK.'
11am to 4pm | Woolkind, EH9 1AJ | FREE - More details here, shared by Alison Gilhooly.
🇨🇺 Coast For Cuba! A Coastal Walk Fundraiser for the Cuban People!
Sat 25 April - 'The Cuban people are in dire need - help provide food, medicine, and solar equipment. We will be walking 16-miles of the Fife Coast (leaving from EDI) to fundraise. Join us on the walk, or donate, to provide direct aid from our country to Cuba.'
9am to 7pm | Forth Bridge | FREE - More details here, shared by Ruaraidh Dempster, the Cuba Solidarity Campaign.
🍄 People, Planet, Pint Presents: Bunker to Table
Wed 29 April - 'From fallout to food: forgotten spaces as urban food hubs. One nuclear bunker, a whole lot of mushrooms, and a new way to feed a city. The story of creating an operational mushroom farm in an abandoned nuclear bunker.'
6pm to 9pm | The Outhouse, EH1 3LY - More details here, shared by Eirini Chatzidaki, People,Planet,Pint.
🌸 Spring Wreath-Making Workshop at Edinburgh's Tigerlily
Sun 03 May - 'Under the expert guidance of the Edinburgh Craft Club, you'll spend the afternoon creating a stunning dried floral wreath, using a natural grapevine base and a handpicked selection of gorgeous blooms, while sipping on 2 delicious Roku Gin cocktails.'
2pm to 4pm | Tigerlily, EH2 4JN | £50 inc 2 drinks. - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
📮 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:
- 🍽️ The Cottage at Royal Terrace restaurant returns with new owner. [2,000 clicks].
- 💍 Jeweller may close after '£20k daylight robbery'. [1,000 clicks].
- 🏡 Two Edinburgh homes up for BBC's House of the Year. [700 clicks].
- 🚉 Local SNP councillors are against both proposed new tram line options. [250 clicks].
- 🚉 'Reopen the South Sub' Tram Trains for Edinburgh event on 23 April. [200 clicks].
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