The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 21 April 2026
Observatory on Blackford Hill 'at risk' of cuts, court workers 'sacked over walkout', Tollcross clock could return + Leith election hustings tonight
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. A shorter one today. Here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🔭 The Royal Observatory on Blackford Hill has been placed 'at risk' in potential UK Government cuts, reports Lucy Jackson in The National, adding, crucially, that "no final decisions on cuts have been made". It's home to the UK Astronomy Technology Centre and the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Astronomy.
Lucy Jackson
👮♂️ A group of Edinburgh Sheriff Court security workers, employed by GEOAmey, have been 'sacked after 'walking out' over safety fears', reports Chloe Goodall on Edinburgh Live.
🐾 The Seafield-based Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home charity says its running costs now total £7,000 per day. CEO Amelia Morgan says regular donations can keep it afloat. - Niall Christie, Third Force News.
- ⮑ The charity costs around £3 million a year to operate, with daily expenses covering food, veterinary treatment, behavioural training and staffing, reports Rose Moncur in The Herald.
😷 A gas leak closed the Milton Road junction near Portobello High School yesterday. - Jacob Farr, Edinburgh Live.
🍻 The Dreadnought pub in Leith has been named 'Edinburgh Pub of the Year' by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland Branch of CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale. - Liam Eunson, Midlothian View.
🕖 The 1901 Tollcross junction clock could soon return if councillors approve a £72,500 repair bill at next week's council finance meeting. - Joseph Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, Edinburgh Live.
⛳️ A new free-to-use disc golf course has opened at Hailes Quarry Park. The sport is a combination of frisbee and golf. - The council published more details here.
🎓 No spoilers here: The University of Edinburgh's team appeared in the grand final of the BBC’s University Challenge TV show last night on BBC Two. - Watch it here or found out who won in this report by Alison Rowat in The Herald.
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🎥 Edinburgh Locals Building a Community Filmmaking Studio - 'The Film Cult community are converting a workshop in Slateford into a DIY community filmmaking studio. Set to bring the advanced facilities and creative environment needed for independent filmmaking to the grassroots scene active across Edinburgh.' - More details here, shared by The Film Cult CIC.
💵 Paid Research Participation Opportunity! - 'Hi everyone! The HARP Lab at the University of Edinburgh are recruiting for a research study Compensation is through a £20 voucher Please indicate interest at: https://edinburgh.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3t6p8Ecwn4Knz1Q Thank you so much!' - More details here, shared by Taranah Gazder, University of Edinburgh.
🗳️ Community Hustings at St. Margaret's and Mustard Seed
Today, Tue 21 April - 'Come meet the candidates for Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith! Doors open at 6pm, event begins at 6:30pm.'
6.30pm to 9.30pm | Saint Margaret's Episcopal Church, EH7 5QE | FREE - More details here, shared by Mustard Seed Edinburgh.
🧑🍳 Evening Cookery Classes - 'Now the days are looking brighter and the sun is shining later, Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy have an exciting lineup of different Evening Cookery Classes to spice up your weeknights and add some delicious new recipes to your repertoire.' - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy.
🤝 Looking for a meaningful volunteering opportunity in Edinburgh? - 'The Palestine Museum Scotland is a volunteer run, Registered Charity in Dundas Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. We're looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to keep our unique museum open and welcoming to the public. email volunteer@falastin.museum' - More details here, shared by Palestine Museum Scotland.
🧘♀️ align.bycolette - 'New Yoga classes in Portobello starting 25.04.26 Saturdays 11.15am and 12.15pm Tuesdays 5pm' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧩 Language study for 4-12-year-olds
Today, Tue 21 April - 'We're looking for English-speaking children (ages 4-12) to play a short laptop game learning new alien words - the whole session takes about 15 minutes, at a time that suits you!'
10am to 5pm | Dugald Stewart Building, EH8 9AD | FREE - More details here, shared by Shira Tal, The University of Edinburgh.
🐳 Earth Month 2026: Cultures of Action
Tomorrow, Wed 22 April - 'From 22-28 April, the French Institute celebrates the Earth Month with climate-focused events, including a talk with ocean experts Olivier Poivre d'Arvor and Harriet Harden-Davies, a screening of "Ocean with David Attenborough," and a kids' workshop!'
2pm to 4pm | French Institute of Scotland, EH1 1RN - More details here, shared by Institut français d'Écosse.
🏳️🌈 Sapphic History Walking Tour
Thu 23 April - 'Join local tour guide Hannah Mackay Tait for a one-off walking tour of Edinburgh's sapphic history to celebrate Lesbian Visibility Week! Tickets available by donation with all proceeds to the DIVA Charitable Trust. See Eventbrite for full details!'
2pm to 4.30pm | Meet outside St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral | By donation - More details here, shared by Hannah Mackay Tait, Scotland with Hannah.
🍽️ Cyrenians Syrian Supper Club
Thu 23 April - 'Interested in trying authentic Syrian food? Join us for a Supper Club which makes a difference this Thursday evening, 7-9pm at Coffee Saints.'
7pm to 9pm | Coffee Saints, EH1 3AR | £38 - More details here, shared by Cyrenians.
🌌 Astronodrome with Kevin Taduy, Piano and Astronomy special event
Fri 24 April - 'Embark on an immersive journey of discovery for Pianodrome Bruntsfield's first Astronodrome! We'll explore the life cycle of stars with captivating piano performance by visiting pianist Kevin Taduy and stellar insights by Pianodrome's Shona MacArthur.'
7.30pm to 10pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub, EH10 4NB | £15 / £12 - More details here, shared by Shona, Pianodrome.
📚 Conference for Aspiring Publishers
Sat 25 April - 'Interested in becoming a publisher or working with books? This Saturday, come to our conference 'Publishing to the People'. We promise panels, workshops, keynotes, networking, and a Len Pennie performance. Get your ticket now!'
10am to 5pm | Dovecot Studios, EH1 1LT | £21-28 - More details here, shared by Society of Young Publishers Scotland.
🌿 Workshop: A Beginner's Guide to Wildlife Gardening
Sat 25 April - 'If you want to create a wildlife haven right outside your door then this beginner-friendly workshop is designed for you. Learn some simple steps to transform your garden space into a thriving habitat for local wildlife.'
10am to 12pm | Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, EH11 3HR | £20 / £25 - More details here, shared by The Caley.
🐧 Linux Install Party
Sat 25 April - 'With the end of official Windows 10 support, many will be forced to buy a new computer. Edinburgh Linux Café can help by showing you Linux Mint, a free and easy alternative that can add years to the life of your machine.'
10.30am to 1.30pm | Edinburgh Central Library, EH1 1EG | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Linux Cafe.
🏡 ESPC's First-Time Buyer Day
Sat 25 April - 'If you're thinking about buying your first home - this event is for you! Come along to the ESPC Property Lounge to learn about how much of a deposit you really need, your potential monthly costs and what is involved in the full buying process.'
11am to 1pm | ESPC, EH2 2PA | FREE - More details here, shared by ESPC.
🎣 Felt A Fish Workshop
Sat 25 April - 'Try therapeutic needle felting &create a sea themed wall hanging or house plant decoration with us at Splat!'
11am to 1.30pm | LifeCare Edinburgh, EH4 1JB | £40 - More details here, shared by Splat!.
🧵 Mend In Public Day 2026
Sat 25 April - 'Join us for this outdoor garment repair session. Bring some clothes that need mending and we'll teach you how to sew them up. Learn some skills and chat to others interested in sustainable clothing. No previous experience required, all welcome.'
11am to 12.30pm | The Pavilion Café, EH9 1JZ | FREE - More details here, shared by Mary Morton, Edinburgh Street Stitchers.
🧸 Polwarth Pre-Loved Sale - Edinburgh's best loved second hand children's sale! This Saturday.
Sat 25 April - 'More than 6k gently used kids' items all under one roof! 🧸👕 From clothes to toys and more, grab amazing bargains at the Polwarth Pre-Loved Sale. Sustainable, affordable, and full of great finds, don't miss it!'
11am to 1pm | Polwarth Parish Church, EH11 1LU | £2 suggested - More details here, shared by Elaine MacDonald-Leen, Polwarth Pre-Loved Sale Committee.
🌸 Spring Garden Party at Gracemount Mansion
Sat 25 April - 'Sat 25 April, 11am-2pm, EH16 6FD. Gracemount Mansion Garden Party - Join us for a FREE community day at Gracemount Mansion Gardens! Food, music, parkour, tarot, orienteering, circus skills, crafts & more. All welcome - no booking needed! 💛.'
11am to 2pm | Gracemount Mansion grounds, EH16 6FD | FREE - More details here, shared by Jane Hartley, gracemount mansion development trust.
🧘🏻♀️ Sound Journey Edinburgh
Sat 25 April - 'Join a small group for gentle sounds to relax you and escape from busy city life for an afternoon at a great venue surrounded by the nature of the Pentland Hills. Easily accessable from the city and surrounding area.'
2pm to 3.30pm | The Wellness Barn Edinburgh, EH10 7DS | £20 per person - More details here, shared by Douglas McCabe, DMC Hypnotherapy.
🥗 Supporting Digestion with Nutrition and Lifestyle
Sat 25 April - 'Do you suffer with your digestion? Come along to find out how some simple nutrition and lifestyle changes could support you.'
3pm to 4pm | The Gift Tree Corstorphine, EH12 7AA | FREE - More details here, shared by Jane Adams Nutritional Therapist.
🎳 Dean Bowling Club 2026 Try Bowls Day
Sat 25 April - 'Come along to our Try Bowls Day! All ages welcome. A great chance to give bowls a try and see if it's the sport for you! Our beer garden will also be open and the BBQ will ge getting fired up. Should be a great day!'
2pm to 6pm | Dean Bowling Club, EH4 1AS | FREE - More details here, shared by Dean Bowling Club.
📮 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:
- 🚨 VoxBox Record Store Day robbery.
- 🏗️ Plans for new 'urban neighbourhood' near Royal Infirmary.
- 🚲 Kids throw bike off bridge at cyclist on Chancelot Path.
- 🚦 Consultation on plan to 'revitalise main streets in Craigmillar and Niddrie'.
- 🎶 Let Rachel Sermanni sing you to sleep in Bruntsfield.
- 🚉 This year's Race The Tram' event is on Sunday.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 893.
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