The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 24 February 2026

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Not the busiest morning of news! But it's a busy Community Noticeboard, so thanks to readers for keeping us all up-to-date with what's going on. Here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.

⚽️ Edinburgh's pubs and venues will be allowed to stay open through the night in June and July to show Scotland's men's football World Cup matches in America. After 90-minutes of discussion yesterday, a majority of councillors approved requests from bars to stay open for 2am and 5am kick-offs. - The licensing board webcast is here.

• Gerry Mays, the council's Principal Solicitor for Licensing, told the committee: 'Scotland’s participation in this year's World Cup is considered to be of local and national significance,' adding there was a 'relatively high level of interest from licensed premises seeking to open outwith normal hours to show World Cup matches'. But, Mays added that if all 1,510 of Edinburgh's on-sales licensed premises applied for extensions, it would add a 'very significant burden' on council admin, so a general extension was preferred.
• The temporary rules cover 30 minutes after the conclusion of all games during the entire World Cup tournament (not just Scotland games), including extra-time and penalties in all games, even the 5am kick-offs.
• Concern around 'an increase in harm to health and alcohol related crime' was raised by NHS Lothian's Strategic Programme Manager Avril Mackay, whose full response is on page 20 of this report.
• Green councillor Chas Booth, who raised concerns about football-related domestic abuse, said towards the end of the meeting: "I'm losing the will to live. We are creating problems for ourselves here. It's absolutely madness, I disapprove." But no alternative proposals were put forward.
• Councillors rejected a bid from the Scottish Grocers’ Federation for a Scotland-wide, temporary extension of off-sales licensed hours for the duration of the World Cup for shops too.
• One councillor also asked whether fanzones were approved yet, but Mays said: "Any applications for fanzones will be dealt with separately... if indeed any are made, there have been some inquiries but no formal applications as yet." The licensing board said it will review the new hours after the tournament's first games, noting that it could withdraw extension if there is trouble.
• Here's a more detailed report on the decision, written by Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan.

📵 A five-week consultation on whether phones should be banned in Edinburgh's primary and secondary schools is in its final week. - Liam Eunson, Midlothian View, reports here + you can have your say here.

⚽️ Former Hearts footballer Paul MacDonald has been ordered to pay £241,000 by the courts after being found to be part of a serious organised crime operation dealing in Class A drugs. - STV News.

🛗 A Joppa pensioner says her building's lift has been out of action for five weeks. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.

🇮🇷 A new mural promoting solidarity with the people of Iran will be revealed at an event on Sunday afternoon at St John's Church (on the corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road). - Details here.

🚧 A new live interactive map of all planned roadworks across Edinburgh has been created by City Scope data wizard Harry Williams. - See it here.

🤝 There are 26 local jobs on the weekly Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network noticeboard this week.

Jobs available in Edinburgh – Week Commencing 23.02.26 : Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network

Here’s a list of social enterprise jobs available right now in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Social Enterprise NetworkESENAdmin

🇫🇷 The Dominion Cinema will host a free screening French film Amélie next month to mark the film's 25th anniversary. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.

📖 Rare original archives are going on display at General Register House, offering a look at the lives of poets Mary MacPherson and Robert Garioch. - More details on the free exhibition are shared by the National Records of Scotland here.

Poets’ public records on display

Registers on display at General Register House

National Records of Scotland (NRS)

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🧩 Gaelic Week Edinburgh [Daily]
Today, Tue 24 February - We are delighted to present our programme for Gaelic Week Edinburgh 2026. Full of activities for all ages, Gaelic Week is a celebration of the Gaelic community in Edinburgh, past and present.
12.45pm to 9pm | Multiple | FREE - More details here, shared by Capital Gaelic + on Instagram here.

🇺🇦 Talk by Dr Peter Kormylo: Scotland's Ukrainians - Their Story Marking the 4th anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Today, Tue 24 February - Join us on 24 February at Canonmills Church for a talk by Dr Peter Kormylo on Scotland's Ukrainians - Their Story. Marking four years since the full-scale invasion, this event explores 100 years of Ukrainian life in Scotland and our shared history.
2.30pm to 4pm | Canonmills Church, EH3 5LH | FREE - More details here.

🧒 The Festival of Early Level and Realising the Ambition
Today, Tue 24 February - A drop in event to celebrate what is happening for our 3-7 year olds as Scotland implements this guidance document. Come and see what can be achieved by passionate organisations and educators.
5.30pm to 8pm | Moray House School of Education and Sport, EH8 8AQ | FREE - More details here, shared by Kate Johnston, Upstart Scotland.

🕹️ Super Nintendo - Book event with author Keza McDonald
Today, Tue 24 February - Guardian video games editor Keza Macdonald is from Edinburgh and has been a video game journalist since she was 16. Come & hear her talk about her new book - Super Nintendo - charting the company history & games through unparalled exclusive access.
7pm to 9pm | Toppings @ Pilrig St Pauls - More details here.

The Guardian’s Keza MacDonald for Super Nintendo at Pilrig St. Paul’s / LARCH

‘Among the best things ever written about Nintendo.‘Tom , author of Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter Keza MacDonald is the video games editor at The Guardian, for whom she also writes the ‘Pushing Buttons’ newsletter; she previously worked pretty much everywhere in the games media, including as editor-in-chief of Kotaku UK. She has spoken about games extensively on radio and television and has presented a Radio 4 documentary on the history of games. MacDonald grew up in Edinburgh, left home at sixteen to work on a video games magazine, and hasn’t lost interest in them since. She has spent nearly two decades as a journalist immersed in video game culture, writing about how they are made, how they are played, and how they connect people to each other all over the world. She now lives in Glasgow with her partner and children. From the instant classics to the hidden gems, Nintendo’s video games occupy a special place in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people around the globe. Every player has forged a unique connection with a beloved game, feeling that rush of awe and wonder as they immersed themselves in a virtual world in pursuit of that most human of impulses: the desire to have fun. Super Nintendo finds lifelong gamer Keza MacDonald exploring Nintendo’s legendary roster of games - as well as consoles such as the SNES, Gameboy, Wii and Switch, and a host of other quirky inventions from the Power Glove to Nintendo Labo - drawing from decades’ worth of exclusive interviews with their creators and the people whose lives have been changed by them. Along the way, she tells the story of how this unassuming playing card company, founded in Kyoto in 1889, became one of the dominant cultural forces of the twenty-first century. Offering unparalleled access to the company and its fun-filled world, and written with warmth and wit, Super Nintendo captures the love that so many of us feel for video games - and reveals just what that love tells us about being human. Venue accessibility information

Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath, Edinburgh, Ely, and St Andrews

🎭 The Fairy Queen [Daily]
Today, Tue 24 February - With Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' accompanied by Baroque musical masques, Edinburgh Studio Opera presents Purcell's 'The Fairy Queen'. Join us for a night in our fairy woodland to discover the enchantment (and errors!) of true love.
7.30pm to 10pm | Pleasance Courtyard, EH8 9TJ | £19/ £15.50 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Studio Opera.

🤸🏼‍♀️ Mat Pilates Classes (Pilates by Catrin) [Weekly]
Tomorrow, Wed 25 February - 45-min all-levels mat pilates classes. Open to everyone, no experience required ☺️
5.30pm to 6.15pm | Morningside Parish Church, EH10 6BQ | £12 drop-in - More details here, shared by Pilates by Catrin.

🎨 Drink & Draw // The Safari Sessions [Monthly]
Tomorrow, Wed 25 February - Drop in to The Safari Lounge on the last Wednesday of every month for our relaxed and informal figure drawing session with a monoprinty twist! Come and explore the unexpected possibilities of printmaking drawing the dynamic poses of our life model.
6.45pm to 9pm | The Safari Lounge, EH7 5SN | £25 - More details here, shared by Look and Draw.

Drink & Draw Edinburgh | Life Drawing at The Safari Lounge | Look and Draw

Monthly Drink & Draw at Safari Lounge, Edinburgh. Untutored life drawing with a monoprint twist. £25 includes model and all materials.

Look and Draw

🤝 Volunteer opportunity - Do you like talking? Want to meet new people? The community meal at Leith Walk policebox popups is looking for volunteers once a month during Autumn and Winter to serve hot food and chat to guests. - Thanks to Monty, Leith Walk policebox popups, for sharing this.

🎶 Espen Eriksen Trio
Tomorrow, Wed 25 February - Join us for a soothing night of impeccable Scandi jazz led one of Norway's most acclaimed pianists Espen Eriksen. The band was described by Jazz Journal as "A trio playing in total empathy, comfortable in themselves and in their music".
8pm to 10.30pm | Traverse Theatre, EH1 2ED | £20/£15 - More details here, shared by Jane-Ann, The Soundhouse Organisation.

🖼 Exhibition Launch of Rag: A History of Blood
Thu 26 February - Exhibition launch with reception, two talks and tours of the exhibition. This event celebrates the launch of our new exhibition Rag: A History of Blood.
6pm to 8pm | Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, EH2 1JQ | £10 - More details here, shared by Physicians’ Gallery.

📖 An Evening with Elspeth Wilson & Hester Musson
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 Rare Birds Book Shop.

An evening with Elspeth Wilson and Hester Musson

Join Elspeth Wilson & Hester Musson on Thursday 26th February to discuss These Mortal Bodies and The Night Hag. Tickets are £5 and redeemable against purchase.

Rare Birds Books

🎭 Paulina Lenoir: Puella Eterna
Fri 27 February - Acclaimed designer, theatre-maker and poet Puella Eterna brings you a tale of birth, life and death. Use code PARIS25 for 25% off tickets!
8pm to 9pm | Roxy Theatre, EH8 9SU | £17 - More details here, shared by Roxy Theatre.

🧶 Cosy Queer Crafting Night
Fri 27 February - Edinburgh Library of Things is hosting a cosy crafting night for the queer community! BYO craft or other cosy activity like reading or writing and enjoy some quiet company with other lovely crafters. Vegan snacks and drinks available.
7pm to 9pm | The Sly Fox, EH6 6BS | £3 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Library of Things.

🦄 LGBTQIA+ Zine-Making Workshop
Sat 28 February - A relaxed zine-making workshop for adults who identify as LGBTQIA+. No zine-making experience necessary!
2pm to 4pm | Duncan Place Community Hub, EH6 8HW | FREE - More details here, shared by CAPS Independent Advocacy.

🕺 Edinburgh Qigong Workshop
Sat 28 February - Join Chris to learn about and practice Qigong's gentle flowing movements. Designed to help restore the body's suppleness, energy levels, and general wellbeing. Suitable for all ages For more info contact chriscatcune21@yahoo.com
10.30am to 12.30pm | St Columba's Catholic Church, EH9 1SN | £15.00 - More details here, shared by Chris Watkins.

🖼 La Vie en Rose: Alison McWhirter solo exhibition at Morningside Gallery [Daily]
Sat 28 February - La Vie En Rose includes 41 new paintings which showcase McWhirter's experimental, still life flower paintings and bold abstract compositions using rich oil paint and exuberant colour. All welcome to this celebration of the rose in art and in life.
11am to 6pm | Morningside Gallery Ltd, EH10 4BY | FREE - More details here, shared by Carrie.

🧩 Our Neighborhood in 2040 - 2nd People's Assembly
Sat 28 February - Another chance to have your say on the future of Bruntsfield, Merchiston, Marchmont and Sciennes - free lunch and a meetup. Join for the concert at Pianodrome next door at 1pm if you can!
2pm to 4pm | St. Oswald's Centre, EH10 4NB | FREE - More details here, shared by Natalie Arnold, BANZAI.

Our Neighborhood in 2040 2nd People’s Assembly 1-4pm Sat 28 Feb Bruntsfield

Another chance to have your say on the future of Bruntsfield, Merchiston, Marchmont and Sciennes - free lunch at Pianodrome then a meetup.

Eventbrite

🎭 Ignite Hip Hop Theatre Festival
Sat 28 February - IGNITE is back for 2026! - FREE Festival hub activities 3-6pm including DJ, MC, incredible youth & adults dance crew performances & cafe bar - Inspiring hip hop theatre dance workshops from 3pm - Hip hop dance theatre night from 6.30-8pm (£14-£16)
3pm to 8pm | Church Hill Theatre, EH10 4DR | FREE to £16 - More details here, shared by The Dance House CIC.

🎲 Quiz Night
Sat 28 February - 🧠✨ QUIZ NIGHT ALERT! ✨🧠 Think you've got what it takes to be the ultimate quiz champion? Grab your friends and join us for a fun night of trivia, laughs, and new connections! 🎉
6.30pm to 9.30pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community, EH6 4HY | £10 - More details here, shared by Roger, The Heart of Newhaven Community.

🛍️ Support The Makers Market
Sun 01 March - Join us for a vibrant Makers Market featuring an incredible lineup of local makers, designers and artists. Discover handmade art, jewellery, ceramics, accessories, textiles and homeware, + The Knife Guy. Book creative workshops now via our website!
11am to 4pm | Portobello Town Hall, EH15 1AF | FREE - More details here, shared by Carmen Chalmers, Support The Makers.

Makers Market - Portobello Town Hall — Support The Makers

Our vibrant Makers Market — a regular market celebrating creativity located in the Portobello Town Hall , right at the heart of the bustling Portobello community. Explore a thoughtfully curated collection of gorgeous handmade pieces, from accessories and jewellery to textiles, homewares, ceramics

Support The Makers

🎥 Leith Kino March programme [Weekly]
Sun 01 March - Leith Kino has just announced its March programme, packed with a range of fabulous films, including a US indie heartwarmer, East German oddity, brand new ode to activism, Japanese time travel fable and a music documentary at the Dockers Club.
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Leith Depot, EH6 5DT | £6, limited free tix - More details here, shared by Morvern, Leith Kino.

🤝 Good Ideas: Catalyst
Fri 06 March - Do you have a good idea for social or environmental change? Not sure how to get it off the ground? Our catalyst workshop - a facilitated design thinking process, gives you the space to explore the potential of your idea & gain clarity on next steps.
10am to 1pm | The Melting Pot, EH8 8DL | £30 - More details here, shared by The Melting Pot.

🚴 Pub Quiz and Music, Dawn Patrol Riders for Doddie
Fri 06 March - Join our Pub Quiz & live music supporting the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation! We're the Dawn Riders (Edinburgh Dawn Patrol) raising funds to cycle 800 miles in 4 days from Melrose to Dublin (Mar 10-13). Come support us & fight MND! 🍻🚲
8pm to 11.30pm | The Place, EH4 1HG | £15 per person - More details here, shared by Mark Baker.

💧 Walk for Water along the Water of Leith
Sat 07 March - A community fundraising walk will take place on Saturday 7 March along the Water of Leith (Balerno to Leith- 20km). The walk raises funds for Africa Access Water, which has provided clean drinking water to over 30,000 people.
10am to 3.30pm | Balerno High School, EH14 7AQ | FREE - More details here, shared by Matthew Murphy, Africa Access Water.

🎭 World Book Day - Mystery at Shinglepits High - Book Launch for kids!
Sat 07 March - Join author Gareth White (aka Magic Gareth) for this FREE interactive reading and magic-filled adventure inspired by his new book, Mystery at Shinglepits High. For ages 7-12. Includes Q&A and book signing!
2pm to 3pm | Waterstones, EH15 3RD | FREE - More details here, shared by Gareth White, Author.

🧩 BCCB present "You have been watching and playing - Iconic Music From TV, Gaming and Film"
Sat 07 March - An afternoon of fun music from TV, gaming and screen. For all ages. Refreshment interval with homebaking.
3pm to 5pm | Craigsbank Church, EH12 8HD | £5 donation - More details here, shared by Jane Adams, Bristo Community Concert Band.

🍷 Mamma Mia! Sing-a-long Brunch
Sun 15 March - Join us for a brunch-time Mother's Day sing-a-long with Donna & the Dynamos jumping in throughout to belt out the ABBA classics you definitely know by heart. It's a feel-good, full-volume boozy brunch - Mum deserves nothing less.
10am to 12.30pm | Brewhemia, EH1 1DE | £40 - More details here, shared by Brewhemia.

🧵 Buttonhole Bookbinding Workshop [Daily]
Thu 19 March - Transform a mix of remnant & recycled materials into a unique and usable hardback book in this two part evening class. An opportunity to get creative & learn new skills in good company. Beginners welcome, refreshments included! 6-9pm, 19 & 26 March.
6pm to 9pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community, EH6 4HY | £90 - More details here, shared by Cassandra Barron, Bookbindingwith Cass.

Buttonhole Binding: evening workshop | 19 & 26 March | 6-9pm

6-9pm, Thursday 19 & 26 March The Heart of Newhaven – Edinburgh

Bookbinding with CassName *

📌 “Thursday 5 March - Join International Justice Mission at a Until All Are Free: An IJM Ceilidh! This gathering at The Hoxton hotel is a new opportunity to celebrate freedom and raise vital support for our work to protect people from violence and slavery around the world.” - Thanks to the International Justice Mission for sharing this.

💃 Talk - Breaking with Tradition, Innovative Fashion & Costume Design - Come and hear Alison Harm, owner and designer at Psychomoda, talking about her wonderful designs. 7pm Monday 2nd March at St Augustine United Church, 6.30pm for tea, coffee and biscuits. £10 (£5 students) - Thanks to Costume Society Scotland, for sharing this.

👟 Would you like to host a Jane's Walk in your neighbourhood? 8-10 May - The Jane's Walk festival on 8-10 May 2026 will see volunteers hosting community walks to connect, share stories about their neighbourhoods and discover unseen aspects of their communities. Join in and host a walk in your area - no experience needed! - Thanks to Mark McKergow, Sunday Assembly Edinburgh, for sharing this.

🐮 Paul Noble Art Exhibition
Sat 18th + Sun 19th April - Come along to a local art exhibition - expect a mix of Scottish wildlife, landscapes, and good old Highland coos.
The Wellness Barn, Swanston. | Tickets are free! - Thanks to Eilidh for sharing this.

📮 Anything missing? Or an event to share? Nothing's too local! Please share your local news and events here.

👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:

1. 🚎 Lothian Bus route changes + ticket price increases.
2. 🍸 Abode bar on Leith Walk is closing next month.
3. 🏢 £200m revamp plan for Port Hamilton office in Fountainbridge.
4. 🍺 Beerhive pub in Grassmarket reopens after £1m refurb.
5. 🗑️ Water of Leith Conservation Trust volunteers fill 20 bags of rubbish.

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