The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 24 March 2026
More university strikes ahead, refugee charity seeks new home 'due to eviction', former Porty police station now in community hands + surprise on-stage proposal during One Day at the Lyceum
☔️ Good morning Edinburgh. There's a chance of rain this afternoon, according to the Met Office, with gusts of 40mph. Here’s Tuesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🎓 University of Edinburgh staff plan to strike for five days (30 March to 3 April) over compulsory redundancy fears, 'after an agreement with uni bosses fell through', reports Jamie Calder in The Edinburgh Tab. The university said: "We will do everything we can to protect our students from any disruption."
🏥 Mould was found at a children's cancer ward at the Sick Kids' Hospital. 'This is being treated extremely seriously', the hospital said. - Iona Young, BBC Scotland News.
🏨 Plans for a 544-bed hostel in the West End's Atholl Crescent 'raise serious questions' according to the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland. - Architect Jocelyn Cunliffe RIBA FRIAS FRSA explains why the plans are controversial in this opinion piece in The Herald.
- ⮑ The plans were covered in Minute edition 851 (26 Feb 2026) and are currently being assessed by a Scottish Government Reporter. - The decision will be published on this site at some point (unclear when but definitely not this month).
- Edinburgh World Heritage gave its support for the controversial plan, reports Ian Swanson in the Evening News.
🚨 Police have arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with a sexual assault on Brunswick Road in Leith around 2am on 14 March. - Yesterday police published this appeal for more information.
🚔 Councillors have started an investigation into whether the 'disparately high' cost of policing is behind music events like Terminal V leaving Edinburgh completely. - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, on Edinburgh Live + on the Evening News.
🎨 Around 200 tattoo artists will showcase their work at the 13th annual Scottish Tattoo Convention at the Corn Exchange on 28 and 29 March. - The event organisers spoke to Rose Moncur in The Herald.
🍽️ Chef Claire Hanrahan, owner of the Norah eatery in Newhaven, has been named as Condé Nast Traveller's 'One to Watch' in The UK's Top New Restaurant Awards. - She's interviewed by Julie Lin in CN Traveller, with the headline: '“You can run a successful restaurant without making people miserable”: the Irish chef creating a new hospitality culture in Edinburgh'.
“We never paid for PR. We didn’t have backing. We just wanted to open somewhere people would enjoy. So to see it recognised so early on, it’s crazy.” - Claire Hanrahan, chef-owner of Norah.
🥟 The owners of Leith Walk Polis Box street food vendors Smoked Tamago say they are the 'luckiest couple ever' after their trailer was written off in a crash on the M8 earlier this month. - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
- ⮑ If you want to go and support them, they'll be serving their Japanese and Korean street food at the Polis Box on Wednesday this week. - More details here.
🍻 Oceana Sports and Music Bar on Ferry Road has been put up for sale. - Brian Donnelly, The Herald.
🎤 Tommy Sheppard, founder of The Stand Comedy Club, is retiring as chairman after more than 30 years. - More details in Chortle.
Steve Bennett
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🏡 Former Portobello Police Station Now in Community Hands - 'Police Scotland handed over the keys of the former Portobello Police Station to Action Porty, Portobello's Community Development Trust, for completion of the Community Asset Transfer sale yesterday, 23 March.' - More details here, shared by Action Porty.
🚲 Edinburgh Refugee Charity urgently seeks new premises - 'Bikes for Refugees is due to gift its 4000th bicycle providing essential mobility and freedom of movement to refugees & asylum seekers. We are however in urgent need of new premises for a community hub/workshop due to eviction. Can you help?' - More details here, shared by Steven McCluskey, Bikes for Refugees (Scotland).
💍 Unexpected proposal at One Day: The Musical - 'A spontaneous proposal lit up the bows of One Day: The Musical recently when Michael asked Sophie to marry him, inspired by the emotion of the show. The production runs at The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh until 19 April — who knows what might happen next?' - Thanks to The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh for sharing this.
🎟️ 'Forever Edinburgh has unveiled its 2026 Resident Days programme, offering EH postcode holders the chance enjoy exclusive access to attractions, tours and experiences across the city. The programme begins with World Heritage Day on Saturday 18 April.' - More details here, shared by Forever Edinburgh.
🐣 Space Youth Easter Egg Collection - 'Space @ The Broomhouse Hub is collecting chocolate Easter eggs for members of our Young Carers group & Friday Youth Clubs. Please drop donated treats off at The Broomhouse Hub (79-89 Broomhouse Crescent, EH11 3RH) by Friday, 27 March. 🍫🥚' - More details here, shared by Space @ The Broomhouse Hub.
🧑🍳 New Summer Timetable of Cooking Class dates now available - 'The Wee Kitchen Cookery School (formerly Eat with Ailsa) has released a new Cooking Class timetable - lots of cuisines available such as Lebanese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese. Classes take place in Leith and are fun, sociable and BYOB 🥂' - More details here, shared by Ailsa McGuinness, The Wee Kitchen Cookery School.
🧘♀️ Pilates by Catrin - Mat Pilates Classes [Weekly]
Today, Tue 24 March - 'Dynamic, contemporary mat pilates classes designed to strengthen, lengthen, and improve flexibility. You'll leave feeling better in both mind and body. All levels are welcome - modifications and adaptations will be offered throughout the class.'
6.30pm to 7.15pm | Morningside, EH10 6BQ | Intro Deal 3 for £24 - More details here, shared by Pilates by Catrin.
🎻 Poetry & Pints Leith
Today, Tue 24 March - 'Poetry & Pints Leith returns to The Bowlers Rest tonight! Join us for an evening of poetry, music and friendly vibes; featured poet Zosia Kuczynska (The Emma Press) and music from Shortsleeve Conor (Cheap Wine Records). Open mic spaces available.'
6.45pm to 9pm | The Bowlers Rest, EH6 7BD | FREE - More details here, shared by Poetry & Pints Leith.
🎹 Polly Paulusuma plays Pianodrome
Today, Tue 24 March - 'A rare chance to see song weaver and piano enchantress Polly Paulusuma north of the Border in the magical setting of Pianodrome.'
7pm to 10pm | Pianodrome Bruntsfield Community Hub, EH10 4NB | £18 plus £2.10 BF - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧟♂️ Wednesday 25th March - Edinburgh Zombie Club - Graveyard Double Bill
Tomorrow, Wed 25 March - 'The March films for our monthly cult movie club are two classic Italian horrors. First up is full on gory zombie mayhem in 'Burial Ground' (1981) followed by the beautifully strange 'Cemetery Man' (1994) featuring Rupert Everett. First film 7.30pm.'
7pm to 10.30pm | The Banshee Labyrinth, EH1 1LG | FREE - More details here, shared by Pat McGarvey, Edinburgh Zombie Club.
🌕 ️ Big Yin
Fri 27 March - 'The Big Yin is a 90-minute yoga and meditation class at the Salisbury Centre on the last Friday of the month. Join us for deep stretching and relaxation, and get £3 off with code 'Ediminute'.'
6.30pm to 8pm | The Salisbury Centre, EH16 5AB | £12 with code - More details here, shared by Hannah Simpson.
🧵 Fabric of Imagination - Charity Fabric Sale
Sat 28 March - 'The Fabric of Imagination Sale returns Sat 28th March for the FINAL time. All fabric £10/m, with new pieces from Howe London, Pat Giddens, Nicholas Herbert, The Hackney Draper & Tissus d'Hélène. Every penny supports the Super Power Agency.'
10am to 4pm | 6 Dean Park Mews, EH4 1EF | FREE - More details here, shared by Claire, Super Power Agency.
🎨 Landlines: new solo exhibition from Scottish contemporary artist Andy Cross [Daily]
Sat 28 March - '35 new paintings from acclaimed artist Andy Cross celebrating the natural world. The living legacy of Joan Eardley can be felt - a huge inspiration, echoes of her palette and compositional choices are clear in Andy's work. Private View Sat 28th 2-4pm.'
10am to 5pm | Morningside Gallery Ltd, EH10 4BY | FREE - More details here, shared by Carrie.
🌀 Embodying the Creative Self: a meeting of the ancient practice of Qigong with expressive movement [Monthly]
Sat 28 March - 'Two highly experienced movement and well-being practitioners offer an innovative workshop to explore creativity and a deeper sense of self'
10am to 1pm | Shoreline Studio, EH15 1HD | £95 per workshop - More details here, shared by Susan Scarth, Movement Psychotherapy.
🔊 Tierhaus
Sat 28 March - 'Inspired by seminal 90s electronic music culture, Tierhaus aims to bring the communal spirit of 90s rave culture into 2026. Expect soulful, groovey house and rave, all in a unique setting at the heart of Edinburgh's infamous Summerhall arts complex.'
9pm to 2am | Summerhall | 10£ - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎨 Landlines: new solo exhibition from Scottish contemporary artist Andy Cross [Daily]
Sat 28 March - '35 new paintings from acclaimed artist Andy Cross celebrating the natural world. The living legacy of Joan Eardley can be felt - a huge inspiration, echoes of her palette and compositional choices are clear in Andy's work. Private View Sat 28th 2-4pm.'
10am to 5pm | Morningside Gallery Ltd, EH10 4BY | FREE - More details here, shared by Carrie.
🏑 Beginners' Shinty Taster Session
Sun 29 March - 'Looking for a new sport, community or fun way to get some fitness in? Join us for a free taster session in shinty open to all genders! We'll go over the basics of the game with fun activities and equipment provided, followed by cake at Leaf and Bean.'
10am to 11.30am | Near the Green Huts in the Meadows, EH9 1ND | FREE - More details here, shared by Tayforth Camanachd.
🖤 Celebrating Gothic Women - Tuesday 31st An evening celebrating the dark imagination of women writers
Tue 31 March - 'Celebrating Gothic Women - An evening celebrating the dark imagination of women writers, with three brilliant voices in contemporary gothic fiction.'
5.30pm to 8.30pm | The Outhouse, EH1 3LY | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Literary Salon.
edinburghlitsalon
👥 Co-Working Event with SWURF 31st March at Yotel
Tue 31 March - 'Tired of the home office grind and want to meet some new people. Say goodbye to crowded coffee shops and the endless search for a quiet Zoom spot. Download Swurf and join our Co-Work Club @ YOTEL Hotel, Edinburgh. £5 includes coffees and pastries'
11am to 4pm | YOTEL Edinburgh, EH2 4NA | £5 inc coffee - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🤣 Sir Dickie Benson's Midweek Mania
Wed 01 April - 'Sir Dickie Benson and Scarlett Whispers bring you a riotous, eclectic mix of burlesque, magic, music and comedy featuring some of the best performers from across the Fringe. Live, loud and interactive! Free for hospitality staff!'
8pm to 9.30pm | The Voodoo Rooms, EH2 2AA | PWYCA - More details here, shared by Drunk 'n' Whipsers.
😊 Pottery lessons [Weekly]
Mon 06 April - 'After successfully crowd funding to raise the funds for four new pottery wheels, Edinburghs newest pottery studio is ready to welcome you for wheel throwing lessons - choose from Monday at 2pm, or Thursday at 6pm in April. Four consecutive weeks.'
2pm to 4.30pm | Wasps Granton Station, EH5 1FU | £200 - More details here, shared by Emma Baird, Adventures with Clay.
🏔️ Join a fully guided Mountain Skills & Wild Camping exped in the Cairngorms (by Mountain Buddies)
Sat 11 April - 'Local Mountain Leader Will is running 3 Mountain Skills weekends in the Cairngorms starting 11 April. Join a small group for a two-day guided adventure, learn navigation, mountain hazards & wild camping. A fun & supportive weekend in the hills! ⛰️⛺🧭.'
8am | Tiso Edinburgh - More details here, shared by Will, Mountain Buddies.
🎶 Étáin: The Well Multi-Arts Album Launch
Thu 16 April - 'Edinburgh-based Étáin brings her debut album 'The Well' to life with a unique multi-arts experience. Expect a high-energy full-band performance accompanied by immersive physical theatre that draws the audience deeper into her world of song.'
7pm to 10.30pm | The Caves, EH1 1NS - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🧀 Porty deli closing.
- 📨 Council leader will 'tell the police off' for A-board.
- 💻 Councillors vote for temporary ban on new AI data centres.
- 🏥 Leith MSP calls for GP walk-in clinic at Ocean Terminal.
- 🐾 Vets warn about dogs swallowing fish hooks after three recent cases.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 871.
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