The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Tuesday 31 March 2026
'Rogue' landlords struck-off, striking staff at two universities plan joint rally tomorrow, community ideas for Merchiston junction + next up on Forth 1: you?
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Another busy one! Here’s today's Edinburgh Minute.
🚉 Trams are running behind schedule this morning due to 'a police incident' on Princes Street earlier. They were blocked around 5am and only running from the airport to the West End. - Get live updates from Edinburgh Trams here.
Due to a Police Incident on Princes Street, we are only running from Airport to West End. Ticket acceptance is in place with Lothian Buses on services 16 from Newhaven to West End and vice versa.
— Edinburgh Trams (@EdinburghTrams) March 31, 2026
Updates will follow.
We apologise for any inconvenience to your journey.
^JM pic.twitter.com/A0ZS2bMyem
🎓 University of Edinburgh strikes against cuts are set to continue today, with a joint rally planned for noon tomorrow at Bristo Square with Heriot-Watt University workers. - The University and College Union shared this update.
💻 The number of academic misconduct cases involving AI has risen, reports Kitty Messer in The Edinburgh Tab.
🔐 Four landlords were removed from the Scottish Landlord Register by the council’s licensing committee yesterday for various rule breaches and, in some cases, criminal activity. - Phyllis Stephen has more details in The Edinburgh Reporter and in Deadline News.
- You can search the Scottish Landlord Register here.
- Local tenant and community union Living Rent said:
"This is a big win and shows the tide is turning against landlords in the city who thought they were untouchable. But now the council needs to go further and faster if they are going to fully clamp down on the city’s rogue landlords. Across the city, many of Edinburgh’s tenants are being forced to live under the thumb of rogue landlords who force tenants to live in slum-like conditions, with chronic disrepair, force up the rent illegally, threaten and abuse the privacy of tenants and neglect their legal responsibility as a landlord."
🚖 Also demonstrating outside the City Chambers yesterday: Private hire taxi drivers, claiming 'the conditions of the road are an absolute disgrace'. - BBC Scotland News.
🛑 Community-sourced ideas to improve a problematic junction in Merchiston will be discussed by councillors at Thursday's transport meeting. - More details from Merchiston Districts Community Council.
More than 100 residents shared views about safety at Merchiston Ave / Rochster Place / Merchiston Cresc junction! We've submitted your concerns to @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social under the Local Traffic Improvement Programme. Proposal goes to committee in April. What were the key issues? Read on! 🧵
— Merchiston Districts Community Council (@merchistoncc.bsky.social) 2026-01-27T21:23:40.999Z
🗳️ Holyrood candidates met residents at a hustings in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on Sunday night. Topics included rising school class sizes, VAT on private school fees, immigration, independence and fly-tipping. - North Edinburgh Community News.
🏢 You might have spotted this first in yesterday's Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard section: 'Argyle House qualifies for listed status - but won't get it' - Ian Swanson adds more detail in The Scotsman.
🚔 Police arrested two men linked to more than 60 thefts worth £50,000 from 'several well known retailers' in Edinburgh. - Chloe Goodall, Edinburgh Live.
🎤 Edinburgh-based radio station Forth 1 is looking for 'emerging Scottish talent' to join its team, taking over Sunday nights. DJ Boogie said: "You could have your own show for a short period on a Sunday night between 10pm and 1am. You'll get to learn the ropes, get a bit of experience." - Find more details and apply here. [I was lucky enough to get my first ever work placement at Radio Forth back in 2004 and highly recommend it.]
Dom NG
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🐶 Dundas Veterinary Group is now employee owned - 'Dundas Veterinary Group became employee owned on 20 March 2026, securing its independence and giving staff a stake in its future. The Edinburgh practice says the move supports long-term care, continuity, and putting pets before profit.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🦽 Edinburgh's Easter Play focuses on disability this year - 'Unbroken, Edinburgh's Easter Play, performed annually in Princes Street Gardens, focuses on disability this year and features 8 disabled performers in the cast. A moving new take on the Easter story created and performed by a large community company.' - More details here, shared by Cutting Edge Theatre.
🍽️ Orry Shand to debut preview of new restaurant concept, Falls, at the Number One Chef Series - 'Number One at The Balmoral welcomes Scottish chef Orry Shand on 11 May for a one-night tasting preview of his debut restaurant, Falls, alongside Number One signatures. Book now via the Number One website to secure your place.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🏗️ Building improvements underway at the historic Abbeymount Studios - 'Using funding from the Place Based Investment Programme, Out of the Blue are working with contractors to fix chimneys and replace the worst affected windows at the B-listed former school, Abbeymount Studios, home to over 70 artists and makers.' - More details here, shared by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
🌈 Support a new, queer indie magazine created in Edinburgh 🌈📕 - 'Tell Me How You Really Feel is a new, indie magazine featuring 12 original essays by queer writers. This first issue is themed 'Home' 🏠 Pre-order via Kickstarter, which will directly fund printing costs 🖨️ (Additional profits will be donated 🌈)' - More details here, shared by Danielle Mustarde.
🧵 Free Sewing Classes - 'Free kids, adults, and family sewing classes at Wester Hailes Library over the April school holidays!' - More details here, shared by Wester Hailes Library.
🎨 Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition Go Fund Me campaign - 'Final push for the Out of Sight Out of Mind exhibition Go Fund Me campaign until 13th April. Help raise £10,000 so the 14th exhibition can take place this October as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival.' - More details here, shared by Out of Sight Out of Mind.
🥳 Kids Eating Free at Tigerlily and Montpeliers this Easter! - 'Kids Eat Free at Tigerlily (New Town) & Montpeliers (Bruntsfield) until 20th April! It’s on daily for under 12s (with an adult ordering a main). You can book online or walk in, so it's a great option if you’re out & about with the kids this Easter!' - Thanks to a Minute reader for sharing this.
🧠 Do you take Benzos? Write about your experiences. - 'The Benzo Research Project and Crew 2000 want to hear the experiences of young people in Scotland, 16-30, who have taken non-prescription benzodiazepines (e.g. Xanax, Diazepam, Valium, tizzies). All stories shared will be anonymous.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎨 Leith School of Art Summer School - Early Booking Discount ends today! - 'Join Leith School of Art this summer, experience our unique studios and enjoy being part of our nurturing community. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced artist, LSA offers a warm welcome and excellent tuition for all abilities.' - More details here, shared by Leith School of Art.
📚 BookshopLATES... Glasgow from Above
Thu 02 April - 'Join us to explore the architecture & industrial heritage of 21st-century Glasgow with architect Rosalie Menon, whose recent book documents the perpetual evolution of the city's urban environment.'
6.30pm to 7.30pm | RIAS Bookshop, EH1 2BE | £3 - More details here, shared by RIAS Bookshop.
📆 EVENTS:
👗 Edinburgh University Charity Fashion Show
Thu 02 April - 'The Edinburgh University Fashion Society is returning with its Charity Fashion Show, with the theme of Chiaroscuro. This year, we are raising money for Everyone's Invited, which supports victims of sexual assault and rape on university campuses.'
7pm to 10pm | The Biscuit Factory, EH6 5NP | £25/£30 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh University Fashion Society.
🎨 Night Arts Market @ The Pitt
Fri 03 April - 'Join us for a one night only arts market showcasing local talent, prints, paintings and more. Meet the artists, explore the work and take something special home!'
6pm to 10pm | The Pitt, EH5 1QD | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🕯️ Newhaven Death Café
Sat 04 April - 'A death café is a safe place to talk about anything to do with the end of life: death, dying or bereavement.'
10am to 12pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community, EH6 4HY | FREE - More details here, shared by Bob Parker, End of Life Doula UK.
🎉 Habitat 〜 Easter Sunday 〜 Day Party
Sun 05 April - 'This Sunday, after a series of sell out events, Habitat host their first day party alongside Chris Menist from the Paradise Bangkok Molam Band.'
2pm to 8pm | Jamaica Yard, EH3 6HH | £13 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧘♀️ Resonant Roots: A Journey of Gong, Breath & Voice
Sat 11 April - 'Go deeper with Gong, Breath-work & Voice, wellbeing workshop. Half Day exploring Breath-Work, Vocal Vibrations and an immersive Gong Bath to find deep resonance within the self, shift stress, soothe the nervous system. No singing experience needed.'
10am to 2pm | Edinburgh Therapy Centre, EH6 6BA | £100 - More details here, shared by Daniel Killeen, Edinburgh Therapy Centre.
🏠 Living Rent Edinburgh Hustings
Thu 16 April - 'Living Rent have invited candidates from the major political parties for a hustings focussed on housing issues. Each candidate will have time to discuss their party's views on housing and an opportunity for audience questions.'
6pm to 8pm | Norton Park Business and Conference Centre, EH7 5QY | FREE - More details here, shared by Living Rent.
🤝 Digital Kindness in Action: Digital Support & Networking for Charities
Wed 22 April - 'Launch of a six-month programme of free digital support for 20 charities in Edinburgh & Lothians. Participants will receive monthly one-to-one coaching sessions and three specialist group workshops to help them navigate social media with confidence.'
10am to 12.30pm | The Melting Pot, EH8 8DL | FREE - More details here, shared by Digital Kindness.
🌊 Rave on for the Avon - a river right documentary
Fri 01 May - 'Screening of 'Rave On for the Avon' and panel discussion on the state of UK waterways hosted by the UK's first river bride The film follows a local community's fight to save their bathing spot in unique, daring and distinctly Bristolian ways.'
4.30pm to 7.30pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community, EH6 4HY | £7.75 - More details here, shared by Megan Trump, We Are Avon.
🎉 Los Chichanos EP Launch Fiesta
Sat 23 May - 'Los Chichanos will bring their first Tropical Fiesta of 2026 to Edinburgh new venue, the People's Leisure Club. A huge night to dance and to celebrate the release of their first EP on 7" vinyl with London based Record Label Ritmo Del Barrio. Vamonos!'
7pm to 10pm | People's Leisure Club, EH1 1HB | Earlybird £8 £10 - More details here, shared by Sandino Borges Leitao, Los Chichanos.
🛠️ Our Honest DIY @ Porty Festival - When a Product Goes Viral: From Garage Build to Sell-Out Brand
Sun 03 May - 'What really happens when you go viral? Phoebe from Our Honest DIY, an Edinburgh-based small business, shares the gory details on how one post skyrocketed their furniture designs to 40M views and the reality of quitting your job to pursue your passion.'
11.20am to 12.20pm | Portobello Town Hall, EH15 1AF | £12 - More details here, shared by Phoebe Green, Our Honest DIY.
📮 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:
- 🏡 Morningside house for sale at £2.9m.
- 🍽️ Holy Corner restaurant Chez Roger saying 'au revior' next month.
- 🎓 Uni threatens legal action against student protestors.
- 🦅 A beautiful kestrel in Saughton Park.
- 🏴 Thousands march at 'Believe in Scotland' rally.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 876.
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