The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 14 January 2026
Rapist caught after escape, police lock down Clermiston street for eight hours, new bowling alley for Waverley Market + local groups compete for £45k from LeithChooses
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🚔 A rapist escaped from the High Court yesterday morning and was seen running along the Royal Mile. Police caught the 21-year-old man 'nearby'. - Neil Pooran & William Gaddi, Daily Record + Keiran Fleming, STV News.
🚗 'Shocking' new data on speeding near Edinburgh schools has been highlighted by former council transport leader and current MP Scott Arthur. - He posted this thread.
🏫 Publishing footage with a warning that 'some readers may find this distressing', Edinburgh Live reports that local school pupils have been subjected to 'horrific assaults'. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
🚨 Drum Brae Drive was closed by armed police for eight hours yesterday after a man was found injured. - Rhoda Morrison, Evening News.
- ⮑ Police say they are investigating 'to establish the full circumstances', while Calum Loudon of STV News reports: "It is understood a bladed weapon was used in the incident".
- 'Blood-soaked man seen in Edinburgh street as armed police swoop' - John-Paul Clark, Daily Record.
✈️ An EasyJet plane that was due to fly to Bristol had to be evacuated after hitting a light at Edinburgh Airport yesterday. - Calum Loudon, STV News.
🔑 Six previously homeless families have moved into new homes in South Queensferry. - Scottish Housing News.
🗳️ A total of 30 local Leith projects are vying for funding from the LeithChooses project. This year's funding pot is £44,707. See all the organisations in the list here. Find more details on how to vote in today's Community Noticeboard below.
🌳 Plans have been published for a new public artwork in Bingham Medway Park. - Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.
🤝 After nearly 12 years leading Edinburgh's Cyrenians homelessness charity, Ewan Aitken will step down in June. In what's described as a 'planned transition', the organisation plans to begin recruitment for its next CEO 'in due course'. - More details from the charity here and a nice tribute to Ewan's work in this Instagram post.
“This has been the best job I have ever had. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and of the culture, values and sense of purpose that run through Cyrenians. While this decision has not been an easy one, it feels like the right time for me personally, and I am confident the organisation is well placed for the future.” - Ewan Aitken.
💇♀️ Tributes are being paid to Gordon Black, 'who helped define Scottish hairdressing for nearly five decades'. - Angus Johnston, The Scotsman.
🍿 The Filmhouse cinema on Lothian Road had its 'best box office day to date' on Saturday. - The venue shared its top films in this Instagram post.
🛍️ US fashion brand Free People will open its first Scottish shop on George Street on 23 January - Katie Ross, Drapers Online.
🎳 A new 'King Pins' bowling alley venue is due to open in Waverley Market on Friday. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
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⛰️ “Deadline to comment on Historic Environment Scotland's proposal to erect new permanent barriers allowing only partial access to Radical Road (on Arthur Seat) is this Friday 16 January. First login onto the council's website, and go to planning applications (Ref: 25/06329/FUL) to enter your comment.” - Thanks to Marion Bourbouze for sharing this.
📌 “Free run club every Wednesday at 5:30pm - starting this evening! Join the group at Marpole, 378 Leith Walk. It's fun, it's casual. You don't need to have run recently... or really ever. Come and have fun and breath in the fresh air.” - Thanks to Marpole for sharing this.
🎬 “Wednesday 14 January - Join us at Filmhouse for the screening of The Perfect Neighbor + recorded Q&A with director Geeta Gandbhir. In a quiet, close-knit neighbourhood in Ocala, Florida, one woman’s relentless calls to the police over children at play ignite a slow-burning conflict.” - Thanks to Scottish Documentary Institute for sharing this.
♟️ “Wednesday 14th January - Greenhouse Gambit returns to Summerhall for their first chess night of the year! They'll be at the Royal Dick bar from 18:30 playing vinyl and chess all night long.” - Thanks to Mark Quinn from Greenhouse Records for sharing this.
📌 “Sat 17th Jan - Weds 21st Jan: Mega Epic SALE of STUFF! is back at Whitespace from 12 noon to 6pm daily selling beautiful and useful stuff! Special Blue Monday 19% discount on all blue items on Monday 19th! We'll donate >33.3% of any profit to the charity Phone Credit for Refugees.” - Thanks to Kat for sharing this.
🎨 “Arty Church is on at Greenbank Church this Saturday, 17th January, from 2 to 4pm. Come and join artist Emilia for a free multi-sensory creative afternoon, as the post-Christmas story is explored! All materials are provided and it's open to all ages .” - Thanks to Rachel, Greenbank Church, for sharing this.
🎼 “Saturday 17th January - Concert of music by Shostakovich, Vaughan Williams and Hindemith given by Newtown Ensemble, conductor Michael Thorne. Tickets: £15, £5 students available on the door” - Thanks to Ruari Wilson from the Newtown Ensemble for sharing this.
🍷 “Join us on Sunday 18 January 2026 at 5pm at Port of Leith Distillery for a Piedmont wine tasting featuring six standout Langhe wines, from unctuous whites to majestic Barolo. Expect Piedmontese nibbles alongside the wines, incl. truffle oil, hazelnuts + bresaola. Hosted by a Langhe Wine Ambassador.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
🎬 “Wednesday 21 January, 8.15pm - Cinetopia DOC: present Agatha’s Almanac + recorded Q&A at The Filmhouse. A gentle, sensory-soft documentary about 90-year old Agatha who tends her garden according to ancient wisdom and customs. Start your year with joy!” - Thanks to Cinetopia for sharing this.
🎨 “22nd January - Edinburgh artist Sheila Chapman presents an Acrylic Inks Art Workshop at Summerhall. Come and explore the magic of this versatile medium and enjoy the explosive colour of acrylic inks. Suitable for beginners and improvers, with all materials provided.” - Thanks to Summerhall Arts for sharing this.
🗳️ “24th January, 11am - 3pm - Come along to the LeithChooses in-person voting day at Leith Community Centre and cast your vote for the community projects you think should be funded. Everyone 8 years or older who lives, works or volunteers in Leith eligible to vote. Your voice matters!” - Thanks to The LeithChooses Steering Group for sharing this.
🇺🇦 “Sunday 25 January. Hoda Productions are hosting a Burns Night at the Ukrainian Club on Royal Terrace. Proceeds support Edinburgh Direct Aid International's humanitarian work in crisis zones, including Ukraine. Expect songs, stories, and a short ceilidh - plus a free dram for early birds.” - Thanks to Andrew Greens from Edinburgh Direct Aid for sharing this.
🫖 “LifeCare Edinburgh has announced its new programme of free and welcoming activities for all ages from its Stockbridge community Hub. There's something for everyone.” - Thanks to the LifeCare Edinburgh team for sharing this.
🖼️ “It's the final week to see Trace, the current exhibition in the Hoxton Hotel's gallery. The final day to see the exhibition is this Sunday - free to visit! You can find the Hoxton at 5-21 Grosvenor St, Edinburgh EH12 5EF.” - Thanks to Carla for sharing this.
📌 “Wellness Wednesdays are launching at Edinburgh New Town Cookery School. The new wellness-focussed practical evening classes will explore topics from skin health and immune boosting to diabetes, perimenopause and menopause. Running from late January until the end of March, find more details online.” - Thanks to Edinburgh New Town Cookery School for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🏡 Morningside and Murrayfield homes top December ESPC list.
- 📚 Boom Saloon's new pop-up bookshop at Brown's of Leith.
- 🚎 Record-breaking growth in tram and bus journeys.
- 🎤 Sara Pascoe at Monkey Barrel Comedy this week.
- 🎭 'Where does the next generation of working-class artists come from?'
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⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 813.
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