The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 15 April 2026
New recycling bins for single-use cup litter crackdown, Porty Fringe arriving in August, new cafe for the Southside + houseplant speed-repotting tournament
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. The city's most comprehensive local Record Store Day preview is in this week's Culture Minute, dropping in subscribers' inboxes later today... Also, a reader gave feedback yesterday that the newsletters have been a bit top-heavy with crime recently. I usually include the crime reports from a 'safety-first' perspective, but it doesn't need to always go first. As today's lighter on news again, I'll mix it up a bit and leave the crime until a few items down. Feedback is always welcome. Here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🐮 Tourists in the Pentland Hills have been warned against getting too close to Highland cows for photos. - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
🗑️ New recycling bins for single-use hot drink cups are being rolled out in the city for a trial. They're at Market Street, Waverley Bridge and outside Haymarket Station. - More details in the press release here.
- Yesterday also saw the launch of a new 'Take It Back' scheme at 30 retailers including Costa, Caffe Nero, Greggs and McDonald’s. - A map of the shops and bins is on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website.
🚔 The 49-year-old man who was hit by a car being driven on Chesser Avenue at the weekend has died in hospital three days later. - Police Scotland.
- ⮑ A 50-year-old man was yesterday convicted of the attempted murder of a 54-year-old man on Pitcairn Grove last May. - Police Scotland.
- ⮑ A 29-year-old man has admitted trying to murder a police officer with a stolen car on Stenhouse Road in July 2024. - BBC Scotland News.
🎭 The Fringe is heading to Portobello this summer with the first Porty Fringe, a 12-day series of events at Portobello Town Hall from 5 to 12 August. - Thom Dibdin has more details on All Edinburgh Theatre.
- ⮑ If you can't wait until August, remember there is also the annual Porty Festival, returning on 2 and 3 May. There's live music from Mànran, Alice Faye and Indoor Foxes, as well as markets, walking tours, craft workshops and much more. - Full details here.
🥘 Owners of the Omar Khayyam Indian restaurant in Haymarket have been given the green light to put up freestanding pergolas with retractable roofs outside the restaurant. - More details on City Scope via Harry Williams + on the council planning portal here.
City Scope Team
☕️ Another new cafe opening: Bono Coffee Shop will open its doors for the first time at 8am today. It's at 88 South Clerk Street. - Find it on Instagram.
💰 The Railbridge Bar and Bistro in South Queensferry is for sale at £1.95m. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live.
🍽️ 'Why Leith is the most exciting foodie destination in the UK right now' - Rosie Conroy, Condé Nast Traveller.
🪴 The Pitt in Granton is hosting a houseplant speed-repotting tournament on Friday 22 May. It's part of GreenAF, Scotland's first houseplant festival. - More details on this Instagram post and tickets for the festival are here.
🏫 Local history: The Heart of Newhaven community centre is a mixed-use space for artists and small businesses. the Victorian building has a fascinating history, having previously been the Victoria School, with origins dating back to the early 1800s. - Historian Andy Arthur shares his research on Threadinburgh.
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🎶 The Voice House Community Choir - Summer Term starts 22 April - 'The Voice House is a well established community choir. We meet in Bruntsfield on Wednesday evenings, 7 - 9pm. We're always keen to welcome new members - no experience required. Fancy taking up a new hobby? We start again on 22 April. 1st session FREE' - More details here, shared by The Voice House Community Choir.
🧘♀️ Free monthly EFT tapping group - 'This is an online free monthly group to help you connect with your emotional wellbeing and tap into a calmer space. On third Sunday of the month.' - More details here, shared by Ann Diment, Rwsilience Rebel.
🎉 Bridgend Farmhouse Funday Sunday - 'This Sunday Bonnie Bridgend has free kids activities - lego and Circus plus delicious freshly made street food' - More details here, shared by Bridgend Farmhouse.
🥚 Egg-cellent Easter Trail - 'Last chance to take part in the Egg-cellent Easter Trail at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. Included in general admission until 19 April. £4 off admission online before 9am.' - More details here, shared by Camera Obscura & World of Illusions.
🎨 The Open Craft Night [Fortnightly]
Today, Wed 15 April - 'A mid-week evening of Cafe' vibes, Craft , Creativity and Conviviality'
5.30pm to 9pm | August_21 Coffee House, EH9 1QG | £2 - More details here, shared by Rick, Scarecrow Woodcrafts.
🎉 Opening Night for the Drill Hall's Artist & Maker Showcase: "Cellular"
Today, Wed 15 April - 'Join us for the Opening Night of Cellular! Meet artists and makers, explore new work, enjoy refreshments, and listen to live music. Step inside the historic Out of the Blue Drill Hall for a vibrant celebration of this creative community in Leith.'
6.30pm to 8.30pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, EH6 8RG | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌿 Rewilding talk and social
Today, Wed 15 April - 'A new social gathering roughly every two months to talk all things rewilding. Each event has a guest speaker (roughly half an hour) followed by a general social. Tonight: 'Introduction to rewilding in Scotland'. (Due to venue licence, over-18s only).'
7pm to 9pm | The Outhouse, EH1 3LY | FREE - More details here, shared by Gareth Overton.
🏥 300 Faces of Edinburgh Medical School as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival [Daily]
Tomorrow, Thu 16 April - 'Last year, the EMS300 steering group invited nominees who have made inspirational contributions to Edinburgh Medical School, to honour its past and look to its future. Some of these faces will be featured in an outdoor photography exhibition'
9am to 9.30pm | Mound Precinct until 26th April | FREE - More details here, shared by ROBERT, The Edinburgh Compassion Salon.
🌵 Hug The Cactus [Monthly]
Tomorrow, Thu 16 April - 'Hug The Cactus is a monthly networking event for local business owners looking for a supportive community of fellow solo-prenuers! There is often guest speaker and as a member you get seasonal brand photos taken each month.'
10am to 12.30pm | various locations | from £20 - More details here, shared by SUSAN HEATON.
🎲 Board Game Playtesting
Tomorrow, Thu 16 April - 'Do you love board games? Come playtest three brand new games from local indie designers. Try something new, have fun, and help shape the games with your feedback before they launch.'
6pm to 8.30pm | Ancient Robot Workshop, EH6 5DT | FREE - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎶 Songworks Community choir [Weekly]
Tomorrow, Thu 16 April - 'Smallish, friendly, sociable group of people who love to sing. No auditions; doesn't matter if you think you can't sing and/or can't read music; no pressure; handouts supplied. £60 for whole 10 week term. Drop-in for £8 per session.'
7pm to 8.30pm | McLarens on the Corner, EH10 4DD | £60 or £8 - More details here, shared by Bridget Stevens.
🎬 Make your first film
Tomorrow, Thu 16 April - 'Here comes the summer where a young persons heart turns to film making. The ECVS summer programme has lots of opportunities for people to join a crew and make their first film - whether as writer, directors, camera, editor, actors or runners.'
7.30pm to 9pm | Edinburgh Cine & Video Society, EH3 6RH | FREE - More details here, shared by Gordon Guthrie, Edinburgh Cine and Video Society.
♻️ Spring Clean Scotland at Moredun Library
Fri 17 April - 'It's our Spring Clean Scotland event! All supplies will be given out from the library. After the pick, we will have a small snack party! Children must be accompanied by an adult for this event. Please book ahead with the library if you are attending!'
11am to 12.30pm | Moredun Library, EH17 7HG | FREE - More details here, shared by Moredun Library.
🥟 Chinese Dumplings with Shuxin
Sat 18 April - 'Come and spend a fun filled morning on Saturday 18th April with us learning how to make delicious Chinese dumplings and support our charity Cook School here in Leith.'
11am to 2.30pm | Cyrenians Flavour and Haver Cook School, EH6 5HG | £60 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌿 Learn Foraging, Bushcraft & Nature Skills (Small Group, Starts Friday) [Weekly]
Sat 18 April - 'Join a small-group outdoor session to learn basic foraging, identify spring plants, and try a simple hands-on activity. Includes playful nature games and time to connect outdoors. No experience needed.'
2pm to 4pm | Bridgend Farmhouse Cafe, EH16 4TE | 15-56 GBP - More details here, shared by Natasha Gabriella Lowery-Lewis, Nature School for Grownups.
🎶 MOZART AT SALZBURG
Sat 18 April - 'MOZART AT SALZBURG - Greyfriars Kirk is the venue for an evening of wonderful music by Mozart. The Linton Singers choir and orchestra will present - Te Deum Laudamus, The Solemn Vespers and the splendid Coronation Mass in C Major.'
7pm to 9pm | Greyfriars Kirk, EH1 2QQ | £15.00 - More details here, shared by Linton Singers.
🪩 Good Vibes Record Store Night
Sat 18 April - 'A Record Store Day afterparty, with live music from comfort and all-vinyl DJ sets from Louise Mason, Plant City and Supper Club!'
8pm to 1am | Leith FAB cricket club (Leith Franklin Academical Beige Cricket Club), EH6 7QR | £10 - More details here, shared by Supper Club. (And much more in today's Culture Minute newsletter landing in paying subscribers' inboxes later today...)
🧒 Edinburgh's Forgotten Women Walking Tour [Monthly]
Sun 19 April - 'This walking tour about Edinburgh's women, particularly the ones who are often overlooked! Hear the stories and trace the footsteps of female artists, scientists, and political activists of the last 1000 years who changed Scotland and the world.'
11.30am to 1.30pm | The High Street Wellhead, EH1 1QX | Pay What You Like - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Street Historians.
pasturesfresh
🎨 Experimental Life Drawing
Sun 19 April - 'Join Strongman Collective for an afternoon of experimental life drawing featuring a live movement artist as model. Free and open to all skill levels. Some materials provided.'
1pm to 2.30pm | Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative, EH10 4HR | FREE - More details here, shared by Strongman Collective.
🌳 Walk Club Edinburgh
Sun 19 April - 'A local community walk: 19 April 2pm A chance to enjoy urban nature, fresh air, gentle exercise, to get to know new people, with entertaining stories of local history & information about art. Friendly. Inclusive. Non political.'
2pm to 4pm | North Edinburgh Arts, EH4 4AB | Free/donation - More details here, shared by Tamsin Grainger.
🎨 Hidden Door Community Drop-In Day
Sun 19 April - 'Hidden Door Festival returns to The Paper Factory in June, and this Sunday you're invited to our Community Drop-In Day to find out more. We will have tours of the site, info on volunteering and a chance to chat to the team about this year's plans.'
2pm to 4pm | The Paper Factory, EH12 8NP | FREE - More details here, shared by Natalie Arnold, Hidden Door + on Instagram here.
Hidden Door
🍹 Legacy of Grandmothers: An Evening of Stories & Spirits
Sun 19 April - 'Join Legacy of Grandmothers at Konj for a candlelit evening of stories, connection, and reflection. No stage, no pressure, just meaningful conversation over cocktails and mocktails.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | KONJ Modern Persian Cuisine, EH3 9AX - More details here, shared by Legacy of Grandmothers.
🤣 An Improv Show.... in French!
Tue 21 April - 'Did you know that Edinburgh has its own improv group... In French? Come experience our Québécois-style match, where you will vote to decide who gets the point. Fun, creative, surprising!'
7.30pm to 9pm | French Institute of Scotland, EH1 1RN | £8 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🌸 The Meadows Tour
Thu 23 April - 'The highly popular Meadows Tour is back! This ephemeral cherry blossom season, our special tour of the Meadows is back with select availability for only a couple weeks to catch the bloom. Part of the proceeds going to support the Sick Kids Hospital.'
10am to 11am | Uplands Roast, EH8 9LD | Pay What You Like - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Street Historians.
pasturesfresh
🧠 QUIZ NIGHT 2
Fri 24 April - 'Do you have what it takes to be the ultimate quiz champion? Don't miss out-come along, test your knowledge, and maybe even make some new friends!'
6pm to 9.30pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community, EH6 4HY | FREE - More details here, shared by Roger, Heart of Newhaven Community.
🎤 BYOMaterial Open Mic Night [Monthly]
Fri 24 April - 'Every last Friday of the month The Tailor becomes a space for musicians to showcase original material in a chilled and cozy venue! Bring your guitar, your violin, your harmonica, your voice, your knees... Whatever it is, let's make it a great night!'
7pm to 9pm | The Tailor Cafe + Wine Bar, EH7 5DR | FREE - More details here, shared by The Tailor.
🥯 BunFest
Sat 25 April - 'Tasty Buns are bringing back BunFest! There will be 6 new weird and wonderful flavours of buns, on this day only! It's the perfect event for those of you who love a Bun! (think cinnamon but a little OTT!) It's usually a sell out, so get in early!'
9am to 5pm | Tasty Buns, EH3 9AH | FREE - More details here, shared by Tasty Buns Bakery + on Instagram.
📮 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:
- 🏡 Last month's top-10 most-viewed local homes. [1,600 clicks]
- 🚂 Wonderland Models to move after 50 years on Lothian Rd. [600 clicks]
- 📚 Hundreds bid to save LGBTQ+ bookshop Lavender Menace. [550 clicks]
- ♟️ 15-year-old local schoolboy in Scottish senior chess team. [500 clicks]
- 🤝 Volunteers urgently needed for Polwarth Pre-Loved Sale. [400 clicks]
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 889.
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