The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 25 February 2026
Napier Uni staff strike continues all week, council budget preview, Rose Theatre hotel plan returns + local snowboarder Davy Zyw gets Team GB Paralympics call-up
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Another busy one! And the weekly Culture Minute will be sent out to paying subscribers later today... Here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🎓 Academic staff at Edinburgh Napier University are continuing strike action for the rest of this week to oppose compulsory redundancies.
- The Educational Institute of Scotland union said: "Despite repeated calls to discuss a resolution to the dispute, university management has yet to respond, leading to the continuation of the strike by its members."
- In a message to students, Napier said: "We appreciate that uncertainty can be frustrating, and we apologise for any disruption this may cause. Please check the Edinburgh Napier app and your University email regularly for updates. The University respects the right of staff to take industrial action, while recognising that any disruption to students is regrettable. We are committed to supporting students during this period. Any deductions from staff pay during strike action will be directed to our Student Funding team to help support students who may be experiencing financial difficulty."
🗳️ Councillors will vote tomorrow on whether to increase council tax again. Local politicians will vote on a 5% increase from April at tomorrow's 10am meeting at the City Chambers.
- The budget meeting agenda papers are here, including opposition parties' proposed alternative budgets, as well as the webcast link.
- Within the reports pack is:
- The council's 226-page budget strategy report.
- Motions and Amendments by opposition parties.
- A list of planned deputations from groups including: Edinburgh Tenants Federation, The Welcoming Association, Edinburgh Trade Union Council, Scottish Adoption and Fostering, Edinburgh EIS, the local Unite union branch and the Leith branch of Living Rent.
- The Edinburgh Trade Union Council says: "We understand that the proposal to build 5,900 homes is over a ten year period. While this is a substantial build it is far below what Shelter is proposing which is 6,000 new social houses in the next four or five years, not ten years."
- The council administration says: "The budget is balanced through a combination of efficiency savings from the first year of a zero-based budgeting program and a 5% Council Tax increase. This approach enables significant reinvestment in priority areas while maintaining financial sustainability."
- Council tax is going up by 9% in Midlothian (BBC Scotland News), 7.5% in East Lothian (EL Courier) and 7.4% in West Lothian (WL News).
🪩 Garibaldi’s nightclub on Hanover Street has been warned after police said it was frequently over capacity and younger people may be going inside. - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, in Midlothian View.
🎭 Plans to turn the Rose Theatre on Rose Street into a 43-room hotel have been resubmitted after being rejected last year. - Ross Chalmers, Deadline.
💰 Edinburgh parents are facing rising childcare costs after council funding changes, reports Rose Moncur in The Herald.
🏴 The end point of a pro-Scottish independence rally planned for 28 March has been moved to Calton Hill after the Scottish Parliament said it was 'too close to the election'. - Steph Brawn, The National + the organisers posted this statement.
🍷 The Londis on Hanover Street has lost its alcohol license after being caught selling booze more than an hours after the 10pm cut-off. - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter in Edinburgh Live.
🏂 Edinburgh snowboarder Davy Zyw is one step closer to achieving his 'dream', having been selected to compete at the Winter Paralympics in Italy in March. It will make him the first snowsports athlete with motor neurone disease in the competition. MND affects his upper body and can make it difficult to put his gloves and boots on. - Dave Pickering, North Edinburgh News.
⮑ The Minute first shared Davy's fundraiser for the bid in 2024.
"I was told I had two or three years left to live. I'm seven years on and I've just fought my way up the ladder to get on the team at the Paralympics." - Davy Zyw's story was featured by the ParalympicsGB team in this post yesterday.
🗺️ A new live version of the Race Across the World TV show is coming to Edinburgh in April. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
⮑ You can register on the game's website.
🇺🇦 A wreath laying ceremony was held at the Stone of Remembrance yesterday to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. - Rose Moncur, The Herald + Provost Robert Aldridge wrote a piece in the Evening News, saying:
"We’re proud to be a city of sanctuary – welcoming all those who come here in search of a better life."
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🔥 Firewalk Celebration: Friends & Family Event to Mark 5 Years of Life & Light Chiropractic - 'On Saturday 7th March my business Life and Light Chiropractic is celebrating five years in practice and to mark the milestone we are hosting 40 people for a friends and family firewalk'. - Thanks to Naomi Mills, Life & Light Chiropractic, for sharing this.
🤝 Do you want to grab a £4 bargain and support a good cause?? - Join us Thurs 26 Feb for our fundraising fashion sale where every single item is just £4! and supporting our Community Taskforce Volunteers, helping people across Edinburgh when they need it most 💙 ⏰ 1.30–5.30pm📍 Volunteer Edinburgh, 222 Leith Walk - Thanks to Jason, Volunteer Edinburgh, for sharing this.
🙏 Caregivers Celtic & Chakra Meditation + Journaling [Weekly]
Today, Wed 25 February - Offering Celtic & Chakra meditations with a ceremonial table to activate the 6 senses. Join us for a restorative meditation and journaling experience designed specifically for caregivers like you. You are welcome. Failte
10am to 11am | LifeCare Edinburgh, EH4 1JB | FREE - More details here, shared by Lorna Agnes Mckey.
🖼 Gamma PhotoForum Exhibition [Daily]
Today, Wed 25 February - Gamma PhotoForum 2026 Expo - 80 prints covering all genres of photography. Also two small exhibitions - Dublin Camera Club and the Society's own member prints at the same venue.
10.30am to 3.30pm | Edinburgh Photographic Society, EH3 6QU - More details here, shared by Muriel Binnie, Edinburgh Photographic Society.
♟️ Greenhouse Gambit [Fortnightly]
Today, Wed 25 February - Greenhouse Gambit is an inclusive chess night accompanied with a vinyl dj set from Greenhouse Records. Everyone is welcome, no matter their experience. Come along, meet some friendly faces, listen to beautiful music and enjoy the cosy setting!
6.30pm to 11pm | The Royal Dick Pub, EH9 1PL | FREE - More details here.
More details here, shared by The Portobello Bookshop.
🎲 Quiz in Victoria Bar [Weekly]
Today, Wed 25 February - Goose quizzes runs a weekly quiz night on Wednesday in Victoria bar. Booking essential
8pm to 11pm | Victoria Bar, EH6 8PD - More details here, shared by Victoria bar.
🎶 Tom Hunt + Ailsa and the Seahorses live at Slow Progress Records
Tomorrow, Thu 26 February - New Zealand and Scottish folk combine in an evening of music that spans rolling meadows to small towns through the introspective melodies and lyrics of Tom Hunt and Ailsa and the Seahorses. Free entry or donations to War Child UK.
8pm to 10pm | Slow Progress Records & Coffee, EH1 1NB | FREE - More details here.
🚴 Cycle confidence lessons for adults - one hour lessons for beginners or improvers [Weekly]
Fri 27 February - Our free cycle lessons for adults begin again this Friday. We can provide bike and helmet: if you've cycled as a child but need to develop confidence cycling on roads, or if you've never cycled but want to learn - come and give cycling a try!
10am to 12.30pm | Porty Active Travel Hub, EH15 1BR | FREE - More details here, shared by Porty Community Energy.
🎶 Come and Play Session! Musical Sounds at St George's School Nursery
Fri 27 February - Fun Friday mornings led by our Junior School Music Teacher in our Nursery! Open for families to attend with 1-3 year olds. Free entry!
10.30am to 11am | St George's Nursery, EH12 6BG | FREE - More details here.
🎤 BYOMaterial Open Mic Night [Monthly]
Fri 27 February - 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.
🎶 Concert with the Jen Ewan Band
Fri 27 February - Fresh from supporting the legendary Bill Bailey on tour, the Jen Ewan Band brings us their stirring and richly layered mix of original songs, Swamp Blues and old-time Cajun dance music from the bayous and plains of French Louisiana
7pm to 8pm | French Institute of Scotland, EH1 1RN - More details here, shared by Institut français d'Écosse.
🧒 Children's Preloved Sale and Coffee Morning (Fundraiser for the Corstorphine Village Playgroup)
Sat 28 February - Shop good-quality, preloved children's books, toys and clothes and raise money for the Corstorphine Village Playgroup. Plus All That Sparkles will be doing facepainting between 10-11am!
9.30am to 11.30am | Corstorphine Old Parish Church, EH12 7ST | FREE - More details here, shared by Lizzi Jones, Corstorphine Village Playroup.
🖍️ World Book Day Activity Sessions at The Portobello Bookshop
Sat 28 February - To celebrate World Book Day, The Portobello Bookshop are hosting FREE activity sessions for kids. This Sat, we'll be making our own book-themed zines. More events on website now, including a Wonka-themed activity session with author Sibéal Pounder.
10am to 11am | The Portobello Bookshop, EH15 1DA | FREE - More details here, shared by The Portobello Bookshop.
🧩 Community event at Prestonfield Bowling Green
Sat 28 February - Plant spring flowers "in the green" Fruit tree pruning workshop 11am-12noon Have fun practicing hula hooping, circus skills and enjoy silent disco Help to get the new community green space ready for the growing season
11am to 2pm | Old Prestonfield Bowling Green, EH16 5EU | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust.
🌿 Nature School for Grownups
Sat 28 February - Nature School for Grownups is a playful outdoor gathering for adults. Through nature-based activities and sensory exploration, we'll slow down, connect with the natural world, and enjoy being together in a relaxed, welcoming space. This event is free
1.30pm to 4.30pm | Bridgend Farmhouse Cafe, EH16 4TE | FREE - More details here, shared by Natasha Lowery-Lewis.
🌿 Regulate and Reset Yoga Workshop [Monthly]
Sat 28 February - This is a 2-hour workshop to support the nervous system using different up & down regulation practices. Each session closes with tea & a debrief, so you leave feeling grounded. To book, visit East Side Yoga, head to Workshops and reserve your place.
2pm to 4pm | East Side Yoga, EH1 3RZ | £30 - More details here, shared by Nick Tang.
🎶 Ceilidh - Fundraiser for Scots Music Group [Monthly]
Sat 28 February - Monthly ceilidh with local live bands with caller! Great fun and chance to dance and meet new folk
7.30pm to 11pm | St Brides Centre, EH11 2DZ | £12 (£8 concession) - More details here, shared by Paul McIntosh, Scots Music Group.
🎶 Aurora Ensemble feat. Marcus Vinícius: Double Bass Concertos and Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty
Sun 01 March - Dynamic Brazilian Double Bassist Marcus Vinícius premieres new versions of Thomas de Hartmann's bass concerto and Amy Beach's Romance. Also features Tchaikovsky's glittering ballet music and a makers market with work by orchestra members and friends.
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Broughton St Marys Parish Church, EH3 6NE | £10, £5 concessions - More details here, shared by Tim Espin, Aurora Ensemble.
🤝 Edinburgh Trash Club at Hawthornvale Path
Tue 03 March - Join us at the basketball court at North Fort Street Park to clear up the messy section of the Hawthornvale Path. Please bring a headtorch or light of some kind. We'll head to Dreadnought around 8. Email us at edinburghtrashclub@gmail.com for any qs!
7pm to 8.30pm | North Fort Street Park, EH6 4RA | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Trash Club.
🍻 Piccalilli & Jump/ship
Wed 04 March - We have paired 4 Jump/ship non alcoholic beers with 4 Scottish cheeses and Sonja and Emma will be here to chat you through each of them. Tickets are available from the bar or by email.
7.30pm to 10pm | Piccalilli, EH9 2NP | £10 - More details here, shared by Emma Urquhart, Piccalilli.
⚡ ️ Shape Scotland's Energy Future: community energy hustings
Thu 05 March - Who owns what and who benefits in the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy? With elections upcoming, questions about local power are more pressing than ever. Join in person or online to hear from political candidates and pose your questions
7pm to 8.30pm | Grassmarket Community Project & Coffee Saints Cafe, EH1 2QA | FREE - More details here, shared by Community Energy Scotland.
🎨 CANARY!
Fri 06 March - Friday 6th March - Hot Snakes Studio presents "CANARY!" An exhibition by Alice B Simpson, a marriage of humour and existential panic with art. Next in our 2026 Mini Exhibitions at Custom House Gallery Leith (Launch 6pm Fri, Open 10-6pm Sat/Sun).
6pm to 10pm | Custom House Leith, EH6 6LH | FREE - More details here, shared by Robbie, Hot Snakes Studio.
🎭 Theatre Book Club: Inspector Morse
Sat 07 March - This collaborative book club from Blackwell's and Capital Theatres is just the thing to take you from page to stage. In this season of events we're reading classics, a modern middle-grade award winner and some thrillers!
1.15pm to 5.15pm | Blackwell's Bookshop, EH1 1YS - More details here, shared by Katie, Capital Theatres.
🎷 Scottish National Jazz Orchestra ft. Joe Locke & Tommy Blaize - POP! ROCK! SOUL!
Sat 07 March - Award-winning master vibraphonist, Joe Locke, and Lead Singer of the BBC Strictly Come Dancing band, Tommy Blaize, join the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra to perform a wonderful selection of tracks taken from the modern American songbook!
7.30pm to 10pm | The Usher Hall, EH1 2EA | £7-£30 - More details here, shared by Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.
🧘 Flow from Home Online [Weekly]
Tue 10 March - Your yoga mat in the comfort of your own home. Feel energised for your day ahead.
7.30am to 8.15am | In your own home | £6 - More details here, shared by Claire C.
🧩 Game Designer Meetup with Iain McAllister: A Discussion on Board Game Media Interaction
Tue 10 March - If you've made a game and want people to actually hear about it, join our first Game Designer Meetup of 2026 with tabletop journalist Iain McAllister for practical PR tips.
6.30pm to 8.30pm | suite 4 | FREE - More details here, shared by Ancient Robot Workshop.
🗣️ Wine and Womb Night - Lets Talk Periods
Wed 11 March - Just like Mother Nature has 4 seasons to her cycle, so does your menstrual cycle. It's more than just a period! Come & learn about the 4 phases of your cycle, with 4 paired wines for a bit of fun with Menstrual Cycle and Life Coach, Lizzy Kurtzer.
6.30pm to 8.30pm | A Wee Taste, EH3 9LJ | £28 - More details here, shared by Lizzy Kurtzer, Inner Connection Coach.
💖 Final Week to Join - From Clutter to Clarity
Thu 12 March - Starting 12 March at The Salisbury Centre. A three-week spiritual decluttering course blending KonMari Method® principles, Swedish Death Cleaning, and mindful reflection. Create space for what truly matters.
1.30pm to 3.30pm | The Salisbury Centre, EH16 5AB - More details here, shared by Rebecca Jo-Rushdy, Spark Joy & Flow.
🎥 Wild Song - Full Programme Now Live
Thu 12 March - Edinburgh's new music video film festival has announced its inaugural programme, featuring videos from Franz Ferdinand, DJ Shadow, Courtney Barnett, Young Fathers, Rachel White, Cherry West, VLURE, Anna Meredith, Hamish Hawk and more!
8pm to 10pm | Cameo Picturehouse, EH3 9LZ | £5 - More details here.
🧠 Gestalt Therapy Open Day
Sat 14 March - Gestalt Therapists Gillian Allan and Karen Nimmo are offering a day of free 30 min intro sessions. Gestalt Therapy can help with a wide range of emotional and relationship difficulties. We look forward to meeting you and exploring how we can help.
10am to 4.30pm | Belgrave Business Centre, EH2 1EN | FREE - More details here, shared by Karen Nimmo.
🏃 Yoga for Runnera
Sun 15 March - Good Time Yoga presents Yoga for Runners at Up & Running Edinburgh. Come and join us for yoga and a test run round the West End - finishing up with great coffee and tasty treats with good folk. Absolute beginners absolutely welcome!
8.30am to 11.15am | Up and Running, EH2 4QW | 16 - More details here, shared by Sim, Up & Running / Good Time Running Club.
🎨 Create Your Own Flower Bouquet
Sat 21 March - Looking for something different to give your mum this Mother's Day? Make memories together or treat her to some well-deserved creative time with our Create Your Own Bouquet Workshop. Learn to design and laser-cut everlasting acrylic flowers.
1pm to 4pm | Edinburgh Open Workshop, EH6 7BQ | £55 - More details here, shared by Ruth Findlay, Edinburgh Open Workshop.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🚧 New live interactive map of all planned roadworks.
- 🤝 26 local jobs on the weekly Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network noticeboard.
- 🇫🇷 Dominion cinema to host free screening of Amélie.
- 📵 Final week to have your say in school phone ban consultation.
- 🛗 Joppa pensioner 'at wits' end' as escalator out of action for five weeks.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 849.
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