The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 25 March 2026

🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. The weekly Culture Minute newsletter lands later today for paying subscribers. I've been sending Culture Minute previews to free subscribers for a while, but from today onwards you'll have to pay. It's about time paying subscribers got something just for them. Your support adds up and really helps keep the Minute going, so thanks to those who can and do! The daily newsletter will always be free and ad-free (no matter how tempting it is to change that, I haven't for three years and never will). Here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.

💻 Hundreds of University of Edinburgh staff are urging the uni to end its deal with OpenAI, citing geopolitical issues and claiming 'data centres have massive climate footprints.' - Juliette Rowsell, Times Higher Education.

• The staff open letter has 350 signatures and can be read here.

🏫 St Cuthbert’s Primary School in Slateford was closed yesterday after a structural issue was found during 'routine health and safety checks'. - Jacob Farr, Edinburgh Live & Iona Young, BBC Scotland News.

🚔 A 44-year-old man died in hospital yesterday following a collision between an electric bike and a van on Old Dalkeith Road last Friday. - Police are appealing for dash-cam footage to help them investigate.

• A 50-year-old man was in a 'serious but not critical' condition in hospital after being found injured in Wardlaw Street in Gorgie yesterday afternoon. A 39-year-old man was arrested. - Police Scotland published this statement.
• Local MP Scott Arthur said: "We've been hit by four serious knife attacks in Edinburgh South West over the past 22 days. We can look at these as isolated moments, or we can face the uncomfortable possibility that they form part of a wider, more systemic pattern." - More in his blog post here.

🏫 The council has lodged plans for the long-awaited expansion of Craigmount High School's capacity from 1,400 pupils to 1,800. A two-storey extension is proposed the Gyle school, adding new indoor sports facilities and additional classrooms. 'Summer 2029' is the extension's target opening date. - The early plans are here and there's a page about it on the council website.

🏨 At this morning's planning meeting councillors will look at Dakota Hotels' plans to demolish the office block on the corner of Dundas Street and Fettes Row. - See the full agenda and reports here.

• Councillors will also look at plans for a new AI data centre on Green Belt land near Heriot-Watt University’s Riccarton Campus and next to the Union Canal. - The report is here.

🎬 Circus Place in Stockbridge is closed from 6am to 6pm until Friday for a film shoot. There's some speculation as to what's being filmed but so far nothing verified. Feel free to send in your news tips here. The closures also affect St Stephen Street, St Vincent Street, Cumberland Street and its Lanes, Royal Circus and Circus Lane, according to the council road closures document (on page 3).

⛺️ A Scottish Government bid to evict travellers from a site in Granton are delayed, with a court case set for July. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.

🏠 With construction beginning on more student flats in Fountainbridge, the Living Rent tenant and community union is hosting a 'family-friendly public meeting' with councillors tonight from 6pm to 8pm at the St Brides Centre. - More details here.

🍺 The Stockbridge Tap has closed for a refurb. There's no confirmed reopening date, but manager Neil Hunter says then plan is to 'give our loyal regulars and new customers a better version of the local they love'. - Scottish Licensed Trade News. Thanks to a Minute subscriber for sharing this.

🐣 This year's public sailings to the Isle of May begin next week. David Steel, manager of the nature reserve, shared this video and a blog post from the island in the Forth and plans to share more news throughout the week. He says:

"Over the next week we’ll hopefully see the mass return of Puffins to the island. Shags might consider nest building whilst the Auks (Razorbills and Guillemots) should hopefully be attending cliff ledges. And this is just the start! As ever we’ll keep you posted so stay tuned."

📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard

⮑ Please get in touch using this form. < It’s the only way to get something featured in the newsletter.

🗳️ Survey on voting in the upcoming Scottish election - 'Hi! I'm a Journalism student doing a research project on the upcoming Scottish election. Responses will be used in a research report, which will be anonymous and shared with my class and teacher only. Any and all ages welcome!' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

🍿 'Leith Short Film Festival has now officially launched and submissions are now live!' - More details here, shared by Leith Short Film Festival.

🌱 A Fresh Start - Planting Seeds of Happiness through Meditation
Tomorrow, Thu 26 March - 'Special evening meditation event in Leith- don't miss this opportunity to receive teachings and guidance from International Kadampa Buddhist Teacher, Kadam Bridget Heyes, as she helps us find clarity, confidence and optimism for the future.'
7pm to 8.30pm | Kadampa Meditation Centre Edinburgh, EH6 5EA | £15.00 - More details here, shared by Kadampa Meditation Centre Edinburgh.

🌱 Caley Veg Growing Workshops: Growing Tender Crops
Sat 28 March - 'In this two hour workshop we'll have some hands on activities and cover topics such as sowing seeds, potting on and the aftercare of tender protected plants.'
10am to 12pm | McHattie Room, EH11 3HR | £20 / £25 - More details here, shared by The Caley.

Successful Veg Growing Workshop: Growing Tender Crops

In this two hour workshop we&#39;ll have some hands on activities and cover topics such as sowing seeds, potting on and the aftercare of tender…

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🎉 North Edinburgh Community Festival Launch
Sat 28 March - 'The launch event of the North Edinburgh Community Festival which takes place on Saturday 16th May. This event is the festival taster with live music, activities, community stalls and food. It's family friendly, open to all and free to attend'
12pm to 2pm | West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre, EH4 4BY | FREE - More details here, shared by North Edinburgh Community Festival.

🎶 Cramond Playgroup -Family Ceilidh
Sat 28 March - 'Come and join us for Music and dancing with Celidh Kids ! There will also be home baking, pre-loved toys and book stalls.'
2pm to 4pm | Cramond Kirk Hall, EH4 6NS | £4pp/£12 family x4 - More details here, shared by Camille Baggs, Cramond Playgroup.

🧘‍♀️ Yin Yoga and Therapeutic Writing workshop
Sat 28 March - 'Have you ever wanted more time to ponder the deeper yogic philosophies behind your yoga practice? Join Emily for a Yin Yoga practice followed by cacao, cake, a journalling session (on the Three Doshas) and a soothing guided Yoga Nidra. All welcome.'
3pm to 5pm | Blue Morpho Edinburgh, EH1 3SB | £22, £18 concessions - More details here, shared by Emily, Yoga Roots U.K.

🕊️ 20th Annual Mindful Peace Walk
Sun 29 March - 'This silent walking meditation is an open event. It will be led by the lay members of the Edinburgh Sangha of the Community of Interbeing. The walk begins at the John Hope Gateway of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.'
9am to 10am | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, EH3 5NZ | FREE - More details here, shared by Neill Walker, Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace.

📚 Edinburgh Graphic Novel Book Club - Zatanna: Bring Down the House
Sun 29 March - 'Graphic novels are serious storytelling and this is proof. Join us for a discussion of Zatanna: Bring Down the House, a stunning standalone story for all levels. Beautiful art, emotional depth, ~1.5hr read. No comics background needed.'
4pm to 6pm | Edinburgh Community Bookshop, EH6 5LQ | FREE - More details here, shared by James Doherty.

Susan Morrison is Historically Funny - The Stand Comedy Club

Walking tours are great, but sometimes the weather isn’t.So come and join us in our cozy club on a comfy seat with a drink in your hand to take a sit-down no…

The Stand Comedy Club

😂 Susan Morrison is Historically Funny
Sun 29 March - 'An utterly hilarious dose of Scotland's filthy history. Sex, swearing and scandal without the effort of walking up a dark close. Grab a drink, take a seat and have a laugh with Susan at the dirtiest history hour around.'
7pm to 10pm | The Stand Comedy Club | £8.00 (conc) £10.00 - More details here, shared by Susan Morrison, The Stand Comedy Club.

🌱 Wellbeing Economy film screening
Wed 15 April - 'Join us for a community screening of 'Purpose' - following the fight for a better economic system, one that prioritises people and planet over endless growth and profit. Followed by a panel discussion.'
6pm to 9pm | Leith Depot, EH6 5DT | donations - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.

🦁 Lion King Workshop: Musical dance , Edinburgh, Scotland - Online Live
Sat 18 April - 'This special workshop is inspired by the spirit of The Lion King - the courage, energy, playfulness,& the feeling of coming back to yourself through movement. We're focusing on what awakens: freedom, expression, & the powerful feeling of being alive.'
11am to 1pm | The Voodoo Rooms, EH2 2AA | £28/ £13 - More details here, shared by Pirita Tuisku, Groove Back!.

🎶 The Gentle Shepherd
Sun 19 April - 'A performance Allan Ramsay's pastoral comedy "The Gentle Shepherd" set in the Pentland Hills - a ballad opera with traditional songs and music. Enjoy this performance of Ramsay's most popular work, performed by members of Opera Caledonia.'
7.30pm to 9pm | Penicuik North Kirk, EH26 8AG | £15/£10 pay less - More details here, shared by Community Arts Penicuik.

🧗‍♂️ Tallest Distillery Abseil
Sat 09 May - 'Are you ready to take your thrill seeking to a new heights? Look no further than the Tallest Distillery Abseil at the Port of Leith Distillery, raising funds for St Columba's Hospice Care. Open to participants age 12 years and over. Register today!'
10am to 1pm | Port of Leith Distillery, EH6 6JH | £30 - More details here, shared by St Columba's Hospice Care.

📮 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:

1. 🎟️ Forever Edinburgh unveils 2026 Resident Days programme.
2. 🚨 Arrest after 2am sexual assault on Brunswick Road in Leith.
3. 🍽️ Newhaven eatery owner fights 'miserable' kitchen culture.
4. 🏨 Questions over 544-bed hostel in West End's Atholl Crescent.
5. 💍 On-stage proposal during One Day musical at Lyceum.

⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 872.
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📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 2,500,000+.

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