The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 7 Wednesday 2026
Pay to park at the Pentlands, new statue for Princes Street Gardens, Lane7 opening second venue, long walk for Sudan arrives in town + ice skating on the Inverleith Park pond
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Here’s today's Edinburgh Minute.
❄️ We're half way through another a full week of freezing temperatures. The council's gritters were out again last night 'treating priority pavements, cycle lanes and roads'. A further Met Office yellow warning for icy conditions continues until 10am this morning. - Get the Met Office forecast here.
- People were ice skating on the Inverleith Park pond yesterday. - Photos by Alan Simpson in The Edinburgh Reporter.
Skating on Inverleith Pond today
— The Edinburgh Reporter (@edinreporter.bsky.social) 2026-01-06T14:27:39.924Z
🚔 An 81-year-old man was taken to hospital after being hit by a car as it was driven on Queensferry Road near Dean Bridge on New Year's Day. - Police Scotland published an appeal here.
🗳️ Ash Regan, an independent MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, has been suspended from Holyrood for two days after being found to have breached the MSP code of conduct. - STV News.
🅿️ New mandatory parking fees are being introduced at four Pentland Hills carparks. Permits will be available for regular users. - Donald Turvill, The Herald.
🎳 Lane7, which has a bowling venue at the St James Centre, is planning to open a second site at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre in Leith. - Thanks to a reader for sending this in. There's coverage in the Evening News, and BDaily.
🏠 An abandoned former Sick Kids' hospital townhouse near the Meadows could be turned into serviced apartments. - Lee Dalgetty, Edinburgh Live + Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.
🌳 The first images have been released of a new memorial statue in Princes Street Gardens to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. - Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.
- There are more recent planning applications in this round-up by Phyllis Stephen of The Edinburgh Reporter.
🍣 Yo! Sushi on Princes Street has closed. - Chloe Goodall, Edinburgh Live.
🍽️ The family-run Charwood restaurant in Fairmilehead is closing after 12 years in business. The owners are retiring. - Jacob Farr, Edinburgh Live.
🚚 Bringing 'man-with-a-van' services up to date, Edinburgh woman Hannah Crawford has launched her own 'Han-with-a-van' business. - Nicholas Malizia, Edinburgh Live.
📍 For local history fans: As part of celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Edinburgh Medical School, architect Malcolm Fraser will be lecturing, alongside historian Harriet Blakeman, on “A Deep History of Health and Healing in Edinburgh” on 5 February at the ECCI on Infirmary Street. - More details and tickets are here.
📆 A stalwart of the local tech industry, James Baster is relaunching Open Tech Calendar. He'll be talking about it at an event later this month. - More details in this week's Campfire newsletter by Robert Gelb.
Robert Gelb
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📌 “3 brave young men are walking the length of UK in freezing temperatures for peace and to draw attention to the plight of the people of Sudan. They will arrive in Edinburgh on Tuesday and stay for 2 days. Please welcome them if you see them and look out for details on a meeting. Peace.” - Thanks to subscriber Sheila for sharing this.
📌 “Gringo Supperclub's 7th Feb event goes on sale at 8am today, an 8 course tasting menu inspired by our experiences in Mexico City and Oaxaca. Get your booking in early to avoid disappointment.” - Thanks to Kevin & Paulina, Hosts, Gringo Supperclub, for sharing this. (See the menu here)
📌 “Edinburgh Open Workshop is kicking off January with a hands-on programme of creative courses designed to help people turn resolutions into reality - learn new skills in welding, woodworking and furniture upcycling. Join us in the workshop for one-day or weekly classes.” - Thanks to the workshop for sharing this.
📌 “Is this the year you start working with SoulCollage? Learn more about this rewarding and revelatory practice, and start building your personal deck of SoulCollage cards at two-step Introductory Sessions at Submarine in Stockbridge. Wednesday or Sunday options from 11th Jan.” - Thanks to Kirstie Skinner, SoulCollage Facilitator, for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 10th January. Cheese lovers! Join artisan cheesemaker Kristen Allan for a hands-on mozzarella and burrata workshop. Dive into the joy of fresh cheese making from start to finish, enjoy a relaxed lunch together and take home the cheese you make in the class.” - Thanks to Kristen for sharing this.
📌 “Sat 10th January, 12.30 — Edinburgh Iyengar Yoga Centre starts a new Winter Warmer Active Yoga Class, aimed to young adults full of invigorating dynamic. As usual use the code UNDER30 to get a discount if you are under 30.” - Thanks to Elena Rodchenko, Iyengar Yoga Teacher, for sharing this.
📌 “Monday 12 January: Charity quiz night at Riddle's Court! A chance to test your knowledge - brought to you by the Roaming Quizman: @rqmentertainment! You can bring your own team, or we can put you into one, whichever you prefer.” - Thanks to Scottish Historic Buildings Trust for sharing this.
📌 “Tuesday 13 January: Writers: ever wondered how to adapt your prose for the screen? Author Niamh Hargan has adapted two of her three novels for film/TV and is developing a new idea for TV. She'll discuss the differences in novel planning vs episodic planning - 7pm at The Edinburgh Bookshop, price includes a drink.” - Thanks to Edinburgh Writers' Forum for sharing this.
📌 “We are currently recruiting participants for a 💷PAID💷 study involving listening exercises and personal and social well-being. You can indicate interest here.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this. See more details in this poster.
📌 “Southside Community Centre Association SCIO are seeking new Trustees, including one to serve as Treasurer. They are a growing charity doing interesting work through the provision of well managed community spaces, and in areas such as challenging poverty.” - Thanks to the centre for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🦢 'Only a swan could fall through broken ice so gracefully'. [1,100 clicks]
- 🚲 Gilmerton Road features in Near Miss of the Day series. [1,060 clicks]
- 🦆 2025's annual local wildlife round-up from Tom Kelly. [700 clicks]
- 📆 The List's off-beat events happening in Edinburgh in 2026. [400 clicks]
- 🛟 Rescue team called to Threipmuir reservoir after woman falls through ice. [400 clicks]
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⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 807.
📬 Free subscribers: 27,000+.
📲 Visits generated for local news sources: 1,000,000+.
