The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Wednesday 8 April 2026
Napier uni staff to strike on Friday, Cabaret Voltaire flooding goes to court, daylight robbery from jewellery shop + Royal Terrace Gardens 'Cottage' restaurant returns with new owners
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. It's Wednesday which means paying subscribers will receive the 126th weekly Culture Minute newsletter later today. It's easily the city's most comprehensive ad-free culture round-up, covering all of Edinburgh's ticket releases, stage news, creative jobs and funding opportunities. Plus it has a wonderful cast of contributors who know their stuff and truly make it unlike anything you can find elsewhere. Just like this newsletter. Here’s Wednesday's Edinburgh Minute.
🌞 Expect more sunshine with cloudy intervals today. The temperature is forecast to hit 17C, according to the Met Office, which also warns of a high pollen level.
🎓 Workers at Edinburgh Napier University are planning to walk out on Friday in a strike over 'successive poor pay awards and years of industrial unrest'. - The Unite union published details here.
- Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "University workers deserve far better than a real terms pay cut after over a decade of below-inflation pay rises. They are faced with rising energy, household, transport and food costs while their wages are being slashed."
- "Edinburgh Napier University has a small number of Unite members, and we expect any impact on our students will be minimal," a spokesperson told Rose Moncur of The Herald.
🚉 Local SNP councillors say they are against both proposed new tram line options (Roseburn Path and Orchard Brae) and instead will push for the the southern section of the line to the Royal Infirmary to be built first. - Ian Swanson, The Scotsman / Evening News.
- ⮑ The results of last year's public consultation are expected to be published before June's council transport meeting.
🪩 The owners of the Cabaret Voltaire venue on Blair Street are seeking £500,000 in damages from Scottish Water in a row over flooding. The venue's owner, Scotsman Hospitality, is taking legal action at the Court of Session, but Scottish Water claims the water is related to rain and surface water. - Isla Storie, Edinburgh Live.
💍 Three women were filmed on CCTV stealing more than 200 rings in 15 minutes from Celtic Jewellery and Gemstones on the High Street on Monday. - The shop owners spoke to Kevin Quinn of the Evening News.
🧏♀️ The Edinburgh-based Deaf Action charity warns that deaf people are being put at risk because of changes to specialist services. - Joanne Macaulay, BBC Scotland News.
🍽️ A new owner has taken over the former Gardener's Cottage premises off London Road in Royal Terrace Gardens. It closed in December 2024 (as reported in Minute edition 515). Now open for bookings starting from Friday 1 May, The Cottage at Royal Terrace is being brought back to life by Peter Adshead, whose career spans Michelin-starred dining rooms and Edinburgh’s premier 5-star hotels. - Find out more on their website and on Instagram. Oh and the all-important sample menu is here.
🚧 A series of overnight closures will begin on the A720 City Bypass on Monday, with roadwork sections lasting more than a month. - Heather Carrick, Evening News.
🛍️ Leith Links-based charity Upmo is hosting a pop-up shop selling handmade goods produced by its students on Friday between 11am to 3pm. The charity supports adults with learning disabilities and autism across Edinburgh & the Lothians. - More details here. (Thanks to subscriber Alison for sharing this).
⚽️ Oxgangs woman Laura Thomson has qualified for the FootGolf World Championship in Mexico next month. - Heather Carrick, Evening News.
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🎙️ The Bombing of Edinburgh & Leith 1939 - 1942
Tomorrow, Thu 09 April - 'Join us at the Southside Heritage Group to hear Tom Woods fascinating talk about the bombing of Edinburgh & Leith during World War 2. Tom was Deputy Chief Constable & Director of Operations at Lothian and Borders Police.'
10.30am to 12pm | Nelson Hall Community Centre, EH8 9QZ | voluntary donation - More details here, shared by Southside Heritage Group.
🖋️ Taming the Inner Critic: Wellbeing for Creatives
Tomorrow, Thu 09 April - 'Certified coach Caitlin McDonald leads this wellbeing group session on taming the inner critic - something all creatives struggle with at times! Part of our Creative Roots, Open Wings (CROW) wellbeing series for creative practitioners.'
7pm to 9pm | Corvidaeum Creative Limited, EH6 5DT | £6.13 - More details here, shared by Corvidaeum Creative.
🛍️ Local Independent Designer and Makers Pop-Up [Weekly]
Fri 10 April - 'Join local makers, including jewellers and clothing designers for a pop-up of thoughtfully handmade pieces. Hosted by Savage Collective, a group known for creating independent design pop-ups across Edinburgh.'
10am to 9pm | Stoodio Pop-Up, EH2 1DX | FREE - More details here, shared by Meg, Savage Collective.
🌈 Queer Folks Tales at Scottish Storytelling Centre
Fri 10 April - 'Queer storytellers galore from around Edinburgh and Scotland share stories of LGBTQ+ lives, past, present and future. Sometimes hilarious, often moving, occasionally shocking, the mix of stories is as varied as the range of storytellers we invite.'
7.30pm to 9.30pm | Scottish Storytelling Centre, EH1 1SR | 14 - More details here, shared by Steve Mole.
🌸 The Joy of Painting Flowers
Sat 11 April - 'Join me for a relaxing watercolour workshop, using flowers as inspiration. No previous experience needed. All materials are provided, and your ticket includes coffee, cake or a pastry, your completed artwork(s), and a flower posy to take home. 🌸.'
9.30am to 12pm | Stòr Coffee, EH1 3JU | £75 - More details here, shared by Lezanne Scott.
🪴 Gong Bath, breath & voice Workshop: Resonant Roots
Sat 11 April - 'Join Daniel Killeen for a 4-hour workshop: A deep dive into transformative gong baths. starting with conscious breath work, and vocal release in preparation for a full gong bath. share the space, and find your place within a collective harmony.'
10am to 2pm | Edinburgh Therapy Centre, EH6 6BA | 100 - More details here, shared by Daniel Killeen, Edinburgh Therapy Centre.
🌳 Holyrood Park litter pick
Sat 11 April - 'Join Friends of Holyrood Park for their first event, a litter pick in Holyrood Park! There will be two sessions, 11:00 and 13:30, with a break for a picnic. Equipment will be provided, and everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!'
11am to 3pm | Holyrood Park Education Centre, EH8 8HG | FREE - More details here, shared by Friends of Holyrood Park.
🏐 The Arden Men's and Mixed Netball Tournament
Sat 11 April - 'Join us on Saturday 11th April (2-4pm) for the first Arden Men's & Mixed Netball Tournament. An afternoon of fun competitive gameplay, great vibes and prizes. Open to men's, mixed and ladies teams of all abilities. DM us to enter or for any questions'.
2pm to 4pm | Galleon Sports Centre, EH10 5EG | £50 per team - More details here, shared by Benny, Edinburgh Men’s Netball.
🥚 Easter Family Fun
Sat 11 April - 'Join us for a fun-filled Easter event packed with activities for all ages! Follow the Easter Egg Trail, test your knowledge with themed quizzes, and get creative with Easter Bunny crafts.'
2pm to 4pm | The Heart of Newhaven Community, EH6 4HY | FREE - More details here, shared by Roger.
🎶 Welsh Male Voice Choir in Concert St.Giles Cathedral Saturday April 11th
Sat 11 April - 'A rare opportunity to hear one of Wales foremost Male Voice Choirs in concert. Seven times National Champions, and a 60 year history of accolades as competitors, performers, and collaborators (from Pet shop boys to Shirley Bassey).'
7pm to 9pm | St Giles' Cathedral, EH1 1RE | £20 - More details here, shared by peter edwards.
🌸 Everyone's welcome at LifeCare's Spring Fair!
Sun 12 April - 'Come along to the LifeCare Spring Fair this Sunday with morning rolls, games, raffle, kids' art contest and local treats from Chulos Cookies, Söderberg and The Pastry Section. A family-friendly event supporting the community charity, see you there!'
10.30am to 1.30pm | LifeCare Edinburgh, EH4 1JB | Free to enter - More details here, shared by Claire, LifeCare.
Emily Galloway
🧵 Quilting Bee for Patchwork of Resistance
Sun 12 April - 'Patchwork of Resistance is a collaborative quilt and living archive documenting lived experiences of policing, immigration, ICE enforcement actions, protest, human rights violations & state violence. Free - Beginner Friendly - All materials provided.'
12pm to 4pm | Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative, EH10 4HR | FREE - More details here, shared by ESHC.
🧵 Coats, The Centre of the Thread Universe
Mon 13 April - 'The history of Ferguslie Mills of J&P Coats. A talk by Tom Dowds. Plus tea, coffee and biscuits from 6.30pm.'
7pm to 8pm | Augustine United Church, EH1 1EL | £10, £5 students - More details here, shared by Rosamund Williams, Costume Society Scotland.
👩💻 Free Coding Workshop
Thu 16 April - 'Join us for codebar's April workshop at Accenture! Learn to code in a relaxed, welcoming environment or share your skills with others as a coach. Free pizza and refreshments provided!'
6pm to 8pm | Accenture, EH3 8EX | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh codebar.
🚉 Reopen the South Sub
Thu 23 April - 'Come and hear about Tram Trains for Edinburgh's (TTfE) proposal to reopen the South Sub. It's a practical scheme largely using existing infrastructure, serving the South Side, but also with a regional impact, taking traffic off the bypass.'
7.30pm to 9pm | The Nucleus Building, EH9 3FG | FREE - More details here, shared by Rob Falcon, Tram Trains for Edinburgh.
🎉 Wavetable #50
Thu 23 April - 'Join us for our milestone 50th event in the Wavetable series! Featuring The Shell (experimental/jazz/electronic), GAMING (soulful IDM), and November Group (modern electronic classical).'
7.45pm to 10.15pm | Fruitmarket, EH1 1DF | £11.88 / £9.18 - More details here, shared by Wavetable.
🪚 Woodworking Introduction - Central Edinburgh Weekend Course
Sat 25 April - 'In this fun packed workshop, you'll learn the techniques that underpin consistent quality and confidence for working in wood. Learn sharpening, tool maintenance and skills required for cutting and fitting your project components to make a mallet.'
9.30am to 5pm | Unit 5, EH7 5QZ | £285 - More details here, shared by Isabelle Moore.
🔥 Beltane mandala workshop
Thu 30 April - 'Come create, connect and celebrate the Celtic fire festival. We'll mix folklore, meditation, and mandala creation to welcome the summer.'
7pm to 9pm | The Salisbury Centre, EH16 5AB | £10 - More details here, shared by Raycål, https://www.instagram.com/raycal___/.
🤝 Future UK-EU relations - The State of Play
Sun 10 May - 'This Festival of Europe Scotland event explores ongoing UK & EU negotiations about closer links. Hear from leading trade experts, policy makers, and those close to the discussions about the current position, & what more agreements can be expected.'
11am to 1.15pm | French Institute of Scotland, EH1 1RN | £6 - More details here, shared by Festival of Europe Scotland.
📮 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:
- 🚨 Bus driver attacked by 'large group of youths'.
- 🏡 Two Edinburgh homes up for BBC's House of the Year.
- 🟨 Festival calls in police after 'boycott' spraypaint attack at The Hub.
- 🛍️ What business do you wish would open on Princes Street?
- 🔑 The Edinburgh Tab's 'flat hunting guide on how not to get ripped off'.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 883.
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