The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 17 - 19 April 2026
South Gyle data centre rejection appealed, new home for Edinburgh Art Festival, Causewayside Lads' Institute building listed, Bannerman's bar closing for two months + your weekend guide
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. It's a busy end to the week and I've tried to keep things as short as possible. Thanks to everyone who's contributed this week! The newsletter is always so much better thanks to you. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather: A 90% chance of rain today. Light rain also forecast for Saturday but it's looking drier on Sunday. A top temperature of 15C today, falling to 5C on Sunday morning. Sunnier towards the end of next week. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🔋 The developer behind plans for a 'green' data centre at South Gyle has appealed a council decision in February to reject it. - Read more about Shelborn's appeal case on the Scottish Government website.
- The period for members of the public to comment on the appeal ends on 28 April.
- The Planning Democracy charity shared a guide on how people can ensure their views are heard in planning appeals in Scotland. - Read it here.
⛔️ The Queensferry Crossing bridge is due to close for three nights of 'essential maintenance works' from 24 April. - Ruth Suter, Daily Record.
🏋️♂️ Edinburgh Leisure will end its loyalty points scheme on 12 May, with members able to use them until 31 August. - The organisation is now looking into a 'refreshed members rewards offer', reports Heather Carrick in the Evening News.
- ⮑ Meanwhile EL is also currently promoting its £20 Spring Pass, offering two weeks of unlimited access across its gyms, pools and fitness classes this month. - More details here.
🎭 Edinburgh Art Festival has unveiled the first part of its programme for August, along with its new 'permanent space' at 92 Constitution Street in Leith. The festival's events are planned between 14-30 August at venues across the city, including Custom Lane, Bard, Brown's of Leith, the Biscuit Factory, the Palestine Museum, The Scottish Gallery, Fruitmarket, City Art Centre, Stills, Talbot Rice Gallery, Dovecot, Craigmillar Now, Collective on Calton Hill, Printmakers, all the NGS venues, the Botanics, Jupiter Artland and more. EAF's full events launch is planned for 28 May. - Full details so far are here.
🍽️ The former Armenian restaurant building in Abbeyhill could be turned in to a holiday rental property if plans are approved. - James Delaney, BBC Scotland News.
🎸 Bannerman's rock bar in the Cowgate is closing for at least two months from 26 April, 'due to an ongoing ingress of water'. The owners published a statement on Instagram saying they're working to rearrange affected gigs.
- Last week it was reported that the owners of the nearby Cabaret Voltaire venue were seeking £500,000 in damages from Scottish Water in a row over flooding. (Minute edition 883). Each venues is either side of South Bridge. It's currently unclear if the water issues are linked.
🗳️ Ahead of the Scottish Parliamentary election on 7 May, the BBC in Edinburgh has announced plans to broadcast a radio debate. Residents are invited to send in their questions to the candidates for the Edinburgh Central constituency. - More details here.
🎓 The University of Edinburgh has opened a new engineering hub at its King’s Buildings campus. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.
🏗️ The Causewayside Lads' Institute building has been listed by Historic Environment Scotland. The Ratcliffe Terrace building is currently subject to plans for student accommodation. - The new listing was confirmed yesterday by Historic Environment Scotland, who said: "We have taken into account the determining factors related to special architectural or historic interest and have found that that there are no policy or other factors that suggest we should not list the building." Thanks to Andy Arthur for sharing this background piece:
🥳Nice little email this morning that the Causewayside Lads' Club building has survived attempts by developers to demolish it and has successfully been protected by listing. More on the story of this place and its unusual founder here: threadinburgh.scot/2024/04/13/t... cc @edinburghminute.com
— Andy Arthur💃🏰⚓🦌 Threadinburgh 🧵 (@threadinburgh.scot) 2026-04-16T10:15:14.403Z
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - people-powered news:
🎨 The Open Door Makers Market Artists Call - 'Calling all local artists! Take part in the first Morningside Makers Market on 30th May, organised by the Open Door, a charity supporting older people with complex needs. Applications close in one week.' - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🎷 Jake Leg Jug Band at the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club
Today, Fri 17 April - 'This Friday, 17 April, the Jake Leg Jug Band will visit the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club. The authentic sound of 1920s & 30s America: Jazz, Blues, Ragtime, and Gospel - songs of murder, betrayal, gambling, liquor, and redemption.'
8pm to 11pm | Heriot's Rugby Club, EH3 5QN | £12.00 & £15.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club.
🥧 Vegan pie fundraiser for Tribe Animal Sanctuary Scotland
Tomorrow, Sat 18 April - 'Veez Vegan pies and heat at home meals at Leith Walk policebox EH7 4LT. By suggested minimum donation. The pies freeze well so stock up for the summer.'
11am to 5pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups, EH7 4LT - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith walk polisbox popups.
🎉 AGM and Open Day
Tomorrow, Sat 18 April - 'Come along to the Crannie AGM and Open Day. Lunch included. All free! All ages welcome.'
12pm to 4pm | The Crannie Community Hub, EH8 8BE - More details here, shared by The Crannie.
🎶 Breathe well. Sing well. Live well
Sun 19 April - 'Join award winning opera singer and voice teacher Louise Macdonald, who is leading a series of singing/ voice workshops for women. Breathwork meets singing for a life- affirming experience! Suitable for all levels/ ages. Attend all or one session.'
3.30pm to 4.30pm | The Salisbury Centre, EH16 5AB | £22.38 - More details here, shared by Alicia Hendrick.
🥃 EH Evenings at Holyrood Distillery
Sun 19 April - 'Holyrood Distillery have released the next batch of tickets for EH Evenings in May & June. Exclusively for EH residents, we are offering spaces on our classic Tour and Tasting for just £5 - which will be donated in full to Edinburgh Food Project.'
4.30pm to 5.30pm | Holyrood Distillery, EH8 9SH | £5 charity donation - More details here, shared by Holyrood Distillery.
📌 Looking further ahead:
🌀 Embodying the Creative Self: a meeting of the ancient practice of Qigong with expressive movement [Monthly]
Sat 25 April - 'Two highly experienced movement and well-being practitioners offer an innovative workshop to explore creativity and a deeper sense of self.'
10am to 1pm | Shoreline Studio, EH15 1HD | £95 per workshop - More details here, shared by Susan Scarth, Movement Psychotherapy.
🛍️ Flea Market [Monthly]
Sat 25 April - 'Browse 45+ stalls packed with pre-loved items. From clothes and jewellery to books, antiques and other collectibles, there's something for everyone. The Drill Hall Cafe is open selling teas, coffees and hot and cold snacks.'
10am to 3pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, EH6 8RG | FREE - More details here, shared by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
🌸 A Joyful Spring Gathering: Forest Bathing & Aromatherapy at Dr. Neil's Garden🌻
Sat 25 April - 'Celebrate the magic of the spring with an immersive Forest Bathing Walk & Aromatherapy Workshop. Includes mindful walk, tea ceremony, light lunch, workshop and your own hand-crafted perfume to take home. Spaces limited🌻🌱.'
10.30am to 3pm | Dr Neil's Garden, EH15 3PX | £79 - More details here, shared by Rosie McLoughlin, Wild Rose Forest Therapy.
🌍 People's Emergency Briefing Film
Sat 25 April - 'Join us for this National Emergency Briefing film with Chris Packham presenting leading experts on the national implications of climate and nature breakdown - with credible, positive responses - a single, accessible account, followed by discussion'
2.30pm to 4pm | St Ninian's Scottish Episcopal Church, EH4 1AG | FREE - More details here, shared by Elizabeth Morton, St Ninian's Episcopal Church.
🎶 Ceilidh - Fundraiser for Scots Music Group
Sat 25 April - '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.
🛝 Gayle's Guide has lots of family-friendly things to do for the final weekend of the Easter holidays, including the Japan Sakura event at Lauriston Castle.
