The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 20 - 22 February 2026
GP warned over Legionella risk, New Town hotel plans, Portobello Food Market returns + Chinese New Year Market this weekend
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. Another busy Friday edition: all the local news I can find this morning, your community notices and the weekend guide. Big thanks again to everyone who sends things in, shares the newsletter or supports it. It wouldn't exist without you. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather: The forecast is for heavy rain at times today, light rain on Saturday, then a bit of sunshine between showers on Sunday. A high of 11C on Saturday and a low of 6C on Sunday night. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🏥 A GP Practice in Liberton has been given an improvement notice by the Health and Safety Executive due to the 'risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria', reports Keiran Fleming of STV News.
Keiran Fleming
🏨 Plans to demolish the New Town's Centrum House office block on Dundas Street and replace it with a 143-bed hotel went on show at a consultation event this week. - Spurtle has the details, and some local reactions.
🏡 There were 217 property sales worth over £1 million each last year, the highest number in Scotland, according to new data. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.
🏗️ A construction company has been fined £183,000 after one of its workers died in a fall through a fragile roof at Seafield Industrial Estate in October 2022. - Matthew Fulton, STV News.
🚔 A Shandwick Place shopkeeper has said more police action is needed to stop the city's shoplifting problems. - Joe Sullivan, Local Democracy Reporter, in Edinburgh Live + Midlothian View.
- ⮑ Last week it was reported shoplifting in Edinburgh has risen 24% to an average of 27 incidents per day in a six-month period.
🎓 'Edinburgh Uni staff are losing their jobs. Their boss has two' - Paul Dobson reports in The Ferret.
Paul Dobson
🛼 Roller derby, beach running and diving events are among local sports groups chosen to share a £60,000 council funding pot. - The council published more details here.
🎭 Broadcaster Graham Norton says a plan to move the Edinburgh TV Festival away from the city would be 'madness'. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
- ⮑ He spoke about his new role as an ambassador for the Fringe in this new video, saying: "I owe my career to the Edinburgh Fringe and in the last few years I've fallen in love with it again and it's become an annual pilgrimage."
📚 Four Edinburgh publishers - 404 Ink, Birlinn, Charco Press and Leamington Books - have been shortlisted for the Small Press of the Year at the British Book Awards. - Rose Moncur, The Herald.
🎨 The first of a series of weekly live painting events at the RSA on the Mound saw artist Aine Divine paint Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen in front of an audience. - Photos of the event, and details about next week's event, are here + there's a report here by Ryan Nixon of Deadline News.
🌯 Antojitos Cantina is the new kitchen operator at Paradise Palms. - Neil Johnstone, Evening News.
🇲🇽 After 25 years in Stockbridge, the Caoba Mexican shop is moving to Leith. - The shop owners shared details in this Instagram post.
☕️ After two years in business, the Hopetown Coffee cafe on Broughton Street is closing on Sunday. Owners said: "This has been such a difficult decision. We have loved serving the community and bringing hope to Broughton Street.These are challenging times and, sadly, increased costs have made running Hopetown unviable." - More details here.
🍻 Replacing the former Globe bar on Niddry Street, The Boston Bar opens today. - See it here.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
🎻 Celebrating Croftathon success! - Huge thanks to every runner, cook, baker and helper - true collective action! 62 folk did 2,425 laps around the Croft, and throughout our weekend of activities raised £8,324! Every step supported a future rooted in shared land, care and community. - Jaimie MacDonald, Earth in Common.
🎺 Calling all wind and brass players! - We are looking for new members to join our friendly, relaxed, community wind band. We are an amateur ensemble with no auditions required. Rehearsals take place at Morningside United Church at Holy Corner,7.30-9.30 pm on Mondays. - Thanks to Rachel, Central Band Scotland, for sharing this.
✍️ Seeking Edinburgh children’s writers for “Dear Library: Family Story Sessions” - Six writers sought for Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and National Library's 'Dear Library: Family Story Sessions', which will offer free storytelling and craft events to younger readers and their families. Honorarium provided for performance. - Thanks to Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, for sharing this.
🎨 Volunteers Wanted for Pentlands Open Studios Art Trail – 15–16 August - We are looking for: • Flyer and poster distributors • Trail wardens to guide visitors between studios • Information hub volunteers • Studio support volunteers to assist artists in welcoming visitors and managing footfall during the trail weekend. - Thanks to John Elliott, Pentlands Open Studios, for sharing this.
Events shared by readers:
🍕 Sardinian pizza pocket pop up
Today, Fri 20 February - Cuaddu is a unique and authentic Sardinian spin on pan baked pizza. Eaten on the go - it's street food as the pizza gods intended. Serving from 11-4 Friday 20th Feb
11am to 4pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups, EH7 4LT - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith walk polisbox pop ups.
🎷 Jerry Forde's New Phoenix Jazz Band at the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club
Today, Fri 20 February - If you're a dancer in Edinburgh, this Friday (20th Feb) is a "must-attend." The New Phoenix Jazz Band, led by Jeremy Forde and featuring Christine Adams on vocals, is returning to the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club.
8pm to 11pm | Heriot's Rugby Club, EH3 5QN | £12.00 & £15.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club.
Saturday:
🖼 Gamma PhotoForum Exhibition [Daily]
Tomorrow, Sat 21 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 | FREE - More details here, shared by Muriel Binnie, Edinburgh Photographic Society.
EPS In-Person Only
🍽️ Free but ticketed foraging walk
Tomorrow, Sat 21 February - Last minute spaces now available. Learn how to find food in the green spaces around us. The foraging gardener will take you on a walk of discovery. Perfect for food and nature lovers. Supported by ECCAN
11am to 12.30pm | Leith Walk Police Box pop ups, EH7 4LT | FREE - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith Walk policebox popups.
🧩 A Nice Day Out - Climbing
Tomorrow, Sat 21 February - A relaxed bouldering session - beginner friendly but all levels welcome! No instruction, just space to climb and chat and friendly faces around to help. Coffee and walk afterwards by the beach. Email anicedayoutclub@gmail.com for a discount link.
11.30am to 1.30pm | The Climbing Hangar Edinburgh, EH7 6XD - More details here, shared by A Nice Day Out.
🛍️ HelloArt Lunar New Year Market
Tomorrow, Sat 21 February - Celebrate culture, creativity, and the spirit of the Lunar New Year with HelloArt at the Drill Hall this Saturday. Immerse yourself in Chinese culture, indulge in your favourite Chinese treats and dive into meaningful New Year activities.
12pm to 5pm | The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, EH6 8RG | FREE - More details here, shared by Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
🎥 Witcher Inspired Workshop
Tomorrow, Sat 21 February - This Saturday in Edinburgh, learn to move like the Witcher with fast, flashy sword choreography taught by a professional stuntman. Safe training weapons, cinematic movement, and a rare one day chance to step into action. No experience necessary.
12pm to 6pm | Heriot's Centre for Sport & Exercise Ltd, EH1 2HJ - More details here, shared by Spada HEMA.
🎶 Natasha Kitty Katt Record Launch Party
Tomorrow, Sat 21 February - Natasha Kitty Katt will be at Umbrella Vinyl to celebrate the release of her vinyl EP 'Cybernetique'! It features 2 dancefloor-ready tracks - 'Cybernetique' & 'Neural Net'. Natasha will be in-store to greet fans, talk about her music & play records!
4pm to 6pm | Umbrella Vinyl, EH3 9LR | FREE - More details here, shared by Laura, Umbrella Vinyl.
🎶 Charity concert by Edinburgh Police Choir
Tomorrow, Sat 21 February - Saturday evening concert to raise funds for Scotland na Kenya-Pamoja for Children, a charity which supports children and young people in Kenya by promoting projects which support education, health & relief of poverty. www.facebook.com/scotlandnakenya
6.30pm to 8pm | Liberton Northfield Parish Church, EH16 5TT | Donations at door - More details here.
🎶 The Grocer's Music Club
Tomorrow, Sat 21 February - Leading vocal ensemble bringing 16th century music to life.
7.30pm to 9pm | Edinburgh New Town Church, EH2 2PA - More details here, shared by Georgian Concert Society.
🪩 Supper Club
Tomorrow, Sat 21 February - All-vinyl all-genre club night Supper Club is back at the West Port Oracle - we're in the basement from 8, free entry, and - bonus! - the room looks a bit like the inside of a plane ✈️
8pm to 1am | West Port Oracle, EH1 2LD | FREE - More details here, shared by Supper Club.
Sunday:
🌿 Willow Weaving Workshop - Bird Feeder
Sun 22 February - Hands-on workshop to make willow birdfeeder. Perfect for a garden or window latch or handmade gift. Materials, tools, tuition are provided + birdfeed balls. Take home your completed piece + willow weaving skills. A relaxing way to spend your Sunday!
1.30pm to 4.30pm | Away with Willow Coffins, EH10 5LS | £45 - More details here, shared by Koren, Away with Willow.
🧘♀️ Creating space in body and mind - Yoga workshop
"Sunday 22nd February 3pm-5pm - Join me for a yoga workshop « Creating space for body and mind ». 2 hours to slow down, breathe, relax and practice yin yoga. Beginners welcome." - Thanks to Manon for sharing this.
🪨 Rock On!
Sun 22 February - A community walk featuring rocks at the edge of Edinburgh for the Festival of Terminalia
2pm to 4pm | Wardie Bay, EH5 1ER | FREE - More details here, shared by Tamsin Grainger.
🧘 Roll & Release Workshop
Sun 22 February - Using therapy balls to massage the body, we can improve mobility and relieve aches and pains. This month will be focusing on the fascia and muscles around the hips, plus some grounding breath work and relaxation.
3pm to 5pm | Ashtanga Yoga Edinburgh & Hillside Collective, EH7 5JT | £45 - More details here, shared by Emma McCready.
🤣 Historically Funny
Sun 22 February - Beat the post-Valentine blues with the funniest sit-down nae-walking tour of Edinburgh's filthy history. Grab a drink, get a seat and have a laugh with Susan Morrison. History meets comedy and one of them gets a nasty disease......
5pm to 6pm | The Stand Comedy Club, EH1 3EB - More details here, shared by Susan Morrison, Stand Comedy Club.
🛝 Plenty of family-friendly things to do this weekend and beyond in Gayle's Guide, including: Friday Night Family Jazz, Lunar New Year fun, a new musical instrument library and more...
Gayle’s Guide
