The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 23 - 25 January 2026
Vote on school phone ban, £44k up for grabs as Leith Decides voting opens, lost Burns portrait found after 220 years + Porty Food Market this weekend
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. The Minute is back and it's a busy edition to see you in to the weekend. Let's jump right in.
🌦️ Weekend weather: Wet and blustery. There's a chance the showers will ease off on Saturday, so that's your best day for outdoorsy things. Plenty of inspiration in the noticeboard and weekend guide further down the page. Temperatures: a high of 7C today and low of 4C on Sunday. - Get the full Met Office forecast here.
✈️ Around 300 jobs at Crewe Toll's Leonardo UK aerospace factory have been secured after a £453 million UK Government investment in upgrading the RAF’s Typhoon fleet. - Nick Forbes, Evening News.
📵 A consultation on whether mobile phones should be banned in schools has opened. - Have your say on the council website before 2nd March.
🕌 A photo of the racist graffiti painted on a wall outside Edinburgh Central Mosque last Friday has been published by the Muslim Engagement and Development support group. Police are still 'carrying out enquiries', reports Stephen Bark in the Daily Record.
🚑 A Mini was driven into a bus stop on Brougham Street yesterday morning. A woman was taken to hospital and a man was charged by police. - Cara Blackhall, Edinburgh Live.
🏗️ Plans for 172 student flats in Causewayside have been approved by councillors. - Brian Donnelly, The Herald.
🏠 Housebuilding firm AMA faces criticism for requesting more time to build the Cramond sports campus promised 23 years ago. - Matthew Leslie, Edinburgh Inquirer.
Edinburgh Inquirer
⛴️ There are still some 'remaining obstacles with customs checks' before a new ferry service between Rosyth and Dunkirk can begin, reports Rachel Grant, BBC Scotland News.
💰 Leithers are being urged to vote on their favourite local projects from a list of 30 vying for funding from the LeithChooses event. This year's funding pot is £44,707. See all the organisations in the list here. Vote at Leith Community Centre on Saturday between 11am and 3pm.
🌱 The Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust's plans for a new cafe in West Pilton Park have been approved. - Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.
- New lighting has been installed at Baronscourt Park, Hailes Quarry Park and Ferniehill, along with new solar powered lighting at Dundas Park. - BBC Scotland News.
🎸 Rockers Biffy Clyro have announced a headline concert at the Royal Highland Showgrounds at Ingliston on 21 August. - Emily Garner, Kerrang. They'll be supported by local act Swim School.
🖼️ A previously lost portrait of Robert Burns by Sir Henry Raeburn that was missing for 220 years was found during a house clearance. It went on display at the National Gallery of Scotland at The Mound yesterday. - Dave Pickering, North Edinburgh News.
"Raeburn’s expressive, seemingly effortless brushwork, the characteristic warm palette, soft, atmospheric lighting and sensitive rendering of the instantly recognisable Robert Burns, are a joy. This is a significant discovery and one we can all celebrate." - Lesley Stevenson, Senior Conservator (Paintings), at the National Galleries of Scotland.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
📌 "Summerhall Arts Boutique have a callout open for new sellers – a curated retail platform housed within Summerhall in the southside, the Summerhall Arts Boutique works with a selection of artists, designers & makers from Edinburgh and beyond on a participation fee model. More info at the link." - Thanks to Summerhall Arts Boutique for sharing this.
📌 "📚 Do you work in a local school or kids' group? Edinburgh Community Bookshop in Leith would like to donate books where they're most needed, whether you need five or 100. Please email us on hello@edinburghcommunitybookshop.org and we'll be happy to organise some books for you to take away!" - Thanks to A volunteer from Edinburgh Community Bookshop for sharing this.
Friday:
📌 "Friday 23 January, join us at Company Bakery for an evening of unlimited pizza, salad, dips in a relaxed 2-hour session for £20 per person, with two sittings available to suit your plans. On the night, you can also purchase Luca’s ice cream, desserts, carefully selected wines, and local beers." - Thanks to Company Bakery for sharing this.
📌 "Join the Edinburgh Jazz 'n' Jive Club every Friday for a night of live music featuring Scotland’s top musicians. Whether you're here for the Lindy Hop, Balboa, or just the atmosphere, we've got a great wooden dance floor waiting for you at Heriot's Rugby Club, EH3 5QN. Members £10, Guests £12." - Thanks to Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive for sharing this.
📌 "Friday 23 January - Hot Snakes Studio presents "Hobo Spit" An Exhibition by Bailey, a neon soup of GWARist retching and surrealist street art. First of our 2026 Mini Exhibitions at Custom House Gallery Leith (Launch 6pm Fri, Open 10-6pm Sat/Sun)." - Thanks to Robbie from Hot Snakes Studio for sharing this.
📌 "Friday 23 January - Calton Hill Conservation Trust would love some volunteers to help clear leaf litter and sort drains across the Hill. Tools provided, but please bring gloves. RSVP to joe.r.murphy@gmail.com or just turn up at the car park at Calton Hill at 11.00." - Thanks to Joe Murphy from the Calton Hill Conservation Trust for sharing this.
📌 "We are running a pop up at Considerit doughnuts where we serve vegan banh mi sandwiches. Burns night special is vegan haggis with irn bru sriracha, garlic mayo, pickles and coriander" - Thanks to Liam and Nico for sharing this.
📌 "Hello i have a yoga class starting at the club gym 44-48 west bowling green street leith edinburgh on fridays 18:45pm and all yoga half price until 31st january ❤️" - Thanks to Breathe deeply flow freely for sharing this.
📌 "Fri 23 Jan; 7-8.30pm ~ NEW Monthly Lecture Series begins at Kadampa Meditation Centre in Leith with the January topic' IS BUDDHISM SUPERSTITIOUS?'. Join Senior Buddhist nun Gen Kelsang Tubchen for an inspiring evening of learning, reflection, and conversation. Fee £15; everyone welcome." - Thanks to K. Lhasang for sharing this.
Saturday:
📌 "Saturday 24 January, 14:00 : A free sound therapy taster session in Edinburgh, inviting you to slow down, rest your nervous system, and experience deep relaxation through sound. Open to anyone curious about sound healing or simply in need of a gentle pause." - Thanks to Odett Toth, Founder of Reconnect Scotland, for sharing this.
📌 "24 January - Burns supper. Celebrate the poet at Bridgend Farmhouse - delicious food, good company and bonnie surroundings." - Thanks to Bridgend Farmhouse for sharing this.
📌 "On Saturday 24 January the Edinburgh Rugby women take on Gwalia Lightning at Hive Stadium. Experience the power of the Celtic Challenge as our squad fights for glory on home turf. Get your tickets today and back the women's team at home." - Thanks to Edinburgh Rugby for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday 24th January, join Morven at Birchwood Art Studio for a fun, informative and relaxed day of painting winter skies in acrylic paints. Inspired by the atmospheric painting 'Approaching Storm' by Scottish artist Morrison and looking at contemporary Scottish landscape painter Bushe!" - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 "Sat 24th January - BARRE, Bites & Bubbles. Come for a workout, stay for the chats and giggles. A great way to meet some new friendly faces. All abilities welcome." - Thanks to Marpole, 378 Leith Walk, for sharing this.
📌 "24 Jan: Seeing the Now - a workshop exploring Beautiful Bridgend Farmhouse and Craigmillar woods with mindful photography. No experience or fancy equipment needed - take time for yourself in 2026!" - Thanks to Zoe Murdoch from Bridgend farmhouse for sharing this.
📌 "Saturday 24 January: Porty Town Hall Fundraising Ceilidh: Come to Porty Town Hall for a night of music, dance and fun." - Thanks to Portobello Town Hall for sharing this.
📌 "For the second instalment of EPiKA SOFT (at the Bongo Club), we’re thrilled to welcome Aly P - the co-founder of Off:peaK, a platform dedicated to showcasing forward thinking sounds and emerging local Liverpool talent. This is what EPiKA SOFT is about! Another fantastic Scottish debut under EPiKA's belt!" - Thanks to EPiKA for sharing this.
📌 "Sat 24 January, 12.30, Edinburgh Iyengar Yoga Centre continues its Winter Warmer Active Yoga class series with a session focusing on stiff backs and legs, offering supportive cross-training for runners and cyclists. The code UNDER30 at checkout will give a discount for all aged 30 or under." - Thanks to Elena Rodchenko, Iyengar Yoga Teacher, for sharing this.
Sunday:
📌 "Sunday 25 January - Croftathon, 9 am - 9 pm. How far can you go? Release your Forrest Gump - run or walk 5 kms in an hour round Leith Community Croft or Leith Links. And then repeat for as many hours as you want up to 9 pm and help raise money for this vital community asset." - Thanks to Earth in Common for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday 25 January, St Giles Cathedral, 6-7pm. Edinburgh-based Kevock Choir perform a varied programme of choral music including arrangements of spirituals, and a celebration of Robert Burns songs to mark Burns Night. Free entry but optional donation for Bethany Trust in aid of the homeless." - Thanks to Peter Nicholson for sharing this.
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📌 "Sunday 25th January 2-4pm Myofascial Release Yoga Workshop. Join experienced teacher Emma near the top of Leith Walk for 2 hours of self massage and relaxation. This month there is a particular focus on mobilising the feet which can help with plantar fasciitis and other body discomforts." - Thanks to Emma McCready for sharing this.
📌 "EH Postcode Holders get 50% off tickets online this Burns Day, Sunday 25 January 2026 at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. Bring your family and friends to celebrate the Bard in a different way." - Thanks to Camera Obscura & World of Illusions for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday 25th January | Tapered Candle Painting. A relaxing and creative way to spend your Sunday afternoon with some new friends. Come on your own or with friends." - Thanks to Marpole sharing this.
📌 "Sunday 25th January — Want a Burns Night that feels cosy and contemporary? Leith Mills and Hame-ish Arts host a hearty supper with live poetry, music, meal + whisky tastings included. 5.30pm to 8pm." - Thanks to Mairi-Claire Traynor from Hame-ish Arts CIC for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday 25th January 7-10:30pm, Burns Returns: live music, dancing, turns & tunes celebrating all things bardic, in support of Edinburgh Direct Aid at the Ukrainian Club on Royal Terrace, kicking off with a foot-stomping ceilidh, be there or cry into your cranachan." - Thanks to conrad molleson, hoda productions, for sharing this.
📌 "Monday 26th January (7-8pm) - Acclaimed author Bryan Washington makes his first trip to Scotland for an event at The Portobello Bookshop to celebrate new novel, Palaver, in conversation with Sasha de Buyl. It's a life-affirming novel of family and mending. Sign up to attend in person or online!" - Thanks to The Portobello Bookshop for sharing this.
📌 "To celebrate Burn’s night Newbarns Brewery have collaborated with fellow Scottish head/lead brewers around the UK and Europe. The heritage minded beers will all be available at the Lauri on Lauriston Place until Sunday 25th, Burns Night, celebrating the Bard and Scottish brewing." - Thanks to Newbarns and The Lauri for sharing this.
📌 "We're having a MEGA book sale! After the success of last year's sale night, we're running it again - and we'll be sharing a third of all money raised with local trans fundraisers." - Thanks to Lighthouse Bookshop for sharing this.
📌 "Understanding Oor Mad History - join us for a free five-week community Mad Studies course based in the University of Edinburgh." - Thanks to Catherine Street from CAPS Independent Advocacy for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday 15th February, 12-3pm - Car boot sale in aid of Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled. Book your pitch in now for £20, only 20 pitches available so be quick. Contact fundraising@ravelrig-rda.org.uk to book or for further details. Hot drinks, soup, rolls and baked goods available on the day." - Thanks to Volunteer Emma Urquhart for sharing this.
📌 "Following a great event in October, Edinburgh Soup is at Leith Community Centre 25th Feb 6:30-8:30. Have a wee community project that could use the ticket money? Send it to edinburghsouppitch@gmail.com by 11th Feb to be shortlisted!" - Thanks to Harriet Dodd Volunteer at Edinburgh Can B for sharing this.
🛝 Edinburgh's family-friendly events newsletter Gayle's Guide is back! This weekend's ideas include: Burns Night ceilidhs, a kids' street art session, wassailing and more.
Gayle’s Guide
