The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 27 - 29 March 2026
Traffic lights changed to favour pedestrians, farewell to Citadel Books in Abbeyhill, more Fringe by the Sea acts announced + New Contemporaries at the RSA
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. It's a quieter news section today. But the newsletter gets busy thanks to your community notices and the weekend guide. Thanks again to everyone who sends things in, shares the newsletter or supports it. This newsletter wouldn't exist without you. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
🌦️ Weekend weather: A mix of sunshine and showers all weekend. Timings are unpredictable but in general Saturday is looking the driest day of the weekend and Sunday is forecast to be the wettest. A temperature high of 11C on Friday and low of 4C on Sunday into Monday. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🏫 Police are investigating after parents 'caused a disturbance' at Oxgangs Primary School. - Nicholas Malizia, Edinburgh Live.
🚦 You might have spotted this first in yesterday's Community Noticeboard: The waiting time for hundreds of pedestrian crossings has been reduced to a maximum of 20 seconds to give people more opportunities to cross roads. - Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan, Midlothian View.
🎼 The Dunard Centre concert hall (currently under construction at St Andrew Square and due to open in 2029) has signed an 'artistic advisory' partnership with London’s Wigmore Hall classical music venue. - Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
📚 Citadel Books in Abbeyhill, run by poet Alan Spence will close for good on Saturday. In a lovely interview, Spence puts the closure in perspective: "It just means freeing things up and focusing on the writing more." - Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.
🛍️ Leith shop Destined For Home is due to close at the end of the day on Sunday after almost ten years in business. Owner Karen said the landlord of her Constitution Street shop plans to convert it for residential use. She said: "I totally get it because Leith is crying out for places for people to live and has too many short-term lets. So we are relocating." She will continue to trade online and plans to relocate the shop. - More updates on Instagram: @destined4home.
🍻 The Satyr bar on Leith Walk is up for sale. - Nicholas Malizia, Edinburgh Live.
🎬 Some good images here of the ongoing Buccaneers film shoot in the New Town, photographed by Jenny Litster (@floramcflimsey).
🎪 The second wave of headliners for summer's Fringe by the Sea festival in August have been announced: Rudimental (DJ), Alex James’ Britpop Classical, Maribou State, Ian Hislop, Levi.sct, Bay City Rollers, Rianne Downey. - Tickets for the new acts go on sale at 10am.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
🏃♀️ 20 Along the Forth Raises £3,850 for Charity - 'Thank you to everyone who took part in 20 Along the Forth on 21 March. Runners and supporters raised £3,250 for MS Society Scotland and over £600 from a bake sale for Amnesty. Race The Tram on 26 April supports Spencer Dayman Meningitis Research!' - More details here, shared by Catriona Bruce, Blast Running.
🏮 New funding secured for Granton Lighthouse - 'The balance of funding required to bring the historic Granton Lighthouse in north Edinburgh back to life & transform it into a community arts & education hub has been secured from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Funding programme' - More details from Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust.
🌙 Spend a night on Mary King’s Close - 'The Real Mary King’s Close has launched a crowdfunder offering a rare overnight stay beneath the Royal Mile. One winner (plus guest) will stay after hours, with ten runners-up winning tickets. Funds support conservation. Closes 30 March.' - More details here, shared by Patricia.
🛠️ Edinburgh small business goes viral: 40M views to sell-out product - 'Our “Secret Storage Shelf” hit 40M views, growing from 1k to 50k followers and selling out 3 times. Built in our garage, now a full-time business. Happy to share the reality behind going viral + scaling challenges.' - More details here, shared by Phoebe Green, Our Honest DIY.
🕊️ Free EASE Course in Leith - 'Want to feel more confident and comfortable supporting friends or family who are caring, dying, or grieving? Join our free EASE course on Mondays 13 Apr-4 May, 1-3pm, Duncan Place Leith. Book your place now - samara@palliativecarescotland.org.uk' - More details here, shared by Caroline Gibb, Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief.
🍽️ Community meal at the Leith walk polisbox - 'Monday 30th March 5-7pm. Join your neighbours and our friendly volunteers for a chat and some free al fresco hot food All welcome drop in.' - More details here, shared by Monty, Leith walk polisbox pop ups.
🎷 Joys of Swing at the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club
Today, Fri 27 March - 'We've had a legendary quarter at the Edinburgh Jazz & Jive Club, and we're going out on a high note! 🎶 Join us this Friday for our final session of the season featuring the fabulous Joys of Swing.'
8pm to 11pm | Heriot's Rugby Club, EH3 5QN | £12.00 & £15.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club.
🎭 A Brief History of Neurodivergence
Today, Fri 27 March - 'Blending theatre & storytelling Fiona Moon will (attempt to) stay still long enough to offer a glimpse into the neurodivergent experience, as we play, draw, guess, vote, and rewrite some of the more useless NHS mental health guidance.'
7.30pm to 8.30pm | Studio Theatre, EH8 9BL | £18 - More details here, shared by Jen McGregor.
🎨 Comics in March: Carpe Diem (Drawing Comics Showcase)
Tomorrow, Sat 28 March - 'This will be a calm, exhibition-style showcase of the students's works of Drawing Comics Course. It will start with the award ceremony, then the students will be drawing during the showcase: explore their creation process and their works displayed!'
11am to 4pm | Mote 102, EH6 4PG | Free - More details here, shared by Anna Francesca Schiraldi, Schiraldi Arts Comics & Classes.
🎶 Edinburgh STYLE Goes Underground
Tomorrow, Sat 28 March - 'This year, we're taking STYLE underground and transforming Level B3 into an immersive space celebrating music, art and fashion with preloved styles, vintage finds, art exhibitions and a vinyl lounge with cocktails from Edinburgh Cocktail Week.'
2pm to 6pm | St James Quarter, EH1 3AD | FREE - More details here, shared by St James Quarter.
🎶 Children's concert by No Strings Attached Wind Band
Tomorrow, Sat 28 March - 'We'd love to welcome our younger supporters along for this fun Children's concert by No Strings Attached Wind Band. We'll perform Peter and the Wolf and there will be games, dancing and drawing. Approx 45 mins.'
2.15pm to 3.15pm | Broughton St Marys Parish Church, EH3 6NE | FREE - More details here, shared by No Strings Attached.
⛪ Holy Week 2026 at Christ Church Morningside 29.03-05.04 [Daily]
Sun 29 March - 'Join us during Holy Week for a variety of services, from choral compline, to the Passion of St John by Tomas Luis de Victoria (Good Friday), to full celebrations on Easter morning. All are welcome!'
10am to 11.15am | Christ Church (Scottish Episcopal Church), EH10 4DD | FREE - More details here, shared by Christ Church Morningside.
🍻 Brick and Sip (a LEGO Workshop with Alcohol)
Sun 29 March - 'Get a drink on arrival to loosen up those creative gears. Then our Master Builder will guide you through challenges, from an "architecturally possible" task, to copying a technical build, and finally, designing something you've only once dreamed of.'
4pm to 6pm | The Gilded Saloon, EH1 1HB | £29 - More details here, shared by a Minute reader.
🧘♀️ Yoga/qigong with Kim [Weekly]
Sun 29 March - 'HALF PRICE OFFER for newcomers this Sunday! Vinyasa yoga 5-6pm Qigong 6.15-7pm no experience necessary-come along and give it a try!'
5pm to 7pm | 81 Great Junction Street Edinburgh EH6 5HZ, EH6 5HZ | £9.00 full price - More details here, shared by Kim Bergsagel, Kim Bergsagel’s yoga.
🛝 Plenty of family-friendly things to do this weekend and beyond in Gayle's Guide, including: Friday Lego Club at the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage and more...
Gayle’s Guide
