The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 9 - 11 January 2026
Uni boss wants students to pay for tuition, Wardie Bay starfish 'mystery', Sunday races in Holyrood Park + weekend markets return
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. There's plenty happening in today's weekend events section. But bear in mind the weather could cause some cancellations. The Met Office is warning of snow and ice today. But the temperature is forecast to rise on Saturday and Sunday.
❄️ The wave pool at Lost Shore inland surf resort froze over yesterday. While surf's over for today at least, the rest of the site is still open for food trading this weekend. - See their video of the frozen pool here.
🎓 Scottish students should be asked to pay towards their tuition according to University of Edinburgh principal Peter Mathieson. Speaking on the BBC's Scotcast podcast, he said: "They can either do it in the form of tuition fees, or they can do it in the form of some kind of graduate repayment scheme and it can be contingent upon salary." The university claims it needs to make £140m of cuts, which unions claim is a 'manufactured financial crisis to impose staff cuts'.
- Have your say in the comments section at the end of the online version of this newsletter.
BBC News
🎇 A Gilmerton man who was caught on camera throwing fireworks at police in Gracemount in November 2024 has been jailed for 15 months. - Alexander Lawrie & Gemma Ryder, Daily Record.
🖼️ Councillors have approved plans for a new restaurant to replace the Picture Framer shop on Antigua Street at the top of Leith Walk, despite some local objections. - Kevin Quinn, Evening News.
🧱 More than 2,500 tonnes of recycled demolition material has been carted from Ferry Road to form the foundations of the new Social Bite Village at Granton waterfront. - Scottish Housing News.
🐾 A kitten was found by ScotRail staff on an Edinburgh-bound train yesterday. - Gemma Ryder, Daily Record.
🌊 'Thousands' of starfish were discovered at Wardie Bay in Granton on Thursday morning. - Angie Brown, BBC Scotland News. The headline describes it as a 'mystery', while a marine biologist is quoted saying it could be due to the stormy weather and recent rapid change in temperature.
🏗️ If you've been anywhere in town with a skyline view this year, chances are you've seen the huge Les Alizés crane at Leith docks. It's assisting with wind turbine parts. Towering 270m high, the crane is three times higher than St Mary’s Cathedral (Edinburgh’s tallest building). - Photographer Tom Duffin has more facts and snaps here.
Tom Duffin
🧥 Wester Hailes Library is hosting a coat repair service on Monday. - More details here.
🌊 There was plenty of civic pride and a lot of hard work as dozens of volunteers joined the first Water of Leith Conservation Trust clean-up of the year. Midlothian View reporter Liam Eunson went along to hear from the volunteers for this video and text report.
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
📌 "Today, 1pm: There will be a demonstration at 1pm outside Rockstar Games' offices at 108 Holyrood Rd (opposite Dynamic Earth) to protest the dismissal of over 30 UK staff as we await the outcome of legal proceedings this week. All are welcome!" - Thanks to a subscriber for sharing this.
📌 "Nobles by Bellfield, at the Shore tram stop in Leith, launches a new all-day food menu on Friday 9 January, created by Hugh Brown (ex-The Palmerston & Fin & Grape) and Finlay Colvin (ex-Mirin). Expect seasonal, locally sourced pub food that changes regularly with availability. Book via website." - Thanks to the venue for sharing this.
📌 "Edinburgh Cine & Video Society has launched a One-Minute Smartphone Film Challenge, open to filmmakers of all ages and experience levels worldwide. Films must run 55–60 seconds and be shot on a phone. Editing, sound and limited AI use allowed. Deadline: 13 January. Details: www.ecvs.co.uk" - Thanks to Lee Paterson, Event Organiser, for sharing this.
Saturday:
📌 "Saturday 10th January - Paint & Sip: The Elephant in the Room. Join local artist, Susie Beveridge this Saturday night to paint your very own elephant. All materials (and bubbles!) included. £25 or inc. in our 7 day intro offer for £29. Marpole - 378 Leith Walk." - Thanks to Marpole Retreats for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 10th January - Join the Friends of Inch Park to give the park a New Year tidy up, with our first litter pick of the year. Meet in front of Inch House main entrance. Equipment provided.” - Thanks to Stewart for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 10th January - On the 10th anniversary of David Bowie's death, we will be screening Moonage Daydream at Duncan Place Community Hub. Join other Bowie fans as we celebrate his life and work, fabulous outfits encouraged! Doors at 1:30pm, film starts at 2pm.” - Thanks to Ot at the Duncan Place Community Hub for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 10th January. Cheese lovers! Join artisan cheesemaker Kristen Allan for a hands-on mozzarella and burrata workshop. Dive into the joy of fresh cheese making from start to finish, enjoy a relaxed lunch together and take home the cheese you make in the class.” - Thanks to Kristen for sharing this.
📌 “Edinburgh Road Club runs cycling sessions for children aged 6 to 16. Put those Christmas bikes to use at Saturday sessions, girls only sessions, or in regular races. Check the website for more information.” - Thanks to Phil Darby, Edinburgh Road Club youth cycle coach, for sharing this.
Sunday:
📌 “Sunday 11 January - Edinburgh Police Choir is having an open night - no connection to the police needed. We sing acapella in 4-part harmony, and are super-friendly. Email edinburghpolicechoir@gmail.com for more info.” - Thanks to Alison for sharing this. The club is also on Facebook.
📌 “Sunday 11th January. Join award-winning opera singer and voice teacher, Louise Macdonald, who is leading a winter well-being singing workshop for women at The Salisbury Centre, 2-3pm. Breathwork meets singing for a life-affirming experience!”
📌 "Sunday 11 January: If you’ve been meaning to see Phoebe Anna Traquair’s breathtaking murals, now’s your chance. Mansfield Traquair Centre is open this Sunday from 1pm until 4pm close, free entry, donations welcome." - Thanks to Friend of Mansfield Traquair Centre for sharing this.
📌 “Sunday 11 January – Postcards for Palestine: join us at Lighthouse Bookshop for a relaxed crafting session to make postcards to fundraise for Palestinian families in Gaza. All ticket proceeds will be donated, as will all proceeds from the postcards, which will be put on sale at Lighthouse!” - Thanks to event organiser Xuanlin for sharing this.
Next week:
📌 "Monday 12 January - 'Get Fit from Home' workshop, Griffen Fitness, Leith. Learn everything you need to effectively exercise at home, in this interactive 90 minute workshop. Free healthy nibbles and a Q & A at the end, ask PT Tracy anything." - Thanks to Tracy Griffen for sharing this.
📌 "Monday at Birchwood Art Studio, Ashley Terrace: Calling all beginners, join artist/tutor Marcela to explore 3D, texture and new materials in a relaxed, supportive setting. Experiment with paper, clay, wire, wood and found objects as you build towards your own project."
- Also on Monday at Birchwood: "Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of late winter and early spring with Raphie's Mindfulness Course. Explore cycles and renewal through playful making with pastels, paint, yarn and clay, guided by calming mindfulness techniques. No experience needed, just space to slow down, reset and create." - Thanks to Raphie, artist and facilitator at Birchwood Art Studio, for sharing this.
📌 "The Edinburgh Gay Men's Chorus is holding an open evening at 7:30pm on Tuesday 13 January at LifeCare in Stockbridge. If you sing tenor, baritone or bass, come along for an informal gathering with drinks, snacks and a bit of singing. No auditions and no experience necessary." - Thanks to Edinburgh Gay Men's Chorus for sharing this.
📌 "Tues 13th Jan 18.00-21.00 at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre: Community Screening of the 'POWER STATION' documentary. Join us for this game‑changing documentary about the 2024 community effort that installed solar panels across an entire Victorian street in London. Stay on for a group discussion on local initiatives and future plans. FREE but booking essential." - Thanks to Natalie Taylor, Community Development at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, for sharing this.
📌 "The Open Door (in Morningside) is offering a free taster session for our day service on Friday 16 January, 10.30am–12.00pm. This is a great opportunity to experience our supportive environment and activities. Please contact us to book a place." - Thanks to Simon Warr from The Open Door for sharing this.
📌 "Sunday 18 January — JET AA Scotland presents a Japanese ikebana demonstration with Deborah Hathorn, one of the UK’s most respected practitioners, at the University of Edinburgh. Experience a unique opportunity to engage with ikebana as a living Japanese art form." - Thanks to the Japan Exchange & Teaching Alumni Association for sharing this. (Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement)
📌 "Auld Reekie Board Gaming Club is having its first ever night at the Assembly Roxy on Tuesday 20th January. With a Huge Board Game Library to choose from, or even bring your own. Also 2 sessions of Blood on the Clocktower are running and Tettix Games showing of Brand new games, come and join the fun." - Thanks to Graham Colvan, creator of Auld Reekie Board Gaming Club, for sharing this.
🏃♀️ Holyrood Park will be buzzing on Sunday with runners taking part in the 5k, 10k and half-marathon races organised by Up And Running Events. - More details here.
