The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Weekend edition: 6 - 8 March 2026
Sighthill protests warning, council writes off debts, striking university staff lobby parliament, Social Bite cafe reopens + more than 20 local International Women’s Day events
👋 Good morning Edinburgh. There are heaps of events to get involved with this weekend, including more than 20 International Women's Day events. In today's newsletter you'll also find the city's most comprehensive weekend guide, powered by readers. I can't do this newsletter without you, it really is a community effort. So huge thanks to everyone who contributes, week after week for more than three years now. Here's your weekend Edinburgh Minute...
☀️ Weekend weather: A cloudy morning leading to a sunnier afternoon. Saturday is due to be fully sunny from dawn to dusk. Cloudier on Sunday with a chance of rain in the evening. A temperature high of 13C on Sunday and a low of 1C on Friday night into Saturday morning. - The full Met Office forecast is here.
🪧 There are fears for the safety of international students living in the Sighthill area due to a possible protest by 'racists and pro-deportation groups' this evening. Police are aware of a poster circulating online, but have not been notified of an official protest. A counter-protest is also expected next to St Nicholas Parish Church at 6pm, with campaigners saying: "We do not advice anyone vulnerable to attend due to the heightened targeting and anger felt in the area." - Earlier this week police criticised media misinformation 'which could cause further distress in the local community'.
💰 Almost £5m of debt deemed uncollectible over the last financial year is set to be written off by the council. The total includes £1.4m of unpaid parking charges and £200,000 of unpaid Low Emission Zone charges. They blamed 'increasing difficulties in tracing drivers'. - Local Democracy Reporter Joe Sullivan has the details in Edinburgh Live.
🚗 Motorists could have to pay more than £4,000 a year to drive into Edinburgh if a congestion charge is introduced, a local MSP claims. - Ian Swanson, Evening News.
🚎 Bus passengers are being urged to have their say on possible changes to services between Straiton and Penicuik. - Midlothian Council has a survey here + Katie McKenzie of Deadline News has a report here.
🎓 Striking Edinburgh Napier University staff members gathered outside the Scottish Parliament yesterday to try to put political pressure on the university ahead of more redundancy talks today. - Ross Chalmers of Deadlines News was there to hear from them.
🚔 A 21-year-old man has admitted his involvement in a machete attack on an Edinburgh businessman on Pitcairn Grove as part of a gangland feud last May. - BBC Scotland News.
🚧 Around four months of roadworks are due to start at Restalrig Road on Monday. - Ross Chalmers, Deadline News.
☕️ After three years in business, Foodstory on Easter Road has closed. Owners said: "We have decided to focus on our Aberdeen cafes and hand over the cafe to someone new." -
⚖️ 'Edinburgh B&B owner faces war crimes trial from beyond the grave' - Gabriel McKay, The Herald.
🏦 RBS has announced plans to increase in its business accelerator programme to support 5,000 entrepreneurs, ahead of the opening of its new Edinburgh hub building later this year. - Scottish Financial News.
🧸 Leith Toy Hospital has has been granted retrospective permission to move into a former housing association home in Musselburgh. - Marie Sharp, Local Democracy Reporter, Edinburgh Live + See the repair shop's work on Instagram here.
☕️ The Social Bite cafe on Rose Street will reopen this morning after a renovation. It first opened 14 years ago as part of the charity's mission to end homelessness through homes, jobs, food and support. - Co-founder Josh Littlejohn shares some stories from over the years in this video: "I've seen first-hand that it makes a difference to people."
⚽️ The fourth annual Big Match charity football game hosted at Spartans FC's Ainslie Park is due to kick off at 3.30pm today. Among the players are ex-Hearts player Christophe Berra and ex-Hibs player Darren Dods, as well as a celebrity chef. - Dave Pickering, North Edinburgh News.
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📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard - news you can use:
🖼 Collective Gallery reopens for 2026 with free exhibition from Paloma Proudfoot - Today Collective opens its first exhibition of 2026, Glass Delusion by Paloma Proudfoot. An Edinburgh College of Art graduate, Proudfoot's show includes recent work plus new sculpture and performance devised specially for the site. - Thanks to Collective for sharing this.
📋 Consultation on listing of Causewayside Lads Institute - 'Historic Environment Scotland is proposing to list the building on Ratcliffe Terrace. Built in 1907 it is a rare example of its building type and one of very few remaining purpose built clubs. HES consultation on the proposal closes on 26th March.' - Thanks to a kind subscriber for sharing this.
⏰ ‘Save The Shore’ campaign launched as office evictions threaten the future of local Leith businesses - 'The future of Leith’s Shore community is under threat as local office tenants at Waterside House face eviction t for short-term holiday lets. The Shore Business Collective has launched ‘Save The Shore’ campaign to block the planning application.' - Thanks to The Shore Business Collective for sharing this.
❤️ 100 years since Lady Haig's Poppy Factory opened in Edinburgh - 'This Sunday (8 March) Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory celebrates 100 years of production in Edinburgh The first factory was at Whitefoord House in Canongate, home of the charity Scottish Veterans Residences.' - Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR). - Thanks to Colin for sharing this.
💆♂ 25% Off Therapeutic Massage 💆♀️ - New clients get 25% off any service from Davidson Massage. Returning clients receive 15% off. Just mention you’re a reader of the Edinburgh Minute when booking! 💆 - Thanks to Kim Davidson, for sharing this.
🤝 Beltane Fire Festival 2026 Volunteer Stewards Wanted - We are seeking volunteer stewards to help with the Beltane Fire Festival on 30th April. Stewards answer audience questions, hold the performance space and help with fire safety. No prior experience with Beltane or as an event steward is necessary. - Thanks to Ann, Nightwatch Group Organiser, Beltane 2026, for sharing this.
🎷 Anna Vanosi Quintet at the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club
Today, Fri 06 March - This Friday, 06 March, the wonderful Anna Vanosi Quintet, featuring Dick Lee, Mario Caribe, David Patrick, and Jim Drummond, returns to the Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club! This is a great band for dancing Lindy Hop, Jive, and Foxtrot.
8pm to 11pm | Heriot's Rugby Club, EH3 5QN | £12.00 & £15.00 - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Jazz 'n Jive Club.
🧶 Introduction to Machine Knitting - Make a pair of socks
Sat 07 March - Learn the basics of machine knitting then go on to make a pair of wool socks for yourself. All materials provided. No experience necessary.
11am to 6pm | Paradigm Shift Open Studio, EH6 6DN | £45 - More details here, shared by Paradigm Shift Open Studio.
🧘🏻♀️ Yoga and qigong classes in Leith [Weekly]
Sun 08 March - Friendly Hatha/vinyasa yoga 5-6pm Calming and nourishing qigong meditative movement 6.15-7pm
5pm to 7pm | Vision Mechanics, EH6 5HZ | £9.00 per class - More details here, shared by Kim Bergsagel’s yoga.
🥃 Women in Whisky
Sun 08 March - Come and join us at the Lost Close this International Women's Day for our special "Women in Whisky" tasting session. Sample 4 whiskies and learn about the pioneering women who've helped shape the whisky industry over the years. 8th, 14th & 21st March
7.15pm to 8.45pm | The Lost Close, EH1 1RF - More details here, shared by Eleanor Walker, The Lost Close.
🎥 Don't Cheat, Darling!
Sun 08 March - For International Women's Day at Leith Kino we'll be showing Nicht schummeln, Liebling (Don't Cheat, Darling) an East German football musical that smuggles a surprisingly sharp gender skirmish into the state-approved world of the feelgood pop comedy.
7.30pm to 9pm | Leith Depot, EH6 5DT | £6, limited free tix - More details here, shared by Morvern, Leith Kino team member.
🛝 Plenty of family-friendly things to do this weekend and beyond in Gayle's Guide, including: family festivals, new kids' choirs, free circus skills and more...
Gayle’s Guide
✊ There's lots planned this weekend to mark International Women’s Day. It mostly revolves around the march for women’s rights, solidarity and collective power, starting at 1pm at the Mercat Cross before a march to the Scottish Parliament building. This year's theme is: 'Give To Gain'. In the spirit of giving, here are 20+ local IWD events:
🖼️ Acclaimed Scottish artist Caroline Walker will be taking questions at the National Galleries of Scotland on Friday from 2pm, after a documentary film screening about her work, directed by BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Nicola Black. - It's at The Mound and is free to attend, but booking is essential.
🎵 On Friday evening: The Hidden Women of St Cecilia's Hall: A Women's History Month Talk, hosted by Jenny Nex, Curator of the Musical Instrument Collection and Lecturer in Musical Instruments at the University of Edinburgh. - Full details here.
🗣️ Napier Talks: International Women's Day Professorial Lecture
Fri 06 March - Celebrate International Women's Day by joining us for a celebration of academic excellence. This event brings together 5 appointed professors, who will reflect on their academic journeys and share insights from their research expertise.
1.30pm to 6pm | Edinburgh Napier University, EH14 1DJ | FREE - More details here, shared by Edinburgh Napier University.
👩🔬 Former Liberty Human Rights Campaigner of the Year Criado-Perez will address an audience at Edinburgh Futures Institute on Saturday, sharing her perspectives on gender bias and inequality. - Find out more about this year's University of Edinburgh IWD lectures here.
🏊♀️ Celebrations start early on Sunday morning with a 6.45am sunrise sea dip at Portobello beach, organised by Jo Myles. - More details on Eventbrite and Instagram.
🎵 Tune in to EHFM between 10am and 4pm for their International Womens Day Broadcast. You can even meet the presenters at the studio cafe at Great Junction Street's Ground Floor coffee shop. - The full schedule is here.
🎷 Jazz Bar - International Women's Day Showcase
Sun 08 March - Serving up a selection of Scotland's current talent- from big band jazz by The Ivy Big Band, to jazz rising stars Laura Oghagbon and Kimberley Tessa, along with poetic soul by Queen Vee and the fiercely funky energy of Femme Fierce!
7pm to 12am | The Jazz Bar, EH1 1HR | £12 - More details here, shared by Kat Brooks & Nicole Smit (Organisers).
🧩 Women's Self Defence Workshop
Sun 08 March - Join us for an engaging and surprisingly fun session that will help you feel safer and more confident in managing your boundaries and personal safety. It will be a mix of physical and non-physical training, expect about 50/50 of each.
12.30pm to 3.30pm | North Merchiston Club, EH11 1EP | £45/£25 concessions - More details here, shared by Rencounter Krav Maga.
📚 Stanza Slam winner Beth Godfrey hosts a 'Me mother other' zine launch on Sunday 8 March at Lighthouse Bookshop on West Nicolson Street from 10.30am. - Full details here.
🎨 Mansfield Traquair Centre Open Day
Sun 08 March - Celebrate International Women's Day by experiencing Phoebe Anna Traquair's breathtaking murals. Mansfield Traquair Centre is open this Sunday from 1pm until 4pm close, free entry, frequent guided tours, donations welcome.
1pm to 4pm | Mansfield Traquair Centre, EH3 6BB | donations welcome - More details here, shared by Friend of Mansfield Traquair Centre.
🎶 International Women's Day Machine Orchid workshop & gig
Sun 08 March - Celebrate International Women's Day with woman band Machine Orchid. 3-5pm interactive workshop centering women's voices with Esther Swift & Kirsty Law. 7-10pm gig featuring Machine Orchid, Faith Eliott, Jemima Thewes. Profits to Scottish Women's Aid
3pm to 10pm | The Bongo Club, EH1 1JX - More details here, shared by Caro Bridges, Machine Orchid.
🎶 International Women's Day singing workshop & gig
Sun 08 March - Woman band Machine Orchid host International Women's Day celebration 3-5pm performances & singing workshop with Kirsty Law & Esther Swift 7-10pm gig with Machine Orchid, Faith Eliott, Jemima Thewes. Use discount code ORCHID for 10% off any ticket.
3pm to 10pm | The Bongo Club, EH1 1JX - More details here, shared by Machine Orchid.
✊ ️ International Women's Day March!
Sun 08 March - Raise your voice and join the fight this Int'l Women's Day! 11:30 Pre-March Seminar exploring key campaigns in Edinburgh (registration needed) | 13:00 March begins at the Mercat Cross | 14:00 Post-March Speeches in front of the Scottish Parliament
1pm to 3pm | Mercat Cross, EH1 1RF | FREE - More details here, shared by Victoria Plutshack, International Women's Day Edinburgh.
🎶 LOUD WOMEN at the Banshee Labyrinth for IWD 2026
Sun 08 March - Join LOUD WOMEN for a special International Women's Day celebration at Banshee Labyrinth, live music from Aino Elina, SheBeat, Dart Hearts and Arrows Meet!
7pm to 10pm | The Banshee Labyrinth, EH1 1LG | £9/ £10 - More details here, shared by SheBeat.
🚶♀️ Well-known local tour guide Ruth Boreham hosts the 'Women of the Enlightenment Walking Tour' on Sunday from 2pm to 4pm. - Details here.
🎤 On Monday from 5.30pm you can join three of Edinburgh's brightest legal minds: The Law Society of Scotland presents a conversation between Brianella Scott (a Scottish Government solicitor), Lynne Kennedy MBE (founder of Business Women Scotland, including the inaugural BWS Women in Law Awards 2026) and Laura Meldrum (Harper Macleod, Women in Law Scotland). - Full details here.
🏃♀️ On Monday from 8pm Meadowbank Stadium hosts a women-only track running night, organised by Brooks and Easter Road shop Interval, who'll have their van there too. It's led by Scottish Athletics qualified coaches, with some prizes on the night. Open to all abilities. - Secure a spot on Eventbrite.
😮💨 International Women's Day Wellness Afternoon
Tue 10 March - Space @ The Broomhouse Hub invites all local women to join us on Tuesday, 10 March for a wellness afternoon with Celtic Knots Massage & Wellness Therapies. To book a space, contact shona.thomson@spacescot.org or 07955 227604.
1pm to 2.30pm | Space @ The Broomhouse Hub, EH11 3RH | FREE - More details here, shared by Space @ The Broomhouse Hub.
🌐 'Globalising resistance to a sexist system'
Wednesday 11 March 6.45pm at Southside Community Centre. - More details here.
📚 IWD book event: Feminism for the World with with co-author Dr Rama Salla Dieng: 19 March, hosted by The University of Edinburgh.
