Fitness in Minutes, the specialist EMS (electro-muscle stimulation) studio in Morningside has announced its transition from franchise model to an independent wellness centre, under the new ownership of wellness expert Kate Golozubtseva. While its 20-minute EMS workouts remain at the core of the business, Fitness in Minutes plans to take a more personalised, holistic focus on long-term health and quality of life. As part of this relaunch, Fitness in Minutes is also introducing

The Edinburgh Food and Drink Academy (EFDA) is launching a range of global-cuisine masterclasses, starting with a one-day course, ‘Flavours of Spain’, on Saturday 2 May. This is to be followed by ‘Pasta Pronto’ on 6 May, ‘Thai Cuisines’ on 9 May, ‘Korean Street Food’ (13 May), ‘French Cuisine’ (16 May), ‘Tasty Tapas’ (19 May) and a shortbread masterclass on 24 May. Caroline Lamont, EFDA director of culinary education said: “As chefs, our creativity in the kitchen blossoms whe

Applications for the Scotland Food & Drink and HIT Scotland Legacy Scholarship have opened for another year, offering talented chefs a rare opportunity to hone their skills in one of the UK’s most prestigious kitchens. A partnership between Scotland Food & Drink and HIT Scotland, the scholarship was launched in 2025 to celebrate the Michelin Guide ceremony for Great Britain & Ireland taking place in Scotland for the first time. Inaugural winner Fraser Cameron, head chef at T

More than 20 salons and colourists from across Scotland have been named as semi-finalists in the L'Oréal Colour Trophy’s Scotland semi-finals. The Scotland semi-final, which takes place on 15 April, in Glasgow, will see local semi-finalists compete live in front of industry judges and an audience, with those progressing to the national final announced on the night. Three of the 22 Scottish semi-finalists are from Edinburgh, including Ellie Gilhooley from Charlie Miller, Hazel

Two Edinburgh locals have turned milestone birthday celebrations into a fundraising effort, raising £9,000 for the city’s breast-cancer charity, House of Hope. The fundraising event was staged at Cold Town House in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket and hosted by Louise Maclean from Edinburgh-based hospitality firm, Signature Group and Janet Nicol, owner of McGregor Hairdressing. Over 100 people attended. The event was compered by former Scotland international rugby-union player, Andy N

A new gallery showcasing the work of international artist, Yaniv Edery, has opened in a townhouse on Picardy Place. The new gallery, Yaniv’s first in the UK, presents his collection of artworks and also offers a new events venue in the city, available for private hire, for weddings and other occasions. Yaniv’s artistic journey began in fashion and textile design. A self-taught artist, he has developed his technique through years of experimentation, layering resin over careful

A new youth-led broadcast project is set to tackle misinformation and disinformation during the upcoming Scottish election. The project, Future Proof, is an initiative led by the Scottish Youth Film Foundation (SYFF). Six young journalists from across Scotland have been recruited, to report on election campaigns through the lens of misinformation, disinformation and AI-generated content. One of the journalists, Rory Kirkpatrick from Edinburgh, said: “As misinformation seems t

A young filmmaker from East Lothian is gaining recognition after his short film Battered  was selected for the Oxford Shorts Film Festival 2026. He has also been nominated for the festival’s Early Career Filmmaker Award. Michael Inglis, who grew up in Tranent and studied film at Edinburgh Napier University, directed the short which will have its UK premiere at St John’s College, University of Oxford, on Sunday 12 April. The short centres on Jack, an up-and-coming MMA (mixed m

Sponsored On Thursday 16 April, buyer-behaviour and sales-process-design consultant, Gerry Forristal, is running his ‘trust triad’ workshop at Clockwise in Leith, from 10am-12.30.  The session, for founders of established businesses, focuses on why buyers hesitate and how businesses can redesign their sales processes to reduce buyer risk rather than increase sales pressure. Gerry says: "Most founders struggle with sales because they're using techniques that trigger resistance

On Saturday 21 March, Lannan Pantry will host a book signing with Edinburgh food writer, Jess Elliott Dennison, to celebrate her book, Midweek Recipes . Bakes from the book, including cherry and almond pudding; flourless chocolate cake with Armagnac prunes; treacle tea loaf; and brown-butter-and-rosemary apple cake will be available on the counter, from 9am until sell out. Recipes from Midweek Recipes , which was published in 2024, reflect how Jess cooks from Monday to Friday

The programme theme for this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, running from 7-30 August, is ‘All Rise’, described as “a rallying cry, encompassing collaboration, resilience and ascendance.”    Marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, the 2026 programme examines the ideas and impact of the US with the Festival's largest-ever representation of American artists.    Programme highlights include the Festival’s first-ever jazz ensemble residency, from Jazz at

An Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) graduate says he hopes his invention of an emergency medical device will empower people with no medical training to prevent a serious blood loss injury from becoming fatal. Scott Rutherford first came up with the idea for ‘Scotseal’ during his final year on ENU’s product-design course. The prototype he created won the Best in Show award at the university’s 2025 Degree Show and also saw him named runner-up at the UK-wide New Designers award

Lawyers from Dentons’ Edinburgh and Glasgow offices took part in the 2026 LandAid SleepOut in Edinburgh on 5 March, spending a night outdoors in the capital to raise funds to help tackle youth homelessness. The Dentons team set an initial fundraising target of £1400 and have so far raised £3000. Dentons’ disputes partner Philip Knight joined colleagues Liam McCabe, Lauren Fowler, Fraser Crombie, Emily Zehetmayr, Jordan Houston and Robbie McElroy in sleeping outside Dynamic Ea

AMIS, an Edinburgh-based charity which supports male victims of domestic abuse, has launched a new campaign, ‘AMIS 100 – Stand with a Man’, inviting 100 organisations to take a stand against abuse and support the men who experience it. The charity reports that in 2025, it received almost 3,000 requests for support, with 651 men reaching out for help for the first time. Carol-Anne Fordyce, head of services at AMIS, said:   “Many of the men who contact us tell us they delayed r

Asian-inspired restaurant chain, Maki & Ramen, has announced that it has raised £20,000 over the last 18 months, for Thistle Foundation, an Edinburgh charity which supports people to cope with the diagnosis of a long-term condition.  Each Monday, for every bowl of ramen sold in Maki & Ramen’s four Edinburgh restaurants between 4pm and 8pm, £1 is donated to Thistle. Team members have  participated in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk and funds were also raised at a recent celebratory eve

Edinburgh networking group, Hug The Cactus, is launching its first networking event in Fife, on 11 March, from 10am-noon, at Abbot House, in Dunfermline.  Hug The Cactus started up more than three years ago and is run by its founder, photographer, Susan Heaton.  Two events are held in and around the Edinburgh area on a monthly basis, attracting entrepreneurs, creatives and small business owners. Commenting on the expansion into Fife, Susan said: “Hug The Cactus has grown into

A major new partnership is set to bring one of Scotland’s contemporary folk festivals to the capital for the very first time. For one day only, on Saturday 20 June, the Royal Highland Show will partner with trad-music festival, The Reeling, at the Royal Highland Centre. The line-up for the event will include Dougie MacLean, Breabach, Dlù, Elephant Sessions, Kinnaris Q and Skippinish. Mark Currie, director at the Royal Highland Centre, said: “This is an exciting partnership op

Stockbridge bakery, Lannan, is hosting a pop-up by baker, food writer and winner of the first series of The Great British Bake Off , Edd Kimber.    The pop-up, on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 March, coincides with the release of Edd’s book, Chocolate Baking .  Bakes from the book will be available, including chocolate and whipped-caramel cake; chocolate and absinthe canelé; and sour-cherry custard buns with cocoa streusel.   The bakes will be available from 9am until sell-out,

The Real Mary King’s Close and The Lost Close have announced a new collaborative tour experience, ‘Above & Below’. Running from Friday 13 February to Sunday 22 February, Above & Below brings together two independently guided experiences to offer guests a deeper understanding of Edinburgh’s layered history, both beneath the Royal Mile and above the Old Town. The experience begins with a one-hour guided tour at The Real Mary King’s Close, where guests descend into preserved 17t

A team of East Lothian cyclists, the Doddie Dasher’5, are gearing up for a tough test this spring, as they take on an 800-mile fundraising cycle in support of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The challenge, known as Doddie’s Triple Crown, follows the success of last year’s event, which raised more than £1m for motor-neurone-disease research. This time, the riders are going even further, increasing the distance from 700 to 800 miles over four days. Taking place from Tuesday 10