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

World Cheese Awards judge, Tanny Gill, has announced the launch of The Scottish Cheese Academy. Tanny, who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, has created the Academy to fill a gap in professional education, help cheese lovers learn more about Scottish cheese and to help give Scottish cheese the cultural status and global reverence enjoyed by Scottish whisky. The Academy will deliver certified cheese education, bespoke hospitality training and cultural touri

Furniture retailer, Sterling Home, has announced a new collaboration with broadcaster Vogue Williams, on an exclusive furniture collection available only through its stores in Scotland: “This partnership brings together Vogue’s creative energy with our commitment to accessible, quality design,” said Euan Graham, Sterling Home director: “Her warmth, authenticity and enthusiasm for home styling align with our brand values and customer expectations. The resulting range is a cons

Communications agency, Feel Good Comms, has announced the launch of the first Edinburgh ‘feel-good’ index, an initiative designed to celebrate the people and places that make Edinburgh.   Feel Good founder, Chris Batchelor, who started up the agency earlier this month, said the index is built on the belief that the most successful businesses are those that make the world a genuinely happier place. The agency’s mission is to champion these local establishments and ensure that

Edinburgh architectural photographer, Susan Allan, has published a book, Hidden Edinburgh – A Walk Through Medieval History .     The book, which contains 80 photographs, sets out the history of the city and shows where to see its hidden and historical places and features.   Susan said: “The book tells the stories and legends from the very early beginnings of Edinburgh, in 600AD, right through to the late medieval days of King James VI of Scotland.   “As well as including qui

Dobbies is hosting a new craft event at its Edinburgh store – the ‘crafternoon tea club’. The event takes place at 3pm on Saturday 24 January and at 2.30pm on Sunday 25 January. During the 90-minute afternoon workshop, attendees will get the chance to try their hand at using a punch needle kit. The kit features a wildlife design and includes everything that’s needed to get started, whether trying a new hobby for the first time, or honing skills.   It costs £35 per person to a

Happy Thoughts Squad has donated 52 ‘confidence-boosting’ boxes to the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal, on behalf of its customers, ensuring vulnerable girls wake up to a meaningful gift on Christmas morning. Each box is designed as a confidence and emotional well-being kit, filled with age-appropriate, screen-free activities that support self-esteem and emotional understanding. Founded in 2025 by former primary teacher, Cheryl Lessels, Happy Thoughts Squad was create

Umbrella Vinyl, a vinyl-only record shop based in Tollcross, has announced that Kai Reesu will be launching the vinyl release of their debut album at the store, on 20 December, at 3pm. Kai Reesu recently won the Scottish album of the year 2025 award, for their album KOMPROMAT vol.i.  The album will be played at the store throughout the day. The band is led by Paul Copeland on keyboard and features vocals from Glasgow-based LA rapper Jurnalist. Fans will have the opportunity t

Bannatyne health club and spa in Newcraighall has invested in a significant upgrade of its cardio facilities, installing a full suite of new Technogym equipment to enhance member experience and training performance. As part of a £1m investment by the Bannatyne Group, the health club has added nine Technogym Treadmill 5000s and three of the premium Treadmill 7000 models, offering advanced digital training options, improved cushioning and performance tracking. Members now also

Greig Laidlaw, one of Scotland’s most capped rugby internationalists, who captained the national side a record 39 times, has announced two exclusive talks during the upcoming Six Nations campaign. Taking place at Bonnie & Wild, Greig’s talks will include insights from his distinguished career, followed by a Q&A session with guests who will be invited to quiz him on the current Six Nations campaign, as well as Scotland’s hopes in the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Greig recently return

Housebuilder, Dandara Scotland, has made two festive donations, in the form of a £500 contribution to East Lothian Foodbank and sponsorship of five Christmas lights in Wallyford. The team visited East Lothian Foodbank to present the cheque and meet volunteers who provide vital support to households across the region. Need for emergency food support remains high and the donation will help the charity replenish essential supplies during its busiest time of year. Aimee Bryson, o

The Data-Driven Innovation Programme, a strategic partnership led by the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, has won the Collaborative Initiative of the Year award at the Institute of Economic Development (iED) Annual Awards 2025. The awards celebrate achievers in the public and private sector, across individual, team and organisational categories. This year saw a record-breaking number of entries, with almost 60 submissions received for seven award categories

A new survey has revealed that only 25 per cent of Edinburgh residents mark Scotland’s national day.   It also found that at a national level, just one in four (26 per cent) Scots say they celebrate St Andrew’s Day, which takes place on 30 November.   According to the research, commissioned by Aldi Scotland, almost four in 10 Scots are unable to identify the date, with some mixing it up with Burns Night, in January.   Women are more likely than men to know the date (64 per ce

Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, part of The University of Edinburgh, is joining forces with Simpsons Special Care Babies (SSCB) to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary, with a ‘Tree of Light’ installation, honouring families supported by the neonatal unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The installation will be housed at Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, the café/restaurant located in the university’s Futures Institute, at the former site of Edinburgh’s Old Royal Infirmary. It will

As Christmas approaches, Christmas fair, Deck the Halls, is inviting Edinburgh residents to share their most cherished festive memories, to be showcased on special ‘memories trees’ at the SEC in Glasgow this month. The memories trees will showcase cherished Christmas memories from across Scotland. Visitors can explore the displays and reflect on past festive traditions while making new memories at the show, which runs from 28-30 November. Memories already submitted for the tr