Hey! Nashy here 👋
I posted a video last week about the staircase at Fleshmarket Close and that tourists visiting Edinburgh need to be aware that the city is basically an awesome endurance event of steps and hills!
Do you have any local tips for tourists? Reply to this Newsletter and let me know, I’ll make a video about it!
I am delighted to share my plans to launch a Thriving Card to help support local and independent businesses across Edinburgh and the Lothians. You can find out more here and register your business NOW!
I am also thrilled to announce that my wife, Abby, is now fully on board with Keep Edinburgh Thriving. We are not only local and independent but we are now also a family business!
I have recently visited cool new spots like Choose Books on Newhaven Road, Work of Iron at The Pitt, Granton and Backtracks Music Film & Games, Tollcross, that continues to thrive on socials.
Keep reading to find out more.👇
Looking for some weekend inspiration? We’ve got you covered; check below for some great events for you to enjoy this weekend.
We have also got some International Women’s Day (IWD) events for you and a locally sourced Mother’s Day Gift & Activity Guide!
This week's newsletter includes:
🏪 Local business highlights
🏡 Guess the Property Price
📅 A snapshot of some weekend events
💐 International Women’s Day Events & Mother's Day Gift & Ideas Guide
Let's get into it! 👇
Choose Books, so much more than just books!
📖 Choose Books
I turned up unannounced last Saturday and was so pleased I did.
This is so much more than a book shop. Situated on Newhaven Road, just off Ferry Road, I stepped into a time warp! A bookstore with links to Trainspotting and if I’m honest, my childhood bedroom!
A fantastic collection of vintage toys and movie collectables lined the display cabinets. Old skool Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figures and tons of Star Wars memorabilia. More to enjoy than I had ever anticipated.
To top things off, the owner, Shaun, is serving Ride & Grind coffee, a favourite of mine and another local independent brew out in Wallyford.
With a great coffee and a comfy seat in the window, Choose Books is a great spot to chill and chew the fat. Shaun explained to me that the shop was a tribute to Irvine Welsh and Edinburgh. A great new local hangout!
I’ll be back soon.
📍 126 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh
🏡 Edinburgh Property - Can you guess the value?
24/2 Broughton Road, Canonmills, Edinburgh, EH7 4EB
A beautifully presented first-floor 2-bedroom flat, located in the popular area of Canonmills, within walking distance of the city centre.
What do you reckon?
Step into the fire at Work of Iron
🔥 Work of Iron 🔨
I highly recommend a trip to The Pitt Market in Granton. I recently went to check out the food trucks and the main hall, where there is always something big going on. A great place to meet friends or even visit Soul Water Sauna.
But if you walk a bit further along the waterfront, you’ll see a big set of folding yellow doors. In there, you will find Work of Iron.
It feels like stepping back into medieval times. Fire and steel mixed with axes and hammers! I was given a tour by the owner, Jack, who is passionate about all things blacksmithing.
Don’t get me wrong. This is a state-of-the-art facility operated by exceptional craftsmen. They share their extensive knowledge to help people build on their blacksmithing skills.
Work of Iron offers various courses, unique commissions and a community built around craftmanship, fire and iron…grrrrr! Contact Jack directly for further info.
Whilst you’re there, enjoy a session at Pitt Strength Gym and Access Parkour, both based in the same warehouse as Work of Iron.
Most definitely worth a visit.
📍 The Pitt, 120 West Shore Road, Granton, Edinburgh, EH5 1QD
Backtracks Music, Films & Games
💿 🎵 Backtracks Music Films & Games
You have probably driven, cycled and walked past this shop a million times. Tucked away behind a bus stop on Brougham Street, Tollcross, you will find Tommy.
A treasure trove of second-hand goods that Tommy tells me he knows exactly where everything is! A collection spanning 36 years….the nostalgia!
I unlocked a happy childhood memory when I spotted a Nintendo 64 high up on a shelf! I could have spent a full day looking around here.
From DVD’s to vinyl, golf clubs and cables for every type of electrical appliance you can imagine, this shop is an Edinburgh icon.
Big thanks to Tommy for the chat. Very interesting to hear his story and I look forward to returning.
📍17 Brougham Street, Tollcross, Edinburgh, EH3 9JS
📣 WORTH SHOUTING ABOUT
🏃♀️ The Auld Alliance 5k Fundraiser
Whether you're a rugby fanatic, a running enthusiast, or just looking for a new experience around the city, join Jayne from Stride Out Running Tours for a guided 5k run tour through Edinburgh's West End as we build the "Auld Alliance" spirit ahead of the big game at Murrayfield later that day.
This event is open to all running abilities - a social run with a few stops along the way at key landmarks. Jayne will start/end the tour at Cairngorm Coffee, where post-run coffee and pastries will be available.
🗓️ Saturday 7th March 2026, 8 am - 9:30 am
Tour is free, but a suggested donation to Personal Best Foundation is welcome.
📍 Cairngorm Coffee,1 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7PR
🫕 Young Makers Market
A one-off market celebrating our next generation of creative Young Makers, under 18 years, located right at the heart of the bustling Portobello community at the Portobello Baptist Church. This is a market focused on a collection of gorgeous handmade pieces from our very talented young entrepreneurs in our community.
🗓️ Saturday 7th March 2026, 1 pm - 4 pm, FREE entry
📍 Portobello Baptist Church, 189 - 193 Portobello High Street, Edinburgh, EH15 2PW
🏃♀️ Run For Her X International Womens Day
Brought to you by Run for Her, Run Club! This Sunday morning, the ladies are gathering to celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women everywhere!
Run For Her is so excited to be partnering and collaborating with some truly incredible and talented businesswomen in our community, including Bev from Wishing Tree Cafe, Lyndsay from Yellow Door Yoga and Stef from Twisted Cakes, offering her tremendous cupcakes - because women deserve to be celebrated, supported, and championed.
Sign up for the run through the Strava link in Run For Her’s Instagram bio or turn up on the day. They would LOVE to see you there!
🗓️ Sunday 8th March 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - SUNDAY 8TH MARCH
EMOJI KEY: 🏃♀️ Active | 🎨 Arts & Creative | 🎉 Night Out | 🎟️ Book Ahead | 🆓 Free
🌅 IWD Sunrise Swim - Portobello Beach 🆓
Kick off International Women's Day in the best possible way - in the sea at Portobello sunrise. Whether you're swimming, cheering from the shore or just soaking up the atmosphere, everyone is welcome.
📍 Portobello Swim Centre Seafront Sunday 8th March, 6:45 am – 7:30 am
FREE (Donations welcome to Edinburgh Women's Aid)
🌸 In Bloom - Ukrainian Fashion, Art & Music 🎨
A brilliant showcase of Ukrainian fashion, art and music at Edinburgh's Shop with No Name. A beautiful way to celebrate IWD and feel inspired.
📍 Shop with No Name, Edinburgh Broughton Place, Edinburgh, Sunday 8th March, 11 am
🎸 LOUD WOMEN - IWD Special at Banshee Labyrinth 🎉 🎟️
Several brilliant female artists come together for a night of connection, celebration and seriously good music in the underground vaults of the Banshee Labyrinth. Said to be one of the best IWD nights in the city.
📍 Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Sunday 8th March, 7:00 pm 💷 £9–£10
💐 MOTHER'S DAY SUNDAY 15TH MARCH
🎁 GIFTS & EXPERIENCE IDEAS
EMOJI KEY: 👩 For Mum | 🛍️ Shop & Market | 🎨 Hands-On & Creative | 🎟️ Book Ahead | 🆓 Free | 💷 Paid
🕯️ Melrose Candle Co - Mother's Day Sale Weekend 👩 🛍️
A beautiful handcrafted candle is one of those gifts that never misses. Their Mother's Day sale runs Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th March.
📍 In store & online | All weekend
🌺 Rooted in Mexico - Portobello Market 👩 🛍️
Authentic handcrafted Mexican folk art is perfect for a Mother’s Day gift. Made by artisans keeping ancestral traditions alive. Every piece has a story, something beautiful, handmade and unlike anything on the high street.
📍 Portobello Market, Brighton Park, Saturday 7th March, 9:30 am–1:00 pm
🎨 Girls Craft Club - Sticker & Scrapbooking Night 🎨 🎟️
Perfect pre-Mother's Day night out with your mum.
Private room at The Volley, drinks, pizza slices, cute stationery and good vibes. Beginners are totally welcome.
📍 The Volley, Edinburgh, Friday 6th March, 5:30 pm–7:30 pm 💷 £8 / £10 non-members
🧘 Happy Thoughts Squad - 'Together, Gently' Morning 👩 🎨 🎟️
A gentle Mother's Day wellbeing morning for mums and daughters (ages 7–16). Yin yoga, sound bath, breathwork, creative crafting, guided conversation, hot drinks, cookies - and a Happy Thoughts Squad wellbeing box worth £45 to take home.
📍 Life-Force Hub, Seafield, Bathgate, Sunday 15th March, 9:30 am–12:00 pm 💷 £80 per mum & daughter pair
🎂 Krema Bakehouse & Primavera - Cake & Flowers for Mum 👩 🛍️
Flowers + cake = the perfect Mother's Day combo. Pick up a gorgeous Krema cake and collect your pre-ordered Primavera bouquet from their exclusive Mother's Day Collection - all from one spot.
A beautiful surprise awaits you when you walk through the door. 💕
📍Krema Bakehouse, 21 Leith Walk, Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th March
That's your lot for this week! 👋
Coming up next week….. can you guess whose kitchen made this?
Thank you so much for your support. Abby and I hope you find our Newsletter helpful and informative. It’s far from perfect and we will keep tweaking week on week with improvements.
A place to shout about the brilliant local businesses on our doorstep and to keep you in the loop on the best events happening in and around Edinburgh.
But the best bit? This community is shaped by you! So get out there, spend local and I'll see you around the city.
Hit reply and say hi, we would love to hear from you.
Know a local business that deserves a feature? Reply to this email or head to the website. www.keepedinburghthriving.com and follow us on socials.
Nashy & Abs