IAYS OUT
l SOLAR ECLIPSE Tue 10, 6.30—8.30pm (approx). Everywhere in Scotland! (special events at Mills Observatory, Dundee and the lioyal Observatory, Edinburgh - see listings). Depending on where you are, this partial annular solar eclipse (to be technical about it) starts at 6.30pm, achieves a maximum at 7.30pm at some 30 per cent and linishes at 8.30pm. During the last partial eclipse in 1984, between 80 and ZOO cases of permanent eye damage occurred in the UK, caused by people looking at the sun. DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE sum it is easy to cast the image of the sun and the eclipse onto a piece of paper using a crude pinhole camera or a lens. The Royal Observatory, Blacklord llill, Edinburgh (O31 668 8405) will send you a tree inlonnation sheet with viewing and technical details on request.
This section gives details of selected events taking place in and around the Central Belt 01 Scotland this fortnight. Events are listed by area and then alphabetically. All submissions should be accompanied by a contact phone number lor our lnlonnation. Days Out compiled by Thom Dibdin.
BORDERS
I CRAFT FAIR Sun 8. 10.30am—5pm. The Homestead Craft Centre. The Hirsel, Coldstream. 0890882834. £1 (children free). Lively craft-orientated event with various stalls and craft demonstrations. There are kids entertainments so you can leave the little ones while you wander off to try the refreshments and catch the live music. The grounds of The Hirsel are open all day. every day with walks. playgrounds and picnic areas. Cafe. Homestead Museum and permanent craft centre open tnost days. Parking charge.
I NEATWORK BORDERS DASH Fri 6—Sun 8. Neatwork, Off Hillview. Coldstream. 0890 883456. A weekend of bike-related and social events with Scotland's distributers of recumbent bicycles. culminating in the Tweed Triathlon on Sunday. The relaxation starts on Friday at 6.30pm with a chance to try the Neatwork bikes. Various rides on Saturday. to suit all capabilities. Phone for further details. I VINTAGE AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION RALLY Sun 15. mam-4.30pm. Swan‘s Auction Mart. Newton St Boswells. £2 (£1). Carpark free. Displays of vintage steam engines. tractors. motorbikes and other old agricultural equipment. Also trade and craft stands. amusements and. of course. refreshments.
CENTRAL & TAYSIDE
I A DAY IN THE WARDEN’S YEAR Sat 14. 10am—4pm. Vane Farm RSPB Nature
Reserve. Loch Leven. (One mile east of junction 5 of the M90 on the B9097.) 0577 862355. £3. Find out how the RSPB wardens spend their days. with bird monitoring. reserve surveys and habitat management. Minimum age sixteen. booking essential. Vane Fartn is an excellent venue for any fledgeling birdwatchers with its hides. nature trails. an indoor viewing area and RSPB shop. Binoculars can be hired for £1 and nortnal admission prices are £2. £1 (concessions) and 50p (children). The reserve is open daily. 10am—5pm.
I SOLAR ECLIPSE Tue 10. 5.30—8.30pm. Mills Observatory. Balgay Park. Dundee. 0382 67138. Free. A partial solar eclipse occurs on Tue 10. From Dundee, the eclipse starts at 6.32pm. reaches a maximum at 7.30pm. when 46% of the sun will be blocked out. and finishes at 8.24pm. Do llot Loolt Directly At The Sun even for a fraction ofa second. Safe viewing of the eclipse and further information at the Observatory. See photo caption.
LOTHIANS & FIFE
I ANTIQUES AND COLLECTORS FAIR Fri 6. noon—8.30pm. Sat 7. 10am-5pm. Royal Highland Centre. lngliston. £2. Vintage bus service operating from St Andrew Square Bus Station. Over 500 stalls of antiques and collectables.
I ASIAN WOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS Sat 7.
1 1am-2pm. Assembly Rooms, George Street. Edinburgh. Free. The All Pakistani Women‘s Association and The Drummond Asian Women’s Group invite everyone to celebrate and discover some of the delights of Edinburgh Asian and Pakistani communities. with henna painting. dress displays and more. A large selection of food will also be on sale.
I CURRIE FAIR AND RIDING OF MARCH Sat 7. from 10am. George V playing field.
Currie. Midlothian. Free. The Currie Ensign and Equerry take the flag of Currie round the bounds of the March after being sworn in at 10am. The fair with children‘s pet show (free poop scoops available on the day) and sports starts at 2pm.
I ISLE OF MAY TRIP Sun 15. 2—8pm. Meet at the Kiosk in Anstruther Harbour. £9. Booking essential from Mike Alexander: 031 556 3312 (evening). 0333 312 065 (weekdays). Anyone is welcome to go on this trip out to the isle of May organised by the British Association of Nature Conservationists. May is a national nature reserve and important seabird colony for Eiderduck, Puffins,Gui11emots. Kittiwakes. Shags and the odd Skua. Trip subject to weather conditions. Booking essential.
I PUMPATHON Sun 8. noon—5pm. Edinburgh Canal Centre. Baird Road. Ratho. Free. Vintage fire engines from all over Scotland will descend on the Edinburgh Canal Centre for this unique event. Over twenty vehicles are expected to be in attendance. including a 1910 Shand Mason steam—driven machine. wartime appliances, turntables and tnore modem machines. Hold onto your ears every half hour. when the assembled blaze of engines will sound their bells, sirens and whistles while pumping water as high into the air as they can. if you fancy playing at being a fireperson for the day this is obviously for you. But don't forget your brolly.
I SOLAR ECLIPSE Tue 10, from 5.45pm. Royal Observatory. Blackford Hill. 031 668 8405. £2 (£1.25). Eclipse lecture starts 5.45pm, followed by viewing of the eclipse. Do llot Look Directly At The Sun even for a fraction of a second. See photo caption.
I FRIENDS OF THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE Sat 14/Sun 15. 11am-5pm. Bo’ness Station, Union Street, Bo‘ness. 0506 822298. £4 (£2.50). Birkhill Mine supplement: £1.70 (80p). Yet another weekend with the wee blue engine and his pals at the Bo‘ness and Kinneil Steam Railway centre, adding to their collection of railway buildings, equipment. locomotives, carriages and wagons. At the Birkhill end of the line lies the Avon Gorge. with its fireclay mine. The railway is open every weekend and has a stationary buffet car open for the sale of teas. coffees. ‘sangwitches' and hot and cold snacks.
STRATHCLYDE
I EGYPTIAN BELLY DANCE WORKSHOP Sat 7, 1—4pm. 1st Class Fitness Studio. 87 Paisley Road. Renfrew, Glasgow. £10 (booking essential on 041 886 7000). Hilary Thacker leads an introductory class in Raqs Shaqi, the art of Egyptian Belly Dancing. Women should wear skirts if possible and bring a scarf to tie round their hips.
I FIELD SPORTS FAIR Sat 7/Sun 8. 10am—6pm. Kelburn Country Centre.
South Offices. Fairlie near Largs. 0475 568685. £3 (£1.50). The West of Scotland field sports fair comes to Kelburn for the first time. Displays of field sports include clay pigeon shooting with a 40-bird shoot. pool trap. side-by-side trophy and a have— a-go stand. falconry displays. archery. sheepdog displays and exhibitions of flycasting and foxhounds and hunters. Competitions of country skills include a gundog scurry and advanced pick-up. air rifle competition. a fishemian's corner with distance and trout accuracy competitions. and laser shooting. So there should be enough fora full day out. while you dump the kids in the various adventure playgrounds and children‘s amusements. The events start at 1pm each day. The centre is open daily with a wide range of things to do.
I GOURDCK HIGHLAND GAMES Sun 8. 2-5. 15pm. Gourock Park. Gourock. £1.50 (50p). Car parking £2. Athletic competition including track and traditional field events. pipe band competition. Highland dancing. wrestling. tug-'o-war. side shows. fair and that absolutely vital beer tent.
I KILMACOLM 81 PORT GLASGOW AGRICULTURAL SHOW Sat 14. 10am—5pm. The Knapps. Kilmacolm. £1 (50p). Car parking £1.50. Fairly large show with cattle. horses. sheep. show jumping and all the usual agricultural events as well as
I VIDAL SASSOON FASHION WEEK COLLECTION Fri 13/Sat 14. 10am. 11.30am. 1pm. 2.30pm. 4pm. The Forge Shopping Centre. Parkhead. Glasgow. Free.
Summer may officially be here. but there's still a stnidgeon of snow on some of the slopes despite the mild wet. westerly wind. if you do decide to have a go. you are likely to have the piste pretty much to yourself. so don‘t wax those skis and get out the golfing trousers yet!
I SKI Clubs If you fancy getting up to the slopes with a few like-minded folk try contacting your local ski club:
Glasgow SKI Club meet every Thursday at 9pm in The Scaramouche. Elderslie Street. Details front 041 424 1893 or 041 883 6665. They are now operating their summer programme of hill walks. Edinburgh SKI Club meet every Tuesday from 9.30pm at the West End Hotel. Palmerston Place. For an information pack phone 031 220 3121.
I GLENCOE Chairlift company: 08556 226. Although there was a deal of fresh snow as The List went to press. Gleneoe has officially closed for the season. However. there is a distinct possibility that they will be opening again from Sun 21 May on Sundays and Mondays.
I NEVIS RANGE Chairlift company: 0397 705825. With the highest pistes in Scotland up on Aonach Mor (4006 feet). the Nevis Range gondola system is still taking skiers up to the top slopes where the good cover is expected to last until the end of May.
I CAlllllCOllM Chairlift company: 0479 861 261. Worth a phone call. as there should be some good cover even if it is only on the higher slopes.
58 The List 6—19 May 19941