listings KIDS
EDINBURGH LIFE
attention of even the most determined philistine.
Royal Museum Of Scotland
2 Chambers Street. 247 4219. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm (Tue 8pm); Sun noon—5pm. £3—£5 (£1.50—£2.50). A 19th century museum housing international collections of natural history. geology. science. technology and the decorative arts. plus two permanent exhibitions: Art & Industry and The Ivy Wu Gallery. Also showing: Chinese Lacquer. Photographic Displctv. Jr'ii'el/en' Moves and Making Weaver — The Basket/tinker Art. See Edinburgh Art listings. page 91.
to holographs and photography on the lower floors.
Edinburgh Castle
225 9846. Daily 9.30am—5pm. £6
(£1 .50—£4.50). Although much ofthe castle‘s medieval character was lost when it was converted into barracks iii the 19th century. continuing excavations aim to redress this. Other attractions include James 1V's famous cannon. Mons Meg. lots of military silverware and. of course. The Stone Of Destiny. used to crown Scottish kings since time began.
Royal Observatory Visitor Centre Blackford Hill. 668 8405. Mon—Sat 10am-5pm; Sun noon—5pm. £2.50 (£1.50). This attraction is a mine of information on the heavens. from the latest interactive CD-Roms on space and astronomy to the observatory's on-going work in Hawaii and Australia. Public star-gazing sessions take place every Friday night from October to March.
Huntly House
142 Canongate. 529 4143. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Free. Packed with historic artefacts. this restored 16th century mansion tells the story of Edinburgh's past and its people also housing important collections of Edinburgh silver and glass. Scottish pottery and shop signs.
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Midlothian Ski Centre
Hillend. 445 4433. Mon—Sat 9.30am-9pm; Sun 9.30am—7pm. £6 (£4). Europe's longest artificial ski slope is the perfect place to learn or hone skiing and snowboarding skills. The centre also houses a competitively prices ski repair and maintenance facility.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean Drive. Leith. 555 5566. Daily 10.30am—6pm (last entry 4.30pm). £6.50 (£3.75—£5). The former royal yacht has recently opened its doors to members of the public after a £25 million refit. The on-shore visitor centre contains historical information on the boat and its furnishings while. on the yacht itself. members of the public can have a good nosey round the royals' former quarters.
Aladdin open Edinburgh‘s
Get your skates on: Gerard Kelly and the cast of : Winter Wonderland
A qurck look at Edinburgh's Winter Wonderland What is it? The wonderland is an open-air rink which can accommodate 250 skaters who w0uld rather be doing triple salkos than trudging around the shops in search of gifts they promised themselves would all be bought by November Not that you need fret about the shOpping, as the Christmas Fair at the foot of the Scott Monument is a veritable Pandora’s bOx of unusual gift ideas for those you love.
When does it all start? The grand opening takes place at 5pm on Thu 10 Dec with the aid of Surprise guests from the cast of Aladdin (abovel while the cream of
Scotland's skating talent '.‘.1lI show you how it's done.
: When can ou et our skates on? From in i 1 Dec there \VlIl be 11’10-8‘0) ice action Museum Of scouand - y g y ‘ ‘ k l ‘ Chambers Street. 247 4219. Mon—5111
- )1 ! s n ’E‘v’ 'i > m i - . - . Mill hour let u seison starti g t (ry i itec n ‘ inutcs ' mamapml Sun mumapm. BC one m Who '5 beh'nd 't' 'h‘i 'th“ Hm“) '3 be“) Staged by the G'lded Baum)” 5 head the first to check otit the newest addition honcho Karen Koren in assuriation ‘.‘.’|Ill CRS, Europe's leading ice rink supplier. The to our national museum selection (if they organisers are aiming to make next year's extravaganza evc-in more spectacular, what finish building it on time) and the only With it being the last of the century and all that. ""C dc‘l'cmcd 5919'.".msc‘mm‘d,‘ “'5‘”? - r I i. r- i "Z". ‘ ")1 .‘ \" rd Edinburgh s Winter V‘i/onderiand, Fri 1 1 Dec—Sun 3 Jan (c/osecl Fri 23 Dec), [21:11:33 h L
-1 1---~ ._ If) 'r‘ ’1 .“.-“~.' “ Sun Wed 10am t ,)/7., Thu Sat 70am 10pm [4.50 (.350 famil/ ticket t . 2 50. "mung mm] “£4115er through the Princes Street Gardens, info 226 6550,
industrial revolution. to the present day.
at which point national heroes such as Billy Connolly and Elaine C. Smith get involved. Homes And Gardens Grand Sale Thu i 3—Sat 5 Dec. l0am- 6pm. £6.50. ' Edinburgh International Conference ' Centre. The Exchange. Info: 01634 396005. The leading design iiiaga/inc present their annual shopping c.\tra\agan/a \\11I17IlL‘\Illi‘lIUl'.\ pi'oiiiising c\c|usi\ c offers and discounts and many unusual stocking fillci 1tIL'.l\. The c\ciit 1\;1I\Ut'\pt‘Clt'tIlUlith‘Cthl for the Sick Kids l-oundation in Edinburgh. Alba Adventure Company Thu .‘s. Wed 9-Thu 10. Wed 16 Thu 17 Dec. l0am--4pm. £61£L50/£4.501. l‘idinburgh Castle. Info: 668 8830/8686. The Historic Scotland season (Ullllllllc‘s with more i pci‘foriiianccs of lix ing history. drama and comedy. Alba Adventure Company pl'L‘Sc‘iil .‘I R('(/( Hill Sit/t/it’l‘ ()f Kill: (Ic’ul'g'c‘. \\11I1 \lttl'lc‘S ()1. Illt‘ 111 lIic‘ (‘QISIIL‘ in the aftermath of the Jacobite L'prising and A St iii/itli Clununun. who will describe the clothing and the weaponry at his disposal. Rock Trust Sponsored Sleepout Fri 4 Dec. (Milli-"(10111. St Andrew ‘s «k St (ieorge‘s Church George Street. Info: 557 4059. Your chance to raise cash for projects with the young and Iltilllc‘IL'Ss. Armed w itli sleeping bags. polythene and clothing layers. you are invited to huddle
Museum Of Childhood
42 High Street. 5294142. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Free. Founded in 1955. the museum has five public galleries with all manner of archive material and old toys relating to childhood through the ages. Also showing: Thank You For The Fund We lint. See Edinburgh Art listings. page 91.
Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
354 Castlehill (Royal Mile). 220 0441. Daily 9.30am—4.30pm. £4.95 t£2.50—£3.50). Take a romp through the traditions and history of yer national drink at this ftilly interactive attraction. Highlights include a lesson from a ghost master-blender. a barrel-car ride through whisky history and a well-stocked bar in which to test your newly-acquired expertise.
Scottish Telecom World Of Communications
Saltire Court. 10 Cambridge Street. 473 3939. Tue—Sat 10am-5pm; Stiii 2—5pm. Free. This fully interactive exhibition looks at the history ofcoiiimunication featuring everything from Morse Code and old style telephones to computerised displays.
1 Christmas purchasing burden with a
1 stately stroll around the grandeur of llopetotiii House for the last three weekends before the big day. The shop. tea-rooiii and restaurant will also be open.
Universal Declaration Of Human Rights 50th Anniversary “Thu 10 Dec. Various \enues. Info: 557 2957. It's 50 years since the declarations signing and Edinburgh's branch of Amnesty International arc in celebration mode. Among the events arranged are a candlelit vigil outside St John‘s Church and a service and address at St Andrew's (K St George's.
Edinburgh's Winter Wonderland Fri I I Dec—Sun 3.1antclosed Fri 35 Dec). Siiii--Wecl 10am— 8pm; Thu—Sat
10am- 10pm. £4.50 (£3.50): family ticket £12.50. Princes Street Gardens. Info: 226 6550. See photo caption.
PERMANENT ATTRACTIONS
Brass Rubbing Centre
Chalmers Close. Royal Mile. 556 4364. Mon—Sat 10am--5pm. Free. btit there is a charge for making a rubbing. Housed in the apse of a Gothic church dating back to 1460. the centre houscs a selection of church brasses and ancient Pictish replicas - as well as lots ofcrayons so you can get rubbing.
E together and clock up the sponsor money a
. throughout the night. Camera Obscura
' Christmas Shopping At Hopetoun Castlehill (Royal Mile). 226 3709. Daily ; House Fri 4—Sun 6. Fri 11 «Sun 13. Fri 10am ~5pm. Pick tip a pedestrian in your f |8~Sun 201)cc. 11t)t)11~-()p111. £3 (£1). hand at this attraction. which gives '
l Hopetoun House. South ()uecnsferry. 331 visitors a real-time. 360 image of the
i 2451. Take the tension out of your city. There is also an exhibition devoted
Palace 0f Holyroodhouse
Royal Mile. 556 1096. Daily 9.30am—4.30pm (last entry 3.45pm). £5.30 (£2.60): family ticket £13. Starting life as a 13th century abbey. the palace has evolved into a sumptuous regal residence crammed ftill of paintings and artefacts dating back primarily to the 17th century. The tower apartments housed a sad and lonely Mary Queen of Scots‘ fora time. but with a spectacular view ofArthur's Seat. and magnificent gardens to look at. it's hard to feel too sorry for her. Also showing: ll’i/ttc'r lz‘i'liihi’ti‘un. See Edinburgh Art listings. page 9 l.
Writers' Museum .
Lady Stair's House. Lady Stair’s Close. 529 4901. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Free. A treasure-house of items relating to three of Seotland's most famous writers: Robert Louis Stevenson. Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott. Also showing: Trove/x With A Don/rev. See Edinburgh Art listings. page 91.
AROUND SCOTLAND
Warriors Of The Heart Sat 5 & Sun 6 Dec. £95. Purelands Retreat Centre. Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. Eskdalemuir. Dumfriesshire. Info: 0131 556 7976. A weekend workshop for men which looks at how you conduct yourself and your relationships. The fee includes accommodation and evening meals. while clothing for indoor and outdoor activities should be brought.
World Championship Boxing Fri 11 Dec. 7.30pm. £2()—£30. Centrum Arena. Prestwick. 01292 671600. Top flight pugilism or grown men leathering the crap otit of one another? For those in the former corner. this is a joint collaboration from the stables of Tommy Ciilmour and Barry Hearn with the 180 lyliddleweight crown tip for grabs. Tonight Mpush Makambi. the champ from South Africa. takes on London‘s Adrian Dobson. while Scots on the bill include Shaun Anderson and Ian McLeod.
The People's Story
Canongate Tolbooth. 163 Canongate. 529 4057. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Free. Situated in the Canongate Tolbooth. the sights. sounds and even smells of Edinburgh folk from the 18th century onwards are faithfully reproduced.
Rosslyn Chapel
Roslin. Mid Lothian. 440 2159. Free. Mon-Sat 10am—5pm; Sun noon—4pm. What you get out of a trip to Rosslyn Chapel may depend on your familiarity with books of the conspiracy theorist genre: a stronghold for the Knights Templar‘.’; proof of pi'e-Colunibian transatlantic travel‘.’; even the final resting place of the Holy Grail‘.’:'.’ What is certain though is that the chapel contains enough historically fascinating carvings and symbols to hold the
3--—17 Dec 1998 THE LIST97