fartiiyard animals and equipment. as well as organic and herb gardens.
Hopetoun House
Shore Road. South Queensferry. Edinburgh. 33l 245l. Daily l0am—5.30pm. ii I .60—£4.70. This stately home. part of which is still lived in by the Marquesses of Linlitligow. was build in the eighteenth century by architects Sir William Bruce and William Adatit. lt houses furnishings and artwork collected by the fatiiily over the past 400 years. Other attractions include the Red Deer Park and generous gardens criss-crossed with woodland walks.
Huntly House
I42 Canongate. Edinburgh. 52‘) 4 l43. Mon—Sat l0am—5ptii. Free. Packed with historic artefacis. this restored l6th century mansion tells the story of Edinburgh’s past and its people and houses important collections of Edinburgh silver atid glass. Scottish pottery and sho signs.
Mary King’s C ose Tours
Meet at Mercat Cross (beside St Giles' Cathedral). Edinburgh. 225 659l. £5 (£4). Various tours between I l.3()am & 9.30pm — advanced booking is necessary. Literally. a trip to Edinburgh's underworld. Mary King's Close is part of a now subterranean network of streets. walled off in the middle ages during an outbreak of the plague. Visit the restored (or at least made stable and safe) street atid hear the horror stories of the residents left to die.
Medieval Torture Exhibition 45—47 Niddry Street. Edinburgh. 557 4700. Daily l0aiii—7pm. £l. lf tliumbserews arid jaw-breakers are your thing then drop into this new Edinburgh attraction. featuring the latest and greatest iii medieval torture devices and instruments of humiliation. including the eiiigiiiatically-named ‘Scavenger's Daughter".
Museum Of Childhood 42 Hiin Street. Edinburgh. 52‘) 4 I42. Mon—Sat I0am-5piii. Free. Founded iii I955. the museum has five public galleries wttli all manner of archive material and old toys relating to childhood through the ages. From antique dolls to I980s computer games. there's plenty here to send you off on a trip dowti memory lane.
Museum Of Scotland Chambers Street. Edinburgh. 247 42 l‘). Mott—Sat I0am—5pni (Tue 8pm): Stiii noon—5pm. £3 (£ l .50; under l8s free). This is the newest addition to our national museum selection and the only one dedicated solely to Scotland’s history atid heritage. The building contains five (hematically-arraiiged exhibitions. moving from pre-history. through the Industrial Revolution. to the present day. at which point national heroes such as Billy Connolly and Elaine C‘. Smith get involved.
Newhaven Heritage Museum
Newhm en Harbour. Edinburgh. 55l 4|65. Daily noon—5pm. Free. Memorabilia and reconstructed scenes tell the story of Newhaven and its sea- goiiig heritage. from its origins as a naval dockyard to its continued use as a fishing port.
Old Town Weaving Company
555 Castleliill (Royal Mile). Edinburgh. 226 I555. Mon—Sal ‘)aiii—5.3()plti' Sun l0aiii-5piii. Free. Watch tartan appear before your eyes at this weaving wonderland. lt's tree to observe. bttt if yoti feel like lta\ mg ago. £3 buys you a shot on the looiii and £2 gets you into two iiiised-iiiedia exhibitions. Story 0/ ll‘t'ui‘me atid Hie/t/mul /)I'(’\\ flirting/i The .Ing. And if you're feeling brave. you can dress tip tn ancient Scottish costume and have your photte taken. Palace Of Holyroodhouse
Royal Mile. Edinburgh. 556 l0‘)6. Daily 9.30aiii—5.l5pm. £5.50(£2.70-£4): family ticket £I3.50. Starting life as a l3tli 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‘ for a time. btit with a spectacular view ofArthur's Seat. and magnificent gardens to look at. it's hard to feel too sorry for her. Portobello Swim Centre
57 Promenade. Edinburgh. 66‘) 6888. Mon—Fri 7am—9pm; Sat & Stiti 9am-4pm. A swimming pool in the traditional Victorian mould (it was originally opened in I90I ). Portobello Swim Centre has recently benefited from a complete refit. courtesy ofcouncil and lottery money. It now houses tip-to-the- minute sports facilities as well as a pool and authentic Turkish Bath facilities. Oueensferry Museum
53 High Street. South Queensferry. 33| 5545. Mon. Thu. Fri 8; Sat I0am—lpm 8: 2. l5—5pm; Stiii noon—5pm. Free. The natural and historical heritage of Queensferry are explored. from its roots on the medieval pilgrimage trail to the building of the Forth bridges and the wildlife of the Forth estuary. You can also check out the burry man. at) effigy which forms part of the Lamnias celebrations to this day.
Rosslyn Chapel
Rosliii. Edinburgh. 440 2 I 5‘). Mon—Sat l0am—5pm: Sun noon—4.45pm. £2.50 (£2). 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 pre- Colutnbian trans—Atlantic traveli". 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 attention ofeven the tiiost determined philistine.
Royal Botanic Garden
liiverleith Row. Edinburgh. 552 7 l 7 I. Daily 9.30ani—7pm. Free. A sea of tranquillity in the littbbtib of the city. the Botanic Garden is home to a wealth of flora and fauna from all over the world. The glasshouses give you the opportunity to check out tropical plants as well. The site also hosts art exhibitions. horticultural courses atid various platit- related events. including daily guided walks in the summer.
Royal Museum Of Scotland
2 Chambers Street. Edinburgh. 247 42 l‘). Mon—Sat l0am—5pm (Tue 8pm); Stiii
is
l‘)tli century museum housing international collections of natural history. geology. science. technology and the decorative arts. plus two permanent exhibitions: Art & lllt/ll.\‘ll'\‘ and The ll'\' Wit (fullerv.
Royal Observatory Visitor Centre Blackford Hill. Edinburgh. 668 8405. Mon—Sat l0am—5ptii: Sun noon—5ptii. £2.50 (£1.50). This attraction ts a mine of itiforiiiation on the heavens. from the latest interactive CD-Rotiis on space and astronomy to the observatorys (:l‘-g()lllg work in Hawaii atid Australia.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean Drive. l.eith. Edinburgh. 555 5566. Daily |0.3()aiii—4.30ptii. £6.50 (£3.75-£5 ). The former royal yacht opens its doors to members of the public after a £25 million refit. 'l'he 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 iiosy round the royals' former quarters.
Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
354 Castlehill (Royal Mile). Edinburgh. 220 044 l. Daily ‘).30atii—4.30piii. £4.95 (£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 iiiaster-blcnder. a barrel-car ride through whisky history and a well-stocked bar iii which to test your newly-acquired expertise.
The People's Story
Canongatc Tolbootli. I63 (‘anoiigate Edinburgh. 52‘) 4057. .‘yloti—Sat l0am—5pni. Free. Situated in the Canongate Tolbootli. the sights. sounds atid eveii smells of Edinburgh folk from the l8th century onwards are faithfully reproduced.
Witchery Tour
Meet outside The Witchery restaurant. Castleliill (Royal Mile). Edinburgh. 225 6745. £7 (£4). Times vary atid advanced booking is necessary. Take a trip to the dark side of Edinburgh w itli your guide. Adatii l.yal deceased. who will regale you with stories of torture. murder atid witchcraft - btit watch otit for ghosts atid ghouls lurking iii the shadows.
Writers’ Museum
Lady Stan's House. Lady Stair's Close. Edinburgh. 52‘) 490l. Mott—Sat I0am-5pm. Free. A treasure-house of items relating to three of Scotland's tiiost famous writers: Robert Louis Stevenson. Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.
“53;; s. »‘r'w.‘32‘-I-t-‘5¥‘:' ‘ ~ * IDEAL HOME EXHIBITION Fri 30 Apr-Sun 9 May, 1-9pm (Sat, Sun 8: Mon 3 May. mam-6pm). £5 (£4; free for under 145).
listings EDINBURGH lIFE
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Special Events
Scottish Boat Jumble Sun 2 May. Want. Free. The Pilot House. llarbourside. Irvine. info: 042l 888789. If being iii. on or under the water is your idea of ftiii. then this is the event for you. A bit like a nautical 'barras‘ (minus the knock-off goods). this is the biggest maritime event tn the country with added attractions nearby such as the .‘ylagiium Leisure Centre and the Scottish Maritime .\lttsetiiii.
Permanent Attractions
Abbot House
Maygate. Dtinferiiiltne. 0l383 33266. Daily l()aiii—4.I5piii. £3 (£2). Asa i medieval capital and favourite burial } place for the kings and queens of
Scotland (including old Brticie). Dtinfertiilitie's witness to the events of Scottish history is second to none. The recently refurbished Abbot's llouse
features recreations of important events
attd people from throughout Scottish history. including the shrine of St ; Margaret and a bust of sttffragctte Anna E Munro. New Lanark World Heritage Centre
New Lanark .‘y'lills. Lanark. 01555
66l345. Daily llaiii—5piii. £3.75
(£2.50). Now a World Heritage Site. New Lanark has much to teach its about life iii the industrial era and the pioneering work of philanthropist Robert ()weii.
Attractions include The .'I/Illl(’ .If(‘/.(‘H(/ lit/it'rit'nt't'. an audio-visual trip to Victorian times. as well as a ftill programme of specialist events atid hands-on activities.
The Hill House
l’pper Colquliotin Street. lleleiisbtirgli. I 0l436 673900. Daily I30 5.30pm. £6 I (£4). ('liarlcs Rennie .\lackiiitosli's domestic masterpiece
Vikingar
Hai‘rfieltls. (ii'eciiock' Road. l.arg.s‘. ()l475 689777. Daily l0.30aiii 5pm. £3.50 (£2.50). An award-wining experience which tells the story of the Vikings in Scotland. from their first pillagitig forays to their defeat at the Battle of l.args iii I263. with the help of costtiiiied story interpreters and iiitilti-iiiedia exhibits. The centre also houses various leisure facilities and a cafe specialising in Vikiiig-tlieiiied cuisine - barbetlued Christian anyone'.’
Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, 333 3036. The centrepiece of this year‘s event at Ingliston is the Home For Life project - a futuristic home in which all your preconceived notions of what the traditional home should look like are smashed to smithereens. In addition there are cookery demonstrations from the Edinburgh Cookery School, the Teddy Bear treasure hunt, prize draws and over 200 exhibitors displaying the finest in exterior and interior furnishings.
2()A[)I*I.)' Mai, I999 THE llST79