Other Events
Museums & Galleries Month Mon 1 May—Sun 4 Jun, various venues, www.may2000.org.uk or contact your local museum or gallery for details. A month of Special activities and exhibitions celebrating the diversity of Scotland’s galleries. In Edinburgh some of the highlights include family workshops in portraiture, puppet making and batiks at the City Art Centre (529 3993), ‘Art in the Courtyard’ workshops featuring charcoal drawing at Huntley House Museum (529 4143) and Environmental Art workshops at Lauriston Castle (336 2060).
So You Think You Can't Draw! Sat 29 Apr, lOam—lpm. £10. Bankhead Farm, Bankhead Road, South Queensferry, 331 4553. Develop your drawing and visual art skills at this introductory workshop. Developing A Creative Journal Sat 29 Apr, 2—5pm. £10. Bankhead Farm, Bankhead Road, South Queensferry, 331 4553. A taster workshop encouraging you to explore your creative writing talent. May Day 2000 Mon 1 May, assemble 11.30am at Market Street for march along Princes Street; rally 1pm in Princes Street Gardens, 556 8869. Organised by Edinburgh May Day Committee, this rally features speakers such as STUC General Secretary Bill Speirs, Tommy Sheridan MSP and Bill Scott of Lothian Anti-Poverty Alliance.
PERMANENT ATTRACTIONS
Camera Obscura
Castlehill, Royal Mile, 226 3709. Mon- Fri 9.30am-6pm; Sat & Sun 10am-6pm. £3.95 (£1.95—£3.15); family ticket £11.50. Pick up a pedestrian in your hand at this attraction, which gives visitors a real-time, 360° image of the city.
Dynamic Earth
Holyrood Road, 550 7800. Daily 10am—6pm. £5.95 (£3.50—£4.40); family ticket £16.50. With volcanoes erupting beneath your feet, a tropical rainstorm pouring down, earthquakes and tidal waves at every turn, the history of the earth has never been more interesting.
Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill, 225 9846. Daily 9.30am-6pm. £6 (£2—£5). Although much of the castle’s medieval character was lost when it was converted into barracks in the 19th century, continuing excavations aim to redress this. James lV’s famous cannon, Mons Meg, the One O’Clock Gun and, of course, The Stone Of Destiny are all housed here.
Edinburgh Zoo
Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Daily 9am—6pm. £6.80 (£3.80—£4.80); family ticket £19—£23.50. Widely accepted as one of the finest zoos in Britain, there’s plenty here to while away an afternoon, or even a whole day if you take your time. The penguin parade at 2pm is a must and the newly-built African plains afford a fantastic view of the city. For temporary exhibitions, see Edinburgh Art Listings page 80.
Gladstone's Land
477b High Street, 226 5856. Mon—Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 2—5pm (last admission 4.30pm). £3.20 (£2.20). Restored to the splendour enjoyed by the merchant classes in the 17th century, Gladstone’s land gives an authentic representation of life in the medieval Old Town at this time. Special offer throughout 2000 — up to three children under eighteen go free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Huntly House
142 Canongate, 529 4143. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Free. This restored 16th century mansion tells the story of Edinburgh’s past and its people and houses important collections of Edinburgh silver and glass, Scottish pottery and shop signs. For temporary exhibitions, see Edinburgh Art Listings page 80.
Museum Of Scotland
Chambers Street, 247 4219. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun noon—5pm; Tue IOam—8pm. £3 (£1.50; children under 18 free). Devoted solely to the history and heritage of Scotland, the building contains five thematically-arranged 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.
National War Museum Of Scotland Edinburgh Castle, 225 7534. Daily 9.45am—5.30pm. £7 (£2—£5). Opens Tue 18 Apr. Housed within Edinburgh Castle, the former Scottish United Services Museum re- opens this year after major refurbishment. Six new galleries have been added to the national collections, exploring military influence in the last 400 years of Scottish history and presenting the experience of the individual Scot in war and peace. Admission to the Museum is included in the admission price to the Castle.
simulation, digital sound and a five storey high screen, the Turbo Ride throws you right into the middle of all the action, in films such as Dino Island and Red Rock Run.
Witchery Tour
Meet outside The Witchery Restaurant, Castlehill, 225 6745. £7 (£4). Times vary and advanced booking is necessary. Take a trip to the dark side of Edinburgh with your guide, Adam Lyal deceased, who will regale you with stories of torture, murder and witchcraft — but watch out for ghosts and ghouls lurking in the shadows.
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OUTSIDE THE CITIES .
Aero & Auto Extravaganza Sat 6—Sun 7 May, 10.30am—5pm. £5 per car. Museum Of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, Haddington, 01620 880308. Part of the Millennium Festival of Flight. See photo caption.
Beltane 2000 Sun 7 May, 8pm. Stirling Bridge, Stirling, 01786 443126. Hundreds of participants will lead the way in a colourful procession from Stirling Castle down to Stirling Bridge, where music, dance, drummers and fireworks will herald the beginning of summer.
Palace 0f Holyroodhouse
Royal Mile, 556 1096. Daily 9.30am—6pm (last admission 5.15pm). £5.50 (£2.70—£4); family ticket £13.50. Starting life as a 13th century abbey, the palace has evolved into a sumptuous regal residence crammed full of paintings and anefacts dating back primarily to the 17th century. The tower apartments housed a sad and lonely Mary Queen of Scots" for a time, but with a spectacular view of Arthur’s Seat, and magnificent gardens to look at, it’s hard to feel too sorry for her.
Royal Museum
2 Chambers Street, 247 4219. Mon-Sat 10am—5pm; Sun noon—5pm; Tue 10am—8pm. £3 (£1.50; children under 18 free). A 19th century museum housing international collections of natural history, geology, science, technology and the decorative arts. For temporary exhibitions, see Edinburgh Art Listings page 80.
Royal Observatory Visitor Centre Blackford Hill, 668 8405. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun noon—5pm. £3 (£2); family ticket £7. 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.
Shaping A Nation
Fountainpark, Dundee Street, 229 1706. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun 11am—5pm. £5.50 (£4); family ticket £16. The newest addition to the Fountainpark complex provides a fresh look at Scotland’s heritage. Interactive displays and computers give a hands-on feel to the attraction, exploring the inventors and innovators who have made Scotland great. The finishing touch is a themed journey on the Turbo Ride.
St Giles' Cathedral
Royal Mile, 225 9442. Mon—Sat 9am—5pm; Sun 1—5pm. Founded in the 1100s, this church has witnessed executions, riots and celebrations. With spectacular stained glass windows, ornate stonework and guided tours it’s a good starting point for exploring the Royal Mile.
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.
The Turbo Ride
Fountainpark, Dundee Street, 229 1706. Mon—Thu 4—10pm; Ijri 4—11pm; Sat noon—11pm; Sun l—lOpm. £3.50 (£2.75); family ticket £10. Step on board the world’s most exciting motion simulator for a thrilling ride. Using flight
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dirty buildings get too much, it’s nice to know that less than half an hour’s walk from Princes Street, there's a luscious green paradise. Starting life in 1670 as a small plot the size of a tennis court, the Botanics spent the next 300 odd years building itself up to become one of Edinburgh’s most treasured possessions. Originally used for the study of medicinal plants, the garden soon branched out into botany, and turned its back on drugs completely at the end of the 19th century. That said, the Botanics still offers quite a tonic to all who visit it.
Open seven days a week, 363 days a year, the garden’s identity varies almost as much as the people who visit it. Despite being stripped of much of its colour during winter, the huge array of evergreens scattered throughout the garden, and exotic plants in the 19th century glasshouses ensure its popularity all year round. And the burst of colour which explodes during the summer months is nothing short of spectacular. But the 34,000 plants aren't the only things vying for your
attention in this tranquil haven.
The stunning glasshouses take you through five climatic zones, including a sweat- inducing Tropical Palm House dating back to 1834 and the Temperate Palm House which at 70ft high is the tallest in Britain. The Chinese Garden, complete with waterfall and sheltering pavilion is the newest addition to the Botanics, and its sloping banks lead you up to one of the most breathtaking views in the city. Standing on the lawn outside lnverleith House, all of Edinburgh is laid before you; the Castle, Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat and the Pentlands are all in view. Inside the house, the view's pretty good too, although this time it’s the contents that appeals. Currently a British Art Show 5 venue, lnverleith House carries major exhibitions throughout the year, and the legacy of one particular artist can still be seen today. Created during his festival exhibition in 1990, Andy Goldsworthy’s Cone and Slate Hole Wall sculptures are situated beside the house and in the
south-west corner of the Garden.
The strict policy on bikes, balls, picnics and dogs (none of which can get past the gate) may seem a little harsh, but this is first and foremost a centre for botanical study. And there's a lot to be said for lying in the sun without the aid of crisp
bags, dog poo or footballs. (Kelly Apter) Fun Factor 0—5/5 depending on your mood
Informative 8/5, Value for Money 5/5 (it's free!)
Added Extras Three cafes; two art galleries; gift shop; guided tours from the
West Gate at 11am & 2pm.
Where it is Arboretum Place (West Gate) and lnverleith Row (East Gate). Head down through the New Town from Princes Street and follow the signs.
How much it costs Free, but you’re encouraged to ‘donate’ £2.50 to enter the
glasshouses.
When it's open Apr—Aug daily 9.30am—7pm (earlier closing during winter). I Royal Botanic Garden, lnverleith Row, 552 717i.
27 Apr—11 May 2000 THE LISTS?