ENVIRONMENTAL TALKS KEVIN DUNION
Centre for Human Ecology, Edinburgh, Tue 20 Mar.
When Scotland voted resoundingly in favour of a Scottish parliament, one of the powers it bestowed on its new governing body was control of environmental issues. So, if Scotland effectively and democratically controls its environmental destiny, then we can rest assured that our nation’s natural heritage is in safe hands, right? Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, Kevin Dunion, is not
convinced: ‘What people don’t realise is that so much
environmental legislation comes from Europe. Businesses want to be left to get on with things and operate on a voluntary principle. This seems like an enormous amount
of trust on behalf of the public, and I don’t think that trust
is deserved.’
After joining Friends of the Earth Scotland in 1991, Dunion spent three of his early years in charge, as Chairman of Friends of the Earth International. Only after devolution did he realise the growing potential of work in Scotland, and, among other ongoing campaigns, the group has been instrumental in pressurising the parliament for planning legislation of mobile phone masts.
However, Dunion’s agenda prioritises a more radical change in the environmental ethos of big business, and he wants to see a heightening of powers held by the Executive: ‘It is absolutely essential that national governments have control over activities in their own country and are able to set regulations that their people want; not a common global standard, but what is required for Scotland.’ (Maureen Ellis)
()APs and students £4). A great day featuring National Hunt horseracing at the
Kelso races.
Talks
Titian’s Diana Pictures National Gallery of Scotland. The Mound. 624 6200. 12.45pm. Free. James Lawson from the University of Edinburgh discusses Titian‘s
work.
Workshops
Play Making: Writing Drama Netherbow Arts Centre. 43—45 High Street. 556 9579/2647. 2—4.30pm. £6 (£4) per workshop; £20 (£15) for series. Donald
Campbell leads a workshop on
‘Consolidating Character‘ concerning the writing of dialogue and creation of distinct
characters.
Saturday 24
Astronomy
Nightly Stargazing Royal Observatory Visitor Centre. Blackford Hill. 668 8405.
7.30pm. £1. See Fri 16. Environment
Early Spring Colour Royal Botanic Garden. lnverleith Row. 248 2979. 10.30am—noon. £2—£3. A guided tour around the gardens to identify the first signs
of spring.
Workshops
Celtic Calligraphy: The Scottish And Irish Traditions Pollock Halls.
10am—5pm; Sun 2—5pm. £5 (24). Experience a period Georgian house. giving a taste of life in Edinburgh when the New Town was built. Last admission 4.30pm. Museum Of Childhood
42 High Street. 529 4142. Mon—Sat 10am-5pm. Free. Founded in 1955. the museum has five public galleries with all manner of artefacts relating to childhood through the ages.
technique.
Astronomy
Environment
time of year.
Political
Workshops
9am—5pm. £45. See Sat 24.
Palace Of Holyroodhouse
Royal Mile. 556 1096. Daily 9.30am—4.45pm. 536 (523—92450); 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 artefacts. Royal Observatory Visitor Centre Blackard Hill. 668 8405. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun noon—5pm. £3.50 (£2.50); family ticket £8. This
heavens.
Holyrood Park Road. ()1875 556168. 9am—6.30pm. £45. A weekend course based on two levels: complete beginners can try their hand at this decorative penmanship. whilst those more experienced in the craft can improve their
Nightly Stargazing Royal Observatory Visitor Centre. Blackford Hill. 668 8405. 7.30pm. £1. See Fri 16.
Cramond to Newhaven Birdlife The Maltings. Cramond Foreshore. 447 7145. Free. A guided walk highlighting the wading birds using the shore at this
Call-Back Conference On Disarmament Edinburgh City Chambers. High Street. 339 5408. 10.30am—4.30pm. £5 (£3). The United Nations Association organise a day seminar to discuss the implications of arms disarmament and the issues which have transpired in the twelve years since the UN Special Session on Disarmament.
Celtic Calligraphy: The Scottish And Irish Traditions Pollock Halls. Holyrood Park Road. ()1875 556168. Sun
attraction is a mine of information on the
St Giles’ Cathedral Royal Mile. 225 9442.
Monday 26
Talks
The Boy Done Good: The Lure Of Glamour, The Lure Of The Ordinary The Dean (iallery. Belford Road. 624 6200. 12.45pm. Free. (‘hris Townsend from Royal Holloway. University of London discusses the work of photographer. David Bailey.
i Workshops
Writing Features For Radio Fountainbridge Library. Dundee Street. 529 5616. 6—8pni. Free. See Mon 19.
Tuesday 27
Environment Edinburgh Midweek Group
Various Venues. 332 8700. 9.30am.
Help BTCV Scotland and the Mid Lothian Rangers on a riverbank reinforcement scheme. Meet at Waverley Bridge.
Talks
Talking National: Claims, Covenants and Constitutions: Imagining the Future Netherhow Arts Centre. 4345 High Street. 556 9579/2647. 2—3pm. Free. See Tue 20. Speed The Plough Royal Museum. 2 Chambers Street. 247 4219. 1pm. £3 (£1.50); children under 18 free. A Scottish ploughing trophy discussed by Gavin Sprott.
listings Edinburgh life
Workshops
Writing Plays: Theme Communication (‘entral library. (ieorge l\' Bridge. 225 5584. 6 8pm. Free. See Tue 20.
Wednesday 28
EnVIronment
Edinburgh Midweek Group Various Venues. 332 8700. 9.30am. See Tue 27.
Talks
The Human Rights Act And Its Implications Open Door. 420 .‘vlorningside Road. 447 9757. 10.30am, £l. lain (iray. Deputy Jtistice Minister for the Scottish l{\ectlti\e. discusses hovs the Human Rights Act vv ill affect people in Scotland.
Arrested In The Street: Early Stereoscopy And Human Activity National Portrait (iallery. 1 Queen Street. 624 (i200. 12.45pm. Free. A talk given by Mike Spiller from the l'niversity of Aberdeen.
Workshops
Glass From The Canongate Huntly House. 142 Canongate. 529 4143. 10am noon. Free. Beverly (‘asebow assistant keeper of Applied Art at Huntly House. leads this study workshop.
Book events
Esther Rantzen: The Autobiography Festival Theatre. 1329 Nicolson Street. 5296000. lpiii. £3 (£1.50). The TV personality gives a candid account of her life in front of and behind the camera.
Isla Dewar Waterstone's. I28 Princes Street. 226 2666. 6pm. Free. A chance to
meet the popular lidinburgh author of
Keeping Up With Magi/u. Women 'liilki'ne Dirty. 'Iim Kim/s ()fll’nlh/t’lf/ll/ and It (‘uu/(l Happen To You (all Headline £6.99).
EnVIronment
Edinburgh Midweek Group Various Venues. 332 8700. 9.30am. See Tue 27.
Shows
Audiovisual Show On The Sarthe liistittit Francais d‘licosse. 13 Randolph Crescent. 225 5366. 7pm. Free. An introduction to the l.oire region using a synchronised presentation. The area is best known for the 24—hour races in its capital of Le Mans. but the show will illustrate its many castles. wine- growing areas. and afterwards. there w ill be a chance to try regional spceialities and cider.
Spons
Musselburgh Races Musselburgh Racecourse. Linkiield Road. Musselburgh. 665 2859. £7 £12 (£4). Family race day with children‘s entertainment.
Mon—Sat 9.30am—5pm; Sun 1-5pm. Founded in the 1 1003. this church has witnessed executions. riots and celebrations.
Spectacular stained glass windows. ornate stonework and guided tOLirs.
The People’s Story Canongate Tolbooth
163 Canongate. 529 4057. Mon—Sat toam—Spm. Free. The sights. SOundS and even smells of Edinburgh folk from the 18th century onwards are faithfully reproduced.
Water Of Leith Visitor Centre
24 Lanark Road. 455
7367. Wed—Sun lOam—4pni. Disco/er everything there 153 to know about the 24 mile Journey the Water of 1 0|“) takes from the Petitlaiiil Hills to Leith.
Writers’ Museum Lady Stair's House. Lady Stair's Close. 529 4901. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Free. A treaSiire-house of items relating to Robert Louis Stevenson. Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott.
15—29 Mar 2001 THE LIST 95