We welcome submissions for this section. Please send details to our offices at least ten days before publication. Edinburgh life listings compiled by Anna Millar.
Thursday 18
Book events
Curtis Gillespie Borders Books. t'nii 26. Fort Kinnaird Retail Park. 657 4041. 7pm. All eyening for golfing fans as the author of ’i’uyi'itg Through discusses his memories of golfing along the Scottish coast.
Spons
British Open Championship Muirtield Golf Course. (iullane. 01334 460010. £35 (£20). The best golfers in the world come together for this prestigious ()pen tournament.
Other events
Guided Tours of Scotland’s National Botanic Garden Royal Botanic Garden. Insei’leith Row. 552 7171. 11am 12.30pm & 2 3.30pm. £3 (£2.50). The history of Scotland‘s national botanic garden and its plants and people is reyealed on this guided walk.
Talks
Landmarks of Italy: Rome, Sunset from the Convent of Sant’Onofrio National (iallery of Scotland. the Mound. 624 (i201). 12.45pm. liree. Art historian Patricia Andrew giyes a talk on Dayid Rohei'ts‘ painting.
Spons
British Open Championship Nltiii'lield (iolf('oul'se. (itillane. ()1334 460010. £35 (£20). See Thu 18.
Other events
Guided Tours of Scotland’s National Botanic Garden Royal Botanic (iarden. [nyerleith Row. 552 7171. 11am 12.30pm it 2 3.30pm. £3 (£2.50). See Thu 18.
Saturday 20
Spons
British Open Championship .\luirlield (iolf('ourse. (itillane. 01334 460010. £35 (£20). See Thu 18.
Workshops
Vicki Feaver Scottish l’oeti'y library. 5 (‘richton’s ('lose. ('anongate. 557 2876. 10am 4pm. £50 (£35). Vicki teaser focuses on images and creating a yoice in this workshop for both beginners and more experienced poets.
Other events Caledonian Canine Dog Show Royal Highland Centre. lngliston. 335
6201). Annual dog show competition. Guided Tours of Scotland’s National Botanic Garden Royal Botanic (iarden. lnyerleith Row. 552 7171. l lam 12.30pm it 2 3.30pm. £3 (£2.50). See Thu 18.
Performance
‘Till A’ the Seas Gang Dry Burns Monument. Regent Road. 2.30pm. Free. ('hristopher 'I'ait celebrates the great Scot's poet with recitals and anecdotes. Visitors will he giyen the rare opportunity to go inside the Burns Monument after the performance.
Spons
British Open Championship Muirlield Golf Course. Gullane. ()1334 460010. £35 (£20). See Thu 18.
Workshops
Vicki Feaver Scottish Poetry Library. 5 (‘richton’s ('lose. (‘anongate 557 2876. 10am 4pm. £50 (£35). See Sat 20.
Other events
Guided Tours of Scotland’s National Botanic Garden R()_\'11l Botanic Garden. lnyerleith Row. 552 7171. l lam 12.30pm is 2 3.30pm. £3 (£2.50).See'1'htt l8.
Raised from the Ashes l.eyenha|l Links ('ar Park. hehind .\1tisselhurgh Racecourse. .\1U\\L‘ihlll'gil. ()1620 827421. 1 3pm. 1’ree. l-ind out how the landscape of 1.eyenha1| Links was created.
Talks
The Contemporary Art Gallery in the 21 st Century National (iallery of Modern Art. Belford Road. 624 6200. 12.45pm. lii'ee. Stisanna Beaumont. director of commercial contemporary art space. dogget'lishei'. giyes a talk.
Workshops
Art Workshop Borders Books. 1‘nit 26. Fort Kinnaird Retail Park. 657 4041. 6pm. Lynda Frame hosts art classes for eseryone with hints and tips for all mediums.
Other events
Guided Tours of Scotland’s National Botanic Garden Royal Botanic (iarden. lnyerleith Row. 552 7171. 1 lam 12.30pm & 2 3.30pm. £3 (£2.50). See Thu 18.
Other events
Guided Tours of Scotland’s National Botanic Garden Royal Botanic (iarden. lns‘erleith Row, 552 7171. 11am— 12.30pm & 2 3.30pm. £3 (£2.50). See Thu 18.
Permanent
attractions
Camera Obscura Castlehifi, Royal Mile. 226 3709. Mon—Fri 9.30am—6pm. Sat & Sun ‘Oam—Bpm. £4.95; family ticket £14 (22.50—23.95). Pck up a pedestrian lf‘.
you hand at this attraction.
which gives VISIIOFS a real- tiine. 300 image of the (Eli). The most recent
addition If) the venue is the
Magic Gallery. geving hands-on experiences of the art of visua‘ trickery. City Of The Dead’s Haunted Graveyard Tours
Meet by St Giles Cathedral.
Royal Mile. 447 2230. 08in 8.30pm 8. 10pm. £5124). Join this spooky t0ur if you dare. and yOe'll be guaranteed ali manner of paranormal frights. including the infamous McKenZie Poltergeist. Yet. have been warned. Craigmillar Castle Craiginiliai' Castle Road.
661 4445. Daily 9.30am—6pm. it .80
ii‘. .30—children £75pi. For a real taste of histOry. take a drive Out to this ramshackle old castle. which althOugn not ounte as intact as Edinburgh Caste. is far more atmosphere and the scene of much plotting during the reign of Mary. Queen of Scots.
Dynamic Earth Hoyrood Road. 7800. Daily ‘Oain-Gpm. 577.013 $11.50.Wallvolcanoes erupt-at; oeneath your feet.
DAYS OUT
Edinburgh life
NATIONAL WHALE WATCHING AND DOLPHIN
WATCH WEEKEND
Various Venues, 21 & 22 Jul
Marine life is something often neglected in these parts because of Scotland’s dreary, unexotic reputation. The Seawatch Foundation are quick to dispel such an association: ‘Twenty four species of whale and dolphin have been recorded in Scotland, thirteen of which occur regularly,’ says Peter Evans, founder and director of Seawatch. ‘We’re anxious to show that anyone can see these creatures without too much
difficulty.’
Organised by the Seawatch Foundation to celebrate their tenth year in the business, the National Whale Watching and Dolphin Watch weekend looks set to be a great day for all the family. ‘The aim is to take a snapshot of what is going on out there,’ explains co-ordinator Jilly Giffen.
There are numerous ways to enjoy the experience. ‘Anybody can take part, whether on a boat or on the shore, at an official viewpoint, or just on a family day out to the coast,’ says Giffen. ‘It doesn’t matter whether you have a passing interest or you know your Killer from your Minke. Grab your binoculars - and maybe even a camera — and you can be part of it.’
And novices needn’t worry as there’s plenty of guidance on hand. Seawatch is coordinating boat trips and official viewpoints at prime sites across the country. ‘lt’s a good excuse, if nothing else, to enjoy being out and about in Scotland,’ enthuses Giffen. ‘Don’t be put off by the weather. And besides, spotting’s sometimes much more rewarding in the rain.’
I For more information check out www.seawatchfoundation.orguk/events.htm. email events@seawatchfoundation.orguk or call 07865 7 7 72 76.
a tropicai rainstorm pouring down. earthquakes and tidal waves at every turn. the history of the earth nas never been. more interesting.
Edinburgh Castle Royal Mile. 225 9846. Daily 9.30am—6pm. £8 (22—26). AlthOugh much of the castle's medievai character was lost when :t was coitverted into barracks in the 19th century. continuing excavations aim to redress this. Other attractions incitirle .Jaines IV‘s fanious
cannon, Mons Meg. the One O'Clock Gen with its Own exhibition, lots Of military Silverware and. of cowse. the Stone Of Destiny. used to crown Scottisin kings since time began.
Edinburgh Zoo Corstorphine Road. 334 9171. Daily 9am-6pm. E7 (EA—£5: family ticket {IA—£24.50). Wider accepted as one of the finest 2008 in Britain. there's plenty here to while away an afternoon. or even a whole day i‘ you
is .iiii-—
take y0ur time. The newly- ‘ouilt African plains afford a fantastic View of the city. Hopetoun House Snore Road. SOuth Oueensferry. 331 2451. Daily foam—5.30pm. £27045. This stately nome. part of which is still lived in by the Marquesses Of Linlithgow. was bu1|t in the 18th century by architects Sir William Bruce and William Adam. It houses furnishings and artwork collected by the family over the past .100 years.
1 Aug) 200?, THE LIST 109