list.co.uk/aroundtown list.co.uk/aroundtown Public Astronomy Evening Fridays (weather permitting), 6.30–7.30pm & 8–9pm. £4 (£3). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Gaze skywards and journey through the solar system.
✽ Scots Fiddle Festival Fri 16 Nov & Sun 18 Nov, times vary. Prices vary. The Queen’s Hall, 87–89 Clerk Street, 668 2019. A weekend packed with concerts, recitals, workshops, talks, and sessions alongside some of the world’s best fiddlers, including the Youth Gaitherin. Visit the Queen’s Hall website for details of ticket options and prices.
✽ FREE Edinburgh Human Rights Festival 2012 Sat 17 Nov, 12–5pm. Sanctuary, Augustine United Church, 41-43 George IV Bridge, edinburghhumanrightsfestival.com A day of stalls, workshops and talks with the likes of Amnesty International and
Freedom From Torture, learning about the campaign for human rights. Also includes screenings of the films From Somewhere to Nowhere and Ramallah Road. Sikh Sanjog’s Diwali Party Sat 17 Nov, 7–10pm. £10 including buffet meal and drink (£5 for ages 5–10). The Halls, 6 Henderson Street, 553 4737. Diwali party open to women and girls only, with food, drink, Bollywood dancing, a raffle and much more. Traverse Arts & Entertainment Quiz Mon 19 Nov, 8pm. £1. Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. Do you know your MoMA from your GoMA?
✽ FREE Robert Louis Stevenson Walk Tue 20 Nov, 10.30–11.30am.
Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North, 529 5549. Walk in the footsteps of the great RLS. Booking essential. Part of Scotland’s History Festival.
PREVIEW FESTIVAL PREVIOUSLY . . . SCOTLAND’S HISTORY FESTIVAL Comedian and festival organiser Susan Morrison tells us why history is worth a look in
History is about people like you and me. Stumbling through life, trying not to muck up too much, and usually failing. And today, we all live with the effects of the choices people have made in the past. It’s gossip that’s fermented a little longer.
What if someone had pulled Mary Queen of Scots to one side and said, ‘Listen, yer madge, that Darnley is a serious tosser. None of the other girls at court fancy him – not even Ugly Maggie and she’s so desperate she’d shag a one-legged leper?’ Mary might not have married him, thus avoiding a long chain of events, which will ultimately lead to us voting in the coming years for or against a Union that was created by Darnley and Mary’s son.
The second festival of history aims to keep on trucking and capitalise on the huge success of last year’s debut (239 events and over 5000 visitors. Oh, yes – I can do stats), highlighting the world- class history we have in this tiny little country. We’ve got more drama, excitement and full-on shenanigans than five Jeremy Kyle episodes.
Discover the history of your own family with the help of the
Scotland’s People workshops (Leith Library, 14, 19, 20, 26 & 27 Nov). Find out why swearing was so hot at the court of James IV with the Flyting in Mary King’s Close (The Real Mary King’s Close, 23 Nov), or take a look at historian Neil Oliver up close (and see if his hair is really as shiny as it looks on TV) during his talk on the Vikings (George Square Theatre, 21 Nov). There are insights into the history of whisky (WHISKI Rooms Shop, 15 & 16 & 22 & 23 Nov) and several tours of galleries, museums and hidden areas around the city, full details of which can be found at the festival website: historyfest.co.uk. ■ Various venues, Edinburgh, Tue 13–Fri 30 Nov.
Rhubaba’s Third Birthday Party Mon 26 Nov, 6.30–8pm. £3 on the door. Rhubaba Gallery & Studio, 25 Arthur Street, rhubaba.org The studio celebrates its third birthday with an evening of music, art and fun. Edinburgh’s Christmas Light Night Thu 29 Nov, 5pm. Edinburgh city centre, edinburghschristmas.com The capital’s Christmas lights are switched on in unison, kicking off the official opening of all Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions. Watch some fireworks and a surprise spectacular set to music, which in previous years has included a French aerial trapeze troupe and a 14 metre high snow queen. FREE Hands Up for Trad: Scotland Sings Sat 1 Dec, 2.30–3.15pm. National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789. A gathering of Gaelic choirs to celebrate Scottish language and song. Edinburgh Christmas Walk Sun 2 Dec, 11am. £12. Inverleith Park, Arboretum Place. A six-mile festive walk starting and finishing in Inverleith Park, taking in the Botanic Garden and Water of Leith, supporting a variety of charities. A series of shorter ‘Tinsel Mile’ walks of one, two and three miles are also available. Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now! Fri 7 Dec, 7pm. £8 (£6). St Mark’s Unitarian Church, 7 Castle Terrace, edinburgh- unitarians.org.uk The Edinburgh’s Got Soul choir performs an uplifting festive concert of soul favourites.
Exhibitions FREE GiftED: The Edinburgh Book Sculptures on Tour 2012 Sat 24 Nov–Sat 8 Dec, Times vary. Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton’s Close, Canongate, 557 2876. Come and see the mysterious paper book sculptures that appeared all over Edinburgh last year. FREE NSPCC Scotland Leith Festival of Trees Mon 3 Dec, times vary. South Leith Parish Church, 6 Henderson Street, Leith, 554 8101. A festive indoor and outdoor display of trees throughout the grounds of South Leith Parish Church, each sponsored by a local business in aid of the NSPCC. FREE The Edinburgh Christmas Tree Festival Sat 8 Dec & Mon 10 Dec–Thu 13 Dec, 11am–4pm. Free (donations welcome). St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church, 58 Shandwick Place, 225 3847. Explore a special festive forest of lit-up Christmas trees, with live music and refreshments. Fairs & Markets Edinburgh Art Fair Until Sun 18 Nov. Fri & Sat 11am–6pm; Sun 11am–5pm. £6 (£4; under 16s free). Corn Exchange, 11 New Market Road, 01875 819595. The chance to peruse and pick up artwork from over 60 exhibitors from the UK and the rest of Europe. Edinburgh Antique Fair Sat 17 Nov, 10am–4.30pm. Sun 18 Nov, 10am–4pm. £3. Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, 335
Events | AROUND TOWN
NEIGHBOURHOOD VOX JOSHUA FENTTIMEN
Age 19 Occupation Student
Lives Pollock Halls, Edinburgh Favourite places to eat and drink? My favourite place right now would have to be Gusto on George Street, as it’s got a really wide variety of great food and drinks on the menu and it’s just a really nice place to hang out.
Best day out/night out? I would probably have to say the Opal Lounge in New Town on Thursdays. It’s the best night of the week for sure.
Favourite quiet spot or hidden gem? Elephant and Bagel would have to be my choice. It’s a small café down by the university where they do really cheap, tasty bagels. It’s a nice quiet place to study in and good to visit between lectures. (Jack Taylor)
6200. Antiques and vintage items. FREE Oxfam Buy What You Hear Sun 18 Nov, 4pm. Cabaret Voltaire, 36–38 Blair Street, 247 4704. Buy any records you hear. FREE Out of the Blue Flea Market Sat 24 Nov, 10am–3pm. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7100. Furniture, clothes, music and more. Market Tree Craft & Gift Market Sat 24 Nov & Sat 8 Dec, 10am–4pm. £1. Café Camino, Parish Centre, 1 Little King Street, 523 0102. Special Scottish-themed crafts market for St Andrew’s day.
Holiday time means taxi time!
For fantastic rates on airport transfers visit www.citycabs.co.uk book online or call 0131 228 1211
- Pick up and drop off point only steps from the terminal
- Meet and Greet facility available - City Cabs iphone app booker available to download
15 Nov–13 Dec 2012 THE LIST 41 15 Nov–13 Dec 2012 THE LIST 41