AROUND TOWN | Events
Edinburgh’s Christmas Thu 29 Nov–Sun 6 Jan. Times vary. Prices vary. edinburghschristmas.com Six weeks of winter wonderland in Edinburgh, with the west side of Princes Street transformed by a fairground, ice rink, a host of colourful lights and the fabled German Christmas market with dozens of stalls selling traditional trinkets and crafts as well as delicious Teutonic treats (and, of course, glühwein). FREE The Real Scottish Christmas Fair Sat 1 Dec–Thu 6 Dec, 10am–6pm. Castle Street, edinburghschristmas.com Traditional Scottish music and samples of food and drink while you shop. FREE Broughton Street Christmas Market Sat 1 & Sun 2 Dec & Sat 8 & Sun 9 Dec, 11am–7pm. St Mary’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Broughton Street, 667 4058. Arts, crafts, gifts and food. Edinburgh Printmakers Christmas Multiples Market Sun 2 Dec, 11am–4pm. £1 (under 5s free). Edinburgh Printmakers, 23 Union Street, 557 2479. Snap up some prints for Christmas. FREE The Ethical Christmas Fair Sat 8 Dec–Thu 13 Dec, 10am–6pm. Castle Street, edinburghschristmas. com Ethically sound gifts for top festive smugness. FREE Me to You Markets – Christmas Market Sun 9 Dec, 12–4pm. Columcille Centre, 2 Newbattle Terrace, 07796 905986. Gifts, goodies and a ‘Cake Fairy’ to grant your sugary wishes. Sport The Great Edinburgh Santa Run Sun 9 Dec, 9am–12.30pm. £12.50 (children £7.50). West Princes Street Gardens, 01357 529950. It’s a wonder Santa can run anywhere after all those mince pies, but never the less, run he does. Thousands of him. Money raised goes to charity, and the price includes a santa suit to keep (or elf hat for kids).
Talks FREE L’Oreille Musicale: Garage rock Thu 15 Nov, 6pm. Institut Français d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent, 225 5366. Discussions about music, held in French. With Laurent Mombel, singer of the Edinburgh-based band Les BOF! FREE Skeptics in the Pub – Steve Williamson: Hoax Slayer Thu 15 Nov, 7.30–9.30pm. The Banshee Labyrinth, 29–35 Niddry Street, 558 8209. Ever got an email from a Nigerian prince or badly- spelled message for you to ‘update your security details’? Us too. This talk from one lone warrior against the scammers explores exactly what’s behind the hoaxes and how crooks profit from them. FREE Talk by Ben Judah: How Far Can Russia’s New Opposition Go? Fri 16 Nov, 6–7.30pm. Old College, University of Edinburgh, South Bridge, 668 3635. A talk on the current situation in Russia from Ben Judah, who considers whether the end of Putin’s regime may be in sight.
✽ FREE Big Shiny Debates – Empire, Sport and Culture Sun
18 Nov, 1pm & 3pm & 4pm. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3963. Debate challenging our concepts of National Identity. Part of Scotland’s History Festival. FREE An Introduction to Islamic Astronomy Mon 19 Nov, 7.30–8.30pm. Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Sure, we’ve all heard of Copernicus, Galileo and Newton, but what about Ibn al-Haytham, al-Khwarizmi and Ulugh Beg? Find out about their contributions to astronomy from Dr Bruno Abd-al-Haqq Guideroni.
✽ History Write Enough: Travels in Scotland 1788 to 1881 Tue
20 Nov, 2–3.30pm. £3. New Register House, 3 West Register Street, 334 0380. Alastair Durie presents historical accounts of the late 18th Century tourist. Part of Scotland’s History Festival. FREE Britain’s Last Frontier – Explored by Alistair Moffat Tue 20 Nov, 6–7pm. National Library of
42 THE LIST 15 Nov–13 Dec 2012
19 Blair Street, 220 0125. See Glasgow, Workshops. Scottish China Patterns Sat 24 Nov, 10.30am–3.30pm. £18. Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House, 142 Canongate, 529 3963. Create and hand paint your own plates inspired by the museum’s collection of Scottish porcelain with artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb. Booking essential. FREE Wood & CO2: Natural Partners Sat 1 & Sun 2 Dec, 12.30–3.30pm. Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place, 248 2909. Carbon dioxide: without it our drinks would be less fizzy, but it does have a nasty way of making the planet get hotter. Trees absorbs CO2, and when the wood is then used as a construction material the CO2 stays locked up in it for as long as the wood is being used, so the more wood we use, the less CO2 we release. Find out more ways of using wood to control CO2 emissions. Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Sun 2 Dec, 3pm. £7 (£6). The Jazz Bar, 1 Chambers Street, 220 4298. Where cabaret meets life drawing – the models are burlesque divas, strapping hunks of manhood and circus freaks. Win alcohol and fancy art supply prizes at this antidote to solemn, lifeless classes. Victorian Christmas Fairies and Felt Robins Sat 8 Dec, 10.30am–3.30pm. £18. Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House, 142 Canongate, 529 3963. Relax and make peg doll fairies and Christmas felt robins in the style of Victorian decorations to put on your tree with artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb. Booking essential. Handmade Christmas Thu 13 Dec, 10.30am–3.30pm. £18. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Make some decorations for your home using natural and vintage materials.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES Activities & Events FREE Dundee Christmas Light Night 2012 Fri 23 Nov, 6pm. City Square, Dundee, 01382 527527. Annual street party to celebrate the switching on of Dundee’s Christmas lights and the start of the festive season. Expect dragon- themed entertainment, fireworks, pipe bands and torchlight processions. St Andrews Festival Fri 30 Nov– Sun 2 Dec, Times vary. Most events free; concerts £12. Various venues, St Andrews, info@standrewsfestival.co.uk Claiming the title of Scottishest Festival Ever, the St Andrews Festival takes place in the town of St Andrews on and around St Andrew’s Day. Torchlight processions, concerts and the world’s biggest open air ceilidh are just some of the attractions on offer at this three-day event celebrating the heritage and culture of Scotland.
Exhibitions FREE GiftED: The Edinburgh Book Sculptures on Tour 2012 Thu 15 Nov–Sun 18 Nov, Times vary. Carnegie Library, Abbot Street, Dunfermline, 01383 312603. See Edinburgh, Exhibitions. FREE Traquair Free Christmas Opening Sat 24 & Sun 25 Nov, 11am–4pm. Traquair House, Innerleithen, 01896 830323. Free entrance to Traquair house and grounds with festive activities and fun. A sumptuous Santa’s grotto, mulled wine, puppet shows, activities for children and discounts in the gift and brewery shop. FREE East Renfrewshire Winter Festival Sun 2 Dec, 11am–4pm. Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, 577 3000. This one-day spectacular is host to a dry ski slope, festive arts and crafts fair in Carmichael Hall with dozens of stalls selling homemade gifts and treats, decoration making with the country park rangers, fairground rides, Santa’s grotto, live music and more. In short, everything you need to fill you with festive cheer.
BOOK WEEK SCOTLAND Organised by the Scottish Book Trust in collaboration with schools, libraries and museums, this week of literary events aims to celebrate our thirst for reading and Scottish writing talent such as Edinburgh Makar Ron Butlin (pictured). A free book, My Favourite Place, collects pieces from members of the public and established authors, and will be available nationwide, along with a downloadable audiobook. Check scottishbooktrust.com for special events in your area. ■ Various venues, nationwide, Wed 28 Nov–Sun 2 Dec.
Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Using history, anecdote and humour, Alistair Moffat discusses The Highland Line, the frontier between Highland and Lowland life. FREE The Grand Designer: The Third Marquess of Bute Tue 20 Nov, 6pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Author Rosemary Hannah discusses the third Marquess of Bute’s lavish buildings and his relationships with the architects who helped to create them.
✽ FREE The Fall of Edinburgh 1745 Wed 21 Nov, 6.30–7.30pm. Central Library, 7–9 George IV Bridge, 242 8100. Arran Johnston (in Town Guard uniform) explores the failed plans to defend the city from Bonnie Prince Charlie, and the subsequent occupation. Part of Scotland’s History Festival.
✽ Big Shiny Debates: It’s Just a Game – The Scots and their
Sport Wed 21 Nov, 6.30–8pm. £5. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3993. Discussion about the success of Scottish sporting talent. Part of Scotland’s History Festival. Understand the Amazing Teenage Brain Mon 26 Nov, 7–9pm. £12.50. The Royal Terrace Hotel, 17–22 Royal Terrace, nicolamorgan.co.uk Nicola Morgan promises to give adults the keys to the inner workings of teenagers. Terrifying. Booking essential. The Night Sky in December Mon 26 Nov, 7.30–8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Explore the upcoming December skies.
✽ FREE SJ Peploe: The Scottish Cézanne? Tue 27 Nov, 12.45–
1.30pm. Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, 624 6200. Talk from Elizabeth Cumming. Booking essential. Part of Scotland’s History Festival.
✽ FREE A Sense of Place: Scottish Cultural Identity Wed
28 Nov, 6.30–8pm. City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, 529 3993. Debate chaired by Lesley Riddoch, Brian Taylor and Janice Galloway, with participants including Irvine Welsh, Richard Jobson and Carol Ann Duffy. Part of Scotland’s
History Festival. FREE Ragged University Edinburgh Thu 29 Nov, 7–10pm. Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 38 West Nicolson Street, 667 7533. Two free talks: ‘Greening Up Your City’ by Kate Gilliam, and ‘Humpback Whale Behaviour’ by Dr Alison Craig. Refreshments provided. Planets – What’s So Cool About Them? Mon 3 Dec, 7.30–8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Explore the solar system and learn about aliens with Salome Periera de Matos. FREE Fauna Scotia: The Animals and People in Scotland Tue 4 Dec, 6pm. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. Illustrated talk about Scotland’s wildlife. Portrait Gallery Salon: Dressed to Impress Fri 7 Dec, 7–10pm. £10 (£8). Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, 624 6200. Performances, talks, demonstrations and music all relating to 16th and 17th-century costume and fashion. The Hubble Deep Field and Galaxy Evolution Mon 10 Dec, 7.30–8.30pm. £3 (£1.50). Royal Observatory Visitor Centre, Blackford Hill, 668 8404. Looking at research being done with the Hubble Space Telescope. PostSecret Live Wed 12 Dec, 7.30pm. £37.50. Assembly Hall, 1 Mound Place, 020 7193 6104. Multimedia live show presented by Frank Warren, founder of online phenomenon postsecret.com. Workshops FREE Edinburgh Printmakers Open Day 2012 Sat 17 Nov, 10am–5pm. Free entry, workshops £2. Edinburgh Printmakers, 23 Union Street, 557 2479. A fun-packed day of printmaking workshops for kids and adults, printmaking demonstrations, studio tours, storytelling, a frame sale, a preview of the new Feral Landscapes exhibition and limited edition prints and artist multiples for sale. All the Young Nudes – Life Drawing Club Tue 20 Nov, 27 Nov, 4 Dec & 11 Dec, 8–10pm. £4. City Café,