Gun Salute – Palace of Holyroodhouse – Royal Yacht Britannia – The Scottish National Portrait Gallery – Bike Tours
As well as being Easter Monday, today is Her Majesty the Queen’s 88th birthday. There will be a 21 gun salute from Edinburgh Castle at 12 noon to mark the day.
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It would be a fitting day to go and visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse which is the Queen’s residence in Edinburgh . On display there at the moment are some of the gifts that the Queen has received from her visits to countries forming part of the Commonwealth.
In the year that Scotland hosts The Commonwealth Games, this special display brings together more than 70 gifts.
The Commonwealth: Gifts to The Queen marks The Queen’s role as Head of the Commonwealth and celebrates the overseas visits made by Her Majesty to Commonwealth countries throughout her reign. From a Botswanan tapestry andbeadwork by the Yoruba people, to a shell collage from the Bahamas, a coconut calabasa bowl from Belize and an Inuit wall hanging, the display reflects the diverse traditions and creativity of Commonwealth nations, as well as the Royal Family’s long-standing association with the Games.
Details of how to book here.
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Why not go to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, formerly enjoyed and sailed by The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family and while you are there enjoy the cupcakes and hot cross buns in the Royal Tea Room?
“Entertain the kids this Easter Weekend with a trip to Britannia and treat them to a chocolate milkshake and cake in our Royal Deck Tea Room. From 14-21 April, we’ll also have chocolate cupcakes on the menu and hot cross buns from 18-21 April. With an audio handset tour created specially for children, they’ll love discovering the Royal Yacht’s five decks, from the Bridge to the Royal Apartments and Crew’s Quarters.”
Details of how to book and get to the Britannia (Lothian Buses number 22) here.
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At the Scottish National Portrait Gallery later this week there is a promenade performance called Dear Scotland being put on after hours of monologues by 20 of Scotland’s leading writers inspired by the paintings.
There are two performances so you will have to go twice to hear everything that has been written, but you are promised ‘short and sharp’ writing!
More details of the evening events which start on 24 April here.
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If the weather holds out as promised it should be cloudy and 10 degrees, but that will be warm enough for cycling. Edinburgh Bike Tours have three different tours today, one is the Coast and Bridges Cycle Tour, another a Mountain Bike Tour in the hills around Edinburgh and the third is a tour of Leith and Inverleith.
They say that they have late availability on the 10.00am tour at least but it might be worth giving them a call.
More details of these and all the tours they are running this week here on their website.
What will you be doing today? Tweet and tell us!
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
