SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2014
How To Train Your Dragon Activity Day: a dragon-themed activity day to celebrate the release of Cressida Cowell’s ‘The Incomplete Book of Dragons‘, which coincides with Dreamworks’ release of How To Train Your Dragon 2, a film inspired by the bestselling series. Activities include Design Your Own Shield, Find the Dragons, raffle, colouring and a Costume Parade at 2pm – come dressed as a Viking or dragon, prizes for the best costumes. 11am-4pm, Waterstones West End. Further information on 0131 226 2666.
Generation: 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland. First day of a landmark series of exhibitions tracing the development of modern art in Scotland over the last 25 years. Works by over a hundred artists in more than sixty galleries, exhibition spaces and venues all over Scotland. In Edinburgh exhibitions open today at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Collective Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, RSA and the Scottish National Gallery. More will follow at other venues later in the summer. See website for full details.
National Gallery Highlight Tours: an introduction to and tour of the National Gallery’s permanent collection, focusing on key paintings. 2-2.45pm and 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Tour of the National Library Polish Collection: enjoy a behind the scenes tour at the National Library of Scotland and learn more about the Polish collections. Tour will last about 50 minutes and will include a visit to the reading rooms and one of the stack floors where 16 million print items are stored. There will be a small display demonstrating the range of Polish material held. 10am and 11.30am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but numbers limited so booking is essential, either via website or by calling 0131 623 3734.
The Hidden Library – for creatives. Join print-maker, publisher and artist-book-maker Hugh Bryden for a book art workshop or novelist Vicki Hendry to find out how to use NLS for creative research. Take part in a travel writing workshop or join the Library’s own handy knitters to uncover surprise patterns from the past – and have a go at knitting them (beginners and experts welcome!) Discover the Ian Hamilton Finlay archive, ‘Library in a Box’, vintage quilting patterns and much more. 2-5pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking required via website or by calling 0131 623 3734.
Lunchtime Concert: St Maur’s Youth Choir, Rush, Co Dublin. 12.15pm, St Giles Cathedral, High Street. Free and unticketed.
Recycled City: help build a miniature version of Edinburgh using recycled materials. 1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre, Market Street. A free drop-in workshop for families – no booking required.
Leith School of Art End of Year Exhibition: Leith School of Art offers full-time and part-time courses and a summer school. This exhibition will showcase work by this year’s students. 10am-4pm, Leith School of Art, 25 North Junction Street. Free. Also open Sunday 29th.
Giving Nature a Home: a range of family-focused weekend wildlife activities. RSPB staff will help you to discover more about the range of wildlife that makes the garden its home. 11am-4pm, Royal Botanic Garden (ask at Reception for venue.) Free, all ages, no booking required. Also available on Sunday.
No Strangers: Ancient Wisdom in a Modern World. A group photography exhibition focusing on the plight of indigenous people throughout the world and the ways cultures express a shared humanity. Posing a fundamental question of ‘what does it mean to be human and alive?‘ No Strangers celebrates the 7,000 languages used globally, half of which could be silenced within a generation or two. 10am-5.45pm, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden. Free. Exhibition ends 21st September 2014.
Mythical Monster Books: summer activities for children aged 5-11. 2-3pm, Blackhall Library. Free and unticketed.
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