Wednesday in Edinburgh – what’s on today

2014_04_24 Castle

WEDNESDAY 18 JUNE 2014

Spokes’ Bike Breakfast: start the day early with a free breakfast for all those who arrive by bike.  Free entry, but NB food & drink may run out, so get their asap! Bike servicing by Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op.  Free bike marking by Police Scotland. 7.45-9.45am, Edinburgh City Chambers, EH1 1YJ. Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.

Bike Station Dr Bike Safety Check: most minor problems can be fixed on the spot, with more major problems diagnosed and a bike ‘MOT’ provided. Chat to staff about cycle routes and travelling around the city by bike.  3pm, Fiveways Junction (see website for details and map.)  Part of Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.

Visually impaired tour and workshop: a descriptive tour of the sculpture park and a practical workshop for the visually impaired.  10am-3.30pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Road.  To book call information desk on 0131 624 6560.  Free.

The Edinburgh Reporter National Gallery BlackadderTitian in Ten: ten minute pop-up talk delivered by Gallery staff.  Gain an exclusive insight as staff from across the galleries offer different perspectives onTitian’s masterpieces.  2pm, National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound.  Free and unticketed.

A Man of Vision: John Ritchie Findlay of Aberlour, Founder of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, by Sir George Reid 1899.  Former curator Susan Kerr will examine the life of Findlay, proprietor of The Scotsman, whose highly developed sense of civic duty led to the fulfilment of his dream of a national portrait gallery for Scotland. 12.45-1.15pm, National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street.  Free and unticketed.

A People’s History of Scotland: Chris Bambery, writer, broadcaster, producer and founding member of the Internationalist Socialist Group in Scotland discusses his latest book ‘the first socialist history of Scotland in over fifty years’ ‘ a corrective to the usual history of kings and queens, victorious battles and bloody defeats.’  6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street.  Free and unticketed, donations welcome.

Blossom: What Scotland Needs to Flourish – award-winning jounalist, commentator and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch talks about her new book ‘ a plain speaking but incisive call to restore control to local communities and let Scotland flourish.’  6.00pm, Waterstones West End.  Free tickets available from the shop or call 0131 226 2666.