Colony of Artists: a varied collection of work on display in the artisan community of Abbeyhill Colonies. Over 30 artists in 20 venues open their homes to show painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, music and much more. 1-5pm, Abbeyhill Colonies, junction of Easter Road and London Road: for more information see website here. Arrival by bus or on foot is recommended. Also open at same times on Sunday 21st September.
Free Family Cinema: see your favourite films for free! Choc ices and juice available in the interval for 50p. This week: Wall-E, next week Horton Hears a Who. Best for children aged 10 or under: all children must be accompanied by an adult. 10.30am-12.30pm (includes interval), St Brides Centre, Orwell Terrace, Dalry.
Art Root Open Studios: want a day out in sunny East Lothian? This year’s Art Root is the most ambitious to date and includes not only lots of open studios but also group exhibitions and a range of bookable workshops and events. Come and visit the talented artists and makers who live in this beautiful corner of Scotland – it’s only a few short miles from the city! Venues in North Berwick, Dunbar, Direlton, Pencaitland, East Linton, West Barns, Whitekirk and stops in between. Plenty of great cafes and tea shops in the area. Full details and PDF brochure here. A great day out guaranteed – even if the sun isn’t…..Also on Sunday 21st September.
Harvest Festival at the Botanics: a celebration of the vegetable growing year for all ages. Discover the delights of growing your own vegetables with the Edible Gardening Project team: community garden produce show, fun activities, edible gardening advice, information about harvesting, cooking and storing crops, seasonal recipes, tasters and more. 1-4pm, John Hope Gateway and throughout the Garden, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required. Also available at same times on Sunday 21st September.
Polwarth Nearly New Sale: children’s clothes, toys, nursery equipment, maternity wear, high chairs, pushchairs and much more! Over 5,000 items for sale. 11am-1pm, Polwarth Church, 36-38 Polwarth Terrace. Raising funds for The Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital and Polwarth Church. Donations most welcome: see website for more information.
Bookbug: free, fun and friendly sessions for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families to enjoy together. Songs, stories and rhymes, and a chance to meet other families in your area. 10.30am today and every Saturday, Fountainbridge Library, 137 Dundee Street.
GENERATION tours at Modern One: free, discussion-led tours of the GENERATION exhibition, focusing on key themes and artists. 11-11.45am or 1-1.45pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. No booking required.
Portrait Gallery Architecture Tours: monthly architecture tours of the magnificent Arts & Crafts building designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson. 2-2.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free but booking essential as places are limited: call 0131 624 6560.
Alter Egos: popular family drop-in workshops taking inspiration from the Where Do I End and You Begin exhibition. Create a new identity for yourself using disguises made out of paper, inspired by Mary Sibande’s character Sophie. Suitable for the whole family working together. 1.30-3.30pm, City Art Centre, 2 Market Street.
Allan Burnett: The Story of Scotland. Allan Burnett is famous for making history exciting for all ages. He will talk about his new book, The Story of Scotland inspired by the Great Tapestry of Scotland, a humorous yet informative book for readers aged 8-12, at 11am, Far from the Madding Crowd, 20 High Street, Linlithgow. ‘A trip through time and a whole lot of adventures along the way: expect props!’ Contact shop for more details.
Green Worlds: No Strangers Exhibition talk. Celebrate the Harvest Festival and the last weekend of the no strangers exhibition with Flora Inches and Ian Edwards (RBGE) on a tour through the glasshouses. Discover plants that provide essential nourishment, nutritional and spiritual, to indigenous people around the world. 11.30am – 12.30pm, meet at the Palmhouse, Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row. Free, no booking required, but you must buy a ticket to enter the Glasshouses: £5/£4. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Stockfest 2014: a week long celebration of community events in Stockbridge starts today. Ceilidhs, walks, market, music, art….the full programme is available here.
StockFlea Vintage & Craft Market: vintage goodies, bric-a-brac, crafts and more at Stockbridge’s very own outdoor flea market. 11am-4pm, Jubilee Gardens, Saunders Street.
StockDog: come along with your dogs of all shapes and sizes for a fun, activity-filled afternoon. Displays from vets, groomers and trainers, plus support from local stores, photo portraits with your dogs and fun StockCrufts competitions with prizes! 1-4pm, Pond-side, Inverleith Park, Arboretum Road.
Song Circle Drop-In Session: a dynamic and fun version of the Song Circle sessions which run on weekday mornings in the Skylark Cafe. Scottish songs, nursery rhymes, poetry and percussion fun for children aged 0-5 years. 10.30am, Skylark Cafe, 40 Hamilton Place. No booking required: first come, first served. £3.50 per head including tea, coffee and biscuits. More information on 0131 225 4444.
SEEP II: Tour for Visually-Impaired Visitors. A tour of Cachin Cachan Cachunga’s exhibition event, which includes visual art, film, performance, music and installation, particularly highlighting work from minority groups. BSL interpretation, film subtitling, audio description, Braille, large-print programmes and wheelchair access will all be available. 4pm, Patriothall Gallery, 1D Patriothall off Hamilton Place, Stockbridge. For more information see Patriothall website.
A Walk Through Stockbridge’s Sporting History: Scottish Blue Badge Guide Colin Imrie will lead a walk discovering Stockbridge’s sporting heritage. From bowling to boxing to rugby and rowing. Some steps and uneven ground on the route: wear comfortable shoes. 11am-1pm, meet at Portgower Place (beside the Raeburn House Hotel). Free: a collection will be taken for Alzheimer’s Scotland. More information: colinimrie@blueyonder.co.uk
Fun Flower Arranging: let your children’s creativity go wild with a colourful little flower arrangement. For 2-10 year olds. 10am-3pm, White Petal Company, 100a Raeburn Place, Stockbridge.
