Wednesday in Edinburgh – What’s On Today

 

Soutra: the ‘once powerful’ hospital in the Bannockburn years – a talk by archeo-ethno-pharmacologist Dr Brian Moffatt, Director of SHARP. Soutra was the site of the greatest medieval hospital north of York – archaeologists are now discovering the medical secrets of the Augustinian monks who practised there. 6.30pm, Corstorphine Library, 12 Kirk Loan. To book your place contact the library on 0131 529 5506.

Bookbug: songs and rhymes for very young children and their families. 2pm, Piershill Library, 30 Piersfield Terrace.

Work in Progress: MZA. A night of comedy with a difference – headline comedians trying out their brand new material – off notes and off adrenalin! For over 18s only. Come expecting nerves, a bit of chaos and lots of laughs: this is definitely a work in progress, not a slick, finished show. 7.30pm, Red Lecture Theatre, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets £3: book via Summerhall website or call 0131 560 1581.

Representing British Muslims in the Noughties and Beyond: Challenges, Contentions and the Future. The formalised representation of British Muslims to the government and other official channels reached a landmark in the late 1990s with the establishment of the Muslim Council of Britain. Since then the question of whether there is a need for such representation of Muslims, who should do it, how, and to what end have been constant topics of debate. Dr Khadija Elshayyal, Postdoctoral Fellow on Muslims in Britain at the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh, looks at how Muslims have fared in Britain over the last two decades, and provides some perspective on these debates. The Alaweed Centre is part of a unique network of Centres at prestigious universities around the world, committed to encouraging a better understanding of Islam and Islamic Culture through ground-breaking research and innovative outreach projects. 1-2pm, Seminar Room 1, Chrystal Macmillan Building, 15a George Square. Open to all.

Legacies of the 20th Century and Challenges for the 21st: Our Changing World Enlightenment Lecture. Professor Sir John Beddington will discuss Climate Change and Food Security.  6.30 (doors open 6.15) – 8pm, McEwan Hall, Teviot Place, University of Edinburgh. Free tickets can be booked via eventbrite.

War Poets Collection Guided Tours: Catherine Walker leads a guided visit and talk about the many interesting characters who have had links with Napier’s Craiglockhart campus over the years. (The exhibition is open during usual campus hours and all are welcome to visit). 11am-12 noon or 2-3pm, War Poets Collection Exhibition Area, Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, EH14 1DJ. Free but booking required (max. 12 people per tour): call 0141 455 4260 or email events@napier.ac.uk. Also available at same times on Friday 21st November.

Animal, Mechanical and Me: Dr Gill Haddow asks ‘If you had to make the choice, would you opt to have something human, animal or mechanically-made placed inside you?‘ and ‘Does having parts of your body replaced with materials from other sources make you feel any different?’ One of a series of public lectures presenting leading international research and ideas in the history, politics, philosophy and sociology of technology, presented in cooperation with the Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation, University of Edinburgh. 3pm, Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 1,  National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street. Free but please register with Maureen Kerr on 0131 247 4274 or m.kerr@nms.ac.uk

Carbon Conversations at the Himalayan Centre for Art and Culture: the second of six free weekly sessions to reflect on what a greener lifestyle means for us and our community. Each session will focus on an area of our lifestyles and will come up with effective, individual plans to help reduce our environmental impact: this week: Energy in the Home. Share your experiences and be part of a collective initiative. 6-8pm, 46a Suite 5, Constitution Street, Leith. For more information and to book, contact victoria@himalayancentre.org or call 07851 802 002.  Free and open to all.

Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents David Forsyth and Stuart Allan: Common Cause: Commonwealth Scots and the Great War. Based on the recent exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland, this book explores how military service was related to other expressions of Scottish identity. Personal stories will reinforce the main themes of migration, multiple identity and loss. David Forsyth and Stuart Allan are Principal Curators in the Department of Scottish History and Archaeology at the National Museums. 6.30-7.30pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Free tickets available from Blackwell’s front desk, by calling 0131 622 8218 or emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk. Part of Previously….Scotland’s History Festival. Read The Edinburgh Reporter’s article about the NMS exhibition here.

Sali Hughes – Pretty Honest: The Straight-talking Beauty Companion. Britain’s top beauty writer discusses her new book with Edinburgh author Angela Jackson. 6pm, Waterstones West End, Princes Street. Tickets £5 or £3 with Waterstones loyalty card, available from the shop. For more information call 0131 226 2666.

Visually Impaired Tour and Workshop: Remembering the Great War.  A free visually descriptive tour and practical workshop for the visually impaired. 10am-3.30pm, Farmer Education Suite, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: to book a place call 0131 624 6560.

The Speculative Society: 250 years of Debate, Argument and Delight. George III was on the throne, the Seven Years’ War was over, Mozart was in London and David Hume in Paris, when ‘The Spec’ was born into Enlightenment Edinburgh. William Creech Esq, publisher of Burns and later Lord Provost, laid out the society’s objectives; these were – and remain today – the promotion of excellence in public speaking and debating, and in prose composition. Spec Men included the young Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Professor David Purdie tells The Spec’s story. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Beauty By Design: Fashioning the Renaissance Opening Talk. Participants Tricia Allerston (SNG) and Jill Burke and Mal Burkinshaw (Edinburgh College of Art) will introduce the Beauty By Design research project which gave rise to this new exhibition, focusing on body image. New works created for the exhibition will also be discussed. 6-7.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.

Drumbrae Library Film Club: this month: Belle (PG). 6.45pm, Clermiston Room, Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drumbrae Drive. Please contact library staff for details of how to join. Free.

Morningside Community Council: ever felt that your voice cannot be heard? Concerned about any local issue – planning, licensing, roads, parks, walkways, cycle paths, open ground, refuse, recycling, local traders – or something else that affects the Morningside area? Morningside Community Council meets today and every third Wednesday of the month, 7.30pm, The Open Door, 420 Morningside Road. Local police officers hold a surgery for 30 minutes before the start of the meeting, at which residents can speak to them in confidence. All welcome. For more information call the Secretary on 0131 447 5976 or email secretary@morningside.org.uk. Also see the Community Council’s Facebook page.

LGBT Bi and Beyond: a fortnightly social gathering for people who identify as bisexual and non-monosexual. Organised social activities, refreshments provided: whatever your label or lack of label, we welcome you. 7-9pm, LGBT Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information call 0131 523 1100 or email biandbeyondedinburgh@gmail.com.

Morningside Justice and Peace Group: Andrew Milne, Project Director of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, will talk about the redevelopment of the hospital – plans and progress. 10.30-11.30am, The Open Door, 420 Morningside Road. All welcome. £1 per meeting. For more information contact b.darcy20@gmail.com or call 0131 228 1807.

Health in Mind – Over 65s Coffee Morning. 10.30am-12 noon, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road.

Morningside Library Craft Group. 6.30-7.45pm, Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. No booking needed – just turn up! More information from the library staff.