Sunday in Edinburgh – What’s On Today

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch! Every year half a million people take part in the Birdwatch weekend; you can carry out your contribution to this survey of bird life anywhere in the UK – you don’t need to have your own garden (see event website here), and if you would like to participate in the Botanics, you can meet the RSPB there today: 12.30-3.30pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row.

Hearing Impaired Tour – Beauty by Design: Fashioning the Renaissance. A free tour of the exhibition, with portable loops, led by Tessa Asquith-Lamb. 11am-12 noon, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: to book a place please call 0131 624 6560.

Our Dynamic Earth – FREE entry!  To celebrate its collaboration with the Heritage Lottery Fund, Dynamic Earth is offering free entry today from 10am. It will not be possible to pre-book tickets, and entrance may have to be limited to match the capacity of the building. 10am-4pm (last entry – though this may have to be brought forward if demand is high), Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Road. For more information call o131 550 7800 or click here.

Filmhouse Junior: Tinkerbell and the Legend of the NeverBeast (U). A new animation, in which animal fairy Fawn befriends a huge and mysterious character known as the NeverBeast, but the elite Scout Fairies set out to capture the monster, fearing he will destroy their home. Fawn must trust her heart and rally the girls to save the NeverBeast. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets £4: book online or call the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.

Winter Guided Walk: join a Garden Guide for a leisurely afternoon walk around the Garden. Discover stunning seasonal highlights and learn about the history of the Garden and its plants. For ages 14+. 2pm, John Hope Gateway reception, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row. £5 per person, no advance booking required.

Bags of Art: cool and creative fun for children aged 4-12 years, with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. 2-4pm, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free: no booking required. Supported by the Friends of NGS.

Sunday Bunch Squash Night: a group of squash enthusiasts who meet regularly to play squash and racketball – just drop in and play squash with others on your level. 6.45-8pm, Abercorn Sports Club, Abercorn Crescent. £5 per person: no membership fees. All levels welcome.

Talking Trees: let the RBGE’s volunteer storytellers grow your imagination with tall tales from around the world. You can also visit the Little Free Library beside the Glasshouses and the Dell area in the John Hope Gateway. 2-2.45pm, John Hope Gateway reception, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row. Free: no booking required.

Scandinavian Weekend at Joseph Pearce’s: Scandi food and music all weekend, plus tonight from 7pm, tunes in Swedish and English from Christer Petterssonz Dans Band.  Joseph Pearce’s, 23 Elm Row.

Annual World Day for Migrants and Refugees: a celebratory Mass will be led by Archbishop Leo Cushley. 3pm, St Mary’s RC Cathedral, York Place. All welcome: if you would like to attend the small reception afterwards, please email Miriam.mchardy@staned.org.uk.

St Giles’ At Six: The Kevock Choir. The programme will include Chilcott A Little Jazz Mass, Elgar Ave Verum, Bruckner Locus Iste arr. Burns, The Lord’s My Shepherd and Scottish Song, with light music arrangements The Wild Mountain Thyme, O Gin I were, Red Red Rose, Fields of Gold and Anthem (from Chess). Director: Graham Lovett. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free: retiring collection.