Scotland’s Open Gardens: 61 Fountainhall Road. Large walled town garden in which trees and shrubs form an architectural backdrop to a wide variety of flowering plants. Several alpine beds, and three ponds, with and without fish, which have attracted a lively population of frogs. 2-5pm, 61 Fountainhall Road, EH9 2LH. Admission £4, of which 40% goes to Froglife (a national wildlife charity committed to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles) and the net remaining to Scottish Gardens charities. Also open on various other dates throughout the summer: see SG’s website for details.
Portrait Detectives: collect your kit, follow clues and solve a mystery from history! For ages 4-12. 2-4pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: no booking required. Supported by the Friends of NGS.
Filmhouse Junior: screenings for a younger audience – this week Belle and Sebastian (PG) (in French and German with English subtitles). In a small Alpine village in World War II, a little boy and a beautiful sheepdog defy the Nazis to help those who are deserving. Director Nicolas Vanier successfully adapts the 1965 TV series for the big screen. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4 per person, big or small.
Edinburgh Comic Con 2015: an extensive selection of talent and traders, numerous special guests, lots of events and (today only) a cosplay competition. 10am-5pm, Potterow, Bristo Square. Tickets may be purchased for one or both days: prices vary, children under 10 years free but must be accompanied by a paying adult. To book see website here or purchase on the door (cash only).
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Teenage Book Group: if you love to read or just want to read more, join this group to talk about the latest teenage fiction and your own favourite books. Currently reading Claire Furniss’s The Year of the Rat. 2-3pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. If you would like to join (it’s free!) email your details to schools.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk.
Farmyard Animals: Friends and Foes. A hands-on, family-friendly session with activities, storytelling and interactive displays about the lives of farm animals. Scientists from the Moredun Institute show and tell how they help control pests and diseases, leading to happier and healthier sheep, pigs, cows and chickens – and how this is better for the environment. For ages 5+. 11am-4pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free: no booking required. Also at same times on Monday 13th April 2015.
Waterstones Presents Irvine Welsh: the author signs copies of his new book A Decent Ride. 11am, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street.
St Giles’ At Six: Peter Seivewright (piano) plays transcriptions for piano by Liszt and Rachmaninoff of music by JS Bach and Fritz Kreisler. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free: retiring collection.
