Wing It! Harness the power of flight and track down winged wildlife. 2-3.30pm, Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road. £4 per child, accompanying adult free. Booking is essential and may be made by calling 0131 455 7367 or emailing admin@waterofleith.org.uk.
Museum of Edinburgh: Recycled City. Help build a miniature version of Edinburgh using recycled materials. If you’ve got the imagination, Lauren Wayland’s got the materials! The finished sculptures will be displayed together to create a group piece for everyone to explore and enjoy. 2.30-4pm, Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House, 142 Canongate. Tickets cost £4 and must be booked in advance via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here. Please note that these workshops are intended for children and adults to experience together; children must be accompanied by at least one paying adult, and no child should be booked into a workshop alone.
Blackwell’s Edinburgh Presents Chris Close: Between the Lines – Author Portraits. In 2009 photographer Chris Close took an idea to the Edinburgh International Book Festival. He wanted to photograph a selection of authors appearing that year and produce a ‘live’ exhibition of the work – the portraits of the authors would be captured one day and on display the next. Some logistical problems were overcome and at 5.30pm on August 15th Chris Emmanuel Jal became the first person to be photographed by Chris in what has become an annual exhibition, believed to be the only one of its kind. This new book contains one hundred of Chris’s unique author portraits. Chris is one of the founding members of Retina, Scotland’s annual festival of photography. 6.30pm, Blackwell’s, South Bridge. Tickets are free and may be obtained from the shop’s front desk, by calling 0131 622 8218, emailing events.edinburgh@blackwell.co.uk or via eventbrite here.
WHALE Arts Summer Festival: fun activities for children and families. Today: Circus Skills – juggling and balancing fun. 10am-11am for ages 5+, 11am-12 noon for ages 8+, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove. Free – just drop in!
Live Music Now: Ainsley Hamill and Alistair Paterson. Experience the traditional mixed with the contemporary in this exciting combination of songs in English, Gaelic and Scots, accompanied by keyboard and harmonium. 6-6.30pm, Ground Floor, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free and unticketed.
Edinburgh International Fashion Festival: Future of Fashion – Love, Lease, Lend. In partnership with Zero Waste Scotland, a presentation by Bert van Son (MUD jeans) followed by a panel discussion with Bert, Claudia Domokos (Rentez-vous), Lynn Wilson (Zero Waste Scotland) and others (tbc). This event is aimed at designers, manufacturers and retailers, who will be able to join in the discussion and ask questions. The Herald Online Fashion Awards will also be launched at this event, which will be followed by drinks and a networking reception. 3pm, Dovecot Studios, Infirmary Street. Free but booking is required and may be made via eventbrite here.
An Evening with Lisa Ballantyne: the author launches her new novel, Redemption Road, (‘An emotionally compelling tale of old sins and lingering ghosts’ Chris Brookmyre), discusses her work and answers your questions. 6pm, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street. Free but a ticket is required: please call 0131 226 2666.
