Sketching Lauriston Castle with The Edinburgh Sketcher. In this sketching tour you will have the chance to learn speed sketching skills and time-saving solutions, enabling you to capture the world around you in ink and watercolour – make delightful drawings and be inspired to carry on at home! 10am-12 noon or 1-3pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £20 per person: advance booking must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here.
Edinburgh Book Fringe: daily events – all of them free (donations appreciated) for two weeks at Word Power Books, Edinburgh’s independent radical bookshop. Today: What The Frock! Comedy discuss The What The Frock! Book of Funny Women. Host and long time What The Frock! Comedy collaborator Kate Smurthwaite will welcome other comedians and contributors (line-up tbc), who will talk about the funny women they love most and answer your questions about the role of women in comedy. 1pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. All welcome! No booking required, but arrive promptly as space is limited.
Morningside Farmers’ Market: fresh, local, seasonal goods direct from the producers. Meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, baking, breads, preserves, confectionery, condiments, crafts, gourmet dog treats and more. Refreshments available throughout the market and from The Merlin. ‘Keep the pounds within the local economy!’ 9.30am-3.30pm, The Merlin (rear car park), 168 Morningside Road.
Festival of Politics 2015: a three-day programme of exhibitions, debates and films, featuring respected figures from the worlds of media, politics, academia and the arts. Exhibitions on display throughout the weekend look at the Anti-Apartheid movement, cartoonists’ interpretations of the independence debate (The Auld Acquaintance), sounds created by different areas of the Parliament and its inhabitants (Democratic Resonance 2013-2015), plus Michael Peto Photography – Politics in Focus, and the 2015 World Press Photography Awards. Today the Festival Youth Cafe will offer free workshops in vlogging, performance poetry, film-making and cartooning, and a session with acclaimed author Cathy McPhail. Today and on Sunday there will be free live music and performances in the Festival Cafe Bar (open today 10.30am-6.30pm), which will be serving drinks and Scottish delicacies. 10.30am-9.30pm, The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood. For more information, details of all debates and films, and to book tickets, see the festival’s website here: ticket prices vary – all exhibitions are free, and the World Press Awards and Michael Peto exhibitions will remain open until 22nd August 2015 (10am-5pm Monday to Saturday only).
Edinburgh Art Festival – Spotlight Tours of Scottish Art: People, Places, Ideas. Guided tours of the City Art Centre’s Scottish Art collection, focusing on people, places and ideas. 11am or 3pm, (meet at reception) City Art Centre, 2 Market Street. No booking required, free – suggested donation £2.
Older But No Wiser: CODA’s 25th Birthday! Live music spread over three days to celebrate the specialist music shop’s anniversary; today performances by Emily Smith, Blue Rose Code, Catriona McKay, Aiden O’Rourke and Graeme Stephen. Coda, 12 Bank Street. Please contact shop for times. All welcome! Further events will take place on 16th August – see listing.
LGBT T-time in Edinburgh: an informal monthly social gathering open to all transgender people, their friends, families and supporters – come along for tea, coffee and a chat in a relaxed environment. Today’s optional event (from 2pm) is Gender Info Session Revisited: a presentation of the Q & A from an event held with NHS Lothian Gender Clinic in April. 1-4pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. For more information please contact Jules on 0131 523 1104 or jules@lgbthealth.org.uk.
Head-to-Head Sculpture City Walking Tours. A National Galleries of Scotland walking tour taking a fresh look at Edinburgh’s sculptural and architectural gems – hear the stories behind the city’s imposing figure sculptures and monuments. Please come dressed for the weather and be prepared to walk at a pace, as the tour will cover a large area of the city. 2-3.30pm, meet at main entrance, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. £10/£8: please book in advance as places are limited to 15 per tour – tickets are available from the gallery’s Information Desk or by calling 0131 624 6560.
Edinburgh College of Art Masters Degree Show: a showcase of work by 130 postgraduate students from the Reid School of Music, School of Art, School of Design and the Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 11am-5pm (with late opening to 8pm on 19th and 20th August), Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place and West Port. Ends 23rd August 2015. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival.
Thomas the Tank Engine Activity Day: come and enjoy model railway building and colouring with Thomas! 12 noon, Waterstones West End, 128 Princes Street.
Summer Storytime: Come and listen to some stories by the brilliant children’s author Julia Donaldson, then join in related arts and activities. 12 noon, Waterstones, Cameron Toll Centre, 6 Lady Road.
Summer Storytime: Five Minutes’ Peace. Listen to Jill Murphy’s wonderfully-observed and hilarious tale of Mrs Large and her children – then join in arts and activities related to the story. 3pm, Waterstones, 83 George Street.
Einstein’s Wardrobe: Steven McDonald (vocals/ukulele/keyboards/percussion), Gillian Hunter (vocals) and David Salvona (guitar, bass, ukulele). 9pm, The Skylark, 241-243 Portobello High Street.
