Five things you need to know today

• Today at the Edinburgh International Science Festival
• ENABLE Hustings 
• Musselburgh Riding of the Marches
• Scottish Book Trust – Secrets and Confessions 
• Photography in Clovenstone

A quirky and colourful collection of kaleidoscopes is going on display in celebration of the 200^th anniversary of the instrument’s invention.

Dozens of the optical curiosities – from antique traditional designs to modern works of art – have been lent from a private museum near Tokyo, Japan to be showcased at the University of Edinburgh.

They are on display as part of the Symmetries in Light exhibition, marking the creation of the kaleidoscope in 1816 by Professor Sir David Brewster, a former Principal of the University.

The Scottish scientist is known as the father of experimental optics for his discoveries. His achievements include experiments on the polarisation of light – the principle behind LCD televisions and sunglasses. His pioneering work led to improved optical devices, and new areas of research.

The scientist was instrumental in the adoption of new optical systems in British lighthouses. He also developed an improved version of the stereoscope, the first portable device to create a 3D image by superimposing left and right images for the viewer.

Visitors will be able to experience many of the items on show at the free exhibition, which runs as part of Edinburgh International Science Festival from 3-5 and 7-10 April at the Playfair Library. The display will be supported by a programme of interactive science-based activities for families, managed by the University of Edinburgh, and a talk about Brewster’s legacy at 6pm on Friday 8 April, in the exhibition venue.

The international event is presented by the Japan Kaleidoscope Museum and the Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews.

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Lothian people who have learning disabilities to be given the chance to grill local candidates, as charity launches hustings campaign trail to #ENABLEtheVote

People with learning difficulties from across Edinburgh and the Lothians are to be given the chance to grill their local would-be politicians, thanks to an innovative hustings event being held next week.

ENABLE Scotland says the shocking fact that only 30 per cent of people with learning disabilities vote, despite being hugely affected by Governments’ policies, prompted the charity to organise the eight events which will take them on a campaign trail right across Scotland.

The hustings’ events aim to give people with learning disabilities the chance to meet their local MSPs and get their questions and issues heard.

ENABLE is Scotland’s leading learning disability charity.

Jan Savage, the charity’s Executive Director of Campaigns and External Affairs said: “Traditionally the number of people who have a learning disability who vote is only around 30 per cent. Yet a survey by our sister organisation, Mencap, showed 70 per cent intended to vote.

“Unfortunately the survey also found that 60 per cent of people who have learning disabilities found the process of voting too difficult. This is why we’ve launched our #ENABLEtheVote campaign and produced resources for people who have learning disabilities and their families to help get people ready to vote.”

The Edinburgh event will take place at ENABLE Edinburgh’s office at 95 Causewayside, Edinburgh, EH9 1QG, on Monday 4 April at 6:00 pm and people who have learning disabilities and their families and carers are welcome to attend to put their local candidates on the spot.

Musselburgh’s first Riding of the Marches in 21 years is one of thirteen events to be supported by the EventScotland National Funding Programme, as part of VisitScotland’s work to deliver the national events strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage.

The Riding of the Marches is one of the most ancient ceremonies in the UK and was first recorded in 1682.

The Musselburgh Riding of the Marches – which takes place once every 21 years to commemorate the marking of the ancient boundaries of the burgh – has been awarded £10,000.

The official ceremony is the central occasion in a week-long celebration (24-30 July) of the unique history and heritage of the Honest Toun of Musselburgh.

Budding poets from Edinburgh are invited by Scottish Book Trust to attend a free poetry workshop on 9 April at Edinburgh Central Library, in connection with the charity’s exciting new writing project, Secrets and Confessions.

Secrets and Confessions will run from 30 March – 22 June, and in that time Scottish Book Trust wants to encourage the people of Scotland to confess their little white lies, dastardly deeds and hidden secrets.

People of all ages from across Scotland are invited to submit personal pieces of writing, which can be anything up to 1000 words long, about their own secret or confession. They can be written in a variety of different forms, such as a story, poem, song lyrics, a short play or sketch, a letter or even diary entry, and should be submitted via the Scottish Book Trust website.

All pieces of writing will be featured on Scottish Book Trust’s website and a selection of the best submissions will be published in a book, to be given out free of charge during Book Week Scotland 2016 (21 – 27 November.)