Police in East Lothian are appealing for witnesses following housebreaking incidents last weekend where a BMW car worth around £30,000 and a high-value Audi car were stolen.

The BMW was recovered in the Edinburgh area but officers have still to trace the red, two-door Audi A5..

Officers investigating these crimes as part of an on-going operation are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward, particularly if they think they have seen the stolen vehicle.

Two men have been arrested and charged in relation to separate housebreaking incidents in Musselburgh, North Berwick and Aberlady last week.

Officers recovered a dark blue Audi A4 car believed to be used in those incidents but enquiries are still ongoing as to the whereabouts of a silver Peugeot also stolen.

Chief Inspector Andy Clark said: “We have dedicated housebreaking teams across the Lothians and we will use all the resources at our disposal to detect these crimes and bring those responsible to justice. We are also working closely with detectives in Edinburgh as there are obvious links with the city.

“In the meantime we ask all residents and business owners to show increased vigilance and to report any suspicious activity around their properties or the properties of family, friends and neighbours to the police.

“Please make sure your intruder alarm is in good working order, all windows and doors are locked and any car keys and cash are kept out of sight.

“The public can assist us in helping reduce housebreaking by following this simple advice and reporting anything suspicious to the police by calling 999 if a crime is in progress or alternatively 101 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A man who obtained approximately £500,000 in a fraudulent investment scam has today been sentenced.

Keith Cameron was sentenced to five years at the Sheriff Court in Edinburgh.

The 54 year-old was responsible for obtaining money for a Telecoms company start-up that never materialised. Cameron exploited his relationship with the victim, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, in order to fraudulently obtain the funds. Cameron was able to exploit his knowledge of the Telecoms industry to present a plausible investment and obtained the trust needed to hand over funds.

Police Scotland today welcomed the sentence but warned the public to be vigilant against similar individuals looking to use the Internet to illegally source money.

Detective Inspector Arron Clinkscales said: “Keith Cameron used his expertise and relationship to make his victim believe that this was a legitimate investment. He also indicated that others had invested significant sums and forged investment documents. He was able to continue the pretence of a legitimate investment for nearly two ears, with repeated promises of returns, until his victim died, leaving a grieving widow to discover the fraud.”

“To ensure that others do not fall foul of similar fraudulent activities I would urge the public to fully research any investment they are seeking to make. When considering making an investment, consider seeking financial and legal advice to ensure protection against fraudulent investments.”

“If in any doubt, do not go ahead, and remember if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”

Music fans are in for a treat on Saturday when two legendary bands who achieved phenomenal success in the sixties appear live at the Corn Exchange in Haddington.

Community radio station East Coast FM has teamed up with The Animals and The Troggs as part of fund raising efforts to support the local broadcasting service and both bands will play with members of their original line up in a night that promises to bring back fond memories and create many more.

Earlier today, John Steel, the original drummer with The Animals kindly took time out of his busy schedule to tell the Edinburgh Reporter what fans can expect and also reminisce about the days when the band rivalled the Beatles and the Rolling Stones at the top the music charts on both sides of the Atlantic.

John said: ” I am really looking forward to coming back to Scotland and Haddington in particular. The Animals have played in Scotland many times and had some really good gigs in places such as Inverness and Elgin, but one gig I remember specifically was in Haddington on June 13th 1964, For the life of me I can’t remember the name of the venue, so if any Edinburgh Reporter readers can help me I would be really interested to know. My girlfriend at the time, who later became my wife, came up from Newcastle to watch us play that night so it was a significant show.

“That was an interesting time for The Animals as a couple of weeks later ‘House of the Rising Sun’ was released and of course went to number one in the charts in the UK and USA.

“The show on Saturday at the Corn Exchange will be great, The Troggs will open the show and play for 45 minutes then there will be an interval and we will play the second half. There will be Troggs’ hits such as ‘Wild Thing’, ‘Love Is All Around’ and ‘With a Girl Like You’ and Animals’ Hits such as ‘House of the Rising Sun’, ‘We Gotta Get Out Of This Place’, ‘It’s My Life’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’.

“The fans never get tired of that music. Our hits are about real life which I think is why they still stand up. There is a dark edge that people identify with them but sometimes forget it was us that sung them.

” ‘We Gotta Get Out Of This Place’ actually became an anthem during the Vietnam War and was in the US Armed Forces Charts for about three years. Kids now sing it when they leave school and we have had squaddies who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq who tell us that it is still a favourite over there amongst the armed forces.”

It’s over 3,250 miles from Haddington to New York but that was the next port of call for the band 51 years ago when they were invited to appear on the world’s top talk show.

John recalled: “The ‘Ed Sullivan’ show was hugely important for us. We first went on in the Summer of 1964 when ‘House of the Rising Sun’ was number one on both sides of the Atlantic and his viewing figures were around 25 million Actually we appeared five times in total.

“When we arrived in New York, the publicity people arranged for ‘Triumph’ the car company to us get into open topped sports cars called ‘Tigers’. ‘Tigers/Animals’!!!! So we each sat in the back of a ‘Tiger’ alongside 6ft tall models wearing basques and fish net stockings. It was like a dream. In those days only rich businessmen and film stars went to America, but that day, five working class Geordie lads drove through Manhattan with a motor cycle convoy.

“America was unbelievable. we did a big open air show at a state fair somewhere down south and as we were playing the last song, ‘Talking About You’, from the corner of my eye I saw a huge black gorilla coming toward me. suddenly the gorilla lifted me up under his arm and run away. Thankfully it was a man in a costume, but that was the weird way the American’s used to think. ‘Animals/Gorillas’ It ruined our ending.”

Amazingly, considering the number of hits and the lasting legacy of the band, they split up two years later as John explained: ” Eric (Burdon) and I met at Art school and started a band in 1957 and there were different line ups until 1963 when we took off, so we only existed as The Animals for three years and split up in 1966. That was due to bad management. Our manager at the time worked us into the ground and we became disillusioned Of course by that time all the money was gone.”

Almost thirty years later however the music industry let the lads know that they had not been forgotten and they headed across the Atlantic once more for a prestigious and well-deserved award:”It was a real honour to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 at a ceremony in the Waldorf Astoria in New York. We had a dinner and were presented with a statuette. David Letterman’s house band were playing and after a few drinks the whole thing turned into a brilliant jamming session including Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton and Chuck Berry whom we had actually appeared with years before.

“Bruce (Springsteen) used to tell everyone that we were his inspiration which was very generous of him to say.”

So where now for John?

“I’m 74 now but have no plans to retire. My body will tell me when I’m ready to stop or if I start to make a fool of myself, but touch wood I’m still rocking.”

The Animals were the second British band to top the American charts after The Beatles with the now multi-million selling and legendary anthem, ‘House of the Rising Sun’. The band subsequently achieved over twenty global Top Ten hit records, many of which gained the Number One slot in various parts of the world. In Britain alone, the band had no less than twelve chart entries. The Animals were the first British band to tour Poland and Japan.

The Troggs also had a number of hits in the United Kingdom and the United States including the U.S. chart-topper “Wild Thing”, “With a Girl Like You” and “Love Is All Around”, all of which sold over 1 million copies.] “Wild Thing” is ranked #257 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Ian Robertson, Station Manager at ECFM said, “We are incredibly excited to have these two legendary bands coming to Haddington for one night only. There are people coming from all parts of Scotland for this, gigs like this don’t come along very often.”

This celebration of music from the 60s and beyond takes place over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Listeners of East Coast FM and supporters of the station are being encouraged to buy tickets earlier for the event before they sell out.

Tickets are £20 and available from Ticket Scotland, ECFM and Mike’s Bikes in Haddington.

A snake who has become the Scottish SPCA’s longest resident is looking for a home after 1000 days in care.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity is hoping to find the right home for Rascal, a California kingsnake who arrived at their Edinburgh Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in the summer of 2012.

Assistant manager Kenny Sharpe said, “Poor Rascal has been with us for nearly three years and has attracted very little interest. He arrived in our care after he was found behind a kitchen unit in Bathgate.

“A lot of people are put off by his appearance but we know there are plenty of reptile enthusiasts out there who will appreciate Rascal for the stunning creature he is.

“Rascal has a good temperament for a kingsnake and we are looking for an owner with previous snake experience to take him on.

“Snakes have specialist care requirements and should not be rehomed on a whim so we would certainly urge any would-be owners to do their research.”

Anyone who can offer Rascal a new home is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh centre on 03000 999 999.

Heathrow recently announced a raft of new measures which would be deliverable with the expansion of the airport, and which the airport owner believe would boost Scotland’s links to the world, and help Scottish businesses connect to global growth.

For anyone who travels to Heathrow it is a well known frustration that time spent in a holding pattern above the south east of England only adds to the journey time.

According to the airport expansion at Heathrow would allow:

• Better timed and more frequent flights between Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen airports and Heathrow
• A new route between Inverness and Heathrow, part of easyJet’s indicative network from an expanded Heathrow
• Possible new links to Scottish airports not currently served by Heathrow

As the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow connects to 75 destinations worldwide which are not served by other airports in the UK. The package is designed to help support routes from Scotland to the hub and includes a review of Heathrow’s charges for domestic routes to be implemented in January 2016. The airport also confirmed that a £10million Route Development Fund would be established to provide start-up support new routes between airports like Dundee and Heathrow where needed.

While Heathrow has been full for the last ten years, many airlines have been forced to use available capacity for long-haul flights at the expense of Scottish routes. As a result the average number of daily flights departing from Scottish airports to Heathrow has declined from 50 in 2005 to 35 today. With the loss of the Virgin Little Red services from Aberdeen and Edinburgh in September of this year, this could decrease to just 26 daily departures.

The airport feel that this pattern results in Scottish businesses being increasingly cut off from ready access to international growth opportunities currently more easily available to their competitors in the South East.

In contrast, independent research by Quod, commissioned by Heathrow and based on economic analysis by the Airports Commission, shows how an expanded Heathrow will benefit Scotland, with the nation expected to receive up to £14 billion in economic growth and 16,100 new jobs.

Support for Heathrow appears to be growing with Glasgow Chamber, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber, Inverness Chamber, Glasgow Airport, Aberdeen Airport, Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry all backing expansion. It is also backed by two of the largest UK-wide trade unions, Unite and GMB.

Commenting on the commitments, John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO, said: “Expanding Heathrow could deliver over £14bn in economic benefit and 16,000 new jobs across Scotland.  We have been listening to businesses, politicians and now to the National Connectivity Task Force, and today’s announcement shows that we have a plan to deliver what Britain needs.  Only Heathrow can connect Scotland to global growth.  Let’s get on with it. “

A spokesperson for the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Heathrow has undertaken a huge amount of work in terms of measuring the potential benefits to Scotland and other parts of the UK that could result from airport expansion and in developing plans to address the needs of Scottish businesses, should expansion be approved.  Our priority is to ensure that investors around the world have access to Scotland and to strengthen our businesses’ ability to compete for global growth. “This plan will deliver more jobs for our region, boost our economy and ensure Scotland continues to grow as an attractive place to live and work.”

Mike Cantlay, Chair of VisitScotland, said: “This is potentially hugely significant for air connectivity to Scotland.  New and more frequent air services to Scotland could have a profoundly positive impact on Scottish tourism. We know from visitor research that we need to make the journey to Scotland as easy and inexpensive as possible.  This shows that Heathrow understands the importance of this to Scottish tourism and should be applauded for this announcement.”

Police are appealing for information to help trace a 41-year-old woman who has been reported missing from Edinburgh.

Tracey Powrie was last seen in the North Bridge area at 6.45 pm on Monday evening.

She is described as 5ft 5in tall, slim build, with shoulder length blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a blue Adidas sweatshirt, blue jeans and pink trainers.

She is believed to frequent the city centre area of Edinburgh.

Inspector Stephen Rosie said: “Tracey is vulnerable due to current health issues and we are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.

“Anyone who may have seen her since 6.45pm this evening, or who knows where she is , is urged to contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland as soon as possible on 101.

The Edinburgh People’s Survey which is the biggest survey of its kind undertaken in the UK recently revealed that one of the top gripes among capital residents is dog poo on the pavements. It is one of the things that really makes people growl with dismay.

Now The City of Edinburgh Council has decided to agree a solution with real bite, and, after passing an emergency motion at a hastily convened session to take place later this morning, the council will introduce from noon today what it describes as ‘failsafe new measures’ designed to identify and catch the culprits.

Next year The Scottish Government has advised it will introduce licences for all Scottish dogs in a retro step going back to the days when Greyfriars Bobby trotted up and down George IV Bridge. At that time the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, John Gray, paid for the dog’s licence, so that he could continue to live at liberty. No-one appears to know where Bobby slept at nights, or where he ‘did his business’, but we can only assume he may have had the odd poop on the pavement in his time.

A council spokesman explained how science will now be used to foil the foulers: “It is evident that this is a problem which dogs many councils, but here in Edinburgh the Capital Coalition is determined to get to the bottom of it. We plan to employ two scientists who will patrol the city’s streets with a lab; that’s the scientific kind, not another dog. We really want to reduce the number of dogs on the pavements, and we certainly don’t need any more poop being produced there!

“The scientists will scoop the poop with a couple of pages from the previous day’s newspaper, and then use the mobile lab to analyse it for DNA, thus ensuring that any offender is absolutely traceable. DNA is just like a paw print, absolutely unique. We will know which dog did it. We will be using a brand new DNA analysis which works more quickly than ever before. We will have immediate results.

“Frankly the public have spoken. They are not happy with the way the council approaches this and we need to try and pick up some brownie points.”

Professor M. Adman at University of Edinburgh told us about the science behind all of this: “DNA sampling is a technique which has been well refined over the past decade and we are now all too familiar with the TV detective using DNA testing to identify the culprit responsible for the most heinous of crimes.

“With the advance of low cost DNA test kits – the technique can now be applied to the pooper criminal. As part of the licensing process every canine will offer up a DNA sample – this will be kept on file in a central doggy-data-base. In the event of a pooper crime – the DNA recovered from the sample will be compared with the one in the doggy-data-base – identifying the owner and the doggy culprit.” 

When The Edinburgh Reporter enquired of the council whether the move would mean that the budget produced by the coalition in February would now need urgent revision, the council official was unmoved. He said: “No, we have provision for sh*t as important as this in our emergency fund. This will not mean any more messing about with figures. We have had enough of that already.  Our budget will not become a stool pigeon for any opposition councillors trying to get us off the scent of the dirty dogs in Edinburgh. We will ensure that the animals guilty of this offence are traced and then caught.”

And when we asked the council officer what he thought should be done with the owners, he said:”I feel they should be put in pens in the quad at the City Chambers for a day. It will sort them out when they are shamed in front of Edinburgh’s citizens and many tourists who will see them there. They’ll be red-faced!”

South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom in South Africa. To commemorate this landmark date, South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour, a season of South African cinema, is taking place from October 2014 to April 2015 at venues across the UK, bringing the diversity, creative innovation and technical brilliance of South African cinemas to British audiences. Today’s film: Miners Shot Down (15) (In English and Zulu with English subtitles). In August 2012 mineworkers in one of South Africa’s biggest platinum mines began a wildcat strike for better wages. Six days later the police used live ammunition to brutally suppress the strike, killing 34 and injuring many more. Using the point of view of the Marikana miners, this film follows the strike from day one, showing the courageous but isolated fight waged by a group of low-paid workers against the combined forces of the mining company Lonmin, the ANC government and their allies in the National Union of Mineworkers. What emerges is collusion at the top, spiralling violence and the country’s first post-apartheid massacre.  The screening will be followed by a discussion on the ongoing struggle for human rights in post-apartheid South Africa, featurng a panel of experts and chaired by Lizelle Bisschoff, director of South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 8.35pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: discounts may be available if you buy tickets for several films in this season – ask at the Box Office.

Yarn Group: an informal group – bring your knitting or crochet, share experiences, have a chat and get help with problems. 10am-12 noon today and every Wednesday, Penicuik Arts Centre West Street. Entry by donation.

Incredible Power of Light: Vulcan is a laser facility 10,000 times more powerful than the National Grid; it can deliver pulses of light of up to one petawatt of energy. A replica of this amazing laser forms the centrepiece of this new exhibition, celebrating the International Year of Light 2015, along with interactive exhibits, animations, hardware and displays that tell the story of how lasers impact on our daily lives. 10am-4.30pm (last entry – closes 5pm), Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays), Main Hall, The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood. Ends 30th April 2015. Free. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of children’s workshops and talks for adults and young adults throughout April: for full details click here. Part of Edinburgh International Science Festival 2015.

Righteous Muslims: a joint project between Sukkat Shalom: the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, Marchmont St Giles Church and the Muslim Women’s Association of Edinburgh. During the Second World War many Muslims, especially in south-east Europe, sheltered Jewish neighbours from the Nazis. Some are honoured as Righteous Muslims by Yad Vashem. Faith Matters, a Muslim civic organisation, has created an exhibition telling some of the stories; it has been displayed in many places in the UK, and this is its first showing in Scotland. Launch tonight at 6pm, then 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, Butterflies Cafe, Marchmont St Giles Parish Church Centre, 1a Kilgraston Road. If you would like to attend the launch, please email contact@eljc.org. Ends 12th April 2015.

The Scottish Gallery – New Exhibitions: (1) Katie Downie: Estuary. Following three months of travel through Australia and Japan, artist Katie Downie presents bright new ink and watercolour paintings from Outback river source to the coast, pictorial diaries and oil paintings. ‘This new body of work marks a serious development in the artist’s deep encounters with both the built and the natural river lands around the edges of the Pacific Rim’. (2) Eugenie Vronskaya: Still Point in a Turning World. Highlands-based painter Vronskaya studied icon painting from an early age and was the first Russian student to enrol for the Masters course at the Royal College of Art. She has since exhibited worldwide. ‘Vronskaya has few rivals in Britain for sheer draughtsmanship’ John Russell Taylor. (3) Cutting Edge: Modern Hungarian Glass. An exhibition showcasing 16 Hungarian glass artists, including both emerging and established makers; curated by Attila Sik of Prism Gallery, Birmingham. 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturdays, The Scottish Gallery, 16 Dundas Street. All exhibitions end 28th April 2015.

Lunchtime Concert: Piano Speak with Will Pickvance. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Craigmillar Library Book Group: currently reading A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. 6.30pm, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. All welcome: a copy of the book may be obtained from library staff.

Lounge Act feat. Caroline Gilmour, The Woods (aka Johnny McFadzean) and Frida Ecklund. A trio of talented singer-songwriters making great strides on the local scene. 7.30pm, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street. Free.

National Library of Scotland Guided Tour: A guided tour of the building and an introduction to the Library’s collections and history. 10.30am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is essential as numbers are limited: reserve your place online here or by calling the Library on 0131 623 3734. Please inform the Library of any special access requirements.

Edinburgh College of Naturopathic Medicine: a drop-in session with Gayle Fitzpatrick, who will answer your questions about studying with CNM. 1-3pm, Henderson’s Restaurant, Hanover Street.

The Importance of Being: actor John Cairney talks about his unique life and his thoughts on spirituality and human connections. Cairney’s words underline the importance of recognising the gift we have simply in living, and how crucial it is to appreciate each moment of our lives. ‘A philosophical look back at a life well lived’. 2pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required, either online here or by calling the Library on 0131 623 3734.

Staff Works: an exhibition of art works from the staff of the Boda Bars. Preview tonight from 7pm, then usual opening hours, Victoria Bar, 265 Leith Walk,

The Gettup: diminish your midweek blues with DJs Thom and Pagowsky, who bring you the very best in Disco and Deep House. 9pm-3am tonight and every Wednesday, Cabaret Voltaire, 36 Blair Street. Free entry.

Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council: the agenda for the meeting may be seen here. 7pm, Persevere Room, Leith Community Education Centre, 12a Newkirkgate. All welcome.

Breaking News – Council to meet this morning in emergency session

Edinburgh International Science Festival Gastrofest

FlyBe now on summer timetable

Scotland’s National Airshow 2015

Canal Stories

The City of Edinburgh Council are to meet this morning in emergency session to pass a resolution on one of the matters most troubling residents of the city.

Read more here.

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In 2015, Edinburgh International Science Festival transforms into The Ideas Factory – a hub for information, ideas and innovation – during which thescience of food and drink is celebrated with the return of mini-festival GastroFest.

After a successful first outing at the 2014 Science Festival showcasing the importance of science in the most delicious way possible, GastroFest returns for a second year in 2015. It features a packed menu of events featuring Scottish and international producers, artisans, scientists and chefs, all taking part in events designed to give an accessible, enjoyable and above all tasty introduction to the science behind food and drink. GastroFest 2015 is supported as part of the Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015, delivered by VisitScotland and EventScotland in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, and forms one of the first large-scale events in their calendar.
Highlights include science-inspired farmers’ market SciMart (5 April), an Easter treat for all the family bringing together food producers, researchers and chefs, and featuring demos from award-winning Edinburgh chef Paul Wedgwood. Diners can explore the surprising links between our senses and our taste buds in Sensory Experimentation (9 April) with Prof Charles Spence and a series of tasters and experiments exploring flavour, scent and texture (9 April), while Give in to Fermentation (15 April) investigates our ongoing fascination with the fermentation process with a series of beer and food pairings, and theMad Hatter’s Tea Party takes a trip down the rabbit hole in a unique and enlightening tea party featuring the father of molecular gastronomy Hervé This and hosted by food writer Alex Renton. Drink design has now also become a science: LateLab GastroLab: Molecular Mastery (11 April) unveils the mysteries of molecular mixology with Prof Andrea Sella and drinks developers Zoe Burgess and Max Venning from London’s Drinks Factory. There’s even blues in a brewery with Science Festival brewer Barney’s Beer, who teams up with Will Pickvance for a musical evening in Brews, Blues and a Piano Bar Bike (8-11 April). Barney is also producing brand-new festival beer, his third for the Science Festival – Fe Fi Fo – brewed with a special,secret ingredient.

Amanda Tyndall, Deputy Director of Edinburgh International Science Festival, said: “This year’s Science Festival will celebrate enlightened thinking and doing by drawing together shining lights from the fields of science, technology and beyond, discussing the big ideas, issues and challenges of our time, including topics like Food security and sustainability. But it’s not all serious stuff – there are plenty of sociable, foodie science opportunities, with events on everything from taste perception and fermentation, to bug burgers and bears. Food brings people together like nothing else in the world and there’s science in every mouthful. We want GastroFest to be a valuable showcase for Scottish produce with events that celebrate the expertise of those who grow, make and cook it”.

Details of all GastroFest events can be found online at the website.

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Flybe began operating its 2015 Summer Schedule at the weekend with a choice of 187 routes including 27 that are brand new, and in total offering a choice of up to 3,012 flights a week. The airline will also be opening two brand new bases at Bournemouth and Cardiff, re-opening its Aberdeen base and starting flights out of London Stansted Airport, the first of which to the Isle of Man took off just two weeks’ ago.

This will also be the first summer for its five London City routes and Flybe will continue to keep Cornwall connected with its popular daily multi frequency service between Newquay and London Gatwick. This, coupled with the many routes on sale throughout Scotland and regional Europe offered by Flybe’s franchise partners, Loganair and Stobart Air, plus the return of popular sun routes from Exeter and Southampton, means that customers have an ever increasing choice of point to point, sea and sun travel options.

From Edinburgh Flybe goes to Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands, Kirkwall, London City, Manchester, Stornoway, Sumburgh and Wick.

***

Tickets are now on sale for Scotland’s National Airshow on 25 July 2015 at East Fortune

The Red Arrows are booked and you can now book your Early Bird tickets here.

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Members of the local community are invited to share their canal-related stories, photographs, maps and objects with young canal college volunteers aboard the Lochrin Bell boat, moored on the Union Canal at Edinburgh Quay on Thursday 23^rdApril between 11am and 3pm.

This day of oral reminiscence (running from 11am until 3pm), organised by Scottish Waterways Trust with support from Re-Union Canal Boats, will be led by the Edinburgh branch of Scottish Waterways Trust’s youth employability programme canal college.

The latest group of 16-25 year old recruits who are not in employment, further education or training will record stories and collect photographs and memorabilia aboard the barge, then use the materials to create unique heritage boxes.

These boxes will then be used in community groups and schools to inspire future generations to make memories of their own on the Union Canal.

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 It appears that the cafe in St Andrew Square is to change hands again. For any of you who have been watching carefully this will be the third operator in under a year. 

The longest running venture in the Glass building in the square was Razzo Cafe but the lease was terminated by Essential Edinburgh  in June 2014. Paul Anderson had kept the cafe open all the way through Occupy Edinburgh who used the square for their protest.  A Twitter storm with the hashtag #saverazzo followed the eviction of the popular cafe owner. 

A new but temporary cafe operator will open the doors on Thursday morning and then the process to put the premises out to tender will begin.

A spokesman for Essential Edinburgh who run the Business Improvement District and are responsible for the management of the square said: “The coffee shop closed on Saturday but will re-open on Thursday morning with a temporary operator in place for two months while a tender process takes place. We hope to have the permanent operator in place for 1st June.”

We have been told that one of the drawbacks of the site is the lack of public toilets. In recent plans an application was made to install them behind the cafe, but we have been told that application was unsuccessful. 

When the cafe was closed last summer Paul Anderson posted a notice saying: ““Monday 23 June 2014 is the last day Razzo Coffee can trade from this property. Our landlord Essential Edinburgh, has found a paperwork technicality to allow them to terminate our lease with immediate effect. We have not been given a reason for the decision and they refuse to communicate with us. We can confirm it was not based on any financial issues; their actions will force us out of business and our staff will lose their jobs.

“We are appealing to the City of Edinburgh Council who fund Essential Edinburgh and would appreciate any notes of support to paul@razzocoffee.co.uk

“Finally thank you for your custom over the past six years.”

Essential Edinburgh said at the time that there had been ongoing breaches of the lease which gave them no option but to serve the eviction notice. 

A temporary operator was put in place and the most noticeable thing was that there were suddenly many more parasols and tables outside the cafe. 

In recent weeks many have commented on the state of the gardens after the festive season. The grass areas have still not recovered and there are areas beside the footpath which still have plastic matting on them. 

Police are appealing for witnesses following two indecent exposures in the Cowgate which happened around 10.15pm last night  near to the junction of Niddry Street, when the suspect approached a group of women and exposed himself in front of them.

The suspect then approached another group of women and exposed himself to them, before walking towards the Grassmarket.

The suspect is described as white 5ft 2in to 5ft 3in tall, stocky build, short dark messy hair, and wearing a black t-shirt under a white or cream cardigan, with light grey cotton jogging bottoms. He spoke in a deep voice, with a Scottish accent, and appeared to be heavily intoxicated.

Detective Constable Louise Forsyth said: “This incident left both group of women feeling shocked, and we are asking anyone who recognises the description of the suspect, or who witnessed this incident, to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information can them on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The lovely folk on the Royal Yacht Britannia sent us a couple of photos today to cheer you up even if the weather has turned cold again!

It appears that someone thinks the Antony Gormley sculpture should become a little more distinctive…..

We asked the sculpture but we’re not sure that he heard us. In any case there was no reply.

A new defibrillator has been installed at Edinburgh Bus Station today and offered the opportunity for the council’s transport leaders to learn how to use the life saving equipment.

St Andrew’s First Aid gave them all a first aid master class as the new defibrillator was unveiled.

A defibrillator can save the lives of people who have had cardiac arrests, if someone is on hand who knows how to use it.

Public access defibrillators (AEDs) allow trained individuals to treat casualties in areas where ambulance access is difficult or while awaiting paramedics, increasing the likelihood that someone who takes ill might survive.

Staff at Edinburgh Bus Station, which welcomes between five and seven million customers a year, will be given training to use the equipment where necessary.

Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “Safety is of utmost importance to us as a Council, so it makes absolute sense to install this life saving equipment in such a busy area of the city.

“The bus station welcomes a real variety of people through its doors each day and if the new AED were to save just one of these lives, it would be worth every penny.”

Alongside the unveiling, St Andrew’s First Aid offered councillors and members of the public first aid tips and advice, as well as demonstrating the use of the AED.

Jim Dorman, Operations Director from St Andrew’s First Aid said: “We are absolutely delighted that City of Edinburgh Council has arranged to have a defibrillator placed within the city’s bus station. It is the perfect place to site an AED bearing in mind the central location of the station and the amount of people passing through the station each day.

“Defibrillators are proven to save lives and having one readily available will enhance the chances of survival for someone should they have a cardiac arrest in or near the station.”

The Council recently agreed to install defibrillators in all of the city’s high schools, partly paid for with fundraising by parents and the local community.

Find out more about St Andrew’s First Aid and the courses on offer on their website.

Hibs’ Development Squad beat their Dundee counterparts 2-1 yesterday at Station Park.

First team players Liam Craig, Jordon Forster (pictured) , Martin Boyle and Farid El Alagui all started the game.

Dundee took the lead in the 14th minute through Joe Black but Jordan Sinclair equalised early in the second half then El Alagui scored the winner from the penalty spot.

Afterwards Joe McBride told the club website: “I wasn’t satisfied with the first half performance, but I was with the second. I don’t think we played with any tempo or any pace and didn’t move the ball quick enough in the first half.

“We never won the first ball or the second ball. You’re always going to be in a bit of bother if you don’t do any of them.

“In the second half at least we played at a high tempo, we closed the game and made it a bit more difficult. The whole of the second half was played in their half of the pitch.”

“I thought Conner (Duthie) done well when he came on, he looked lively and had some nice touches, he had an influence on the game and that’s what you always hope for with substitutes when they come on.

“Jordan has actually been striking the ball brilliantly in training all week, he never caught that one perfectly, but it was accurate and right into the corner and we deserved at least that with the way we played in the second half.”

Hibernian Development Squad: Kleton Perntreou, Aaron Dunsmore, Callum Crane, Jordon Forster, Jordan McGregor (Ben Stirling, 38), Aaron Scott, Jordan Sinclair, Taylor Hendry (Conner Duthie, 56), Farid El Alagui, Liam Craig, Martin Boyle. Unused substitute: Sean Brennan.

Photo by John Preece

Hibernian Ladies  beat Hamilton  8-1 at Albyn Park on Sunday thanks to goals from Abigail Harrison (4), Chloe Arthur (2) and Lucy Graham (2).

The result sees Hibs move to the top of the league and afterwards manager Chris Roberts told the club website: “The new season has been very stop-start and it has been hard to build and maintain any momentum.

“So, it’s a credit to the girls that they have done so well and produced a very professional performance.

“We’re disappointed to have conceded a goal, however we’re pleased with the response against a much-improved Hamilton side.

“It was also good to see the new girls, Abbi and Chloe, get on the scoresheet because they’ve settled in so well since joining.”

Meanwhile Hibernian Girls and Ladies FC have rallied behind the club’s U13 Development squad goalkeeper Gracie Linn, who was earlier this month diagnosed with Leukaemia.

When 10-year-old Gracie found out that treatment would result in her losing her hair, she decided to shave it off and donate it to the Little Princess Trust.

On Sunday the club raised a further £329.50 through gate receipts that they are donating to Linn’s chosen charity, the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, taking her remarkable fundraising to over £14,600!

Police are appealing for witnesses following a break-in and theft from a city centre church.

The incident happened between 12.25am and 1.15am on Monday 30th March at St Mary’s Cathedral in York Place.

Two men were seen entering the building where they then stole a safe from within, which contained several thousand pounds of cash.

Enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Both men are described as white and between 20-30-years-old. One was wearing a dark jacket, jeans and white trainers while the other was wearing a dark hooded top with white stripes on the sleeves and his hood up. He was also in possession of a dark-coloured rucksack.

Detective Sergeant Clark Martin said: “This is a despicable theft from a popular place of worship and city centre attraction.

“We would urge anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity around St Mary’s Cathedral or within York Place in the early hours of Monday morning to contact police immediately.

“In addition, anyone who recognises the description of the suspects or who has any other information relevant to our ongoing enquiry is also asked to get in touch.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Scottish Government has announced more than £690,000 of funding for projects in Edinburgh which tackle poverty and inequalities. This is almost an over used phrase these days, so to find out what one of the charities given some of the funding is actually doing, the Minister for Community Empowerment visited Edinburgh charity Comas.

The government aims to fund projects which promote healthy eating, IT skills and household budgeting.

The 20 More project, run by Comas will receive £37,000 through the People and Communities Fund (PCF) to empower local people and help households save £20 a week, through training opportunities which will allow them to gain skills and qualifications in community development, and benefits and energy advice, at the project’s community shop.

Speaking on a visit to the 20 More Community Shop and Serenity Café which is also operated by Comas, Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi said:

“Every community in Scotland has different challenges and aspirations and there is no one-size fits all approach to tackling poverty.

“That’s why our People and Communities Fund is giving communities in Edinburgh the power and confidence to shape their own futures.

“With household budgets under pressure, it’s great to see a project like 20 More looking for ways to save 600 of the area’s most vulnerable families at least £20 a week and helping to ease some of the stress of paying their bills.”

Ruth Campbell, Chief Executive of Comas said:

“We are so pleased that the Scottish Government is focusing on empowering communities, as sustainable change must be community-led and start from the grassroots. This grant enables us to put local people in the driving seat and builds their capacity for community-led action.

“Training local people in benefits advice and energy saving will directly impact on wellbeing in this community. It will also help some residents gain employment in these growing sectors, so the grant will have a strong ripple effect.”

14 projects have secured a share of the Scottish Government’s People and Communities Fund (PCF) to change disadvantaged communities by providing advice, training or voluntary opportunities.

These include Port of Leith Housing Association’s Canny Budgeting which will receive £35,000 to offer advice to residents on tackling fuel poverty, more than £10,000 for Dunedin Canmore Housing Ltd’s Digital Skills for All for IT workshops and £23,000 for Broomhouse Health Strategy’s healthy eating classes.

Picture Copyright Chris Watt
Tel – 07887 554 193
www.chriswatt.com

Edinburgh International Science Festival

Customs House deal on the agenda

£iberton/Gilmerton Decides

Winchburgh Tunnel works this summer

Sponsored Walk in May

The Edinburgh International Science Festival starts just in time for the Easter school holidays and usually proves a great way of keeping your little Einsteins entertained.

Here’s the full programme but best to get booked up now as many events sell out quickly.

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The City of Edinburgh Council has reached an in principle agreement with the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT)  to lease Leith’s Custom House from April 2015.

The final terms of the agreement between SHBT and the Council will be put to the Finance & Resources Committee for consideration in May.

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The Liberton/Gilmerton area of the city is giving local residents the opportunity of deciding for themselves which of a range of projects will be funded. These all fall into the category of environmental improvements under the Neighbourhood Environment Programme (NEP) and include a wide variety of pavements and handrails in the area which could do with sprucing up.

The Neighbourhood Partnership explain the background and how to take part on their website: “This annual programme has given the community a strong say in deciding how money is spent from 2 elements of Council funding – Housing Revenue Account NEP and Roads Capital NEP work.

“The 2015/16 process for deciding on projects is now open and you can use the link here to take part online between March 30th and April 13th.”

Here is the full list of projects open for voting if you live in the area:

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From Saturday 13 June until Monday 27 July 2015 the infamous Winchburgh tunnel on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line will close while Network Rail carries out work to prepare the structure for electrification.

The six-week long closure of the tunnel, near Linlithgow, is part of the Scottish Government-funded, £742m Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) which will electrify the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street line by 2016 – allowing the introduction of faster, greener and quieter electric services on the route.

As part of the 44-day project, engineers will be lowering and relaying the two lines of track through the 330m tunnel and installing equipment to carry the overhead power lines needed for the electrification of the railway.

The tunnel will need to remain closed while engineers work 24-hours a day to deliver the work as quickly and safely as possible.

Network Rail, Transport Scotland and ScotRail have worked closely to ensure that a temporary timetable is in place during the work to minimise disruption and provide alternative travel options for passengers.

Information can be found at www.scotrail.co.uk/winchburgh and passengers are urged to allow more time for their normal journey, to plan ahead and to check before travelling.

This is the information leaflet:

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Fresh Start is an Edinburgh charity which seeks to end homelessness.

On 29 May 2015 they are holding a sponsored walk and you can take part:

The Walk is an 8 mile route leaving from Jubilee Gardens in Stockbridge at 10am, along the Water of Leith, around the Colinton Dell and then onto the Union Canal towpath to finish at the Fresh Start Food Station at Harrison Place where lunch will be served.

Last year around 60 walkers took part and raised the highest total ever – over £10,000! We hope this year we can raise even more money so we need you! Come along on your own or as part of a team – there is no registration fee to take part in the Walk, however we request that all entrants raise a minimum of £25 per person.

To register, give us a call on 0131 476 7741 or email admin@freshstartweb.org.uk. We will send you a registration pack and you can get fundraising! You can also set up a JustGiving page to send to your friends and family to allow them to donate directly to us:

• Go to www.justgiving.com/freshstartedinburgh

• Select the fundraise for us button then click on your own sponsorship page

Sign up here for a daily email from The Edinburgh Reporter !
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South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom in South Africa. To commemorate this landmark date, South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour, a season of South African cinema, is taking place from October 2014 to April 2015 at venues across the UK, bringing the diversity, creative innovation and technical brilliance of South African cinemas to British audiences. Today’s film: 1994: The Bloody Miracle (15) – as South Africa celebrates the 20th anniversary of the advent of democracy, it is difficult to believe the ‘Mandela miracle’ almost didn’t happen. In an orgy of countrywide violence, some were intent on derailing the first free elections. Now, for the first time, those responsible for countless deaths and widespread mayhem explain how they nearly brought South Africa to its knees. The screening will be introduced by Lizelle Bisschoff, director of South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: discounts may be available if you buy tickets for several films in this season – ask at the Box Office. South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour continues at the Filmhouse on Wednesday 1st April 2015: see listings.

Discover Urban Art: a charity art project delivered by a talented, creative group, who will provoke and inspire with stories of  the challenges of life in the city. Musicians, painters, designers, performers and dancers will collaborate to deliver this unique exhibition. Launch tonight 6.30-10pm, then open to the public 10am-7pm on Wednesday 1st April, Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. All profits will be donated to The Teapot Trust, an Edinburgh-based charity helping children with chronic diseases through professional art therapy.

Edinburgh Reads: Meet the Author – John Mayer. The retired advocate and author talks about his debut novel The Trial, a gripping crime thriller in the Scottish Noir tradition; advocate with a past Brogan McLane fights to clear his name when he is accused of the murder of a High Court Judge. 6.30-8.30pm, Portobello Library, Rosefield Avenue. Free tickets may be obtained via eventbrite here.

Holding up a mirror to Bordon’s women: Paul Hodgson, artist, and Sharon Lloyd, fashion and beauty scholar, will discuss the photographic triptych made in response to Paris Bordon’s Venetian Women at their Toilet. The challenge of constructing a visual narrative that would embody contemporary identities raised many questions about fashion media expectations and the ambiguities of beauty. Hodgson and Lloyd will explore the nature of the working process, alongside their interpretations of Renaissance imagery as it appears in the finished triptych. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free: no booking required.

Your Neighbourhood: City Centre and Leith – find out more about care and support services in your area. 10am-4pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

Greenhouse: an exhibition of works by Edinburgh College of Art 4th Year Painting, Photography and Sculpture students Iona Roberts, Sarinda Devine, Eve Stotesbury, Yoli McKean, Sky Su and Ned Armstrong. Launch tonight at 7pm, then 10am-5pm daily, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Ends 4th April 2015.

Following a total sell-out Fringe run last year, one of comedy’s elder statesmen and all-round arty mischief-maker Mark Thomas returns to the capital with his comedy of betrayal, back at the Traverse Theatre 15^th-18^th April.

Mark tells his true story of how Britain’s biggest arms manufacturer, BAE Systems, came to spy on a comedian in this highly critically acclaimed tale of hubris, planes, demos and undercover deceit.

Alongside the countless 4 and 5 star reviews, Cuckooed  not only won Mark his second Scotsman Fringe First award but also the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award which is given to an outstanding Fringe production carrying a human rights message.

Tickets available here

Dinosaurs will be on the loose this Easter weekend at Our Dynamic Earth, taking you back about 231 million years.

From 4 – 19 April, there will be a distinctly Jurassic feel at Our Dynamic Earth as it welcomes a selection of lifelike dinosaur models which will be on display throughout the iconic building.

To celebrate the return of these monstrous creatures, there will be a feast of dinosaur-themed fun and games.  Youngsters can try to outrun a virtual dinosaur, take part in a ‘Dino Hunt’ treasure trail, or have their photo taken against a forest backdrop with a giant Tyrannosaurus Rex bursting through the trees behind them.

The jaw-dropping attraction has also teamed up with Voluntary Arts Scotland, as part of this year’s Edinburgh International Science Festival, to host a celebration of the world’s diverse landscapes. Central to this will be the ‘Standards of Scottish Heritage’ Felt Panel Exhibition, which consists of 24 handcrafted felt panels celebrating all aspects of Scottish heritage, from our landscape, plants and animals to arts and crafts, science, medicine and industry.

To coincide with this exhibition, from 5 – 7 April and 12 – 14 April, visitors will have the chance to engage with scientists and discover more about our unique landscapes, as well as contributing to a collaborative felt panel inspired by either ocean or tropical environments. Plus, on 5 and 13 April, visitors can explore the natural dyeing properties of plants at ‘Plant Magic’ by creating an image to take home using a plant and a hammer.

Commenting on Easter’s additions, Eilidh Massie, marketing manager of Dynamic Earth said: “Our dinosaur guests were incredibly popular when they last visited us, so we’re very excited about their return. It seemed only right that we should honour their stay with a dedicated dino-fest. Whether visitors want a Tyrannosaurus sprint or an Aragosaurus selfie this Easter, Dynamic Earth is the place to come!”

On top of all the dinosaur delights, regular Dynamic Earth features include Scotland’s only permanent 4D cinema, a real iceberg, a bone-shaking earthquake, and a tropical rainforest.

The dinosaur activities and the Edinburgh International Science Festival events are free with admission to Dynamic Earth.

Edinburgh International Science Festival events hosted at Dynamic Earth include the Felt Panel Exhibition with an oceans theme on 5-7 April and a tropical theme on 12-14 April.

For more information on events and activities happening at Our Dynamic Earth, visit www.dynamicearth.co.uk.

Photos © Tony Marsh

Asda Chesser has donated 50 Easter eggs to Broomhouse Young Carers thanks to kind-hearted colleagues and customers who supported the supermarket’s Easter egg appeal.

The Broomhouse Centre provides personal, social and community development opportunities for disadvantaged groups in the areas of Health / Community Care, Education / Training, Social Inclusion / Outreach Activities for people of all ages in Edinburgh.

The collection was arranged by the Asda store’s Community Life Champion, Linda Anderson,who commented: “We had an amazing response to our Easter egg collection and I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who contributed.

“It’s amazing how much joy a little chocolate egg can bring and it was great to be able to help put a smile on the faces of people in the local community.”

Photographer Ian Georgeson, 07921 567360

The Right Honourable Lord Lyon King of Arms is to summon a new UK Parliament from Edinburgh, in a ceremony which dates back to before the Union of 1707.

The Royal Proclamation will be given by Lord Lyon King of Arms at the Mercat Cross at 3pm today, marking the dissolution of parliament.

Taking place ahead of the UK Parliamentary Election on May 7th, the rite will see the Lord Lyon King of Arms read a proclamation summoning a new UK Parliament, which will be signed by HM the Queen at Windsor Castle at a meeting of the Privy Council that morning.

Parliament will automatically dissolve today in accordance with the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 and current Prime Minister David Cameron will go to Buckingham Palace to advise Her Majesty The Queen of the dissolution of Parliament.

Today’s ceremony in Edinburgh, on the city’s historic Royal Mile, will involve Dame Sue Bruce, Returning Officer for Edinburgh.

She said: “This is an historic occasion, and marks an important point in the political calendar. Set against the Capital’s iconic Royal Mile, this upholds tradition which I would encourage the public to come along and see.

“After being in the international spotlight during the Referendum in September, Edinburgh continues to play a crucial role in the democratic process. The forthcoming election enables the city’s residents to have their say, and I take this opportunity to encourage electors to ensure their voter registration details are correct in order not to miss out.”

The Sheriff Clerk will also be representing the Sheriff Principal of Lothian and Borders, alongside Her Majesty’s Officers of Arms and the State Trumpeters of Scotland, The Guard of Honour from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Find out when, where and how to vote on the Council’s website.

South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom in South Africa. To commemorate this landmark date, South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour, a season of South African cinema, is taking place from October 2014 to April 2015 at venues across the UK, bringing the diversity, creative innovation and technical brilliance of South African cinemas to British audiences. Today’s film: Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa (15) – a touching portrait of the lawyer, writer, art lover and freedom fighter, set against the dramatic events leading to the overthrow of the apartheid regime. The screening will be introduced by Lizelle Bisschoff, director of South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: discounts may be available if you buy tickets for several films in this season – ask at the Box Office. South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour continues at the Filmhouse on Tuesday 31st March and Wednesday 1st April 2015: see listings.

Grandmother Divided By Monkey Equals Outer Space: American born, Edinburgh-based writer Nora Chassler launches her new novel. set in New York City in 1982. The Martians – Carrie, Eli, their mother Viv and her teenage boyfriend Arni – live in a one-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side. Around the corner the psychic Miss Rosa’s neon rose glows above the street. Keener on recounting the past than predicting the future, Miss Rosa befriends the Martians one by one, and shares a part of her story with each of them – a story that resonates disturbingly with their own lives. But the Martians have other things to worry about…. 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free: all welcome – donations also very welcome!

Autism Edinburgh: BoardMaker Lab. A practical information session for parents and carers whose children have autism spectrum disorders, with staff from ASL Services, Edinburgh City Council. Find out how boardmaker software works and how it can support your family life. The software contains thousands of Picture Communication Symbols, which can be used with anyone who may need additional support with communication, especially children and adults  with autism spectrum disorders. 1.30pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza. To book a place please email Melissa.hollingshead@edinburgh.gov.uk or call the library on 0131 529 5667.

For Crying Out Loud: screenings for parents/carers and their babies under 12 months, with a maximum of 2 adults per baby. Babychanging, bottle warming and buggy parking facilities available. This week: Still Alice (12A): when she receives a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, linguistics professor Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) and her family find their bonds thoroughly tested. 11am,  Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4.50/£3.50 per adult.

Lunchtime Concert: Highland Park Orchestra, USA. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Seamus Killick: Jwoy. New paintings and other works by the recent Edinburgh College of Art graduate and St Margaret’s House resident. Opens tonight at 7pm, then usual opening hours, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place.

Celtic Growing:  an exhibition of woodcarvings by Mike Appleby. Mike has always been fascinated by wood, and originally made furniture and toys, from there developing an interest in Celtic crosses. One of the traditions of knotwork is to have a ribbon running unbroken through the pattern, and that has parallels to the use of labyrinths in other religious traditions. From the crosses Mike moved on to other Celtic design, much of which involves bas-relief and figurative carving, including animals; he then started high relief and three-dimensional work. Mike has a particular fondness for wood that has been used before, as it has its own stories to tell; the life of the tree, the life of its previous uses and users, and the life of the sculpture it becomes. Resurrection Chapel, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Ends 5th April 2015.

Cameo Culture Shock: 2001: A Space Odyssey (U). Culture Shock brings you the best in cult and genre films. 2001 is an epic science fiction film produced and directed in 1968 by Stanley Kubrick; in 2014 the British Film Institute re-released the film as part of its blockbuster Science Fiction project. Critic Robert Ebert described Kubrick’s masterpiece as ‘a stand alone monument, a great visionary leap, unsurpassed in its vision of man and the universe’.  8.30pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723.

Resonate 2015: From Studio to Stage. Over 200 pupils from ten Edinburgh schools showcase their dance, drama and music projects, filling The Queen’s Hall stage with creativity, energy and excitement. 6.30pm, The Queen’s Hall, 85-89 Clerk Street. Tickets cost £4/£2 and can be purchased from the Box office in person, online here or by calling 0131 668 2019. Transaction fees apply to online and telephone bookings. Resonate is a collaboration between The Queen’s Hall and the City of Edinburgh Council’s Children and Families Arts & Creative Learning Service, taking place at The Queen’s Hall 9-30th March 2015. It is made possible by support from the Inches Carr Trust.

Your Neighbourhood: City Centre and Leith – find out more about care and support services in your area. 10am-4pm, Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drumbrae Drive. Also at same times at the Central Library, George IV Bridge, on Wednesday 1st April.

Visions of Edinburgh: an exhibition of contemporary landscapes of Edinburgh by David Grigor. 10% of all sales will go to support The Royal Blind School. 8am-10pm Monday to Saturday, Henderson’s Restaurant, Hanover Street. Free entry: ends September 2015.

Edinburgh City Archives: if you are interested in finding out more about your family history, local history or a local business – or perhaps you have records that you don’t know what to do with – come along today to find out more about the City Archives and chat to one of the City Archivists. 10.30am-12.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

MONDAY 30TH MARCH 2015

South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom in South Africa. To commemorate this landmark date, South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour, a season of South African cinema, is taking place from October 2014 to April 2015 at venues across the UK, bringing the diversity, creative innovation and technical brilliance of South African cinemas to British audiences. Today’s film: Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa (15) – a touching portrait of the lawyer, writer, art lover and freedom fighter, set against the dramatic events leading to the overthrow of the apartheid regime. The screening will be introduced by Lizelle Bisschoff, director of South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: discounts may be available if you buy tickets for several films in this season – ask at the Box Office. South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour continues at the Filmhouse on Tuesday 31st March and Wednesday 1st April 2015: see listings.

Grandmother Divided By Monkey Equals Outer Space: American born, Edinburgh-based writer Nora Chassler launches her new novel. set in New York City in 1982. The Martians – Carrie, Eli, their mother Viv and her teenage boyfriend Arni – live in a one-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side. Around the corner the psychic Miss Rosa’s neon rose glows above the street. Keener on recounting the past than predicting the future, Miss Rosa befriends the Martians one by one, and shares a part of her story with each of them – a story that resonates disturbingly with their own lives. But the Martians have other things to worry about…. 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free: all welcome – donations also very welcome!

Autism Edinburgh: BoardMaker Lab. A practical information session for parents and carers whose children have autism spectrum disorders, with staff from ASL Services, Edinburgh City Council. Find out how boardmaker software works and how it can support your family life. The software contains thousands of Picture Communication Symbols, which can be used with anyone who may need additional support with communication, especially children and adults  with autism spectrum disorders. 1.30pm, Wester Hailes Library, 1 Westside Plaza. To book a place please email Melissa.hollingshead@edinburgh.gov.uk or call the library on 0131 529 5667.

For Crying Out Loud: screenings for parents/carers and their babies under 12 months, with a maximum of 2 adults per baby. Babychanging, bottle warming and buggy parking facilities available. This week: Still Alice (12A): when she receives a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, linguistics professor Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) and her family find their bonds thoroughly tested. 11am,  Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4.50/£3.50 per adult.

Lunchtime Concert: Highland Park Orchestra, USA. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Seamus Killick: Jwoy. New paintings and other works by the recent Edinburgh College of Art graduate and St Margaret’s House resident. Opens tonight at 7pm, then usual opening hours, Forest Cafe, 141 Lauriston Place.

Celtic Growing:  an exhibition of woodcarvings by Mike Appleby. Mike has always been fascinated by wood, and originally made furniture and toys, from there developing an interest in Celtic crosses. One of the traditions of knotwork is to have a ribbon running unbroken through the pattern, and that has parallels to the use of labyrinths in other religious traditions. From the crosses Mike moved on to other Celtic design, much of which involves bas-relief and figurative carving, including animals; he then started high relief and three-dimensional work. Mike has a particular fondness for wood that has been used before, as it has its own stories to tell; the life of the tree, the life of its previous uses and users, and the life of the sculpture it becomes. Resurrection Chapel, St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place. Ends 5th April 2015.

Cameo Culture Shock: 2001: A Space Odyssey (U). Culture Shock brings you the best in cult and genre films. 2001 is an epic science fiction film produced and directed in 1968 by Stanley Kubrick; in 2014 the British Film Institute re-released the film as part of its blockbuster Science Fiction project. Critic Robert Ebert described Kubrick’s masterpiece as ‘a stand alone monument, a great visionary leap, unsurpassed in its vision of man and the universe’.  8.30pm, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723.

Resonate 2015: From Studio to Stage. Over 200 pupils from ten Edinburgh schools showcase their dance, drama and music projects, filling The Queen’s Hall stage with creativity, energy and excitement. 6.30pm, The Queen’s Hall, 85-89 Clerk Street. Tickets cost £4/£2 and can be purchased from the Box office in person, online here or by calling 0131 668 2019. Transaction fees apply to online and telephone bookings. Resonate is a collaboration between The Queen’s Hall and the City of Edinburgh Council’s Children and Families Arts & Creative Learning Service, taking place at The Queen’s Hall 9-30th March 2015. It is made possible by support from the Inches Carr Trust.

Your Neighbourhood: City Centre and Leith – find out more about care and support services in your area. 10am-4pm, Drumbrae Library Hub, 81 Drumbrae Drive. Also at same times at the Central Library, George IV Bridge, on Wednesday 1st April.

Visions of Edinburgh: an exhibition of contemporary landscapes of Edinburgh by David Grigor. 10% of all sales will go to support The Royal Blind School. 8am-10pm Monday to Saturday, Henderson’s Restaurant, Hanover Street. Free entry: ends September 2015.

Edinburgh City Archives: if you are interested in finding out more about your family history, local history or a local business – or perhaps you have records that you don’t know what to do with – come along today to find out more about the City Archives and chat to one of the City Archivists. 10.30am-12.30pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

TUESDAY 31ST MARCH 2015

South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom in South Africa. To commemorate this landmark date, South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour, a season of South African cinema, is taking place from October 2014 to April 2015 at venues across the UK, bringing the diversity, creative innovation and technical brilliance of South African cinemas to British audiences. Today’s film: 1994: The Bloody Miracle (15) – as South Africa celebrates the 20th anniversary of the advent of democracy, it is difficult to believe the ‘Mandela miracle’ almost didn’t happen. In an orgy of countrywide violence, some were intent on derailing the first free elections. Now, for the first time, those responsible for countless deaths and widespread mayhem explain how they nearly brought South Africa to its knees. The screening will be introduced by Lizelle Bisschoff, director of South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 6.15pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: discounts may be available if you buy tickets for several films in this season – ask at the Box Office. South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour continues at the Filmhouse on Wednesday 1st April 2015: see listings.

Discover Urban Art: a charity art project delivered by a talented, creative group, who will provoke and inspire with stories of  the challenges of life in the city. Musicians, painters, designers, performers and dancers will collaborate to deliver this unique exhibition. Launch tonight 6.30-10pm, then open to the public 10am-7pm on Wednesday 1st April, Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. All profits will be donated to The Teapot Trust, an Edinburgh-based charity helping children with chronic diseases through professional art therapy.

Edinburgh Reads: Meet the Author – John Mayer. The retired advocate and author talks about his debut novel The Trial, a gripping crime thriller in the Scottish Noir tradition; advocate with a past Brogan McLane fights to clear his name when he is accused of the murder of a High Court Judge. 6.30-8.30pm, Portobello Library, Rosefield Avenue. Free tickets may be obtained via eventbrite here.

Holding up a mirror to Bordon’s women: Paul Hodgson, artist, and Sharon Lloyd, fashion and beauty scholar, will discuss the photographic triptych made in response to Paris Bordon’s Venetian Women at their Toilet. The challenge of constructing a visual narrative that would embody contemporary identities raised many questions about fashion media expectations and the ambiguities of beauty. Hodgson and Lloyd will explore the nature of the working process, alongside their interpretations of Renaissance imagery as it appears in the finished triptych. 12.45-1.30pm, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free: no booking required.

Your Neighbourhood: City Centre and Leith – find out more about care and support services in your area. 10am-4pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge.

Greenhouse: an exhibition of works by Edinburgh College of Art 4th Year Painting, Photography and Sculpture students Iona Roberts, Sarinda Devine, Eve Stotesbury, Yoli McKean, Sky Su and Ned Armstrong. Launch tonight at 7pm, then 10am-5pm daily, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street. Ends 4th April 2015.

WEDNESDAY 1ST APRIL 2015

South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom in South Africa. To commemorate this landmark date, South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour, a season of South African cinema, is taking place from October 2014 to April 2015 at venues across the UK, bringing the diversity, creative innovation and technical brilliance of South African cinemas to British audiences. Today’s film: Miners Shot Down (15) (In English and Zulu with English subtitles). In August 2012 mineworkers in one of South Africa’s biggest platinum mines began a wildcat strike for better wages. Six days later the police used live ammunition to brutally suppress the strike, killing 34 and injuring many more. Using the point of view of the Marikana miners, this film follows the strike from day one, showing the courageous but isolated fight waged by a group of low-paid workers against the combined forces of the mining company Lonmin, the ANC government and their allies in the National Union of Mineworkers. What emerges is collusion at the top, spiralling violence and the country’s first post-apartheid massacre.  The screening will be followed by a discussion on the ongoing struggle for human rights in post-apartheid South Africa, featurng a panel of experts and chaired by Lizelle Bisschoff, director of South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 8.35pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: discounts may be available if you buy tickets for several films in this season – ask at the Box Office.

Yarn Group: an informal group – bring your knitting or crochet, share experiences, have a chat and get help with problems. 10am-12 noon today and every Wednesday, Penicuik Arts Centre West Street. Entry by donation.

Incredible Power of Light: Vulcan is a laser facility 10,000 times more powerful than the National Grid; it can deliver pulses of light of up to one petawatt of energy. A replica of this amazing laser forms the centrepiece of this new exhibition, celebrating the International Year of Light 2015, along with interactive exhibits, animations, hardware and displays that tell the story of how lasers impact on our daily lives. 10am-4.30pm (last entry – closes 5pm), Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays), Main Hall, The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood. Ends 30th April 2015. Free. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of children’s workshops and talks for adults and young adults throughout April: for full details click here. Part of Edinburgh International Science Festival 2015.

Righteous Muslims: a joint project between Sukkat Shalom: the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, Marchmont St Giles Church and the Muslim Women’s Association of Edinburgh. During the Second World War many Muslims, especially in south-east Europe, sheltered Jewish neighbours from the Nazis. Some are honoured as Righteous Muslims by Yad Vashem. Faith Matters, a Muslim civic organisation, has created an exhibition telling some of the stories; it has been displayed in many places in the UK, and this is its first showing in Scotland. Launch tonight at 6pm, then 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, Butterflies Cafe, Marchmont St Giles Parish Church Centre, 1a Kilgraston Road. If you would like to attend the launch, please email contact@eljc.org. Ends 12th April 2015.

The Scottish Gallery – New Exhibitions: (1) Katie Downie: Estuary. Following three months of travel through Australia and Japan, artist Katie Downie presents bright new ink and watercolour paintings from Outback river source to the coast, pictorial diaries and oil paintings. ‘This new body of work marks a serious development in the artist’s deep encounters with both the built and the natural river lands around the edges of the Pacific Rim’. (2) Eugenie Vronskaya: Still Point in a Turning World. Highlands-based painter Vronskaya studied icon painting from an early age and was the first Russian student to enrol for the Masters course at the Royal College of Art. She has since exhibited worldwide. ‘Vronskaya has few rivals in Britain for sheer draughtsmanship’ John Russell Taylor. (3) Cutting Edge: Modern Hungarian Glass. An exhibition showcasing 16 Hungarian glass artists, including both emerging and established makers; curated by Attila Sik of Prism Gallery, Birmingham. 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturdays, The Scottish Gallery, 16 Dundas Street. All exhibitions end 28th April 2015.

Lunchtime Concert: Piano Speak with Will Pickvance. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Craigmillar Library Book Group: currently reading A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. 6.30pm, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. All welcome: a copy of the book may be obtained from library staff.

Lounge Act feat. Caroline Gilmour, The Woods (aka Johnny McFadzean) and Frida Ecklund. A trio of talented singer-songwriters making great strides on the local scene. 7.30pm, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street. Free.

National Library of Scotland Guided Tour: A guided tour of the building and an introduction to the Library’s collections and history. 10.30am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is essential as numbers are limited: reserve your place online here or by calling the Library on 0131 623 3734. Please inform the Library of any special access requirements.

Edinburgh College of Naturopathic Medicine: a drop-in session with Gayle Fitzpatrick, who will answer your questions about studying with CNM. 1-3pm, Henderson’s Restaurant, Hanover Street.

The Importance of Being: actor John Cairney talks about his unique life and his thoughts on spirituality and human connections. Cairney’s words underline the importance of recognising the gift we have simply in living, and how crucial it is to appreciate each moment of our lives. ‘A philosophical look back at a life well lived’. 2pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required, either online here or by calling the Library on 0131 623 3734.

Staff Works: an exhibition of art works from the staff of the Boda Bars. Preview tonight from 7pm, then usual opening hours, Victoria Bar, 265 Leith Walk,

The Gettup: diminish your midweek blues with DJs Thom and Pagowsky, who bring you the very best in Disco and Deep House. 9pm-3am tonight and every Wednesday, Cabaret Voltaire, 36 Blair Street. Free entry.

THURSDAY 2ND APRIL 2015

Edinburgh Reads: The Curious Incident Giant Book Group Event. To mark World Autism Day a panel of speakers, including Cerin Richardson (Festival Theatre) and Matthew Day (Autism Initiatives), will discuss some of the challenges faced by people living with autism. To enjoy this event fully you are advised to read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time beforehand, so that  you can participate in small group conversations prior to the panel discussion; copies of the book should be available in all city libraries. There will be a draw for two pairs of tickets to a performance of the stage version of the book, kindly donated by The Festival Theatre, and Cerin will be sharing some of what is involved in translating ‘the page to the stage’. Individuals and books groups all very welcome.  6.30-8pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free but please book via eventbrite here.

Scotland-Russia Forum: sparkling Russian/English conversation over tea and cakes – no charge apart from any food or drinks you may wish to buy. No booking needed – just turn up, you will be warmly welcomed. 11am, Summerhall Cafe, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall.

World Autism Awareness Day Charity Fundraiser: Science Fiction Double Feature! A night of paranormal stand-up comedy in ‘the most haunted pub in Edinburgh’, featuring Des O’Gorman and Ross Hepburn – two quality shows back-to-back, each comedian ’embracing the films of nostalgia, inspiration and devotion’. 7.30-10.30pm, Banshee Labyrinth Chamber Room, 29-35 Niddry Street. £2 on the door: all proceeds to Autism Awareness. For more information please contact Autism Initiatives’ Community Fundraiser and PR Officer: Holly.Child@aiscotland.org.uk

Lunchtime Concert: Music for Holy Week. Music by Handel and Purcell, performed by students from the University of Edinburgh’s Reid School of Music, with Emma Aitken (soprano), Katy Cavanaugh (oboe), Beatrice Langford-Powell (violin) and Henry Pemberton (tenor), accompanied by Gina Baker (piano). 12 noon-12.45pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Free. A concert as part of the Spark Greyfriars Festival of Worship and the Arts 2015.

Africa in Motion Film Festival Special Screening: White Shadow (15). Not only an ancient tradition but still a modern-day practice, the underground trade in albino body parts still exists in Tanzania, a country with one of the highest percentages of albinism in the world. In Noaz Deshe’s film Alias, an albino youth on the verge of adolescence, must learn to navigate a world in which he is not just an outsider, but actual prey. ‘Despite the pervasive, often harrowing amorality of this world, it’s one not entirely bereft of hope’. In Swahili with English subtitles. The screening will be introduced by Justine Atkinson, Director of Aya Distribution. 8.35pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.

Memoirs of a Feminist Mother: Carol Fox, the lawyer known in Scotland for successfully fighting mass equal pay cases for low paid women, launches her book, a memoir of her positive decision to become a single parent by choice. Carol obtained fertility treatment in London in the early 1990s and her daughter was born in 1992, following battles against judgemental attitudes that seem almost vindictive to most of us now.  Carol’s story has attracted media coverage, sparking debates on motherhood and the right to be a single parent in the UK; it will be of interest to a wide audience of women, young and old, mothers and non-mothers, as it records changing social attitudes over the past 25 years. 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free: all welcome – donations also very welcome!

Live Music Now: Grainne Brady and Ryan Murphy. Grainne Brady and Ryan Murphy are a duo from Ireland playing traditional Irish music: their programme is entitled The Irish During The Great War, and mixes regular favourites with tunes reminiscent of the war and its aftermath, such as The Homerule and Easter Rising. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: no booking required.

Edinburgh College of Art Thursday Research Seminar Series: Derek Jarman Gets Medieval. Chaired by Dr Robert Mills (UCL), whose recent work has looked at Jarman’s engagements with medieval art and literature, with a particular focus on the artist’s conceptions of time and history. The seminar will be followed by drinks in the Minto House Common Room. 5.15pm, Lecture Room 1, Minto House, University of Edinburgh, Chambers Street. All welcome: free.

Books in Focus: Kandinsky’s Klange. The ‘Books in Focus’ series focuses on artists’ books held in the special collections of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. This session will look at Wasilly Kandinsky’s book Klange, published in Munich in 1913. Klange means ‘sounds’; the book contains a series of woodcuts that trace Kandinsky’s journey into abstraction, together with writings and poems exploring his ideas about art. 11.30am-12.30pm, Reading Room, Scottish Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Road. Free but places are limited and booking is essential: please email gmainfo@nationalgalleries.org or call 0131 624 6268.

Lunchtime Concert: Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra, Bakersfield, California, USA, with director Maxim H Eshkenazy. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

The Last Treasure Hunt: Edinburgh author Jane Alexander launches her debut novel. At the age of thirty, Campbell Johnstone considers himself a failure; when he tries to rekindle his relationship with former friend and rapidly rising Hollywood star Eve Sandler, a single shocking night changes everything in ways he could never have predicted. When the dust settles, Campbell’s life is transformed – but at what cost? The Last Treasure Hunt examines our obsession with fame and celebrity – ‘a modern media morality tale with bite’. The evening will be chaired by Peggy Hughes. 7-9pm, St Stephen Centre, St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, Free tickets may be booked via eventbrite here.

Scottish Poetry Library Translation Workshop: Gaelic Poetry with Aonghas MacNeacail. The Gaelic poet, songwriter, scriptwriter, broadcaster, translator, journalist and librettist will share two or three of his own poems, with literal translations. With Aonghas’s help, attendees will (individually or in pairs) then create English translations from the literal versions. The translations and the process of translating will then be shared and discussed. There is no need to able to speak or read Gaelic, or to have translated before, to attend the workshop, although those with experience are welcome. 6-8pm, The Saltire Society, 9 Fountain Close. Tickets cost £5/£4 and may be booked via eventbrite here. For more information please contact jennifer.williams@spl.org.uk.

The GTs Live @ The OCP: an evening of fantastic foot-stomping music! 9pm, Old Chain Pier, Trinity Crescent.

Pat Kane: Culture, Sustainability and Political Change in Scotland. An evening with The Common Weal board member, musician and writer. 7pm for 7.30pm, Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk. Hosted by The Common Weal Edinburgh North & Leith. Please note venue is cash only. BYOB (corkage applies).

Nothing Ever Happens Here Presents Paws + Algernon Dog + Le Thug. For over 18s only. 8pm-1am, Dissection Room, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £10 and may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 560 1581.

Lach & Friends: Duglas T Stewart (BMX Bandits), McGuire and The Pure Gallus. 8pm, Woodland Creatures, 260-262 Leith Walk. £5 on the door.

FRIDAY 3RD APRIL 2015

Durufle Requiem: conducted by Rupert Forbes, Director of Music, and accompanied on the organ by Sheila Chisholm. The Requiem (Op 9) was commissioned by the Vichy regime in 1941; Durufle completed it in 1947, dedicating it to his father. It is written for SATB choir with mezzo-soprano soloists. 7.30pm, St Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lutton Place.

Meet the Brewer: Broughton Ales offer free tasters of Dark ‘N’ Cloudy Oatmeal Espresso Stout, Dark Hunter, Proper IPA, Merlin’s Ale and 6.2 IPA. 7pm, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street. Free.

Scott Methven: Child’s Play – A Retrospective Playtime. A new collection of work by Scott Methven, who works predominantly in Indian ink, oil pastel and ceramic paint to create multi-layered, exploratory and often surreal works.  Launch 7.30pm tonight with bubbly and nibbles, then usual opening hours, Boda Bar, 229 Leith Walk. Ends 30th April 2015.

Four Corners: good time soul music for dancing and the perfect start to your weekend –  ‘a rapturous blend of soulful dancefloor music, new and old, from right across the map’. Deep funk, jazzy breaks, afro-latin and dub reggae with DJs Simon Hodge, Astrojazz and Johnny Cashback. 11pm-3am, The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate. £3 before midnight, £5 after. The Bongo Club is a nightclub, live venue and all-round artistic hub owned by local arts charity Out of the Blue ‘putting the sounds of the underground and imaginative aspirations before the mighty dollar’.

Edinburgh College of Art Friday Lecture Series: AND Publishing. Eva Weinmayr is a London-based artist with a long-standing engagement with independent publishing. She is a founder member of AND, an independent publishing platform exploring the creative and social possibilities of print-on-demand technology and new modes of distribution. Eva has exhibited internationally, and since 2010 has run The Piracy Project, an international exhibition and publishing project, with Andrea Francke. 11.30am-1pm, Lecture Theatre 22, Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place

SATURDAY 4TH APRIL 2015

Dug Day: new name but the same doggy fun! A great way to socialise your wet-nosed friend and meet other dog owners from the area. 12 noon, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street. Free.

Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine: a fundraising afternoon tea with a glass of bubbly or juice, sandwiches and home baking. 4pm, Ukrainian Club, 14 Royal Terrace. Tickets cost £8 (children £4) and can be obtained by contacting Senia Urquhart on 07920 854 136 or Lesia Demianczuk on 07939 460 500 or emailing ScottishUkrainians@gmail.com.

Portrait Gallery Thematic Tour: Seven Queens of Scotland. Former Senior Curator Susanna Kerr will examine the style of royal portraiture from the 16th to the 21st century. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: no booking required.

Edinburgh International Science Festival: Reindeer Safari. Experience the city as a reindeer. Hear about the reindeer’s way of life from Timo Jokitalo, Eeva Kemppi, Minja Mertanen and Veera Turunen, members of Finnish live arts collective Other Spaces, then walk – quietly and collectively as a herd would – through Edinburgh. On your return, the materials and ‘data’ collected on the walk will be displayed to the public as an art piece, with the chance to ask questions of the organisers and participants. This piece won the Finnish Environmental Art Piece of the Year in 2011 and has been taking its participants on a wayfaring experience through the semi-urban landscapes of today ever since. It opens up new ways to experience the city and its natural spaces, allowing the senses to sharpen as the group experiences the borderline between nature and human culture. Bring walking shoes, a backpack, water bottle and weather-appropriate clothes – no costumes! For ages 14+. 11am-4.30pm, Old Lab, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £10 and may be purchased online here or by calling the Festival Box Office on 0844 557 2686.

Polish Rhymetime! For young children and babies and their parents and carers. 11am, Piershill Library, 30 Piershill Terrace. All welcome!

Raoul De Keyser: Curator’s Tour. Curator Paul Nesbitt and Exhibitions Officer Chloe Reith lead an in-depth discussion on the work of Raoul De Keyser and the current exhibition Paintings 1967-2012. 2-3pm, Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. The exhibition continues until 12th April 2015.

Cowgate Pop-Up Market #2: a one-day, pop-up, multi-venue arts/flea market – art, craft, fashion, music and food, with a dozen Cowgate venues (Movement, Opium, Sneaky Pete’s, The Bongo Club, Dropdick Murphy’s, Three Sisters, Brewdog, The Mash House, La Belle Angele, City Cafe, Cabaret Voltaire and Pilgrim) opening their doors. 1-5pm, Cowgate. Free entry.

Alastair Clark: Lithography Demonstration. Artist and master printer Alastair Clark will introduce his new gallery installation Star Clusters, commissioned by Edinburgh Printmakers for the exhibition Dark Matters. Alastair will then give a demonstration of the printmaking technique used to create the work, the process of lithography. 2-3.30pm, Edinburgh Printmakers, Union Street. Tickets £3 or two for £5 (EP Members free): places are limited so please book in advance via eventbrite here. Dark Matters is a collaborative project between Edinburgh Printmakers, the UK Astronomy Technology Centre and Edinburgh University, curated by artist David Faithfull; it continues until 23rd May 2015.

Edinburgh International Science Festival: Forage on the Farm. Experience the delicious delights of the farm, and find out what it takes to get fresh ingredients from the field to your plate: take a tour around the farm with some foraging on the way, and once your basket is full you’ll have the opportunity to cook up a tasty treat in the kitchen and challenge your palette with an eggy taste test! 2-3.30pm today and every day until 19th April 2015, Gorgie City Farm, 51 Gorgie Road. Tickets cost £6/£4 (under 3s free) and may be purchased online here; please remember to book a free ticket for any child under 3 years.

Open Eye Gallery: New Exhibitions. (1) The Living Mountain – Edinburgh painter and calligrapher Susie Leiper presents an exhibition in tribute to Nan Shepherd and the mountains of Scotland; (2) New Works – Edinburgh-based artist Deborah Cumming’s still life paintings offer vibrant colour, texture and fine detail. 10am-4pm today then 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturdays, Open Eye Gallery, Abercromby Place. The Living Mountain ends 22nd April 2015; New Works ends 20th April 2015.

Puppet Animation Festival 2015: Mousetale Puppets Present Oscar and the Highland Castle. Answering a call for help, Oscar the mouse leaves his attic home and heads for Loch Ness, where he finds Incy Wincy Spider among the ruins of an old castle. Mysteriously swept back in time, Oscar joins Incy’s campaign to free the castle from English rule and restore Scotland’s independence! For ages 4+/family. 11-11.40am, North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court. Tickets cost £4/£3/£2 and can be booked by calling North Edinburgh Arts on 0131 315 2151, emailing admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk or in person. Please note this show takes place in the dark: please call the centre in advance if this is your child’s first time at a UV performance.

St Cuthbert’s Organ Recitals: Morely Whitehead (Morningside Parish Church). A devotional performance of Alan Ridout’s Stations of the Cross, interspersed with readings. 12.30-1.15pm, St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, 5 Lothian Road. Free: retiring collection.

Edinburgh Central Mosque Dads and Toddlers Group: stories and play in an Islamic environment for babies and children up to the age of 5 and their Dads. 10am-12 noon today and every Saturday, Exhibition Hall, Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterrow. For more information please email tajzareenok@gmail.com.

Retrograde: live DJ set of deep cosmic grooves with an old school flavour. 9pm, Victoria Bar, 265 Leith Walk.

LateLab – Tron v Tron: Legacy. Kick off the 2015 Latelab season by playing Light Cycle to decide which film, Tron or Tron: Legacy gets the Atmosphere treatment in a special expanded cinema event to complement the Games Master exhibition. Be transported inside the software world of a mainframe computer, where interaction between programmes, good and malicious, is the only way to get back out. Behind the smoke and mirrors, watch out for the bits and bytes. Sean Williams and Matt Collings will be mixing a new 5.1 soundtrack for the audience in the auditorium. For adults and over 14s only. 7.30-10pm, Auditorium, National Museum of Scotland (entry via Lothian Street). Tickets cost £10/£8 and may be booked online here (transaction fees apply). Latelab is a collaboration between the Edinburgh International Science Festival and New Media Scotland, in association with the National Museum.

SUNDAY 5TH APRIL 2015

SAMH Redhall Walled Garden Easter Extravaganza; a fun-filled afternoon in the beautiful garden, with an Easter quiz and trail, children’s activities, cream teas and plants for sale. 12 noon-4pm, Redhall Walled Garden, 97 Lanark Rd. Entry by donation. Redhall Walled Garden is a Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) service dedicated to mental health and wellbeing for all.

Filmhouse Junior: screenings for a younger audience – this week Shaun the Sheep: The Movie (U). When Shaun decides to take the day off and have some fun, he gets a little more action than he bargained for. 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4 per person, big or small.

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 at same times on Sunday 12th April and various dates throughout the summer: see SG’s website for details.

Art Maker – April: join the art maker club and make your own masterpieces with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. For ages 4-12. 2-4pm (drop-in), Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free: no booking required.  Supported by the Friends of NGS.

Easter at the Castle: have fun in an idyllic setting and try a host of crafts and woodland trails – enjoy Easter cake and lots of other treats, and watch out for lost bunnies! For families: please note that children cannot be booked onto this session alone, they must be accompanied by at least one paying adult. 10am-1pm, Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South. £5 per person: bookings must be made via the Usher Hall Box Office, either in person, by calling 0131 228 1155 or online here.

Time Warp: DJ Lexo presents Time Warp-Party Non-Stop, an eclectic mash-up of music and film, DJ Lexo (ex Scottish Student DJ Champion) has been DJ-ing in clubs since the age of 17, and now brings his new live video show to Edinburgh. Music videos from diverse genres (hip hop, rock and dance) are mashed up and the sampled origins of today’s popular music are explored, brought together and re-edited live. Film and TV show samples are thrown into the mix with the best of their soundtracks, along with the music that inspired them. This is an audio-visual performance on two giant screens and may contain explicit content. 11pm-3am, The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate. Tickets cost £5 on the door. The Bongo Club is a nightclub, live venue and all-round artistic hub owned by local arts charity Out of the Blue ‘putting the sounds of the underground and imaginative aspirations before the mighty dollar’.

Edinburgh International Science Festival: SciMart. A farmers’ market with a scientific twist, bringing together over thirty food producers (including Chillilicious, Dunbar Bakery, Build Rwanda, Kelvin Valley Honey, Ninja Buns and Rock Rose Gin), researchers and chefs to reveal the science behind some of our foodstuffs. There will be a full programme of talks and treats (click here for details), with demonstrations from award-winning Edinburgh chef Paul Wedgewood and a mini-restaurant of food surprises for younger visitors. 11am-4pm, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £5 (under 12s free) and may be purchased online here or by calling the Festival Box Office on 0844 557 2686.

Nitekirk: a creative, drop-in experience of church. ‘A place of welcome, a space for stillness, a pause on your journey, an open door’. Come and go as you wish, join in activities, songs and quiet conversation, or just sit in silence. This month’s theme is Surprise. 6-8pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. This month Nitekirk is piloting the practice of holding two gatherings per month: the second will be on Friday 17th April.

St Giles’ At Six: an organ recital. Peter Backhouse plays Widor Symphonie VI. 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free: retiring collection.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a housebreaking where the occupiers were assaulted which took around 6am this morning at a property on Ferry Road Drive. The three male occupants who live in the house were confronted and threatened by two men who had entered the house. These two suspects were armed with knives, and after assaulting the occupants, they made off with a number of items including a phone and wallet.

The three victims were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to be treated for their injuries.

Police are now appealing for anyone who recognises the description of the suspects to get in touch with police.

The first suspect is described as white, skinny build, malnourished appearance, 18 to 20 years olf, 5ft 3in to 5ft 4in tall, short, dirty blonde hair and wearing a light grey cotton Adidas tracksuit with blue stripes.

The second suspect is described as white, 24 to 26 years old, heavier build, round face, short dark hair that is receding at the front, Scottish accent, and wearing a black Superdry style jacket, and dark jeans.

Detective Constable Ryan Lee said: “This was a very distressing incident for the victims, who were assaulted by the two suspects within their home. We are appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the area of Ferry Road Drive at around 6am this morning, to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 55 year old man was subjected to an unprovoked assault at a bar near Haymarket Station yesterday evening (Saturday 28.)

The incident happened at around 11pm at the Platform 5 pub on Clifton Terrace when the victim was about to buy a drink at the bar. The suspect, who was in front of him, turned around and struck him to the face with a glass. The suspect then made off from the pub with a group of males and the victim was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to be treated for a facial injury.

He is described as white, in his early 30s, slim build, around 5ft 8in to 5ft 9in tall, and with short dark hair that is balding at the back. He was wearing a dark, possibly leather, jacket, and dark jeans.

Detective Sergeant Clark Martin said: “This appears to have been a completely unprovoked attack which left the victim with a facial injury that is likely to result in permanent scarring.

“We are appealing for anyone who was in Platform 5 around 11pm yesterday evening, and we witnessed this assault, to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Fiona Baird: how to train your puppy. A free advice session! Fiona Baird grew up in the Ashdown Forest in Sussex, surrounded by well-behaved golden retrievers. Using her successful no-nonsense methods she has now trained over 25 breeds of dog. 2.30pm, The Edinburgh Bookshop, 219 Bruntsfield Place. Free – but please book by calling the shop on 0131 447 1917.

Water of Leith Conservation Trust River Clean-Up: join the volunteer team this morning as they launch the Water of Leith Spring Clean. Wear old clothes! 10am, Water of Leith Conservation Trust Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road.

Kenny Herbert: the singer, guitarist and entertainer performs. 7-9pm, Cafe Grande, 184 Bruntsfield Place. Free entry.

Children’s Spring Flower Show: the Eco-Schools Daffodil Competition is part of the RCHS Spring Flower Show. Come and see the floral displays and get involved in hands-on activities. 12 noon-5pm, Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, Inverleith Row. Free.

Filmhouse Junior: films for a younger audience. This week: Big Hero 6 (PG). 11am, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets cost £4 per person, big or small.

Celebrating Your Story: the joy of sharing stories with others. ‘There is no greater burden than bearing an untold story within’ (Maya Angelou). A story sharing event with Dr Michael Williams, a professional story-coach and storyteller with over 30 years experience, and the Playback Edinburgh Theatre Company. No experience needed. 3.30 (registration from 3pm)- 6pm, Sanctuary, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Fee: £8/£7. For a registration form contact Neill Walker at mesp2015@hotmail.com or 0131 331 4469. Part of The Edinburgh International Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace Festival (MESP) 2015. 

Shore Poets – March: live readings from John Glenday, Molly Vogel and Hamish Whyte, plus live music and the lemon cake raffle! 7.45pm, Henderson’s @ St John’s, St John’s Terrace, 3 Lothian Road. Admission £5/£3 on the door. For more information contact publicity@shorepoets.org.uk.

Rock and Roll Ping Pong with DJ Ding and DJ Dong: free, silly ping pong games and music from every genre to play along to, plus a strictly optional and amateur tournament (£1 to enter, winner takes all). 7-11pm, The Bongo Club, 66 Cowgate. Free entry. The Bongo Club is a nightclub, live venue and all-round artistic hub owned by local arts charity Out of the Blue.

Cameo Vintage Sundays: The Philadelphia Story (U). ‘Classic films back on the big screen where they belong’. A beautiful new digital restoration of one of the greatest romantic comedies ever made. Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart star in the fast-talking tale of a society wedding threatened by a scandal. 12 noon, Cameo, Home Street. Tickets may be booked in person, online here or by calling the Box Office on 0871 902 5723.

St Giles’ At Six: Music for Passiontide. St Giles’ Cathedral Choir, conducted by Michael Harris, performs Brahms Requiem in the original piano duet version, with Carine Tinney (soprano), Hugh Hillyard-Parker (bass), and Peter Backhouse and Chris Harding (piano). 6pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free: retiring collection.

Edinburgh Festival ticket sales a record

Weekend bruncheon at Out of the Blue

Edinburgh Quartet in May

MoJoCon 2015

At the Dovecot Gallery

Audiences have been snapping up hot tickets across the Festival programme on the first day of public sales.

Making their first appearances at the Edinburgh International Festival this year are big name artists including Juliette Binoche, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Lang Lang, Sufjan Stevens, Sylvie Guillem, Franz Ferdinand & Sparks, Max Richter, Simon McBurney, Enda Walsh and Yuja Wang.

Hot tickets include Ivo van Hove’s production of Antigone, Mozart’s Requiem, Lang Lang,  FFS (Franz Ferdinand & Sparks), Sufjan Stevens, the Komische Oper and 1927 theatre company’s The Magic Flute, Budapest Festival Orchestra’s The Marriage of Figaro, the Citizens Theatre’s production of Lanark,Sylvie Guillem, Robert Lepage and Ex Machina’s 887  and Simon McBurney and Complicite’s The Encounter.

Singers take the lead in the Queen’s Hall – Sarah Connolly and Malcolm Martineau, Iestyn Davies and Ensemble Guadagni, and The Tallis Scholars. From Scotland with Love by King Creosote and Virginia Heath and Anna Calvi and Heritage Orchestra lead the Hub Session selections.

First day sales are set to top £370,000 a record first day income with approximately 70% of tickets sold online at eif.co.uk

Festival 2015 runs from Friday 7 August to Monday 31 August and welcomes over 2,300 artists from 39 nations to perform in Scotland’s magnificent capital city.

Tickets can be bought online now at eif.co.uk, by calling 0131 473 2000 and in person at Hub Tickets, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE.

From Monday 30 March you can buy tickets at the Edinburgh Playhouse, Festival Theatre, King’s Theatre, The Queen’s Hall, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and the Usher Hall.

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Bruncheon! featuring The Sound of Muesli on Saturday 11th April 2015 from 11.30am – 3pm free entry

Brunch and live music event at the Drill Hall Arts Café. Local musical talent and DJ’s creating a chilled out atmosphere alongside delicious home-made café food in the open space of the Drill Hall…

As usual the cafe kitchen will accompany and complement the music with a delicious menu. Kippers, morning rolls and sweet treats a-plenty!

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We have had a blast at the Mobile Journalism course in Dublin. On Saturday morning we went out for a walk around the city with two award winning photo journalists. And here are the photos we took!

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