director Donald Smith looking at the history, myths and legends of the nation in Remembering Scotland.
Memory And The Brain Thu 24 Feb, 6.30pm. £2. Royal Museum, 2 Chambers Street, 247 4219. Just can’t remember where you put your house keys? Richard Morris, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh, gives a talk which may be of interest. The talk takes place in the Lecture Theatre, entrance via Lothian Street, and tickets are available from the Information Desk, 10am—5pm. How's It Daein? Thu 24 Feb, 7—9pm. Free. Edinburgh City Chambers, High Street, 556 2944. A public forum for debate about how Scotland's Parliament is doing so far, with MSPs including Sarah Boyack, Dennis Canavan, Lord James Douglas Hamilton and Robin Harper. If you’ve only been voicing your opinions in the pub, why not stand up and be counted at art event which promises to be rather lively.
Scottish Internationaltsm For The New Century Mon 28 Feb, 5.30pm. Martin Hall, New College, The Mound, 01968 672706. Kevin Dunion, Director of Friends Of The Earth Scotland, is the speaker at this lecture.
Pinkie House Wed 1 Mar, 12.30pm. Free. Huntly House, 142 Canongate, 529 4143. Derek Janes front Heritage & Arts at City of Edinburgh Council gives a lunchtime talk.
Storytelling Scotland Lecture Thu 2 Mar, 2.30pm. Free. Netherbow Arts Centre, 43—45 High Street, 556 9579/2647. The second in this series of lectures looks at Scottish Gaelic Traditions.
Other Events
Life Under Siege Thu 17 Feb, Thu 24 Feb, Thu 2 Mar, 10am—4pm. £6.50 (£5—£2). Edinburgh Castle, 225 9846. Added value to your visit to the castle comes from Alba Adventure Company — their living history demonstration recreates the time of the Jacobite
u rising.
A | For The Prince Fri 18 Feb, Fri 25 Feb, lOam-4pm. £6.50 (£5—£2). Edinburgh Castle, 225 9846. Tremble with fear as the English Redcoats and Highland clans do battle in this exciting re-enactment from Alba Adventure Compan .
Open For 2000 Sat 19 Feb, 11am—5pm. Free. Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404. The Trav opens its doors to those who are curious about the world of theatre. See photo caption.
PERMANENT ATTRACTIONS
Brass Rubbing Centre
Chalmers Close, Royal Mile, 556 4364. Mon-Sat lOam-Spm. Free, but there is a charge for making a rubbing. Situated in the apse of a Gothic church dating back to 1460, the centre houses a selection of church brasses and ancient Pictish replicas — as well as lots of crayons so you can get rubbing.
Edinburgh Castle
225 9846. Daily 9.30am-5.15pm (last admission 4.15pm). £6 (£2-£5). Although much of the castle’s medieval character was lost when it was converted into barracks in the 19th century, continuing excavations aim to redress this. Other attractions include James IV’s famous cannon, Mons Meg, lots of military silverware and, of course, The Stone Of Destiny, used to crown Scottish kings since time began.
Edinburgh Zoo
Corstorphine Road, 334 9171. Daily 9am-5pm. £6.80 (£3.80—£4.80); family ticket £19—£23.50. Widely accepted as one of the finest zoos in Britain, there’s plenty here to while away an afternoon, or even a whole day if you take your time. The penguin parade at 2pm is a must and the newly-built African plains afford a fantastic view of the city.
Huntly House
142 Canongate, 529 4143. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Free. Packed with historic artefacts, this restored 16th century mansion tells the story of Edinburgh’s past and its people and houses important collections of Edinburgh silver and glass, Scottish pottery and shop signs. For temporary exhibitions see Edinburgh Art listings, page 77.
Museum Of Childhood
42 High Street, 529 4142. Mon—Sat lOam—Spm. Free. Founded in 1955, the museum has five public galleries with all manner of archive material and old toys relating to childhood through the ages. From antique dolls to 19805 computer games, there’s plenty here to send you off on a trip down memory lane. For temporary exhibitions see Edinburgh Art listings, page 77.
Museum Of Scotland
Chambers Street, 247 4219. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun noon-5pm; Tue 10am—8pm. £3 (£1.50; children under 18 free). Devoted solely to the history and heritage of Scotland, the building contains five thematically-arranged exhibitions, moving from pre-history, through the Industrial Revolution, to the present day, at which point national heroes such as Billy Connolly and Elaine C. Smith get involved.
Royal Museum
2 Chambers Street, 247 4219. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm; Sun noon-5pm; Tue 10am—8pm. £3 (£1.50; children under 18 free). A 19th century museum housing international collections of natural history, geology, science, technology and the decorative arts, plus two permanent exhibitions: Art & Industry and The Ivy Wu Gallery. For temporary exhibitions see Edinburgh Art listings, page 77.
Camera Obscura
Castlehill, Royal Mile, 226 3709. Mon—Sun 10am—5pm. £3.95 (£1.95—£3.15); family ticket £11.50. Pick up a pedestrian in your hand at this attraction, which gives visitors a real- time, 360° image of the city. There is also an exhibition devoted to holographs and photography on the lower floors.
Dynamic Earth
Holyrood Road, 550 7800. Wed—Sun 10am-5pm. £5.95 (£3.50—£4.40); family ticket £16.50. With volcanoes erupting beneath your feet, a tropical rainstorm pouring down, earthquakes and tidal waves at every turn, the history of the earth has never been more interesting. Edinburgh’s latest visitor attraction uses stunning new developments in interactive technology to piece together the history of the planet, creating a thoroughly modern way to step back in time. For temporary exhibitions see Edinburgh Art listings, page 77.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean Drive, Leith, 555 5566. Daily 10.30am—6pm (last entry 4.30pm). £7.50 (£3.75—£5.75); family ticket £20. The former royal yacht has opened its doors to members of the public after a £25 million refit. The on-shore visitor centre contains historical information on the boat and its furnishings while, on the yacht itself, members of the public can have a good nosy round the royals’ former quarters.
Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, 220 0441. Daily lOam-Spm (last admission 4.15pm). £5.50 (£2.75-£3.85); family ticket £13.50. Take a romp through the traditions and history of yer national drink at this fully interactive attraction. Highlights include a lesson from a ghost master-blender, a barrel-ear ride through whisky history and a well-stocked bar in which to test your newly-acquired expertise.
listings EDINBURGH LIFE
Open (almost) all hours
What's it all about? The Traverse have decided to dedicate a day to letting the public in on their trade secrets. If you've got an interest in theatre then this is the place to find out more.
What will be happening? You can see performances of new short plays, take a workshop to write your own play in a day, or even join prominent writers and directors such as Kate Atkinson and Catherine Czerkawska talking about their craft. Freshmess dance company will be showing their stuff and Scottish music stalwarts The Iron Horse will set your toes a-tapping.
And if my aspirations are of a more technical nature? How do backstage tours, lighting, costume, set and model displays sound?
Is this a one-way ticket to a new life as a top theatre director? Not necessarily, but the day should provide an insight into the workings of one of Edinburgh's most popular theatres.
I Open For 2000, Sat 79 Feb, 11am-5pm. Free. Traverse Theatre, Cambridge Street, 228 1404.
I7 Feb—2 Mar 2000 THE U8T81