EDINBURGH llFE listings
EDINBURGH LIFE: TALKS continued
Cafe Philosophique Thu 16 Mar, Institut Francais d’Ecosse, 13 Randolph Crescent, 225 5366. Your chance to pour forth opinions on a variety of subjects at these lively debates. This month’s topic is Language and Philosophy and proceedings will be conducted in English.
Four Centuries of Change Thu 16 Mar, 3—4pm. Free. Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Alan Bennell, the Garden’s External Affairs Manager looks back on the plants and personalities that have made history in Scotland’s National Botanic Garden. Talk takes place in the Lecture Theatre. Storytelling Scotland Lecture Thu 16 Mar, 2.30pm. Free. Netherbow Arts Centre, 43—45 High Street, 556 9579/2647. The fourth lecture in this series of six looks at Scottish Lowland Traditions.
Other Events
Life Under Siege Thu 2 Mar, Thu 9 Mar, Thu 16 Mar, 10am—4pm. £6.50 (£2-£5). Edinburgh Castle, 225 9846. Alba Adventure Company’s living history demonstration recreates the time of the Jacobite uprising.
All For The Prince Fri 3 Mar, Fri 10 Mar, 10am—4pm. £6.50 (£2—£5). Edinburgh Castle, 225 9846. The Jacobite redcoats and Highland clans do battle in this exciting re-enactment from Alba Adventure Company.
Diversecity Sat 4 Mar, 7pm. £5 (£2.50). James Gillespies High School, Lauderdale Street, 447 1900. A celebration of Edinburgh’s multicultural diversity featuring music and dance from Afridonia, Egyptian belly dancer Lorna Gow, Indian and Chinese dance, and some breakdancing. If that all sounds too energetic, then sit back and enjoy a selection of international food.
Day of Free Health Workshops for Women Sat 11 Mar, 10am—4pm. Free. Bonnington Resource Centre, Bonnington Road. Organised by the Women’s Health Information Collective, this is a chance to attend a range of workshops. Topics covered include Herbs, Massage and Aromatherapy (info on 554 9103), and motherhood and counselling (info on 476 4119). Advance booking required.
PERMANENT ATTRACTIONS
Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle Road, 661 4445. Mon—Wed & Sat 9.30am—4.30pm; Thu 9.30am—lpm (Closed Fri); Sun 2—4.30pm. £1.80 (£1.30—children 75p). For a real taste of history, take a drive out to this ramshackle old castle, which although not quite as intact as Edinburgh Castle, is far more atmospheric and the scene of much plotting during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots.
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.
Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill, 225 9846. Daily 9.30am-5pm (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, the One O’f‘loclt (inn with it’s own exhibition,
82 THE LIST 2—16 Mar 2000
lots of military silverware and, of course, The Stone Of Destiny, used to crown Scottish kings since time began.
Gorgie City Farm
51 Gorgie Road, 337 4202. Daily 9.30am—4pm. Free. Set up in 1982 on a derelict council rubbish site, the farm is now home to a host of farmyard animals and equipment, as well as organic and herb gardens.
Museum Of Scotland
Chambers Street, 247 4219. Mon—Sat IOam—Spm; 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 pro-history, through the Industrial Revolution, to the present day, at which point national heroes such as Billy Connolly and Elaine C. Smith get involved.
Palace 0f Holyroodhouse
Royal Mile, 556 1096. Daily 9.30am—4.30pm. £5.50 (£2.70—£4); family ticket £13.50. Starting life as a 13th century abbey, the palace has evolved into a sumptuous regal residence crammed full of paintings and artefacts dating back primarily to the 17th century. The tower apartments housed a sad and lonely Mary Queen of Scots’ for a time, but with a spectacular view of Arthur’s Seat, and magnificent gardens to look at, it’s hard to feel too sorry for her.
Royal Botanic Garden
Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Daily 9.30am—6pm. Free. A sea of tranquillity in the hubbub of the city, the Botanic Garden is home to a wealth of flora and fauna from all over the world. The glasshouses give you the opportunity to check out tropical plants as well. The site also hosts art exhibitions, horticultural courses and various countryside events, including daily guided walks in the
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 11’)“ Wu Gallery.
The People's Story
Canongate Tolbooth
163 Canongate, 529 4057. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Free. Situated in the Canongate Tolbooth, the sights, sounds and even smells of Edinburgh folk from the 18th century onwards are faithfully reproduced.
The Turbo Ride
Fountainpark, Dundee Street, 229 1706. Daily 11am—10pm; Fri & Sat 11am—11pm. £3.50 (£2.75); family ticket £10. Step on board the world‘s most exciting motion simulator for a thrilling ride. Using flight simulation technology, digital sound and a five storey high screen, the Turbo Ride throws you right into the middle of all the action, in films such as Dino Island
and Red Rock Run.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Deep-Sea World
North Queensferry, Fife, 01383 411880. Mon—Fri 11am—5pm; Sat—Sun 10am—6pm. £6.15 (£3.55—£4.25). Famous for its underwater tunnel, which brings visitors face to face with a huge collection of fish native to our coastlines, Deep-Sea World also houses an Amazonian rain forest display, a touch- pool and educational facilities. Expert staff are on hand to answer (111' sli'ins .‘llllI.
ON YOUR DOORSTEP
Everything you ever wanted to know about
THE MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND
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The first thing you'll notice about the Museum of Scotland is the building itself. An incredibly sophisticated piece of architecture, all space, light, textures and curves, you could easily spend an afternoon admiring the design without even glancing at its contents. Once over the initial sense of wonder, you can turn your attention to a comprehensive guide to Scotland‘s history.
On six levels, the journey starts in the basement and works its way up. With over 10,000 artefacts from Pictish crosses to Viking graves, all magnificently displayed with frosted glass info-panels, this is a feast for the senses. There's no straightforward route through the nooks and crannies of the lower floor which can be a bit overwhelming, but it also means that no two visits are ever the same. And you can rest your weary feet at one of the video presentations and marvel at the thought of Dumfriesshire as a vast desert 250,000 years ago, or how Scotland worked its way north from the South Pole slower than the speed of a fingernail
growing.
Upstairs, displays cover the 800 busy years when Scotland truly emerged as a nation, with culture, religion and art all stepping into the spotlight. Scotland's industrial heritage and its reputation as the 'workshop of the world’ is spread over three floors, featuring Scotland’s oldest locomotive, the Ellesmere, the huge Newcomen mine pumping engine, and a look at our most valuable export,
whisky.
You can step into the modern world on the top floor, via an exhibition of items chosen by members of the public to represent the 20th century. From Sean Connery's milk bottle to Kirsty Wark's trainers, this is an affectionate tribute to the
everyday objects we take for granted.
Visiting the Museum of Scotland is a bit like reading an encyclopaedia. Full of fascinating facts, but just too much to assimilate in one go. A stunning building with perfectly mounted displays and engaging interactive technology, this is a world-class museum. Treat yourself to a season pass and take your time walking through 1200 years of history. (Louisa Pearson)
Fun factor 4/5 Informative 5/5 Value for money 5/5
Added extras Gift shop, guided tours, audio guides, Lumiere Cinema, The Tower Restaurant and a Rooftop Terrace giving excellent views of the city.
How do you get there Situated on Chambers Street next door to the Royal Museum, just 5—10 mins walk from Princes Street and Waverley Station.
How much it costs £3 (£1.50; under 185 free); free admission on Tuesdays from
4.30—8pm.
When it's open Mon—Sat lOam—Spm; Tue 10am—8pm; Sun noon—5pm. :1: The Museum of SLUlt/Jlld, Chambers Street, 225 7534.
thanks to the latest communications
technology, visitors can even talk to
divers as they feed the animals in the aquarium.
New Lanark Visitor Centre New Lanark Mills, Lanark, 01555 6613-15. Daily llam~5pnr £3.75 (£2.50).
Ni)“ :1 \Vtitlti Iic'llngc Silt. New IAIIIMIK has much to teach us about life in the
industrial era and the pioneering work of philanthropist Robert Owen. Attractions include the ‘Millennium Experience
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well as a full programme of specialist events and hands-on activrttes.
Summerlee Heritage Park
Heritage Way, Coatbridge, 01236 431261. Mon—Sun 10am—4pm. Free. Situated around the 19th century remains of Summerlee Ironworks, the park is a museum of social and industrial history. As well as the exhibition hall, where engineers demonstrate industrial machinery and techniques, Summerlee is home to three fully-operational trams and a reconstructed shallow-level coal mine.