Edinburgh life
FESTIVAL EDINBURGH TREEFEST Inverleith Park, 15-16 Jun
‘. . <5“
Get under a tree and be inspired
It’s hard to remember what the horticultural world had to offer before Charlie Dimmock’s breasts launched themselves into the public’s consciousness, sparking an unprecedented interest in the ample charms of the great outdoors. In an age when the Wonderbra is seen as every woman’s saviour, along came Miss Ground Force herself to remind us that it’s all about getting back to basics.
And that’s exactly what this year’s Edinburgh Treefest is all about. ‘The key element with this festival is to have fun in the outdoors and get back to nature,’ says co-organiser Chris Sawers. ‘You really don’t need to know one tree from the next. It's more about raising people’s awareness of the outdoors and showing what Scotland’s trees, woods and forests have to offer.’
Organisers hope that Treefest will bring long-term benefits to Scotland‘s tourist industry. ‘lt’s about exploring things beyond your doorstep,’ says Sawers. ‘We’re trying to show people that Scotland’s greenery is a valuable tourist attraction.’ And certainly with Scotland’s woods and forests attracting over 22 million visits a year to walks, rides and nature activities there is plenty of scope to expand people’s horizons.
‘Once someone has been to an event-based activity,’ says Sawers, ‘it gives them the confidence to go back and appreciate the beauty of the forest on a different level.’ Over the next month various venues around Scotland will open their doors for an array of activities, including storytelling and photography workshops, music, demonstrations and handicraft events.
‘lt’s just one big celebration,’ continues Sawers enthusiastically. ‘People will get back what they put in, so get under a few trees and be inspired.’ (Anna Millar)
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98 THE LIST
Other events
Big Word Performance Poetry (iilded Saloon. 233 Cowgate. 226 6550. 9pm. £4 (£3). More high energy poetic ramblings from a host of acts including US balladeer Jack Shea. Skye-born author Aonghas MacNeacail. [iric [)avison. Donna Campbell and Anita (iovan.
Festivals Leith Festival Various Venues. Leith. 55-1 3062. See Sat 8.
Talks
Buildings in the Background: Edinburgh Topography National (iallery of Scotland. The Mound. 62-1 6200. 12.45pm. Free. Stana Nenadic from the University of [Edinburgh gives a talk.
Workshops
Storytelling and Music Netherbow Arts Centre. 43—45 High Street. 557 572-1. l.30-—-1pm. £9 (£6). Bring a short story and any sort of instrument (even spoons) along to this workshop and explore the relationship between music and storytelling.
Other events
Badger Watch Clermiston Road North Car Park. off Queensferry Road. -1-17 71-15. 8—10pm. Free. Find out more about these interesting and elusive creatures on a guided walk.
Spons
Intensive Cycle Maintenance Course lidinburgh Bicycle Co- operative. 8 Alvanley Terrace. Whitehouse Loan. 228 5900 ext 623. £-15 inc lunch. See Sat 8.
Talks
Egyptian Culinary Arts The Hub. Castlehill. Royal Mile. -173 2000. 7.30pm. £23.50—£26.50. Take an exotic summer journey through ligypt's cuisine at this relaxed dinner.
Other events
Wildflowers - Identification Royal Botanic (iarden. Inverleith Row. 552 7171. 10am—3pm. £25. A one-day course on the identification of wildflowers.
The VSO Exhibition Assembly Rooms. 5-1 (ieorge Street. 220 -13-19. 10.30am—5pm. liverything you ever needed to know about the international development charity which enables volunteers to share their skills and experience with local communities in the developing world.
Edinburgh Treefest Inverleith Park. Arboretum Place. 332 2229. l lam—5pm. Free. Two-day festival incorporating craft demonstrations. displays. entertainment. information stands and refreshments. See preview.
Spons
Edinburgh BikeFest The Meadows. Argyll Place. 53801-18. Noon. Annual family celebration of cycling as part of Bike Week.
Other events
Meetings with Remarkable Trees Royal Botanic (iarden. Inverleith Row. 552 7171. 10am—3pm. £25. Hear tales of unusual and ancient trees found around the l.othians with Ian Darwin lidwat'ds.
Edinburgh Treefest Inverleith Park. Arboretum Place. 332 2229. l lam -5pm. Free. See preview.
Perennial Pleasures lnveresk Lodge (iarden. lnvei'esk. nr .‘yltisselburgh. 665 1855. 2 3.30pm. £1 £2. lnveresk's head gardener highlights the best use of herbaceoUs plants.
Other events
Father’s Day Deep-Sea World. North Queensferry. (11383 -11 1880. 10am—6pm. £6.25 (ti-1.2545). Daddies go free on their special day when accompanied by a paying child.
Talks
Journey to the Surface of the Earth: the Boyle Famin National (iallery of Modern Art. Belford Road. 624 6200. 12.45pm. Free. A talk by writer and lecturer Bill Hare.
Spons
Musselburgh Races Musselburgh Racecourse. Linklield Road. .‘ylusselburgh. 665 2859. 2—4.30pm. £10—£15 (under 16 free: £5). Flat horse racing.
Tuesday 18
Spons
Edinburgh Open Evening Ride Royal Commonwealth Pool. Dalkeith Road. 55-1 7773. 7pm. A relaxing non- competitive ride to coincide with Bike Week.
Other events
Stella Screen Cinebar Oxygen Bar & (irill. 3-5 Infirmary Street. 557 9997. 8pm. Free. See Tue 1 1. Today’s screening is Me williqu You.
Wednesday 1 9
Talks
Commissioning Contemporary Portraits National Portrait Gallery. 1 Queen Street. 624 6200. 12.45pm. Free. James Holloway from the National Portrait Gallery gives a talk.
Other events
Spokes Bike Breakfast Edinburgh City Chambers. High Street. 66-1 0526. 8am. Free. The City of Edinburgh Council lay on this breakfast complemented by stalls and competitions.
Access Expo 2002 Bristo Square. 0207 713 5600. 10am—6pm. Free. .Vledecins Sans Frontieres' touring exhibition allows ordinary people to experience what it feels like to be sick with no treatment. Spin the wheel of misfortune to learn your fate as one of the millions of people around the world who cannot afford treatment for curable diseases.
Talks
Introductory Evening to NLP Apex International Hotel. 31 Grassmarket. (11968 677726. 7.30pm. £20 (£10). Find out how Neuro Linguistic Programming can powerfully transform your thinking. behaviour and communication. To book email
morag ((1 straightdowntheline.fsnet.co.uk
Other events
The Royal Highland Show Royal Highland Centre. lngliston. 3356200. 8.15am—6pm. £5—£l6 (under 16s
free; £5—£10). After last year‘s cancellation due to the foot and mouth outbreak. the Royal Highland Show returns as the highlight of Scotland's country calendar. In addition to the traditional displays of cattle. livestock. horse competitions and show jumping. there will be a Food from Scotland exhibition featuring celebrity chef Nick Nairn. a flower show. craft fair. live music and much more.
30/2!) Craft 8: Design Fair Royal Highland Centre. lngliston. 3356200. 9am—7pm. Contemporary craftwork sold direct by the makers.
Access Expo 2002 Parliament Square. off High Street. (1207 7 I 3 5600. 10am—6pm. Free. See Wed 19.