www.list.co.uk/aroundtown

Village, 34 Morningside Road, 446 7071. Step into a land far away inside a traditional nomadic tent and discover rugs, ceramics, cushions and fine art from Persia, as well as getting the chance to meet craftsmen and enjoy films and live music from the region. FREE Masharef: Vistas Until Sat 25 Sep (not Sun), 10am–6pm. Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43–45 High Street, 556 9579. Photography by Bassam Almohor, Emile Ashrawi, Gerard Horton, Issa Freij and Karen Sears documenting the endangered Palestinian landscape.

✽✽ FREE Mark Edwards: The Hard Rain Picture Show Mon 23 Aug–Fri 24 Sep, 10am–4pm. George Square Gardens, 311 6512. Widely published editorial photographer Mark Edwards founded Still Pictures, a leading photo agency which specialises in environmental issues, the Third World and nature. This presentation is designed to inspire debate amongst its audiences with regard to climate change, poverty, habitat loss and human rights. See Hitlist.

Fairs FREE Edinburgh Festival PBFA Book Fair Until Sat 21 Aug, 10am–6pm. Roxburghe Hotel, 38 Charlotte Square, 01383 725566. Sellers exhibit interesting second hand and antiquarian books, maps and prints at prices to suit all pockets. FREE Allander Record Fair Sun 22 Aug, 11am–4pm. Edinburgh Printmakers, 23 Union Street, 557 2479. Expand your record collection with this wide range of vinyl, DVDs, CDs and cassettes, including some rarities.

Food & Drink FREE The Village Store & Tinker Tailor Sat 21 Aug, 10am–2pm. Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 30–36 Dalmeny Street, Leith, 555 7100. The return of the popular Village Store a weekly local shop for Leithers in search of quality ethical goods including food, drink and household items. The Drill Hall’s friendly fixers are also on hand to help you learn how to make to and mend. FREE John Dewar and Sons Whisky Sampling at the Scotch Whisky Experience Fri 20 & Sat 21

Aug, 10am–5pm. Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, 220 0441. The distiller famous for brands such as Dewar’s White Label and Aberfeldy single malt conducts a whisky tasting session in the shop. Kids Children’s Activities Until Mon 30 Aug, 10am–6pm. Included in admission: £5.50 (£4.50; family ticket £10-£15). Georgian House, 7 Charlotte Square, 0844 493 2117. Take the kids to see history come alive this summer at the Georgian House they can write with a quill, try on costumes or handle the collection of objects from the past. FREE In the Impressionist Garden: Fun Things to Make and Do Until Sun 29 Aug, 2–4.30pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Clore Education Centre, The Mound, 624 6200. Make flying birds, jumping fish and sprouting flowers to bring the Impressionist Garden alive. Children must be accompanied. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival. FREE Messy Play and Arts Drop- In Thu 19 & 26 Aug, 10am–noon; Sat 21 Aug 10–11.30am. North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 315 2151. Crafty, arty fun for wee ones aged 0–5. Gardening 4 Kids Fri 20 Aug, 1–3pm. £1. Bridgend Allotments, 41 Old Dalkeith Road, 664 9559. An intro to horticulture for ages 6–10. Children must be accompanied. Booking essential. FREE Digital Music Making Fri 20 Aug, 2–4pm. Library, 13 Newtoft Street, 529 5628. Fun and informative workshops for kids and young people in which they’ll learn how to use Sony Acid Pro software to mix beats, loops and samples. Booking essential places are limited. Ages 12–15. Medieval Mercenaries Sat 21 & Sun 22 Aug, 9.45am–4pm. Included in admission. National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, 225 4413. Smash some Braveheart stereotypes and find out what 14th-century soldiers were really like. Walking in the Steps of Our Ancestors Sat 21 & Sun 22 Aug, 10.30am–12.30pm. £4 per adult/child.

Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. Find out about Lauriston’s past inhabitants on a walk through the grounds, from the Romans to the Victorians. Then make your own Roman sandals, sword and shield. Booking essential. FREE Real Life Science: Wood Biomechanics 3D Sat 21 Aug, 1–4pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. An amazing 3D journey into the microscopic world of the wood cells that allow trees to get so tall. Ages 7+. Behind the Ropes Family Tour of the Palace Sun 22 Aug, 11am, noon, 1pm & 2pm. Included in admission: £10.25 (£9.30; under 17s £6.20; under 5s free; family ticket £27). Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Mile, 556 5100. See the State Apartments at the Palace under the guidance of an expert from the education team. Suitable for families with children aged 5+. FREE Baby and Toddler Time Tue 24 Aug, 11am–noon. Craigmillar Library, 7 Niddrie Marischal Gardens, 529 5597. Stories, songs and fun for under-3s and their parents/cares, facilitated by Craigmillar Books for Babies and with a different theme each week. FREE Arthur’s Secrets Tue 24 Aug, 1–3pm. Holyrood Park, Holyrood Lodge, 652 8150. Take a walk up Edinburgh’s own volcanic plug and discover its past, present and wildlife. Moderately graded walk. Booking essential. FREE Around the World in 80 Acres Wed 25–Tue 31 Aug, 10am–6pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 552 7171. Travel the world without leaving the Gardens, in this fun trail. Under 16s must be accompanied.

Talks ✽✽ Festival of Politics Until Sat 21 Aug, times vary. Prices vary. The

Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Road, 348 5200. A packed programme of talks for those who prefer their entertainment to be based in fact, all in the fascinating surroundings of the Scottish Parliament building. Speakers include former Deputy PM John Prescott, singer and campaigner Annie Lennox, and politicised comedian Mark Thomas. See Five Questions, page 85.

Havers and Blethers One of the great things about this time of year is the number of off-Fringe festivals that spring up, like this daily spoken-word-based show, run by Kirsty-

Jacqueline Lingard and featuring writers (including Sophie Cooke, pictured), poets, actors and musicians performing short snippets from their works. There are free acoustic folk sessions every night after the show. Captains Bar, 4 South College Street, 668 2312, until Sat 21 Aug, 7.30–8.30pm, £2.

Festival Around Town

FREE Fashioning Pieces of Nature: Delacroix Fri 20 Aug, 12.45–1.15pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound, 624 6200. Vivien Hamilton explores the origins of the Impressionist garden in the works of influential French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix. FREE Joan Mitchell: Lecture by Dominic Paterson Sat 21 Aug, 2–3pm. Inverleith House, Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place/Inverleith Row, 248 2971. The University of Glasgow’s Dr Dominic Paterson gives a talk on the exhibition. Booking essential. FREE Impressionist Garden Tours at RBGE Sun 22 Aug, 2pm. Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 624 6560. An art historian from the National Galleries leads a tour around the Royal Botanic Garden, exploring the flowers, plants and gardens that inspired Impressionist artists. Booking essential. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival. A Smell of History: From Silverknowes to Seafield Mon 23 Aug, 10.30am. £8. Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, 529 3963. In 1901 the strong smells wafting around Leith from whale blubber to shortbread, lime cordial to timber became cause for complaint. Experience the whiff of the waterfront with Ian Lutton. Includes refreshments and a tour of the castle. Booking essential. FREE Jeffrey Sherwin in Conversation with Patrick Elliott Mon 23 Aug, 12.45–1.30pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound, 624 6200. Dr Sherwin’s collection of British Surrealist art is the largest in the UK; here he discusses the works in his possession, some of which are on display in the Another World exhibition, with Senior Curator Patrick Elliott. FREE Gertrude Jekyll and William Andrews Nesfield: Artists’ Gardens Tue 24 Aug, 12.45–1.30pm. National Gallery of Scotland: Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, The Mound, 624 6200. A talk by Michael Tooley on the two radically different artist gardeners, whose careers spanned the 19th and early 20th centuries. Workshops FREE Gardening Workshop Tue 24 Aug, 3.30–5pm. North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15a Pennywell Court, 0845 612 1253. Pick up some gardening tips including how to build raised beds and grow your own vegetables to eat. FREE Sketching in the Park Fri 20 Aug, 10.30am–3pm. West Princes Street Gardens, Sketch the beautiful views from Princes Street Gardens, with artists on hand for tips and advice. Easel and all materials are supplied. With the National Galleries of Scotland. Part of Edinburgh Art Festival. Life Laundry Day Sat 21 Aug, 9.30am. £95. Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, South Platt Hill, Newbridge, 01506 415861. Laundry-themed workshop to help you rinse out your mind. The Embroidered Garden Mon 23 Aug, 10am–5pm. £220 (members £198). Royal Botanic Garden, 20a Inverleith Row, 248 2937. Learn basic embroidery techniques and create your own work inspired by Impressionist paintings of gardens. With Catherine Conway-Payne. Price included lunch and entry to the National Galleries’ Impressionist Gardens exhibition. Booking essential. FREE Workshop: Beyond Google Tue 24 Aug, 10–11.30am. National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, 623 3918. An introduction to Credo Reference and Oxford Reference Online.

Online Booking Fringe www.edfringe.com International Festival www.eif.co.uk Book Festival www.edbookfest.co.uk Art Festival www.edinburghartfestival.org

19-26 Aug 2010 THE LIST 87