It’s Robert Louis Stevenson Day, and you can celebrate the life and works of Edinburgh’s greatest writer (sorry, Irvine!) at a series of events:
Today, RLS’s birthday, you can join in walks, talks, tales and teas in his honour all across the city. And no matter where you are in the world, you’re invited to the party, as Edinburgh celebrates the author who gave the world Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
This year we take a closer look at TRAVEL in Stevenson’s work – whether crossing oceans on his way to Samoa, wandering France in Travels with a Donkey, exploring the landscape of his imagination in Treasure Island or meandering the streets of his home town.
Organisations and enthusiasts across town are staging talks by Alexander McCall Smith and Nigel Planer, stories from the South Pacific, tea parties and life journeys and free guided walks.
RLS Day: In Town
All Day Exhibition: RLS on Display
The National Library of Scotland has put special RLS items on display in the foyer (runs until Sunday the 16th).
All Day Live Reading: Robert Louis Stevenson Club
Drop into the Scottish Storytelling Centre for an all day reading of Stevenson’s work by the RLS Club (11.00-18.00).
10.30 – Walk: Adventures on the Edinburgh Leg of the Stevenson Way
Follow RLS’s footsteps on the last part of the route that spans from Mull to Edinburgh: South Queensferry to Edinburgh.
11.00 – Walk: RLS’s Childhood in Colinton
Follow RLS’s footsteps through his childhood in Colinton, accompanied by poetry and sculpture.
11.00 – Talk: The Scot Abroad
[sold out] Dr Julia Reid, talks about Stevenson’s The Amateur Emigrant at Edinburgh Central Library
11.00 – Exhibition: RLS on Display – special viewing
From 11.00 to 14.00 you get a rare opportunity to see some of Stevenson’s exhibits up close, as NLS curators will bring them out of displays for you.
13.30 – Workshop: Writing Narratives Masterclass
An afternoon masterclass at the City Art Centre in writing narratives from the past, with authors and RLS Fellows, Chris Dolan and J. David Simon.
14.00 + 15.00 – Drama: Living History at the Writers’ Museum
Edinburgh Living History will bring Stevenson’s characters to life with two performances at the Writers’ Museum.
15.00 – Afternoon Tea & Talk
An Afternoon Tea for Idlers at RLS’s house at 17 Heriot Row.
18.00 – Talk: Stevenson’s Adventures in the South Seas
[sold out] Hear curator Andrew Martin talk in the National Library of Scotland.
18.30 – Talk: An Evening with Robert Louis Stevenson
Join Nigel Planer, Allan Little and Louise Welsh for a very special conversation at Parliament House.
19.00 – Spoken Word: RLS Cafe Voices
Listen to Stevenson’s words at a very special edition of Cafe Voices at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
RLS Day: On-line
All Day – #RLSDay
Join us on Twitter and Facebook – Share your favourite Stevenson facts with us onFacebook and Twitter #RLSDay, and open a book, read a story and raise a glass to RLS, wherever you find yourself. We’ll keep you abreast of things happening across town via #RLSDay.
Flash your tache – we’ll have moustaches ready for you to download and place where you will (hopefully your face). Snap yourself wearing your tache with pride and send it to us to share the love.
Quotable RLS – What’s your favourite RLS quote? Can’t choose? We can help. Choose from our favourites or write your own and share it with us through the medium of photography.
