First British astronaut Helen Sharman to give a talk this Sunday, 65 years to the day since Yuri Gagarin’s historic flight to space
SUNDAY 12th APRIL 7pm USHER HALL
In this special event Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut, shares her unique, personal experiences from her historic 1991 mission aboard the Mir space station. Audiences will hear about some of her training, blasting off on a Soyuz rocket, what it’s like to live and work in space including conducting science experiments.
In conversation with Earth scientist and former BBC presenter Dr Hermione Cockburn, Helen reflects on the evolution of space exploration – from Tim Peake’s International Space Station mission to private space companies – and the growing international diversity in space programmes.
Helen Sharman said:“Space is getting really exciting again! I’m delighted to return to Edinburgh to share some insights, including my own experiences of what it’s like in space.”
AT ROYAL SCOTS CLUB COFFEE MORNING, SATURDAY 18 MAY 2024 at 10:30am
Illustrated talk about a controversial Scottish Society family and their historic golfing links by Richard Blake, author of Sugar, Slaves and High Society: The Grants of Kilgraston, on 18th May 2024, at The Royal Scots Club, starting at 10:30am.
Blake’s book follows three generations of an upwardly mobile Scottish family and describes how fortunes were made, wealth squandered, lives lost at home and abroad, and two brothers made knights of the realm.
More than an account of a Scottish Society family, this is an exploration of opportunism, fortune, hypocrisy and tragedy, all viewed against the backdrop of the slavery in Jamaica that generated the wealth.
Blake’s talk at The Royal Scots Club will be about three Grant brothers and their shared passion for Golf.
Captains of three Royal Golf Clubs and winners of medals at St Andrews, Blackheath, Perth and North Berwick, John is pictured in the centre of arguably the most famous painting about early golf, a famous portrait by Sir Francis, the only Scottish President of the Royal Academy hangs in the Big Room of the R & A and a golf hole is named after General Sir Hope. The brothers had strong connections with the famous East Lothian golf courses: Muirfield, Archerfield, Gullane Links and North Berwick.
The literary coffee morning with author Richard Blake will be held on Saturday 18th May 2024 at The Royal Scots Club, 29-31 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6QE starting at 10:30am.
The event is free and is open to all, members and non-members alike, with numbers limited by venue capacity only.
Reservations should be made by via Eventbrite or by emailing The Royal Scots Club on events@royalscotsclub.com
Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase from the author on the day.
One of Britain’s best-known conservationists, John Lister-Kaye, described by Springwatch’s Katie Humble as ‘joyful and inspirational’, gives a rare glimpse into his intriguing life and work at a literary talk and book signing at the Royal Scots Club on 23rd March, 10:30am-12:30pm.
Entry is free and there will be a pop-up Toppings bookstall.
A true naturalist, John Lister-Kaye patiently and meticulously observes and records the lives, habits and habitats of otters, badgers, weasels and pine martens. Hours of careful waiting and watching in the woods and loch, the river, fields and moorland is rewarded with insight into how these animals live when unhindered by human interference; sometimes red in tooth and claw, but often playful, familial, curious and surprising.
John’s own journey from aristocratic roots to being captivated by the creatures of Scotland and becoming one of the most respected academic observers of the natural world gripping too.
During deep dives exploring natural history, familial characteristics and ecological significance, he began to find the animals were ‘teaching me to become feral myself, guiding me into their ways so that my senses seemed to merge with theirs at a level far more intimate than just scientific interest or admiration.’
His new book, FOOTPRINTS IN THE WOODS, The Secret Life of Forest and Riverbank, is not only a love letter to these elusive animals and what he describes as the ‘irresistible wildness’.
It is also a timely reminder of the fragility of habitat and the beauty and variety we have to lose if we don’t choose to actively protect it.
‘A peerless observer who is as much a part of the land as his beloved badgers. This, unusually, is nature writing that is actually about nature rather than the writer, and so it has the power and wisdom of the hills and forest. Marvellous’ – CHARLES FOSTER (Author, Cry of the Wild)
‘No one writes as movingly, or with such transporting poetic skills, about encounters with wild creatures’ – HELEN MACDONALD (Award-winning writer, H is for Hawk)
‘I am addicted to the writings of John Lister-Kaye’ – JOANNA LUMLEY
Sir John Lister-Kaye is one of Britain’s best-known naturalists and conservationists and has spent a lifetime exploring, protecting and celebrating the British landscape and its wildlife.
John came to live in the Highlands of Scotland in 1968 to work with the celebrated author and naturalist Gavin Maxwell of Ring of Bright Water fame.
He is the author of eleven books on wildlife and the environment, including The Dun Cow Rib, shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize, and Gods of the Morning, winner of the Richard Jeffereies Award for Nature Writing.
John has lectured on the natural environment all over the world. He was awarded an OBE for his services to nature conservation, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s Geddes Environmental Medal and honorary doctorates from two Scottish universities for his contribution to nature writing.
He has served prominently in the RSPB, the Nature Conservancy Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. He lives with his wife and family among the mountains of the Scottish Highlands, where he runs the world-famous Aigas Field Centre.
The literary coffee morning with author talk will be held on 23rd March 2024 at The Royal Scots Club, 29-31 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6QE starting at 10:30am.
There will be an opportunity to purchase books for signing by the author at a pop-up bookshop provided by Topping & Company Booksellers, Edinburgh.
The event is free and is open to all, members and non-members alike, with numbers limited by venue capacity only.
Reservations may be made by via Eventbrite or by emailing The Royal Scots Club on events@royalscotsclub.com
“A photograph is most successful when it doesn’t answer all the questions” says Greg Gorman.
Known for his stark honest portraits of the most famous and infamous faces from the worlds of entertainment, arts, sport and music Greg Gorman’s images have intrigued the viewer from the onset of his career.
Indeed, the American photographer’s portraits of international celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Bette Davies, David Bowie, Alfred Hitchcock radiate something mysterious and vulnerable, despite being perfectly composed and lit.
It is therefore no wonder that Gorman is one of the most influential portrait photographers of our time.
Come along to The Royal Scots Club on Monday 3rd July to hear more from Greg and see some of his most famous photos.
Greg is telling his story at The Royal Scots Club on Monday 3rd July 2023 at 18:30.
To book your place please contact Leanne via events@royalscotsclub.com or by phone on 0131 556 4270.
North Edinburgh Madelvic History Groupis hosting a talk on William Speirs Bruce, a figure of major scientific importance to our understanding of the Antarctic and how what happens in the Antarctic impacts on our world today.Continue reading History talk at Granton Hub
Granton:hub are holding a talk about Granton’s polar explorer William Speirs Bruce on 28th March 2018 at Madelvic House, Granton. Did you know he co-founded Edinburgh Zoo?
For this and more interesting facts visit the website at grantonhub.org and you can book your free Eventbrite ticket here .
WHAT’S ON TODAY – Thursday 11 December at North Edinburgh Arts 
Winter Pop-Up Market | 11am–3pm
Dementia-Friendly Film Club: Scrooge | 1.30–3.30pm
Garden Sessions for Adults | 1.30–4pm
Youth Arts Collective | 4–6pm
Women’s Wellbeing Workout | 6–7pm
Talk: Scottish UFOs | 6–7.15pm
Adult Social Club (16+) | 6–8pm
