The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) is marking the longest day of the year (today, Thursday 21 June) by putting on a series of special events at its properties across the country. Continue reading NTS unveils 13 ways to celebrate summer solstice
Tag: things to do
Where is Scotland’s top picnic spot?
The Shortlist For Scotland’s Best Picnic Spot Has Been Announced
- Last year’s winner was the Fairy Pools
- Picnic Week aims to cultivate pride in the local area
- Winner to be announced during Picnic Week
It’s National Picnic Week from the 15th-24th of June, which aims to promote areas of natural beauty to get the UK into the great outdoors this summer, enjoying some great food and great company. Continue reading Where is Scotland’s top picnic spot?
Half term savings at Drayton Manor Park
Everyone is looking for ways to entertain the children during the long-awaited February half term and a family trip to Staffordshire’s Drayton Manor Park to enjoy a fun-filled, value-for-money day out is the perfect answer.
New Lanark has Christmas all wrapped up!
There’s a lot going on at New Lanark this festive season, from festive lunches and dinners, to disco party nights, Christmas Carols and special visits from Santa Claus to help light up the eyes of every adult, boy and girl. Continue reading New Lanark has Christmas all wrapped up!
Swap Gameboys for Gird and Cleeks this half term at New Lanark
New Lanark World Heritage Site, Scotland
Bring the family along for a fun filled autumn day out at New Lanark, one of Scotland’s 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this October Break. There will be Family Tours with Costumed Guides and Victorian Toy Workshops running during the October Week Holidays (16-22 Oct) as well as the ‘Lifting the Lid’ exhibition. Continue reading Swap Gameboys for Gird and Cleeks this half term at New Lanark
Top tips to survive school hols
Children across Edinburgh have three weeks left of their holiday freedom, and parents are still having to come up with some creative ideas to help keep their little ones entertained. Continue reading Top tips to survive school hols
Make summer savings during school holidays
Ten tips to survive the school holidays on a budget
A local charity has revealed top ten tips to help parents survive the school holidays on a budget. Continue reading Make summer savings during school holidays
Edinburgh Doors Open weekend: come on in!
Edinburgh Doors Open Day takes place this weekend (26 & 27 September) and this year is following the theme of ‘Edinburgh’s Food & Drink’.
Doors Open Day is a celebration of Edinburgh’s architecture, culture and heritage and has been organised by The Cockburn Association (Edinburgh’s Civic Trust) since 1991.
Over 100 venues to will throw open their doors over the weekend, with something to suit the taste of just about everyone: there are the regular favourites, new venues and interesting spaces and activities to celebrate the 25th year of the popular event.
North Edinburgh Arts is among the local venues getting involved this year:
North Edinburgh Arts is delighted to be taking part in Doors Open Day 2015. We are ideally situated between the Royal Botanic Gardens (number 32) and the National Museums Collection Centre (number 31) so why not make a morning tour of the North Edinburgh venues and pop in for a cake and freshly ground coffee in our community café.
Guided tours of our award-winning garden will be starting at 11am and 1pm this Saturday (26 September). Our ship-themed sandpits will keep the kids amused for hours too, with buckets and spades available to use (refundable deposit is required). We are number 30 on the map.
To find out what’s on offer across Edinburgh this weekend, see brochure (below)
Summer Fun at North Edinburgh Arts
Come and help celebrate the start of summer with us on Saturday 20 June (of course it will be sunny!)
All events in or near to North Edinburgh Arts:
Porridge and Play at the new Centipede play area at Muirhouse Drive, meeting at North Edinburgh Arts from 9.30am; for more, see
http://www.licketyspit.com/happening/porridge-play-312
Free family performances of Calvinball at 10am and 11.30am in the garden here at North Edinburgh Arts by Ipdip Theatre, particular geared towards those of us under 5 and our families
And the Power of Food Festival open day, see https://poweroffoodfestival.wordpress.com/news/ for more
All we need is you!
Calvinball is inspired by the game played by Calvin and Hobbes in their comic strip it’s part Mornington Crescent, part Caucus-race; we’re on a quest to find the rules and the only way to do it is to play and see. The action and materials are chosen to appeal to the youngest of audience members and the open, outdoor setting frees parents from that particular theatre worry – will they sit? Lively, musical, slightly wild, and this time – outdoors!
Ring the box office on 0131 315 2151 or email
admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
to book your free spaces for the 10am or 11.30am show.
‘Mum, I’m bored …’
The October school holidays, it’s raining again – but the kids needn’t be bored. The city council is offering some ideas on how to keep the little dears happy during the holidays:
With the October holidays in full swing, families from Edinburgh and further afield will be looking for fun and inexpensive ways to entertain and spook the kids this Halloween.
From ghoulish arts and crafts workshops at Lauriston Castle and Edinburgh’s Libraries, to spooky storytelling on the Royal Mile, there is something to thrill all members of the family.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, said: “Falling just 10 weeks before Christmas – and not long after the summer break – the need to keep the kids amused during the October holidays can be hard to budget for. But in Edinburgh, families really are spoilt for choice.
“Whether you are looking for a low cost scare factor this Halloween, or visiting one of the city’s attractions for the first time; make sure you check what’s on at Edinburgh’s public libraries, museums, parks and sports facilities to find something to suit.”
Top five things to do at Edinburgh’s public attractions and parks
1) In the city’s haunting Old Town, take a visit to the Museum of Edinburgh which is housed in beautifully restored 16th Century buildings on the Canongate.
This October, the museum will be home to a host of storytelling events, as the 2014 Storytelling Festival kicks off once more. The museum programme features war tales and songs based on Sir Walter Scott, and older children and young adults will also enjoy hearing about gruesome moments from Auld Reekie’s past from Scotland’s Storyteller, Calum Lykan on Sunday 31 October.
2) For even more tall tales, the City’s community libraries will be open for a number of spooky events including a 1950s classic horror double bill of ‘The Fly’ and ‘Invaders from Mars’ at the Drumbrae Library Hub which will also be hosting a 1950s-themed fancy dress competition.
For younger movie fans, pay a visit to the Museum of Childhood, which will be hosting a drop-in craft event on Wednesday 15 October to tie in with Making Movies, the museum’s new exhibition all around movie making. Children can make their own spinning card animations (thaumatropes), and Scottish Screen Archive curator Emily Munro will be on hand to talk about the history of movie-making.
3) But what if the crisp Autumn weather makes you want to get outdoors? After winning a prestigious Entente Florale Gold Award for beautiful green spaces, where better to enjoy time off than by visiting one of Edinburgh’s 140 parks.
Children who aren’t afraid of creepy crawlies will love helping to build B&Bs for beasties at the Hermitage of Braid Local Nature Reserve as it prepares to home insects for the winter on Sunday 19 October. Or why not join in the Great Saughton Park Bear Hunt on Thursday 16 October in the Winter Gardens, where 30 bears will be hidden in the gardens.
4) Take a visit to East Princes Street Gardens and brave breathtaking views of Edinburgh from atop the tallest tribute to a writer in the world, the Scott Monument.
There’s no better time to conquer the 287 steps to the top than this October, which marks 100 years since Sir Walter’s publication of ‘Waverley’. Equally impressive is the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill.
5) The beautiful grounds of Lauriston Castle, laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s, are also well worth a wander – especially if the family wants to get in the mood for Halloween. The Castle will be offering spooky woodland trails, craft classes to create ghoulish globes and window decorations, which can be booked at the Museums and Galleries website.
If you are looking for something crafty to do in the centre of town, an alternative spot is the City Art Centre‘s new ‘ArtSpace’, which allows children to have fun experimenting with different art materials during normal gallery opening times.
There must be something in that little lot to keep the kids amused? Enjoy the holidays!