Edinburgh Castle from Princes St - Samuel Bough 1860Inside Out: Samuel Bough’s Edinburgh Castle in Context Walking Tour. Starting inside the Scottish National Gallery, historian Alastair Learmont will take a closer look at Sam Bough’s Edinburgh Castle (1860) before moving outside to look at the castle in the context of Princes Street Gardens and the Old Town. Please come dressed for the weather, and be ready and able to walk at a reasonable pace – tours walk at an easy pace, cover less than two miles of walking and are generally appropriate for all ages and fitness levels, but please use your best judgment. The tours will go on rain or shine, although in cases of severely inclement weather on the day, the tour will remain in the gallery. 12.45-1.45pm, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound . Free but advance booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment as tours are limited to 15 places: tickets may be obtained in person from the Information Desk in the Gardens Entrance of the Scottish National Gallery, or by calling 0131 624 6560 between 9.30am-4.30pm.

artists unlimited coffee morning

Artists Unlimited Coffee Morning: cake, coffee and chat in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. 10.30am-12.30pm, WHALE Arts, 30 Westburn Grove.  All welcome!macmillan coffee morning poster

World’s Biggest Coffee Morning – with tombola! 11am-12.30pm, Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North.  All welcome. In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. 

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Make a Dragonhead Mask: for ages 7-10. 2.30-3.30pm, Charles Smith Room (upstairs), Morningside Library, 184 Morningside Road. Please contact a member of staff to book your free place or call the library on 0131 529 5654 – and please be on time as a full hour will be needed to complete the masks.

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Gallery Social: Bailey’s Stardust. A relaxed and informal guided tour with refreshments, for anyone affected by dementia and their relatives, friends and supporters. 10.30am-12 noon, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound (meet at Information Desk, gardens entrance). Free but please book by contacting the Information Desk on 0131 624 6560.

The Macular Society: a speaker from the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 10.30am, Church Hall, London Road Church, corner of London Road and Easter Road. All very welcome; feel free to bring a friend  The Macular Society was formed to help those with macular degeneration to understand their situation and find resources of help and support; through the society, people can receive information about research, discover their capabilities and discuss problems and solutions with others who have macular problems. The main Edinburgh branch meets on the last Friday of every month except December, and there are also local support groups meeting regularly in Morningside, Stockbridge and Portobello. For more information contact the group leader on 0131 449 7716 or deputy leader on 0131 667 3598. Further information may also be found on the Macular Society’s website here.

st john's refugee day

A Day of Prayer and Action for Refugees. St John’s Church has for many years fought hard to raise awareness of the refugee crisis and the need for action. Many people feel confused, fearful, upset and uncertain as to how they should act in the face of the many refugee crises the world is now facing. The church will be open for communal and individual prayer and for community organising to respond to the urgent needs of refugees and migrants. 8am-10pm, St John’s Church, Princes Street. All welcome.

Harperrig reservoirThe Wild Wild West: a walk along the shore of Harperrig, the largest reservoir in the Pentlands Regional Park, then up the second highest point in West Lothian, West Cairn Hill. A strenuous 6 mile walk, suitable for ages 16+; sturdy footwear and waterproofs will be required. 10am-2pm, Harperrig Car Park, Pentland Hills Regional Park. Booking is essential and may be made by contacting Pentland Hills Regional Park HQ, Hermitage of Braid, 69a Braid Road (0131 529 2401/pentlandhills@edinburgh.gov.uk). Free but donations appreciated.

Take One Action! Film Festival: ‘connecting people, world-class cinema and creative action for a better world’. Twelve days of screenings and discussions, in Edinburgh and Glasgow, on issues as diverse as environmental activism, LGBT rights in African countries, cycling, the value (or not) of university degrees, the Arab Spring, literacy, the global financial system, food chains and much more. Today’s film is Democrats (15) (in English and Shona with English subtitles), a gripping political thriller offering an incisive warts-and-all snapshot of a nascent democracy. Shot over three years, with remarkable access to the corridors of power in Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe, Democrats focuses on two political opponents tasked with drafting a new constitution. Mangwana, a blustery cynic unashamedly buoyed by the might of ruling party ZANU-PF, stands in stark contrast to the cautious Mwonzora, from the barely tolerated Movement for Democratic Change. Director Camilla Nielsson charts the two men’s complex relationship as they travel throughout the country during a nationwide consultation process marred from the outset by corruption and intimidation. Yet as meetings descend into violent clashes and Mwonzora faces imprisonment, Democrats captures unmistakable progress towards more democratic rule – and serves as a vivid illustration of our common struggle for dignity. Presented in association with NIDOS. 8.30pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased from the Filmhouse box office in person, by calling 0131 228 2688 or online; prices vary. Director Camilla Nielsson and community outreach worker Twimukye Macline Mushaka will join this screening.

Bit-Phalanx Music (in association with The Fruitmarket Gallery) presents: Coppe + Barbara Morgenstern + Special Guest Christ. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of her own label, Mango + Sweetrice Records, Japanese electronic singer-songwriter and music producer Coppe returns to Edinburgh to mark the occasion and showcase her new album ‘20rpm‘. Acclaimed Berlin-based pianst, singer, producer and composer Barbara Morgenstern, will be visiting Edinburgh for the first time in her 18 year career for a full set highlighting her brand new collaborations album ‘Doppelstern‘, whilst returning to Edinburgh once again with Coppe is producer Chris Horne, aka Christ.  6.30pm pre-gig reception (with access to current exhibition), Fruitmarket Gallery, 45 Market Street, followed by performance at Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 63 Jeffrey Street (opposite the gallery). Tickets cost £8 + transaction fee (£10 on door, sta) and may be purchased via eventbrite here.

scottish border folk

Scottish Borders Folk Tales: James Spence launches his collection of folk tales from the Scottish Borders, rich in stories tall and true, ancient and recent, dark and funny, powerful and fantastical. Richly illustrated and enlivened by the rhythmic Scots language of the region, these well-loved and magical stories are retold in a lively and engaging style by James, who will also perform at the launch. 6pm, Storytelling Court,  Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street. Free and unticketed.

serenity club night sept 2015

Serenity Cafe Club Night: Pass the Mic. Hosted by Fran Cawkwell and Stevie Paget. 7pm-late, Serenity Cafe, 8 Jackson’s Entry, The Tun, Holyrood Road. Admission £5/£4. Serenity Cafe is Scotland’s first recovery cafe, run by people in recovery for people in recovery, and public customers who want good quality, good value food in a relaxed space. It also offers a wide range of activities for members. All events are drink and drugs free.

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Passion: a Postcard Exhibition.  All works are for sale at £15 each. Open preview tonight 6-8pm, then 11am-5pm Tuesday to Saturday (closed Sundays and Mondays), The Gallery on the Corner, 34 Northumberland Street. Ends 30th October 2015. Part of Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival 2015.

tabla alba

Tabla Alba Presents An Evening of Dhrupad Music: a rare opportunity to hear the oldest existing form of Hindustani Classical music, performed here in Scotland by Pelva Naik (vocal), Baha’uddin Dagar (Rudra Veena) and Vijay Kanguktar (Pakhawaj). 7pm, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Tickets cost £10 and may be pre-booked by calling 0141 357 2175 or emailing deepchandi108@gmail.com. Tabla Alba has been promoting Indian Classical music in Scotland for over ten years.

Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus Open Day: an opportunity to meet some current students and staff and hear about the student experience at Heriot-Watt University. Lots of information about courses, accommodation, finance, student support, careers and more; some activities will be available on a drop-in basis but booking is essential for academic talks and tours, as places are limited. For full information and a link to the university’s eventbrite booking page, click here. 10am-4pm, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Campus, EH14 4AS. There will be a second open day on 31st October 2015.

chick lyall quartet

Chick Lyall Quartet: the pianist/composer brings in his great 4-piece, playing some of Chick’s originals mixed with some jazz standards, and featuring established jazz names Colin Steele (trumpet), Tom Lyne (bass) and, just back from touring in New Zealand, Glasgow drummer Stuart Brown. 9pm (entry from 8pm), The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is cash only.

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Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group Presents Ayotzinapa: Chronicle of a State Crime/cronica de un crimen de Estado (in Spanish with English subtitles). On the night of September 26, 2014, in the city of Iguala, in Guerrero, Mexico, more than a 100 young students of the Escuela Normal Rural of Ayotzinapa, were attacked by police forces, resulting in 3 students dying, more than 20 injured, and 43 kidnapped by the police. The Mexican military is also implicated in this crime. Within a few days tens of thousands of voices, especially young voices, echoed through streets and avenues across Mexico and the world, demanding the safe return of the ‘disappeared’ students, and denouncing this act as a Crime of State – although it remains unpunished to this day. In their testimony and the commentary of other witnesses and experts, two student survivors of the Iguala massacre reconstruct the climate of impunity, corruption, and criminality that exists, not only in the state of Guerrero but in the entire country. This is one of a programme of events organized for the first anniversary of the disappearance of Ayotzinapa’s students. 7pm, The Autonomous Centre of Edinburgh, 17 West Montgomery Place. Edinburgh Chiapas Solidarity Group will hold a demonstration on The Mound to raise awareness about this issue and the wider problem of corruption, violence and state impunity in Mexico 11am-12.30pm, tomorrow – Saturday 26th September.

Balerno Music Festival: the eighth Balerno Music Festival has a packed programme of concerts, films, cabaret, workshops, children’s events, folk music sessions, the Festival Busk and a jazz party. Tonight’s event is A Night At The Shows with Balerno Theatre Company: a celebration of wonderful songs from the company’s upcoming pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk plus well known favourites. 7.30pm, Balerno Parish Church, 2 Main Street, Balerno. Tickets cost £5/£3 and may be purchased from Balerno Parish Church Office (9am-12 noon, Monday to Friday), Balerno Farmers’ Market, by post or online; for full booking information click here. The festival ends on 11th October 2015.

guid crack whisky

Guid Crack: Tales of Whisky – Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling night. Through decades of storytelling Stuart McHardy has developed an affy drouth (great thirst) that can only be properly slaked with whisky; a night celebrating Scotland’s long love affair with the ‘cratur’ – as Burns wrote, ‘Freedom and whisky gang the gither’. Accompanied young adults welcome. 7.30pm, The Waverley Bar (upstairs), 3-5 St Mary’s Street. Entry by suggested donation of £3.

appropriate behaviourLGBT Film Nights: Bi Visibility Day Special. After a community consultation last quarter, the monthly film nights are being replaced with a series of quarterly events that will include a film screening, guest speaker and time for discussion afterwards. This quarter, to celebrate Bi Visibility Day (23rd Sept), LGBT Health and Bi and Beyond Edinburgh present Appropriate Behaviour (15) and a speaker from SQIFF (Scottish Queer International Film Festival). Refreshments will be available. LGBT_film_icon.svgHowever you identify, come along and be proudly bi, or show support and solidarity for your bisexual friends. 6.30-9.30pm, LGBT Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Please book online here or by contacting Jules on 0131 523 1104/jules@lgbthealth.org.uk. SQIFF 2015 will take place in Glasgow 24th-27th September 2015.

Das Contras: tightly arranged original funk/soul/reggae stylings from this 7-piece fronted by singer/guitarist and song-writer Sher Watson, with 3-horn trumpet, sax, trombone brass section. Plus Funk DJ. 12 midnight (entry from 11.30pm)-3am, The Jazz Bar, Chambers Street. £5/£4 on the door: please note this venue is cash only.

soulacoaster at voodoo roomsSoulacoaster: a night of live music with Edinburgh’s 12 piece soul band; classic hits made famous by legends such as the Blues Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and The Commitments. Over 18s only. 7.30pm, Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street. Admission £7.

city link festival 2015 poster

City Link 2015: the City Link Festival is an international event celebrating culture and urban life between cities through symposiums, artist exchange, workshops, study trips, city walks, performances and social bonding, inspiration and co-creation, City Link started in 2012 as a co-creation project between cultural communities in Copenhagen and Hamburg. Until 2014, the network primarily consisted of people from these two cities, but the City Link Festival in Hamburg in September 2014 kick-started City Link as a global network connecting people, projects and communities throughout the world. This year the festival’s theme is democratic renewal; it will bring together people from Edinburgh and Copenhagen with ideas that could link cities, discuss local initiatives, inspire each other and investigate possibilities of co-creating cities across Europe. Today’s events – more follow on 26th and 27th September – are:

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democratic renewal: City Link symposium. A day-long symposium comprising a morning of talks at Summerhall + one activity of your choice (in various city locations) in the afternoon. For full details please click here. Talks: 9am (registration from 8.30am)-12 noon, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, afternoon activities 2-4pm, locations vary. Tickets cost £10/£5 and may be booked via the Summerhall website;

this space could be at city links festival

This Space Could Be…. an interactive public engagement project that invited users of the Foot of Leith Walk to share their thoughts, desires and ideas for the local public space. TSCB arranged a number of small interventions and consultation events in the space of New Kirkgate; in playful and democratic ways, people of Leith were asked to say what they think the space could be… The findings of the research have been gathered in ‘The report on conditions and potential of space at the Foot of the Leith Walk and New Kirkgate and design recommendations based on innovative ‘on the spot’ public consultations’. Now some of the thoughts gathered in the report will be temporarily turned into something tangible; for the few days of the festival an installation will appear in the Foot of the Walk area. Pop in to the Foot of Leith Walk, look around, ask questions, share stories and comment on the This Space Could Be Facebook page here. From 1pm, New Kirkgate, Leith. Ends 4pm Sunday 27th September.

Jura Music Festival: your first opportunity to get out of Edinburgh this weekend is a well-established favourite for lovers of traditional music. The 22nd Isle of Jura Music Festival (‘6000 deer, 200 people, one festival’) offers ceilidhs and concerts, featuring Finlay MacDonald, Chris Stout, Jenn Butterworth, Manran, Kathleen MacInnes & The Urban Teuchters, Pete Smoke & The Roaches, Skipinnish and the Norrie MacIver Trio. Jura can be reached by ferry or plane; for full information, tickets and accommodation options (including camping), see the festival website here. Isle of Jura, Argyll & Bute, PA60 7XU. Ends 28th September 2015

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