The Edinburgh International Book Festival

Returning to Edinburgh for another guaranteed great wordy line-up is the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Even though it doesn’t kick off until the 14th August (and wraps up on the 30th August), the programme already suggests that this year’s festival will continue to push the boat out in terms of innovation and a refreshing and modern approach to out-of-the-box thinking.

With every day of the festival, which takes over Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square for a fortnight, packed full of readings from international and up-and-coming authors, meet and greets with some of literature’s biggest names, poetry sit-downs and creative workshops, it’s one certainly not to be missed by enthusiasts of all ages.

As a major draw for a the city and a key player in Edinburgh’s selection of festivals every August, the EIBF has already seen many of it’s main events sold out and has announced a programme of free evening events which welcomes poets, musicians and authors from all over the world.

Tickets are now on sale though and this year sees some of the finest names in books come to Edinburgh for another year of literary celebration. Popular fantasy writer Philip Pullman returns to discuss his His Dark Material trilogy, and Scotland’s finest Ian Rankin, Louise Welsh and Alan Bissett are all on the itinerary over the two weeks too.

Just up Lothian Road from Charlotte Square is The Meadows, overlooked by Edinburgh’s prestigious Quarter Mile development, which is where some of the most exclusive Edinburgh accommodation can be found.

Sun bears arrive at Edinburgh Zoo

It’s not often that exotic animals come to Edinburgh but, this week, Edinburgh Zoo welcomed Rotana and Somnang to it’s pack, a couple of Malaysian Sun Bears. The two brothers’ new home is a newly refurbished enclosure which is a long distance from their native Cambodia, almost 6,000 miles away.

After a recent £150,000 refurbishment project to make sure the native South-East Asian bears felt right at home in Scotland, the new visitors are the only pair of their kind in Scotland and are, unfortunately, now a struggling species.

However, Edinburgh Zoo has gone from from strength to strength in recent years thanks to increased donations and a refreshingly forward-thinking approach to conservation, and Rotana and Somnang couldn’t hope for a better home. The pair were rescued in 2004 from a private owner who had cruelly been keeping them both in a tiny cage, but now the bears will thrive as part of a long term breeding loan.

Said to be named after the golden crescent on their chest, it’s not often that a little bit of South-East Asia comes to Edinburgh and, with a lot of activities and initiatives running all summer, Edinburgh Zoo is sticking to it’s goal of safe guarding the world’s rarest species.

The Top 10 Edinburgh Day Trips

Before festival season really kicks off though, it’s important to remember that Edinburgh’s unique in a number of ways, not just the cultural ones. We’ve knocked our heads together and come up with this list of the ten best day trips you can go on if you’re in Edinburgh. Some are local, some a little out of town, but all of them get our mark of approval. Enjoy!

1. Island-hopping from South Queensferry

From all over Edinburgh you can get superb views of the Firth of Forth, but nothing can beat actually get out onto it from onboard a boat. Head north out of the city along Queensferry Road and you will soon see signs for this picturesque ‘coastal’ village. Sandwiched right between the two looming Forth bridges, South Queensferry is just the place for a good pub lunch with a view, before jumping on the Maid of the Forth, which will ferry you to Inchcolm Island. Visited by St Columba in the 6th century, the tiny island has played an important defensive role in Edinburgh’s history, right back to Roman times.

2. North Berwick & The Scottish Sea Bird Centre

This time take the train. At only half an hour from Waverley Station, North Berwick is undoubtedly one of the most popular day trips for Edinburgers. Relaxed, compact and with its own good quality beach (and great quality walking inland if that’s your thing), North Berwick feels like a million miles away. Not far out to sea you’ll spot the massive Bass Rock, which David Attenborough described as “one of the wildlife wonders of the world” thanks to its famous gannet population. You can actually take a boat trip out to the rock or, for an easier adventure, head to The Scottish Sea Bird Centre, where telescopes, exhibitions and hands-on experiences await.

3. Linlithgow Palace

Most famous as the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots of course, Linlithgow Palace sits overlooking a quaint loch and has the 15th century St Michael’s Church as it’s neighbour. Ravaged and rebuilt throughout history, Bonnie Price Charlie visited the palace some 200 years later, before the Duke of Cumberland largely destroyed it in 1746. A memorable setting for such a piece of Scotland’s history.

4. Gullane

Beaches aren’t really what Scotland’s best known for, but perhaps they should be. Any Scottish outdoors lover would be able to reel off many picture perfect beaches around the country, from the Outer Hebrides golden sands, to surfing up in Truro. But closer to home, our favourite is Gullane beach. The ultimate picnic spot, this large, dune-backed beach is perfect for families thanks to its calm waters, and is right next to an award-winning golf course too.

5. Hopetoun House

Not many houses have their own deer parks, or 150 acres of well-kept parkland and woodland either; but Hopetoun House has all of this and more. With unbeaten views right across the Forth, this is one of Scotland’s very finest estate houses and it’s Georgian architecture is amongst the most impressive of its kind in the UK. Visit the tearoom for a scone, and then spend the day enjoying the vast and varied grounds. An ideal city escape.

6. Traquair Castle, Innerleithen

Not quite as grand and also a little further out of town, Innerleithen’s Traquair Castle is another Mary Queen of Scots haunt, and the oldest castle home in Scotland. This castle is made for visitors though and even hosts it’s own fare every summer, but in-between you cab sample the ale made onsite in the brewery, get lost in the mature maze (which is an acre and a half!) or just enjoy the fresh country air.

7. Musselburgh

Just on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Musselburgh is another beautiful Lothians coastal town, which has earned it’s nickname “the honest toun”. Though it’s probably most famous for its ancient racecourse, visitors today will undoubtedly find their way to Scotland’s most famous ice cream parlour, St Luca, which was founded in 1908.

8. Dive with sharks in Fife

Hopefully not as hair-raising as it sounds, swimming with sharks is something you can actually enjoy and only 15 minutes by train from Edinburgh! Just across the Forth Road Bridge is North Queensferry where, at Deep Sea World, you can come face to face with sharks in the vast aquarium. Without the use of protective cages, you can swim with the apparently harmless Sand Tiger sharks that live there, and without having to brave the cold Fife waters either.

9. Beecraigs Country Park

Sitting in the Bathgate Hills, near Linlithgow, is Beecraigs Park. Another sprawling estate park which has more than first meets the eye for visitors of all ages. Covering over 900 acres, the park is best explored on foot, whereby you can visit the sawmill and deer park, or go fishing in the fishery, climbing, canoeing, try your hand at archery or just take a wonderful walk and picnic in the woods.

10. Glasgow

Edinburgh’s edgier sister, Glasgow is a must if you have the time to see any other cities in Scotland. The opposite to Edinburgh in many ways, Glasgow combines cutting-edge culture with a strong industrial heritage and cool city life vistas. Sitting outdoors drinking an espresso in Merchant City is as cosmopolitan as it gets, and as for shopping, Glasgow deservedly gets Scotland’s crown. But just don’t stay too long…

Stars flock to the Edinburgh International Film Festival

We’ve mentioned the Edinburgh International Film Festival before, but that was in the run up to the event; now it’s in full swing. A quick jaunt from The Cameo at Tollcross down Lothian Road to The Filmhouse will undoubtedly come with its share of red carpets, photoflashes, film industry buffs with delegate passes and perhaps even the odd recognisable face.

Regarded as one of the world’s finest ‘boutique’ film festivals (boutique as in compact yet glitzy) the EIFF started on the 16th June and has another week to go. With this year’s line-up perhaps the best yet, it’s no wonder that a few famous types have been spotted around Edinburgh.

Ugly Betty start America Ferrera, who knows a thing or two about fashion, was spotted shopping in amongst the Old Town’s many cool and hip boutiques, before actually wearing one of the handmade purchases to her movie premier. The 26 year-old star, who is used to being photographed on red carpets on the other side of the world, spoke very highly of the independent boutique which is typical of Edinburgh’s cool Victoria Street.

Also making an appearance at a number of films so far is Scotland’s own Sir Sean Connery. A long term ambassador of the arts, Sir Sean declared last year’s hit screening ‘Man On Wire’ to be amongst his top five all-time favourite movies and has fully supported this year’s festival too. And, recovering from his bout with James Corden, Jean-Luc Picard has also been in town on official business too. The Star Trek actor was selected as a judge at the 64th EIFF and commented that it has been a career highlight to date.

So, even if you can’t make it to Edinburgh in time to catch the end of this year’s film festival, consider it a taste of the vast, glamorous transition the whole of Edinburgh will go through come Augusts’ impressive programme of festivals. See you there!

How to make the most of The Edinburgh Festival

So we're well into summer now in Edinburgh and even the weather's starting to get hot again (after last month's mini-heatwave). As we said in the previous post, The Edinburgh Festival is getting closer now and there's no better time to start planning for it than now. First and foremost, you will need accommodation. Edinburgh accommodation gets booked up thick and fast in the run up to August, so make finding the right place a priority before you do anything else. Once that's sorted though, then it's all about just getting stuck in and enjoying the totally unique atmosphere that takes over Scotland's capital. To help you on your way though, here are our top tips.

Keep an open mind at all times

It's a cultural festival (the biggest and largest in the world in fact) so expect the unexpected. Edinburgh's population pretty much triples when August starts, so there will invariably be queues to join, crowds to navigate and planning to plan. Don't let this put you off though, as every queue we've ever joined has brought with it a new opportunity to discover some secret hidden-away show or act, so use your initiative and have fun.

Dress for the weather

Hopefully this will mean shorts, t-shirt and flip flops but, unfortunately, this is Scotland, so make sure your suitcase has at least one wee jumper in it for the late night beer gardens. And sensible shoes are a must. Getting taxis in August isn't anywhere near as fun as walking through the thick of it, so throw fashion out the window and just concentrate on having a good time.

Even the best shows can be FREE

That's right. In the context of The Edinburgh Festival, 'free' doesn't mean cheap or rubbish, it means a great time for no money. Whatever your budget, Edinburgh in August is an ideal destination as there are literally hundreds of free shows, discounted tickets and 2for1 promotions to be sought. In fact, we shouldn't say this but most people handing out flyers can be talked into giving you a discount if you just ask, as the competition's is fierce.

Don't burn out too fast

There's a whole month to enjoy, so make sure you pace yourself. Having good quality, central accommodation in Edinburgh is the easiest (and most comfortable) way to make sure your festival is as relaxing as it can be, but there are nearly 2500 shows taking place, so find a good balance. Don't spoil your holiday by rushing madly from show to show, terrified of missing anything, as you WILL miss a lot, but it's what you go and see that matters. A good way to approach booking shows is to start as early as you can. By heading out in the morning and hitting the ticket office, you are more likely to get tickets and maybe even an earlier show, leaving your nights free to stay out until 5 am.

Expect the unexpected

We've said it already but it's well worth reiterating. There is so much going on in Edinburgh this August that we highly recommend you just book the shows you want to see and then spend the rest of the time nosing out the random, impromptu shows and acts that otherwise would've been off the radar. The bars are open super-late too, so every night comes with it's own unique adventures.

Most of all, just enjoy it, as there's nowhere on earth quite like Edinburgh in August.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Programme is out now

It’s a big day in most Edinburgers’ year when the programme for The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is launched each June. Just out a couple of days ago, this year’s looks bigger than usual and covers hundreds of pages of the world’s finest theatre, music and comedy, all for the taking come August.

For those not in the know, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is pretty much the main event in amongst August’s plethora of cultural festivals that take over the city. Starting with the Edinburgh International Festival, the ‘Fringe’, as it’s called locally, took off as a comedic reaction to the EIF and has grown steadily year upon year ever since. Now the Fringe is considered by many to be the single greatest festival of theatre, music and comedy on earth and has made Edinburgh the launch pad for many a comedian’s career, most recently Glasgow’s Kevin Shields.

If you’re in Edinburgh and keen to make the most of the Fringe, grab a free guide from the official Fringe Office or one of the many venues or ticket retailers, or go on to their website (www.edfringe.com) for an online version.

Be warned though, choosing what to see at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival can be daunting to the uninitiated, as the line-up truly is colossal, but don’t worry, we can help. Over the next couple of days we’ll post up an insider’s guide on how to make the most of your Edinburgh Festival - even if time and money are of a premium! However, before we do that, you should know that now is a definitely a good time to book Edinburgh accommodation, before the hoards of artists, performers, musicians and visitors snap it all up.

The Top 5 Restaurants in Edinburgh’s Old Town

From historic landmarks (above and below the ground) and whisky shops to quirky boutiques, locally celebrated pubs and, of course, the Castle, Edinburgh’s Old Town is like an ancient city within itself. However, for foodies and visitors alike, the Old Town holds perhaps the most concentrated quarter of Edinburgh’s best restaurants too, each benefiting from atmospheric settings that can only be found in the very oldest part of the city.

Thanks to the undulating landscape of the Old Town (it’s built on the ‘tail’ of the Castle’s volcanic rock, so the whole area is largely sloping wynds, closes and cobbled streets) there are many unexpected street levels and bridges to explore in order to find the tastiest eateries. To make your search a little easier though, we’ve complied our top five restaurants in Edinburgh’s Old Town. But, of course, this is just a guide to some of the favourites; don’t be afraid to follow your nose off the beaten path!

The Witchery

The very last building before you reach the Castle at the top of the Royal Mile, The Witchery has been an Edinburgh institution since it opened over 30 years ago. Top restaurateur James Thomson has earned much praise and even more awards for his atmospheric approach to luxury dining. With a sense of mystery and opulence, this 16th century cellar dining room (and ‘Secret Garden’ outdoor dining area for the summer months) has attracted stars from around the world and hosts a locally unparalleled wine cellar of over 1,000 bottles. The food is divine, and Scottish too, from Angus beef to lobster and rock oysters, all prepared and presented immaculately. This is fine dining at its most magical, and fear not, The Witchery does a superb a la carte and pre-theatre menu too.

Merchants

Hidden beneath George IV Bridge, you would perhaps never find Merchants unless you knew it was there. To access it, head to the statue of Grey Friar’s Bobby, and then turn the corner and down Candle Maker Row. Halfway down you’ll come to a little lane on the right-hand side with a red door announcing its presence.

Its very location sums up one of the finest points of Edinburgh’s Old Town; that is how enjoyable it is to explore and discover new treats. Despite it being hard to find though, Merchants has carved out a niche of its own amongst Edinburgers and visitors alike, thanks its no-nonsense approach to Scottish cuisine, with an international twist. The menu is changed regularly, the atmosphere is relaxed and the food and wine are both well chosen and complimentary.

After a meal here, you can easily just stroll down The Grassmarket area of town too, full of bars to see the night away in.

Creelers

Scottish produce has always been amongst the finest in the world. Any food aficionado could tell you that the quality found in Scotland’s natural ingredients, from beef, lamb and salmon, to lobster, oysters, cheese, cream, strawberries and much more, is second-to-none. One Old Town restaurant that has taken this unique quality and ran with it is Creelers. Originally from the Isle of Arran (and still with a restaurant there too), Creelers can be found in Hunter Square next to the Tron Kirk.

Very much a seafood restaurant, where else can you order a dish that has been caught by the restaurateurs very own fishing boat, smoked in their own smokehouse and then delivered straight to chef?

For possibly the best selection of seafood available in Scotland, you can’t beat Creelers. From Loch Duart to the Kintyre Penninsula, the best seafood and fish has been sourced from all around Scotland, and is cooked to a level that does the raw ingredients a glorious justice.

Dubh Prais

Another tricky restaurant to find (after Merchants that is), Dubh Prais has been subtly winning around fans since it opened in 1988. Found right in the centre of the Royal Mile, and pronounced “Doo Prash”, the intimate cellar restaurant is perhaps as Scottish as dining gets. Friendly, romantic and packed full of the greatest hits of Scotland’s natural larder, Dubh Prais hits the mark on all counts and delivers an unpretentious insight into how wonderful simple Scottish fare can actually be.

Though changing regularly, expected the menu to have its share of meaty game dishes, with sides of haggis and seasonal vegetables a staple. Add to this herbs grown in the restaurateurs very own herb garden and you start to get a picture of how welcoming this restaurants gets. Of course, having the owner always on hand to recommend the perfect accompanying wine (or whisky) is handy too.

A full a la carte menu is available and Dubh Prais is a great place to stop for a memorable lunch too, just up the Mile from the John Know House, look out for the black cooking pot above the door.

La Garrigue

Not quite as established as its peers on this list, La Garrigue stands apart for another reason though. Where much of Edinburgh’s best cooking focuses on wholesome and hearty Scottish fare, this bright and airy restaurant delivers a little bit of France to Edinburgh’s Old Town. More than that, the restaurant specialises in cuisine from the Languedoc region France and is a refreshingly modern bistro which should be experienced for the views alone if nothing else. Found on Jeffrey Street (just off the Mile opposite the World’s End pub) La Garrigue really is on the very edge of the Old Town, with splendid views across Waverley Station to the New Town and Calton Hill.

Considered to be the most authentic French restaurant in town, and with a level of service which is almost unparalleled in town (yet never too stuffy), La Garrigue is just the place to tuck into favourites like cassoulets, lemon tarts, sumptuous onion soups and many other delights.