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Inspiring Edinburgh Blog...blogging about the 'inspiring capital'...

• Elephants in St Andrew Square. Don't Forget To Say Hello, Friday March 12 2010

  Better be careful if you’re heading into Edinburgh city centre this weekend, or any time for the next couple of months for that matter, as St Andrew Square will be overrun by dozens of giant exotic animals from every corner of the globe.

  .

  But before you look out the tranquiliser darts, we should probably tell you that it’s actually part of a huge open-air art exhibition, featuring sixty 1.8m wide all-weather photographs from award-winning wildlife snapper Steve Bloom.

  It’s one of the highlights of this year’s Edinburgh Science Festival, coming to the city after being enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in Some of Europe’s other top cities, like Barcelona, Amsterdam and Moscow.

  Visitors to the exhibition, which started today and runs until the 16th of May 2010, will also be able to learn more about each of the animals thanks to a series of captions which explain more about the environmental issues which affect them. Think of it like a cross between going on a safari and watching a David Attenborough program.

  What’s that we hear you say? Wouldn’t it be brilliant if it was free? Well, you’re in luck, because it is. And it’s open to the public everyday. Which means it’s a great place to take the kids, a date, or even just to enjoy a stroll yourself. You could even have your sandwiches there at lunchtime. Just so long as you don’t feed the animals...

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• Edinburgh Science Triangle Entrepreneur Workshops, Wednesday March 10 2010

  They say two heads are better than one. But what about twelve, or twenty-three, or thirty-seven?

  Well thanks to the Edinburgh Science Triangle, scientists and entrepreneurs searching for the next big idea are set to get some help realising their ambitions. They’ll be staging a series of workshops to explain how teaming up with others can have huge benefits when trying make the jump from the drawing board to the real world.

  One of the world’s top business speakers, Mike Southon, who co-wrote the book The Beermat Entreprenuer and writes a column for the Financial Times, will be on hand to explain to innovators how to surround themselves with the right team in order to reach their commercial potential. Free tickets for all events are available here.

  It’s not like Edinburgh’s been short of good ideas recently either. In the last few months alone, the calculation of the female ovarian cycle, the discovery of glowing bugs to find landmines and the detection of a gene that may help explain the cause of mental disorders have all taken place in the capital, which is also home to around a third of all Scottish places of work that are involved in the Science and Tech sectors.

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• Eygptian Treasure in the Firth of Forth? Spades to the ready!, Monday March 08 2010

  You may remember that last year, celebrity spoon-bender and self-proclaimed ‘mystifier’ (no, we’re not exactly sure what that is either - the opposite of a demystifier perhaps?) Uri Geller bought the Island of Lamb in the Firth of Forth. Well, this weekend past, complete with divining rod in hand, he spent the night there searching for buried Egyptian treasure.

  Legend has it that an exiled Egyptian princess called Scota came to Scotland and her descendants have included numerous British Kings and Queens. Geller believes she my have stopped off at the tiny volcanic outcrop en route and left some artefacts behind.

  It might sound a little far-fetched, but we can see where he’s coming from. Every time we go off on holiday for instance, we always seem leave something behind in the hotel room. Although what he’s going to do with a 3000 year-old flip-flop and a used toothbrush is anyone’s guess.

  Apparently he didn’t find anything on his visit, but he’s going to apply to do some excavating to explore further just in case. He better be careful he doesn’t bend his spade.

  Fear not though Uri, for we’ve got something else that might interest you. Have you heard of the fabled treasure of the Inca Kings? Legend has it that the final resting place is a small patch of grass in Edinburgh, which, coincidentally, is also our back garden. Want to make us an offer?

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• £1 Million Investment for Camera Obscura, Thursday March 04 2010

  If you’ve never been along to Camera Obscura before, or just haven’t been for a while, you’ll probably want to head along soon after the news that they are to spend over £1 million
  adding around thirty new optical treats.

  Just in case there’s any confusion, it’s this Camera Obscura we’re talking about, not this Camera Obscura. It’s also one of Edinburgh’s favourite attractions, with over 140,000 visitors last year alone. It’s also one of the oldest, having been entertaining folks for well over 150 years.

  But from June, it’ll be over expanding into a school next-door which has lain empty for over 100 years, which means there will be even more to keep the family occupied. But until you can get along, here are some little optical illusions to work your way through as a taster.

  It might not be the best place to go on a date mind you, just in case the new mirror maze features mirrors which are, how shall we say, are less that flattering to the figure. And it’s unlikely that any of the exhibits can make you any more attractive to the opposite sex. Unless they spend so long looking at the illusions that their eyes cross that is.

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• Sir Anthony Hopkins Exhibition Exclusive. Best Viewed With a Nice Chianti, Tuesday March 02 2010

  Edinburgh was home to an exclusive from one of the film industry’s most celebrated directors this weekend past, and now it’s playing host to another exclusive, this time from one of the industry’s most celebrated actors. Only this time, the celeb in question, Sir Anthony Hopkins, is displaying work of a different kind. 

  The Oscar-winning actor is probably best known for his role as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, but also for films such as Remains of the Day and Shadowlands. Ok, so he also did Alexander too, but surely we can forgive him that, especially given that he probably easily qualifies as a ‘national treasure’, along with the likes of Sir Terry Wogan and Stephen Fry.

  But what you might not know though is that he is also an artist, and a pretty good one by all accounts. And from today, Auld Reekie is the setting for the first ever UK exhibition of his paintings, taking place at The Dome until Saturday 6th March.

  You can get a sneak preview here, but we’d recommend that you pop along in person to take it in – art is always much more impressive when you can see it first-hand. Plus, with it being an art exhibition, there’s always a chance of free drinks and nibbles - you know what these gallery parties are like. Just be sure to avoid any canapes containing fava beans...

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• Spike Jonze Film Gets Exclusive Edinburgh Screening. Contains Robots., Saturday February 27 2010

  Ok, so the weather isn’t supposed to be that great this weekend. But that means its perfect conditions for being inside watching a film. Just as well then we’ve got wind of something a little bit different that might interest you.

  

  Celebrated film director/producer/actor/whatever Spike Jonze (you know, Adaptation, Where The Wild Things Are, the famous Fatboy Slim video and like, you know, just about every other cool music video and commercial, like ever) has directed a 30-minute short film called I’m Here. It’s a robot love story. About robots. In love. We imagine it’s a bit like Shakespeare in Love. But with robots. And without Gwyneth. And actually good. And why are we telling you this? Well, there are exclusive screenings in Edinburgh this weekend before it gets its public release.

  The film, which was shown at the prestigious Sundance and Berlinale film festivals over the last few weeks, will be shown tonight at Sovereign House on Young Street. There are two showings – one at 7pm, and one at 8.45pm.

  There are a handful of free tickets left – and you can sign up for a pair here(as long as you’re over 18), but be super-quick as it’s bound to be popular.

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• Mmm, Tasty! Edinburgh Restaurants Win Host of Awards, Tuesday February 23 2010

  We likes our grub here in the capital, so it’s little surprise that Edinburgh confirmed its place as Scotland’s top culinary destination as its eateries walked away with a host of top awards at last night's Scottish Restaurant Awards.

  Having been named Best Chef by the judges last year, the Michelin-starred Martin Wishart scooped the Best Fine Dining award for his restaurant at The Shore, while The King's Wark, just down the road, was judged to offer the Best Pub Grub.

  Californian restaurant Calistoga, on Rose Street, picked up the Best Speciality Restaurant gong and the swanky new Ondine, reeled in the Best Seafood award. And for those of you who like things spicy, the yummy Mother India’s Café on Infirmary Street was declared Best Indian.

  And while we’re getting all gastronomical on you (and making ourselves hungry into the bargain), we thought you’d like to know The Shore has also been nominated for Best Foodie Street at the Google Street View ‘Best Street Awards’, so do clickings here and vote for it. Hurry though, voting closes this Sunday!

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• Dying To Meet You! Edinburgh Welcomes Stars as Burke and Hare Filming Begins, Monday February 22 2010

  Lights. Camera. Action! John Landis’ latest movie, Burke and Hare, starts filming in Edinburgh today. As the name suggests, it’s based on the true story of William Burke and William Hare.

  For those unfamiliar with the tale, they were two grave robbers who were partial to a bit of murder, plying their victims with alcohol, and selling the cadavers to Robert Knox, who ran an anatomy college in Edinburgh's Surgeon's Square. Just the sort of chaps you’d like to pop out for a pint with.

  Landis is famous for Blues Brothers and Animal House, as well as Michael Jackson’s Thriller video, and has compiled an all-star cast for his new flick, including Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Tom Wilkinson and Isla Fisher, as well as Sir Christopher Lee, Reece Shearsmith, Jessica Hynes, Tim Curry, Bill Bailey and Ronnie Corbett.

  There’s been a whole host of films and TV shows shot in Edinburgh recently, which is not surprising really, given that the capital’s streets and buildings provide such a fabulous backdrop.

  Apparently, they’ll be filming on the Royal Mile tonight, so if you like that sort of thing, why not pop along. Who knows, they might even need extras. Just don’t agree to go for a drink with them…

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• Blood, Guts and Goo - It's Almost Science Festival Time!, Thursday February 18 2010

  The world’s oldest science festival, the Edinburgh Science Festival, announced its programme this week, and it’s stuffed full of intriguing prospects. From 3-17 April, there’ll be over 200 events at 35 different venues across the capital.

  

  Blood, guts and goo all play a major part in proceedings – experts from Edinburgh Zoo will be conducting a live autopsy on a cow, participants will be able to make their own scabs and blood milkshakes, and there will also be a lecture exploring and explaining attempts to create fake blood. Unfortunately though ladies, Robert Pattinson is unlikely to make an appearance. Richard Dawkins, however, is one of the star guests on show this year. And he’s a lot less likely to bite your neck too.

  From learning how to make computer games, trying your hand at being a CSI-style forensic detective, or making your very own monster, there are also plenty of hands-on activities for kids and adults alike.

  Amongst all the weird and wonderful happenings, this year’s festival will also a feature a game of football played entirely by robots. Apparently Craig Levein is already investigating the possibility that some of them might have Scottish grannies.

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• Eighth Year for Edinburgh’s Ceilidh Culture, Wednesday February 17 2010

  Edinburgh’s going to be getting in touch with its roots this spring time, but not in the way that Silvio B does.

  

  Now in its eighth year, Edinburgh’s Ceilidh Culture is an annual showcase of traditional arts – song, story, music and dance, and it returns from 26^th March to 18^th April. Acts from Edinburgh, Scotland and far-flung corners of the globe come together to perform over three weeks for your delectation, and the line-up includes include former Mercury Music Prize-nominee Kate Rusby, as well as local star Mairi Campbell , who’s version of Auld Lang Syne was used in the Sex and The City film.

  And for the first time, this year’s festival will also feature a four-day street fair, chock full of the best fashion, crafts, food and drink Scotland has to offer over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Just right for keeping the family happy.

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