An Edinburgh festival that is vibrant, diverse and brings the world around us to life.

This festival makes science engaging, tangible and exciting, whether you are an adult or a child there is something for everyone. Having been a regular event since 1989 this festival is still one of Europe’s largest.

30th March to 15th April 2012

FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Events are held across the city in venues including the City Art Centre, The Film House and Edinburgh Zoo to mention a few.  Whether you go to A Question of Sci-fi, Aphrodisiac cocktails and canapes, or CSI at the Museum go to something and be entertained and surprised.

An island bar carved in Mahogany and an ornate Jacobean ceiling, serving real ale, this place is special.

Located on Rose Street this is one of the best real ale pubs in Edinburgh, both for the variety of ale, whisky, food and for its unchanged interior. From the outside there isn’t much to see, you could be forgiven for passing; open the door all is revealed.

An island bar carved in Spanish mahogany, a Jacobean ceiling that is one of the finest examples of decorative ceiling and cornice work you will see in Edinburgh. Walls that are half clad in wood panelling with plentiful bench seating, chairs and stools at the bar.

The range of real ale on tap changes regularly with a few local staples, there is a good whisky selection and food on offer both in the bar and upstairs in the restaurant. If you are looking for a traditional bar to drink some local real ale look no further.

Tom Kitchin, Michelin Star, an exquisite experience with food genius and local produce at it’s heart.

Tom Kitchin’s Michelin Star Restaurant in Leith is a must go if you are a foodie in Edinburgh, the restaurant has an air of unforced quality from the moment you open the door.  The main dining room is open, tastefully decorated and has a window through to the kitchen, there is a comfy seated area which is nice to retire to for after diner coffee.

The staff are attentive, the service is knowledgeable, efficient and relaxed, the menu is a list of good quality local produce with cuts and combinations that are local and surprising. The sommelier offers intriguing recommendations on which wines will best accompany your food. The menu offers many different ways to dine with a set lunch, a tasting menu and a la cart as well as a few specials for the day. The food complemented by the wine recommendations and service was excellent, a unique experience.

Tom Kitchin came through and explained the thoughts behind our lamb roasted in hay and cut it and plated it for us (he had no idea we would write a review). It’s no wonder they have a Michelin Star and are still working hard to push the boundaries of fine dining. We have to go back!

If you want to eat Thai food in Edinburgh and fancy cooking your own then this place is a must.

The Thai at Haymarket supermarket is located in the West End of Edinburgh and has been here for around 5 years; its got the best range of Thai produce for sale in town. They sell a varied range in what is really a mini market from fresh good, spices, noodles, rices, pastes, snack, drinks and sweets.

The really nice thing about this shop is the people that work there, they are happy to give information on what produce would best suit a meal, they will offer authentic recipes and give advice on flavours and cooking.

The Dogs do good honest food in a quirky setting, woof woof!

The menu is good British food, mains from £8-12, and options such as Cumberland sausage, home made baked beans and chips £17 for two people. A star gazey pie with a sardines head poking out of the pastry, visually appealing, homely and tasty.

The main restaurant room is light and themed with dog pictures and the odd ornament, the tables and chairs are mix and match. Don’t be turned off by this doggy stuff its contemporary kitch, it works.

It serves good honest food that has been well cooked. The service was well tuned in to our slow approach. The deserts were huge especially the chocolate cake and ice cream for two, the waitress was more than happy to get more plates and spoons at our request so we could all taste. Worked out at £20 per head including wine. Water put on the table in a jug at no cost, always a nice touch. Will be going back.

Self catering appartments with great city locations in Edinburgh.

With around 25 self catering apartments Greatbase offers excellent service and superb city centre locations. All of their properties are comfortable, well maintained and come with extra touches to help make your stay complete – plus Katie and her team are on hand to welcome you and help through your stay should you have any problems.  

If you are staying in Edinburgh for a weekend or a week it’s Greatbase have a wide range to offer, with properties in the New Town, the city Old Town and the West End you will be staying somewhere central.

Visit the Greatbase website to check availability and prices. 

The Fruit Market Gallery has a reputation for exhibiting lively and divisive art.

This gallery tends not to sit in safe middle ground which is refreshing and surprising in this historic area of Edinburgh. The Gallery is located behind Waverly Train Station in Central Edinburgh. The entrance leads into the book shop area and the cafe. The cafe has huge floor to ceiling windows allowing light and views of people passing by.

The main exhibition space starts on the ground floor to the rear of the building with no windows it’s like being inside a white cube. Upstairs is the main exhibition space which is one large light space with an additional smaller area for multimedia digital exhibitions. Overall a lively and well thought out design that shows art at its best.

Calton Hill offers some of the best views of Edinburgh and across to Fife, it’s a gentle walk and costs nothing.

Located on Waterloo Place at the East End of Princes Street (opposite end to the Castle) Calton Hill is easy to get to from anywhere in the city centre. Once up the hill there are views directly down Princess Street where it feels like you could reach out and touch the Balmoral Hotel. Towards the North West on a clear day there will be glimpses of the Iconic Forth Rail Bridge and across the Firth of Forth to Fife. Towards the North East you may be able to see Bass Rock that is close to North Berwick and will have great views over the New Town and Leith.

This isn’t just a hill, it is home to Nelson’s Column, for those who don’t feel high enough during the summer months for a small fee £3 you can go up the tight winding stair way and get the view from the top, its significantly higher to be well worth the effort. There is also the National Monument that looks like it has been dropped out of the sky from Rome. The well photographed Dougald Stewart Monument and the Observatory House are a pieces of Calton Hill’s unmistakable character. There are also good views of the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, Aurthur’s Seat and Dynamic Earth.

Proper pub with good beer, great for watching sport, a corner stone in the Edinburgh beer establishment.

This new town pub is great for meeting and drinking at the bottom of Broughton Street. A large pub that servers a good range of real beers and lagers at good prices. The charm of this place can be summed up in the characters behind and at the bar, a real mix of locals, suits, trades, and any one who likes drinking in a proper pub.

Its got a large horse shoe bar simple pub furnishings, wooden floors, old fashioned radiators, dark wood, lots of windows, a large barrel stand table, lots of old advertising mirrors and TV’s that are reserved for big sports events only, there is a fruit machine that in our mind is surplus to requirement.

A favourite for many Edinburgh people in the new town who like somewhere none fussy to meet for a drink. On a sunny day mid afternoon sit outside and watch the world go by with a pint. Ideal.

Fresh home made Mexican food with loads of flavour and authentic style.

Los Cardos on Leith Walk is authentic, clean, comfy, friendly and most importantly very tasty. The owner Neil (from the USA) explained his take on good Mexican food which sounded good.  The Mexican food served at Los Cardos its much lighter, fresher, and more vibrant than some of the fare that is served elsewhere, its original Mexican style.

With Burrito’s come choices, chicken, pulled pork, haggis, and then choices of additional fillings such as  black beans, rice, coriander, creme fresh,  fresh chili salsa style sauce with a range of heat. The food is great, they do eat in or take away and they will answer any questions about the menu and tastes. If eating in its a wee place that can sit about eight people, cafe style food service bar all adds to the authenticity.