What to do this weekend: 2-3 April

ALL WEEKEND

Source: Edinburgh International Science Festival

This weekend is all about food and architecture: Gastrofest at the Edinburgh International Science Festival and the Festival of Architecture at the Mound.

Tiny Homes Village

The Tiny Homes Village has now been set up at the Mound ranging from self-sustaining eco-pods to Mongolian yurts. It is hard to imagine today how urban future will look like in 2060, but innovative architecture and design can help you think small. (Good news: daydreaming about a three-bedroom colony cottage or a converted factory home is still allowed today.)

2ND APRIL, SATURDAY

Wild, Scottish and Free

Buck and Birch will be cooking at the Botanics this Saturday. More details here.

Missed out? Buck and Birch teamed up with Galloway Wild Foods for a foraging feast on 22nd April. The event includes 2.5 hours of guided foraging followed by candlelit dinner at the atmospheric Dalriada overlooking Portobello beach. If you would skip the walk and want to tuck into the food straight away, there are a few places available for dinner only.

Cheeseology

Source: Wallace and Gromit

Looking for something cheesy? Here is a tutored cheese tasting at Summerhall led by Paul Thomas dairy technologist. You can also learn about the development of flavour in difference cheese varieties and the influence of culture and production technology.

Missed out? Read further, there will be further cheesy options on Sunday.

3RD APRIL, SUNDAY

Scimart

The ever-popular Scimart returns to Summerhall. Stalls include Summerhall residents Barney's Beer and Pickerings Gin, Filament Coffee, Harajuku Kitchen and those with sweet tooth will be catered by Lovecrumbs and The Marshmallow Lady. If you missed Cheeseology on Saturday, there will be drop-in cheese-making workshops in the Old Lab.

Have a nice weekend!

What to do this weekend: 26-27 March

ALL WEEKEND

Easter Egg Hunt

Source: @georgianhousemouse on Instagram

Join the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts organised by the National Trust of Scotland and visit one of their beautiful historic properties. We really loved visiting the Newhailes Estate a couple of years ago. The Georgian House is still on our 'to-visit' list and they have recently introduced their Georgian House Mouse on Instagram (just look for @georgianhousemouse). If you fancy escaping the city, Falkland Palace, Culross and Kellie castle are also good daytrip destinations in Fife.

26TH MARCH, SATURDAY

Pitt March Session

Source: www.facebook.com/pittstmarket

Looks like this weekend is all about yummy streetfood - do not let the weather forecast deter you! The ever popular Pitt is back this Saturday between 12.00-22.00. Traders include Barnacles & Bones, Barney's Beer, Smith & Gertude, Bearded Barista. Sign up for the Facebook event here.

27TH MARCH, SUNDAY

Old Town Street Food Festival

Another foodie event for the Easter long weekend, hosted by Three Sisters in the heart of the Old Town. There will be live music, a wide range of food stalls including a vegan stall and 7 bars. Luckily we have Monday off!

Have a great weekend and happy Easter!

What to do this weekend: 19-20 March

ALL WEEKEND

Hinterland

Source: nva.org.uk

Hinterland is the official launch event of Scotland's Festival of Architecture 2016 set within the impressive modernist ruin of St Peter's Seminary near Helensburgh. Expect light installations, choral music and lots of concrete in the middle of the woodlands. We are very excited and lucky to be ticket-holders, sadly the event is now sold-out. But not all is lost as long term plans include partial restoration and putting the building back into productive use through art. To get a sense of the place, have a look at this video.

19TH MARCH, SATURDAY

Big Brunch

Celebrate Edinburgh's biggest brunch with This is Edinburgh, all scrumptious brunch offers priced at £5 or £10 per person. Locations include the Edinburgh Larder Cafe, Hula Juice Bar, The Pantry - check the full list. We are planning to start the day with bubble tea and flapjack at Tempo Tea Bar, a newcomer at the Waverley Arches.

Edinburgh Printmakers Clearance Sale

Edinburgh Printmakers are holding their annual clearance sale this Saturday between 11am-5pm with prices starting from as little as £10. It is a great event to meet fellow art lovers, fund unique pieces and help the Printmakers with fundraising. Find out more about the event here.

Earth Hour

The worldwide event is held between 8.30-9.30pm local time - join in and turn off your non-essential lights for an hour, it is time perhaps a candle-lit dinner or a relaxing hot bath. Edinburgh Castle and the Kelpies will also join in.

20TH MARCH, SUNDAY

Ludovico Einaudi

Mr Enthusiast is a keen Einaudi fan so we will be attending the concert at Usher Hall. Seems like I am mostly writing about sold-out events this weekend, but you might get lucky and someone cancels. Einaudi had a concert a few years ago in Edinburgh so we joined the waiting list and managed to get in - risky strategy and does not always work though!

What to do this weekend: 12-13 March

ALL WEEKEND

Italian Film Festival

Find the best of 'il cinema Italiano' at the 23rd Italian Film Festival of Filmhouse. There is a special focus this year on Luchino Visconti's work so you have the opportunity to see some classics (such as Rocco and his Brothers from 1960) as well as new releases.

12TH MARCH, SATURDAY

Georgie Farm Seed Swap

Source: wow247.co.uk

Have you ever been to Gorgie City Farm? It is a hidden piece of countryside in the heart of busy Gorgie with all kinds of farm animals: duck, chickens, goats, sheep, pigs and cattle. An adorable baby goat has just arrived a few days ago! This weekend they are holding their annual seed swap event for keen gardeners. Sign up for the Facebook event here.

Disabled Access Day

Disabled Access Day is on for the second year with Euan's Guide as the main sponsor and numerous venues involved - such as the National Gallery of Scotland, Traverse Theatre, Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Zoo and the Royal Botanic Garden. Anyone quoting 'Disabled Access Day' will get free entry to the glasshouses.

13TH MARCH, SUNDAY

Build It! - Challenge Day

Source: London phone box by Warren Elsmore

Calling all LEGO lovers - the National Museum of Scotland is hosting a Build It! Challenge Day at the Grand Gallery this Sunday. Expect lots of fun and architecture-based challenges, given 2016 is the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design celebrations in Scotland.

Six Nations

It is match day at Murrayfield, kicking off between Scotland and France at 3pm. Expect lots of rugby buzz and Frenchmen all around the city. We are backing blue, obviously.

Hint for those leaving nearby: you might want to schedule your Sunday shopping ridiculously early or late (or better: take the bus) - nothing like trying to find a parking place on your street on match day.

Have a nice weekend!

What to do this weekend: 5-6 March

ALL WEEKEND

Edinburgh Fashion Week

Source: Dominic Martin

Edinburgh's Fashion Week marquee is back on the Mound for the second time running - expect catwalk shows, styling tips from fashion bloggers and industry professionals and pop-up boutiques. Browse the Edinevents website for special Fashion Week offers and competitions and sign up for the Facebook event.

Jane Davidson pop-up

Hello spring, it's time for a wardrobe refresh! Jane Davidson's popular pop-up shop is now open at 12 Randolph Place for 6 weeks only until 2nd April. Drop in to browse fab designer items up to 90% off.

5TH MARCH, SATURDAY

Vegan Quarter

Source: Leith Market

Alongside the usual traders, this weekend's Leith Market will host a Vegan Quarter which will return regularly on the 1st Saturday of every month. Check out the list of vegan stalls and register for the Facebook event here.

Buck and Birch @EFS

The name Buck and Birch might ring a bell for fellow foodies. We were lucky to attend one of their fabulous dinners in Portobello last Easter. This weekend they will make our tastebuds super-excited at the Edinburgh Food Studio: expect game, shellfish and locally foraged ingredients. I'm also secretly hoping for something sea buckthorn related, based on the Buck and Birch Instagram feed. If you were not lucky enough to secure a seat at this weekend's feast, keep an eye on their website for upcoming events.

6TH MARCH, SUNDAY

Mother's Day

Source: Mademoiselle Macaron

In my home country Mothering Sunday falls on the first Sunday of May. As my mother-in-law is British, we tend to celebrate Mother's Day twice - double treats for the mums in my family!

Why not treat your mum with Mademoiselle Macaron's scrumptious macarons? The Mother's Day Vanilla Gift Box is available to order until 4th March and says 'Merci Maman' 12 times.

Have a nice weekend!