What to do this weekend: 1-2 October

ALL WEEKEND

Inspiring Impressionism

If you have not yet visited, this weekend is your last chance to see the impressionists at the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound. The exhibition focuses on three key artists: Daubigny, Monet and Van Gogh.

1ST OCTOBER, SATURDAY

Edinburgh Coffee Festival

After last year's success this Saturday Summerhall hosts Edinburgh's second Coffee Fest. There will be over 30 stalls of roasters and local cafes including Brew Lab, Cairngorm, the lovely Mr Eoin, Pekotea and others. You will also be able to get advice on specialist equipment - perhaps time to get your aeropress or V60 pour-over?

Project Wine

On the other side of the Meadows, Project Coffee will turn into a pop-up wine bar - just for one day. The event is hosted by Winetubemap and you can find the Facebook event here.

Volcano Fun Day

Who does not love our extinct volcano, better known as Arthur's Seat? Historic Scotland will host a Volcano Fun Day with geology walks at 12 noon, 1pm and 2pm, and you will be also able to create your own volcano model. Read more and find the Facebook event here.

2ND OCTOBER, SUNDAY

Suppliant Women

Watch one of the world's oldest plays by Aeschylus at the Lyceum - you can book your tickets here. As per techniques of the ancient Greek theatre, the title roles are played by recruited and trained Edinburgh citizens.

Have a nice weekend!

What to do this weekend: 24-25 September

ALL WEEKEND

Edinburgh Doors Open Day

Our favourite weekend of the year has finally arrived! We love exploring Edinburgh heritage and learning about the buildings' history on Doors Open Day. Don't miss your chance to get into some amazing places: download the brochure or pick it up in town. Additional venues list available here. Register for walks via Eventbrite - we will be joining the tours 'Edinburgh in Print' and 'Edinburgh Old Town' with Cobble Tales. 

We also have a shortlist of buildings to visit:

• Mansfield Traquair (Sat&Sun)
• Raises Clark Head Office (Sat&Sun)
• St Andrew's House (Sat&Sun)
• Bonhams (Sat&Sun)
• The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (Sat)

Previous years favourites include Advocates Library (Sat) and the General Register House & New Register House (Sat). Sadly the private gardens are not open this year - anyone has a friend with keys?

24TH SEPTEMBER, SATURDAY

The Pitt

The Pitt is back - weekly until December! This Saturday's vendors include Barnacles & Bones, Rost Eats, Pizza Geeks, Smith & Gertrude. If you're looking to re-fuel during a busy Doors Open Day schedule, this should your pitt-stop (sorry Mr Enthusiast has been watching too much Formula 1 lately).

25TH SEPTEMBER, SUNDAY

Secret Gardens

The last Sunday of September also means that Little Sparta and Jupiter Artland are closing for winter - so this is your last chance to visit them in 2016. We particularly loved Christian Boltanski's 'Animates' installation this year at Jupiter. For Little Sparta you will need a car, but Jupiter is easily accessible by public transport. If you can't make it this weekend, make sure you put these brilliant gardens in the calendar for a visit next summer. 

Have a nice weekend!

10 Edinburgh Instagrammers To Follow

The @igersedinburgh Insta-community is quite active in Edinburgh with several Instameets and get-togethers organised during the year. When I joined Instagram about 3 years ago I would have never thought to meet so many friendly locals and make new friends through it! As @berriestagram summed it up nicely: Instameets are probably the few exceptions when it's socially acceptable being constantly on your phone without being considered rude.

To celebrate the 14th World Wide Instameet this weekend, we put together a list of our favourite Edinburgh instagrammers.

@travelswithmyphone

Source: @travelswithmyphone

Rachel captures some wonderful moments with her camera wherever she goes - she's based in Edinburgh but her feed often features Tuscany where she has a dreamy holiday pad. She also lived in Kyoto for a few months.

@exploringedinburgh

Source: @exploringedinburgh

Shawna started her Insta account as an experiment for a uni project and soon gathered quite a crowd of followers. Now she has her own website and often posts videos of her wanderings on youtube.

@simonjuho

Source: @simonjuho

You will often find Simon exploring Edinburgh rooftops and photographing the city from unusual angles. He certainly does not have a fear of heights!

@berriestagram

Source: @berriestagram

Berries knows the best Insta-worthy spots around Scotland and you will get to know about some amazing places by following her. She also has a signature look - obviously dressing up in strawberry red.

@everythinglooksrosie

Source: @everythinglooksrosie

Rosie has great eyes for cute vintage dresses and chooses the prettiest hidden Edinburgh spots as backdrop for her outfit photos. She also has a blog where she shares delicious cake recipes.

@laretour

Source: @laretour

Laura has a Scottish travel blog, loves the outdoors and shares some beautiful photos of her adventures on Insta.

@amoedimburgo

Source: @amoedimburgo

Alasdair is a sculptor and he has some amazing marble creations. When he is not in his workshop, you will find him on rooftops with his friend, @simonjuho or on the road travelling somewhere exciting.

@fi_bryant

Source: @fi_bryant

If you're into interiors, Boston terriers and Scottish countryside escapes, Fiona's account is to follow. She has recently created a beautiful home in a century old Edinburgh factory and we love every corner of it.

@emilyhogarth

Source: @emilyhogarth

Emily is a paper cut illustrator and mum of two with a cute Westie. Her Insta account is a great guide for kid and dog friendly spots around town. She also has a monthly draw on Instagram where you can win one of her beautiful paper cuts.

@edienthusiast

Source: @edienthusiast

Finally we're also Instagram sharing our Edinburgh wanderings - we enjoy finding hidden and unusual gems and beautiful secret gardens in the 'burgh.

What to do this weekend: 17-18 September

ALL WEEKEND

Glasgow Doors Open Days

Would you believe this will be the 27th Glasgow Doors Open Days? This year they are part of the Festival of Architecture celebrating Glasgow's built heritage. The full programme and the list of buildings is available here. As you have limited time, best to pick the ones which are not normally open to the public and that's how we came up with our shortlist:

• Clydeport Building (Sat)
• Cahtlemilk Stables (Sat)
• Glasgow City Chambers (Sun)
• The Savings Bank (Sat&Sun)
• Arlington Baths Club (Sat&Sun)
• Buchanan Bridge Club (Sat&Sun)

If you're interested in street art, but cannot join the Doors Open Day guided tour, you can download a City Centre Mural Trail map and have a self-guided tour.

Colony of Artists

Support local artists and visit the cute Abbeyhill colonies between 12-6pm this weekend. Browse here the list of over 60 artists (ranging from painting, drawing, photography and more) at 38 venues and the various events happening this weekend.

17TH SEPTEMBER, SATURDAY

Photo Walk with Apple

Did you know that your local Apple store organises regular workshops and events? We were completely unaware until we came across this Dean Village photowalk with Instagrammer @poetic_mouse. Apparently such Insta-walks will become regular, so keep watching the Apple store event list. Also it seems like a great occasion to celebrate the 14th World Wide Instameet with fellow IGers.

18TH SEPTEMBER, SUNDAY

Steam Dreams

There are only two more September Sundays left to fulfil your 'steam dreams' and take a Scotrail steam train to the Borders. You can choose to travel either in the morning or in the evening, and there are plenty of extras such as dining, visiting Abbotsford House and other historic places in the Borders. Read more and book your tickets here.

Have a nice weekend!

What to do this weekend: 10-11 September

ALL WEEKEND

StockFlea

Saint Stephen's Church in Stockbridge will be hosting a two-day flea market between 10am and 4pm. Hunt for some pre-loved treasures: vintage clothes, furniture and other bits and bobs. StockFlea is also the opening event of the week-long Stockfest with other headline events such as Stockdish and Stockdog. 

10TH SEPTEMBER, SATURDAY

Lyceum Theatre Open Day

As a warm-up event of the ever popular Edinburgh Doors Open Day (24-25 September) the Lyceum will open its doors this Saturday. There will be backstage tours and a range of workshops which you can book via Lyceum's website.

Gorgie City Farm Fest

Have you been to Gorgie City Farm yet? Yep, you can find a bunch of farm animals in the middle of the 'burgh. Their annual Farm Fest is on this Saturday and it's the prefect occasion for a visit. Read what's on and sign up for their Facebook event here.

11TH SEPTEMBER, SUNDAY

Riding of the Marches

Here's your chance to watch 280 horses making their way up the Royal Mile, from Holyrood Park to the Mercat Cross between 3.10-3.55pm. Note that these timings are approximate and the Riding of the Marches has a full list of spectator vantage points here. For those interested in the history behind the march - it is the re-enactment of the Captain of the Trained Band's return to the city after the lost battle of Flodden in 1513.

Stockbridge Market

Happy 5th birthday to Stockbridge Market! Hard to believe it started only a few months before we moved to the Auld Reekie. Also they have a pretty good record of trading whatever the weather - only cancelling one market in 5 years due to high winds. Fingers crossed for sunshine this Sunday!

Have a nice weekend!

What to do this weekend: 3-4 September

ALL WEEKEND

Luminations of Love

As part of Glow Gold September, you will be able to see a light installation called 'Luminations of Love' at St Andrew's Square daily from 8.45pm until 8th September. The event aims to raise awareness of childhood cancer. Other landmarks will also glow gold including Edinburgh Castle and the National Galleries of Scotland. Read more about Glow Gold September here.

Let's Eat Glasgow!

Foodies head to Glasgow's hip Finnieston this weekend! The event entry is free and the participating restaurants will serve food from a fiver - we are already fans of Crabshakk and The Hanoi Bike Shop and looking forward to trying out new places in the area. There will be cooking demonstrations, including Fallachan's Craig Grozier preparing porridge of Aberfeldy oats, blood, pig skin and Damsons on Saturday. This Scotsman article tells you all the details you need to know. Advanced food vouchers can be purchased until Friday night.

Art Walk Porty

Already in its second year Art Walk Porty celebrates art and artists in Portobello, at Edinburgh's seaside. Expect open studios, pop-ups, workshops, artist walks and a market at Dalriada. Once in Portobello, it would be rude not to check out Twelve Triangles' new Porty bakery shop too.

3RD SEPTEMBER, SATURDAY

Architectural Walk of the Old Town

As part of the Festival of Architecture Olga of Cobble Tales will guide you through the Old Town and show you hidden buildings, courtyards and closes from an architectural point of view. Even if you are a local, you are likely to find new hidden gems you did not know about! The tour will also run next Saturday and during the Doors Open Day weekend on 24th and 25th September - advance booking recommended to avoid disappointment.

4TH SEPTEMBER, SUNDAY

New Town Walking Tour

Another day, another walking tour - we are quite into these at the moment! This 2 hour walking tour explores the New Town with historian Alastair Learmont: starting from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and covering George Street, St Andrews Square and Thistle Court, the oldest New Town building. If you missed out, the National Gallery has the same walking tour next month and other walking tours which you can book via Eventbrite.

Surreal Encounters

If the weather forecast discourages you to go outside, stay inside and make the most of the last few days of Surreal Encounters at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. We can never get enough of Magritte!

Have a nice weekend!