What to do this weekend: 12-13 November

ALL WEEKEND

Styling the Nation

To mark the opening of the new Art, Design and Fashion galleries, the National Museum of Scotland has planned a bunch of cool events - you can meet your maker, learn about home style, there will be a vintage photo booth and fashion illustration workshops.

12TH NOVEMBER, SATURDAY

Tuck Tuck Pop-up at Vino

Your favourite Stockbridge Pantry is having a pop up at the Waverley Arches. They will be serving tacos complemented with wine by the Wino Vines Bar between 5-8pm. Find the Facebook event here.

Scottish Rugby Autumn Test

Are you backing blue? The Scottish rugby team plays Australia in the first autumn test of the year. Even if you're not a rugby convert this might be a useful info - if you leave close to Murrayfield Stadium and have on-street parking, you might not want to risk losing your parking spot! Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Art at Talbot Rice

The Talbot Rice Gallery is located at the Old College of the University of Edinburgh and the beautiful Georgian gallery space alone is worth the visit. While there, why not check out their recently opened three temporary exhibitions.

13TH NOVEMBER, SUNDAY

Remembrance Sunday

Also known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday commemorates the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war. The services parade will start at 10.30am from the Castle Esplanade. The 2 minutes of observance is at 11am.

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: 21-22 May

ALL WEEKEND

Dr Neil's Garden

Discover this magical secret garden by Duddingston village, easily reachable by a short bus ride from Edinburgh city centre. It's one of our favourite gardens with nice memories attached to it - when my parents were visiting the 'burgh I took them there and my Dad being a gardener ended up helping the local gardener! Totally worth the visit, also refreshments and plant sales between 2-5pm.

FestivALE

Expect beer, spirits, live musicu and streetfood at Summerhall. Join their Facebook event.

21ST MAY, SATURDAY

Studio Ghibli

Cameo is showing Grave of the fireflies by Hayao Miyazaki at 11am in English. If you are after the English subtitled Japanese speaking version, you need to wait until Tuesday 25th. Highly recommended if you loved other Ghibli films such as Our neighbour Totoro, Kiki's delivery service and Spirited away.

22ND MAY, SUNDAY

Affordable vintage fair

Huge vintage fair at the Assembly Rooms, featuring fashion, accessories, menswear, homeware and much more! Join their Facebook event.

Have a good weekend!

What to do this weekend: 30 April-1 May

ALL WEEKEND

Grassmarket Vintage Weekend

Love everything vintage? Visit the Grassmarket this weekend for vintage cars (the main reason Mr Enthusiast would come along), vintage fashion and a market of pre-loved items. Read more about the event on the Greater Grassmarket website.

30TH APRIL, SATURDAY

Pitt Market

Source: The Edinburgh Enthusiast (C)

The ever popular Pitt Market is back again with our favourite street food stalls including Harajuku Kitchen, Umami Spice Girl, Bearded Barista, Pilot Beer, Smith & Gertrude. As usual it's on between 12.00-22.00 - let's hope for some sunshine (and no April snow).

Akva Beer Garden Party

On the other side of town, in Fountainbridge Akva will be launching their summer beer garden from 2pm. Although the recent weather makes me doubt whether summer arrives any soon, Akva is preparing with BBQ, Swedish cider and they even invited a Grahams ice cream van.

Beltane Fire Festival

A pagan fire festival on Calton Hill celebrating the start of the pastoral summer - a must for any Edinburgh first-timer or if you are a local and have never been. We do feel for the Beltane Fire Festival performers who will be dancing (semi)naked this Saturday. If you're not one of the dancers, make sure you dress warm! Buy your Beltane tickets in advance here.

1ST MAY, SUNDAY

Garden of Cosmic Speculation

Source: scotlandsgardens.org

Hope you have been doing the 'no rain dance' as this Sunday is the only day of the year when the Garden of Cosmic Speculation is open to the public! If you love Jupiter Artland you should not miss this event (or mark it red in next year's calendar). The garden is near Dumfries, but totally worth the trip - you can pop in to Drumlanrig Castle or Caerlaverock Castle nearby. Find more info about the garden, opening time and admissions on the Scotland's Gardens website.

Old Town Street Food Festival

If you decide to stay in town, Three Sisters will be hosting their popular street food festival in the old town. As usual there will be live music and a bunch of lovely local vendors.

Have a good weekend!

What to do this weekend: 20-21 Feb

ALL WEEKEND

Scottish Design Exchange

SDXLoft has just launched! Visit the Scottish Design Exchange at Ocean Terminal to support Scottish designers and artists and shop local.

Shepherd House Snowdrop Festival

Source: Shepherd House Garden

Fancy a wee daytrip? The Shepherd House Garden in the village of Inveresk is just seven miles east from Edinburgh and this weekend they are open for the Scottish Snowdrop Festival. They have over 70 snowdrop varieties which is quite impressive!

20TH FEBRUARY, SATURDAY

British Art Show 8

Source: Rachel Maclean, Feed me

The British Art Show 8 opened last weekend, make sure you visit while it tours in Scotland. It is hosted by three venues in Edinburgh: Modern One, Talbot Rice Gallery and Inverleith House.

There is a free tour at 2pm at Modern One of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, meeting at the main entrance.

21ST FEBRUARY, SUNDAY

The Vintage Kilo Sale

The Out of the Blue Drill Hall is hosting this Sunday the Vintage Kilo Sale where you can get a whole new wardrobe for £15 per kilogram.

Shopping in Edinburgh: Interiors

New year, new interior goals - one might say as an excuse for furniture shopping!

Recently we have been exploring the Edinburgh independent shop scene and found the following gems:

Bra Bohag

Source: Bra Bohag

Bra Bohag stands for good furnishings in Swedish. This tiny shop at Easter Road specialises in Scandinavian mid-century furniture, art and other cool things from the era. Check their website and Facebook page to see what's new in.

Pad Lifestyle

Source: Bxxlght

If you like chic and unique furniture and home accessories, you will love Pad Lifestyle (your wallet probably won't). They are currently the only UK distributor of the popular Swedish brand Bxxlght - you might have spotted one of their 'YOU HAD ME AT HELLO' light boxes in the living room of Pandora Sykes, the Sunday Times' Wardrobe Mistress. Shop online here or pop in to the shop at the corner of Howe Street and Royal Circus.

Lair

Lair stands for a secret retreat, a secluded place, a hideout or hideaway. We came across Lair at Instagram and have recently visited their wee shop to find weird but wonderful things, like the bats on the photo above. They specialise in mid-century furniture and curios - every piece is carefully selected and authentic. Check their website to learn more.

Homer

Source: Emily Hogarth

Homer has some lovely vintage re-loved and reclaimed furniture pieces, and also a wide range of home accessories and art. They stock paper cut prints from the talented Scottish artist, Emily Hogarth. Check new in stock on their website.

L'Atelier Vintage

Source: L'Atelier Vintage

You might notice a pattern here: yes, I am into mid-century modern and L'Atelier Vintage is another wee shop specialising in that era. Viewing is by appointment only, but you can find regular stock updates on their website and Facebook page.