EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER
2019
WHAT’S INSIDE Summers Events Guide Festivals Travel Military Tattoo Bus Tours And much more!
Edinburgh’s free guide to the best of what’s on this summer
FESTIVAL TIME
LOVES SUMMER GUIDES
EVENTS SHOPPING GUIDE WHERE TO EAT STAYING OVER
BBQ ON THE BEACH. DRINKS IN THE SUNSHINE. THE FRINGE.
SUMMER DAYS O U T S TA R T W I T H A CITY CAB.
CITY CABS FOR CITY LIFE BOOK NOW 0131 228 1211 DOWNLOAD OUR APP VISIT C I TYCAB S.CO.UK
WELCOME TO THE EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER GUIDE 2019 Summer has arrived once again and visitors and residents are in for a real treat with so many amazing events happening in and around the city its hard to know where to start. We have highlighted some of the best for you and hope you have a fabulous Summer from all the team at Sonex Media.
Thank you to ... Sales Manager Jan Ross Editor Emma Marsden Front Cover Stagecoach Design MD Creative Thank you to Edinburgh City Council
T&Cs: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy contained in this guide, Sonex cannot accept responsibility in respect of any error or omission which may have occurred.
CONTENTS 05
Edinburgh International Film Festival
07
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
09
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
10
Edinburgh Art Festival
11
Places to Eat
13
Waverley Mall
14
Edinburgh jazz & Blues Festival
15
Edinburgh Science Festival
18
Edinburgh Bus Tours
19
Places to Shop
22
Places to Stay
23
Edinburgh Book Festival
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 19 June to 30 June 2019
Established in 1947, the Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in international cinema - and for heralding and debating changes in global filmmaking. Intimate in its scale, ambitious in its scope, and fuelled by pure passion for cinema in all its manifestations, Edinburgh International Film Festival seeks to spotlight the most exciting and innovative new film talent. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL? Edinburgh International Film Festival explores new ideas in cinema, inviting local and international audiences to engage with a dynamic programme of features, documentaries, shorts and experimental cinema.
Notable film premieres in recent years have included: A Most Wanted Man, Brave, Killer Joe, 35 Shots Of Rum, We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks, The Hurt Locker, Moon, Fish Tank, Let The Right One In, Man On Wire, Control, Knocked Up, The Imposter, Ratatouille, Little Miss Sunshine, An Inconvenient Truth, Tsotsi, Billy Elliot and Amores Perros. A mix of red carpet glamour, innovative and exciting cinematic discoveries and massive audience appeal makes Edinburgh’s Film Festival one of the world’s most popular and approachable celebrations of cinema.
EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019 5
12 venues 92 days 3500 events 50000 meals 1,197,250 drinks
THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO 2 August to 24 August 2019
HEAR, HEAR THE PIPES A-CALLING… Brace yourself for an unforgettable spectacle! Staged every year as part of Edinburgh’s worldfamous summer festivals, the Edinburgh Tattoo is a unique and memorable celebration of music, dance and military pageantry. It will probably blow your socks off.
INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR… Add to this the spectacular displays from the many overseas performers who bring music, action and colour to the event in Edinburgh and you have a winning blend that always keeps the Tattoo fresh, exciting and alive, even for the many faithful fans who return here every year.
THE MOST SPECTACULAR SHOW IN THE WORLD? WE THINK SO! Why? For starters, it takes place against the backdrop of the floodlit Edinburgh Castle - talk about dramatic! Almost 1,000 musicians, pipers, drummers, singers and dancers perform at the Edinburgh Tattoo on the Esplanade. Each year you can expect stirring performances of the Massed Pipes and Drums and the Massed Military Bands that emerge from the huge castle gates, playing the inspiring battle tunes of Scotland’s famed regiments.
A ROUSING FINISH This unforgettable event is brought to an emotional and poignant close each evening as a lone piper, spot lit high on the castle ramparts, plays a haunting lament. Fireworks, a mass chorus of Auld Lang Syne from the audience and the roar of jets from a military flypast bring the curtain down on a truly memorable night’s entertainment. What a show!
EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019 7
Maxim Emelyanychev Principal Conductor
CONCERT SEASON 2019/2020 ON SALE NOW SCO.ORG.UK
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE 2 August 2019 to 26 August 2019
The world’s largest arts festival transforms Scotland’s capital every August, as thousands of performers take to hundreds of stages all over the city to present shows of all kinds and for every taste. The work on show ranges from huge names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL? Totally open-access, the Fringe is proud to include in their programme anyone with a story to tell and a venue willing to host them. Audiences can enjoy theatre, comedy, dance, circus, cabaret, children’s shows, physical theatre, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions and events. It’s a magnet for creative producers, the industry and the media making it the biggest and most dynamic international arts market in the world.
EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019 9
EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL 25 July 2019 to 25 August 2019
The UK’s largest annual celebration of visual art, attracting over 250,000 visitors each year, Edinburgh Art Festival brings together the capital’s leading galleries, museums and artist-run spaces, alongside new public art commissions by established and emerging artists and an innovative programme of special events.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL? The vast majority of the festival is free to attend, and includes exhibitions, performances, screenings, artist talks and guided tours. The festival includes over 40 exhibitions each year, showcasing some of the best contemporary art alongside important artists and works from modern and historical periods. Each year Edinburgh Art Festival commissions new work by leading and emerging Scottish artists, with a particular emphasis on artists who are developing work for non-gallery contexts.
10 EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO EAT Hard Rock Café Hardrock.com 20 George Street
The Dome Thedomeedinburgh.com 14 George St, New Town EH2 2PF
David Bann Vegetarian Restaurant Davidbann.co.uk 56-58 St Mary’s St, Edinburgh EH1 1SX
The Witchery Thewitchery.com 352 Castlehill, The Royal Mile EH1 2NF
The Jolly Judge Pub Jollyjudge.co.uk 7 James Court, Lawnmarket, EH1 2PB
Castle Terrace Restaurant Castleterracerestaurant.com 33-35 Castle Terrace EH1 2EL
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Smws.com 28 Queen St EH2 1JX
Shackleton’s Bar & Brasserie at Channing’s Hotel Channings.co.uk/shackletons-bar 12 - 16 South Learmonth Gardens EH4 1EZ
La Favorita Vittoriagroup.co.uk/lafavorita 331-325 Leith Walk EH6 8SA
Karen’s Unicorn Karensunicorn.com 8B Abercromby Pl, Edinburgh EH3 6LB
EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019 11
WAVERLEY MALL Seeing you through summer in the city
From spring bank holiday and Pride Edinburgh, to Edinburgh Festival Fringe and beyond, you’ll find all you want and need for summer in the city at Waverley Mall. A selection of eateries offer a choice of refreshments for your visit - from coffees and snacks at speciality coffee house Williams & Johnson, to national favourites including Greggs, Costa and Starbucks. Born In The Borders offers an assortment of Scottish beers, spirits, cocktails and food, while the bustling food court has something for everyone - from sandwiches to sushi and the brand new Rainbow Bubble Tea.
Sainsbury’s and a handy Post Office, it’s your go-to place for all your summer essentials. Throughout August there’s a variety of acts on the centre’s stage to entertain you as you eat and rest your feet. While a monthly music event ‘The Waverley Sessions’ showcases the best emerging talent from Edinburgh and beyond - outside the Edinburgh Festival Fringe period. Located in the heart of Edinburgh, right next to Waverley Station, Waverley Mall is ideally placed as a popular port of call on your day out in the city.
With a line-up of stores including Flying Tiger, Superdry, New Look, Oasis, Yours, The Body Shop, EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019 13
EDINBURGH JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL 12 July 2019 to 21 July 2019
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival plays host to the finest jazz and blues talent from all corners of the globe. From bop to boogie-woogie to blues-rock, from samba to swing to soul, there’s something to suit every mood and musical taste over ten groovepacked summer days. Plus look out for the free open air Mardi Gras and Edinburgh Festival Carnival events. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL? From the magic mirrors of grandiose Spiegeltents to the opulence of the Festival Theatre to hip jazz clubs, the Festival matches the music to some great venues.
14 EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019
The Festival produces unique creative programmes and projects which can only ever be heard in Edinburgh, including Scottish/ International projects and the Edinburgh Firsts programme featuring musicians making their Festival debuts. With over 170 gigs the Festival spans the early days of jazz to the best on the current scene. The Blues programme crosses all the boundaries too: Southern blues, delta blues, Mississippi blues, Chicago blues, electric blues, acoustic blues; the Festival hosts American stars and all the best homegrown talent.
EDINBURGH SCIENCE FESTIVAL 4 April 2020 to 19 April 2020
Edinburgh Science Festival delivers one of Europe’s largest Science Festivals, giving audiences amazing experiences through a programme of innovative and inspiring discussions, workshops, performances, screenings, special events and exhibitions. In addition to the two-week Festival, the Science Festival also delivers a primary school education programme that tours Scotland, and a variety of international projects. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL? The Science Festival brings great minds together for a programme that fosters dialogues about the future of our culture, our nation, our planet and our understanding. Edinburgh International
Science Festival runs for two weeks over Easter each year, with the full programme announced in January/February. A family programme of inspiring shows and workshops, where visitors of all ages can get hands-on with cutting-edge science through interactive events and workshops on everything from accessible technologies to spacecraft, dinosaurs and the inner workings of the human body and mind. A programme of entertaining evening events for adults that offers nights out with a scientific twist featuring discussions, debates, performances, food and drink and memorable interactive experiences with plenty of opportunities for audience involvement. EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019 15
COLOUR YOUR SUMMER Many people begin their trip to Scotland by visiting Edinburgh. With a great number of must-see attractions in Scotland’s capital city, it’s easy to understand why.
But if you fancy a break from the crowds, there’s so much more to explore just across the Forth Road Bridge, and it’s easy to get there with Stagecoach. The award winning Express City Connect Network operates high-quality, frequent coach services from Edinburgh into Fife, Perth and Dundee. The vehicles on the Express network offer comfortable seats, free WiFi, air conditioning, device charging points and nice big windows to see all the colourful sights, from green grassy fields to bright blue seas! In the East of Scotland, you’re spoiled for choice. Take the X55 coach direct from Edinburgh up to every 20 minutes and spend a morning visiting Dunfermline’s Historic Quarter, including Dunfermline Abbey and Palace. Wander into the fairy-tale surroundings of Pittencrieff Park and discover the hidden ruins of Malcolm Canmore’s Tower. Enjoy lunch in the café at the world’s first Carnegie Library before taking a look at the exhibitions in the adjoining gallery, or visit the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum. Then, on your way back to Edinburgh, make one last stop at North Queensferry to take a walk along part of the Fife Coastal Path for views of three magnificent bridges built in three different centuries including the iconic Forth Rail Bridge, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further round the coast are several award-winning beaches and picturesque harbour villages such as Elie, St Monans and Anstruther, which you can visit by catching the X60 coach from Edinburgh. If you stop for lunch, sample some freshly caught local seafood and you’ll soon see that Scotland’s culinary efforts are not limited to battered Mars
Bars! Later in the afternoon, travel onwards to St Andrews using service 95, which offers stunning views of the whole East Neuk of Fife. Visit the ruins of St Andrews Castle and Cathedral, the excellent St Andrews Aquarium, or if you’re a golf enthusiast, pay a visit to the British Golf Museum. Travelling back to Edinburgh is easy on service X59, which will take you directly from St Andrews and runs approximately every hour. All this and more is on offer just across the Forth Road Bridge. Don’t wait, plan your journey at stagecoachbus.com and colour your summer!
ALL THIS AND MORE IS ON OFFER JUST ACROSS THE FORTH ROAD BRIDGE. DON’T WAIT, PLAN YOUR JOURNEY AT STAGECOACHBUS.COM AND COLOUR YOUR SUMMER! EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019 17
EDINBURGH BUS TOURS
During your visit to Scotland’s stunning capital this summer, take the time to explore all the must-see sights with one of our Edinburgh Bus Tours. Hop on at any tour bus stop and see the sights from the open top deck of one of our modern, Euro 6 low emission tour buses. Our five-star tours show you the very best of Edinburgh, and our hop on – hop off tickets are a flexible option to help you discover our city. Choose from a multi-lingual commentary available in 10 different languages or listen to a specially-trained guide.
the palace will be able to look around the much anticipated exhibition; A Royal Wedding: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex which includes Meghan’s beautiful wedding dress.
Our Royal Edinburgh Ticket offers great value and includes 48 hours on all three city tours plus entry to Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Britannia. This summer (from 14 June – 6 October) Royal Edinburgh Ticket holders visiting
Buy your tickets from Edinburgh Bus Tours Tickets Sellers on Waverley Bridge, Tour Drivers, any of our Travelshops or online at edinburghtour.com
18 EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019
OUR TOURS ARE: • Easy access for all • Available in Multi-language audio or a live guide • Gold Certified by Visit Scotland’s Green Tourism Scheme
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO SHOP Grassmarket Greatergrassmarket.co.uk Edinburgh EH1 2HS
Multrees Walk Multreeswalk.co.uk St Andrew Square, EH1 3DQ
Cranachan & Crowdie Cranachanandcrowdie.com Royal Mile, 263 Canongate EH8 8BQ
Tron Kirk & Royal Mile market Royalmilemarket.co.uk Tron Kirk, 122 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QS
Kingsgate Shopping Centre Shopkingsgate.co.uk James Street, Dunfermline KY12 7QU
EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019 19
WHERE TO STAY Making sure you’ve got the right accommodation in Scotland’s capital can really be the icing on the cake for that special visit. What better than returning after a busy day exploring the city and doing a spot of shopping than relaxing in comfortable surroundings that feel like a home from home? Book into a homely B&B or friendly guest house and relax in a cosy setting with an excellent breakfast; make the most of the central location and stylish surroundings of a chic boutique hotel; enjoy the flexibility and freedom of a self-catering property or serviced apartment; escape to the countryside to a farmhouse inn or glamorous country house hotel; or make the most of your budget at a youth hostel or university campus accommodation in Edinburgh.
22 EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL 10 August 2019 to 26 August 2019
The Edinburgh International Book Festival programme offers over 800 events featuring the greatest writers and thinkers in the world. From rising stars of fiction to Nobel Prize-winners, it’s a place where audiences and authors gather to share ideas, have thought-provoking discussions, be entertained, informed, enthralled and challenged. There is also a highly regarded programme of events for children and young adults featuring the finest writers and illustrators for young people.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL? From author events and interactive workshops to lively debates and book signings, the Book Festival gives you the chance to meet your favourite authors, hear about their latest work, and get stuck into some gripping conversations. The Book Festival is located in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic New Town. Each year, Charlotte Square Gardens and the west end of George Street are transformed into a magical tented village. Entry to the Book Festival village is free so pop in and relax for a moment or two. There are three big independent bookshops at the Book Festival stocking a wide range of titles for adults and children, including some exclusive to the Festival. Browse at your leisure and find something stimulating to read.
EDINBURGH LOVES SUMMER 2019 23