October in Edinburgh
October in Edinburgh
Writen by Shawna Law
Autumn has arrived in the capital. Temperatures are beginning to drop, nights slowly close in yet with trees bursting into beautiful russet tones and their golden leaves strewn across city pavements, it’s an incredibly beautiful time to be in Edinburgh. If that wasn’t tempting enough, the city is hosting a range of wonderful events.
CITY OF FESTIVALS
Edinburgh is known as the City of Festivals and on a normal year the city has a jam-packed festival schedule all year around. This year, things are a little different but there are still several festivals to look forward to this October:
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (1st Oct–10th Oct, Filmhouse)
The month begins with Edinburgh’s Spanish Film Festival which is back for its eighth edition. The festival promises a vibrant and varied programme, offering something for all ages and tastes.
Currie Beer & Curry Festival (8th & 9th October, Currie Community Centre)
Currie’s community festival is back with live music from Cranachan, curries provided by Kebab Mahal and a selection of ales, ciders and wines. The festival is run by volunteers, and all profits will go to good causes in the local area.
Edinburgh Cocktail Week (11th – 24th October, Various Locations)
Edinburgh Cocktail Week is returning and with the purchase of an ECW wristband you can enjoy £4 Signature Cocktails at 100 of Edinburgh’s cocktail bars and entrance to the Cocktail Village at Festival Square.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival (15th–31st October, Scottish Storytelling Centre)
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place every October and this year’s theme is ‘Imagine’ which will be interpreted by Scottish and international storytellers’ through performances, workshops, talks and children’s events.
The Whisky Stramash (23rd & 24th October, Surgeons’ Hall)
The Whisky Stramash promises a mysterious, entertaining, and madcap festival. Celebrate their 10-year anniversary by sampling a wide array of whiskies from Scotland and beyond.
Oktoberfest Edinburgh (20th-24th October)
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Edinburgh and enjoy a weekend of Bavarian fun with German beer, food, and live music within the Oktoberfest Tent.
Edinburgh Horror Festival (22nd-31st October)
Lastly, Edinburgh Horror Fest brings the month of October to a frightening close with a range of theatre, comedy, magic, spoken word, movies, games, improv, workshops, and interactive events.
ENTERTAINMENT
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to be in Edinburgh but with the spectacular colours comes the inevitable dreich weather. So, it’s the ideal time to visit a few art exhibitions, spend an evening at a show, or attend a concert. Here are just a few events and exhibitions to whet your appetite.
Jazz Sundays (every Sunday at 5pm, Söderberg Pavilion)
Mina Heydari-Waite (From 2 October, Collective Gallery, Free)
Angelica Mesiti: In the Round (From 1 October, Talbot Rice Gallery, Free)
Incoming: New Acquisitions (2 October, City Art Centre, Free)
The Portobello Comedy Night (2 October, Beach Lane Social Club, £7)
The Woman in Black (12-16 October, King’s Theatre, from £20)
Scottish Ballet’s Starstruck (14-16 October, Festival Theatre, from £21)
Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight – (15 October, St Giles’ Cathedral, from £21)
20th Century Boys: A Memorial (28 October, Royal Scottish Academy, Free)
SEASONAL EVENTS
The arrival of October brings autumn and Halloween with it and there are a few seasonal events taking place in the city that are worth keeping in mind.
Pick Your Own Pumpkins & Apples (Throughout October, Craigies Farm, from £3)
Drop by Craigies Farm this October for a bit of wholesome fun pumpkin and apple picking!
Spook-Takular Halloween Afternoon Tea (Throughout October, The Cauldron, from £40)
October for a bit of wholesome fun pumpkin and apple picking!
Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular! (8–31 October, Edinburgh Zoo, from £11)
This Halloween, Edinburgh Zoo is opening its gates after dark to invite you on a family-friendly spooktacular trail through the zoo.
Wondrous Woods (from 21 October, Hopetoun House, from £21)
Set in the grounds of the magnificent Hopetoun House, Wondrous Woods is a stunning and creative lighting journey.
Blood, Wine & Monsters (from 25 October, Cocktail Geeks)
Join the Cocktail Geeks for their latest themed, immersive drinking experience!
The Halloween Terror Trail (23 & 24 October, Lauriston Castle, free)
Lauriston Castle has organised a self-led Halloween Terror Trail through the grounds. Sounds like great fun for families!
Newhailes Haunted Halloween Trail (30 October, Newhailes Estate, from £5)
Visit Newhailes Estate to experience their haunted woodland walk through the Spooky Forest.
LITERARY EVENTS
Edinburgh is known for its rich literary history with many well-known authors calling the city home for a period of time. Both new and second-hand independent bookshops are an integral part of the city and several host regular literary events, here are a selection:
Topping & Company (2 Blenheim Place)
Beginning with Edinburgh’s largest independent bookshop, Topping & Company will be welcoming more than a dozen authors this month such as Jess Elliott Dennison (founder of the much-loved Elliott’s on Sciennes Road) who will be chatting about her new book.
Typewronger Books (4a Haddington Place)
Typewronger Books also host regular events in their store but this month they’ve organised an Edinburgh Zine Fair (23 October, free entry) in Out of the Blue Drill Hall. The event will allow makers, artists, small presses and self-publishers to exhibit and sell their work.
Golden Hare Books (68 St Stephen Street)
Over in Stockbridge, Golden Hare Books has organised an evening with author C.F. Peterson (8 October) for the exclusive launch of “The Purified” and an online event with Muriel Barbery (27 October).
Portobello Bookshop (46 Portobello High Street)
Lastly, the Portobello Bookshop are celebrating National Poetry Day with an online event with Malika’s Poetry Kitchen (7 October) and an in-person event with Graeme Macrae Burnet (28 October) to celebrate his eagerly-anticipated novel, “Case Study”.
MARKETS
Edinburgh is fortunate to have a variety of weekly neighbourhood markets to visit. At a glance, there will be the staple weekly markets as well as a mix of one-off or speciality markets in October.
Grassmarket Market (every Saturday, from 10am-5pm)
A weekly market offering freshly baked goods, seasonal produce, and local craftwork.
Leith Market (every Saturday, Dock Place, from 10am-5pm)
Sitting beside the Shore, Leith’s weekly market hosts predominantly food stalls as well as a few local makers.
Stockbridge Market (every Sunday, Saunders Street, from 10am-5pm)
Stockbridge is one Edinburgh’s busiest markets selling a range of street food and lifestyle products.
Edinburgh Farmers’ Market (every Saturday, Castle Terrace, from 9am-2pm)
Drop by Edinburgh Farmers’ Market to browse seasonal produce such as fruit, vegetables, locally sourced game, and more.
The Pitt Street Food Market (every Friday-Sunday, Pitt Street, various times)
This hugely popular street food market hosts a range of street food traders with live music.
Ink Market (10 & 24 October, 77 Brunswick Street, 11am-6pm)
Every second and last Sunday of the month, Ink Market opens to offer an emporium of art, bric-a-brac, antiques and more.
Out of the Blue Flea Market (30 October, Out of the Blue Drill Hall)
Drop by Out of the Blue Drill Hall for a good rummage through vintage clothing, retro decor, art, books and more!
Edinburgh Preloved Vintage Kilo (31 October, Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms)
Browse through over 6 tonnes of preloved, vintage and retro clothing then pay by weight – £15 a kilo.cor, art, books and more!
WORKSHOPS
The summer months have been wonderful for day trips and making the most of the longer days but the arrival of autumn doesn’t mean you have to pare back on activities, there are a range of in-person and online workshops. So, whether you’re looking to discover a new hobby or cultivate an existing talent, here are a few options:
Sourdough Bread Course (17 October, Breadshare, 11-12 Seafield Road East, £100)
Baking sourdough bread became hugely popular in lockdown but if you didn’t get around to it or weren’t pleased with your results, Breadshare’s Sourdough Bread Course will teach you the easy way with hands-on tuition.
Clay Mug Workshop (11 & 25 October, Doodles, 27-29 Marchmont Crescent, £30)
Taking place at a well-loved Edinburgh institution, Doodle’s Clay Mug Worksop will teach you hand-building techniques to create your very own clay mug. You’ll create and paint your mug on the night then pick it up in 2 weeks!
Introduction to Sketching with Watercolour (29 October, Edinburgh Sketcher, 2 Dublin Meuse, £50)
Join Mark, known locally as the Edinburgh Sketcher, for a beginner’s workshop of urban-style sketching. The workshop will begin with welcome drinks and tips from Mark before you head out for a walk around Edinburgh’s New Town creating ink and watercolour drawings as you go.
Clay Mug Workshop (11 & 25 October, Doodles, 27-29 Marchmont Crescent, £30)
Taking place at a well-loved Edinburgh institution, Doodle’s Clay Mug Worksop will teach you hand-building techniques to create your very own clay mug. You’ll create and paint your mug on the night then pick it up in 2 weeks!
EDINBURGH WELCOMES
Last, but not least, there’s always a host of businesses opening their doors for the first time in Edinburgh. Here are a few which have opened in September and will be opening in October. Why not pop along and welcome them!
10 Autumnal Spots to Visit in Scotland
10 Autumnal Spots to Visit in Scotland
There are few things as exciting as the prospect of a weekend away. The hurried Friday exit, complete with the knowledge that within hours you’ll be somewhere entirely new, is a truly wonderful feeling. With such accessible transport links and an incredibly diverse array of areas, Scotland is one of the best countries in the world for these kinds of mini-breaks. Smaller towns surrounded by remote landscapes are reachable just as easily as the titanic cities that brim with life and culture. This article highlights just a few of the possible places on offer to spend an unforgettable weekend away.
Photograph by @ali.horne
Photograph by @ali.horne
Photograph by @scottishmarley
Photograph by @scottishmarley
Photograph by @simonhird
Photograph by @roanlavery
Photograph by @roanlavery
Photograph by @peterdinsmore
Weekend Getaway Ideas
Weekend Getaway Ideas
There are few things as exciting as the prospect of a weekend away. The hurried Friday exit, complete with the knowledge that within hours you’ll be somewhere entirely new, is a truly wonderful feeling. With such accessible transport links and an incredibly diverse array of areas, Scotland is one of the best countries in the world for these kinds of mini-breaks. Smaller towns surrounded by remote landscapes are reachable just as easily as the titanic cities that brim with life and culture. This article highlights just a few of the possible places on offer to spend an unforgettable weekend away.
Draped across its seven rolling peaks, Scotland’s capital city holds countless places ripe for exploring across the whole spectrum of interests. Within the UK, Edinburgh is beaten only by London in terms of annual tourist popularity. This is in no small part due to its celebrated yearly events, such as the Hogmanay Street Party and the legendary Edinburgh Festival, but the city remains active and vibrant outside of these times. From the magnificent castle sitting atop the many interlocking layers of the old town, to the reinvigorated and culturally progressive new town, Edinburgh is one of the most exciting cities in the world to visit.
Photograph by @exploringedinburgh
Photograph by @exploringedinburgh
Photograph by @traveltwo_
Photograph by @jackxsampson
Photograph by @jackxsampson
Photograph by @simonhird
Photograph by @simonhird
Photograph by @simonhird
Photograph by @simonhird
Photograph by @simonhird
The Best Places to Eat by the Sea in Aberdeenshire
The Best Places to Eat by the Sea in Aberdeenshire
Written by Colin Fraser
For me, there’s nothing quite like eating on the coast. Endless open views, refreshing sea spray, the sound of peaceful wave ripples – true tranquility.
We’re spoiled by 165 miles of stunning shoreline here in North-east Scotland and taking it that step further, are the glorious places to dine along the way.
So, anchor up and get ready to set sail, here are just some of my coastal eats that you need to have on your list.
The Seafood Bothy
Setting up shop on Stonehaven’s historic harbour, The Seafood Bothy serves up fresh seafood straight from fishermen’s net.
Think meaty lobster, loaded baguettes, seafood nachos, mackerel pate – it’s all up for grabs with its ever-changing weekly specials. Its revamped retro horsebox parks up every Friday to Sunday ready to keep locals, sight-seers and paddle boarders stuffed to the brim with seafood delights. Need I say anymore?
Photograph by @priyaspantry
Photograph by @clanwander
The Silver Darling
A restaurant that never lets me down is The Silver Darling. With panoramic views of Aberdeen’s stunning coastline, a dinner here at sunset is something truly magical – and if timed right, you might even spot some dolphins leaping at the neighbouring harbour mouth.
Flipping seafood cuisine on its head with inspired takes, you’ll remember every minute of your meal. During my last visit I was entranced by the tempura oysters and as for the side of crab straw fries – I don’t think I stopped for breath.
There’s always room for dessert in my book, but with sizeable portions on offer, I always struggle to find room. Coconut creme brulee, I will have room to order you one day.
Photograph by @thefoodhooveruk
Liberty Kitchen at Grey Hope Bay
Just over the harbour mouth, you’ll see the archway of Torry Battery where something exciting is bubbling away. Known locally as a prime spot in the city to catch a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins, Greyhope Bay is rallying the community to engage with the marine world and transform the location into a must visit destination in the North-east.
With plans to home a cafe, dolphin viewpoint and education space in the years to come, Greyhope Bay promises a new lease of life to the area which has been much overlooked. Until then, the vintage Liberty Kitchen parks up every weekend serving up fresh artisan coffee along with plant based cakes and savoury snacks to wet the appetite of visitors ahead of its kitchen residency when the cafe opens its doors. I’m a sucker for a biscuit, especially a Viennese Whirl, and the ones crafted here look positively delightful!
Photograph by @thelibertykitchen
The Quayside Gourdon
You can’t beat a fish and chips takeaway with a seaview and The Quayside always makes the top of my list. Feeding the masses through its restaurant and chip shop, no matter your craving, there will be something to float your boat here.
A jumbo sausage supper is my usual chipper go to but when I visit it’s always a seafood order to try all its freshest seafood delights. The soft shell crab burger is never far from my mind and slap a slice of pineapple in there (yes I am a maniac), and you’re in for a taste sensation. It’s been a while since I’ve visited and I’m beelining straight for the lobster supper on my return.
Photograph by @thefoodhooveruk
Foodstory Hut
The latest addition to the Aberdeen beachfront is the Foodstory Hut. You guessed it, this new business is the love child of the wholesome Foodstory which is a local food celebrity in these parts, being the first of its kind in Aberdeen to fly the vegetarian, vegan and eco-hero flag high.
Taking its staple vegan bakes, New York deli style stuffed sandwiches and chill coffee house vibes to Aberdeen Beach, a slice of Foodstory magic adds even more vibrancy to the bustling boulevard. If the carrot cake is on the go, order it immediately – and order more than one slice, it will be gone in seconds.
Photograph by @thefoodhooveruk
The Cullen Bay Hotel
A place that holds many happy childhood memories for me is the quaint coastal town of Cullen, right on the cusp of Aberdeenshire. Beach holidays abroad weren’t a thing for my family growing up, Cullen beach was our equivalent and never a dull moment was had, despite the near hyperthermic water temperatures.
If I was to don my dookers and take a dip in the nippy choppy waters now, I’d be heading straight to the Cullen Bay Hotel to see away those chills. With unrivalled views of the Moray Firth, this is your place to order up a piping hot bowl of Cullen Skink packed with fresh haddock, crumbling potatoes encased in a devilishly creamy soup. Some days you can be lucky enough to order a seafood dish made with fish caught from the shore that very morning.
As the name suggests, it is in this little coastal town where the recipe was first created centuries ago. Initially made with beef shavings the recipe quickly changed tack when beef became scarce in the 1800s and locals looked to a more available good to add to their prized recipe. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The Cock and Bull
Balmedie Beach is no stranger to me offering towering dunes and expansive sands as the backdrop to my many dog walks. Just minutes away from this untroubled escape is The Cock and Bull which brings the atmosphere of a cosy country inn with wooly throws, stag horns, the most endearing wood burning stove and of course a nod to the sea with washed up wood additions to some of its furniture.
The tributes to the coast don’t end there, the menu is no stranger to seafood with specific focus on the Catch of the Day options which are a regular feature on the menu. Two words: buttered lobster *sinks into seat*.
If seafood isn’t for you, fear not, you’ll be kept well stocked with a whole host of hearty options including chicken strip burgers, BBQ brisket and mac with dirty fries, Korean cauliflower and the finest meat cuts. Oh and the chips, don’t forget the chips. Super thick cut bad boys here – I’m under good authority from my girlfriend’s mum that these are not to be missed.
Photograph by @cockandbullbalmedie
The Secrets Buried In Roslin Glen
The Secrets Buried In Roslin Glen
Words by Graeme Johncock, photographs by Simon Hird
Most visitors to the Roslin area of Midlothian are there to see the famous Rosslyn Chapel with its walls covered in ornate stone carvings. Not as many take the time to venture down the hill into Roslin Glen. Buried away in the woods there, above a loop in the River Esk is the outstanding Roslin Castle.
For those who do make the journey to see the ruined castle, it remains hidden from sight until the last moment. On the surface it just looks like a bridge to a small cottage in amongst a few crumbling walls. But walk under that impressive bridge instead of over it and you’re rewarded with the rest of Roslin Castle, built right into the side of the rock.
The castle was built by the Sinclair family not long after the 1303 Battle of Roslin. While the exact details of the battle are debated, it’s believed that a small force of Scots rode through the night to surprise an English army camped in Roslin Glen. Led by John Comyn, the Scottish warriors fought and won three separate battles as their larger adversary had split into separate marching columns.
Photograph by @roanlavery
Photograph by @roanlavery
One chronicle claims 8,000 Scots defeated 30,000 opponents that day, although that’s likely to be an exaggeration. The legacy of the fighting can still be found today in place names like Shinbane Field, Hewan Bog and the Kill Burn. Tradition states that after the battle, an English captive mentioned that this rocky outcrop would be a great place for a castle and the Sinclair Baron of Roslin took his advice.
The Sinclair family were one of the most powerful in Scotland, rewarded handsomely for supporting Robert the Bruce. They weren’t just rich playboys or fierce warriors, and Roslin Castle was much more than an impregnable fortress. The Sinclairs were men of knowledge and so invested in learning, Roslin Castle had its own scriptorium for creating and copying documents.
During an accidental fire in the 15th century, the 11th Baron of Roslin was in a panic about his library being lost. He wouldn’t risk his own life but forced his chaplain back inside to save specific documents instead. While the castle burned around him, the brave chaplain dutifully lowered baskets of books and scrolls down from a window to safety.
Some have wondered what was so special about those documents the chaplain risked his life to save. A local man wrote a far-fetched account of a visit to Roslin Castle in 1834 by an Italian claiming to be a descendant of the last Provost of Rosslyn Chapel. His ancestors had left him instructions on where to find a hidden room of manuscripts deep in the castle vaults.
If the author is to be believed, then these historical works were found and smuggled off to Italy and the Vatican library. Whether this account is true or not, some of Scotland’s oldest written texts were indeed penned in Roslin Castle. It would be fitting that the treasure of Roslin Castle isn’t gold or the Holy Grail, but a wealth of written knowledge instead.
Written by Graeme Johncock
Graeme is the writer and storyteller behind Scotland’s Stories, sharing the traditional folklore and legends that make Scotland truly incredible.
The Redcap of Hermitage Castle
The Redcap of Hermitage Castle
Words by Graeme Johncock, photographs by Dave Coia
It’s no surprise that a castle known as the “guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain” has picked up some stories over the last 800 years. Hermitage Castle was built so close to the border between Scotland and England that just its construction almost caused a full scale war. These enormous walls were built to keep people out, but legend says that they also kept a very sinister creature in.
The imposing mass of Hermitage Castle has changed greatly since the 13th century. The castle walls were less foreboding but the man living behind them was so wicked that his story still lingers. He was a member of the Soulis family, butlers to the King of Scots and Lords of Liddesdale.
Soulis had been schooled in the dark arts and enjoyed nothing more than death and destruction. He had gained himself a helper for his nefarious deeds, the only creature that enjoyed bloodshed as much as he did. This small beast was called a Redcap, similar to a goblin but with a hat that needed to be soaked in blood to maintain its deep red colour. There was no better place to provide the Redcap with a steady supply of spilled blood than the frontier of the Scottish Borders.
In return for the carnage that the redcap required, it granted Soulis a magical ability. This lord of Hermitage Castle could not be harmed by steel or bound by rope. Soulis grew bold thinking himself invincible. His crimes grew darker, and the redcap grew happier while people from the surrounding area despaired. Eventually, the locals hatched a plan to rid themselves of Soulis forever.
Photograph by Dave Coia
One chronicle claims 8,000 Scots defeated 30,000 opponents that day, although that’s likely to be an exaggeration. The legacy of the fighting can still be found today in place names like Shinbane Field, Hewan Bog and the Kill Burn. Tradition states that after the battle, an English captive mentioned that this rocky outcrop would be a great place for a castle and the Sinclair Baron of Roslin took his advice.
The Sinclair family were one of the most powerful in Scotland, rewarded handsomely for supporting Robert the Bruce. They weren’t just rich playboys or fierce warriors, and Roslin Castle was much more than an impregnable fortress. The Sinclairs were men of knowledge and so invested in learning, Roslin Castle had its own scriptorium for creating and copying documents.
During an accidental fire in the 15th century, the 11th Baron of Roslin was in a panic about his library being lost. He wouldn’t risk his own life but forced his chaplain back inside to save specific documents instead. While the castle burned around him, the brave chaplain dutifully lowered baskets of books and scrolls down from a window to safety.
Some have wondered what was so special about those documents the chaplain risked his life to save. A local man wrote a far-fetched account of a visit to Roslin Castle in 1834 by an Italian claiming to be a descendant of the last Provost of Rosslyn Chapel. His ancestors had left him instructions on where to find a hidden room of manuscripts deep in the castle vaults.
If the author is to be believed, then these historical works were found and smuggled off to Italy and the Vatican library. Whether this account is true or not, some of Scotland’s oldest written texts were indeed penned in Roslin Castle. It would be fitting that the treasure of Roslin Castle isn’t gold or the Holy Grail, but a wealth of written knowledge instead.
Written by Graeme Johncock
Graeme is the writer and storyteller behind Scotland’s Stories, sharing the traditional folklore and legends that make Scotland truly incredible.
Abbotsford The Home Of Sir Walter Scott
Taken by @simonhird
Hidden Scotland Magazine Issue 3 – Pre-order Now
It gives us great pleasure to be sharing with you the third edition of Hidden Scotland magazine. Welcome to our Autumn Winter 2021/22 issue.
We’ll start with four potent words: the past is alive. Scotland is a land sculpted by its history, a place moulded by the passage of time, and over the following pages, the days of yore are a recurrent theme. Stepping back into the mists of prehistory, we explore the Jurassic beginnings of the Isle of Skye, where dinosaurs once roamed. We enter the towering canopy of the great Caledonian Forest, crunching the underbrush of the temperate rainforest that once blanketed almost the entire country. No less stirringly, we also take a wander among the extraordinary Neolithic sites that make Scotland one of the world’s most important repositories of Stone Age architecture.
Striding forward to more recent centuries, we visit the historic towns and age-old places of worship that mark the Borders Abbeys Way, learn more about the 17th century witches of Shetland, and discover the layered past (not to mention the vibrant culture and open countryside) of Dumfries & Galloway. Keeping the theme going, we also hear the ancient tale of Thomas the Rhymer, and take a winding drive along the fabled Highlands road that is Bealach na Bà.
But there’s more to these pages, of course, than the past. As regular readers will have come to expect, we also meet some of Scotland’s most inspirational modern-day inhabitants, from the sustainably minded food and drink producers of Glenelg, and the determined founders of the Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company, to acclaimed jewellery-maker Róis Clark.
And that’s not all. Among other things, there’s also a journey through Cape Wrath in the company of writer and photographer Richard Gaston, a spotlight on one of the country’s enigmatic mountain hares, and advice on how to make the most of the Scottish winter with your canine companion.
As ever, enjoy the journey. Slàinte mhath
Jupiter Artland
Jupiter Artland
Words and Photographs by Shawna Law
Visiting Jupiter Artland is truly an unforgettable experience. As you enter the sculpture park it’s as if you’ve discovered a wormhole and have been transported to another planet. Every day norms are left behind and in their place are art installations which capture the imagination. The entry road gives you a taste of what’s to come by leading you past Charles Jencks’ ‘Cells of Life’ installation which has reimagined the landscape, Marc Quinn’s 12-metre-high installation ‘Love Bomb’, and a sign by Peter Liversidge that points upwards stating ‘Jupiter – 893 million to 964 million kilometres’. You’ll also pass Bonnington House, a grand Jacobean manor house dating back to 1622, which is now the Wilson family home. The building is off-limits to visitors but its Ballroom is one of their indoor gallery spaces and often hosts seasonal exhibitions.
To start your exploration of Jupiter Artland, you’ll want to make your way to the Steadings where you’ll find the entrance, gift shop, and Café Party – a colourful and whimsical café designed by Swiss artist Nicolas Party which is currently closed but keep an eye out on their website for more details. Just before you set off on your self-guided tour, you’ll be provided with a beautiful map detailing the locations of the art installations. The trail takes around an hour and a half but it’s completely up to you which route you take and how long you choose to stay. The entrance door to the trail can be found in the gift shop and once you pass through it, a woodland path lies straight ahead of you. I distinctly remember being engulfed by trees and surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature then suddenly catching a glimpse of an installation peeping through the trees enticing me further in. I don’t want to give too much away as it’s a place best experienced first-hand but there are over 30 permanent and unique site-specific sculptures to discover. As you make your way around the vast grounds, don’t forget to appreciate the views which stretch out toward the Pentlands, the iconic Three Bridges over the Firth of Forth and the Ochil Hills.
If you’re planning a visit, I’d recommend booking your tickets online and double-checking when their open season is.
How to visit from Edinburgh’s city centre? There are various ways to reach Jupiter Artland, the easiest being by car which takes just under half an hour. There are also two bus services (Number x27 Lothian Country & x23 First Bus) which will drop you a few minutes walk from the entrance of Jupiter Artland. The last option is to take the train from Edinburgh to Kirknewton and hire a taxi.
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