Turner watercolours stunning January tradition – FREE

You know it’s January when the Joseph Mallord Williman Turner watercolours are on display at the National Galleries of Scotland, Royal Scottish Academy Building Lower Galleries, Edinburgh for free, 1-31 January.

JMW Turner - Heidelberg

The lecture, “Behold the Light of Nature – Ruskin on Turner, Edinburgh 1853″, will see actor and art historian Paul O’Keeffe recreate John Ruskin’s moving account of the life, achievements and death of Turner.

It will be held at the National Gallery Complex and has been organised as part of the annual exhibition of Turner watercolours.

The lecture will be held in the Hawthornden Lecture Theatre of the complex on Wednesday, 13 January, and starts at 12:45pm.

Beth’s Recommendation: These watercolours are only viewed in January because that’s when sunlight is at its weakest. Therefore, the colours of these small pieces have been preserved thanks to the instructions that were included with Henry Vaughan’s bequest of the watercolours to the National Galleries. Even if you’ve seen these, it’s worth a visit to see them again and again and again…

Edinburgh fireworks herald in 2010 in a blaze of glory

Edinburgh Hogmanay Fireworks

Fireworks soar above Edinburgh Castle to welcome in 2010. The BBC puts on a big TV bash every year which entertains those of us who stay at home.

For those of us who venture into town to see the fireworks first hand we are rarely disapointed.

And for those of you who are thinking about coming to celebrate with us for 2011 here’s a visitor’s impression.

Beth’s Recommendation: Have a great 2010 filled with happiness, good health, success, fun and laughter!!

Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns (1788)
Video version

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Robert Burns – free supper? 25 January 2010

Robert Burns

Now that Hogmanay is over and we’re a few days into TwentyTen it’s time to think about Robert Burns. If you hadn’t heard, on St Andrew’s Night last November, Robert Burns was voted “The Greatest Scot” from a pretty impressive pool of 35 movers and shakers. There is tons of information about Burns online.

Robert Burns was a poet who continues to be celebrated 250 years after his birth.

Haggis

The really essential ingredient for a successful Burns Supper is The Haggis. Haggis was simply a staple of the Scots diet until Burns celebrated it in mock heroic verse – Address to a Haggis

Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin’-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang’s my arm.

Beth’s Recommendation: Book your place at a Burns Supper and make sure you bring along a fine bottle of whisky which will make you quick friends and add to the experience that is haggis, neeps and tatties. A local Edinburgh Burns attraction is the Writer’s Museum, Lady Stair’s Close, Lawnmarket. The building itself dates back to 1622 and displays mementoes of Robert Burns including his writing desk and rare manuscripts.

Re:solution Wall in Edinburgh

We all make resolutions every new year and then, well, sometimes we don’t actually make them a reality. This year can be different with Scotland’s Re:solution Wall standing outside the Parliament building at the foot of the Royal Mile today. This is a place where we can share our hopes and plans for the future. This is another Hogmanay activity provided for free in Edinburgh.

Beth’s Recommendation: If you can’t make it to Edinburgh then you can post your resolution for the world to see on the Edinburgh Hogmanay website. To help inspire you here is a streaming video webcam of the Royal Mile.

A blazing Royal Mile

How do you make Hogmanay in Edinburgh even better? You bring Carabosse, a French company, to Edinburgh’s Old Town to create a dramatic performance of live art on the famous Royal Mile (after switching off all the lights of course). The live performance will include different fire sculptures and objects on fire, lighting up usually dark corners. All of this activity also includes live music from Parliament Square right in the middle of the Royal Mile. This is free entertainment in Edinburgh at its very best!

Beth’s Recommendation: Cancel whatever plans you already have and make sure you’re on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile for Carabosse’s free outdoor Fire Installation. The Royal Mile will be alight from 7pm-11pm on Wednesday December 30 and from 4pm-8pm on January 1, 2010.

Get ready for Hogmanay 2010!

Hogmanay is the world famous New Year festival held in Edinburgh. Best known for the New Year’s Eve street party which attracts upwards of 120,000 people every year, this is the largest New Year event in the world and is not to be missed.

There is a range of celebrations and activities for all ages so regardless of whether you’re part of a family with children or are looking for a romantic getaway, Edinburgh makes a special destination for anyone to welcome in the year ahead.

Torchlight Procession

Beth’s Recommendation: There are so many fantastic events planned for the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 it’s hard to choose. If you are visiting Edinburgh during this period my personal recommendation is to make sure you take part in the Torchlight Procession on 29 December, 6:00pm. It begins at St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile and winds it’s way down onto Princes Street and then up to Calton Hill for a fireworks display and annual Viking ship burning. Torches cost £5 which goes towards Edinburgh’s One City Trust and Radio Forth’s Help a Child Appeal.

National Gallery of Scotland

It doesn’t get much better when you can go into an art gallery with works by world class masters FOR FREE!

National Gallery of Scotland

The National Galleries of Scotland have a number of physical buildings showing the gigantic collection of mostly traditional pieces. The photo here shows the National Gallery of Scotland on The Mound immediately after a brilliant morning snow shower.

Beth’s Recommendation: Just now (Dec 2009) the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci is in this Gallery. The story goes that in 2003 it was stolen from Drumlanrig Castle, the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry and was recovered in 2007. I’m a huge Leonardo fan no matter what the medium he used. He simply was the best of the best.

Edinburgh Sparkles – Nov & Dec

Edinburgh welcomes thousands of visitors for the winter holidays. As always, the city sparkles and comes alive with lights, food, reindeer.

Princes Garden rides

There are plenty of choices for shopping for that extra special holiday gift.

If you drive into Edinburgh the parking metres stop an hour early at 5:30pm to encourage visitors. Might as well take advantage of this while you can!

Beth’s Recommendation: Princes Gardens hosts holiday rides which are beautiful to see against the famous Old Town skyline. Walking through the gardens, all wrapped up, sipping from a hot cup of Glühwein makes for a perfect evening.

Princes Gardens – anytime

Edinburgh in the snow

On a snowy day Princes Gardens is like heaven…everything is white and perfect. You have a perfect view of Edinburgh Castle sitting above everything. At this time of the year there is plenty of shopping along Princes Street.

Edinburgh Castle and Ramsay Gardens

Here’s a webcam view of Princes Street with the gardens in the background:

Beth’s Recommendation: I highly recommend walking through the Gardens whenever you have the chance. The garednes are completely different during each season which is a great reason to come back and visit…alot!

National Museum of Scotland – throughout December 2009

There are lots of Christmas festivities happening at the National Musueums of Scotland (NMS).

National Museum of Scotland

Almost all the activities are FREE and range from making your own treasure, listening to holiday chimes, watching costumed dancers and drawing and painting. The entire family can join in and remember, entrance to most of the museums is FREE.

Beth’s Recommendation: On both the last day of 2009 and the first day of 2010 the NMS is hosting music events for families. On Thursday, 31 December you can hear the Canongate Cadjers Celidh Band at 2pm. On Friday, 1 January 2010 get the new year off to a great start by listening to some of Scotland’s best new traditional music talent at 12:45, 1:45 and 2:45pm. Scotland is a great place for great music so make sure you catch these FREE performances!