Archive for the ‘Edinburgh’ Category

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Live Panda-cam set-up in Edinburgh Zoo

Thursday, April 4th, 2013

Here at B+B Edinburgh, we find that many of our guests are keen to visit Edinburgh Zoo to visit the giant pandas. Even if you aren’t able to make it to Edinburgh, you know have a chance to watch the Pandas from a live webcam set up in their enclosure. The camera view switches from both the indoor and outdoor enclosure and follows the zoo’s two giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang.

Giant pandas are an endangered species and Edinburgh Zoo hopes they will breed successfully during their 10 year loan from China. The cameras have been installed at this time as it’s mating season for the pandas. During this time Tian Tian and Yang Guang will be more active, displaying mating behaviours such as scent marking, and in Yang Guang, the male panda’s case, eating more bamboo and trying to impress his potential mate by doing headstands! The zoo has insisted that no funny business will be streamed on the web-cams, and the panda cameras are live and ready to view on the Edinburgh Zoo website.

The cameras and organisation of the camera set up were donated to Edinburgh Zoo by the company Indiago Vision. To test the sensitivity of the motion detecting cameras, two of the zoo staff dressed up in panda costumes and mimicked Tian Tian and Yang Guang’s movements within their enclosure. There is footage of the humans pretending to be the pandas on the Indigo Vision’s Youtube channel. Edinburgh Zoo has a track record for mixing animals and technology. The zoo is also home to ten chimpanzees who starred in the BBC Two documentary ‘The Chimpcam Project’ which recorded the footage created when the chimps were given camcorders to play with and use in their enclosure.

With a climate that matches the Sichuan Province in China, Edinburgh offers the perfect environment for its pandas. Most zoos have to artificially recreate the conditions for their panda enclosures, but the Edinburgh weather offers the right temperatures and humidity to grow lots of bamboo naturally.

If you want to see the pandas in person, it’s no extra cost to visit their enclosure but you have to pre-book tickets for certain time slots. Edinburgh Zoo is also home to sun bears, the smallest and rarest bears in the world. The Budongo Trail is home to the zoo’s 10 chimpanzees and is used to study the different behavioural patterns of the animals. The Budongo Trail also gives visitors a chance to meet the chimpanzees up close. There is another web-cam installed in the squirrel monkey’s enclosure, used to study and record interactions between the monkeys.

Edinburgh Zoo is great fun for both kids and grown-ups and entry to the Zoo starts at £15.50 for adults and £11 for children, although you can save by buying family discount tickets. Flights to Edinburgh from London are available from London City Airport and take just 80 minutes making Edinburgh a great choice for a UK city break. Aside from the pandas and chimpanzees at the zoo, there are other exciting attractions such as the Edinburgh Dungeons where live actors perform gory stories of Scotland’s past, Holyrood House – the official residence of the Queen, and Edinburgh Castle which sits in the city centre on a hill of volcanic rock.

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Science in Scotland – What to Expect from the Edinburgh International Science Festival

Thursday, March 7th, 2013

Looking for somewhere to both entertain and educate your children this spring? Try Edinburgh seminal science festival for two weeks of mind-blowing information.

April brings with it spring, sunshine and also science! From March 23rd until April 7th Edinburgh will turn into a scientist’s dream with two weeks of incredible shows, talks and experiments from people who really know their stuff.

The organisers of this massive event have put every effort into making sure there is something for everyone – your little intrepid space traveller can hear talks about the first mission to Mars by the actual General Director of Mars One, the company who recruited members for this seminal moment in space travel.

Or is your son or daughter into true crime, constantly pretending to be a detective or policeman? Why not try out the Crime Scene Investigation workshop, which gives kids the chance to see a mocked-up crime scene and solve it using skills learned from the experts.

If you have a little girl who thinks science is only for boys, you can educate her on the women who have shaped scientific and technological life as we know it through an incredibly informative exhibition called Scottish Women of Science: Celebrating Trailblazers from our Past. This may help sow the seeds of a future scientist ready to explore and save the world.

There are many other exhibition and talks on offer from subjects like geology and paleontology to marine biology and astronomy. And it’s not just for the kids; parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles will all find something to enjoy and new things to learn and take home with you, making the pub quiz a little easier! Also, with the festival lasting two weeks, it is the perfect excuse for a weekend away or an excursion for half term. Educational and affordable, it is a fantastic way of sneaking a bit of education into your kids’ school holidays.

If you are looking for a place to rest your head after it has been filled with so much knowledge, B+B Edinburgh is an excellent choice, offering comfortable and affordable accommodation for the whole family. With a hearty breakfast included, you can be sure that you and your little scientists are ready to absorb even more awe-inspiring information.

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Edinburgh Celebrates Burns Night

Friday, January 4th, 2013

The New Year is over yet there is no need to rest. After visitors were blown away by Edinburgh’s world famous end of year celebrations, January 2013 can seem like a lull in excitement as people begin their diets and choose to stay in.

However, those searching for a weekend break and found themselves begrudgingly watching Jools Holland on New Years Eve, can receive an injection of fun to break up this traditionally dreary month. Join in the celebration of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns on the 25th of January..

What goes on?

Visitors are welcome to join recitals of Burn’s poetry amid toasts to the great man. Prepare for a traditional haggis meal presented by bagpipers: the definitive way to celebrate his birthday. Finishing with the melancholic yet warming sing a long of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, this is the definitive Scottish celebration.

Edinburgh’s Burns Parties

There are no shortage of venues which offer visitors the chance to join this popular festival. Each of those below is dedicated to celebrating it to the fullest.

Burns Night at Prestoungrange Gothenburg – The Goth, as it is called by Edinburgh locals, hosts a Family Burns Storytelling Ceilidh with storyteller Tim Porteus. The festivities include dancing, singing, and poetry for the whole family to enjoy.

Burns Night in Edinburgh at The Tass – The Tass, Edinburgh’s beloved Burns pub, hosts Burns suppers from January 23rd to 25th with storytellers David Campbell and Linda Bandelier. Expect to be wowed by their poetry recitations, songs, and stories as you enjoy a traditional dinner

Accommodation

Those searching for comfortable, yet modern surroundings to stay the night will be delighted with B+B Edinburgh’s unique take on 3-star hotel quality. Enjoy a hearty breakfast after your previous evenings celebrations. You can also see breathtaking views of the city from our location, which includes, the not too far away, Edinburgh Castle.

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Festive Fun in Edinburgh

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012

Edinburgh is certainly known to be one the best places in which to spend some time over the Christmas and festive period, with celebrations spanning across 6 weeks each year. 2012 is no exception and is set to be one of the cities best celebrations to date, kicking off on November 29th and continuing on all the way through to January 6th. If you are considering a visit, or lucky enough to already be booked, below are some of the cities highlights this Christmas.

 

Edinburgh Christmas Ice Rink

November 24th – January 5th

Just below the ancient Edinburgh castle will be one of Europe’s largest open-air ice rinks. Wrap up warm and marvel at the cities fabulous skyline whilst enjoying (or embarrassing) yourself on the ice. The area around the rink and in Princes Street gardens will also have festive music, theatre performances and the best seasonal food and drink during this period.

 

Traditional German Christmas Market

November 26th – January 5th

Keeping tradition, Edinburgh is host to an authentic German Christmas Market, to be located in the Mound Precinct, the stallholders are traveling from Frankfurt to display their food drink and wares. The German Market has become popular to Edinburgh’s festive season and provides visitors a chance to sample some great food, such as crepes, potato cakes and of course German sausage, fantastic German beer and a combination of classic and contemporary Christmas gifts and decorations.

 

The Edinburgh Wheel

Open everyday.

Although this attraction isn’t just at Christmas, taking a spin on the wheel during the festive season is perhaps one of the best times to do so. Towering 33 metres over Princes Street, the wheel allows you to take in panoramic views of the Scottish capital and enjoy the city as its lit up for Christmas.

 

Santa’s Gardens

November 24th – January 5th

Enjoy the magic of Christmas at West Princes Street in Santa’s gardens, complete with Santa’s grotto, real reindeer, ice sculpting, choirs and Christmas inspired performances. Additionally, the Snow Globe is certainly an exciting new addition to the celebrations. Here, visitors are able to stand amongst falling snow, get some great photographs and have a lot of fun. The Santa express is a railway set up to ride around the gardens and other fun activities include bubblepods and the bungee snow dome. This area is great for adults, children and families.

 

The Real Scottish Christmas Fair

December 3rd – 8th

Open between 10am – 6pm, this authentic Christmas Fair is located on Castle Street and displays the best of both a traditional and contemporary approach to a Scottish Christmas. With music, traditional food, tastings, a warm welcome and plenty of Christmas shopping options, visitors will enjoy this great alternative experience.

 

Christmas lunch at the Castle

December 6th – 24th

Enjoy a traditional Christmas meal within the most iconic building in Edinburgh. The castle is laying on lunch each day from 12.30pm in the festively decorated Jacobite room. Free entry to the castle is also included in the £35 per person charge, giving a great excuse to make a morning and afternoon of the experience. Book early to avoid disappointment.

 

Santa Race

date tbc

Join or watch the hundreds of Santa’s that sprint around Princes Street Gardens this Christmas, all in the name of charity. The odd but incredibly enjoyable sight makes for a really fun evenings entertainment and festive spirit.

 

Traditional Highland Village

Throughout December

Set up in East Princes Street gardens, just below the castle and just above the ice rink, this winter wonderland of a village is everything ‘highlandish’. This fun, friendly and incredibly vibrant market is packed with numerous Scottish inspired and traditional foods, producers, farmers and local retailers. Wooly hats and Scottish teddy bear stalls sit next to local venison burger makers ‘Well Hung and Tender’. The other stalls sell everything from clothes to jewelry and crafts. Shopping has rarely been so pleasurable.

Book now to enjoy this multitude of exciting events at one of Edinburgh’s most unique bed and breakfast providers.

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A different way to explore Edinburgh

Saturday, September 29th, 2012

As a city littered with history and beautiful architecture, Edinburgh is a fantastic city to visit on a short city break. If you’re looking for a different way to explore parts of the city, why not compete in the Great Edinburgh Run, which passes through 10km of the best sights in Edinburgh.

If you choose to enter, you will start close to Holyrood Palace just nextto Arthurs Seat. The first couple of kilometres will see you round Holyrood Park in the shadow of the imposing Arthurs Seat. Just after the start line you should see the uniquely designed Our Dynamic Earth, before completing almost half of the run in Holyrood Park alone. You will then pass onto the streets of the city, passing through the Pleasance and then onto the Royal Mile, where you will approach the 7km mark near the Scottish Parliament building on the right hand side. From here you will pass infront of Nelson’s monument and the National Monument of Scotland that sits on Calton Hill, before lopping back on yourself. After this you’ll find yourself on the home straight passing the Scottish Parliament  and Holyrood Palace once more, before crossing the finish line.

Beware though, it wont be the flattest of courses that you’ve ever run on, but we’re sure that the fellow participants, the spectators and the entertainment on course will see you through the 10km!

If you’re looking for accommodation for the run, why not stay with us here at B&B Edinburgh.

Image via flickr

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Edinburgh’s Chris Hoy Becomes The Most Decorated British Olympian

Tuesday, August 7th, 2012

Track cyclist Sir Christopher Hoy picked up his 6th Olympic gold medal in the London games last night to draw him level with Bradley Wiggins in the overall medal charts, and overtake Sir Steve Redgrave’s gold medal tally.

The Edinburgh native picked up his 2nd gold of the London games, in the Keirin, which follows his success in the team sprint earlier in the week. With 6 gold medals and a silver Hoy now becomes the most decorated Olympian in Team GB history.

The 36 year old is doubtful to make it to the 2016 Rio games, which means that the man who begun his cycling on the streets in Murrayfield, Edinburgh will now probably bow out in the Glasgow Commonwealth games in 2014.

There are now even calls from some quarters for him to be immortalised in Edinburgh’s city centre, with a statue on either Princes Street or Georges Street. If it does happen, this honour would befit a man received a knighthood in 2009 and was Team GB’s flag-bearer at London 2012.

One thing is for certain, this son of Edinburgh is one of the greatest Olympians Team GB has ever had.

Image via Flickr

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The best of Edinburgh Festival 2012: What to see

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

Every year in August, the beautiful city of Edinburgh opens its doors to the creative, comic and crazy. Every bar, pub, theatre and street corner is converted into an arts venue with artists, critics and audience members from all over the world taking over the city for the largest event of its kind on earth, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 1947, eight performance groups arrived in the city in an attempt to revive European artistic creativity after the Second World War. From there it has grown and from 3rd to 27th August 2012, thousands of performers will converge upon Edinburgh, presenting shows of every conceivable kind. The difficulty of course is deciding what to watch. Here are some suggestions for a number of must-see shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2012.

Comedy

Comedy accounts for 36% of the entire festival line-up and with 530 shows eligible for the coveted Edinburgh Festival Comedy awards, there is plenty to choose from if you are in search of some humour. With many big names piloting new material, from Alan Davies to Jimmy Carr, here are some alternative offerings:

Alan Anderson – Whisky Fir Dummies: incorporating stand up comedy and whisky tasting, this show is sure to elicit some giggles.

Where: Just The Tonic @ The Tron, Hunter Square, EH1 1QW

When: 9pm

Cost: £6-£12

The Boy With Tape On His Face – More Tape: wordless stand up and ingenious physical theatre and music make for a lot of laughs.

Where: The Pleasance Courtyard, EH8 9TJ

When: 9.40pm

Cost: £6 – £13.50

Fat Kitten Vs The World: Returning after two years of sold out shows, Fat Kitten take on other groups performing at the festival in a spontaneous comedy-off.

Where: The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street, EH2 2AA

When: 16th-21st and 23rd-25th August, 4.50pm

Cost: Free

Cabaret

From burlesque and circus acts to comedy and music, checking out a cabaret is a fine way to ensure an evening of entertainment at the festival.

Best of the Fest Variety: this show boasts the cream of the crop of performers from all over the festival, showing off their weird and wonderful skills.

Where: Teatro Spiegeltent, Assembly George Square, EH8 9LH

When: Midnight

Cost: £12-£15

The Bongo Club Cabaret: Now in its 14th Year, the Bongo Club handpicks some of the best variety acts at the festival and brings them all together with spectacular, shocking and hilarious consequences.

Where: The Bongo Club, Holyrood Road, EH8 8BA

When: 10pm

Cost: £8-£12

Children’s Entertainment

Although many shows at the festival are decidedly not child-friendly, there are a great number dedicated entirely to little ones.

Baby Loves Disco: is precisely what it sounds like, a disco party for anyone aged 0-7yrs (and their parents) who wants to get down and get funky on the dance floor, this hugely popular event is usually a sell out.

Where: Electric Circus, Market Street, EH1 1DF

When: 11am and 2pm

Cost: £6-£8

The Golden Cowpat: presented by Tucked In, favourites of 2011, this show takes children aged 3+ on a magical adventure filled with music and song.

Where: the Pleasance Courtyard, EH8 9TJ

When: 10.45am or 11.50am

Cost: £6- £8

Peter Pan on Dinosaur Island: interactive theatrical fun for 5-12 year olds including action, sword fighting and a T-Rex.

Where: The Merchants Hall, Hanover Street, EH2 2EP

When: 10.45am

Cost: £6-£7

Music and Dance

Experience some creative performances of original music and choreography from all over the world:

Brazil! Brazil! Presents Favela Funk Party: a carnival of infectious South American rhythm and energy featuring live band and dancers.

Where: The Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, EH2 2LR

When: 10.45pm

Cost: £16

Out of the Blue: The charming a cappella boy band deliver a vocal and choreographic spectacular, fresh from Britain’s Got Talent.

Where: Assembly George Square, EH8 9LH

When: 2pm

Cost: £8- £10.50

Enter the Woods: A darker exploration of fairy tales and bedtime stories through physical theatre and haunting music.

Where: The Space @ Venue 45, Jeffrey Street, EH1 1DH

When: 13th-18th August, 10.15pm

Cost: £5.50-£7.50

Drama

From one man shows to full productions, the festival offers a plethora of theatrical storytelling.

My City Saturday: follow the troubled lives of teens in Edinburgh in this a hard hitting piece by Explosive Arts.

Where: The Point Hotel

When: 25th-26th August, 5pm

Cost: £5-£7

Not My Cup Of Tea: an example of the new writing presented all over the Festival, this show challenges society and the system.

Where: The Space on The Mile,

When: 3.05pm

Cost: £7.50

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Edinburgh won’t sleep until 19th May

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Traditionally, we expect to see at least one Glasgow side in the Scottish FA Cup final, so for the nation to see none is something of a surprise. For the nation to see both Edinburgh sides in the final is a reason for Scotland’s capital to be flush with pride.

The two sides haven’t met in the FA Cup Final since 1896, and Hibernian haven’t won it since 1902, so it’s no surprise that hardly anyone can sleep until the final on 19th May. You could say that it’s the biggest ever Edinburgh derby, and Hearts go into it as huge favourites, having beaten their Leith rivals three times already this season.

They beat Celtic in a match in which Celtic lost their cool – and their pride. A last-minute penalty was followed by a managerial pitch invasion, and those neutrals finally switched over to the Edinburgh team. Hibs, however, have surprised everyone after a season that has sent their fans to sleep. One of their players has even promised to run naked down Princes Street if Hibs win.

The fans will be segregated all the way from Edinburgh to Hampden Park, with police working alongside the rail managers to ban alcohol on the trains, and ensure that Hearts and Hibs fans travel on separate trains. Indeed, they may even end up entering separate train stations.

Many fans have suggested switching the Cup final from Hampden to Murrayfield, which is traditionally used for rugby matches. That would be appropriate given the history of cup finals between the two clubs – or at least the single cup final, which was the last to be played away from Glasgow!

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Countdown to the science festival

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

The countdown is on to the annual Edinburgh International Science festival and with more than 200 events and workshops planned, visitors will be spoiled for choice on how they wish to be amazed!

The two week event, running from 30 March to 15 April, includes inspirational talks, hands-on activities and interactive exhibitions to inspire visitors of all ages at a range of different venues across the city.

Try out exciting experiments, understand the science of human movement, examine the incredibly big and amazingly small, hear from comedians and psychologists, dancers and chefs…be at the cutting edge of innovation and creativity.

In a rare public appearance, hear from the master illusionist and mentalist, Derren Brown in conversation with Richard Wiseman on April 21st.

Or if you’re gripped by a sense of adventure yourself, try hot-footing it – literally, by walking over burning coals in Firewalking on April 8 and 9.

For Easter holiday family fun, why not visit the City Art Centre which will be packed full of circuits, scary skeletons, racing robots and manic monsters.

Youngsters will have the chance to climb inside a giant eye and The BBC’s Bang Goes the Theory team will also be presenting free live shows in the Usher Hall and drop in activities on the Mound Precinct.

Full details of the fortnight of fun are available at http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk

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Edinburgh for the sports fan

Friday, January 13th, 2012
Murrayfield

Murrayfield, home of Scottish rugby

When people think of Edinburgh, they often think of the architecture, the history, the atmosphere, and the Festival. What people tend to forget is that Edinburgh is a huge sports destination all year round, with two football clubs, rugby, and a host of other events.

The two football clubs dominate the city – Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian are age-old rivals. Their first match-up goes back as far as 1875, which Hearts won 1-0. Hibernian, much like Celtic, originate from Ireland. They were formed by Irish immigrants, and today, Hibs play at Easter Road Stadium in Leith, which is just outside the city limits.

Compared to Celtic and Rangers, the rivalry between Hearts and Hibs is actually quite friendly!

Edinburgh Rugby is one of only two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, and play their home games at the famous Murrayfield Stadium. They are another club with a famous history, having played their first game back in 1872.

Murrayfield is also the stage of one of Rugby’s most famous tournaments, the Six Nations. Every year, Murrayfield is packed out for games against Northern Hemisphere teams, while in the Autumn, you will usually be able to see Australia, New Zealand or South Africa competing in the Autumn Tests.

Scotland’s next fixtures are:

  • Saturday 4th February, England vs Scotland for the Calcutta Cup
  • Saturday 26th February, Scotland vs France

One event you may not have heard of is the New Year Sprint – an open 110m race with a handicap starting system that has taken place since 1870. Professional and amateur sprinters compete for the £4,000 prize at Musselburgh Racecourse, 6 miles to the east of Edinburgh.

Also on feet, the Great Edinburgh Run now takes places in October. Over 10,000 runners take part in the 10k run which passes Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and starts and ends at Holyrood Park.

The community gets together again for the Edinburgh Festival of Sport, which is now three years’ old, but has become a very popular fixture in the city’s sporting calendar. Indeed, the event has spread outside of the city, with activities running throughout the east of Scotland. The event showcases the city’s sports clubs and facilities, encouraging visitors to lead a healthier lifestyle. There’s a cycling Grand Prix, a Moonwalk, and a “Roller Girls Derby”.

As you can see, Edinburgh is a great sporting city. There’s even a Naked Bike Ride, but we won’t go that far!

Don’t forget, if you’re staying in Edinburgh for any of the major sporting events this year, Bed and Breakfast Edinburgh is ready to welcome you – just don’t leave your muddy boots in the lobby!

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