Archives for “Art & culture” tag

The Traverse, a small theatre in an office building, has a reputation that extends far beyond its subterranean location. I first learned about the theatre at school when we studied some of the plays developed at the Traverse.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Traverse is known for original writing and well-known Scottish playwrights such as Liz Lochhead having strong associations with the theatre. But they also present revivals and Scottish premieres. For example they recently showcased the Scottish premiere of 8, by Academy-Award winner Dustin Lance Black.

The Traverse is also a good spot for a glass of wine or a bite to eat. There is a large café bar with good quality food, the burgers are my favourite. There are no windows which can make it dark and stuffy but also means that it is often less crowded than nearby bars above ground (check the Lebowskis and Hanging Bat articles) which can get packed with the after work crowd.

I have two favourite ways to see plays at the Traverse - ”A Pie, A Pint and A Play” offers lunch and a play for £ 14, or for around £ 6 you can sometimes catch rehearsed readings. These give the opportunity to see a new play in development stage. Both are excellent ways to see something different without breaking the bank.

Whether you are looking for a bite to eat, a drink with friends or to see some new theatre the Traverse is the perfect spot.

Red Hot and Blue Tattoo is a tattoo parlour in Edinburgh (opening in June 2005), which has very quickly grown a reputation for being one of the best.

The artists have an emphasis on doing custom work and really go that extra mile to give you the tattoo that you want. They have a gallery on the website that shows the kind of work that they do. I like to think that their style is traditional with a contemporary twist. I have had all of my tattoos drawn at Red Hot and Blue, the majority of them are nautical themed, which the artist was really into and I have always come away with a tattoo that both myself and the artist have loved. It isn’t really the kind of place that artists enjoy doing those ugly tribal swirls or tacky stars, they are passionate people with their own style.

One thing that really stands out in Red Hot and Blue is how friendly the staff are. I recently spent three and a half hours having a Mexican sugar skull tattooed on me, but I enjoyed the conversation with the artist so much that I practically didn’t notice the pain!

Prices vary depending on the piece, with bigger, more intricate pieces obviously costing more. There is usually a waiting list, so book ahead!

Edinburgh’s New Town is famous worldwide as a well preserved example of Georgian planning and architecture. The New Town is actually 200 years old but is compared to the Old Town is a youngster.

It extents about a mile from Princes Street downhill towards Stockbridge. A visit to the Georgian House is a great way to start a walk through the New Town. The house was built at the end of the 18th century and forms part of a terrace of houses on the southside of Charlotte Square. ( Scotland’s First Minster’s official residence is next door).

The house was designed by Robert Adam for the chief of the Lamont clan. The house is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, and they have restored it to how it would have looked in Lamont’s time. It gives a fascinating insight into life for both servants and their masters at that time. Over the four floors you can explore how they led their very different lives.

What I find interesting is how important maintaining your standing in society was at that time. Even the master bedroom was a display of wealth and importance Once you have visited Georgian House walk down hill into the New Town and imagine how it might have been 200 years ago.

Dean Village is named after the deep valley that hides it from view just five minutes walk from Princes Street. For 800 years it was the site of Edinburgh’s flour mills. Today the mills are gone and it has become a tranquil oasis as well as a good starting point for a walk along the Water of Leith to Stockbridge and beyond.

The village can be found by turning down Bell’s Brae from Queensferry Road. A loop back to the city centre can be made by following the Water of Leith Walkway under the Queensferry Road viaduct towards Stockbridge. If you are lucky the 18th century medicinal well of St Bernard will be open and you can try your luck getting some water from the ancient well. It is marked by a statute of the greek goddess of good health – Hygeia.

A more modern statue sits in the river just before Stockbridge. Created by the famous artist, Antony Gormley, for the National Galleries of Scotland, it is one of six statues between the Modern Art Museum and the sea. (The statues are currently underwater as they are designed to fall over in floods, but they will pop up again in the Spring hopefully.)

Lyon and Turnbull have been selling the goods and chattels of Edinburgh’s residents since 1826. There are normally a couple of auctions each month during the summer, fewer in the winter.

The auctions cover a diverse range of interests from general antique furniture to specialised auctions of silver or art. There are also occasional modern design auctions too. Auctions are normally on a Wednesday. The auction rooms are open from the Sunday before the auction for viewing by anyone who is interested.

It is a great, and free, way to spend a hour or so whether you are a serious collector, a dreamer like me, or enjoy people watching. The big excitement is to attend the actual auction, where you call follow the fortunes of your favourite pieces, or even bid for them. You need to register before the start of the sale to bid, so there is no risk of accidentally going home with an antique stuffed elephant if you scratch your nose.