Edinburgh Open Day

Saturday 19th March 2011, 10.30am to 4.30pm
The Melting Pot, 5 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PR: www.themeltingpotedinburgh.org.uk

Download Open Day flyer (pdf).

Download Open Day flyer (pdf)

Scotland's capital city will play host to the third and last in a series of Open Days organised by BSA Scotland, as part of its self management programme funded by the Long Term Conditions Alliance Scotland.

Focussing on adults who stammer, a range of speakers and workshop activities have been lined up for this event and we hope people will come from far and wide to enjoy a weekend of world renowned Scottish hospitality!

In the best traditions of BSA Open Days you are welcome to simply drop in on the day but, if you definitely know you will be coming - especially if you will be travelling some distance - please do let us know (bsascotland@stammering.org, tel 08453 303 800).

The event is free of charge and refreshments and lunch will be provided by donation. See Melting Pot information (pdf) on getting to the venue, parking etc.

Programme

Agenda (pdf)
Provisional programme (pdf), last updated 9th March.
Workshop descriptions (pdf), last updated 9th March.

Wherever you live, please consider coming along to what promises to be an interesting and stimulating day. This is BSA Scotland's second event in Edinburgh in three years (you can see details of what happened at the last Open Day in the Spring of 2008) and I know that we have a hard act to follow!

Why not make a weekend of it by combining the Open Day with a short break or visit to some of the amazing artistic and cultural attractions Edinburgh has to offer? You won't be short of things to see and do and, you never know, it could just lead you on an incredible journey!

General information about the various shopping, cultural and visitor attractions in the Edinburgh area can be found on the city's official tourist website www.edinburgh.org and also on www.visitscotland.com but we have chosen to highlight below some things which may be of interest to you.

Getting there

Information about both train and bus links to Edinburgh from elsewhere in Scotland and from the rest of the United Kingdom can be found at: www.scotrail.co.uk, www.eastcoast.co.uk, www.citylink.co.uk and www.nationalexpress.com

Shopping

Edinburgh has an abundance of city centre and out-of-town shopping. As well as the classic areas of Princes Street (with the world famous department store Jenners), George Street and the Royal Mile, there is the elegance of Multrees Walk, with many stylish boutiques such as Harvey Nichols and Louis Vuitton (www.the-walk.co.uk). Right next to Waverley train station is Princes Mall (www.princesmall-edinburgh.co.uk) and a short walk away is St James' Centre (www.stjamesshopping.com)

In the historic port area of Leith - a short taxi trip or bus ride away - is the resplendent Ocean Terminal complex (www.oceanterminal.com) which includes the Royal Yacht Brittania (www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk) To the city's western edge is the Gyle Shopping Centre (www.gyleshopping.co.uk). In the south of Edinburgh is Fort Kinnaird shopping complex (www.fortkinnaird.co.uk)

You'll find something that suits every taste and budget!

Things to see and do

You could do worse than start at the top of the Royal Mile and work your way down! The castle is the centrepiece of the city's attractions and sits imposingly above Princes Street Gardens. For entry times, ticket prices etc please go to www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk

On your way down you will find the Scotch Whisky Experience, the Museum of Childhood, the Museum of Edinburgh, the General Assemby hall, the City Chambers, the Loch Ness Experience (with the statue of Adam Smith directly outside), the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the Scottish Poetry Library, the Canongate Kirk and the Cathedral of St Giles in Parliament Square (the site of the old Scottish Parliament). The new Parliament, opened in 2004, sits at the foot of the Royal Mile. It is a stunning architectural marvel nestling beneath the Salisbury Crags and is a magnificent home to Scotland's political and democratic life. It is closed on Sundays but if you arrive early for the Open Day weekend and have some time on Friday afternoon you can pay a visit and take a guided tour of this gem. For more information go to www.scottish.parliament.uk

Immediately opposite the Parliament building is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which includes the Queen's Gallery (www.royalcollection.org.uk) However, we can't guarantee Her Majesty will be in to receive you!

Edinburgh has literally dozens of restaurants, ranging from Pizza Hut to Michelin starred gourmet dining. A list of the favourite and most stylish places to eat (and be seen eating!) is available at: (www.edinburghsbestrestaurants.com)

Animal lovers will doubtless wish to take the opportunity of visiting the Zoo (www.edinburghzoo.org.uk) or perhaps Deep Sea World (www.deepseaworld.com), which is a 20 minute drive away from the city centre in the shadow of the Forth Bridge. For those who are more interested in flora than fauna, the world famous Edinburgh Botanical Gardens are unmissable (www.rbge.org.uk)

Culture vultures will be in seventh heaven as Edinburgh is a world class artistic and cultural centre. You can enjoy a concert at the Usher Hall, take in a show at the King's Theatre, the Festival Theatre or the Playhouse or visit one of the eight cinemas in the city. Edinburgh boasts both the Royal Scottish Academy/National Gallery of Scotland complex on the Mound and the Dean Gallery/Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art complex just a few minutes' walk away. For details of current exhibitions, please go to: www.nationalgalleries.org

You can also enjoy the 'Shining Lights - the story of Scotland's lighthouses' exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street (www.nms.ac.uk)

The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and further information about the many interesting places to visit can be found at www.ewht.org.uk Also, Edinburgh is the world's first UNESCO City of Literature and there are many places, events, talks and readings to keep bookworms happy all year round (www.cityofliterature.com)

Places to stay

The following hotels are all within walking distance of The Melting Pot in Rose Street: the Ibis (Hunter Square), the Travelodge (St Mary's Street), the Novotel and the Premier Inn (Lauriston Place) and the Holiday Inn Express (Picardy Place).

If you would like to push the boat out a bit, then Edinburgh is not short of top class hotels: the Balmoral, the Caledonian, the Sheraton, the Scotsman and the Carlton are all in the city centre and the new Hotel Missoni, just off the Royal Mile, is a great addition to this portfolio.

There are a large number of mid price hotels, bed and breakfasts and even hostel/backpacker accommodation too.

There's something for everyone I think you'll agree. You really have no excuse!

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