Lauriston Castle 2015

Lauriston Castle 2015 MJ Bryant Photography www.mjbryantphotography.com A multi-award winning venue Lectures, Special Events and Adult and Family C...
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Lauriston Castle 2015

MJ Bryant Photography www.mjbryantphotography.com

A multi-award winning venue

Lectures, Special Events and Adult and Family Craft Workshops There is something for everyone ... experience the magic www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk

To book: usherhall.co.uk – go to ‘What’s On’

Welcome to Lauriston Castle For more than 400 years, enchanting Lauriston Castle has overlooked the River Forth at Silverknowes, near Cramond. Set among 30 acres of woodland and beautiful gardens, Lauriston Castle is a special place to visit. The charming old glasshouse, set into the woodland, is a perfectly magical place to enjoy our programme of garden events, art activities and craft workshops. As the weather turns colder, we move indoors into the old Castle kitchen where you will get a cosy welcome and lots of creative inspiration. The Castle itself has a beautiful Edwardian interior, from which we take inspiration for many of our workshops. Downstairs are the servants’ quarters, including the maids’ hall and the atmospheric old kitchen, where a warm welcome awaits you during the winter months. Why not double up a day visiting the Castle grounds with a picnic, and historic Cramond is right on our doorstep... Free car parking is available within the Castle grounds

off Cramond Road South. Lauriston Castle is easy to reach from all main routes. It sits between Davidson’s Mains and Cramond. You can take numerous buses to Davidson’s Mains, or Silverknowes Terminus; both are around 10 minutes walk from Lauriston Castle. See www. lothianbuses.com for details of local services.

Booking

Pre booking and advance payment are essential for all events. To book contact: Online: usherhall.co.uk – go to ‘What’s On’ By phone: 0131 228 1155 (Opening hours: MondaySaturday 10am-5.30pm) In person: Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA (Monday-Saturday 10am-5.30pm) For further information (non booking information) about any event, contact Margaret Findlay, Public Programmes Manager on 0131 529 3963 or [email protected]

0131 228 1155

Lectures

Lecture mornings cost £8 and include a special tour of the Castle and coffee and cakes. Our lecture experiences are truly unique and intimate, and you often get a chance to see parts of the Castle not usually seen by the public. Our lectures are hugely popular. Take advantage of our lecture deal – book 10 lectures at a special price of £60. Tuesday 26 May, 10.30am

Druids, Knights and Fairy Folk: Scottish Art and the Celtic Revival Spearheaded by the utopian thinker and sociologist Patrick Geddes, the Celtic Revival coincided with a period of cultural renaissance in Scotland. This lecture will focus on artists such as E.A. Hornel, George Henry and John Duncan, who drew their inspiration from Celtic myths and legends, as well as from recent archaeological discoveries and the stylised forms of Insular manuscripts such as the Book of Kells. Dr Frances Fowle is Reader in History of Art at the University of Edinburgh and Senior Curator at the Scottish National Gallery. She is a specialist in 19th century art and the author of Van Gogh’s Twin: the Scottish Art Dealer Alexander Reid: 1854-1928 (2010) and with Strang and Cumming S.J. Peploe (2012). Monday 20 July, 10.30am

The Natural History of Blue John Blue John is a banded variety of the mineral fluorite that is only found near Castleton in Derbyshire. It has been worked into ornaments since the late 18th century, and Lauriston Castle houses outstanding collections, assembled by William and Margaret Reid, of Blue John vases, urns, tazzas and bowls. Most veins of Blue John have now been worked out and the mineral is in very short supply. Consequently Blue John artefacts are very valuable and highly collectable. This lecture will show how Blue John formed and acquired its remarkable purple colour, and will be followed by a viewing of the Lauriston Castle Blue John collection. Godfrey Fitton is Professor of Igneous Petrology at the University of Edinburgh. He obtained his PhD at the University of Durham for work on the Borrowdale Volcanics in the Lake District, and has since worked on volcanic rocks in many parts of the world.

Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA

Tuesday 21 July, 10.30am

On Reflection Victoria Crowe will give an illustrated talk exploring the relationship between her early paintings from the 70s, to work produced for the last Edinburgh Festival exhibition. From the landscape of the Scottish Borders, a life observed, the influence of Italy and the genesis of the recent tapestry, Large Tree Group, gifted to the National Museum of Scotland, the artist will share her thoughts and trace the development of her work. Victoria Crowe OBE, DHC, MA(RCA), RSA, RSW studied at Kingston School of Art (1961-65) and then gained an MA from the Royal College of Art in 1968. She now lives and works in Scotland. Victoria is one of Scotland’s most distinguished artists and portraitists, and examples of her work are in the National Portrait Gallery, London; the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh; and the Danish National Portrait Gallery, as well as in many public and private collections worldwide including those of The Royal Academy and HM the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Monday 3 August, 10.30am

The Penicuik House Project Take a journey through the family history and the history of the building of Penicuik House by Sir James Clerk (3rd Bt), to its subsequent  destruction by fire and its consolidation as a ruin by the Trustees of the Penicuik House Preservation Trust. Sir Robert Clerk (11th Bt) recently retired from practice as a Chartered Surveyor and Land Agent. Along with other members of his family he owns and manages Penicuik Estate, which includes farming, forestry and recreational activities for members of the public. He is a Trustee of the Penicuik House Preservation Trust and Lord-Lieutenant of Midlothian. Monday 10 August, 10.30am

An Enthusiasm for Looking: The Art of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912-2004) The Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham had a professional career that spanned over 60 years. Born in St Andrews and trained at Edinburgh College of Art during the 1930s, she relocated to Cornwall in 1940, where she became closely associated with the St Ives School. Barns-Graham is usually considered within this context, as a member of the British modernist movement, working alongside Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Patrick Heron and Terry Frost. Yet she was also a bold and innovative artist

To book: usherhall.co.uk – go to ‘What’s On’

0131 228 1155

in her own right. This lecture provides an introduction to her life and work, tracing her career from her early student days to the colourful abstract images she produced in her mid 80s. Barns-Graham’s dual identity as both a Scottish artist and a St Ives artist will be explored, in addition to the remarkable breadth of her creative output. Helen Scott is Curator of Fine Art for Edinburgh Museums and Galleries. Previously she worked for the Barns-Graham Charitable Trust, conducting the first ever full inventory of artworks by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham held by the artist’s estate. Wednesday 12 August, 10.30am

Four Houses, Three Families, Two Countries, One Collection – The Buccleuch Collection The Buccleuch Collection is regarded as the best collection of fine arts still in family ownership in Britain, in respect of its quality and range. It is still seen, often in the very room for which pieces were commissioned or purchased, in Boughton House, Bowhill and Drumlanrig Castle, the extant historic houses of The Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. The care and display of, and access to The Collection will be discussed in a richly illustrated lecture by the Director of the collection. Gareth Fitzpatrick MBE is The Collections, Archive and Research Director for the Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust. Wednesday 19 August, 10.30am



John Duncan ‘Saint Bride’ 1913, Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh

Shackleton’s Geologist: the Life and Works of Sir James Mann Wordie One hundred years ago, Shackleton’s ship Endurance sailed to Antarctica and became stuck fast in the ice of the Weddell Sea. The story of the crew’s survival on the sea ice for months, their boat journey to Elephant Island, and subsequent rescue by Shackleton has become the stuff of legend. Among the crew was Scottish geologist James Wordie, whose influence changed the face of polar exploration. His personal collection of books and papers forms the heart of the polar collections at the National Library of Scotland. NLS curator Paula Williams draws on that collection to tell his story. Paula Williams is Curator of Maps, Mountaineering & Polar Collections at the National Library of Scotland. A degree in geography with options in glaciology and cartography, and a background in community libraries are combined in Paula’s perfect job. It allows her to develop her interest in maps, exploration and discovery.

Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA

Friday 21 August, 10.30am

The Briggers: The Story of the Men Who Built the Forth Bridge For the first time, more than a century after its opening, the Briggers gives the Forth Bridge a human voice. It tells the story of the Briggers, the name given to the thousands of men who built the bridge – who they were, where they came from, what working and living conditions were like and what their impact was on the sleepy communities below the immense structure. It reveals the ultimate sacrifice made by many men and boys whilst labouring to build this amazing structure. This intriguing lecture reveals the incidentals of everyday life that make the story much more than the construction of one of the world’s great engineering feats, from the daily commute from Edinburgh by workers’ train and boat to the 200 pints lined up on the bar of the Hawes Inn at the end of a shift. With the Briggers Team. Wednesday 9 September, 10.30am

Forensic Medicine in Edinburgh: Historical Origins and Subsequent Historical Sphere of Influence Professor Anthony Busuttil will take you on a journey through the intriguing world of forensics in Edinburgh, and the role of the forensic medical expert in the investigative team that is assembled to deal with sudden, unexpected and suspicious deaths. Professor Anthony Busuttil is Regius Professor of Forensic Medicine – Emeritus, Forensic Medicine Section – Department of Pathology, University of Edinburgh and Professor of Applied Pathology, Emeritus, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Monday 21 September, 10.30am

In Common Cause: Commonwealth Scots and the Great War David Forsyth explores the relationship between Scottish migration, military traditions and emerging national identities within the British empire. Emigration has been an ever-present theme in Scottish history. In 1914, as the world prepared for war, thousands of men enlisted in Scotland for military service, and across the British empire and beyond, thousands more of Scottish birth and descent joined up. David Forsyth is a Principal Curator in the Department of Scottish History and Archaeology at National Museums Scotland.

To book: usherhall.co.uk – go to ‘What’s On’

0131 228 1155

Tuesday 22 September, 10.30am

Wednesday 30 September, 10.30am

‘Altho designed Merchant in Eymouth… Mr Nisbet himself was a professed smuggler’: The Smuggler John Nisbet, his suppliers and his customers

A Clearer Light: Lord Hailes and the Scottish Enlightenment

Gunsgreen House in Eyemouth is perhaps the finest monument to smuggling in the country. Designed by John Adam for the merchant/smuggler John Nisbet in the early 1750s, it symbolises Nisbet’s dominance of the local smuggling trade between about 1750 and 1780. This lecture will explore Nisbet’s connections with merchants overseas, especially in Gothenburg, and with the people he supplied in Edinburgh, Newcastle and Leeds. Nisbet moved on the fringes of the Enlightenment and causes one to consider the centrality of smuggling to the supply of luxury goods in this period. Derek Janes is undertaking postgraduate research into smuggling in South East Scotland at the Centre for Maritime Historical Studies at the University of Exeter. After a career as a social historian in museums and – latterly – a manager in Edinburgh’s Culture and Sport service, Derek became the first Manager at Gunsgreen House, from which he retired in 2013. Monday 28 September, 10.30am



Lara Vischi Photography www.laravischi.com

National Trust for Scotland Walled Garden Case Studies

Edinburgh Living History

Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA

An assessment of the Trust’s walled gardens. Robert Grant has designed several new heritage gardens including the model 17th century garden at Culross Palace, Fife and the Garden of Scottish Cultivated Fruits at Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire. He has also redesigned the South Walled Garden at Culzean Castle, Ayrshire. He has also undertaken a number of smaller commissions and has project managed several historic garden restorations. In 1991 he won a Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal for a model parterre garden based on the NTS Pitmedden Garden, Aberdeenshire, and for four years he wrote a weekly gardening column for Scotland on Sunday newspaper. Robert Grant is the National Trust for Scotland’s Head of Gardens & Designed Landscapes and has 35 years of horticultural experience.  He trained at RHS Wisley and at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, and has also worked in commercial horticulture and with the Parks Department in Brighton, East Sussex.

Sir David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes, was very much a man of his time. ‘His time’ was no ordinary time, however. He was born to an important Scottish family during a period when Scotland was just emerging as one of the most influential nations in Europe. But like his native land, Lord Hailes was not to become influential through great political power or enormous wealth, but rather through the power of ideas.  His was a time when Scotland, and in particular Edinburgh, was reshaping the world with new ideas in law, history, literature, philosophy, economics, medicine and science. If the Edinburgh of Lord Hailes was ‘the capital of the mind’ he was one of its intellectual senators, and his house at Newhailes was ‘a mansion of the mind’. Mark McLean is Learning Officer for the National Trust for Scotland at Newhailes. He researched and co-curated the exhibition ‘A Clearer Light: Lord Hailes and the Scottish Enlightenment’ which opened at Newhailes in 2013. Friday 9 October, 10.30am

The Fascination of Jewellery: Important Women Collectors Clare Blatherwick focuses on four women and their amazingly diverse jewellery collections – Evalyn Walsh McLean, Marjorie Merriweather Post, Elizabeth Taylor and Madeleine Albright. She will look at some of their key pieces as well as the motivations of these avid collectors. Clare graduated from St Andrews University where her dissertation was on the use of naturalism in the work of Fabergé. She completed her gemmological qualifications whilst working for a gemstone merchant in London, before returning to Scotland in 2008 and becoming Head of the Jewellery & Silver Department in Scotland for Bonhams, the international auctioneers and valuers. She maintains a strong interest in the academic and historical side of her subject. Tuesday 3 November, 10.30am

The Houses of the Old Cramond Parish Part 1: The Development of the Barnton Estate This talk will outline the development of the Barnton Estate from the late 1500s to the present day. We will look at ownership and show how the estate developed through time, and show how the owners were the most influential

To book: usherhall.co.uk – go to ‘What’s On’

0131 228 1155

of these roles for leading record companies. For some years now Alan has been in demand as a professional director and has directed shows annually in the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh. Wednesday 18 November, 10.30am

William Morris: Artist, Designer, Entrepreneur, Socialist

Vincent Van Gogh ‘Farms near Auvers’ 1890, Tate, London. On long term loan to the Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh.

in the ‘Old Cramond Parish’ and had the ‘right’ to appoint the Minister of the Church of Cramond from 1597 until the Disruption in 1843. We will then explore how the passing of the Ramsay family led to the changes that we witness in the area today. Bill Weir is a retired Civil Servant. In retirement he has given more time to the Cramond Association and has undertaken work researching the Mansion Houses of the Old Cramond Parish in conjunction with Cramond Heritage Trust and their archive team. Monday 9 November, 10.30am

Daubigny to Van Gogh: The Artists’ Colony of Auvers-sur-Oise Van Gogh spent the last two months of his life at Auvers, a picturesque village on the river Oise known for its rolling wheatfields and quaint thatched cottages. This talk focuses on the development of Auvers as a bustling artists’ colony, initially under the leadership of the artist Charles François Daubigny, whose house and garden Van Gogh painted, and latterly under the collector and amateur artist Doctor Gachet, a close friend of Camille Pissarro and Paul Cézanne. Dr Frances Fowle is Reader in History of Art at the University of Edinburgh and Senior Curator at the Scottish National Gallery. She is a specialist in 19th century art and the author of Van Gogh’s Twin: the Scottish Art Dealer Alexander Reid: 1854-1928 (2010), and with Strang and Cumming S.J. Peploe (2012).

Tuesday 10 November, 10.30am

The Houses of the Old Cramond Parish, Part 2: The History of the Muirhouse Estate – Muttonhole Revealed This talk will outline the development of the estate from the time of King Robert I to the present day. The speaker will look at ownership, outline some of the stories, successes and failures, and tell how social development saw the old village of Muttonhole become known as Davidson’s Mains. Bill Weir is a retired Civil Servant. In retirement he has given more time to the Cramond Association and has undertaken work researching the Mansion Houses of the Old Cramond Parish in conjunction with Cramond Heritage Trust and their archive team. Wednesday 4 and 11 November, 10.30am

Ballads, Songs and Snatches: Exploring the world of Gilbert and Sullivan Please note each lecture must be booked separately. In this two-part lecture you will learn how the world-famous partnership of Gilbert and Sullivan created their universally popular series of comic operas. You will also be able to hear some extremely rare recordings and view some original 19th century memorabilia from the original productions. Alan Borthwick has sung leading tenor roles in operas ranging from Poulenc to Puccini as guest artiste for companies throughout Scotland. He is the only singer ever to have performed all the tenor roles in Sullivan operas – including those written without Gilbert – and he has recorded many

By the end of the 19th century, William Morris (1834-96) was acknowledged as the most influential designer of his day, with followers across Britain, in Europe and in the USA. Many of Morris’s textile and wallpaper patterns are still in production nearly 120 years after his death, and his ideas on the relationship between art and life continues to raise debate and to inspire contemporary artists. This talk will provide a brief survey of Morris’s work in a broad range of media and will look at some of the ways in which he has had a continuing effect on later generations. Annette Carruthers recently retired from the School of Art History at the University of St Andrews. Her book on The Arts and Crafts Movement in Scotland was published by Yale in 2013 and she is currently working on a book about Ernest Gimson, one of Morris’s most fervent admirers.

Special Events and Family and Adult Craft Experiences Adult Workshops and the Unique Family Learning Experience at Lauriston. The Lauriston events programme is open to everyone. We offer a separate adult craft programme which is very popular. Family Workshops which are labelled as ‘family’ have something to offer the full age spectrum – from toddlers to teenagers and grannies to grandpas! Occasionally, depending on the workshop, a minimum age limit is set. We encourage families to work together and offer a unique family learning experience. All of our artists are very experienced in working with a variety of age ranges. Our workshops offer excellent value for money, and during each workshop you will use only the best quality art materials. A snack is also provided.

Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA

Please note that children cannot be booked into workshops alone; at least one adult must accompany them. Since our workshops are family experiences the price is per adult and per child. Please also note that people do book very early for events much later in the year. If you fancy a particular Christmas workshop, book as soon as the programme comes out, because these workshops get booked especially fast.

Murder Mystery Saturday 28 November, 7-10.30pm

A Wreath for the Laurels £30 (with refreshments) Come along and immerse yourself in the Edwardian era and help solve a murder mystery. A funeral wreath is delivered to the Laurels, but puzzlingly no-one is dead... yet. Come and exercise your skills as a detective and solve an Edwardian murder. With Edinburgh Living History, our award winning group of Living History performers.

Special Events - Family Sunday 17 May, 11am-2pm

A Sporting Chance at Lauriston Castle £4 per person Join us for a day of fun at Lauriston Castle exploring historic games and competing for prizes. On our beautiful lawns explore a bygone era of fun sports and see some Edwardians join in. Indulge in ginger beer and strawberries and cream – classic summer croquet treats. Evoke the magic of times gone by ... Sunday 28 June, 11am-2pm

The Teddy Bears’ Picnic £6 per person A special family day at the Castle. Bring your teddy bear along and have a picnic with us in our enchanting garden. There will be crafts and woodland trails. A special cartoonist will be there to draw a portrait of your bear. Remember to bring a picnic. We will provide cake, strawberries and ginger beer! With the Lauriston team and a few special guests.

To book: usherhall.co.uk – go to ‘What’s On’

0131 228 1155

Friday 24 July, 10am-12 noon or 1-3pm

The Edinburgh Sketcher ‑ Sketching for Families £5 per person We are delighted to offer a special family session with the famous Edinburgh Sketcher. In this sketching tour, you will get the chance to learn speed sketching skills and time saving solutions which will enable you to capture the world around you in ink and watercolour, no matter how long you have.  You will make the most delightful drawings and be inspired to do more in the future – a very special opportunity. Sunday 4 October, 10.30am-12.30pm

In the Kitchen with Mrs Mash £6 per person Join Mrs Mash the Storytelling Cook for stories, songs, games and food fun for all the family. Hear tales in the kitchen, make some home-made butter and add your own creative input to some very special fairy cakes...

Sunday 10 May, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

‘Uptown Abbey’ Lauriston Above and Below Stairs Adult £5 (£6.50), Child £3 (£4.50), Family £12.50 (£17) (price in brackets includes afternoon tea) Join Edinburgh Living History, our award winning troupe of Living History interpreters at Lauriston Castle – Edinburgh’s very own hidden Edwardian gem. This is a unique chance to observe life in an Edwardian house. Meet the Reids, their staff and some special guests as they go about their daily lives. Friday 15 May, 7.30-9pm

Edinburgh Renaissance Band at the Castle Sir Archibald entertains at Lauriston

£6 per person A slightly different structure to our usual events...come all dressed up for Halloween and explore a host of dastardly experience that will terrify yet enchant you... With the Lauriston team and a few special guests. Sunday 13 December, 10am-1pm

Sunday 21 June, 7-9pm

Christmas at the Castle

A Midsummer Play at Lauriston Castle

Halloween at the Castle

MJ Bryant Photography www.mjbryantphotography.com

Special Events - Everyone

£15 (with refreshments) Around 1593 Sir Archibald Napier, master of the Scottish mint, ordered the construction of a tower house at Lauriston. At this time the court of King James VI supported a rich cultural life in Edinburgh; Scottish poets and composers collaborated with writers and musicians from England, France and Italy. This programme presents a selection of vocal and instrumental music which might have been performed in the newly built Lauriston Castle in 1600, using authentic replicas of the instruments of the time. This event is presented in partnership with the Festival of Museums.

Sunday 25 October, 10am-1pm



Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA

£6 per person Experience a traditional Edwardian Christmas at the Castle. The whole team will be on hand to show you the beautifully decorated Castle interior. There will be magical Christmas crafts and maybe a few special guests.

£20 (with refreshments) Join Edinburgh Living History, our award winning troupe of Living History interpreters at Lauriston Castle and spend a beautiful midsummer’s evening evoking the Edwardian Era. This is just a perfect way to spend a summer’s evening appreciating the light over the sea. (We will have a bad weather option!) It is 21 June 1909. You are invited to attend a wedding at The Laurels. Preparations are well under way above and below stairs. What could possibly go wrong? Take part in the action.

To book: usherhall.co.uk – go to ‘What’s On’

0131 228 1155

Tuesday 30 June, 5.30 & 7.30pm

Sunday 27 September, 2pm and 3pm

The Secret Room

‘Uptown Abbey’ Lauriston Above and Below Stairs

£20/£18 conc. Duration: 75mins Ages 10+ Enter Lauriston Castle and travel back in time to a world of clandestine laboratories, hidden passages and secret rooms... A sell out in 2013 & 2014, three of the finest Scottish magicians animate the Castle’s intriguing past with stories, performances and illusions relating to the history of Lauriston and the Castle’s owners. A high court judge come surreptitious alchemist, a gambler who nearly lost everything, what other mysteries does this wonderful castle conceal? Find your answer inside ‘The Secret Room’. This is part of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival official programme, to book for this event visit www. magicfest.co.uk Wednesday 15 July, 7pm

Much Ado About Nothing in the Garden There’s a lot to shout about in The Pantaloons’ take on Shakespeare’s timeless summer comedy of masks, music and mistaken identities. The boys are back from war and it’s time for celebration - but villainous Don John decides to spoil everyone’s fun with his devious plots. Will young Claudio and his love Hero fall foul of these machinations? Will Beatrice and Benedick stop bickering and fall in love? Find out in this fast-paced, physical and funny new production.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.thepantaloons. co.uk Wednesday 29 July, 10am-4pm

Picture courtesy: The Pantaloons

An Inspirational Day of Creative Writing at Lauriston Castle with Janice Cairns, author of ‘Forgiving Nancy’



Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA

£40 This very special summer writing course for adults will focus on how we find the original ideas and the inspiration for writing a novel. It will focus on characterisation and how we can create memorable characters. Plotting, writing believable dialogue and using the five senses in novel writing will also be explored. The course is designed to prompt aspiring writers from only thinking about writing a novel to actually writing a novel. There will also be some advice on how to find a publisher.

Adult £5 (£6.50), Child £3 (£4.50), Family £12.50 (£17) (price in bracket includes afternoon tea) Join Edinburgh Living History, our award winning troupe of Living History interpreters at Lauriston Castle – Edinburgh’s very own hidden Edwardian gem. This is a unique chance to observe life in an Edwardian house. Meet the Reids, their staff and some special guests as they go about their daily lives. Sunday 6 December, 2pm and 3pm

Christmas at Lauriston Adult £5 (£6.50), Child £3 (£4.50), Family £12.50 (£17) (with Christmas afternoon tea) Join Edinburgh Living History, our award winning troupe of Living History interpreters at Lauriston Castle at Christmas. Evoke the true magic of the Edwardian period at Christmas and discover what life would have been like.

Adult Craft Programme Saturday 23 May, 10.30am-3.30pm

Bend it like... Wire! £20 Join artist Lindsey Hamilton to create a colourful mobile.  Explore the varied designs and patterns at Lauriston before choosing a theme to base your work around. Bend wire into a variety of shapes and motifs then thread with beads to catch the light and create an elegant hanging piece. Sunday 24 May, 10.30am-3.30pm

Blue and White Kitchen Delights £20 Inspired by the beauty of Blue and White willow patterned china beloved by 19th Century collectors, decorate a lovely teapot and then stencil a useful apron to match! With artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb.

To book: usherhall.co.uk – go to ‘What’s On’ Saturday 4 July, 10.30am-3.30pm

Saturday 29 August, 10.30am-12.30pm or 1.30-3.30pm

Sculpting with Sinamay

Natural Jewellery from the Castle Trees

£20 Ever admired the incredible shapes formed in fascinators? Take inspiration from the natural forms found in Lauriston’s stunning gardens and sculpt your response. Create individual flowers or abstract shapes using sinamay and wire. With artist Lindsey Hamilton.

£20 Using wood sourced at Lauriston, create some beautiful natural jewellery – brooches, bracelets and pendants. You will source, cut, drill, polish and assemble unique pieces of wooden jewellery. All tools will be provided. With artist Stephanie Walker.

Saturday 18 July, 10.30am-3.30pm

Sunday 6 September, 10.30am-3.30pm

Magical Paper Sculptures

Introduction to Abstract Painting

£20 Create a tiny moonlit silhouette scene of a village or forest and light it with battery operated tea lights for magical effect, then construct a larger paper heart-shaped wreath from cut and folded 3D paper flowers and leaves. With artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb. Saturday 1 August, 10.30am-3.30pm

£20 Following the success of last year’s workshop we are running a one day introduction to abstract painting. You will be encouraged to experiment with a variety of painting techniques, including pouring, texture, staining and layering, before creating a unique artwork on canvas. The focus is on creating a relaxed, fun day of experimentation for anyone keen to try new painting techniques. With artist Michael Craik.

Art Nouveau Jewellery £20 Inspired by the stylised natural forms in Art Nouveau jewellery such as curving leaves, dragonflies and flowers, create a set of elegant accessories using fabrics, beads and trim. This class will include some hand sewing. With artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb. Saturday 15 August, 10am-12 noon or 1-3pm

Sketching Lauriston Castle with the Edinburgh Sketcher – For adults £20 We are delighted to offer a special adult session with the famous Edinburgh Sketcher. In this sketching tour, you will get the chance to learn speed sketching skills and time saving solutions which will enable you to capture the world around you in ink and watercolour, no matter how long you have. You will make the most delightful drawings and be inspired to do more in the future – a very special opportunity.

Saturday 12 September, 10.30am-3.30pm

Printmaking for Autumn £20 As we move into autumn, be inspired by our Friendship Garden and the 19th century craze for Japanese designs. Create a Japanese-inspired wall hanging using simple printmaking techniques. Print simple animal and natural forms to create a unique artwork suspended from bamboo. With artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb. Sunday 13 September, 10.30am-3.30pm

All Things Paper £20 Explore the many ways you can manipulate paper to create a 3D image. Cut, curl, fold, scrunch, tear: a chance to experiment and see what can be achieved using the humble sheet of paper. With artist Lindsey Hamilton. Sunday 20 September, 10.30am-3.30pm

Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, 10.30 am-3.30pm

Tea Time

Mosaics

£20 Make a beautiful and unique set of placemats for your table and also an enchanting wooden teapot trivet from handcrafted wood, sourced from the Castle trees. With artist Stephanie Walker.

£30 Two Day Mosaic class. An introduction to Mosaics. Make beautiful sparking panels inspired by our gardens. With Margaret Findlay.

0131 228 1155

Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA

To book: usherhall.co.uk – go to ‘What’s On’

0131 228 1155

Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA

Saturday 26 September, 10.30am-3.30pm

Wednesday 16 December, 10.30am-3.30pm

Copper Crafting Capers

Christmas Felted Cushions

£20 Try your hand at metal styling. Take inspiration from designs in the Sheffield plate collection at Lauriston and transform a flat copper sheet into an embossed plaque, brooch, plant tag, etc. With artist Lindsey Hamilton.

£20 Make an exquisite Christmas cushion using felt making techniques. Decorate it with wonderful festive embellishments. With Margaret Findlay.

Saturday 21 November, 10.30am-4pm

Delicate Watercolour Christmas Cards £20 Make a set of beautiful hand-painted cards and handpainted envelopes for family and friends. Evoke frosty days in the beautiful medium of watercolour. With artist Jacqui Pestell. Sunday 22 November, 10.30am-3.30pm

Vintage Advent Calendars £20 Inspired by a 19th century Christmas, create a wall-hanging advent calendar and tree trims of robins, fairies, holly and mistletoe in silvery tones of glitter and frost. Some hand sewing involved in this workshop. With artist Tessa AsquithLamb.

Friday 18 December, 10.30am-3.30pm

Country Wreaths £30 Make beautifully vintage style inspired wreaths. Decorate your wreath with a host of little unique touches. With Margaret Findlay. Saturday 19 December, 10am-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm

Lauriston Wreaths £25 Christmas would just not be Christmas without our fresh wreath class. Make inspiring wreaths from green material and beautiful embellishments. These wreaths have impact! With Margaret Findlay and Jacqui Pestell. Sunday 20 December, 10 am-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm

Classic Wreaths Saturday 5 December, 10.30am-4pm

Hand Felted Christmas Stockings £25 Make a stunning handmade Christmas stocking by hand felting fibres. Decorate with beautiful and unique embellishments. With artist Jacqui Pestell.

£25 A second green wreath class. You will create absolutely stunning and dramatic wreaths in the festive class. With Margaret Findlay and Jacqui Pestell. Monday 21 December, 10.30am-4pm

Enchanted Wooden Beds Saturday 12 December, 10.30am-4pm

Forest Christmas Wreaths £20 Create unique wreaths from hand printed birch and hazel pieces. You will get the chance to hand-print little scenes making something magical and individual. Also make some candle holders and individual place settings for your Christmas table. With artist Stephanie Walker.

£20 Christmas is approaching, and if you have a tiny person in your life, this is a unique chance to make a hand-crafted little magical wooden bed for a doll or a teddy. You will hand-paint it and finish your project by making a little handsewn quilt. With artist Stephanie Walker. All tools will be provided, and wood will be sourced in our woodland.

To book: usherhall.co.uk – go to ‘What’s On’

Family Craft Programme Sunday 5 April, 10am-1pm

Easter at the Castle £5 per person Have fun in our idyllic setting and experience a host of crafts and trails in the woodland. Enjoy Easter cake and lots of other treats with us! Watch out for lost bunnies... With the Lauriston team. Sunday 19 April, 11am-3pm

Modroc Mirrors! £5 per person Make a beautifully crafted mirror with Modroc, inspired by the shore and the woodland. With Margaret Findlay. Sunday 26 April, 11am-3.30pm

Magical Story Cushions £6 per person Bring along your favourite story book, and create an amazing cushion based on your chosen character, hand felted from sheep fibres. Decorate your cushion with a host of beautiful embellishments. With Margaret Findlay. Sunday 3 May, 10.30am-12.30pm

Springtime Flowerpots £5 per person Spring is here and it’s time to get green fingers in our glasshouse. Decorate some terracotta pots and sow some herbs for your garden or windowsill. Create some stylish labels so you don’t forget what you’ve sown. With Michael Craik. Sunday 10 May, 10.30am-12.30pm

Pond Secrets £4 per person Come along to our beautiful pond in the Japanese Garden at Lauriston and discover the different creatures that live there. Record your findings in a special little book. Then return to the Glasshouse to create your very own wooden sailing boat to sail back in the pond. With Mike Durnan.

Sunday 14 June, 11am-3pm

Enchanting Mythical Creatures £6 per person Let your imagination run riot and create some amazing mythical creatures-on- a-stick out of felt. Embellish them with magical things! With Margaret Findlay. Saturday 20 June, 10.30am-12.30pm

Ahoy Me Hearties! £4 per person Using a secret pirate map, navigate the grounds of Lauriston for ‘treasure’ to help transform yourself into a pirate. Make your own crazy cutlass, pirate hat and even your own parrot! With Mike Durnan. Sunday 5 July, 10.30am-12.30pm

Croquet Tea Party! £4 per person Inspired by ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’, enjoy a game of ‘Queen of Hearts’ croquet on the lawns of Lauriston. Then decorate some spectacular cakes and biscuits for a special tea party in the Glasshouse. With Mike Durnan. Wednesday 15 July, 10.30am-12.30pm

Marvellous Messy Monoprints £4 per person The grounds at Lauriston Castle are teeming with wildlife. Taking this as our inspiration, we’ll get messy with a variety of monoprinting techniques, materials and stamps to create a colourful woodland masterpiece. With Michael Craik. Wednesday 22 July, 10.30am-12.30pm

Bug Hunt £4 per person The grounds of Lauriston are perfect for hunting mini beasties. Find all sorts of wonderful bugs hidden within the woods and grasses, then create your favourite colourful giant bug using natural willow and paper. With Mike Durnan. Thursday 6 August, 10.30am-12.30pm

There’s a Dragon in the Castle! £4 per person Did you know we had a secret dragon? Come along and make an amazing dragon and hear all about dragons. Bring

0131 228 1155

your imagination and unleash your inner monster! With Mike Durnan. Sunday 23 August, 10.30am-12.30pm

Knights of the Joust £4 per person Lauriston Castle is always on the lookout for brave knights to protect us from marauding dragons. Prepare for battle by making your very own shield with coat of arms and a jousting lance to keep these fiery beasts at arms length. With Michael Craik. Sunday 27 September, 10.30am-12.30pm

Beautiful Bird Boxes £4 per person Decorate your very own wooden bird box. Use found natural objects from the grounds of Lauriston, paint and other materials to transform your bird box into a very special home for your feathered friends. With Mike Durnan. Sunday 11 October, 10.30am-12.30pm

Amazing Autumn Jewellery £4 per person Take inspiration from the amazing autumn colours and textures at Lauriston and make unique jewellery – badges, bracelets, brooches and pendants. With Mike Durnan.

Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA

Saturday 7 November, 10.30am-12.30pm

Magical Woodland 3D Pictures £4 per person Imagine our woods by night and make a 3D picture of a mysterious night-time woodland scene, with fairy lights and secret animals. With Mike Durnan. Sunday 29 November, 10.30am-12.30pm

Santas, Snowmen and Snowflakes £4 per person Get ready for the festive season in the traditional surroundings of Lauriston Castle with this delightful Christmas decorations workshop. Brighten up your tree this year with some wonderful handmade treats. With Michael Craik. Sunday 6 December, 10.30am-12.30pm

Crazy Christmas Crackers £4 per person Create your very own colourful crazy Christmas crackers with jokes and treats galore. They are sure to go with a bang! With Mike Durnan.

Designed by the City of Edinburgh Council Corporate Governance 14.377/CG/IF/February 2015

Photography by Teresa Sumerfield

You can get this document on tape, in Braille, large print and various computer formats if you ask us. Please contact ITS on 0131 242 8181 and quote reference number 14-1520. ITS can also give information on community language translations.