Edinburgh Café Scientifique: Surprising Targets for Harmful Air Pollution Particles with Ken Donaldson

Café Scientifique is a voluntarily run network of science discussion groups based around the UK and the world, which aims to provide an open and informal forum for the public discussion of science and engineering. Cafés follow a common principle, which is to host free talks from eminent individuals in an informal ‘face-to-face’ setting with no complicated visual aids (i.e. no Powerpoint presentations) and plenty of time for questions and discussion. Read more…

A Personal Account of Poverty in the United Kingdom: Entrenched Difficulty and Tenacious Myths

I live in Edinburgh, capital city of Scotland, and a place of inequalities.  Walking from the new town at the centre of the city, you can go in several directions to find sink estates built of concrete modules to a plan which had either forgotten to incorporate important social and economic infrastructure or deliberately omitted it viewing it as a cost. Read more…

Leith Lives: The Country Within The Country

Having spent a good part of my life in the very heart of Leith, I have watched the place change over time. Of all things Leith has is soul. It is the country within the country having a long and distinguished history of trade and commerce with all parts of the world.  Before oysters and claret were the trappings of the wealthy, these were eaten and shared in the everyday lives of the workers of Leith. Read more…

Concerning the Future of Edinburgh’s Central Library and the City’s World Heritage Status by Simon Byrom

We the undersigned, backed by over 5000 signatures of public support, wish to register an expression of “No Confidence” in the City of Edinburgh Council, in response to the proposal for a highly contentious development at India Buildings on Victoria Street, following a spate of controversial planning decisions whose cumulative effects are seriously damaging the reputation of this City of the Enlightenment, putting Edinburgh’s highest accolade at risk, the World Heritage status. Read more…

Edinburgh: Brassmonkey

A long established bar in Edinburgh which sits off Surgeon’s Hall tucked away like a local secret.  Brass Monkey offers a range of beverages from whiskies to coffee served with Tunnocks Teacakes – a touch which very much epitomizes this wood panel watering hole. They sport a range of posters and an intimate back room which harbours bubbling conversation. Read more…