Special Events
Edinburgh International Film Festival
The Edinburgh Film Festival 2010 will take place June 16th – 27th.
The Edinburgh International Film Festival is one of the most respected and influential events in the cinematic calendar, drawing premium figures from the film world and industry insiders to the Scottish capital.
Launched in 1947 along with the Edinburgh International Festival, the event has played a strong role in the development of British and Scottish film.
The festival has always been at the forefront of new movements in cinema, being among the first to screen New German Cinema, American Indie and Japanese Cinema.
By bringing fresh talent and innovation in film to audiences, the festival has also launched the careers of iconic film makers, including Stephen Frears after he debuted My Beautiful Launderette in Edinburgh.
Festival films in recent years which have gone onto prove immensely popular include Control, Knocked Up and The Edge of Love.
Thousands of film enthusiasts visit Edinburgh for the festival each year, and are treated to a mix of stimulating, provocative and cutting edge film which is crucially entertaining and refreshing.
For listings and information visit www.edfilmfest.org.uk
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The 2010 Edinburgh Tattoo August 6th – 28th
2010 marks the Diamond Jubilee Year of Edinburgh's celebrated Royal Military Tattoo which will take place over the period 6-28 August with performances on Monday to Friday at 9.00pm and on Saturday at 7.30pm and 10.30pm.
Against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the world's most spectacular Tattoo will host a celebration of talent from four continents including pipers, gymnasts, singers, dancers and an amazing motorcycle display team. The emphasis is again very much on music with the event expected to delight an international crowd with its rich variety.
As always, the exciting programme will include probably its two most popular items - the music of the Massed Pipes and Drums and that of the Massed Military Bands. Among the many bands taking part are those of South African Irish Regiment along with the South Australian Pipes and Drums and the prestigious Military Band of the Coldstream Guards.
Show-stopping turns are expected from the United States as the Citadel Band from Charleston, South Carolina will present an inspiring musical display which has enlivened events across the globe. Whilst the Imps Motorcycle Display Team from London's Docklands - celebrating their 40th anniversary - are set to provide a thrilling exhibition of motorcycle prowess performed at breathtaking speed.
Antipodean attractions are also on parade in the form of a military contingent from New Zealand, an Army band renowned for their talent, diversity and humour.
Edinburgh International Film Festival - 2010
August 15 – September 5
The Edinburgh International Festival is one of the world’s most revered and influential cultural events, drawing talented artists and performers from across the globe, and transforming the city with theatre, music and revelry.
The festival has inspired cities around the world to imitate its successful format of superior yet inclusive art and culture.
The event has been described by The Scotsman as one that always brings the ‘promise of discovery.’
This year, there is to be a strong sense of celebrating another era of discovery and promise – the 18th Century Scottish Enlightenment.
The 18th Century Enlightenment describes a movement which fuelled the revolutionary development of philosophical thought, science and the arts, and had its own influences from Scotland. These influences will provide a fascinating theme for much of this year’s festival.
Also on offer is a fresh take on opera, ballet and puppetry, in addition to an extensive music and theatre repertoire, and early reviews suggest productions of Faust and The Last Witch will prove phenomenally popular.
Founded in 1947, the International Festival was created amid the aftermath of World War Two, with the aim of cultivating the arts to revive the human spirit and fresh optimism following mass devastation.
All exhibiting artists are invited, ensuring a consistently high quality and innovative mix of genres, styles and performances.
This cherry picking of premier music, art, theatre and dance results in an eternally fresh, provocative and exhilarating festival.
Yet Edinburgh folk know there is more to the festival than the performances. What really makes it such a special event to be part of is an electric atmosphere, with a thrilling social and party scene, and the excitement of shared celebration among hundreds of nationalities and cultures.
The seemingly endless round of performances, events and late summer nights define the festival, and our guests benefit from the luxurious, private haven of their Holyrood Aparthotel home just minutes from all the excitement.
For a full festival programme and information about tickets
Edinburgh's Moonwalk
Launching this year on Saturday June 19th
Since women (and men) presented a united front against breast cancer with the world’s biggest sponsored walk, The Moonwalk has proved hugely successful in Edinburgh.
Launching at the beautiful Inverlieth Park, some 12,000 men and women will trail the city’s streets in tailored, customised, decorated and sometimes just plain surreal bras to show their support for those affected by breast cancer, and raise vital funds for care, support and research.
Last year Edinburgh’s Moonwalk alone raised an incredible £2.7 million for breast cancer charities.
For further information visit www.walkthewalk.org
Royal Highland Show
Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 June 2010
Scotland’s agricultural community and thousands of visitors from across the country come together for the Royal Highland Show.
This celebration of Scotland’s food, farming and rural life was launched back in 1783, and has grown to be one of Edinburgh’s most iconic events.
Livestock parades, rural pursuits, impressive displays of farm machinery and enticing food halls offering a feast of Scottish produce make this event as much a wonderful family day out as an integral date in the country’s agricultural calendar.
Children in particular love meeting the animals and marvelling at the gigantic tractors, while foodies savour the opportunity to sample delicious fresh produce from award winning producers.
In recent years event organisers introduced Highland Games, including favourites such as Caber Tossing for added entertainment value.
The Royal Highland Show has always offered a strong emphasis on education. The organisation aims to inspire improvements in farming, increase understanding of our pastoral landscape and encourage us to work in harmony with the environment, as well as inviting visitors to enjoy a fascinating glance into rural Scotland.
Rugby In Edinburgh
Edinburgh hosts some of Rugby’s most nail biting competitive events, at the world famous Murrayfield Stadium.
The stadium and multitude of bars alike are filled with rugby fans and an indescribable sense of excitement. The city’s vibrant and varied bar scene ensures there is plenty of atmosphere for celebration or commiseration well into the small hours.
The Six Nations Cup comes to Edinburgh for the Scotland V Wales and Scotland V Ireland matches. For details of dates visit www.rbs6nations.com
Information available now at www.ercrugby.com
Edinburgh Book Festival
14-30 August 2010
The Edinburgh Book Festival is a vibrant and inspirational event ideal for all who love literature.
Taking place during the heart of the Edinburgh International Festival, this event offers author interviews, readings, debates and workshops that explore and celebrate the history, influences and future of literature in our lives.
Featuring burgeoning literary talent, rare finds and fresh interpretations of classics, the event draw literary aficionados from far and wide for this celebration of the world of books.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Fringe Festival running 6-30 August 2010
It’s the world’s biggest arts festival, offering theatre, comedy, music, art and entertainment to audiences of millions.
And it was all started by a few gatecrashers.
When the Edinburgh International Festival launched in 1947, eight theatre groups turned up uninvited with the hope of performing.
This developed into a trend of uninvited performers visiting Edinburgh and performing outside the official EIF programme, only to then launch a formal group Festival Fringe Society in 1958.
The Fringe has gone onto prove a hit with audiences from across the international stage, attracting fresh talent from all corners of the world and launching some surprise careers along the way.
What makes The Fringe different is that anybody can perform, and with no artistic vetting, there is an anarchic freedom and sense of cultural chaos at play.
The Fringe presents a wide range of performances, incorporating all musical genres, theatre, street performance, children’s shows and artistic events, many of which are free.
With over 1.7 million tickets selling last year, The Fringe just keeps growing in popularity and is regarded by many as capturing the true spirit of Edinburgh’s festival scene.
Rat Race
Venue: Various venues across the city
Taking adventure sports right into the streets, waterways and urban jungle of the UK's coolest cities, the Rat Race is where teams of three race in a multi-disciplined challenge of navigation, endurance, skills and guts running, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, abseiling, and tackling a course that's only revealed hours before they begin.
http://www.ratraceadventure.com/
BUPA Great Winter Run
The Bupa Great Winter Run takes place in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh on Saturday 9th January 2010 and is open to runners of all abilities aged 14 or over. The 5km road run is a mixture of road, grass and mud making it a unique Great Run event and part of a winter run extravaganza in Edinburgh. The Great Edinburgh International Cross Country will follow the Winter Run and will be a major highlight of the day where some of the world's top athletes are expected to compete.
Edinburgh Marathon
The Edinburgh Marathon is more than just a race – it is a festival of fun with on-route entertainment and finish-line celebrations. The race day will also reflect great human spirit thanks to the thousands of runners raising much needed funds for charitable causes. On the 15th of June 2003 Scotland’s capital hosted its first city marathon in 17 years. 3000 runners took to the streets of Edinburgh out of which over 1/3 were raising funds for charity. Edinburgh Marathon 2004 built on this achievement on 13th June with over 5000 people taking part. The 2009 Albert Bartlett Edinburgh Marathon and Hairy Haggis Team Relay expects 16,500 entrants and is firmly established its position as one of Scotland’s premier sporting and fundraising events.
http://www.edinburgh-marathon.com/
Highland Games
Scotland has a long tradition and history of Highland Games where Clans would compete against each other in sporting events. Early Celts viewed such events as war games where their strongest and bravest soldiers would win the games. Some say that Highland Games originated as a clan chieftain's way of choosing the best bodyguards and the fittest fighters. Not all the chief's requirements were warlike - musicians and dancers were important for the prestige of his household. Choosing staff and supporters was done by holding competitions - good runners for couriers, strong men for defence and a range of entertainers to amuse them during the winter evenings. Many events at today's Highland Games still use items which would have been part of everyday life in the Highlands of old eg. round stones from river beds probably provided the original shot-putts while a Scots pine trunk shorn of its branches is still the caber as tossed today. Many of these traditions can still be seen in Highland Games today however they are now much more sociable and fun events celebrated worldwide.
The Barclays Scottish Open
For a week in July the eyes of the golfing world focus on one of the most beautiful golf courses on the planet. Come and witness the world's greatest golfers in breathtaking competition on the majestic Loch Lomond course.
http://www.barclaysscottishopen.co.uk/
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
The City of Glasgow is proud that "The Friendly Games" are coming here from Wednesday, 23 July to Sunday, 3 August 2014. There is keen anticipation in a city renowned for its friendliness, generosity of spirit and sense of humour. Glasgow is representing the whole of Scotland in extending a welcome to new and old friends from all Commonwealth nations.
