Summer Programme
With no official Minis meets, we thought it might be nice to have some unofficial summer meet ups, which will usually take place on Tuesday mornings through the holidays. No need to commit yourself in advance, just turn up on the day.
10:30am 2 July - Gorgie Farm
We will meet in the "Education Room" at 10.30 (exclusively booked for our group until 12 noon). Lots to see on the farm, including ducks, hens, pigs, a horse, cows and goats, as well as opportunity to climb on the big red tractor, wander round the veggie plot (like Mr Bloom) and buy some really freshly laid eggs. If the weather is miserable, there are farm-themed toys to play with, and we will make a piggy craft. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch - there is an outdoor picnic area. There is also a reasonably priced and child friendly cafe.
Cost: Admission to the Farm is free (donations appreciated). £1.50 per family to cover the room hire.
Public Transport: 44 bus to Ardmillan Terrace
Parking: limited parking in the farm; £2 charge
11:00am 9 July - Dynamic Earth softplay and Holyrood Park
Meet in the main concourse at 11 am for a play in the softplay. If it is sunny, we will cross the road to the park for a walk and a play. Bring a picnic lunch.
Cost: £2 charge for softplay, but free to under 2s and Dynamic Earth passholders
Public transport: 44 bus to ASDA, then change to the 35 to the bottom of the Royal Mile
Parking: Dynamic Earth has a carpark £3 charge for 3 hours; Historic Scotland car park in Holyrood Park, £1.20 per hour.
10.30 16 July - Meadows Play Park or (if wet National Museum of Scotland)
Depending on the weather, a day out at Edinburgh’s best children’s play park, or if wet, a trip round the Museum. Meet at the Pedestrian entrance to the Meadows at the corner of Lauriston Place, Forrest Road and Teviot Place (45 will drop you outside Heriots Private school), and we will decide whether to stroll across the Meadows to the play park or head to the museum.
Cost: free
Public transport - 45 from Currie - alight at Heriots School, Lauriston Place (opposite the old Royal Infirmary).
11:00 23 July - Picnic in Malleny Gardens or coffee and cake at St Joseph’s Centre, Balerno
If fine, we will meet in Malleny Gardens. A beautiful mature garden with a lovely veggie plot.. clearly a chance to go Peter Rabbit Spotting! Bring a rug, something nice to eat and any games/toys you can carry - especially if you have things that might be good for sharing (balls, bats, parachute!). If it’s cold and wet, we’ll meet in the St Joseph centre for coffee instead.
Cost - £3.50 per adult; under 5s are free. Malleny Gardens is free to NTS members, and it is easy to join online.
Meet us in the entrance lobby to the Modern Art Gallery (ie. not to be confused with the Dean Gallery, which is across the road) at 11am. Two floors of interesting exhibits to run around and gawp at. If the weather is nice, the sculpture park is brimming with exciting things to walk round and climb over (yes, you are allowed/encouraged!). If the weather is fine, the garden is perfect for a picnic. The cafe makes tasty soup if it’s cold and wet.
Cost: free entry
Public transport - 44 to Haymarket, and then a 10 minute walk. From the West End of Princes Street walk along Shandwick Place before turning right onto Palmerston Place. Follow Palmerston Place down onto Belford Road and across the bridge. The gallery is a short walk further along Belford Road.
Parking Charge: £1
10am - 12 noon MONDAY, 5 August - A morning out in Currie
Please note that this week's activity will take place on a MONDAY. Currie Playgroup (Friday mornings 9.30am to 11.30am at Gibson Craig Hall in termtime) has a regular holiday drop-in club at the Youth Club on Mondays and Fridays aimed at children from 0 to 7-ish years. We have been warmly invited. They aim to do different activity at some sessions, but have not firmed up their programme. Do check back as we will pass on any further information we have.
Cost: £2 per family.
Public Transport: 44
Ample free parking.
10:00am 13 August - Day out at the Festival
Meet at the Half Price hut (in the square next to the National Gallery by the Mound). Hopefully we will grab a bargain ticket for a children’s show and soak up some Festival atmosphere! Bring a packed lunch.
Cost: last year tickets at the Half Price Hut were around £3 or £4.
