We are happy to share our newest contributor, the Locals' Guide to Edinburgh! We've reviewed this excellent guide, and just love their newsletters highlighting Edinburgh and Scotland.

Hooray! It’s summer! Following the most glorious weather this city has ever seen we’re high on sunshine, dizzy with the temperature and burnt into believing that this is going to be the best June ever! So before we pass out with heat elation here are our top tips for the month ahead…

Turn over a new Leith

Celebrating the end of another fab Leith Festival, Leith Links hosts the Gala Day & Parade as the park becomes a wash with colour. Family activities, bands , ball games and the and the best of Leith converge for a day long celebration to see out the festival in style.

Leith Festival Gala Day & Parade, 11am – 6pm, Saturday 13th June, Leith Links. Admission Free.

Film Up!

Ah the height of summer, where better to spend it than in a dark room. June’s looking all the brighter for the addition of the Edinburgh International Film Festival, it’s now up to you to make it count. Our tips? Everything looks fab but try and get into; a star screening, one show you would never normally see, an intriguing documentary and hey, it’s summer – don’t forget the shorts!

Edinburgh International Film Festival, Various times, 17th – 28th, across Edinburgh. Tickets and info www.edfilmfest.org.uk

Over 400 Degrees. See.

The white-hot talent of over 400 students across 13 disciplines goes on display this month at Edinburgh College of Art. As a concentrated outpouring of creative talent in the city this event is unmissable. With ECA alumnus Richard Wright up for the Turner Prize this year many of these graduates could well be following in his footsteps so make sure your footsteps follow them.

Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show, 13th – 23rd June, Mon – Thurs 10am to 8pm Fri – Sun 10am – 5pm Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place, Admission Free.

(NOTE: Profiled here on Wandering Educators!)

Green sleeve notes

Auntie Janet has come to save the planet and if you’re aged between 3 and 6 there’s only one way to find out how she’ll do it. Of course if you’re aged between 3 and 6 and you’re reading this email you’ve probably seen all of Scottish Opera’s other productions and maybe even played in the orchestra. Still, take your friends, parents and anyone else keen to see the magical musical world of Auntie Janet and help her save Scotland’s endangered species.

Auntie Janet Saves The Planet, Friday 19th June 2pm, Saturday 20th  & Sun 21st 10.30am and 2pm, Traverse Theatre. Tickets £6 (family tickets also available). Tel. 0131 226 1404 or www.traverse.co.uk

Heid on down…

Who needs long haul summer hols when the best things are close to home? So when the sun is shining, take a stroll round Arthur’s Seat, set out to Duddingston, treat yourself to beers, barbeque and the back bar skittles. If those aren’t enough of a draw The Sheep Heid Inn is hosting a Summer Beer and Cider Festival on the Father’s Day weekend. Ditch those socks and golf balls and get the beers in!

The Sheep Heid Inn Summer Beer & Cider Festival Friday 19th to Monday 22nd June, 43 – 45 The Causeway Duddingston. www.sheepheid.co.uk

Summer sounds

Celebrating the annual Fête de la Musique taking place across France, L’Institut Français d’Ecosse hosts it’s own international mini music festival. Al fresco bagpipes, experimental German jazz, Brazilian bossa nova and a girl that does French 60s pop songs by Françoise Hardy are just tasters of the international flavour on offer. Put away that summer festival tent, instead grab a glass of wine and let the musique play on, play on…

Fête de la Musique, 3pm – 8pm, Sunday 21st June, L’Institut Français d’Ecosse, Randolph Crescent and other venues. Ticket info www.ifecosse.org.uk or call 0131 225 5366

More than words

No it’s not extreme poetry. Switch off your preconceptions, background knowledge and mobile phones for Nothing But The Poem at the Scottish Poetry Library. These relaxed discussions will look at the text of single poems and let new discoveries emerge. There’s no need to be well versed, more than words is all you have to do to make it real…

Nothing But the Poem, 6.30 – 8pm, Thursday 23rd June, Scottish Poetry Library, 5 Crichton's Close, Cannongate. Tickets £5 www.spl.org.uk

Do you follow?

Yup. We’re on Twitter. Tweeting top tips and things to do out and about town. Follow us here: http://twitter.com/localsguidetoed

Owen & Claudia

Locals' Guide to Edinburgh

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Wandering Educators NOTE: 

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