What's on blog

What’s On in Edinburgh - January

12 Jan 2012Posted by Jenny Cowan

Even in the winter months there is still plenty to see and do in the area. We have put together a quick guide to January to get you inspired.

As January is considered “low season” it is one of the most economical times of the year to visit Eastside Cottages and for all those bargain hunters out there, Edinburgh is also awash with sales in shops and deals in restaurants. If you are looking for a getaway that won’t hurt the wallet or are in the mood for grabbing a bargain, this might well be a great time to book.

Once the post-Hogmanay fuzzy heads have recovered, Edinburgh embraces the New Year with a great line up of culture and entertainment. This year the city welcomed the reopening of the magnificent Scottish National Portrait Gallery following a major refurbishment. The paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and photographs will be shown in 17 exhibitions, telling the fascinating stories behind the sitters and their artists. The first of these is Hot Scots an exhibition running till the 1st April, showcasing the figures who together put Scotland firmly on the world’s cultural radar. Famous faces will be on display from Sir Sean Connery to David Tennant in a new collection of photographic portraits.

In 1899 an outstanding collection of Turner paintings was bequeathed to the Scottish National Gallery by the distinguished London art collector Henry Vaughan. As per his request, the collection has been displayed in the gallery every January for the last 110 years. This January is no exception and the exhibition will give visitors a chance to experience the ‘sublime’ mountainous landscapes of Wales, Scotland and the Alps through Turner’s watercolours as well as some of his most mature work undertaken of Venice. The exhibition runs from the 1st − 31st January 2012.

For a bit of light relief and a good knees-up Burns Night is on the 25th January. Burns Night is a Scottish tradition celebrating the life of the poet Robert or “Rabbie” Burns born in 1759. Perhaps his best known contribution was “Auld Lang Syne”. Today people celebrate with a haggis supper (where the haggis is piped in and addressed) followed by toasts of whisky to the bard. The List has some good ideas of what’s on this year but a particular highlight, and great for the kids, might be Burnsfest at the Scottish Story Telling Centre in Edinburgh.

For the big and little kids, Edinburgh Zoo’s new arrivals are causing a stir. Scotland's first breeding pair of Giant Pandas Tian Tian ("Sweetie") and her male companion Yang Guang ("Sunshine") have be unveiled to the public after a 2 week settling in period. More information and ticket booking can be found on the Edinburgh Zoo website and there's a video about their arrival here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16025670

If you would rather relax with a stroll in the country why not walk over the hills to the Flotterstone Inn for a Sunday lunch or take a trip to Vogrie Country Park. Stroll down the sweeping carriage drives on a crisp winter’s day and admire the splendid baronial Vogrie House which served as a communications control centre for the government during the Cold War. Enjoy a gentle stroll along one of the park’s secluded woodland trails that lead over the River Tyne, or why not try out your swing on the park’s excellent 9-hole golf course.

Tigerlily on George St., Edinburgh, is offering a “dine out for £15” offer throughout January and The List has put together a list of cheap but tasty eateries in the capital.