1 SIGNAL on the Sea is a captivating large scale sound installation on Irvine beach in Ayrshire to celebrate Scotland, its coasts and its waters with a programme of activities and events that shine a light on our beautiful landscape. Featuring female operatic voices in enchanting soundscape amplified across the beach with amazing views of Arran, every visitor will feel part of the wonder of nature. The installation will run until Sunday, July 25 every day from noon until 10:30pm and is totally free.
2 EAST coast foodies are in for a treat when the Edinburgh Food Festival returns this week, The festival showcases the beating heart of Scotlands’ food and drink and includes chef demonstrations, workshops and tastings. The event is obviously different this year. Festival goers will be given a table and will be brought a hand-picked selection from the street stalls.
There will also be events and workshops catered for little people during the 10-day event. For more information head to www.edfoodfest.com.The event starts on Friday, July 23 and runs until August 1 at George Square gardens in the capital.
3 WITH this el scorchio weather, who fancies getting out on the water? Well at Balmaha you can enjoy island hopping, paddle boarding and water’s edge yoga. Meet at Balmaha Pier for an introduction to a stand-up paddleboarding session. Start group paddling to Inchcailloch Island. This is a beginner-friendly event and it is followed by a 50-minute vinsaya yoga session. Then enjoy a homemade vegan lunch served with hot teas and desserts floating ON the water. For those with no transport, car pooling is available. For more details head over to www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/loch-lomond-paddleboarding-island-hopping-and-yoga-tickets. A free event today 11am-3pm.
4 THE Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, the biggest of its kind in Britain, kicked off last week and continues in the swing of things until next Sunday. Today’s highlights include two great online events.
Edinburgh clarinetist, Hamish McGregor leads a top band playing Chris Barber at 2pm Expect great ensemble playing, covering a vast repertoire from early New Orleans to blues to late 1920s Ellington.
And Blind Boy Paxton, hailed as the most sensational newcomer in the blues, mixes ragtime, hokum, old time, French reels, Appalachian mountain music and, of course, blues. Recorded at Teviot Row House at the 2018 event. Enjoy it from noon until 1pm.
Ticket information ejbf.online.red61.co.uk/event/5026:22/5026:22/
5 THIS is the week to get your tickets for the brilliant upcoming Piping Live! event. The world’s biggest piping festival will take a hybrid approach for 2021, combining performances at The National Piping Centre in Glasgow alongside a rich programme of online concerts.
Tickets for both online and in-person shows start at £5, up to £17.50, while online festival passes are now available for £65.
The ticketed concerts will be seated and socially distanced. Full information www.pipinglive.co.uk/
6 SOFIE Hagen, one of British comedy’s most exciting talents (although she’s Danish) is playing Oran Mor tonight. She returns with a brand new show about the things you forget, the things you remember, and the things you wish you could forget.
7 CULZEAN by the Sea is another event celebrating Scotland’s Year of Coasts & Waters; Culzean Castle and Country Park in Ayrsire have created a fantastical trail of willow sculptures depicting creatures, real and mythical, of the sea and water. Suggested donation £2. For info head for www.nts.org.uk/stories/culzean-by-the-sea.
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