Edinburgh Napier University

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World Theatre  Day 2025

World Theatre  Day 2025

 

As it is World Theatre Day today, it seems appropriate to write a little about Edinburgh’s illustrious history and continued tradition of dramatic performance.

Edinburgh And Theatre

Perhaps the first thing people think of is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Initially formed in 1947 as a more eclectic, grassroots ‘fringe’ to the more ‘high cultural’ Edinburgh International Festival, the Fringe now dwarfs its erstwhile rival and is an established, world-famous cultural behemoth. Probably more famous nowadays for its significance to stand-up comedy, it hosts large-scale, expensive drama; the spirit of dramatic endeavour, experiment and (productive) failure is still there, in the lesser-known acts in the Fringe itself as well as the Free Fringe.

Of course, the Fringe is not the only story. The Traverse Theatre was set up in 1962 by Richard Demarco, John Calder and Jim Haynes (amongst others) to encourage new playwrights at a time of high dramatic innovation in the 1960s. They had an international, cosmopolitan focus – the first play they produced was by Fernando Arrabal, an experimental Spanish playwright based in self-exile in Paris from Franco’s Spain. It was initially situated in a disused building on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, with seats salvaged from a nearby cinema. In 1992, it attained a permanent space beside the Usher Hall on Lothian Road, where it still operates today, and still promotes new writing, as well as working with schools and youth groups.

Universities on World Theatre Day

Aside from the excellent collection of 20th century dramatic texts by a range of international writers in our Merchiston Library, it also is the location of the archive of the aforementioned Jim Haynes, which he personally donated to the university. Haynes lived an intriguing, quixotic life – originally from the US, served in their air force, then settled in Scotland after being stationed in Kirknewton. He moved to Edinburgh, where he lived for over two decades, setting up the first paperback bookshop in Scotland, and later moved to Paris, where he lived until the end of his life in 2021. Professionally, he was a bookseller and magazine editor, but perhaps his key skill perhaps was connecting people together – his obituary here by James Campbell captures this well.

In more recent times, student theatre is often a source of new energy in drama in the city. Theatre Paradok, set up by Edinburgh University students but not limited to the institution, performs adapted work, and occasionally original writing by students. Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen was ambitiously staged upstairs in the old Forest Café on 3 Bristo Place, a social space, café and hub for all sorts of DIY arts endeavours; Grimm Tales (a dark adaptation of the famous children’s stories) was a promenade piece in the basement of McEwan Hall. Closer to home, our own Napier University Drama Society performs original work that ranges from plays to improvised comedy routines.

 

Kieran Curran

Read about Edinburgh Napier taking over the Fringe Festival last year

Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak Unspalsh

More Than A Library (A Personal Reflection)

More Than A Library

(A Personal Reflection)

The past couple of months, Aristotelis has been working in the library as a student placement. We have been delighted to have him and before he leaves, he has left a reflective piece on his time at the library. Take it away Aristotelis:

The word library conjures a different image for different people. For some it is a place of refuge, for others a place of knowledge, and for students all of the above and many more.

For years, my experience with academic libraries was primarily as a student, meaning a quiet place to study, relax, and occasionally check out a book. I have been guilty of underutilising the very same sector I always knew I wanted to work. With a new deadline always on the horizon, a new project ready to take off, an idea ready to be conceived, as students we always need help, even if many times we are too proud, afraid, or anxious to ask for it.

While doing my placement at Napier’s University Library, I had the opportunity not only to work with some of the most amazing and passionate people, but also to peek behind the curtain of an academic library; and what I saw, was a place of wonder. From the lovely faces at the front desk, to cataloguing, acquisitions, collections, and troubleshooting to the more confusing but equally important finance and budgeting decisions, your librarians are working tirelessly and silently to accommodate and help you on your journey as students.

So yeah, it is not just a library, it is more than that. It is one of the few places that actively wants you to succeed, to grow, to learn, to have the necessary foundations to face your future and the challenges that come with it. It is not just a place to prepare you for your next (and for many of you the first) steps into the job market, but also a place to cultivate an array of skills that you can apply at every facet of your life. A safe space in which there are no stupid questions.

 So, take advantage of your library, take advantage of what they offer, the advice, the workshops, the knowledge, the experience, the wisdom. Now that you are students and still have the opportunity to do so.

And always remember, for any and all questions you might have ask your friendly on duty librarian; they are here to help you!

by Aristotelis Sourlis

Interested in a student placement at Napier library, you can read about Rebbecca’s work with Heritage Collections 

Or you can contact us 

World Theatre  Day 2025

World Theatre  Day 2025

 

As it is World Theatre Day today, it seems appropriate to write a little about Edinburgh’s illustrious history and continued tradition of dramatic performance.

Edinburgh And Theatre

Perhaps the first thing people think of is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Initially formed in 1947 as a more eclectic, grassroots ‘fringe’ to the more ‘high cultural’ Edinburgh International Festival, the Fringe now dwarfs its erstwhile rival and is an established, world-famous cultural behemoth. Probably more famous nowadays for its significance to stand-up comedy, it hosts large-scale, expensive drama; the spirit of dramatic endeavour, experiment and (productive) failure is still there, in the lesser-known acts in the Fringe itself as well as the Free Fringe.

Of course, the Fringe is not the only story. The Traverse Theatre was set up in 1962 by Richard Demarco, John Calder and Jim Haynes (amongst others) to encourage new playwrights at a time of high dramatic innovation in the 1960s. They had an international, cosmopolitan focus – the first play they produced was by Fernando Arrabal, an experimental Spanish playwright based in self-exile in Paris from Franco’s Spain. It was initially situated in a disused building on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, with seats salvaged from a nearby cinema. In 1992, it attained a permanent space beside the Usher Hall on Lothian Road, where it still operates today, and still promotes new writing, as well as working with schools and youth groups.

Universities on World Theatre Day

Aside from the excellent collection of 20th-century dramatic texts by a range of international writers in our Merchiston Library, it is also the location of the archive of the aforementioned Jim Haynes, which he personally donated to the university. Haynes lived an intriguing, quixotic life – originally from the US, served in their air force, then settled in Scotland after being stationed in Kirknewton. He moved to Edinburgh, where he lived for over two decades, setting up the first paperback bookshop in Scotland, and later moved to Paris, where he lived until the end of his life in 2021. Professionally, he was a bookseller and magazine editor, but perhaps his key skill perhaps was connecting people together – his obituary here by James Campbell captures this well.

In more recent times, student theatre is often a source of new energy in drama in the city. Theatre Paradok, set up by Edinburgh University students but not limited to the institution, performs adapted work, and occasionally original writing by students. Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen was ambitiously staged upstairs in the old Forest Café on 3 Bristo Place, a social space, café and hub for all sorts of DIY arts endeavours; Grimm Tales (a dark adaptation of the famous children’s stories) was a promenade piece in the basement of McEwan Hall. Closer to home, our own Napier University Drama Society performs original work that ranges from plays to improvised comedy routines.

 

Kieran Curran

Read about Edinburgh Napier taking over the Fringe Festival last year

 

International Forest Day 2025

International Forest Day 2025

Today is International Forest Day 2025. Learn about the wellbeing and healing effect our forests can have for us.

You may not have heard the phrase shinrin-yoku. However the concept behind it has long been recognised for its health benefits and contribution to disease prevention. The Japanese expression means “taking in the forest atmosphere”  –  or forest bathing to give it a more poetic translation. Physiological experiments in forest bathing measure central nervous and autonomic nervous activity. Allowing the five senses to immerse oneself in the forest experience has been shown to have a therapeutic effect on stress responses.

Given the importance of forests for the well-being of our bodies and of the planet, it’s concerning that we annually lose 10 million hectares of forest to deforestation and 70 million to fires. Protecting our forests is crucial, and to that end, the United Nations has declared the 21st of March an annual International Day of Forests

Forests and Health 2025

The theme of this year’s celebration is “forests and food” to reflect the fact that more than five billion people rely on forests and forest products for food, medicine and livelihoods. In some countries, forests and trees provide around 20% of income for rural households.

Here in Scotland, we are forest-impoverished. According to Global Forest Watch, just over 3% of our land is covered in forests, in contrast to other European countries. Ireland, for example, has 7.3% tree cover, Poland 13%, Germany 16% and Sweden has a whopping 36%.

Edinburgh’s forests 2025

In Edinburgh, though, we’re lucky enough to be close to several beautiful green spaces, if not ancient woodlands.  If you pine (no pun intended) for an immersive forest experience, you don’t even need to leave the city centre. Why not head out to  Colinton Dell via the Water of Leith, the Hermitage of Braid nature reserve, or  Corstorphine Hill, the most westerly of Edinburgh’s seven hills.

If you fancy going a bit further afield, why not visit Roslin Glen, Cardrona Forest near Peebles, or Butterdean Wood near Tranent which is being restored to native woodland.

While you’re there – stop, look around, smell the wood, listen to the call of the green woodpecker. And bathe in all that intoxicating fresh air. And may your visit be filled with shinrin-yoku.

By Lesley McRobb

Photo by Lukasz Szmigel 

Read more about well-being and nature on a previous post

Spring Equinox 2025

Spring Equinox 2025

Also known as the ‘vernal equinox’ (from the Latin root ‘ver’ meaning spring; related is the French word for green ‘vert’), the Spring Equinox falls on the 20th of March every year. Astronomically, it is the half-way point of the earth around the sun, commonly celebrated in different cultures as the beginning of Spring. At this time of year, the amount of daylight experienced in the northern and southern hemispheres is the same.

Spring equinox

The spring equinox marked the beginning of the new year in ancient Persia, connected to their religion of Zoroastrianism. To this day, Iran, as well as many other Central Asian countries, celebrate the festival of Nowruz (meaning ‘New Day’ in Farsi) annually, where it is a time for family reunions, feasting and song. There are also rituals specific to the holiday: famously, Charshanbeh Suri (‘Scarlet Wednesday’) includes jumping over fire, fortune telling, and a form of trick-or-treating known as ‘spoon-banging’.

In poetry, countless poets have marked the coming of spring in myriad ways – the days grow longer, with more sunshine and better weather (for the most part anyway – here’s looking at you, Scotland). Frank O’Hara memorialised springtime in Paris – ‘it is Spring the ice has melted, the Ricard is being poured, we are all happy and young and toothless’. Even rain feels different, refreshing, emphasising the sense of a new start – in Kenneth Rexroth’s words, ‘a good rain knows its season, it comes at the edge of Spring’.

Leonard Cohen’s ‘Probably Spring’ offers a set of images for the season: ‘It is the passion of our Lord. It is the ladder through her hair. It is a lovely field which you cannot find in the city’.

So heed Mr Cohen’s advice. Take a walk when the sun is out, smell the freshly cut grass, admire the blossoming flora, and lean into the sense of hope that permeates the season.

Spring in Glasgow

By Kieran Curran – photos taken by the author in Queen’s Park, Glasgow in the spring of 2024

Photo by Arno Smit

Co-Working Collective

Co-Working Collective

Our co-working collective is back.

Well done on making it this far. By now you’re no doubt up to your neck in work: all those pesky assignments, all that reading and note-taking, the class discussions, the late-nighters. It can be hard to stay organised and keep on top of it all. The Library is here to help you with all that.

We’re excited to bring back our Co-Working Collective, following on from our successful introduction last semester.

Working together has been shown to beat procrastination, help you stay motivated, work on individual goals, increase time efficiency and become more productive. “To summarise, this is a supportive space where people come together to get some work done”

We’ll be meeting every Wednesday, starting today between 2pm and 4pm in Study Room 7, Merchiston Library, and we’d love you to join us. You can also join on teams.

There is no need to book, just come along. All we ask you to do is bring some work materials and a commitment to spend the two hours with like-minded people who want to work quietly in a supported environment.

The sessions are open to all, regardless of which campus you’re based in or what level of study you’re at. If you’ve any questions, email us library@napier.ac.uk or disabilityinclusion@napier.ac.uk, and let the library be your study buddy.

More information on the library calendar. 

By Lesley McRobb

Read our previous posts on study skills. 

Neurodiversity celebration week 2025

Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2025

This week marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a week dedicated to celebrating those with neurological differences and challenging the negative stigmas associated with these differences. It’s a week all about celebrating what makes us different from each other and trying to better understand the unique view we all have of the world.

Neurodiversity

You might have heard the terms Neurodiversity or Neurodivergent before, these are umbrella terms used for a variety of neurological differences that impact how different people process information and communicate with the wider world. Just some examples of neurological differences are:

  • Autism
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Dyslexia
  • Tourette’s Syndrome
  • Dyscalculia
  • Dyspraxia

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week was founded in 2018 by Siena Castellon. She is an activist who has Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyspraxia. Siena’s hope when founding Neurodiversity Celebration Week was to challenge the negative stereotypes associated with neurological differences. And bring awareness to the strengths that can come from these differences. On the Neurodiversity Celebration Week website there are sections for different neurological differences, giving a brief overview of the differences between each one, with quotes from neurodiverse individuals and some examples of the positive effects of each difference.

Here at Edinburgh Napier we’re celebrating Neurodiversity Celebration Week by hosting an online drop-in session where students can attend to learn more about neurodiversity and hear about the different ways that the university can provide support to neurodiverse students. This session will be held on Wednesday the 19th from 2:30 PM to 4PM.

If you’re a neurodiverse student or member of staff, you can contact our Wellbeing and Inclusion Team to see how the university can support you during your studies. Information about how to contact the Wellbeing and Inclusion Team can be found on MyNapier.
Furthermore, our libraries here at Napier each have a Wellbeing Collection. A collection that offers advice and support related to neurological differences, gender, sexuality, health issues, and personal development. We also have our virtual bookshelf on the library blog.

By Matthew Ferrie

Image source Neurodiversity Celebration Week

St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day

The 17th of March marks the Feast of St. Patrick. A day traditionally dedicated to celebrating the Christian Saint Patrick. But which has grown and developed into a celebration of Irish heritage and culture as a whole.

Saint Patrick

Although many specifics of his life have been lost to history or are up for debate, St. Patrick is traditionally remembered as a Christian missionary and priest. He is seen as having brought Christianity to Ireland. Converting much of the population from traditional paganism. This is commonly remembered as the story of St. Patrick having driven snakes from Ireland, an allegory for paganism. Tradition says that St. Patrick passed away on the 17th of March, leading to that day being a day of national celebration in Ireland.

Celebrations

These celebrations typically take the form of public parades with traditional Irish music and the wearing of green clothing. More recently, there has also been a tradition of famous landmarks being lit up with green lights. This includes the  Colosseum in Rome or the Empire State Building in New York. In Ireland itself, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are used to emphasise and celebrate the Irish language. The two weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day are a festival dedicated to promoting Irish language use.


St. Patrick’s Day has become rather infamous for its revelry. With the day practically being synonymous with sessions of heavy drinking. There is actually a historical basis for this. St. Patrick’s Day falls during the period of Lent, a Christian observance in the lead up to Easter where Christians refrain from a particular luxury for 40 days. With alcohol being a common choice. Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day was seen as a day exempt from Lent restrictions. So that many choose to use it as a chance to indulge as much as they could before going back to fasting.

The Irish Diaspora and the significance of the day

The mass migration of Irish people during the 19th century has led the spreading of St. Patrick’s Day traditions worldwide. It is one of the most celebrated national holidays around the globe, with the celebration actually being more popular amongst the Irish diaspora than the population of Ireland itself.  Ireland did not even have St. Patrick’s Day parades until the 20th century. A major reason for this is that many celebrations of Irish pride were banned in Ireland until the early 20th century. Meaning that members of the diaspora living overseas were the only ones able to carry out these celebrations and saw the day as a chance to remember where they came from.

So if you’re out celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on the 17th (or have already gotten your celebrations out the way over the weekend!). Try to remember that the day is more than just a chance to party, but is a celebration of Irish tradition.

 

By Matthew Ferrie

Photo by Erika SZ

Read about the Lughnasa Celtic Harvest

World Sleep Day

World Sleep Day

Wakey, wakey! It’s World Sleep Day.

I trust you had a good night’s sleep and are feeling bright and perky. No? Well, maybe you’re one of the 14 million UK adults who suffer from undiagnosed sleep disorders, or one of the 48% of the population who engage in high risk behaviour when you can’t sleep? These statistics from The Sleep Charity are concerning.

Sleep is the most effective, cheapest and portable therapeutic treatment. It repairs your immune system, helps you think clearly, regulates weight and blood pressure, and helps stave off a range of diseases from heart issues to diabetes. It’s vital for mental health too. It manages emotional well-being, keeps worry, anxiety and depression at bay. Sleep is one of the vital keys to keeping fit and healthy. The Dalai Lama puts it simply: “sleep is the best meditation”.

To sleep or not to sleep?

It’s had its critics, sleep. Novelist Virginia Woolf described it as “that deplorable curtailment of the joy of life.” Rapper Tupac Shakur declared that “the only time I have problems is when I sleep”.  And Shakespeare’s Scottish king lamented that “good things of the day begin to droop and drowse, whiles night’s black agent to their preys do rouse.” (Macbeth, III, II, 45). Well, no disrespect to big Mac, but maybe if he’d enjoyed a good kip, he’d have woken up in a better mood and not felt so, well, murderous.

I am a champion sleeper, and sleep is my refuge when life gets hard or I feel low. But too much sleep is just as bad as too little. As with all things in life, balance is needed.

cat sleeping on world sleep day

Photo source Kate Stone Matheson

World Sleep Day

World Sleep Day is held on the Friday before the spring vernal equinox of each year. This year it’s the 14th of March, and the theme is “Make Sleep Health a Priority.” If you’re struggling to make sleep a priority, help is available from Sleep Action

 

and The National Sleep Helpline

And the NHS Inform has compiled a self-help guide: Sleep problems and insomnia self-help guide | NHS inform

Here at Edinburgh Napier, we have a range of resources to support you. Sign in to LibrarySearch to find the Sleep Well Kit, Sleep, and Sleep: a very short introduction among many others.

Let’s leave the last word to peace activist Mahatma Gandhi: “Each night, when I go to sleep, I die. And the next morning, when I wake up, I am reborn.”

Read more on how to take care of yourself by reading our article on self-care books in 2025

Or why not check out our Virtual Relaxation Space!

By Lesley McRobb

Photo source Connor Home

Merchiston Tower

Merchiston Tower

In the centre of Merchiston Tower, you will find Merchiston Tower.

It’s a bang in the middle.

Have you ever wondered what’s inside? What’s its history? Want to peek inside?

Let us take you on a brief digital walk through the Tower in the blog post. But before we go any further, we would like to add that you can tour the Tower in person and see its 500 years of history in person for free. Email us at heritage@napier.ac.uk or library@napier.ac.uk. Please bear in mind that we need at least 24 hours’ notice. Group tours are available, but no more than 15 people can attend.

*update*

Tours are available for Friday mornings. If you are interested in a tour but this is not a suitable date, please contact us, and we can rearrange.

History of Merchiston Tower

Merchiston Tower has stood firm for over 500 years. Built in the middle of the 1400s, either by Andrew Napier or his son, Sir Alexander Napier, both of whom served as Provost of Edinburgh and both of whom moved in royal circles.

John Napier (Alexander’s grandson) was born in the Tower in 1550. Specifically, the University is named after John Napier. His inventions and contributions to Mathematics are longstanding, with his most known invention being logarithms. There is a lot of “myth, mystery, and intrigue” (John Napier napier.ac.uk) about the man, and you can read about him in a previous blog post on Edinburgh Napier University’s webpages.

The Tower remained in the Napier family until the beginning of the 1800s. It was then owned by the Merchiston Castle School, followed by the Edinburgh Council. For a while, it was also a storage space for fire hoses during the Second World War. By the 1950s, the Tower was set for demolition. It was in ruins. However, in 1958, a new technical college was coming to Edinburgh. A college that needed a campus. Napier College was formed around the Tower, saved from demolition and beginning a work of restoration. These restorations would uncover ceilings and stairwells that had been hidden for a century.

The hallway ceiling of the Tower now proudly displays the University’s crest and showcases the Tower’s timeline, a nod to the Napier family, Merchiston Castle School, and the Edinburgh Council.

Napier Crest

Inside the Tower

Can’t wait to have a look? Let’s go on a digital walkthrough. And while we have lovely pictures, nothing compares to seeing it in person.

The original great hall stands to the left as you enter. In this hall, you will find a stunning, decorative ceiling that was commemorated during the reign of Charles II, the decorations showcasing the Napier family’s loyalty to the crown. The massive fireplace is thought to be original to the Tower. The north and south windows are original, while the east window dates from the 17th century. During the restoration in the 1950s, a staircase in the thick walls was found.

The once hidden staircase leads to the Boardroom that now stretches across the third and fourth floors. The fourth floor would have been a loft area, home to servants, but it has now been opened up to make the room fell bigger and to properly showcase.

The magnificent Prestongrange Ceiling it dates from 1581. A rare example of a Scottish Renaissance painted ceiling, it was moved from Prestongrange House to Merchiston Tower in 1964 for preservation purposes. The ceiling is filled with art, featuring many motifs from folk plays. Truly Unique!

 

 

 

Prestongrange ceiling

 

Merchiston Tower and John Napier

In 1550, John Napier was born in the tower house. Over 400 years later, the Tower was saved from demolition and restoration work began for a new college to be named after John Napier. Now, it stands proud in the middle of our biggest campus, home to two of our schools: School of Arts and Creative Industries and School of Computing, Engineering & Built Environment.

 

Doors Open Day

On the 28th of September, we opened up the Tower to the public to celebrate Doors Open Day. In our second year running, we were delighted to welcome over 180 visitors.

 

 

If you are interested in visiting Merchiston Tower in person, please get in touch by emailing heritage@napier.ac.uk or library@napier.ac.uk. Tours are available on Friday mornings, but date and time can be rearranged if requested. And are available for individuals or groups of up to 15.

Please note that, due to the steep and uneven medieval staircases, the Tower is not wheelchair accessible.

For more information about the University’s Heritage Collections, have a look at our website.

Read more about the Heritage Collections

 

References

 

Merchiston Tower Edinburgh

The Napier Estate Past and Present

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