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Image of Craiglockhart campus from long ago for Ghost Stories: A spooky tale of haunted Campuses
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Ghost Stories: A spooky tale of haunted Campuses

30/10/2025 / / 6 Comments

Ghost Stories: A spooky tale of haunted Campuses

Creepy Campuses

Craiglockhart:

Many old buildings have ghost stories associated with them and Edinburgh Napier campuses are no exception. Of course, no one can prove if the sightings are genuine, but here are a few of the stories we have heard from staff….

From 1920 until 1986 Craiglockhart campus used to be a training college for Catholic teachers run by nuns. There have been many reports of a nun being seen around the old part of the campus and in the library which used to be a swimming pool. Apparently, she has been seen walking through a wall near the Rivers Suite and a joiner saw her on one of the upper floors. Many staff members claim to have had a feeling that someone is behind them when they are walking around the old building.

Cleaners say that taps in the toilets along from the library mysteriously switch themselves on and one of them has often spotted an old woman walking along the corridor towards the Hydra café early in the mornings before the campus is open for general access.

One morning library staff came in to find a bookshelf that had been hammered into place had been tipped up at one end and the books were in a heap on the floor. On another occasion, an interior glass panel was completely smashed when staff arrived for work. The panel had been intact when security had closed the campus the previous evening. When shelving books one evening a member of staff heard a thud behind them. A large book that had been lying flat on a shelf and not overhanging had mysteriously landed on the floor.

Craighouse

Our former campus at Craighouse is now a housing development, but it used to be the home of Edinburgh Napier from 1996 to 2011. It was built as a private residence around 1565. In the 1880s it was described as “a weird-looking mansion, alleged to be ghost-haunted” in Cassell’s Old and New Edinburgh. It was a psychiatric hospital from then until the early 1990s when it was sold to Edinburgh Napier. Some of the staff who used to work there claim to have smelled cigar smoke although smoking was prohibited in the building. There were also reports of a piano being played and a baby crying in an attic room. Cleaning staff caught a glimpse of a man wearing a long leather coat with slicked back long hair in the toilets. Furthermore, there were also rumours of underground tunnels leading from secret entrances.

Sighthill

Not to be outdone by Craiglockhart, Sighthill briefly had its own ghost in 2018

Click on the following link to view the full video:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1057546465587924992

We wish you all a Happy Halloween and hope we haven’t spooked you!

Have any ghost stories of your own? Share them in the comments or tag us through social media with Twitter: @ednaplib or Instagram @ENULibrary

By Vivienne Hamilton

Summertime Edinburgh

Summertime in Edinburgh 

23/08/2025 / / 0 Comments

L 

Summertime in Edinburgh  

The City of Edinburgh proves yearly to be a wonderful place to be and spend time in during the summertime. With various parks and green spaces, retail outlets, events, activities, attractions and independent cafes and restaurants – our locals, visitors and tourists are spoiled for choice. This also makes Edinburgh an ideal place to be a student – if you plan to spend some of or all of the summer months in Edinburgh, there are a wide range of activities and events you can attend and local amenities you can visit over the summer. So, if you are looking for some summer itinerary ideas, or simply a few ideas for a day out in the city centre, do read on and see some of our recommendations below…

 

Park and Green Space Recommendation: The Meadows

 

The Meadows in Edinburgh is a big, open grassland and park. It is open to the public with trees lining it’s many pathways crossing through this particular green space.  Located just south of the city centre of Edinburgh and approximately a 20-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley train station. It is one of Edinburgh’s most popular public parks as well. And hosts a range of amenities such as a children’s playground, tennis courts, large sports pitches and even a croquet club.

It also has a lovely little cafe named the Pavillion Cafe, which has a range of vegetarian options and deli foods as well as outdoor seating for you to soak up the sunshine whilst you eat. On a sunny day, the Meadows is also a great place to have a picnic or set up a barbecue if you wish to bring your own food instead. The Meadows is also a popular place for runners and those who are simply looking to go on a leisurely stroll. As well as team sports, the park is also used as a space for both sporting and other types of events, such as the Royal Company of Archers competition and Meadows Marathon in March.

 

Other Parks and Green Spaces to check out…

  • Holyrood Park.
  • Princes Street Gardens.
  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.

 

Retail Outlet Recommendation: The St James Quarter

 

The St James Quarter and shopping centre consists of five levels above ground altogether.  And three basement levels for parking. It hosts a vast variety of retail and shopping outlets on its first, second and third floors. As well as a wide selection of cafes, food stalls, bars and restaurants serving a range of different cuisines. There are some chain restaurants and cafes in the St James Quarter such as Black Sheep Coffee, Five Guys, Stack and Still, Pho and Starbucks. There are also some independent food outlets such as Bonnie and Wild and Haute Dolci.

 

The St James Quarter covers about 1.7 million square feet and is located in the east end of Edinburgh New Town. This is less than a five-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley train station. There are also a few entertainment venues within the centre.  There is Flight Club, Lane 7 and the lavish, blockbuster Everyman Cinema, where you can catch some of the latest films released. Flight Club is a social darts and bar venue. Lane 7 features a variety of activities such as bowling, crazy golf and arcade games. Overall, the St James Quarter is a great place to spend the day during the summertime months in Edinburgh,h whether you are looking for somewhere to go with friends, on a day out with family or even for a date night.

 

Other Retail Outlets in Edinburgh to check out…

  • The Princes Street Mall.
  • Livingston Designer Outlet.
  • Ocean Terminal.

 

Edinburgh City Attraction Recommendation: Edinburgh Castle

 

Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous historic sites in Scotland, and even throughout Western Europe. This iconic castle and landmark is situated on the top of Castle Rock and in the heart of the city centre, with breathtaking scenery and views of the city from the castle itself. As well as being a national treasure and stunning landmark, Edinburgh Castle is also recognised as the ‘defender of the nation,’ as it continues to be an active military quarters and army base.

Nevertheless, the castle is open to the public via ticketed entry. Tickets can be booked online. But you can also purchase an Explorer Pass to save a bit of money should you intend to visit more than once in a span of two weeks. There is much to see and do there if you are looking to do a self-directed tour and itinerary. For example, you can explore the St Margaret’s Chapel which was built in the early 1000s by James IV, and this is therefore Edinburgh’s oldest building. You can also check out the One o’Clock Gun which is fired every day throughout the week albeit Sundays. The panoramic views of the capital from Edinburgh Castle are also one to be admired.

 

Guided tours are also available and are ran by the castle stewards. There is also the option of signing up for an audio tour which takes you through the castle.  These will go into detail about the fascinating history and architecture of Edinburgh Castle as well. This audio guide can be listened to in many different languages such as English, French, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, Portuguese (Brazillian), Japanese, German Polish, Korean and Ukranian.

 

Other Attractions in Edinburgh to check out…

  • The Scott Monument.
  • Camera Obscura.
  • The Museum of Childhood.
  • Edinburgh Zoo.

 

By Rachel Downie

 

Have another look of Edinburgh posts

 Photo by Jim Divine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

turtle

World Turtle Day

23/05/2025 / / 0 Comments

World Turtle Day

World Turtle Day is celebrated annually on 23rd May each year. It aims to raise awareness of the threats faced by turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world as well as encouraging human action to help them survive and thrive.

Researching and protecting the turtle and tortoise populations is essential. By feeding on dead fish that has washed up on the shores, they help to keep our beaches clean and preserve the ecological balance of our oceans. As turtles travel between their coastal feeding grounds and nesting locations on beaches, they transport vital nutrients helping these ecosystems to thrive.

Turtles are known as amniotes because they breathe air and lay their eggs on land. Of the 300 species of turtles in the world,129 species are endangered. There are seven species of marine turtles: hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, olive ridley, green, flatback, and Kemp’s ridley. Six of these seven species are at risk of extinction. The largest breed of turtle is the leatherback, often as big as a double bed, competing with crocodiles and Komodo dragons for the largest reptiles in the world.

Many turtles are facing extinction due to the rise in human activity and increased plastic waste found in our oceans. Turtles must return to the surface to breathe as they cannot breathe underwater. They often get caught in fishing nets and plastic waste causing them to drown.

As part of one of the oldest reptile groups in the world, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs – over 200 million years ago – turtles are considerably older than snakes, crocodiles, and alligators. They are cold-blooded animals, meaning they can live much longer. Tu”i Malila  was the longest-living turtle and lived on Tonga Island, passing away at the ripe old age of 128!

A bony shell, made from cartilage, protects turtles from predators – some can even tuck themselves in their shells for extra protection. Turtle shells consist of 50 different bones which have fused together. Their shells are popular as jewellery and collectable items which has threatened their survival since the 18th century.

Turtles use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate their way around the oceans. Using their built-in navigation system, they can cross 1000 miles of ocean and remember their way back to the beach where they laid their eggs. Turtles return to the beach where they hatched to nest their own young. This increases their chance of survival when moving around the ocean. The sex of a turtle is dependent on the temperature when it is born – if the egg is warmer than 28 degrees Celsius, it is born female.

Turtles travel extensively within the oceans in large groups and are highly sociable creatures. They are highly sought-after with a huge illegal trade for their meat, eggs and shells, as well as being kept as exotic pets. They are also used for traditional medicines. These, along with fishing nets and plastic waste, are the most significant threats to turtles in current times.

Celebrating World Turtle Day

World Turtle Day is celebrated all over the world in different ways. A variety of events and activities are organised to help the preservation of turtles. People often rescue turtles from roads and highways, returning them to their natural habitats.

There are many fun and easy ways to celebrate World Turtle Day. Dress up as a turtle, wear something green, do a sponsored walk or host a bake sale to raise money for a charity that helps turtles.

 

Find out more about turtles in this video from Box of Broadcasts.

A Slow Odyssey: A Turle’s Journey

Experience an immersive journey into the world of turtles. Ride with a green sea turtle as it swims in the beautiful waters of its coral reef home in Sipidan, Malaysia.

By Sharon McMichael

Photo by David Courbit 

 

Lover of animals, we have the posts for you

Tea being brewed

International Tea Day

21/05/2025 / / 0 Comments

International Tea Day

 

Today is International Tea Day, which annually acknowledges the global popularity and widespread love for this versatile beverage as well as its origins, health benefits, and how it also promotes community worldwide. In the UK alone, a total of approximately 100 million cups of tea are consumed every day, which adds up to an estimated 36 billion cups annually. We’re sure to love our tea! Nevertheless, this agricultural commodity and humble beverage is loved by different countries and cultures globally and is widely exported, traded and exchanged between different nations. As well as having a huge variety of health benefits, this widely loved beverage also has a huge variety of health benefits and fascinating historical origins. So, feel free to put the kettle on and pour yourself a brew as we delve into the history, benefits and other wonderful things associated with tea.

 

History and Origin of International Tea Day

 

Camellia Sinensis, the tea plant, is thought to have first originated in the borderlands of China. The concept of making this a part of a well-loved beverage, however, is said to have occurred when one of the servants of Chinese emperor Shen Nung served him boiled drinking water where some leaves from this plant had blown into the water. Rather than turning down the beverage, Shen Nung decided to drink this accidental infusion anyway – and from this, it is said that tea was born. Nevertheless, there are uncertainties regarding whether this was the true origin story of tea, but evidence does suggest that China was where tea was both cultivated and first consumed as early as 6,000 years ago, with the earliest evidence of its consumption dating back to 2737 BC.

 

The cultivation and consumption of tea eventually emerged in Europe in the late sixteenth century, although this was mostly reported amongst Portuguese individuals living in the East as missionaries and traders. It soon also became a popular beverage among the Dutch after they started to ship back tea for commercial purposes and eventually through a trading post established in the island of Java at the start of the seventeenth century, where the first batch of tea was transported from China to Holland. Soon, it started to make its way through other countries within the western region of Europe. It eventually became a popular beverage in Britain amongst the wealthy after the marriage of Charles II to Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza, whose love of the beverage influenced a rise in its popularity and fashionable status across the wealthy classes in Britain. Eventually, the East India Company, which had had a monopoly on importing goods from outside Europe, began to capitalise on the growing popularity of tea and started to import this agricultural commodity as well, with the first order consisting of at least 100 lbs of tea to be transported to Britain from Java in 1664.

 

Modern-day tea drinking…

 

Today, the modern way of consuming tea involves the infamous tea bag, which became all the range in Britain during the 1970s. British enthusiasm for and love of tea has also played a crucial part into growing their empire as a tea trader, with many British companies leading in the world’s tea trade and dominating within this specific market. Some of the most famous British brands which you may recognise are PG Tips, Tetley, Twinings and Yorkshire Tea. One of these may even be a personal favourite of your own! Or you may even prefer a herbal brew, with popular types being peppermint, chamomile, hibiscus, ginger and lemon balm. As well as being caffeine-free, herbal teas can also generally have calming, soothing and healing properties as well as a range of health benefits.

 

Health Benefits of a Brew…

 

Black tea is known to be filled with antioxidant properties and have various health benefits. In terms of physical health, it is thought to decrease your chances of developing cardiovascular problems, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, all likely because of black tea containing flavonoids (a group of antioxidants thought to improve and maintain good health health). It may also improve gut health, lower the risk of certain cancers and can also help to enhance focus, alertness and mental clarity. It is also thought that tea can even improve bone health (particularly green tea, according to data extracted from animal studies). All in all, the range of cardiovascular, metabolic, physical and cognitive health benefits associated with the consumption of tea make it a very appealing choice of beverage for all. Herbal teas, as mentioned earlier, also carry a range of health benefits themselves, including anxiety and stress reduction, improved digestion and immunity, better sleep and various other benefits. Below, you will find a list of different herbal teas and the health benefits associated with them.

  • Peppermint: Digestive help, as well as headache and sinus relief due to menthol content.
  • Ginger: Can also aid with digestion, relieve nausea and motion sickness and soothe cold symptoms (particularly if combined with lemon)!
  • Hibiscus: Can lower blood pressure and enhance cardiovascular health and function.
  • Rosehip: Rich in antioxidant and Vitamin C and can help to lower inflammation.
  • Lavendar: Has soothing properties which aid with relaxation as well as relieving stress and anxiety. Can also help with sleep and enhance sleep quality.
  • Chamomile: Has similar calming properties as Lavendar tea and can also help with sleep improvement and stress relief.
  • Lemon Balm: Mental health benefits including a reduction in stress and anxiety as well as enhanced mood.

 

 

Recommendations…

 

We may have tempted you to brew up another cup of tea, but have we also inspired a further interest in tea within you as well, including the many benefits it has to offer

By Rachel Downie

Photo by Matt Griss

Go on and have a biscuit with our biscuit day post

World Theatre  Day 2025

01/04/2025 / / 0 Comments

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

Welcome to the Libraries

More Than A Library (A Personal Reflection)

01/04/2025 / / 0 Comments

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 

Spanish Christmas traditions. Image ofChristmas Decorations Hanging
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Spanish Christmas Traditions

20/12/2024 / / 2 Comments

A Spanish-style Traditional Christmas 

Christmas in Spain is not so very different from Christmas elsewhere, but there are one or two traditions that may sound slightly exotic to Scottish ears, and I’ll set them out here.

First of all, our festive period is longer, running from the 22nd of December until the 7th of January. We celebrate the end of Christmas with presents brought from faraway lands by the Three Wise Men (traditionally marked by the Epiphany). This, of course, makes the youngest members of the family very merry, but it pleases the grownups too. Traditionally Santa Claus has never been recognised in Spain, but nowadays that is changing, and like the reyes mago” (3 wise men), he now sometimes brings presents too.

The Spanish Lottery

A more recent, and much more secular tradition, is El Gordo, the Spanish Christmas Lottery. This, too, is celebrated on the 22nd of December. It’s the most popular draw of the year in Spain and is considered the biggest worldwide since it was first celebrated in 1812. Winning El Gordo’s jackpot is one of the best Spanish Christmas presents you could hope for.

As in many other parts of the world, Christmas trees, fancy city lights, and splashes of red, green, and white decorations make their appearance during the festive period. However, something quite particular we have is the Portal de Belén: tiny models of Bethlehem representing the Nativity, with many accompanying structures such as the desert, town, angels, shepherds and farm animals.

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Tomatoes

16/06/2024 / / 0 Comments

Tomatoes

You read that correctly. That’s our title. Craiglockhart Campus Library is growing tomatoes again, a bumper crop this summer.

Tomatoes at Craiglockhart:

The Info & Ops team have been growing tomatoes at Craiglockhart library workroom for a few years now and this year, we believe, we’re going to have a bumper crop.  When I say bumper crop, I mean more than 3 which is our usual level of harvest to be shared across a team of 7!

We’re currently growing 3 plants of the Tiny Tim variety, small tomato plants which can easily be grown in a pot on a window sill.  Although this is a compact variety, here at Craiglockhart the plants grow a bit long due to the lack of light, hence the canes you see in the pictures.

Tomatoes growing at Craiglockhart

Growing Tomatoes

The seeds for these particular plants were sown in February this year. They were then kept warm in a conservatory until about the end of March. And then moved to a greenhouse when it got warmer.  When I say warmer it got warm and then cold again so initially they had to be covered with fleece to keep them warm!  They’ve been in the window for about 2 months now and have really come on, albeit in a long way!

When the flowers came out we helped with the pollination by brushing the flowers with a paintbrush.  The plants must be kept well (and consistently) watered to prevent the skins from splitting and blossom end rot. This is where the bottom of the tomato (where you can see the remains of the flower) turns black.  They’re also now being fed once per week with Tomorite (other brands of tomato feed are available!).

We’re all very much looking forward to the tomatoes growing and ripening over the next few weeks.  Looks like we’re going to get more than half (or less than) a tomato each this year!

Salad anyone?

by Cathryn Buckham

 

Edinburgh

Things to do in Edinburgh over the Summer Period

14/06/2024 / / 0 Comments

Things to do in Edinburgh over the Summer Period

Stumped for what to do over the summer? Looking for inspiration? Look no further – here, you can find a list of venues and activities located within the city of Edinburgh. As well as a range of events taking place here over the summer. Whether you are seeking out live entertainment, cultural experiences, or simply to wind down in nature following a long exam season, Edinburgh has a range of exciting events on during the summer period. There are also many breathtaking attractions and outdoor hill walks if you wish to immerse yourself in the natural wonders that the city has to offer.

 

Festivals and Entertainment over the Summer…

Edinburgh Fringe Festival (2nd of August – 26th of August 2024)

The iconic three-week Edinburgh Fringe Festival started shortly after the Second World War when eight theatre groups were uninvited to perform live at the Edinburgh International Festival. Many performers were influenced by this movement and started to follow in their footsteps until the Festival Fringe Society eventually emerged in 1958.

The Fringe Festival now occurs every August in Edinburgh and welcomes huge numbers of artists and performers worldwide. Venues, along with bars and food stalls, are often scattered around the city centre as well. When it comes to genres of each live performance, we are spoiled for choice – you can see many live acts playing out through the city streets including circus performers, physical and musical theatre, comedy acts, opera, dance acts, children’s shows, and many, many more. Some of them are even free of charge!

You can stay up to date with what acts are on and when they are playing by following the Edinburgh Fringe Festival social media channels, checking out the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website or downloading the Fringe app.

Walks and Nature in Edinburgh …

Arthurs Seat and Calton Hill

Located within Holyrood Park and a short walk from the Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat is a popular peak.  A hill walk for activities such as hiking and sightseeing. It is the highest point of Holyrood Park and an extinct ancient volcano which sits at 251m above sea level. And provides vast, panoramic, and breathtaking views of the cityscapes of Edinburgh. It is relatively easy to climb for avid hillwalkers and is known to take approximately one to two hours to reach the top.

If you are looking for a gentler hill walk which also has excellent, panoramic views of the city. Calton Hill is also a very short walk from Edinburgh city centre and hosts our National Monument. As well as the Collective Art Gallery which is a contemporary art centre situated on top of Calton Hill.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Don’t fancy hill walking? Located one mile from the city centre is also the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh. It offers 72 acres of magnificent landscape and scenery as well as being home to over 10,000 different plant species. Visitors can immerse themselves in the peace and tranquillity of the park scenery. And being presented with the opportunity to learn more about the fascinating origins and history of the park itself, which was founded by two doctors researching the use of plants for remedial purposes in 1670. Some of the most popular features of the gardens include the Chinese Hillside, the Queen Mother’s memorial garden, the Giant Redwood trees in the Woodland Garden and the globally recognised Rock Garden.

Albeit the glasshouses, you can visit the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh free of charge. Nevertheless, you may still be tempted to spend some money in the Botanics Shop which offers a varied selection of souvenirs, gifts, artwork and plants. You can find more information and check for any upcoming events being held there through the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh webpage.

Edinburgh International Book Festival (10th of August – 25th of August 2024)

As can be expected, our library team were going to find an opportunity to promote a book-related event here! Since 1983, visitors and book lovers have been presented with the chance to meet and engage with some of the greatest and most well-recognised authors, as well as thinkers, performers, and artists at Edinburgh’s International Book Festival. It hosts a variation of innovative and exciting events, some of which include open on-stage discussions and conversations, workshops, think tanks and masterclasses encouraging creativity and skills development. Many authors will sign copies of their books for you after each event as well.

As is the case with many festivals, food and drink is available. As well as relaxation spaces such as the indoor café on Lauriston Place. There is also an on-site bookshop should any of the authors you engage with at the festival gauge your interest! Every year, the festival also seeks out short-term staff over the summer to assist with visitors and the running of the festival. Some of the perks of the job include discounted books and entry to events. A booklover’s dream job!

The Edinburgh International Book Festival will take place at Edinburgh Futures Institute this year. More information can be found on their webpage: Edinburgh International Book Festival (edbookfest.co.uk).

 

Other cool attractions to check out…

 

  • Edinburgh Castle
  • National Museum of Scotland
  • Dynamic Earth
  • Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
  • St Cecilias Concert Room and Music Museum
  • The Scott Monument
  • Edinburgh Dungeon

 

By Rachel Downie

We will be updating the blog regularly over the summer with fun and interesting articles, stay tuned!

voting

2024 is Election Year

29/03/2024 / / 0 Comments

2024 is Election Year

We’re getting in early as sometime this year a general election will be held to elect a UK government for the next 5 years. All 650 constituencies will see candidates standing to try to win the seat to be  Member of Parliament. MPs are elected using the First Past the Post system. You vote once for a candidate in your constituency and the candidate with the most votes becomes your MP.

In the weeks running up to the election we can look forward to, or dread, countless tv and radio interviews with current and past MPs, political commentators and members of the public. You may find electoral leaflets coming through your letterbox and even candidates knocking on your door to put their case to you.

If you who have turned 18 since the last general election, then this will be your first chance to vote in one. If you wish to do so, you must make sure that you are eligible. You can do this by checking gov.uk website, but the general rules are:

  • be registered to vote
  • be 18 or over on the day of the election (‘polling day’)
  • be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen
  • be resident at an address in the UK (or a British citizen living abroad who has been registered to vote in the UK in the last 15 years)
  • not be legally excluded from voting

Voting in an election

You can either vote in person or by post. If you are a UK student and you are already registered to vote in your hometown but would prefer to vote locally whilst, at university, you will need to register again for your new resident area. But If you want to vote in your hometown but will be at university when the election takes place, you can apply for a postal vote.

If you are eligible to vote and have registered, you’ll be sent a polling card just before the election telling you when to vote and where. You can only vote at the polling station location on your card. You do not have to take your poll card with you. If you have not received a poll card but think you should, contact your local Electoral Registration Office. You can still vote if you’ve lost your card.

When you arrive at the polling station register at the desk. Then you will be given a slip with all the candidates’ names on it and directed to a polling booth where you can make your choice by marking X against your chosen candidate. Slips are placed in the sealed ballot box which is taken to the counting centre once the polls close. It’s then that the exit polls (taken from voters after they have voted) will be broadcast and give an idea of how the election has gone.

Most constituency results will be declared during the night. A few in remote rural areas such as Shetland not declaring until the next day. Every election there is a race between constituencies to be the first to declare their results. In 2019 that honour went to Newcastle. Some organize human chains to get the ballot boxes into the counting centre as quickly as possible and have an army of staff ready to count the slips. Candidates and members of their teams are allowed to watch the count to make the process as transparent as possible.

Once the final result is known the leader of the party with a majority of seats in the House of Commons will be the Prime Minister. If no party has an absolute majority, the leader of the party with the largest number of seats is given the first opportunity to form a coalition. And then the tricky business of running the country begins.

When you can vote

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on the day of an election.

Key Dates

1832-Electoral register introduced. Only around 14% of adult males eligible to vote, women could not vote at all.

1867-Reform Act increased electorate to 32% of the adult male population.

1872-Secret ballots introduced.

1918-Men over 21 and women over 30 given the vote.

1928-Women over 21 allowed to vote.

1969-Voting age lowered to 18.

1989-British citizens living abroad given the right to vote for up to 20 years after leaving the UK.

Don’t forget that many people, especially women had to fight hard for the vote. So use your vote when the time comes!

By Vivienne Hamiliton

Photo Source Element5 Digital 

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