Spring has well and truly sprung! There are daffodils everywhere I look, and it has even been vaguely mild. I have taken the serious step of putting away all my thickest winter jumpers and replaced them with my lighter knitwear. Knitwear is still necessary, because I live in Scotland, and I’m a realist. So, you’re not as skint because Christmas was an age ago, and you’re thinking about coming out of hibernation, but what to do once you have extracted yourself from your duvet fort on the sofa? Well here’s some inspiration, five excellent things to do this spring.
Now this opened in March and doesn’t close till September, but let’s be real, you should go visit before the Fringe and the world’s tourists descend upon Edinburgh in the Summer. Far better to have a lazy meander now. I haven’t seen this exhibition yet but the History Girls are very very excited to take a day trip to the capital to see it. Eagle-eyed internet users will know that Celts has been at the British Museum, and it looks amazing! The book alone is worth salivating over, and there is a sexy promo film on the exhibition page on the NMS website. If you like archaeology, jewellery, shiny things and art you will love this. Tickets are £10 for an adult and concessions are available, go have a look.
2. In Vogue at Stirling Castle, Historic Environment Scotland
Karen and I will be attending this, because its sounds super fun times! The blurb on the website says; Wander through Stirling Castle and experience the grandeur of the architecture, and visit the palace of the Renaissance monarch, James V. Find out how he expressed his power and majesty through dazzling displays of interior design, sculpture and imagery.
Join us in the Great Hall for the fashion show of the centuries to gain an insight into magnificent Renaissance style. Discover innovative costumes, textiles and jewellery and international connections that shaped the fashion of 16th century Scotland. Yes please, thank you very much. The event is on from 12-4pm on Saturday, 14th May and Sunday, 15th May, and it is included in your admission price, so if you are already a member (like we clever ladies are), then the event is free!
3. The James Plays, National Theatre of Scotland.
We are booked in to see James I: The Key Will Keep The Lock and we are very much looking forward to it. These three plays, on James I, II, and III have received rave reviews, you will probably have seen posters up all over the place for them, but it was the trailer that sealed the deal for us. This production is touring, but all three plays are showing between the 8th and the 10th of April at the Kings Theatre. We chose James I because he is my favourite and I convinced Karen it would be the best one, but if you are both incredibly wealthy and really really love the theatre why not go and see all three?
4. Culzean Casle, National Trust for Scotland
I love Culzean, I try to visit it at some point every year. The walled gardens are beautiful, as is the setting of the castle, so romantic! The Adams style interiors are excellent, as is the kitchen, which is full of gleaming pans. It is so easy to spend a full day here, and there are lots of events, including lovely guided walks and even a farmers market on Sundays. There are theatre productions throughout the year, and the café does a very good cake. On a fresh spring day its the perfect place to be. Members get in free of course, and there are entrance prices for the garden alone or the house and garden combined. It really is worth getting a membership if you plan on visiting even just two or three NTS properties, as it will pay for itself and you can feel great about giving to an important charity.
5. Modern Scottish Women: Painters and Sculptors 1885-1965, Modern Two
Karen and I attended the Study Day on this exhibition at the National Gallery and had a brilliant time. We purchased the exhibition catalogue, which is really rather gorgeous, but we still haven’t been to see the actual exhibition, which is very bad of us and will be rectified soon, as it is no longer dark, raining and terrifying outside. The exhibition is on until 26th June, and tickets cost £9 with concessions available. If you want a positively uplifting day out which makes you think, “women are brilliant!” then this is the one for you.
Right then dear reader, all that is left for me to do now is wish you good luck on your travels. I hope we all have a lovely sunny Scottish spring, but even if it’s torrential rain, we’ll deal with it, because we’re Scottish, and unfortunately, we are used to it.
Rachael
History. Heritage. Hilarity. 