CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED

Talks, Lectures & Author Events in Edinburgh

A fair bit of this in Edinburgh happens somewhere with a second life. Riddles Court, a minute from the centre, runs public tours and family events inside a historic close, plus a proper sit-down café for afterwards. The French Institute of Scotland, also right in the centre, does storytelling and author meetings for young children with tickets from £5, and there's a bistrot on site if the talk overruns into lunchtime. Edinburgh College of Art, a touch further out, opens its campus for exhibitions, talks and concerts alongside a guided tour of the buildings. For younger children, the French Institute's picture book sessions are the easiest way in, and £5 is gentle on the budget. Riddles Court suits a family keen on local history, with wheelchair access and a café built in. Older children with a taste for performing might do better at Strange Town, whose weekly drama classes and holiday camps run from age 5 right up to 25, including proper audition coaching. If you'd rather browse than book, Edinburgh Books has four basement rooms of second-hand stock, with a decent stash of old children's titles worth digging for.

✓ 5 places★ 2 upcoming events✦ From £5