FebruaryJournal

Look forward to the 6 Nations rugby, evenings out at the theatre, animation, puppetry, portrait prizes and Valentines Day.

Once upon a time puppets were for kids and aerial work was for the circus. Not any more. Don't miss visual theatre as you have never seen it before:

Manipulate Festival | 2-15 February 2025 | Scottish festival for visual theatre and animation.

“One of Scotland’s most interesting festivals, manipulate has developed a reputation for showcasing innovative work from around the world in visual theatre and animation… manipulate casts its net far wider than traditional puppetry to bring in the best work from overseas in genres ranging from contemporary puppetry and animation to physical and aerial theatre”
- The Scotsman

Scottish Snowdrop Festival | 25th January - 12th March 2025 | the Scottish Snowdrop Festival is celebrated in gardens across the country.

Banff Mountain Film Festival 2025 | 22nd February 2025

Ocean Film Festival | tbc

14th February

Eastside is the perfect base for an Edinburgh Valentine's break. Surrounded by beautiful heather covered hills to explore, wood burning stoves to curl up by and the beautiful city of Edinburgh just a short drive.

Dine out somewhere special

• Timberyard offers wonderful food in a unique industrial building hidden down an unassuming street in the city centre.
• The Outsider has the most spectacular views over the Grassmarket to the Castle. Perfect for lunch or supper.
• Harvey Nichols Forth Floor looks out over the Castle and the Firth of Forth, turn up early to get the corner table in the bistro & the best views in the house.
• Tom Kitchin's Michelin starred The Kitchin is well worth a trip to Leith or its 'pub grub' sister restaurant The Scran & Scallie comes highly recommended too.
• Or for something closer to home? Why not try the riverside Papermill in Lasswade or dine in with some delicious home made meals from COOK.

Locally grown flowers

If you would like a locally grown bouquet please let us know and we can have this waiting on your arrival. The large bouquets are made up by Pentland Flowers and grown just a mile away. Passionately believing in the grown not flown philosophy the flowers are seasonal, local and really special.

Spa days

For the best country & city spas in and around Edinburgh look no further than our local spa guide.

• The Velveteen Rabbit | 1st February 2025
• Valentines Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight | 14th February 2025
• Kinky Boots | 18th - 22nd February 2025
• Banff Mountain Film Festival 2025 | 22nd February 2025
• The Makropulos Affair - Scottish Opera | 27th Feb & 1st March 2025

• Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland | 14th September 2024 - 1st June 2025
• Everlyn Nicodemus | 19th October 2024 - 25th May 2025
• Celebrating 40 Years of Scotland’s Photography Collection | 6th November 2024 - 16th March 2025
• Dürer to Van Dyck | Drawings from Chatsworth House | 9th November 2024 - 23rd February 2025
• Ptolemy Mann: Woven Colour | 9th November 2024 - 15th March 2025

6 Nations Rugby | February/ March 2025

• The National Galleries of Scotland have a huge number of events, tours, and artist workshops for both adults and children. See their website for more information.
• Hopetoun House and grounds often hosted ranger walks and house tours throughout the year. See their website for what's on.
• Dalkeith Country Park is very similar, bushcraft, walks and foraging workshops are hosted frequently.
• Dovecot Studios offer behind the scenes tours and workshops on tapestry, drawing and needlework.
• And last but not least, the National Museums Scotland host in depth tours for grown ups and fantastic exhibition interpretations for little ones.

For the best food, drink and local larders in and around Edinburgh we have listed some of our favourite Edinburgh and country based restaurants, shops and suppliers for your February break.

Brew your own

How about booking yourselves in to Craft Beer Kitchen. Stewarts Brewing has long invited the public in to try their hand at crafting the perfect pint. With expert guidance you can spend the day brewing your very own bespoke beer. If staying at Eastside, the brewery are more than happy to send the beer on (within the UK) when it's ready. Not a bad holiday souvenir!