Today was a lovely day and still I thought I will check out some illustrative art from young…read moreprospective students at the Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show. The entrance to the exhibition is located of Westport Street and the illustrated gallery can be found on the 4th floor in a very modern building just opposite from Edinburgh castle with very amazing views. One of the students is no other than our own Ollie from "Wings", who is a very talented young man bringing his fantasies to life, presented in a combination of colourful fiction and science. You need a certain class of talent to draw various human and other forms with such a detailed eye, otherwise what you paint is missing shape and essence. He uses bright and eccentric colours indicating fun and play, and his arty signature is a little dog called "Wings" (well, we might hope so ;-) ) You can also admire his art work in the Princess Mall shopping centre at Waverly Station. There his talent and illustrative work is displayed on a massive wall for everybody to see when passing by. It's literally a very large print with many little characters in it, all waiting in a queue to get into the Mall for a bit of shopping. Remember to look out for it next time you are there. Tomorrow is the last day of the Art Degree Exhibition, so you better hurry. There is a lot to see!

ECA is a bit like other Edinburgh University buildings in that during the school year, students are…read moretortured (and by tortured I mean taught and by taught I mean made to sit exams) there, while during the Fringe, it becomes a venue. The Edinburgh College of Art, surprise surprise, offers art courses. I've met a few photography students from there (all amazing photographers), and their fashion students are, I think, in some way, affiliated with Godiva in the Grassmarket. Every year, the students will take over the many many buildings with a week (or so) long degree exhibition. This exhibition is massive. All the different students have their own sections, so there's the photography part, the fashion part, textiles, animation, etc. It borders on impossible to do it in a day. During the festival, I saw a great show where people in amazing make-up danced and did acro on stilts. It was jaw-dropping. Also, the building itself is pretty amazing. I mean, I'm not a fan of the outside, but then inside is full of columns and huge open spaces. If you haven't made the degree show ever, keep it in mind for next year. And keep your ears open for news on fringe shows going on in the college.

A FUN way to explore your creative side!! I have taken 3 different classes from Jen's Artisan…read moreStitch studio and loved them all! Dressmaking, Free-motion stitching and most recently the Mono-Printing workshop. I have always had a love for stationery and this class combined paper crafting (by making your own print) with my newest passion for stitching! It was so fun and having an intimate (small) setting makes it even more freeing to explore, ask LOTS of questions and experiment! Jen is patient and is so creative you just want to make more classes with her! She is always prepared and has lots of visual options to gear you in the right direction!! Thank you, Jen, for your creative energy and for sharing it with others!

From the owner: Sewing Lessons, Sewing Classes, how to use a sewing machine, Textile art workshops, Beginners to…read moreAdvanced Sewing Classes, Beginners Sewing Classes, Dress Making courses & Pattern Cutting, childrens sewing classes, machine embroidery, mixed media workshops, mono-printing workshops, creative textiles, personal tuition, one-to-one tuition, using an overlocker

There's a reason this 60s university building had its own student paper campaign to nominate it for…read moreChannel 4 series "Demolition". It's hideous. Now I know some people like Appleton Tower, they see some charm, perhaps some imprint of a particular age of architecture. I can sympathise with this. But not enough. Perhaps if Appleton Tower was one of the only remaining kind in the world I might have reservations about blowing it up, but even then it would be a struggle to persuade me. What persuaded the architects and engineers of the 60s to build one of central Edinburgh's highest buildings in this ugly style which even then, the potential for becoming quickly dated must have been apparent, I will never know. It maximally clashes with the beautiful old town aesthetic. I don't know whether to give Appleton Tower one star or five. It's awful but in many ways I love to hate it, and I really do recommend in all seriousness (especially if you have an interest in architecture) that you check it out. It is a local "hot spot". The view from Appleton is actually spectacular, especially from the North East. Though as one saying goes, "you get the best view of Edinburgh from Appleton Tower, because you can't see Appleton Tower".

Edinburgh is one of the most attractive cities architecturally with buildings such as Edinburgh…read moreCastle, The Scott Monument and St Giles' Cathedral. So why oh why did the University of Edinburgh sanction the hideous eye-sore that is Appleton tower? It really does look out of place and would look more apt in 1950s communist Russia. However, although it does look pretty disgusting from the outside, it is pretty cool inside, the lecture theatres are very much 21st century and very spacious and the tutorial rooms are all fitted with LCD TVs outside. Also one benefit from being inside Appleton Tower is that you can't see how ugly it is from the outside, so if you get a chance go to the top floor where you will be blessed with a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

My friend gave me a guided tour and all I can say about this University is I really wished I had…read moregone here (and could afford it). It's so amazing, and pretty, and people are friendly, and they have all these cool events advertised (like a cheese party!!!). Teviot row house is also the oldest student union building in the world (My friend told me) and it looks great! they have a sports bar, library bar, and other various bars for different functions and settings.

Home to some of the ugliest buildings on earth (can I get a round of applause for Appleton Tower's…read moresheer foulness please?) the University of Edinburgh was the place of my 'further education'. Superficially the Uni does well in the league tables (23rd in the world I think) but the real student experience is pretty patchy. The main library is probably the best example of this. Spanning over six floors this building houses millions of books and resources but for some reason there never seemed to be any of the ones I wanted! At the beginning of every year at least one of my courses was complaining that their books hadn't been put on short loan and that keen students had already checked out the course work for the year. There was also a constant issue of people hogging computers, leaving their books and coats on the table and then heading off to Bristo Square for a leisurely lunch. Annoying! Nonetheless I did enjoy my studies at Edinburgh a lot. The uni attracts some brilliant lecturers especially in the History and Politics departments (my degree). Dr Day, Dr Cogliano and Dr Bates were my favourite historians although I would have to say that the international relations and politics of human rights courses were very impressive. In recent years the University has come out quite badly in 'student satisfaction' surveys primarily because of the time it took to get coursework marked and returned. As I left I could see that there were real efforts being made to reverse these patterns but as far as most of us were concerned it was a bit too little too late. Despite this I would still say that Edinburgh is a great University and I miss it a lot!

I noticed that the French institute is classed as a 'language school' by Yelp. I must say that's…read morenot even the beginning.... Well, actually, it's a good place to start, but apart from the excellent language classes offered the French Institute in Edinburgh is a fantastic venue for all sorts. And there's no snobbery, I don't have a word of French and frequently I'm laughed at for my botched pronunciations, but they still let me through the door. I've attended art classes (got my tapestry on) and seen art shows here. There's a gorgeous back room which serves as a gallery and has one of the most spectacular views in the city. Recently they held their Fête de la Musique celebrations, with a whole day of music from all over the world. Sea Bass Kid, a local ska/jazz/rock type band were particularly worth seeing! The French Institute is also a Fringe venue. Last year I went to see 'The Onion Johnnies', a not-competely-factual history of the onion Johnnies who would travel from France to Scotland on their bikes and wage war with rabbits (apparently). This year there's a range of shows on. Down in the basement there is The Bistrot restaurant which does great French food and snacks. I've eaten here a few times and to be honest, they run out of the good stuff quickly so get there early! There's also a bar. I would recommend anyone with even the slightest interest in France to pop along or at least check out their website. I think they do a fantastic job here in Edinburgh as both a diverse venue and a Frenchy-type talking place.

You will find it in the middle of a crescent off Charlotte Square in the New Town district. There…read moreare plenty of French restaurants in the area - Petit Paris, Le petiti folie....etc, probably not by accident. The Institute is using two floors of a Georgian house and offers not only courses in French, a good library collection of books and DVDs but also an attractive cultural programme of art exhibitions and film screenings. I am just back from a wonderful screening evening of a Romanian film, "East of Bucharest" on the hot topic of the Revolution in 1989 and the collapse of communism.

This shop has almost all art supplies you may need. They also have a student discount which is a…read morepro. All the stock is very good quality and hence comes with a slightly higher price than you may find say in a supermarket. Keep your eyes peeled for notices for various art classes and art exhibitions. They have a very big selection of these amazing Japanese marker pens, which I can never get enough. The shopkeeper is lovely and chatty, and if you can't find anything, it's best to ask, because the shops small size makes it quite crammed with stuff. All in all, a great place to quench your artistic thirst for equipment, and with the student discount it makes it a bit more affordable.

For a capital city with a large art school, Edinburgh has a sore lack of art supply shops. So this…read moretiny store is one of your few options. I am just so pooped out by this shop, it only really has the basics and I find their pen and paper stocks too limiting for my needs. My main huge bug bare is the staff. They seem to have a broom up their asses and talk down to you. Aka I'm asking for something specific, I must know what I'm doing, please dear god don't patronise me in your shop. I end up walking to the art shop in the ECA as it's cheaper, has more paper stock and a couple of the staff are super helpful.

If you want spray paints, this is your place. A gigantic range of colours on offer, it's like being…read morea kid in a sweetshop! As well as the paints and markers, there is also some interesting artwork by local artists adorning the walls, alongside other trinkets for sale which would make nice gifts. They also advertise an artist for hire service for graffiti art workshops/classes and custom artwork which could liven up some dull spaces in the city. The member of staff was also helpful and polite in answering some novice questions about graffiti art... A recent makeover means there is also some nice design work on the frontage and more artwork on display - a nice surprise on revisiting. One good reason to come and have a look at this part of the Cowgate!

Great shop specialising in Graffiti/Arts products which are always well stocked - staff very…read moreknowledgeable and happy to help. Nice range of gifts and clothing which are frequently changing. There is also a gallery space at the front of the shop with prints and originals which is nice as it suits budgets large or small. The shop also appears to have had a bit of a revamp recently with a new layout/products - see picture attached. I think they also offer graffiti classes and commissions. Definitely worth a visit!!

I've taken a few different courses at Dance Base now and loved every one! All of the teachers are…read moreat the top of their craft and in my experience are dedicated to fostering and encouraging supportive and friendly atmosphere both in and beyond their classes. The administrative staff are equally lovely and helpful. As the National Centre for Dance you can truly tell how passionate and dedicated everyone is to championing this art form. I especially appreciate that Dance Base platforms a variety of dance forms which are harder to access, such as Dr Charm's Burlesque class which I have been in for a year now (and have already booked my slot for autumn)!

This place is amazing. The depth and skill of their teachers , and the range of classes offered…read moremean there is something for everyone. It is truly a place for everyone from professional dancers to schmucks like me. Go here. It will be so much fun.