EDINBURGH PEOPLES FESTIVAL in association with SCOTTISH POETRY LIBRARY

present

McGONAGALL’S FEAT

Renowned Actor, Local Historian and Rebustours guide Mr. Colin Brown will conduct a walking tour from World’s Worst Poet and Tragedian Mr. William McGonagall’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard to the Scottish Poetry Library  at 6.30 p.m.  on the evening of

THURSDAY 24^TH MAY 2012.

Mr. Brown will essay readings from several of Mr. McGonagall’s poems and will venture to describe the life and times of this most tortured genius. Please attire yourself appropriately.

Tea, shortbread and Dundee cake will be provided in the Library for  sustenance and revival.

Minute McGonagall

Participants are encouraged to produce their own poem, in the style of Mr. McGonagall, lasting no longer than one minute, which they will be asked to read in the Library.

This event is Free, but numbers are limited, therefore please avail yourself of a ticket by contacting the Library – E-Mail on reception@spl.org.uk or by telephoning 557-2876.

Travel by bus. It is a cheap, clean and efficient means of getting around the City. The bus service is well used by the locals, and you will discover the meaning of the Scots word “dour”.

Frequent the bars and restaurants. They are convivial places of entertainment and the locals are always delighted to provide you with advice and opinions, if you approach them in a suitably friendly manner.

Queue. Scotland is one of the few counties in the world that still respect people when they are waiting in line. Please have reverence for this ancient tradition.

Feel free to discuss and condemn the weather on a regular basis; this is an honourable diversion.

If you feel cold, stand closer to India.

Enjoy your stay.

A walking tour around the University district featuring fascinating stories from the lives of some of those scientists who lived and worked in this most beautiful and inspiring of European capital cities; Hutton and geology, Hume and philosophy, Maxwell and electromagnetism and the medical exploits of Conan Doyle, Darwin, Sophia Jex Blake, Elsie Maud Inglis and James Miranda Barry. Knox, Smith and Nightingale are amongst the other compelling characters that will be explored. Actor, local historian and Rebustours guide Colin Brown leads the tours.

£10 per person.

The Walking with Scientists tour will be available for group bookings of 10 or more people. (0131-) 553-7473.

2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the writing of the first Rebus novel Knots and Crosses. Look out for special events on this site.

As part of the Rebustours 10th Anniversary Celebrations, Colin Brown conducted a Special Charity Tour in June 2010. This special one-off tour finished in the downstairs lounge of the Royal Oak pub, where the guests met Ian Rankin. He chatted and answered questions for an hour and a half. We all felt that we could have gone on for days, talking about Rebus, writing and Edinburgh. The event raised over £900 for the charity Kindred.

Last year,  I was again asked to provide a special Rebustour as part of the Edinburgh Peoples Festival. This important  event features Art and Performances that are “For the People, By the People” of Edinburgh. I was honoured to conduct a tour on Monday 9th August, starting in The Royal Oak pub at 6.30p.m.

In 2011 the Body Politic tour  changed it’s name to the Secret Edinburgh tour.

It is not necessary to have read a Rebus book, as all the tours feature Edinburgh and Scottish history. There are some Rebus readings, and we visit several Rebus scenes. In order to maintain an element of surprise, I do not explain in advance where these are. Please arrive early, as I start promptly. Both tours cost £10 per person, payable on the day. If this is convenient, then please confirm. Please also consult the Rebustours web site or phone 0131-553-7473 nearer the time just to ensure that the tour is still taking place.