Edinburgh in October?

Thanks everyone for a smashing day... good food and great company what more could you ask for.. Cheers

bags ! When I last tried wearing a hat I was told that I looked like a 'coo lookin' ower a dyke')! That was from my late MiL.... . You carry a hat off very well! I'm heading (excuse pun) to that hat shop next time I'm in Edinburgh - I'll show MiL ('late' or not)!!

The Westerner "Hatface" (that's me) is home. Fabulous meet-up! Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. Thanks all!

In the car?

I'm so pleased with our Sunday outing and the "old" and not so "old" familiar faces. The crack was really good fun. Edinburgh was teaming and what a lovely atmosphere from one who lives a wee bit into the backwater. My day out was a little marred because my sister couldn't get home after staying at mine cause she lost her car key. Guess where I found it? A prize to the one who can tell me where it was.����

Thank you friends, what a lovely lunch we had. I'm delighted to have met new granspals today.

We had a really nice time! As usual, the company was lovely (much noise from much blethering)!

Yes we did, really fabulous. Gennaro's food was delicious.

We now have four more faces to put to names.

Hope you all enjoyed your day ladies?

Unfortunately I won't be able to see the fireworks from the comfort of my own windows. When the Festival and Hogmanay spectaculars are on I am kept awake by the bangs but can see nothing.

The fireworks are billed to start at 7.30. I have had a look but can't find any more timings, except for the children's craft from 3 to 5 and the pipes and fiddles at 5.30. It sounds like an exciting day on Calton Hill, I might wander up myself if I can move after we finish eating at Gennaro's.

Jane10, tell your family not to worry! We're a very gentle, kind bunch of lasses (mainly well-groomed...apart from me - I'm a bit messy) !

I would've loved to have seen that jollyg. Read it out to DH who did part of his National Service in Malaya. He remembers the Ghurkas who were allowed to have time off from all duties so that they could join in with the celebrations in fine style.

Im a granny, but I am doing something else today but will have grandstand view of the bonfire from my drawing room in the evening, it was spectacular last year

Are we the General Public! I think not
Interesting stuff but we will be too busy talking and eating to struggle up Carlton Hill
Are you a Granny/Grandad jollyg ?

How else do you inform the general public?

Erm is that an advert?

After you can stagger up to Calton Hill to see this

The Scottish Indian Arts Forum in its 20th year, is proud to present Dusherra 2014, the largest celebration of the Indian community in Scotland. In the 20 years since its inception, thousands of people from all over Scotland and Northern England have participated in our events and festivals.

Dusherra the flagship event of the Scottish Indian Arts Forum is being held on 5 October 2014 on top of Calton Hill in Edinburgh in a picturesque overlooking the Firth of Forth on one side and providing a birdseye view of Edinburgh town on the other.

Dusherra-2014_flyer

Dusherra, one of the largest festivals in India, commemorates a 10 day war between the gods and demons thousands of years ago. It is celebrated with gusto by communities with music, dance, food and a symbolic burning of the Effigies of the demons to celebrate the victory of good over evil.

This year’s cultural programme features a mixture of Scottish and Indian music and dance. The pipes and fiddle performers of Scott Wood Band will be headlining the festival at 5:30 pm with lively Scottish folk music. Indian Classical dancers from Bhartiya Ashram in Dundee will give a traditional feel to the festival at 6 pm. Other performers include Twisted Tails, the tribal belly dancing group, Flamenco performances by Alba Flamenca and the Bollywood band Swaryatra.

We are pleased to have a dedicated children’s marquee with arts and crafts workshop by Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop from 3-5 pm. This helps children understand different cultures and diversity by engaging in activities together. Food stalls provided by the award winning BananaLeaf restaurant in Glasgow and Spice Lounge Kitchen based out of Drumbrae in Edinburgh.

The event culminates in the burning of effigies and the fireworks. Built by the inmates of HM Prison in Saughton, these 25 ft wooden structures are an important activity for the prison in teaching inmates key life skills such as carpentry and decorating. Increasingly these are critical activities for inmates to contribute to the community that they live in and simultaneously build up their own self confidence.

Scottish Indian Arts Forum is very thankful to its sponsors SSE Scottish Hydro and Tata Consultancy Services Limited (TCS). TCS will also have stalls at the event to showcase their Corporate Social Responsibility and Skills Development Initiatives. The close working relationships with these organisations enable us to keep this a free festival for the community in a symbiotic fashion. We are delighted with the continued support of The City of Edinburgh Council and are thankful to all its staff that support us in the event.

Karthik Subramanya, President of Scottish Indian Arts Forum said: “ The 20th year of Dusherra celebrations in Edinburgh is a very special event for us, for a small volunteer led organization this is a remarkable achievement. The whole community looks forward to this event and we hope we can continue to present this event for the next 20 years”

Jim McPhillimy, Managing Director, SSE said: “SSE is committed to working actively in all the communities we serve and we are delighted to support the Scottish Indian Arts Forum’s annual Dusherra celebrations in Edinburgh for the third year running”

Have a lovely time you Scottish lot. Be good!

My family are worried about me meeting strangers from the internet- they think I might be being groomed!! Obviously Grans can be a dangerous lot

It's definitely in the Grassmarket, Maggiemay51, so I think that'll be the one. We'll find each other no problem, I'm sure. Looking forward to meeting you!

Is that Gennaro's 64 Grassmarket next to Bill Baber Scottish Knitwear...
(Ive been a Google maping)

Not silver but it comes out of a bottle lol
Looking forward to meeting you all tomorrow

oh elegran, you are a one!! (just read it out to DH, who sniggered.... )

Why only encourage them to get together once a year? What about the other 364 days?

Reminds me of an old joke (the old ones are the best!) about three men in a pub comparing how often they got their leg over.

One said with a long face "Every night - sometimes sveral times". "So why do you look so miserable?" "I am knackered!"

The second said with a long face "Once a week - unless she has a headache"

The third said with a beaming smile "Once a year!" "So why do you look so happy?" "Tonight's the night!"