OTA Events

Edinburgh Old Town Association

Members' Events

Here is a selection of events that the OTA has arranged for its members in recent years...

Visits to

Map Library of the National Library of Scotland at Causewayside
King David's Tower in Edinburgh Castle led by staff of Historic Scotland
Guided walk of gardens and other places associated with Patrick Geddes led by Jean Bareham of Greenyonder Tours
Calton Hill and its monuments led by Dororthy Marsh of the City of Edinburgh Council

Talks

Andrew Wright on the history of St James's Square and the St James Centre (joint event with the Cockburn Association)
Archaeology from the tramworks by Sorina Spanou of Headland Archaeology
Edinburgh on Film, films of life in Edinburgh presented by Ruth Washbrook of the Scottish Screen Archive (event supported by Edinburgh World Heritage)
Parliament Close in 1795, a talk by Sheila Szatkowski on the famous painting by Naismith, Kay, et al
History of Swimwear (with numerous examples!) by Annie Scanlon
Policing the Old Town by Community Policeman, Lyall Downie

Visits to

Hotel du Vin in the refurbished former Blood Bank building in Bristo Place
Scottish Records Office for an opportunity for members to research their family history with help from SRO staff
City of Edinburgh Council CCTV suite
Guided walk to sites associated with printing in the Old Town led by Helen Williamson
Guided walk of the hidden gardens of the Old Town by Jean Bareham of Greenyonder Tours
The City Chambers including the recently refurbished public rooms

Talks on

public space and public life by Ian Wall
the work of the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust by Adam Wilkinson
Robert Burns and the Old Town by Donald Smith
the history of Riddles Court by Andrew Wright (joint event with the Cockburn Association)
the industrial past of Edinburgh's city centre by Professor Bob Morris (joint event with the Cockburn Association)
printing in Edinburgh by David Rudram
Living Streets or putting pedestrians first by Kirstie Henderson
Energy saving and sustainable living by Bob Barnham of Changeworks
The Twelve Monuments project by Paul MacAuley of the City of Edinburgh Council