I moved from a city fond of its festivals (hello, Decatur!) to another city that equally loves to get its events party clothes on. Most people know about Edinburgh’s international Fringe Festival that happens the entire month of August, but few know about the (put your thick-rimmed glasses on) Edinburgh International Science Festival!
And, let’s be honest, I wouldn’t have had anything to do with something with the word “science” in the title if I didn’t have a mad scientist for a husband. But when Mr. Mustachio asked if I would like to go to a lecture on epigenetics (wha.?) I said yes because he so rarely asks for anything, and he looked all sparkly-eyed and the curls in his mustache twinkled.
Now before you think “Yawn! Who wants to hear more about science-y stuff?” let me just say that this festival knows how to cater to the scientist and non-scientist alike. Matt and I went to five different events, and I understood what was going on most of the time (pretty extraordinary considering that I took all of one science class at college). And you guys would have really enjoyed them too, I swear! Here are some highlights:
We were taught how to forage at the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens:
And then were served an incredibly delicious breakfast made from foraged findings around town:
We learned about the biochemistry of whisky.
. and then got terribly tipsy during the tasting research:
And I so wish I had made it to these two, but found out about them too late:
Physics and Fashion: how nanotechnology is being used in clothing to help people with physical ailments (sooo awesome! Read more about it here). Catalysed Kilts and Jeans: really this is the ultimate in green fashion. These jeans and tartan actually clean the air while you wear them! (Read more here).
I feel like Bill Nye the Science Guy saying this, but isn’t science so much cooler than you thought it could be?
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Dear Cath,
I hope you are having a wonderful trip down to Orlando today. Hopefully you can read this post on your way down. I know I talked your ear off about it, but now you get to see real live photos!
Miss you so, so much!
Love,
Lar
yeah i’m not one for science myself.but this event looks like a blast!!!
This looks so fun! Right up my alley. I guess I have a bit of “mad scientist” in me too. xoxo
Soooo fun! I seriously never thought that I’d be jealous you got to get to a science fair! I want a pair of those jeans and a dress made out of that tartan!
I’ll stay in touch as much as I can while I’m in Orlando. I’m going on a “backstage” tour of Universal Studios and really, really hope I get to see hogwarts. Now that’s nerdy!
xoxo, cath
I’m totally jealous of BOTH of you cause I’m stuck in rainy/dreary ATL, where I would never ever eat anything found on/in the ground. Although, I don’t know that I could eat foraged city-foods from any city. It just seems dirtier than foraged mountain-foods. Not that I’ve ever eaten either. (p.s. – i grew up in Florida and spent so much time at the disney complexes. But hogwarts opened WAY after I moved and I would love to read a post if you get to go!)
Hi Currylove! I totally want Cath to do a HP post too — she sent me some photos earlier this week and they look amazing!
That diagram of Mr. Mustachio is hilarious.
You had me at “Nerdy Post Alert”. looks like a fun time! I wish there were more of these festivals around here. we have music festivals, sure, but even for those just dabbling in science it’d be fun to attend such events! I mean, science is everywhere!
~F
This is all too cool, L! Especially the foraging bits! Wish I could have been there!!
YEEEESSSS! The science festival looks and sounds AMAZING! I would have loved to go and listen in on lectures and whatnot! I used to be a huge chemistry geek at one point and wanted to be a chemical engineer. Interests waned and whatnot. Anywho, the breaky spread looks so delicious! That potato and dulce looks intriguing!
soooo is there a market for biochemists in Edinburgh? because my husband is totally looking for a job, and I’m looking for an adventure!
Love the blog! Congrats on the Atlanta article!
Much love from a fellow Atlanta Style Blogger.
Michael and I are very jealous! And he wants to know the names/years/etc of the Scotches, if you have them. 😉
How 100% delightful! I LOVE science, no matter how divergent from it my own occupation might be. Everyone — even crazy artists — can benefit from learning to THINK like a scientist! 😀