Previously... Scotland's History Festival

Scottish Tourist Guides will be participating in this year’s inaugural Scotland’s History Festival, by offering a themed walking tour on urban planner Sir Patrick Geddes in conjunction with the Cockburn Association.

Described by Festival organisers, Ian Harrower and Susan Morrison, as a celebration of that ‘fabulous treasure’ hidden in the family attic for too long, the Festival was created to bring Scotland’s dramatic, intriguing and fascinating history out onto the streets of Edinburgh. From ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ Roadshows, to burning debates on Scotland’s National Identity, to Exhibitions on Jock Tamson’s Bairns, the Festival will enable visitors to learn about Scotland ‘Previously…’ and the story so far.

Blue Badge Guides have always been adept at interpreting Scottish History on the streets for visitors local and international alike, and the Scottish Tourist Guides are delighted to be working together with another of Scotland’s treasures, the Cockburn Association.

Sir Patrick Geddes (1854-1932) was the pioneer of the environmental movement. His ideas, such as “think global, act local”, have become commonplace. Words he created, such as ‘conurbation’, ‘megalopolis’,’ habitat’, seemed revolutionary during his lifetime but are now taken for granted. Concepts such as the ‘green belt’, to allow people living in cities maintain direct contact with nature, are now widely cherished worldwide. His idea that cities are organic entities constantly evolving in history launched the urban and regional planning movement around the world.

In the 1880s and 90s he chose to live in the then decayed and unfashionable Old Town of Edinburgh. With the help of his wife Ana Morton he galvanised the Old town resident community, and local architects and artists to bring about the Old Town’s regeneration, without waiting for government action. But his influence reaches more widely. He was a polymath of world significance, a distinguished biologist, town planner and landscape architect, and a pioneer in sociology and environmental education.

In his lifetime, Geddes’ work was way ahead of his time. But with the increasing awareness of “green” and sustainability issues, his ideas are now recognised as visionary, and of supreme importance now and for future.

The walks last approximately two hours and will run between 10am-12pm on the 19th, 23rd and 28th of November

Tickets are £10 and include a coffee & cupcake break in Sandeman Garden/Trunk's Close.

To secure a place please download the booking slip and return it to the Cockburn Association office with payment. Alternatively, call  0131 557 8686 and pay the tourist guide in cash on joining the group.