After 6am, Talks & lectures

Get together with the society to discuss a variety of space-related topics.

Composer Tod Machover, conductor Peter Oundjian and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra take us through the creation of a new piece of music celebrating the City of Edinburgh and its Festival and co-created by members of the public.

Music since recording is a new art form, which bears only as much resemblance to traditional, performed music as cinema does to theatre. What are the special characteristics of this new art? How did it evolve? Where might it be going? Brian Eno shares his thoughts.

Fiona Bruce and the BBC's team of experts descend on Scone Palace for this valuation day. Take along your heirlooms and car boot discoveries to see if you have a dusty treasure on your hands.

Come hear the results of a multidisciplinary project between two geneticists, two poets, a design artist and a photographer, initiated by the ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum. With Pippa Goldschmidt, Lisa Matthews and Matthias Wienroth in discussion.

Matthew Dalziel and Louise Scullion, proprietors of the Dundee-based art studio Dalziel + Scullion, talk about creativity's role in challenging, reflecting and shaping the future. They focus on the interplay between human activity and nature's complexities and the possibility for a more meaningful kinship with the…

Improve your French conversation in a small group with an experienced tutor.

A talk, on the 98th anniversary, about the worst rail disaster in the UK, involving a troop train carrying soldiers from Letih and resulting in 220 casualties.

Robert Powell and Liza Goddard explore the first hundred years of cinema, starting with the Lumiere Brothers, making their way through Mickey Mouse, Clark Gable and Groucho Marx, and ending with Bond 22. Clive Conway and Christine Croshaw provide musical accompaniment.

A showcase of short films by local film directors followed by discussion.

Award-winning traditional African acrobats from Ghana, West Africa. A breathtaking performance, not to be missed. A family friendly event (i.e. suitable for all ages).

Artists Kjersti Sletteland and Despina Nissiriou will give an exclusive guided tour of their exhibition at Patriothall Gallery, providing insights into the works on show and the history of the building which the works respond to. All are welcome.

Music in education: few things are cheaper to fund, yet it's always one of the first things to get cut. James MacMillan, Scotland's most-performed living composer, talks to Prof Robert Davis of the University of Glasgow about the importance of music in education. Booking is essential.

A series of free talks taking place on Wednesday lunchtimes in various Aberdeen museums. Booking essential for talks at the Maritime Museum.

A free, hour-long peek backstage at the inner workings, characters, scenes and high points of The Pirates of Penzance.

The amiable bushcraft expert shares stories from his three decades roughing it in the bush.

A series of discussions examining various aspects of cinema.

A panel event as part of University of Edinburgh's 'Women in Warfare' conference, featuring novelist Sue Reid Sexton, lecturer and critic Faith Pullin and historian Yvonne McEwen and chaired by historian Jenni Calder.

Crisis Skylight Edinburgh, who do outreach for homeless and vulnerably housed people, presents this indoor learning market in honour of Adults Learners' Week. There'll be hands-on learning activities, t-shirt printing and card making, along with a number of stalls with more information about Crisis' courses.

An annual lecture that looks at the study of Natural Theology in broad terms, with the goal to advance modern theological thought.