Inpsire Me: 9 great things to do in the next week

EAT OUT: FOUNDRY 39

CHILLED, chic and unique, Foundry 39, the Capital’s latest ‘urban bar’ comes with a distinctive industrial twist yet proves an oasis of calm from the bustling West End outside.

Exposed original features, rusting cogs, caged copper metalwork, retro lighting and a dark wood floor create an ultra-cool vibe, ideal whether stopping off to refuel or just to grab a cocktail, beer or both.

Serving all day, the clock struck 5pm as I popped in to check out the new kid on the block. Consequently, breakfast options such as a stack of pancakes or Turkish eggs with whipped yogurt, spiced chorizo butter and sourdough, were long gone, tempting as they sounded. Not to worry.

Instead, a sharing plate - garlic doughballs, tomato and Parmesan doughballs, fried pickles, nachos with all the trimmings and caramel and chilli chicken wings - arrived to start.

In truth, a meal in itself.

Jerk Chicken pizza was my next choice, its garlic butter sour dough base light and crispy and topped with marinated buffalo mozzarella, sweet peppers, red onion and caramelised pineapple. A perfect combination.

If you have room left for desserts, the salted ricotta and Nutella pizza bites could be worth a try - I didn’t, although I did manage to sample one of Foundry 39’s signature cocktails, the dramatic Maple’s Smoked Old Fashioned.

A mix of pecan smoked Bulleit bourbon, maple syrup, bacon bitters, as the cover is lifted from the drink, smoke theatrically rises from the glass. The maple and bacon hints giving a new twist to the Old Fashioned.

Other tempting tipples on offer include a Smoked Rhubarb and Rosemary Daiquiri, a Smoked Heather Sour, and the Far Eastern Orchard, made with lemongrass infused Absolut vodka.

Foundry 39 is a cool hideaway in the heart of the Capital, avante garde and relaxed, the stay-a-while vibe and smart, friendly staff should ensure it quickly becomes an Edinburgh institution. Be amongst the first to discover it.

Foundry 39, 39a Queensferry Street, book a table on 0131-510 6766

Liam Rudden

EVENT: OUTLANDER @ SCOTCON

MEET the stars of hit TV series Outlander at the Corn Exchange this Sunday when Graham McTavish, Dougal MacKenzie in the show, hosts ScotCon at which he will be joined by fellow cast members Steven Walters, Grant O’Rourke, and Duncan Lacroix – the so-called Lads of Leoch.

Ticket prices start at £30 for a one-day pass, which does not guarantee that you will meet the stars.

For all ticket packages visit www.scotcon.scot

EXHIBITION: CELTS

AT the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, the Celts exhibition enters its last month.

Organised in partnership with the British Museum, Celts unravels the complex story of the different groups who have used or been given the name Celts through the extraordinary art objects they made and used.

Spanning more than 2500 years, the exhibition explores history through these powerful decorated objects and examines how art styles have changed considerably over time, often flourishing during periods when different cultures came into contact.

Discover magnificent Iron Age treasures adorned with intricate patterns and fantastic animals, rich with hidden meanings, which were used for feasting, religious ceremonies, adornment and warfare.

Learn how these distinctive art styles were transformed and took on new influences in response to the expanding Roman world and the spread of Christianity. Featuring more than 300 objects together for the first time.

Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3, until 25 September, £10, under 12s free, 0300-123 6789

ADVENTURE: BEAR GRYLLS SURVIVAL RACE & OUTDOOR FESTIVAL

THE Bear Grylls Survival Race at Winton House is now in its second year and returns on Saturday, bigger and better than before.

Comprising 5k and 10k survival races, a kids race, and outdoor festival, it’s a day for the whole family.

“This is about empowering people to test and extend their adventure fitness, using the type of obstacles that I have often encountered in the wild.

“We all have an edge, and this race is designed to push those physical and mental limits, to there and beyond,” says Bear. Participants will experience a range of obstacles inspired by the adventurous life of Bear.

To reach the finish line is a major achievement and demonstrates the application of survival techniques.

The 5k Survival Race is designed for all levels of fitness while the 10k Survival Race ups the ante, strategically designed to test even the toughest.

The Kids Race, open to 4-13 year olds, is complimented by the Family Festival which includes bush craft survival demonstrations and birds of prey.

Bear Grylls Survival Race & Outdoor Festival, Winton House, Pencaitland, Saturday, 9am-5pm, £15 www.beargryllssurvivalrace.com

OUTDOORS: PORTY ART WALK

PORTOBELLO is the place to be this weekend for all art lovers when the Porty Art Walk returns celebrating art in public spaces and the artistic activity of the area’s creative community.

The three-day event brings together site-specific art, open studio days, a maker’s market and artist walks.

For full details go to www.artwalkporty.co.uk

MIDFEST FAMILY FUN DAY

THE Midfest Family Fun Day returns to Midlothian on Sunday, at Dalkeith Country Park, with popular children’s show Funbox headlining the entertainment. Midfest gives a platform to local performers to showcase their talents and five bands, including Oasis tribute act, Definitely Milestone, will also take to the stage at the event, which last year attracted more than 7,000 visitors. Funbox, featuring Anya, Gary and Kevin, stars of live stage show The Singing Kettle, proved such a hit with the kids last year that they are back.

Midfest Family Fun Day, Dalkeith Country Park, Sunday, 11.30am, £3 (pre-purchased), £5 (on the day), children under-16 free

MUSIC: ANDREW COMBS

NASHVILLE songwriter Andrew Combs returns to the UK to promote his album All These Dreams, which was critically acclaimed and landed on numerous best-of lists, including Rough Trades Albums of the Year and Rolling Stone’s 40 Best Country Albums.

Catch him at The Voodoo Rooms next Wednesday, where he will be supported by Barna Howard.

The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street, Wednesday, 7.30pm, £13, 0131-556 7060

THEATRE: THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY

DIRECT from its success on London’s West End, The Simon & Garfunkel Story is back. Featuring seasoned West End, leading man Greg Clarke and a full cast of talented actor- musicians, The Simon and Garfunkel Story takes you back through the ‘groovy’ times of the 1960s.

It tells the story of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel from their humble beginnings as Rock n Roll duo Tom and Jerry, right through their massive success, dramatic break-up and finishes with a stunning recreation of the 1981 Central Park reformation concert.

Using a huge projection screen, the show features 1960’s photos and film footage whilst a full live band perform all their hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, Sound of Silence and many more.

Playhouse, Greenside Place, Tuesday, 7.30pm, £23.65-£25.15, 0844-871 3014

MOVIE: TOP GUN @ 50

FEELING the need... the need for speed? Then grab your wingman and get down to the Odeon at either Fort Kinnaird or Wester Hailes this Sunday, for a one-off chance to relive fan-favourite fighter pilot film Top Gun, on the big screen.

To mark the 30th Anniversary of the release of the blockbuster, Odeon are offering free tickets for ‘wingmen’ or ‘wingwomen’ looking to enjoy the classic Tom Cruise film, with a 2-4-1 offer, so no one need ride the highway to the dangerzone on their own!

Directed by Tony Scott and starring Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis and Val Kilmer, Top Gun follows the story of a young, daring fighter pilot called Maverick, as he competes against his peers in the United States Navy’s Top Gun Naval Flying School, training to become the very best pilots in the world whilst at times struggling to keep their egos in check.

Top Gun, Odeons, Sunday, 6pm, www.odeon.co.uk