The Sun is shining on my face, a gentle breeze is blowing, bringing to my ears the sounds of people talking and laughing, children playing, and through it all the sweet sounds of jazz….. This is a rare moment of complete relaxation.

Jazz on A Summer’s Day is the biggest jazz event in the UK, with thousands of people converging on the Ross Theatre in Princess Street Gardens to eat drink and revel in the atmosphere. It is one of the free events of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and a fabulous family day out.

People really come prepared with sumptuous picnics, lots of booze, chairs, shade shelters and most importantly for a relaxing day out, plenty of stuff for the kids.

We arrived about half an hour before the jazz began, so got a great spot on the lawn for our little picnic. (Opps we forgot the wine oh well) The kids ran amok. D Found himself some friends to play with and we hardly saw him for the rest of the day (four years old and we’re already cramping his style) and R started dancing before the music even began!

First up were the Edinburgh School’s Jazz Orchestra, followed by No Name Horses, Mike Hart’s Society Syncopators (I have never heard a clarinet sound so beautiful) and the Criterion Parade Band (these guys were heaps of fun).

By this stage we had run out of food and the boys have run themselves ragged (lovely children turn into little monsters at this point), so we head towards home with a stop for ice cream of course. We miss the last few acts including the RAF Big Band, but all in all a fantastic day out.

I am by no means a Jazz Buff, and certainly could not ‘review’ the music. The event in itself was everything I expected (would have liked some wine though!). The weather was beautiful, the atmosphere was relaxed and buzzing with a tangible festival feel.

The festival runs through the first week in August and is part of The Edinburgh Festival.
Individual entries range from free – around 30 pounds.

For more about the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival go to the official website here

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1. A Day Out in August: The Edinburgh Festival

First to enter the Palace gates are the newly weds, King James IV of Scotland and Margaret Tudor of England.

Next to come, the Men, Women and Children.

Finally enter the Knights

In full armour, bearing flags and banners, weapons and sheilds, they stride on foot and horseback.

Four great families of Scotland, the Lindsay, Campbell, Douglas and Hamilton clans are here to impress the King with a friendly tournament of jousting, archery and sword.

It is the year 1503 and King James IV of Scotland and Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII of England have just married.

A marriage to seal the “Treaty of Perpetual Peace” signed the previous year by King Henry VII of England and King James IV to end 200 years of warfare.

The Party at the Palace in Linlithgow is a celebration of this union.

The Actual year is 2009, and the event, organized by Historic Scotland, is part of the Homecoming Scotland Celebrations.

Held on the 23rd and 24th May, the celebrations started with a parade up the main street of Linlithgow, through the Palace gates and down to The Peel (Palace grounds).

Before the tournament started we took some time to explore the Palace and take in some of the other activities.

First we found the Kings Alchemist down in the cellars, in his endless quest to turn base metals into silver or gold!

Then we got up close and personal with the Raptors

Birds of prey were trained and used to hunt game for noble families in a sport known as falconry.

We explored the massive Palace kitchens and even had some lessons in medieval cuisine

A little music in The Great Hall

And some entertainment from the Court Jester (the boys loved this)

And of course, the tournament itself

The Hamilton Knights from Lankarshire, Glasgow and the South West

The Campbell Family from Argyll and the western seaboard

The Douglas family from The Lothians and Borders

The Lindsay Family from Fife and the North of Scotland

(We were waving the Lindsay flag as I have Lindsay Relatives)

A little sword fighting on the Arena

And off!!

Down by the Linlithgow Loch we found more of the medieval times brought to life, from the poor alchemist (who had a lot to say about the kings alchemst!) to a soldier telling stories. There was also plenty of ‘hands on’ such as candle making and clay pot modelling, caligraphy, picture ‘rubbing’ and if you fancied getting your hands dirty you could help to build a humble mud house or even try out some combat training.

The Poor Alchemist

A humble abode takes shape

A little story telling

Linlithgow Palace is a magnificent place to visit at any time, and particularly when the Historic Scotland events are held. Opening times tend to differ depending on the season so check out their website for up to date times and entrance prices.

It is located on the Banks of Linlithgow Loch in the township of Linlithgow. The trip is only about 20 minutes train ride from Hay Market Train Station, Edinburgh and costs 4.10 GBP at the time of writing. Please check National Rail for up to date times and prices.

The original main entrance

The stone Fountain

Barbican Remains

Have you ever been?

For more Days Out Check Out A Day Out In August

Or read some Interesting History about the 1500s

You may also like to find out a little more about me

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