Burns Weekend Events
Join us for a weekend of events from 16 to 19 January to celebrate the Scottish Bard, Robert Burns.
Packed with accessible tours, workshops, and lively social events, there’s something for everyone. Find out more about our full weekend of activities below.
Thursday 16 January
Ceilidh dance workshop
7:30pm – 9:00pm
BSL & English
Free
Blackwood Bar, Deaf Action
Join us for a lively and accessible Ceilidh dance workshop. Perfect for all abilities, this session will introduce you to traditional Scottish dances, including favourites such as the Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow, and the Canadian Barn Dance.
Led in BSL and English, you’ll be guided through each dance step-by-step, making it easy for everyone to take part. No partner or prior experience is needed, just bring your enthusiasm and be prepared to have fun!
Friday 17 January
The Potter Tour
11:00am – 12:00pm
BSL & IS only
£15.00
Meeting point: Bobby’s Sandwich Shop, 4 Greyfrairs Place, EH1 2QQ
The Potter Trail are Edinburgh’s original Potter tour operators, and we are delighted to have teamed up with the greatest wizards of the deaf community to bring you a bespoke and magical experience. If you’re into real life magic, or you still need to find out which of the Hogwarts houses you truly belong to; this is the tour for you! Grab your wand and join us in the old town, we can’t wait to see you!
Please note all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Edinburgh Deaf Heritage Tour
11:00am – 1:30pm
BSL only
£15.00
Meeting point: Junction of Holyrood Road and Dumbiedykes Road. Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AL
On this extended Deaf Heritage Tour you will explore even more of the stories and sites where deaf pioneers left their mark on the city’s landscape. Explore the evolution of deaf education at locations like Milton House and Moray House College – the birthplace of British Sign Language. Witness the artistic achievements of deaf artist Walter Geikie at his monument in Greyfriars Kirkyard, and learn about the lasting impact of figures like Sir Walter Scott and William McGonagall on the deaf community.
Please meet 15 minutes before the tour starts. This event is not wheelchair accessible.
Edinburgh Castle Tour
12:30pm – 4:00pm
BSL & IS only
Meeting point: Edinburgh Castle esplanade, Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG
Set in the heart of Scotland’s dynamic capital city, Edinburgh Castle is sure to capture your imagination. Explore the Castle and discover sites such as the National War Memorial, The Royal Palace, and The Great Hall.
BSL Burns Supper at the Ghillie Dhu
6:30pm to late
Ghillie Dhu, 2 Rutland Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2AD
Join us for another spectacular evening of traditional Scottish celebration, with fine dining, whisky and entertainment. Enjoy Burns recitals and toast to the haggis, followed by a three-course meal and a ceilidh.
This event is now sold out
Saturday 18 January
The Potter Tour
11:00am – 12:00pm
BSL only
£15.00
Meeting point: Bobby’s Sandwich Shop, 4 Greyfrairs Place, EH1 2QQ
The Potter Trail are Edinburgh’s original Potter tour operators, and we are delighted to have teamed up with the greatest wizards of the deaf community to bring you a bespoke and magical experience. If you’re into real life magic, or you still need to find out which of the Hogwarts houses you truly belong to; this is the tour for you! Grab your wand and join us in the old town, we can’t wait to see you!
Please note all children must be accompanied by an adult.
Edinburgh Deaf Heritage Tour – Alexander Blackwood
11:00am – 1:00pm
BSL only
£15.00
Meeting point: outside Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG
Join us on our newest Deaf Heritage Tour dedicated to the incredible life of Alexander Blackwood, Edinburgh’s own remarkable deaf pioneer. When scarlet fever left him deaf at the age of 7, it set the stage for a remarkable life dedicated to the deaf community of Edinburgh. Explore key locations throughout his life, starting at the family mausoleum in Old Calton Cemetery, his family home above their haberdashery shop on George Street, and journey through his later years as he founded the world’s first ever benevolent society for the deaf community.
Please meet 15 minutes before the tour starts. This event is not wheelchair accessible.
Edinburgh Castle Tour
12:30pm – 4:00pm
BSL only
Meeting point: Edinburgh Castle esplanade, Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
Set in the heart of Scotland’s dynamic capital city, Edinburgh Castle is sure to capture your imagination. Explore the Castle and discover sites such as the National War Memorial, The Royal Palace, and The Great Hall.
To book please visit the Castle Website
National Gallery Tour – Turner in January: Ireland’s Vaughan Bequest
2:00pm – 3:00pm
BSL only
Free
The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
Join us at the National Gallery for a BSL tour to commemorate the 250th birthday of British artist JMW Turner with a once-in-a-lifetime, free exhibition, led in BSL by Trudi Collier.
To book tickets, please contact: learning@nationalgalleries.org
Bagpipe History and Practice Workshop with Alasdair Williams
2:00pm – 3:00pm
BSL & English
£10.00
The Church, Deaf Action
Join us at Deaf Action to learn the bagpipes with Alasdair Williams, from The National Piping Centre, and discover the history of the famous Scottish instrument.
Pub quiz & raffle at the Blackwood Bar
7:30pm, doors open at 6:30pm
BSL & English
Free entry
Blackwood Bar, Deaf Action
Come along to the Blackwood Bar for an accessible pub quiz designed to test your knowledge. The quiz will be hosted in BSL and interpreted into English with questions also appearing on screen. A raffle will follow the quiz.
Entry to the quiz is free, however, spaces are limited so booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Deaf Karaoke
9:00pm til late
BSL & English
Free
Blackwood Bar, Deaf Action
Our famous Deaf Karaoke is back!
Join us for a fun-filled night of signing and singing. Throughout the night, you’ll have the opportunity to get up on stage and belt out some of your favourite songs, through singing or signing. Don’t worry, if you’re not sure, you can always sit back and watch the entertainment unfold before your eyes! Everyone is welcome.
Sunday 19 January
Edinburgh Deaf Heritage Tour – Alexander Blackwood
11:00am – 1:00pm
BSL only
£15.00
Meeting point: outside Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG
Join us on our newest Deaf Heritage Tour dedicated to the incredible life of Alexander Blackwood, Edinburgh’s own remarkable deaf pioneer. When scarlet fever left him deaf at the age of 7, it set the stage for a remarkable life dedicated to the deaf community of Edinburgh. Explore key locations throughout his life, starting at the family mausoleum in Old Calton Cemetery, his family home above their haberdashery shop on George Street, and journey through his later years as he founded the world’s first ever benevolent society for the deaf community.
Please meet 15 minutes before the tour starts. This event is not wheelchair accessible.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Winter Garden Tour
2:00pm – 3:30pm
BSL only
Meeting point: John Hope Gateway, Arboretum Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5NZ
Discover the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in British Sign Language (BSL). Explore some seasonal summer highlights, diverse Living Collection and inspiring stories and history of the Garden in these BSL tours.
Book at any time
The Scotch Whisky Experience accessible tours
Book your own time
BSL, IS, & ASL
354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE
Located at the top of Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, enjoy a journey into the world of Scotch whisky with one of The Scotch Whisky Experience‘s accessible tours.
Their Silver Tour and Gold Tours take place every 20 minutes throughout the day and are accessible in BSL, IS & ASL and are delivered by an audio-visual handset.
Please note The Silver Tour is suitable for children, however, The Gold Tour is strictly for those aged 18+ years old.