Arts & culture

The Gallivant

Coast with the most

St Andrews has really been spoiling us of late. We’ve been using our weekends and those fleeting intervals of sunshine to check out some new openings. Next Door is the latest hotspot (pictured above) for long brunches and lunches on South Street, with a healthy-living focus and a light, plant-powered menu. wearenextdoor.com

2019 MasterChef finalist Dean Banks will also be opening his first restaurant in St Andrews in April, named Haar after the famous east coast sea mist. It will open in the five-star Kinnettles Hotel, with an inventive take on classic dishes and local, seasonal produce. kinnettleshotel.com

Music to our ears

The stellar Matilda The Musical is on show at the Edinburgh Playhouse from until 27th April. You’ll probably be familiar with the Roald Dahl tale, but if you haven’t seen the show – which is heading on its first UK tour – source those golden tickets and make a date with the pint-sized powerhouse, her hapless family and the infamous Agatha Trunchbull. atgtickets.com

Fringe benefit

If you’ve always wanted to see a Fringe performer up close, well – here’s your chance. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society have launched a new partnership with TheatreDigsBooker to offer affordable accommodation to artists. Edinburgh residents are being invited to host a Fringe artist in August, as part of the The Fringe Society’s commitment to tackling the rising cost of attendance at the festival. If you’re interested, register at: https://hello.theatredigsbooker.com/edinburgh-fringe/

Chain reaction

Edinburgh Science Festival is celebrating the contributions of women to an array of scientific fields throughout this year’s programme. Female scientists appearing at the festival include Professor Angela Gallop CBE, a forensic scientist who worked on the Stephen Lawrence murder case, Christiana Figueres, executive secretary of the UN framework convention on climate change, and experts Dr Berna Sozen, Prof Evelyn Telfer and Prof Alison Murdoch, who will examine the challenges and breakthroughs of fertility research. 6th – 21st April, sciencefestival.co.uk

Propose a toast

Lifestyle brand Toast has opened its latest store on Edinburgh’s North West Circus Place. Known for their thoughtful, contemporary design and commitment to traditional textiles and craftsmanship, we’re excited to have all that beautiful clothing and homeware landing on our doorstep. toa.st/uk

Quaff a brew

There’s a new bar in town: Cold Town House recently opened in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, in the former site of the Robertson Memorial Church. It’s been transformed to create a 21st century brewery, bar, restaurant and rooftop terrace, where you can sip on a Cold Town Beer – brewed on location – and eat stone-baked, Neapolitan pizza straight from the oven. coldtownbeer.com