Archive: edinburgh festival

The votes are in, and 27 August won by one vote! (I know it looks like it won by two votes, but one person had to change their plan after they’d already voted.) I would actually have preferred the 25th and I was sorely tempted to ignore the vote, but we wouldn’t want another Scottish election scandal on our hands. So 27 August it is. We can kick things off at around 6pm.

There wasn’t any overwhelming verdict on whether we should see a show. Seven people wanted to see one (but were split on which one to see), and six didn’t. I think as a compromise we can let those who’d like to see NewsRevue see it, while everyone else can have a chat.

In terms of where our meetup will take place, that would tend to lead us somewhere around the Pleasance Courtyard. I’ve never been for a drink there and actually come to think of it I couldn’t suggest anywhere else because I’m not familiar enough with Edinburgh’s booze scene! That rather raises the question of why on earth I’m organising this thing, but shh!

Last year we met at the Udderbelly which seemed quite good, but is a five or ten minute walk for the NewsRevuers to make.

So if anyone can provide any more solid suggestions in terms of meeting and having a chat round a table, do let me know in the comments and I’ll update this post when we’re settled.

A meetup of bloggers is planned for next week in Edinburgh.

Having looked at the initial round of feedback, I have decided that two dates in particular stand out as the most suitable: 25 or 27 August. Alternative possibilities are 26 or 28 August. Personally, I am erring towards 25 August, but if more people can come on one of the other dates we can go with that.

So that I can get a sense of everyone’s availability, I have set up a poll so that people who are thinking of attending can let us know which dates suit best. We will probably go with the date that has the most votes.

I know, I know. Voting is often a pointless activity. But may I remind you that it is your civic duty to vote. Plus, with the relatively small numbers that will be attending I can assure you that your p will be relatively large.

We are also thinking about going to see a show at the Fringe as part of the meetup. This may not be to everyone’s taste — some might prefer to chat and do meetup-type stuff.

Jeff has suggested NewsRevue, which starts at 6pm at the Pleasance Courtyard. Stephen has suggested About the Scots which is at 8pm at the Beehive Inn on the Grassmarket.

Personally, I am erring towards NewsRevue because it might end up being cheaper (Jeff says he might be able to get half price tickets). Also, the earlier start time means that people can avoid it more easily if they wish by just popping along a bit later, and it leaves more time for chat after the show has finished.

If you would rather not go to see a show though, I have included that as an option on the poll too.

Of course, the choice of show almost makes our choice of venue for us, so I will wait until we have settled on an answer before we finalise those plans.

I will take the poll results as they stand at noon on Friday which gives you about two days to vote, while giving people plenty of time to plan ahead for the meetup if they need to.

Thanks!

Over at Scottish Roundup, Will’s latest roundup was titled ‘The Blogosphere BBQ‘. It got a few people licking their lips.

On Twitter, @milkmiruku said: “how bout an RL BBQ at some point? maybe even with debates or suchlike?” Then in the comments, Yousuf and Steve chipped in, which led me to wonder if it’s time for another bloggers’ meetup of some sort.

I’m not sure about having a barbecue with debates just yet — maybe in the future! But certainly, on the back of the success of previous meetups, I think it’s worth having another informal chit-chat. Last time, Iain Macwhirter turned up unannounced, so you never know what might happen at our next one!

Right now, on Malc’s suggestion we’re thinking of holding it in Edinburgh sometime during the last week of the festival, which I make the week beginning 31 August (Update: Or week beginning 24 August). If anyone has any thoughts, let us know. Of course I’ll keep you updated with any plans we concoct.

Just in case any readers here haven’t seen it, Jeff at SNP Tactical Voting has organised a little get-together for bloggers — and it’s happening tomorrow.

Despite the fact that I have been blogging for a slightly worrying six years, I have never met up with any other bloggers (except for those I knew anyway who happen to also blog). There have been a couple of close encounters in the past with two people, but no chit-chat was exchanged and I was totally oblivious both times. So this will be the first time I’ve met up and had a chat with any other bloggers.

I guess I will be the baby of the crew because I reckon everyone else that’s going is at least a few years older than I am. Believe it or not, this will also be the first time I have ever attended any event vaguely related to the Edinburgh Festival.

Here are the full details in case you’ve missed them. We meet at around 7pm at Udderbelly, Bristo Square, Edinburgh. Then we might go to see Britishness.

Check out SNP Tactical Voting for the full info.