Events Around Lothian

A Sense of Place: paintings by Dorothea Nimmo Smith of Haddington in the 1940s and ‘50s. Dorothea Nimmo Smith (1889 to 1962), was a talented water colourist capturing more than a hundred water colours of Haddington street scenes.

Groups all over East Lothian have been marking the centenary of the Great War. Our exhibition in Dunbar highlights photos of troops training, leaving for battle and the work of the Battery Hospital. This will be exhibited alongside panels of the touring exhibition: East Lothian at War.

Come along and meet professional MasterChef winner Gary Maclean. Gary will be holding a book signing for his new book ‘Gary Maclean’s Kitchen Essentials’ as well as food tastings and special offers at selected Dobbies stores.

We’re kicking off our Thursday late night shopping events with a special Christmas ‘Meet the Makers’ evening where you’ll get to meet some of the designers and producers behind our labels, helping you pick the best of their collections.

Pull up a chair for our first ever St Andrew’s Night opening in Restoration Café. Rhumbledethumps – clapshot – skirlie cake – you’ll find the best Scottish produce on our fabulous menu designed by Head Chef Colin Halliday.

Santa and his elves are coming to Dalkeith Country Park to give your kids an unforgettably magical experience this Christmas.

Take a step off the world - come along to this crafting class for grown-ups where you will make a beautifully unique Christmas stocking for you or for one of your favourite people to hang on the mantelpiece come Christmas Eve. Festive nibbles and drinks will be on hand to get those creative juices flowing.

Travel on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway. Santa travels by Steam Train, giving a gift to each of the young passengers. Christmas decorations and Christmas songs create a festive atmosphere. Adults receive seasonal refreshments at Bo’ness station. Special timetable; Advance Booking Essential.

Keep your sanity. Let the kids get crafty at Restoration Yard – not at home. Book your creative kids in for this fun workshop to make a colourful mantelpiece worthy pom-pom tree that you’ll love every year after. This event will take place in the Boudoir at Restoration Yard, Dalkeith Country Park.

Restoration Yard is magical during the festive season. For work Christmas lunches, family get togethers, catching up with friends, you’ll find a delicious menu created by our Head Chef using the best seasonal ingredients.

With a programme loaded full of Classical delights and Baroque masterpieces, this magical concert presented by London Concertante, is one you do not want to miss!

SANTA’S FARMYARD COTTAGE -  8th, 9th, and daily from 14th - 24th December Once again, it’s the time of the year when dear old Santa Claus visits Almond Valley and settles into his comfortable farmyard cottage within a chilly midwinter forest.

Set your most creative festive spirit free this December. Come make a beautiful Christmas wreath with our Restoration Yard experts – your door will be the envy of your neighbourhood, we promise. Festive nibbles and drinks will be on hand to get those artistic juices flowing.

Personalise your tree with your kids’ artistic endeavours. In this fun, hands-on workshop kids of all ages can paint and glitter pre-made clay decorations and walk away with two unique pieces of keep-forever festive art.

Make an evening of it at Restoration Yard this Christmas – December 13th is our new Shop & Dine event. Restoration Café will open exclusively with bookings taken from 6pm to 8pm for ticket holders to book in for a Christmas meal and some festive drinks before or after their shopping expedition (store open til 8pm).

SANTA BREAKFASTS - 14th, 17th - 21st December Enjoy a tasty breakfast before visiting jolly old Santa in his magic cottage. Brilliant breakfasts are served at 10.30 and 11.00, and must be booked in advance.

CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEAS - 14th, 17th - 21st December Enjoy a smart sophisticated seasonal afternoon tea, with cakes, sandwiches and many dainty festive nibbles. These cost £9.95 per adult, which includes free admission to Almond Valley. For children, there’s a perfect scaled-down version priced at £4.

SANTA SUPPERS - 14th, 17th - 21st December A warming and yummy evening supper, served at your tables by the kitchen elves. Once everyone has had their fill it’s time to visit Santa, receive an early Christmas present, then go wild in the soft play area. Supper starts at 16.30 and the fun continues until 18.30.

Touring their ever-popular festive programme, London Concertante travel the length and breadth of the country presenting treats from across Europe to get you in the mood for mulled wine, mince pies, and baubles.

Come along and meet professional MasterChef winner Gary Maclean. Gary will be holding a book signing for his new book ‘Gary Maclean’s Kitchen Essentials’ as well as food tastings and special offers at selected Dobbies stores.

Run as Santa Claus for a most worthy cause. Our festive fun run through the magical woodlands of Dalkeith Country Park is the perfect way to stave off those inevitable Christmas calories whilst doing your bit for charity; we’ll be donating a percentage of the proceeds to our chosen charity, CHAS (Children’s Hospices...

Touring their ever-popular festive programme, London Concertante travel the length and breadth of the country presenting treats from across Europe to get you in the mood for mulled wine, mince pies, and baubles.

Our indoor winter woodland cinema is the perfect setting for a classic Christmas movie! Beautiful winter foliage, twinkling festoon with rich hot chocolates, spiced mulled wine and gourmet popcorn. Not your average cinema!

Make the lead up to Christmas even more magical for your little elves by treating them to Breakfast with Santa at Restoration Café. You can all enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast in magical surroundings whilst your child meets the man of the moment and receives a gift.

Primarily aimed at Diesel Enthusiasts, but interesting to anyone who wants to re-live the sounds and smells of these great diesel engines of the Swinging Sixties, this weekend will feature locomotives from the home fleet together with guest locomotives which are to be confirmed.