Local Round-up: Opportunity to get closer to nature

The event, which takes place on April 9 and 10, will offer visitors the chance to join in with arts and crafts, games, and nature walks.

There will be bird and nest identification sessions, face painting and tractor and trailer rides.

Visitors to Craigie's can also feed buffalo calves and visit the hens and pigs, at the farm near South Queensferry, which also has a cafe and delicatessen.

Demand for flats 'beats supply'

THE Capital is suffering a severe shortage of serviced flats, it was claimed today.

Demand from corporate and leisure customers is said to be outflanking supply - and supplier Go Native expects demand to continue to grow as the economy recovers. Guy Nixon, chief executive, said: "As the fourth-largest financial hub in Europe and home to the world's biggest arts festival, it is not surprising that demand is increasing."

Competition for big game

DARTS and dominoes fans have the chance to win tickets for Sunday's Edinburgh derby between Hibs and Hearts at a city pub tonight.

Spiers Bar in Bowhill Terrace is holding the event ahead of the sell-out match at Easter Road, with two seats in the Hibs end up for grabs. It starts at 7.15pm.

Meet the vets

Edinburgh Zoo is to offer visitors the chance to learn more about the care of its animals with a talk by their vets.

The veterinary staff will give people a closer look at their work in the event on April 14, and discuss their involvement with the animals over the past year, in a talk re-scheduled from February 3.

Book with hop, skip and jump

SPORTS science lecturer Geoff Platt will attend a launch for his latest book, Beating Dyspraxia with a Hop, Skip and a Jump: A Simple Exercise Programme for Home and School at Edinburgh University in Holyrood Road April 12 at 3pm.

Drugs awareness police visit three schools

PUPILS at three schools have been visited by a police drugs awareness officer, who gave talks on substance misuse.

The officer from the Drylaw Safer Neighbourhood Team visited pupils at Stewart's Melville, Mary Erskine's and Wardieburn Primary School. The talks were carried out in line with the national curriculum and covered a wide range of aspects designed to educate pupils about the dangers of misusing drugs and the legal implications involved.