Yasmin Ali

Last Sunday multi-platform arts venue Summerhall played host to Edinburgh's second annual Mini Maker Faire, which also marked the end of this year's Edinburgh International Science Festival. Billed as 'a celebration of DIY culture in all its shapes and forms', it was a great chance to meet local craftspeople and groups, as well as very much a family event with activities for all ages.

There was a programme of talks and workshops, with Gunnar Groves-Raines of Edinburgh-based architectural practice GRAS among the speakers. Glasgow-based product design engineering centre MAKLAB were on hand with activities to try out, as were Summerhall residents Edinburgh Hacklab with laser cutting demonstrations.

It was a good chance to meet lesser-known groups such as Leith Lapidary Club which ran some popular enamelling drop-in sessions. Also open for tours was Summerhall's own in-house Gin distillery, Pickerings, with a piped supply going straight on tap to the Royal Dick bar on the Summerhall campus.

// The Mini Maker Faire is part of an international movement and programme of events. A larger event takes place in Newcastle this weekend (26-27th April).