Ken Cockburn is a well-established poet on the Edinburgh scene. In recent years he has spread his wings by leading Old Town walking tours that took in world-famous landmarks and hidden spaces, with the added bonus of poems from weel kent names, as well as some of his own work, being read along the way.
These popular walks have been hampered for the last couple of years thanks to Covid restrictions. His latest collection, Edinburgh: poems & translations, missed being released during this year’s Fringe, when Cockburn’s tours have taken place, but will instead be launched this October.
Published by The Caseroom Press, the collection features work that Cockburn has presented on poetry walks in the Auld Toun. Their topics range from the Adam building Register House; the Scottish Parliament building; Deacon Brodie and includes translations of 17th century Latin poet Arthur Johnston, Theodore Fontane and Victor Hugo.
There are two launches – one in person and one on-line.
The in person poetry walk starts at 11am on Saturday 9th October 2021 outside St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RE and runs (or walks!) till 12.15pm.
The online book launch takes place on Tuesday 12th October 2021 from 19:00 till 20.00 and features Ken Cockburn with the pamphlet’s designer and publisher, Barrie Tullett.
These events can be booked via Eventbrite.
The pamphlet will be available for sale at the launches but is available to buy from Edinburgh Poetry Tours on line at a special price of £5 + P&P until 12th October, after which date it will cost £7 + P&P.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 