Destination Unknown
An improvised Situationist dérive through Edinburgh — five people, no maps, no destination, just wandering wherever the city leads.
An Edinburgh dérive. Five people. No maps. No destination.
Destination Unknown is a social group for people who enjoy exploring places without knowing where they're going. We meet at Waverley Station in Edinburgh with no plan except to wander, put away Google Maps and set off with no fixed route or destination.
We might follow an interesting street, take a random turn, stop somewhere that catches our attention or simply see where the city takes us. The route is improvised as we go. Eventually we'll end up somewhere for a drink - but even that is decided on the hoof.
The group is inspired by the Situationist idea of the dérive: wandering through a place without a predetermined route and allowing yourself to be drawn by the streets, buildings, atmosphere and encounters you find along the way.
In a world where almost everything seems to be planned, optimised, measured and given a target, the dérive is a chance to do something different. No objective to achieve. No route to complete. No KPI. Just a few hours of being somewhere without needing to know in advance where you're going.
I've spent many years exploring places, researching landscapes and making creative projects, and wanted to create something that brings that spirit of curiosity and improvisation into Edinburgh.
Expect five people, improvised wandering, good conversation and the occasional feeling that we have absolutely no idea where we are.
No itinerary. No tour guide. No Google Maps. Destination Unknown.