Seagull on approach

Seagull landing in Newhaven Harbour.

Edinburgh on fire?

Apologies for not posting something a bit more recent - this picture dates from earlier this winter - but I've been so busy I haven't had much chance to pop out with my camera. This is the view from the rooftop of the National Museum of Scotland, looking west at sunset. It was taken minutes before the one of Edinburgh castle.

Victoria Park

This is a view of Victoria Park from Newhaven Road, with Victoria's son King Edward VII surveying the grounds on her behalf. The park itself was created in 1919 and was once known as Bonnington Park, after Bonnington Park House. It is now part of a Conservation Area that includes 'the Dudleys' and Summerside Place.

Spring is coming!!

Crocuses in Victoria Park.

Waverleygate

This is Waverleygate, on the corner of North Bridge and Waterloo Place. This wonderful classical building was once the General Post Office and went through a series of improvements in the 1890s, 1900s and 1960s but by the 1990s all post services had moved out and the building stood empty for several years. More recently it has been redeveloped into fancy new office spaces. Take-up has been slow, however, and I believe the building is still largely empty.

Arthur's Seat from Pollock

And to complete the series on Arden House; this is the view from the window of yesterday's room, or rather just in front of it on the lawn. The hill is of course Arthur's Seat, but seen from a more unusual angle.

Arden House

I simply had to share this with you; this is the drawing room in Arden House (for hire from the University) - downstairs from the Confucius Institute. It's beautiful!!

Confucius

I came across this guy yesterday when my colleague and I went on a tour of the University of Edinburgh's conference facilities at Pollock Halls. The Confucius Institute for Scotland promotes cultural and economic ties between Scotland and China. It is based in the University, on the top floor of Arden House - a stunning mansion with views over Arthur's Seat and the Queen's park.

Royal Museum Work in Progress

In my lunchbreak I walked past the Royal Museum - currently closed for major redevelopment - and noticed that the door to the East Wing was left open. This space is fondly remembered by many as the mammal hall with the elephants, giraffes etc etc. Looking quite a bit different at the moment!!

RSA on the Mound

The Royal Scottish Academy on the Mound, basking in the winter sun. Originally built as an art school by William Playfair in the mid-19th century, it is now used by the National Galleries of Scotland as its primary exhibition space.

Loving Memory

A lovely Edinburgh tradition; remembering lost loved ones by donating a public bench and putting it in a place that was special to them. This one looks out over Newhaven Harbour.

Buccleuch Place and Meadows

I took this photo a couple of days ago from the 11th floor of the David Hume Tower on the University of Edinburgh Campus, looking to the south-west. In the foreground is Buccleuch Place, part of the central University campus, with behind it the Meadows and the residential area of Marchmont (not -d) beyond that.

Crows in the snow

Two crows sharing a piece of bread in Newhaven Harbour this morning.

Roslin Glen Gunpowder Mill

On Sunday, Mr Dido and I went for a walk in Roslin Glen, a beautiful wooded area just south of Edinburgh. Nowadays, thanks to the Da Vinci Code, it is most famous for nearby Rosslyn Chapel, but back in the days of the Napoleonic Wars it housed the largest gunpowder mill in the country! The mill produced gunpowder from around 1804 until 1954. Today's photo shows the location of the large water wheel (between the two walls) which was used to power the factory - you can't quite see the river but it runs right behind it.

Pentlands

OK - I know that this is not strictly speaking Edinburgh, but it's not far off. This is in fact Saturday's sunset over one of the Pentland Hills, just to the south of Edinburgh near the village of Penicuik. This is a very beautiful area, and very easily accessible from the city - and it usually gets much more snow than the town itself!

Snow again!

Last night we had 1-2 inches of snow across Edinburgh - more than we've had so far, but not as much as some areas of England last week, where there has been widespread disruption (but then, they're really not used to it...). This was the view from the car on our way to work this morning; Arthur's Seat looking even more imposing than usual.

Over the coming days I'll post some more pictures of yesterday's beautiful snowy walk just south of Edinburgh.

Old Town from the graveyard

The Old Town of Edinburgh as seen from Greyfriar's churchard. Spooky!!

Central Library

This interesting piece of sculpture sits on the exterior of the Central Library on George IV Bridge. My interpretation of it is that it shows Caledonia ('Scotland' - note the tartan plaid) in the middle, with farmers on either side (note the sickle on the left and plough on the right). Look closely and you can see the kilt and beautiful sporran on the left-hand farmer.

I think the motto means: "Always up in arms, now also industrious" which I guess points at a desire to move away from militarism in the Highlands towards peaceful and productive farming. Now a library, this part of the building was once the Highland and Agricultural Institute.

Accidental Art

I spotted this 'accidental art work' on the side steps of the National Gallery. It reminds me of a Roman senator addressing the masses. Can you guess what it really is?

Playfair Steps

The Playfair Steps, between the National Gallery of Scotland and the top of the Mound/Market Street leading into Old Town.

Royal Mile... with a difference!

This is one of my favourite objects in the city centre: a cast model of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, which sits on the Mound between the National Gallery and the RSA. Apparently it was given to the city by the staff of Marks & Spencer to commemorate their centenary.

The accompanying plaque says: "This relief was crafted to enable people with impaired vision to enjoy the grandeur of the City".

... And it's gone

Well 'all' of the snow has disappeared again... but here's another pretty picture I took yesterday, of the back of Candlemaker row as seen from Greyfriar's. How very Charles Dickens, don't you think?!

Snow is here!

Well it's official; Britain is gripped by snow anxiety! For days now the forecasts have been warning us that blizzards from Russia were fast approaching. And this morning we finally got a bit of snow here in Edinburgh - apparently there's more to come today and overnight. On my way to work this morning I took a detour via Greyfriars' Churchyard for some photo opportunities - and got stuck in a true snowstorm at the other end of the graveyard!