Sea of Yellow

Clear signs of spring alongside the Middle Meadow Walk earlier today!

Stick no bills

I found this little piece of history on the walls of the University's Old College on Chambers Street. Amusing really, that this bit of non-grammar appears on the exterior of one of the most famous academic institutions in the country...

Minto House, Chambers Street

You don't often see architecture this ornate in Edinburgh, and although the delicate Italianate style is perhaps a bit out of tune with the rest of Old Town, the sandstone from which it was made is certainly the dominating building surface in this city.

Close in Newhaven

A doorway in one of Newhaven's 'closes', or narrow passageways.

St James Chapel, Newhaven

I haven't posted a Stone picture for a while, so here's one! This is part of the west gable of the oldest building in Newhaven; that of St James' Chapel which is now a ruin.

The Chapel of St Mary and St James was built around 1508 by James IV for those who worked on the construction of his magnificent shipt, the Great Michael. The chapel later fell into disuse and was bought by the Society of Free Fishermen in the middle of the 18th century, and used as a place of burial until 1848. At an archeological dig in 1972, skeletons were indeed found, and the discovery was made that the chapel had been built on a foundation of oyster shells!

Fly like a bird!

Birdseye view of the roofs of buildings on George IV Bridge, Old Town.

St Giles Cathedral Organ

And here it is, the organ in St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile in all its glory. This picture was also taken by Mr Dido, who was fortunate enough to be at a 'lock-in' where they were allowed to play the organ after hours.

Stopping to organize

Part two of yesterday's mystery machine - yes yes you've guessed it! See tomorrow for the final installment (courtesy Mr Dido).

Mystery Mechanism

Mr Dido has requested a guest slot, so here it is. In which Edinburgh landmark can this mystery mechanism be found?

Roofs of the Old Town

Still on the roof of the Museum, now looking to the right of the castle in almost northerly direction. The large church steeple is what used to be a Church of Scotland and its Assembly Hall in one. It is now known as the 'Hub', or the headquarters of the International Festival. In the distance you can just make out some snowy hills in Perthshire, on the other side of the Firth of Forth.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle on a blustery March day, as seen from the rooftop terrace of the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street - a place that cannot be beaten on views so if you find yourself in the area, do pop up - it's free and there's a lift!!

Trams in Edinburgh

One of the most - if not the most - contentious issues in Edinburgh at the moment is the Tram Project. After an absence of about 50 years, trams are being reintroduced in the city - but not without a lot of upheaval, roadworks and bitter complaints by what I believe to be a very vocal minority. Personally I think they will be a good thing, and the only possible fast, clean, potentially non-carbon form of transportation across the city. However, in order for it to function as a 'network' we will need more than the one line + loop currently being built. But hey, you have to start somewhere!

So - in order to win the battle of the hearts and minds of the people of Edinburgh, this mock-up tram has been erected on Princes Street. And yes - the new urban myth of people asking when it's leaving (not till 2011!) is absolutely true, because it happened even as I was chatting to the man looking after it!