William Hole Murals in St James's

Anyone who's ever visited the Scottish National Portrait Gallery will remember the beautiful murals and frieze painted by William Hole around 1900. Few, however, will know that Hole painted two equally fabulous murals in St James Church at Goldenacre, some years before his more famous commission. St James's , a red stone building on Inverleith Row, was Hole's own church, and he carried out the decorations as a favour to his own parish. Just as well he did, because this work later earned him the Portrait Gallery job!

Same Guy

... and this is the same guy (see yesterday's picture) from a more conventional angle, with houses in Parliament Square in the background.

Famous fireman

Dear all - I'm back!! For several weeks my (working) days have been completely taken over by conference organisation, but I'm pleased to report that all this is over now and I am back to my normal blogging self. Better still, I have a new camera - a Canon EOS 1000D. We're still getting used to each other but I have a feeling we'll be best friends before too long!

Anyway, this handsome fireman is James Braidwood (1800-1861) who founded the world's first municipal fire service in Edinburgh in 1824. He tragically died fighting a fire in London, and is commemorated with this statue in Edinburgh's Parliament Square.

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.

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.

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?

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".

Ross's favourite graffiti

OK, one more then. I was walking past these on my way back from a meeting, together with a male colleague - who, incidentally, is much more of an expert on graffiti than I ever will be. Not surprisingly, his favourite was this one.

My favourite graffiti

This is my favourite bit of graffiti on the Potterrow wooden fencing (see yesterday's picture). As I am totally ignorant of these things I have no idea what it stands for or represents; I just like the shape and colours of it, and I also like how it stands out among the many tags.

Skating minister?

A lone skater on the Winter Wonderland icerink, following in the footsteps (skate marks?) of our own 'Skating Minister'.

Greyfriars Bobby

Outside Greyfriar's Churchyard stands the much-photographed sculpture of Bobby, the Sky Terrier who watched over the grave of its owner for 14 years. Rather than put up with all the attention, do you think Bobby might like to be somewhere else for a change? Taxi!

Save the Titians!!

Diana and Actaeon and Diana and Callisto, both painted by Italian Renaissance artist Titian in the 16th century, rank among the greatest works of art anywhere in the world. They have been on display in the National Gallery of Scotland since 1945, but they are actually owned by the Duke of Sutherland, who has now decided to sell them. The National Galleries of Scotland have been offered first refusal, which means they must raise £50m by Christmas to buy the first work, and then another £50m by the end of next year. Whatever your views are on the value of art etc, these are two of the most magnificent works ever painted and they should stay on public view for everyone to enjoy. To find out more about the campaign, go to the NGS website.

So, I've done my bit for the cause. I will be away this week and haven't had the time to pre-load photos so expect to have to look at this one for a while! :-)

Cleaning in the nude?

A bit of fun for the Friday afternoon... I spotted this scene yesterday in the main hall of the edinburgh college of art. Whilst the man is cleaning the floors, the bloke in the nude is dusting his own pedestal while the other guy watches them get on with it!

Walking to Work - North Bridge

After passing the Omni Centre I walk up along Leith Street - the steepest bit of the journey! - and cross the road at the east end of Princes Street onto North Bridge. Nearly there - though the road is still going up into Old Town so by this point I'm pretty knackered!

OK, so I couldn't help tinkering with the contrast a bit - but I only did it to create a slightly more painterly effect in keeping with the topic!

Theme day: Sister Cities Edinburgh and Nice

Today's picture is a swap with Nice Daily Photo, because Nice (south of France) is one of Edinburgh's sister cities. Thank you Angela for sending me this photograph of a huge sculpture which is situated in the Jardins Albert 1er, just off the Promenade des Anglais. It's made of black steel and was created by Bernar Venet who donated it to the city of Nice on 14th July 1988. It is 19 metres high and weighs 24 tons, and symbolises the curve of the Baie des Anges.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Martha and Gilbert

Well, that's it - the Fringe is over. The shows are finished, the street performers gone and the yearly awards handed out. Other festivals, including the Tattoo, the Book Festival and Festival of Politics, have also ended, although some venues, such as the Spiegel Garden, remain open until this weekend. The Edinburgh International Festival also has another week to run. The reason why this blog has focused on the Fringe rather than the EIF is that the latter is played out almost entirely indoors, with opera, theatre, ballet and musical performances taking place in some of the biggest and most prestigeous venues of the city.

This picture then, shows an advert for the EIF on the glass front of the Omni Centre on Leith Street. The giraffes, made out of recycled car and motorbike parts by artist Helen Dennerly, are a permanent fixture. Their official title is 'Dreaming Spires' but they have - apparently! - been nicknamed Martha and Gilbert.

Art on the Mound

No, I'm not talking about the National Gallery on the Mound! I spotted this guy a few days ago, at the bottom of the steps next to the galleries. He was very entertaining to watch because of the sheer physicality of creating his art work. Not sure I want one of them on my wall though.

Royal Mile 10 - City Chambers

And this is (a little bit of) the City Chambers, as seen through the arcade at the front of the building. Originally intended as a Royal Exchange but never really used as such, it is now owned and occupied by Edinburgh City Council. You wouldn’t know it from the Royal Mile, but the back of this building towers no less than 12 stories over the street below!

The sculpture you see in the courtyard is a statue of Alexander the Great by the well-known sculptor John Steell. Not too sure about the connection with the council though!

Come back tomorrow for the next instalment of the Royal Mile tour (I am still away).

Royal Mile 5 - Wardrop's dragon

I found this beauty above the entrance to one of the many closes running off the Royal Mile. Go through Wardrop's Court to access the 17th century Lady Stair's House, now home to the Writer's Museum.

Come back tomorrow for the next instalment of the Royal Mile tour (I am still away).