Deep Fried Mars Bar

Yep that's right, this post is about the well-known Scottish delicacy called the deep-fried Mars Bar. This horrendously unhealthy (but surprisingly tasty) item is said to have been invented in the famous Haven Chip Bar in Stonehaven in 1995, but can now be found throughout Scotland. The Mars bar is dipped in batter used for fried fish, sausages etc and fried in chip fat. To make sure the chocolate doesn't melt, it is usually chilled beforehand.

Connaisseurs will recognise the location of this poster as Cafe Piccante on Broughton Street.

Not sure what to call this!

As spotted at the Cavalcade in Holyrood Park - this Lord of the Rings-like figure is, I believe, part of a theatre company that specialises in stilt-based, costumed street theatre. These imposing figures (there were three of them) wandered around high above the crowds, scaring unsuspecting bystanders by suddenly pecking them in the neck.

Pants!!

This is of another preview of a show we saw on the Royal Mile. I've forgotten the title; the costumes and makeup were pretty cool but despite the obvious enthusiasm of the actors, it was a bit, well, pants really!

May the 4th... Edinburgh Run part 2

What can I say....? Except that last year, the Great Edinburgh Run was held on May 4th, aka Star Wars Day, and so this year I suspect that Princess Leia and this Stormtrooper wanted to recycle their outfits... May the 4th be with you today!

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?

Oil Rig in Firth of Forth

This unlikely sight - an oil rig in the river Forth - was caught on camera by Mr Dido at the weekend. He believes it is there for maintainance. The land on the other side of the river is the 'Kingdom of Fife', or Fife for short. I know the quality of this picture is not great, but considering this is about 5 miles from where he was standing it's not that bad either!

Christmas in September

In recent years I've been horrified to find the shops stocking Christmas goods even before the official end of summer and this year has been no exception. Who on earth needs Christmas wrapping paper in September?!?! And how come then that I really like this place? The Nutcracker is one of at least three shops in the Old Town - two of which are on the Royal Mile - where you can buy Christmas decorations year-round! Surely that's just wrong - or not?

More Royal Mile mania

Lo and behold, a couple of hours sunshine late yesterday afternoon made for some frantic running around with my camera on the Royal Mile! Too much to choose from today, but I've gone for this guy because of the sheer weirdness as well as the look of utter concentration on his face. I also like the fact that he's in the light whereas his spectators are lurking in the shadow of St Giles Cathedral.

Colourful people

This lady is a familiar sight on the streets of Edinburgh - though not always quite as colourful! Clearly the little girl sees her for the first time.

Royal Mile 6 - Dark Angel

When I asked to take a picture of this handsome character he pointed at his sign saying “Photos = Coins” (see below). I assume that he is one of those living statues, but he was obviously enjoying a break in the sunshine outside one of the Royal Mile’s many old pubs.

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

P.S. I wonder what ‘One Good Turn’ would be for the Dark Angel of the North.

Ducks ducks ducks

Yesterday I took my camera along to the the twentieth Stockbridge Duck Race on the Water of Leith. Exactly 2008 numbered ducks were sold in aid of local charities, and at 3pm they were thrown off a bridge where they all raced for the finishing line, a few hundred metres along the river. More photos of the event, and the 'Duck Wardens' whose task it was to shepherd the ducks along, are here.

Shells & the Queen Mother

Before you accuse me of having too much time on my hands, consider for a second what an ENTIRE room of this would look like - and then imagine a ceiling of pine cones in the shape of a Scottish flag, put the two of them together and you will reach some approximation of the small-scale monstrosity they call the Queen Mother's Memorial pavilion in the Royal Botanic Garden. Honestly...