More pics from Edinburgh..
Visiting our friends Mark and Ian at the lovely home in the Pink Triangle of Edinburgh:)

The two Ians
Mark, architect and academic, explaining the finer points of his craft

One of Mark's Remodelling jobs, just off the Royal Mile, Edinburgh

One of the charming little laneways littered throughout Edinburgh - with one of those pesky tourists. They're everywhere!

The approach to Edinburgh Waverley Station with some new development in the foreground and the castle in the distance.
The city has been hyped up with Festival events, both venue and street-based ones. The atmosphere on the Royal Mile is quite electric and festive with Edburghians hanging out of their windows and pissing themselves.

One of the many statues that inhabit Edinburgh attempting to escape the festivities ! The poor fellow had obviously had enough of standing still year after year after ........

Just as still but not quite as lucrative.

Ian : My first visit to Edinburgh. Sun still shining relentlessly.
The first impression you get walking around is a more open kind of city with alot more pretty old stuff.


Michael: That's the memorial to Sir Walter Scott, a dark and imposing but impressive gothic edifice right on the main road, Princes St., in the new town.



Michael: We then walked up to Calton Hill towards the north east of the city. As you can see, the views are stunning.


Ian: This Edinburghian was having more than his daily allowance of fun and so, was being cautioned by the authorities to go have a nap until he quietened down a bit.


Michael: More vistas from Calton Hill


Ian: From Calton hilltop (with all the follies) you can get a glimse of the world's oldest steel bridge, and some other one too.

Michael: The cantilevered bridge (to the right) is the rail bridge (world's oldest steel bridge) and the one to the left is the suspension road bridge.


Michael: Still on Calton Hill, this was supposed to be a replica of the Parthenon, but the Victorian builders ran out of funds to complete it. So, we're left with an embarrassing folly, which provides a vantage point for tourists to enjoy the view. Everyone tries climbing one - no, there are no steps!





Michael: This is the monument to Nelson and is supposed to look like an inverted telescope. It wasn't open on the day we visited, or I'd have loved to climb to the top.





Michael: Me, stiffly posing under duress :)



Ian: On this canon here is ...


... evidence of an ancient Elvish occupation of the area - their script ! ...


and poking up from below Calton Hill is part of the new parliament house ...


Ian: More of that part of Edinburgh next time we visit.


Michael: Quant little alleyways and medieval roads everywhere!



Ian: Edinburgh castle - the forecourt of which is about to be used for the annual military tattoo, part of the annual, world famous Edinburgh Festival. £10.50 (Aus $ 27) to get in ! and we'd seen Stirling Castle which is apparently more impressive anyway.









Michael: Tourists everywhere!



Ian: The place where Mary Queen of Scots spent her last night before going to London to be chopped in half by Cate Blanchett.





Michael: The Thistle Chapel. I went here the last time I was in Edinburgh and didn't feel like I could do it justice with my photography. Ian has done very well to capture the atmosphere of the place and the amazing workmanship that went into producing this fine ribbed ceiling.


















Ian: This guy was trying to start a trend i think.





Ian: Spot the dummie.

* If anyone wants to see the webpage of our trip to New Zealands South Island just go here - http://troy424.tripod.com/nz05.htm

Michael: A gratuitous plug there!

Michael: Here are some photos from my day-trip to Edinburgh yesterday. I hadn't planned on doing any sightseeing, but since I was there, I went for a quick walk around the city centre. It was quite easy to get around. The land is undulating and very pleasant to the eye.


Linlithgow Palace
.. as viewed from the train on the way to Edinburgh; the place where Mary, Queen of Scots was born.


New town in Edinburgh was built for the rich after the old town, south of what is now called the Golden Mile, became too disease ridden and insalubrious. Naturally, the poor were left behind. New town is very well organised, beautifully laid out and the fine Georgian buildings are very easy on the eye.



Portrait Gallery


Not sure what this building is, but it was far too impressive not to snap



The pipers were out in force, entertaining the tourists.


Loved this novel take on the Three Graces, outside the National Museum. Here we find the Three Grazers, being admired by three (erstwhile?) Graces :)


A view of the Scott Monument from the southwest; a stunning vista. The weather was beautiful and the natives were out en masse, sunning themselves.






The Hub, home of the world famous Edinburgh Festival.


The Castle, seen from the dark side. Couldn't quite get the exposure right on this one, but I'm sure you'll forgive my amateur attempts at photography.



Edinburgh Castle forecourt with the seatings set up for the Military Tattoo. For some reason I had thought that the ceremonies were actually held within the castle grounds. Not so.


A view down the Royal mile looking towards the city chambers



The St Giles High Kirk, sometimes erroneously referred to as the St Giles Cathedral. It is in fact where John Knox began his reformation of the Scottish religious establishment. It has a very fine electronic action Pipe organ.


An intricately carved wooden canopy at St Giles.

I also visited the Thistle Chapel, just off the main nave of St Giles. It has a sumptuously decorated wood interior, a fine rib vaulted ceiling and is festooned with heraldry. The light was low inside, which added to the solemnity and I didn't quite feel up to photographing it. I will leave it for Ian to do at a later date.


Edinburgh City Chambers


A cute little alleway off the Royal Mile.


The tourists were everywhere, rushing here and there. Crowds are almost constant in this part of the world.


Yes, there were TWO of these filthy "coffee" houses along the Royal Mile. Very disappointing. Guess they have to keep the American tourists satisfied.




A column celebrating Napoleon. I am not sure what the other building is, but it looks medieval.


The area around the new Scottish Parliament building and the Palace of Holyrood has this very impressive cliff formation.


The outside walls of Parliament are decorated with these little plaques. This old Scottish proverb is particularly apt, but sadly ironic too.


The grand entrance to the Scottish Parliament, closely guarded by two of Scotland's finest.


The view over Edinburgh Waverley Station.

Edinburgh is easily the most beautiful city I have ever visited, but then, I've never been to Paris. Someone famous (I forget who) once said that Edinburgh is the city Paris ought to be. I guess I'll find out if I agree with him when I finally visit Paris. Suffice to say, I really enjoyed walking about and we will definitely be returning to spend more time there. I noticed that there are plenty of restaurants and cafes there - yet another incentive to return!