A very quick and new-rail smooth train ride and I’m back in the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. As I have the past few visits I stay in the Sakura GH in the Newington section of town. Since a day pass on the bus is only £4, it doesn’t matter where one stays and this place in pretty cost effective. The Abbey across the street is good for beer, haggis & craic.
Dropping my kit hours before check-in is no bother and I’m off to Holyrood as it’s a Thursday and that means First Minister’s Question Time. I generally keep politics out of these post but since politics was the center of today’s activities, it is unavoidable. I’ll keep it short. Here I can watch local/national politics at work. The first time I saw the current FM at one of these sessions I felt it a bit of a pantomime what with the banter, scripted questions, and hand desk banging but over the years (I’ve been 5 times now) I’ve grown to better appreciate both the session and Nicola Sturgeon’s skills. I must say that after listening to her conference speech on Nov. 2, I saw a leader who is more concerned for the well-being of the people of Scotland than the chase for the almighty buck/pound. She spoke of a welcoming Scotland and I hope to one day be included in that welcome.
The Tollhouse with its iconic clock on the way to pick up a copy of the SNP manifesto at HQ. Whilst I didn’t support independence in 2014, I support it now as I have learned both the resources in both people and material that Scotland holds and the total subjugation of the Scottish people to the will of the English MPs in Westminster. With a difference of 9 English MPs to every Scottish one, the Scots are always in a serious minority. When Ian Blackford, the leader of the Scots MPs rises to speak, the rest walk out which to me highlights and emphasis a lack of respect. OK, enough of that.
I popped into the City Art Centre for a wee peek. Greeted by a bronze version of John Steell’s iconic statue of Walter Scott, the marble original of which sits in is Princes Street monument, the largest monument to a writer in the world.
A piece from Henry Raeburn
Katherine of Douglass Hall by Allan Ramsey & Mary Cameron’s Goya Girl
There is a large, temporary exhibit by Ms Cameron in the gallery. Not all great artists of the time were men!
The Public Letter-writer & Les Joueurs
The Old Castle &The Beggar
I was drawn to the woman’s joyous, yet mischievous expression in La Novia de la Picador. The Dance of the Seises
Frank Soldier Study I & II
Mute Martyrs of the Bullfight highlights the pain of the horses in this most cruel sport
A Bullfight, Suerte de Picador
On the way out this very nice angle of the NewTown
Eveing in Edinburgh with Queen Vic atop the Royal Academy Building
One street up from Princes Street, Rose Street offered me a fine, 300 year old pub to have a pint of the only stout I’ve found better than Guinness.
Scott monument and the Christmas fair that had taken over Princes Garden
Where among the German & Polish sausages, venison burgers and confections one finds moonshine.
A view back from North Bridge with the glass roof of Waverley Station in the foreground
The Quikie Mart by my GH offered “K” cider at 8% in the past now adding this high-test apple juice. A noticeable buzz after one and it tastes good too.
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