Auld Reekie

August 17, 2003

Auld Reekie is a nickname for Edinburgh. It means “Old Smokie”.  Centuries of coal fired heating doesn’t mix well with the sandstone used to build a great part of this city.  The Sir Walter Scott monument and the upscale department store Jenner’s are good examples of coal smoke damage.

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The Festival Fringe

August 16, 2003

The Festival Fringe started in 1947 with the International Arts Festival.  Since it’s performers were not invited (unjuried) there was no selection committee.  It was an arts festival, but one on the fringe.  The statue mime and the street sweeper mime were typical.   The street sweeper reminded me of a desk statue I got […]

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Tartan Weaving

August 16, 2003

I was in the tartan & kilt shop Geoffrey (Tailor) and I swear, I did not see the ‘No Pictures’ sign until long after I took this shot. Geoffrey (Tailor) makes as fine a kilt as one could find in all of Scotland (although I can’t warm up to the solid ones) and is located […]

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Royal Mile

August 16, 2003

The Royal mile runs from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace and includes the streets: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High St., Canongate & Abby Strand. Along the way you’ll find the Scottish Parliment, Cameraa Obscura, The Scotch Whisky Experience, St. Giles Cathedral and a ton of tourist shops.  The Tolbooth now houses a nice pub.  A good spot […]

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Edinburgh Castle

August 16, 2003

The main focal point of the city is Edinburgh Castle.  It’s been perched on a rocky crag overlooking the city since at least the 12th century and offers a great view.

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Edinburgh Perspective

August 15, 2003

It was late when I finally got settled into the very acceptable Holiday Inn Express in Leith. I liked the perspective of this shot as I crossed the street, but failed to note the name of the church. Anyone? And while wandering about I quickly realized that I had to re-calibrate my definition of “old”. […]

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A Little Excitement

August 15, 2003

In Scotland. Admiring the countryside, keeping an eye out for cameras, hoping to see Bass Rock, trying to figure out what that sign means and suddenly there is a terrific roar and the car shakes as an RAF fighter, flying at what must be the minimum height blasts right over my car and out to […]

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40 years to get this picture

August 15, 2003

That’s about how long I’ve wanted to go to Scotland.  I took the overnight to London from Boston. I’m guessing the left front hubcap & the car separated company about 200 meters into my drive.  The car hire people probably make a lot of money on them as one isn’t looking for the curb on […]

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