Last Friday I was in Edinburgh. After my meet up with mum, and on way to the talk, I took one of my favourite walks through the old town...
Up the old 'News Steps' from the Mound to the High Street. Looking back over Edinburgh New Town. You can see the buses on the bridges, the roof of Waverley Station. That's the North British Hotel to the left behind the tree - an amazing building - and Carlton Hill, gothic and romantic in the distance overlooking it all.
...past St Giles' Cathedral... the 'Heart of Midlothian' is a motif embedded into the cobbles, just about where that person is walking across the street. Watch out! - it's a tradition to spit on it. Ah, thems is quaint Scottish ways...
...down Victoria Street, with its beautiful double storey street thing going on. There are some nice boutiquey shops and little cafés down here, although it does taste of being a bit mainstream now...
The talk with Andrew MacDonald was good - inspiring and informative. Inspite of his success, he came across as very level headed, modest and genuine. We watched several short clips of the films he has produced including Shallow Grave - Danny Boyle of 'Slumdog Millionaire' first feature. I was reminded of the fantastic opening to that film with the Leftfield soundtrack and the manic driving through the streets of Edinburgh New Town. (Couldn't find it on Youtube, sorry - there's a hint of it in the trailer). At the time I thought it was an amazing, mindblowing and groundbreaking clip, although now, by today's standards, seems quite tamed down.
We also managed to catch the penultimate day of this exhibition by the RCAHMS, and I'm really glad I did. The Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Monuments for Scotland look after and record everything of historical note, from neolithic chambers to restaurant interiors and old mills. This was a fabulous and varied exhibition. You can also view all of the images online here.
Most of all, this drawing on the postcard of Lady Victoria Colliery was done by a friend of mine, Heather Stoddart. We studied Interior Design together at art college. Her drawing was voted the winning image by the public! I was so glad to have tracked it down, and then noticed beside her exhibit was a video of her drawing it on the computer. There was also footage of a colleague hand-tracing designs for a Celtic cross. I still draught by hand, but am fascinated by both worlds. Hopefully it won't die out, as hand drawn plans and perspectives convey such character, detail and period.
Probably my favourite city in the UK. Just love Edinburgh. Mind you all those hills and steps are not good for the knees! Hope to be back in August for the Fringe xxx
Posted by: janjan | January 24, 2009 at 11:56 PM
Really enjoyed your stroll around Edinburgh - there is nothing better than taking the train through and having a walk around just to appreciate the various styles of architecture. I particularly like Victoria Street - did you pop into K1 Yarns? I can never resist!
Posted by: Suzanne Field | January 25, 2009 at 12:26 PM
The Heart of Midlothian marks the debtors prison - hence its lucky to spit on it but unlucky to stand on it.
OH MY GAWD ! I was at the Andrew MacDonald talk too - in the back row... like ships in the night bloggers pass...
Posted by: creativevoyage | January 25, 2009 at 09:16 PM