Guess where...?

Performer on the Royal Mile

Amidst the chaos of the Royal Mile during the Fringe, it can be good to stop for a nice mug of tea…

Dali & Gala

From the surrealistic mayhem of Belt Up Theatre’s Lorca is Dead.

Many residents of Edinburgh don’t know this part of town exists – but definitely worth a visit. 

Wild West Edinburgh

Hidden in Edinburgh

Worth a visit

Ideal for photoshoot

Look for the details

Hidden in Morningside

Anthony Gormley

Anthony Gormley was in town today for the formal opening of his new artwork in the Water of Leith.  Commissioned by the National Galleries of Scotland, the six life-sized iron figures are displayed along the popular walk way in Edinburgh.

This evening, I caught half of the project on my compact camera as I took a stroll in the wonderful evening sun.  Other people were taking photos as well and I overheard a small girl say that she wanted a ‘funny man’ in her garden for herself.  People walking dogs were commenting on how life like they were and others were asking me why they were there as I was taking photos.

You can read more about Anthony Gormley and I look forward to finding the other three pieces another day.

Anthony Gormley artwork

Stockbridge Gormley

Powderhall Gormley

Gormley reflection

The launch of the Fringe programme in Princes St Gardens

Whatever the collective noun for photographers is, we were in the midst of it on Thursday morning’s photocall for the launch of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2010 programme.

Model Christina patiently posed amongst the trees and shrubbery of Princes St Gardens, next to large cardboard cutout versions of motifs from this year’s programme cover, featuring drawings by artist Johanna Basford.

Edinburgh Castle

Library

George Street

The photos are not ours, but are subject to copyright.  We will credit the photographers when we can

Guess where...

Guess where in Edinburgh?

Dunsapie Loch, Holyrood Park

St Margaret's Loch in Holyrood Park

Guess where

The Law

Full review and more photos of the gig – including Pose Victorious and The OK Social Club – and an exclusive interview with The Law coming soon.

Guess where

An Edinburgh tram

Edinburgh Trams placed a tram in Princes Street last week and I popped along to have a look inside and see what the fuss was about.  On first glance, it’s very spacious with seating for 78 people.  The staff member told me it could hold 250 in total, meaning 172 people would have to stand at full capacity. 

The access doors are not an example of the finished entrance, but the tram floor will be flush to the pavement, making it easy for wheelchair users and buggies getting on board. 

Disabled area

The seats are leather and quite comfortable, but only some of them have enough space for me to sit on.  I am not overly tall at 5ft 10inches, but I can’t get my knees comfortably behind the seat in front so would have to sit on a sideways seat (not a problem) or look for one  near the door which are more spacious, but are priority for elderly and disabled. 

I can't get my knees behind a seat

Disabled passengers have a designated area to travel in, with an emergency button to press that alerts the driver – who can then speak on the intercom through the speaker beside the button and ask the passenger how he can help.  Full marks for catering to disabled passengers – but when questioning the staff on where parents with buggies would sit, one staff member said they could stand in an open area and hold onto the hand rail!  Not very practical for a journey from Leith to Corstophine whilst trying to comfort a baby. 

Stand and hold on

This of course, is if the disabled space is not taken up.  I spoke to another member of staff and asked him the same thing and was at least sympathetic that the parents may not want to stand and pointed to one area where they could sit and place the buggy over a movable section on the floor.  

The luggage storage is excellent, but if I was airport bound, would choose the airport bus that only makes a few stops along the way –  you know,  the bus service that has worked for years in Edinburgh. 

One of many luggage areas on board

View forward to driver's cab

Not quite the Starship Enterprise

Interesting buttons

Info display (not working the day I visited)

Lots of CCTV screens on board

You know you want one...........

Coming soon

Definitely interesting to see a real tram, but for now and for the next couple of years, I am more than happy with the service than Lothian Buses delivers.

He’s doing it in aid of the local charity Edinburgh Headway Group, and hopes to raise at least £25,000. You can read more about Mark in our feature article and follow his progress on his website.

Here at Edinburgh Spotlight, we wish him all the best – we know he can do it!

Good luck Mark!

Guess where?

He certainly took tourists and locals by surprise today as he flipped and jumped around town and he met Edinburgh’s Mark Cooper from www.runwithmark.com in person and exchanged training tips.  Sticky will be at Edinburgh Castle again tomorrow so that he can continue his epic journey.

Please make a donation to help him reach his monetary target.   You can also follow his updates via his website and blog, watch his youtube channel, become his fan on facebook or follow him on twitter.

Big thanks to Illegal Jacks on Lothian road who provided Sticky and his crew with food today.

Sticky at Edinburgh Castle

Jumping around at Castle Terrace

In the Grassmarket

Meeting Mark Cooper

Delighted to have reached Edinburgh

Exploring Lothian Road

Taking in the sights of Edinburgh

Good grub at Illegal Jacks

By the waterside

The Water of Leith walkway starts at Balerno, and – if you’re planning to walk part or all of the route – is best reached by the regular 44 Lothian bus service. From here, it runs next to the water and winds its way past fields and long-abandoned mills, through disused railway tunnels and alongside modern housing developments.

This section ends at Slateford, where the fascinating and modern Visitor Centre is placed, providing information, displays, gifts and refreshments.

Enjoyable at any time of year, the following photos were taken during early spring, when the greenery of the trees and plants provided a beautiful setting for the crystal-clear water as it flowed its way through the city towards its endpoint at Leith.

Popular with cyclists, walkers and joggers

Under the bridge

Currie Kirk

House on the Water of Leith

On the path

Weir

Bridge at Colinton

Disused railway tunnel

Weir in Craiglockhart Dell

Fishing at the weir

Inside the grotto

Water of Leith at Slateford

At the visitor centre

Water of Leith near Balerno

Guess where...?

Starting at Roseburn, near Murrayfield, the path leads you past old mills, roaring weirs and under towering bridges.

Near the start of the Roseburn section

This section ends at the historic Dean Village: here you can carry on to Stockbridge and beyond, or leave the waterside path and find yourself in the buzz of the West End.

These photographs were from an evening stroll in the spring, when the plants and trees were beginning to burst into new life; and some of the waterside wildlife was going about its business in the golden light.

A popular walking spot

A bend in the river

Reflection on the Water of Leith

Golden light on a Spring evening

Weir near Dean Village

Dean Village

Distinctive houses in Dean Village

A heron fishing at the weir

Sunset over the Water of Leith

Dean Village

There are two clean ups organised for this weekend of the area, the first being on Saturday by Keep Scotland Tidy and the second on Sunday covering the Gypsy Brae area .

In the meantime, enjoy a few photos of a glorious walk this morning in 15 degrees.

Enjoying the sunshine

Tide was out

Be sure to check tide times if walking out to Cramond Island

Cramond Boats

Bistro is open early, but gets sun outside from late morning

Council swept up this pile of debris

Guess where

Harlaw Reservoir

Guess where

Calton Hill

Melville Monument at sunrise

Old College at night

Guess where

The War Memorial Chapel of St Cuthbert's, off Lothian Road

In the grounds of The Dean Gallery

Last night's full moon

Sun hits Arthur's Seat

As much as I love Edinburgh, there’s nothing like getting out of town for the day and up to 70mph on the motorway before hitting the windy roads of Scotland.  Now that the sun is rising earlier and we get more daylight – you can really cover a lot of miles in one day.

Today I headed up towards Glencoe when the sun had just risen, giving excellent light on the beautiful Buachaille Etive Mor, where I couldn’t have timed it better with a wild deer strolling past.

I love to take photos of highland cows and for some reason today, they seemed to be everywhere – fields and fields of them.

Lochs were frozen over, the sun was shining in the blue sky and I had a wonderful day soaking up my stunning country in all its’ glory.  The photos are unedited.

Wild deer with Buachaille Etive Mor in background

Buachaille Etive Mor

Castle Stalker

One of the many highland cows I spotted

Kilchurn Castle

View from Duke's Pass in the Trossachs

Late afternoon at Loch Arklet

We drove a total of 300 miles in one day, which was about seven hours of driving over an eleven hour period .  We did stop for lunch and afternoon tea along the way – as well as all the photo stops.

A frozen Blackford Pond

Cammo Estate during the recent cold snap

The Nature Boys

“Edinburgh’s favourite underground prodigal punk troupe” (it says here) The Nature Boys in rehearsal.

An interview with the Boys (featuring Mark Cooper of Run With Mark fame) will feature on the site soon; as well as a review of their charity gig on the 5th Feb.

Winter's morning

We also had a picnic on the Lake and some lovely hot chocolate.   Last year I sat on Loch Morlich, but because this is so close to home, I couldn’t resist a couple of hours of icy fun.  It’s well  worth heading for a visit over the next few days if temperatures continue to be so low.

There may even be a curling ‘Grand Match’ this weekend which may see over 4000 people curl on the lake.  Details will be posted when the decision is made tomorrow.  The last one took place over 30 years ago, showing how rare a frozen Lake Menteith is.  *update – 8th Jan, curling match is not going ahead*

The Lake of Menteith Hotel were doing a barbecue today, providing hot food for skaters and walkers coming off the ice.  If it’s too cold to be outside, then you can warm up in their restaurant which overlooks the lake.

Enjoy the photos.

Frozen Lake Monteith with hotel in background

Inchmahome Priory in the winter

Dog walking on ice

Edinburgh Spotlight on ice

New Man Walking

Full moon with New Man

Thank you to an Edinburgh Spotlight reader, S Smith for use of her fabulous photos.

On New Year's Day, 2010

Sunset from Corstorphine Hill

Waiting for the panto

Waiting for the action to begin at the Kings Theatre’s production of Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates – read our review here.

Where am I?

Answers in the comments below please or @EdinSpotlight on twitter.

Corstorphine Hill

Edinburgh Castle in the snow

Bell's Mill

Merry Christmas from Edinburgh Spotlight!

A view of North Edinburgh from a rather snowy Corstorphine Hill

Snowy sunset from Corstorphine Hill

Click on a thumbnail to view images full size

Click on a thumbnail to view full-size.

View from Dean Bridge

Standing out in the snow

Dean Village

Water of Leith at Dean Village

Miller Row, by the Water of Leith

Edinburgh Castle

Pathways were cleared

Cannons

One o' clock gun

Edinburgh Castle

View from Castle over Edinburgh

Remember you can buy tickets in advance to save time queuing.  More information here.

Click on the image to view the gallery

Click on the image to view the gallery.

• Image 2
• Image 3
• Image 4
• Image 5
• Image 6
• Image 7
• Image 8
• Image 9
• Image 10

Edinburgh Sparkles

Edinburgh's Winter Wonderland

Know where this is..?       It’s not in a private house (we’re not that mean) but having to make them a little more tricky since the others were guessed quickly.

Where is this tree ?

St Giles Cathedral - companion piece to previous shot

The Royal Mile on a cold, misty evening

Looking down Princes Street

I love the view from Nelson Monument and today it was just perfect.  I have not been up since the buses returned to Princes Street, so was delighted to take this shot today.  Full review on the monument to come tomorrow.

Cramond Island

Traditional toys on sale at the German Christmas Market

Know where this is..?

Guess where...?

Christmas Tree at the Dome's Garden Cafe

I’ll be paying a visit inside The Dome soon, so more photos from there to follow!

The Edinburgh Wheel is a must for residents and tourists over the festive period.  The cost of a ride is dependent on your height: if you’re 1.35m or over, the charge is £4, if you’re shorter than this it costs £2.50. There is a height chart for younger people to stand beside. (These prices rise to £5 and £4 during the Hogmanay period of 31st Dec – 2nd Jan).

Beginning the ascent

The Mound from the Edinburgh Wheel

From the top of the Edinburgh Wheel

As you can see, the views are fabulous and even better now the tram works have disappeared from Princes Street and open to traffic and pedestrians again.

If it’s a windy day, you can be swayed from side to side as they load everyone on and you could be stuck at the top as they do so.

Height determines price

The Edinburgh Wheel is in operation now until the 4th of January, open from 10am to 10pm (6pm on Dec 31st).

Suitable for disabled ?   Depends on mobility level as you could transfer from the platform onto the ride, the staff are helpful to young and old.

Edinburgh's Winter Wonderland at dusk

Know where it is..?

Guess where...?

Know where it is..?

Guess where..?

Fading light at Cramond

Know where it is..?

Guess where...?

Fireworks over Edinburgh Castle

A happy and safe Bonfire Night from Edinburgh Spotlight!

We’re starting off with an easy one (at least we think it is…)

No prizes for correct answers, other than the warm glow that comes from being right. Leave a comment below with your guess – answer tomorrow if no-one gets it.

Guess where...?