Edinburgh Daily Photo

Oddfellows

2009-05-08T14:52:00.003+01:00

When you walk past this bar on Forrest Road you will probably not notice the interesting facade of the building, let alone know about the history of this place. Built in 1873, Oddfellows Hall was the gathering point for members of the Oddfellows Order. I understand that these were guilds with members from an odd assortment of trades (rather than all from the same trade), hence the term 'odd fellows'. Oddfellows Hall was a Lodge where they would congregate, with lecture rooms, meeting rooms and domitories.

Many Edinburgh people will remember "Bar Oz", previously located in this building, which was accessed through a narrow passage and laid out over two floors. In 2006, £1.05 million was spent on redesiging and opening up the space, and many of the original features can now be seen again.

Stone - Crown Office

2009-05-07T12:48:00.002+01:00

I think this blog is due another 'stone' picture, so here's a nice one! This decorative stonework can be found on columns on either side of the entrance to the Crown Office on Chambers Street, the body responsible for prosecution of crime in Scotland.

Colourful shops

2009-05-06T12:46:00.000+01:00

Some long-established, colourful shops on Greyfriar's Place, opposite the Museum of Scotland.

George IV Bridge

2009-05-05T12:42:00.000+01:00

After serving as starting and finishing point for the Great Edinburgh Run on Sunday, this is George IV Bridge returned to normal. It's really more a high-level street than a bridge, although it does bridge the Cowgate (just behind the bus).

May the 4th... Edinburgh Run part 2

2009-05-04T13:02:00.004+01:00

What can I say....? Except that last year, the Great Edinburgh Run was held on May 4th, aka Star Wars Day, and so this year I suspect that Princess Leia and this Stormtrooper wanted to recycle their outfits... May the 4th be with you today!

Great Edinburgh Run part 1

2009-05-03T18:00:00.000+01:00

Today saw some 10,000 runners take part in the Great Edinburgh Run 2009! This 10k road run followed a route across the Royal Mile, past Holyrood Palace and along the Meadows to a finish on George IV Bridge. I was there merely in a supporting role and to take pictures of various friends who are much more sporty than me. This picture was taken about half way along the route, from South Bridge looking down on the Cowgate. As you can see the weather was gorgeous.

Well done to all of you!!

Theme Day: Shadows

2009-05-01T16:22:00.005+01:00

At low tide, Newhaven Harbour is almost completely dry, with the ropes between boats and pier hanging rather limply across the mud. A great contribution from Mr Dido who, for recession reasons, suddenly has a lot of time on his hands...

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Same Guy

2009-04-30T13:59:00.000+01:00

... and this is the same guy (see yesterday's picture) from a more conventional angle, with houses in Parliament Square in the background.

Famous fireman

2009-04-29T17:05:00.003+01:00

Dear all - I'm back!! For several weeks my (working) days have been completely taken over by conference organisation, but I'm pleased to report that all this is over now and I am back to my normal blogging self. Better still, I have a new camera - a Canon EOS 1000D. We're still getting used to each other but I have a feeling we'll be best friends before too long!

Anyway, this handsome fireman is James Braidwood (1800-1861) who founded the world's first municipal fire service in Edinburgh in 1824. He tragically died fighting a fire in London, and is commemorated with this statue in Edinburgh's Parliament Square.

Sunset over George Street

2009-04-03T17:06:00.002+01:00

Sun setting over George Street....

Add-on

2009-04-02T10:13:00.001+01:00

I really like this recent addition to the Chrystal Macmillan Building, now home of the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh. The building sits on the north-west corner of George Square and faces the Middle Meadow Walk. The extension was designed by SMC Davis Duncan Architects and completed in 2008.

Chrystal Macmillan was an important suffragist and the first woman science graduate of the University in 1896.

We Love Ice

2009-04-01T08:59:00.000+01:00

And another clear sign that spring is fast approaching! (OK it's a little Photoshop-tastic, but who cares!!)

Sea of Yellow

2009-03-31T17:17:00.003+01:00

Clear signs of spring alongside the Middle Meadow Walk earlier today!

Stick no bills

2009-03-20T14:58:00.004Z

I found this little piece of history on the walls of the University's Old College on Chambers Street. Amusing really, that this bit of non-grammar appears on the exterior of one of the most famous academic institutions in the country...

Minto House, Chambers Street

2009-03-19T13:38:00.003Z

You don't often see architecture this ornate in Edinburgh, and although the delicate Italianate style is perhaps a bit out of tune with the rest of Old Town, the sandstone from which it was made is certainly the dominating building surface in this city.

Close in Newhaven

2009-03-17T08:59:00.000Z

A doorway in one of Newhaven's 'closes', or narrow passageways.

St James Chapel, Newhaven

2009-03-16T22:41:00.003Z

I haven't posted a Stone picture for a while, so here's one! This is part of the west gable of the oldest building in Newhaven; that of St James' Chapel which is now a ruin.

The Chapel of St Mary and St James was built around 1508 by James IV for those who worked on the construction of his magnificent shipt, the Great Michael. The chapel later fell into disuse and was bought by the Society of Free Fishermen in the middle of the 18th century, and used as a place of burial until 1848. At an archeological dig in 1972, skeletons were indeed found, and the discovery was made that the chapel had been built on a foundation of oyster shells!

Fly like a bird!

2009-03-15T15:26:00.001Z

Birdseye view of the roofs of buildings on George IV Bridge, Old Town.

St Giles Cathedral Organ

2009-03-14T08:59:00.000Z

And here it is, the organ in St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile in all its glory. This picture was also taken by Mr Dido, who was fortunate enough to be at a 'lock-in' where they were allowed to play the organ after hours.

Stopping to organize

2009-03-13T09:36:00.002Z

Part two of yesterday's mystery machine - yes yes you've guessed it! See tomorrow for the final installment (courtesy Mr Dido).

Mystery Mechanism

2009-03-12T09:56:00.003Z

Mr Dido has requested a guest slot, so here it is. In which Edinburgh landmark can this mystery mechanism be found?

Roofs of the Old Town

2009-03-11T09:35:00.005Z

Still on the roof of the Museum, now looking to the right of the castle in almost northerly direction. The large church steeple is what used to be a Church of Scotland and its Assembly Hall in one. It is now known as the 'Hub', or the headquarters of the International Festival. In the distance you can just make out some snowy hills in Perthshire, on the other side of the Firth of Forth.

Edinburgh Castle

2009-03-10T08:59:00.000Z

Edinburgh Castle on a blustery March day, as seen from the rooftop terrace of the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street - a place that cannot be beaten on views so if you find yourself in the area, do pop up - it's free and there's a lift!!

Trams in Edinburgh

2009-03-09T09:49:00.004Z

One of the most - if not the most - contentious issues in Edinburgh at the moment is the Tram Project. After an absence of about 50 years, trams are being reintroduced in the city - but not without a lot of upheaval, roadworks and bitter complaints by what I believe to be a very vocal minority. Personally I think they will be a good thing, and the only possible fast, clean, potentially non-carbon form of transportation across the city. However, in order for it to function as a 'network' we will need more than the one line + loop currently being built. But hey, you have to start somewhere!

So - in order to win the battle of the hearts and minds of the people of Edinburgh, this mock-up tram has been erected on Princes Street. And yes - the new urban myth of people asking when it's leaving (not till 2011!) is absolutely true, because it happened even as I was chatting to the man looking after it!

Seagull on approach

2009-02-27T13:25:00.001Z

Seagull landing in Newhaven Harbour.