This evening I would like to have presented some images from inside Canongate Kirk which is located on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh.

This church was built in 1688 to house the congregation expelled from Holyrood Abbey when it was taken over b y James VII to be used as the chapel for the Order of the Thistle. In the nearby churchyard can be found burials of such notable people as:

• Adam Smith, the economist
• Dugald Stewart, philosopher
• Robert Ferguson, famous Edinburgh poet who died at age 23 and whose tombstone was donated by Robert Burns.

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Catswhiskers @ 2:36 PM  0 comments

This evening I am posting an image of the Scott Monument in Princes Street, Edinburgh.

This dates from 1844 and was designed by George Meikle Kemp, a self-taught architect.

Unfortunately, Kemp died by drowning in the Union Canal whilst the monument was being constructed.

The statue of Sir Walter Scott by John Steell was installed in 1846.

This monument dominates Princes Street. A good clean would do wonders for the image of the area,






Contact www.catswhiskerstours.co.uk for more information on Edinburgh architecture tours.

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:50 PM  0 comments

This evening I am posting further images of my trip to Edinburgh yesterday.

Here is Bank of Scotland's Headquarters building. Dates from 1802-6. Originally a sedate, classical building later extended into Roman Baroque.

National Gallery. This was designed by William Playfair 1845.

Waverley Railway Station. This dates back to 1854 and is named after Sir Walter Scott's Waverley novels.

View of Calton Hill. It is the skyline which is important. Meant to portray the 'Athens of the North'. Buildings include the National monument, Old Observatory, New Observatory, Playfair's Monument, Nelson's Monument and more.


Contact www.Catswhiskerstours.co.uk for more information on tours of Edinburgh

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Catswhiskers @ 2:31 PM  0 comments

This afternoon I went to Edinburgh and took the opportunity to take a few pictures in the centre area.

Here is a view of the Royal Mile looking down towards Holyrood.

Here is a little known memorial to the Protestant reformer, John Knox. This plaque is located in Mary King's Close

Here is the memorial to Sir Walter Scott author of the Waverley Novels and much more. The monument is located in Princes Street. It is possible to climb up on the inside although I passed on that today because of the bad weather. This monument is in need of a good clean.

For more information on walking tours of Edinburgh contact www.catswhiskerstours.co.uk

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Catswhiskers @ 12:30 PM  0 comments

This afternoon I am presenting some images of the new Scottish Parliament, which opened in the autumn/fall of 2004.

The design is controversial.

Tours of the interior are available.

Worth a visit as part of an Edinburgh tour.






Visit Edinburgh with Catswhiskerstours

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Catswhiskers @ 5:50 AM  0 comments

Today, I am presenting a few images from my archive to provide a flavour for Scotland's Capital City.

Inside of the new Scottish Parliament building. Controversial architecture.

View of Princess Street with Calton Hill in the background


Royal Scottish Academy, Princes Street

Exterior view of the Scottish Parliament Building

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Catswhiskers @ 11:49 AM  0 comments

On Friday 22nd December 2006 14 soldiers who perished in the siege of Edinburgh Castle 1689 were re-buried. These were part of a complement of 100 men who defended the only fortress in the U.K. to support the Stuart monarchy at the time of the Glorious Revolution 1688-89 when the Catholic King James VII of Scotland (King James II of England) was replaced by the Protestants William and Mary.

The soldiers had been buried in the Coal Yard area of the castle but were discovered about 1986. The remains were removed for safe-keeping and analysis by Historic Scotland.

It is believed that the 14 men died of disease rather than through combat. One of the men may be Private Colin Sutherland.

The re-burial was a simple ceremony conducted by an Army chaplain.

Visit Edinburgh Castle with catswhiskerstours.

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Catswhiskers @ 8:34 AM  0 comments

Lady Stairs Close (was Baxter's Close): Home of Robert Burns for a short period.

6a Nicolson Street (Formerly Nicolson's): This is where J.K.Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Rutherford's Howff, Drummond Street: This is a former drinking den patronised by Robert Louis Stevenson.

2 Wellington Place, Leith: Former home of Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting.

Sciennes Hill House, Sciennes House Place: Meeting place of Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns.

Riddles Court (was Land) 322 High Street: First permanent home of philosopher, David Hume.

Scotland Street: Setting for Alexander McCall Smith's novel, 44 Scotland Street.

31 Drummond Place: Home of Compton Mackenzie who wrote 'Whisky Galore'.

Arden Street, Marchmont: Former home of Ian Rankin, author of Inspector Rebus.

St. Stephen Street, Stockbridge: Former home of novelist, Joan Lingard.

Boyd's Inn (now Entry), Canongate: Arrival point of Dr. Johnson 1773.

Canongate Kirkyard: Contains graves of Adam Smith (economist), Robert Ferguson (poet) and Agnes McLehose ( known to Robert Burns).

5 The Abbotsford, 3 Rose Street:Meeting place of poet Hugh MacDiarmid and associates during 1950s and early 1960s.

Craiglockhart: Former war hospital where Siegfried Sassoon met Wilfred Owen (poets).

St. Peter's Church, 77 Falcon Avenue, Morningside: Oscar Wilde used Father John Gray as a role model for the character Dorian Gray.

160 Bruntsfield Place: Birthplace of novelist Muriel Spark.

Explore Edinburgh with catswhiskerstours. See live webcam of Princes Street.

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Catswhiskers @ 5:18 AM  0 comments

David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson formed an Edinburgh based partnership which was active in the early, pioneering days of photography. At that time exposures lasted 2-4 minutes, even on a bright day and for that reason subject(s) eyes were avoided to minimise movement.

In the late Victorian period, Evelyn George Carey was active; he meticulously documented the construction of the Forth Railway Bridge. Also, Alfred Henry Rushbrook was active at the same time.

The best way to view the iconic Forth Rail Bridge is by boat.

Explore and photograph Edinburgh with catswhiskerstours

Labels: Edinburgh

posted by Catswhiskers @ 2:29 AM  0 comments