Essential Edinburgh

You could drive up Calton Hill and enjoy some of the best views of the city but now it’s ‘Shanks's pony’… but it’s worth it!

Sunbathing.., Scottish style on Calton Hill.

I had the chance to live in Edinburgh a few years ago just ahead of the Festival. I grabbed the opportunity even though it was only for three months. And fell in love with the place!

A prolonged stay is the best way to get to know any city intimately!

I never tired of walking for miles exploring neighbourhoods or jumping on a bus to take me to another part of town. Lothian Buses are a great way to get around and you can buy a day or weekly pass with unlimited travel throughout the city. Good deal!

THE UNION CANAL

My short-term let was within walking distance of the Union Canal, an 18th-century waterway that linked Edinburgh with the rest of Central Scotland. Running from Falkirk to Edinburgh, it was initially constructed to carry coal to the capital in long barges. It opened in 1822 but the new railways soon took over as the preferred transport medium and the canal fell into disrepair and officially closed in 1965. Then in 2001 it reponed, all spruced up and connecting it to the Falkirk Wheel

It is now mainly used for leisure purposes, barges, gin cruises and walking.

and a wonderful place to walk, the only downside being the mad fast cyclists who would hare along ringing their bells and scaring the bejesus out of people. They should be recycled.

One of my first freelance writing jobs was for ‘Bicycle’ magazine and Edinburgh was part of my ‘City Cycle Touring’ series. In the mid-80s I interviewed future Chancellor, Alistair Darling about Edinburgh’s ever-expanding city cycle network.

But if you take a stroll along the Canal. It’s beautiful and mainly peaceful.

Edinburgh is a photographer’s dream and Ramsay Gardens just below the Castle is one corner worth exposing!