Edinburgh

Pronounced approximately Ed-in-bu-ru where the u is the same as the u in "cut". Very approximate but you'll soon pick it up from announcements.

No shots of the journey due to a small problem with the camera but these four give our first impression of one of Britain's most famous streets - Princes Street in Edinburgh. There's a park on the left and department stores on the right and the whole scene can be watched from the castle perched high on a rock. The Streets away from Princes street are quieter and orgainsed in a grid making it easy to navigate which is handy as the pubs stay open until 1.00 a.m. Busses are excellent and even off peak you never have to wait too long but roads are too busy for cycling. We stayed on the campsite to the South but there are all types off accommodation available from very Scottish hotels to guest and B&B's.

Something that looks good in the dark.old fashined phone and post boxes.

You get an idea of the way the castle dominates the central area.

A selection of European flags alongside an old bank building. Someone has given legitamcy to English rather than British sovereignty but there is confusion over this which we will try and address in the Pithlochry story. We think it's stupid as people studying English tend to learn more about America these days and as we all know Britain has the most amount of forign investment in the European Union.

A chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of Princes Street and take a wander through the orginally named Princes Street gardens.

Another addition to our collection of fountains.

As you can see the weather brightened up but not enough to tempt out the tourists.

The Ross Open Air Theatre

Three for the flower lovers ...

And a side shot pf a pink and yellow display.

The weather is brightening up fast so we have another attempt at the castle.

What would travelling to European "capitals" be without a chance to study national stereotypes. We didn't go in because there may have been someone checking passports at the door though there is a special tartan for those with no Scottish ancestory..

One of the benefits of using a chep uncomplicated camera is that you can take advantage of photo oppotunities like this by just pointing, shooting and hoping. Don't worry this is just for tourists and advertising an exhibition and not transporting the MacDonalds to The Glens for a battle with the Campells. This may still be a taboe in Scotland but if they are using it to promote tourism probably not but it's probably best not to bring it up. The West Lothian question is fine now they have their own parliament.

The view out to the hills from North Bridge. The building in the foreground is Eninburgh Waverley station.

The famous masthead of The Scotsman known as the newspaper of the Scottish establsihment. It's a bit dry but nothing like The Daily Telegraph it's English equivilent.

A street shot really included for the benefit of homesick ex-Pats see the cars on the left, traffic lights and bollards. Sorry we couldn't find a Belisha Beacon as they are dying out.

Down Leith Street to the theatre district and where it is possible to get an incredibly cheap lunch - nobody knows about it but I had a three course business lunch for GBP 8.50 (EUR 11.85.) Note the currency software will back soon sometime after the heatwave.

Chairs set out so that people can pose in the street Aux Champs Elysees but no takers - they must be going soft.

The highway code states that on directional signs the thickness of the line denotes the importance of the route. Straight on is a suburb of Edinburgh and right is Berwick on Tweed - the first or last town in England and London via the A1 which is main road with some motorway sections and at least dual carriageway (four-lane) South of Newcastle.

A commemoration of the visit to Scotland by King George IV from the Roman numerals sometime in the 18th Centrury.

A typical Britsih street scene.

And a double decker bus makes it's way towards Waverly station.

Just to show there are modern buildings in Edinburgh these are in the new financial distict around 5 streets from Princes Street.

The Opera house.

And yes someone playing the bagpipes.

A younger more modern band getting everyone in the mood for a night on the town as if they need it. They sure know how to party here with young and old mixing hapily on the street before going their own way to their chosen venues in this compact city centre.

A mountain - just three minutes from the tent.

A few rooftop shots now and the weather was so miserable at times we had to include a black and white one of the castle.

The city.

Waverley Station and North Bridge.

Using sex to advertise train travel. Whatever next. Mind you they hardly ever arrive to early and it's just a bit anoying to hang around if they are late.

Just to prove the Sun does shine here this was taken at around 8:30 on the Sunday morning.

For some reason I thought it was funny don't ask why it's best not to analyse these things too carefully.

Some modern sculpture excellent for honing your photo editing skills. The idea is to try and bring out the reflection from the piece even though it is a dull day.

We finish with one of our trademark beer shot taken at Edinburgh airport and this requires some explaination. Beer is served in UK pints (around 550 ml) as most people know but the name 80 /- pronounced 80 shilling and literally (80 x GBP 0.05 = GBP 4.00 = EUR 5.58) comes from the tax the brewer had to pay on a barrel which depneded on the alchol content as it still does today. Rarely available outside Scotland which is a pity as it is a stong but smooth brew ideally suited to the winter months (i.e August to May) but fine in the Summer as well..