ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREEN
A compilation gallery made up of several different trips to Edinburgh. One sunny and spectacular day with Anne in early December with a few trees, seen here still retaining colour despite a heavy overnight frost and snow on the mountains. Around minus 5 degrees but dry and bright. We did a new and very varied walk before the darkness fell but I'll keep those posts for later on as its a Christmas theme
Early morning in Glasgow. With short days and a lot to pack in we caught the bus at 8:00am as it's dark by 4:00pm and we wanted to see the lights. Some of the other photos are ones I took during a separate solo trip later in December, when I had more time to concentrate on pure photography alone.
One of the reasons for going to Edinburgh, instead of other Scottish cities is that, although normally busy throughout the year, buses run every 15 mins... so you are always likely to get a seat. With other, less tourist driven cities having only 3 or 4 buses a day there's more chance of missing out, a much longer wait for the next one, or having to book your seat in advance. If busy for any reason- good chance you will not get on the last bus back, especially as some run from other places first and arrive at your stop already half full. No problems like that in the capital though and still loads to do in Edinburgh and you can just turn up if it's a sunny day so a more relaxed trip.
Some people don't mind grey days, wet weather and dull conditions but I'm not one of them. My mood is directly related to whatever the weather is doing, moment to moment. It's a good way to live.... for me anyway. I love sunshine.... and any colour filled darkness. Soak it up like a hungry sponge. Always have, since birth. Instinctively drawn to it , like a visually simulated colour addicted vampire, or a helpless lonely moth dragged before the strange powers of the moon ... devoid of any real choice.... hypnotized, seduced, and ultimately guided by a 1960s education that is driven deep into my inner visual core, and the birth of lysergic visionary art.... a Joan of Arc moment translated to modern times....immovable early values and unforgettable images emerging from a largely black and white existence 1950s style, suddenly bursting into vivid demanding colour, mid 1960s era..
A new sculpture. Andy Scott's baby elephant memorial in Princes Street Gardens. Although a sad, beautiful tribute... little children don't see that side of it- they just see a friend, and despite the frost on it, several youngsters first instinct was to run over laughing and give it a cuddle and get their photo taken beside it.
After an eventful day.... night descended and it was time to enjoy the darkness once more.
A full moon over Edinburgh..... so let the party begin.
Halloween guests appear on cue.
Edinburgh is, after all, a land of magic. Raptor and rat.
In the city of a thousand stairs we started to climb some.
And then some more.....
Anne had been up Calton Hill during the day for the view over the city... but never at night.
And that is a sight to behold. Princes Street below.
Princes Street at Sunset. 4:00pm.
Edinburgh Castle.
The Mound.
Edinburgh and The Pentland Hills Ski Slope.
Offices below Calton Hill.
Leith Walk with Fife beyond.
Christmas illuminations in Edinburgh.
Ye old Edinburgh town.
Christmas lights and shops. St Andrew Square.
Illuminated gardens. St Andrew Square.
Christmas Market.
Harvey Nichols shop.
Horse Statue.
George Street lights.
Moon. Calton Hill.
The 'temple.'
The Playhouse. Leith Walk.
Shoppers in Princes Street. Edinburgh.
George Street lights.
Window display. " Ah, Non Cherie!! Pas Cet Homme!!!!! Tres Cher!!!! "
A close shave but I mostly managed to steer her away from the shops this time.
She settled instead for some exotic animals....
and the simple delights of sitting beside a cosy coal fire in a bothy at the bottom of a suburban garden. Our very own fire festival.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE in blogland.
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Fabulous! Have a very happy Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see a bit more colour in Christmas lights this year instead of the awful white or blue people took to recently. Mind you, it might just be my new homeland of Cumbria who prefer colour - my ex-Yorks homeland became saturated with southern yuppies and I think they think white or blue is 'trendy' or something
ReplyDeleteCarlisle does better than Edinburgh then (and it isn't really a tourist city) - buses every 10 minutes. It was so busy on the roads on Christmas Eve, they were all stuck together following each other along the stops! I can never understand people driving into a city myself - I always get public transport - much more convenient and generally cheaper!