Pictures of a wet and stormy Edinburgh

[dieastra]

This entry is especially for fueschgast who recently was in Edinburgh as well and apparently had much better weather than I did!

When we were in Glasgow back in January for the Pantomime with John Barrowman we had planned a day trip to Edinburgh. Unfortunately it was the day with the worst storm and rain you can imagine. Lots of areas in the UK dealt with flooding at the time, it was really bad.

So here are some pictures of a very grey Edinburgh.

















After we had walked up the steep hill to the castle, it was announced that it was closed for the day. The storm was so heavy, that they feared people would get blown over the railing. That's how bad it was. You could barely walk.

And there was a man standing in his kilt playing the bagpipes. In the rain.









My umbrella didn't survive the harsh conditions. I left it in Scotland.

I also saw people in rain coats which they clearly had bought in the tourist information or something, as they had the writing "Scotland" on them. Yeah. Says it all ;)



Another poor umbrella that didn't make it:



So we went into the National Gallery. We did not take any pictures inside but I saw people taking some freely, apparently it is not forbidden?

I loved the paintings and the art but let's be honest, the best thing about this building was that it was dry and storm-free ;)



Later I regretted we didn't, as I remembered that this is exactly where John Barrowman and his sister Carole had sat, looking for new paintings to use in their "Hollow Earth" book series, which I can highly recommend by the way.

Comments

[catspaw-sgjd.livejournal.com]

*g* Give me a shout when next you're over, we could maybe meet up?

Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat are two different hills, The one with the mock Parthenon on the top is definitely Calton Hill (and no, there's no guard or anything, you just wander up it. I'm just surprised, given our nanny council, that there was no warning out about it!) The Parthenon is always referred to as 'Edinburgh's Disgrace': it was meant to be completed to mark the Napoleonic Wars, but was never finished due to lack of funds.

Arthur's Seat is the one that looks (from a certain angle) like a sleeping lion. It's the one that's in the Queen's Park at the Palace of Holyrood House, at the bottom end of the Royal Mile, behind the Parliament Building. (And if *anything* should be referred to as 'Edinburgh's Disgrace, is that damned monstrosity... But that's a rant for a different day *g*)

Edited to add: I've just noticed you can see it in picture #19, the hill in the far distant middle of the shot, with the line of Salisbury Crags in front of it.

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

I'd love that! It's always nice when locals show you around. If you ever come to Dresden, I'd like to return the favour! Here's a sneak peek: http://dieastra.livejournal.com/39239.html

And this beautiful landscape is only one hour by train away. See, we have also beautiful places! http://dieastra.livejournal.com/70713.html

I just don't know how possible it will be next January. I do have shows booked for each evening Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4rth. I arrive on Thursday and leave on Monday. I don't remember how long the train from Glasgow took - an hour or longer? So would it be really worth it, arriving around 10.00 maybe and having to leave again already at 4.30 to be back in time for the show (which should start at 7 PM)? I'd rather come at a time when I don't have to hurry home. Plus Summer time might indeed be better.

Ah I see, I looked it up on a map now. Yes, definitely Calton Hill. The Arthur's Seat came from the first comment I received in here. I was really surprised that you have so much green / nature in the middle of the city, I love that! In walking distance. I could bring the Doctor and we could take some nice pictures of him there!

Looking at my pictures again, I notice (blown over) fences. What are they for? Is there some reconstruction going on?

[catspaw-sgjd.livejournal.com]

Dresden and environs look gorgeous, I'll hold you to that :-)

Doesn't matter what month you visit, if I'm here, I'd love to show you around! As to the crowd barriers, I guess they'd be something to do with the Hogmanay celebrations.

And I'd think the Doctor would do well at the summit of Arthur's Seat, or on the Crags. But there's a lot of 'off the beaten track' places that would do equally well :-)

[dieastra.livejournal.com]

Ah, I forgot something. Totally unrelated, but did you see my picture with Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping and Michael Shanks? Apparently that has never happened anywhere in the world before. They came to Germany in May, and here's the pic:

http://dieastra.livejournal.com/107241.html

[catspaw-sgjd.livejournal.com]

Nice pic! I got one with Shanks and Judge at Shitticon (I think) and RDA and Amanda at Avalon, but never more than with two of them at a time. You're lucky! Also, the 'facepalm' photo is terric!