As Evee said, the first thing we did when we got to Edinburgh was to pay a visit to the old cemetery across from Calton Hill in Waterloo Place. I wanted to take a photo of the names on the Martyrs’ Monument as I only took a photo of William Skirving’s name the last time I was there. You can see my previous post here.
We huffed and puffed up to Calton Hill which isn’t far and is well worth doing because on a clear day the views across to Fife and of the city of Edinburgh are great. In this one you can see one of the islands in the Firth of Forth. I can’t remember what it’s called but it’s the one which is shaped like a battleship and the Germans apparently tried to sink it on numerous bombing raids during World War II
This is the unfinished monument nicknamed Edinburgh’s Disgrace, there was actually a lot going on behind this edifice, you can just see a white van on the right hand side peeking out but there was also a digger and several men hacking away at the ground behind the base of the pillars – who knows what was going on?!
There are a lot of buildings scattered around Calton Hill and the right hand one is obviously the observatory but I can’t remember what the wee sort of mausoleum type building is commemorating.
This one is the Nelson Monument which was built to commemorate Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. You get a lovely view from the top of it and it’s worth trudging up the 100 and odd steps to get there. John, the custodian goes up them every day about 12.50 so that he has time to wind the huge copper ball up in time for it to be dropped at 1 o’clock. In the days when very few people had a watch it was useful for the folks on ships out in the Forth, not that there are many ships today, just a few oil/gas tankers usually.
THe monument used to be inhabited by its custodian but isn’t nowadays, shame because it would make a lovely wee home, I quite fancied the idea of living there but I’m keen on lighthouses too, don’t ask me why because I’m not crazy about the sea, unless there is plenty of greenery in the view too.
So that’s a wee bit more of our trip round Edinburgh. Evee did a much more in depth one which you can see here if you’re interested. Her photos are much artier than my snaps!
Aw shucks, arty, eh? You do know I edit all mine before putting them on the website?!!!! You have some nice shots there, albeit squint! Mine often are too, though I’m improving! The wee mausoleum is apparently a monument to the architect William Playfair, and I think the island is Inchkeith! I looked it up after our visit and it wasn’t Inchcolm as we thought so I think it must be Inchkeith. I reckon the men were building up a platform so Edinburgh’s Disgrace can be finished, and then they can give the name to the tram system!!! Skirving link it just brought me back to the current post.
By the way when I clicked on your
Evee,
That’s what comes of blogging past midnight! I’ve fixed the link now. Yes I realised when I looked at the photos that it wasn’t Inchcolm, I think you’re right about Inchkeith. Do you think the tram system will ever be finished – you’re so optimistic!!
They are good photos, and I like the Nelson Monument. Which has made me think I must go and take a photo of the one which we have down here – which is ironically enough nowhere near HMS Victory and the other places he visited before he went off to the Battle.
Edinburgh Disgrace reminds me of one of those optical illusion pictures, how many columns can you see. No doubt the digging though was to do with Health and Safety!
Jo,
I’d love to see some photos of your area as I haven’t been there before but plan to visit sometime. I think you’re near Chawton. We did think it might be Health and Safety nonsense as it was all coned off and I’m sure you used to be able to climb on to the base.
How wonderful that you were able to meet up with Evee! It looks like you had a fun day with lots of exercise đŸ™‚ The view from Calton Hill is amazing and I love the look of the Nelson Monument.
Anbolyn,
It was a good day out, it’s a shame you live so far away! I live on the other side of the river and it’s always a surprise to see what it looks like from Edinburgh.