Last week we decided to have another jaunt over to Edinburgh, mainly to visit the J.M.W. Turner watercolour exhibition which is on every January and then disappears for the rest of the year.
So we made our way along Princes Street to The National Gallery where we met up with a couple of family members who had never seen the watercolours. You can have a look at the collection and watch a wee video here. It’s a bit of an annual pilgrimage for us, but this time it was busier than usual, it serves us right for going on a Saturday!
After that it was time for lunch so we crossed Princes Street and went up South Saint David Street (I think – I’m not good with Edinburgh’s geography), turned left into George Street to have lunch at The Dome. It’s a fabulously ornate building in Edinburgh’s New Town (which of course is quite old by now, Georgian in fact.)
The Dome was indeed originally a bank, it definitely has that feel about it, very opulent, all of our poshest buildings seem to have been built by banks – nothing changes does it?
You can see more images of The Dome here.
After that we went back up to Princes Street, really so that we could sign up to become ‘friends’ of The National Galleries.
Then we walked through the Christmas market, I thought it would have been cleared away by now but it’s still hanging on. It is really incongruous to see these fairground rides sitting cheek by jowl with Sir Walter Scott’s monument. I must say that they do get a great view of it from those swing seats but you won’t catch me up there!
What a lovely building and restaurant. We didn’t make it into the National Gallery on our visit to Edinburgh, but we did tour the National Museum of Scotland. Maybe next time, we can see the art gallery. I’m glad we weren’t there during the holidays since I enjoyed seeing the city without the Christmas market. I just returned from being in Germany for a few weeks visiting with my son and his wife. They have fantastic Christmas markets, but it was kind of nice seeing places after they were cleared away, too.
Paula
Paula,
You went on quite a trek to get up to the National Museum – from the centre anyway. There are quite a lot of art galleries to look around, but I find it tiring, they are always seem too hot to me.
I’ve often wondered of the German Christmas markets are very different from the ones here, I’ve only ever been there in the summer.
The Dome is indeed a magnificent structure, and beautifully appointed within.
I suppose the banks intended to evoke an atmosphere of solid wealth and permanence, and the seriousness with which financial matters should properly be regarded.
Most interesting link to the video about the Turner watercolours and the Vaughan bequest, thank you.
(following bunny-trails as usual, about the New Town and the Nor Loch – fascinating!)
Valerie,
I’m so pleased that you find these posts interesting, I enjoy bunny trails too! I suppose they’re the modern equivalent of when I looked up a word in the dictionary and my eye was taken by other words that just had to be investigated!
Katrina, I am now very jealous! I read about this Turner exhibition a couple of weeks back – there’s a similar one in Dublin I understand. I was – still am – very keen to see it and rather like the idea of Edinburgh in January. B is not keen however and since it’s his birthday next week it seems reasonable to do something he will enjoy. I’m still tempted by a last minute dash before the month ends. And if I make it, I shall definitely try the Dome for lunch. It looks stunning!
(Love that photo of the swing seats – but ooooh no – there is no way I would be up there!)
Sandra,
As it’s B’s birthday maybe a trip to Dublin would be in order then, it’s supposed to be lovely but I’ve never been. If you want to ‘do’ Edinburgh on a shoestring (I think accommodation in town can be very expensive) – you could always try air BnB.
It all looks amazing! I’d love to have lunch in The Dome – so very lovely. I still want to plan a trip to Scotland some day so I’ll keep that in mind.
Anbolyn,
Let me know when you’re coming and we can at least meet up for lunch!
I love the idea of the annual pilgrimage to see the watercolours! And the Dome looks gorgeous! I really enjoy the juxtaposition of the ride and the monument in the last photo.
Christy,
I’m glad you found that interesting. The monument is over 200 feet high which gives you an idea of how high those swings are!
Wow, the Dome is gorgeous! Those swings look like fun to me! đŸ™‚
Stefanie,
You must have a good head for heights!