Exuberant Edinburgh

Looking up the bank from Dean Village to St. Mary's Cathedral

From my last post I mentioned that unfortunately the whole time I was in Edinburgh it rained.  But I did not let that deter me from exploring the city I have been to at least 3 or 4 times previously.  Amazingly enough however, there is lots I have not seen before.  And to top it all off, I always do the trek from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace (the Royal Mile) but I have never been to the other side of the Royal Mile – I always just cover the distance between Princess Street, which runs parallel, and the Royal Mile.  So this time I decided to explore the other side as well.

Looking up at the Castle from the bottom side opposite Princess Street - does that make sense?

As I arrived on this side – I think it was Chambers St and perhaps Market St. although I am now going from memory, I found a very vibrant area where the festival was also in full bloom.  As I was walking along, festival performers hand out flyers of various acts including their own.  One in particular, Sir Henry Cheese-Badger, was doing a show called Hairy Dave.  Well this seemed appealing as it was apparently both funny and a little scary, and free.  So while I awaited it’s start time, I wandered a bit more around this area that was totally new to me.

The multiple layers of buildings and terraces on the Victoria St./Bow Road

I must look like a funny character as I walk around as my eyes and head are always turned upward as I try to take in the architecture and all the buildings.  There is so much to see in this city as the historical buildings are many and are in great form.  You truly do get a sense of what it might have been like to live here back in the 1600 – 1700s.

Layers of buildings and roof lines as I look up the incline towards the Royal Mile from Candlemaker's Row

In anycase, after a quick wander about, I made my way back to the Beehive Inn to see the Sir Henry Cheese-Badger tell his story about Hairy Dave.  It was an old fashioned telling of a story in poem about a mysterious healthy-eating guru with a magical beard, and his nemesis, the fiendish Lady Dutton.  Well I have to say, it was very well done and I had a number of laughs.

A man on stilts attaches posters to a pole

It was so great that I happen to coincide my visit to my Aunts with the festival although this had not been intentional.  There was a great energy in the air and all sorts of silly things going on.

A man with no head

I can’t imagine being a performer at this festival – actually there were three different festivals going on simultaneously – as there is so much competition to get people to come to your show.  You, as the performer, and perhaps friends, hawk pamphlets to your show on the sidewalk to whomever is kind enough to take one.  Although I have to say that it is a great way to find out about shows.  You just roam the streets, take the pamphlets and the ones that appeal most to you – you go to see.  So you really do not have to do any planning at all.  On my last night I went to see a Canadian comedian Dana Alexander and she was really good.  I had to go out to support her.  Her audience was only about 25 or so but they say that often 6 is the average.  So she was doing pretty well.  If you ever see her playing nearby your place, go see her.  A bit on the crass side but funny.

A Man Goat Playing Bagpipes – This one’s for you Mum

This video above is of this guy dressed up as a Mangoat (can’t remember the term for this) playing bagpipes.  He was not very good but he was funny and I just had to get a video for my Mum.  Unfortunately you will have to look at it sideways.

Holyrood Palace

So after a bit more wandering around, I headed to Holyrood Palace and Arthur’s Seat.  I didn’t go into the Palace this time but I will have to next time.  Also I did not climb up Arthur’s Seat as I have done that a number of times, but what I do love is that this amazing park and hill are right in the city.  Actually Edinburgh is great for being close to park like settings.  What can I say, such a great place.

Arthur's Seat - but you really are not seeing all that it is.