Far From The Madding Crowd......

It's the 70th Anniversary of the Edinburgh International Festival and they've come in their droves, from all corners of the globe, to see the sights and sounds of the Big City. Personally, I don't think you could cram anymore people in within its perimeters. I've never seen it so busy as it was yesterday when I took myself there on my annual cultural outing. It was really, really busy and I couldn't be bothered battling the crowds so headed to the 'New Town' district which is a short walk

 

  from Princes Street and popped into the Scottish National Portrait Gallery for a bit of decorum....

..an Eduardo Paolozzi bronze bust of John Smith who was a prominent politician in Scotland (before the present lot of crazies took up residence at Holyrood!). He was a great statesman and there's no-one who comes close in the present administration. I like his 'geeky' glasses too!....then upstairs to the galleries, the first one of which houses many beautiful paintings of Scotland through the ages. ....Some famous Scottish names you  might recognise

...I particularly liked these plaques which denoted the wives of past Kings of Scotland. Nice of them to get a mention, I thought.

....then into the library, which is quite small but which houses many,many antiquarian books and the marble busts you can see are of famous Scots, one of whom I mistook for J.K. Rowling - can you see the resemblance? It is in fact a lady of much high-standing in Scotland. Her full title is Baroness Helena Kennedy of the Shaws Q.C. - what a great handle!

This lady looked very kind. I forget her name.

Time is alwaysmarching, isn't it?

I looked for my family name in here but alas, they must have forgotten to include it before it went off to Pall Mall for publishing!  I shall complain.

I thought these were an interesting addition to the library cases. You've probably heard of them. They're the infamous body-snatchers/grave robbers (all in the name of science, apparently!), Burke and Hare. They don't look very jolly characters.

and in this case, some very famous faces. The top right-hand is Benjamin Franklin (for my American pals). Don't worry, they're not death masks or anything (though Burke and Hare's were!), just casts which were taken when the faces were still alive!

I have no idea who this chap is but I thought he looked very Byron-esque and equally handsome. I shall research him and get back to you.

Then back downstairs into the main foyer, where a large marble statue of Scotland's Bard, Robert Burns, is in prominence.

and by way of a complete contrast, this exhibit at his feet which - you'll never believe it - is in fact a piece of contemporary art which was recently installed as part of the Festival. It's called 'Blackened Burns'. I actually thought it was a whole statue which someone had accidentally knocked over!

Then a gentle stroll along these lovely streets filled with lovely houses and pretty window boxes.

....and next stop, one of my favourite wool/yarn shops and always worth a visit when in Edinburgh (I was very reserved and didn't buy anything. I could start my own wool shop with my current stash!). Then it was time for a much-needed pitstop.

and on to my next venue which was a lovely little art gallery, where a friend was holding an exhibition of his recent work.

I liked his cushion. It goes really well on that chair.

and these fisherwomen were beautifully made and in pretty colours.

Many,many moons ago and in a galaxy far,far away, I worked in one of these offices. I can't believe I'm the same person. Well, same but different.

Then it was time to head uptown amongst the melee and mayhem to catch my train home ......ghost tour anyone?....until next time

xoxoxoxo