The Walking Man...

...was indeed a great song for James Taylor in 1974.  I suspect that as of today I have logged approximately 6 miles of walking around this fair city.  It's a balmy 46 degrees, but for the moment the rain has stopped. Parts of England are experiencing severe flooding, so clouds and a light mist are rather comforting.

This morning after being awoken by the wee street sweepers, I set out to locate the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH), where I will undertake my fellowship.  I took the scenic route, and during my trek I discovered that Madonna is performing sometime in July, and Princes Street is open only to pedestrians due to a tram system that is in various stages of construction (and for several years now, I am told).  According to several people with whom I spoke, the locals are none too happy about this.   

View from my office window

At the IASH, my office overlooks The Meadows, a rather large park in Edinburgh.  
Trees are in full blossom, although today there were not many people sharing a picnic basket in the rain (wet haggis does not sound particularly appealing).  During my fellowship, I am to take part in a seminar series and attend lectures and other sponsored events, such as the weekly luncheon for Institute fellows.

My office at the IASH

Walter Scott Monument

Scott Monument

On my way back from the Institute, I snapped a few pictures of places in and around town.  The Walter Scott monument - designed by George Kemp and constructed in the 1840s - is the largest monument in the world dedicated to a literary figure.  From 1814, Scott contributed much in the way of stories about Scotland; although a poet early in his career, Scott's best-seller Waverley (the first historical novel ever written) secured his reputation among the first ranks of literary giants.