Make Hay Whilst the Sun Shines

The sun brings out the best in people.  Well, if not the best, then it brings out the tourists.  The tourists always look lost, always have a map, and are constantly turning said map as if constant manipulation will reveal the correct path.  I prefer not to use a map and roam aimlessly, pretending to know exactly where I am going and always giving directions if asked.  I passed one American family - or rather they passed me - four times.  Instead of "Look kids!  Big Ben, Parliament" I heard "If I pass that sheep place one more time..."  I think he meant woollen shop, but point taken.  Sheep shrink in water...

Double-Decker Bus

The morning and part of the afternoon were spent in the NLS, looking up references to clubs and societies.  For example, the Hell-Fire Club, the Poker Club, and the Edinburgh Society.  The Hell-Fire Club must not agree with the sculpture in yesterday's blog.  I've yet to delve too deeply into those records, but I'm sure the results will be quite wonderful (he said with a devilish grin).  Tom Swiftie was Scottish.

The Balmoral Hotel

I roamed the remainder of the afternoon, taking in the sights and snapping photos.  The Balmoral Hotel is quite the place, boasting 188 bedrooms, several restaurants, a spa, swimming pool, gym, sauna, and steam room.  Rooms start around $250, although deluxe suites cost only a fraction more at $1400.  

Quite prominent throughout the city are the closes, which are narrow passages between buildings, often allowing pedestrians access to streets on lower (or upper) levels.  They are quite useful although often a steep flight of stone steps is part of the climb or descent.  Mary King's Close is perhaps the most famous.  During the seventeenth century plague struck the city, and inhabitants were essentially entombed in the close to contain the plague.  Edinburgh is a city of layers: space is limited, so the city was built over older editions, if you will.  It is said that Mary King's Close is haunted, and one can take a tour of the underground city and leave gifts for the various ghosts.

The Union Flag and the Scottish Saltire