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| WWII Monument, Old Calton Cemetery |
Taking advantage of the nice weather (by nice, I mean temperatures in the upper 50s and mostly sunny), Melinda and I climbed Calton Hill. Purchased during the eighteenth century, it was probably the first public park in Scotland. Philosopher and Enlightenment thinker David Hume was instrumental in lobbying the town council to build a pathway within the park so that inhabitants might benefit from the positive effects of walking.
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| Disgrace? Edinburgh's National Monument |
A collection of various monuments, Calton Hill - for some - is an eyesore. Although the city was once known by the rather distinguished sobriquet of "Athens of the North," the unfinished Acropolis (known as "Edinburgh's Disgrace) stands as a rather ironic reminder of Edinburgh's cultural and social aspirations. Other iconic symbols include the City Observatory, a cairn commemorating the return of the Scottish Parliament, and monuments to Nelson, William Playfair, and Dugald Stewart.
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| Nelson Monument |
The Nelson Monument - if one is willing to climb - offers great views of the city. At the top sits a wooden ball which falls every day at 13:00, in conjunction with the one o'clock gun fired from the castle. During the nineteenth century, the Time Ball was used so that ships would be able to synchronize their chronometers.
And in other news...Dr. Amos arrived safely, no worse for the wear and ready to explore the town. When asked for a comment, Dr. Amos quipped "Anna, Mark is working hard. I am certainly impressed with what he has accomplished. He truly is an ambassador for DCC." Editor's Note: of course this is an exact quote.
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| View of the castle from the Nelson Monument |
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The River Dee, also known
Drinkard's Dip |
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