Saughton Park & Winter Garden

Balgreen Road, Edinburgh, EH11  3BQ
0131 529 7921
parks@edinburgh.gov.uk
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/saughtonpark

Long before it became a public park, the land now encompassing Saughton Park and Gardens was part of the ancient Saughton Estate and its historic mansion house. 

Perhaps harder to imagine is that in 1908, over 3 and half million people visited the park to see spectacular Scottish National Exhibition which included exhibition halls, concert hall, model railway and even gondolas.

Visitors today can enjoy landscaped gardens, a lovely rose garden and winter garden, children's play area and skate park.

A Friends group was formed in 2014 with a view to restoring the park to its former glory.

H Mural Trail

What are the signs of gentrification? Coffee shops? Direct action? Murals? Community Gardens? Yarn-bombing? Bunting?  We don't know, but we heart wandering around and spotting signs of change. 

This trail will take about 30 minutes to walk this 1.4m trail – and you will be rewarded by official and unofficial street art along the way and a cuppa at the end:

Halmyre Street Mural

11 Halmyre St, Edinburgh EH6 8QA

The mural, coordinated by local art project, Leith Late, features the SS Explorer, the last steam ship to be registered in Leith and now one of the last surviving steam powered trawlers in the world.

Artists include Rabiya Choudhry, Fraser Douglas, DUFI, Fraser Gray, Martin McGuinness and Skint Richie.

Henderson Street Mural

77 Henderson Street, Edinburgh EH6 6ED

Russell Ian Dempster's bold homage to the Leith-born Eduardo Paolozzi on a derelict shop front.

Haven Mural

9 Anchorfield, Edinburgh EH6 4JG

0131 467 7513

havencafe.co.uk

With it's vintage mirrors and comfy armchairs, the Haven Cafe has the feel of a old-fashioned tea room. The real surprise however is Michael Clark's mural on the exterior wall featuring teapot, roses and a gramophone.

Ramsay Cornish lane sale auction

As well as traditional and specialist auctions, Ramsay Cornish hold cash only 'Lane Sales' on Thursdays at 11am. You can view the items from 9.30am on the day of the sale. It's more flea market than antique but that's half the fun.

15-17 Jane Street, Edinburgh EH6 5HE

0131 553 7000

info@ramsaycornish.com

ramsaycornish.com

@CornishRamsay

Queen Charlotte Street Figurehead

63 Queen Charlotte Street, Edinburgh EH6 7EY.

A female figurehead protrudes from the wall of what is now an architect's office.

At the other end of Queen Charlotte Street, where it meets Water Street, look up to the first floor where you will a curious Blue Coupons ghost sign “All wise ladies collect blue coupons”.

Police Box Museum

3a Braid Hills Road, Edinburgh EH10 6LA

www.angusself.co.uk

This police box is one of 86 designed by Ebenezer MacRae. It was restored in 2013 by Angus Self, great grandson of the late Chief Constable, Roderick Ross, who introduced the two-tonne cast iron structures to Edinburgh in 1933. The police box will be open for view on specific days of the year.

Some of Edinburgh's police phone boxes have been converted into snack kiosks but many more are in a sorry state of disrepair. The last 20 blue boxes still in the ownership of Lothian & Borders police were put up for sale in August 2014.

The police boxes installed in Edinburgh were quite different from the 'TARDIS” design used in London, being considerably larger and more rectangular. This hasn't stopped one householder from converting the front door of their private residence to resemble Doctor Who's famous time machine. The Liberton TARDIS can be seen at Kenilworth Drive, Edinburgh EH16 6DD.

See some more of Edinburgh's iconic boxes here (via Edinburgh Reportage)

Museums Collection Centre

Located on the site of a 19th century flesh, fish and poultry market, the centre today houses the reserve collections of the city museums, there are many interesting objects on ‘open storage’ display, especially social history objects, decorative art and archaeology collections.

Open for group and individual visits on the first Tuesday of the month at 2pm. Advance booking advisable. Research and study visits by arrangement. Strictly for the curious.

10 Broughton Market, Edinburgh, EH3 6NU
0131 556 9536
www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/Museum-Collections-Centre
museumcollectionscentre@edinburgh.gov.uk
@EdinCulture

Horne Terrace Mural

On a gable end is an engrossing hyper-realistic mural painted in the late 70s by Robert Callender, a hugely popular teacher at Edinburgh College of Art and President of the Society of Scottish Artists.

The world needs more gable end murals. The world needs more Robert Callenders.

Horne Terrace, Edinburgh EH11 1JJ

The Green Banana, Marchmont

Marchmont Crescent/Roseneath Place, Edinburgh EH9

A 100m x 2m crescent-shaped strip of land that was formerly a dumping ground for bottles, fag ends and dog dirt has been planted up with more than 40 varieties of shrubs and flowers.

However, this isn't the work of an 'In Bloom' committee – the 'Green Banana' has been taken over by guerrilla gardeners, led by an octogenerian botanist.

Join them from 11a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday mornings of each month.

EH15 Training Restaurant

The rooftop restaurant and bar is based in The Club, Edinburgh College’s premium spa facility, with swimming pool, health suite, gym, hair and beauty salons.

EH15 offers the opportunity for fine dining at affordable prices while giving hospitality students experience of working in a real restaurant.



Edinburgh College, 24 Milton Road East, Edinburgh EH15 2PP

eh15@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

http://www.theclubedinburgh.com/

@eh15restaurant

Edinburgh Trades

The Edinburgh Trades, or The Convenery Of The Trades Of Edinburgh, to give the organisation it's full name, represents the Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh, and has done so since about the year 1562. The 14 trade bodies include Surgeons (incorporated in 1505) and the comparatively juvenile Candlemakers (incorporated in 1753).

To arrange a visit to to Ashfield to view the artifacts connected with the various trade contact the Convenery through the website or check for current exhibitions.

Ashfield, 61 Melville Street, Edinburgh EH3 7HL

edinburgh-trades.org

 

The Dean Gardens, Stockbridge

Dean Gardens Administration, PO Box 28508, Edinburgh, EH4 1ZS

deangardens.org

Encompassing over seven acres, the Dean Gardens are the largest of the four 'pleasure grounds' to border the Water of Leith.

The lay-out of pathways, lawns and the wooden pavilion are virtually unchanged from the original Victorian era plans but the tennis court has been replaced with a well equipped children's play area.

Unlike the private amenity gardens of Queen Street, membership of Dean Gardens is available by application, rather than by address. Membership cost is around £130 per annum.

Helen Crummy Memorial

In the 60s, one of Helen Crummy's three sons showed an interest in music but, when she asked the headmaster for violin lessons he said it was hard enough to get the kids to learn the basics, let alone music lessons.

Undeterred, Helen and others founded The Craigmillar Festival Society – a venture which has been lauded worldwide for its innovative approach to community arts, social change and community action (at one point, the CFS bypassed the Scottish Office and won funding from the European Community, helping neighbourhood projects and generating 700 jobs).

The sculpture, by Tim Chalk, was unveiled in 2014, the 50th anniversary of the Craigmillar Festival and shows Helen with her son...and his violin.

East Neighbourhood Centre, 101 Niddrie Mains Road, Edinburgh EH16 4DS

Craigentinny Marbles

Also known as the Christie Miller Mausoleum, the Craigentinny Marbles were built as a tomb and monument to William Henry Christie Miller.

Miller left instructions that after his death (in 1848) he was to be buried in a 20-foot-deep pit in a field on his estate above which there was to be a monument 'in commemoration of the private virtues of the deceased, for, as a public character he was unknown.' A large and elaborate mausoleum was completed in 1856 and decorated with sculptured friezes by Alfred Gatley depicting 'The Overthrow of Pharaoh in the Red Sea' and 'The Song of Moses and Miriam'.

Today the mausoleum looks quite odd nestled among 1930's bungalows.

Although considerably altered, William Miller's residence, Craigentinny Castle, still survives and is today better known as Craigentinny Community Education Centre.

3C Craigentinny Crescent, Edinburgh EH7 6QA 

Corstophine Hill & Tower

Corstorphine Hill, one of Edinburgh's largest public parks has been designated as both a Regionally Important Geological Site and a Local Nature Reserve. It is managed by the Ranger Service, assisted by the Friends of Corstorphine Hill who organise events and tours of Corstorphine Hill Tower.

While in the area, look out for Alexander Stoddart's Kidnapped statue (64 Corstorphine Road) depicting the novel's characters David Balfour and Alan Breck Stewart at their final parting on Corstorphine Hill.

http://corstorphinehill.org.uk

Constitution Street

@Constitution_St


What's not to love about a street that tweets?

Look out for the following quirky features in Constitution Street:

7-27 - Dalton Scrapyard – the walls which enclose it are 17th century – look for a lintel inscribed with three anchors.

29 - former Corn Exchange – the building has a frieze showing drunken cherubs loading corn onto ships.

36-42 – 18th century houses – these houses pre-date the building of the road which means...the once ground floor rooms are now in the basement!

58 - Port O Leith Pub – a.k.a. “The Sunshine Bar” in Trainspotting.

63 – at the entrance to this private residence can be seen faded lettering 'C J Turcan & Co' who traded in esparto, a perennial grass of north Africa and southern Europe, used to make paper and cord.

104 - boarded up windows have been brightened up with wooden faces by artist Bernie Reid. You can see examples of Bernie's work in Habitat, i-D Magazine and...Albert Place (see “After hours”)!

The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centre

The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centre is situated in an elegant Victorian townhouse with bay windows sweeping staircase and an elaborate domed ceiling.

Within these elegant surrounds is the Edinburgh Association of Spiritualists which runs weekly meetings, classes and workshops for those seeking to learn more about mediumship and psychic awareness.

The centre is also home to the Psychical Research and Investigation Unit which hosts a series of evening lectures as well as vigils in reputedly haunted locations, old-fashioned seances and evenings of psychic experiments.

The Centre also boasts The Conan Doyle Cafe – a traditional, Victorian Tearoom serving hand-blended herbal teas including Herbal Chai, Clear Skin and Immune Tea with Echinacea.


The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centre

25 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 5AP

0131 625 0700

info@arthurconandoylecentre.com

arthurconandoylecentre.com

@acdcentre

Cockburn Geological Museum

Dedicated to the study of rocks and the minerals, the collections reflect the whole spectrum of Earth Science materials - minerals, rocks, fossils, tools, maps, photographs and works of academic importance.

Access is by prior arrangement

School of GeoSciences, The University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW

0131 650 8536

cockburn.museum@ed.ac.uk

geos.ed.ac.uk/public/cockburn

Charlie's Chocolate Factory

When Charles William Schulze decided to set up his Continental Chocolate factory in Portobello in 1911, he discovered that it would have to be made of reinforced concrete because of the clay soil and the heavy machinery used.

After the outbreak of war, suspicion fell on the extremely strong premised and paranoid locals began to speculate the strengthened floors were really bearing the weight of weapons and that the German workers were really spies.

An inspection of the factory revealed nothing sinister, however, it was discovered that Charles Schulze, despite living in Scotland for 50 years, had never applied for British citizenship and was therefore considered an enemy alien.

The military felt that it was not in the public interest for such a strong building in an important strategic position to be in 'enemy hands' and for the rest of the war, the chocolate factory was used as accommodation for the troops. Although compensated, Charles had to pay rates and taxes.

Tragically, his losses were not just financial. His sons William, a private in the Cameron Highlanders, and Hugh, a lieutenant in the Dorset Regiment, died fighting against the Germans.

After the war, the chocolate factory was converted into a technical college and in the 1990s it was turned into flats. It has a category A listed building status as it is one of the few works using E P Wells, patented system of reinforced concrete.
Inchview Terrace 

Cancer Research UK Pound Outlet Store

It's a charity shop + a pound shop!  Hurrah for ethical bargains! 

Unit 4, Corstorphine Retail Park, Edinburgh EH12 8HW

0131 334 4050

http://cancerresearchuk.org

If you love charity shops, take a look at the Changeworks Charity Shop and Reuse Map.

Caledonian Brewery Company Limited

caledonianbeer.com

Tours aren't offered as a matter of course but if you are part of a group, you might get lucky.

42 Slateford Road, Edinbugh EH11 1PH

0131 337 1286

Waterfront

Saltire Square is the main public space on Waterfront Avenue. Built in 2004, it includes the Vincent Butler Sculpture 'Going to the Beach' which stands in a reflecting pond.

The Edinburgh Waterfront Promenade will form a continuous walkway/cycleway extending for almost 17km linking the river Esk at Joppa in the east to the river Almond at Cramond in the west.

The Edinburgh Waterfront is one of the most significant waterfront regeneration projects in Europe today and – if it goes ahead (and this area has suffered worst than most with stalled projects and the promised trams not materialising) – then by 2037, around 30,000 new homes will be built, as well as significant amounts of new business, retail and leisure facilities, supported by new schools, health facilities and open spaces.

In January 2015, a masterplan for Edinburgh Marina - a 400-berth marina, residential, retail and spa hotel development for Granton Harbour - were submitted to Edinburgh Council.  

EH5

waterfront-ed.com

http://edinburgh-marina.co.uk/ 

Caiy Stane

Situated in a recess in the wall on the eastern side of Caiystane View, near the junction with Oxgangs Road, this 9ft redstone monolith is an arresting sight in the residential district of Fairmilehead.

It is thought to mark the site of an ancient battle and is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.

Caiystane View, Oxgangs Road, Edinburgh EH10

The Bore Stane

The red stone sits on a plinth built into the wall of the former Morningside Parish Church. It was placed here in 1910 as a memorial to the battle of Flodden.

Morningside Road, Edinburgh 

Bliss Spa Hair & Beauty Academy

Bliss Spa & Beauty, based in The Club, Edinburgh College's spa facility, offers the public a wide variety of treatments with experienced students, under the supervision of their lecturers, in a luxurious setting.

Enjoy being pampered at a fraction of the cost you might expect to pay elsewhere.

Edinburgh College, 24 Milton Road East, Edinburgh EH15 2PP

0131 344 7348

bliss@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.

http://www.theclubedinburgh.com/

Big Chair Sculpture

The large grey granite chair, which was designed by Doug Cocker, was installed in 2004 to mark the regeneration of the Niddrie Mains area.

Oversized chairs as public art is nothing new – Washington DC, Geneva, Dartmoor, all have them but there is something about Niddrie's chair that looks utilitarian and unfriendly.

Perhaps, when tourists ask for directions to Arthur's Seat, they should be directed here...


Hay Avenue, Edinburgh EH16 4AQ

Beer Movers

In 1989, Edinburgh Council launched a Percent For Art scheme, under which a housing developer allocates a percentage of capital construction costs to works of art one the site. The scheme funded several artworks including the Beer Movers which is a nod to the site's brewing past.

Other Percent for Art commissions include Horse and Rider at Rutland Court and Horse, Rider, Eagle at Silvermills, both by Eoghan Bridge.

Easter Dalry Road, Edinburgh 

Barnton Quarry Complex

The site consists of two distinct buildings: the RAF WWII Fighter Command Sector Operations Centre (which can be seen from the surface) and the RAF ROTOR R4 Sector Operations Centre Bunker (buried 30m under Corstophine Hill).

The 1400m2 SOC building was built by the Air Ministry before WWII and was used during the war as an active Fighter Command command centre and thereafter for storage and was fully maintained until 1987.

The bunker was originally built for the RAF and during the 1950s was the Sector Operations Centre for coordinating Fighter Command response to UK airspace intrusion by Russian long-range nuclear bombers. Around 1960, the bunker was re-fitted as a Regional Seat of Government with the ability to accommodate 400 staff in the aftermath of a nuclear attack. Ownership transferred to Edinburgh Council in the early 80s and was sold to a private developer in 1989 after which time it suffered from vandalism and theft.

Today, the Barnton Quarry complex is owned by a partnership of individuals who hope to restore the building as a museum and educational centre.

Clermiston Road, Edinburgh (NT203748)

contact@barntonquarry.org.uk

http://barntonquarry.org.uk

@BarntonQuarry




 

West Princes Street Gardens

If you only have limited time in Edinburgh, head for West Princes Street Gardens which, unsurprisingly, is at the west end of Princes Street. The highlights of West Princes Street Gardens include:

The Ross Fountain with its voluptuous naked mermaids pouring water over their ample bosoms which scandalised the neighbouring church Dean (“Grossly indecent and disgusting; insulting and offensive to the moral feelings of the community and disgraceful to the City”).

The Floral Clock at the north-eastern edge of WPSG has been planted out every summer since 1903. It takes up to 40,000 plants to create a different theme each year. Recent themes have included Fairtrade, Zoo centenary and the Olympics.

The children's play park close to the Ross Fountain has chess-themed play areas for both toddlers and older children. There is a large wooden castle with slide and climbing nets.

Also look out for the cute Gardeners Cottage (the cottage is cute, not the gardener!), the Anne Frank Memorial Stone, and a Footbridge from where you can wave to trains coming to and from Waverley Station.

The Wojtek Memorial Trust has been raising funds to erect a life size bronze tribute to Wojtek the Bear in West Princes Street Gardens and this is hoped to be in place in 2015. 

 

EH2 2HG 

Wardrop's Court

The entrance to Wardrop's Court is embellished with two dragons that date back to 1890s. At that time, Patrick Geddes (see Patrick Geddes Centre) was regenerating the Old Town, by encouraging university students and tutors to live in the community.

The dragons were carved by Geddes’ son Arthur and were restored to their original splendour in 2014.

Wardrop's Court leads into Makars' Court, a peaceful public space, next to the Writers’Museum. Enjoy the tranquility while reading the flagstones inscribed with quotations from Scottish writers from the 14th century to the present day.

EH1 2NY

Waldorf Astoria

More commonly known as “The Caley”, this is one of two station hotels (the other being the Balmoral) in Edinburgh. Walk around the corner to Rutland Street and you can still see the you can still see the gates that led into the former Princes Street Station.


The luxurious lobby lounge was formerly the station concourse and ticket office and is a glamorous setting for afternoon tea.


Look up above the entrance at the four seated figures. Left to right they represent Engineering, Agriculture, Commerce & The Arts. On the eastern (Lothian Road) side of the building, you can see 22 figures keeping watch over the St Cuthbert's kirkyard (sensible given the history of grave robbing).


Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 2AB

0131 222 8888

guest_caledonian@waldorfastoria.com

http://waldorfastoriaedinburgh.com

@hotelcaledonian

Virgin Lounge

Virgin Lounge membership is completely free. You are welcome to borrow an iPad, use the free Wi-Fi and help yourself to free refreshments (yes, really!). Avail yourself of the magazines, papers and television. You can even bring a friend or family member in with you.

But there's a catch...you have to be a Virgin Money customer.

But...you can open a savings account online with £1...

Then, register to use the lounge, they will even remember how you like your coffee. Now that's a hidden gem!


28 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 1AF
0771 2848 300
uk.virginmoney.com
@VM

Victoria Terrace

If anything sums up Edinburgh, it is this curved, quirky street above the colourful shop fronts of Victoria Street below. If you are in Edinburgh only for a short time, head for beautiful Victoria Terrace which runs from George IV Bridge to Johnston Terrace and connects the Lawnmarket (part of the Royal Mile) with the Grassmarket below.

For those with longer time to spare, The Scottish Genealogy Society Family History Centre is located at number 15 and welcomes visitors wishing to trace their family tree.

Edinburgh EH1 2JL

Talbot Rice Gallery

Talbot Rice Gallery is part of the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland. It was established in 1975 and remains an outstanding centre for art and ideas. It comprises two distinct exhibition spaces. The White Gallery, a contemporary light space and The Georgian Gallery which was designed by William Playfair as a natural history museum.

Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL

0131 650 2210

info@talbotrice@ed.ac.uk

trg.ed.ac.uk
@talbotrice75

Stills Gallery

Scotland's centre for photography hosts exhibitions at their Cockburn Street base but few people venture beyond the ground floor gallery.

The resource area on the lower ground floor has a great wee photographic library featuring monographs, artists books, magazines and journals. Relax in the comfy seats and enjoy the free Wi-Fi.

Stills also offer darkroom facilities, run photographic workshops and equipment hire.

23 Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BP

0131 622 6200

info@stills.org

stills.org

@StillsEdinburgh

'Still' @ Old St Paul's Episcopal Church

Originally commissioned by the Ingleby Gallery for the 2004 Edinburgh Art Festival, Still has remained in the Memorial Chapel of St Paul's ever since.

A monumental 12 foot painting by the Scottish artist Alison Watt, depicting swathes of white fabric, Still is both arresting and calming.

39 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DH

0131 556 3332

office@osp.org.uk

osp.org.uk

Space Club

SpaceClub took an empty building and transformed it into a creative hub with rehearsal/meeting rooms, exhibition space and studios.  Sign up to be kept informed of exciting arty events.

Argyle House, 37 Castle Terrace Edinburgh EH1 2EL

info@spaceclub.org.uk

spaceclub.org.uk

@space__club

Simpson & Marwick Tiny Garden

Albany House, 58 Albany St, Edinburgh, EH1 3QR ‎

This minuscule pocket-sized garden is included in the hope that it will inspire office workers to similarly green up their work environment.

Serenity Cafe

Tucked away in Jackson's Entry, one of the closes that runs from the Royal Mile to Holyrood Road, Serenity is a family-friendly cafe run by people in recovery for people in recovery, their friends and families. It's great value and is open seven days a week.

8 Jackson Entry Edinburgh EH8 8PJ

0131 556 8765

mail@comas.org.uk

serenitycafe.co.uk

Secret Arcade

The first challenge is finding the Secret Arcade.

The second, is choosing from the 100+ vodkas

Secret Arcade also serves Polish food and snacks and has a dedicated DJ area – all you need to bring is the DJ.

Jackson's Close, off 48 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PB

0131 220 1297

secret-arcade.com

Scottish Parliament

Enric Miralle's eye-catching design was inspired by the surrounding landscape. The petal-shaped buildings which form the Parliament are constructed from steel, oak, and granite – lots of granite. To get the most out of a trip to the Scottish Parliament, take one of the free tours (booking advisable).

The Scottish Parliament is open to visitors Monday to Saturday and is free of charge to visit. No booking necessary although you will be required to go through security.

When the Parliament is in recess, you are free to look around the Debating Chamber. There is a shop and very nice cafe (the shortbread is really good!). In addition to permanent artworks on display, the Parliament hosts many exhibitions throughout the year.

If you wish to attend a debate or committee meeting you will need to request tickets via the website.

The magic continues on the outside. The ponds are shaped to resemble the building's outline when viewed from above. The landscaped grounds are spectacular.

Take a moment to look at the bike racks. Notice anything unusual? Step back a bit....now do you see it? The four seemingly random shapes, when viewed at the right angle, form....a bike!



Edinburgh EH99 1SP (it even has its own postcode area)
0131 348 5000
sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
scottish.parliament.uk
@scotparl

Regent Road Park

Set in this small, quiet public park is a circle of 32 stone rocks representing each of Scotland's local authorities and showing the diversity of Scotland's geology. Others prefer to think of them as points on a compass and many people think of the Stones of Scotland as a gathering place and place for discussion.

The first stone was laid in 2000 to commemorate the re-opening of the Scottish Parliament which you can see from the park's elevated position. If you want to explore the area below, take Jacob's Ladder.


EH8 8EJ