With my better half back in Australia for a wedding, and the day off work, I decided to grab the camera and do a bit of aimless wandering around the city.
Sergeant Jamie Shannon (Shannon the Cannon) cleaning and preparing the gun for the 1 o'clock firing. Sergeant Shannon has been in charge since 2006.
The Walter Scott monument (the Gothic Rocket) rising in the background of Princes Street Gardens. The many gardens dotted about the city transform it during this time of year from its grey, dark and damp Winter appearance, and support its reputation as one of Europe's prettiest.
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| Approaching the Castle gates |
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| Looking north across the New Town to the Forth from the safe confines of the Castle walls. |
Ready, aim, click! The crowd waiting to take a photo of the 1 o'clock gun. Bit more of an audible experience. I imagine that when they show people the photo of the gun being fired, they follow up with, "you should have heard how loud it was".
The Royal Mile (near St Giles) is a hive of activity at the best of times, yet with spring upon the city it seems to heave that little bit more. Looking forward to the Festival!
Street performer Todd Various amusing a large crowd on the Royal Mile. Don't leave just before the end without paying (he has a preference for notes), or he will shame you in front of the assembled crowd. I believe he will be around for the Festival.
The gardens below the Mound looking up at the Bank of Scotland, not to be confused with the Royal Bank of Scotland. It opened for business in 1696 and was the first bank in Europe to issue paper currency. It is free to visit the museum.
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| Looking across Princes Street gardens to the Castle |
