Hot Art

This is a public work of art in Edinburgh that is 'underlooked' by many. I didn't notice it, although I have passed it many times over years. Many cars pass it, but it is on a junction where you need to keep your eyes on other traffic. And if you are a pedestrian... it kind of passes over your head:

Quarter Mile - Clash of Style

From one side...

... or the other

...this is an abomination. No wonder UNESCO has threatened to withdraw Edinburgh's status as World Heritage Site when this plan was approved back in 2008.

They backed down, but I wonder if they regret that now!


the new blocks are just plonked between the Victorian blocks of the old Edinburgh Royal Infirmary  effectively doubling the concentration but without the slightest concern for "fitting in".

The modern dominates:

The latest phase looks worse than the rest:

Whatever this is, it's not "sympathetic".

Lauriston Place - On the fringe

Here's a horrible building. Built in 1977 The Hunter Building is one side of the Edinburgh School of Art


Hunter Building - Edinburgh College of Art

 The red sandstone material is the only redeeming feature of this brutal building. It draws on the Victorian Fire Station (now a museum) next door to it (1897-1901). There the similarity ends.

Lauriston Place Fire Station

 Next building along the Novotel, also red sandstone. Built within the last decade, I'd say it had as much merit as the Art Collegel!

Novotel Lauriston Place


There are even more extreme contrasts popping up on the other side of Lauriston Place, which I will post about next.

Safe Routes to School

Which route would you choose?  The busy roadway or the canal towpath?

Messing about in the Canal?

Came across this sign today:

The daffodils are out in Edinburgh today!

Ice bank

It's warmed up a lot lately, but there is still a patch of  broken ice for the wildlife and rowers to neciate on the Inion Canal.

Shepherds Warning?

Sunrise 6/2/12

Great sky this morning!