Duddingston Loch

Today was only the second time I’ve visited Duddingston, round the back of Arthur’s Seat, if you like, considering it from the usual tourist’s point of view. Once again it struck me that here is a place within walking distance of the hideous traffic on a main road out of the city centre - made more hideous today by gas works - which feels like the old village it is, with peaceful gardens and a community feel. This photo was taken from Doctor Neil’s Garden, created by two doctors in land that used to be part of the glebe and given to the community on their deaths.

We’d enjoyed lunch with a friend in The Sheep Heid Inn, an ancient pub with a history dating back to 1360 . Later we walked through the Common
Ground, plots grown and tended by members of that community, and returned to the house where Bonnie Prince Charlie laid his plans with his captains before the Battle of Prestonpans.

And all this we reached by bus from Newhaven in less than an hour all told. Good, eh?