Seated Isolation Folly...

Duddingston Golf Course used to be a pleasure garden for Duddingston House back in the day. Somewhere for the well to-do to walk around sculpted hillocks, with the sound of the burn in the background, and Arthur's Seat looking over.

Ever since I'd read that in a book I got from friends, and the existence of a folly somewhere amongst the fairways and greens, I'd wanted to go and find it. The only slight inconvenience being the presence of golfers, and so while I could cycle on a little road which bisects the course, I had little chance of recreating those halcyon days.

Until lockdown of course. With the course closed, it is being used once more for its original de-wilded intention. And it's only 5 minutes' walk or so fm the house. So it is proving a particularly nice place to go for a walk (though getting noticeably a little busier each time, and more people ignoring the polite (and correct) signs at every entrance to avoid playing in the bunkers, and walking over the greens).

The chap on the bench here seemed lost in his thoughts. I wondered if he was mulling over the current situation, and this being his only daily release from the shackles of his home. Then as we passed I noticed he was staring into his phone. Ah well, romantic, philosophical, introspective considerations put to bed.