Category Archives: Animals

Wojtek the Polish war bear

Earlier this month a new statue was unveiled in Princes Street gardens, it was of Wojtek the Polish war bear.
Wojtek was a brown bear, which was found in Iran and adopted by the Polish army.

Wojtek - Statue in Princes Street Gardens

Wojtek – Statue in Princes Street Gardens

Wojtek was officially drafted into the Polish Army as a Private and was listed among the soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company.

Wojtek - Statue in Princes Street Gardens

Wojtek – Statue in Princes Street Gardens

Following demobilisation on 15 November 1947, Wojtek was given to Edinburgh Zoo, where he spent the rest of his life, often visited by journalists and former Polish soldiers.

Wiki Link

Swans and their Cygnets

Found in Figgate park, Edinburgh.  A couple of swans and their soft wee Cygnets…

Figgate Park - Wildlife, Swans

Figgate Park – Wildlife, Swans

Figgate Park lies in the east of Edinburgh, nestled neatly between Duddingston and Portobello. It is almost exactly a kilometre long, west to east, from Duddingston road to Baileyfield Road, following the line of the Figgate Burn. It’s a lovely wee place full of wonderful wildlife. including Swans and their Cygnets

Inchcolm Island

I took a wee trip out to Inchcolm island, technical not Edinburgh but South Queensferry… but I’ll add a few pics just now…. more later

Look at this Seal, He/She looks so happy with its self… a bonny wee creature.

Happy Seal

Happy Seal

This is Inchcolm abbey, dating back to the twelfth century

Inchcolm Abbey

Inchcolm Abbey

Bum The Dog

We all know about Edinburgh’s favorite canine the one, the only – Greyfriars bobby
but he has a unofficial brother, I present to you, Bum.  Bum is from San Diego in California.  Edinburgh was twinned with San Diego in 1977, so why not brother up out much loved historic dogs.  Two beautiful animals that share such a unique different history.

 

Bum the Dog

Bum the Dog

A Canine Connection

Edinburgh and San Diego, California, share a twinning link with a
unique twist.  Each city is home to a famous dog. Edinburgh’s loyal and
beloved Greyfriars Bobby and San Diego’s equally beloved vagabond dog,
bum.  In recognition of these canine heroes a statue of Bobby was
presented to San Diego and this statue of Bum was gifted in return.
The dogs represent the spirit of a twinning link friendship,
loyalty and shared experience.

Bum, died 1898, Aged 12 years
sculpted by Jessica McCain, USA

Presented to the citizens of Edinburgh by the San Diego-Edinburgh sister Society
In association with E Clampus Vitus, John P. Squibob Chapter 1853, on 19th July 2008

Bum The Dog

Bum The Dog

and we have to have a photo of Bobby!! 🙂

Greyfriars Bobby

Greyfriars Bobby

If you are looking for the statues,
Bobby is at the top or Candle maker row (George IV/Grassmarket)
Bum is at Princes street Gardens West – entrance at Kings Stable Road – (easy to miss)

go pay them a wee visit.  (please, pretty please don’t rub bobys nose)

101 Things to do in Edinburgh

This started off as a bucket list, a basic list of things to do in Edinburgh, However as it grew I changed it to 101 things to do in Edinburgh.   There will be  some nonsense on this list, aye. perhaps I have repeated somethings, let me know add stuff to the comments.  so here we are:
‘101 Things to do in Edinburgh’ 

            1. Hike up Arthurs seat – there are several routes to the summit
            2. Feed the swans at dunsapie loch
            3. In Fact hike to the top of all seven hills in Edinburgh, Braid Hills; Blackford Hills; Craiglockart Hill; Corstorphine Hill; Calton Hill; Pentland Hills and of Course Arthurs Seat.
            4. Walk Through Hollyrood Park
            5. Edinburgh Festival hardcore – three/four shows a day
            6. Edinburgh Festival late night  show 1am – 5am (with drinks after)
            7. Camera Obscura World of illusions
            8. Edinburgh Festival Tatoo
            9. Edinburgh Festival Fireworks concert
            10. Eat A deep Fried mars bar
            11. Walk Through Princes Street Gardens
            12. have a chippie with the proper Edinburgh chippie sauce
            13. Eat at one of our Michelin star restaurants
            14. Play a game of Skittles at the Sheep’s heid pub (the oldest in Scotland c1360)
            15. Ghost Tours. Mercat Tours
            16. City of the Dead Tour
            17. Underground Blair Street Vaults
            18. Mary King’s Close
            19. Get Up to the crown of St Giles’ Cathedral
            20. See the hand carved passage ways at Gilmerton Cove
            21. Spit on Heart of Midlothian (old toll booth)
            22. Watch an Edinburgh Derby game
            23. Visit Edinburgh Castle
            24. Remember the National War museum is at the castle.
            25. See the One O’clock gun be fired
            26. Palace Of Hollyroodhouse
            27. Visit Lauriston Castle
            28. Visit Craigmillar Castle
            29. Visit the Scottish Parliament
            30. John Knox House
            31. An Ice Cream & Beer on Portobello Beach
            32. Head out to Crammon Island (be careful with the tide Times)
            33. Crammond Beach
            34. Boat trip to Inchcolm Island
            35. Edinburgh Zoo Penguin Parade
            36. Stockbridge Sunday farmers market.
            37. Ride the big Christmas wheel
            38. Ice skate Christmas wonderland
            39. Hogmanay Street Party.
            40. Royal Botanical Gardens
            41. Don’t Rub greyfriars bobby nose
            42. Wander through Greyfriars kirkyard
            43. If you must Rub a statue – David Hume’s Toe
            44. Catch a premier at the International Film Festival
            45. Royal highland show
            46. Yaught Britannia
            47. See Rosslyn Chapel
            48. Edinburgh Zoo – See the Penguin Parade
            49. Pet a pig at Gorgie Farm
            50. Ride a tram
            51. Our Dynamic Earth
            52. Cameo cinema late night double bill
            53. Dominian cinema – film of a sofa!
            54. National Museum of Scotland
            55. International Book Festival
            56. Museum of Childhood
            57. Museum of Edinburgh
            58. Museum of Flight
            59. Writers Museum
            60. Walk through the Meadows
            61. Walk Through Inverleith park
            62. Walk Through Figgatte park
            63. Scale the Scott Monument (287 steps)
            64. Scale Nelsons Monument (143 steps)
            65. Scottish National Galleries
            66. Scottish National Portrait Gallery
            67.  The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
            68. Sample some whisky at the scotch whisky experience
            69. A walk down the water of Leith walkway
            70. Visit Gladstone’s land – oldest 17th century tenement building
            71. The Writers Museum
            72. Look through a telescope at the Observatory
            73. Beltane fire festival
            74. Samhuinn Fire Festival
            75. Hogmanay Torchlight Procession
            76. Walk Down the colorful Victoria Street
            77. Drinks at the Grass market.
            78. Helicopter Scenic Tour
            79. Boat tours under The Forth Bridges
            80. Stadium Tours (Murrayfeild, Tynecastle and Easter Road)
            81. Catch a film at the Brass Monkey – Big Sofas and beer – nuf saif!
            82. See some anatomy at the Surgeons’ Hall Museum
            83. Canongate Kirkyard – Adam smith burred here
            84. Go to the Farmers Market, Castle Street every Saturday
            85. The Museum on the Mound – see £1,000,000 in front of you
            86. visit the City Art Center
            87. Climb a wall at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena – the largest indoor climbing wall in the world
            88. Mibee there is something on at the Royal Scottish Academy
            89. Didn’t know  this existed until today – Georgian House on Charlotte Square
            90. Look at contemporary art at Fruitmarket Gallery
            91. Beltane Fire Festival, once a year – the evening before 1 May
            92. Samhuinn Fire Festival, Once a year – usually the last day of Autumn
            93. Torchlight procession, Once a year 30th December
            94. Winter wonderland, attractions and different markets
            95. Edinburgh Dungeon
            96. Check out the quirky Morningside Wild West
            97. Many closes of the Royal Mile, check the picturesque Whitehorse close
            98. Find the hidden Garden off the Royal Mile – Dunbar Close Garden
            99. Spend some time at Leith Shore
            100. Like Harry Potter? go to Elephant House Cafe
            101. The People’s Story Museum

So there you go 101 Things to do in Edinburgh!  – I’ve probably left out some good stuff, can we expand this list – any suggestions, edits mention in the comments.

Firth Of Forth Animals

The Firth of Forth is the estuary or firth of Scotland’s River Forth, where it flows into the North Sea, between Fife to the north, and Lothian to the south.
you can find a fair few animals here, below are photos of Puffins and Seals

Puffins In the Firth Of Forth

Firth Of Forth Puffins

Firth Of Forth Puffins

Seals In the Firth Of Forth

Firth Of Forth Animals

Firth Of Forth Animals