Some lovely wood carvings have appeared in London Road Gardens – a badger and an owl say hello
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 was officially drafted into the Polish Army as a Private and was listed among the soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company.
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.
Red Panda at Edinburgh Zoo
This is the Red Panda she used to live at Edinburgh Zoo, I believe she has moved to the Highland wildlife park
Wee Edinburgh Scotty dug
Found this while thought it was rather cute. not sure where due credit belongs…
Swans and their Cygnets
Found in Figgate park, Edinburgh. A couple of swans and their soft wee Cygnets…
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.
This is Inchcolm abbey, dating back to the twelfth century
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.
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
and we have to have a photo of 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’
- Hike up Arthurs seat – there are several routes to the summit
- Feed the swans at dunsapie loch
- 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.
- Walk Through Hollyrood Park
- Edinburgh Festival hardcore – three/four shows a day
- Edinburgh Festival late night show 1am – 5am (with drinks after)
- Camera Obscura World of illusions
- Edinburgh Festival Tatoo
- Edinburgh Festival Fireworks concert
- Eat A deep Fried mars bar
- Walk Through Princes Street Gardens
- have a chippie with the proper Edinburgh chippie sauce
- Eat at one of our Michelin star restaurants
- Play a game of Skittles at the Sheep’s heid pub (the oldest in Scotland c1360)
- Ghost Tours. Mercat Tours
- City of the Dead Tour
- Underground Blair Street Vaults
- Mary King’s Close
- Get Up to the crown of St Giles’ Cathedral
- See the hand carved passage ways at Gilmerton Cove
- Spit on Heart of Midlothian (old toll booth)
- Watch an Edinburgh Derby game
- Visit Edinburgh Castle
- Remember the National War museum is at the castle.
- See the One O’clock gun be fired
- Palace Of Hollyroodhouse
- Visit Lauriston Castle
- Visit Craigmillar Castle
- Visit the Scottish Parliament
- John Knox House
- An Ice Cream & Beer on Portobello Beach
- Head out to Crammon Island (be careful with the tide Times)
- Crammond Beach
- Boat trip to Inchcolm Island
- Edinburgh Zoo Penguin Parade
- Stockbridge Sunday farmers market.
- Ride the big Christmas wheel
- Ice skate Christmas wonderland
- Hogmanay Street Party.
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Don’t Rub greyfriars bobby nose
- Wander through Greyfriars kirkyard
- If you must Rub a statue – David Hume’s Toe
- Catch a premier at the International Film Festival
- Royal highland show
- Yaught Britannia
- See Rosslyn Chapel
- Edinburgh Zoo – See the Penguin Parade
- Pet a pig at Gorgie Farm
- Ride a tram
- Our Dynamic Earth
- Cameo cinema late night double bill
- Dominian cinema – film of a sofa!
- National Museum of Scotland
- International Book Festival
- Museum of Childhood
- Museum of Edinburgh
- Museum of Flight
- Writers Museum
- Walk through the Meadows
- Walk Through Inverleith park
- Walk Through Figgatte park
- Scale the Scott Monument (287 steps)
- Scale Nelsons Monument (143 steps)
- Scottish National Galleries
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery
- The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
- Sample some whisky at the scotch whisky experience
- A walk down the water of Leith walkway
- Visit Gladstone’s land – oldest 17th century tenement building
- The Writers Museum
- Look through a telescope at the Observatory
- Beltane fire festival
- Samhuinn Fire Festival
- Hogmanay Torchlight Procession
- Walk Down the colorful Victoria Street
- Drinks at the Grass market.
- Helicopter Scenic Tour
- Boat tours under The Forth Bridges
- Stadium Tours (Murrayfeild, Tynecastle and Easter Road)
- Catch a film at the Brass Monkey – Big Sofas and beer – nuf saif!
- See some anatomy at the Surgeons’ Hall Museum
- Canongate Kirkyard – Adam smith burred here
- Go to the Farmers Market, Castle Street every Saturday
- The Museum on the Mound – see £1,000,000 in front of you
- visit the City Art Center
- Climb a wall at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena – the largest indoor climbing wall in the world
- Mibee there is something on at the Royal Scottish Academy
- Didn’t know this existed until today – Georgian House on Charlotte Square
- Look at contemporary art at Fruitmarket Gallery
- Beltane Fire Festival, once a year – the evening before 1 May
- Samhuinn Fire Festival, Once a year – usually the last day of Autumn
- Torchlight procession, Once a year 30th December
- Winter wonderland, attractions and different markets
- Edinburgh Dungeon
- Check out the quirky Morningside Wild West
- Many closes of the Royal Mile, check the picturesque Whitehorse close
- Find the hidden Garden off the Royal Mile – Dunbar Close Garden
- Spend some time at Leith Shore
- Like Harry Potter? go to Elephant House Cafe
- 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
Seals In the Firth Of Forth