Where's the Next Adventure?

I've written previously about our walks along one part of the Water of Leith, between Stockbridge, Dean Village and the surrounding area, but there is more than just that section to do and it's just as easy to walk from our home in Stockbridge (or anywhere along the Water of Leith Walkway) right over to Leith. We've done this particular section several times as well and from our starting point it's simply a case of heading in the opposite direction from the route that takes you towards Dean Village. From Stockbridge the route to Leith is clearly signposted, as are the routes to the other parts of the city you can reach, you can't get lost! The first part of the walk takes you through a semi wooded area and, as you'd expect, alongside the Water of Leith. As the route widens, after walking through a little of the Canonmills area of the city, you'll find yourself walking through more of a park than a walkway alongside the river. Eventually you end up close ...

Doors Open Day: The Cottage, West Princes Street Gardens

My final Doors Open Day visit of the last open weekend at the end of September was to the sweet little cottage in West Princes Street Gardens, somewhere I've always been very curious about. As you can see from the photo below it's quite small so to visit here you needed to book a slot. I always leave these things to the last minute and assumed I probably wouldn't be lucky but I managed to get a slot on the Sunday so finally I could see inside somewhere I walk past everyday on my way to work. In the morning when I pass it the lights are often on on the upstairs level (which I now know to be offices) it always looks homely, warm and inviting, especially now the temperatures are dropping. The cottage was built in 1868 and was originally the Head Gardener's house. The lower level has been restored to its original Victorian style with the space including a kitchen and dining room. Upstairs, as I said, are now modern offices and are the home of The Quaich Project, what ...

A Tour of Disused Aldwych Tube Station

Those of you who know me will probably know that I'm fascinated (perhaps even a little obsessed if I'm honest) with the London Underground. I find the history of it fascinating and in particular I love the disused stations. These empty, or at least seemingly empty, places dotted all over the network and all the hidden history they hold is something I'm incredibly interested in. For years I've wanted to go on a tour of one of those that do get opened up to the public and I finally got the chance to join a tour around the former Aldwych tube station over the summer. I'm not going to lie I was super excited about this (having booked it months in advance) and as the day finally approached couldn't stop thinking about the fact I was actually getting to visit one. Main entrance to the station with its original name, Strand above the door Despite not being used by passengers since the early 1990s anyone wandering up the street where the station is and who is in any w...