Edinburgh this August

[2F/2F]

I just got word that I am being "shipped" to Edinburgh for three weeks this August as a pit musician for a play. The pit band is made up of three members of my musical group, and the writer of the play and one of the actresses are also in the group. We will be performing the play on approximately 14 dates in the day time, and, since all five main members of the group will be there anyhow, we are going to book some music shows at night.

Unfortunately, this is right in the middle of what sounds like a wretched and godawful clusterfuck of the highest order, known officially as the Edinburgh International Festival. For those who live there, I am sorry that myself and my friends will be adding to the mess.

We already have our apartment for seven secured. We just need to get plane tickets and be able to afford food, and we are set.

I hope to get out of the city itself, however; possibly even down to London, where I have some friends. (In fact, we may fly in to London several days early, and get to Edinburgh via rail.)

Any locals or former visitors with some suggestions? I will be shooting stills (Canon FD and either RZ or M645) and double 8. We will be there for 18 days, but will only be playing for 14 of those days, so we will have time for a day trip or two.

 

[Ann M]

I hope you have a good time in Edinburgh! I lived just outside, in a small town called South Queensferry (famous for the Forth Rail Bridge) for 22 years. Miss the place still - had to move to England for Hubby's work. (But Suffolk is good- for England. )
There's all sorts to see around Edinburgh - and the rest of Scotland, of course. Let me know what might interest you and I could suggest a few places.

 

[tim_walls]

If you do go to London first and then Edinburgh by train, you'll be fortunate to catch an absolutely beautiful rail journey. Where the East Coast Main Line follows the coast up around Northumbria and the border is beautiful.

I'd say it would be worth breaking the journey and spending a day around there in the Berwick region (although Berwick itself isn't that exciting ;-).). I'll let a native of the northeast wax lyrical on specific spots!

 

[coigach]

Lots to see in Edinburgh - it's a beautiful city with lots of interesting nooks and crannies. Feel free to PM for a few sugestions.

Just remember that during Festival time, the place is mobbed. Also, half the city is being dug up for the trams for the next couple of years which makes public transport, ahem, interesting...!

Cheers,
Gavin

 

[removed account4]

not sure if it is the fringe festival you are talking about
but it is supposedly one of the best comedy-things there is
(if you like comedy that is) ... nancy murray ( bill murray's sister )
was there last year and from all accounts was great.
have fun

 

[PVia]

You'll love Edinburgh, even though the festival can be crazy...I was there in 2002 playing with the LA Philharmonic. It was an incredibly productive photographic trip!

 

[Struan Gray]

A lot depends on the sort of thing you like to photograph. Even on public transport a day trip from Edinburgh can take you into the Highlands, across to Glasgow, or down across the border to Carlisle, Newcastle, Durham or even York. With a car you'd be able to explore smaller towns and get out into the countryside properly.

Personally, I love the history-rich countryside of Northumbria and Berwickshire. If you're into castles and monuments they are everywhere, and the landscape bears visible traces of cultures from the Stone Age onwards. There again, if you're into people and street photography the Festival itself is a very target rich environment.

 

[Martin Aislabie]

Pack a pair of really comfortable walking shoes/trainers - walking is the best way of getting around Edinburgh - its very compact by American standards

There is just so much going on during the Festival - the place has a real buzz - if street photography is your thing then you will have more material than you could ever hope for.

The city is rich in great architecture too.

You might want to check with one of the Edinburgh locals about the availability of film

Have a great time

Martin

 

[coigach]

Here's a link to Edinburgh-based street photographer Alan Wilson. New colour stuff digital (boo!) but older b+w stuff all film:
http://www.streetphoto.fsnet.co.uk/portfolios.htm

Cheers,
Gavin

 

[Steve Smith]

If you want to plan your London trip early, book your flights as early as possible. Try http://www.flybe.com

My wife is going to Edinburgh in August and flights from Southampton are currently around £3.50! Obviously you have to pay about £35 taxes each way too but still a bargain.

We flew to Glasgow for £1.74 each way + taxes a few years ago!




Steve.

 

[Shangheye]

Hi 2F, Not sure if you are a lanscape man, but the cairngorms are not far north of Edinburgh and a great place to get away for a couple of days if edinburgh gets a bit busy. Weather in Scotland is unpredictable, so bear that in mind for attire and film choices.

I have family who live in Blairegowerie (at the foot of the cairngorms) and I may be there in August for a weekend or so...if I am, I would be honoured to meet you for a haggis and whiskey ;-) Kal

 

[Russ Young]

We lived in Fife for several years and loved the east coast of Scotland. Struan is dead on... the countryside from Edinburgh down to North Yorkshire is gorgeous (at least to my eyes) and is filled with landscapes, castles, photogenic but shy inhabitants. The train is a good way to get to some of these places but many of the best spots require a car. When you go to London, be careful which train you take - the "Flying Scotsman" makes only four of five stops and the trip is an hour less than the other trains...

As to Edinburgh itself, it all depends on what you like! Lots of neat stone architecture and one of my favorite cemeteries ever, CALTON HILL. It will all be pretty crazy because of the number of people present... even getting a train seat going south (or north) may be a challenge.

Take a look at Tillman Crane's book, "Touch Stones" ... all taken in Scotland...

Have a great time.

Russ

 

[Steve Smith]

Unfortunately, this is right in the middle of what sounds like a wretched and godawful clusterfuck of the highest order, known officially as the Edinburgh International Festival.

Obviously people's tastes differ but I think I can agree with you 100% there!


Steve.

 

[Edwardv]

On the history channel, Lost Worlds, I saw a documental about Robert Louis Stevenson who wrote the book" Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Even though the story takes place in London a lot of information comes from Edinburgh's way of life, events. To the point. In documental they show a lot of very interesting places for photographing because the old city is built on hard volcanic rock and out of the city. I wish I was going, maybe one day. Have a good trip.

 

[PhotoJim]

Melrose Abbey.
Jedburgh Abbey.
St. Andrews.

Those are for your escapes from Edinburgh.

And in Edinburgh... all up and down the Royal Mile are a wealth of interesting things to see and photograph.

Edinburgh is a pretty cool city and I hope to get back there one day.

Go again when you can see the rest of the country. 'Tis a pretty special place.

 

[Paul Jenkin]

I lived in Perth (40 miles north of Edinburgh) for 5 years and i love Scotland. However, Edinbugh is like most national capitals insofar as it's wonderful, exciting, seedy and depressing - all at the same time.

The international festival is a collective of the comedy events (The Fringe) and the military Tattoo. The former is very hit and miss with some of the acts being either genius and original or about as funny as root-canal work. The military Tattoo, for anyone remotely interested in bagpipes / marching bands and forces personnel generally strutting their stuff, is an absolute 'must'. Otherwise, avoid it like the plague.

You will, without question, be financially 'fleeced'. Everything costs a bloody fortune. If you want to eat and drink, get out of the city centre and go to a small village with a decent pub.

If you get the chance (and you play golf) I can heartily recommend the East Neuk of Fife - which is the bit north-east of Edinbugh which contains places like Elie, Pittenweem, Crail and St Andrews. Not the most spectacular scenery but beautiful nevertheless - and the golf is sublime.

 

[coigach]

The international festival is a collective of the comedy events (The Fringe) and the military Tattoo. The former is very hit and miss with some of the acts being either genius and original or about as funny as root-canal work. The military Tattoo, for anyone remotely interested in bagpipes / marching bands and forces personnel generally strutting their stuff, is an absolute 'must'. Otherwise, avoid it like the plague.

Sorry to be a pedantic sod , but you've got your festivals a bit confused. The International Festival is the original, but it's now dwarfed in size by the Fringe Festival. The International Festival is the 'high art' one - with world-class opera, theatre and music with world-class companies and performers.
See http://www.eif.co.uk/

The Fringe Festival is huge, and is open to all-comers. It covers everything from decent theatre and music through to comedy and music. Much of it is great, with reputable companies putting on great shows in, ahem, unusual venues, but some of it is bloody awful. (For some reason, there are vast amounts of US college 'musical' efforts which to me belong in a reserved and extra-hot section of hell...!) For anyone hoping to see some shows at the Fringe, do your homework - there is so much on that your chances of a successful 'wild card' choice are slim. Going to see stuff in the second week is a good idea because that way there will be hundreds of reviews from the first week to steer you in the right direction.
See http://www.edfringe.com/

The Military Tattoo is something different again - although if you like soldiers and bagpipes it might just tickle your fancy...

The International Festival and the Fringe both run at different dates over August, but overlap a chunk of the time.

Cheers,
Gavin

PS - Golf? - it's just a good walk ruined...!

 

[Aurum]

Pack a pair of really comfortable walking shoes/trainers - walking is the best way of getting around Edinburgh - its very compact by American standards

There is just so much going on during the Festival - the place has a real buzz - if street photography is your thing then you will have more material than you could ever hope for.

The city is rich in great architecture too.

You might want to check with one of the Edinburgh locals about the availability of film

Have a great time

Martin

I was there last year during the fringe festival. Great opportunity for Street shooting. Edinburgh castle is well worth a wander round.
As for Film there is a Kodak photo centre next to the castle.
Mainly Digital supplies, but has a facing of film there.
C41 Kodak Colour of course, but surprisingly some Ilford FP4 and HP5, and some fuji. All 35mm, so stock up in London with 120 if thats what you shoot

 

[coigach]

There's a Calumet in town for 120 film:
http://www.calumetphoto.com/ctl?ac.ui.pn=compinfo.CompStoreLocDetail&ac.comp.locID=UK_EDN
and a number 22 bus will take you within 5 mins of the shop.
There's a Jessops too in Shandwick Place in the city centre - don't even know if they sell any film other than 35mm these days...!

Cheers,
Gavin

 

[Shangheye]

I didn't know that Jessops could even S(p)ell film.... K

 

[Ann M]

There is (still?) also Black and Lizar's almost opposite Jessops - if you go up the stairway beside the main shop front you will get to a department that sells film of all sorts. (College students got their supplies there.) But the branch of Calumet in Leith (Jane St. off Leith Walk) had the best stock.

Places to see: one of my favourites is Gladstone's Land (near the Castle). It's a lovely old house, built around 1620. It has its original painted wooden beams on the ceilings and wall-paintings that had been hidden until the house was restored. There's also Huntly House further down the Royal Mile. The Castle is well worth a visit, despite the scaffolding for the tattoo seating. (It really only affects the area outside the Castle.) There's also a camera obscura nearby but I never went there.
If you like historic buildings, there's a lot in the Old Town area and you'll find a lot of places if you just walk from the Castle to Holyrood (the Royal Mile). You can even go underground - there's a street of former dwellings and shops (rather a glorified term for them as the people in them were very poor) that was closed off and built over after the plague c.1640. It's called Mary King's Close. Unfortunately it's a bit touristy now. There's also the South Bridge vaults and the ghost tours if you want some entertainment...
Culross on the other side of the River Forth is another place to see if you're into history. Much of the small town is mediaeval and very attractive, especially Culross Palace. It's more just a mansion really, but looks great, especially for photography!
If you have lots of time, then Skye is spectacular but bring plenty insect-repellant! (Lots of 'midgies' there and they bite!) South of there, on the mainland, Argyll is lovely - very scenic.
(And now I want to go back to Scotland...)

 

[Paul Jenkin]

Sorry to be a pedantic sod , but you've got your festivals a bit confused. The International Festival is the original, but it's now dwarfed in size by the Fringe Festival. The International Festival is the 'high art' one - with world-class opera, theatre and music with world-class companies and performers.
See http://www.eif.co.uk/

The Fringe Festival is huge, and is open to all-comers. It covers everything from decent theatre and music through to comedy and music. Much of it is great, with reputable companies putting on great shows in, ahem, unusual venues, but some of it is bloody awful. (For some reason, there are vast amounts of US college 'musical' efforts which to me belong in a reserved and extra-hot section of hell...!) For anyone hoping to see some shows at the Fringe, do your homework - there is so much on that your chances of a successful 'wild card' choice are slim. Going to see stuff in the second week is a good idea because that way there will be hundreds of reviews from the first week to steer you in the right direction.
See http://www.edfringe.com/

The Military Tattoo is something different again - although if you like soldiers and bagpipes it might just tickle your fancy...

The International Festival and the Fringe both run at different dates over August, but overlap a chunk of the time.

Cheers,
Gavin

PS - Golf? - it's just a good walk ruined...!

Thanks for the corrections, Gavin. However, I know from bitter memory that August in Edinburgh is fantastic, enfuriating, hyper-expensive, wet, tourist-mad and almost impossible to find a parking space - all rolled into one.

Golf - a good walk ruined? You've obviously seen me play! Having played it for 30-odd years, I've always thought that it's one of those games which as soon as you become proficient, you should give up - as the only way is 'down' and that's even more upsetting than the long, slow, slog to proficiency.

 

[tocalosh]

Another must visit place for any photographer in Edinburgh is 'Beyond Words' on Cockburn street. One of the best book shops around, and its all photography. Very hard to come out empty handed.

I would suggest heading for Northumberland, tons of beautiful places, and history. Base youself in Hexham for Hadrians Wall or Alniwck for the coast, both great towns and easy to get too. Renting a car would be the best option for getting around.

A trip to Glasgow is also a good option, an hour on the train, with loads of great architecture, and a lot less tourists!

 

[Aurum]

.... I know from bitter memory that August in Edinburgh is fantastic, enfuriating, hyper-expensive, wet, tourist-mad and almost impossible to find a parking space - all rolled into one.

Golf - a good walk ruined? You've obviously seen me play! Having played it for 30-odd years, I've always thought that it's one of those games which as soon as you become proficient, you should give up - as the only way is 'down' and that's even more upsetting than the long, slow, slog to proficiency.

I'll confirm the wet bit from last year. I've jumped into swimming pools and come out drier

 

[nicefor88]

Scottish country side is just amazing. Low skies, lakes everywhere, beautiful landscapes. Great people too, very warm, unlike the weather. You'll love it!
Edinbirgh is quite interesting, hey good, cheap whisky.
A train trip to southern part of the isles very picturesque.
Enjoy yourself!
Serge