Scotland: Edinburgh New Town

In the age of empire, slavery and colonies, Edinburgh expanded beyond the Royal Mile, a New Town was built on reclaimed swamp land, along with museums, botanical gardens, and universities.

We had a rather enjoyable walk on part of the Water of Leith walkway to Dean's Village, a scenic village that milled grain for Edinburgh, dating back to Medieval times.

The New Town is laid out in a grid. We started at St Andrew Square and walked east to Charlotte Square with a detour to trendy Thistle Street. Then circled back through the West Princes Street Gardens, featuring the colorful and captivating Ross Fountain, and great views of Edinburgh Castle.











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The excellent Scottish National Gallery is also in New Town. It features many Scottish artists. Below are some of our favorites, starting with the embroidered monumental Arts and Crafts panels from 1895 by Phoebe Anna Traquair called "The Progress of a Soul". Amazing
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The Hunt (1926) by Robert Burns.


"Portrait of Anne Estelle Rice" (1908) by John Duncan Fergusson


"Edinburgh (from Salisbury Crags)" (1927) by William Crozier


"Lady Agnew of Lochnaw" byJohn Singer Sargent


"Distraining for Rent" (1815) by David Wilkie


The Galleries.








We visited more than several very good museums. First below is "Dolly the Sheep", the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell, whose preserved body is a highlight of the National Museum of Scotland. Second is the amazing Lewis Chesspieces, found on the Isle of Lewis, and dating from 1200 AD. Third is the Millennium Clock Tower, which moves twice a day>.






In addition, maybe the best view of the castle end of the Royal Mile is from the National Museum. Not to mention the Grand Gallery (2nd below)








For us, the Water of Leith walk started with a visit to the Modern One and Modern Two National Galleries. Below are some of the highlights. First, "Vanessa Bell Painting" (1915) by Duncan Grant. Second, "Hat in Hand, Hat on Head" ( 1919) by Max Ernst, and third, "Raphaelesque Head Exploding" by Salvador Dali, and fourth, "Theatre" (2021) by Scottish Artist Caroline Walker.










There was an installation by Antony Gormley at the beginning of the Water of Leith walk. Farther downstream, there were many folks admiring the scenic Den Village.








The Himalayan Blue Poppies stole the show at the Royal Botanic Garden.