A Selfie with Deacon Brodie

What! You’re looking at your phone! I imagine Deacon Brodie would be amazed at technology today.

Apparently he was a “respected cabinetmaker by day and a burglar by night, making him one of Edinburgh’s most notorious historical figures”


Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO640
Shutter speed1/500s

Edinburgh’s Public Square of Conscience

Several years ago, I came across Anonymous for the Voiceless in Cork, and I’ve seen them demonstrate a few times since. I saw them in Edinburgh last week when they had a small demonstration, surrounded by young people.

Anonymous for the Voiceless (AV) is an animal rights organisation specialising in edifying the public on the streets with Cubes of Truth and fostering highly effective activism groups worldwide. We hold an abolitionist stance against all forms of non-human animal exploitation and promote a clear and direct vegan message.”


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO200
Shutter speed1/500s

Through the Window: Edinburgh Reflections

A single, solitary table inside an empty office. A glass jar sits on the table, waiting for the next business to come and rent the room. Maybe a parting gift from the previous occupant?


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO16000
Shutter speed1/500s

Selfies and Red Phone Boxes at Edinburgh Castle

When you walk in the first gates of Edinburgh Castle you’ll spot two iconic red telephone boxes. I was delighted to see a father and daughter posing for a selfie which made for a nice candid photo. 🙂

Did you know that iconic red telephone box was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott?


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length16mm
ISO250
Shutter speed1/500s

Visitors in The Great Hall

The Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle is a popular part of the castle, with visitors milling around throughout the day.

Here’s some info about the hall that I got from Perplexity. Sources are linked and makes for an interesting read. I was surprised it didn’t mention that Oliver Cromwell preserved the roof when he had it plastered over. That was something the guide mentioned.

History of the Great Hall in Edinburgh Castle

The Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle is a remarkable structure completed in 1511 for King James IV of Scotland.236 This medieval wonder measures 29 by 12.5 metres (95 by 41 ft) and served as the chief place of state assembly within the castle.5 While historians have occasionally disagreed about its exact dating, it is generally attributed to the early years of the 16th century during James IV’s reign.5

Architectural Features

The hall’s most distinctive feature is its magnificent wooden roof, considered one of the most superb in Britain.236 It features giant beams resting on stones carved with heads and symbols such as the thistle, a national badge of Scotland.236 This is one of only two medieval halls in Scotland that still retains its original hammerbeam roof.5 The decorative carved stone corbels supporting the roof display Renaissance detailing comparable to works at Blois, France, from around 1515, indicating that Scottish arts were relatively advanced for the time.5

Historical Timeline

James IV had little opportunity to enjoy his new grand hall, as he was killed just two years later at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, fighting against the forces of his brother-in-law, King Henry VIII of England.236

During its early years, the Great Hall hosted grand banquets and state events, though there is no evidence that the Scottish Parliament ever met here, despite some common misconceptions.2356

A significant change came in 1650 when Oliver Cromwell’s army captured Edinburgh Castle and began transforming the Great Hall into a military barracks.2356 By 1737, the hall was subdivided into three storeys to accommodate 312 soldiers.5

Following the construction of New Barracks in the 1790s, the Great Hall was converted into a military hospital.5 It continued in this function until the troops finally left in 1886/1897 (sources vary slightly on the exact date).2356

After its military use ended, the Great Hall was restored to its medieval splendour by architect Hippolyte Blanc, who worked according to contemporary Victorian ideas of medieval architecture.5 Today, the hall displays weapons and armour that reference its military past, including distinctive pole arms like the feared Lochaber axe.236

In modern times, the Great Hall is still occasionally used for ceremonial occasions and has served as a venue for BBC Scotland’s Hogmanay Live programme.5


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length16mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/2s

Rooftop Sunrise in Edinburgh

One of the good things about an early flight is getting up early to see the sunrise. That was me yesterday morning, when the world outside was mostly asleep, but I was preparing to head to the airport in Edinburgh for a flight to Cork.


Apertureƒ/3.5
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length24mm
ISO1000
Shutter speed1/30s

Evening Light on Cathedral Lane, Edinburgh

Yesterday evening, walking along a road in Edinburgh, I saw that the setting sun was casting long shadows, and as luck would have it, those make interesting subjects, especially the light and dark of sun and shadow.

Hopefully, the person in the pub was having a nice evening in there, it was lovely being out.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length70mm
ISO500
Shutter speed1/500s

Shadow Play on a Scottish Street

Shadows on a wall as the sun sets in Edinburgh.

I had hoped to go up Calton Hill this evening, but the Beltane fire festival is happening there tonight. I have to be up early in the morning, so I decided not to go, but now I already regret not going! I’d have stayed far too long taking photos and be so tired for my flight in the morning.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length112mm
ISO500
Shutter speed1/500s

Pastel Skies Over Edinburgh

I wasn’t expecting much of a sunset this evening because the sky at the horizon was filled with clouds, but I was proved wrong. The clouds were lit up in a lovely glow by the setting sun.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7RM5
Focal length166mm
ISO400
Shutter speed1/40s

Streetwise Cat of Athens

A cat we found in Athens, just cleaning himself in the middle of a car park, without a care in the world on a warm May afternoon last year.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length240mm
ISO1250
Shutter speed1/1000s

Red Trousers on the Metro Steps

It was early in the morning on a lovely day in Madrid, Spain. I went out for an early walk to capture the comings and goings of the local population and chanced upon this woman coming out of the metro.

She probably made this journey hundreds of times. Hopefully, she’s still in Madrid.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/640s

The crowds of Monastiraki Square

Monastiraki Square in Athens is a busy area for tourists, right next to many of the ancient sites of the city. It’s a bustling area, full of interesting characters, both local and foreign, and a great place to visit for a street photographer!


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length35mm
ISO125
Shutter speed1/500s