Calton Hill, Edinburgh, January, 2023

I was fortunate to visit Edinburgh for a conference and had the morning to myself. The meeting was due to start at lunchtime, leaving me free to roam around the city. It was a beautiful morning and my hotel was in the Old Town. My plan was to wander down the Royal Mile down to Holyrood and the Scottish Parliament. Then my plan was to move upwards to Carton Hill and then finally back to the Old Town. Edinburgh is full of nooks and crannies.

Old Town, Edinburgh, January, 2023
Sunrise over Calton Hill taken from the Old Town.
Calton Hill, Edinburgh, January, 2023
The Greek Architecture of the National Monument. There is a man right in the centre of the base.

The City is fun to explore and as my pictures show there are many different sights. The hilly terrain allows for some scenic views of the City. Calton Hill has been a focus for many people over the years and with the sunrise over Arthur’s Seat, many of the famous buildings were caught in the beautiful light. I met Zain who wanted his picture taken and he obliged with the portrait that is featured in my blog. In the background, you can see the Dugald Stewart Monument and the Portuguese cannon with the National Monument reflected in his glasses.

Calton Hill, Edinburgh, January, 2023
I met Zain from Pakistan who wished to have his picture taken.
Calton Hill, Edinburgh, January, 2023
Te impressive Nelson Monument.

There were many sun worshippers and tourists out and about in the early light. I took many photographs and then moved back down to Waverley train station and the Scott monument on Princess Street. Then I made my way back to the Old Town via the beautiful Cockburn street with its Victorian architecture and bustling coffee shops and restaurants. The long straight road of South Bridge brought me back to the Royal College of Surgeons and their hotel 10 Hill place where I was staying.

Calton Hill, Edinburgh, January, 2023
The Dugald Stewart Monument
The Scott Monument, Princess Street, Edinburgh, January 2023
A different view of the Scott Monument.
Top of Jacob's ladder over looking Waverley Station and Edinburgh, January 2023
Lines into Waverley Train station with the City as a backdrop.
Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh, 2023
The front of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. Sunrise reflected in the water feature.
The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse,  Edinburgh, 2023
Details on the door of The Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse.

If you enjoyed this blog then be sure to take a look at Photographing Edinburgh which was about my last visit to the city in 2019.
Photographing Edinburgh


I travelled to Vilnius in Lithuania for a conference.  The last time I was there was in February 2016 and it was very cold.  The nights were long and whilst it was welcoming, it was difficult to get a feel for the place.  Fast forward to August 2017 and it was summer.  The place was alive and the old town was busy with tourists and locals going about their day.  I stayed in the Narutis Hotel which was adjacent to the University of Vilnius where the conference was held.  The old town has so much to photograph and my camera was ready all the time .  This selection of photographs provides only a glimpse of the tremendous beauty of the City.  One event that looked great fun was a White Party taking part in the Cathedral Square at the time of our conference.  Do not ask me to explain all the stories in the photographs, just enjoy them.  I do recommend a visit to Lithuania and having visited Riga, Latvia my next task is to visit Tallinn, Estonia.  I have uploaded more photographs on my Google+ site if you wish to see more.