Someone has said, you always go to places where you dreamt about. Edinburgh is one of such a city! When I was young and used to read travel dairy of people and always wonder about greatness of people who can travel around world. I never thought I will ever travel out of my state, forget about country.
One of great writer in Marathi literature, P.L Deshpande visited this magnificent city for Edinburgh International Art Festival and he wrote his visit detail in his book Aparvai - means astounding.
I imagine the city who can host international art festival as art and literature loving. Years passed and I almost forgot about it. And one day because of work, I got chance to visit this city.
Watching city while landing itself tells story how marvelous city is! Located southern shore of the Firth (long narrow inlet) of Forth (river). Sea near to Edinburgh is called as North Sea. It is marginal sea of Atlantic ocean.
My imagination of most literate city came true when I leant following facts about Edinburgh
In 2004 Edinburgh became first UNESCO city of Literature because of it's literature heritage. Even on of station is named based on Literature. Waverley sation is named after Sir Walter Sctt's Waverley novels.Also there is Scott Monument to him. The tower is 200 feet 6 inches (61.11 m) high.
This is also birth palce of imaginary characters Harry Potter. J.K Rowling wrote the earlier books of the Harry Potter series sat in a coffe shop if George IV Bridge.
Robert Louis Stevenson, most famous for his gothic tale -'The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' was born in this city. Conan Doyle used the medical training he received at the University of Edinburgh to great effect when composing stories of his famous creation- Sherloch Holmes.
Robert Louis Stevenson, most famous for his gothic tale -'The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' was born in this city. Conan Doyle used the medical training he received at the University of Edinburgh to great effect when composing stories of his famous creation- Sherloch Holmes.
 |
| Way to Arthur's Seat |
and the Castle Rock. I got chance to go on Arthur's seat and calton hill first day it self and got chance to view wonderful panoramic view of the city. It was long walk but very pleasing because of nice clean atmosphere. Arther's Seat is large dormant volcano close to city center.
4 Universities and UoE has oldest English Literature department in the world.
It is home to largest arts festival in the world, Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It was set up in opposition to Edinburgh International Festival. Over the years fringe f the festival has outgrown its formal rival.
 |
| Arthur's Seat |
 |
| Calton Hill |
After few days of work, visited Royal Mile-- which successive road in old town. On weekend visited Edinburgh castle and Camera obscura. Camera Obscura has many interesting physics related experiments related to mirror, lightning, optical illusion.
Another interesting mechanical structure in Edinburgh is Bridge--
Forth Rail Bridge is first steel structure in UK, build in 1890. It is cantilever construction and unprecedented at the time of construction.
Some great people born here. Sean Connery.
Few movies are also shot around Edinburgh
1. Ken Loach's 2012 The Angels' Share
2. Danny Boylee's Shallow Grave 1994
3. The Illusionist 2010
4. Chariots of Fire 1981
Edinburh also nicknamed Auld Reekie means Old smelly. It is because of unique yesty musk because of city's breweries. It also nicknamed as 'the Athens of the North', Edina, Dunedin.
It also famous for Hogmanay Celebration. Hogmanay is the Scot word for the last day of the year.
No comments:
Post a Comment