Edina, THE NEW WORLD

 

Edina Lochenbooths high st

THE NEW WORLD - Life in Edinburgh 1700s 

A city of taverns, turnpike, steps, towering apartment blocks, theatre, dancing assemblies, city chambers and strong gusts of wind. The row of towers rising from the palace to a castle on the rock- some 12 storeys high were crowded. Seen from the wide views out along the shores of the Firth of Forth there were garlands of wood and peat smoke round the town which gave rise to the name Auld Reekie. And the wynds and closes ran down to the waters of the north loch or to the Canongate. From the lawn market, the Royal mile opens out near St Giles to be wide enough for five carriages, and then narrowed down to the Canongate, down towards Holyrood palace and Arthurs seats.

 

There was the Jacobite/ Whig divide. There were 2 thrice weekly newspapers – one Whig, one Jacobite; and The Scots Magazine – full of trails, poetry, world affairs, narrative of Scots; 4 printing works, brewers, insurance, 9 Presbyterian churches. Musselburgh fish wives, sweeps, coal porters, barefoot housemaids. Women wore scarlet plaid or tartan over their heads down to their waist. There were 600 taverns, where work took place and people drank ale, claret and whisky.  There was archery for Jacobites, at Musselburgh. Golf for the Whigs at Leith links.

There was a weekly concert at St Marys chapel Cowgate. The women sang old songs and held tea parties. A well-dressed duchess appeared from a dirty close. it was the Duchess of Gordon, the leader of Edinburgh society, was once seen riding up the high street on a sow, which her sister drove with a stick!

Georgian New Town built late 1700s

The heart of Edinburgh was at St Giles cathedral since the abolition of the bishops during the Reformation – there was the new church choir, old church nave, Haddow Holes northwest corner, Tolbooth west. The General Assembly met here once a year.  

At the Luckenbooths near St Giles were shops – on the East side was the flat of poet Allan Ramsay senior who established the first library 1725 and in the ground floor flat was the printer, William Creech. And on the west side were the dark turrets of the Old Tolbooth prison. At the back of St Giles, there was the Parliament house where the Scottish Parliament sat from 1639. The Edinburgh town council sat at Parliament Close.

From Edinburgh there were 3 mail coaches to London each week. A stagecoach ran monthly to London and took 10 days on the road. There were ships to London – from the Port of Leith. Edinburgh did not have the colonial trade with the Americas or a merchant class, that Glasgow had - but the town had lawyers, Court of Session, clergymen, General Assembly. 

 

There was intellectual infrastructure, reading societies, libraries, periodicals, museums and masonic lodges. The Edinburgh College (university) – William Castares, who’d been in Dutch exile before 1688 revolution. In 1708 introduced a system of professors – new chairs in Arts, Law. The Edinburgh Faculty of Medicine, founded in 1726 was the first in Britain. Jacobite printers Thomas and Walter Ruddima produced editions of Scots Renaissance writers such as George Buchannan and Gavin Douglas. They also expanded the Advocates library at Parliament House 1680 to over 2 thousand volumes. The Academy of Painting opened in 1729. The High school was one of the largest grammar schools with 400 pupils – plus 4 hospitals or boarding schools for orphans – George Heriots for boys and George Watson for girls in 1659.The Royal Infirmary was founded in 1741. 

Scottish Writers museum

Baxters Close

 

Edinburgh book festival images

 

I recall the excitement of my first times at Edinburgh book festival in Charlotte square back in 2009 – and the many famous faces I have encountered on my walk over the wooded walkways, as they left the Press yurt; it was always a surprise and the trying to act nonchalant! I met here Seamus Heaney, Brian Cox, Alex Salomnd, George RR Martin, Liz Lochhead, John Byrne, Val McDermid, Elif Shakfak, Ian Rankin, Alexander McCalll Smith, Allan Cummings, and many more!

 

The challenging light – at lunchtime, with any overhead sunshine causing far too many shadows, or the perfect late light, hitting the townhouses of the square and on Bute house. I remember George RR Martin waiting at the side gate.Or Seamus Heaney walking into the cafe.  

 

The many fun photographers I have met here – from Wales, Italy, Spain and elsewhere. The banter,

 

George RR Martin arrives

Seamus Heaney & Andrew O'Hagan

Unbound

Edna OBrien

Art has always been a big part of my life – poetry, songs, images, books. I enjoyed sketching, singing, playing piano, reading and writing in my small notebooks. I was constantly drawing; I went to visit art galleries, took art at school, wondered what makes artists great – the brilliant composer, the inspired painter, or the great poet. 

 

Art is how I imagine and visualise my references. 

Music is my main point of wonder, escape and emotional release. 

Poetry is how I make sense of the turmoil, confusion and troubles. 

And the stories we tell ourselves. 

Photographers set up Charlotte Sq

Cultural History Disconnects

I had a big disconnect between my primary school and secondary school. At primary we had Scottish dancing, Scots poetry and song. We had a headteacher from Skye, who often wore a kilt.

Then at secondary we had no Scottish history, culture or music at all. Only English literature, history and music. Quite  a strange disconnect. 

 

Then I attended college down the cobbled royal mile Edinburgh, and I wondered about all the history here – the Canongate Kirkyard, John Knox house, St Giles, Holyrood, the Grassmarket – and the castle. We used to go to the military tattoo there every year. 

 

Going to secondary school Edina, I travelled across the town by bus via Princes Street. On the top deck there were many teenagers in brightly coloured blazers who spoke with posh English accents. I wondered where they were from. In Edina around 25% of children attend private schools. 

 

No it wasn’t and isn’t an integrated melting pot at all. But a stiff social hierarchy. Back in the 60s and 70s though, young people had more options to go to study. Houses were built to offer greater social mixing – but that doesn’t always succeed. When people feel without things in common, many put up defensive barriers. 

 

Visiting Holyrood Palace I picked up a small book on the Stuart kings of Scotland. I was fascinated by the Scots history and stories. I  visited the Scottish national galleries, with their many portraits of Scottish royalty. My parents were from Northern Ireland, so I was very confused, as no doubt they were too. 

MY SONGS

 Back in the 70s I was involved with the folk revival happening in Edinburgh and around Scotland’s folk festivals. Many happy days and nights spent at Sandy Bells folk bar. Although in my youthful twenties I wasn’t aware it was a folk revival! Or of the iconic figures who were often on its benches there - Hamish Henderson or fiddler Aly Bain.

 

Now many decades later, I realise its significance, after twenty years attending and reviewing at Celtic Connections music festival in Glasgow, Europe’s major winter music festival, and from my researching and studying Scottish cultural heritage. 

 

I’ve read of the song collector and folklorist Margaret Bennet (mother of the renowned and innovative composer Martyn Bennet) and of the Scots legend Dick Gaughan, the Scottish studies school and of course the composer Hamish Henderson, who went to Sandy Bells back then. 

 

I was introduced to the Shetland fiddler Aly Bain, (Silly Wizard and Boys of the Lough) and who has been a musical director of Transatlantic Sessions since 2005, plus a founder of Celtic Connections. I was also acquainted with the highly respected songwriter Rab Noakes. We used to sing and harmonise his songs – Clear day, Branch. 

 

As a teenager I enjoyed Soul music, the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, then the Stones, Mozart, Robert Burns, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac and many others. 

Edinburgh book festival 2026 announced!

Programme for Edinburgh International Book Festival has been announced, with nearly 600 writers from 41 different countries taking part.

The renowned festival, taking place in the capital between August 15 and 30, published its full programme on Tuesday, with more than 600 events spanning fiction, politics, science, history, music and live performances. There are more than 150 events scheduled for children and families, along with a young adults programme tailored for audiences under 30.

The theme of the 2026 festival, "Changing Your Mind", may encourage visitors to "stay open and curious, championing deep listening and celebrating our capacity to evolve our thinking".

Among those to appear at the festival are former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who will speak on a panel titled "How to lead a country" alongside former Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin, to discuss their respective memoirs, Frankly and Hope in Action. Other prominent figures to speak at the festival include former UK prime minister Gordon Brown, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, and technology writer Cory Doctorow.

They will be joined by leading writers from around the world, including John Grisham, Ian Rankin, Maggie O'Farrell, Ali Smith, Jenni Fagan, Matt Haig and 2026 International Booker Prize winner Yáng Shuāng-z(Image: D

This year's programme also places focus on trust and information, featuring conversations with journalists, analysists and researchers examining misinformation, data and global narratives. The festival will also explore the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and its regulation, featuring voices such as Steve Crossan, who was part of the original DeepMind team, and Sarah Wynn-Williams, former director of public policy at Facebook.

The festival will run a schools programme to support around 5000 pupils through free tickets for those in need, along with transport and books.

Jenny Niven, director of Edinburgh international Book Festival, said: “Our theme 'Changing Your Mind' speaks to the moment we're in. At a time when opinions seem increasingly polarised and online debate is so divisive, we're creating space for thoughtful, nuanced conversations – exploring the reasons for our increasing social and political divides, and how we might change each others' minds, or at least agree to disagree, more agreeably. We're also looking at the potential of the human brain to adapt and relearn, and at the unparalleled power of stories to change our thinking."

Niven added: "Changing your mind is a lifelong process of staying open to new ideas.

"By bringing amazing speakers and curious audiences together, around knowledge and perspectives that help us challenge our assumptions and see the world differently, we hope the Festival programme this year will help us gain a deeper understanding of both ourselves and each other."

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2026 tickets

Tickets for this year's Edinburgh International Book Festival Thursday, June 25. https://www.edbookfest.co.uk   

 

Burns Love Life

 

Margaret Chambers

Burns love life is highly complex and complicated!  He wrote some of the most famous love songs ever written. He loved often. His first famous poem, written when Burns was sixteen was Westlin Winds for Peggy. 

As a teenager he fell in love often, after reading a book of French love letters given to him by mistake by his tutor John Murdoch! Burns’s first child, Elizabeth Burns was born to his mother’s servant Elizabeth Paton. 

There was the Mauchline Belles! Many years later when he was twenty two, Burns moved to Mossgiel farm near Mauchline in 1782, where he met his bonny Jean. She was a great singer and knew all the auld Scots ballads like his mother. 

At this time he also met his Highland Mary: after Jean suddenly left for Paisley. He pledged his love for her over a bible and later wrote the poems Highland Mary and To Mary in Heaven to her. Also – “Will ye go to the Indies, my Mary, And leave auld Scotia’s shore?” However Mary suddenly died in Greenock from Typhus, she had contracted from her uncle. Burns was devastated.  Machine was a crossroads town, with many travellers and walks fo life. 

Burns also greatly enjoyed educated, cultured women he met on his travels, who he felt a kinship with. First he met Margaret Chambers in Edina, a farmers daughter who was his equal in education and conversation. 

January 1787, Burns wrote to her, Dear Dr. Countrywoman. I know you will laugh at it, when I tell you that your playing and you together have played the deuce somehow, about my heart. I could sit down and cry like a child……’Personal attractions, Madam, you have much above par, Wit and understanding & worth, you possess in the first class. ‘   

 

Burns spent two more winters in Edina in 1787 and 88, and late in 1788 he met the elegant culture Agnes McLahose, his Nancy who was also well educated and a poet too.  He walked under Clarinda/ Nancy’s window. ‘tis the star that guards. My queen of poetesses empress of the poets soul. I gave her two wineglasses with the toast. ‘Long may we love, and long may we be happy.’ 

Clarinda needed the support of her uncle for her annuity. They wrote over 300 letters correspondence to each other from 1788 to 1791 – when he wrote his great song of parting for her Ae Fond Kiss. Clarinda was to leave and told Burns that he must go back to Jean, that there was not likely any future. Burns heart was broken. 

She left for the West indies.

After his Scotia travels (1786-1788) and his time in Edina having his poems published, Burns returned to Ayrshire and married Jean Armour in April 1788, when they moved to the Ellisland farm. They had three surviving sons. He wrote the poem I Love my Jean for her.  Also in 1791, Elizabeth Burns was born to Anna Park, a barmaid at the Globe Inn in 1791. Jean took her in and looked after her. 

Because of his education Burns straddled all walks of life, from the poor he met in Mauchline to the great and good of the Edina’s literati, the academics and the enlightenment writers.  

*In 1791 he was inspired to write one of the greatest love songs ever written, Red Red Rose.

O my Luve is like a red, red rose

That’s newly sprung in June;

O my Luve is like the melody

That’s sweetly played in tune.

 

So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a’ the seas gang dry.

 

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;

I will love thee still, my dear,

While the sands o’ life shall run.

 

And fare thee weel, my only luve!

And fare thee weel awhile!

And I will come again, my luve,

Though it were ten thousand mile.

 His stay in the Edina resulted in lifelong friendships - with Lord Glencairn and Francis Dunlop (1730-1815) 

who became a mentor and sponsor and with whom he corresponded. 

*      *      *      *      

Farwell to Clarinda, the mistress of my soul,

The measured time is run

The wretch beneath the dreary pole

So marks his latest sun.

*      *      *      *      *

 

My Peggy’s face, my Peggy’s form,

The frost of hermitage might warm,

My Peggy’s worth, My Peggy’s mind,

Might charm the first of human kind,

I love my Peggy’s angel air,

Her face so truly heavenly fair,

Her nature grace so void of air,

And I do love my Peggy’s heart.   RB

 (Published 1802)

 

A Letter from Mrs Dunlop - She feared I might loose being this ‘rustic bard’ in Edina. She wrote such high praise, and told me, I was the best bard ever to have adorned my country. 

I wrote to her, ‘I have long studied myself and I think I know pretty exactly what ground I occupy, both as a man and a poet….Poets are such outré beings, so much the children of wayward Fancy and capricious Whim, that I believe the word generally allows them a larger latitude in the rules of Propriety, than the sober sons of Judgement and Prudence. ‘ 

 

I Love My Jean

Of a' the airts the wind can blaw,

I dearly like the West;

For there the bony Lassie lives,

The Lassie I lo'e best:

There's wild-woods grow,

and rivers row,

And mony a hill between;

But day and night my fancy's flight

Is ever wi' my Jean.

 

I see her in the dewy flowers,

I see her sweet and fair;

I hear her in the tunefu' birds,

I hear her charm the air:

There's not a bony flower that springs

By fountain, shaw, or green;

There's not a bony bird that sings

But minds me o' my Jean.

RB

 

 

A Scots Media II

That’s the big question I ask myself often. Why are at least half of Scots still supportive of the clearly failing union, when we’ve recently suffered so many disasters and chaos in recent years? I believe it’s all about the lack of any serious Scottish media. I remember my son made this comment in 2014 “ how can we win independence with no media? “  

Of course younger Scots get their media and press from a variety of sources and their support for Indy is around 70%. But the over 50s still look to the mainstream unionist media and press. BBC Scotland for instance totally ignores any serious failings in England, such as England’s disastrous water scandal. (This is covered by channel Four news which is more balanced than the BBC.) 

Back in 1707 Scotland kept its own Kirk - which in those days was the media (they preached against the French terror!)  We had Scottish newspapers by 1700s. The problem started with broadcast media around the 50s, which is totally controlled from London. Even Catalonia has four tv channels, two news and two entertainment. The UK is now a highly centralised state, which is not healthy for the north of England either. 

Today Scotland only has the one Indy supporting Newspaper, the National that represents half of Scots. There are not one but 4 English political parties in Scotland who support the union. It’s all quite bazaar and unbalanced. With Reform a far right, English nationalist party. (Why don’t we stand a Scottish political party in England?) Scotland must move on from any mind-set of ‘too wee and too poor.’” We’re a third of the UK landmass and 66% of UK seas and equal to many other European nations. 

Scotland is asking for normal self-determination, that’s normal across the developed world - then again Edinburgh must not be a new centralising London. The central government should only decide on federal roads, foreign policy, certain economic levers - otherwise decisions should be made at a local level on say education, health, local infrastructure etc. The economy should work for the people not against us! The politicians in London are totally out of ideas and controlled by dirty money and Trump's America. 

Why are there so many Scots in thrall to the supposed ‘union’ with England? A good read is “DeColonizing Language” by Ngugi Wa Thiong’O recommended by Alan Riach - how language repression is much cheaper and easier than military control. Colonisation of the mind. I think of how children were belted if they spoke in their native Scots at school, how clan chiefs had to have their son’s educated in England. This also happened in Africa - where children had to learn ‘To a Daffodil’ even though they had never seen one! 

In 1700s we had a Scottish Kirk and Scottish newspapers but since the war we’ve had totally biased news reporting that focuses on London and the UKs foreign owned press, that is not balanced. John Swinney should pursue legal means to regulate for a balanced press! They do this in other countries. I went to a talk at Edinburgh book festival about this issue: Ruth Wishart was there.

 

Is there a reason Scots vote to be a colony of London? I’ve been trying to find out. Scotland used to benefit from the exploiting of the British empire countries, but since the Second World War the BE has ceased to exist. Now Scotland is the last colony being exploited. Some Anglo Scots view advancement through getting a seat in the House of Lords. Is unionism about your tribe? It used to be about religion. 

Scotland could be as successful as Ireland, Norway or Denmark - instead we’re held back as part of a failing UK model. Don’t tell me the lies of the made up and fake GERS figures - these are the figures Scotland endures being shackled to the UK and treated as a branch economy. London only cares about London property prices. Westminster is shutting down Scotland. 

Since this election 2026, the prospects of the three Celtic nations working together is so positive. Crucially Swinney must appeal to all of Scotland and speak to all Scots, to counter the rise of divisiveness of Reform.

 

Tom Nairn’s “The Break up of Britain” is another great read on the archaic politics here. Where are the books on the benefits of the union, where are the songs or celebrities for the union? We are basically fed a bunch of lies constantly by the unionist press - SNP bad etc. etc. it’s very demoralising and isn’t good for anyone all this negativity. Where is the hope?? 

So how does Scotland prosper as part of the UK, what are the benefits? The crash of 2008, showed clearly how the neoliberal economic model is failing people. The politicians in London only claim, “They’ll do more of the same but better.” 

They are stuck in the 80s thinking rather than looking at new ways of modelling and moving to a modern state. This is not good enough when most people here see their standard of living falling. Scotland is stuck in an archaic Britain that is unable to move forward. ….. If you don’t believe me watch the BBCs Question Time each Thursday to hear the lack of any constructive ideas from Westminster MPs! 

Scotland’s freedom and sovereignty in Europe now!!    

 

Shortest History of Scotland Murray Pittock

 

Wars of Bruce and William 13thc and 14thc and the sophisticate political thought, 

 

1760 to 1914 – Scotland that caught up  with rest of UK.  Scottish associations and Burns clubs

 

 

From Columba to The Corries, the Picts to Paisley, Doggerland to Devolution – here is the unmissable story of Scotland.

Scotland is one of the oldest nations in Europe. Its territory remains fundamentally unchanged since the fifteenth century, and its southern border with England has barely altered since 1237.

And yet Scotland – a country with its own law, education and church – is not a state at all. In The Shortest History of Scotland, Murray Pittock argues that this very ambiguity has helped make the nation a central part of the global story.

From first tribes to Scotland’s multicultural present, Pittock unpicks the myths from the reality. He explores the glories – real and imagined – of Scottish history, from the Bruce to Balmoral, William Wallace to Walter Scott, Enlightenment to Devolution. And he asks what this rich past can tell us about what may lie ahead.

 

 The International aspects of Scotland has an unusually distinctive brand 15^th or 16^th brand. 

 

“Culture is resistant to change, and history is being manipulated.” 

“Tribalism based on ignorance is not a good idea.” Murray Pittock

Aly Bain Shetland Fiddler turns 80!

Aly Bain Shetland Fiddler turns 80,

Happy birthday Aly!......He is a leading voice on the Scottish folk scene – unassuming and supremely talented. He learned the Shetland fiddle style on the lap of his teacher. He’s a founder of the Transatlantic Sessions: begun in 2005 and in 2026 in its 31^st year. Along with master dubro player American Jerry Douglas, Bain is a musical director of this classy and accomplished TS band. 

Aly Bain & Nicola Benedetti

Aly performed with the renowned violinist Nicola Benedetti at the Celtic Connections opening concert 2012, along with Phil Cunningham. Benedetti was intrigued to learn the Shetland fiddle techniques. 

Aly Bain Transatlantic Sessions

My Review for The Transatlantic Sessions 2026

Aly Bain drives deep into the emotions, as he played his subtle and expressive Shetland fiddle with his expert ease on Hector the Hero set. 

The quality TS band are always tight and impressive, the glue for this concert. As we leave to brave the cold January night air, we are heartened by the jovial warmth and musical energy of this ever popular concert!

 

Like a musical river from Tennessee to Nashville to west Kerry, than to Shetland and to Pathhead Midlothian. As Mattea described, the colourful, one off collaborating at Celtic Connections lead to arteries “like the roots of a tree that lead to different accents – and make the collaborating more sweet.” Like a fascinating patchwork quilt with the variety and range of musical styles and genres that challenge and add musical colour to our lives.

 

The show's seasoned house band, guided as ever by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, features renowned Celtic and Americana roots musicians John Doyle, Michael McGoldrick, Tatiana Hargreaves and Allison de Groot, John McCusker, Donald Shaw, James Mackintosh, and Daniel Kimbro.

I’ve been taking photos at the Transatlantic Sessions since 2008! 

There’s a large archive of TS photos on my website – https://pkimage.co.uk/celticconnections

He continues to tour with accordion player and pianist and composer Phil Cunningham.