Getting to Know Edinburgh: Second Edition

 

Getting to Know Edinburgh: Second Edition: Amazon.co.uk: Harris, George Herbert: 9798243708098: Books

Introduction to the Second Edition (2026)

 

Much of this book is about past history. That has not changed. But in the eleven years since it was first written much of the first edition turns out to be wrong and out of date. Readers are recommended to turn left at a building which no longer exists. The National Gallery has been reorganised and rehung. The trams are no longer new, and we have moved house, which has led to the addition of an entirely new chapter.

 

On the day I visited three excellent museums, to check what might have changed, I found that in each one an exhibit I mentioned as a highlight was no longer on show. This is bound to happen, and is no discredit on the curators. They will have far more objects stored than they can have space to exhibit; things get swapped round.

 

But I am still very glad that we moved here, over fifty years ago, and love living here. As with the first edition, I have tried to write the sort of book I would like if I were visiting the city. It concentrates mainly, though not exclusively, on things to see that are free. It does not reproduce all the material which is posted on signs and notices, though it may call your attention to them. It most certainly leaves the way open for more books and for longer visits; Edinburgh is a life-time study. But my book is certainly cheaper than most, if you buy the on-line version.

 

The absence of maps in the first edition was commented on unfavourably. So I have made one for each route. They are not masterpieces of the cartographer's art and they miss out lots of streets that are not on the particular route, but I hope they add a little to the convenience of the book. One feature of the city that can confuse first-time visitors is the steep slopes and bridges, so that “obvious” turns right and left are not possible.

 

I also believe that now that smart phones have become more or less universal – not least for google maps – there is not really any need to put in opening times, admission prices and so on, all of which may rapidly change. I have decided not to include web addresses, as I did in the first edition for you, I am sure, can find them just as fast for yourselves.

 

The first edition had one hostile review: “Would like more about the history of the city and not so much about coffee shops”. This is so bizarre I assume it was written by a “friend”, or possibly by a former pupil. If you want more about the history of the city, there are a few recommendations in the Introduction to the First Edition. If you want to read stuff I have written try looking on Amazon Kindle for Lectures in Scottish History by George Harris. The defect that embarrasses me a little is the omission of Leith, a most vibrant and interesting part of the burgh. But I do have a principle of only writing about what I know and have absorbed over years. Any chapter on Leith (do go there) would be based on hasty scissors-and-paste work.

 

Edinburgh is well served by buses, and the drivers are friendly. These are the red buses. The green ones go out of town. Single journeys right now cost: Adult - £2.20; Under 15 - £1.10; Under 5 – free. Day tickets (often your best choice): Adult - £5.50; 5-15 - £2.75; Family (up to 2 adults and 3 children) £12.00.

 

    

 

 

 

A Foresters' Carol

 

                            A Foresters’ Carol

Tune: "God rest you, merry Gentlemen"

God rest you, merry foresters, let nothing you dismay.

We’ll celebrate the message that more trees are on the way.

See Hazel, Oak and Douglas Fir, and darling buds of May,

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy.

 

Let timber flourish everywhere. Lock up that CO2!

For furniture and sheds, of course; but other uses too.

Skyscrapers, schools and shopping malls. Why not a wooden zoo?

O tidings etc

 

Walk in the woodlands, roaming free; there’s life on every side.

No end of tangled undergrowth for timid beasts to hide.

And not to mention rotten logs with loads of bugs inside.

O tidings etc

 

Go gather blossom in the spring and summer fruit for free.

Then acorns, conkers, Robin Hood – no end of childhood glee.

So bring the Yule log, deck the hall, dance round the Christmas Tree.

O tidings etc

 

Dionysus and the Mad Women

 

Many years ago I used to write plays with songs for our younger pupils at school , P7, S1, S2 in Scotland, 7,8,9 in England. The one called "A Near Myth" told the story of Proteus, Melampus and the women of Tyrins. I am quite pleased with this song, where Dionysus is sent from Olympus to drive the women of Tyrins mad. Tune: "Magnetic Rag" by Scott Joplin.

Dionysus and the Women of Tyrins

 

DIONYSUS:               Call me Dionysus; I’m full of nice surprises.

                                    Drinks for every day, drinks for work or play.

                                    Blow away your troubles with effervescent bubbles.

                                    Just one more glass or two cannot hurt you.

WOMEN                     Dionysus, we love you so (Repeat)

 

DIONYSUS                Doctor Dionysus; my medicine is the nicest.

                                    (I won’t tell them yet there’s a side effect.)

                                    There’s no need to worry; don’t be in any hurry.

                                    Don’t even stop to think; just have a drink.

WOMEN                     Dionysus, we love you so.  (They drink)

 

DIONYSUS                That is enough. Now you’ve had your fun.

                                    I’ve got you trapped. Now my task is done.

                                    Time to pay the price of your drinking bout.

                                    Alcohol is poison, you’ve just found out.

                                    My medicine now will your brains devour.

                                    I am a god. Now you feel my power.

                                    Think of every nightmare you’ve ever had.

                                    There’s no escape; you’re going mad.

 

WOMEN                    That is enough. Now we’ve had our fun.

                                    He’s got us trapped. Now his task is done.

                                    Time to pay the price of our drinking bout.

                                    Alcohol is poison, we’ve just found out.

                                    His medicine now will our brains devour.

                                    He is a god. Now we feel his power.

                                    Think of every nightmare we’ve ever had.

                                    There’s no escape; we’re going mad. (Exit WOMEN)

 

DIONYSUS               I am Dionysus. I think this joke is priceless.

                                    I just love to see mortals on a spree.

                                    Don’t be sympathetic; they’re really just pathetic.

                                    When Dionysus calls, who can resist?

                                    Dionysus knows the way.

                                    Dionysus calls the play.

                                    Dionysus night or day.

                                    Dionysus rules, OK!

 

History pieces that support Advanced Higher courses

 

My history pieces on Kindle are brief, (shorter than a book, anyhow), not at all superficial (based on over 40 years of studying, teaching and examining) and cheap (about £1.00 each). They are intended to provoke thought. Some of them fit closely with some of the topics that people study at Advanced Higher, so I have listed them here.

 

Field 3 – Scotland: from the Treaty of Union to the Enlightenment 1707-1815.

The Jacobites (Lectures in Scottish History Book 6) eBook : Harris, George: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

An Introduction to the Scottish Enlightenment (Lectures in Scottish History Book 1) eBook : Harris, George: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Field 4 – USA: A House Divided 1850-1865

Slavery and the Causes of the American Civil War (A-grade History Lectures Book 14) eBook : Harris, George: Amazon.co.uk: Books

 

Field 6 – Germany: from democracy to dictatorship 1918-1939

Hitler's Rise to Power (a-Grade History Lectures Book 2) eBook : Harris, George: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

 

Field 8 – Russia: from Tsarism to Stalinism 1914-1945

The Russian Revolution of 1917 (A-Grade History Lectures Book 3) eBook : Harris, George: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

 

Field 10 – Britain: at war and peace 1938-1951

The Causes of the Second World War and Appeasement (A-Grade History Lectures Book 4) eBook : Harris, George: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

 

Why did the Allies win the Second World War? (A-Grade History Lectures Book 11) eBook : Harris, George: Amazon.co.uk: Books

The Secret of Eilean Mhor

 

I hope that after you read this you might buy the book. It costs less than a pint of beer and is available as an Amazon paperback – or Kindle if you prefer (even Kindle unlimited). Let’s start with the link to it.

 

The Secret of Eilean Mhor: Amazon.co.uk: Harris, George: 9781910693322: Books

 

A few years ago we had a family holiday on the west coast of Scotland. My grandsons loved it – the beach, the woods, the hills. In fact we have had a holiday somewhere on the west coast maybe a hundred times in the last fifty years. I thought I would write a book about it.

 

I made it a children’s adventure story because of my grandchildren. Inventing and telling the adventure plot was fun, and I think it worked. As my daughter said to me later: “He’s reading your book right now. He can’t put it down.” But I was also keen to include all the bits that can make a holiday on that wonderful coast such a pleasure, for adults as well as for children. There is boating, hill walking, searching the machair for flowers, a Highland games, swimming, playing on the beach and exploring wild woodland.

 

One child whom I did not know at all – daughter of the friend of a friend - said to me: “There’s only one thing wrong with your book. It hasn’t got a sequel.”

 

I decided to make my own illustrations. They may not be great art, but they do show exactly what I wanted. The clachan with its island is invented but the mountain they go up is real. Readers can feel they are in Moidart. I could have used photos of the area, such as these.

 

(No spoilers, but a cave and a washed-up telegraph pole are important in the story)

Designing an Amazon paperback tested my new skills to the limit. The pagination of one or two of the chapter headings isn’t quite what I was after. Otherwise it is a very handy little book. It would make a good present for a young reader.

 Reviews by friends of the author can’t always be trusted, of course. That’s why I was so pleased with the opinion of the unknown girl who wanted a sequel. Here also is an Amazon review by a completely unknown purchaser: 

“A great adventure mystery story, set in one of the best places on earth - the west coast of Scotland. Would recommend! Thanks for writing this, it was amazing.”

There was also an exchange on Bluesky with the Arthur Ransome Society, and I was very pleased when they said this: The 12 Ransome books are for all ages. Setting of yours is a modern 'Great Northern?' while having baddies like S&A does. Later aspects of your book are more for older readers - can't go into details as it would be a plot spoiler. Like Jon Tucker's 'Those kids' you blend modern technology in well.

 

 

The Spirit of Christmas - A carol

 

I write a satirical column for our church magazine. My motto comes from Desiderius Erasmus: "What is the matter with telling the truth with a smile?" I have just written this carol which, I hope, makes some serious points beneath the fun. The three characters have had their personalities developed over three decades but I think it is clear from their verses what their attitudes are. I hope some of you know "HMS Pinafore" and will be able to hum along, or even burst into song. 

A Trio for Christmas: Tune – “Never mind the why and wherefore” by Sir Arthur Sullivan (abridged)

 

Thumbscrew Widget:      Let’s give thanks for Christmas frolic, often very alcoholic,

    Twelve whole days of getting plastered going on through Hogmanay.

    Carol singing, bottles clinking, Christmas is a special day!

All:                                          Celebrate the incarnation, boisterously or meek and mild.

                                                What a cause for celebration! Joseph, Mary, and the Child.

 

Seth the Preacher:           There’s too much of Christmas frolic, often far too alcoholic

                                         Just commercial exploitation, all awash with gin and beer.

                                         It’s the Roman Saturnalia. Cromwell had the right idea!

All:                          BUT…..  Celebrate the incarnation, boisterously or meek and mild.

                                                What a cause for celebration! Joseph, Mary and the Child.

 

Parkin Slipshod:               All enjoy the Christmas frolic, whether dry or alcoholic.

                                          Kings or Shepherds – even Angels – mark the feast in your own way.

                                          Even if you don’t like turkey, Christmas is a special day.

All:                          SO…….. Celebrate the incarnation, boisterously or meek and mild.

                                                What a cause for celebration! Joseph, Mary and the Child.

 

Coniston Landscapes

 My next exhibition will be in The Institute, Yewdale Road, Coniston. Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21, 10.00 - 6.00 Monday May 22, 10.00 - 4.00. It is in aid  (50/50) of the Mountain Rescue Team. I have only twice had to call out the Coniston MRT, when I have met other fell walkers in difficulties, but I can think of no better cause for lovers of the Lake District fells. 

There will be large paintings, medium-sized paintings, small paintings, hand-painted cards, Christmas cards, and post cards. 

Prices - well, original paintings can't cost nothing, but these will be far less than gallery prices. There's no need to buy anything anyway (though I hope you will). There will be plenty of ways just to donate lots to the MRT.

Coniston Water is, of course, the main subject in many of the paintings. 

But there are many pictures made from high on the fells - mostly in easy walking range of the village.

The little corners, appreciated as you walk past can be just as important to a lover of the district as the wide vistas.

Almost all the pictures are of the Coniston area, but I am lucky to have a possible place to stay in Borrowdale as well.

There is a wide variety of seasons and weather conditions.

Some of the pictures are of places I have loved to play for nearly 70 years. All the paintings are either from sketches, or from pitching my easel on the spot. All the paintings include vivid memories for me. There will be well over 50 paintings.

I do hope you will be able to call in. It will be lovely to see you.