The Elephant House The Elephant House is


part of the Scottish capital’s modern history. It was in this café that author J.K. Rowling found out her first book would be published, so it is now known as the ‘birthplace’ of Harry Potter. Toast the success of the boy wizard with a Scottish coffee: a shot of whisky with coffee and cream. Or, if you prefer beer, opt for one of the award- winning beers from nearby Bellfield Brewery.


south bridge Vaults The South Bridge, built in 1788, once


had 19 arches. Shops and houses were built along the top of the bridge, and to make even more space for merchants, taverns, cobblers and innkeepers, the arches were eventually blocked in, creating the dimly-lit and rather spooky vaults that became home to the poorest and most desperate of people. Take a trip down to the atmospheric, labyrinthian spaces, and find out about life (and death) in the vaults.


the real Mary King’s Close The Real Mary King’s Close is hidden


underneath the most famous street in the city — the Royal Mile. This warren of 17th- century homes and passageways in the city’s historic Old Town area offers a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived, worked and died there. These included poet Robert Fergusson, plague doctor George Rae, and the very last resident of the close, sawmaker Andrew Chesney. Characters are brought to life by costumed tour guides.


SUMMER 2022 • 19


illustrations: Lis watkins


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76