North of City Centre

The north entrance to the disused tunnel leading to Waverley Station. This is in the Scotland Yard children's playground near Scotland Street. Photo taken on my first digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix 900 with 1.2 Megapixels.

This is a large image so that you can zoom in outside the gallery to read the text which includes information about the trains and tunnels, as well as a quote from Robert Louis Stevenson's Picturesque Notes about Scotland Street Train Station. There's a map of the park at the bottom of the notice.

This picture was taken 8 years after Scotland Yard 4 but not much has changed.

How it looks in 2010.

The old tunnel to Waverley Station has been partly opened up and secured with a heavy-duty custom-made gate.

A little bit closer in, on the other side of that black painted metal structure.

CONFINED SPACE - DO NOT ENTER admonishes the warning notice. The space doesn't look confined - but you can't enter anyway.

A few yards to the north and the biggest change is the opening of the old railway tunnel under Rodney Street for cyclists, pedestrians and inline skaters. There's now a safe traffic-free route connecting Eyre Place to Tesco at Broughton Road.

This is a view through the tunnel towards the Canonmills / Tesco end. Paths continue to Goldenacre, Trinity and Leith.

At the northern end of the tunnel some remedial work has been done in the form of a coating which seems to have been sprayed on.

EAST TRINITY ROAD states the helpful sign at the entrance to the tunnel on this branch of the cycle path network. This first of three variations was at 55mm focal length, a slight zoom over 'normal'.

This view is with a focal length of 18mm = 24mm on a film SLR. Wide angle makes the tunnel look longer despite the standpoint being closer than in the first shot.

24mm = 36mm on a 35mm film SLR, slightly wider than the 'normal' 50mm lens. In the first shot I changed my standpoint to get the sign over the dark tunnel. In this shot I got up close but positioned the sign carefully.

Revisited. On the map this looks like an eastern extension to Lower Granton Road, but of course it's a former railway line and now a footpath and cyclepath. These later photos were taken after a visit to Western Harbour and Newhaven on the way to Canonmills.

Lennox Row is the first bridge on the route south.

East Trinity Road is the second bridge. This is quite a wide tunnel with room for two train tracks side by side.

Inside the tunnel looking out.

Revisited after a wander round Warriston Cemetery.

Infrared photo of ivy climbing up wire cage reinforcements beside the path.

The Ferry Road bridge is next. If continuing straight ahead, you'll pass Goldenacre sports ground on your right before reaching Warriston and Canonmills.

Broughton Market psychedelic Style. This little street is at the bottom of Dublin Street.

An updated photo (July 2009) without any effects. Sacro have left the building it seems but the building still looks splendid with its immaculate paint job.

Broughton Street is closed to traffic at the top where it joins Picardy Place at the east end of Queen Street. This enabled this rare event, a complete lack of cars. July 2012.

April 2006 at the top of Broughton Street on the east side. A take-away advertises the ultimate non-health food, the deep fried Mars Bar alongside pizza and kebabs

Perhaps one day the authorities will dig up all the remains of those buried in Warriston Cemetery and sell off the land for housing. I first took photographs here in the mid '70s but this is a more recent picture.

Looking down-river from the bridge at Canonmills showing flood prevention work. Warriston Road is on the right.

Looking towards Inverleith Row from the window of a second floor flat. The main road crosses the Water Of Leith, just beyond the clock.

A similar picture to the one above, but this time with a standard 50mm lens instead of a wide angle one, and taken after dark. The Water Of Leith flows parallel to the road, on its left side.

I thought I'd better photograph this building because I believe planning permission has been given to build something larger here next to the river bridge.

Previously under threat in 2011, now again in 2016.

Previously under threat in 2011, now again in 2016.

Not my photo but it shows the Water of Leith overflowing the wall in the July floods. If you are or know the photographer let me know and I'll give credit where it's due.

Again, not my photo. From the same area as the previous image but facing east rather then west. If you are - or know the photographer let me know and I'll give credit where it's due.

Looking downstream. Warriston Crescent is on the left and Warriston Road on the right.

Zoomed in on the houses at Boat Green. Recent floods here would have meant a boat might have been useful.

From Warriston Road facing upstream towards Huntly Street and Inverleith Row.

Looking down on Warriston Road from the old railway bridge.

The same view in normal colour.

The Crewe Toll to Leith cyclepath passes below this unusual building constructed on a bridge.

This is the building which lies beyond the fence in the previous picture. Ivy is now growing inside the building. Nature is reclaiming its place.

On the way to Warriston Cemetery...

On the old railway bridge over Warriston Road and the Water of Leith looking south towards Broughton Road.

A similar view in normal colour. Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill are in the distance at top left.

'In loving memory of Ernest James Clements, aged 10½ years, who was killed by the fall of Ashley Terrace Bridge during its demolition on 31 August 1904.'

Approaching the bridge which I first photographed 37 years earlier.

Getting closer...

I reckoned that this view was broadly similar to the photo I took in 1975.

A normal colour view of the same scene.

Not in infrared. Photographed using Ilford FP4 film developed in Acutol. From left to right: Alf Torrance, Jon Meyer, Penny Torrance and me.

Supported by tree stumps and gravestones, mounds of ivy leaves glowing under infrared light.

A faint path meanders through the ivy-carpeted ground. Not many people come to this part of the cemetery.

If you venture through the arch of the bridge shown above you'll reach these hidden steps leading to other areas of the cemetery.

Looking up the steps.

The same view of the steps in normal colour.

Two closeup views of the stone roses beside the steps.

Left unattended the moss may eventually obscure the stonework.

Turning right after climbing the steps leads to this point where the the path splits into two.

Obscured by ivy, these tombstones overlook the one in the foreground which hasn't yet vanished under a cloak of leaves.

I was so intrigued by this weird scene I took another shot from a bit closer.

Infant and child mortality was very common in the 19th century. Recorded on this stone are the deaths of Agnes aged 12, infants Zerub and Thomas, Joseph aged 15 and Janet the youngest daughter.

An intriguing path through a gap in a wall.

The same view in normal colour.

A distinctive resting place for Gregor Hugh Grant.

The rusty railings have done little to protect the memorial text for Gregor Hugh Grant from the ravages of time. The bottom right edge of the diamond shape says ROCK OF AGES.

Maggie H. Knowles had a short life (23 years). Erected by her husband who hailed from Singapore, back in the days when Britain had an empire.

The first of four photos of this grave which commemorates various ministers and their families.

A vertical composition of the same scene.

The Reverend William Peddie had a long life as did Christian Willoughby Barlow but Peddie's wife died in her twenties.

Another Peddie named James also had a long life.

GEORGE WATERSTON, STATIONER, EDINBURGH, BORN 1808, DIED1893. Other Waterstons commemorated include Charles an Inverness banker and Robert a merchant from Auckland NZ.

When I approached this part of the cemetery I recognised it from my photo of 37 years earlier.

A closer look reveals that a tree and other vegetation have grown since I took the next photo.

It wouldn't be possible to re-enact this photo because the tree is in the way. Also there's a fence to prevent people from falling. Pictured are Jon Meyer, Alf Torrance and Penny Torrance.

For reference, a colour view of the same place.

Another view from the '70s. Jon, Alf and Penny are looking down at something.

A convenient seat, now occupied by a tree 37 years later.

Next to a knobbly tree, a broken cross seems to commemorate the mighty dollar.

For comparison, a colour view of the broken cross and the knobbly tree.

The notice tells us that the cemetery is a designated Local Nature Conservation Site.

The final photo in this sequence shows the exit from these hidden places, i.e. over the stone wall at right of centre.

Botanic Gardens: A peaceful scene looking splendid in colour. A heron is standing in the water, on the prowl for fish.

A wider view of the same scene photographed through an R72 infrared filter which blocks all visible light including the camera's screen and viewfinder. Chlorophyll foliage reflects most IR light, hence the bright leaves.

When the heron seemed excited, stamping its feet on the mud, I switched cameras and grabbed 2 normal pictures before continuing.

I got lucky and caught the heron tossing the tiny fish in its beak, presumably to swallow it head first.

Blue sky has insufficient infrared light coming from it to register on a digital camera's sensor or on film. Clouds show up but sky and water are dark.

The side entrance to the glasshouses giving access to the Temperate Zone and Aquarium.

A closer look at the plants to the left of the path.

Facing west on the short walk to the main entrance to the Palm House. The wintry appearance is deceptive. It was a warm sunny midday on the last day of May 2010.

The main entrance to the Palm House is on the left.

Inside the entrance looking up. Visit the official website for more information.

From previous experience I knew that hedges came out well in infrared. This is undeniably a big hedge.

I use the hedge to frame a tree on the other side.

A man strolls casually through the hedge while a woman photographer and I aim cameras at each other.

The final big hedge picture shows its west end. Up close, the leaves can be seen more clearly.

At the top of the hill near the restaurant. The foreground vegetation is from a central circular pond.

At the left of the pond, white spikes emerge from black water.

Looking down the path to the west gate.

Same picture Widescreen Wallpaper version (1920 x 1080)

Part way down the path showing different altitudes' vegetation.

The wooden building at the pondside in the previous picture.

A magnificent triangular shaped conifer contrasts well with the blue sky.

A closer look at the lower branches of the conifer.

I backed off a little for the final shot so as to contrast the low branches against the shade behind.

Early '70s - The telephoto lens accentuates the steepness of Comely Bank Avenue leading from Stockbridge up to the West End. A horse-drawn vehicle is delivering milk.

This shot concentrates on the patterns made by bay windows and chimneys.

The same street as the previous photo but nearly 30 years later. The photos above and below were taken in the '70s with a Yashica SLR and 350mm lens. This one was taken with an Olympus E-10 with a 420mm equivalent lens.

Just off Queensferry Road on its north side before the traffic lights at the Orchard Brae junction. Number 25 Learmonth Terrace is well provided for in the parking department.

From the above spot, if turning right to face downhill, you'll have a view of Fettes College, former school of Tony Blair ex-PM. Some people have likened the building to a Disneyland creation.

It was called Daniel Stewart's College when I went there in the '50s but it's actually been Stewart's Melville for quite a while. Melville College pupils used to wear tomato red jackets before their school merged with Stewart's.

This second shot shows the right side of the building.

A second visit to my old school which I left in 1961. It's one of their open days so I took one or two snaps and observed the changes.

The architecture has been described as Gothic.

This stairway has been greatly smartened up since I trod its steps right through the 1950s and start of the '60s.

Now a library but it once was the school chapel. I agree with the change of use.

I am pleased to see that my handheld shot of the ceiling came out well. A tripod would have been intrusive. The weight of my wide angle lens helped avoid camera shake.

This attractive footbridge leads from Rocheid Path to Bell Place.

As the path continues east there are views of the Stockbridge colony houses across the river.

Same buildings, different viewpoint, different light.

Some interesting balconies and verandas with good views of the river.

This shows the footpath from Deanhaugh Street bridge to Bridge Place and Glenogle Road.

Further downstream in Stockbridge there are a variety of building types overlooking the Water of Leith.

I had to go behind these railings to take the Gormley photos.

About 200m along Saunders Street is the main road from the city centre; this section is Deanhaugh Street and it crosses the river here where you can see this Gormley statue.

If you're walking on this stretch of the Water of Leith footpath then it's necessary to cross Deanhaugh street at the bridge. The steel stairs descend to the path once more which continues to Arboretum Avenue and Bridge Place. Glenogle Road leads to Canonmills.

Stockbridge near the bottom of the steep main road down from Princes Street. On the way down it changes its name as follows: Frederick Street, Queen Street Gardens West, Howe Street, South East Circus Place, Circus Place, NW Circus Place, Kerr Street, Deanhaugh Street, Raeburn Place - all in less than one kilometre.

These photos were taken from Kerr Street at the end of St Stephen Street, on the southern banks of the Water of Leith. This second shot is just to the right of the previous view. The steep cobbled lane to the right of the tenement building is Gloucester Street.

A wider view of the entire triangular block, backed by India Place.

Photographed from the corner of India Place, looking across NW Circus Place to St Stephen Street.

When approached from India Street, these tenements could be perceived as having a basement and a sub-basement. This is quite common in Edinburgh's New Town. However, the sub-basement is at street level as seen from North West Circus Place. A series of short stairways connects the two streets.

The same red pillar box appears in this photo as seen from the stairs up to India Street. A single-decker LRT bus is trundling down the stone setts of North West Circus Place. The junction on the right is St Stephen Street.

A shot from below the stairs, beside the street-level sub-basement (see above).

If you climb the stairs in the previous picture you'll enter India Street, a quiet New Town street where James Clerk Maxwell lived.

There may be as many as eight of these signs, a welcome sight to any tradesmen looking for houses in this circular street bisected by Circus Place.

The northerly corner of NW Circus Place and Royal Circus. In this photo you can see almost a quarter of the circle as well as some attractive basements.

Taken from the same corner as the previous picture. The cobbled road is looking good in the sunshine. Pedestrians get advance warning of approaching traffic because of tyre noise.

Inverleith Pond is alive and well and populated mainly by swans. This heron is an exception.

Looking south west up Dean Terrace from its junction with Deanhaugh Street. This street is perched on the banks of the Water of Leith and leads up to Carlton Street, Danube Street and Ann Street.

This is part of the Main Road. At this corner it changes its name to Raeburn Place as it continues west. The sidestreet called St Bernard's Row is closed to traffic at this point.

Henderson Row is at the other end of Clarence Street from St Stephen's Street and is home to Edinburgh Academy, a private school.

I only took this photo of St Stephen's Place for personal nostalgic reasons but it looked a bit grotty so I've removed the yellow lines and the bags of rubbish using the clone tool in Photoshop.

Some of my boyhood chums and I used to play 'tig' here after a session at the Heart of Midlothian Amateur Swimming Club on Monday evenings in the '50s.

Edinburgh boasts several shops selling antique lamps both electric and oil. Mr Purves specialises in oil lamps at the shop in Saint Stephen Street.

St Stephen's Church. This is the stonework just to the left of the front door.

This is the side view of the stone scrolls in the previous picture. The sunlight highlights the details of the cinquefoil stone roses.

Further west along St Stephen's Street they're having their market on a June Saturday morning. Music comes from a band playing in The Antiquary as locals and visitors search for bargains.

A sunnier, more detailed picture of the stone archway featured earlier on this page. Carved into the stone is 'Stockbridge market - butcher meat, fruits, fish & poultry' (my punctuation).

St Stephen's Street has for many years had a sort of Bohemian atmosphere, the sort of place where artists and intellectuals might hang out.

Basements and sub-basements add to the the fascinating nature of this street.

A second view of this shop.

A view down to the basement - with a glimpse of the sub-basement.

Dance for All at The Theatre School states the sign beside the front door. This view shows the side of the building and the basement.

Three more views at St Stephen's Church, an impressive looking building as you descend from George Street and Queen Street.

There have been some changes to the east of the church including a pedestrianised area behing the traffic bollards.

This view shows the cobbled lane Cumberland Street North West Lane on the right and the unnamed 'street' behind the pillars.

The statue at Saint Bernard's Well photographed in 2014 in infrared.

The Dene near Saunders Street.

The same two arches as in the picture above but large and small - instead of small and large. This is at the end of Saunders Street facing upriver.

One of the Colonies rows of houses as seen from the footpath connecting Bridge Place / Glenogle Road to Saxe Coburg Place.

Recently renovated in 2010. In the '50s I was a member of the Heart of Midlothian Swimming Club and, thanks to coaching by my father, was Juvenile Champion 4 years running. I remember unruly youths jumping off the balcony into the water in public sessions.

Interesting architecture at St Bernard's Crescent.

The geometry of the stairway in James Clerk Maxwell's home fascinated me. A lamp in the hallway is casting intriguing shadows on the wall.

One storey higher and the portraits continue as daylight from the cupola blends with the incandescent light.

Higher still and finally the portraits of fellow scientists and others come to an end.

A vertically orientated shot emphasizes the elegance of the the railings and overhead plasterwork.

From the same standpoint but looking directly at the cupola, the source of the daylight on this February morning. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: James Clerk Maxwell Einstein described Maxwell's work as the 'most profound and the most fruitful that physics has experienced since the time of Newton.'

The former RBS building at the corner of Dundas Street and Fettes Row