I was curious to see what was available to do in Edinburgh if one was short of money. The flat I am staying in is in Portobello - Edinburgh's Seaside and just 4 miles from the centre.
The beach is sandy.
I explored the small shopping area and found a wonderful gallery called The Velvet Easel.
It's owned by Rosalind Walker.
Rosalind used to be a social worker who painted in her spare time until she decided to give the gallery a chance. The work is very different and every imaginable media.
It wet my appetite for a day of culture, so I headed back into the city to see what was on offer.
First stop was the Scottish Parliament, a very modern building indeed.
It has a shop
A cafe
And a surprising amount of art work both inside
And embedded into the walls on the outside.
The Public Gallery is also open to the public every day, and it was interesting to see that unlike Westminster it was arranged more like other countries assemblies - non confrontationally.
Nicola Sturgeon will be there tomorrow, so I missed seeing Parliament in session.
Holyrood Park beside the Parliament is extensive and the walkways are not man made but volcanic lava made!
The Palace of Holyrood is normally open to the public, at a cost, but some high ranking bod is there for a week so it is closed. You could see it through the magnificent gates however.
Adjacent to the Parliament Building is a stalwart band of referendum campaigners - not the forthcoming EU referendum. This camp is still banging on about Scottish Independence from England.
Not the only protest I saw either. Here's another in Victoria Street protesting about library closures.
The Queen's Gallery houses paintings from The Queen's personal collection. Again, there is an entrance fee so I just explored the Royal themed goodies on sale in the shop.
On the Royal Mile, the Museum of Edinburgh and The Peoples' Story just over the road, are both free if you are interested in social history. Interesting and quirky.
As was the rather unusual Plague Exhibition at The National Library. It was all about infectious diseases and was fascinating.
One can pay for guided tours of Edinburgh but there are also free ones offered.
This is a city full of history and statues to famous people.
This is King George 4th who loved the idea of the kilt even though previously it was banned. He is wearing a mini version here as he was only 5 ft 1inch tall and 56 inches round his waist, and a guide said he wore this with pink tights!!!
But in a town full of statues to famous writers, philosophers, scientists and inventors, probably the most cherished and visited is this one.
Yep. A dog - but not just any dog. This is the dog known as Greyfriars Bobby. He was a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th century Edinburgh for supposedly spending 14 years guarding his owner's grave.
When he died himself on January 14th 1872 he was buried inside the churchyard near the grave of his master.
Ahhhh.....
He has a gold nose. Not real gold, just shine where the paint has been rubbed off by daft tourists believing it is lucky.
A brief stop to be serenaded by a busker in kilt with bagpipes.
And to spot bobbies on bicycles
Dan Brown brought Rosslyn Chapel to Hollywood's attention, and since it is just 7 miles away on the outskirts of Edinburgh, I spent an afternoon surrounded by Chinese Tourists at this most fascinating and decorated building.
It was built in 1446 by Sir William St.Clair to guarantee himself a place in heaven. The carvings are unique.
There are over 100 green man carvings for a start and supposed secret symbols connected to freemasonry and the Knights Templar.
And that's Edinburgh. I really loved it.
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