Calton Hill provides one of the finest views to appreciate Edinburgh’s architectural wonders, from its grandiose National Monument to the charming red-sandstone tenements of Dean Village. Here, past meets present in an explosion of colours that stretches across time.
Take a stroll along Edinburgh’s charming streets and you will soon arrive at Old Town with its palaces and galleries, then continue towards New Town for Indian tapas or Bunnahabhain whisky butterscotch plates in New Town.
1. The Boozy Cow
The Boozy Cow is an Edinburgh institution for comfort food, serving filthy burgers, loaded fries, and hearty toasties. The decor is contemporary yet welcoming while their bar boasts an impressive collection of spirits and beverages; I had an exquisite Twizzler cocktail made of cherry vodka mixed with cranberry juice served in a can and garnished with Vimto and flying saucer sweets – very flavorful and surprising strong for such a drink! Their staff were welcoming and helpful with recommendations; menus are easy to read as well.
Though busy on a Monday evening, our food was quickly served. There’s a table with kitchen paper on each table and cutlery only comes out upon request – an impressive touch that resulted in some fun competition for who could create the least mess! There were many unique burger choices available as well as fries as part of their regular service, making for an exciting dining experience!
2. Hendersons
One of Edinburgh’s iconic vegetarian restaurants, Hendersons Salad Table & Restaurant has been operating in Hanover Street since 1962 and continues to draw crowds of diners with its creative cuisine that draws both vegans and carnivores alike. We were given the task of designing their new restaurant while staying true to the brand’s strong heritage and sustainable philosophy.
Not only was our client looking to change the menu, they wanted us to also update the interior design to give it a more contemporary and appealing appearance. To achieve this, we created multiple spaces throughout the restaurant ranging from bar/cafe and main restaurant that each have their own distinct personality and style – creating an inviting space that feels fresh yet familiar while remaining familiar and exciting all at the same time!
Janet Henderson pioneered vegetarianism in Scotland during its predominance of meat-and-two-veg meals; now her grandson Barrie continues her legacy and spreads the Hendersons message of ‘Eat better, live better’ at its chic new premises near Bruntsfield Links.
As I visited Hendersons again in autumn 2021, it was heartening to discover they have upheld their core principles – their food remains vegetarian/vegan friendly with organic produce whenever possible, emphasizing wholefoods rather than processed meat substitutes; and their menu still boasts many classic items from Hanover Street like their delicious chocolate mousse and updated lentil lasagne!
The new restaurant is an absolute gem, providing delicious salads, curries and noodles along with traditional Edinburgh classics like salt-baked celeriac and haggis, neeps and tatties. I particularly appreciated its friendly yet efficient service as well as its peaceful yet relaxing atmosphere with natural lighting coming through its glass atrium, warm wood floors, twiggy lamp shades and pale log walls all lending warmth and coziness.
3. The Grasshopper
Apex Grasshopper in Edinburgh: Edinburgh has just unveiled an innovative time-telling machine using light to show the passing of minutes. Inspired by 18th century horologist John Harrison’s portable sea clocks, its light show accurately represents time on its top face of clock; making this clock one of a kind worldwide.
Visitors to the clock can interact with it by touching it, activating a short light display that forms concentric circles that display both current time as well as previous and next hour times. This interactive feature was intended to help visitors understand its inner workings as well as its accuracy.
Grasshoppers are among the oldest living insects and belong to Orthoptera (which also encompasses crickets and locusts). All grasshopper species consume herbivory as food sources and undergo incomplete metamorphosis before reaching adulthood; each species goes through five moults before finally becoming adults. Individual species of grasshopper can often be identified by their unique chirping song created by rubbing two parts of its body together – known as stridulation.
A highly social species, the Common field grasshopper can often be found in sunny grassy areas such as gardens throughout summer. Males can often be seen displaying for females by rubbing their legs together and creating an audible “song”, repeating every few seconds or so.
Though grasshopper wings vary among species, their overall form remains consistent and easily recognisable by their short antennae and pronotum (extension covering front of thorax), which often bears markings unique to some species and species; male grasshoppers can have light brown heads while females boast green pronotamuses and upper wings – these traits allow males to become identified quicker when looking at photos than their green counterparts.
Grasshopper was designed by Edinburgh-based ISA Architects as the centerpiece of a new tram extension slated for opening in 2024. Additionally, this project will comprise of hotels, cinemas and public spaces; with design set to become the subject of extensive public consultation programs.
4. The Old School
The Old School on Calton Hill is an outstanding landmark of Edinburgh history. Originally designed by Thomas Hamilton and completed in 1829, its construction represents significant cultural and architectural value as a landmark piece. However, it wasn’t always used for learning; at times it served as both military base and prison facility.
James Donaldson left his estate to support a school for deaf children at West Coates in Edinburgh, which became an instantaneous hub of activity and symbol of its rich heritage.
Today, the school continues to hold an unapologetic place in the heart of Edinburgh. Boasting stunning neoclassical architecture and featuring the Grand Hall for candlelit concerts featuring iconic tunes by both contemporary artists and timeless composers; in addition, this stunning location provides students with an excellent environment in which to study law as it stands within striking distance of Scotland’s highest courts and Parliament.
Kurt Hahn, founder of Round Square schools worldwide with 190 schools that share an innovative educational model called ‘all round development’ has put forth this philosophy that helps cultivate not only academic subjects but also encourage social responsibility and outdoor activities among pupils. This model was devised in line with his philosophy.
Notable literary alumni at this school include Sir Walter Scott and Alexander Graham Bell (inventor of the telephone), as well as portrait painter Allan Ramsay who painted Robert Burns’ only known authentic portrait and musician/composer John Thomson; more recently bass player from The Darkness band and actor Ian Charleson have both attended as pupils.
The Old School remains one of the world’s most esteemed educational facilities, making its fight to remain at its current home both an Edinburgh heartland fight and an educational battle fought with great importance for future education. A PS35 million refurbishment recently transformed it into a state-of-the-art law school facility; we hope Edinburgh Council will keep The Old School in its rightful home at the centre of our capital city.