Tag Archives: Leith

Light at the end of the Walk

Today the sun is shining on a more open Leith Walk.

Great to see a more open look to Leith Walk. The street has been covered in ever changing roadworks and caged fencing that I forget how it looked before.

But hopefully not long now until the trams are rolling and the streets are construction, and diversion free.

Sketch made in my Works pad, using ink fadeproof pen and a waterbrush with Newton and Windsor watercolours.

Art to the rescue

I needed a little art therapy this morning after a hard weekend

A little distraction for an hour or so helps and drawing has given me that plenty of times over the years.

I drove along to Newhaven after the school drop off but although the sun is strong the air is still cold here in Edinburgh so I drew the view from my car.

It didn’t really matter the subject although I do like the shadow this van makes 😊

Take care, have a good day. ES

75th Edinburgh International Festival launches

This morning I was down at Commercial Quay to capture the launch of this years festival and anniversary flag.

Scottish Ballet principal dancer Marge Hendrick posed holding the flag above her head as press photographers clicked their cameras and I scribbled the scene.

It was cold in the capital though so I do admit my hands went numb and I added the colour back in my car!

The festival, which celebrates 75 years of bringing culture from around the world together will kick off with a joyful celebration of Australian and Scottish culture: Macro – A fusion of circus, dance and music which will be a free event at the BT Murrayfield Stadium on Friday 8th August.

Other highlights include The Pulse, which is a mixture of acrobatics, choir and live orchestra that sounds jaw dropping. And of course Burn with Alan Cumming exploring the true character of Scotland’s national bard.

There will be so much to choose from and I cannot wait, I need the buzz of the festival this year, and I am sure I am not alone. The city full of artists from around the world, all excited to perform and city visitors all eager to see them. So exciting, welcome back Edinburgh International Festival.

Booking opens to everyone at 10am on Friday 8 April, and you can book and find out more about the full programme via the EIF website here.

Robert Burns returns to Leith

Removed to make way for the tram works, the land mark statue returns to Bernard Street in time for Burns Night.

I was just passing by as the crane was lifting Rabbie from the back of a lorry and placing him in position, on the corner of Constitution street in Leith.

The statue was erected by the Leith Burns Club in 1898 and has been moved a few times but hopefully now he can relax, he looks pleased to be back in his rightful place, looking over Leithers as they pass by.

The statue will be officially unveiled once again, on Burns Night 2022, the 25th January.

A beacon of light

As the new year starts I feel a certain de ja vu with vaccinations being offered around the country as the new variation of Covid continues to spread.

Thanks must be given to NHS workers once again as they continue to man the clinics, pop up centres and drive through vaccination locations.

I was in Ocean Terminal this week and noticed this previously French Connection unit being used as a walk in vaccination centre. The sky outside was dull and inside the shopping centre had a darkness apart from these bright windows, and the festive decorations.

Let’s hope the rest of the year looks a little more like ‘normal’ than in 2021.

I do like to zoom into my sketches and blow them up so below is a close up of the queue into the centre.

The link below has all the information about where you can get your booster or third vaccination in Scotland.

https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Drop-in-Clinics.aspx

A community shows up

This week I received my booster vaccination, along with many more people in Leith.

As the new variant of the Corona Virus pandemic takes hold and spreads through out Scotland we have been asked to build up our defences with a booster injection.

I was at the Leith Community Treatment Centre and although I had an appointment I was very impressed by the amount of people who had turned up as walk ins, not knowing how long they were going to have to wait, but eager to have their top up vaccination.

The staff in side were lovely too, organising, checking and dealing with everyone speedily and with a smile. Once in I was out again within 20 minutes and left with a glow of protection, and of doing the right thing!

Find out more about where to get your booster here:
NHS Lothian Vaccination Clinics

Rising from the waters

I had a tour of the Ocean Mist in Leith today, the newly restored ship on the shore has a new level, and some impressive plans.

Owners Alan and Nadia Pedley hope to open for business before the end of the year, and although there is still plenty to do their whole family is pitching in and I am sure they will get there on time.

The décor inside is high end, tailored wood panelling and beautifully designed ironwork guides you around the three story floating hotel.

The finishing touches nod to the art deco style of the 1920’s, from when the ship had its hey day and throughout the hotel you will find links to the boats glorious past.

I can’t wait to return once the Ocean Mist is ready for guests, to have a whisky at the bar and to be transported to the luxurious past, without even leaving the dock.

Follow the progress of the Ocean Mist on their Instagram page HERE

This sketch I made after the tour, whilst enjoying a fine coffee from Custom Lane

Sunny afternoon on Leith Links

This is a sketch of Links Place, looking towards the Seafield end of Leith Links on a sunny afternoon.

I was parked up taking shelter form the sunshine, imagine that – in Edinburgh!

I was waiting for someone to give them a lift and the day was so hot I parked up to sketch from the car in a shady spot on this quiet road.

I used to work close by in an advertising agency and would walk to the nearby shop on my lunch break so the area was familiar although I hadn’t sketched this view before.

I like the randomness of the view, the perspective is there which I like but it was the shadows running right to left which caught my eye today.

construction taking shape

A look up into the new shopping and hotel complex where once stood the St James Shopping Centre.

The top of Leith walk is awash with brightly coloured construction workers as the huge rebuilding of the St James shopping centre and hotel into the new St James Quarter, which is due to open later this year.

This sketch is from just by the roundabout and show the new walkway and glass entrance which will lead to the covered shopping streets within.

I remember the old shopping centre being quite dark and small, I short cut rather than a destination. From the looks of the construction so far the new ‘quarter’ will be much larger and much brighter inside.

I look forward to stepping inside soon. Find out more about what will be inside from the website below.

St James Quarter website

Visit the King’s Wark for a night in

My latest #supportabusinesssketch is for The King’s Wark. These drawings in pencil and watercolour are to say thank you for keeping us all going during the pandemic 😊👍

The Sketcher family recently ordered a seafood platter from this 15th Century Leith pub and restaurant to enjoy at home. We dressed up as if going out and had a lovely night in sharing our wonderful meal. I hope we can all visit in person soon.

Visit the King’s Walk website and ask about their famous takeaway platters. We thoroughly recommend them!!