What an end to a grand old lady

The Barnton Hotel has been a landmark as you approach Edinburgh from the north for as long as I remember. In fact since I first came to Edinburgh in 1968 as a raw and naive salesman for Gillette.

It featured in my life in several ways over the years, as a watering hole in the days of Bona Fide travellers in the 70's, as a meeting place throughout the 80's, and as the place where I relinquished my political ambition in 2001 when I met Lord James to tell him I could no longer continue as a member of the Scottish Parliament.

It now lies derelict, awaiting redevelopment, a phoenix smouldering in the ashes before rising as, under current plans an old peoples complex. A roost for gulls and pigeons, rotting away from neglect and a victim of the current uncertainty.

The Barnton Hotel was once a beacon welcoming visitors to Edinburgh, it is now a very expensive coop, hopefully it will one day be restored to its glory.

it opened in 1895 and closed in 2004, so for almost nine years it has been crumbling slowly , a sad sad end to an iconic building. Lets hope it will be rescued soon.