A Place in the Sun

We stayed in Edinburgh overnight and woke to sunshine and 9 degrees! Breakfast in Leith seemed like a very good idea.

On the Shore we met this fine memorial to Sandy Robertson,  a local businessman and philanthropist. He has a wonderful view over the Water of Leith as it flows into the Forth and, appropriately for a wine merchant, he's just beside the Malmaison. It looks magnificent these days, totally restored after falling into disrepair. 

My father had a friend who worked on the Leith Dock Commission and on Sunday afternoons he and I often went down there and had a cup of tea and a blether with Tommy. It was a very different place then - all warehouses and cranes, and smelling of timber and cattle cake.

The Malmaison was the Sailors' Home, with space for 56 seamen, 9 officers and 'if necessary, 50 shipwrecked sailors could be housed in the attics.'  I imagine it is rather more luxurious these days.