looking after the bastard bairns...

This is the frontage of George Heriot's school in Edinburgh - you pay fees to send your children here - thus making it a 'public' school, despite it being private. Confused? No, I've no idea either...

Anyhow, the founder of this school was a very great man: a goldsmith to the Danish Royal family in the 16th century and a true philanthropist. Read more here:
George Heriot - all round good guy

When he died, he left his fortune to be used for a good cause: looking after the orphans of the city. Even today there's children who have been left parentless attend the school on a scholarship footing.

Slightly different from today, when the super-rich won't even pay their taxes, far less build institutions like this.

I used to be a visiting specialist to the school, and can confirm that it is slightly austere in some areas, but wonderfully ornate and special in others. It sits below the southern aspect of the Castle- so if you've ever looked out from the ramparts and wondered...well wonder no more.

p.s. thanks for all the comments and stars on yesterday's Blip - much appreciated.