Old Fire Station, Lauriston Place

I took a short cut through Edinburgh College of Art to get to Lauriston Building to get an emergency tubing repair done on one of my hearing aids.  Fortunately, despite the tubing service being suspended at the moment (Covid), an audiology technician was able to sort me out - so grateful to be back in the hearing world!  On my cut through I could see the back of the old fire station.  It was designed by Robert Morham who was the city architect from 1873.  The Fire Station was built between 1897 - 1901 and served the city till 1988 when the new station opened at Tollcross.  The five story square tower on the left was a hose drying tower - the wet hoses had to hang up to dry as the rubber/leather of the old hoses would perish if left damp.  Apparently the tower was also used to test the height the engines could throw water over a building.  

It was a fine sunny day for afternoon bowls.  We made a come back from 2 - 10 down to finish 10 - 10.