Mist in the east

Today was my last opportunity to see Shifting Vistas: 250 years of Scottish Landscape at the City Art Centre in Edinburgh. I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially seeing the MacTaggart, A June Day, Machrihanish and Frances Walker’s Tiree one although I have mixed feelings about the place. Afterwards I wandered back down to Princes Street and had a look round at the newly opened Uniqlo store.

It was still misty as I walked down to the Parliament and because it was so quiet and no queue I spent the rest of the afternoon in the Public Gallery. It felt like going back time as questions were still being asked about the Energy Skills Passport. The Chamber began filling up and as Nicola Sturgeon took her seat I realised today was Labour’s Vote of no confidence. Strong speeches from all the party leaders, each prefaced by sincere tributes to the FM. Although I usually disagree with everything Douglas Ross says I thought his was particularly fetching. Humza, whose wife and step daughter were sitting next to me in the public gallery, wiped away what was perhaps a tear and sipped from his glass of water.