Edinburgh Futures and a blip meet

Another relaxed morning before the train to Edinburgh for interesting talks by Lisa Jewel and Clare Chambers at the new book festival venue Edinburgh Futures Institute. Between events we met Ridgeback and Laura for a cup of tea and a jolly catch up. Ridgeback gave us a tour of the Institute which was so interesting. Jenny had done her medical training there when it was the Royal Infirmary. We had an amazing view over to Heriots with a tiny glimpse of the castle. We went up the beautiful staircase (which had been put in place in one piece) to admire the tapestry to commemorate the Edinburgh Seven, (blipped) the first women to matriculate from a British university after a tremendous struggle. (I remember seeing a TV drama about them in the 70s).

The group, which included pioneering figures Sophia Jex-Blake and Edith Pechey, met with resistance during their time as students, most notably at the 1870 Surgeon’s Hall riot, when protestors attempted to block the women from sitting an exam.

The women’s efforts attracted support from notable figures including Charles Darwin, and eventually led to the Medical Act of 1876, which legally permitted women to practice medicine.

The University awarded posthumous degrees to the group in 2019.

Jenny and I had time for a bit of supper at David Bann before getting our trains home, mine being the 21.00 LNER to Leeds. I hope I don’t fall asleep and miss Alnmouth - we have tried to pace ourselves this year but today we had not only 5 miles of pavement walking, but also I was carrying my rucksack around all day. I’ll get home at 11.45.