Porty People and Places

The Minister and an Elder of St Philip's Church, Joppa extending a warm welcome to the world on today's Doors Open Day 2013 which sees 127 city buildings, many of which are not usually open to the general public throwing open their doors this weekend. This church was gutted by fire in 1998 and the restoration and contemporary use of the space is stunning. (Two blippers had some of their photographs on display here too!)

Our day was full of further delights including finding out the original name of our house in The Registers of Scotland's new home at Meadowbank House which has been built on the site of Edinburgh St Margaret's steam loco depot. The Central Bus depot was also open and its original use as the first Scottish Expo site in 1922 with its stunning glass dome was another highlight. Escaping the city in the rustic stillness of Queen Street Gardens to stalk the shadow of RLS' childhood meanderings proved a calm counterpoint and prepared us for the erudition of Daniel Stewart's philanthropic legacy on Queensferry Road. We came home via the mould breaking Ramp House in Portobello. It is open again tomorrow from 1000 to 1800 and if you are able to go you will have to re-wire your accessibility brain for ever.