Star Flyer

Today we have come through to Edinburgh for a short Christmas break and as a treat we are staying at the Carlton Hotel. We got into Edinburgh about 3.30pm and after checking into the hotel I popped out for a few items. Even though it had started to rain, I headed over to St. Andrew Square in the New Town and took a few shots around the Christmas market area.

St. Andrew Square is one of the jewels in the crown on Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town, and this year it is host to a towering fairground ride which offers the chance to see the Scottish capital as never before. The Star Flyer is nearly 60 metres high and gives fabulous 360 degree views over the Edinburgh rooftops. I will not be going on it in my current condition.

The historic pleasure gardens in the square, which date back to 1768, were only opened up to the public five years ago after Edinburgh City Council reached agreement with its various private owners around the square which saw it revamped and a cafe installed.

Later we had dinner at the excellent Blackfriars Restaurant in the Old Town. Opened in April by Georgia Binder, who is front of house and chef Andrew Macdonald, who was the former sous chef at Restaurant Martin Wishart.

We both had a delightful evening and the service and food were first class.