Mandela and Lincoln

Today is Nelson's Mandela's birthday, he would have been 96.

In the midst of a manic day I took a few minutes out in the sunshine and a wander in Edinburgh's Calton Burial Ground, very near the home of Scottish Government, St Andrew's House where I was working.

Here you can find the Abraham Lincoln statue, a Scottish American Soldiers Monument, which depicts a standing figure of Abraham Lincoln, with a freed slave giving thanks at his feet.

I thought the freed slave deserved more prominence, especially on this day, when a most remarkable man was born, and ended up committing his life to freeing his people from prejudice and injustice.

If you have a few minutes, and you're in the area, I recommend visiting this little oasis of calm amidst the bustle and noise of the city.