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Various brochures stated
that the FSA Scot offices were in the Royal Museum of Scotland on Chambers
Street. There were few warnings that some maps of Edinburgh could lead one
on wild goose chases. Also, the gent at the museum desk thought that we
wanted to see one of the Society's programmes, and told me to proceed down
the left side of the museum. When we returned to his desk, Doug specified
that he wished to pay his fees as a FSA Scot. He placed a phone call to
Jacquie, who said that she would come down to the desk. Several minutes
later Jacqueline Clubby, Administrator of the society staff, arrived and
enquired if we would like to visit the offices. What an honour!
One of the 3,500 Fellows had arrived in person to take advantage of the
President's letter of invitation - - - "We are always happy to hear from
Fellows in the office, either by calling in person or on the phone, but
please do bear in mind that we have only a small staff, all of whom work
part-time, so the office is not staffed all day every day." How lucky can
one get! Jacqueline led us to the right side in the museum on a walk which
eventually led to the back past a fire exit and up a stairs to another
hall towards the Society Library on the second floor, where we puffed our
way up another flight of stairs to another hall with the society's
offices. (Doug asked Jacquie how many times per day she made this climb to
her office, and she replied that it would be twice if she brought her
lunch. He apologized for adding a couple of more trips with our visit.) At
the end of this hall, we were introduced to Simon Gilmour, Director of the
society staff.
Following a brief conversation with both Jacquie and Simon about the
Society which was founded in 1780, the Director noted that the Society had
been incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1783. Upon making this statement,
he went over to the wall and pulled a cord which opened velvet curtains to
reveal the original Royal Charter. Doug asked if Jacquie and Simon would
stand on either side for a photo opportunity.
The World's End pub had become one of our
favourite spots during our 2001 trip to Edinburgh. It was essential that
we return for some mouth-watering fish and chips (meaning french-fries).
The first photo shows brass plates which mark the gate which once stood at
the entrance to the Old Town. In the third photo, a "close" is an
alleyway.
Edinburgh Castle
The Scott Monument
While Pat visited wool
shops, Doug decided to climb the monument of Sir Walter Scott on Princes
Street. What an excellent way to work off some calories after a lunch at
a Rose Street pub! The first set of the 287 steps are fairly average in
size. As I approached the second level, I heard a youngster yell, "I
think I hear somebody coming up!" . . . and I knew that it would be
impossible for two persons to pass each other. The final five steps to
the top level are barely a forearm in width, the walls seem to press in,
and I was praising the heavens that I wasn't claustrophobic and hadn't
had a heavy meal. [Pictures were taken from the topmost level of the
monument moving counter-clockwise.]
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