Edinburgh has many an alley leading from one street to another, revealing shortcuts, and a multitude of differing views across the city. Here is one of the many to lead southwards from the Royal Mile, South Gray’s Close.
Also known as Mint Close as between the years of 1574 and 1877 Scotland’s Royal Mint was house there.
My view is from through the alley looking back towards the mile.
Looking back from Gladstone Court through an allyway and onto the Royal Mile. Not a view the average tourist will get to see, but one I’m glad I sought out. It’s amazing how peaceful and crowd free it can be when you take a step back from the usual route.
I started with a humble biro, all I had on me, or so I thought. For when that began to fail and the ink dried up, I found a pencil deep in my bag with which to finish the shading. I am pleased with the result, however unplanned.
Or even yesterday, which is when I tried to visit the Brass Rubbing Centre, just off the Royal Mile, down Chalmers Close. Unfortunately the was a sign up saying the building was closed until further notice.
The sketch shows the BRC sign on the outside of the building known as Trinity Apse, part of the 15th Century Trinity College church and hospital. The original Trinity church was demolished in the 1840s to make way for Waverley Railway Station, but the apse was rebuilt on its current site from original stones in the 1870s.
Perhaps they are refurbishing the interior, I’ll have to pop back and see.