Edinburgh & the Static in My Ears (Seriously)
okay, so edinburgh. it’s…a lot. i’m a freelance photographer, usually chasing light in places people haven’t instagrammed to death yet, but a gig brought me here. and honestly? it’s kinda growing on me, like a weird fungus.
first off, the weather. i just glanced out the window and it’s…actively trying to be grey. like, committed to the bit. it’s hovering around ten degrees, feels like nine, which is basically a polite request for a *scarf and a strong drink. the locals don’t even blink, though. they’re built different.
my airbnb is in this little pocket near the Royal Mile, which is…touristy. obviously. but it’s also got this weird energy. like, centuries of stories clinging to the stone walls. i spent yesterday wandering around, trying to capture it, but it’s hard. it’s not about the perfect shot, it’s about the feeling. which is frustrating.
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“don’t bother with the ghost tours,” this guy at a pub told me, slurring slightly. “they’re all rubbish. real ghosts hang out in the closes, not on the high street. ask for old man Hemmings, he knows things.”
old man Hemmings. right. i’ll add that to the list. i did check out some reviews on Yelp for the ghost tours, and honestly, most of them sounded… manufactured. someone said it was like a historical reenactment with extra fog. i’m here for authenticity, people!
food-wise, i’ve been living on haggis (surprisingly good, don’t judge) and Irn-Bru (it tastes like orange dreamsicle had a fight with metal). i overheard someone complaining about the price of a full Scottish breakfast at this place near the castle - apparently, it’s highway robbery. i’m sticking to the street food for now. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g186534-Edinburgh_Scotland.html has a ton of options, though.
my neighbors seem to be mostly students and… people who really like bagpipes. seriously, the bagpipes. it’s a commitment. if you get restless, Glasgow and Stirling are just a quick train ride away. https://www.scotrail.co.uk/ is your friend.
gear-wise, i’m rocking:
my trusty *Sony a7iii (obviously)
a 35mm and a 85mm lens (versatility is key)
a waterproof jacket (because, Scotland)
a portable hard drive (for all the photos, duh)
noise-canceling headphones* (to drown out the bagpipes…and the existential dread)
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“the best pub for live music is Sandy Bell’s,” a local warned me, “but be prepared to fight for a seat. and don’t order a pint of lager, they’ll laugh you out of the place.”
apparently, ordering lager in a traditional Scottish pub is a cardinal sin. noted. i’ve also been looking at local photography groups on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/edinburghphotographers/ to see if i can connect with anyone. it’s always good to get insider tips.
honestly, i’m still processing this place. it’s beautiful and gritty and weird and…loud. it’s definitely not a place you can ignore. and i think, maybe, that’s the point. i'm also checking out some local events on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--edinburgh/events/ to see if anything catches my eye. i'll keep you posted. maybe i'll even find old man Hemmings.
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