Monday. Sitting in the sunshine lulled by the drone of bagpipes, with my eyes closed as I imagine the area covered in the waters of a loch as it once was. Have just walked right around the gardens in Princes Street to take advantage of the photo opportunity provided by the clear blue sky, with bursting leaf buds silhouetted against the skyline of Edinburgh Old Town. What an inspired idea to drain the loch and bring the rail lines into the city along the loch bed. Princes Street is heaving with tourists yet the gardens are still a haven of peace and tranquility.

Now I am sitting on a bench near the Scott Memorial, joining travellers who prefer to wait for their trains in the open air. Like me, they have their luggage with them – avoiding the iniquitous charges for Left Luggage at Waverley Station. I wondered why so many visitors were dragging suitcases up and down the Royal Mile. Now I know why: the charge for storing one item for four hours is £12.50! I had two items so I would have had to fork out a hefty £25. Click here for Waverley Station website.

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