Pretty much sums it up…

Banter between neighbours is healthy in most cases, we certainly hope that this was meant in the same light hearted manner!

Pleased to meet you, meat to please you

This Halal butcher’s van is often seen out and about in the Leith area. By the looks of things quite a few graffiti taggers have been “pleased to meet” the van too…

Well done to Najaf Halal Meats for keeping us entertained on the roads of Edinburgh!

John Cleese is just one of the comedy giants discovered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

[Image credit: Lord Biro]

Graham Chapman & John Cleese

Graham Chapman & John Cleese later went on to become founding members of Monty Python. They first performed in Edinburgh in the early 1960s with a revue by the name of A Clump of Plinths. Chapman died in 1989 aged just 48 and fittingly it was John Cleese who read his hilarious eulogy. Here we have a clip from Monty Python’s Flying Circus to commemorate these two great comedy legends who gained initial notoriety at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Rowan Atkinson

Rowan Atkinson the lovable rubber faced creator of Mr. Bean, co-creator of (and actor in) Blackadder also got his first critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1976. Atkinson’s facial expressions are often better at conveying a message than words ever could, his comic timing is impeccable as the following clip shows:

Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie

Stephen Fry & Hugh Laurie are without doubt two globally loved actors and comedians. Fry & Laurie won the very first Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe of 1981 (as part of Cambridge Footlights along with Tony Slattery, Emma Thompson, Penny Dwyer and Paul Shearer). They have performed together often in such series as The Young Ones, Blackadder, A bit of Fry & Laurie and Jeeves & Wooster.

Hugh Laurie is now best known for his central role in House while Stephen Fry hosts the incredibly successful quiz show QI.

The clip that follows shows their comedic genius in A bit of Fry & Laurie

Steve Coogan

Steve Coogan also won the Perrier Award at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1992. In Britain he’s possibly most loved for the characters Paul Calf and Alan Partridge, whilst our American readers are more likely to know him from films such as Night at the Museum or Tropic Thunder. The clip we have selected to share with you is his first TV appearance in the role of student-bashing, heavy-drinking, smoking and swearing super star Paul Calf.

The League Of Gentlemen

The League of Gentlemen started as a stage show in 1994, in 1997 they too won the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In the same year their show aired on BBC Radio 4 before getting televised in 1999. The League of Gentlemen is a dark comedy based around the village of Royston Vasey which is home to some very strange characters indeed…

Rory Bremner

Rory Bremner is the only one of our comedy legends to have both been born in Edinburgh and to have made it big at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Best known in the UK for his satirical impressions of politicians and celebrities, Bremner is a master of mimicry. His command of foreign languages may not be so well known though, in this clip he does an impression of George W. Bush in French:

Al Murray

Al Murray is yet another Perrier Award winner in our collection here, though he was short listed in 1996, 1997, 1998 before finally winning the prestigious award in 1999. He is famed for the xenophopic character The Pub Landlord who takes no prisoners in his quest to make certain everyone understands the greatness of Great Britain. In this clip he takes on America…

Rich Hall

Rich Hall is an American comedian who has a great following in the UK, appearing in his own shows as well as numerous panel shows. Hall also won the Perrier Award in 2000 and was short listed in 1996 along with Al Murray. Hall is distinguished as having won the most number of times on Stephen Fry’s quiz show QI. He has spent many years in London and, as he tells in this clip, has met the Queen:

Just what is the lemur saying?

So readers and visitors, we throw the challenge open to you to tell us what you think the lemur might be saying.

2 Tickets To See The Lemur Live

The best caption for this photo will win 2 tickets to Edinburgh Zoo. To enter simply leave a comment below with your lemur caption in it. The winner will be selected on 31st July 2009 at 15:00 BST.

Prizes

The winner of the lemur caption competition will receive 2 tickets to Edinburgh Zoo & their caption will be featured in an article on EdinburghSeasons.

Lemur Legislation

• The winner will be selected by the photographer Scott Liddell and / or EdinburghSeasons.
• Entries will be judged on wit, humour & originality.
• All entries may be published by EdinburghSeasons.
• The judges decision is final.

Keep it clean
Have fun
Good luck!

In the right hand column, under “Recent Posts” there are now two new boxes. The first of these boxes is our facebook fan page box, this shows you the people in our facebook fan page. The second box is our Google Friend Connect.

What Are These Boxes For?

That’s a very good question! Basically these services make it easier for you to connect with us and your friends.

Over time we will introduce more features with these services enabling our readers, friends and fans to interact more deeply with EdinburghSeasons and each other. For the moment they serve as a way for you to meet the other people who read and visit EdinburghSeasons. If you are on facebook you can join our fan page, or if you have a Google account you can join EdinburghSeasons using it too.

It is all free and without any hassle, after all first and foremost we want you to enjoy the site!

If you have any questions, comments or indeed concerns please feel free to leave a comment – we will answer everyone :)

Nearby, Holyrood Palace offers creature comforts like a cafe and toilets, while the park’s peaks of the Salisbury Craigs and Arthur’s Seat allow unique views back on down to the city – views that cannot be experienced anywhere else in Edinburgh, and which are unparalleled in both their beauty and their call for human achievement.

Nightly view over Holyrood Park with illuminated Edinburgh skyline.

[image credit: will likes tea and biscuits]

There are few such strenuously reached peaks in Edinburgh, and Arthur’s Seat is one of the most easily accessible peaks around Edinburgh, although at under 3,000 feet, it gains the distinction of being a Marilyn rather than a Munro.

Physical Fitness Is Key

Whether climbing Arthur’s Seat or making the rounds of Holyrood’s borders, a visit to Holyrood Park is a great way to expend copious physical energy and improve one’s wellness. The park stretches from the center of Edinburgh to some of its near suburbs, and is a beautiful setting for a group outing or a private journey through athletic silence.

At its far south end, Holyrood Park shows its visitors lakes full of Scottish wildlife in avian form, small hamlets which are rare destinations for those not from the area, and grand Scottish landscapes which stretch out for miles.

One of Her Majesty's swans in a regal pose with St Anthony's Chapel in the background.

[image credit: piglicker]

Busy Birds on the hunt for a few breadcrumbs in St. Margaret's Loch, Holyrood Park

[image credit: hockadilly]

Holyrood Park is one of the few areas in Edinburgh which can rival some of the nature reserves in other places in the country. In the North its easy accessibility from the city centre, which is continued along bus routes that trace its outer limits, make this a place where almost anyone can go to enjoy the natural wonder and beauty of Edinburgh without leaving the center of town.

We’re proud to share 15 of our favourite golden photos of Edinburgh Castle with you dear reader. If you love them as much as we do please feel free to leave a comment, we love hearing from you!

Edinburgh Castle, golden and purely breathtaking.

[Image credit: ewanmcdowall]

The early winter nights bathe Edinburgh Castle in gold

[Image credit: Slainte74]

A Golden Edinburgh Castle against the black winter sky

[Image credit: furbyphotos]

A full moon over Edinburgh's Golden Castle

[Image credit: paulcapewell]

Of course Edinburgh Castle's gold is versatile, here it is in white gold!

[Image credit: Tr1xx]

Sometimes Edinburgh Castle emits gold in the form of light...

[Image credit: Andy H McDowall]

Ominous night skies over the Golden Edinburgh Castle

[Image credit: ewanmcdowall]

Close up Edinburgh Castle's gold is exposed as fool's gold

[Image credit: boreritos]

Even in the fog Edinburgh Castle's gold shines through

[Image credit: ilgiovaneWalter]

Is the sky angry or jealous of the castle's golden appearance?

[Image credit: brianwestcott]

Pale gold, but gold nonetheless Edinburgh Castle is simply stunning

[Image credit: Rich B-S]

Not only the castle is golden in Edinburgh, the Ross fountain also has this hue.

[Image credit: VerseVend]

Looking up to a golden turret of Edinburgh Castle.

[Image credit: consumerfriendly]

Temple of art: The National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh

[image credit: Topaz McNumpty]

The National Gallery of Scotland’s outstanding permanent collection consists of over 65,000 pieces, ranging from the early Renaissance to the 20th century. The Venetian collection features masterpieces by 16th century Venetian artists including “The Three Ages of Man,” by Titian and “The Adoration of the Kings,” by Jacopo Bassano.

Celebrated Artworks In The National Gallery Of Scotland

Celebrated 18th and 19th century European masters represented include van Gogh, Gauguin, Degas and Rodin, as well as Impressionists Renoir, Monet, Cezanne, Pisarro and Seurat. The excellent Dutch and Flemish collection occupies three galleries, and displays 17th century paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, and van Dyck. The National Gallery’s collection also contains notable paintings by Gainsborough, Delacroix, Constable, Goya, and Benjamin West. Other significant works on display are El Greco’s “Savior of the World,” and Nicholas Poussin’s “Seven Sacraments.”

National Gallery of Scotland with the Gallery Café facing Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle in the background.

[image credit: poncho pilate]

A highlight of the National Gallery of Scotland is the national collection of Scottish art, located in the New Wing. This collection showcases works exclusively by Scottish painters from the 16th century to contemporary times. Themes in Scottish art include Portraiture, Landscape, Scottish Art Movements, Episodes from Scottish History, and Legend, Fantasy and Imagination. Some of the Scottish artists whose works are represented in this collection include Alan Ramsay, Sir David Wilkie, Sir James Guthrie and William McTaggart.

Cambell's Tomato soup tins raise awareness for the big Andy Warhol exhibition at Edinburgh's National Gallery of Scotland.

[image credit: lastyearsgirl_]

Entry to the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Scotland is free of charge, although there is an admission charge for the special art exhibitions. Opening hours are daily 10am- 5pm, Wednesdays until 7pm, closed 25 and 26 December. Taking photographs is not allowed inside the National Gallery of Scotland.

Edinburgh's Playfair Monument on Calton Hill

[image credit: zawtowers]

The Playfair Monument is named after John Playfair, who died in 1819. While locals may not find his name as memorable as some others found nearby – Sir Walter Scott and John Knox come to mind, not to mention Scotland’s untoppable Rabbie Burns – the sight of the Playfair Monument is a welcome one to those who travel to or live in Edinburgh.

Overlooking The City From Playfair Monument

From its situation on top of Calton Hill, the Playfair Monument overlooks Princes Street and gives good sight lines out to Edinburgh Castle (the highest point in the city aside from Arthur’s Seat).

The Playfair Monument is not one of the cities more ostentatious sights, but in its shadow both local and tourist can taste the sweet air off the Firth of Forth and find themselves at home among the green grass and the rolling hills nestled within this perculiar city.

View from the Castle toward Calton Hill. Get your magnifying glasses ladies and gents, the Playfair Monument is located "between" the Dugald Stewart and National Monument of Edinburgh.

[image credit: Laurel Fan]

Only a few minutes’ walk from Edinburgh’s main attractions, including the above mentioned Arthur’s Seat, the New Town, the Royal Mile, Leith Walk (site of the 1990s film “Trainspotting,” directed by Danny Boyle), the Playfair Monument is a reminder of days gone by and natural philosophy, a sight which recalls the dedication of Edinburgh University’s professors and the city’s well-known precedence in mathematics and science.

The inscription on the podium of Playfair Monument, Edinburgh

[image credit: airminded]

As modest as its home city, the Playfair Monument is a well-fitted tribute to the esteemed mathematics professor John Playfair, whose memory has lasted over two centuries and whose work lives on to this day.

House fronts on Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

The square is less travelled for those who aren’t used to Edinburgh’s busy streets, and not exactly a tourist draw, although its beautiful architecture and easy access to Queensferry Road and the surrounding areas (including some of Edinburgh’s most well-regarded modern art museums as well as the path along the Water of Leith) make Charlotte Square one of Edinburgh’s hidden gems.

[image credit: David Farrer]

A Quiet Corner Of Edinburgh

The streets along Charlotte Square are easy to navigate, and are a frequent sight for most Edinburgh Drivers, who will use Charlotte Square primarily as a way to bypass Princes and George Street on their way across town from Leith Walk. Exiting along South Charlotte Street provides access to Shandwick Place, Lothian Road, Queensferry Road and more, which opens up the entire west of Edinburgh’s suburbs to those with car access.

Charlotte Square would not play a huge role in Edinburgh’s many literary and bus sightseeing tours if it wasn’t for the Edinburgh Book Festival which is held annually in Charlotte Square Gardens.

Edinburgh's Charlotte Square Gardens with the majestic Prince Albert Memorial.

[image credit: buhny]

The tiny square offers much in the way of peace and quiet to those who venture there. Exiting the square in any direction enables one to explore some of Edinburgh’s less-travelled streets, including the neighbourhoods north of the city centre such as Stockbridge and Queensferry.

A number of high-end hotels and a few restaurants are located in Charlotte Square, although they are more the sort of low-profile bed and breakfast variety than the showy Caledonian and other Princes Street mainstays.

Regal Charlotte Square town houses lit up at night

[image credit: byronv2]

The square itself is viewed most often from the window of a car passing through, and unless one has particular business at one of the addresses that line its gates, it’s unlikely to be a major attraction for anyone visiting Edinburgh or spending time in the area. Charlotte Square is a beautiful addition to Edinburgh’s streets and parks, particularly in its architecture, but awaits investment and attention before it becomes a go-to destination for tourists or locals.