The East Port Bar, Dunfermline and a new distillery

Popped over to see our friend Archie, who is now the Manager at the East Port Bar in Dunfermline,  at the weekend, and found that he is running a "drinking man's pub" , no food on hand and not part of a national chain.   Being the designated driver I did manage to get a good coffee from Archie,   fortunately for him, the attached photo is not Archie on the doorstep, but one i spotted in the nearby Kingsgate Centre where there was an exhibition of old Dunfermline.   The current East Port Bar is ever so slightly more modern and very comfortable.

On my travels on Monday I ended up at the Glenkinchie Distillery, near Pencaitland , East Lothian, which I have always considered to be the most southerly distillery in Scotland.  It is in a lovely setting and certainly a very worthwhile visit with a beautiful Single malt which can only be bought on site.     HOWEVER,  I now discover that there is now a new distillery further south, The Borders Distillery in Hawich, Scottish Borders,  only recently opened, but which will obviously have to wait three years before they can sell their own product.  Not sure whose "dram" is being used for visitors in the meantime.

Time for comments. A few "Why's"

1. British gas about to hike up its prices again,  making sure their shareholders get their pay out.  Time these utilities were made to toe the line.

2. I do not see why Boris Johnston should apologise for his recent comments about the burka, time the wearing of it in public was banned for security reasons.  No doubt we will need to wait for another terrorist incident before the matter is looked at again.

3. Police in Edinburgh carry out a raid carrying firearms after receiving information that weapons were in a flat in Edinburgh. There were none when the police arrived, so now the Police have to apologise for doing their job.  Had weapons been present and Police attended without back up and someone ended up getting injured they would have been subjected to a full enquiry.

4. Two motorcycles stolen from the showroom of Border Bikes , Duns, at 0330 last Friday morning,   culprits were disturbed, followed by Police all the way to Edinburgh where they had to stop their pursuit. The van, which had been stolen, was recovered minus the two bikes.

5. Just what is going on with diesel cars?  The public were told only a few years ago that these were the vehicles of the future,  economical, etc and a must buy.  BUT now, if you have a diesel engine you are punished,  Edinburgh City Council now planing on a £40 residents parking surcharge if you own one. Stockpiles of these cars all over the World,   WHY?

6.  Just how do you stop folks smoking within the grounds of NHS hospitals, it is like running the gauntlet when you go to visit the ERI,  and despite barriers to cut down on the amount of space available, there are folks fitted with drips, in  wheelchairs, yellow, jaundiced, etc all sitting and puffing away.  Last week a smoke detector in an internal toilet was found inoperative due to tissues stuffed into it, so that some selfish smoker did not have to go outside. a fire risk to say the least.  Send the sods home and free up beds for someone else.

7  and finally,  why do my wife and relatives fall asleep in the car when I take them for a run in the countryside - just because there are no charity shops to visit, or big shops to go to !!!!

Monarch of the Glen and the Gardens

Currently on display in the National Gallery of Scotland, the Mound, Edinburgh  (admission free) is the stunning painting of the "Monarch of the Glen".  The photo was a quick snap and does not do any justice to this superb work of art.   It has been taken off on tour around the country but is back for the duration of the Festival.

 Obviously the town is very busy with visitors fro the festival, and the big wheel is again sited in the shadow of the Scott Monument.

 As usual the floral clock keeps drawing the crowds and if I remember correctly it commemorates the RNLI this year.

 And at long last, The Ross Fountain has been fully refurbished at a cost of £1.5 million.  I remember it as a young child way back, coming in to play there in the summer.   Sign of the times, but they had to close and drain the fountain after one week as the waterproof membrane had been damaged by youngsters cooling off during our recent heat wave.   Now repaired and up and flowing again.  The fountain is very near to the Ross Bandstand which is also due  to be upgraded or replaced,  a very popular spot all the year round and the venue this week for one of Sir Tom Jones concerts.  From all reports he was excellent.

 Handy little corner for the sunbathers to relax, with a large number of the old fashioned deck chairs available.  Hand being beside the snack bars and children's play area.

Polish Stone Map of Scotland. Barony Hotel.

Some eight years ago workmen uncovered the original stone map of Scotland in the grounds of the Barony Hotel at Eddleston, by Peebles.    After a great deal of hard work by a team of volunteers the site has been cleared, the stonework cleaned and repaired and the site flooded to its original levels, plus a nice new viewing platform.   An amazing piece of work and so nice to see it back to its former glory.

 Thought I would add this other bit of Polish related items,  this being the sculpture to the Polish War dead in the Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.  The bear's nose is shiny due to the paint being rubbed off by countless hands over the years.

Harley Davidson, Edinburgh

A few days ago I ended up at the old Harley Showroom at KB Edinburgh to discover they had moved, so today, on my way to B&Q at Hermiston Gait I popped into their new premises at Sighthill, Edinburgh, just off the City By Pass and at the end of the M8.

 The showroom is certainly quite impressive, as are the selection of new and used Harley Davidson bikes.   Thought I should pop in another trike just in case Lennie is reading this.

 I suppose I have to make the same comment as I do about the big flashy car showrooms,   " Who is paying for the Premises? "    No doubt the customer as usual, from the price of the product.

As stated I was on my way to B&Q to get a bargain on the 10% pensioner's discount day.  At the checkout I learned that this offer will end in September and the discount will only apply to gardening related products.  So looks like Screwfix will get my custom as usual rather than trail round the by pass on a Wednesday.

Testerday's accident on the A702 Biggar Road was a fatality and at a part near Easter Howgate where major roadworks a couple of years ago were meant to make this part of the road safer.  Appears that a northbound lorry and a southbound car collided head on.

Vantage point at Edinburgh Airport

 On pick up duty at Edinburgh last Thursday morning waiting on the Johnston's of Chobham.  For once I manage to find a really good vantage point near the end of the runway and was able watch the comings and goings of these wonderful flying machines.

David and Carl's wedding

 Must congratulate David and Carl on their wedding and reception at Pollockshiels on Saturday,  I did not take many photos although many more were taken by others.  This was one of the nicest weddings I have attended, the service was conducted by a lady humanist minister who was superb; the hospitality, meal, reception and friendship of all who attended was a real credit to the couple.  Well done.