Comment

Someone once said that Edinburgh has thrived despite, and not because of, its city councils and that's something I totally agree with. It's a great place but could be better. For a start the roads are in a terrible state due to years/decades of under investment and our pretty good bus service is now not as good as it was. The tram line (yes 1 line) has been a fiasco which few people want – we might get it now in 2014. Not exactly a solution to overcrowded roads. I want a rail/underground!
The streets could be cleaner but there has been an improvement and I'd like to see co-ordinated roadworks and proper repairs afterwards.
When the great Cowgate/South bridge fire happened in 2002 the council promised that the buildings would be replaced quickly and we wouldn't see a “hole in the ground” that had happened so many times in the past. Well 10 years later I see that finally something is being built there.
But credit where credit is due – a huge amount has been done to replace run down housing and improve deprived areas.
As much as I like the preservation of old buildings(most), I like new and modern too and particularly like the modern buildings in Tollcross. I'd actually like to see an extremely tall building or complex in the city, after all the city was building “skyscrapers” in mediaeval times.

In my travels around the city photographing for my Historic Houses and Suburbs features, I've found many things of interest, met many friendly people and haven't felt uncomfortable in any part of the city.

For supporting my website I'd like to thank the following libraries: Central, Currie, Balerno, Piershill, Kirkliston, Oxgangs, Wester Hailes, Balgreen, Fountainbridge, Gilmerton and Colinton.
I'd like to thank Currie, Liberton, Longstone/Slateford, Newtown/Broughton and Gorgie/Dalry community councils for replying to my email.
Also thanks to the Edinburgh Museum, Writer's Museum and People's Story for happily taking my leaflets.