I love piecing together adorable true story gems from history books on Edinburgh and its most northern suburb of Leith especially.
Wonderful Street Art in Grassmarket, Edinburgh
On the subject of which, I noticed one of my main sources, a 1922 book, The History of Leith, needed some TLC the other day. For that reason, I have sent it to an excellent book restorer called Mia, who owns The Book Minder in the Scottish Borders.
The History of Leith was a gift from a special, now departed friend. It deserves every ounce of the TLC I have every confidence Mia will give it.
In it are fantastic stories about dramatic events involving characters of Leith in long gone times, including two on old Leith sea dog Andrew Wood. The first of two instalments for my Buy Me a Coffee blog was on his dramatic last stand of loyalty to his master, James III of Scotland, a man he would tragically never see again.
The second instalment, which ought to have been written and gone live on as a Buy Me A Coffee blog a few days ago, about his new loyalty to King James IV of Scotland and the equally dramatic events that ensued, has necessitated a pause, until The History of Leith Returns, complete with its wonderful inscription, within the next four weeks.
I wonder what grandfather did.......
Fraser Paterson
Freelance Tour Guide and Writer