Yes it's a wonky photo but then it's pretty wonky place. Up on Calton Hill the other day, first time in a while: The first thing I see are massed police officers and their fleet of grubby vehicles, from all across the UK and presumably still in town following the recent Greenpeace incidents. That's an odd image right away. Meanwhile incredibly stylish Asians do Insta stuff, runaway kids and baffled families explore and I stumble on the rough edges; nobody seems to know what they're looking for including me. Apart from the wonderful view, they're not finding anything else on this barren and bizarre, run down hill top with it's collapsed infrastructure.
Whatever else the visitors come for: the tourists, junkies, police and thieves, I don't think Edinburgh Council really cares about the space. Folks clamber up and struggle to pose up on top of the "disgrace's" massive stone platform like it was the top of Ben Nevis. I wonder about risk and public liability and then dismiss those pointless thoughts. Access could be easier, everything could be tidier but maybe it doesn't matter. It seems to me that despite the history, the views and the potential of this spectacular and historic location, nobody who matters or has clout really cares about it.
Meanwhile we now have Palestinian Cola (?) in the fridge, buy it here.
No comments:
Post a Comment