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Six Knights (Steve, William, Martin, Colin, Derry and Derran) and one guest (Kevin), met in The Cambridge Bar and headed out into the cool night air in search of George Street's distant past and its plinthed dignatories. The evening was lead by Derran, who we followed in to Charlotte Square. Here we met Prince Albert astride his horse and learned something of his life incuding his marriage with Queen Victoria and his membership of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. We also, for the first time, heard the name of John Steell, the statue's designer. His was a name which would crop up a few times during the evening. Knights marched on to the corner of Castle Street and George Street where they met up with Thomas Chalmers, leader of the Free Church of Scotland. This is another statue attributable to John Steell. Next then to the point at which Hanover Street crosses George Street and an encounter with former Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger. Having traversed half of George Street it was time for a libation and the thrifty Knights and guest took advantage of The Standing Order's favourable prices (at the expense of atrocious bar service). With whetted whistles, it was again time to pound Edinburgh's pavements: next stop, a meeting with the somewhat disagreeable figure of royalty, King George IV. Derran gave us an insight into the Monarch's flippant spending habits (with tax payers money) and lack of leadership in troubled times which included the Napoleonic Wars. The most recent arrival 'on the block' was our penultimate visit: the mathematical physicist, James Clerk Maxwell, a man who inspired Einstein. Finally, we reached St Andrew Square and met with a former partner of William Pitt: Henry Dundas who Derran informed us was a member of the Cape Club contemporary, The Poker Club. Thanks were given to Derran for an interesting and well researched tour; one which may be worth repeating at a lighter time of year! Knights and guest played out the evening with typical conviviality and discussion in Tiles and The Guildford Arms before heading home for the evening.

- Some further reading John Steell, Prince Albert Statue, Prince Albert, Thomas Chalmers, Thomas Chalmers Statue, Site Record, Thomas Chalmers Statue, William Pitt Statue, Site Record, William Pitt, King George IV, King George IV, Site Record, James Clerk Maxwell, James Clerk Maxwell Statue, St Andrew Square, Henry Dundas, Henry Dundas Statue, George Street Statue Removal Rejected, George Street, George Street Statues (The Scotsman)