Apr
Wed 25 Apr 2012
Royal Mile Crawl
The next Manor is a wander down the Royal Mile which runs from Castlehill to Abbey Strand, taking in Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate on the way. We will, of course, visit a few lounges of libation along the way, starting with The Jolly Judge. Please bring with you a tale of Old Edinburgh to enthral Knights and guests along the way. Any small interesting fact will do. Everyone, especially non-members, is welcome to attend. Please come along and support your Cape and share your knowledge of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Meet between 7.30 and 8pm in The Jolly Judge. We'll leave at 8pm. Guests welcome.
Report
Seven Knights were in the Jolly Judge at the start of the Royal Mile Crawl: Steve, Dave, Martin, Derran, George, Colin and Neil. We headed out into the wild, cold and wet James Court to find the first of the evening’s ‘Cape Connections’. This was with one of the Knights who share’s a pseudonym with the hills which source the reservoir cum water supply on Castle Hill. We also learnt the Father of Modern Economic Theory, Adam Smith, once lived in a house in James Court. Derran had lots of details on the closes as we walked down the Lawnmarket and reached Decon Brodies. Here, we met up with Helene, Daisy and Neta, one of Helene’s Danish friends. We headed over to Parliament Square to hear some chat on the Tolbooth which once stood here and St. Giles Cathedral. Neil gave us a few tidbits, including the knowledge St. Giles used to have clock faces on it and has a working clock mechanism within its tower. Next stop, Mary King’s Close where traditional tales of ghosts ‘n’ ghoulies were told and heard. Frightened off from Mary King’s Close we arrived at the City Chambers and also went to visit the statue of Adam Smith. Helene, Daisy and Neta left us at that point but William joined us with the news that St. Giles was, in fact, the High Kirk of Edinburgh. We ducked into The MacGregor for some refreshment and were pleased to be greeted by the words of Fergusson painted on the wall by the foot of the stairs on the way to the toilet. Next stop, the chippy. We could barely see the chips for sauce. Then, for, arguably, the highlight of the evening and ultimate in Cape Connections: a visit to the plaque opposite the remaining part of Craig’s close in Cockburn Street to see the Cape Club plaque commemorating Robert Fergusson’s membership and the location of the Isle of Man Tavern: the first Cape Hall. Our crawl then took us to Jinglin’ Geordies where we watched Bayern beat Real on penalties. Next suggested watering hole was the Halfway House but it was closing, as was the next suggestion: The Hebrides. Martin left us at that point as we headed towards The Tass where the traditional fiddlers, guitarists and other musicians were sat around playing. Fittingly, Fergusson again joined us to finish off a fine evening. Thanks to all Knights which attended, particularly all those who contributed a Royal Mile story or two.
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