Photo trail

Explorer Tom Steps at Waverley Bridge would have told Saint Patrick to stop talking and just climb them already. They’ve seen thousands of feet go up and down without complaint. It’s a very practical piece of architecture. Bring a friend who talks too much and let the place shut them up.

Explorer Tom Princes Street and Waverley Bridge are stuck in a bit of a tangle right now. A local cow apparently tried to buy the whole lot with a handful of cabbages last week. The bridge is still pretending it didn’t hear anything. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.

Explorer Tom Edinburgh, Waverley Bridge, Drinking Fountain is where a dance was held that went so far that the water started spraying in time with the music, which I’m sure never actually happened. It’s just sitting there looking thirsty while we all walk past without even thinking about using it for its intended purpose. Snap one photo

Explorer Tom Edinburgh, Princes Street, Waverley Market has seagulls who say it smells like a mix of old fruit and fresh ambition, which is honestly the most accurate description of Edinburgh ever given. It’s been a market for so long that it now just sells nostalgia to people who miss buying apples from a person instead of an app. Best visited with a curious

Explorer Tom Waverley Square and the Balmoral Hotel from the Scott Monument were saved by a hero nobody remembers. He fixed the roof with duct tape and a prayer, but history forgot his name entirely. The monument is just standing there, pretending it did all the work itself. Go before the tourists find out.

Explorer Tom Scott Monument in Edinburgh is the second largest monument to a writer in the world, which is a bit cheeky given that most people can’t remember his name after five minutes. There’s a dog that’s in charge of it now, probably because it thinks all those spires are just very tall scratching posts. Linger, it's not going

Explorer Tom Waverley Station from the Castle in Edinburgh looks like it’s been waiting for a letter that never came, staring blankly at the tracks below. Its suspicion of the postman is palpable; you can see it tensing up every time a delivery van drives past, ready to throw a brick if things get weird. It’s got that “I’ve seen it all and I’m not impressed” vibe that makes you want to hurry

Explorer Tom Castle Cannon Battery has a ghost living in it who is too lazy to actually haunt anyone, preferring to just sit and watch the tourists trip over. I think it used to be scary but now it’s more of a background character in your holiday video. It’s just stone and rust with a lot of attitude. Go now, before it gets famous.

Explorer Tom St Andrew Square has had so many names it’s lost track of its own birthday. It’s like that uncle who changes his personality every time you walk into the room. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Edinburgh, Waverley Bridge, Waverley Station would have a lovely epitaph: 'Finally, some peace.' It’s right by all the bustle but feels asleep. It’s classless, which is very cheeky for such a big spot. Find the date carved somewhere and feel clever about it.

Explorer Tom Adam Black Memorial in City of Edinburgh is sitting right next to the Scott Memorial, which makes him feel like a bit part player. He’s a publisher, so in a zombie apocalypse, he’d be the one with the map and the backup copy of the guidebook. It’s a very quiet spot that feels like it’s waiting for a sequel that never gets written. Bring sandwiches, because the gulls will absolutely thank you for

Explorer Tom East Princes Street Gardens made a massive bargain with gravity: it keeps the city looking good, and they keep letting it exist right next door to all that noise. It’s basically the VIP lounge for people who want to see Edinburgh without dealing with the crowds. Tell your mates you found it first.