GLAD I CAME.

Gladstone's Land, Lawnmarket, in Edinburghs Royal Mile.

Gladstone's Land was the home of a prosperous Edinburgh merchant in the 17th century. It is decorated and furnished with great authenticity to give visitors an impression of life in Edinburgh's Old Town some 400 years ago. Highlights include original painted ceilings and the reconstructed shop booth complete with replicas of 17th-century goods.

Pity its surrounded by "tourist tat" shops now. A bufoon tourist asked me today how long the Royal Mile was.

I replied "Equivalent to Scottish measures 320 falls or 8 Scots furlongs. Using the Metric system 1807 metres. Or using the Imperial system 1,976 yards or about 1.12 miles."

I then walked away to drink my Irn-Bru and read the Daily record whilst whistling "Flower of Scotland".

G x