evacuating Merchiston

The fire alarm went off at Edinburgh Napier University's Merchiston campus this morning, just as we were starting a class on the top floor of an eight storey buidling.

That meant a long schlep down the outside fire escape - the top level of which is covered in moss, and decidedly slippery underfoot - just what you want that far up in the sky. Anyway, this is the view as I made my way down, herding students in front of me.

We spent about 35 minutes outside in near freezing conditions, and in my case without a coat. It's done wonders for my cold. Not.