Auld Reekie

Historic Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, was at one time nicknamed “Auld Reekie” because of the open sewers and smoke from thousands of chimneys. Chimney Sweeps had thriving businesses, often employing young boys—known as “climbing boys”—to climb up into the narrow chimneys until legislation in the 1800’s put an end to child labor.

By the mid-twentieth century, electric and gas-fired heating systems replaced most of the old coal and wood fires used previously. In the last few years, however, homeowners have been re-opening the old chimneys to bring back the beauty of real fires.

On a recent trip to that historic and beautiful city, I was visually attracted to the thousands of chimney pots that crowded the skyline. The rooftops reminded me of my favorite childhood movie—Mary Poppins. The clay pots were varied and anthropomorphic. On some buildings they were identical and lined up like soldiers marching to war. Others were mismatched and comical. The other movie I was reminded of from my childhood was “Alice in Wonderland”, where the flowers took on human characteristics.

The last two days I was there I must have missed many interesting sights because I was too busy looking up with my camera.

--Janet Worne