Edinburgh: St Bernard's Well

There's a quote somewhere about a weekend well spent means a week of content. I agree with that one - I am a rather big fan of getting out, seeing some greenery, or feeling like I've achieved something (even if that achievement is the entire box set of Broadchurch in one weekend. Ahem).

Doors Open Day is the last weekend of September in Edinburgh. It's such a good opportunity to have a nosey around some of the most stunning buildings in the city - most of which are not usually open to the public. I decided on the Sunday morning that I'd drag myself out the house before the rain started, and potter over to Stockbridge to see the newly renovated St Bernard's Well.

St Bernard's Well lies between Stockbridge and Dean Village - two affluent city centre suburbs joined by the Water of Leith walkway. It's such a lovely short stroll, dipping down a side street, under the bridge, and onto the path that runs between the two. The Well was discovered by two boys fishing in the 1750s back when the area was part of the land belonging to the St Bernard's Estate, far outside of the city limits. The current well house, built in 1789, tapped in to the reputation of the well as a healing source and encouraged wealthy tourists to come, sit, drink the waters and rest for a while. The Well, combined with the beautiful statue of Hygieia, was part of Edinburgh's Twelve Monuments project. It was so lovely to sneak in and see it restored and working.

Edinburgh: Shutter Art

Considering how much time I spend walking around Edinburgh, it's rare that I see much street art. I'm not sure why it's not as prevalent as in other cities - even Glasgow is getting on board nowadays. Maybe I just don't spot much of it because it's tucked away down side streets. Although there has been a lack of guerrilla talent popping up on Edinburgh's streets, there has been a more concerted effort to bring condoned, authorised colour into the city.

I really love the painted shutters along Leith Walk, they're a brilliant way of adding a bit of extra colour to one of the city's busiest main roads. Leith is one of the most densely populated areas in Scotland, with tightly packed tenements squeezed in between two main thoroughfares in and out of town. It used to be a separate town, and still retains a strong sense of community, complete with its own mini arts festival, LeithLates. The Shutter Project was part of the festival in 2012, and has slowly been added to ever since. Such a fantastic way of celebrating the increasing artistic nature of the area, while adding vibrancy to what would otherwise be a standard city street.

I've also spotted painted shutters in a different part of town. Dumbiedykes is a small estate, squeezed in between Holyrood park and Old Town, with beautiful views of Arthur's Seat. Despite the city centre location though, the area has developed a bit of a negative reputation over the years. As part of a local regeneration scheme, a local designer worked with youth groups during school holidays to create a mural on an unused shopping parade. 

I love this idea. Giant canvases for community projects, reducing the likelihood of graffiti and damage to the buildings, and adding personality to otherwise grey and somewhat generic estates. It's impossible not to see them and smile.

Event: CreateEatWhisky

Whisky is one of the many things that I know very little about. Gin - a bit. Wine - the basics. Tea - I can wax lyrical. But for some reason, whisky has passed me by. I was very excited when I found out that Jelly and Gin were hosting CreateEatWhisky in collaboration with Jura Whisky as part of this year's World Whisky Day celebrations. 

The Nestle Milk Factory on Leith Links - our venue for the evening.

Ghost sign - the only hint of the building's former purpose.

Beautiful lighting, subway tiles.

Custom built candleholders.

Origami lighting.

Rows of tables, copper piping, paper lights.

The tasting begins - whisky number one - Jura Elixir. Our place mats summarised each for us.

Music plays in the background - recorded onsite at the distillery - with instructions on how to taste

Our tasting glasses were not your typical whisky tumbler shape.

How dark is the colour? Rich, golden, pale?

As instructed, we all held up the glass to inspect further.

I've never been sure how much water to add. Enough to create a "marble" effect as the liquids mix, said the chap next to me. 

Breathe it in deeply, edge of the glass to the bottom of the nose. 

What does it smell like?

And now onto the taste.

Take a sip.

Move it around your mouth.

Enjoy.

Tasting notes followed the instruction video, giving us hints. 

Beautiful wooden tiffin boxes, containing the first food pairing.

Oatcakes, Ayrshire bonnet cheese, pineapple & ginger chutney, venison salami.

Whisky number two - Prophecy. The music changes, the lighting changes.

A smoke filled cloche arrives.

Loch Duart hot smoked salmon pate, pickled cucumber, squid ink breadsticks.

Whisky number three - Origin. 

Tasting notes: honey.

Pear compote, honey cream, pecan brittle. Coffee and liquorice scent vials.

Whisky number four - Diurachs' Own.

Steaming copper cauldrons, seaweed mist.

Chocolates: lavender, matcha tea, salted caramel.

To finish: scenes and sounds from the distillery.

Jura.

With thanks.

Collaborators.

More collaborators.

CreateEatWhisky.

Our hosts: Jelly & Gin.

Four drams later, four delicious tasters, and I feel a little more confident with whisky. Turns out I like a dash of water in my malt to tone down the harshness of the alcohol. I was also surprised by the whisky I liked best - number two - Prophecy. My previous experiences of whisky had put me off strong smoke and peat flavours, but with the salmon and cucumber pickles, it really, really worked. I've already made a mental note to do something similar for a dinner party starter soon. A rather marvellous multi-sensory evening, and a great way to learn about something new.