Edinburgh Day 4

I'm staying at a guest house that is just a few kilometres from the city centre. I wouldn't say that I chose this place, so much as it was what was available on short notice. The marathon takes 13,000 registrants in addition to the relay competitors. The result is that all of the hotels are fully booked well in advance of the race. I was just happy to get something.

What I didn't bargain for was a place with a story. My guesthouse isn't exactly in a fancy part of town, but that's what makes it special. I'm just a stones throw away from the building in which Irvine Welsh lived and was inspired to write Trainspotting. Not so good for late night exploration, but good to see the non-tourist side of the city. Across the street is Leith Links, which, it turns out, is the 'home of golf'. It doesn't look much like a golf course anymore. Just a grassy park with a swing set and a lot of litter.

I'm not fanatical about golf or of trainspotting, but I do find it novel to be situated in this place that could have easily passed as just another guesthouse in a nameless neighborhood. It's a good reminder that there are interesting things to be found everywhere, if you are willing to see them.