EDINBURGH explorer

Unknown Past Discovering Cramond’s Roman History

Sweet Edinburgh Bibi’s Cupcake Temptation

Occupy Edinburgh From Wall Street to St. Andrew Square

From no God to God Particle Edinburgh`s Great Minds

Ghosts-Hunting Terrifying Adventures in the Scottish Capital

Edinburgh`s Nightlife Like a Fortune Cookie: You don`t know what you get!

1 Contents

Edinburgh ABC Christos Kambouris 6

Faces of Edinburgh 11

In the Streets of Edinburgh Sophie Luise Bauer 12

She who Stands in the Cold Edith Daibel 14

Go but Don`t Come Back Tomorrow Monika Weiß 16

Bagpipes on the Rocks Jasmin Kriegelstein, Andrea Beres 20

Timeless Tradition Edith Daibel 22

From Wallstreet to St. Andrews Square Edith Daibel, Christos Kambouris 26

German - Most Spoken in Scotland Amongst Tourists Monika Weiß 32

Sugarholic`s Paradise Andrea Beres 38

Fitness Unusual Sophie Luise Bauer 40

From God to No God Particle Christos Kambouris 46

An Old School Motion Sophie Luise Bauer 50

Let`s Entertain You Sophie Luise Bauer 56

Welcome to Edin, Bro! Christos Kambouris 62

Nightfever, Nightfever Sophie Luise Bauer 66

Phantoms and Ghosts Caroline Wimmer 70

Rediscovering Cramond`s Roman Past Jasmin Kriegelstein 78

Wildlife at First Hand Jasmin Kriegelstein, Andrea Beres 82

Pony for Sale Andrea Beres 84

German Christmas Special Jasmin Kriegelstein, Monika Weiß 86

The Authors 88

Imprint 90

5 ibs or Hearts - Which side are you on? Edinburgh ABC H www.hibernianfc.co.uk/page/Home , www.heartsfc.co.uk/page/Home

...it‘s as easy as 123 rn Bru – Have Scotland’s other national drink. IOne that is even prohibited in the U.S.A. www.irn-bru.co.uk

words by Christos Kambouris azz & Blues Festival – In July the Jazz World photographs by Andrea Beres Jmeets here. You won‘t find Miles Davis, but may- be Elvis... www.edinburghjazzfestival.com

ilt – Grab yourself a kilt in one of the plenty Kkilt shops around the city. Don‘t forget to put rthurs Seat – Just like King Arthur, if you be- lephant House – Sit at the table where J.K. on some underwear, ‚cause wind can be real tricky Alieve the legends, you can look down on the ERowling wrote her first two Harry Potters. You in Edinburgh. www.nicolsonkiltmakers.co.uk city from a height of 250,5 m. Its main peak was might spot Lord Voldemort in some corner. formed by an extinct volcano. 21 George IV Bridge, www.elephanthouse.biz eith – The new trendy burgh. Look for the sets Lof the film Trainspotting. Leave out the heroin. otanic Garden – 15,000 plant species need a lot armers Market – Over 55 specialist producers www.leithhistory.co.uk Bof water. Pretty lucky that there are 16 days of Fwait for you, every Saturday. Try a fried choco- ueen‘s Galley – Located in the Palace of Holy- precipitation on an average month in Edinburgh. late bar. 13 Blair Street, edical School – Part of the University of Ed- Qroodhouse with changing exhibitions. Don‘t 20 Inverleith Row, www.rbge.org.uk www.edinburghfarmersmarket.co.uk Minburgh. Charles Darwin studied here, got run into Lizzie. sick of the weather and fled to the Galapagos Is- Canon Gate, Royal Mile, www.royalcollection.org.uk ramond Island – An Isle you can walk to. Je- lands. Lucky Bastard. Csus might get jealous, but watch the tide. 47 Little France Crescent, www.ed.ac.uk/ oyal Mile – The main thoroughfare of the Old www.britishbeaches.info medicine-vet-medicine RTown. From the top of Castle Rock down to Holyrood Abbey you walk about ...? Right, you olly, the sheep – First mammal to be cloned. orth Berwick – Visit the Scottish Seabird smart ass, exactly one Scots mile. DVisit her at the National Museum of Scot- NCenter. Sure you‘ll spot some seals, if so, www.edinburgh-royalmile.com land. Feeding prohibited! don‘t slay them! Chambers Street, www.nms.ac.uk, Admission Free 7 Beach Rd, www.seabird.org, Admission £7.15 tand Comedy Club – Visit Open Mic Night on SMondays. Don‘t sit near the stage. Why? Just ink Burger – A whole hog in the shop win- trust me! Odow. And you can have a part of it. You are 5 York Pl, www.thestand.co.uk, Admission £2 what you eat, mate. 34 Victoria Street, www.oinkhogroast.co.uk oddy- You‘ve caught a cold and think the best reyfriars Kirkyard – Lay some flowers at the Tway to get rid of it is going to bed. Wrong! Go Ggrave of Bobby. The town’s most famous dog. rinces Street – Shop till you drop. to a Pub and order yourself a Toddy. Doesn‘t work? Please leave your cat at home. P www.princes-street.com Order another! 2 Greyfriars Place, www.greyfriarskirk.com 71-73 York Place , www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

6 7 I like Edinburgh, because ...I like Edinburgh ...

nited Kingdom – You‘re damn right. Edin- hisky Experience - The World’s Largest Uburgh is located in the UK. Next! WCollection of Scotch Whisky. Go for it, and www.maps.google.de try them all. 354 Castlehill, www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk aults – Explore Edinburgh‘s Underground. VDon‘t you ever go alone. Ever! -Factor Cabin – Chose a song. Impress the www.mercattours.com Xjudges. You can be Paul Potts, hopefully not by looks. Princes Mall, Upper Mall, www.shopprincesmall.com , Fee: £3 each recording

acht Britannia – The ship of the Royal Family Yfor 40 years. Now at the Ocean Terminal of Leith. Welcome on board, your highness. www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

ebra Crossings – There a few. So watch out, Zcars in Scotland drive on the wrong side. Western General Hosptial Crewe Road South, www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk „... because it`s a charming old city. With its castle in the middle, the position of the city between Highlands an sea - great!“ Claudia Rosenthal, 46, stallholder on the Christmas market, from Berlin

8 In the Streets of Edinburgh

words by Sophie Luise Bauer photographs by Caroline Wimmer

early midnight in Edinburgh. My flatmate reason why he chooses to perform on the streets Nand I are heading home after an evening of rather than in the bars and clubs any more. The exploring the backyards. As we pass the Grass- power that you experience listening to him out- market, we can hear from afar the raw sound of side may not be captured indoors, as the size of the music. Magically attracted, we stand in front of a room places limitations on how far he can push it. musician with a powerful and hypnotic voice. It goes right through us. The yellow light of the tunnel Then he discloses some incredible stories he is standing in creates a mystic atmosphere. His of his experiences so far. One of them was about clothes are those of a veteran performer. His locks when he got his first gig in Edinburgh. He had ar- are flying in the wind and his hands are swollen and rived in the city and was looking around for work blue from the icy cold. Expressive and clear, he per- in some of the bars. He found work in the bar called forms the last lines of “Hotel California” from The “Opium”. This post was short lived because of a dis- Eagles. Only when he finishes his song does he reg- pute about wages with the manager, for which he ister us, looking at us with alert and striking eyes. was fired. Having no work and no income he de- As if to ask what his new found audience is asking cided to give busking a go and played outside the of him. bar that he had been fired from. He had decided during the week to shave his head and because of His name is Martin Kelly from Killimer, Coun- this, when the manager heard him sing, he did not ty Clare (Ireland) and he has just arrived in town know who he was. He went on to offer him a gig in after a five year absence. He has been travelling the the very pub that he had been let go from the previ- world and living the free life of a busker. So I ask ous week. Martin couldn`t believe his ears but went him why he had decided to return to this city af- along with it. He was offered £50 and free drink. ter being gone for so long. He says it was because And only after agreeing to do it, did he reveal who of its spirit. “Once you could make a good living on he was. That was back in 2005. After a long time the streets of Edinburgh”, he explains, adding re- touring the world he settled down in Galway but gretfully that it seems at the present moment that the quiet life was not ment for him as he missed the this is no longer the case. Things have changed liberty that came with busking. He chose to leave a over the years. “There seems to be a lot more of a very successful career as a manager of a marketing seedy side to the streets nowadays.” I ask him why he company and went back to what he loved, his life has picked this place to perform than on the busy as a busker. Grassmarket. He answers with a proud smile on his face: “My voice has improved over the years since I I would like to give him a hot drink but all I left and in turn the power of delivery is not for the can offer is a few coins, which he more than de- faint hearted people who live on the Grassmarket.” serves, so that he may pay his hostel for the night. And that`s the reason he had to move from that As my flatmate and I disappear into the night, we area. When you listen to him it really has the sound hear the sad but beautiful sound of “Hallelujah” by of a man who sings for his life. This is also the Leonard Cohen.

12 13 “We are a cast of twelve on the stage tonight.” Kevin Bagpipes on the Rocks is an original band member and started to play the bagpipes at the age of 7. “It’s an awful instrument, Red Hot Chilli Pipers Return to Scotland when you are not playing properly”, he laughs, “but my parents had a lot of patience”. It took him 3 years words and photographs by Jasmin Kriegelstein and Andrea Beres to learn it and later he joined bands in Aberdeen and Glasgow, where he met some of his bandmates. s if kneeling down for prayer hundreds of game for Kevin. He lives in Edinburgh and appre- Apeople focus on the stage in anticipation of ciates the fan’s warm welcome all too much. Kevin In 2007 they participated in the Lorient Festi- what is going to happen next. Suddenly the hall is was one of the guys who came up with the idea to val, the biggest Interceltic Festival in Europe. “The filled with a loud blue light. A calm bagpipe sound play contemporary music on traditional Scottish first year we went there we had no expectations be- echoes through the entire house, making people’s instruments. As Kevin remembers, “The Red Hot cause we were just new guys. We were just normal skin crawl. All at once the crowd jumps to their feet Chilli Pipers were created in 2002 by five of us hav- people who happened to be standing on a stage”, the and the atmosphere explodes. An electric guitar, a ing a bit of fun with the Scottish bagpipes. We were trained accountant muses. “We went over to the fes- bass and drums enter the song and make the people three back pipers and two percussionists who started tival with little expectation. The first year 3000 peo- dance and jump in ecstasy. to play for fun, trying to make the bagpipes cool.” ple came to see us. My favourite performance was the following year. They decided to put us on a bigger On a Saturday in December, the Red Hot Chilli With their innovative idea of mixing of tradi- stage and they sold 12.000 tickets. The atmosphere Pipers return to their homeland after they had trav- tional music and Rock ‘n’ Roll elements the Red Hot was just fantastic because it was all new to us. To see elled around the world without seeing much of the Chilli Pipers won the BBC TV-show “When will I 12.000 people clapping their hands to We will rock places they played in. “When we are on tour we only be famous” in 2007. All of a sudden the band play- you was incredible.” come into the venue, we do our soundcheck, then ing for the fun of it shot to fame. The same year they the gig and go to the hotel,” says Kevin MacDonald, also won the “Scots Trad Music Award”. Then the The band targets a broad audience. From one of the band members.” Unfortunately you don’t demands of a complete band kicked in, drum kits families with little children to elderly people, eve- see anything.” Born in Inverness, this gig is a home and more guitars were added to perfect the band. ryone loves the unique mixture of contemporary music and traditional Scottish instruments. With their wide range from Rock classics like “Rocking all over the world” to steady Coldplay songs they reach their delighted fans.

As the Red Hot Chilli Pipers come on stage in their black kilts and black shirts with the band’s symbol on their back – a bagpipe in flames – the people really catch fire. Within a minute the audi- ence is alight. Rocking music battles between the electric guitar and a bagpipe, atmospheric key- board and whistle solos plus funny choreogra- phies and entertaining jokes make a concert of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers an unforgettable Scottish overall package.

20 21 Timeless Tradition

A Day with a Kiltmaker

words by Edith Daibel photographs by Caroline Wimmer

e find ourselves in the year 2011 AD. All person, and then you sew it.“ A turtle with no name Wover the world men are wearing trousers. but who we name “Tim“ for today helps her to Did I say the whole world? No! One country pop- weigh the heavy tweed cloth down. ulated with stubborn people resist the dictates of modern fashion. And it doesn’t make life easy for The lady in Blue Jeans gazes out of the win- their European neighbours when Scotsmen insist dow to her right side. It is raining on this last day of on wearing their kilts. They show off their calves, November. Nevertheless the Royal Mile in Edin- showing the rest of the world something of their burgh is crowded. People with umbrellas or with tradition and history. In the beginning kiltmakers hats are passing by the store; some stop in order to were men; they were the tailors who worked on the have a look at the showcase, some step inside. The many metres of cloth that go into the making of offer at Gordon Nicolson is comprehensive: kilts, a genuine kilt. Today it is most women kiltmakers jackets, socks, shoes, hats, shawls, complete out- who do the job. I spent a day with Nikki Laird: a fits. The store opened in 2001, and Nikki has been kiltmaker in Edinburgh! working here for one year.

Nikki Laird is sitting at her wooden desk, “A lot of kiltmakers don’t pay attention to tar- around her neck is a blue measuring tape. A more tans when they are making a kilt. They take the short, than 9 yard kilt is displayed in front of her on the cheap way“, Nikki smiles. She is working absolutely table. She is in the process of setting up the grey- accurately. Yes, there is a sewing-machine on her blueish-green fabric. “The kilt is carefully pleated table, however, the kiltmaker uses it only for tailor- so that the tartan is the same all around. The more ing trousers, jackets and shirts. All kilts are hand- squares, the more difficult it is to pleat the tartan“, stitched. “A machine cannot do the shaping as well says the 36-year-old. “After finishing with the pleat- as it is done by taking a measurement of the waist ing, you mark out each pleat to fit the sizes of each etc. and doing all the work by hand.“

22 23 If somebody is interested in old castles, Stirling I like Edinburgh ... Falko Konditorei Castle may be much more interesting than the cas- German Bakery tle in Edinburgh, because it`s smaller and recently www.falko.co.uk Phone: 0131 656 0763 renovated. 185 Bruntsfield Place Edinburgh EH10 4DG Open: Wednesday -Sunday Like Professor Thomas Krauss the Consul General likes nature. “If you drive to Oban on the West coast, it`s wonderful, he enthuses. Then you Generalkonsulat der Bundesrepublik Deutschland have little fishing villages along the East coast if you www.edinburgh.diplo.de like places like that. The old Border monasteries in 16 Eglington Crescent Edinburgh EH12 5DG the South are well worth a visit: Melrose, Dryburgh, Phone: 0131 – 337 2323 Jedburgh and Kelso. And if you have enough time you should go to the islands: to Mull, Islay and the Outer School of Physics & Astronomy Hebrides, or further north to Orkney and Shetland, University of St Andrews all wonderful islands.” Phone: 01334 463107 http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~photocryst/ North Haugh “I must say this is the most beautiful of all Fife Scotland St Andrews KY16 9SS the places around the world I’ve been to.” Wolfang Mössinger reflected with mixed feelings because he has to leave Scotland with his family for a new as- signment as a German Consul General within the next six months.

„... because the old town is mysterious and exciting.“ Anne, age „too old“, journalist from Scottland

36 Sugarholic’s Paradise

A Journey to the Taste Buds

words and photographs by Andrea Beres

hen you meet people in front of Bibi’s Cake “It’s one of the best smelling jobs you can imagine”, WBoutique who are just eating a cupcake, be says Joanne Lacy, who’s worked in Bibi’s Cake Bou- aware! They could perhaps walk through a red light tique for 5 months. She’s right indeed. Just by open- or might walk into somebody. Please be indulgent ing the shop door a tempting scent reaches your - intoxicated sugarholics are no longer in control of nose. “The people of Edinburgh prefer the cookie and themselves. cream flavour and our Macaroons are very popu- lar too”, says Joanne. Macaroons are small baked The shop is to be found in 37 Hanover Street biscuits of beaten egg white and buttercream. The and catches the attention of pedestrians with its store offers many varieties of them. large window where they can cast a glance on the work behind the scenes. You can watch how those “Oh my god - that’s awesome!” are the first small delicacies are produced. words of my friend as she bites into a banana & tof- fee-flavoured cupcake. (Of course her words were But how did the label arise? Bibi doesn’t seem less understandable, because she was speaking with to be a common name for a cupcake store. The a full mouth, but I’m sure that’s what she said. Her owner’s desire was to name her first child Bibi but upward rolling eyes were an indication as well.) her husband vehemently refused. However the “You can feel the cream melting on your tongue and shop was her baby as well. That’s why it got this re- the pastry is so soft”, she says excitedly. markable name. These are enough arguments to tempt me to Inside you’ll find a magnificent variety of sweet try for myself. The winner is a blueberry cheese- dainties. Every morning they are freshly prepared. cake one which is so pretty that I feel sorry to eat Each creation consists of a soft pastry with smooth it. The look holds its promise - a taste adventure as buttercream, each with a particular flavour. sweet as sugar.

A small store in St. Andrews was the begin- ning of the Scottish success story of the cupcakes. First there was a café associated with a bakery. The „If there’s no chocolate in heaven, I’m not Scots quickly acquired a taste for it and the cakes going“ (Jane Seabrook from her book: were in demand. Another branch in Aberdeen was “Furry Logic Laugh at Life”) opened and finally they conquered the capital city.

38 39 From no God to God Particle

Edinburgh`s Great Minds

words by Christos Kambouris photographs by Andrea Beres

hat this power is I cannot say. All I know it The uniformitarianism theory of James Hutton, the Wexists.” Alexander Graham Bell father of geology and a contemporary of Hume, should confirm Hume’s assumption. Although be- Many great minds walked through the streets ing a theist, Hutton disproved the interpretation of of Edinburgh. Most of them now immortalized the bible that says that earth is only a few thousand as monuments, watching forever over the town. years old. Hutton’s main point was, that the past If there really is a forever, an eternity, was part of history of the planet must be explained by what can many of their thoughts. And whether this eternity be seen to be happening now. Everything on the could be harmonized with the idea of a God. surface of the earth could not be created within a short period of time, but in millions of years. Nev- For David Hume, the city‘s greatest philoso- ertheless Hutton was of the opinion that God had pher, it was obvious. As an empiricist, he examined created the world and the laws of nature. The major this question of course empirically. The statement task for geology is to research these laws. that „God exists”, expresses a fact about reality. If the statement expresses a fact, then the statement James Clerk Maxwell, physicist and develop- „God exists” is not analytic. So it must be either er of the electromagnetic theory, agreed with the synthetic or nonsense. If the statement „God ex- ideas of Hutton. Maxwell saw God’s design every- ists” is synthetic, then it can be verified or falsified where in his science, “Man’s chief end is to glorify empirically. God and to enjoy him for ever.” God not only created heaven and earth, but also the materials of which Since there is no way to verify or falsify the they exist. statement “God exists”, the claim falls into the non- sense category. Hume used to say “Examine the re- Modern physicists like Stephen Hawking or ligious principles which have, in fact, prevailed in the Peter Higgs, Emeritus Professor of the University world, and you will scarcely be persuaded that they of Edinburgh and prospective Nobel Prize Winner are anything but sick men’s dreams.” for his prediction of a new particle, the Higgs Bo-

46 47 An Old School Motion

Second-Hand Bookshops: A Living History

words by Sophie Luise Bauer photographs by Caroline Wimmer

o you buy jewellery?”, asked a customer after ethos, whether rare and respectable or dog-eared Dhe was looking around in “Transreal Fiction” and slightly blotchy. Looking nearly the same at for nearly one and a half hour. Mike Calder, the first sight, every store has something special: A spe- owner of the bookstore, was perplexed. His tidy cial focus, a unique furnishing or a wordplay in its book shop only exists of one poky room. You would name. So let`s get on with a tour... have thought it was quite clear what the business was. But not so for this man. Mike Calder, look- After you start in “Transreal Fiction” in Can- ing a little bit like Charlie Sheen, was so surprised dlemaker Row just look at the other side of the he couldn`t answer. He just shook his head in dis- street. Oposite there is another special interest belief because there were only Science-Fiction and bookshop called “Deadhead Comics”. As the name Mystery books on sale in his shop. This was one of suggests, you can find here everything that may stir the strange things has happened to him since he a comic-aficionado`s blood. opened his independent bookshop in 1997. Along the way to the Grassmarket you can make a quick side-trip to “Old Town Bookshop” Above the Grassmarket in Victoria Street. Established in 1978, the store “Transreal Fiction” is only one of the independent provides a discreet introduction to the world of and second-hand booksellers that have located to antiquarian books. Accompanied by the smell Edinburgh`s West Port Area, home to rum clubs, of old books you might perhaps find some great vintage clothing vendors, and nightclubs. Right children`s books which are out of print now. By in the middle you can experience literature at its the way, they have an old fashion honesty system roots which is reminiscent of former times. Each for books they leave outside after-hours so that you of those bookshops has its own atmosphere and may purchase by using it. How lovely!

50 51 Let`s Entertain You

Strolling out in the Bohemian Scene of Edinburgh

words by Sophie Luise Bauer photographs by Caroline Wimmer and Sophie Luise Bauer

s I have learned in Edinburgh, you have to Consequently I found myself at 7 pm in a big room Alet the things take their course. Because if sparsely furnished and with bare walls. Not exactly you do, a bad thing could change to a very funny cosy. The small round tables seem more fitting for experience. And if you`re willing to delve a little a garden-party than an intellectual gathering. More deeper below the surface, you will find a city that is and more people push into the room. I can`t help alive with culture and excitment. staring. At the left side there is the glasses-faction, nearly all wearing the same big black glasses. It must be fashionable. At the right side a mixture of It`s kind of a funny story… shell-suit-porter and fashionably trimmed, in the It is Friday evening and I plan to plunge into the middle fancy trendsetters. They all chatter noisily bohemian scene of Edinburgh. I have read a lot until the show begins. about things you can do in this city if you are in- terested in literature, film and music. But I set First of all there are some short, experimental my mind on doing something different from the animation films. They remind me of studying film suggestions in all the tourist guides. I spend in University. The kind of films that could be under- hours and hours to research what might be a very stand by everyone or no-one. You don`t need good Edinburgh thing. Finally I studied too much so English. You just love it or you hate it. After some that I lost track of all the offerings the city keeps Scottish lyricists delivr their works I feel really on hand. That`s why I was really happy to get a relaxed.I do not understand every word but I like tip from a local. Some kind of poetry slam called to follow the singsong of the English language. “Neu! Reekie!”. An event the “Scottish Book Trust” While listening I take time to examine the audi- organizes the last Friday every month (7-10 pm). ence. It`s almost funny to look in their eyes and Described as the best in avant-garde spoken word, consider whether they like or don`t like. There is music and film-animation. I thought that could be the drunk who shouts out incomprehensible com- quite some fun. ments. And there is a young guy who hides behind

56 57 Welcome to Edin, Bro!

Stand-Up Comedy Scene in Edinburgh

words by Christos Kambouris photographs by Andrea Beres

hip hop dressed dude, wearing a black Run- Vince just spotted the couple ahead of him, Andy ADMC beanie, a red Adidas Hoody, black and Wendy. He waits till the expected laughter, baggy pants and a pair of Air Force One kicks is because of their matching names, abates, and asks standing on a one square metre little stage with a them how long they have been together. Andy takes mic stand on it. Behind him is a big wall painting of quite a while, finally says nine years. Vince is nod- a kid in a cowboy outfit, pointing a colt to its head, ding, giving him props. Only Wendy is shaking her laughing crookedly. Enviously looking at a couple head. It‘s already been ten years. The crowd, about who managed to get a table right in front of the 100 people, surprisingly most of them young girls, stage, I finally grab a seat, somewhere at the back goes wild. of The Stand, Edinburgh‘s freshest Comedy Club. I was still asking myself if there was something The yelling stops immediately when the first wrong about today‘s Open Mic Night. performer comes in. A big, bald man with glasses and a face of stone, surrounded by a well trimmed But it turns out that everything goes fine. The beard and dressed in a fancy suit, steps on stage. hip hop dude is not a rapper but Vince Atta, the Andy and Wendy lean back. Well back. host of the show, who‘s now explaining the 3 Rules of the club: Chris Norton Walker does an impression of being the Terminator of comedy, his moves are 1. Have a fucking good night! static but well calculated. The whole club is silent. Seconds later the club is all his. Blasting one joke 2. Switch off your phone. If you have an iPhone, after another, Walker almost gets a standing ova- die! tion when leaving the stage. He‘ll not be back, but is directly followed by Hari Sriskantha. The 23-year 3. Don‘t talk while the act is on stage! old from London studies physics at the Universi- ty of Edinburgh and Stand Up Comedy is “just a

62 63 I like Edinburgh ... hobby”. It‘s his fourth performance in The Stand, The Stand Comedy Club his programme includes clever scientific gags com- 5 York Pl, Edinburgh bined with quotes from the TV hit sitcom “The Big Monday Red Raw : 8.30 pm – 11 pm www.thestand.co.uk Bang Theory”. And the longer you look at Hari, the Admission:£2 longer you‘ll notice an extraordinary resemblance to Raj Koothrappali, one of the sitcom’s main char- acters. Andy and Wendy seem amused.

Six further comedians follow Chris and Hari one after each other. Back to back they are firing jokes at an excited audience.

After almost three hours of jokes, parodies and sketches the show ends like it began. Host Vince is wishing everybody a “fucking good night”.

„... because it has a special energy and vibe to it.“ Martin, 33, Irish busker travelling the world

64 Nightfever, Nightfever

A Nightmare on Cowgate

feature by Sophie Luise Bauer photographs by Caroline Wimmer

hat`s not your place for tonight”, said the im- rain wondering if this might be the wrong place T pressive doorman with a missing front teeth. because of all that guys being half our age. As we First of all I thought it might be kind of Edinburgh reached our turn a chubby doorman with his front humour. But he was serious. That was the begin- teeth missing told us: “That`s not your place for ning of being disillusioned with Edinburgh`s par- tonight!” We were left standing in the rain! We ty-scene. The whole evening was so outlandish that decided to check out another spot because we had it just could be a hoot! But after all I did spend a taken it into our heads to dance today. So we start- night in Edinburgh that I will never forget! How- ed to run down Cowgate, a street where one club ever, I will start at the beginning... follows the next.

A Sunday evening in Edinburgh. Darkness But after we reviewed several clubs we were falls and my flatmates and I were ready to check disillusioned. In “Siglo” I watched some guys touch- out Edinburgh`s nightlife. Still at home we took out ing their bodies while narcissistically dancing to a list of clubs some Edinburgher gave us: “Winkle Ballerman-music. In “Sin Club” the smell of vomit Binkies”, “Hive”, “Bongo Club”. We chose “Hive” be- was just incredible. So we made our way back. In cause a flyer promised Indie, Rock and Electronic “Espionage” we saw green frogs, and a man with music. We anticipated joining something special. hotpants lurching down the floors. I asked them if We had no idea what was to come... this is a kind of stag party but the only answer I got was an opaque gurgle. Thanks a lot for talking to On the way we spotted lines of people in front me so clearly. I am not a native speaker but I don`t of diverse clubs. Again and again, my friends re- think he realised that. fused to join such a crowd. But we cheered too soon. As we arrived at the place we`d chosen there Our list of no-go-clubs became longer and was the same sort of crowd. But you do whatever longer. Along the way we were accosted by lots of you can to get into a club free. So we waited in the rickshaw-riders: “Wanna take a lift, girls?” We did

66 67