Multi Story Edinburgh

Episode 81: Oh the places you'll go - Volume 2

• The University of Edinburgh • Season 5 • Episode 9

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In our final episode of season 5, sit back and relax as each guest of our latest season tells Andrew their favourite spots and cafes in Edinburgh.

All opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Edinburgh.

Multi Story Edinburgh has been created and produced by the Alumni Relations team at the University of Edinburgh. If you are interested in telling your story, please get in touch and let’s talk!

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Andrew:

Welcome to our second special of season five of Multi Story Edinburgh. In our recent series, I've been discussing with our guests their favorite place and Edinburgh. So what I've done is I've taken those conversations and compiled them all into one special episode for you so you can sit back and relax as we talk about our favourite places in Edinburgh. At the end. I'll even give you my favourite place in Edinburgh. We did a part one of this special: Oh, the Places You'll Go featuring other seasons of Multi Story Edinburgh participants, and this is part two featuring our season five cast. But before we do that, I will remind you first that Multi Story Edinburgh is not the only way you can engage with us. In our online meeting place platform one, you can connect with members of our Edinburgh community, including students, alumni and staff. And if you're a recent graduate, watch out for a regular digital newsletter, and head to www.ed.ac.uk forward slash alumni for slash new graduates with a hyphen in between new and graduates, where you can catch up on resources, opportunities, and careers advice, or you can discover alumni networks and clubs that you can join. Please enjoy the episode. This is Multi Story Edinburgh: Oh, the Places You'll Go Part Two.

Mia:

There's just so many places I love in Edinburgh. I think my favourite place would be Arthur's Seat. Yeah, and probably get picked up at the top maybe a helicopter yeah helicopter ride? Yeah, that'd be cool. Yeah, the reason is we lived in this really nice flat last year and it was like right next to Arthur's Seat and we had like a nice view from the living room and actually can still see Arthur's Seat from my car and flat which is nice as well. So I feel like it's just been always in my uni life because you know in first year, freshers week you claim up Arthur's seat.

Andrew:

Absolutely. Everybody does it.

Mia:

Everybody does yeah, I did that this year as well because I was part of a society and we did like a Arthur's Seat walk so I think it's like a nice way to start your university the year even if after first year? I don't know it's a good climb.

Andrew:

This... it's not like, it's not saying but the thing you're meant to do. You climb Arthur's Seat in first year as one of the first things you do. But you're not allowed in the castle until after you've graduated.

Mia:

Oh, after you graduated, I thought it was like you couldn't go on your first year.

Andrew:

This is just first year. Can I go to the castle now?

Mia:

Yeah probably.

Andrew:

I thought I thought it was after graduation.

Mia:

Interesting. Yeah...

Andrew:

I don't know.

Mia:

Oh for sure.

Andrew:

I wonder where we can find out. I... Arthur's Seat, I've not climbed that in ages really. Because you have all the energy in first year to do it and then you get to, to honours yours and you're like, oh, that's too high. I can't do that.

Mia:

Yeah, that's the thing. So like I say it's my favorite place but I don't climb up it often. I will mostly just like, view it. Yeah, maybe go up like the crags because that's less Yeah, and and then you can still have like similar view.

Andrew:

The last time I was properly up Arthur's Seat... I did a walk last year but like actually experiencing it was when it snowed it really heavily snowed. And we went sledding down Arthur's Seat.

Mia:

That seems so fun.

Andrew:

I have never had so much fun going because you know, there's like the backs the back way that you walk up that's a bit less steep. I went from the top of that all the way down to the road.

Mia:

I'm actually jealous.

Andrew:

I was, It was just you know classic student life, I was on... I was on a black bag, I wasn't on an actual sledge but because, because you're on that black bag, I could literally go from the top, control myself all the way down to the bottom.

Mia:

Yes was suppose yeah, the cushion of the snow but was it painful?

Andrew:

Not really because the snow was that thick that it wasn't actually like, you know, heading into me or anything and we weren't at the rocky part it was all grass. So it was, it was totally fine. There is one bit because it kind of like curves round that there's this little jump and that was a, that was a little bit sore - so you go up in the air and then you whack back onto the ground. Sledgin on Arthur's Seat is one of the best times I've had at uni.

Mia:

Yeah. I didn't have that kind of experience.

Andrew:

But if it snows and you're in Edinburgh, I would recommend it. However, you're probably going to be surrounded by people who are now 18. And we are not 18 anymore. Yeah.

Mia:

Yes, exactly. I might break a back.

Andrew:

Yeah, Arthur's Seat is lovely. The view from the top it never really gets old.

Mia:

I mean, yeah, it was kind of a shame the St. James Center was built because it kind of comes into the skyline but I won't talk about it.

Andrew:

Yeah, well, you have finished up on Arthur's Seat and we're gonna get you helicopter down because going down from Arthur's Seat is a bit of a deathtrap if it's slippy or maybe sledging down, slides down perfect. It's gonna be snowing, and it's gonna be snowing. Doesn't matter that is welcome week in September. Yeah, it's gonna be snowing, you're gonna sledge down. And it's gonna be fantastic.

Fraser:

What day of the week is it? Can it can it be in a Tuesday,

Andrew:

it can be any day you want.

Fraser:

Cool, because I'm going to the dog house, which... and they have a jam on Tuesday nights. I mean, if you've ever been to dog house, it's a very cool bar has lots of stuffed things hanging from the ceiling. And it's very eclectic, very psychedelic. Just a good vibe students as well. And on Tuesday nights, they have this jam, where you can kind of go along, sign up, I'll tell them I'm playing piano, they've got a piano set up. And then they'll say, write phrase on piano. I'm not on sax, some random drummer that I've never met. And then another guitarist, I've never met, and you just like, chat about the song you want to play, and you discuss chords, and you go for it. And it's terrible most of the time, but then it gets a bit better. And you sort of work out how to jam with each other and how to communicate. And it's just a really fun night full of loud music.

Andrew:

What's the best song you've played at Dog House, or the worst?

Fraser:

I feel like you never really play a song. It's probably just like a chord loop. But I definitely remember once like sometimes you play and you just don't catch. Remember, our guitar is telling me the chords. He says that yeah, we're gonna go for this E major seven, flat five into like an E flat sub dominant and never move into like it was just, I think if I sat down and looted it, I could have remembered but there's a good go. And that was terrible. So the best time is just when you've got four simple cards, and everyone's having fun. And no one's worrying about too much. And you don't have a jazzy show off guitarist,

Andrew:

we'll just go for 1 5 6 4 the four chords. And

Fraser:

yes,

Andrew:

then, something ...

Fraser:

please

Andrew:

and maybe play don't stop believing halfway through.

Fraser:

Yeah, a little melody reference in the right hand. Everyone loves that. Yeah. And then the second song is always a blues. And it's spectacular. You can have a completely different band of completely different people. And they play the same song. It's really fun.

Andrew:

So you're going to after after your meal, are you going to go play? Dog House?

Fraser:

Yeah, you only got to play two songs. So it's you play and you chat to folk and it's, it's quite a hotspot for different musicians and people that like like musics. And as you see the same sort of crowd if you go more than one, so it's nice. So you can go on your own, and you'll probably meet someone that you would know, it's just really nice loads of music students go. Yeah, so

Andrew:

it's really good social space to go to at any point in your uni career, would you say?

Fraser:

Oh, I mean, definitely like if you especially if you're trying to get involved in the music scene, so there's no like barrier if you wanted to come and just like play a couple cards and say like, oh, I there's my first time, people, that would be really cool. If you wanted to go into a cool jazz standard and geek out, you'd probably find people that would do the same. So it's, yeah, it's really open, it's... yeah. And then you graduate to jazz bar and that's when you like the geeking out is just unnecessary.

Andrew:

So you go you have to Dog House to jazz bar. What's after jazz bar?

Fraser:

Edinburgh Collective.

Andrew:

Edinburgh collective at Cab Vol?

Fraser:

Yeah, exactly. That's the peak.

Andrew:

And then after that you're playing at Murrayfield.

Fraser:

true, true that or maybe after that they'll build a better venue in Edinburgh with a larger capacity and everyone will be happy.

Andrew:

And the headline will always be... Edinburgh Collective. Yes, Edinburgh Collective presents: something cool.

Katherine:

I don't know if there's like a basic answer, but I really, really like Calton Hill. It's just I feel like I really like going on walks. But at the same time, I'm not like someone who would go on hikes or anything. So Arthur's Seat is very much like out of the question for me. But like a place like on the hill you get like a nice walk up, you get nice views, and the sunsets I can't hills, like they're also beautiful. So I think on the Hill for sure is one of my favorite places in the city. And I think that that's also because I take so many people up there every time like friends from home visit. I'm always like, Okay, let's go to Carlton Hill for the sunset. And yeah, like I've had these there before as well. So it's like a very nice, like, special little place.

Andrew:

I think Carlton Hill is quite unique in that. It's a viewpoint over the city, but it's not necessarily too much of a hike to get up to.

Katherine:

Yeah, exactly like it's pretty accessible, especially for someone like me. I don't really like walking like up hill for an extended period of time. So it's perfect for me.

Andrew:

Yeah. Do you go the gradual route? Or do you go up the stairs to get to the top as quick as possible?

Katherine:

I get up the stairs like, I like it. Just quick and easy. Just up the stairs.

Andrew:

I'm exactly the same. I go up the stairs and then I'm at the top and it's all done. I can just see the view from there. Oh, on Carlton Hill is is featured in Have you ever watched sunshine on Leith? No.

Katherine:

You should. Is that like a movie or a TV show?

Andrew:

It is. It's it's our movie musical. And with all the Proclaimers songs, and it's based in Edinburgh, and they go up Carlton hill at one point. Okay, okay,

Katherine:

okay, okay. Okay, I'm adding that to my list. That sounds really nice.

Andrew:

It's so good. It's really heartwarming, like, it's just kind of a feel good film.

Katherine:

I like I really like me a good feel good film. So I will definitely be watching that. Thank you for your suggestion.

Andrew:

Oh, no problem, because like, you can find a map online I think of all the different places to go to because, obviously, obviously they go to leaf, but they also go down the Royal Mile. They do a big bit on Princes Street towards the end. It's, it just kind of gives you a quick tour of Edinburgh. And now that you've done your four years here, you can be like I've been there. I've been there. I know where that is. Oh, okay.

Katherine:

I'll definitely be watching that. That sounds really nice. Yeah,

Andrew:

I absolutely love that film. You've just had your dinner at schedules and it's time to get picked up. Or you're maybe you're gonna go back on the bullet train for a quick hour ride back down to home. But you're gonna go first to your favorite place in Edinburgh. Where is that? And why is it

Ian:

So this is going to sound a wee bit cheesy. But I would say, your favorite? I would say the Meadows. Interesting. I just hosted so many parties there. I've, I've had barbecues there. I've I've had quite a lot of shows there with my friends. And there's just so many so many memories. They're taking place there. So it'd be nice to go and chill again on a pint or a glass of wine. And you know saying goodbye to Edinburgh city that I've spent five years in.

Andrew:

Yeah, everyone has the section that they sit in the most in the Meadows which one's yours?

Ian:

Great question. So, so so so Victor Hugo, you know, Victor Hugo, the Victor Hugo Deli? Yeah, the red cafe. Yep. Basically, if you cross the road and go on to the meadows, you turn slightly left. There's one bit that goes straight to the library. So not that road. But the row on the left. I usually sit along there on the left side of that road, because that's where you get the most Sun naturally.

Andrew:

Yeah, I think I go into the one that's in front of the library the most next to the community garden.

Ian:

Oh yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, definitely know where that is. That one? Yes. Yeah. Absolutely. That's my spot. Sometimes go there, too. Yeah, yeah. Just because there's flowers and stuff. And actually, that is actually quite good for sun as well. Because this is no annoying trees just shadowing the sun as well. So

Andrew:

the Meadows is so central to the Edinburgh uni experience, I think. I mean, it's right next to campus, especially for people who were at uni in COVID years. It was one of the spaces that you could socialize because

Ian:

I had that many many times actually, like during lockdown. I was here during lockdown. So me, me and my partner, we always just go and sit in the meadows and enjoy we cheapy Prosecco.

Andrew:

I really liked this recurring theme of Prosecco bottles of wine.

Ian:

Well, you don't want me to tell you about all the times I've had bad experiences.

Andrew:

So this is the bit that you're not prepared for? Oh, no. We have a surprise question for you. So each each guest gets a surprise question from a different person. And yours is coming from a previous Multi Story Edinburgh participant. He graduated in 2020. And he graduated in psychology and the question that he is asking you, it his name is Jay by the way. The question that Jay is asking you is which uni building did you like going to study in the most?

Mia:

so Good question because I did like, kind of explore a little bit in my fourth year and also like over the summer months when I was done work for the uni, because it was a bit quieter so I can like explore. I spent a lot of my time at the Main Library,

Andrew:

right, okay.

Mia:

And I explore through the different floors to see which one I vibed with more.

Andrew:

Everyone does have their floor. Which one's yours?

Mia:

Yeah, so it started off as fourth floor. But fourth floor is like the social floor. Right? So you know, you get so many people talking and that really caught my nerves. So I went to lower ground

Andrew:

Lower ground is silent.

Mia:

Yeah, I love lower ground because I think I don't know if this ceilings are actually taller by just feels a bit. I feel like it's a bit more open than the other floors, because our floors felt a bit stuffy. So yeah, I went lower ground, but people told me like, that's where all the engineers and like, the computer scientists go just they're like, a Psych student like hey.

Andrew:

I use lower ground quite a lot. I prefer in library to use the pods, actually. Oh, on the ground floor. Yeah. And there's some on the first floor as well. Yeah, they're really hard to get they are. The only reason we get them is because one of my friends goes in at eight in the morning.

Mia:

Oh, yeah. Yeah, it was, it was a different experience going into library at like seven in the morning is that that's what I did, like, kind of leading up to my dissertation deadline, because I realized, you know, if I just wake up and do the work, I get it done. So I'll go in and like, I'll go down to lower ground. It's like, there's no one and I was quite nice because like by 5pm, I can leave without feeling guilty. And everyone's still like cramming in as grades. But I quite liked the psychology library as well. Um, okay, we have our own library in the psychology department in George Square. And yeah, it's just more like, you know, this it's mainly books and there's some tables. And I quite like working there if I wanted to have a work life balance because it closes at 5pm So you have to get up

Andrew:

you know, there is something to be said about if you're forced to finish at five then you will start earlier and you get an evening.

Mia:

Yeah, exactly. So I think I did that a couple times. And then I realize I'm not really that kind of person so yeah, I have to like psychology library, which is like move...

Andrew:

on to the main library.

Mia:

Yeah. So like breaking it up in different shifts.

Andrew:

The places that I started the most were either Main Library and the pods, or I use Pleasance Cafe quite a bit. I haven't recently because honestly, I hope somebody from Pleasance Cafe hears this and they can change it. The music is either so loud or it's the same songs every day.

Mia:

Yeah, I heard about that. Yeah, because we had a few events at the Pleasance Cafe and I know that people that study there but yeah, it's the music.

Andrew:

I cannot have 11 in the morning where I'm still kind of getting into studying and I need it silent. And then hey ya by OutKast comes on. So did have Pleasance if... they've got a Jazz Playlist now as well, I think but it's still just the same songs. So if it can be a little bit a little bit different and quieter than I will go back there. Yeah.

Peter:

I do love an African wrap. But they are. They're only a fiver. So maybe I'll get the you need to be somewhere a bit more expensive. No, I was gonna go for still it's still an affordable place. But actually, a friend from badminton. Yeah, you know where I'm going

Andrew:

I absolutely do. And I'm really glad you are because I've been wanting to mention this under this question for every recording I've done so far.

Peter:

But no, a friend who I actually originally knew from when I was like 12, playing badminton because he grew up in Edinburgh, but since moved away, and then he came back and he now plays casually in the balancing club. But he has a restaurant called Cafe pomelo. And it's, the food is epic. It's just such a nice place to go to because we know Jun who who owns it and he always gives like the most warm welcome it kind of and we were very fortunate to receive lots of lots of leftovers and everything. It's awesome. That's awesome when you wake up on a Sunday morning for leftovers from the restaurant the night before. Yeah, not bad. But no, I just think the food's epic. And it kind of feels a bit like a home away from home as well. So a really lovely place to go to if I hadn't been in Edinburgh for a while, head back there to cafe formula.

Andrew:

I'm honestly so glad that you've chosen Cafe Pomelo because if I was being asked this question that is also where I'd say. It's just it's so unique at Cafe pomelo. I don't find that stuff anywhere else in jeans that great of a share. Every time you go in, it's such high quality. I normally ask whoever's on what dish they're getting. What are you getting? And is it going to be the same as what I would get?

Peter:

Oh, okay. Okay. Well, there is a classic. There is which I, which I normally get. I mean, if I'm going there, I'm getting everything. Yeah. I think I'll try and get everything. But yeah, don't go for the afternoon. I'll go for the classic. Yeah, it's this the handgrip pork noodles with the garlic chili sauce. It's It's good. It's good. Really, really tasty. It's like my absolute favorite. Like, oh, I'm going to have a side of the ban-chan radish, and smack cucumber sides as well, because I just love that. But that's, that's a classic lunch for me. So good.

Andrew:

Ah, hand ripped noodles is the choice to have when you go to cafe pomelo, in my opinion. And I normally when I go, I will get them and I'll share them with with other people. Is that what you do? Or do you take a bowl to yourself?

Peter:

I don't want to go by myself. I'm quite happy to share like other things like we can we can have a few sites and stuff. But there's something about it's not it's not the easiest sharing food, you've got to get scissors to cut them up through these massive long noodles, which are. There's only like two noodles in this giant ball and you're so full by the end of it. So it's just absolutely huge. No, I'm kind of I'm kind of greedy. I like to have a bowl by myself and just get absolutely mucked in. And yeah, get stuck into it.

Andrew:

Fair. I think I go for the hand ripped noodles and I get the scallion noodles and I share them as the mains between I'm normally with one other person, so I share them with with them. But you are so right in that you have to get the whole menu if it's not the biggest menu because you know, it's quite a small place, which means that you absolutely can't eat the whole thing if you're getting this for free.

Peter:

Yeah, I shall look forward to I'll be a good night.

Andrew:

Well, you're getting to go to Cafe Pomelo with one other person. And the uni is also covering for. So who are you going to choose to take with you?

Peter:

Well, and by one other person? Can I get like seven or eight? Is that allowed?

Andrew:

I have a feeling I know where you're going with this. I'm gonna love it. Who are you bringing with you?

Peter:

I would like to go with my flatmates. My university flatmates from second, third, fourth, fifth year, I think like, I had been really truly blessed with the people that I've got to live with. And I don't think I would have had as positive a unique experience by any. I don't think it'd be anywhere near as close having an amazing uni experience or as positive and experience post bakeoff for me as well, without having such strong support in my flatmates over that time. I'm thinking about living in lockdown. And in third year, my three flatmates then they were basically the only people I could see on a consistent basis. And we had the most amazing time still, I think it's I think it's wildly impressive that we somehow we never fell out. We never had a flight and and we just like grew really close. And yeah, I think that's absolutely epic. And I've just been so fortunate to have the most amazing flatmates. So you get a free dinner as well, Andrew, there you go.

Andrew:

I may have been a bit bias by allowing the seven or eight people to come instead of one busy. Me. But if I'm getting a pomelo, I'll take a pomelo. Yeah. Thank you for that. That is very kind that you have chosen. Well, I'm saying time because it's me but you've chosen all your flatmates. I think that's quite a special relationship that you've had in your time at uni. Because, as you said, locked down, you were with your flatmates for the entire time and have people that you get on with must have made it so much easier.

Peter:

Living with your friends is epic. And I'm living by myself now and you know, there's there's like, it's nice to come back to your own space and there's a bit of a transition and you know, that's, that's good but at uni you get To live with telling me your absolute best friends. And that's a really cool thing. When you get that, that is a really, really cool thing to do. You know, you won't get that for the rest of your life, you probably wouldn't want that for the rest of your life. There's probably a point where you're like, oh, maybe maybe, maybe we should make we should move on and move elsewhere. But yeah, to just get to chill out and laugh in the kitchen and have, you know, silly movie nights and get to know each other. Over the year that you live with each other, or the couple of years either for each other. It's a really, really special thing. And it's a great privilege when you get to live with some of your best mates.

Andrew:

I totally agree. I think there's something really homely about in a smaller restaurant, you have all your flatmates and yourself. Aw that is a really, it's a really nice sentiment you've come up with there. Now since this is the last episode, in my series of Multi Story Edinburgh, I thought this would be a nice chance to tell you my favorite place in Edinburgh. So for me, my favorite place is Inverleith Park. And for those of you who don't know, Inverleith, is near Stockbridge in the new town. And I really like it because it's quiet. Edinburgh is such a busy and loud city, it's so pretty but when you get into the new town, you can escape how loud the city can be at times. Marchmont and Southside is not too bad but Inverleith also holds a lot of special memories to me, which adds on top of that so I wouldn''t choose the Brae hills over Inverleith because of that, but personally, I really enjoy doing an Inverleith Park is late at night when the whole city has gone quiet pretty much because there's not many ambulances down in Inverleith, unlike in Newington, where I spend most of my time. It's really quiet, the stars are out and I've just finished work. And I put on my headphones, put some music on, and I get to Inverleith Park on my travels back. And there's nobody there. And it just feels nice to feel the world fall away from you. I'll admit, while I'm there, what I do is when I play my music, I might have a little dance as I walk down in Inverleith park, but nobody's there to judge me. Nobody's there to see me doing it. Nobody can hear me singing along to the lyrics. And it just makes it one of my favourite places in Edinburgh. Because it's that little slice of quiet in the busy city. I hope you enjoyed this special edition of Multi Story Edinburgh. This is my final episode as your student host. So I really hope that you've enjoyed the whole series and you'll continue listening when the next host takes over. Thank you very much for listening to season five of Multi Story Edinburgh. All roads lead to Edinburgh. Goodbye.