Today was Doors Open Day in Edinburgh, where buildings normally closed to the public are opened for the day.
There were two buildings I wanted to see – Dovecot Studios which were converted from Victorian Baths, and Richard Murphy Architects, also located in a redeveloped old building.
It seems like we’re getting our summer weather late this year as it was another gloriously sunny and warm day as I set off to walk up towards South Bridge. I turned down Infirmary Street and was greeted with a huge queue of people waiting to get in to Dovecot Studios. It seemed to be moving very slowly, so I took some photos outside and then left.
![Dovecot Studios](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/buildings/art%20galleries/Dovecot%20Studios,%20Midlothian/dovecotstudios001.jpg)
![Dovecot Studios](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/buildings/art%20galleries/Dovecot%20Studios,%20Midlothian/dovecotstudios002.jpg)
I dropped down onto the Cowgate, a road passing under South Bridge, and headed west, turning up onto Old Fishmarket Close. This narrow street is on a steep hill and is characterised by shorter buildings at the top, and taller buildings at the bottom.
![](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/places%20in%20Scotland/towns/Edinburgh%2C%20Midlothian/oldfishmarketclose001.jpg)
![](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/places%20in%20Scotland/towns/Edinburgh%2C%20Midlothian/oldfishmarketclose002.jpg)
Tucked away behind the tall modern white apartments is Richard Murphy Architects, located in the old Edinburgh Free Sabbath Breakfast Mission which they converted.
![](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/places%20in%20Scotland/towns/Edinburgh%2C%20Midlothian/breakfastmission001.jpg)
![](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/places%20in%20Scotland/towns/Edinburgh%2C%20Midlothian/breakfastmission002.jpg)
I walked back down onto the Cowgate, stopping to take a picture of a Gothic arch on a wall.
![](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/places%20in%20Scotland/towns/Edinburgh%2C%20Midlothian/cowgatearch001.jpg)
I continued on up over the Royal Mile and down onto Princes Street where I was meeting my parents for lunch. We went to the Guildford Arms which has an amazing wood interior with an ornate plastered ceiling.
![](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/miscellaneous/facilities/guildfordarms.jpg)
After lunch I went to St Andrew Square for a coffee at the smart new Coffee Republic café situated in one corner of the square.
![](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/miscellaneous/facilities/coffeerepublic-harveynichols.jpg)
Just off the square is the (old) headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
![](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/places%20in%20Scotland/towns/Edinburgh%2C%20Midlothian/royalbankofscotland001.jpg)
After finishing my coffee I went back down to Princes Street to do some shopping, passing Edinburgh Castle on the way home.
![](https://www.stravaiging.com/photos/albums/buildings/castles/Edinburgh%20Castle%2C%20Midlothian/edinburghcastle006.jpg)