Edinburgh photographer publishes book on the city’s medieval history

2 hours ago

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Edinburgh architectural photographer, Susan Allan, has published a book, Hidden Edinburgh – A Walk Through Medieval History.

The book, which contains 80 photographs, sets out the history of the city and shows where to see its hidden and historical places and features.

Susan said: “The book tells the stories and legends from the very early beginnings of Edinburgh, in 600AD, right through to the late medieval days of King James VI of Scotland.

“As well as including quirky tales of the unexpected, it also shares advice on the best times and places to take photographs, as well as some tips on how to edit your photos after your visit.”

Susan’s inspiration for the book came from her appreciation of the capital’s beauty, as she explained: “Edinburgh is an ancient city, with a long and fascinating history. As an architectural photographer based in Edinburgh, I have always enjoyed photographing the wealth of beautiful buildings in the Old Town, and this was my starting point for the book project.

“I realised as I began researching it that there were so many amazing stories behind each place, as well as a number of hidden features I had discovered along the way, which I wanted to share with my readers. Every time I went to shoot, I found something new – and still do; there are points of interest literally around every corner.”

The book is for visitors to Edinburgh or anyone else who would like to know more about its early history and the features that can still be seen today from those times. It is aimed at those who like to take photos, either with their phones or with a camera, and provides useful pointers on how to get the best shots:

“When I’m out and about in Edinburgh with my camera, especially in the Old Town, I always see tourists and visitors taking photos of the well-known sites, as well as other quirky features that abound. I’m often asked what the story is behind these places, and I like to share some tips with them when this happens,” Susan said.

Susan is currently planning her next book, the second in the series. It will focus on the next few centuries of the growth of Edinburgh, with topics including witchcraft, the Covenantors, inventors, philosophers and poets, as well as more tips on where to get the best photos.

The book is available in print from www.susanallanphotography.com or online from Amazon Kindle, costing £15.99 (plus postage and packing) and £7.99 respectively (free with a Kindle Unlimited package).