ContentsPAGE 1Variety

PAGE 2The Ugly Duckling

PAGE 3

The Narrows

PAGE 4

Street Knowlegde

PAGE 5

The Volcano

PAGE 6

Kilts and Haggis

PAGE 7

Level Up!

PAGE 8

Highway

PAGE 9

Being Green

PAGE 10

Empty Thoughts

PAGE 11

The Big Question

Editorial

My name is Erik Stenersen. I was born and raised in Luxembourg. Although if anyone was to ask me about my nationality, without hesistation I’d say I’m Danish.

I fell in love with Edinburgh the first time I visited it last year. It is as if Luxembourg and Copenhagen combined themselves and became one. The freshness and vi-brance of Copenhagen, mixed with the openness and old city features of Luxembourg. I suppose this is why it doesn’t feel like im that far away from home.

“I treasure the moments when my brain is asleep and I don’t think about anything. Because in those times I can see the beauty that the world and its people has to offer.”-E.H.S

VarietyEdinburgh may be famous for it Old and New Towns, which are UNESCO World Heritage site, however the city is much more than just this small central area. New developments can be

seen all over the city giving the parts outside the centre giving the place a peculiar blend of old and new. In the area of the city where I am currently living, there is a vast diverse environment.

For example, the new student development at Bainfield is neigh-bouring the urban area of west Edinburgh. Within these areas

you can find small jewels that spark up the entire quarter.

The ugly ducklingA great way to spend a lovely sunny day can be walking along the Union Canal. Connecting Edinburgh and Falkirk. Filled with

eye catching canal boats, whose colours sometime may be very controversial. Amongst these, swans and ducks have found a way to make it there home as well, and live in harmony most of the times. Being Danish, it immediately made me think of home when i came across these ducks. It made me think of H. C. An-dersen, Denmark’s most famous writer ever. I may be far away from home, but bits and pieces around the city make me feel at

home.

The narrowsGetting around Edinburgh is very easy, everything is within walk-ing distance. This allows you to wonder about and explore the

hidden gems that the city has to offer. Especially along the Roy-al Mile, Cowgate and Grassmarket but my favourite has to be Fleshmarket Close . The city is also peppered with small alley-

ways and closes, to me they are the most interesting part of the city, it gives you a great sense of the history of the place. There is no town planing but rather a city that has grown throughout

the centuries.

The VolcanoEdinburgh castle. The heart of the capital. Built on top of an ex-tinct volcano, makes it even more of an incredible piece of archi-tecture. The locals pride themselves on the beauty of this mas-terpiece. It gathers hundreds of people from all over the world

on a daily basis, who wish to capture the essence of the ancient Scottish kingdom. Located in the city centre, allows it to be seen from almost everywhere. The castle is known for hosting several spectacular events from their annual military tattoo to their new years party, which is amongst the best ones in the world. I can-

not wait to experience this for myself.

Kilts and HaggisScotland. When I think of Scotland there are the four stereotyp-ical things that immediately pop into my head. Kilts, bagpipes, haggis and deep fried mars. Before I came here, I expected to

see nothing but men wearing kilts and having haggis day in and day out, because that is what they are portrayed like. I have yet to see a man wear a kilt and play a bagpipe, but when that day comes the first thing ill do is have haggis and then for desert eat a deep fried mars bar. It may sound ridiculous, but it seems like

the fastest way to get it over with and move on.

Level Up!I read an article not long ago, which headline was “58 reasons why it sucks not living in Edinburgh.” It was very interesting the

way the author portrayed Edinburgh. It was described as both a vibrant and busy city, full of business’s and white collar workers, but also as a historical and calming city, filled with hidden gems. One specific place the article mentioned was Victoria Road. It

mentioned a two level street with small shops and cafes all along the road. I couldn’t believe it, it seemed to good to be true. I had

to go see it for myself and it was incredible.

HighwayPrincess Street. One of the places, of which you get told to go see and experience, when you are new to the city. The hectic movement of people jumping from shops to shops, combined with the density and variety of people is like every other city’s

main shopping street. Although princess street is different in its own way. You can be walking down hearing English, and the

next it can jump to Chinese, Spanish, Bulgarian and many more different languages. It is as if, you were travelling. As if you were

on a highway towards a new destination.

Being GreenComing from Luxembourg, whose capital reminds me a lot of

Edinburgh, gives me quite a bit of knowledge when it comes to know how people live and get about a dense capital. One thing I’ve noticed when arriving is the big concept of public transport. This came to my attention, whilst walking down Princess Street. Tramlines right next to bus lines and their small gaps filled with cyclists. Although public transport seems to be a big part of

the Edinburgh life style, keeping the city clean and in its natural beauty is also a key aspect.

Empty ThoughtsThe meadows. A place of peace and happiness during the day, but a place of scare and horror during the night. Whilst strolling around the meadows, I felt nothing but inner peace. The mes-

merising calmness of the openness combined with the rich greenery, in the middle of the city centre, is something which should not be taken for granted. Being able to distant oneself from the busy city centre life and get in touch with your inner

thoughts by a simple single footstep, is a blessing. I have not yet spent a lot of time in the meadows, but I am sure I will.

The big questionComing to Scotland whilst the referendum was happening, was a great experience. Although in the beginning I had no idea how and why this was happening, towards the end I felt part of it as well. Whilst trying to learn about the referendum, as a plus side from freshers week, I got to meet people from both the yes and no sides. The impact of the vote on the individual was so great, even for me as a foreigner, that is was inevitable not to feel part of it. It was then I realised it was more than just a vote. It was a

future defining moment.