EDINBURGH

e x p l o r e r

Unknown Past

Discovering Cramonds Roman History

Sweet Edinburgh
Bibis 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!

Contents
Edinburgh ABC

Christos Kambouris

Faces of Edinburgh

6
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 Wei

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 Wei

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 Wei

86

The Authors

88

Imprint

90

Edinburgh ABC

ibs or Hearts - Which side are you on?

www.hibernianfc.co.uk/page/Home ,
www.heartsfc.co.uk/page/Home

...its as easy as 123

rn Bru Have Scotlands other national drink.

One that is even prohibited in the U.S.A.
www.irn-bru.co.uk

words by Christos Kambouris

photographs by Andrea Beres

azz & Blues Festival In July the Jazz World

meets here. You wont find Miles Davis, but may-

be Elvis...

www.edinburghjazzfestival.com

ilt Grab yourself a kilt in one of the plenty

rthurs Seat Just like King Arthur, if you believe the legends, you can look down on the

city from a height of 250,5 m. Its main peak was

lephant House Sit at the table where J.K.

Rowling wrote her first two Harry Potters. You

might spot Lord Voldemort in some corner.

formed by an extinct volcano.

otanic Garden 15,000 plant species need a lot

of water. Pretty lucky that there are 16 days of

precipitation on an average month in Edinburgh.

kilt shops around the city. Dont forget to put

21 George IV Bridge, www.elephanthouse.biz

on some underwear, cause wind can be real tricky

in Edinburgh.

www.nicolsonkiltmakers.co.uk

eith The new trendy burgh. Look for the sets

of the film Trainspotting. Leave out the heroin.

armers Market Over 55 specialist producers

wait for you, every Saturday. Try a fried choco-

late bar.

20 Inverleith Row, www.rbge.org.uk

13 Blair Street,
www.edinburghfarmersmarket.co.uk

www.leithhistory.co.uk

edical School Part of the University of Edinburgh. Charles Darwin studied here, got

sick of the weather and fled to the Galapagos Is-

lands. Lucky Bastard.

ramond Island An Isle you can walk to. Jesus might get jealous, but watch the tide.

47 Little France Crescent, www.ed.ac.uk/

medicine-vet-medicine

www.britishbeaches.info

roodhouse with changing exhibitions. Dont

run into Lizzie.

Canon Gate, Royal Mile, www.royalcollection.org.uk

oyal Mile The main thoroughfare of the Old

Town. From the top of Castle Rock down to

Holyrood Abbey you walk about ...? Right, you

orth Berwick Visit the Scottish Seabird

olly, the sheep First mammal to be cloned.

ueens Galley Located in the Palace of Holy-

smart ass, exactly one Scots mile.

Center. Sure youll spot some seals, if so,

Visit her at the National Museum of Scot-

dont slay them!

land. Feeding prohibited!

7 Beach Rd, www.seabird.org, Admission 7.15

Chambers Street, www.nms.ac.uk, Admission Free

www.edinburgh-royalmile.com

tand Comedy Club Visit Open Mic Night on

Mondays. Dont sit near the stage. Why? Just

ink Burger A whole hog in the shop win-

trust me!

dow. And you can have a part of it. You are

what you eat, mate.

34 Victoria Street, www.oinkhogroast.co.uk

reyfriars Kirkyard Lay some flowers at the

grave of Bobby. The towns most famous dog.

Please leave your cat at home.

2 Greyfriars Place, www.greyfriarskirk.com

5 York Pl, www.thestand.co.uk, Admission 2

oddy- Youve caught a cold and think the best

way to get rid of it is going to bed. Wrong! Go

rinces Street Shop till you drop.

www.princes-street.com

to a Pub and order yourself a Toddy. Doesnt work?

Order another!
71-73 York Place , www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

I like Edinburgh ...

I like Edinburgh, because ...

nited Kingdom Youre damn right. Edinburgh is located in the UK. Next!

www.maps.google.de

hisky Experience - The Worlds Largest

Collection of Scotch Whisky. Go for it, and

try them all.

354 Castlehill, www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk

aults Explore Edinburghs Underground.

Dont you ever go alone. Ever!
www.mercattours.com

-Factor Cabin Chose a song. Impress the

judges. 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

for 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,

cars 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

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

and 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

12

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.

13

Bagpipes on the Rocks

We are a cast of twelve on the stage tonight. Kevin

is an original band member and started to play the
bagpipes at the age of 7. Its 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-

people focus on the stage in anticipation of

ciates the fans 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 peoples

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 dont

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 bands
symbol on their back a bagpipe in flames the
people really catch fire. Within a minute the audience is alight. Rocking music battles between the
electric guitar and a bagpipe, atmospheric keyboard and whistle solos plus funny choreographies 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

over 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

22

modern fashion. And it doesnt 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 dont 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.

23

If somebody is interested in old castles, Stirling

Castle may be much more interesting than the castle in Edinburgh, because it`s smaller and recently
renovated.
Like Professor Thomas Krauss the Consul

I like Edinburgh ...

Falko Konditorei
German Bakery
www.falko.co.uk
Phone: 0131 656 0763
185 Bruntsfield Place
Edinburgh EH10 4DG
Open: Wednesday -Sunday

General likes nature. If you drive to Oban on the

West coast, it`s wonderful, he enthuses. Then you
have little fishing villages along the East coast if you
like places like that. The old Border monasteries in
the South are well worth a visit: Melrose, Dryburgh,
Jedburgh and Kelso. And if you have enough time you
should go to the islands: to Mull, Islay and the Outer
Hebrides, or further north to Orkney and Shetland,
all wonderful islands.
I must say this is the most beautiful of all
the places around the world Ive been to. Wolfang

Generalkonsulat der
Bundesrepublik Deutschland
www.edinburgh.diplo.de
16 Eglington Crescent
Edinburgh EH12 5DG
Phone: 0131 337 2323
School of Physics & Astronomy
University of St Andrews
Phone: 01334 463107
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~photocryst/
North Haugh
Fife Scotland
St Andrews KY16 9SS

Mssinger reflected with mixed feelings because he

has to leave Scotland with his family for a new assignment 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

Sugarholics Paradise
A Journey to the Taste Buds
words and photographs by Andrea Beres

hen you meet people in front of Bibis Cake

Its one of the best smelling jobs you can imagine,

Boutique who are just eating a cupcake, be

says Joanne Lacy, whos worked in Bibis Cake Bou-

aware! They could perhaps walk through a red light

tique for 5 months. Shes 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 popular too, says Joanne. Macaroons are small baked

The shop is to be found in 37 Hanover Street

and catches the attention of pedestrians with its

biscuits of beaten egg white and buttercream. The

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
small delicacies are produced.

Oh my god - thats awesome! are the first

words of my friend as she bites into a banana & toffee-flavoured cupcake. (Of course her words were

But how did the label arise? Bibi doesnt seem

less understandable, because she was speaking with

to be a common name for a cupcake store. The

a full mouth, but Im sure thats what she said. Her

owners 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. Thats why it got this re-

the pastry is so soft, she says excitedly.

markable name.
These are enough arguments to tempt me to
Inside youll 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 beginning of the Scottish success story of the cupcakes.
First there was a caf associated with a bakery. The

If theres no chocolate in heaven, Im 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

exists. Alexander Graham Bell

father of geology and a contemporary of Hume,

should confirm Humes 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. Huttons 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 citys 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 Gods design every-

ists is synthetic, then it can be verified or falsified

where in his science, Mans 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-

46

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 mens dreams.

for his prediction of a new particle, the Higgs Bo-

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

he 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
Above the Grassmarket

50

make a quick side-trip to Old Town Bookshop

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!

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

let 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

It`s kind of a funny story

must be fashionable. At the right side a mixture of

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-

56

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

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

DMC 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. Its 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, Edinburghs freshest Comedy Club.

I was still asking myself if there was something
wrong about todays Open Mic Night.

The yelling stops immediately when the first

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

hip hop dude is not a rapper but Vince Atta, the

beard and dressed in a fancy suit, steps on stage.

Andy and Wendy lean back. Well back.

host of the show, whos 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. Hell not be back, but

is directly followed by Hari Sriskantha. The 23-year

3. Dont talk while the act is on stage!

old from London studies physics at the University of Edinburgh and Stand Up Comedy is just a

62

63

hobby. Its his fourth performance in The Stand,

his programme includes clever scientific gags combined with quotes from the TV hit sitcom The Big
Bang Theory. And the longer you look at Hari, the

The Stand Comedy Club

5 York Pl, Edinburgh
Monday Red Raw : 8.30 pm 11 pm
www.thestand.co.uk
Admission:2

I like Edinburgh ...

longer youll notice an extraordinary resemblance

to Raj Koothrappali, one of the sitcoms main characters. 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

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

of diverse clubs. Again and again, my friends re-

me so clearly. I am not a native speaker but I don`t

think he realised that.

fused to join such a crowd. But we cheered too

66

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

67