A nice walk around Inverleith Park in the north of Edinburgh.
Inverleith Park is a large open park with playing fields, split
into four areas by tree lined paths.
It is in the heart of one of the most attractive large open
spaces in the city, which includes the Royal Botanic Garden, the
private grounds and sports fields of the Edinburgh Academy,
Stewart's Melville College, Fettes College, George Heriot’s
at Goldenacre, and the Grange Cricket Ground.
The park contains 3 football, 4 rugby and 6 seven-a-side
pitches, a cricket square, petanque area and children’s play
area, and yet there is still room for quiet contemplation. The
scale of the park means that you can always find a secluded corner,
despite the 400 events that take place annually within its
confines.
The following was written about Inverleith Park in The
Scotsman when it first opened to the public in 1891:
"It is intended to lay out the ground in such
a manner that all classes of the community would have ample scope
for all rational amusement. Such games as golf, cricket, football
and the old-fashioned game of shinty would be permitted on the
ground - (Here, here.) - under certain regulations. I see no reason
why the ladies should not have a tennis ground.
Beside that, we propose to have at the south
west corner of the ground a pond whereon, in summer model yachts
might unfurl their sails, and on which in winter skaters might have
the opportunity of indulging in their favourite pastime with
safety.
The Parks Committee are also considering
making a ride round the margin of the ground for equestrians.
(Here, here.)"
The published coordinates are for the entrance at
the east side of the park, opposite the West Entrance to the
Botanic Gardens. The entrance gates were erected in 189A by
John Dunlop - there are B letters in his middle name.
Now walk on to N55° 57.807 W003° 13.049 where there is a
rough granite obelisk erected in memory to John Dunlop, who was a
popular councilor for the for the St Bernard's Ward of Edinburgh.
The money was raised through public subscription following his
death. He died on C/D/1899 (where C is the day and D is the
Month).
The Pond N55° 57.684 W003° 13.064
In recent history, the pond has suffered from poisonous algae
that have grown, the result of swans' droppings clogged up the
pond's drainage system. However, Edinburgh Council recently spent
£235,000 to clean and re-surface the pond and solve its drainage
problem by creating a 'marsh garden' with a boardwalk. At the
coordinates there is a plaque - the number of the month on the
plaque is E.
The Sundial Garden N55° 57.720 W003° 12.892
This is a quiet spot away from most of the people in the park.
In the middle is a Sundial.
How many letters in the surname of the councilor whose name is on
the plinth of the sundial? = F.
The sundial was presented in 189G.
The final cache is at N55 57.B(C+G)D W003
1D.(F+1)(E-2)A