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This issue includes features about two remarkable men - both named John - who made their mark on Edinburgh in different artistic ways: John Thomson was Minister of Duddingston Kirk for 35 years, while marrying twice and fathering 8 children. Remarkable! However, Thomson’s enduring fame is really derived from his ability to paint landscapes - to critical acclaim from none other than JMW Turner and Walter Scott. In his lifetime, Thomson showed over 100 pictures in Edinburgh and today his landscapes adorn many a wall. Patricia Andrew’s article about John Thomson’s life begins on page 22. John Steell’s father and brother were both artistically talented, but it was John who made the biggest mark as a sculptor, and is responsible for some of the most impressive and recognisable statues in Edinburgh: Alexander the Great and his horse Bucephalus; the Wellington Memorial, the Prince Consort Memorial; Sir Walter Scott and Queen Victoria – to name but a few. Although the subjects of many of his statues are still household names, John Steell’s fame faded after his death, and it is sadly ironic that his remains lie in an unmarked plot in Old Calton Graveyard. Read about John Steell and the talented Steell dynasty, beginning on page 28. Edinburgh Life likes to stand astride the city with one foot in the past and one in the present, so look out in this issue for this year’s spectacular Riding of the Marches, and we feature the magnificent new galleries at The National, dedicated to showcasing the best of Scottish art over the past 150 years. All this, plus: we visit the Royal High School as it celebrates 50 years of girl pupils; we compare bird’s eye view photos (taken 63 years apart) of West Mains and the King’s Buildings, and mark your card for some Christmas themed entertainments as the festive season approaches. I do hope you enjoy reading this issue. Peter Bourhill Editor Publisher/Editor Peter Bourhill 07850 938407 Features Illustrator Contributors John Burnett Harriet Bourhill Alastair Allanach Patricia Andrew John Jones Roddy Martine Circulation Social Media William Allison Lydia Bourhill Harriet Bourhill Design Alasdair Anderson Contributing Photographers Doug Corrance Don Munro edinburghlifemag Follow us on social media at Front Cover. Christmas festivities in the New Town (Illustration: Harriet Bourhill) £3.00 November/December 2023 EdinburghLife www.edinburghlifemagazine.comand the Lothians Duddingston’s artistic minister New Scottish galleries at The National West Mains & King’s Buildings from above in 1930 and 1993 Edinburgh’s statues & sculptor John Steell Good News round-up Riding of the Marches 50 years of girls at Royal High School S o c i e t y E a t i n g O u t Season’s greetings to our thousands of loyal readers! Residential Property What’s On EdinburghLife PO Box 28948 Gorebridge EH22 9BD Tel. 01875 825555 or 07850 938407 editorial@edinburghlifemagazine.com adver tising@edinburghlifemagazine.com info@edinburghlifemagazine.com www.edinburghlifemagazine.com ©Lowther Publishing Ltd All rights reser ved. No par t of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. While ever y care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and the publisher can take no responsibility for omissions or error s. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited submissions or the return of submitted items. This page: Christmas on Calton Hill (Illustration: Harriet Bourhill) Back page: December night in the city centre edlifemagazine edinburghlife November/December 2023 EdinburghLife 1

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