Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside

They say (and I believe them) that you are never more than 45 miles from the sea in Scotland. Leith is one of Scotland's most important ports, although most of the water you can access is actually the mouth of the Water of Leith.

I went for s short stroll along the Shore yesterday, and I took some photographs to prove it. I love living in Leith and being so close to the Shore: the Flemish style architecture with the gable fronted houses reminds me of my childhood in Europe.

The renovation of Lamb's House is coming along well. I wish it was being turned into a Leith Museum rather than flats, but it is nice to see the old building getting a new lease of life as it was getting very run down before. Legend has it that Mary Queen of Scots stayed here.

Back onto the Shore, the King's Wark pub is in a 15th century building that was formerly a royal residence.

The Cruz Bar, a ship converted to a nightclub and bar, adds to the nautical atmosphere of the Shore.

Timber Bush was formerly known as Timber Bourse, a bourse being a market. This entrance by George Brown and Sons Engineers is one of several entrances to confuse the unwary.

At the far end of the Shore, past Fisher's restaurant, there is a beautiful stone memorial. I don't know what it's for (answers on a postcard please) - I suspect it is just a general memorial to Leith's days of seafaring greatness.

The entrance to Tower Place is marked with a bust of Governor John Hunter, from Leith, who became Governor of New South Wales. He also created an illustrated notebook detailing the flora and fauna of New South Wales.

At the far end of the Shore, the last footcrossing is the iron bridge, currently closed because of the trams. If they make it so that only trams can go across the bridge, I will be very unhappy.

I know you're not really supposed to take photographs against the sun, but there was something about this view of the northern side of the Shore that thrilled me.

Following the path around, I found myself (oh how unexpectedly) at Victoria Quay, where the RMJM designed Scottish Government building can be found. I actually really dislike this building, I think it is extremely bombastic.

Back past the lovely Roseleaf, and back over the Sandport Bridge. Looking at the Water of Leith towards Coburg Street, it's hard to see why Leith isn't more visited by tourists and loved by its residents. Maybe we should rename it Little Amsterdam.