Day 2: Arthur's Seat and Dancing Feet!

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

A breathtaking panorama atop Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh.

Day 2: Cathedral Choir bass Kyron Basu tells us about his day climbing Arthur's Seat and trying out some local dance moves!

My second day of the tour began with a trek to Arthur's Seat in Holyrood park with Ellen, Erin, Gillian, Gordon, and Monique. An extinct volcano, Arthur's Seat towers over 170 meters above the surrounding landscape. If King Arthur used the majestic hill as a seat, I suspect he may have been uncommonly tall.

Some of our group celebrating their climbing prowess. Photo by Monique Dull

On our way down, we had the good fortune to meet Alfie, an internet celebrity and Border Terrier, along with his publicity manager, Robert. The two of them make the trip up Arthur's Seat daily!

For today's evensong at St. Mary's Cathedral, the choirs sang Joanna Forbes l'Estrange's Kings College service as well as Hubert Parry's setting of I was glad. In the Parry, we were treated to a stirring fanfare from Mark McDonald at the beautiful St. Mary's organ. During the service, I made my Scottish debut as a page turner for Mark's voluntary, Toccatina: 'Praise Him…' by Rachel Laurin!

Following the service, we were introduced to Scottish dancing at St. Mary's Music School by Yoshi Shibasaki from the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and Ewan Galloway playing the accordion. Yoshi taught us the Cèilidh, the Virginia Reel, and the Flying Scotsman. Though our dancing efforts were unquestionably valiant, we occasionally augmented the traditional forms with unintentional artistic embellishments!

Donald Hunt nearly being struck by the Flying Scotsman train! Fortunately he survived the encounter unscathed.

Though this has only been our second day in Edinburgh, we have already seen, done, and learned so much. I look forward to a new day full of singing and adventuring, after a good night's rest! -Kyron Basu

Kyron is a big fan of the all things fauna, especially spiders! Here are two friends he made on Wednesday: a friendly crow atop Arthur's seat (left), and a Philodromus running crab spider at St Mary's Music School who Kyron suspects might have joined in the country dancing if she didn't have eggs to guard!

Check back here tomorrow for another update featuring a collab by two of the choristers! Know someone that would like these emails? Forward them this link!

bit.ly/3XCaGXU