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EPS
Outing
Almond Dell - 1877
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The British Journal of
Photography reported on the Outing to Almond Dell on 20 June
1877: |
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Annual Holiday
"The annual holiday, under
the auspices of Edinburgh Photographic Society too place on
Thursday 12 inst. ... With one or two exceptions,
the whole of the principal studios in the City were closed.
As was to be expected in the
case of a class which enjoy so few holidays during the summer
season, many went off to visit friends or on trips of their own;
but the great feature of the day was, as usual, the general
excursion, which on this occasion was to the frequently-visited
Almond Dell, and which, as before was reached by canal." |
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The
Weather
"The Weather, which had for
some days been disagreeably wet, looked somewhat threatening; but
photographers have faith in their friend the Sun, who has never
yet failed to shine on their annual holiday." |
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The Journey
"At 9.30 ... the order was
given for the horses to proceed
Mr Kyles, of
Portobello, was, as on former occasions, master of the
ceremonies, and under his active management the stringed band
occupying the stern of the vessel was kept hard at work, dancing
being kept up with much spirit to the apparent enjoyment of the
younger members of the party.
... between the dances, the
piano was kept busy accompanying the singers of whom there was a
good supply for both solos and part songs.
... as on previous occasions a
number of employés of
Messrs Ross
& Pringle gave ample evidence that the encouragement so long
given by the firm to vocal music is still continued.
Almond Dell was reached at
about 1.30" |
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At Almond Dell
"Mr Annan, or rather his
assistant had been rigging up a dark room and getting his plates
prepared, and by and by the party were assembled and grouped for a
photograph. Only those who have tried it know the difficulty
of photographing a large number of excursionists.
All went well, and two plates
were exposed under favourable circumstances ... [and] two very
fair pictures were obtained."
The party enjoyed two hours of
games and tea on the barge, before it returned to Edinburgh. |
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The Return Journey
"In consequence of general
disinclination to go home while daylight lasted, the halts were
more numerous than in the morning, and the raids on the wild
flowers so extensive that by and by the barge looked like a moving
flower garden, or a fashionable flower show and musical promenade.
... By this time twilight had
deepened into gloom, and while 'Auld Lang Syne' was being sung,
the barge was made fast at her destination shortly before ten o'
clock ..."
[BJP: 20 July
1877; p.345] |