Our friend and colleague Professor Michael Flannery is in Scotland, doing some research on Alfred Russel Wallace at the University of Edinburgh, and sent along some nice snaps. Charles Darwin, of course, was a largely indifferent medical student there starting 1825, and Flannery argues in Alfred Russel Wallace: A Rediscovered Life that the experience was transformative for him (see page 41).

Darwin plaque at the location of 11 Lothian Street, where Darwin resided:

Old College, University of Edinburgh, which Darwin would have known, right around the corner from the Darwin plaque:

Another view of Old College:

Salisbury Crags:

Says Mike: “These form the geological backdrop to the city — quite striking.” More later.