This is a whisky still, here in Edinburgh at the Museum of Scotland.

I have been keeping an extremely low profile for a few weeks, for personal reasons described in my profile. I have not found it too difficult to deny myself until this week, when I felt compelled to bring back Emma not just to you, but to the world in general.

The Museum of Scotland never fails to fascinate me, although car parking is so difficult nearby that the bus is much easier. Thus I rode the bus into the city centre, which is another first achievement for me. Despite being closely seated with various other passengers, I had no trouble at all. I attracted very little attention in the museum either, except from a kind gentleman who offered to take my picture for me.

The photo is not great, but it proves I'm still here.

Tags:   Emma Ross whisky still

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Jackie Stewart's F1 championship car, on display in the museum.

I wish I had been driving this car home! As I mentioned in my last photo, I took the bus into the city because parking there is horrendous. Unfortunately the traffic was particularly bad that day and I was very late home. This could have had serious consequences, since it is essential that I am first home (for obvious reasons). Some subtle texting revealed that everyone else was also stuck in traffic, luckily for me.

If only I had this fast car, I would not have had to waste an hour sitting in a bus. It was so boring, yet I was quite pleased to be just another woman in the crowd.

Tags:   Emma Ross

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Simply walking about in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Apologies for the blocky bit of video in the middle. I could try to say that it is to protect the identities of strangers in the shot, but the truth is I switched the camera on in the wrong mode.

I was fairly limited to places with good lighting and a railing to attach the camera. I don't carry a big tripod, just a little handbag-sized gripper called a "Gorillapod" and, while I was able to get people to take the two stills at the end, I don't expect strangers to do a video for me.

Tags:   Emma Ross

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I met a new friend today with the aim of getting better acquainted, as we will soon be sharing a twin hotel room. As expected, it went very well and we are both looking forward to next time.

It was a rare treat for me to have someone to take photos. It let me relax and enjoy the session, which I usually cannot.

This is how I dressed for our meeting. This is me, as seen by ..... but that would be telling!

Tags:   Emma Ross

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The French guillotine was famous, however not original. In 1561 the Earl of Morton commissioned a beheading machine which became known as the "Scottish Maiden". When the Earl was later defeated by his enemies, he became one of his machine's 120 victims.

The French revolutionaries refined this design by mounting the blade at an angle to slice a neck. They also had the clever idea of sharpening the blade instead of relying on sheer weight.

This is a rare example of a well-preserved Scottish Maiden ... and a beheading machine.

Tags:   Emma Ross

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