We love lists, so we have been asking alumni to tell us their favourite things about being a student at Edinburgh. The submissions have been varied, humorous and nostalgic, and offer a nice insight into the life of Edinburgh students over the past few decades. We've created our top ten submissions for the categories of Place, Memory, Lecturer and Song. Did yours make the list? My favourite Edinburgh place… Image The Bedlam Theatre made a dramatic entry into alumni's top places Bedlam Theatre Middle Meadow Walk in Spring Salisbury Crags and the Southsider Pub Murrayfield Back in 1949, the common room in Old Quad Sitting on top of Arthur’s Seat watching the sun go down with perfect company on the evening of a final exam Bobby’s Bar Charlotte Square during the Book Festival Cramond Island Just walking down the streets and seeing the ever-changing skyscape My favourite memory of university… Image The first week at Edinburgh has stuck in alumni's minds A sense of freedom (even though staying at home), and the discovery of Coca Cola SO MANY! Playing the Mozart Double Piano Concerto…concerts in St Cecilia’s Hall Coming home from the student’s union at 2am to find our flat full of firemen who stayed for tea Asking a nurse from the Sick Children’s Hospital to dance. Random choice I thought, but we were destined to marry Going to the computer centre in Buccleuch Place in Spring 1969 to run a computer program knowing how to pronounce Buccleuch Stopping strippers from performing at Teviot Row Union Tutorials, which were not only educational and insightful, but fun and stimulating. Oh yes and a drink in the Canny Man pub The Meadows on a sunny day in June after degree exams all finished! But seriously – expanding my understanding of MANY subjects not only my main degree subjects Arriving for Fresher’s Week never having even visited the city before The day I passed my finals! And the dissection room (very social!) My favourite lecturer… Image Professor Evelyn Telfer My favourite most influential lecturer… Dr James P Duguld, Bacteriology department, who later became Professor at Dundee Drew Scott, hands down. Brilliant mind, super approachable and supportive Dr Alastair Thom for his respect for fellow members in the Department of Meteorology Elizabeth Cowling – History of Art Tom McGlew (Sociology) – he was involved in the infamous poster of the pregnant man Professor Fred Stewart (Geology). Every lecture was a pleasure Sir Alexander Gray (Politics & Economics, Poet). People came to his lectures even though they were not his students Dr Evelyn Telfer. I spoke to her after she lectured at Fertility 2019 Conference! She is still so passionate about what she does Dr Andy Kerr – Anatomy - he found my missing Physiology exam folder and I got a First as a result Aubrey Manning (Zoologist) My favourite song from the time… Image Edith Piaf is a perhaps surprising inclusion in the list Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water Paul Evans – Seven Little Girls (Sitting In The Back Seat) Toto - Africa Buddy Holly – Peggy Sue Gaudeamus Igitur Bob Dylan – Blowing in the Wind Roy Orbison – Pretty Woman Edith Piaf – La Vie En Rose Procol Harum – Whiter Shade of Pale Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit Spotify playlist We've handily curated all song submissions into one playlist on Spotify: Listen to 'Edinburgh Alumni Memories' on Spotify Principal's Teaching Awards Scheme We asked alumni for their submissions as part of an initiative to support the Principal's Teaching Awards Scheme. The scheme is an innovative programme that promotes collaboration between staff and students in order to enhance teaching and learning here at the University. It's fully funded by alumni and those who submitted their favourite things also made a donation the the scheme. More about the Princpal's Teaching Awards Scheme Publication date 23 May, 2019
