‘Edinburgh - Picturesque Notes’ is a love letter to home in many ways. In a collection of essays renowned author, Robert Louis Stevenson, recounts historic areas of the city, and the contrasts it contains, split between the rich and poor, the city and the countryside. He lovingly delves in to the beauty of the city, nostalgic for its past, but does not shy away from the gruesome history of his city either, recounting the tales of many sinister events such as ‘Deacon Brodie’ and ‘Major Weir’. The essays are humorous, with quick jabs at the residents of the city and even the weather, the most common jibe of all for those familiar with Scotland. To Stevenson, he was sharing this nostalgia with all the Edinburgh emigrants, in the hopes that they would find comfort in seeing a place near and dear to them recounted in his book. Perfect for those fascinated with Scotland’s ancient city, or just really big fans of ‘Trainspotting’.Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), was an author with a formidable legacy. You will be hard pressed to find anyone alive today who has not come across his work in one form or another. The brilliant mind behind ‘Treasure Island’ and the ‘Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, has had a profound impact on every aspect of entertainment to this day with his brilliant creations. Despite dealing with ill health all his life he was a prolific traveller, spending his later years in Samoa where he fought vigorously for the rights of the natives, earning their love and respect. R.L Stevenson was a character in his own right, passionate and adventurous, his spirit shines through in his work, from his novels to his travel guides. You simply owe it to yourself to experience his creations, he was a true titan of literature on whose shoulders we all stand.