Sad news

I woke up to be told there was a fire on Princes St which, at the time, I commented "that's not very good". Possibly one of the bigger understatements I've made in my years.

I hopped off the 22 bus about a half hour later and walked along to see which store had been hit and it was very unfortunate to see that it is the independent kilt maker, and purveyor of all things Scottish, Romanes and Paterson that is the victim.

I don't know if it's wrong of me to have wished the blaze on GAP or M&S, a global company that could absorb such a hit more easily, but wish it I did.

Fire crews were still battling the flames at 9am from what I could see but hopefully the shop will live to see another day. With the invasion of loud, crude, tacky tourist shops hitting Princes St and the Royal Mile, we should be grateful for as many Romanes and Patersons as we can get.