The Earl of Wessex began his day of engagements at one of Edinburgh's most unusual tourist attractions: the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions on Castlehill, where he was met by the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honourable Lesley Hinds.
The Earl's visit marked the attraction's celebration of its 150th year in business, entertaining visitors with its weird and wonderful optical illusions and displays. On arrival His Royal Highness was shown up to the famous outlook tower, a well-known feature of Edinburgh's Royal Mile enjoying panoramic views of the city from the white domed tower down towards Holyroodhouse and north across to Prince's Street. The Royal visitor also had a chance to peek into the 'superscope', which is one of the most powerful public telescopes in Britain.
His Royal Highness then entered the Camera Obscura chamber to see the optical illusion for himself. Built in the 1850s, the Camera Obscura is a darkened room with a small opening in one of its walls. Daylight from outside of the chamber enters the aperture and projects an inverted image of the city on the opposite wall. The Earl was then shown the Magic Gallery and the Light Fantastic Hologram Exhibition before departing for the Edinburgh Erskine Home.
A piper from the Army School of Piping and local school children greeted His Royal Highness as he arrived at the Erskine Home for former service men and women. Inside, the Earl met with the Patron of the Home, General Sir Michael Gow, Edinburgh Committee members and Friends of Edinburgh Erskine Committee. During his tour, His Royal Highness met with some of the residents and their families before having a buffet lunch and signing the visitor's book.
The Edinburgh Erskine Home was opened in 2002 by The Princess Royal and now cares for approximately 750 veterans each year. The first Erskine hospital was opened in Glasgow in 1917 to care for soldiers who had fought in the First World War.
The Earl of Wessex, in his capacity as Trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, subsequently visited the Young Offenders Institute Polmont at Brightons in Falkirk. The Institute and the Award Scheme are involved in the 'New Start Project' which encourages the use of the Award programme to help combat crime among the youth in Scotland by providing activities and projects for young people at risk. Partners of the initiative include the Scottish Executive, Dundee City, North Lanarkshire and the City of Edinburgh Councils, and Tayside Police.
His Royal Highness spent the rest of the afternoon and evening attending further engagements in support of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, of which he has been a Trustee since 1988.
The Woods Youth Centre in Wester Hailes offers a range of educational opportunities to young people, such as youth clubs during school terms and holiday programmes for 10 to 18 year olds, including an opportunity to take part in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. During his visit the Earl spent time chatting with current participants and staff. He later visited the City Centre Youth Café at 6 Victoria Terrace (6VT) in Edinburgh which gave him an opportunity to meet more participants of the Award, including those with special needs.
The final engagement of the day was a reception at City Chambers on Edinburgh High Street to meet with 39 current Award Leaders and other community organisations.
The Earl of Wessex's visit to Scotland had been originally intended to take place in mid November but owing to the premature birth of his daughter Lady Louise on November 8th, the two-day visit was postponed.
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