When You Have Eliminated the Impossible

   

     ‘How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?’

                                                                                                          Sherlock Holmes

    Body snatchers, hiding in the shadows of Greyfriar's graveyard. The overwhelming stench of human waste, overcrowded slums and child labour. These are some of the characteristics of 19th century Edinburgh.

     It may be living in this dark, grisly place as both child and man, is what gave Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, one of the foundations for his wonderful mysteries.

    Born in Edinburgh, May 22nd 1859, Doyle returned to study medicine in  the city's university in 1876 until 1881. Here is where, they say he drew his inspiration for the character, Sherlock Holmes. The character itself is said to be based on one of the professors there. His first story of the sixty that Doyle wrote featuring the great detective, A Study in Scarlet, was written in 1886 and like many aspiring writers he received many rejections before publication.

    Also being interested in spiritualism, I'm sure added an extra depth to his writing. His stories having what seemed ghostly goings on, when in the end it could all be easily explained.

    Thank goodness his home town is no longer a place to fear, it's a place to enjoy. Unless you're scared of the ghosts that is.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 22 May 1859-1930