The Edinburgh Inquirer

The Edinburgh Inquirer

The timeless and enduring appeal of a peal of bells

The city’s campanologists on blisters, keeping tradition alive and the dangers of holding on to the rope

Cat Thomson writes's avatar
Cat Thomson writes
Dec 24, 2024
∙ Paid
Learning the ropes, Edinburgh’s bell-ringers: Pic Cat Thomson

At this most festive time of year, when one-year ends and another begins, Tennyson’s poem resonates:

“Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.”

Church bells will peal today on Christmas Eve, and…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Edinburgh Inquirer.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
Cat Thomson writes's avatar
A guest post by
Cat Thomson writes
I'm a freelance writer who likes to tell the stories behind some of Scotland's incredible food and drink businesses. Read more of my work at www.catthomsonwrites.com
Subscribe to Cat
© 2026 Edinburgh Inquirer · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture