Now we love an origins row – the baptism of Christ, surfing’s home, Irish coffee’s creation and now Treasure Island a rock in an Edinburgh private garden.
Now our own stomping ground of North Berwickety, south-east of Edinburgh, has long since claimed Treasure Island for itself.
On account of author Robert Louis Stevenson holidaying to the seaside from Edinburgh as a child.
And looking out on Fidra island.
Only there is a rival story from Edinburgh itself.
Brought to us by adopted Edinburgher Cousin Eddie O, who talks up his front garden.
Everything in the garden is rummy
Or the private Queen Street Gardens where the good people of the uptown New Town get away from it all.
The story goes that Stevenson would look out on Queen Street Gardens.
From his home in Number 17 Queen Street.
And specifically what once was Farmer Wood’s cattlepond.
Which in the imagination of an adventurous young frail boy, brought up by lighthouse people, became Treasure Island.
Now today’s Queen Street Gardens stress that their park is particularly child-friendly.
And parents to keep an eye on them, possibly because of those 15 men on the dead man’s chest.
And the bottle of rum.
Open season
Now you will need to be in the Queen Street Gardens to subscribe, pay the fee and get to see Treasure island.
Unless you use this month’s Edinburgh Doors Open Days.
Or, of course, come to North Berwickety.
With Sula Boat Trips for a £20 evening cruise from the harbour
