Traveling the UK: Edinburgh

Just like yesterday’s, this post is more pictures than words, but feel free to leave a comment if you have a question.  Again, to see a larger version of any picture, just click on it.

'We're going for a trip - anybody
want a cookie?'

A few weeks ago, a friend in Castle Irwell planned a marathon weekend of sightseeing in Edinburgh, and my friends and I all jumped on board.  The schedule was rough: leave Manchester at Friday night and arrive super late in Edinburgh and stay in a hostel, then sightsee all day Saturday before going out at night and staying up to catch a 5:00am bus back to Manchester on Sunday morning.  We went this past weekend, and it was a marathon and it was fantastic.  

Edinburgh is a picturesque city.  Seriously, it’s absolutely gorgeous.  It’s all grey or golden stone set on a maze of hills and valleys with the sea as a far-off backdrop.  The streets are curvy and twisty with numerous stone passageways between the buildings connecting one place to another.  Old Town¹ is ancient -- it’s centuries old, and yet it still stands, just as crowded and busy as it was hundreds of years ago.  And New Town (another district of Edinburgh) is gorgeous, too, and so old that the name ‘new’ hardly seems apt.  

A typical residential street near the city centre

The Royal Mile, seen from Edinburgh Castle

Two friends at the entrance to Edinburgh Castle

All the hills make for striking views of the city, assuming you’re adventurous enough to climb all the way up.  We didn’t visit Arthur’s Seat, the biggest hill in Edinburgh, due to time constraints, but the view from Calton Hill (the next best thing) is spectacular enough as it is.

Edinburgh and the North Sea, seen
from the top of Calton Hill

Edinburgh is set on the east coast of Scotland, and I definitely wasn’t going to miss a chance to see the sea, so we trekked down to the beach for some pictures.  The water was ice cold (think Titanic cold), but the views were great.  We even walked out into the sea on top of a wave barrier to get up close with the water.  And maybe do a few goofy poses.

Being in Scotland for the first time made me realise just how Scottish I really am.  Haggis²?  Of course I know what it is, I eat every year for Burns Night³.  Oh, you don’t know what Burns Night is?  Well everyone wears a kilt…  and so on.  Yes, the men in my family really do wear kilts, and those kilts are made from our family tartan.  And yes, some of them do play the bagpipe and even perform at important events like weddings.  And yes, I am aglow with pride to be part of this culture.  

Full Scottish breakfast.  You see that half-eaten patty in the middle,
sitting on top of everything?  Oh yes, that IS haggis.  Nom.

A Scottish souvenir shop
selling 'fun kilts'.

My only regret is that we only had one day to spend in Scotland.  I would love to go back and see the Scottish Highlands.  I’ve heard they’re absolutely breathtaking.  Sadly, I don’t think I’ll get a chance to go back to Scotland while I’m here, but if I do, I will take it in a heartbeat.  Or as friends keep reminding me, it’s just another good reason to come back⁴.

Arthur's Seat (the biggest hill in Edinburgh), seen from Calton Hill

¹ Old Town is an area of Edinburgh full of buildings still remaining from medieval times.  It starts at Edinburgh Castle and stretches down the Royal Mile, including a few streets on either side of the Royal Mile.  This is where all the stone passageways (called closes or wynds) are.  New Town is right next to Old Town and runs the same length.  It was built in the 18th century as a response to overcrowding in Old Town.

² Haggis is a Scottish dish made from various sheep meat and porridge, onions, and spices, which are all boiled together for a few hours.

³ Burns Night is the celebration of the birth of Robert Burns, the poet laureate of Scotland.  It takes place on or around January 25^th of every year, and is usually celebrated by a formal dinner and dance.  My family and I go every year.

⁴ As if I don’t have enough reasons already, ha ha.  Really, I’m already attached to this place.