From the get-go, it was clear the Edinburgh was like no other. The architecture throughout the city is stunning, and as you wander, you can steal peeks at the castle perched atop Castle Rock. You have got to visit one of the three best places to see the city - Castle Rock, Arthur's Seat and Carlton Hill. Of course it's possible to cover all three - give yourself about three days.
I arrived in Edinburgh from Glasgow pretty late, so I found my accommodation and wandered around looking for food (Mussels as you will see later).
Why I love visiting Europe in summer - the days are so long, and with the sun up, I feel much safer and can cover more ground.
The next day, I was more deliberate in exploring the city:
1. Towards Arthur's Seat
Edinburgh is pretty walkable. My friends would rather walk than drive in the city because parking is a pain. The area around Arthur's Seat is peppered with attractions, which you can choose to enter or admire from a far:
- Holyrood Park (including Arthur's Seat)
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Scottish Parliament (which you can enter, have a rest (and recharge your phone even) and shop at an excellent souvenir shop)
- Dynamic Earth
I made it less than midway up Arthur's Seat because I was in booties, I regret this more than not visiting the castle.
Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Queen's Gallery.
The palace is official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
The unicorn is the official animal of Scotland - how mystical.
Across the road from the Palace is the Scottish Parliament - you might mistaken it for some avant garde apartments but make no mistake, it is the Parliament. I like how it's open to the public too.
Dynamic Earth (Free wifi for visitors, just saying)
The Royal Mile is High Street from the Palace to the Castle. It's a long stretch but you'd be very entertained along the way, from buskers, owls to shopping. It's got you covered.
2. Going up Carlton Hill and Nelson Monument
We had an intern who was studying at U of Edinburgh and she gave me a ton of recommendations. Including a less strenuous alternative to Arthur's Seat - Carlton Hill. I figured that booties can stop me from the Seat but not the Hill - indeed. You can climb up Nelson Monument for awesome views of the Arthur's Seat, something you definitely can't do atop the Seat.
The St Andrew's House - headquarters of the Scottish Government - is along the way.
After climbing up, you are greeted by yee vigil cairn.
Carlton Hill - Edinburgh's first public park
The rocks beneath your feet started life 340 million years ago, a time before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. As the arctic conditions of the Ice Age gripped Edinburgh at intervals over the last two and a half million years, the landscape was sculpted under massive ice sheets to reveal the distinctive hills you see today.
Arthur's Seat, in front of you, together with Castle Rock, to your right, were both formed by volcanic activity 340 million years ago. Lava and ash produced by the vents of the Arthur's Seat volcano formed Carlton Hill. Many millions of years later, glaciers carved out and revealed many of the features you see before you.
Standing here today you can gaze at the remains of this ancient volcano, one of the best examples of its kind in the world.
£4 will get you entry to the viewing platform (includes 143 steps) and ground floor exhibition - well spent.
The time ball falls at one o'clock every day. It takes a while to be raised - it is 762 kg after all, but falls in a flash. So don't blink! From a distance, from the Edinburgh Castle, you can hear the One O'clock Gun sound.
Welcome to Carlton Hill
Carlton Hill, together with Arthur's Seat and the Castle Rock, was formed by volcanic activity about 340 million years ago. Around two and a half million years ago, the first of many Ice Ages began in Scotland and Edinburgh was buried under a massive ice sheet, hundreds of metres thick. Throughout each Ice Age, when the glaciers were at their heaviest, the weight of ice carved and gouged out many of the hills you see today.
Why don't you...?
1. Smile for the camera and have your photo taken with the National Monument
2. Look at Arthur's Seat from our south viewpoint and see the remains of an ancient volcano
3. Stroll along Regent Walk for a stunning panorama from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Edinburgh Castle
4. Climb the 143 steps to the top of the Nelson Monument for fantastic 360 deg views over Edinburgh
5. Peek behind the Duglad Stewart Monument for a great view over Old Carlton Burying Ground
6. Take a tour of Edinburgh's first observatory with the Astronomical Society of Edinburgh
7. Stand at the highest point on Carlton Hill and look over the Firth of Forth to Fife
8. Walk in the footsteps of David Hume as you take the air along Hume Walk
Thanks for the tips!
3. The Royal Mile and Cockburn Street
After going up Carlton Hill, I'm back on the Royal Mile, heading towards the Castle. All in a day's hike (but I reached the Castle too late to visit). Cockburn Street is just off the Mile and it's nice and curvy - as you will see. It's my intern's favourite street so worth a mention here.
Cockburn Street
Back on the bustling Mile - for owls, buskers, closes, post boxes and cathedrals
St Giles Cathedral - you know it's something special just by looking at it and knowing where it's located - smack on the Royal Mile.
St Giles’ Cathedral is the historic City Church of Edinburgh. With its famed crown spire it stands on the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, it is the Mother Church of Presbyterianism and contains the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle (Scotland’s chivalric company of knights chosen by The Queen.) source
4. Princes Street and the Scott Monument
Princes Street, named after King George III's sons, is Edinburgh's main shopping street. Go to the Royal Mile for all things tourist, but this street is for big brands and high fashion (and dog walking). The Scott Monument, the largest monument to a writer in the world, is also located along this street. Funny, I don't recall seeing people climb up the monument, but you can actually do so! In 287 steps.
Edinburgh in 287 steps
The Scott Monument was built to commemorate Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's greatest novelists. Scott's novels include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, The Heart of Midlothian and Waverley.
The Monument is 200 feet and 6 inches (61.1 m) high and there are 287 steps to the top. The climb through the interval stairways is in four stages, with 360 deg viewing galleries on each level.
The galleries provide unrivalled panoramic views of Edinburgh's historic Old and New Towns.
Level one is home to the Museum room where you can sit and discover more about Sir Walter Scott and the architecture of the monument.
And there you have it - how I covered four key areas (in my opinion) in Edinburgh given a day.
Here are some other recommendations for accommodation and food:
Accommodation
Budget Backpackers
39 Cowgate , Grassmarket , Edinburgh , EH1 1JR , Scotland
30 Bed Dorm - Mixed (Shared bathroom)
About S$20 per night
Despite there being 30-bed in the dorm, the room was huge and I didn't find it cram at all because the beds were spaced out. Cowgate, part of the lower level of the Old Town, can get pretty dark late but is also pretty happening when it comes to food.
Food (no tipping is required, or so I heard!)
65, 61 Rose St, Edinburgh EH2 2NH, United Kingdom
I reached Edinburgh just in time for dinner, and in Europe I always crave seafood, like mussels and fries.
2
2.
Brew Lab
6-8 South College Street Edinburgh, EH8 9AA
New outlet: Queensferry Street Lane Edinburgh, EH2 4PF
I love the house blend coffee here. So much so that I snapped a picture of the blend - not like I can replicate it. The industrial chic décor also make for good chilling.
3.
Holyrood 9A
9A Holyrood Road Edinburgh EH8 8AE
Come here for sweet potato fries! I came twice in the day and the first time I was too early and the second time, too late. Bonus: It has Yeo's chilli sauce!
4.
Lovecrumbs
155 WEST PORT EDINBURGH EH3 9DP
The coffee so-so but I like the cream on the cakes - very thick and... creamy. Plus they keep it in a wardrobe! Again, a nice place to chill.
5. Any Supermarket
You know I love snacking, and when in Scotland, shop as locals do - at supermarkets! Here's some stuff I got for dinner (And I still had appetite for some J's fried rice after).
A reminder that the wedding was just two days ago - time flies when you are on vacation.
Some places possibly worth visiting if you have more time (but I didn't have the time to):
- OX184 (intern raved about this restaurant/bar)
- National Museum of Scotland
- Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
