In fact, we probably could have done with two full days in the central area. But we will have to return our car rental here, so maybe we will do another day towards the end of our time in Scotland.
So, lets get started! We took the local bus on a half hour journey to the center. Cost for the one way trip was £2.20 ($4.08 CAD, $2.98 USD) per person. So, we spent £8.80 ($16.32 CAD, $11.92 USD) just getting into town and back.
And then we started exploring...
Row houses on a crescent.
One of the two St. Mary's Cathedrals in Edinburgh.
This is the Episcopal one.
This one has got rid of the pews and installed comfortable padded chairs!
The altar.
Check out the vine on this building, all growing from the one trunk!
Typical old homes.
Scenery along the way.
The same cathedral, as seen from the opposite side.
Our first view of Edinburgh Castle in the distance on top of the hill.
The Ghillie Dhu Pub.
It used to be a church. We didn't know this at the time, and wish we had gone inside!
Fancy fountain.
The world's first floral clock has been there since 1903.
People lined up to enter Edinburgh Castle.
At £21 ($39 CAD, $28.50 USD) per adult entrance fee, we weren't interested.
The Royal Mile was very busy with tourists.
We heard many different languages being spoken... but very little English with a Scottish accent! It kind of reminded us of visiting Prague... lots of tourists, but no actual Czech people!
People lined up to get in The Witchery Shop.
They had a couple of owls on display.
This one is beautiful.
Cute little guy!
A few buskers.
There was a whisky shop with sample 50cl "airplane sized" bottles for sale.
The most expensive was a 25 year old for £102 ($189 CAD, $138 USD)!
More scenery along the way.
Notice the unicorn at the top of the statue.
Zoomed in on the unicorn.
Fancy doorway!
So much to see!
More people!
Too funny.
The Royal Mile.
An old church turned into a crafters market.
Interesting pub!
Zoomed in on the detail at the top.
Holyrood Palace.
They wanted £25 per person to go inside!
We decided to hike up to Arthur's Seat to see the views.
Zoomed in on other people with the same idea!
Scenery along the way.
Made it to the top!
It was cold and windy up there!
Ruth is queen of the castle!
Edinburgh, as seen from Arthur's Seat.
Zoomed in on the castle.
They've built some kind of ugly stadium type of thing up there... hopefully it's only temporary because it sure is an eyesore.
We saw this pretty pheasant on the way down.
And we stopped at a pipe and drum display.
I took a video for you...
One last view of Edinburgh castle.
We had a busy day... I think my phone says we did 22,000 steps!
Gotta go pick up our car rental! Heading to Glasgow this afternoon.
Gorgeous shots; it looks like a fascinating and beautiful city, and I loved the view from the top - nice hike! My step-sister did a semester in Glasgow many, many years ago and didn't like it. It's been so long, I can't really remember why, but she preferred England, where she also did a semester. Maybe the food? The weather? I'll be interested to see what you experience there.
ReplyDeleteEdinburgh is a beautiful city and very interesting, it is also fully of history, we really enjoyed our day wandering around and seeing some of the beautiful sights. We also loved the views from the top of Arthur's Seat. It was nice to be able to do a hike like that, right in the city. We were also lucky the view was so clear, even though it was super windy up there.
DeleteWe honestly haven't heard a lot of good things about Glasgow, it is supposed to be a bit grungy, I guess we will see once we get into the downtown area. Where we are right now seems fine but we also haven't seen much of the area yet.
The construction in the Castle Esplanade is for Pop and Rock Concerts in July followed by the August Tatoo which is held nightly. It still allows castle access. Quite a fete to put up and take down. Draws a lot of revenue.
ReplyDeleteYes, we figured that the structure was being constructed for the Military Tattoo in August, we know that it is a big affair. And yes, the Fringe Festival also takes place more or less at the same time but they also have venues in a number of different locations throughout the city. It is such a shame that the struturce is so unslightly through to the people visiting the castle, certainly not the nicest view when you are up on the castle walls and wanting to get a nice view down the Royal Mile. Yep, a huge feat putting up and then again taking it down!
DeleteWow love the photos of the city. My daughter had been to Edinburg and took lots of photos of the castle (they went inside) and other areas (they met friends there) but I don't recall seeing the awesome photos you posted. I see people!!
ReplyDeleteThe old central part of the city is gorgeous and full of nice old stone buildings. Despite it being really busy downtown we still enjoyed our day wandering around and seeing some of the sights. Yes, there were way TOO many people!
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