Edinburgh- city of kilts and bagpipes

The lion and the unicorns grace Edinburgh Castle

The lion and the unicorns gracing Edinburgh Castle

The first sound I heard as I hopped off the coach at the end of Edinburgh’s Princes St. was the wail of bagpipes, leaving me in no doubt at all that I was in Bonny Scotland.  Renowned for my lack of sense of direction, no matter how hard I look at a map, I wandered onto North Bridge, gazing around for a landmark.  The city rose and fell all around me and, with a little sigh of relief, I spotted the Castle on its lofty mound.  Destination one was established!  Of course, the direction was up.

Those knees must be cold, mustn’t they?
A wee dram of whisky might help!
In England the skies had been blue, but here they were determinedly grey
No beacons blazing today!
Up we go!
The best views are down the barrel of a gun!

I had timed it nicely to arrive for the one o’clock salute.  The press of people was tight as we waited for the cannon to explode.  At the same time that the cannon is fired, across the city on Calton Hill a timeball drops on Nelson’s Monument.  Visible from afar, its original purpose was to enable the captains of ships on the Firth of Forth to set their chronometers for accurate navigation.

A nice moment occurred as I chatted to a neighbour.  A native of the city, he had never before managed to witness the dropping of the timeball.  I told him that I hadn’t been sure whether to head for Calton Hill or the Castle itself for the event. Neither had he, but he proceeded to show me that he had successfully recorded it on camera for posterity.  I wish I could show you!

But you'll have to make do with the cannon!

But you’ll have to make do with the cannon instead!

The sky was beginning to lighten as I made my way to my next destination- the Scott Monument on Princes St.  Not that I knew the way.  I followed my nose down some steps and eventually ended up lost in enormous Waverley Railway Station. From there the only way was up again.

I could have been tempted!

I could have been tempted!

Such fun! The sweepers were out on the icerink.
Up I go!
There’s the castle, and the Big Wheel.
The Christmas market was under way down below
It’s getting brighter!
Eye spy!
The wonderfully grand, Balmoral Hotel
That station’s so big, no wonder I couldn’t find my way out!
And there in the background, beautiful Arthur’s Seat

Next I headed for Calton Hill itself, curious to see up close the reason for the city’s nickname “Athens of the North”.  Sure enough, there was the incomplete Parthenon!  Funds did not allow for completion at the time of building.  It matters little now because it is part of a wonderful green space in the city.

Calton cemetery and the observatory
I found it a strangely atmospheric place
A sad spot, with tombs and Felon’s Prison its legacy.
Edinburgh’s volcanic history
And there it is- the incomplete Parthenon!
The views to the waterfront are superb!
Across the Scottish Parliament buildings to Arthur’s Seat.

I imagine you’re starting to tire a bit now.  I left the house before 7am to catch my coach, but the knowledge that I had just this one day spurred me on.  I won’t keep you much longer.

The day was sparkling as I headed downhill through a different cemetery to the Palace of Holyrood.  The queues didn’t allow me time to go in, but I managed a quick swish through the stylish Scottish Parliament building.  The sun was beginning to set and the lights to come on as I headed back up the Royal Mile.

Magnificent Arthur's Seat, viewed from Calton Hill

Magnificent Arthur’s Seat, viewed from Calton Hill

The Palace of Holyrood
The Unicorn
Just a peep through the gateway
Crossing the pond to the Scottish Parliament building
The shapely seating in the Debating Chamber
Our Dynamic Earth and Arthur’s Seat from the Scottish Parliament windows

Just time to pop my nose in Jenners to see the Christmas tree and marvel at the rides in St. Andrews Place.  The kilts were still twirling and the pipes a-calling as I returned, most reluctantly, to the coach.

High riding at the Christmas Market!

High riding at the Christmas Market!

Jenners Christmas tree

Jenners Christmas tree

111 comments

  1. You caught a great selection of Edinburgh shots Jo…..and my you packed in a lot 🙂
    The pictures from the Scott Monument are really beautiful….as are the Arthur’s Seat ones…..all that lovely low golden light!

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    1. It’s a cracking place, isn’t it? I thoroughly enjoyed myself, though I was sad to learn there’d been a suicide off Scott Monument the previous day. That sent chills!

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  4. I’m exhausted Jo, don’t know about you! I have a good sense of direction, but all those ups and downs are hard on the old knees. You definitely put me to shame in the fitness league. But what a lovely whistle-stop tour of this city. I have never been there, other than to drive around en route to the Highlands. I keep meaning to go, but also keep moving in the wrong direction!
    Jude xx

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    1. You can probably fly up there from Exeter, Jude, but it’s definitely an alien concept! My memories weren’t very vivid and mostly cold, so it was good to see this lovely city at my own pace (crazy!) and with a little sunlight. Thanks for all your comments 🙂

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  8. I enjoyed Edinburgh when I visited, although it was during the summer and the comedy festival was a blast. I did take in all of those sights though, as well as surprising myself by getting to the top of Arthur’s Seat. I enjoyed your post, thanks Jo

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  10. Your pictures are fabulous and I love your comments. Another commenter mentioned your energy. I wouldn’t have made it past the wee dram of whiskey in the first set of pictures. 🙂

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  15. I love Edinburgh me. Last time I visited was a day trip too. First class rail travel up from Newc on the beautiful train ourney, a conference to attend, time off at lunch to shoot up to the castle, dash round an art gallery, and get lost in those strange up and down streets. Great city. Lovely photos and a nice personal reminder for me of that super place. I won’t bore you with my tales of staying at Heriott Watt with the OU and night clubbing in Edinburgh. Not to be repeated. But a good time was had.

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  16. Seems as though you were jet-fuelled, Jo! What on earth did you have for breakfast? 🙂 Great to revisit. My memories are all of grey and drizzle and sleet, so fit perfectly with the grey skies you encountered!

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    1. No time for breakfast, Meredith, but I munched my way there on the coach (ham and tomato sarnies and Christmas cake!) It started very grey but it did get out beautifully, and was warmer than I remember from my last visit 🙂

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    1. I did the Camera Obscura many years ago on a grey day and couldn’t see a thing! 😦 I much prefer the Camera Obscura in my sunny Portuguese hometown, Tavira 🙂
      The bit I would have liked to see but didn’t have time for was the underground city at St. Mary’s Place.

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