edinburgh {european adventure 2011 – part 3}
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On a cool, crisp British Monday morning, I woke at 4:30 am to take a train from Leeds to the Manchester to make my flight to Edinburgh. Having spent the past few days walking so much every part of my legs and feet ached with the idea of walking any further, the quiet, subdued hour-long trip to the airport was just what I needed. Disconnected from the world, no talking, no hurry. Just sitting.At this point I’m also traveling on my own, and will for the rest of the trip. Since I don’t sleep well when I travel by myself, I wasn’t worried about falling asleep and missing my stop. Instead I just sat and took in the sights: the dawning of a new day, the rising sun over the rolling hills, small English towns that flew by my window, until countryside filled the view.Of all the flights I took, international and domestic, my quick hop to Scotland was my favorite. Filled with a mixture of awe and excitement, I soaked in the Scottish accents of my flight team. I couldn’t understand half of what they said through their thick brogue, but it was beautiful none the less.By mid-morning, I was in my fourth country.
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Share“Scotland! (@ Edinburgh Airport (EDI) w/ 5 others) 4sq.com/popmBP
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The Edinburgh Airport is outside the town center, so when you arrive, you can grab a fairly inexpensive shuttle into downtown. With a quick consultation with the shuttle bus company, I figured out where I needed to get off to get to my hotel.For this leg of the trip, I would stay in at the Edinburgh Central Guesthouse—a modest bed and breakfast located in the central part of town.
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Share“My awesome accommodations! Stay here! (@ Edinburgh Central Guesthouse) 4sq.com/mYynlv
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Once I arrived, I quickly checked in and dumped my bags. With only a day to see all that Edinburgh had to offer, I needed to act fast. I double checked my map and the list of sights I wanted to see, and headed out to tackle the city. Here was my must-see list:
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Share“Edinburgh Day 1 (and only): Princess St Gardens, Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, K1 knit store, monument hill, old + new town
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I hadn’t had lunch yet, so I grabbed a sandwich at a Starbucks I passed by before heading toward Princess Street Gardens.These gardens are nestled in a valley just north of Edinburgh Castle. Elaborately designed and kept up, the gardens host beautiful rose bushes, well-groomed trees, lush grass and winding paths. Along the way, you’ll come across the ornate iron Ross Fountain from the mid-19th century.Look up and you see an amazing castle towering over you on the crest of a hill.
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The garden paths wind up the side of the hill. As you climb, you see the city differently with each step, until finally you reach the hillcrest, and the gates of the castle.
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Visiting Scotland was particularly memorable for me, being of Scottish descent, and having the last name Hamilton. (For those of you unfamiliar, the Hamilton family, or clan, is one of the oldest, important families in Scottish history. The family even has connections to royalty.) As soon as I stepped off the plane, I felt at home. I’m not sure if this feeling came from my Scottish heritage or if the excitement to traveling alone also had its influence, but whatever it was, I couldn’t get enough of this fine city.Edinburgh Castle had similar sights to the Tower of London, including the Scottish royal jewels, history of the country and its wars, and the legacy of the royal family. Like many castles, it has its own church.
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I spent about two glorious hours navigating around the castle, and taking more pictures of the Edinburgh skyline than I could count. Finally I made my way down the Royal Mile.Royal Mile is a mile stretch of road that connects Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse—the official residence of the British monarch. Along the carless street is a tourist haven of shops pushing cashmere, tartan and collectibles. Only one store could truly catch my eye—a knitting store.
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Share“Country #3, yarn procured (@ K1 Yarns) 4sq.com/r0GCuY
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At K1 Yarns, I couldn’t find a pure wool skein of yarn, so I went this buttery angora that is whispery, cloud white. If I had endless means, I would’ve bought out the store. This stuff is divine. Everyone should buy some. All knitters should knit with it.
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As I headed back to Royal Mile, I came across this massive structure. I recognized it instantly from my research. This was Cowgate: an old street that cows would be herded down to market centuries ago. Today the structure stands similar to an overpass. Its enormous size was awe inspiring.
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When I made it back to Royal Mile, and continued to head east, I saw a small sign for Dunbar’s Close Garden. Another sight I came across through my research, this historic space is a beautifully preserved 17th century secret garden. If you’re not looking for it, you’d walk right past it every day of your life.
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If you do find it, you’ll discover manicured topiaries, hedges and trees. Even though it’s close to downtown, its secluded and serene. Only a couple of friends could be found quietly chatting on a bench deep within the garden’s labrynth.
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At the end of Royal Mile, you finally reach the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Yep, it’s a palace. It’s pretty big. They also wanted to charge to enter. So I passed. I had too much city to see in my one day to stay indoors.
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Heading back toward the castle and guess what I happened across? The Elephant House! Why is this so exciting? Because J.K. Rowling was known to write here. So close to Harry Potter brilliance. So close.
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After a quick stop at a coffee shop to warm up from the brisk chill in the air and to rest my really aching feet, I checked out the Museum of Scotland. Another free institution, this museum was massive, filled with all things Scottish for five or six floors. There was no way I could see everything in a short afternoon.One treasure I came across was the rooftop, and more wonderful views of the city. The museum even had maps identifying famous monuments in the distance. From this vantage point, I saw a hill on the other side of town marked with a number of monuments in which I wanted to check out. From the museum maps, I learned this was Calton Hill.Calton Hill features a number of iconic monuments and buildings including the National Monument, Nelson’s Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument, the New Parliament House (the Royal High School), the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs’ Monument and the City Observatory.
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From here you can see Holyrood Park—a 650-acre royal park with hills, ridges and glens. Its highest point, Arthur’s Seat, is the center of the park.I really wanted to hike those hills, but walking 3.5 days straight made that impossible. Instead, I looked at it longingly from afar.
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Seeing as I was by myself, I had ample opportunity to take cheesy pictures of myself in front of buildings.
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But I also took beautiful pictures of the city. In the distance toward the left, you can see Edinburgh Castle. Toward the lower right lies my hotel.
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Once it started to get dark, I decided it was finally time to eat dinner. I really wanted to grab dinner, buy some cider and curl up in my room for the night. But unlike us takeout-addicted Americans, Scottish restaurants don’t offer carry out. Or at least the one I went to didn’t.So dinner was at Rick’s, a restaurant a few blocks from my bed for the night. I don’t know what they do to the food in Scotland, but whatever is, they should never change.
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Share“I’m in Scotland … drinking Scottish cider … in the cutest hotel room ever.
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With a glass of cider and some British TV, I wind down in my cute hotel room, and rest up for the last part of trip. Tomorrow, I would reach my final destination: Paris.
For those who know me well, you know my love for karaoke. To those who hang out with me socially, you’ve seen this passion in action. My love for singing is unmatched by most things. On most Thursday evenings, you can find me at the karaoke bar 
since Jan. 1, 2011
