Impressions of Edinburgh

Strike a pose 

The number one painting I wanted to see

Jane discovered an old fashioned
version of pinterest board

My fav, even had a seal at bottom,
wish it had a puffin

Checking out views of the castle from Princes St Park

We think we found heather?

Floral Clock

It wouldn’t be a big city without bubble blowers 

Scottish Parliament

Today is our final day in Edinburgh so we have narrowed down the options and head out onto the Royal Mile. What! Its cold! This first time so far, actually its a pleasant relief after the heat. Our first mission is to find J.K. Rowlings hand prints to celebrate her Edinburgh award. Tick. Now onto find an elusive invader. Have been looking all week and not found one, so its time to give in and use a map from the web. Edinburgh is riddled with closes, narrow lane ways all with ancient names, steps and the vibe of yesteryear we go up and down, round and round, but its not to be. Cross.

Edinburgh is a UNESCO city of literature and riddled with famous authors like Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stephenson, so a quick stop at the Writers Museum and then its onto the Scottish National Gallery. Jane has already cased out the layout so she is in charge and does an excellent highlights tour. Some great Scottish painters that I have never heard of and the one painting I knew to look out for, Reverend Robert skating on Duddingston Loch.

A nice lunch in Jenners overlooking Princes Street and the Scott Memorial and now it is onto Mary Kings Close. A guided tour in a warren of hidden streets, our guide is a 400 year old wine merchant who takes us through the centuries and share stories of common people, rather than the kings and queens. It is fascinating to stand in each room and learn how 12 people lived here or where the cattle were penned. He makes the point that has become very obvious this week, Scotland like to put a claim to fame to anything and everything. (No photos allowed so it feels like it did not happen)

Back to base to put my feet up and have a cup of tea. Am finding it hard to put all the different bits of Scottish history together, so its time to read The Story of Scotland, an illustrated kids book and see if I can get things straight. Ok, that book was funny, factual and useful. Now I get it, they fight lots with everyone and amongst themselves but at least I have the timeline right in my mind.

On day one I was obsessed with all the people in kilts and Arthur’s Seat looming large behind the city now I have settled down and love the look and feel of this great city, my overall thoughts:

• It is a very friendly city, locals will go out of their way for a wee chat :)
• tourist guides think everything was invented in Scotland and like to tell you so, even skyscrapers in the 1600’s
• the area is compact and very walkable but there are a lot of stairs!