Edinburgh, Scotland - May 2024

 May 20th, 2024 we headed out to Scotland for a five day stay in Edinburgh. It's a pre-cruise portion of our trip this Spring. 

Edinburgh:  The direct flight to London was very nice but we had to make a transfer to London City airport from Heathdrow. It rained on and off as we made our way to City airport. It's very cold as well. The flight to Edinburgh was uneventful but getting to our rental, an AirBnB apartment on Royal Mile was quite a challenge. UBER from the airport could only take us to the corner of High Street, the cross street that meet Royal Mile since Royal Mile is a pedestrian street. It's not too bad to walk our luggage to the apartment to " Jackson's Close", the alley that lead us to the rental. But, to climb over 60 steps to the apartment with luggage and no elevator was a real challenge. Inside, the apartment was nice, clean and centrally located in the heart of Royal Mile historic Edinburgh. It's walking distance to Edinburgh Castle, Princes street, Queen street, Victoria street, Waverly train station and the Grassmarket.

Jackson's Close, the alley leads to our aparment (4th floor).

Our apartment in the heart of the Royal Mile with windows facing the historic Royal Mile street.

View of the Royal Mile pedestrian street from the apartment window.

 

Night view frrom the bedroom window.

Royal Mile pedestrian with Hunter's Square at the end of the street. 

                                                                                 

The church at Hunter's Square.

                                                                        

St. Giles' Cathedral.

In front of St. Giles Cathedral - site of witch excecutions.

David Hume Memorial Statue.

Deacon Brodie Tavern @ corner Lawnmarket and Bank Street is former residence of William Brodie.

At the top of Royal Mile, the Hub, formerly Tolbooth Church in the background.

Edinburgh Castle.

It rained most of the days when we were in Edinburg. With 48 hours city bus tour, we were able to see the city in the rain.

Edingburgh Castle : A visit to the castle on a rainy day.


Edinburgh Castle - entrance


Inside the castle.


View from the castle.


Castle Rock, a volcanic plug in the middle of Edinburgh upon which Edinburgh Castle sits.

The gate house.


Inside the Great Hall.


Scottish National Park Memorial Garden.


The castle's dog cemetery.

Some tourists' attractions: walking distance from the Royal Mile: 

National Museum of Scotland

National Museum of Scotland.

Waverly train station with the Balmoral Hotel in the background.

The Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street.

Sir Walter Scott Monument on Princes Street

Princes Street Gardens, The Scott Monument in the background.

Princes Street and Sir Walter Scott monument.

The Old Calton Cemetery.

The Old Calton Cemetery - Greenside.

David Hume's Tomb in Old Calton Cemetery.