Edinburgh is a perfect weekend jaunt from London with just an easy train ride. I arrive late on Friday night to a rainstorm but the Saturday and Sunday were perfect for exploring the rich history and gorgeous site across the city.

Saturday morning I started with a stroll down the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s high street. Based in the Old Town and within a World Heritage site, the area connects Edinburgh Castle with the Holyrood House at the base of Arthur’s Seat. On this street are a variety of shops and pubs, alongside historical sites like St Giles’ Cathedral, the statue of famous economist Adam Smith, the Scottish parliament and justice courts, as well as the national bank. The Royal Mile certainly has history: when you walk down the street you start at an extinct volcano and continue down a slope that was formed by the retreat of an ice age over 325 million years ago and end at a formidable castle perched on volcanic rock! I did the entire “Scots Mile” with a few stops to check out the local pubs and authentic scotch and wool shops.

I stopped at one such pub for lunch. The White Hart Inn is the oldest pub in Edinburgh and sits in the shadow of the great Edinburgh Castle. Established in 1516 and having played host to a number of famous historical figures, the White Heart Inn is located in the heart of the vibrant Grassmarket area. I wanted the full experience so I actually tried “haggis, neeps and tatties” – This classic Scottish dish made of tatties (potatoes), neeps (turnips) and haggis  (savory pudding made from sheep organs and oatmeal). It actually was quite good!

After lunch I explored the Castle and surrounding ground. It is quite a hike up the hill to the Castle, but well worth it. This castle has served as a military stronghold starting in the 12^th century, and a royal residence until the mid 1600s. In fact, James the VI (who would become James I, the first rules of England, Scotland and Ireland) was born in a small corner room within the main Castle building. In addition to giving some gorgeous panaromic views of the city, the castle houses a variety of highlights:

• The Scottish National War Museum

• The Royal Apartments and Scottish Crown Jewels One

• The Half Moon Battery

• St. Margaret’s Chapel- the oldest building in the castle, and in Edinburgh. This is one of the few 12th-century structures surviving in any Scottish castle, and it dates from the reign of King David I (1124–1153), who built it as a private chapel for the royal family and dedicated it to his mother, Saint Margaret of Scotland.

• Mons Meg – The 15th-century siege gun (cannon) known as Mons Meg is displayed in front of St. Margaret’s Chapel. It was constructed on the orders of Philip III  in 1449, and given as a gift to King James II. The 13,000-pound gun shoots cannon balls weighing around 330 pounds each!

For the remainder of our time in Edinburgh, I just did a lot of walking around the gorgeous downtown area and around the city. I stopped to take it in the beautiful Sir Walter Scott monument, got a view of Calton Hill, and the lovely campus of University of Edinburgh. I also walked to the base of Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano which is considered the main peak in Edinburgh. This huge hill (that I was not brave enough to try to climb!) was described by Robert Louis Stevenson as “a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design”. I stopped at some fabulous bars, pubs and restaurants along the way (all listed below!).

It was a wonderful weekend trip that I highly recommend….but definitely bring your walking shoes!

– MAL

Hotel:

• The Glasshouse, Autograph Collection – great, walkable location with a very good hotel bar

Restaurants and Bars:

• Whiski Rooms
• The Steak Place
• The White Hart Inn
• The Devil’s Advocate
• Scotsman’s Lounge (pub, drinks only)
• The Balmoral Hotel Bar
• The Snug Bar at the Glasshouse hotel
• Black Bull Pub
• Bramble Bar & Lounge

Sites:

• The Royal Mile
• Adam Smith Statue
• National Library of Scotland
• Scottish Parliament Building
• Museum on the Mound
• St. Giles Cathedral
• Edinburgh Castle and Grounds
• Scottish Crown Jewels
• Scottish National War Memorial
• Edinburgh University
• Sir Walter Scott Memorial
• Calton Hill
• Arthur’s Seat