(9-19-19) Day 11 Edinburgh, Scotland Sightseeing and Free Time Averages = 62 high 42 low 46% rain 2nd night
Marriott Hotel Edinburgh, 111 Glasgow Rd EH12 8NF, Edinburgh, UK Phone 44 870 400 7293
NOT original hotel = Leonardo Royal Haymarket 1 Morrison St Link Haymarket Edinburgh EH3 8DN Scotland.4 **** More good reviews than bad. Clean, attentive staff, breakfast is outstanding. Refrig. Traffic noise could be heard on the 3rd floor. Good transport links to the city. In the heart of the Edinburgh historic district.
OPTIONAL TOUR SCOTTISH DINNER Price in final documents, pay on tour. I skipped this. Interestingly in the pre-information this was the only extra charge. In reality, there were about eight extra events that included an additional charge.
TOUR INFO = “Ramble up the Royal Mile today and see the iconic sights of one of Britain's most enchanting cities. Views of the elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse, in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, and the Scottish Parliament feature on your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. Visit Edinburgh Castle perched atop Castle Rock overlooking the city. Admire the elegant Georgian architecture in the New Town and amble through the hidden passages of the Old Town before enjoying an evening at leisure. Consider an Optional Experience including traditional song, dance and Scottish fare. (Full Breakfast)”
Phone says 22,082 steps, 9.2 miles and 11 flights climbed.
This day is what I have expected each day. We had a local guide with a wealth of information and passion about Edinburgh. We rode around for about 90 minutes including a 30 min talk in a historic cemetery. He then guided us through Edinburgh Castle for another 90 minutes. After that the rest of the day was on our own. The bus would take us back to the hotel at 12:30 and again at 4:00. I choose to wonder around the Royal Mile and do the audio tour of Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Abbey which I thoroughly enjoyed. I used the public tram and bus system to return to the hotel about 7:00.
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital. Its nickname was Auld Reekie/Old Smoky. Smoky clouds hung over Edinburgh as the people burned a certain type of black stones. The modern city is said to be built on seven hills and reminds one of the seven hills of Rome. Some call it the “Athens of the North” with Castle Rock of Edinburgh being compared to the Acropolis in Athens. Both had fertile land sloping down to a port.
Royal Mile, the streets that create the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of Edinburgh. The Castle and the Holyrood Palace are at either end. A variety of shops, restaurants, pubs, and attractions are located along the Royal Mile. Find charming townhouses, churches, and landmarks. Due to lack of land, many buildings are tall, on average six to fifteen stories. These buildings are referred to as ‘lands’. There are narrow alleys called wynds that wind among these ‘lands’. At the upper end is Castle Hill. Castlehill is a part of the Royal Mile. See the Victorian Tolbooth, St. John’s Highland Church (city’s tallest church tower) which houses the information service for Edinburgh International Festival and Gladstone’s Land (six-story merchant’s house with ceiling paintings and furniture which is original). Camera Obscura is a combination of history, city views, and optical illusions. (pinhole camera, hall of mirrors, vortex, 3-D holograms, and other optical experiences.). Find The Scotch Whisky Experience. The Castle Esplanade was laid out as a parade ground and is where the annual Edinburgh Military Tatoo is performed. Find Cannonball House which has a cannonball in the wall. The Scottish Parliament met in the Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland and New College from 1999-2004. Now they have a new building that is unusual in appearance.
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital. Its nickname was Auld Reekie/Old Smoky. Smoky clouds hung over Edinburgh as the people burned a certain type of black stones. The modern city is said to be built on seven hills and reminds one of the seven hills of Rome. Some call it the “Athens of the North” with Castle Rock of Edinburgh being compared to the Acropolis in Athens. Both had fertile land sloping down to a port.
Royal Mile, the streets that create the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of Edinburgh. The Castle and the Holyrood Palace are at either end. A variety of shops, restaurants, pubs, and attractions are located along the Royal Mile. Find charming townhouses, churches, and landmarks. Due to lack of land, many buildings are tall, on average six to fifteen stories. These buildings are referred to as ‘lands’. There are narrow alleys called wynds that wind among these ‘lands’. At the upper end is Castle Hill. Castlehill is a part of the Royal Mile. See the Victorian Tolbooth, St. John’s Highland Church (city’s tallest church tower) which houses the information service for Edinburgh International Festival and Gladstone’s Land (six-story merchant’s house with ceiling paintings and furniture which is original). Camera Obscura is a combination of history, city views, and optical illusions. (pinhole camera, hall of mirrors, vortex, 3-D holograms, and other optical experiences.). Find The Scotch Whisky Experience. The Castle Esplanade was laid out as a parade ground and is where the annual Edinburgh Military Tatoo is performed. Find Cannonball House which has a cannonball in the wall. The Scottish Parliament met in the Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland and New College from 1999-2004. Now they have a new building that is unusual in appearance.
My local guide said his attire cost him about 1000 Pounds. His kilt is pleated all across the back and eight yards of fabric are required to make a kilt.
MY INFO Hop on Hop Off tours and admission to Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Yacht Britannia and fast-track to Edinburgh Castle Admission.
Free options: National Museum, Botanic Garden, National Galleries and churches. Free sightseeing bus transports between various National Galleries.
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital. Its nickname was Auld Reekie/Old Smoky. Smoky clouds hung over Edinburgh as the people burned a certain type of black stones. The modern city is said to be built on seven hills and reminds one of the seven hills of Rome. Some call it the “Athens of the North” with Castle Rock of Edinburgh being compared to the Acropolis in Athens. Both had fertile land sloping down to a port.
They don’t clean the sandstone buildings because the stones are too fragile and it’s too expensive.
It has a hilly, medieval Old Town, a UNESCO site. Old Town is a collection of dank alleys (wynds) and steep cobbled streets.
Royal Mile, the streets that create the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of Edinburgh. The Castle and the Holyrood Palace are at either end. A variety of shops, restaurants, pubs, and attractions are located along the Royal Mile. Find charming townhouses, churches, and landmarks. Due to lack of land, many buildings are tall, on average six to fifteen stories. These buildings are referred to as ‘lands’. There are narrow alleys called wynds that wind among these ‘lands’. At the upper end is Castle Hill. Castlehill is a part of the Royal Mile. See the Victorian Tolbooth, St. John’s Highland Church (city’s tallest church tower) which houses the information service for Edinburgh International Festival and Gladstone’s Land (six-story merchant’s house with ceiling paintings and furniture which is original). Camera Obscura is a combination of history, city views, and optical illusions. (pinhole camera, hall of mirrors, vortex, 3-D holograms, and other optical experiences.). Find The Scotch Whisky Experience. The Castle Esplanade was laid out as a parade ground and is where the annual Edinburgh Military Tatoo is performed. Find Cannonball House which has a cannonball in the wall. The Scottish Parliament met in the Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland and New College from 1999-2004. Now they have a new building that is unusual in appearance.
The new Parliament building. The same sticks over the entry are over the windows on the ground floor. I don’t know the thoughts behind the design.
Arthur’s Seat and the Salisbury Crags, which is the highest point of Holyrood Park. There are views of the whole city and the mouth of the Forth. The Crags are 151-foot cliffs next to Arthur’s Seat. Also, find ancient terraces that are examples of farming practices. See picturesque ruins of the medieval St. Anthony’s Chapel.
New Town (UNESCO site) is an elegant Georgian design with gardens and neoclassical buildings. In the 18th-century, Edinburgh was expanding and New Town was created. The main street was George St. Princes Street is now Edinburgh’s main shopping street and few of the original buildings are in an original state. You will find colorful gardens, fountains, cafes, Sir Walter Scott Monument and elegant shops. The Princes Street Gardens have the world’s oldest floral clock (1903).
This is in a park on Prince’s St. I realize now, I never found the floral clock. 
St. Giles (Patron Saint of Edinburgh) Cathedral (1243) is the most prominent church. It has a 161-foot central tower has eight arched buttresses and a crown steeple. The modern Gothic style Thistle Chapel is known for its oak carvings, emblems, and seals. www.stgilescathedral.org.uk
St. Giles
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