3 Incredible Days in Edinburgh

While planning a family trip to London for the American Football NFL UK series (Go Seahawks!), I decided that it would be irresponsible not to bop over to Edinburgh for a few days before the rest of the family arrived. Scotland has always been on our list and our great-grandmother was born there so it was even more special.

Getting There

Mombehaving and I flew into Heathrow and took the train from London to Edinburgh. London’s public transportation system made this an easy maneuver – we took the Tube from Heathrow to King’s Cross and left from there. I bought the train tickets on Rail Europe ahead of time and left about 5 hours between landing and departing. Turned out to be plenty of time, even had time in-between for a “welcome to the UK G&T” and a looksie at Platform 9 3/4!

sn – when I say “welcome to the UK G&T”, that’s a self-proclaimed title, not something they hand out at customs. haha

Sister Side Note (ssn) – when I say I wouldn’t know because I wasn’t there, I’m not just self-proclaiming that title, I’m saying I’ve got nothing for this blog, BECAUSE I WASN’T THERE. . . but I guess now is as good a time as any for my “welcome to the UK blog post G&T”

Arriving in Edinburgh late, we grabbed a taxi to our Airbnb. Now, those of you that follow our adventures know that I am a planner! I agonized over “the best” place to stay and “the best” flat. Turns out (as I will always claim) that research paid off. We had the most darling flat, with a view of Edinburgh Castle, right off the charming Grassmarket Square. Even in the dark, we knew this was a score!

ssn – Ok, I can say that I did actually visit Platform 9 3/4 on the end of my visit, and it was a kitschy kind of fun if you are a Harry Potter Fan. However, that’s where my input ends. . .

Day 1 – Exploring Edinburgh

We got up early the next morning, very anxious to get moving and stopped at a cute coffee place in Grassmarket Square called Pumpkin Brown – it wasn’t obvious until we ordered and they asked about our milk-substitute choice, but it was a Vegan coffee shop. I totally, momentarily panicked…we were both super skeptical but I’m telling you, it was one of the best lattes I’d ever had. We took our lattes and wandered down famed West Bow/Victoria Street to the Royal Mile.

ssn – Personally, I’m a fan of coconut milk. However, I’ve heard hemp milk is fabulous even though it tends to separate, which is why I’ve never ordered it. Gross on the separation issue. My money is on my big sis getting Almond milk.

It was early and not crowded yet so we leisurely walked all the way down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and back up before lunch. The churches, pubs and beautiful architecture were so captivating.

On the walk back up, we found (our noses followed the wonderful scent before we saw it) the best shortbread bakery! Mom loves shortbread so this checked a box for her. As we headed back towards the Royal Mile and the North Bridge to catch a Hop On Hop Off bus…but first, lunch. The World’s End claimed the best Fish & Chips (always makes me think of Elf, “You did it! Congratulations”) so we stopped for fish and chips and a pint (our first of the trip)!! Seriously delicious! The people next to us had haggis, proud of them but we never got that brave!

Hop On Hop Off

After all that walking, the bus was a nice break. Plus we got a better feel for the city. The Scott Memorial, Calton Hill, various monuments and parks, Parliament, just to name a few. One of the most important (to me) benefits of the tour bus is the guided narratives. We learned so much history of the city, the old City walls and gates, the palaces & residences, the battles, the rulers. It was fascinating!!

ssn – These pictures are amazing, I wish I had been there. But I wasn’t. However, I bet another G&T will help kill the pain.

We hopped off at the famed Harvey Nichols dept store and had drinks in their Window Bar. I had the Porn Star Martini – possibly the best martini I’ve ever had with passion fruit, vodka and prosecco. Plus this view…

ssn – I, too, like vodka and prosecco, not that anyone asked

I think we rode it until the last stop, at which point we wandered back towards home and stopped into a cute Italian restaurant for some pasta and wine before collapsing back at the flat.

Day 2 – Edinburgh

The next morning, we started out with a different coffee shop before taking the bus again to see more of this beautiful, historic city.

Royal Yacht Britannia

Our first stop was the Royal Yacht Britannia. This is the formal Royal Yacht of Queen Elizabeth II and was in-service from 1954 to 1997. The self-guided tour was very cool, the original decor and appointments were really interesting, along with the historical photos from the Royal Family. There is a Royal Deck Tea Room on-board where you can have tea & coffee, cakes, champagne, and lunch.

Palace at Holyroodhouse

From there, we caught the Hop On Hop Off bus to the Palace at Holyroodhouse. The Palace is the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh and is still used today when carrying out official business in Scotland. The tour is fascinating – from the history, stories, the decor and the grounds. The Holyrood Abbey and Gardens are incredibly beautiful and well worth the visit.

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ssn – OMG, this Abbey looks amazing! Wish I had been there to see it. . . Wonder if they serve G&Ts there. . . .

Edinburgh Castle

Because there is just so much to see and do in Edinburgh, we had to pack it all in! The last location we wanted to get to was Edinburgh Castle. It is quite a walk up from the street but the views are spectacular. The Castle grounds are beautiful – the tour winds its way through the buildings, the Royal Palace, the military batteries, museums and memorials. You can see such famous sights as Mon’s Meg (the 6-ton seige gun), St. Margaret’s Chapel, the Great Hall (which was stunning! See the photo below), the Honours of Scotland (the crown jewels) and the Stone of Destiny. Bonus – there’s even a little whisky shop with tastings.

After all that touring, it was the perfect time to sit at a sidewalk cafe and enjoy some Prosecco! It was a gorgeous fall day and I love to people watch!

At the end of a wonderful day, we ate at the pub by our flat, enjoyed a few G&Ts and again, went to bed early to be ready for a full day tour on our last day

Day 3 – St. Andrews

For our last day I booked a tour to St. Andrews with Rabbies Tours. Being from a golfing family, this was particularly important to us. It just felt like such special destination that my grandfather would have loved. The Old Course at St. Andrews is the mecca for all golfers. It was a small group tour in a Mercedes mini-coach, our tour guide, Grant, was fantastic and had plenty of history and stories.

ssn – Anyone else giggling that it’s called the Rabbies tour? Kinda glad I wasn’t there for that!

The first stop was at a small fishing village called Anstruther Harbour. We had a few minutes to wander, get a cup of tea and admire the sea.

The next stop was St. Andrews. We were given several hours to see the town. We started at the Golf Course, of course. There is a certain amount of awe in just being there.

St. Andrews is so picturesque. I could probably do a whole post on the architecture and doorways. It is a college town – famously attended by Will and Kate, the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge – so of course the Univeristy is spectacular focal point and there are plenty of restaurants and pubs. There is even a coffee shop whose sign reads “Where Kate Met Wills (for coffee)”.

At the end of town is St. Andrews Castle which is just ruins but so beautiful. This was by far one of my favorite destinations.

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ssn – Someday I will absolutely go to St. Andrews, it looks so amazing! I am dying to go to Scotland. I really wish my mother and my sister hadn’t already been (without me) so we could go experience it together.

Falkland

The last stop on our tour was the small town of Falkland. This darling town is featured in the show Outlander. We had just enough time for afternoon tea and to walk around a bit and take in the town square and Falkland Palace.

Very sad to say goodbye

We got back to Edinburgh, tired but happy. We had an early train the next morning and were eagerly looking forward to meeting up with Patti and her husband in London for the Seahawks game. Scotland was incredible and I will definitely make a return trip with my sister. I can’t wait to show her Edinburgh and we will plan a longer trip so that we can be sure to include Glasgow, the Scottish Highlands and most exciting for me, the West Isles.

ssn – Seriously, though, I am glad they got this experience. And also completely bitter that they did this without me. . .but all that aside, I am super excited to go to Scotland someday in the near future. PS: I did discover Strawberry cream G&T in Great Britain and can’t wait for another one of those!!

If you’re interested in continuing on this journey and reading about our London trip

• London, Day 1
• London, Day 2
• London, Day 3