Days 6-8

Edinburgh

Day 6:

There is so much to see and do in Edinburgh! On this day, we took a group walk along the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, and Greyfriars cemetery as Helen explained the history. We were then able to tour Edinburgh Castle on our own, as well as spend the evening exploring more of the city.

Harry Potter fans would enjoy this walk down the inspiration for "Diagon Alley" (AKA Victoria Street)

I highly recommend sticking around for the One O'Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle.

Important tip: get there EARLY. I stood there for a quite some time so that I could be up at the front. There was a huge crowd behind me.

Another good tip: visit the cafe nearby for a gourmet hot chocolate to sip on while you wait!

There are many fish 'n chips shops near the castle if you are looking for a quick lunch. I decided it was a nice day to take my lunch and eat in the Princes Street Gardens, just under the castle.

The seagulls also think this is a good idea, so beware!

Day 7:

Our Edinburgh adventures continue! We learned a lot about Scottish/English politics before seeing the King's Scottish residence - the Palace of Holyroodhouse. I particularly enjoyed how much free time we had on this day. After our tour of the Palace, I walked around the city some more - soaking in the sites (and buying more gifts for the family). In the evening, we met up for a final dinner together.

Try to see how many traffic cones on statues you can find! Apparently, it's a very common prank in the UK.

Fun Fact!

Edinburgh Castle had a concert scheduled every evening we were there. If you are planning on sticking around after the tour, take a look at the castle's event calendar and maybe get a ticket!

Day 8:

I was very sad to end my time in Scotland and that I had to say goodbye to the new friends I made. Our tour ended after we had breakfast together in the hotel. After thanking Helen, (having one more cup of tea), and saying goodbye to everyone, I packed my things and headed to Waverley Station to continue my own personal tour in Northern England.

Travel Tip

Research Where You're Going!

Something I would have known if I had done a bit more research: Edinburgh is hilly! If you're carrying all your things on your back, make sure to practice at home with an inclined treadmill. I certainly got a good workout!

Of course, you can always hire a taxi/take a bus. Some places make more sense to walk to, though, especially if you're on a budget.

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