Yesterday we flew to Edinburgh and once again, realized how lucky we are to be able to travel for pleasure. Although the pleasure doesn’t actually start until the flight is over. Miserable seats, no leg room, bumpy ride, bad food, rushing through airports, picking up germs, and no sleep. But, I just read an article about “The 30 Worst Decisions You Can Make on a Plane.” One of them is to assume that you have any rights. The author says just to “sit down and shut up”and let the crew get you there. Nevertheless, once we arrive in Edinburgh we stop at the airport Starbucks to “gather” ourselves before moving on. But the sun is shining and it’s worth it now just to breath the fresh air of Scotland and enjoy the old stone buildings.  We’ve been to Scotland once before but had to cut our trip short without exploring the highlands. This time we plan to check out England’s Lake District (which we flew over), and then hike on Skye. No bikes on this trip. Our first mode of transport here was our cute “London” cab which carried us to the Marriott Residence Inn from the airport.

Nice newish hotel, good location.We have one full day here but that’s okay because we spent several days in Edinburgh in 2009. Because it’s not raining this morning we start out to climb Arthur’s Seat which is a remnant of a 350 million year old volcano and stands a little more than 800 feet over Edinburgh. First we walk along part of the Royal Mile passing several tartan shops,

candy shops, 

and of course, whisky (no “e”) shops. 

Near the bottom of the street we pass the Parliament building. When first built it was controversial because of design and cost. But it’s an interesting structure, designed by a Spanish architect, and worth checking out. And it has convenient restrooms.

Across the street is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official Scottish residence. We toured it in 2009 and found it a bit shabbier than expected for a place where Sean Connery was knighted but the Mary Queen of Scots bedroom was interesting. 

Then we cross the street and enter Holyroodhouse Park.

There are paths all over the park and we see several walkers/hikers and dogs.We take a different route to Arthur’s Seat than in 2009 and go along Volunteer’s Walk.

Then we climb through Mutton’s Section. 

Ross counted about 700 rock steps in this section. 

After about 45 minutes, we’re near the top. 

And we have to scramble up some more rocks but finally make it to the peak. 

A selfie with the city down below. 

The view of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth is worth the climb. 

We hang out on top for awhile to have a snack and I learn that sitting on a jacket that has a banana in the pocket is not good for the banana or the jacket. Then we start down. The mist makes the rocks a wee bit slippery so we lower our center of gravity.

We take a different and perhaps easier route down via the Dry Dam path. 

This route goes very near the ruins of St. Anthony’s Chapel which was built in the 15th century. This photo is from below the chapel. 

We leave the park and catch a “hop on, hop off” bus to ride back towards the middle of town and Princess Street. We could hear bagpipers even while on Arthur’s Seat. And by now it’s raining.

Next, we go to Edinburgh Castle, the most visited and imposing site in the city. 

This is a better view from down below. The rock on which it stands was thought to be occupied in the 2nd century and a castle was here at least from the reign of King David I in the 1200s. The castle became mainly a fortress and was attacked many times including during the second Jacobite rising. Today it houses the Stone of Scone, or Stone of Destiny, upon which Scottish and English monarchs have stood to be crowned including Queen Elizabeth II. 

Walking down from the castle via the Royal Mile, we stop in a functioning tartan weaving shop. Lots of beautiful stuff here. 

Then on down the street we locate Magnum bars. 

And Patisserie Valerie with these goodies in the window. 

Near-final stop of the day is the National Museum of Scotland. We only had an hour here but it houses everything from a whale’s head,

to a beheading machine. 

This is Jackie Stewart’s Formula I race car. He insisted that it have a Ford V8 engine. 

Of great interest was the section on the Jacobite Rising. On display from the Battle of Culloden were flags, guns, swords, knives, and fragments of tartan. This section housed artifacts tied to Bonnie Prince Charlie. 

Finally we end the day with fish and chips at Doctors Pub while watching Manchester United play soccer on tv. 

Tomorrow we’re off to the Lake District.