Great Scot — We Love Edinburgh!

We are just completing our Edinburgh interlude and heading now to our house sit in Thornhill, Scotland. Today, April 21, is the real birthday of Queen Elizabeth, although most of the official observances will be held in May and June. She is the first monarch to reach the age of 90.

Edinburgh is an amazing city. We fell in love with it straight away, as every corner we turned seemed to elicit another “wow” comment from us. It is a lovely mixture of old and new with a museum or tour to meet anyone’s area of interest. In fact, the city itself has been designated a World Heritage Site.

Some of the highlights of our week here include

Climbing Arthur’s Seat, the highest point of the volcanic-formed hills in Holyrood Park for a lovely, 360 degree view of the area;

View of Holyrood Park and the crags, as we head towards Arthur's Seat. — View of Holyrood Park and the crags, as we head towards Arthur’s Seat.

Part of the trail up and around the hill

View from one side of the hill on the way up

Reaching the top and getting shamed by watching a lot of people run up the hill

Climbing up Calton Hill (and passing the monument to Robert Burns) to summit the 143 steps of the Nelson Monument for another great view of the city;

Monument to Scotland's beloved poet Robert Burns -- " a man's a man for a' that," "for auld lang syne" — Monument to Scotland’s beloved poet Robert Burns — “a man’s a man for a’ that,” “for auld lang syne”

Nelson Monument to celebrate Lord Nelson's victory at Trafalgar during Napoleonic Wars. Time ball at top of monument was used in conjunction with a gun shot from the cathedral at 13:00 each day to help ships know the time. — Nelson Monument is to celebrate Lord Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar during Napoleonic Wars. A time ball at top of monument was used in conjunction with a gun shot from the castle at 13:00 each day to help ships know the time.

National Monument of Scotland ( incomplete Parthenon) built to commemorate Scotts who died in the Napoleonic Wars. Construction started in 1826 but was left incomplete in 1829 due to lack of funds. — National Monument of Scotland (incomplete Parthenon) built to commemorate Scotts who died in the Napoleonic Wars. Construction started in 1826 but was left incomplete in 1829 due to lack of funds.

View of Holyrood Palace (Queen's residence when in Scotland) from top of tower — View of Holyrood Palace (Queen’s residence when in Scotland) from top of tower. The park grounds were being prepped for start of Great Edinburgh Race to take place the following day.

Spending at least 3 hours touring the Edinburgh Castle where we could take in great views of the New and Old Town, watch the runners in the Great Edinburgh 10 mile run, sample some whisky, and learn about the history of Edinburgh and the castle;

Walking to the Leith Market (open on Saturday) near the edge of the Firth of Forth (body of water that connects with the North Sea) to peruse the vendors and purchase a Scottish Egg to split;

The Royal Britannia now docked in the Firth of Forth

Walking to the Stockbridge Market (open on Sunday) to peruse the vendors;
Walking to (via a pedestrian/bike path) and through, the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens;