Retiree on the Road – Scotland 2023 – Edinburgh … 8 and 3/4 Hours Exploring Auld Reekie!

Our original plan was simply to overnight in Edinburgh, where we have spent time previously, and then head off to our next destination. But cooler heads prevailed. We decided it would be best to stay two nights and at least have one full day to hang out because we really enjoy the city.

Historically, Edinburgh has been affectionately known as “Auld Reekie”… apparently that is Scots for ‘Old Smokey’. The name originated when smoke from open peat and coal fires constantly clung to the city like fog.

We were pretty pooped when we got to Edinburgh. It was a long day of travel, so we really didn’t go out and do anything on the evening we arrived.

After a leisurely start the following day, we headed out to find a place to have breakfast. We only ever have breakfast in the hotels in which we stay if it is absolutely necessary, like when we need to rush off shortly after and catch a train. Hotel breakfasts are generally expensive and over the years we have discovered that we usually have no problem finding a place close by which costs much less. We are really not keen on paying for convenience.

Our Breakfast/Morning Outing

So, at 9:45 AM we headed out onto the streets to find a spot to have breakfast, and then after that, run a couple of errands. After checking out a couple of restaurants we found a little boutique hotel around the corner from where we were staying that offered breakfast at reasonable prices.

The photographic evidence from our outing.

Yep! The Royal Mile is still there. We are staying just around the corner.

Better prices than at our hotel. I had a breakfast roll and coffee.

The Love-goddess has spotted the granola bowl on offer.

Finished breakfast, we head out in search of a drugstore.

There are street performers in Scotland too… not quite like the ones in Ireland.

We spot a Boots drugstore just down from the Royal Mile.

I want to switch deodorant brands. The Love-goddess says no FCUKing way.

We leave Boots and head down my favourite street in Edinburgh, Cockburn Street.

From Google… Looking across Waverley Valley to New Town and the Firth of Forth, an arm of the North Sea.

Musical Interlude – I think this is the only type of street music I have ever heard in Scotland. 🙂

The Love-goddess Goes on a Walking Tour

The Love-goddess signed up for a walking tour through the historic Old Town where we are staying. My beat-up feet are in need of a rest, so I take a pass… The weather is pretty crummy too. 🙂 These photos are mostly from her outing. I have added in a couple I took a few years ago of Edinburgh castle.

The Bank of Scotland… beautiful historic building.

Narrow “closes“ tie the main streets together.

Old church repurposed a s a gallery for artisans to showcase their works.

Still retains its beautiful stained-glass windows.

Meanwhile at the hotel… Still too miserable for me to go out. Tee-hee!

Saint Giles’ Cathedral. The epicentre of Scottish Presbyterianism.

John Knox is buried in the parking lot… Just like Richard III.

John Knox founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

The entrance, “Fear the Lord and Depart from Evil”… very Scottish. 🙂

Finally, Edinburgh Castle… They did not go inside.

The castle’s south side as seen from the street below.

Photo from previous year … north side, from Waverley Valley.

The Love-goddess shot a video of the New Town across Waverley Valley while out on her walk.

Out for Dinner

The final outing on our one full day in Edinburgh… 8 and ¾ hours of exploring and eating from start to finish… Was simply to have dinner. The Love-goddess had identified a few places she wanted to check out which she had discovered in a Rick Steves’ guidebook. Her first choice… The name of which escapes me… Turned out to be full. So, we ended up in her second choice, the Whiski Bar and Restaurant, which was just dandy.