This week I am here to tell you about one of my favourite cities. While I was writing this article I realised that I have been to Edinburgh five times. Each time, it has always been as a student or a first jobber with small means, but Edinburgh is a city for everyone.
The first thing that strikes me about Edinburgh is how beautiful it is. As soon as I pull up near the castle and see the windy cobbled streets that could have been built a 1000 or 100 years ago, I find it has a timeless quality. It is like a city carved of rock, the stones standing for ever. The castle is breathtaking, set high upon a mound it rises up from the city. The roads that lead to the top harbour shops, boutiques and hotels. All of these are jumbled together in a wonderfully quaint quality.
I have stayed in nearly ever hostel going, but one that I remember being particularly good was Budget Backpackers. Day glo bright rooms made a cheery difference from the stoney greys and greens of the city and at £7 a night you can’t go wrong.
I, with aspirations of greatness, always wanted to stay in The Witchery, the restaurant has a fame all of it’s own but as a peniless student I gazed at the medieval doorway up the winding streets by the castle just wanting to peek inside. The Witchery is a gothic delight with luxurious, decadent rooms hidden away from the world. This year the hotel celebrated it’s 30th anniversary on Halloween. Need I say more!
Another place that held my aspirations is where all the rich students used to go for Whiskys before ski tournaments. The Caledonian, with views of the castle is a great place to have a luxury tipple before heading off in your kilt for a night on the town!
Enough of where to lay your head – that isn’t what Edinburgh is about. Personally I believe it has the best nightlife in the British Isles and coming from a renowned Media Drinker I know what I am talking about.
To start off head to the Grass Market for a few quirky pubs and some grub, there are plenty of little cafes and bistros to delight yourself with if you aren’t that way inclined.
My pick for a dark night in Scotland is the grimly named Maggie Dickson’s. Maggie broke the ‘Concealment of Pregnancy Law’ after and affair with an innkeeper and when her baby died she left it by the river. When she was found she was hung at the Grass Market. To ease your suffering over the story have one of the seven deadly sin cocktails they provide.
After that see the night off with a bang in the Three Sisters in Cowgate. This place is a Dungeon meets club but it is a great night out.
Take your sore head the next morning to the castle and hear the one’o'clock gun salute being fired. You are at the top of the world so it should clear your hangover! Whilst you are in the cultural mood don’t miss out on Holyrood House the home of the notorious Mary Queen of Scots and of course the extinct volcano in its grounds – the famous Arthur’s Seat. Another trip worth taking is to the decommissioned Yacht Britannia at Leith to see how the modern Queen travels in style and luxury.
I could list and list the boutiques and quirky shops that lurk around the winding streets of Ediburgh but go and discover them yourself! That is what makes it so much fun! Although as I am the Book Editor I will give you this little gem for free – Armchair Books which is ‘An archetypal second-hand bookshop, with thousands of old volumes stacked precariously on bookshelves in every available little space’ the sort of place I can waste a few hours of my day!
If you need somewhere to discard of you boyfriend to whilst you do all this luxe shopping may I suggest the Edinburgh Dungeon or let him enjoy the engineering marvel of the Forth Bridge! You can meet up for a spot of luncheon at The Tower restaurant in the Museum of Scotland.
There is literally so much to do there I can not fit it into one article, so just like me you will have to keep returning again and I guarantee each time it just gets better!
Notes From…Paris, Marais district
Sunny Edinburgh Flat Makeover
Notes from… Zurich
