Edinburgh

On a gray Friday morning we boarded the train for Edinburgh at King's Cross. It took about 4.5 hours to get there, arriving about 1:30. It takes a little time to realize that we are now in a much smaller place than London. A check of the web shows that the population of Edinburgh is a bit under 500,000 while London is closer to 8.2 million; more than a factor of 16 difference.



Upon arrival we hiked to the hotel, checked in, dumped out luggage and hiked to the bus stop where we could board a tour bus. we got a nice ride about "old town"and "new town". Old town is centered along the "Royal Mile", the street stretching from the Edinburgh Castle and the Holyrood Palace. We got to know this street pretty well. This street is filled with interesting places, pubs, hotels, and souvenir spots. New town is more of what you expect to find in a city: pubs (a pattern is emerging here), shopping, museums, and restaurants.

Edinburgh is a city filled with near pristine Georgian buildings since it is old but never bombed. "The Standing Order" pub is a great example of a place that takes advantage of the architecture.

On Saturday Morning we visited the Edinburgh Castle. From there we could in the glorious weather we were enjoying, see the entire city stretching out between the castle and the Firth of Forth.

It will be no great shock that is is possible to see men wandering the streets in Kilts. We saw a bagpiper on the street who was serenading a couple recently married. I caught a "prime" example walking down the street.

Now, I must admire a city that honors a scientist. In new town is a statue in the middle of the street of James Clerk Maxwell and his dog. It is really great to see that an entire city is willing to have a statue to him along with status to Pitt the Younger and the Duke of Wellington. I think the says a lot about the character of a people.

On Sunday morning, we visited the Holyrood House Palace. this is the place the Queen lives for a bit each summer while she does several ceremonial things. there have also been a couple important meetings here. Mary Queen of Scots lived here. Her chambers are quite interesting to visit. Adjacent to the palace are the ruins of the Holyrood Abby. A beautiful place. The grounds are really glorious.

There were a few homeless folks, including the fellow with his dog, both wrapped against the cold in the morning.

On Friday evening, we visited an Italian restaurant with a delightful young man owning the place. We had really good food and a good conversation with the fellow. An enjoyable evening.

On Sunday between the palace and the train trip home, Eand I visited St. Giles Church. It is a nice place with lots of open spaces.