Edinburgh reminds me of Ottawa in many ways. It’s not the largest city in the country (population less than half a million), but it’s the capital, and serves as the financial hub of Scotland. The accents here are very subtle and quite posh. Save for the old architecture and somewhat angular roads, it looks like many Western cities.
Arthur’s Seat is a group of hills that pop up from the horizon, high above the city, an is visible from my bedroom window. It serves as a visual cue for Edinburgh, and when traveling outside, one can always look to Arthur’s Seat to see how far (or close) one is to home.
Atop Arthur’s Seat, overlooking part of Edinburgh.
Raising money on the streets of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh castle, sitting on top of volcanic castle rock, a symbol of both Edinburgh and Scotland.
At the entrance.
Edinburgh Castle from a distance, a striking contrast to the modernity that surrounds it.
Findlay’s sausages (Findlay’s of Portobello is an award-winning local butcher) with a mustard mash, bathed in a rich onion and red wine gravy. Somewhat heavy fare for an afternoon, but certainly conducive to a pleasant nap.
A kilt loom.
Pint and a half of lager at the Sheep Heid Inn. If it’s true that it was established 1360, that would make the oldest pub in Edinburgh, let alone the whole of Scotland.
Walk 10 yards in any direction, golf course.
All the public toilets I’ve seen here are labelled ladies and gentlemen. The British are classy poopers.
This pheasant was just wandering along the side of the road.
There were two swans, one of whom was nesting, in this tiny loch.
The contrast between the castle and modern Edinburgh IS striking. Almost a bit odd, but nevertheless beautiful. :)
I can’t believe kilt weaving could look so .… ::sigh:: … kind of commercial.… even though I guess it could not be otherwise. I still wish it looked like a hut with a fireplace and cloth was made by women in long skirts.