Part 2 - Edinburgh Sept 2019

........continuing from the Lake District, the train journey from Windermere back to Edinburgh was lovely - slightly marred due to the station staff rushing everyone on so I couldnt get to my first class carriage and it was too much trouble to struggle through 3 carriages with my luggage.

Settled in at my lovely accommodation which was a 3 minute walk from Waverley Station and central to everything - The Royal Mile, Old Town, New Town... it was perfect. My final few days were wonderful.

I didn't attempt to climb the 287? steps up the Scott Monument
as on a previous visit I did, and made it to 200 steps.
This time I just admired its loveliness.

Princes Street gardens is not to be missed, there is so much to see in there. Dont miss it.

Lovely Ross Fountain with the Castle looming in the background

Parish of St Cuthbert, so much history and an amazing walk outside, around and inside.
Trivia - I had no idea that Agatha Christie was married here.

The Scottish National Gallery is never to be missed when visiting Edinburgh, perhaps the upgrades will all be finished this year. I believe it will be for the better.

From Princes Gardens and St Cuthbert a brisk walk up the Mound and a quick visit to New College

.....and up to the very top of the Mile to the Castle - where huge lines were forming and the
seating from the Edinburgh Tattoo was still being dismantled

On my last visit to Edinburgh, or was it the one before? there were no line-ups
and I spent the entire day visiting the Castle.

On my way down the Royal Mile, I stopped at every Close, Court, Wynd and alley to see what
was at the end - sometimes nothing, sometimes beautiful surprises (e.g. hidden gardens)

I spent over an hour inside Gladstones End - it was remarkable. No running commentary from me, everything mentioned here on my blog is readily available on Google if it's of interest to you.

The Writers Museum is not to be missed, really wonderful.

Always revisit St Giles inside is so beautiful and I DO frown at the many tourists who
take photos inside without paying the two pounds requested.

For Outlander fans, Bakehouse Close - film location for Jamie's print shop where he and Claire reunited

one of the most iconic shots on the Mile, those three phone booths. They need a lick of paint me-thinks

Love this amazing museum on the Mile which is so often overlooked by many - its a treat inside!

Ive visiting the Scottish Parliament Buildings on previous visits but didnt get the opportunity to
visit the debating chamber. I was lucky this time. Security is tight to get into the building.

Just a quick stop by the Palace of Holyrood House this time - well worth a visit

St Cecilia's Hall Music Museum is SPECTACULAR and another that is sadly overlooked
by so many visitors to Edinburgh... hidden away in a little street right in the middle of the city.
I spent over an hour here, and I was the ONLY person visiting. To say its exhibits are
magnificent is an understatement.

After a chat with the lovely staff, I literally tore myself away from these priceless, exquisite exhibits

The next day I enjoyed some back alley exploring before making my way to Rabbies for my day tour.

Rabbies is popular there were about 5 different tours gathering for departure.
My tour was the Outlander Day Tour. It was visiting film sites as well as Castles
and towns I had always wanted to visit. So win-win for me!

Lucky me I got a front seat! With these high back seats on small buses and
being 5'2" it was fabulous! Great views for me all day!

Beautiful Culross so historic and also used for many scenes in season 1 of Outlander

Linlithgow Palace was also the film location for the dreaded Wentworth Prison in Outlander

Linlithgow was the perfect spot for an hour's lunch break, a charming village/town

Blackness Castle was used as Fort William in Outlander (where Jamie was flogged by Capt Randall

Midhope Castle in such disrepair it is unsafe inside. Used as Jamie's home of Lallybroch in Outlander

Putting the Outlander highlight aside, our Scottish guides for the day were
brilliant, we learned so much Scottish history and all of the sites were
magnificent and the settings just beautiful.
A fabulous day. Highly recommend.

The next day I took off to explore New Town having never ventured over that side of town before.
I particularly wanted to pay a visit to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and what a treat!
I spent far too long in there and it was worth every second.

Back over to Old Town to explore Grassmarket a little but I particularly want to walk up the Vennel and get that popular photo you see in all the brochures. 

After walking many more miles it was time to visit the National Museum of Scotland to
see the exhibits I had missed on previous visits

And I really wanted to take the lift up to the rooftop garden this time but would you believe
the lifts were out of order, so I negotiated the spiral staircase and trapdoors to get my view!

so many stunning exhibits to admire

The National Library is another venue visitors seldom frequent - such a shame, its wonderful

Exqusite book sculptures

Farewell Edinburgh (Auld Reekie) I've now completed everything I've ever 

wanted to see and do in this marvellous city.

I'm now in planning stages for my next solo adventure!