Thanks to a well-timed long weekend and a lucky find on a cheap flight, I had the perfect chance to check out Edinburgh, Scotland’s super cool capital. This historic city, with around 554,600 folks living in about 264 square kilometers (102 square miles), has a UNESCO World Heritage site right in the middle, split between the old-school medieval Old Town and the fancy Georgian New Town. Edinburgh Castle, an ancient fortress sitting on a huge volcanic rock, really stands out in the skyline. Bummer though, I got there too late to see the city get packed every August for the world’s biggest arts festival.
And even if It took me 2 days to visit it, I have to talk first about the city under the city.
Underneath Edinburgh’s Old Town, you’ll find the Edinburgh Vaults, a super cool underground spot. Built back in the 1780s under the nineteen arches of the South Bridge, these rooms were originally used by local businesses for storage and workshops. But, because it was always damp and just generally pretty rough down there, legitimate businesses eventually left. That’s when the vaults turned into infamous slums. This dark, forgotten area became home to the city’s poorest residents and was even rumored to be a hotspot for illegal activities and crime. Nowadays, this “underground city” is a big hit with tourists. Guides take visitors through its spooky chambers and share all the creepy and haunted stories from its past. I booked this guided tour via getyourguide, but surely you can book it on premise as well… Unfortunately officially it’s not allowed to take pictures in these chambers, so I only have some 🙂
Back in Edinburgh during the day, I just wandered around for hours. The historic city is gorgeous, and its architecture just makes you want to explore, even if you don’t have a particular place in mind. It’s really enjoyable.
If you stay in Edinburgh and want to leave it for a day trip you actually have two options: Loch Ness or the Glenfinnan Viaduct. I went for the 2nd one, as I was almost certain that Nessie might not show up when I am there. The iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, located in the scenic Scottish Highlands west of Fort William, is a stunning example of Victorian engineering. Constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine, the viaduct was completed in 1901 and curves gracefully across the River Finnan, supported by 21 impressive arches. Its fame skyrocketed globally when it was featured in the Harry Potter film series as the bridge carrying the Hogwarts Express to the famous school of witchcraft and wizardry. The magical train depicted in the films is, in fact, the real-life Jacobite steam train, which operates on the West Highland Line. So I was taking the bus, and already after 4 hours I was with tons of other tourists waiting for the train. And in time like the deutsche bahn (so only an hour late), the train passed by.
For sure, I want to share the nature I have seen on my way to the viaduct and back.
On the return journey, the bus went by a peculiar, must-see spot: a restaurant inside a train, purportedly featured in a Mission: Impossible movie. Let’s just say the story’s true 🙂
For those in Edinburgh seeking a quick escape into nature without leaving the city, numerous parks and smaller hills offer stunning views and a refreshing change of scenery. I explored Crow Hill, an easy hour’s walk from the historic center, and found it to be a truly amazing spot for some fresh air.
Finally as always food is important, I had some British food, and mostly important fish and chips.
Haggis, the traditional Scottish dish, the savoury pudding, made with sheep’s pluck (heart, liver, and lungs), I was still not open to taste. Maybe I have to come back for this… or maybe not…
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