Since we were staying in York, England, we took a day trip to Edinburgh, Scotland – about 2.5 hours by train. The statue of David Hume overlooks the Royal Mile. It is said that rubbing his big toe will bring good luck. Walk the Royal Mile up to the castle.
The Edinburgh Castle complex towers above the city buildings.
Since Edinburgh Castle is a hilltop fortress complex with many buildings, be prepared for a lot of walking.
The castle is built atop the volcanic Castle Rock with sheer cliffs for a natural defense.
Climb the maze of narrow streets for panoramic views of Edinburgh.
With 26 sieges in its 1100-year-old history, there’s plenty of history to dive into.
Stroll by and tour the centuries old buildings at Edinburgh Castle and admire how it’s built on volcanic rock.
Tour the Scottish National War Memorial at the Castle.
Left: Tour the Royal Palace at Crown Square. Right: Explore the many charming city streets below the castle.
Even though our 2011 visit was in July, it was a chilly and misty day. Stopping for a whiskey tasting is a great way to warm up from the inside out!
From downtown, hike to and up Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that overlooks the city.