Great Britain - Edinburgh, Scotland

We had been to London a couple of times but had not ventured too far outside the city to other areas of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). On this trip we started in Edinburgh, Scotland then traveled down to York, England before ending our journey in London. As we usually do when in Europe, we depended on trains to get from town to town.

Edinburgh

In Great Britain all train companies operate under the National Rail, which was created in 1996 following the privatization of the British Rail network. The rail system is comprised of 25 privately operated businesses. This is unlike most European countries that have one official rail system run by the government. Fortunately, to book tickets online, one needs only to go to the National Rail web site, which handles system-wide bookings.

We found the rail prices to be more expensive in Great Britain than other countries within Europe, but for those not wishing to rent a car, it is an easy alternative. If staying in larger cities, a car is more of a hindrance than a help, but if venturing out to villages and places off the beaten path, a car is best. As always, book ahead for the best deals whether renting a car or purchasing rail tickets.

Great Britain is no longer part of the European Union, making visiting EU countries a little less easy than it used to be. Even when they were part of the EU, the Euro was never used in Great Britain, they chose to retain the pound (GBP or £) as their currency.

View from Calton Hill

As mentioned, we began our trip in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. In addition to being its capital, Edinburgh is also Scotland's cultural, historical and political center. It is a busy, vibrant city with friendly people and lots to do and see.

We chose to stay at the Courtyard Edinburgh for its location and reasonable price. We stayed three nights and were pleased with the convenience, cleanliness and the pleasant staff. Our room, I believe it was a superior, was very compact. There was not much room to move about, however, the design was extremely efficient. Within the small space there was every amenity you could want including a safe, coffee maker and mini refrigerator.

A Crowded Royal Mile

We easily walked everywhere: to the train station, museums, parks, restaurants, old town and the castle. Calton Hill, with its assortment of mishmash monuments, is located right behind the hotel and provides a lovely view of the city down to the water.

Like all major towns these days, Edinburgh has its hop on and off big tour buses. These are a good option for those on a short stay to get a glimpse of all the main sights, or those wanting to get acclimated before deciding where to spend their time. It is a pleasant, easily walkable city for those preferring to get around on foot as we did.

The historic area of Edinburgh is one of the most pleasant, albeit crowded, parts of town for visitors to stroll. Starting at the castle, where the town originated, the road slopes down the Royal Mile past interesting architecture, shops, cafés and an abundance of touristy trinkets.

Edinburgh Castle

The 1300-year-old castle was home to Scotland’s kings and queens for centuries. Cobblestone paths, that zig and zag around the castle grounds, take visitors through a complex of buildings, some dating from the 12th century.

St. Margaret’s Chapel

From Napoleonic cast-iron cannons; to the little stone St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh; to the lavish Royal Apartments; to the War Memorial and War Museum; to the Scottish Crown Jewels; there is plenty of history and many sites to behold at the castle. As an extra treat, beautiful, expansive views from the esplanade provide picture postcard vistas over the city.

The spire of St. Giles Cathedral is ever-present throughout Edinburgh. The cathedral’s façade is 19th-century Neo-Gothic but the interior dates to the 14th and 15th centuries. It is the most important church in Scotland and worth a look for its grand windows, memorials, bronze statue of John Knox and a fine organ.

Ever-Present Spire of St. Giles Cathedral  

Museums abound in Edinburgh and most are free to enter. We found the National Museum to be particularly interesting. It is a large museum with two different wings. One wing contains its natural history collection and the other covers Scottish history. The smaller Scottish National Gallery has a lovely collection of paintings.

The Georgian House is a refurbished Neoclassical house that takes visitors back to 1796. It is one of the rare museums that charges an entry fee, but for those who enjoy touring period homes, it is well worth it. Of course, there are many other museums worth exploring, something for every taste.

Edinburgh is a great walking city. It’s fun to saunter down the Royal Mile, stopping by a shop to browse or a café for a bite to eat. For a relaxing time, there are miles of green spaces to explore and enjoy.

The city is full of good places to eat from pubs to fine dining. We particularly enjoyed a restaurant called Cadiz. Having been to Cadiz, Spain we were curious to see how Spanish food would be served in Scotland. So, we stopped by for lunch one day and it did not disappoint. It was so enjoyable we returned for dinner. The staff, atmosphere and food were all excellent. The à la carte menu had a great variety of offerings, making it hard to choose. The wines were all good as well.

View of Edinburgh from the Castle

We took a side trip to Glasgow by train one day. I can’t honestly say we were overly impressed with this city, which is the second largest in Great Britain. It sits on the River Clyde, but the waterfront isn’t particularly picturesque.

We wandered around town then took a long walk along the river. We came upon the Riverside Museum and were so glad we did. We thoroughly enjoyed this amazing museum, which is dedicated to everything related to transportation. Whether or not you are a fan of transport and travel, this museum has something for everyone ... bicycles, carriages, trains, boats ... it's such a fun place to spend some time, especially with the family.

Our short visit to Scotland was very pleasant. We were headed next to the town of York in England.