Scotland - Day Two

Day 2 inexplicably saw me awake since 3am.

We googled cafes opening before 8 again and found one with a nice looking menu opening at 7.30. Another spectacular Scottish breakfast, this time at The Edinburgh Larder on Blackfriars street. So good and just a really cozy, friendly (and popular) place.

Then it was off to the top of Arthur’s Seat. Now I’m going to be honest here, I’m in my mid 50’s and reasonably active, slightly overweight (and slowly growing more hair on my chin than my head, although that last bit’s not strictly relevant … ) and in terms of the walk itself it wasn’t too challenging. It’s not particularly long but the last little bit is all rock and I’m always scared. I seem to doubt my balance and I don’t have the best back so feel I’m probably far more tentative than most. But this was worth the effort. The views were amazing.

From there we were off to Holyrood Palace. I’d read on here recently that some people don’t think it’s worth a visit, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe even more than the castle yesterday. The audio is really good and the fact that it is still used by the royal family and our late Queen was bought from Balmoral to lie here in the Throne Room prior to her funeral, made it seem really relevant.

From Holyrood we were off again, I wanted to get on the Hop On Hop Off bus but for reasons only known to my Favourite Husband; we walked, again. We traipsed off to Dean Village. I was hoping for a traditional pub for some lunch and maybe a sneaky gin but there’s really nothing there except pretty houses and the water.

We went back up to Princes Street and had a delightful lunch in an unusual old place called Gillies Dru. Cullen Skink was just what we needed as the drizzle had arrived by then.

And yes, you guessed it, we walked a bit more!

After a lie down and a cup of tea it was off to St. Giles Cathedral and a lovely Japanese dinner.

Today was a 30,000 steps or nearly a half marathon day, but it’s been epic.

We leave Edinburgh tomorrow off on our roadie. Excited