UK Roadtrip: Edinburgh

Today's destination is Edinburgh! Edinburgh reminds me of London, at least some of the Georgian architecture in the city centre. Otherwise, even though I think it is beautifully located between two volcanic hills Arthur's Seat in the south and Calton Hill in the north, and has some grand views as well as buildings, what struck me was that the buildings are so dirty. I assume they are dirty but maybe they are made of some black stone?? I just walked around thinking "why are they not cleaning these buildings?!". That said, I can imagine that Edinburgh is a nice city to live in. It's a big city (seventh largest in the UK) and has all you may need in terms of shops, museums, bars and restaurants, etc. in addition to a good university (where a friend of mine is starting her PhD next month!).

We arrived in the afternoon, checked in at our hotel (just Novotel, nothing special) and then toured the city by foot for a few hours. In the evening we had Indian food for dinner - better take the opportunity when in the UK (and in a big city) (Indian food in Sweden is okay but could be improved).

View from Castle Hill where Edinburgh Castle sits high over the city

Edinburgh Castle, which we only saw from the outside, since it was only one hour before closing time and we had seen several castles so far on our trip, as mentioned in my previous post. Edinburgh Castle dates back to the 12th century. During that time it was a stronghold, Royal Palace, military complex and prison.

Old cathedral which is no longer a church but a café and restaurant and home of the Edinburgh International Festival, the "Hub". It is located on the Royal Mile, which is a stretch of four old streets between Castle Hill and Canongate that were the avenues of the Middle Ages connecting the Castle with Holyrood Palace. Some medieval buildings - sadly no longer standing as far as I know - were 20 storeys high.


Inside St Giles Cathedral, or High Kirk of Edinburgh. It was from here the Scottish reformation's preacher John Knox preached protestantism. The picture shows Thistle Chapel with decorated wooden vault ceiling and carved baldachins with heraldic motifs. The chapel was erected by the Order of the Thistle


Edinburgh's oldest house, John Know House, dating back to 1450, now a museum dedicated to Knox


Arthur's Seat


Walter Scott Monument on Princess Street; Walter Scott was a Scottish writer and poet. Princess Street is the city's liveliest street and shopping district


View towards Castle Hill


For a political scientist a visit to the Scottish Parliament is a must of course. The Scottish Parliament Building opened in 1999 giving the Scots their first own parliament since 1707.


The entrance to the Parliament


The Parliament is located on the outskirts of the city centre (but still very central) next to hilly landscape and the Queen's (when she visits) palace Holyrood (no photo to show you though).


The debating chamber

Not sure what these plaques were for but I included this photo to show the architecture. I like the mix of cement and wood.

I had some links in this post but something happened to them that I don't seem to be able so fix so you'll just need to google the names and places yourselves, I'm afraid! Next (and last) episode: the Lake District