Plaid to Meet You- Experiencing Edinburgh for your First Time

Edinburgh, Scotland- Oh how I miss you.

Posted on the bottom of the Royal Mile, the frigid weather bit through all 4 layers of my clothing with more force than any other country we traveled. Besides the weather, Edinburgh is bursting with other frightening experiences that will send an icy sensation through your bones causing your skin to tingle and your hair to stand on end. For those of you who do not want to brave the haunted history of Scotland there are other tales and adventures to learn and see that aren’t so dark. Just keep in mind that Edinburgh is known for its sinister past. Let me share with you the experience we had as first timers in eerie Edinburgh.

-Arthurs Seat-

Let’s begin on a less haunted note with the hike of Arthurs Seat, an extinct volcano + the tallest hill in Hollyrood Park. I would not describe this hike as extremely difficult but it is by no means a cake walk either. Once you have the end of this arduous journey in your sights you will feel this pleasant sensation of “Yes, I did it!” mixed with “YES, IT’S OVER!!”. Also, I want to pass this on as a fair warning- It is extremely windy at the top so hold onto your beanies as well as your balance. Make sure you bring your camera and your water bottle and don’t attempt trekking up this hill with an empty stomach. This is a rewarding adventure and it allows you to see Edinburgh in all of it’s glory while being out in nature.

-Camera Obscura-

This strange little place was something we stumbled upon by accident. It comes from a Latin word which translates to “dark room”. We were wandering up and down the Royal Mile and just before we reached the castle we noticed an intriguing building with an interesting sign. We swung open the door and went right up to the desk and paid for tickets. From there we stomped up several flights of stairs and got an excellent view of the city. The first section is guided by a clever employee that shows a view of the entire city inside a pitch dark room. After the introduction is over you are free to go about the next several rooms as quickly or as slowly as you please. It was a neat experience and something a little different to do to pass the time.

-The Royal Mile-

Of course everyone that makes their way to Scotland’s capital is going to be told to check out The Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. We did enjoy discovering the Royal Mile. Mesmerized by our surroundings, our skulls bounced all over the place like bobble heads as our eyes took in the magnificent architecture of the buildings while weaving in and out of the crowds. Atop the Royal Mile is the brilliant, gargantuan castle and of course it is busting at the seams with hundreds and hundreds of people. We try to stay away from the over populated ‘touristy’ locations and make an effort to go on our own path but we did have to see this for ourselves and take a few pictures. If you do want to take an entire tour of the castle I would recommend booking it online and getting there before it even opens.

-Jekyll & Hyde Bar-

Personally I am a huge fan of horror, Halloween, ghouls, creeps, and of course booze. So, naturally I was not going to catch a flight out of Edinburgh without popping into the Jekyll & Hyde bar. The door to the bathroom is actually blended into the “bookcase” on the wall which I thought was unique and fun. The interior exceeded my expectations as the bar was filled with spooky pictures and low lighting. Most of the cocktails were named after the seven deadly sins. I wouldn’t recommend ordering the food unless you’re starving but it is definitely a good time to stop in and enjoy a couple drinks.

-Frankenstein Bar-

While were on the topic of nefarious bars, the Frankenstein Bar is one that we didn’t find on purpose but I am SO happy that we crossed paths with it. This ghoulish pub definitely does not fall under your traditional manicured chill station. It is dimly lit and the walls are lined with quotes from Frankenstein the movie & they even offer a Frankenstein movie night as well as their very own Frankenstein lager. On tap. We were so thrilled with this treasure we came back the next day just to hang out in the dark like the living dead and slug back a couple more Franken beers.

-The Elephant House-

All you Harry Potter fans listen up! Wait…I must be asking for the attention of the entire planet because who doesn’t LOVE Harry Potter?! I am sure many of you know that J.K. Rowling actually came up with the idea for these enchanting stories while living in Scotland. During the strenuous hours that she put into constructing the magical work of art we know and love today, a lot of the time was spent in Edinburgh’s own ‘The Elephant House’! You have got to stop by and have a cup of tea and marvel at the photos of J.K. Rowling in action. One of the most pleasant experiences we had.

-Greyfriars Bobby-

Leaning slightly more towards the haunted aspect, we have the Greyfriars Kirkyard and one of my favorite tales- the Greyfriars Bobby! There was man who went by John Grey who owned a Skye Terrier named Bobby. The sweet pup and his master were inseparable for two whole years. Unfortunately, John passed away and was then buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. His loyal companion never left his grave. Bobby spent 14 years guarding his masters grave and the kind people who maintained the Kirkyard eventually built him a small dog house and fed him. The dog did not leave John’s grave until he himself passed away. Since he couldn’t be buried inside the Kirkyard, the loving individuals who took care of him buried him as close to it as they could. Right at the gate. “Let his loyalty & devotion be a lesson to us all.” Yes, I cried like a little girl and it made me miss my pup back home even more!

-Lord Voldemort-

Just a little bonus to the hauntingly beautiful topic above, rumor has it that J.K. Rowling obtained the name Thomas Riddle from a gravestone in the Greyfriars Kirk! Go pay a visit to these eerie grounds and see if you can find it for yourself.

-Larder (Veggie Haggis)-

When in Scotland you must try haggis. I, of course, prefer the veggie version since regular haggis consists of animal stomach and I am not a huge fan of entrails. Larder in Edinburgh has both types of haggis so even us wimps can enjoy this dish. Veggie haggis from this quaint breakfast spot proved to be nothing short of delicious and we enjoyed the experience. This is a popular place for breakfast so be sure to be one of the early risers so you don’t have to wait very long to get your fill.

-Angels with Bagpipes-

You deserve to have at least ONE meal where you just completely splurge. If you choose to do so, Angels with Bagpipes is an excellent restaurant. It is located towards the bottom of the Royal Mile and I advise making a reservation beforehand. When we wandered in we just happened to get lucky enough to snag a table for two. The cocktails are phenomenal and the food is fancy and delectable. I was satisfied with this amazing gem as our splurge meal. I hope your experience is wonderful as well!

-St. Giles Cathedral-

St. Giles is a breathtaking and brilliant church in Scotland that is still in use to this day. You must purchase a photo pass once you enter so you can capture some of the finest stained glass technique that you will ever see. The way the church is assembled and the passion and skill that went into designing it is stunning. Wander around and absorb the energy for as long as you’d like and be sure to capture many photos while you’re there.

-Haunted Edinburgh-

Finally, back to the topic of the history of creepy Edinburgh. As I mentioned before Edinburgh has a reputation for being haunted. One of the reasons for this is because hundreds of women were burned at the stake for being suspected of witchcraft. The burning happened right outside the Edinburgh castle which is said to have the most paranormal activity out of any castle in Scotland. It is dubbed the most sinister because many prisoner lost their lives inside the castle walls. If you are truly intrigued by the ghastly side of Edinburgh, there are many spooky tours that will gladly guide you through the most haunted regions in the city. So remember, the next time you feel that unfamiliar chill or the presence of an unseen being lurking behind you it could very well be a spirit from Europe’s most chilling capital.

Enjoy your adventure through Scotland! Always be safe and we hope you enjoy the extensive history and gorgeous architecture as much as we did! Thank you for reading!