So Says Billy Connelly
PART ONE: EDINBURGH
I sat on the wrong side of the train. It was a pre-booked seat so I had no choice. I was so busy admiring the English countryside that I did not notice when we crossed the border into Scotland from England, where I had boarded at Kings Cross Station in London.
Iridescent emerald green farmland rolled past my carriage window in a rhythmic blur, revealing over-fluffed sheep and robust cattle, reminding me somewhat of rural New Zealand - a land born from a heavy reliance upon a deal with Mother Nature herself.
Scottish Sheep
Scotland revealed herself this way and that - in church spires, tiled roofs, and ploughed fields as we trundled through the countryside and into Edinburgh with the halting grind of metal upon metal as the hefty bulk screeched to a stand still in the terminus of Waverley Station.
I stepped out of the rolling tube and into the bustling vibe of central Edinburgh’s Waverley Station.
My accommodation - St Christopher’s Inn - was a short stroll from the station, and conveniently located near the Royal Mile and a most excellent cafe. Colourful bunting flags lined the streets linking aged brick buildings and giving the historic area a playful vibe whilst juxtaposed against the cobbled streets and imposing form of Edinburgh Castle.
All of this amazing history provides a constant reminder of a time knights and knaves wandered these weathered neighbourhoods.
The monolith of Edinburgh castle
Edinburgh Castle is perched on a massive rock outcrop and is a focal point for the city and all that Edinburgh is known for. I wandered around absorbing the atmosphere; an intense looking owl sat clenched on the arm of a nervous tourist - its head turning as if on a gimble; musicians played on the streets; a wandering bagpiper littered the area with the shrill tones reminding me that indeed I was in bonny Scotland and busloads of tourists piled out onto the streets looking around in awe.
View through a gap in the buildings of The Royal Mile
The eyes have it.
Edinburgh left an indelible mark on me - a city infused with history yet brimming with a contemporary city vibe,
but I was on a mission to get into the hillier regions of Scotland and to visit an old friend who was house-sitting near the Cairngorm region.
My plan was to collect a rental in Dundee, then use where Sam was as a base while I explored the area. Sam was a wealth of knowledge in terms of outdoor stuff in Scotland - she knew all the hiking trails and this was aided by the gigantic map of Scotland that served as wallpaper in the house she was minding.
I could not wait to crank on.
The highlands were calling!
A crow sits over the edge of Arthurs Seat
EDINBURGH TIPS:
Waverley Station is the main train station in the city and is central to the historic and new city area
The city is extremely walkable, and safe.
There is a tram line running through the newer part of the city
There is no direct airport train - you need to swap for a tram from the nearest stop
Whiskey and Gin shops are plentiful!
The Royal Mile houses many historic sights, including the main way to Edinburgh Castle, Scotland Yard and numerous other famed sights
Scottish Pounds is the currency - English Pounds are also accepted
Most restaurants open late - around 9 to 10 in the morning, so do not expect an early morning coffee unless heading to a coffee specific cafe
There are nice walking tracks accessible from the city centre which provide commanding views of the city, including Arthurs Seat