My one full day in Edinburgh didn’t quite work out exactly as I’d planned. Fortunately there is so much to see, it was easy to move on to the next thing. And, in the end, even if you’re just walking around, that’s a pretty fantastic way to while away the time too.

New Town was the order of the day, and first and foremost on the list was the National Portrait Gallery. However, and this was a freakish happening, I thumbed through a pamphlet at the hotel during breakfast and in the NPG listing it mentioned something about it “reopening in November 2011.” That didn’t sound good.

Continue reading “plan b day” →

I don’t usually write about my accommodation but in this case, I cannot resist. The short version is, I have always dreamt of staying on the High Street (Royal Mile) in the Old Town. If you are not sure why, please re-read this entry.

 After much searching and weighing of various options, I secured a hotel that got good reviews and seemed reasonable for a place right on the Royal Mile.

I arrived to have the room blow my mind – simply put, it was a stone’s throw from St. Giles Cathedral and I loved it. One slight shortcoming was that my room, although spacious and modern, did not have a city view. I inquired and the staff said after the weekend rush checked out, they’d see what they could do.

What they did the next day was move me to a 2-room corner apartment win the incredible views of the New Town. St. Andrew can see me out the corner of his eye and Sir Walter Scott has turned his back to me altogether. Waverly Station is in full view, and from the bathroom window, off in the distance one can see the castle.

The room itself is comfortable, modern and amazing. Simply put, I plan to write my 7-part blockbuster children’s series here. And I’m not leaving until then.  

We were talking about venison, and suddenly that was the only thing that would suit for dinner. In the hotel dining guide I read about a place with Scottish fare, great atmosphere and a “laid back” approach that encouraged patrons to enjoy the meal at their leisure.

Not exactly a unique approach in these parts – I can’t think of any UK meal where I ever felt I was getting the bum’s rush; actually, there were times I was begging for the check. Anyway, this combination of factors, along with the fact that it was in walking distance, cemented it.

What a great meal –  you can just skip the link if you don’t care to read about it. But definitely go to Wedgewood if you’re ever in Edinburgh.

Continue reading “deer me” →

Longtime Mapgirl readers know there is no plaque I will not read, there is no museum I will not visit. A few years ago CRJ and I were travelling past the Scottish Mining Museum outside Newgrangetown and I half-jokingly said, "Hey, we have to go there." It had a humble sign – barely visible from the road – and a narrow band of interest, so it was a must-see.

Flash forward to Sunday when, at long last, I dragged my friends to the Scottish Mining Museum. Actually, they were very interested in going and suggested it themselves (because that is the kind of gracious hosts they are).

Continue reading “miners and angels” →

So why do I love Scotland so? Surely a large part of the reason is the wonderful people with whom I've traveled here (like MDK & Family, so long ago) and the friends I've visited here (CRJ and JMM). A significant part of the reason is Scotland's history: defiant, proud, independent. These people probably had a hand in the "Don't Tread on Me" flag. I even am keen on the symbols: prickly thistle, the simple saltire and the readied lion rampant.

Oh, and the accents.

 

 

Continue reading “shortbread disneyland” →