Day 2 in Edinburgh
Discover the classical facades of the Old Town
The main artery of the Old Town is named the Royal Mile, although you will not find this name mentioned in official documents. The ceremony of coronation of the new kings was taking place there, it being considered the oldest street in Edinburgh. Thanks to its diversity of constructions, the street provides a time travel, starting from the Medieval times to the 21st century.
At the opposite end to the Edinburgh Castle, the Holyrood Palace is located. Currently the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland who spends one week in the residence at the beginning of each summer, the palace was the main residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century. The stage of some dramatic episodes, including at least one famous bloody crime, several major fires and centuries full of personalities hungry for power, is believed to be roamed by the naked ghost of one Bald Agnes, stripped and tortured in 1592 after being accused of witchcraft.
The Holyrood Palace is bordered by the Holyrood Park – a royal park full of hills, lochs, glens, ridges, basalt cliffs, and patches of gorse, providing a remarkably wild piece of highland landscape. The most popular point of interest of the park is Arthur’s Seat – an extinct volcano, the highest point in Edinburgh situated right in the center of the park. You can see the city from the intensely green hill in full view! Samson’s ribs, Salisbury Crags and the 3 lochs located on the territory of the park are also worth to be seen. Moreover, besides its natural heritage, the Holyrood Park comprises an extended cultural heritage represented by the ruined Holyrood Abbey and St. Anthony’s Chapel.
Visit St. Giles’ Cathedral, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh. This is one of the main churches in the city. With an impressive architecture, wearing a stone crown that raises 50 meters high above the land, this church is believed to be dominated by another ghost, that of the great reformist and protestant preacher John Knox. The cathedral itself is dedicated to Saint Giles, who is the saint patron of Edinburgh. The church is also famous for its Thistle Chapel – the chapel of the most ancient and most noble order of the Thistle, Scotland’s foremost Order of Chivalry.
In the second half of the day, visit the Scotch Whisky Heritage Center and find out everything you ever wanted to know about Scotch – Scotland’s national drink. Three floors of exhibits reveal details related to processes from distillation to consumption. The guided tour is available in eight languages, including Braille. At the end of the tour, you can have a seat in the museum’s bar for some taste experience as well.
The nightlife scene in Edinburgh is vibrating, you can find here for sure everything you are looking for and without going too far from the place you stay. If you have not decided yet where to go, buy the “List” magazine from a newspaper stand, as it offers addresses, general information, working hours and prices for clubs, bars and restaurants. Regarding the Old Town, you can try “Canons’ Gait” bar for special drinks in Edinburgh, “Brodie’s Pub” for jazz and blues live concerts, which also serves traditional food and beer.