Scotland has a lot of coastline so you’d be forgiven for thinking that they would be really easy to find. Unfortunately, they aren’t a short bus journey away from the capital or even somewhere that is easy to get to on public transport at all. The picture perfect ones are almost all on the west coast and some are even on the outermost islands.

I tend to err on the side of the easiest option, especially since we travel with kids, so when I found out about Camusdarach Beach that’s near Mallaig on the west coast we decided that was the one. It was on the mainland so no ferries required, but it was quite a drive away! It’s about 150 miles away from Glasgow and 180 miles from Edinburgh – each over 4 hours away. The nearest large town was Fort William and it’s about an hour drive from there, too.

Fort William is at the foot of Ben Nevis—the highest mountain in the UK—and gets lots of tourists throughout the year so in that sense it’s quite well set up to get to these beaches. A train does go to Mallaig (and also goes over the famous viaduct from the Harry Potter films) so it’s possible to get there via public transport, but car is definitely best.

We chose Camusdarach because it was actually also featured in an old film: Local Hero. If you want a sneak peak of it then watch that film. It definitely got me fired up for the journey! There’s a campsite that leads on to the beach and we chose to stay there.

We love camping for a few reasons but the main one, especially when it comes to Scotland, is that you’re right next to the beach so you can enjoy it that split second that the weather is on your side! I have to admit, the weather can be changeable, but it’s still worth it. Camping with our kids is also a good and cheap way to visit the area which can be filled with many guest houses and hotels that can shoot up in price when you add kids in to the equation.

So, after around 8 hours of driving, another hour at least of putting up the tent and I was ready to see the beach. Ready to see if this place would live up to our expectations. Would the sand be bright white like the pictures? Would the sea be translucent turquoise blue? Or would it look dull and grey like many of the UK beaches end up looking like?

We walked about 5 minutes over some sand dunes and past a small golf course that was nearby and we were there. The beach. It looked a little dull and grey. I had to admit I was a bit disappointed, but then, as if by magic the clouds that were in the sky parted and the sun shone over the sea. It sounds so cliche, and I guess in a way it was, but we’ll never forget that moment. It transformed the sea in to a bright blue which made the sands seem whiter.

We ran down towards the edge of the sea as it lapped against the sand. I even had a little paddle – brrr! It was most definitely not the Caribbean! The views were spectacular though. Not content with being on one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland, we also got amazing views over to the Isle of Rum, a jagged island that looks so majestic, and also to the Isle of Eigg, a completely different island that looks flat. It’s such a weird juxtaposition of scenery—the rugged landscape that is so indicative of Scotland and the pristine white beach that seems so out of place.

There’s more than just this beach that is worth finding in the area. Take a small detour off the main road, follow the coast round and you’ll see so many different coves and small areas that are perfect for a picnic, photo opportunities and, possibly most importantly for me, for kids to let off steam. One thing I would warn against in the area though is the midge. If you’re headed to western Scotland you’ll definitely have heard of them. They are small biting insects that are all around that area. Stock up on insect repellent!

Beaches are our favourite thing and we almost always search them out when we go travelling. I was so glad we took the long drive to find these white ones in Scotland and next time we’ll try and push ourselves to go further and find the beaches on Harris which I’ve heard are just as beautiful.

—Kirsty loves to travel with her kids and camping is definitely her preferred method of seeing the great outdoors with them. You can see her tips for camping with kids here: http://getkidsoutside.co.uk/tips-for-camping-with-kids-toddlers/

This is a by-no-means comprehensive guide to eating in this Scottish capital, but it’s a round-up of things we thought the locals did extremely well and that we think are worth trying are your next visit.

Haggis

Yes, it’s cliché, but it’s also all over the place. It’s not as exotic or strange as you would think—it’s similar to Irish black pudding—and it’s worth trying once.

Most pubs serve an entree of “haggis, nips and tatties” (turnips and potatoes), but it’s possible to find smaller portions for trying. At Rosehip, on Rose St. in New Town, we ordered an appetizer that came out with potato, turnip and haggis layered like a savory trifle.

At The Ox gastropub further into New Town we ordered haggis balls, which were surprisingly light and crunchy and good! I could have eaten a half dozen.

My daughter’s opinion: She’s quite the carnivore but I couldn’t get my 8-year-old near the haggis, even covered in a crispy fried coating, which is usually alluring to her no matter what’s inside.

A Full Breakfast

One of the joys of traveling in the U.K. or Ireland for me is the prospect of sitting down to a full breakfast: A plate of fried eggs, bacons, sausage, beans, maybe a fried tomato, brown bread and a pot of good tea is an ideal start to any cold gray day.

We tried the full breakfast at Edinburgh Larder, near Canon Gate in the Old Town. They source as much as they can locally and cook everything fresh. House-made white beans and tomatoes replaced the typical canned variety. The eggs had nice orange-yellow yolks, and the fresh, warm brown bread rounded things out. We didn’t need to eat again until dinner.

Take note that the place is small and a line can form, so it’s best to get there early.

My daughter’s opinion: It would have taken her three days to work her way through a full breakfast, but she liked the Edinburgh bacon and ate a plate of it here and on other mornings as well.

Seafood

Sure, you think of Scotland, you think of smoked salmon, but the country is surrounded by water on three sides and has plenty of other seafood as well.

We had mussels twice —once at the Ox and again at the popular Mussel Inn on Rose St. Each time they were inexpensive, small, mild and just better than any I’ve had in the States. My daughter ate boiled shrimp for dinner at the Mussel Inn. They were small, came with the shells on, and also seemed like they had probably been swimming not too long before landing on her plate.

Of course, we all had fish & chips at least once (my daughter had it three times in a four-day trip). The local style is not too heavily battered. And I have to say the chips were better than any I’ve had in England or Ireland, They were light and crisp and it was quite easy to eat a lot of them.

Our hotel bartender swore to us that the best chipper in Edinburgh is the Tail End in a quiet neighborhood near the Waters of Leith. We believed him but never got there. We’re saving that recommendation for a next visit.

My daughter’s opinion: Clearly the fish & chips were a hit. She also loved the shrimp after we peeled them all for her.

Potpies and stews

When you are in Edinburgh, anytime there is something on the menu that comes in gravy, order it. They have a knack for turning their homey sauces into magical elixirs. In Rosehip I had chicken pie with a shallot and wine sauce that was rich and warming. At a popular New Town place called the Two Dogs, my husband had an oxtail stew in a broth that was equally good. I think he had to resist picking up his bowl and drinking it.

My daughter’s opinion: She was too busy with her fish & chips to care about our gravy. Her loss.

Sunday roast

Instead of eating brunch on Sunday, Edinburgh residents head to their local pubs for Sunday roast. This means plates of roast lamb or pork with fresh veggies, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and more gravy! We ate at the Ox, where they also offer a vegetarian Sunday roast plate. If you can’t get a reservation there (we barely got in without one), plenty of other pubs are known to do it as well. A quick Google search will turn up reliable options.

To Drink

If you don’t mind letting your kids sample the local junk food and want to give them a thrill, buy them a bottle of Irn Bru, a bright orange soda local kids have been drinking since 1901. It’s vaguely orange-flavored but like Coca Cola (which it outsells in Scotland) it tastes like its own thing.

My daughter’s opinion: Irn Bru was a hit. Luckily we can only get it there.

Eileen Gunn is the founder and editor of FamiliesGo!. You can read more about Edinburgh or follow her on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Bus

There are various bus companies that provide travel between different cities and for airport transfers. We have found National Express to be very good for both. They’re fairly reliable and punctual, but do keep in mind that traffic in some areas can be absolutely dreadful and no schedule can adequately plan for those unpredictable delays.

We have also used easyBus for airport transfers, especially from Gatwick. I have heard good things about Megabus, which often has much cheaper fares.

Most cities and villages have at least some public bus access. I have found Google Maps to be pretty reliable with showing accurate schedules, but the Traveline GB app (for Apple users) is extremely helpful. You can look up schedules and do route planning for pretty much anywhere in the UK. I’ve even used it in small rural villages. It does a great job of showing you different options that include the UK trains as well. And it’s free!

As you can imagine, bus travel between cities can be a long process. Often the train is quicker and more convenient but not always.

Buses can also be a bit expensive. Recently, we were staying just outside Manchester. A 20-minute one-way bus ride into town near the rail station cost over $7 USD for 1 adult and child (as opposed to fares of $1.25 USD per person in many European cities). Not necessarily a budget buster, but if you’re going to be taking buses a lot you need to be aware of that.

UK Trains

Journey planning

This can be quite the process. There are several companies providing service to the same areas. They can charge different prices, have different lengths of time for the same journey, etc. Amenities vary as well. Some have trolley service (coffee, tea, sodas, alcohol, light snacks, sandwiches, and so on), while some don’t.

In our experience, Virgin often has faster routes between larger cities. Sometimes their route shaves off almost 2 hours from a trip. They are also very responsive on social media, which I really appreciate.

One thing to definitely remember when traveling by train is that buying tickets on a non-commuter route in advance can save you a considerable amount of money. Often the further out the cheaper the deal.

I’ve tried various sites and apps, and the best one I’ve found is trainline.com. You can use either their website or their phone app for planning purposes, purchasing tickets, etc. If you create an account, any tickets you buy online will show up in the phone app as well, and vice versa. It’s extremely useful.

Most of the time you’ll need to retrieve your tickets from a kiosk in a rail station, but that usually takes no time at all. The phone app stores your confirmation number which you’ll need to retrieve the tickets.

Whenever possible, though, it’s best to talk to a live person to get the best fares. For instance, in Scotland if you are traveling with a child between the ages of 5 and 15 during off-peak hours, they ride for free. But the websites don’t account for this.

Also, sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a ticket to a destination a few stations past the one you want. One of my friends said that her parents can save money by buying a ticket to a station 3 stops past their own. They just get off the train at the appropriate stop. You generally won’t know this type of information unless you speak with the ticket agents who know all the tricks.

But, if you’re not in the UK and want to get cheaper fares, then the above website/app is your best friend.

One downside is the site will often show you a certain fare (for return trips) if you travel “off peak” but it doesn’t show you what those hours are. Sometimes all travel is off peak for that route, sometimes the peak is quite a bit more expensive. You can be charged extra if you have an off-peak ticket and travel during peak time so be careful. If you scroll through the available tickets, though, you can usually figure out which is peak and off-peak.

Schedules

During our first trip to the UK, trains were almost always completely on time.  This last trip, I would say that trains were late probably 75% of the time. Usually it’s just a few minutes, though.

Personally, I would not rely on long-distance train schedules if you’re on your way to catch a flight.

We had one issue where a train had to turn back because copper wires had been stolen from the tracks ahead and signaling was down, so they rerouted all trains. That caused us a 2-hour delay.

On another train ride, there was a gas pipe leak ahead and they stopped all train travel. That resulted in about a 4- to 5-hour delay for us. It also happened to be the day we were traveling from southern England to Scotland, so we had a 14-hour travel day thanks to this hiccup.

We had a train show up 20 minutes late because another train had broken down on the tracks.

So, if I’m doing something like being in London and flying out of Manchester, I go up the day before just in case.

If you miss a connection because of a late train, you can get a stamp so you can use your ticket on the next available train with that company. Ask if you can get a seat reservation for the next train, but don’t hold your breath.

Seat Reservations

Whenever this is an option, take it! Some of these trains get really crowded. We’ve been on several that were standing room only.

If you’re using the website or app, just mark seat reservation for any ticket you’re purchasing. If it’s available, it will make the reservation for you. If it isn’t an option, it will just get you regular tickets. There isn’t an extra charge for the reservation.

Rail Passes

There are several different types of passes you can purchase that can save you a lot of money. For example, we bought the Family & Friends pass. This enables up to 4 adults traveling with up to 4 children (none of you have to be related) to get a really good discount. Adults get about 30% off and kids 60%. We’ve had many times where the cost for both of us to travel was less than it would be if I was solo because of this card. (For this pass you must be traveling with at least 1 child who is under 16).

Over the past couple of months, this pass has more than paid for itself, but the savings from just one of our trips was enough to recoup the cost. If you plan on doing a lot of travel within the UK by rail, it’s worth looking into these.

You can buy them online (you will need a mailing address) and at some rail stations. They issue these quite rapidly.  I ordered ours online at about 3 PM and received it the following morning, and that was standard delivery.

When buying tickets online or at a kiosk, you just indicate you have a pass. It will ask you to select the appropriate one before giving you the final cost. (You don’t need the pass ID# or anything like that, but you should have the pass on you when actually traveling in case you’re asked for it.)

The passes work the same with all rail companies.

Commuter routes

Trains between some cities are regular commuter routes. These tickets are usually cheaper and are more open ended, i.e., a ticket is valid for a train any time that day. It also doesn’t usually matter when you buy these tickets. The price doesn’t fluctuate like other journeys can. Quite often these are cheaper (and faster) than using the local buses.

Anytime travel

When buying some tickets, you will sometimes have the option to purchase a ticket for a specific train, or by paying a bit extra you can get a ticket that is valid for any train that specific day. If you use the website above, it will show you the various price options to help you better decide.

Generally speaking, I usually buy the anytime ticket when it’s available.  I just like the flexibility, and several times I have ended up leaving earlier or staying later than originally planned.

UK trains aren’t always cheaper

When looking at flights back to the UK before our upcoming trip from Glasgow to Mexico, many train tickets from London to Glasgow (a 5- to 6-hour journey if there are no issues) were ending up costing about $150 USD with our pass. Meanwhile, a 1-1/2-hour flight between those two destinations was around $40 USD total.

Make sure to check out flights when you’re going long distances in the UK. You may just save yourself a bunch of money and many hours of travel.

Car hire

We didn’t do a car rental, but I know other travelers who have. I did consider it at some point. Rates were generally pretty reasonable (and often included insurance), so if you can handle the idea of driving on the left side of the road and paying about $6-8/gallon for gas, this could be a great way to travel. Rural UK is absolutely gorgeous, and you can have some experiences traveling by car that you wouldn’t have otherwise, and it’s also nice not to be dependent on rail and bus schedules.

It’s a worthwhile option to consider.

What other questions or tips do you have about using UK trains, buses, etc., to get around the country?

Inverness

We headed here after Edinburgh primarily because Tigger wanted to see Loch Ness, which is a short bus ride from the town.

It is a lovely town, but there really isn’t much here. It is a good location to use as a jumping off point for many day trips, and that seems to be its main popularity.

We did visit Loch Ness and were pretty disappointed. If you’re going there to camp, boat, or engage in other outdoor activities, it’s a great place. But the small castle and the lake are otherwise not really worth the time or monetary investment as far as we are both concerned.

There is a wonderful green belt that goes through the city and follows the river. We really enjoyed walking along that, and it’s a great bike path. It’s part of the 73-mile Great Glen Way, which is the nation’s 4th long-distance national walking route.

We had a nice surprise one day while walking on the bridge over the river when we saw a harbor seal swim by.

We stayed at two different locations—Alban & Abbey House and Highlander B&B. I would definitely recommend Highlander B&B. Unfortunately, they have some really bad TripAdvisor reviews, but there has been a change in management. The difference is night & day. We had such a great stay with them, and the experience really couldn’t have been better.

Pitlochry

We spotted this town while taking the train from Edinburgh to Inverness. It seemed like such a cool medieval town that I made sure to note the name. It’s only about 1-1/2 hours from Inverness. It is such a quaint town to walk around. There are also some beautiful natural areas. It’s a great day trip, although if the weather is nice I’d consider coming here and camping.

Signage and such would give the impression that this sleepy town gets a decent amount of local tourism, but we were there in the spring and it just wasn’t busy at all.

Glasgow

Scotland’s largest city, and the 3rd largest in the UK, is a big contrast from Edinburgh. A Scot described the difference to me as Edinburgh is made up of more of the middle class, white collar-type people whereas Glasgow is very much blue collar.

I felt that was an adequate description. The Industrial Revolution really made a big difference to Glasgow’s growth, and you can see that grittiness quite clearly.

However, it was also one of the major centers of the Scottish Enlightenment period. In fact, it houses the Glasgow School of Art which is world renown and is one of Europe’s leaders in visual arts education.

If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter books and you visit the university here, I think you’ll feel like you’re standing in front of Hogwarts. The building was so amazing that it stopped me in my tracks. Tigger wasn’t up to exploring it more, but I would’ve loved to have spent time just walking around the grounds.

There are some different long-distance walks that take you through the city and along a rather gorgeous green belt, one of which is The Clyde Walkway.

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens are rather breathtaking. Our hotel was practically across the street from here, and it was easily my favorite place in Glasgow.

We stayed at the Ambassador Hotel. I really liked the location, and the room was quite comfortable. However, if you need good WiFi this isn’t your best option. It’s a short walk to the metro station and within walking distance of some great sites. Staff are a bit hit and miss. You’ll either have someone who is really friendly or kind of surly.

Food

Pretty much everyone has heard of haggis, a “pudding” (kind of like sausage) made from sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, combined with some other savory ingredients, and cooked within sheep’s stomach. Yes, it sounds positively disgusting. While I am a pretty adventurous eater, I was admittedly nervous about trying this traditional Scottish delicacy. It is customarily served as part of a full Scottish breakfast.

While we were in Pitlochry, we decided to go ahead and experience the full Scottish breakfast. I didn’t tell Tigger what haggis was because I knew he wouldn’t give it a try. When our food arrived, I took a deep breath and gave haggis a shot.

And I’m a big fan. Even Tigger liked it, and he ate it again even after I read a description to him later.

Restaurants will often charge a lot for haggis (although not for a full Scottish breakfast), so if you’re just curious it’s much cheaper to pick up some at a corner or grocery store and fix it yourself. If your hotel or restaurant offers it as part of breakfast, do go for it and give it a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Don’t feel bad if you don’t like it, though. Many Scots have told me haggis is either loved or reviled in Scotland.

We didn’t really eat at any remarkable restaurants, so I’ll skip restaurant recommendations. However, to save money on food, I do recommend visiting Tesco or even Waitrose and picking up some of their prepared meals. They have a nice variety of meals which are of fairly good quality and much cheaper than restaurant fare. Two of us could get meals, snacks, and drinks for what a restaurant meal for one would often cost.

Getting around Scotland

The train system, as you would expect, is quite nice in this part of the UK. Most of the trains are modern and quite comfortable. First Scotland’s trains usually offer free, good WiFi in both the stations and on the train. East Coast’s trains usually offer about 15 minutes of free WiFi and charge if you want longer. However, if you ride in first class, WiFi is free (and for some reason first class is sometimes the cheapest seat when traveling on a weekend day).

It could also be worth checking out Megabus for better deals. The UK rail system can be a bit expensive, and sometimes a trip by bus has the same duration.

Make sure to get tickets as far in advance as possible. This will increase the likelihood of you getting a better deal. I used The Trainline site for our train travel in the UK (they have a great mobile app, too) and found it very helpful for planning and for finding cheaper fares.

Should you visit Scotland?

Oh my, yes! Scotland is absolutely gorgeous, and the people are friendly. I didn’t have any trouble with accents until we got to Glasgow. Sometimes I wasn’t sure they weren’t speaking Gaelic, but it added to the fun.

If you can work a car hire into your budget, I think this is probably one of the best ways to experience Scotland. There is so much beauty in this country! But without a vehicle, it’s still easy to get around and see what you want to see.

Scotland is one of my favorite countries now, and I’d love to go back to experience more of her. If I could work it out financially, Edinburgh would be my home for at least half the year.

Did you visit Scotland? If so, what is your favorite spot?

There are plenty of places around town offering tastings, but this was across the street from our next activity, and it seemed to put a little more emphasis on education. The price for the experience was a bit high, but its 4-star rating by Scotland Tourism helped me decide to go for it.

The tour began with a rather corny “barrel ride” that provides information about the rather involved process leading from malted barley to bottled perfection.

After the ride, you go into a room where a guide walks visitors through a detailed explanation of Scotch as well as the differences between the various regions producing the beverage. You’re given a scratch-and-sniff card so you can get an idea of the flavors unique to each region. For example, lowland Scotch has more citrus flavors than the whisky produced in the Speyside region, which is very smoky (from the peat used in part of the process).

Single malts are made from one grain and in one particular distillery whereas a blended Scotch is a mixture that could come from various regions.

Once the tutorial is complete, you get the opportunity to select a whisky to try. There are five steps to doing a tasting, and the guide takes you through the various steps while you’re standing amidst the world’s largest collection of Scotch (well over 3000 different bottles).

1. Color. This is checked by holding the glass up to the light so you can see the color of the drink which will generally be a shade of amber. The longer it has matured, the darker the end product will be.
2. Body. Tilt and turn the glass. Look at how the fluid runs down the side of the glass. Many streams that are close together means it is a lighter whisky.
3. Nose.  This is when you gently inhale the aromas from the whisky. It is best to do this with your mouth slightly open. It really does affect the smell. This is when it’s easier to pick up the scents like citrus, vanilla, smoke, and so on.
4. Palate.  Take a small sip of the whisky and let it linger in your mouth. Now you can begin to pick out specific, more subtle flavors.
5. Finish. This is the aftertaste that results from the whisky. Once again you’ll pick out more flavors as well as the texture of the whisky which can be light, oily, etc. You also pay attention to how long the flavor remains. Some whiskies will produce a short finish while others may be long.

If you purchase the gold tour, you get to sample 4 more whiskies at the bar.

Naturally, you have to be 18 or over to sample the Scotch, but they serve Scotland’s Irn-Bru, a soft drink that is often referred to as Scotland’s “other national drink,” to minors on the tour.

As a souvenir, you get to keep your glass. Mine has come in handy for further whisky imbibing and drinking my white port wine, which is much better than the coffee mug I was using previously.

Scotch tour from the kid’s perspective

Tigger said he liked the ride at the beginning. He gave the whole experience an overall rating of 5 out of 10 but cautions that “it might get really boring for younger kids.” He was pretty happy to get a glass of Irn-Bru, though.

Summary

I found the tour to be quite interesting, and I learned a lot more than I expected. The downside is that now I’ve become a bit of a Scotch whisky snob. Before I’ll order a Scotch, I want to know what region it came from because I discovered that Speyside and Islay whiskies are definitely not for me. I’ve also discovered there really is a noticeable difference between a 12-year and a 15-year Scotch (referring to how long it was matured in the cask). Who knew 3 years could make such a difference?

Have you done a Scotch whisky tasting?

Museums

These are free in the city, and they have some rather impressive ones from the investigating I did. My son is a bit “museumed out,” so we didn’t visit any while we were there. However, I spoke with several locals to get ideas of places to possibly visit, and they all suggested some of the same ones.

• National Museum of Scotland.  This hosts a wide variety of varied exhibits including some interactive exhibits for kids. This museum has been applauded for designing exhibits that encourages visitors to get hands on and involved.
• If you’re into art, you’ll probably want to visit the National Gallery of Scotland conveniently located on Princes Street. The building is impressive, and there are ice cream trucks that like to park in front as an added bonus.
• If you’re traveling with young folk, you might want to add in a visit to the Museum of Childhood.

Festivals

Edinburgh is a city of festivals with the Fringe Festival being the most famous. It is reportedly the largest arts festival in the world. Essentially, during the month of August the entire city becomes a live theatre (music, dance, performance, etc.). The number of various performances is rather mind boggling, and the festival attracts some rather big names in the entertainment industry. Some of them use the festival to launch their next big project.

Summertime is the most active period for events, but you can find them occurring in the spring and fall as well, and the wild new year celebration known as Hogmanay is becoming more and more well known.

Unique things to do in Edinburgh

While looking through Google, I came across a place known as Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. I contacted them, and we were invited to come check it out as their guests.

On the surface it seemed like a cool activity, but I was blown away by their exhibits. Something I thought would mostly be of interest to my almost teenager actually turned out to be equally fun for me. Our time there turned out to be one of the highlights of our visit to Edinburgh. It’s a must-do activity in my book. Tigger gave it a 10/10 as well.

Adults will pay 12.95 ($21.78 USD), and children ages 5-15 are charged 9.95. It’s worth it, though. We had so much fun!

The camera obscura was the first paid attraction in Scotland and dates back to 1853. At one point it was used as a social experiment to show the wealthy the startling difference between the classes. It was the first “moving picture” people had ever seen during its earlier days, and it understandably created quite a stir. It’s rumored that some people fainted, and some even vomited, upon seeing a demonstration of the camera.

While the camera obscura is interesting to see in action, the other levels of the building are packed full of all kinds of illusions, most of which involve hands-on interaction. In addition to fun experiments, there is also a vector tunnel and a fun maze of mirrors.

Fun with perspective. Both objects are actually the same size!

One of the things I loved as well were the staff. It’s rare to see people who seem to love their jobs so much. Every staff member we engaged with appeared to be having as much fun being there as we were. That makes a big difference to the experience.

Unfortunately, if you have significant mobility issues, you won’t really be able to enjoy this unusual experience. There is no elevator in the building.

While walking around the historic town, make sure to watch the street performers and explore some of the side streets and alleys. Many of them open up to some lovely discoveries.

Monuments and Castles

There are tons of monuments in Edinburgh. One of the more interesting ones is the National Monument of Scotland at the top of Calton Hill. This area is quite fabulous, and the monument only adds to its grandeur. The monument was built at a time when architecture was inspired by the Greek style, which is readily apparent. There are some less grand monuments at the top, as well as an observatory and an art gallery. The views from the hill are phenomenal and provide an amazing 360-degree panorama of Edinburgh and its surroundings, including the iconic hill Arthur’s Seat.

The park around the monument is absolutely perfect for having a picnic, a romantic date, letting the kids burn off energy, and so on. Its proximity to other historic buildings and Princes and High Streets really adds to its appeal.

For those with mobility issues, there is a very nice road that leads up to the top that offers complete wheelchair accessibility.

Another monument worth visiting is the Scott Monument, the world’s largest monument to a writer. It looks like a gothic rocket. In addition to being an impressive monument and a feast for the eyes of fans of this type of architecture, you can actually climb the inside of the monument.

There are 287 narrow steps leading to the top, which affords some great views. You’ll also find a museum room so you can learn more about the writer and the monument.

Edinburgh Castle is a hard sight to miss from most of the center of town. It sits atop a hill in the city and is a fairly large structure. In addition to being an old fort, it hosts many museums dealing with the city’s and country’s history. One can also view the Honours of Scotland—the scepter, crown, and sword used to anoint the monarch, as well as the Stone of Destiny upon which the monarch sat as they were presented the Honours. It’s kind of cool to see them. Unfortunately, photos aren’t allowed in this area.

A visit to the castle is fairly expensive. An adult will pay around $27 USD, and children ages 5-15 are $16 each. And that’s if you buy the tickets online, which I highly recommend doing if you decide to visit. If you do purchase tickets online, select the pickup option to save some hassle of trying to get them printed. The ticket machine takes seconds.

I can’t really recommend a visit to the castle, though. It really isn’t very impressive other than seeing the Honours, and I really can’t say that’s worth paying $27 per adult.

Outdoor Activities

Arthur’s Seat, which makes up part of Holyrood Park, is quite impressive and offers some great hiking. There is a diversity of trails. The area is easily reached by public transportation.

The city is packed full of absolutely gorgeous parks, and there are some phenomenal urban walking and cycling trails that will help you forget you’re in an energetic city. We walked part of the Water of Leith Walkway, and it was absolutely fantastic.

There are audio tracks you can download to listen to as you enjoy the walk. You’ll find numbered signs along the path to help you find the right track. It’s such a cool idea.

This isn’t the only pathway in the city, but it also takes you to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh which is another park that shouldn’t be missed. The gardens are absolutely stunning, especially in spring and summer. And they’re free.

In good weather, you can enjoy the beach, and if you’re hardy there is canoeing and kayaking year round.

There is are so many outdoor opportunities in this wonderful city, there is even a website dedicated to the Edinburgh Outdoors.

With so many things to do in Edinburgh, I hope you plan on more than just a few days for your visit. And if Edinburgh wasn’t on your itinerary before, I hope you’ve changed your mind.

What’s your favorite spot to visit in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh was a city I didn’t expect to surprise me. I never really see that much written about it, and it seems that people typically use it just as a place to transition to the famed Scottish Highlands. I didn’t expect much other than seeing lots of green and hearing one of my favorite accents.

I’m sure I’m not alone in finding the Scottish brogue to be one of the most sexy accents around.

I’ve heard so many stories from foreigners having a rough time at the UK border control that I get a little nervous when it’s time to present my passport here. However, just like last time, it was super smooth. It was also one of the few times that being a foreigner paid off in terms of the queue. The immigration line for UK/EU passport holders was quite long. There were only 3 people in the non-EU line, and we were 2 of them.

Our first introduction to the city was via the bus system, and that began with a hiccup. It turns out our driver didn’t know where our stop was. When I finally figured we were in the right area, he couldn’t confirm that for me. This wouldn’t be our only bus adventure in the city.

After we checked into our Wimdu place, we headed out to explore. Just walking around the city center was incredible. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it charmed me even though it really didn’t look much different than any other European downtown.

We decided to climb the nearby hill to check out the monuments and get a better view of the city. You never really realize just how out of shape you are until you’re climbing a steep hill, especially after a large meal, but my love affair with Edinburgh began at the top of Calton Hill.

Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the hill is included in that. There are some beautiful monuments at the top as well as an old observatory and an art gallery. The views are absolutely stunning. You can see the city below you as well as a jaw-dropping sight of Arthur’s Seat. The whole area is so gorgeous, you just want to sit down and soak it in for as long as possible.

I was energized and even more eager to explore after this.

We went down the hill and ended up on Princes Street. Walking along here was like being immersed in two worlds. On one side of the street were old buildings with gorgeous architecture, including the “gothic rocket ship” monument to Sir Walter Scott, which happens to be the largest monument to a writer in the world.  On the other was a mix of old and new buildings filled with all manner of opportunities for shopping and dining.

The streets were bustling with people, buses, and trams. The transportation system is excellent and quite affordable, and the drivers can be quite entertaining. Bus adventure #2 happened when we were headed back to her home. We were heading to cross the street to catch the bus when one pulled up right where we were standing with a sign indicating it was heading in our direction. It seemed wrong, but the sign was clear. We hopped on it.

After 20 minutes, I was pretty sure we were going in the opposite direction. When I queried the driver, he confirmed we were on the wrong bus. I asked about the sign being in disagreement. He double checked it and replied: “F**k me, you’re right!”

Gotta love the Scots.

Our day of being wowed by Edinburgh only fueled my desire to experience more of this city, and the more time I’ve spent here the more time I want. It has firmly landed a spot on my favorite cities list. The city has a charm and a vibe that is just phenomenal. Just when you think you’ve found the coolest or most beautiful spot, you find something else that knocks your socks off.

If you come to Scotland, you can’t skip Edinburgh.

Have you been to Edinburgh? What are your thoughts?