Edinburgh Old Town and Castle
Edinburgh: April 5th, 2026: The Ryanair flight from Düsseldorf-Weeze to Edinburgh (pronounce Edinborough if you want to fit in with the Scottish) was just about a little over an hour long.
We arrived on a blustery day, normal for Edinburgh this time of year, which also happened to be Easter Sunday. Adam (manager of Jeeps For Peace) picked us up from the airport and dropped us off at our flat we rented via “Flatio”, an Airbnb type service used in Europe, for the next two weeks.
I would normally post a link here for our accommodations, but not this time, since I cannot recommend it. However, the hostess is very communicative, but just too many issues with the unit have arisen during our stay.
Our first evening we used über delivery to order a few start off groceries and take out food. I highly recommend using them. Very affordable and drivers are excellent. Just put the apps in your phone.
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The next afternoon, on Monday, we walked to the big grocery store Morrison’s to buy some more groceries for the week, then carried them all the way back to the flat. You need a British pound coin to grab a cart, just like at Aldi in the States, but you’ll get it back when you bring the cart back. We didn’t have any British Pounds yet, so first went back into the store to the service desk to extract some British currency from our American debit/credit card. By the way these work fine at most stores and restaurants, but having a little local cash on hand makes life a little less complicated. After criss crossing the supermarket aisles, we left with a full cart. The walk was a tad far for both of us, especially with the steep hills, cold Scottish wind blowing and laden down with groceries on the way back. So after that, we took it easy.
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Jeeps for Peace team Marina, Adam & Stewart
Tuesday we took an über to a Jeeps For Peace meeting in the center of the city, then we all popped into a local pub to have a pint, chat, laugh and get to know each other. The pub is located in an active nightlife part of the city and is very charming, as was our company of Marina, Stewart and Adam. We were early, so we were able to nab a window booth table. https://www.teuchtersbar.co.uk/west-end
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Wednesday we tried our first go round with Lothian Buses for local transportation. Very convenient, especially since the bus station was almost directly around the corner from our flat. Their app is surprisingly easy to navigate and use, and the buses are timely and often. https://www.lothianbuses.com
We were let off at Waverly Steps and then literally faced an uphill battle to arrive on popular Victoria Street in Old Town. Mapquest to the rescue. Hills and stairs are in abundance, but so is the jaw-dropping architecture. It was crowded for April, so I cannot even imagine what it would be like come summer. However, it was an unusually gorgeous sunny warm day for Scotland.
I wanted to visit this street and area because my oldest daughter is a Harry Potter fan and I wanted shoot some pics for her. Also it is very colorful, cafés and pubs galore, lovely stores, people watching at its best, with a couple of bagpipers thrown in for good measure.
For a quick lunch we had garlicky fries (chips) with mayo and an unforgettable apple crumble topped with ice cream and caramel at The Castle Arms. Odd combo, but oh so satisfying. The place was very charming inside, gorgeous outdoor patio facing Victoria Street and sits at the base of Edinburgh Castle.
We climbed and descended some more steps through the inner workings of Old Town Edinburgh and finally ended up mid afternoon on the part of Victoria Street is filled with buskers, magicians and story tellers. Here we found a table outside at Deacon Brody’s Tavern on Lawn Market and did some more people watching over drinks. Edinburgh and its thousands of visitors were definitely enjoying this early spring day
By that time we had walked a bit over 7000 steps and figured that was enough for one day and we walked back to the bus stop which was a bit further down. We grabbed what was supposed to be little dessert type pastry at the bus station. We both agreed that we have had better. Than easily found the correct bus, ate some dinner at the flat and chilled for the remainder of the evening.
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Thursday was a sleep in day, since it had turned cold and rainy overnight. Showers to relax the muscles, and making plans for the next few days. We also had to write some catch up stories for the blog, so not to get too far behind. And we were still categorizing and analyzing the pictures we took since leaving Ft. Lauderdale.
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Friday we were both too sore to do much of anything. I have a huge piece of advice though. When you choose a vacation destination, check if the schools are on break. It is loud in this neighborhood right now because the schools are out on spring break from April 6th until April 20th, which does not make for a relaxing time.
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Saturday Han was feeling kinda icky with a cold, so I decided at about 1:30pm to jump on the bus and do some shopping. I thought a long sleeve shirt and a hoodie would be warm enough, but I quickly learned that was incorrect. I froze my butt off most of the time.
I was trying to find a backpack, but saw the prices and started window shopping instead at this five story mall called St. James Quarter. It was honestly a bit overwhelming for me. Especially since my stomach decided to be disagreeable that day.
Visited a cute place called “Edinburgh Street Food” to grab something easy, and decided upon “Eddie’s Burgers and Fries”. I have had smash burgers before, but this one put them all to shame. I was so hungry, sorry no pic of burger.
Highlight of this day trip, was the long chat with a wonderful group of volunteers who stood across from The Balmoral (every Saturday) to help raise money for Ukraine and make sure that people don’t forget them.
Then it was time to get my cold tired hiney back “home” to my honey. I nearly froze waiting for the bus. I learned my lesson to be more weather prepared in the future.
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Sunday was a day of washing linens. No dryer here, so it was an all day affair of trying to dry items on the clothesline in between the rain showers. Hanging them across the wall radiators work too.
Our hostess sent us a few treats via Uber, with the best one being Scottish Tea Cakes. They are now my fave sweet treat.
Han is feeling a bit better, since I made sure to bring NyQuil with us.
Oh and just a note: one is able to order alcohol from Amazon here in Scotland and have it delivered to your door. Just need to show an ID.🆔😜
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Monday started off on an exciting note because we had tickets to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Mary Queen of Scots has been a long time mystery in our Seaton family tree. Some say related, some say very close friends to her.
Well when I stepped off the bus, the excitement turned into surprise when I realized my butt was wet. No alternatives but walk to the Palace, go into the café bathroom there and check pants for myself. Yep, someone had peed on my bus seat!
Proceeded into an epic tale of a clean fest. Baby wipes to the rescue (always be prepared), panties into a spare plastic bag, tied my jacket around my waste to cover my butt (since I was naked from the waist down) washed my pants, then dried them under the hand dryer. The lady next to me heard my story and said, “well at least you get to wash up in the poshest toilet in the UK.” That made me laugh. By the time I was finished, Han was of course done with his coffee and was wondering what the hell had happened to me.
After that, we throughly enjoyed the tour of the Palace. I highly suggest a visit.
I did happily find out that my ancestor Mary Seton was Mary Queen of Scots’ favorite and longest time spent with her as one of four of “Ladies in Waiting”.
I was surprised that the beds are SO small, however everything is over the top regal, as you would expect from royalty. Just amazing it is still standing and so stunning after 900 years. Really is difficult to even imagine standing inside a 900 year old building of any sort.
The current Parliament Building is next door and offers tours, but we were ready to head back home, knowing we had to climb and descend another hill to get to the bus station.
Travel tip: Check clothe seats in buses and trains before sitting down. Easier to wash your hands, than your body and clothes, and always carry wipes with you.
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Tuesday I took the bus to Fort Kinnaird. No, it’s not a fort, but an outdoor shopping outlet mall. Han and I both needed some more comfortable shoes to wear, and found some great deals at Skechers. Bought two shirts at Adidas because why not? It’s my fave brand. I was fairly late getting back, but had a great time and got in some exercise.
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Wednesday we walked to Aldi to get some steps in and of course to buy some groceries. All was going well until my left contact lens decided to take a trip of its own and Han had to dig it out of my eye, then without any contact solution with me, I put it in backwards and that was almost as bad. I was dealing okay until we checked out, packed our items into bags, walked to the bus stop, jumped on the bus and then I thought I lost my phone. I jumped off, ran to the store, no phone to be found, bus left without us, but in the meantime Han had located my phone in my purse and taken the bags of groceries off the bus, which had already left. Yeah, right where it should have been. Like seriously, at this time, my phone is more important than even our computers. Caught the next bus and thankfully the rest of the day went uneventful. That was too much stress for a couple of minutes.
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Thursday and Friday were laundry, computer catch up days and resting up for the long walk ahead of us the next day.
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Saturday we visited the Castle. I will say, I enjoyed the Palace more, so if you only have time to visit one, we suggest the Palace. Of course the Palace gives beautiful panorama pictures over the city below.
Beware that they only sell just so many tickets per time slot, so it does not become overcrowded. So make sure to purchase early online if you’re going. Tickets sell out fast. And then be prepared to walk and walk, then walk some more. It would have been nicer this saturday, had it been a wee warmer.
Absolutely stunning views of Edinburgh from all sides. It was a bit mind blowing simply standing with so much history surrounding you. Han was amazed the short stature men, back then, could pick up the HUGE swords we saw, much less swing them.
Set upon its mighty rock, Edinburgh Castle’s strategic advantage is clear. Throughout the centuries the site’s military potential was a given and Iron Age people built a hill fort on the rock.
The castle has suffered many sieges and victories. The castle is the most besieged place in Britain. During the Wars of Independence it changed hands many times. The castle defences have evolved over hundreds of years. Mons Meg, one of the greatest medieval monster cannons ever made, was given to King James II in 1457. The Half Moon Battery, built in the aftermath of the Lang Siege of 1573, was armed for 200 years by bronze guns known as the Seven Sisters. Six more guns defend the Argyle Battery, with its open outlook to the north.
TJ enjoyed the cute little chapel, which is the oldest part of the castle and the oldest building in Edinburgh.
I purchased my family crest to have framed at a later day. It is quite nice.
I liked that there were more areas where photos were allowed to be taken.
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Sunday was another chill day, but that night I started breaking out with hives/rash on my arms and lower legs. I previously had a friend suggest Palmers Cocoa Butter Lotion because my skin was so dry. Even though I used it only twice, now my lower legs and arms have huge welts and itchy hives. So I had a very off day and did not feel good. Hardly any sleep either. – Shitty day.
Going to pharmacy tomorrow since they are closed on Sunday.
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Monday I went to pharmacy twice because the first time the pharmacist was not there and they have to suggest “even over the counter” meds for safety protocol. I ended up getting their form of Zyrtec and a tube of itch relief cream. At night, I have been slathering vaseline over the top and it really helps calm the itch even better. I still find myself during the night scratching though.
Tuesday we checked out of the flat, was glad to get out of there, and checked into our two night stay directly across from our meet up for the Ukraine convoy trip on Thursday morning.
The B&B is called Ardgowan Guest House on Lady Road and it is a gorgeous large cottage and very comfortable. So many restaurants and bus stops close by for convenience and the Cameron Toll strip shopping mall right across the street. We walked to “Cameron Toll” and grabbed a sandwich for lunch. Needed just a little bite to eat since we were meeting up with our friend Robert, from Fernandina Beach FL who was also participating in the Ukraine convoy, for dinner around St. Andrew’s Square.
We sat and chatted awhile in the hotel lobby where he was staying. Here we were also introduced to Andy, one of Roberts dear friends. Great guy and interesting.
Robert mentioned an Indian Restaurant and we all agreed, so we walked across the square. Had a very, very long wait time and thought that was a good sign. We thought wrong.
Honestly, the worst so-called “Indian Restaurant” we have ever eaten at. Not one of us was impressed and even less so when the bill came. They have high reviews but how, I don’t know? Thankfully we already had drinks before arriving, and just enjoyed our water.
Extremely loud and crowded, which made having a conversation impossible. Yes, I left a review and it was detailed and true. I rarely leave purely negative reviews, but two words for that place are “ugh” and “meh”.
The highlight of my night was getting to see Paddington Bear statue located in Saint Andrew Square.
TJ with Paddington Bear
On arrival back to their hotel, my Uber app decided it was tired, so we took the bus home and arrived later, but all was fine. Just tired and slept well.
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Wednesday was a chill-lax day because tomorrow begins early wake up to meet with our other ‘comrades’ going on the Ukraine convoy. I just re-packed a lot of items, leaving some items behind to limit our load. We have to trek this downstairs and across the street and even though it’s not terribly far, it is when you are loaded down with so much. Thankfully it is slightly downhill on the way.
Lunch was McDonalds near the Cameron Toll Plaza, and dinner was the best most delicious poke bowls delivered via Uber eats from a place down the street towards downtown. What an extreme different experience than last nights subpar food and at a 1/4 of the cost. Best poke bowls we have ever devoured.
Now to attempt to get our butts to bed early, so we can begin this slightly nerve wracking experience. We are meeting tomorrow at 9:30am across the street at Cameron Toll Plaza for a pre-meeting and fueling the vehicles.
Let the fun begin.
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