Things to Do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh was the first stop on our Scotland-Ireland tour and my favorite, yet it was also the place I just couldn’t bring myself to write about. At first, there was so much to say that I didn’t know where to begin, and as time passed, I kept delaying it, thinking, “What was I going to write about anyway?” Thankfully, the photos are there, and once I go through them, everything comes alive again in my mind. Now, with my Sunday coffee beside me, “Something Just Like This” playing in the background, and memories in my mind, I’m ready to write.
Edinburgh was one of the places I wanted to visit because it’s the city where Harry Potter was written. However, after booking the tour, I realized I wasn’t as excited as I used to be. Even though I tried to motivate myself by doing some small research, I didn’t have that typical excitement of discovering a new place. The overcast weather that greeted us when we arrived in the city didn’t help; instead of sparking enthusiasm, it dimmed my mood even more. But seeing a woman in a colorful raincoat from the bus window gave me a little bit of hope for the city. Before we even reached the city center, I saw those familiar English-style houses, and I immediately felt the urge to get out and take pictures. When we arrived at the city center and found ourselves in the middle of a festival, my mood improved, and I felt excited again. Even though the weather remained cloudy, it wasn’t too cold, which made us smile, and occasionally the sun even came out.
Because of the Fringe Festival, the city center was quite crowded, with concerts, dance performances, and many more events at every corner. We found ourselves wishing we had more time so we could watch everything in full. One of the most entertaining activities we came across while wandering the streets was something called “Silent Disco,” where people dance around the streets wearing headphones and listening to the same songs. If you plan your trip to coincide with this annual festival, you’re guaranteed to have fun.
By the way, when I say the city center was crowded, I don’t mean the kind of crowd where you can’t even drop a pin like at some festivals in other parts of Europe. Let’s just say it was crowded by Edinburgh’s standards. So, don’t worry; you can comfortably enjoy the festival without feeling too overwhelmed. Let me briefly touch on the pronunciation of Edinburgh: While Turks typically pronounce it as it’s written, the locals pronounce it more like “Edin-bra.” But don’t worry too much about getting it perfect. 🙂
I don’t remember much about the places we visited on the panoramic tour, but I made sure to visit the most noteworthy ones up close during our free time, so I’ll start with that. Our first stop after parting ways with the tour group was St Giles’ Cathedral in the Old Town square. The most interesting part of the cathedral for us was the Thistle Chapel, where the walls were adorned with the coats of arms of knights. However, taking photos inside the church required a donation, so we found it a bit difficult to capture pictures. Just outside St Giles’ Cathedral, you can witness one of Edinburgh’s strange traditions. People spit on a heart-shaped mosaic called The Midlothian Heart, and it’s not out of rudeness. It used to be the site of a tax office, and later it became a notorious prison where people were tortured and executed. People would spit to show their disdain for taxes and authority, and over time, it became a belief that spitting on it brings good luck. One article I read even warned people not to propose marriage there, thinking it’s a romantic spot, which I thought was a sensible warning. 🙂
After the cathedral, we continued along the lively High Street, filled with museums and souvenir shops, paying special attention to the small alleyways along the street. Don’t miss Dunbar’s Close Garden, a small but lush and peaceful spot that we thoroughly enjoyed. Another place we visited on High Street was the Museum of Childhood. Like most museums in the city, it’s free to enter. There’s also a photography and illusion museum on High Street, where you can take funny photos in front of the funhouse mirrors. And if you’re interested in whisky, there are several whisky-tasting spots on this street where you can learn about whisky-making and do some tastings.
Our next stop was the statue of Bobby, the loyal Terrier dog who waited at his owner’s grave for 14 years, located near Greyfriars. It’s said that touching Bobby’s nose brings good luck. Unfortunately, I couldn’t reach the nose due to my height, but I hope touching his mouth works just as well! The area around the statue was quite crowded, so if you want a photo with just you and Bobby, it might be best to visit early in the morning.
From there, we wandered into Bristo Square while looking for Victoria Street. There was a lovely socializing area called Gilded Garden, with many small stands selling food and drinks. It was beautifully decorated, and we weren’t sure if it was a permanent feature or set up just for the festival. We made a note to come back the next evening to enjoy it, which we did, sipping mojitos and whisky. On our way to Gilded Garden the next day, we passed by The Elephant Café, where J.K. Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter. However, we only got a glimpse from the outside, as there was a long line to get in. If the café had been this crowded while Rowling was writing, I imagine she would have chosen another spot, or perhaps Harry Potter’s story would have turned out completely different. 🙂
Taking photos on Victoria Street without cars in the shot is nearly impossible, and there’s always the risk of getting hit! The colorful houses are undoubtedly charming, but finding the perfect angle for a photo requires effort. I recommend studying the angles of your favorite photos before you go. There’s also a Harry Potter Museum (Curiosities for the Curious – Museum Context) on this street where you can take free photos in robes and with wands. The photo area is on the top floor. The final stop on our first whirlwind day was the University of Edinburgh. I can’t resist taking photos whenever I see an open university gate, especially if there’s an old building and a grassy courtyard involved. Despite the “Do not sit on the grass” signs, I’m sure you can guess which nationality of students was sitting on the grass. 🙁
On our second day in Edinburgh, our first stop was Dean Village, a place I fell in love with just from the photos. To reach Dean Village, we walked from our hotel along the Water of Leith. The roads were slippery, and the path wasn’t exactly a proper one, but the views were beautiful. We walked peacefully alongside the river, passing quaint little houses like the ones in the photo above. We even had a morning chat with an elderly lady walking her dog. As we continued, the path became quieter, and we wondered if we were on the right track. But seeing the signs for Dean Village reassured us. There was also a dog playing fetch with its owner by the river, and when it started bringing the ball to my friend Semiha, she couldn’t resist playing with the dog. The dog would jump into the water to retrieve the ball and bring it back to her, shaking off its wet fur all over us in the process. After a fun and wet ten minutes, we said goodbye to the dog and continued on our way. When we arrived at Dean Village, it was even more beautiful than in the photos—a small but incredibly scenic spot.
After Dean Village, we continued along the river, following the signs to Stockbridge. This was a charming area with cafes, though I was a bit sad that I couldn’t find the exact spots I had seen in photos.
Our next destination after Stockbridge was Calton Hill, one of Edinburgh’s hills. While the climb isn’t too difficult, it’s still an uphill walk. The monuments you see in all the movies filmed in Edinburgh are located here, and you can’t say you’ve been to Edinburgh without taking a photo in front of one of them. So, naturally, I wanted to use one of the monuments as the cover photo for this post. From this hill, you can also capture panoramic views of the city. If you’re lucky like us, you might come across a Scotsman playing guitar and singing, making it a pleasant place to spend some time.
Our final stop was Princess Street for some shopping. This street is also home to the National Gallery, but we missed the chance to visit because we didn’t account for the closing time. If you plan to visit the museums, be sure to check the opening hours in advance.
If I had more time in Edinburgh, I would have loved to visit Arthur’s Seat, a hill featured in the Arthurian legends and seen in the show Merlin, as well as a few more museums. Attending the Military Tattoo performance at the castle would also have been a lot of fun. Still, what I did experience was enough to make me love the city. The places to explore around Edinburgh (Highlands, Glasgow, and many more) will have to be the subject of another post.
