Hello from Edinburgh!

​

I am so excited to finally be in Scotland!  The trip here was long but (thankfully) uneventful with the Edinburgh airport easy to navigate.. 

​

After checking into the hotel I start wandering around town, map firmly in hand.  The Scots speak with a lovely, gentle accent and there are many other languages spoken on the streets.  This place is a magnet for tourists!  

​

I am staying in the "New Town" section which is Georgian in style, from the 1700s.  The train station and lots of modern shops are here.  Like a crown, the old castle sits on the top of a ridge watching over and protecting the area.  The "Old Town" is medieval, sliding down the hill from the castle and has a very different feel.  All the buildings are made of stone and while they started out beige, they are now predominantly shades of grey from centuries of smoke.  

​

Monday I walked both parts of town, taking it all in.  The various costumed street performers on the Royal Mile added a festive charm to the crowds.  I made a lovely stop in St Giles' Cathedral.   Its Gothic architecture and peaceful atmosphere seemed to wrap around me and welcome me to Scotland.  I also took a tour of one of the "closes" in town.  As medieval Edinburgh grew the buildings became tighter together within the protected area.  Closes are small walkways between buildings which lead to more structures behind.  There ended up rabbit warren type buildings with lots of different levels and rooms, all dark and chilly.  

​

Martha