Bee in my Bonnet

Another day to explore Edinburgh starting with a brief bus city tour to help get us oriented and see some highlights.

Next stop, Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important strongholds in the kingdom of Scotland. Involved in many historical conflicts and one of the most besieged and attacked castles in Europe.

Lots of people queuing to get in the gate. The massive stands for the Tatoo later in August are already set up. Don’t know what the tatoo is? It’s not something you etch on your skin. It is a huge gathering and celebration of Scottish culture with bagpipes, dancing, regimental performances, wearing of the tartan, etc. Would love to attend someday. People come from all over the world to attend.

The Castle sits on the highest craggy point in Edinburgh. It can be seen from wherever you are in the city.

Back down on the Royal Mile we looked for the Midlothian Heart. Finally found it near St. Giles church as part of the cobblestone pavement.

It is a mosaic of granite in a heart shape that records the place of the Old Tollbooth, a prison, and a place of execution. People will often spit on the heart. It used to be because of the disdain of the prison but nowadays it is done for good luck. People will also walk around the heart in the belief if you step on it someone’s heart will be broken.

Wandered down to Princes Street for lunch at an old establishment. The ground floor has a Scottish souvenir shop, next level one of the best known kilt makers with books and books of fabric tartan samples, sgian-dubhs (a type of knife you tuck in the top of your sock), sporrans, socks and all the other items you’d need to be outfitted in true Scottish style. Next floor up is the tea room, and the top floor is the toilets (they don’t use the word bathroom here). All accessed only by a narrow staircase carpeted in plaid.

The tea shop, Romanes and Paterson, is very tiny and was filled with lots of little old ladies in for their afternoon tea. We sat at a window seat and ordered up a traditional light lunch to go with our herbal tea. I had a haggis and Brie sandwich. It was delicious. Tea was served in very flowery mismatched cups and saucers.

We wandered around town for awhile looking in shops and such. Soon it was time for dinner.

To get to the restaurant we had to walk down steep stone steps through an old ‘close’ (an alleyway), Advocates Close.

The restaurant and pub, Devil’s Advocate was very crowded.

We had one of the most delicious meals. I had haggis which included some apricots for sweetness with a side of figs. John had roast pork with a light sauce that included dark cherries. Surprising tastes. Very cozy atmosphere sitting in an arched cobbled stone way.

Wish we could spend a week or more here.