The following weekend for Labor Day we travelled up to Edinburgh. Unlike the previous week's trip, this was one of my favorite trips we've taken as a family, and Edinburgh might be my new favorite European city. We really enjoyed it.
We took the train up... which was actually the most stressful part of the trip. It took us a while to figure out how we knew which train and car to get on, and we never did quite figure out how the seats were assigned. I think we just got lucky most of the time and were able to find four seats together. Also, the trains stop for like a minute, and we had to get two little boys, a large suitcase, and a stroller on the train... while every one else was trying to do the same thing. And since seat assignments were confusing at best, everyone was pushing to get on the trains as quickly as possible.
Here is a picture in front of another train... not the one we actually took because we never had enough time to pose in front of one we were getting on or off before it moved again!
Part of what made this trip so fantastic was where we stayed. We rented an apartment in downtown Edinburgh, just a few blocks from the train station. We were lucky enough to have been upgraded to a two bedroom apartment, so we had tons of space to enjoy. Here is the outside of our apartment building, and we had pretty much the whole top floor!
Here is the view from our bedroom. Not too shabby, huh?
Edinburgh is a really hilly city. We thought it was like London meets San Francisco with a Scottish accent. And on the very top of the hill is Edinburgh Castle, used by the Scottish royal family. However, it was not their favorite spot because it was always cold (it was), rainy (yes), and often fogged in (we missed that, thankfully). So you know us... if there is a castle, we must visit it!
The castle is built right into the rock that is the top of this huge hill, so it is pretty imposing.
The boys checking out the view from the top, down over the city of Edinburgh. I can see why the royal family came up here when they were in danger. No one could get to them without them knowing it!
The experience was complete with a bagpiper. I had inappropriate "So I Married an Axe Murderer" quotes in my head most of the trip. "We have a piper down!"
The boys on the drawbridge.
Then it was off to the Elephant Cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote a large portion of the Harry Potter series over tea. We ate elephant shaped shortbread, drank some hot chocolate, and enjoyed the view back up at the castle.
I might be inspired to write best selling novels too if that was my view every day!
From there we walked down the Royal Mile (and I do mean down!) to Holyrood House Palace, where the Scottish royal family preferred to live when they weren't fleeing for their life, and now the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen when she visits Scotland.
Notice again the audio guide. The inside was beautiful decorated... but of course we couldn't take any pictures.
This was the home to Mary Queen of Scots, Queen of Scotland, the niece, and some felt rightful heir, of King Henry VIII. Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Mary were her cousins. Unfortunately there was quite a lot of nastiness at the end of her reign. Her husband was found murdered here, and then she went and married the guy who probably did it. Lovely. She was forced to abdicate the throne to her one year old son, James VI of Scotland. And when Queen Elizabeth I of England died without an heir, he was the closest relative and became King James I of England as well, uniting the English and Scottish thrones. I know you're all thrilled.
The palace grounds. Notice the large hill in the background. N saw it and asked to climb it... which we did the next day. He's definitely E's kid. Must get to the highest point possible!
After that we went back to the apartment and let the boys run around in the beautiful private gardens right out the back of the apartment. Yup, stumps. What could be better?
The next day we were off to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Another major sight in the city. I think we were both sort of thinking. Ho hum, more gardens. But the diversity of plant life and scenery here was amazing. We all had a really enjoyable morning running all over this huge, huge garden.
The Victorian Era palm house.
Sometimes you've just got to stop and smell the roses!
The Japaneese tea garden.
And our favorite part, the North American rock garden.
From there we had the not-so-brilliant idea to walk over to that big hill we saw yesterday and climb it. It was not a short walk over to the hill. And already mostly uphill. (Did I mention Edinburgh is hilly?) And then we began climbing. We decided to do an easy path, not the big hill that we saw earlier... So here are the boys climbing. Come on, e, just a little farther! Mommy and Daddy (who was carrying the folded up stroller) were lagging a little behind on this one!
But once we got to the top of that hill, we were close to the path that went back down the big hill we saw yesterday. So we climbed up a little more and took that path down. Even though it had a sheer drop-off on one side. We were clutching the boys' hands for all they were worth! To their credit though, the climbed like little troopers! Here we are nearing the top of the insanely dangerous with two preschoolers path. They were both responsible for carrying their own umbrellas, I had the back pack, and E carried the stroller. It was not an easy climb (or descent) for any of us! But we made it to the top, really felt like we accomplished something, got some great pictures, and were exhausted afterwards! Especially on the long (uphill) walk back to our apartment.
The next day it was back on the train home. It was a great three days, and if you ever get the chance to go to Edinburgh, I highly recommend it!
