Nic and Sue’s Euro River Cruise and some bits on the side. Autumn 2026. Day 8 – Plan C Edinburgh – Day 2.
^^^^please if you comment, leave your name as mostly I can’t identify who is making comment.^^^^
A solid sleep overnight.
Forgot to post these on yesterday’s post The lift at Moxy Our room at Moxy Hotel. Interesting decor. The bathroom. Small but functional. Some of the stenciled art around the corridors of the hotel.
Breaky is another good spread. Can get my staple muesli, fruit, yoghurt and nuts. Plus a tasty berry compote. Then there’s all the bits to try.
Jam dispensers.
Met a lovely father and daughter at breaky. He lives in Chang Mai, she in London having some time together in Edinburgh. Some suggestions from them for things to do. Village of Dean/Leith. stoughbridge? Beach? Edinburgh. Dad has also lived in KL. Got a food recommendation for our family trip in January. Alor – Kuala Lumpur. Stall food street Batu Caves. By train from KL. Hindi Shrine. 300 steps.
Each floor has an ironing Room. Quite random.
Out and about onto our first double decker bus (new models) down to The Royal Mile to have a look. The streets look like every BBC police drama I’ve watched!
On the buses!! Our bus route. Streetscape Street art.
We walked a little way from the bus stop to The Palace of Holyroodhouse – the home of the Royal’s in Scotland. With a long history including our Stuart Ancestors – Bonnie King Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots. The guided audio tour through the castle and grounds was very good. No pics allowed inside.
Old……and older buildings on our walk. Some Holyroodhouse Palace detailsHolyroodhouse Palace. The ruins of the Abbey beside the Palace Arthur’s Seat behind Holyroodhouse. Looking to the entrance In the courtyard. from here we were inside the rooms and no pics allowed. The nave of Holyrood Abbey. Abbey ruinsMore Holyrood Abbey ruinsA pop of colour in the magnificent gardens in which the Palace stands. More gardens Looking to the Palace The Abbey Ruins with Arthur’s Dest behindThe crown atop the tower above entry
A walk along the Royal Mile, lined with history, buildings, a Church or two, many Closes (small alleyways to the buildings behind) a couple of views of The Edinburgh Castle and lots of tourist shops, pubs and food places.
We are on the Royal Mile, walking up from Holyroodhouse. Royal Mile sights. Governor’s House and the Political Martyrs’ Monument on Calton HillOne of many Close’s and CourtsAnother
A stop into the Canongate Kirk (church) graveyard. Behind the statue of Scottish poet Robert Ferguson.
Canongate Kirk graveyard. The stags head and Coat of Arms on the Kirk. Also on front of Kirk nScot poet Robert Ferguson
We tried to get a scone and a cuppa but couldn’t. The one place most likely had 8 tables and a queue- so we moved on.
A random blue person sculpture. Bus, Church and Black cabs. Pretty much sums up Edinburgh. I liked the plaques around this structure. Walter Francis Montague Douglas Scot. The cones are all around the statues and just a bit of a lark that has spread. Former Bank of Scotland head office, now housing the Museum on the Mound.Looking down the Royal Mile to the Firth of Forth. (Mouth of Forth River)Daniel the Canadian Busker. I reckon I’ve seen him in Sydney. A juggler/comedian. More sights along The Royal Mile
Grabbed light lunch toastie for me and salmon bagel for Sue.
We walked up to Edinburgh Castle. Tried to get an entry ticket online. Whilst some were available it wouldn’t accept my money. Got a last minute ‘Get Your Guide’ Guided Tour of the Castle with ‘true Scot’ – Max.
Only issue was that I was at the castle, the meeting place for tour was back past where we had lunch and I had five minutes to hot foot it back there. Why? Because it’s an Active military base, they are not allowed to meet up there! The castle is a Fort, an active military base, more like an open village, then a palace type castle.
Max – our guide.
We entered through the forecourt where they are dismantling the stands and infrastructure for the Military Tattoo held in August. This set up/pull down costs Edinburgh £2mill for the Tattoo every year. Thinking to install one permanently.
Looking up at the Castle from the forecourt. Middle Flag indicates Governor is in the Castle today. To the right is the castle flag and to the left is ???? Dismantling the Tattoo seating. They were craning a big piece while we stood there. It went oh so close to the historical statue underneath. Walking in through Portcullis Gate.
The castle sits on Castle Rock, a basalt crag, an extinct volcano, overlooking the city which sits on the Firth of Forth (the mouth of the Forth river). It’s a classic crag and tail geological landform. The most besieged castle in the world. People have lived here since 900bc. The 90 minute tour took us through all the areas but not inside any. Max did give us good intel on which museums to prioritise. The castle is still a working military base, the Governor was in today, his flag was flying and his residence is off limits, as were a couple of other buildings where the various regiments still use the buildings. Only two buildings we couldn’t take pics inside – the Crown Jewels and Soldiers Memorial (the newest building in the Castle)
Earl Haig – The Butcher of the Haig. In charge of the battles at Gallipoli and the Somme. Both resulted in catastrophic loss of life and casualties and little land gained. Looking out over Edinburgh from the Castle to the Ochil Hills behind. MoreThere always seems to be detailed gutters/downpipes. This really shows the craggy basalt rock that the Castle is built on. The Governor’s Residence Max regaling us with information and some good stories told with great conviction.
St Margaret’s chapel is the oldest building in the Castle at 900 years old.
St Margaret’s Chapel Inside the Chapel. Lots of Royalty has spent time here. Beautiful stained glass windows The Altar
The Balbo pub was recommended for a good high tea by Max who worked for Little fish tours.
Max left us after 90 minutes then it was time to wander around and inside the various building.
Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland. The National animal of Scotland Mary Queen of Scots or Mary Stuart. Some more of our family history. Fireplace in Laich HallSignposted thankfully. Looking over the Battery at the sights. Soldiers’ Dog Cemetery. Mons Meg – the largest cannon. Caused massive destruction but had a very long reload time making it impractical. Looking over the Tattoo area towards Arthur’s seat. I had a wee dram of Scotch Malt Whisky Cream Liquer. Basically Bailey’s but tasted smoother. The Regimental Banners of those for whom the Castle is home Some of the propaganda posters. I liked this painting. Silk and rayon were used in the manufacture of ‘escape and evasion’ maps as compared to paper they were strong, waterproof and could be easily hidden in clothing or PoW care packages. Fabric was rationed from 1941 to 1949, so these maps were transformed into fashionable clothes after the war ended. This pic is a Woman’s dress made from ‘escape and evasion’ maps, c1945My dragoon mate. The Dragoons are credited with commandeering Napoleon’s Eagle and Standard during a battle. Here is the Standard These Ravens were hovering in high winds and competing to land atop the spike on the roof. The Union Jack flapping in the wind. As read I went in to see the Crown Jewels. No pics allowed. So here’s some on the posts in the waiting area. Very gold and very amazing. Lion and guardhouse outside the Soldier’s Memorial. The battery View through the battlement slit.
After spending at least 3 hours wandering around the castle I eventually found Sue near the Scott Monument, where she had done a bit of shopping. Then home on the bus, to drop our stuff and out to a nearby Lebanese restaurant- Sofia’s. The staff were lovely and the food was too.
Lebanese for tea tonight. Cheers. My meal.
It was a bit cooler today with a touch of rain, but not an issue for us.
looks like you had a lovely day. You would have gone past a sweet little tea house on the Royal mile, Clarinda’s (they do great scones) …..That’s where my ancestors lived before emigrating to Australia in 1841. Nerrida
Nobody could claim more fascinating ancestors than the Stuarts! I hope they put the kettle on for you 😉
Edinburgh can be a bit overwhelming as one tenth of the Scottish population lives there but it has so much to see & so many layers. I have not made it to the Castle yet, have always been joining & leaving tours. Great photos again even though the weather but not the best but that is Scotland.
Good that the weather was OK for you. We loved Edinburgh Castle but by the time we finished our tour, our hands and feet were like ice blocks. Enjoy Scotland’s beautiful landscapes and not always beautiful history!!
6 responses to “Nic and Sue’s Euro River Cruise and some bits on the side. Autumn 2026. Day 8 – Plan C Edinburgh – Day 2.”
looks like you are packing lots in
LikeLike
looks like you had a lovely day. You would have gone past a sweet little tea house on the Royal mile, Clarinda’s (they do great scones) …..That’s where my ancestors lived before emigrating to Australia in 1841. Nerrida
LikeLike
another action packed day. Plan C is taking shape. Great photos and commentary as always
Lynne V
LikeLike
Nobody could claim more fascinating ancestors than the Stuarts! I hope they put the kettle on for you 😉
Edinburgh can be a bit overwhelming as one tenth of the Scottish population lives there but it has so much to see & so many layers. I have not made it to the Castle yet, have always been joining & leaving tours. Great photos again even though the weather but not the best but that is Scotland.
All the best for the next adventure, Janine
LikeLike
Good that the weather was OK for you. We loved Edinburgh Castle but by the time we finished our tour, our hands and feet were like ice blocks. Enjoy Scotland’s beautiful landscapes and not always beautiful history!!
LikeLike
From Sharon A.
LikeLike