Edinburgh 26 September Hop on hop off

"Hop on hop off." That pretty much describes today’s activities. Indeed, this was the one day we probably travelled the most and saw the most in Edinburgh. And I have the photos to prove it. In fact, since this was probably our most attraction-heavy day in Edinburgh, there are lots of photos in this post. Don't say I didn't warn you. . .

After another lovely breakfast and chat with Dominique and Yves, from 2 Cambridge Street we walked around the corner and down a few steps into St. Cuthbert’s Kirkyard. We followed the central path through the cemetery that eventually opens onto Princes Street Gardens, which parallels Princes Street above and to our left. This area was originally underwater and was notorious for being the refuse area for the inhabitants of the Castle and Old Town on the rock above. Anyway, it’s a lovely spot for a quiet stroll in the city. And so we did.

We strolled down the gardens, passing a lovely if not subtle monument to the memory of Robert Louis Stevenson, a local boy who made good (he is in fact buried in Samoa). We also passed a moving memorial placed by the Norwegians who were supported and sustained during the Second World War by the people of Edinburgh.

One we reached the end of the gardens we climbed the stairs which took us back to street level and found our objective: one of the numerous street hawkers for the hop-on-hop-off buses. We chose the Majestic Tour bus (blue and yellow) since they seemed to offer just what we were looking for: first stop for us was the Royal Botanical Gardens.

breakfast

just off Lothian Road and two minutes from the Dynamite Club

Princes Street Gardens entrance to St. Cuthbert's kirkyard

memorial to Robert Louis Stevenson

Norwegian Brigade Memorial

memorial to Sir Walter Scott

entrance to the Botanical Gardens. . .

where your shoes are automatically cleaned as you enter and exit

Nepal Garden

part of the "glasshouses," or greenhouses

petrified tree

entrance to the glasshouses

alpine garden

wall garden

crevice garden - notice all the signage!

We had a short 10-minute or so wait for the next bus and it was off to the Royal Yacht Britannia, located at Ocean Terminal.

Once we were dropped off we made our way into the mall -- for in fact that's what Ocean Terminal is, a large indoor shopping mall along the old wharves -- and took the lift up to the entrance to the yacht. The tour lasts about an hour-and-a-half but we added a bit more time by opting to have lunch in the tea room located on what was once open deck but now a glass enclosed restaurant.

tugs helping to dock the German Naval frigate F-222

the tea room

mature cheddar whipped with mayonnaise -- delicious!

and a glass of sparkling rosé, of course

state dining room

the drawing room

After leaving the yacht we made our way back through the mall and outside to the bus stop. It wasn't long before the double-decker Majestic bus hove into sight (a bit of nautical lingo for you) and it was off back into town. Our next stop, the last of the day, would be Edinburgh Castle and the end of the Royal Mile.

Indeed, we got off at the last of the stops along the Royal Mile and walked up to the Castle. We strolled through the various buildings -- a few closed to the public - and mostly enjoyed the incredible views of the city and its environs.

cell in the prison

prisoners' quarters, back to the American War of Independence

National War Memorial

inside the Great Hall

the Soldiers' Dog Cemetery

looking out to the Firth of Forth

Megs Mons cannon

rear of the National War Memorial

down the Lang Stairs and to the exit

Leaving the castle we took a narrow alleyway down the hill heading for Grassmarket St. at the base of the rock, where we stopped for a glass of wine at a pizzeria named Made in Italy. We then made our way up the street a short walk to our final stop of the day, dinner at the Grain Store.

The food was incredibly good and at the end of the meal a couple at a nearby table turned to us and clarified a point we had been discussing about the military term "Roger, wilco." It seems that they were celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary and had met while serving in the Marine Corps on embassy duty. We had a nice chat swapping stories less about war than about being Marines.

Just after leaving the restaurant as we were crossing Grassmarket St heading for home we noticed a large memorial flush with the pavement, remembering April 2, 1916, when a Zeppelin airship dropped a bomb on that very spot. History is always so close here.

the Grain Store

starter: scallops and cauliflower

prime rib

monkfish

Next up: day trip to St. Andrews with Rabbie's Tours. Don't touch that dial!