The rooftops and spiers of Edinburgh's Old Town from Calton Hill
Maria Estuardo lived here dragging with her political intrigues and never solved love crimes. In the Middle Ages thousands of suspected witches were burned in its streets and they say that even today, the echo of their voices resounds like a plaintive wail in the old district. Yes, Edinburgh is the city of legends and ghosts, but it is also the city of pubs, music and art festivals and cafes that have inspired Walter Scott and J.K. Rowling, among others. But above all, Edinburgh is the soul of a Scotland determined to preserve its essence and its passions.
The sound of a melancholy bagpipe greets us at the exit of Weverly station in Edinburgh and the first image that strikes us is that of its imposing castle presiding over the landscape. Around it rises the medieval part of the city, the royal mile , with its intricate alleys and centuries-old churches. Right in front, the New city (built in the 18th century), with elegant neoclassical buildings. Welcome to a 48-hour tour to discover one of the most fascinating cities of the old continent.
Day one 8:30 a.m. Scottish breakfast. Today we start early and to warm up engines nothing better than a breakfast 'Full Scottish' : sausages, scrambled eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes. And if you are one of the brave, dare with the porridge, some porridge with which, surely, you won't leave hungry.
10:00 a.m. First stop, Edinburgh Castle, essential to understand the history of the city and of Scotland itself. Erected on a mound of volcanic origin, it has served over time as royal residence and military fortress.
From the viewpoint of the argyle battery you will have the first panoramic view of the city: the clock of the Balmoral Hotel, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, (which was the residence of Mary Stuart ), the headquarters of Bank of Scotland , the New city …
Inside the castle do not miss: -The Canyon of the One: so called because it fires every day at 1 in the afternoon. It was once used as a decoy for ships coming into the port of Leith.
-Church of Santa Margarita: the oldest building in the fortress and probably in the entire city.
-The Honors of the Scottish Crown: the oldest royal jewels in all of Europe. Especially symbolic is the call Stone of Destiny , a rock of unknown origin, on which the Scottish kings were crowned. It was usurped by the English in the 13th century and guarded in Westminster Bay until its return in 1996.
-The Royal Apartments: attention to the room where Mary Stuart gave birth to James , who would become the first joint king of Scotland and England in 1603. (entrance fee £16. Audio guide hire recommended) .
The typically Scottish The Witchery
12:00 p.m. After the history lesson, a walk through the royal mile . Immerse yourself in its air of mystery, take a look at the St Giles Cathedral with its magnificent stained glass windows and take the opportunity to buy a blanket or a scarf with the traditional Scottish tartan in one of the many shops in the high-street . The most daring will also find the typical 'kilt', which they say is more fashionable than ever. But above all, don't forget to explore the adjacent alleys , you will be amazed by the medieval courtyards with magnificent views and the unexpected corners. With a bit of luck you'll find The Witches' Fountain , a bronze fountain commemorating the 4,000 people executed between 1479 and 1722 on suspicion of witchcraft.
1:30 p.m. Finally, a pub! We know, we have been too demanding, but you will have your deserved reward. We take you to Abbotsford, an Edwardian-style pub, with an impressive wooden bar and all the flavor of Scottish pubs. And on the menu, a worthy selection of scottish beers , the so-called 'ale', produced in small distilleries following ancient recipes. For lunch, try the Scottish national dish, Haggis , an unpromising mix of sheep's liver and heart, oatmeal and onions, but which, believe us, It's delicious. Although, of course, much better if you do not think about the list of ingredients.
3:30 p.m. The time of the specters. It's not a very 'spooky' schedule but you'll be scared anyway. The calls 'ghost tours' are guided visits to the entrails of Edinburgh to discover the infamous stories that took place here between the 18th and 19th centuries. Under the South Bridge A series of chambers for commercial purposes were built in the city at the beginning of the 18th century. Due to the unsanitary conditions they were soon abandoned, being in turn occupied by beggars and criminals. Famous serial killers are believed to Burke Y I will do , who sold the bodies of their victims for medical experiments, committed most of their crimes here. Even more chilling is knowing that in these cellars there is a great paranormal activity and that even the BBC recorded in 2009 strange voices of unexplained origin . Blackheart company tours are the most popular. The Auld Reekie Tours offers guided tours also in Spanish.
The imposing Balmoral Hotel on Princess Street
5:00 p.m. The Cafe where Harry Potter was written. And after the ghosts and a few scares, it's time for a good coffee and a chocolate cake in the cafe where J.K. Rowling He wrote a large part of the famous 'Harry Potter' saga. The Elephant House (21 George IV Bridge) is a cute elephant-filled café with inspiring views of the castle.
9:00 p.m.- Time for the gastronomic tribute. After a well-deserved rest (what a day!) it's time for dinner. We have two proposals:
-Witchery by the Castle , Lord Lloyd Webber the composer of the famous song 'Do not cry for me Argentina' of the musical Evita, he said it was “the most beautiful restaurant of all time”. And it is that The Witchery, with its privileged location next to the castle, is one of the most emblematic places in Edinburgh . The food is not spectacular but the baroque decoration and atmosphere make it worth a visit. oh! And of course, the building, from the 16th century, also has its own particular ghost.
- Jamie's Italian, from the famous British chef Jamie Oliver . Recently opened, you will find it in the impressive building Assembly Room . The food is excellent and the service friendly and unpretentious. Pay attention to the decoration of ham legs on the central bar. Who said the pig's limb wasn't chic?
24.00 h- Party time. Twelve o'clock is the hour of the witches but also of the party and in this, the Scottish city has a lot to offer. Our recommendations:
- The Spiegelterrace and The Famous Spiegeltent. (George Street) , a new open-air space, open only during the summer, which has become the new hotspot of the Edinburgh night. The Spiegelterrace it closes at 12 but you can continue until 2 at the neighboring The Famous Spiegeltent where you can attend fun cabaret shows.
-Sandy's Bell, Scottish Folk Temple. (25 Forrest Rd Edinburg) . The following inscription reads on the sign at the entrance: "Purveyors of fine ales and spirits. Home of world renowned folk music" (Purveyors of Premium Beers and Beverages. Home of World Folk Music”). The perfect place to sip a pint or whiskey while listening Folk music.
- And if you are looking for something more sophisticated, do not hesitate, Bar Missoni , in the hotel of the same name, is the right place. Opened in 2009, the Missoni hotel has been designed by the company itself Rosita Missoni (one of the original founders of the brand), who, we are told, fell madly in love with Edinburgh on one of her trips. In the bar, located in the hotel lobby itself, you can have cocktails specially created for the house. Everything here is so chic that even the men at the door wear 'kilts' of Missoni .
Missoni bar counter
Day 2
10:00 a.m. Decipher the keys of the 'Da Vinci Code' in the enigmatic Rosslyn Chapel. Don Brown's famous book ends in this small chapel located 16 kilometers south of the Scottish capital. Since then, it has become one of the main tourist attractions in Edinburgh. Attention: currently the facade is under construction with which the stage loses a lot of charm, even so it is well worth taking a look inside where it is possible to recognize Masonic and pagan symbols. Oh, and also like the protagonists of the film you can go down to the crypt. What will you find?
12.00 noon- i.e. Heriot George . Harry Potter's School? This school, one of the most prestigious in all of Scotland and more than 350 years old, does not appear on the typical tourist itineraries. In a truly fairy-tale setting, you will wonder if this is not the school where Harry Potter , Hermione and Ron study magic and wizardry. The views are magnificent and one has the feeling of a true journey through time.
1:30 p.m. For a quick bite to eat, a few fish and chips (battered fish with chips) ? You will find them all over the city. We recommend you The World's End (4 High Street), a bar with a curious history.
Mystery and theatricality in the Ghost Tour departures
5pm- Tea time, also in Scotland! Typically English tradition but that we also find here. We are going to take it in the impressive Balmoral Hotel located in Prince Street , the most commercial street of the city. For the respectable amount of 25 pounds you can enjoy the traditional scones, shortbreads_ (biscuits) or chocolate cake at will. And of course, the tea. If you're more into coffee, ask for a Gaelic , with whiskey , to go singing.
7:00 p.m.- Time to watch the sunset from Calton Hill. The travel photo. We have asked several Edinburghers from where you can see the most spectacular views of Edinburgh and the answer has been almost unanimous: Calton Hill. A hill located to the east of the city, the Athens of the North is called for its classicist buildings, where among other monuments, one dedicated to Scotland and another to Nelson. And sunset is the best time to take our super photo of the trip. Here we go!
9:00 p.m.- A very Scottish farewell. We chose the Amber restaurant to say goodbye to the city. In this way we will be able to contemplate its imposing castle for the last time and pay homage to Scottish dishes based on... whisky. In addition, the restaurant puts at our disposal an expert who will advise us on the different types of whiskey that we can drink. Cheers!