Edinburgh, Scotland: Spending the Day in Edinburgh's Historic Old Town

That's How We Travel
5 days ago
2 min read

Summary. On the final day of our trip to the British Isles, we dedicated the entire day to exploring Edinburgh. In the morning, we enjoyed a two-hour walking tour of The Royal Mile and stopped by the Writer's Museum. For lunch, we enjoyed traditional pub cuisine, indulging in one last fish and chips meal. In the afternoon, we visited Edinburgh Castle, where we took in beautiful views of the city and learned about its fascinating history.

[This blog is part of our 15-days in the British Isle trip].

Free Walking Tour. In the morning we joined a tip-based walking tour on The Royal Mile. This 2-hour tour covers takes you past Edinburgh Castle, St Giles' Cathedral, Grassmarket, Covenanters' Prison, Martyrs' Memorial, and more.

The Writer's Museum. Next, we visited a charming museum, though we didn't take any photos. The Writers' Museum honors the lives of three great figures in Scottish literature: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. This museum offers free admission and is ideal for book enthusiasts.

Street Bagpipes. As you explore the Royal Mile area, you'll come across lively and entertaining Scottish buskers playing bagpipes. They're primarily there for the tourists, but it's entertaining all the same.

https://youtube.com/shorts/LcA_G0N5mQA

Lunch. For lunch we stopped at Nicholson's, a pub opened back in 1873. This classic British pub is located in the central district on Candlemaker Row.

Edinburgh Castle. After lunch we headed to one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, standing on Castle Rock, an ancient volcanic formation that has been occupied for more than a thousand years. The site has served as a royal residence, military fortress, and stronghold throughout Scottish history. During the Middle Ages, Edinburgh Castle became an important center of royal power and was frequently involved in conflicts, particularly during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 13th and 14th centuries. Over the centuries, it witnessed numerous sieges and battles as control of Scotland shifted between rival forces. The castle is also home to some of Scotland’s most treasured historic artifacts, including the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels) and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs. Today, Edinburgh Castle is one of the country's most visited tourist attractions, offering visitors a rich insight into Scotland’s history, culture, and heritage. As a result of it's high popularity, tickets are hard to come by. Despite traveling during the "shoulder season," regular tickets were sold out long before we got there, so we ended up buying them at a higher price through a tour guide company on Trip Advisor.