Finally made it
August 31, 2009
After a layover in Amsterdam I arrived in Edinburgh. The excitement was there, but it only grew as I caught a bus to Waverly Bridge. The first stop anytime I can manage it is somewhere I can unload my backpack. So, I found my hotel a 20 minute walk or so from Waverly Bridge and then I was off. I didn't know much about Edinburgh aside from it having a giant castle in the middle of it.
I wandered around Princes Street, High Street, and anywhere else my legs would take me just soaking in the scene. The experience wouldn't have been complete without a little bit of rain setting in. But nothing could dampen my spirits, except perhaps the exhaustion that is now setting in.
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Delicious, though perhaps a bit touristy
I stumbled across Deacon Brodies after I had wandered up toward the castle. I had heard of this place prior to my visiting Edinburgh, but I didn't look into seeing where it was. But it was in a location that is hard to miss if you're wandering around the city centre near the castle.
I considered finding some other place for dinner because I figured this place catered heavily to tourists. But, as I was a tourist I decided to step inside.
I think everything in Scotland is tartan, from the kilts being sold at tourist shops to the carpeting at Deacon Brodies.
I had read a little bit about Haggis prior to visiting Edinburgh and knew that it sounded a bit disgusting. Fortunately I had totally forgotten what it actually was, or how it was prepared, and ordered it anyway. It was fabulous. It came with a side of potatoes (I think they were potatoes) and it made me wish I was spending more time in Edinburgh.
I ordered a local whiskey on the rocks and enjoyed my Scottish meal. I washed it all down with a nice English Tea.
A great time, great experience, and fantastic food.
I considered finding some other place for dinner because I figured this place catered heavily to tourists. But, as I was a tourist I decided to step inside.
I think everything in Scotland is tartan, from the kilts being sold at tourist shops to the carpeting at Deacon Brodies.
I had read a little bit about Haggis prior to visiting Edinburgh and knew that it sounded a bit disgusting. Fortunately I had totally forgotten what it actually was, or how it was prepared, and ordered it anyway. It was fabulous. It came with a side of potatoes (I think they were potatoes) and it made me wish I was spending more time in Edinburgh.
I ordered a local whiskey on the rocks and enjoyed my Scottish meal. I washed it all down with a nice English Tea.
A great time, great experience, and fantastic food.
Nice little place, not far from where I wanted to be
I stayed one night at Frederick House Hotel in Edinburgh. I liked its location for a number of reasons. First, it's always nice when you're tired and carrying a bag around to be able to get to your hotel and unload it quickly. This place was a short-ish walk from Waverly Bridge, which is where the bus from the airport dropped me off. It was easy to find as well, but I'm pretty good at finding just about anything.
This hotel was 2 or 3 blocks off of Princes Street, so it was a good spot to use as base camp for exploring the area. The room itself wasn't overly big, but it was only me in it and it would still have been plenty big if there were another person with me. The shower had some excellent water pressure. For those of you who are Seinfeld fans I didn't have any problems with a low-flow shower head.
I slept quite well and was able to recharge after a long day of flying. Wireless internet was available in the lounge and I was able to access it from my room due to its proximity to the lounge, so that was very nice for me.
I had requested a wake-up call and received one, and even got a follow-up call from the front desk making sure that I was up. I found that to be fairly unique.
This hotel was 2 or 3 blocks off of Princes Street, so it was a good spot to use as base camp for exploring the area. The room itself wasn't overly big, but it was only me in it and it would still have been plenty big if there were another person with me. The shower had some excellent water pressure. For those of you who are Seinfeld fans I didn't have any problems with a low-flow shower head.
I slept quite well and was able to recharge after a long day of flying. Wireless internet was available in the lounge and I was able to access it from my room due to its proximity to the lounge, so that was very nice for me.
I had requested a wake-up call and received one, and even got a follow-up call from the front desk making sure that I was up. I found that to be fairly unique.
The view from the street
