Edinburgh First Impressions

Like a fairytale in real life

We traded the sunshine of Porto for an early morning flight to Edinburgh, and dropped off our luggage at the Virgin Hotel. Driving through the Old Town to the hotel, our mouths were hanging open in awe. This place looks like it’s straight out of a fairytale and is by far the prettiest city we have seen.

We got up at 2 AM to get this flight because it was the only direct one to Edinburgh

In front of the Virgin Hotel - how is this place real?

Most comfortable bed of the trip!

After walking around a bit, we were able to get an early check-in and get settled in.

Up next - one of our favorite ways to explore a new city, a food tour. We started to get poured on right away, but luckily we both had our raincoats on and ducked into our first stop on the tour before we were soaked through. We were at a proper Scottish pub where we were introduced to two classic dishes. Cullen Skink, a rich, creamy smoked haddock chowder, which was delicious and comforting when you’ve just come in from the cold & wet. Then came the infamous Scottish dish, Haggis. Made from sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs mixed with oats, onions, spices, and suet, it’s traditionally served with “tatties and neeps” (mashed potatoes and turnips). It may sound intimidating, but it was surprisingly flavorful, like a rich ground beef, we’re glad we gave it a try!

Cullen Skink

Haggis with Tatties & Neeps

Shawn also tried his first Cask Ale, Britain's traditional draft beer. It’s naturally conditioned in the cask, gently carbonated, and served via hand pump at cellar temperature. The result is a smoother, richer beer. Shawn’s rating - two thumbs up!

Later in the tour we stopped in front of Greyfriars Bobby, the tavern named after the famous little Skye Terrier whose loyalty became legend after he spent years watching over his owner’s grave. His statue out front is often rubbed on the nose by tourists (although we are told the locals hate that.) In the graveyard behind the tavern, Bobby’s gravestone is piled with sticks, left as a memorial for such a good boy.

Most of the rest of the tour was sweet things and some history, but it was a good orientation to the Old Town streets. Once we were done, we were ready to drop - it had been a long day!

Edinburgh, you’re off to a fantastic start! 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿