Before I got Covid, I was able to tour Edinburgh, for a day. A day in a city is usually enough for me, though I have to admit I could have used more time in this splendid city. I had taken an early morning train from Northallerton (in the Yorkshire Dales) and arrived at the Waverly train station around 9 am. After finding a place to stow my luggage for the day (that wasn't easy), I set out to tour the capitol of Scotland. Fortunately, Waverly Station was near the Royal Mile. The Royal Mile runs through the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, connecting Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Traditional "Scots" mile, 1.13 miles
Scottish bagpiper
There are over 250 closes in Edinburgh. A "close" is a British and Scottish term for a short street or cul-de-sac that ends in a dead end. It often refers to a private, gated, or quiet residential street, and in Scotland, it can specifically describe a narrow, enclosed alley or entrance to a tenement. The term derives from the fact that many of these dead-end alleys were closed off at night
Writer's Court
Named after an apothecary
Historical marker
Adam Smith is an 18th century Scottish economist and philosopher who is widely regarded as the "father of economics" or "father of capitalism." He lived and died in Edinburgh. There is a 10 foot bronze statue of him on the Royal Mile.
Statue to Adam Smith
The Great Highland Bagpipe is Scotland's national instrument, recognized by its powerful sound, tartan-covered bag, and role in military and cultural traditions. I encountered several bag pipe players as I wandered around Edinburgh.
Another bagpipe player