Fall Day in Edinburgh

Fraoch House is a wonderfully comfortable guest house/bed-and-breakfast just a 20-minute walk from the heart of the Edinburgh city center.

On a busy weekend, I was able to get a double-bed room with a private bath for just 40 GBP/night. For an American that was a pretty good deal even with our poor exchange rate!

The house is one of many guest houses on Pilrig street, so you'll feel fairly safe outside. The interior is modern yet traditional - looks like some IKEA mixed in with great wood furniture. Sleeping was divine after a long day's walking; the shower was almost better than the bed.

Gareth, the owner, prepared a wonderful full Scottish breakfast that I unfortunately couldn't finish. He is also quite amicable and helpful in getting ideas of what to do/see while in town.

The number 11 bus comes/goes every 10-20 minutes from just across the street. I never took it as I missed it with enough time to walk to the city.

The best part? Wireless internet for free in every room. For someone without an international cell phone this was a god-send.

Can't recommend this highly enough.

Not having much time to explore, I decided to hit the main attraction: Edinburgh Castle, at the top of the Royal Mile.

After a good hike up to the top of the hill, I paid the 9 GBP adult rate and invested in the 3 GBP audio tour, which I recommend. Though it was a very chilly, windy day, the sites were still easy to enjoy, with a few indoor spots to warm up.

The views from the castle are amazing; I imagine they are even more so in the better months, when the sun is high and the mist thinner.

From what I recall, the largest cannon sits there, Mog's Mead (hope I got that right), which is a sight in itself. Also, a soldier's pet cemetery was an interesting find. St. Margaret's Chapel, though plain on the outside, reveals stunning stained glass windows from the inside and a beautiful altar.

Every hour during the afternoon, a Jacobite soldier gives a presentation (speaks) about the history of the castle and the wars that happened between the English and the Scottish--interesting, but with tired feet, I couldn't stand through all of it (no seating).

It is definitely a great way to spend a few hours, even if you only go for the views, as down in the city you cannot see the grassy hills.

At the top of the Royal Mile, just outside Edinburgh Castle, lies the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre. Though it's not an actual whisky mill, you do still get to sip a taste of whisky. For a couple pounds more you can do a tasting of four scotch whiskies; I found it well worth the extra expense.

As a student (must show valid ID), the tour with tasting was just 13.50 GBP (otherwise 15 GBP for regular; tour only is 9 GBP). Let me say this: the tour is "cheesy" - BUT, enjoyable. I did it after walking from Edinburgh Castle down the "Royal Mile" (which is a bit less than a mile) and then back up. So I was happy to sit and watch the somewhat silly movie about how scotch is made.

The girl who led us through was very good. After the initial film she led us to a room where we got to sniff the different states of scotch - little did you know! From there we were led to another room for another somewhat silly film about "nosing"; again, interesting still! And finally, the silliest of it all, we hopped on a slow moving "ride" through a maze of life-size diorama of each major parts of the history of scotch whisky; this was narrated through speakers in each of the "cars".

The tasting I paid for at the end was great. Now, I'm not a major connoisseur - which is why I did this. I always liked the smell of scotch and in general the taste albeit a slooow sipper. For your tasting you get to choose from two groupings: regional or specialty. I chose regional and enjoyed them each (all 4) thoroughly. With this purchase I was given a membership to the society and a 10% discount off any 70cl purchase in the shop - which I used.

So, yes, silly. But it was a great end to a long day of walking and I really did learn something. The help were fabulously helpful and friendly. I'd do it again.