Saturday, June 4, 2011

Steps, Steps and More Steps...

Our first day in Edinburgh could be best summed up as a day of steps... There are steps in the B&B as you would expect but that is only just the beginning. There are steps from the B&B down to the main road. There are steps on the buses; and of course we have to ride upstairs on the double-decker buses. 

Our B&B in Morningside

When we arrived in the centre of Edinburgh, we were greeted with the Scott Monument, a memorial to the famous Scottish writer, Sir Walter Scott. A mere 287 steps to the top: well of course we had to go up. Although it was cool and overcast at street level, it was very cold up the monument due to the wind. Still, it was worth the climb and the cold for the views.

The Scott Monument

Edinburgh Castle as seen from the top of the Scott Monument

After descending the monument and having some morning tea, we set off to the east and up Calton Hill. Here there are an interesting collection of old buildings including the Nelson Monument in the memory of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson. At a mere 170 steps, we had to climb that as well. Again it was very cold up in the wind but the views made it all worthwhile. 

 Nelson Monument, Calton Hill

 A busker outside Edinburgh Waverley Station

Heading back to Morningside from the top deck of the bus

After wandering all around Calton Hill, strolled back through Princes Park before finding a bus back to the B&B for rest and, importantly, to pick up our washing. Later on we ventured out again, this time to the old part of Edinburgh. This part of town is built on the side of a hill so there are more steps in the walkways that connect different streets together. All in all, a very interesting part of Edinburgh to visit.


The Old Town of Edinburgh

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