I talk about Newfoundland a lot. I can close my eyes and count the pieces of gum wads encrusted in the sidewalk before Atlantic Place on my way to work. I get wrapped up in my own place.
Then I go back through old Facebook photo albums and I realize I had a whole previous travel life. One that cost me a shitload of cash I didn’t have, but one that changed my entire existence forever.
Four days was all it took for me to fall in love with Edinburgh, Scotland.
My long-weekend getaways were a whirlwind of activity when I studied in England. We hopped the bus to Stansted from Harlow at 3 a.m. on a Friday morning, flew into a new city, and stayed there until Monday evening. We were bloody exhausted, usually hungover and our workloads suffered. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Edinburgh is one of the few cities I felt comfortable in while abroad. I’m still surprised by how populated the area actually is – to me, it felt small. Intimate. I mean, there’s a freaking castle and a mountain in the middle of the city, and nobody else seems as impressed by this as I am.
I’m also surprised by how many people skip over Scotland entirely. Most of my friends who travel seem to pay no interest in the country.
But the moment you step into the city and there’s a bagpiper tootin’ his little heart out, you can’t help but grin. The rough accents, the architecture, the Royal Mile, the Highlands just beyond the city…it feels like Newfoundland and Ireland all rolled into one.
The details are a little hazy now. I remember karaoke and a house party. One night, after visiting a bar, my classmate Kat and I left early because I was still feeling ill from the plague I caught in Dublin. Crossing along one of the streets, we turned to see Edinburgh Castle all yellow and lit up above the city. I remember thinking if I could find a home abroad, it’d be somewhere close to Edinburgh.
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Edinburgh was the highlight of my trip back in ’98. I loved the city. I had no plans, and I was happy as a clam. I’m so tempted to go back one year for Hogmanay.
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Candice Reply:
April 27th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I will SO go back there. Like, right now.
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Sounds amazing! I’d go there for sure
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Your posts amuse me so much! Edinburgh is definitely one of my favorite cities as well.
I went to Scotland for the first time last April, I honestly didn’t know too much about it aside from Ol’ Nessie. I was traveling by myself on the train from London to Edinburgh and all I had was a map to my hotel from the train station. I stepped out of the station to some ugly construction on Princes Street (for a new transit system) I started walking and my jaw dropped. To my left there was a huge ass castle!!! I felt like a bit of an idiot not knowing more about this city but I was immediately in love. The Castle, Scot Monument, Arthurs Seat… oh and also being weary of the hostels I had booked myself into one of the most expensive hotels in the city, but only for a few nights but it was amazing!
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Aww that sounds like a FANTASTIC trip! Is there anywhere you haven’t been?! Hahaha. I’d love to go back and spend more time there, perhaps go camping in the Highlands or something…dreamy.
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I loved Edinburgh as well! It definitely feels like an intimate city. Would love to return one day.
Oh and PS I was definitely impressed with the castle in the middle of the city, haha.
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Hahaha, maybe it was just the group I was with who weren’t impressed!
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There isn’t much to dislike about Edinburgh – unless, of course, the weather. Even the constant clouds, drizzle, and wind can begin to grown on you. You’d never think! It just means you have to spend more time in one of the Edinburgh’s beautiful pubs.
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
I don’t think it rained the whole time I was there! I’m used to the drizzle.
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My absolute favorite city and favorite country in the world! I will go back again and again.
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I’m glad you agree!
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I missed Edinburgh as well as all of Northern Ireland and Bath, Brighton, etc so I will be back to the British Isles one day very soon.
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Looooved Bath & Brighton.
Right up there with Edinburgh.
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I was there for the Fringe Festival and the city was absolutely crawling with people – and despite that, or perhaps because of it, I just fell in love as well. It’s just such a great size – and I was *completely* impressed with the castle in the middle of the city as well – how freakin’ cool is that!
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
We were about a week too early for the Fringe Festival! So sad, considering one of the guys we met from the city was involved in the whole thing…perhaps Trip #2?
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Yes! Edinburgh rocks my pants off. I was also there during the Fringe Festival, such a bustling cultural town. Loved it. The old buildings, crazy people, and the castles galore. Loved it. Wanna go back someday.
PS: Sexy Captcha
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
ah yes, the captcha. Had to do it.
And I’m gonna try to get back for the Fringe, or maybe Hogmanay…
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I’ve never been but everyone seems to like Edinburgh. I will give Scotland a good amount of time someday, I should considering my Grandad is from Edinburgh too!
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Good grief! GO! You are/were so close!
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What a wise choice for a second favourite city…not that I’m biased or anything! After 4 years there, I still used to head up to the castle for sunset, or haul myself up Arthurs seat to clear my head on a Sunday! Cannot wait to get back there now! If you ever decide to make yourself a home abroad in Edinburgh, let me know, I’ll show you where you probably did karaoke, ha!
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Hahahaha, I think it was Frankensteins?! So you’re an Edinburgh native, eh? I will most definitely take you up on that offer someday.
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you’ve got me sold! castle and mountain, what’s not to love?
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Ohhh and the pubs, the pubs..
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I’ve never been to Edinburgh or Scotland but I’d love to go. I love when you go somewhere totally foreign and feel completely comfortable and at ease. It’s like a home away from home, but more exciting.
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Totally, and it doesn’t happen a whole lot with me, I’m definitely more of a rural person than a city slicker.
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Glad to hear you like Edinburgh so much! That you said it was one of the only places you felt comfortable abroad and that it could be your home reminded me of an article I stumbled across on BNT, “Have You Found Your Soul Place?” Sounds like Edinburgh is yours
I’m going there for Hogmanay this year, already excited!
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
You know, I don’t think I’ve read that piece, hahaha. Now I have to find it. So jealous you’re going for Hogmanay, I totally wanna go!
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The two days I spent there were genuinely magical.
No really… there was absinthe involved.
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
I STILL haven’t tried the absinthe, and I was in Amsterdam…
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I loved Scotland as much as you did though I only spent 1 night in Edinburgh. My 1st trip overseas to England at 15 sounds much like yours – cram as much into the day as possible and head out every night. No one ever asked for ID in those days either. In fact on the plane out of Montreal I ordered a Bloody Mary. Can you imagine getting away with that now?
Back to Scotland – great place – more people should visit. Amazing castles. Super scenic. Off to hike the West Highland Way in a few months.
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Hahaha, wow! That is awesome. I’m grateful to get IDed these days. I don’t know much about West Highland Way, I shall have to check it out…but I remember going through the Highlands and thinking, “I HAVE to go camping here sometime.”
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Oooh I have to agree – one of my very favorite places! There are a couple of wonderful scotch distilleries where you can take a tasting tour, and the Ghost Tour is one of the best ever…..I’ll have to get back there soon – maybe for the Fringe Festival (if not this year, then next year for sure!).
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Candice Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Ahhh, I didn’t get to try the Ghost Tour, but I really wanted to! Next time, next time…and wow, everyone is all about the Fringe. I need to go back.
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Hooray! Your post makes this Scottish woman very happy. I’m so glad you liked it.
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Candice Reply:
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:16 pm
I cannot WAIT to return! I could really spend more time there.
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I love Edinburgh so much!! I’m totally planning to go back there next summer and stay for a while if everything works out! Such a cool city…
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Candice Reply:
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Fringe Festival! I was like…one week early for that. Cannot wait to visit again.
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I want to go there so badly and you just made it worse!!!
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Candice Reply:
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Well then, let’s go!
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Hi Candice, I loved Edinburgh. I agree that it is pretty amazing how their a castle right in the middle of the city. All of the architecture make the city so beautiful. The highlands had some of the most beautiful nature I’ve ever seen in one day and I want to go back for sure and next time visit Inverness which I hear is gorgeous but I didn’t have time to go.
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Candice Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 4:16 am
Ahhhh, Inverness. I feel fueled to go there, right now.
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Yes! Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities too! You should go during the Fringe, it’s amazing fun.
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Edinburgh is a fantastic city , I need to re-visit this summer.Keep putting it off
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Candice Reply:
May 24th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I want to get there for Hogmanay!
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Aye, Scotland is amazing, though I spent my best time in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow. But that’s probably because I met nice people there, whereas I was not so lucky in making friends in Edinburgh hahahaha (catched the completely wrong hostel for socializing)
But still I keep pub crawls, karaoke nights, the lovely old town and Leith (I’m a little harbour-freak) in good memory. Can’t wait to travel Scotland again… the people are so nice, and I adore their accent – since the day I’ve read the book “Trainspotting”.
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Candice Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 6:04 am
Agreed, I can’t wait to get back either! And I’ve never heard of Leith, something to keep on my radar.
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Corinne Reply:
June 2nd, 2010 at 7:52 am
Leith is the area of Edinburgh where the harbour is (including tourist attraction “Royal Yacht Britannia”, which I skipped due to overpriced entry fees). From the castle it’s a 30 or 45 min walk (all along the big street Leith Walk).
From the book I mentioned (“Trainspotting”) exists also a film adaption, which is worth seeing. It’s kinda fucked up, but for people interested in Scotland and party-scene it may be interesting.
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Candice Reply:
June 3rd, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Ah, well I”m totally interested in both, I’ll give it a shot!