Walk Along The River
The first thing we did when we arrived was go for a walk around, which is so unlike me, but for some reason I just had that itch to scratch. So we set off on foot and went to see some of the sights. We were staying at the Hilton Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, which is right next to the castle. So we decided to set off in the opposite direction of the castle, as we knew we’d come back to the castle later in the day. One of the first things we spotted was the river, so decided to stroll alongside it and see where we’d end up. It was a beautiful little walk, full of crisp brown leaves, but I bet in the spring or summertime it really is spectacular! The further you get away from the castle, the flatter the terrain seems to get, which makes it a really easy stroll. We had arrived on a random Thursday and I was pleasantly surprised by how peaceful it was, it was a lovely way to unwind from a week at work.
Visit The Botanical Gardens
After our walk along the river we found ourselves at the Botanical Gardens, which is free to enter but you can of course make a donation. It’s this huge vast garden, which you’d never expect to find in the middle of a huge city! The Botanical Garden is split into various sections – we really enjoyed looking at the pond, the waterfalls, the Chinese section and the hill overlooking the city. It really is something beautiful to see and it’s a lovely way to kill a couple of hours. We picked a quiet bench and sat watching the world go by – the perfect place for a quick snack!
Go Shopping
During our walk around, it’s safe to say that I had a hard time avoiding all the shopping destinations! Before visiting I had no idea that Edinburgh was such a great shopping location, but it really is a beauty lover’s dream. From SpaceNK, to Jo Malone, to Harvey Nichols – they really have it all. Of course, if clothes or interiors are more your thing, they cater for that too! I have to admit that I was really on my best behaviour when we visited, but I did pick up something from Jo Malone in the airport – hello duty free prices!
Be The Queen (Or King) Of The Castle
I think it must be a cardinal sin to visit Edinburgh and not see the castle! I have to be honest, on a cold January morning, I couldn’t have felt less compelled to trek up to the castle, but breathlessness was well worth it! Once you’re at the top of the hill there is lots to do and see, with lots of museums and history to explore. I’m a sucker for a good view, so for me, it was all about taking in the view and appreciating the beauty of Edinburgh. I always love soaking in the atmosphere in a place like this, it just makes you feel so small and insignificant!
Learn How Whiskey Is Made
Neither Chris or I are Whiskey drinkers, but we both really enjoyed the Edinburgh Whiskey experience. It’s one of the cleverest ‘experiences’ we’ve ever done – from start to finish we were just amazed by what was on offer. You start with a ride, which takes you on the Whiskey creation journey, which is followed by a tasting experience and a walk around the huge Whiskey gallery. I was really impressed by the quality of the experience, where they have clearly taken a lot of attention to detail. Whether you’re a Whiskey drinker or not, I truly think it’s something you have to see!
Drink Cocktails In The Harvey Nichols Rooftop Bar
Finally, I have something if you’re looking to kill a couple of hours, or want to drink the afternoon away. The Harvey Nichols Rooftop Bar was recommended to me via Twitter, when we just wanted an hour to give our feet a little rest. The Harvey Nichols Rooftop Bar is right at the top of the store and has views over the whole city. We enjoyed cocktails and some lovely appetisers – it was the perfect way to take an hour of peace and quiet!
We thoroughly fell in love with Edinburgh and I would love to go back at some point! So, if you have any other recommendations, please leave them for me in the comments below!
