GROW WITH SARAH GRACE

In light of the recent series on Netflix, One Day, I figured it was time to give a guide to the city it all started in – Edinburgh, Scotland. While the show on Netflix is filmed in a variety of cities throughout Europe, the whole story starts at the University of Edinburgh. With the popularity the show has gained, I’m sure many people are adding Edinburgh to their travel list and for good reasons, the city has charm and is worth a visit. 

Edinburgh is full of breathtaking views, gorgeous architecture and many historical sights – to name a few key elements located in the capital of Scotland. While many people have at least a four-day weekend let alone a week to explore the charming city, I was able to spend a total of 24 hours wandering the “Auld Reekie.” 

Culture tidbit: the Scottish nicknamed the capital “Auld Reekie” which means “Old Smokey” due to its thick smoke coming from coal fires in the Old Town.

Before we jump into the activities I accomplished in a single day, I want to take a moment to sing praises to the hostel I stayed at. Castle Rock Hostel was not only a phenomenal location but also offered a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere, kind staff and amazing prices. 

Located beside Edinburgh Castle and a short walk from Grassmarket, this hostel only accommodates those 18+ years of age but has a cozy energy. It can also be appreciated by all as there are lounges to mingle and peaceful corners to be found.

The 24 hours I had to see the city was jam-packed I must admit but it made me realize, if you need to, it is doable to see the city in a short time. Of course, I recommend staying longer than I did and really soak in the culture and your surroundings but here is my 24-hour itinerary which can obviously be scattered over a couple of days.

Enjoy A Hot Cocoa From Uplands Roast And The Meadow Park

Located just in the middle of Quartermile and Marchmont, a large green area sits full of morning strolls, dogs running and of course – Uplands Roast. The stand is small so be sure not to miss it on the outskirts of the grass near North Meadow Walk. 

While you can enjoy some freshly brewed coffee and sweet treats, what this stand does amazingly is serve up artistic-looking hot chocolate. On the top of your deliciously rich, chocolate drink, the barista will fill the top with mini marshmallows and cocoa dust. Accompanying this will be a stick of chocolate and a fire-torched, roasted on-site large marshmallow. 

Once you get your picture-worthy hot chocolate, you should stroll through the park or find an empty bench to people-watch. Whatever you choose, this is a great way to jumpstart a day full of exploring.  

Walk Along The Royal Mile

In the heart of Old Town, The Royal Mile is made up of five streets: Lawnmarket, High Street, Abbey Strand, Castle Hill and Canongate. This tourist attraction runs between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse and is full of shops, street performances and historical attractions like St.Giles Cathedral and Dunbar’s Close Garden.  

The street itself is quite a scene to experience but to embark on a unique journey, the alleyways and side streets can lead you to secret corners and hidden gems of the city. As a whole, Old Town is a great sight to see as the buildings are a great mix of a majority of medieval and a sprinkle of Georgian architecture. 

Go Inside St. Giles Cathedral

Located on the Royal Mile, St.Giles Cathedral has been standing tall since it was founded by King David l in 1124 and since then it’s been a working church for nearly 900 years. This towering brick structure is gorgeous from the outside but once you enter the cathedral, your eyes will be graced with traditionally stunning Romanesque architecture. 

The structure is held up by powerful, arching beams and is graced with just enough stained glass windows to allow a healthy glow of sunshine into the breathtaking church. On the ceiling, a bright blue is painted alongside small gold details that are found throughout the anatomy of the cathedral.   

Although the astonishing inside of the church should lure you into it, perhaps the fact that it is free entry (donations accepted, of course) should do the job. They even offer two 45-minute walking tours a day at 10:30 A.M. and 2:30 P.M. at no cost.

Stroll Through The Famous Victoria Street

Again, located in Old Town, this street is most famous for its colorful buildings and inspiration for Harry Potter. The original Diagon Alley is said to have been inspired by two places – the Shambles in York and Victoria Street in Edinburgh. There is even a store called Museum Context: Retailer of Harry Potter Merchandise at the base of the street. 

Along with that, the short street offers a variety of shops, restaurants and experiences: John Kay’s Shop, Finnegan’s Wake, The Red Door Gallery and The Liquid Room. Victoria Street was built during a renovation of the Old Town from 1829 to 1834. Thomas Hamilton, the architect of the street, had the intention of revamping the country’s capital into a city of neoclassical buildings.

Check Out Grassmarket and Do Some Vintage Shopping

Located at the west end of Victoria Street, you’ll run into Grassmarket Street. This area is full of shops, hotels and restaurants. Among these stores is a thrift store, W. Armstrong + Son Vintage Clothing Emporium, which is full of amazing vintage finds and even offers a quilt section to help you embrace the Scottish culture surrounding you. 

When I went, I wasn’t able to get anything as I had little space in my already overweight luggage but I found out about this place from a girl staying in my Hostel. She had nothing but good things to say and was giving an extensive fashion show of her finds. The store itself was full when I was searching through the variety of clothes. They have four locations throughout the city but started the business at one location in Edinburgh’s Cowgate in 1840. 

Outside of the vintage store, every Saturday, the plaza turns into a flea market called the “Grassmarket Market” and it’s open from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. all year round. Along the north side, a line of pubs sit ready for you to enjoy and bite or a pint, and at night, it is full of party-goers enjoying a drink or two. Be sure to bring a form of identification as some pubs will ask even if you look well over 18 years old.

Order a Cocktail From Dragonfly

Less than a block away from Grassmarket, this cocktail bar has a mysterious interior design that brings a combination of plants and 1920s style. They offer a variety of drinks on their lengthy menu to enjoy over some conversation and on the weekends, music from a DJ. 

Besides the elegant atmosphere of the bar lounge, the drinks are reasonably priced (most cocktails are around 11 pounds) and truly delicious. While you can enjoy one of the cocktail options, wine or beer on the menu, you can also request something special if you have a drink in mind. I ordered my very first whisky sour since it’s believed that whisky-making started in Scotland. 

My friend and I didn’t have a reservation when we went on a Saturday night at around 5 P.M. and we sat right away at the bar. With that being said, I still recommend making a reservation to ensure you are comfortable and can admire the aesthetic and enjoy the energy of the bar better from a table. 

After my trip to Edinburgh, I coincidentally ran into a couple of girls who are currently studying in Edinburgh and when they asked me where I went, the reaction I got once I mentioned Dragonfly made me feel as if I found a local secret.

Feast Your Eyes On The Edinburgh Castle

The Edinburgh Castle rests on top of Castle Rock and is elevated enough to overlook the city. To be fully transparent, I wasn’t able to go inside due to the time crunch I had and that is the only regret I have from this trip. My trip as a whole was still amazing so it isn’t necessary but if you have the time, I highly recommend planning a tour of the inside. Seeing the castle from the outside was still a great sight and the location also offered a magnificent view of Old and New Town.  

As far as history, parts of the castle are still being used by the military but a majority of it is open to tourists. The construction of this structure started in the 11th century on top of Castle Rock which is a result of a volcano erupting many, many years before. Since the start of its development, the use of the castle has gone from royal residence to prison to military use – to name only a few uses throughout the centuries.

Learn About Greyfriars Bobby and Enjoy a Bite At The Bar 

As the legend goes, Greyfriars Bobby is a famous Skye Terrier who is best known for his loyalty displayed in the 19th century. John Gray, Bobby’s owner died and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Old Town. As a great act of devotion, the Skye Terrier spent 14 years guarding Gray’s grave until his death on January 14, 1872. 

Located right outside of the kirkyard, on Candlemaker Row, you’ll find a restaurant, Greyfriars Bobby Bar that has a statue of Bobby standing in front of its establishment. If you rub the nose of this statue, even though it’s discouraged by the Edinburgh Council, it is believed to bring you luck. 

The restaurant itself offers a variety of traditional Scottish dishes and drinks among others for a reasonable price for being so close and named after a tourist attraction. Among me and my friend, we ordered the fish and chips, two cocktails and the mac and cheese and left full and satisfied. 

My visit to the charming capital of Scotland was short but man, was it great. I spent the majority of my time in Old Town and while I always enjoy an old town, I can’t wait to get back and see so much more of the city like for example, Arthur’s Seat, the hill that makes quite the impact in the Netflix series, One Day. 

Aside from what I have yet to see, Edinburgh is full of so many things I have been able to enjoy like small alleyways, unique shops, delicious restaurants, breathtaking sights and kind people waiting to greet you with open arms.