16th – 19th of December 2022
Traveled from London Heathrow to Edinburgh via a last minute flight due to the rail strike. Cost me £560 for the airfare, flight duration of only 1 hour 20 minute! Lucky that I have insurance to cover this.
Arrival into Edinburgh was pretty standard, bags arrived at the Baggage Carousel within the usual timeframe.
Weather was super cold, similar temperatures to London, High of 0, low of -4.
Where I stayed
ibis Edinburgh Centre Royal Mile – Hunter Square, booked 3 months in advanced and was £150 a night. Good accommodation centrally located off the Royal Mile.
What I Visited
Edinburgh Castle
Visited Edinburgh Castle, it’s been inhabited since the iron age. Very interesting history of Scotland in the Castle.
The Royal Yacht Britannia
Caught an Uber to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia. It was very icy on the cobble stones with a temperature of -4 that when turning around a corner the Uber slide and crashed into a parked car! That was an experience.
The Royal Yacht was decommissioned in 1997, it’s very well kept and was designed to be converted into a floating hospital during war, this never happened.
The Queens and Prince Philip’s bedrooms were very basic with seperate joining rooms. The State Apartments had capacity to entertain up to 250 guests.
The Officers of the ship had seperate dining quarters and a bar area down below deck. All officers shared bunk beds, with only the Commodore having his own bedroom and ensuite.
The Laundry operated 24/7 as sometimes the crew had to change dress 4 times a day. Photos are below in the Gallery.
Arthurs Seat
Climbed up Arthurs Seat, is a historic dormant volcano with great views over Edinburgh. It was very cold and icy on the climb, I still managed to climb to the top without breaking any bones!
Most of the climb was like the below. More photos in the Gallery
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Is the Royal Residence when the British Monarch is in Scotland, the apartments date back to Mary Queen of Scots. There is a room with paintings of all Scottish Monarchs from Robert the Bruce to James VI (James I of England).
Lots of interesting history pre the union of Scotland and England in the Palace.
Highlights
Climbing Arthurs seat & visiting The Royal Yacht Britannia
Lowlights
Rail Strike and getting to Edinburgh
My Photos
A great experience looks cold.
Bill and I loved Edinburgh when we visited a lifetime ago in 1970/71. Too cold for me now.
Great pics. I have a similar set 😄 we can compare notes when you return.
Did you get to have afternoon tea on Britannia?
Had morning tea, it was good.
Great pics of Arthur’s Seat