Wednesday’s principal destination was Edinburgh Castle which stands upon the core of an extinct 350 million year old volcano placing it some 250 feet above the city. This is easily a full day experience with much about the mind dizzying royal history that becomes even less comprehensible with the Scottish connections included. The castle area has many highlights such as St. Margaret’s Chapel (the oldest building in Edinburgh), the Great Hall with its early sixteenth century hammer beam roof, the Stone of Destiny (used to inaugurate monarchs of Scotland and England for over 1,000 years) and the military museums. But it is the views that try to steal the show.

Along the way we visited the Sir Walter Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens, the Royal Mile, St. Giles Cathedral and the exhibit around the city called Jungle City. I would love to purchase one of the animals.

Edinburgh is even lovelier with less wind, very walkable and friendly. We lunched at a Kurdish restaurant near the castle and then it was tapas for dinner at Cafe Andaluz on George St. Another recommended dining stop if you get here.