This was our one day in Edinburgh! We checked out of our “self-catering” apartment in Cellerdyke, Fife, in the cute, cute town. Did I mention the Corner Store? Everything you could need in the size of a living room. And the waterfront—Doc Martin could have used this as an alternate set!

The drive to Edinburgh took 1 hour and 45 minutes by way of the new Queensferry Crossing bridge, with tall white masts and hundreds of stays that make it look like a giant sailing ship from afar.

We are staying at the Hilton Doubletree, which is across the street from Enterprise and a 6-minute walk to the airport. This might be good for future plans as well. While I checked in and moved our golf clubs to storage, John returned the car. He was back before I could get the luggage to our first floor room. Wow!  Such efficiency! (Well planned by the planner, as usual.) From there, it was a 3 minute walk to the tram, and downtown we went! St. Andrews Square or Princes Street? We chose Princes Street and would walk from there. The scene was familiar and busy! We’ve never seen so many people in Edinburgh! We got off the tram to the sound of bagpipes, crossed the street, and were at The Scottish National Gallery, where we’d been two years ago. 

We started with a lovely lunch (museum restaurants are great and usually with a great view). We counted our pounds and wondered if we should try to spend it all or take it home for next time. We spent some, and are taking the rest home.

We did an excellent job of touring the Scottish artists and then wandered into a very familiar room. I’m happy to say that I can spot Rafael and Botticelli from a room away because of the time I’ve spent at the Norton Simon. Mary’s robes in Rafael-blue and the look on Jesus’s pleading face—such a signature. And Botticelli tends to paint Jesus a little bit green—quite distinctive!

We wandered through the museum shop, then up to the Royal Mile, where I had a chance to talk to a bagpiper changing shifts about reeds and cork grease. He uses synthetic reeds, which he buys on Amazon, and the joints are waxed for a tight seal. He sounded great, so I dropped a heavy £2 coin in his case and listened for a minute. They must get tired of playing “The Flower of Scotland,” “Scotland the Brave,” and “Amazing Grace.” We walked down the street to a place we’ve never been to—St. Giles Cathedral.

It was open and I had a bit more change for the donation, so in we went! It was spectacularly gorgeous. Ceilings like we’ve never seen. This is a church that began in 1124 as a Catholic Church, until the Reformation. It’s now considered the mother church of the Presbyterian faith. The stained windows are all from the 1800s.

Back to the hotel, early dinner, to bed by 9 am. What a lovely end to Scotland ’25.