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Mike Yardley: Edinburgh Essentials

Author
Mike Yardley ,
Publish Date
Mon, 16 Jan 2017, 3:16PM
With Edinburgh Castle at its head and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at its foot, stand out buildings along the Royal Mile include Gladstone’s Land, The Real Mary King’s Close, John Knox House and St Giles’ Cathedral, established during the reign of King David in the 1120’s (Photo supplied)
With Edinburgh Castle at its head and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at its foot, stand out buildings along the Royal Mile include Gladstone’s Land, The Real Mary King’s Close, John Knox House and St Giles’ Cathedral, established during the reign of King David in the 1120’s (Photo supplied)

Mike Yardley: Edinburgh Essentials

Author
Mike Yardley ,
Publish Date
Mon, 16 Jan 2017, 3:16PM

Nearly a decade had passed since my last swing through Edinburgh, but this city of staircases and hills swathed in Georgian and neo-Classical architecture remains as charismatic as ever. In addition to admiring the contemporary trends that are redefining Scottish cuisine, the plethora of craft beer producers and the design-forward new buildings,  “Auld Reekie’s” time-honoured draws soon win the battle for your affections. Impossible to miss, with its lofty perch on a craggy hill, Edinburgh Castle is like a tourist tractor-beam.

Even the weekday admission lines can test your patience, but a wander through this treasured symbol of Scottish heritage is compulsive. Take advantage of the free guided tours that regularly operate within the castle, which unpack the vivid nuggets of Scottish history with compelling ease. For a Kiwi, Edinburgh’s designated districts of the Old Town and the New Town seems a little incongruous, because they are both seriously old compared to our comparative adolescence.

The Old Town is of course home to the sweeping Royal Mile and the network of narrow, cobbled alleys that run off it. With Edinburgh Castle at its head and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at its foot, stand out buildings along the Royal Mile include Gladstone’s Land, The Real Mary King’s Close, John Knox House and St Giles’ Cathedral, established during the reign of King David in the 1120’s. Plus, one of the more prestigious new additions is the Scottish Parliament. Dating back to the 15th century, I could never tire of aimlessly strolling within the Old Town.

New Town is Edinburgh’s 18th century masterpiece of urban planning, resolutely Georgian in design, with its wide streets and elegant architecture. It’s also entirely walkable, brimming with museums, stirring buildings and seriously cool stores. The pick of the bunch can be found in Thistle Street, which beats to a fiercely independent vibe. One of the city’s crown jewels is the National Museum which presents a remarkably insightful history of Scotland, spanning millennia, from its prehistoric past to a close encounter with Dolly the Sheep.  In July, ten new galleries opened at the museum, accentuating the Scottish history lesson, with a focus on the wonders of science, technology and design. Admission is free. 

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, soak up the ambience of eye-catching Victoria Street, which gently curves down to Grassmarket. Victoria Street was JK Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley. Top stops include Red Door Gallery for locally produced art and gifts, funky souvenirs at Museum Context, stylish Scottish tweed at Walker Slater and delightful bites from Iain J Mellis Cheesemonger.  In a city not short on arresting vistas, my all-time favourite perch is Calton Hill. It’s a thigh-burning climb up to the top, but you’ll be sweetly rewarded with expansive panoramas, reaching across to Leith, the Firth of Forth and the ancient volcano which is evocatively called Arthur’s Seat. 

Want to go even higher? Totter up the spiral staircase of the Nelson Monument, one of the many follies that crowns Calton Hill. If your lungs and calves are up for another exacting challenge, I also love the Scott Monument that towers above Princes Street Gardens.  Illustrating Edinburgh’s reverence for its literature heritage, the Scott Monument is a Gothic tower dedicated to Sir Walter Scott. It’s the largest monument to any writer in the world. Trek up the 287 steps for more sumptuous city views. 

Ask the locals, and they’ll tell you that forward-focused Scottish cuisine is all about being locally sourced, thoughtful and laid-back. A star specimen is Aizle, one of a growing number of local restaurants where the menu takes the form of a list of ingredients, which are artfully executed into a mini-degustation menu of four dishes.  For example one dish was simply described as “ black vinegar, chicken skins and summer berries.  Another highly recommended experience is Badger & Co. Opened in May in what was the original home of Wind in the Willows author, Kenneth Grahame, Badger & Co. offers an inspired menu of local and seasonal menus. Its bright, quirky interiors have already made it fiendishly popular with the locals.

Want to drink with the locals? Settle into the velvet seats of Kay’s Bar, a pint-sized Georgian coach house, tucked away from the crowds on Jamaica Street.  A convivial crowd of locals pack out this small pub every night, a snug refuge from the inevitable Edinburgh rain. Edinburgh’s historic port of Leith is home to Royal Yacht Britannia, which is an experiential must for House of Windsor aficionados. 

The on-board tours are astoundingly comprehensive, allowing you to see where the Royal Family ate, slept and played, and the ship brims with royal memorabilia, official gifts and artefacts. Leith is in the throes of transformation, an edgy, on-trend hive of quirky pubs, retro stores, public art projects and glittering cocktail bars. My final salute to Edinburgh was at the Lioness of Leith, surrounded by hip young things sipping hair-of-the-dog cocktails over brunch.

Where to stay? Freshly resplendent following a top-to-toe refurbishment, the century old Hilton Edinburgh Carlton mingles harmoniously with the historic atmosphere of the Royal Mile. The hotel forms part of the impressive North Bridge, linking Old and New Town together.  Contemporary accommodations include complimentary WiFi, Suite Dreams by Serta beds and luxurious linens. Upgrade to an executive room or suite and enjoy the privileges of the Executive Lounge, including complimentary breakfast and around-the-clock refreshments. www.hilton.com

In a city brimming with an enviable calendar of headline events and festivals, your first port of call for a flavourful Edinburgh break should be the official visitor website, constantly refreshed with the latest buzz.  www.visitscotland.com

Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB’s Travel Correspondent on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings.

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