Stop-and-go in Edinburgh
with Daniele Fisichella, Federico Gatti and Sergio Colombo
I really don’t know how my friend convinced me to go with him on this trip, but he did, and he did it pretty quickly, damn it. The proposal seemed alright: a cheap return ticket to Edinburgh via two night-buses, and a whole day to stroll around the Scottish capital. “Well, I’ve never been there, why not?” I asked myself. Why Not? I’d have the answer soon enough.
The city was awesome, but it would have been even better if I was operating on at least one hour of sleep. I’ll not mention the lack of space for my legs on the bus, nor will I mention the snoring concert to which I was treated after the first 30 minutes of the trip. I won’t even go into the driver’s madness when—during heavy rainfall—he decided to pass a giant lorry while in the middle of a phone call and a great back-scratch. I’ll only say that if you didn’t have at least one litre of your best whiskey in the bag, that bloody night bus would kill you twice and with only one ticket.
View from the Edinburgh Castle. Photo Credit: Sergio Colombo
Still, no matter your means of transport, Edinburgh is worth seeing. Once you are in “Auld Rekiie” (as it is called in Scottish – meaning “Old Smokey”), breathing in the Scottish atmosphere is as simple as strolling through the medieval surroundings of the Old Town or staring over the horizon from one of the hills that surround the city.
Despite having more than one million people, Edinburgh doesn’t seem crowded. The sensation, especially after coming from London, feels like coming back to nature. From some angles, Edinburgh looks like a protected environment; the west side of the city is literally immersed in parks, fields and hills.
Blackford Hill dominates one side of the city. Atop it is the Castle, one of the Scotland’s most significant historical places. Renovation work is taking place at the moment, but it is possible to take tours from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (tickets cost £11). If you only have a few hours to spend around the town, you might prefer to skip the museum and building tours in order to visit as much of the city as you can.
The Waterfront is one of the most popular place to visit. It was established in 2000 and is one of the most developed parts of the city. It is situated in the east side, opposite to Calton Hill and attached to the New Town which was built during the 18th century. Moving from the new construction at the port to the Renaissance architecture of George III Street will takes you just a couple of bus stops.
Bus staff have our sympathy. Photo Credit: Sergio Colombo
Buses in Edinburgh are simply original, from the seats to the electronic displays. Every seat is covered in Scottish tartan, and signs ask for passengers’ sympathy: “Our staff have the right to work without fear of assault.” However, the easiest and cheapest way to get the most from a day in Edinburgh is to buy a £3 day-long ticket.
Eating and drinking is generally not very expensive either. The zone near the University for has plenty of pubs and restaurants. Haggis is definitely the food you must have. It is the national Scottish dish and contains the heart and lungs of a lamb cooked inside the lining of a sheep’s stomach and it is usually served with mash and boiled carrots.
Your choice of drinks, however, might require more serious reflection. Beer or scotch? Both are traditionally tasty in Scotland, and Edinburgh is no exception.
The Old Town. Photo Credit: Sergio Colombo
To conclude your day tour, we suggest to trek up Calton Hill at dusk. Once there, enjoy the sunset behind by the early 19th century monuments. Just a last recommendation: If you’re planning to visit the city during the winter, wear scarves, caps, gloves and whatever else you require to stay warm. Even if the average temperature isn’t lower than in London, the wind blows constantly.
Once you get back to London, you’ll think you’ve reached a tropical land.
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