The magical Edinburgh

The royal mile, Holyrood Park, Calton Hill and bad weather!

I went to Edinburgh in March 2024, two months after my birthday trip to Sofia. Everyone I talked to about it told me that Edinburgh is an amazing city, but I knew nothing more about it before went there, I just wanted to visit Scotland. There, I participated in a photographic project organized by Let Me Italian You; they organize events where people from different countries can share their passion for photography while discovering a city.

The program included workshops, guided tours of the city, and photoshoots in four days. Usually, I travel alone and I organise myself the travel experience, but I like the way Massimiliano and Gabriele organise these projects and I support their concept. It wasn’t my first time with them, I’ve already been to Krakow, Lisbon, Santorini, and Copenhagen.

We were a group of 25 nice and interesting people, and with some of them, I got to bond and have fun besides the project activities. The hostel where we were staying had some board games. Every night before going to sleep we played Exploding Kittens, and on the last night we had also a tournament, I was able to be in the final of the champions, but I didn’t win.

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is a city steeped in history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Nestled between the rugged hills and the picturesque coastline, Edinburgh boasts a unique blend of medieval and modern architecture.

The majestic Edinburgh Castle dominates the city's iconic skyline, perched atop an ancient volcanic rock, offering panoramic views of the city below. Its cobbled streets wind through the historic Old Town, where hidden closes and narrow wynds reveal tales of centuries past.

Edinburgh is a beautiful city, very beautiful. I fell in love immediately on the way from the airport to our accommodation. At the end of the trip, all the other participants in the project were talking about moving there, that’s what this city does to its visitors.

On the first day, we had a tour of the Old Town with a guide. We started from Grassmarket, once a bustling marketplace where traders sold goods and farmers brought their livestock, today it's a lively hub filled with pubs, restaurants, and shops.

From there we walked to Victoria Street, a vibrant and colourful thoroughfare that winds its way up from the Grassmarket area to the historic Royal Mile. Its unique architecture, with its curved and multi-coloured buildings, gives it a distinctive charm that sets it apart from other streets in the city.

Lined with an eclectic mix of boutique shops, artisanal cafes, and quaint pubs, Victoria Street offers a delightful shopping and dining experience.

Going up Victoria Street we arrived at the Royal Mile, a historic main road that stretches from the iconic Edinburgh Castle at one end to the magnificent Holyrood Palace at the other. Lined with centuries-old buildings, charming pubs, and quaint shops, it encapsulates the essence of Scotland's capital.

Stepping onto the Royal Mile feels like a journey through time, with its cobblestone streets and hidden closes echoing stories of medieval Scotland. The street is alive with activity, from street performers entertaining crowds to tartan-clad bagpipers serenading passersby.

The main landmark on the Royal Mile is St Giles Cathedral, a stunning example of Scottish Gothic architecture. Dating back to the 12th century, it is the principal place of worship for the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh.

The cathedral's exterior is adorned with intricate stonework, including its famous crown spire that dominates the skyline of the Old Town. Inside, you are greeted by a magnificent interior featuring soaring vaulted ceilings, elegant stained glass windows, and impressive stone carvings.

We walked all the Royal Mile until Holyrood Palace where the tour ended. The Palace is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Originally founded as a monastery in the 12th century, King James IV transformed Holyrood Palace into a royal residence in the 16th century.

The tour was good, and the guide was very nice, full of information and open to our questions. This part of the city is stunning, with a unique vibe, and the weather is also part of it, cloudy with some rain and sometimes a bit of sun.

The morning after we had another tour of the city with another guide. At first, we visited Edinburgh's New Town, a masterpiece of Georgian urban planning, renowned for its elegant architecture, wide streets, and graceful squares. Built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to accommodate Edinburgh's growing population, it stands as a testament to the city's Enlightenment-era prosperity and ambition.

Laid out in a grid pattern, the New Town is characterized by its uniformity of design and neoclassical grandeur. Princes Street, its main thoroughfare, offers panoramic views of the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle, while George Street is lined with chic shops, restaurants, and upscale residences.

Our destination was Dean Village, going there we passed by Circus Lane in the charming Stockbridge neighbourhood. Lined with quaint, colourful mews houses and cobblestone streets, it exudes a sense of timeless charm and tranquillity.

Walking along Circus Lane feels like stepping back in time, with its picturesque architecture and peaceful atmosphere. The lane is adorned with blooming flowers, climbing vines, and charming front gardens, creating a postcard-perfect scene.

Dean Village is a picturesque oasis nestled along the Water of Leith. Once a bustling milling village in the 19th century, it's now a tranquil residential area renowned for its scenic beauty and historic charm. The village is characterized by its quaint stone buildings, many of which date back to the 17th century, and its picturesque cobbled streets. Set against the backdrop of lush greenery and the gentle flow of the river, Dean Village feels like a tranquil retreat from the bustle of the city.

We strolled along the riverside walkway, admiring the historic architecture and the quaint waterwheel that once powered the village's mills. This day the weather was horrible, it rained a lot and the pictures are from the few sunny moments we had. The tour was nice, and Dean Village is beautiful, it deserved to be visited.

In the afternoon, after the portrait workshop, we went to Holyrood Park to practice in couples taking portraits of each other. This place is a natural wonderland nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, providing a striking contrast to the urban landscape surrounding it.

At the park's centre lies the iconic Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcanic peak that offers panoramic views of the city and beyond. We climbed to St. Anthony's Chapel ruins, perched on a hill overlooking the city. The Chapel consists of crumbling walls and archways, surrounded by lush greenery and commanding views of Edinburgh and beyond.

Unfortunately, the weather didn’t help us, it was windy and cold, but we enjoyed the place and the beautiful view we had from there. We practised taking some pictures with the backlight, this is also a nice place for landscape photography.

The morning after, we had a photo shoot with models at Princess Street Garden, fortunately, the weather helped us and we were able to take pictures without problems. In the afternoon we had the landscape workshop, followed by a visit to Calton Hill where we practiced what we learned. Calton Hill offers a panoramic viewpoint over the city and its surrounding landscapes, adorned with iconic monuments.

Atop Calton Hill stands the National Monument, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens, though left unfinished. Nearby, the Nelson Monument commemorates Admiral Lord Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, with a towering structure topped by a time ball.

The hill is also home to the Dugald Stewart Monument, a tribute to the Scottish philosopher, and the City Observatory, which now houses a Visitor Centre and provides fascinating insights into astronomy and Edinburgh's history.

Aside from its monuments, Calton Hill offers a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city, with winding paths leading through lush greenery and stunning vistas of Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, and the Firth of Forth.

The weather was beautiful, and maybe because of this I enjoyed this place. I can imagine having a picnic here, or on a sunny day in summer just lying down and chilling.

On the last day, we visited the National Museum in the morning, then we said goodbye to each other with the promise of meeting again somewhere in the world.

Edinburgh is a magical city, in my opinion, the most beautiful city in Europe but with a weak point, the weather. A suggestion is visiting it in summer, March is still cold, windy and rainy, but probably less crowded with tourists.

Next week I will bring you to Asia, but not the Asia you are thinking about.

See you soon!

Flavio