More Edinburgh!

Edinburgh

The Royal Mile & Thistle Room

One of the most popular and well-known destinations on Edinburgh is the Royal Mile, which is a long street filled with restaurants, shops, and street performers. You can knock it out in an afternoon, unless you like to wander and spend time in every store.

 

Aint she pretty?

Rose Street

The Scott Memorial is built and named after Sir Walter Scott, the famous novelist and playwright. For about five pounds you can walk to the top! Although I hear it's quite claustrophobic.

As you walk around the mile, small alleyways shoot off the main road every few hundred feet. Some are gated closed, some lead to apartments, some whisk you away to more shops and restaurants! They're called Closes (as in hold something close),  and are mini adventures!

View down Advocate's Close on the Royal Mile

Afternoon tea was hosted by The Dome on George Street, a gorgeous restaurant with views of the city. We met our friends and the bridal party (since we're in Scotland for a wedding) and chowed down. Thankfully for Meg, they also have Gluten Free options!

After tea, Meg and I headed back to the Royal Mile to explore and find dinner. We found a small alley (called a Close) that led to an underground bar. We ordered a few drinks and Haggis Bites which were quite yummy!

Meg ordered a hot spiced buttered rum, I ordered wine and then an Aztec Cocoa which was hot chocolate with rum and smoked paprika!

If staying in a B&B while in the city, chances are you'll find the little-known areas that stay hidden from the general population. This lovely area was between our flat and the city center, so we were treated to some glowing artwork on our walks!

The St. Guiles Cathedral on the Royal Miles may seem like another historical artifact smack dab in the middle of the city. But trust me, it's beautiful both inside and out, and has a hidden gem inside!

The Thistle Room

St. Giles Cathedral

The Thistle Room is now one of my favorite locations in Edinburgh. Inside the St. Giles Cathedral, this Chapel is the home to the Order of the Thistle, the highest honor in Scotland and second highest in the U.K.  The Order of the Thistle is comprised of 21 Knights, including 5 of the Royal Family, and headed by the Monarch. Knighthood is for life, so once a Knight passes away, the Monarch appoints another. They are chosen for their good deeds and work for the country and around the world. Once chosen, they meet once a year in this chapel to discuss what they can do in teh coming year to better the world.

The colorful bits above each chair are the emblems of the Knights, which represent who they are, where they come from, what they do, and what matters to them.

St. Guiles Cathedral from the Royal Mile

The living Knights all have specific chairs and emblems which represent who they are. The chapel itself was hand-carved from oak by two brothers in an 18 month span. 

The five members of the Royal Family's seats, with the Monarch in the middle

This is the Monarch's (Queen Elizabeth's) chair

The coat of arms on the Monarch's chair 

The handrests are carved animals that represent gifts once given to the Monarch. Animals from the Scottish Menagerie were presented to the Monarch back in the day. 

Again, the woodwork was created by two brothers...only two, in less than two years. Amazing!