UK: EDINBURGH

Before setting off for the Isle of Skye, I arrived in Edinburgh and spent the night in the city. At the time, it was late November and Christmas celebration was well in. At the main square, there was a Christmas market full of delicious treats like apple cider (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), hot chocolate, pretzels, a variety of meat, the famous dish of Scotland: haggis, as well as little trinkets like ornaments, mugs, etc... The drinks and haggis were delicious! Especially the drinks. Haggis wasn't as bad as people portray it to be - it's similar to some Asian foods that I've eaten.

There was a carnival full of rides, ice skating rinks, and even a 3 level carousel. So many people filled the area adding to the lively experience. Please excuse the following horrible quality photos, it doesn't capture the market in the best light.

These horrible quality iPhone pictures don't give the market justice 

Yay drinks! 

 We also arrived back in Edinburgh to drop off one of our friends back to uni and continued our Edinburgh adventures. This time in daylight! The weather was very temperate, similar to London weather. Luckily for this warm blooded California girl it was only about 5C - much more bearable than the anticipated weather of 2C.

We first ventured up King Arthur's Seat where we got to see a 360 panoramic view of the city. Spectacular place to perch and ponder life's mysteries.

This isn't from the top - I seemed to have lost my footage! It's about halfway to the top. 

We then moved down the hill to the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace, and Royal Mile.

Holyrood Palace 

Scottish Parliament
The Scottish referendum just took place a couple months prior!

We then walked up to Calton Hill where we saw some more beautiful views of Edinburgh.

Closing the day was walking to the Edinburgh Castle and going next door to the Scotch Whisky (not to be mistaken by "whiskey") Experience. It's crucial that one get the spelling right - we don't want to rile up the old feud between Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is perched upon a hill overlooking the city. You could see the castle from the main square and the Christmas market.

All that whisky

I've gone to so many "alcohol experiences" and learned so much about alcohol on this trip abroad I can't even. I never realized how much alcohol originated from Europe. Each "experience" gave a little sliver of the culture of the country. At the end of the Scotch Whisky Experience, we were each given a choice of whisky to try that hailed from different regions of Scotland. All I can say is that it is definitely an acquired taste that I haven't gotten used to yet.