I did not know before arriving in Edinburgh that it would be so hilly with its curving streets, lots of stairs and little narrow alley ways called closes. Getting around, especially on the cobblestones, required good shoes and the energy to do quite a bit of legging in order to explore the wonders this city holds. But back to getting lost…
We started very early one morning walking downhill towards Holyrood Palace – home of the Queen when in town – where I was able to take photos of it through the big gates under the watchful eye of a guard. There is this trade off with an early start; not many people to get in the way of your shots but also most things are closed. What time you head out depends on what you want to get shots of.
Holyrood Palace
We walked past the palace, past Parliament (a very modern building surrounded by the very old), attempted to climb Arthur’s Seat and then decided to take a different route back towards our hotel. And that’s when we got lost.
Parliament Building
In Edinburgh at any moment you may come upon some historic building, monument or site when walking around. In this case we stumbled upon the New Carlton burial ground. You can see the top of Holyrood palace behind the structure with the unicorn on it. From the angle of this shot you can see I was quite serious when I said there is a lot of walking uphill and downhill in Edinburgh.
View from New Carlton burial ground
Even in this grave yard we had to walk uphill! The round structure in the middle of the image below is the Watchtower which was built to guard graves against body snatchers. How’s that for Gothic horror novel fodder? It was after reading several headstones that we decided to exit through a gate and out onto… we didn’t know! We decided it would be better to keep going forward instead of doubling back but just to be safe I pulled out the GPS on my phone for directions.
New Carlton burial ground with watchtower
More hills, more historic buildings, another graveyard – the old Carlton – and eventually I saw the Waverly Bridge ahead of us and knew where we were again. It was quite a walk but the discoveries were well worth it.
Teri 📷
Images by T.Dashfield Photography 
Sounds like an interesting walk. I’m sure you and your camera got in a good workout 🙂
That we did! The uphill walk in the Carlton was really interesting.
Very interesting. My only visit to Edinburgh dates back to 1981 so I have vague memories of the town though I remember the dark architecture. Thanks for bringing back some of my memories of the city. (Suzanne)
You’re welcome. There is indeed a lot of dark architecture but there are bursts of color in some areas.
I’m trying to get to Scotland, but WW is not interested in the least! Too cold, too rainy, he says. Sigh. Looks like I’ll have to be content in living vicariously by perusing your photos which are excellent, by the way.
Tell WW when we were there it was mid 70’s and sunny every day but the last two where it was scattered rain and light showers and in the mid 60’s. The weather isn’t always cold and rainy. It is a beautiful country.
You have to watch out for body snatchers. Looks very stoney.
The entire city is granite and those body snatchers are a rowdy lot!
Those look like you had quite a walk…
Hollyrood makes me think of California. Wonder why?
Have a nice week-end.
Oh it was a walk! Not sure why you think of Cali either 😉
Cali in Colombia? 😉
Beautiful scenery. I can totally picture a macabre scene there.
It did have those elements 😉
Your blog is really interesting! Edinburgh is such a beautiful city and there’s so much to do. Do check out my blog on Edinburgh too 😊
So beautiful! I’m flying to Edinburgh this weekend – I can’t wait to explore!
Thanks! You will love it! Make sure you pack a raincoat and have fun wandering 🙂
Yes! Definitely packing a raincoat from what I’ve heard — can’t wait to share photos!
Wish I were going back. Enjoy and take some great photos 🙂
I recently went to Edinburgh and took a similar walk to Holyrood! Thanks for sharing your lovely photos! 🙂
It was quite a walk but well worth it wasn’t it? Thank you.
Yes definitely!