EDINBURGH IS FOR THE BIRDS.

Ilze and I rose early this morning, not because of our rising levels of anticipation at being able to visit Edinburgh Castle but because our accommodation, “close to Leith’s water front district and exciting cafes” and is also home to 50000 shrieking seagulls who use our roof upon which to gather for their dawn chorus.

A fine Scottish breakfast of oatmeal we set off for the castle and found nearby parking that avoided the use of the infamous “Granny Greens Steps” but was still a long uphill haul. Striding briskly across the forecourt being prepared for next week’s Edinburgh Tattoo the only thing missing was the sound of massed pipes and drums.

Edinburgh Castle

Then followed the usual long wait in the queue to get inside and then more stairs up to the Grand Tower and the gun emplacement. It is from here that they still fire the One O’clock Salute, originally used for seamen Captains to correct their chronometers before sailing. We set the O-clock on my phone so we could get the gun flash but he set it off two seconds early.

Two seconds too soon.

View from Edinburgh Castle

More steps down into the prison cells and dungeons where recreations of the squalid living conditions looked strangely familiar, I have seen worse hotel rooms, a bit cramped and no Wi-Fi but they had great “ waterfront views”.

9.5 on Booking.com

We then visited the great hall with wonderful timber work and suits of armor etc.

After returning to ransom the car at the car park and looking for something to do we put “Ocean views” into the satnav and SHE took it literally and we ended up at the “Ocean View” shopping centre, it did however afford a glimpse of the Forth Bridge and the ex-Royal Yacht Britannia, moored nearby.

Returning home, grumpy and footsore (again) we walked across our road and into Georgian Antiques. What a delight, four floors of an old brick warehouse crammed to the roof with delights and absolutely free to get in.

Why is Edinburgh for the birds?

It’s not flat.

Tomorrow we are off to the Highlands for the 6 Day Orienteering and after the last two weeks of frantic last minute training that included 11 pub meals and two runs we are in prime condition so the next blog may be some time in coming.

No flying pigs in Edinburgh

Pete.