June 29-30, 2013 – Carlton Hill, Grassmarket and Scottish Music in Edinburgh

We find an Irish Pub in Edinburgh with a remarkable number of bottled beers including a “MacBeth.”

Carlton Hill is one of the seven hills upon which Edinburgh sits. It is on the edge of the old city and has remarkable views from the top of the hill. It also has a great deal of Greek style architecture giving Edinburgh the name, “the Athens of the north.”

Calton Hill, spectacular views of the city.  Views of Castle, The Mound, National Gallery of Scotland, Princess Street Gardens, Scott Monument and the Royal Scottish Academy

Below, the unfinished “Acropolis” that was to be built on Carlton Hill.

 

We return again to the area of Greyfriars Bobby, the dog who slept on his master’s grave for 14 years. This time we went inside the Greyfriars Cemetery where many great historic figures are buried. Among them is “Bobby’s” grave which sits in front of the church in the cemetery.

Dinner at a nice Italian restaurant in the Grassmarket area with absolutely decedent desserts. But, we had logged over 12,000 steps that day so we deserved a treat.

Below, a stop at the Black Bull Pub for some single malt scotch and some great Scottish music from a musician who could play a wide variety of instruments.

Lunch the nest day at Howie’s, one of our favorite Edinburgh restaurants, with a nice thistle on the table. For those who have been paying attention, you will know that the thistle is the national symbol of Scotland NOT the flower.  The flower is the Blue Bell.

Scottish Thistle, the national symbol of Scotland.