Paula's Tips for Visiting Edinburgh

Derek and I think you should come visit Edinburgh one of these days. And when you do, you'll probably want to keep some of these things in mind:

1) Keep you camera on you at all times. I think that the most beautiful sight I've seen in Edinburgh was last fall, probably around 5pm, exiting the massive Boots (a pharmacy chain) on Princes Street. It was a fairly clear evening and the castle looked absolutely amazing, framed by a beautiful pink sunset with the few clouds highlighted by the last of the sun's rays. People were stopping in their tracks to stare at the castle, and there I was without my camera.

2) Watch your step. I think it's rather odd that in a city so obsessed with maintaining clean streets that street cleaners drive past our flat several times a week and city employees are all over the place picking up garbage, that the footpaths can get so yucky at times. I think Sunday and Monday morning are the worst. I won't go into detail, but I'd say dogs or drink is the most common culprit, combined with the total lack of grass and greenspace. You'll likely find yourself weaving around this and that and probably feeling a bit rediculous, but at least you won't get something foul on your shoe.

3) Bring your walking shoes. Edinburgh is just hill after hill. With the castle in the centre of town high up on an old volcano rock formation, you'll likely find that wherever you go, at some point you'll be going up or down a considerable hill, only to have to come back eventually. The city is actually quite condensed and you can walk to most of the main attractions from the centre of town. Then again, the train station and the spot where the airport bus drops you off is in one of the lowest sections of downtown, so be prepared to drag your luggage up a steady incline from the moment you arrive.

4) A cheap umbrella may not help. Most days the 'rain' in Edinburgh is actually a very light mist that floats in all directions, including getting up under your umbrella, coating your glasses and frizzing your hair. And on the few occasions when it's true rain (or even a downpour) the strong Edinburgh winds will take hold of your umbrella and have a great time with it. Luckily M&S sells umbrellas that are wind-tunnel proof. And wellies are always a good choice.

5) Don't trust what you see on a map (unless the map's 3D). Edinburgh is built on different levels, with parallel streets that might be several stories different in height. And so when you look on Google maps or a street map it's very easy to get confused, and can seem almost impossible to get to where you want to go if you find yourself on a bridge looking down at the road you'd hoped to be on (or vice versa). A quick tip: anything that is actually attached to Grassmarket and Cowgate (two main streets on the lower level located just south of the castle) are either on the lower level or lead from the lower to the upper level. Also, in general, the farther north or east you go, the lower you get (with the exception of the crags & Calton Hill).