Though my first trip to Edinburgh was in February 2015 and certainly not warm, it had been sunny and only chilly, not blustery cold and wet. I have been spoiled in my past travels and blessed with unseasonably great weather. So why would I expect anything less when visiting Scotland in April? My British friends knew better and scoffed at my naivety.
When we arrived on April 3, 2018, it was dreary, raining, and 37. Lucky for us, we had the thrill of beginning our adventure to keep us warm! A friendly, kilted concierge welcomed us to our elegant hotel, the Principal on George Street. He introduced himself in a wonderful Scottish accent as Marchin. It was such a lovely accent that we didn’t understand him the first four times so he finally said, “You know, like marching to war” and pantomimed marching with raised knees and swinging arms. We didn’t find out until the end of our stay that he was actually Polish but had lived in Scotland for fourteen years. His Scottish accent was convincing enough to our American ears.
I’ve got to admit… the first night when we were sitting at dinner in silence (I wasn’t sure if it was companionable, exhausted, or stony silence), the shadows of doubts swirled in the space between us and haunted me when I tried to sleep.
Snow in Edinburgh!
The second day in Edinburgh it snowed! We only left the hotel briefly for food and haircuts and some quick photos. Though we could have done without the cold, seeing the town get a thin blanket of snow was pretty magical. We relaxed at the hotel and enjoyed a quiet day inside, reveling at the thought that we still had a whole year ahead of us.
The Edinburgh Castle nearly obscured by snow
Scottish pubs are the best!
By dinner time the snow had let up and we bundled up and headed to a cute pub we had passed earlier called the Queens Arms. It was “meat night” where they serve the meat of the day on a board with enough to split for two along with two glasses of wine thrown into the deal. It’s like they knew I was coming! Meat and wine are two of my favorite things! Add a good friend and traveling and stellar cocktails to boot and I was pretty much in heaven.
Doubts, rain and cold had not made their last appearance, but I was quite happy to discard them for another day.
Delicious chicken entree at the Queens Arms
Amazing cocktails at the Queens Arms
Comments
Ginger
As I saw all of your beautiful, smiling pictures I did kind of wonder if there weren't some moments that weren't quite as joyful. […] Read MoreAs I saw all of your beautiful, smiling pictures I did kind of wonder if there weren't some moments that weren't quite as joyful. We Heusinkvelds have a tendency to only share the good and beautiful and not acknowledge the quieter, contemplative times. Thank you for being so open and honest. In a year, we have all kinds of emotions and I think travel tends to intensify all of them. Hugs! Read Less
Unknown
I agree with your dad! There was a lot of emotion expended the last few days before the adventure. I also thought....I’ve found […] Read MoreI agree with your dad! There was a lot of emotion expended the last few days before the adventure. I also thought....I’ve found that bad traveling weather also forces me to take the road less traveled for a day and I have been thankful for the distraction because when the weather clears it can be good...very, very good! I don’t want this to sound like pressure, but I’m very anxious to start hearing about it. Your pictures are beautiful but your impressions and the emotion really enhance them. Love always, my sweet! Read Less
George Brown
I am sure that your health issues just prior to your trip was a downward pressure on your first experiences this trip. But on the […] Read MoreI am sure that your health issues just prior to your trip was a downward pressure on your first experiences this trip. But on the other hand this weather helped slow you down so you did not burn out right away. Your pictures are great. Read Less