Edinburgh: National Museum of Scotland

There are a number of Museums to visit in Edinburgh, of course. But National Museum of Scotland stood out among all. The kids wanted Natural History (the dinosaurs!) and I was keen on its World Cultures gallery. It was not too far from the Royal Mile (we were there earlier), approximately 10 - 15 minutes walk via George IV Bridge. As the museum situated at very beginning corner of Chambers Street, we were able to see the magnificent Victorian building when we were approaching the junction of Chambers Street and George IV Bridge. 

The building of the Museum of Scotland after the merger, opened in 1998, not just to tell the country's history from earliest times to the present day, it created a landmark museum in Edinburgh.

Entrance Hall at Level 0 (left picture above);
Grand Gallery at Level 1 (right pictures above).

Little about Edinburgh's Architecture

I was intrigued by the Scots Baronial, gloomy grey stone wall and uneven rooflines with feature towers adorned by small turrets. The Royal Mile of Edinburgh probably the best place capturing Scottish rich architecture. It has many interesting buildings all within walking distance. With the excellent accessibility by the Closes, we spent a half-day strolling and exploring the Medieval Old Town in the Royal Mile and, another few hours in Princess Street, the renowned shopping street in planned Georgian New Town. Having booked an accommodation in the heart of the city saved us time in in-and-out. We were the residents of the gloomy Medieval, and we were tourists to admire the beauty- how exciting!... even though for the shortest time.

It was really exciting to be in Edinburgh, so much so I didn't have enough photos to impress you all. I was engrossed with what surrounded me, the architectures were glorious. I was freezing cold too, my body was not yet adjusted to Scottish's weather. And I was with the kids, One of them very curious and mummy, mummy non-stop, while the another girl needed water, needed jacket, needed toilet. 

Anyway, I should not rambling. I do have some of beautiful shots from The Royal Mile...

Edinburgh: A Lost and Found Story in Waverley

I left my own backpack in Edinburgh's Waverley Train Station when we first arrived. We had too many things to lug with for the trip, from London to Edinburgh- two big full luggage, two backpacks, one camera bag, two girls and their bags. Some rubbishes in hand too, or kids' papers that they scribbled during train journey and insisted to keep/bring along. I can't remember for sure. It happened too often.

Sorry, I digress. Anyway, we only realised it after 3 or 4 hours later when we were settling down in our rented apartment in Cowgatehead. My heart sunk. Immediately, we dashed to the train station. I dashed, due to the urgency of the matter and the girls couldn't be speed up in view of the steep slopes and flights of stair. SC and the girls caught up with me from behind. 

Edinburgh's Closes, Cowgatehead and Grassmarket

If anyone ask me my impression of Edinburgh, I probably would tell you about the Closes in Royal Mile. Closes are those narrow alley between buildings. We passed by them a lot during our carless days in Edinburgh. The medieval town was built on an undulating terrain and yet fabulously well-connected. Once we arrived the Waverley Train Station, we started to navigate towards the Old Town where our rented apartment was. From the exit of Waverley Station at Market Street, we walked across the road, into one of the nearest Closes to reach Royal Mile- Fleshmarket Cl. After that, we found Old Fishmarket Cl to reach Cowgate. Once we were in Cowgate, we turned right towards Cowgatehead for our apartment, passed by an arch tunnel where George IV Bridge was right above.

Other times, when we roamed around the Old Town, passing by Royal Mile, we used Jackson's Cl, or Anchor Cl, or the renowned Mary King's Cl. Similarly, we wandered and used Stevenlaw's Cl towards the train station and further up to Princes Street.