Date with Edinburgh

Edinburgh is like a beautiful canvas painting where one could simply lose themselves. Any street you walk onto will lead you towards beauty and amazement.

Near Greyfriars Bobby’s statute, on the way to the National Museum of Scotland

I visited Edinburgh in April to celebrate my 25th birthday. 25th birthdays are an important event in one’s life and I wanted to do something different and new..hence, I braved myself to my first ever solo trip - Edinburgh! Trust me, it is my best birthday gift so far!

View from the Castle Hill

I had arrived early in the morning and my room was not ready for me to check-in. So I left my luggage at the cloakroom and wandered around to satisfy my starving stomach. I found a cute Italian place near my hotel. It had the most delicious pasta I have ever had. You could customise it all - the sauce, pasta, veggies, the works. The chef would make it exactly the way you want it and would even throw in a few suggestions upon request.

I started my special day at the Castle Hill. One of the major attractions of Edinburgh, Castle Hill or the Edinburgh Castle is a beautiful fortress located at the top of the hill (as the name suggests, no rocket science here!).

View from the Castle Hill

It is not only filled with interesting stories of Scottish history but also showcases the best view of Edinburgh city! I was lucky enough to visit during this beautiful weather when even the clouds decided to provide me with a picturesque view of the city below.

View from the Castle Hill

Just about 10 minutes from the castle entrance, towards the Royal Mile street, is the Scotch Whisky Experience and Camera Obscura. It is unfair to leave Scotland without trying any whisky!

The Scotch Whisky Experience is an educational and entertaining tour with a live guide. It displays some of the finest whiskies and provides access to the top bar for those who take their tours. There are several packages to choose from with different time durations (information can be found on the official website).

The Whisky Collection at The Scotch Whisky Experience

There is also the Amber restaurant which is open for all. I was given an additional glass of whisky as my birthday treat which I thoroughly enjoyed overlooking the scenic view of Edinburgh from the top bar.

Birthday made special with a complimentary tasting of Whisky

Camera Obscura & The World of Illusions is another fantastic attraction, especially when visited with a group of friends or family. It is just opposite the Scotch Whisky Experience and can be more fun after a wee dram or two of whisky ;)

Illusional Drama at Camera Obscura

The first evening of the 25th year of my life had to match up with the great kick-start to my day! So I decided to catch the sunset at Calton Hill - my personal favourite place in Edinburgh.

Neilson Monument at Calton Hill

Although its called a ‘Hill’, it is actually a 20-minute walk up the slope. It is a free entry location, perfect for a panorama click of the beautiful city!

View from Calton Hill

I ended the day in my favourite Indian restaurant in the UK - Dishoom. It is an Iranian styled restaurant which also holds a position in the top 10 Indian restaurants in the UK. The ambience in Dishoom Edinburgh makes it my most-liked restaurant chain.

My personal favourite - Vada Pav starter and East India Gimlet cocktail at Dishoom

Edinburgh is a wonderful city, I believe everyone should visit it once. The ideal time to visit Edinburgh is the Springtime as the days are comparatively longer and it is less cold. I personally prefer the cold climate because I just find something very charming about the grey skies in an old town.

At Calton Hill

P.S. There is a lot more to Edinburgh which I have discovered in my consequent trips. Know more about the place along with my suggestions in my next article: More on Edinburgh