Hill, Harry, Holyrood

Top of Calton Hill

Unfinished monument at Calton Hill

This morning after my hearty breakfast, I hiked up Calton Hill and got a look of the city from a different direction than yesterday at the castle (plus, I could see the castle in my view). When I arrived, I was probably only one of about five people up there, and the sun had not fully risen. So it was a treat to get to watch the sun rise and I felt like I was in on some kind of secret because hardly anyone else was up there to see it with me. I walked around the whole hill, taking pictures of every direction. I could see clearly Holyrood Palace and Arthur's Seat (which I opted not to climb today).

The Elephant Cafe: "Birthplace of Harry Potter"

I stayed on the hill for about two hours until my stomach started growling. Then I headed back towards the city center and stopped for a bite to eat at The Elephant House. This is the cafe that JK Rowling would come to and write Harry Potter. Outside the windows is a great view of the castle on top of the hill and it's not hard to imagine that it provided a great influence as she wrote about Hogwarts. I kind of "nerded out" because I thought it was so neat to see where the books began.

Next I walked the opposite direction down the Royal Mile and toured the Palace of the Holyroodhouse, which is the Queen's summer residence.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Aftter walking around Holyrood, I made my way to Prince Street and did some shopping. They have a three story Primark and I had to leave because I was overwhelmed! As I was walking along Prince Street, it started to rain...and then it started to snow. The high today was about 33, and the type of weather that makes your nostrils practically freeze together. I had to stop in a coffee shop for some hot chocolate and a pastry so that I could thaw out. Once I noticed the people outside put away their umbrellas, I went back into the cold and headed straight for the Christmas Market down the street where I got a bratwurst and sauerkraut for dinner. It's only 7 pm right now, but it's been dark for the last three hours. And in that time I've come back to the hotel to warm up again after dinner.