First stop on our Falling for Scotland tour was the magically misty city of Edinburgh – a destination both Kemey and I know fairly well but can never seem to get enough of.
A massive reason we love Edinburgh so much is that is such a lovely place for urban strolls paired with panoramic vistas. The city’s iconic castle, Arthur’s Seat, the Firth of Forth and more drift in and out of one’s periphery while navigating its winding streets and lanes. When not ambling about, there’s a glorious plentitude of cafes, bars, pubs, eateries, cultural attractions and more to drop in or wander through.
Here are the (mostly – but not exclusively – foodie) highlights of our recent drop ins and wanders.
National Galleries of Scotland
Despite a number of visits to Edinburgh between us, this trip was the first for either of us to have a prowl around the National Galleries. We’d been missing out. What an amazing collection (that, by the way, is free for the public to view)! I particularly savoured the chance to admire Titian’s Venus Rising from the Sea.
View the Galleries online at nationalgalleries.org.
Surgeon’s Hall Museums
Our browse through the Surgeon’s Hall Museums was a total creep fest – but an enlightening and fascinating one. Owned by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Museums consist of the Wohl Pathology Museum, the History of Surgery Museum and The Dental Collection. If diseased organs in formaldehyde, deformed foetal skeletons, antique surgical instruments, and such sound like the sorts of exhibition items you’d like to have a look at and learn about in actually non-sensational way, keep this amazing place in mind.
More at museum.rcsed.ac.uk.
Dough Pizzeria
Pizzas made with seawater dough and baked in a wood-fired oven are main draw at this friendly little Rose Street pizzeria. We dropped in for lunch and loved Dough’s offer – and the affordable prices. Kemey went with a Margherita (handmade Italian tomato passata, fresh organic basil, fior di latte); it was proper. I had the Scozia (handmade Italian tomato passata, fior di latte, Mcsweens Haggis, Stornaway Black Pudding, smoked pancetta, topped with a cracked egg); it was epic.
Find out more at dough-pizza.co.uk.
Harajuku Kitchen Japanese Bistro
Should you ever find yourself hankering for sushi and authentic Japanese food in Edinburgh head to Harajuku Kitchen at Gillespie Place near the Bruntsfield Links. It’s quaint. Service is cheery. The food is phenomenal. I loved my Deluxe Maknouchi Bento Box feature a mega assortment of nigiri, sashimi, tempura, tamago, kara-age chicken and salmon Nanban.
Check out Harajuku Kitchen online at harajukukitchen.co.uk.
Wedgwood the Restaurant
Elegant and seasonal fine dining in a cozy and romantic setting set on the Royal Mile at Chef Paul Wedgwood’s elegant restaurant made for a memorable date night for Kemey and I during our trip.
Visit the restaurant online at wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk.
Le Roi Fou
Fucking awesome restaurant. So much so, I’m going to give Chef Jerome Henry’s madly delicious restaurant its own standalone post following soon after this one. In the meanwhile, do yourself a favour and book a table ASAP: leroifou.com.
[UPDATE: here’s a link to that standalone post:
tikichris.com/2017/11/03/scotland-autumn-le-roi-fou]
Haymarket Hub Hotel
We stayed at the Haymarket Hub Hotel. Conveniently situated for just about everywhere we visited in town, it was next to a mainline station and a tram stop (for cheap and quick access to the airport) and turned out to be an ideal base for our two nights (too brief!) time in the Scottish capital. Budget friendly prices for small practical rooms make it an easy place to recommend for anyone looking for good, clean, safe accommodation but who are more interested in what’s going on around town more than in the hotel.
Details at haymarkethubhotel.com.
Keep an eye out for more Falling for Scotland posts coming soon.
