8 Things You Must See in Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands
A land of rolling hills, brisk air, and plenty of scotch. Though the weather may be a bit unpredictable, you are sure to have an enchanting visit in the land of the Scots.
We began our adventure in the capital city of Edinburgh. Arguably the historic center of Scotland the city boasts breathtaking architecture, a bustling food scene, a history of paranormal activity, and of course, the birthplace of the world’s most famous wizard. Edinburgh is an incredibly walkable city with many of its main attractions located in the central part of the city known as Old town.
What to see in Edinburgh
1. Tour Castle Rock and Edinburgh Castle
At the center of the city, you will see Castle Rock, a steep incline of basalt rock covering an extinct volcano. Nestled at its peak is Edinburgh Castle, one of the most besieged castles in all of Europe, now one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions. You can book afternoon tea at the castle before your tour where you will see the Great Hall, Argyle Battery, The Royal Scots Museum, and much more. Don’t be alarmed if you are near the castle around lunchtime as the One O’Clock Gun is still fired as part of a Scottish tradition. Six days a week the cannon can be heard at 1:00pm, this started in the 1800s as a timekeeping service for nearby ships. Unfortunately for us, a day of high winds thwarted a visit to the castle. Luckily everything else we wanted to see was within walking distance.
View of Castle Rock from the Vennel Alleyway in Edinburgh Scotland. This is a great location for photos, though this image was taken during a rainstorm in the winter… it’s much more dreamy in the summer!
2. For Harry Potter Lovers, Visit These 3 Places in Edinburgh
2.1 Grab a coffee at The Elephant House
Naturally, the second most important history of Scotland is Harry Potter! A stone’s throw away from Castle Rock is The Elephant House Cafe and Victoria Street, both major attractions for Harry Potter fanatics like us. The Elephant House is of course where J.K. Rowling sat while she wrote the first books about the now famous boy wizard. Still operating as an unpretentious cafe for locals, walking in you are hit with a sense of quaint normalcy. Tables packed with older patrons and young adults working on whatever the day holds for them or just having a coffee date with friends.
2.2 Take a walk down Victoria Street
Just around the corner from Elephant’s Cafe is Victoria street; a narrow, curved, sloping street with colorful storefronts. Serving as the inspiration for what is seen in the Harry Potter series as Diagon Alley, this architectural landmark has many allures. Here you will find independent shops and cafes alongside the Harry Potter Museum, The Great Wizard gift shop, and the Enchanted Galaxy gift shop. You can bet we found some wonderful HP souvenirs to take home.
2.3 Stay at the Balmoral and tour the J.K. Rowling Suite
Rounding out our Harry Potter tour in Edinburgh was actually the hotel we stayed at. The Balmoral was not only opulent and refined, it has a dedicated apartment where J.K. Rowling stayed to write book 7 of the series. This was the cherry on top of our Harry Potter fandom tour of Edinburgh.
The Balmoral Hotel is a luxurious 5-star property located in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. Situated on Princes Street, the hotel offers breathtaking views of the city's iconic castle and the surrounding landscape. The hotel's elegant rooms and suites are tastefully decorated and feature a range of modern amenities, including flat-screen TVs, minibars, and coffee makers. Guests can dine in style at the hotel's award-winning restaurant, Brasserie Prince which serves a range of delicious dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients — including the below pictured Scottish lambchops and the French inspired onion soup. The hotel also boasts a spa and fitness center, where guests can relax and rejuvenate after a day of exploring the city. The Balmoral Hotel is within walking distance of many of Edinburgh's top attractions, including the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. Overall, the Balmoral Hotel is the perfect choice for travelers seeking luxury and comfort in the heart of Scotland's capital city.
3. Visit These Top Edinburgh Attractions
Once we had our fill of literary history, we were surprised at how many things we could do just in Old Town.
We visited Palace of Holyrood House, walked the Royal Mile, had high tea at Balmoral’s Palm Court, took an underground vault tour at The Real Mary King’s Close, participated in a “Scotch Whisky Experience,” and capped off our time in Edinburgh with a Valentine’s Day dinner atop Calton Hill at The Lookout By Gardener’s Cottage. There is much more to explore from haunted tours, museums, gardens, pubs, the list goes on.
What to see in the scottish highlands
As enchanting as the city of Edinburgh can be, you won’t get a true sense of Scotland without visiting the Highlands. This northern region is dotted with picturesque Lochs, rolling hills, herds of sheep, and yes, one more iconic Harry Potter relic.
4. Try Oysters in the Scottish Highlands at the Monachyle Mhor Hotel
We took a day to travel north, stopping at the Monachyle Mhor Hotel for a fine dining experience. Focused on locally sourced fruits, vegetables, and herbs from their personal gardens and wild meats and seafood from the surrounding landscape, a rotating menu means you are always eating the freshest ingredients featured that season. Not to mention the fact we got an oyster and scotch pairing experience, a true Scottish delight!
5. Hike to the Glennfinnan Viaduct
Continuing north past loch after loch, we made it a point to stop at the famous Glennfinnan Viaduct. Easily identified from the Harry Potter movie series, if timed right, you can catch the iconic red Jacobite steam train chuffing across the bridge.
It’s always a good idea to pack warm and water-resistant clothing, especially if visiting in the winter. We got caught in a rather aggressive mix of wind and rain while we were there, but managed to make it to the viewpoint and get a picture in our house sweatshirts and scarves. For the true fanatic, you can book a ticket on the train that traverses the viaduct and live your wizarding world dreams. This will certainly be on our list next time we visit!
6. Stay at the Picturesque Isle of Eriska Hotel
Once we warmed back up in the van we continued north to the remote Isle of Eriska where we sipped tea, walked the grounds and enjoyed another amazing meal at the Isle of Eriska Hotel.
The Isle of Eriska Hotel is a luxury property located on a 300-acre private island in the Scottish Highlands. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, the hotel offers a unique and secluded retreat for guests. The hotel's rooms and suites are individually decorated and feature a range of modern amenities. Guests can dine on delicious locally sourced cuisine at the hotel's award-winning restaurant, which boasts panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The Isle of Eriska Hotel is the perfect choice for those seeking a peaceful and luxurious escape.
7. Grab Lunch at the Knockderry Country House
Knockderry Country House is a beautiful mansion located on the banks of the Clyde Estuary in Scotland. Set in acres of stunning gardens and woodlands, the house offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The house has been beautifully restored and features a mix of antique furnishings and modern amenities.
Guests can choose to stay in one of the luxurious guest rooms or self-catering cottages, all of which are well-equipped and tastefully decorated. The house also has a fine dining restaurant and a cozy bar, where guests can enjoy delicious meals and drinks. There are plenty of activities to keep guests entertained, including golf, fishing, and walking trails. Overall, Knockderry Country House is a perfect retreat for those seeking a peaceful and relaxing break in the Scottish countryside.
8. Drive 4x4s Off-road Through the Scottish Highlands
We made our way to the small town of Luss for a 4x4 adventure. We each took turns learning how to drive a true Land Rover through steep and muddy terrain while overlooking the storied Loch Lomond. Our guide from 4x4 Adventures Scotland taught us all we needed to know! From the hillside, we overlooked Loch Lomond Golf Course, one of the world’s most expensive private clubs.
Traveling through Scotland truly felt like traveling through stories we grew up with. The landscapes are so familiar to us through television and film and visiting in person only added to the allure. Everyone we met was so inviting and excited to show us their beautiful country and you will nay find a Scotsman or woman who take themselves too seriously
The entire experience is one we will never forget. What surprised us the most I think was the food. Yes, we ate some of the traditional staples, but the inventiveness and push to source and create with local ingredients left our whole group with a new appreciation for a landscape that is often touted as cold and desolate. No need to worry though, if you do get chilly there is always whisky nearby to warm you up!
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