1/8/11 - Arthur's Seat

Distance - 6 Miles
Caches - 4
Where I had Tea
Inspired by - Walking Edinburgh

Arthurs Seat

Edinburgh remains the place that I want to live for some part of my life.  I would move tomorrow, but Ellie has a thing about accents.  Harsh words from a girl born in Wordsley.  I had my first mexican meal in this city in 2007.  I also lived for the best part of 6 months at the George and dragged a the team I was working with around all the pubs in the good pub guide.  These days, I am up here around three times a year.  And today is one of those days.

Walk up over North Bridge and catch sight of my plans tonight. 



Go on then, I'll walk up there tonight


First I have to get to the start of the official walk, which involves doing the bottom half of the royal mile.  Usual haunts, such as the Canon Gait and Pancho Villas (scene of my second Mexican) are passed until I end up at the new parliament and Holyrood Palace.  Out into the countryside on the escalator that is Salisbury Crags.

I have walked Salisbury Crags before, but today they are closed due to rock falls.  I would have broken through the barricades like Jim Kerr, but there were a couple of rozzers on patrol and I didn't want to get told off for trespass.  Amend my route to go East to Long Row and the Dry Dam.  This is a straightforward route but quite energetic.  Get overtaken by nordic skiers and several joggers whilst I puff my way to the top.  When there, you are rewarded with superb views in all directions.

I think that is Easter Road

I can see the sea

Like a doofus, I have blocked out the castle

But there it is (if you zoom in)

After the photo opps, I drop down to Duddingstone Village and find Edinburghs oldest Public house, the Sheep's Heid.  They have been open since 1360.  Its probably just me that finds this incredible.  Go for Haggis, Neeps and Tatties and elict a "Good choice" from the barman.  Which he no doubt shouted "Another tourist wants his tea" when he went into the kitchen.

I have done my research here and through the power of the Internet have worked out how to get back.  Find the bus stop.  Ask the two lovers there if the buses go to the city.  In a Polish accent they say they hope so.  So we all wait.  Only one of us feels awkward as we wait some more.  They start talking about me in their native tongue.  I look at the timetable and it looks like despite the governments web page encouraging us to use public transport, the next bus is in an hour.

Why is it that only the old and the mad understand how public transport works?

Decide to walk back.  This is more walking than I anticipated, but it does allow me the view of Arthurs Seat that is said to look like a lion.

Kind of get it.

Head back into the city revisting old friends of Bannermans and the Cafe Royal on my return.

Its still my favourite city.