Susan Serven

When junior year of high school came around for our younger daughter, I mentioned that she might want to look at schools outside the U.S. as well, it’s just important to know you have choices.

She jumped at that.And before I knew it she was setting up visits to the University of Edinburgh and St. Andrews and I was planning our trip to Scotland.

We went over Thanksgiving weekend, a total of 5 (!) days, which was both a very good idea and a challenge.It was a good idea because there were almost no Americans traveling to Scotland at that time, we got to visit Edinburgh’s wonderful Christmas Market at night, which had just opened, and it was a bad idea because we tried to squeeze it all in in five days.

But thanks to the hotel we selected and the hospitality of the Scottish people it all worked out.

We flew to Edinburgh, landing at about 6am, which was terrific because our taxi driver toured us around directly from the airport (“where is Edinburgh Castle from here?,” I asked before I had had any coffee after our flight. “Look up” he said, and pointed. There, directly to our right and yes, UP, was Edinburgh castle, dominating the skyline of Edinburgh, even at 6am).

Fun fact: Edinburgh Castle is built on a large volcanic plug called Castle Rock, which is a natural landmark that formed from an extinct volcano millions of years ago. This elevated, natural defense made it an ideal location for building a fortified settlement, and it has been the site of human occupation since the Stone Age and a royal castle since at least the 11th century.

Our driver dropped us off at our hotel, the historic, gorgeous Balmoral Hotel, right on Princes Street in Edinburgh. Words won’t do it justice, but it’s an historic hotel, built in 1895 as a station hotel (it’s right near the train station) and is within walking distance to everywhere, you do not need to drive.

The rooms had recently been redone, the entire hotel is luxurious, beautiful, and a graceful clock tower makes it recognizable from wherever you are in the city.

Our first day started with a hearty breakfast and a walk up the hill(s) to Edinburgh Castle. We toured this magnificent fortress, took photos, learned the history.

It’s at the top of Castle Hill, one of the seven hills of Edinburgh, and probably the most well-know.As you leave Edinburgh Castle, you’re perfectly situated to take a leisurely (steep!) walk (cobblestones!) down the Royal Mile, the busiest tourist street in the Old Town.

The Royal Mile starts at the bottom with Holyrood Palace (where Mary Queen of Scots lived, so much history there) and ends at Edinburgh Castle, at the top. Many quaint side streets, shops, coffee house, restaurants, branch off from the Royal Mile.

Our second day was more visiting Holyrood House, shopping (don't miss the Tartan Woolen Mills!), and taking the whiskey tour at the Scotch Whiskey Experience, (if you have teens with you like we did, parents can take the Whiskey Tour at the Scotch Whiskey Experience and teens can check out the historic Camera Obscura attraction right across the street). 

Holyrood was fantastic, but the best (and most surprising) part was seeing actor Alan Cummings and “George to the Rescue” star George Oliphant filming a documentary on Scotland!

At night hit up a historic old pub near your hotel (there are lots, we went to the Guildford Arms) and maybe do a ghost tour.

Our third day was a visit and tour of Edinburgh University, a legendary seat of learning founded 1583 right in the middle of the town, which of course why this trip was specifically planned) and it was perfect.

Our fourth day we left early and walked to the train for a sunrise trip, crossing the Firth of Forth (love saying that) to St. Andrews University, located next to the town of Fife. The Firth of Forth is the large, open area of water the mouth of the River Forth, which eventually connects to the North Sea.

We had planned a tour with a student guide who was wonderful and I am still not convinced that we didn’t go back in time and visit Hogwart’s.

That afternoon and evening we visited some shops we didn’t get to see the first few days, and were still able to visit Edinburgh’s Christmas Market that night, which was just marvelous.

Our last day meant a trip to the airport, but even that was fun – there were few people there, the airport is wonderful, we had a layover at Charles de Gaulle Airport which meant more shopping, croissants and coffee and were absolutely, wonderfully exhausted when we arrived home.

Although Becky did not end up at either of Scotland’s prestigious universities, this whirlwind trip was one of my most favorites, I had no idea how much there was to do in Edinburgh – there’s so much more to do in other areas of Scotland as well, so stay tuned for that!