A Visit to Edinburgh

Edinburgh is one of the world's most beautiful cities with stunning architecture and a rich history.

While my business travels took me to many wonderful places, I was very excited to visit Edinburgh in Scotland a number of years ago and scheduled the trip to take place on my way home after several days in Munich, Germany. Edinburgh is so beautiful and reminiscent of the old-world, thanks to the city’s stunning architecture. Medieval buildings and neoclassical structures make up much of the Old Town, giving the city a rich sense of vivid history. Its attraction lies in its ability to transport visitors to the past while still being a lively and most entertaining city. The distinct character, gothic architecture, and deep cultural heritage make Edinburgh a must-visit destination in the whole of Scotland.

The Senator Lounge was spacious with a good selection of food and drink and even had a barista.

After checking in at the Business Class counter for Lufthansa in Terminal 2 of the Munich International Airport (MUC), I made my way to the Senator Lounge in the Schengen Area near Gate G28, which I was able to access as a Star Alliance Gold Member. With its wood tones, this lounge felt warm and rather elegant. The buffet served both hot and cold options with good Bavarian food like Pretzels and Sausages along with German Beer. Shower facilities were also available for those who wished to freshen up and I especially appreciated the fast and reliable internet connectivity. All in all, it was a pleasant place to catch up on some work before boarding began around 2:30 that afternoon. 

Munich's Franz Joseph Strauss Airport is the second largest Lufthansa hub after Frankfurt.

The carrier was flying an Airbus A321 on the route to Edinburgh that afternoon and I was seated in aisle Seat 2C on the port side of the airplane. Like most European airlines, Lufthansa sizes its Business cabin dynamically where the dividing center curtain moves forward or aft in accordance with demand. As such, the seats in the forward cabin are no larger than those in  Economy Class, but the center seats are never sold which gave me a bit more room. I enjoyed a nice lunch of Sour Roast with Potatoes and Broccoli (a Dusseldorf favorite) with a Side Salad and a Lindt Chocolate for dessert. Flying time was about two and a half hours, putting us into the Edinburgh Airport (EDI) a short time after 4:30 PM.

The floor-to-ceiling shelves of The Scotch Whiskey Bar showcase hundreds of sought-after bottles.

It was a treat to book into the 5-star Balmoral Hotel and look up on arrival to see its prominent and iconic clock tower, which dominates the skyline at the junction of the Old and New Towns. Opened in 1902 for the North British Railway, it still retains its grand Edwardian style and occupies a prime location overlooking Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle. My 345- square foot Deluxe King Room had all the comforts of home. The bathroom featured Italian marble with a separate bath and shower. A bathrobe and slippers were also provided, along with complimentary toiletries from Forte Organics. The television was equipped with interactive entertainment features and my accommodations also contained an in-room bar, a safe and a coffee maker. The Balmoral features the Michelin-starred Number One Restaurant as well as the Brasserie Prince and the renowned Palm Court for the quintessential British experience - afternoon tea. The Scotch Whiskey Bar is a destination unto itself, boasting over 500 different whiskies. Any number of bartenders here are referred to respectfully as “Whiskey Ambassadors.” 

Historically used by ships to set their clocks, the castle's One O'Clock Gun is still fired every day.

With a day and a half to spare before heading home, I headed straight to Edinburgh Castle, a must-see destination for its immense historical significance. Perched atop Castle Rock, it dominates the Edinburgh skyline and is inseparable from the city's identity. The castle has been central to Scotland's history for centuries, serving as a royal palace as well as a fortress. The Scottish Crown Jewels, known as the Honors of Scotland, were on display in the Crown Room, which also featured the impressive Crown, Scepter and Sword of State. St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh, is contained within the castle. It’s a tiny, perfectly preserved chapel dating from the 12th Century. I also had a chance to visit the Great Hall, an impressive medieval hall with its original hammer beam roof and historic weapons display and briefly toured the National War Museum of Scotland which explores their military history with rather extensive exhibits. One could spend days exploring Edinburgh Castle. For a history buff like me, it was great to experience this tangible link to Scotland’s royal history and turbulent past.

At the center of Old Town, Edinburgh's Royal Mile is the heart of Scotland's renowned capital city.

The roughly one mile thoroughfare connecting Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse is know as the Royal Mile, the historic, bustling heart of the city’s Old Town. Running downhill from the castle to the palace, the street is characterized by steep, narrow alleys and hidden courtyards that reveal Edinburgh’s medieval past. The name "Royal Mile" was popularized in the early 20th Century to describe the route, which has served as the central spine of the city for centuries. The route is divided into sections, including the Castle Esplanade (site of the Military Tattoo), Lawnmarket, High Street, and the historic Canongate. Major sights include St Giles' Cathedral, The Real Mary King's Close, the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and the modern Scottish Parliament Building. The Royal Mile is the busiest street in the Old Town, packed with souvenir shops selling tartan, whiskey, and shortbread, as well was a number of restaurants, and pubs. While it normally would take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes to walk from end to end, I spent several hours exploring the area, which is lined with medieval-style buildings housing many of the shops in the area which serves as a central hub for tourists.

The historic Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official Scottish residence of the King when in Scotland.

At the end of the Royal Mile I came to the Palace of HolyroodHouse, a prime example of Classical and Baroque architecture, rebuilt in the 1670s by Sir William Bruce, It serves as the official residence of the British monarch when in Scotland and, as a working palace, it plays host to King Charles III for one week at the start of summer. With a history spanning over 500 years, the palace serves as the setting for state ceremonies. Most famously, it was the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, a Catholic Queen in a Protestant era who was executed for treason on the order of her cousin, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth I. Her historic apartments in the northwestern James V Tower are part of the castle tour and I was rather mesmerized by the 17th Century bed with a crimson damask cover, silk fringes, and the carved, painted ceiling bearing the monograms of her parents, James V and Mary of Guise. The palace is closely associated with key figures like Bonnie Prince Charlie who held court there in 1745, and Queen Victoria, who was responsible for its significant restoration in the 1850s. I was also overwhelmed by the Grand Gallery, the largest and most renowned room in the palace that stretches some 144 feet and displays 95 portraits of Scotland’s real and legendary kings starting with Fergus I, who is considered the first in line of the legendary Kings of Scotland. 

I could have spent days in Edinburgh exploring its history and its many charms, but sadly it was soon time to head home. I hope to have another opportunity to visit in the not-too-distant future.

Until next time…safe travels.