Royal Mile

Over three days, Michael and Asanuo gave us the insider’s walking tour of Old Town, starting with The Royal Mile. We traipsed along narrow cobblestone streets and medieval closes, through tunnels and courts, and up stone staircases such as the Castle Wynd steps.

All the buildings had window boxes and hanging baskets overflowing with bright flowers. We especially loved watching the traditional working looms at Tartan Weaving Mill and hearing bagpipes played all over Old Town by pipers in full Highland dress, kilts and all. We explored the Old College of the University of Edinburgh (founded 1582), where Michael is completing his doctorate in South Asian Studies. You can read about his fascinating work here. That's quite the CV!

St. Giles Cathedral, founded around 1130.

Sweet brothers. They were awesome travelers! Cheerful, flexible, great listeners. See the double-decker? Most of the regular city buses were double-deckers. One night Asanuo and I went out to do some errands and I got to ride in one. Fun!

John Knox's house (built 1470). After a while, our minds just couldn't take in the age and rich history all around us. Apparently the inside of this museum is gorgeous but we didn't even go in. The history crammed into every corner was just too much, so we started joking around. Medieval house? Two-thousand-year-old castle? Mary Queen of Scots lived here? No big deal. Keep on moving.


Daniel got carried away in front of John Knox's house. Would the firebrand reformer approve of this flagrant display of affection?

Worn out from walking, we picked up bread, chorizo, cheese, wine, and fruit from Sainsbury's and enjoyed a picnic in The Meadows. The boys and I were so jet-lagged we promptly lay down in the grass and fell asleep! I don't think I've ever slept that deeply in public in my life.

We couldn't resist!