Scotland - Edinburgh and Highlands

My trip to Scotland didn’t start the best way. After an amazing week with my family in London, I went to the airport to wait for my flight to Edinburg. The

I was presented with an amazing weather in Scotland and I was really curious to discover the city and to see where J.K. Rowling got inspiration for Harry Potter.

Some curiosities about Scotland:

Scotch whisky is the world’s leading spirit drink and one of the United Kingdom’s top five export earners. Around 90% is exported to overseas markets.

The bagpipe is the national instrument of Scotland. It was used in the battles to scare the enemy. The official animal of Scotland is the Unicorn.

Practical Information

Since 1 October 2021 it is mandatory to bring a valid passport since the UK left the European Union. Scotland’s official currency is the pound sterling, known as pound like in the rest of the United Kingdom.

World Citizen Stories Tip: Don’t forget that in the United Kingdom the electric plug is type G. Consider buying a universal plug adaptor.

How to reach the city centre?

Take the shuttle bus Airlink 100, which connects the airport to Edinburg Centre (Saint Andrew Square), next to Waverley train station.

World Citizen Stories tip: Buy the ticket to go and come back, since it is cheaper.

The food you should try in Scotland

When heading to Edinumburg you must try the Scottish breakfast with haggis!

Where to eat? I tried it at Edinburgh Larder

What to see and do – Edinburgh

Day 1

Get to know the history of the Edinburgh Castle

The Edinburgh Castle was built on the top of Castle Rock, an extinct volcano, during the Iron Age.

I enjoyed visiting the castle! I recommend 3 hours to visit everything with time in the castle. The castle has many divisions and you will be able to see the crown jewels and the historic Stone of destiny, the great hall, St Margaret’s chapel (the oldest building in Edinburgh), prisons of war, among many other rooms.

One of my favourite rooms was the Great Hall which you can see in the picture below (King James IV had this hall built as an awe-inspiring stage for state banquets and ceremonies).

Inside the castle make sure you also visit the National War Museum.

World Citizen Stories tips:

Buy your ticket on the official website (adult ticket: £19.50 – 22.68€)
Don’t miss the one o’clock gun (ships in the Firth of Forth once set their maritime clocks by the One o’Clock Gun). You can learn more about this in
If you want to see the Edinburgh castle map click here

Princes Street Gardens

Find the floral garden and see the Ross fountain (it’s beautiful!). See the Scott Monument.

World Citizen Stories tip: you can go to the top of the Scott Monument. I didn’t do it.

See the castle from Princess Street

Discover the flower clock

Scott Monument

Advocate’s close

Stroll around the Edinburgh canal

Day 2

Saint Giles cathedral

I was mind-blown by the chapel inside the cathedral! The numerous details made me look everywhere.

Victoria Street

You know famous city that every capital has and where you will find all the tourist takings pics? In Edimburg Victoria street is the one!

World Citizen Stories tip: Harry Potter store (for more tips on Harry Potter go to the bottom of the article).

Calton Hill

For a beautiful view of Edinburgh Calton Hill is the place to go.

Arthur’s seat: Climb an extinct volcano

Arthur’s seat offers one of the best views of Edinburgh. It is a short, yet vigorous hike to the highest point, but absolutely worth it!

Arthur’s seat is located at Holyrood Park and this hill is the remains of an extinct volcano that erupted 350 millions years ago.

Day 4

Stroll around Circus lane

Considered one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful streets, Circus Lane is a place full of history.

Dean’s Village

Day 5

Visit Dolly the Sheep at the National Museum of Scotland

Dolly is the most famous sheep in the world. She was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell in 1996. Dolly was the only live lamb from 277 eggs used in cloning.

Highlights of the museum include the world-famous Dolly the sheep, jewellery belonging to Mary, Queen of the Scots, Vivienne Westwood’s iconic tartan suits.

I also had the chance to see the Declaration of Arbroath, widely seen as Scotland’s most iconic document.

Visit the world-renowned Royal Botanic Garden

The Royal Botanic Garden was founded in 1670. It has the biggest collection of Chinese plants out of China.