Sauntering around Scotland: Royal Mile

Note: A few more photos have been added to this entry. The added photos were taken by Auntie/Uncle De.

Royal Mile, Edinburgh
Sunday, 27 August 2006

On the third day of our trip in Scotland, we started our journey from Seton Sands towards Edinburgh city centre again. Hoping to find Edinburgh Botanic Garden. We didn't find Botanic Garden, but instead we stopped at Butterfly World. We stopped for a short while and continued our quest to city centre.

Suddenly, we lost Uncle De! We followed a different route that led us to Waterloo Place which was very near to Princes Street. We parked our car for free by the street. And contacted Auntie De's mobile phone telling her that we would meet up somewhere at the city centre.

For a clearer picture, please click here for Edinburgh city centre's map.

Statue of the Duke of Wellington, infront of Scotland Register House
probably where Pycno registered the birth of his children

From Waterloo Place, we walked towards the information centre (where we saw the above statue on the right. And where the Red Indians performed). I thought of getting some information on Botanic Garden and Palace of Holyrood House. I received a lot information from the staff and a free map too! The staff also told us that we could catch bus no. 36 to get to Holyrood Palace.

The Balmoral Hotel: Side view

Auntie De rang while we were at the Information Centre. She said she parked her car near Holyrood Palace!!! I wanted so much to go there. From the map obtained from the information centre, it seemed that Holyrood Palace was so far away and isolated at the other end of Royal Mile.

We went into the Princes Mall to have our lunch and to plan where to go next.

After lunch, we walked passed the North Bridge towards the Royal Mile (the map indicated High Street). At the crossroad, I wanted so much to explore the South part of Royal Mile (towards Holyrood Palace).

But Babah suggested to experience the festival again. And Auntie De called saying she might come and join us at the city centre. Furthermore, I myself thought that the South end of Royal Mile looked LESS happening with less people. So we turned right and braved ourselves through the crowd like the day before.

The Museum of Edinburgh

Honestly, I was quite disappointed at that time because we didn't get to see new places. It was already late afternoon and we were going back the next day. So to cut the long story short, we turned and made our way towards the South end of Royal Mile towards Holyrood Palace. Along the way, we saw quite a few more museums and interesting buildings like The Museum of Edinburgh, The Museum of Childhood and Canongate Kirk.

Canongate Kirk

I was getting more excited that we were on the right track. We called Auntie De. And hey presto, they were still near the Holyrood Palace area taking photographs.

The controversial £431 Million Scottish Parliament

At the end of Royal Mile, we saw the new Scottish Parliament. A really refreshing design although I think there were too many unnecessary details and features to the building.

Amar (background: Front entrance of Scottish Parliament)

BUT it was unique and weird at the same time.

Sarah (background: Salisbury Crags or Holyrood Park)

From the Parliament, we could see the entrance to Holyrood Palace and the Queen's Gallery. And as we turned into Holyrood Road, I was double excited when I saw Holyrood Park. I was so glad that we made it there.

Addition No.1 : Holyrood Park

I got to see the same view I've seen in 1987, when I visited Edinburgh with my family. I remember we took a photo with the same background. The Parliament was not there yet, of course. But I do not know why I didn't remember Holyrood Palace.

The Queen's Gallery

A purpose built gallery to enable exhibitions of art from the Royal collection.

Queen's Gallery - CLOSED!

Heraldry, Abbey Strand
It bears the Royal Arms and I R 5 for King James the V.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

It is still the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh.

It was founded in 1498 by James IV. Holyrood Palace has witnessed some of the most dramatic episodes in Scottish History. Click here for more details.

AdditionNo.2: View of Holyrood Palace (on the right) and the Scottish Parliament (left) taken by Uncle/Auntie De from Holyrood Park (probably from Arthur's Seat)


Palace of Holyroodhouse (Posh) Cafe

At the above cafe, Auntie De and family had a quiet English tea. Not long after that we arrived and reunited with them and soon created a fiasco. (Sorry Queen!)

Auntie De's English tea and scone

After that, we took no 36 bus to Waverley Station (to avoid walking uphill) and walked back to where we parked our car. While Auntie De's car was parked near the Palace. Both Auntie and Uncle De were so clever to find where we parked our car and from there we drove back to Seton Sands.

Addition No.3: Kebab MaHal (with BIG HA)

Errrr, not yet. We stopped at Kebab Mahal to buy our dinner and then we headed home for our final night stay in Scotland.