Scottish Easter Eggs


My Easter was spent in the frigid air of Scotland's Edinburgh. It was a last minute holiday spurred by the fact that I'd been in London for too many consecutive days and when faced witha significant Easter break, decided it was high-time I go and explore someplace entirely new.

Edinburgh was the chosen getaway as it is reachable by car (a mere seven hours away!), is notorious for being historic and fascinating, and is home to a friend we needed to visit. Pictures follow. Enjoy!


The dusting of snow we encountered during the drive.




The opening gate to the Ashdene House, our Scottish B&B.


The stone manor itself was lovely: high ceilings, a stately staircase, richly detailed carpeting throughout. However, the woman who ran it was a bit too stiff and strict to be considered either warm or welcoming - she reminded me of a no-nonsense school-marm. Yes, ma'm!


Fortunately, the school-marm's breakfast was delicious. To the left you see vegetarian haggis (who knew?!) made with grains and loads of spice. I can honestly say this in one of the few UK-breakfasts of this sort where I'd wished there'd been more.



One of Edinburgh's many tiny alley ways beckoning visitors away from the main drag - walk too swiftly or too intently and you'll miss them!



We spied the miniscule Halfway House down such an alley and noted it for later...




Playing bagpipes below zero while sporting a kilt - they weren't kidding about the Scots' hardiness.



Ha! The shop of kilt maker! (And a little dog who noticed my intrigue).




Even the bus seats get the Scottish plaid treatment.



Edinburgh Castle.




Me trying not to look like an ice cube in front of Edinburgh Castle (I am definitely not Scottish - or as hardy when it comes to the cold).




What's known as "The Royal Mile" stretching down away from the castle.



"The Witchery?" - few signs have caught my notice or fueled my imagination so readily.



One of the most green, well-manicured, sparsely populated graveyards I've ever seen.



A view from the cemetery we accidentally strolled into after climbing a long stairway up the hill called Jacob's Ladder. I love the look of the darkened grave markers against the mountain backdrop. It's so gripping, so haunting, so beautifully solitary.




A majestic stone structure of a different sort: one of the North Bridge's grand hotels.



These rock buildings are ubiquitous.




The Halfway House: a little pub on (eesh) Fleshmarket Close that "ends before it begins" when you walk inside.



Yay! Easter Eggs! Compliments of our pub's holiday display - after a little cajoling from our waitress - just in time!



The castle looming over the city on Easter Eve.

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