Welcome to Edinburgh

I’ve fallen in love with Edinburgh. It’s a historic yet welcoming city of approximately 500,000 people. Old Town features abundant shops selling Scottish goods like tweed and whiskey, reminiscent of tourist areas elsewhere but far more charming.

The day began at Holyrood Palace, a 900-year-old working royal residence with historical significance including ties to Mary Queen of Scots. The palace features unicorn imagery throughout the city — these creatures symbolized purity and power for Scottish nobility in the 15th century and became the nation’s official animal because “only a king could hold a unicorn captive.”

I enjoyed a memorable meal at Makars Gourmet Mash Bar featuring braised beef with dark onion gravy over cheddar and chive mash — Scottish comfort food at its finest. The day concluded at the Jolly Judge pub with whiskey drinks.