Tuesday

Around Edinburgh

As well as all the other exciting things happening in August, I got to visit Scotland for the first time ever! I've wanted to nip over the border for the longest time and just never got round to it, so when I heard that Haruki Murakami was speaking at the Edinburgh Book Festival, it seemed like the perfect time. Admittedly it was two days after we landed home from Florida, and the day after Reading Festival, but it was worth it! 

We booked a room for two nights, and it was nowhere near enough to do everything we had planned, so there will definitely be future visits. The next few days will be filled with posts of everything I got up to, but I wanted to begin with a little "around Edinburgh" introduction. It's such a beautiful city that I can't resist posting all the photos I took out and about.
Murakami's event started a couple of hours after we arrived in the city. I was worried about trains being late and missing the talk but thankfully everything went to plan. Unfortunately, he was only signing after his second event the following day, and it was only open to ticket holders of that specific event, making this the second time I've missed out on a signing by one of my cultural heroes. Gutted isn't the word! Nevertheless, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to listen to him speak. Murakami came across as a very endearing and good-natured person; a comfortable and self-aware introvert. His memory of his own novels is not great, but this was a charming quirk. Interestingly, he seems to have no interest in metaphors or deep meanings. If a character is written as walking through a well, it's because he's walked through the well. The wind up bird in The Wind Up Bird Chronicle has no purpose beyond Murakami liking the idea. Although I wanted to ask him about the significance of the repeated mention of ears in his novels, I have a pretty strong feeling that his answer will be "I like ears". I feel very lucky to have been present at his event and listened to him speak about his work. 

After the talk, Rich and I visited the Edinburgh Dungeons, which are almost exactly the same as the London Dungeons, although the Sawney Bean boat ride is absolutely terrifying! Oh, and I was chosen as the person to go down the steps first- alone- and make sure the coast was clear. Of course somebody jumped out and screamed at me, and of course I screamed like a little girl, even though I was expecting it! 

Understandably, we were both exhausted and still a bit jet lagged, so we had an early night to rest for our busy full-day in Edinburgh.  

Rather conveniently, I had been sent a #StressFreeFringe kit by StressFreePrint, consisting of a Fringe directory, tartan scarf, insanely helpful Edinburgh guidebook (complete with maps!) and a handy Fringe tote bag to carry it all around in. 

My #StressFreeFringe kit also included a tartan umbrella, which was just what I needed on Sunday when the inevitable rain began falling! 

Sunday morning was pretty exciting for me as I finally got to meet the wonderful Kirsty of Indigo Buttons. Although we've been talking for about two years- bonding over a mutual love of Richard Osman- being in, you know, different countries meant it was a little difficult to meet in real life. You'll be pleased to know that she is lovely in person as well as online! She, and her partner Adam, took Rich and I on a little mini-tour of the city. Let me tell you, Kirsty is the best person to walk around Edinburgh with. Having had all sorts of interesting jobs in the past, including a tour guide and a lion at the castle (true story!), she knows all there is to know about the place and will tell you everything, even if you don't ask! 

After a long day of museum-visiting, hill-climbing and Harry-Potter-cafe-dining, we headed back to our room on the bus...

The bus that has tartan seats. Yep. 

Monday, our final day in Edinburgh, was a crazy, hectic day with a lot to do in very little time. 

Edinburgh is a fantastic city and I loved it, hills and all! I can't wait to go back! 

29 comments :

  1. Such a gorgeous city--tartan tartan everywhere! Glad you had a wonderful trip. ^-^

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aw, I adore the passion that comes off when reading your posts! Glad to hear you had a good time in Edinburgh, it certainly looks wonderful from the photography!

    Jade x
    jadethejourno.blogspot.co.uk ♡

    ReplyDelete
  3. Glad you had a great time in Edinburgh! I might be biased, but it is definitely one of my favourite cities.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so glad that I read the bit about the Harry Potter Cafe Dining! Coolest experience ever sitting there, knowing that JK spent so much time imagining the stories....... And that view of the castle! Umm. Hello Hogwarts?! So great.

    I just posted about Edinburgh too, but my pics have nothing on yours! I just was so exhausted I barely brought the camera out, turns out a whirlwind Italian trip with a million things going wrong and also getting engaged right at the end takes it out of you!!!

    I have a few posts of yours to catch up on which I am very much looking forward to doing over the next week... Can't wait to read all about your last few weeks!!!

    Jemima x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It sounds like you've been a real busy bee lately! It was really interesting to read your post and see how our trips compared. Your photos are beautiful!

      Delete
  5. Aww reading this makes me happy, so glad you enjoyed your visit here! The photo of the bus seats made me laugh, the first time I ever came here I couldn't get over them and even now I still give them a little smile every time I get the bus! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved it! Rich got on a bus while I was doing some shopping and he sent me the happiest text saying "Tartan bus seats!!". I couldn't wait to see them for myself!

      Delete
  6. Glad you had a great time in Edinburgh! My fiance and I took a visit there back in July and it was amazing! I hope you did some of the ghost tours as they were brilliant!
    Lauren // OhHay Blogs!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't! I'd love to but I'm a bit of a chicken, Next time!

      Delete
  7. I'm so jealous that you got to hear Murakami speak! I really respect his work. I'm glad you had such a lovely time away :)

    ellenunderwater.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  8. Haha! I love that I tell you everything about the city, "even if you don't ask"! ;-) I can't help but wax lyrical about my adopted city, can I?! Sooooo smashing to meet you. Glad you enjoyed my home!! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I LOVED that you told me everything! I'm such a history geek so I love finding out about everything. It was amazing meeting you and I had such a great time. I'll be back!

      Delete
  9. Your pictures are beautiful. You showcased the city well. Edinburgh is also on my list of places to visit. All that is holding me back is time and money ha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. It's really wonderful, so I hope you get to visit soon.

      Delete
  10. Looks like you had a great time, would love to visit Edinburgh one day

    http://doinglifemyway.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have wanted to go to Edinburgh for ages, it always looks like such a lovely place. I love that first photo and I can't wait to see more of your trip!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my gosh the architecture! You make everywhere you go look so appealing!
    Megan x
    London Callings

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've only been to Edinburgh a couple of times but I've always loved it! Such a beautiful place.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The dungeons sounds terrifying. I would have refused to be the first one to go down those stairs! Hell no! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What are you on about? You wouldn't have been at the Dungeons full stop!

      Delete

I read all comments and appreciate every single one, even if I can't always reply. If you have a question or need a reply, feel free to tweet me @BeckyBedbug- I always reply to tweets!

Blog Design by Get Polished | Copyright Becky Craggs 2017