Edinburgh, arrival day

Saturday in Edinburgh was tough because of the sleep deprivation. But after the exhilarating car ride into the city and some tea and shortbread, we rallied.  The rental car had a built in GPS which worked well but we got to our hotel on a narrow street and there was absolutely no parking. Once you drive by your hotel and get turned around on one ways streets, it's hard to park and walk your way back through town without a map.  In the car, you can retype the address and it will recalculate. Judd went to find out how to pay a parking meter (and make some local change) and I walked back to the STAY.central, which was cleverly disguised behind the outdoor patio of the Three Sisters Pub. Turns out you need to park about 1/2 mile away and get a token and can't check in until 3:00 anyway. So, Judd and I went and found the parking and then cruised  down The Royal Mile, the one mile road that 

leads from Edinburgh castle to the Royal Palace. Judd is reading Mary Queen of Scots and was caught right up in the history and drama. The Palace of Holyrood House is where Mary gave birth to James V, the future kind of England. Shops and museums and churches crowd both sides of the street. The free Edinburgh museum had a movie of the city's history (on a projected map on the floor.) It helped orient us in time and space to the layout of the city.  When we came out there was a wedding across the street with full bagpipes in swing. 
   On our way back up the hill, we ducked into Fountain Close. The guidebook said to visit some closes (courtyards) which are labeled with street signs on the front, but in the back, this one felt like several people's personal front yards. As our hotel was halfway up the hill and it was after 3pm by now (8pm in Maine) we ducked in for an hour nap and a shower. The clerk had to come up to show us how to turn the lights on. Just as she arrived, Judd said, "what's this slot by the door?" and it was a slot for the door's key card. You put your card in and then the light switches work. When you take your key card to leave, all the lights go out.  Isn't that sensible?
  We ate at the Mitre Bar (famous for the ghost of a 17th century fugitive bishop.) The table had a small thistle (the national flower) in a cute rectangular vase.Judd asked the waiter how to chose between the three Scotches on the menu.  The waiter asked, "do you like smokey, peat or smooth?"  "Or you can pick by 8 £ a nip or £47 a nip."  Judd tried the Glenkinchie, a light crisp whisky. Judd was debating whether to order the haggis.  I remarked that it tasted like meatloaf made out of liver. Judd said, "yes."  I said, "what's the point?"

Sunny Scotland

Judd admiring Arthur's Seat (dormant volcano)

Palace of Holyrood House

Our STAY hotel behind the beer garden

Cowgate Street, runs parallel to the Royal Mile